Liquidus slopes of impurities in ITS-90 fixed points from the mercury point to the copper point in the low concentration limit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pearce, Jonathan V.; Gisby, John A.; Steur, Peter P. M.

2016-08-01

A knowledge of the effect of impurities at the level of parts per million on the freezing temperature of very pure metals is essential for realisation of ITS-90 fixed points. New information has become available for use with the thermodynamic modelling software MTDATA, permitting calculation of liquidus slopes, in the low concentration limit, of a wider range of binary alloy systems than was previously possible. In total, calculated values for 536 binary systems are given. In addition, new experimental determinations of phase diagrams, in the low impurity concentration limit, have recently appeared. All available data have been combined to provide a comprehensive set of liquidus slopes for impurities in ITS-90 metal fixed points. In total, liquidus slopes for 838 systems are tabulated for the fixed points Hg, Ga, In, Sn, Zn, Al, Ag, Au, and Cu. It is shown that the value of the liquidus slope as a function of impurity element atomic number can be approximated using a simple formula, and good qualitative agreement with the existing data is observed for the fixed points Al, Ag, Au and Cu, but curiously the formula is not applicable to the fixed points Hg, Ga, In, Sn, and Zn. Some discussion is made concerning the influence of oxygen on the liquidus slopes, and some calculations using MTDATA are discussed. The BIPM’s consultative committee for thermometry has long recognised that the sum of individual estimates method is the ideal approach for assessing uncertainties due to impurities, but the community has been largely powerless to use the model due to lack of data. Here, not only is data provided, but a simple model is given to enable known thermophysical data to be used directly to estimate impurity effects for a large fraction of the ITS-90 fixed points.

Application of regular associated solution model to the liquidus curves of the Sn-Te and Sn-SnS systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eric, H.

1982-12-01

The liquidus curves of the Sn-Te and Sn-SnS systems were evaluated by the regular associated solution model (RAS). The main assumption of this theory is the existence of species A, B and associated complexes AB in the liquid phase. Thermodynamic properties of the binary A-B system are derived by ternary regular solution equations. Calculations based on this model for the Sn-Te and Sn-SnS systems are in agreement with published data.

Phase relations in the system NaCl-KCl-H2O II: Differential thermal analysis of the halite liquidus in the NaCl-H2O binary above 450°c

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gunter, W.D.; Chou, I.-Ming; Girsperger, Sven

1983-01-01

The solubility of halite can be expressed as a function of the mole-fractional-based activity of NaCl in the liquid phase (L) in temperature (T, °K) and pressure (P, bars) In  Our liquidus data (based on 10 compositions) above 500 bars for these brines were combined with this equation to generate activity coefficients of NaCl which were fit within their experimental uncertainties to the following one parameter Margules equation In . Concentrated solutions of NaCl show negative deviations from ideality which rapidly increase in magnitude with decreasing XNaCl.

Solidus and liquidus profiles of chondritic mantle: Implication for melting of the Earth across its history

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andrault, Denis; Bolfan-Casanova, Nathalie; Nigro, Giacomo Lo; Bouhifd, Mohamed A.; Garbarino, Gaston; Mezouar, Mohamed

2011-04-01

We investigated the melting properties of a synthetic chondritic primitive mantle up to core-mantle boundary (CMB) pressures, using laser-heated diamond anvil cell. Melting criteria are essentially based on the use of X-rays provided by synchrotron radiation. We report a solidus melting curve lower than previously determined using optical methods. The liquidus curve is found between 300 and 600 K higher than the solidus over the entire lower mantle. At CMB pressures (135 GPa), the chondritic mantle solidus and liquidus reach 4150 (± 150) K and 4725 (± 150) K, respectively. We discuss that the lower mantle is unlikely to melt in the D″-layer, except if the highest estimate of the temperature profile at the base of the mantle, which is associated with a very hot core, is confirmed. Therefore, recent suggestions of partial melting in the lowermost mantle based on seismic observations of ultra-low velocity zones indicate either (1) a outer core exceeding 4150 K at the CMB or (2) the presence of chemical heterogeneities with high concentration of fusible elements. Our observations of a high liquidus temperature as well as a large gap between solidus and liquidus temperatures have important implications for the properties of the magma ocean during accretion. Not only complete melting of the lower mantle would require excessively high temperatures, but also, below liquidus temperatures partial melting should take place over a much larger depth interval than previously thought. In addition, magma adiabats suggest very high surface temperatures in case of a magma ocean that would extend to more than 40 GPa, as suggested by siderophile metal-silicate partitioning data. Such high surface temperature regime, where thermal blanketing is inefficient, points out to a transient character of the magma ocean, with a very fast cooling rate.

Effect of Sulfur on Liquidus Temperatures in the ZnO-"FeO"-Al2O3-CaO-SiO2-S System in Equilibrium with Metallic Iron

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Baojun; Hayes, Peter C.; Jak, Evgueni

2011-10-01

The phase equilibria in the ZnO-"FeO"-Al2O3-CaO-SiO2-S system have been determined experimentally in equilibrium with metallic iron. A pseudoternary section of the form ZnO-"FeO"-(Al2O3+CaO+SiO2) for CaO/SiO2 = 0.71 (weight), (CaO+SiO2)/Al2O3 = 5.0 (weight), and fixed 2.0 wt pct S concentration has been constructed. It was found that the addition of 2.0 wt pct S to the liquid extends the spinel primary phase field significantly and decreases the size of the wustite primary phase field. The liquidus temperature in the wustite primary phase field is decreased by approximately 80 K and the liquidus temperature in the spinel primary phase field is decreased by approximately 10 K with addition of 2.0 wt pct S in the composition range investigated. It was also found that iron-zinc sulfides are present in some samples in the spinel primary phase field, which are matte appearing at low zinc concentrations and sphalerite (Zn,Fe)S at higher zinc concentrations. The presence of sulfur in the slag has a minor effect on the partitioning of ZnO between the wustite and liquid phases but no effect on the partitioning of ZnO between the spinel and liquid phases.

Experimental Liquidus Studies of the Pb-Cu-Si-O System in Equilibrium with Metallic Pb-Cu Alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shevchenko, M.; Nicol, S.; Hayes, P. C.; Jak, E.

2018-03-01

Phase equilibria of the Pb-Cu-Si-O system have been investigated in the temperature range from 1073 K to 1673 K (800 °C to 1400 °C) for oxide liquid (slag) in equilibrium with solid Cu metal and/or liquid Pb-Cu alloy, and solid oxide phases: (a) quartz or tridymite (SiO2) and (b) cuprite (Cu2O). High-temperature equilibration on silica or copper substrates was performed, followed by quenching, and direct measurement of Pb, Cu, and Si concentrations in the liquid and solid phases using the electron probe X-ray microanalysis has been employed to accurately characterize the system in equilibrium with Cu or Pb-Cu metal. All results are projected onto the PbO-"CuO0.5"-SiO2 plane for presentation purposes. The present study is the first-ever systematic investigation of this system to describe the slag liquidus temperatures in the silica and cuprite primary phase fields.

Water in Basaltic Melts: an Experimental and Thermodynamic Study of the Effect of H2O on Liquidus Temperatures.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Medard, E.; Grove, T. L.

2006-12-01

We present a thermodynamic model for the influence of H2O on liquidus temperatures of olivine-saturated primitive basaltic and andesitic melts. The thermodynamic model has been fitted to a suite of H2O-saturated liquidus experiments carried out on a primitive high-alumina basalt from Medicine Lake Volcano (82-72f) over a pressure range of 10 to 1000 MPa. The model of Silver and Stolper (S+S, 1985, J.Geol. 93:161) has been applied to the experimental data. This model uses the assumption of simple ideal mixing between water species and the anionic matrix in the melt. Water in the melt dissolves as molecular H2O, or dissociates to hydroxyl groups and an oxygen atomic network. For 82-72f, the liquidus olivine shows little compositional variability (Fo87.4 to Fo88.4) over the broad range of pressures and temperatures investigated that is not correlated with H2O content of the melt. This observation supports our assumption that major effect of H2O is on the anionic species in the melt and not on the cation equilibria (e.g. Mg and Si). The model reproduces the experimental data well. We find that there is a large influence of H2O addition on melting point for small amounts of H2O, resulting in a concave-down curvature when liquidus depression is plotted against the amount of H2O added. For addition of 0.8 and 5 wt% H2O to 82-72f, the liquidus is depressed by 35 K and 130 K, respectively. The best fits are obtained by assuming partial water dissociation to OH and H2O species, using the equilibrium constant measured by Stolper (1982). S+S applied their model to simple systems (diopside/H2O, albite/H2O, silica/H2O), and recovered the melting behavior extremely well. They also suggested that melt structure/composition influences the amount of liquidus depression caused by H2O addition. We have investigated the influence of bulk composition by performing complementary experiments on a high-magnesian andesite from Mount Shasta, and on a K, Na, and P rich alkali basalt from

Phase equilibria of a low S and C lunar core: Implications for an early lunar dynamo and physical state of the current core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Righter, K.; Go, B. M.; Pando, K. A.; Danielson, L.; Ross, D. K.; Rahman, Z.; Keller, L. P.

2017-04-01

Multiple lines of geochemical and geophysical evidence suggest the Moon has a small metallic core, yet the composition of the core is poorly constrained. The physical state of the core (now or in the past) depends on detailed knowledge of its composition, and unfortunately, there is little available data on relevant multicomponent systems (i.e., Fe-Ni-S-C) at lunar interior conditions. In particular, there is a dearth of phase equilibrium data to elucidate whether a specific core composition could help to explain an early lunar geodynamo and magnetic field intensities, or current solid inner core/liquid outer core states. We utilize geochemical information to estimate the Ni, S and C contents of the lunar core, and then carry out phase equilibria experiments on several possible core compositions at the pressure and temperature conditions relevant to the lunar interior. The first composition is 0.5 wt% S and 0.375 wt% C, based on S and C contents of Apollo glasses. A second composition contains 1 wt% each of S and C, and assumes that the lunar mantle experienced degassing of up to 50% of its S and C. Finally a third composition contains C as the dominant light element. Phase equilibrium experiments were completed at 1, 3 and 5 GPa, using piston cylinder and multi-anvil techniques. The first composition has a liquidus near 1550 °C and solidus near 1250 °C. The second composition has a narrower liquidus and solidus temperatures of 1400 and 1270 °C, respectively, while the third composition is molten down to 1150 °C. As the composition crystallizes, the residual liquid becomes enriched in S and C, but S enrichment is greater due to the incorporation of C (but not S) into solid metallic FeNi. Comparison of these results to thermal models for the Moon allow an evaluation of which composition is consistent with the geophysical data of an early dynamo and a currently solid inner and liquid outer core. Composition 1 has a high enough liquidus to start crystallizing

Phase transformations and phase equilibria in the Co–Sn–Ti system in the crystallization interval

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

Fartushna, Iu.; Bulanova, M.; National Technical University of Ukraine, Kiev Polytechnical Institute, Kiev

2016-12-15

The Co–Sn–Ti system was studied in the crystallization interval (below ~50 at% Sn) by the methods of Scanning Electron Microscopy, microprobe analysis, Differential Thermal Analysis, X-ray diffraction. The liquidus and solidus projections and the melting diagram were constructed. Only Co{sub 2}TiSn(τ1) ternary compound (Heusler phase-L1{sub 2}) was found in equilibria with the liquid in the concentration interval studied. Taking into account our recent data, the liquidus projection is characterized by the fields of primary crystallization of (βTi), (Co), binary-based phases Ti{sub 3}Sn, Ti{sub 2}Sn, Ti{sub 5}Sn{sub 3}, Ti{sub 6}Sn{sub 5}, Ti{sub 2}Co, TiCo, TiCo{sub 2} (c), TiCo{sub 2} (h), TiCo{submore » 3}, βCo{sub 3}Sn{sub 2}, CoSn and ternary τ1. The solidus projection is characterized by thirteen three-phase fields, which result from invariant four-phase equilibria, five are of eutectic type (E) and eight of transition type (U) and the existence of one more region Ti{sub 2}Sn{sub 3}+βCoSn{sub 3}+(Sn) in the solidus projection is discussed. - Graphical abstract: Liquidus projection of the Ti–РЎРѕ –Sn system. Fields of crystallization, isotherms and monovariant lines. - Highlights: • The Ti–Co–Sn system is first studied in the composition range up to 50% of Sn. • Liquidus and solidus projections, melting diagram and reaction scheme are constructed. • One ternary compound form in the studied temperature interval: (Co{sub 2}TiSn(τ1)).« less

Phase equilibria study of pseudobrookite type minerals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Friel, J. J.

1974-01-01

Pseudobrookite, is found in volcanic rocks, and the mineral armalcolite ((Fe,Mg)Ti2O5) found in the Apollo 11 and subsequent lunar samples seems to be unique to the moon. In plutonic rocks on the earth, ilmenite and rutile were found with what appears to be an equilibrium liquidus texture, while on the moon armalcolite often appears to be the primary liquidus phase among Ti-oxides. This suggests that total pressure may be a factor in the formation of these minerals, and a knowledge of the phase relations in this system yields information about the pressure under which a given magma crystallized.

Experimental Liquidus Studies of the Pb-Fe-Si-O System in Equilibrium with Metallic Pb

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shevchenko, M.; Jak, E.

2018-02-01

Phase equilibria of the Pb-Fe-Si-O system have been investigated at 943 K to 1773 K (670 °C to 1500 °C) for oxide liquid in equilibrium with liquid Pb metal and solid oxide phases: (a) quartz, tridymite, or cristobalite; (b) (fayalite + tridymite) or (fayalite + spinel); (c) spinel (Fe3O4); (d) complex lead-iron silicates (melanotekite PbO·FeO1.5·SiO2, barysilite 8PbO·FeO·6SiO2, 5PbO·FeO1.5·SiO2, and 6PbO·FeO1.5·SiO2); (e) lead silicates (Pb2SiO4, Pb11Si3O17); (f) lead ferrites (magnetoplumbite Pb1+ x Fe12- x O19- x solid solution range); and (g) lead oxide (PbO, massicot). High-temperature equilibration on primary phase or iridium substrates, followed by quenching and direct measurement of Pb, Fe, and Si concentrations in the phases with the electron probe X-ray microanalysis, has been used to accurately characterize the system in equilibrium with Pb metal. All results are projected onto the PbO-"FeO"-SiO2 plane for presentation purposes. The present study is the first systematic characterization of liquidus over a wide range of compositions in this system in equilibrium with metallic Pb.

Determination of the liquidus temperature of tin using the heat pulse-based melting and comparison with traditional methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joung, Wukchul; Park, Jihye; Pearce, Jonathan V.

2018-06-01

In this work, the liquidus temperature of tin was determined by melting the sample using the pressure-controlled loop heat pipe. Square wave-type pressure steps generated periodic 0.7 °C temperature steps in the isothermal region in the vicinity of the tin sample, and the tin was melted with controllable heat pulses from the generated temperature changes. The melting temperatures at specific melted fractions were measured, and they were extrapolated to the melted fraction of unity to determine the liquidus temperature of tin. To investigate the influence of the impurity distribution on the melting behavior, a molten tin sample was solidified by an outward slow freezing or by quenching to segregate the impurities inside the sample with concentrations increasing outwards or to spread the impurities uniformly, respectively. The measured melting temperatures followed the local solidus temperature variations well in the case of the segregated sample and stayed near the solidus temperature in the quenched sample due to the microscopic melting behavior. The extrapolated melting temperatures of the segregated and quenched samples were 0.95 mK and 0.49 mK higher than the outside-nucleated freezing temperature of tin (with uncertainties of 0.15 mK and 0.16 mK, at approximately 95% level of confidence), respectively. The extrapolated melting temperature of the segregated sample was supposed to be a closer approximation to the liquidus temperature of tin, whereas the quenched sample yielded the possibility of a misleading extrapolation to the solidus temperature. Therefore, the determination of the liquidus temperature could result in different extrapolated melting temperatures depending on the way the impurities were distributed within the sample, which has implications for the contemporary methodology for realizing temperature fixed points of the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90).

PRIMELT3 MEGA.XLSM software for primary magma calculation: Peridotite primary magma MgO contents from the liquidus to the solidus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herzberg, C.; Asimow, P. D.

2015-02-01

An upgrade of the PRIMELT algorithm for calculating primary magma composition is given together with its implementation in PRIMELT3 MEGA.xlsm software. It supersedes PRIMELT2.xls in correcting minor mistakes in melt fraction and computed Ni content of olivine, it identifies residuum mineralogy, and it provides a thorough analysis of uncertainties in mantle potential temperature and olivine liquidus temperature. The uncertainty analysis was made tractable by the computation of olivine liquidus temperatures as functions of pressure and partial melt MgO content between the liquidus and solidus. We present a computed anhydrous peridotite solidus in T-P space using relations amongst MgO, T and P along the solidus; it compares well with experiments on the solidus. Results of the application of PRIMELT3 to a wide range of basalts shows that the mantle sources of ocean islands and large igneous provinces were hotter than oceanic spreading centers, consistent with earlier studies and expectations of the mantle plume model.

Comparison between the liquidus temperature and triple-point temperature of tin realized by heat pulse-based melting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joung, Wukchul; Pearce, Jonathan V.; Park, Jihye

2018-06-01

In this work, the consistency of the heat pulse-based melting technique, which was used to determine the liquidus temperature of tin, was examined by comparing the liquidus temperatures of tin at 101 325 Pa and at the vapour pressure of tin (i.e. the triple-point temperature), both of which were realized by heat pulse-based melting. Periodic square wave-type temperature steps with an amplitude of 0.7 °C were generated in the isothermal region of the pressure-controlled loop heat pipe, and the tin sample, having a segregated impurity distribution established by the prior outward slow freezing, was melted by application of the temperature step-based heat pulses. The triple-point temperature was found to be lower than the liquidus temperature of tin at 101 325 Pa by 3.23 mK with an expanded measurement uncertainty of 0.24 mK (i.e. a coverage factor of k  =  2), while the ideal temperature difference calculated from the ITS-90 given pressure coefficient (i.e. 3.3  ×  10‑8 K Pa‑1) is about 3.34 mK. The difference between the measured temperature difference and ideal temperature difference was attributed to the incomplete removal of the gases in the tin triple-point cell. Overall, these results further corroborated the notion that the heat pulse-based melting technique was shown to yield results consistent with the prescription of the ITS-90, and to be a reliable method in terms of the realization of the fixed-point temperatures.

Does Ice Dissolve or Does Halite Melt? A Low-Temperature Liquidus Experiment for Petrology Classes.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brady, John B.

1992-01-01

Measurement of the compositions and temperatures of H2O-NaCl brines in equilibrium with ice can be used as an easy in-class experimental determination of a liquidus. This experiment emphasizes the symmetry of the behavior of brines with regard to the minerals ice and halite and helps to free students from the conceptual tethers of one-component…

Liquidus temperature in the spinel primary phase field: A comparison between optical and crystal fraction methods

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

Riley, Brian J.; Hrma, Pavel; Crum, Jarrod V.

Liquidus temperature (TL) was measured for simulated high-level waste borosilicate glasses covering a Hanford composition region, using an optical method and a crystal-fraction extrapolation method with X-ray diffraction data from isothermal heat treatments. The 38 glasses encompassed a one-component-at-a-time variation of a 16-component matrix. The TL values ranged from 1006°C to 1603°C. First-order polynomial models were fitted to data to obtain coefficients in terms of the effect of 1 mass% component addition on the TL: TL-increasing oxides Cr2O3 (264°C), “Others” (minor components, 163°C), oxides of noble metals (137°C), NiO (91°C), Al2O3 and Fe2O3 (~19–21°C); TL-decreasing oxides K2O (-26°C), Na2O (-41°C),more » and Li2O (-68°C); oxides of little effect MnO, P2O5, ZrO2, F, Bi2O3, SiO2, B2O3, and CaO (9 to -12°C). Also presented are temperatures (T1%) at which glasses contain 1 vol% of spinel as these values are considered relevant to the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant. The measured and estimated values are compared and contrasted and the effect of TL and T1% on glass formulation is discussed.« less

Phase III of Early Restoration | NOAA Gulf Spill Restoration

Science.gov Websites

information about this phase of Early Restoration, including fact sheets on each project. The final Phase III 44 projects are documented in a final Record of Decision. Information about Phase III of Early Archive Home Phase III of Early Restoration Phase III of Early Restoration Beach habitat would be restored

Phase III Early Restoration Public Meetings | NOAA Gulf Spill Restoration

Science.gov Websites

Archive Home Phase III Early Restoration Public Meetings Phase III Early Restoration Public Meetings share Posted on December 6, 2013 | Assessment and Early Restoration Restoration Area Title: Phase III Early on the draft plan for the third phase of Early Restoration, which proposes more than $625 million in

Phase V of Early Restoration | NOAA Gulf Spill Restoration

Science.gov Websites

Phase V Early Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment. The project will acquire land along Florida million. Phase V Early Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment (pdf, 10 MB) Draft Phase V Early Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment (Executive Summary) (2 MB) Phase V Fact Sheet (pdf, 2 MB) Gulf

Temperature dependence of the magneto-controllable first-order phase transition in dilute magnetic fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivanov, A. S.

2017-11-01

Experimental study was carried out to investigate the influence of particle size distribution function on the temperature dependent magneto-controllable first-order phase transition of the "gas-liquid" type in magnetic fluids. The study resolves one crisis situation in ferrohydrodynamic experiment made by several research groups in the 1980-1990s. It is shown that due to polydispersity magnetic fluids exhibit phase diagrams which are divided into three regions by vaporus and liquidus curves. Granulometric data states the primary role of the width of the particle size distribution function in the process of spinodal decomposition. New modified Langevin parameter is introduced for unification of liquidus curves of different ferrofluids despite the significant difference between the curves (one order of magnitude) in (H, T) coordinates.

Liquidus temperature in the spinel primary phase field: A comparison between optical and crystal fraction methods

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

Riley, Brian J.; Hrma, Pavel; Crum, Jarrod V.

Liquidus temperature (TL) was measured for 38 simulated high-level waste borosilicate glasses covering a Hanford composition region, using optical microscopy and crystal-fraction extrapolation methods to analyze isothermally heat-treated specimens. Furthermore, the glasses encompassed a one-component-at-a-time variation of 16 components from a representative Hanford HLW simulant baseline composition. The TL values ranged from 1006 °C to 1603 °C. First-order models were fit to data to obtain component effects on TL (per 1 mass% additions) and then the components were grouped into three categories: TL-increasing components [i.e., Cr 2O 3 (264 °C), “Others” (minor components, 163 °C), oxides of noble metals (137more » °C), NiO (91 °C), as well as Al 2O 3 and Fe 2O 3 (~ 19–21 °C)]; TL-decreasing components [i.e., K 2O (-26 °C), Na 2O (-41 °C), and Li 2O (-68 °C)]; and those of little effect [i.e., MnO, P 2O 5, ZrO 2, F, Bi 2O 3, SiO 2, B 2O 3, and CaO (9 to -12 °C)]. We also present the temperatures at which 1 vol% of spinel is at equilibrium with the melt (T1%) as these values are considered relevant to the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant. The measured and estimated values are compared and contrasted and the effect of TL and T1% on glass formulation is discussed. The different methods for measuring TL are compared and contrasted.« less

Liquidus temperature in the spinel primary phase field: A comparison between optical and crystal fraction methods

DOE PAGES

Riley, Brian J.; Hrma, Pavel; Crum, Jarrod V.; ...

2018-01-04

Liquidus temperature (TL) was measured for 38 simulated high-level waste borosilicate glasses covering a Hanford composition region, using optical microscopy and crystal-fraction extrapolation methods to analyze isothermally heat-treated specimens. Furthermore, the glasses encompassed a one-component-at-a-time variation of 16 components from a representative Hanford HLW simulant baseline composition. The TL values ranged from 1006 °C to 1603 °C. First-order models were fit to data to obtain component effects on TL (per 1 mass% additions) and then the components were grouped into three categories: TL-increasing components [i.e., Cr 2O 3 (264 °C), “Others” (minor components, 163 °C), oxides of noble metals (137more » °C), NiO (91 °C), as well as Al 2O 3 and Fe 2O 3 (~ 19–21 °C)]; TL-decreasing components [i.e., K 2O (-26 °C), Na 2O (-41 °C), and Li 2O (-68 °C)]; and those of little effect [i.e., MnO, P 2O 5, ZrO 2, F, Bi 2O 3, SiO 2, B 2O 3, and CaO (9 to -12 °C)]. We also present the temperatures at which 1 vol% of spinel is at equilibrium with the melt (T1%) as these values are considered relevant to the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant. The measured and estimated values are compared and contrasted and the effect of TL and T1% on glass formulation is discussed. The different methods for measuring TL are compared and contrasted.« less

Phase IV of Early Restoration | NOAA Gulf Spill Restoration

Science.gov Websites

Trustees published the Final Phase IV Early Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessments. The plan habitats. Useful Links: Final Phase IV Early Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessments (pdf, 4.8 MB ) Final Phase IV Early Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessments Executive Summary (pdf, 729 KB

Gene expression profiles of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in the early stationary phase.

PubMed

Meng, L; Alter, T; Aho, T; Huehn, S

2015-09-01

Vibrio (V.) parahaemolyticus is an aquatic bacterium capable of causing foodborne gastroenteritis. In the environment or the food chain, V. parahaemolyticus cells are usually forced into the stationary phase, the common phase for bacterial survival in the environment. So far, little is known about whole genomic expression of V. parahaemolyticus in the early stationary phase compared with the exponential growth phase. We performed whole transcriptomic profiling of V. parahaemolyticus cells in both phases (exponential and early stationary phase). Our data showed in total that 172 genes were induced in early stationary phase, while 61 genes were repressed in early stationary phase compared with the exponential phase. Three functional categories showed stable gene expression in the early stationary phase. Eleven functional categories showed that up-regulation of genes was dominant over down-regulation in the early stationary phase. Although genes related to endogenous metabolism were repressed in the early stationary phase, massive regulation of gene expression occurred in the early stationary phase, indicating the expressed gene set of V. parahaemolyticus in the early stationary phase impacts environmental survival. Vibrio (V.) parahaemolyticus is one of the main bacterial causes of foodborne intestinal infections. This bacterium usually is forced into stationary phase in the environment, which includes, e.g. seafood. When bacteria are in stationary phase, physiological changes can lead to a resistance to many stresses, including physical and chemical challenges during food processing. To the best of our knowledge, highlighting the whole genome expression changes in the early stationary phase compared with exponential phase, as well as the investigation of physiological changes of V. parahaemolyticus such as the survival mechanism in the stationary phase has been the very first study in this field. © 2015 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

Early differentiation of the Moon: Experimental and modeling studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Longhi, J.

1986-01-01

Major accomplishments include the mapping out of liquidus boundaries of lunar and meteoritic basalts at low pressure; the refinement of computer models that simulate low pressure fractional crystallization; the development of a computer model to calculate high pressure partial melting of the lunar and Martian interiors; and the proposal of a hypothesis of early lunar differentiation based upon terrestrial analogs.

Pharmacogenomics in early-phase clinical development

PubMed Central

Burt, Tal; Dhillon, Savita

2015-01-01

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) offers the promise of utilizing genetic fingerprints to predict individual responses to drugs in terms of safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics. Early-phase clinical trial PGx applications can identify human genome variations that are meaningful to study design, selection of participants, allocation of resources and clinical research ethics. Results can inform later-phase study design and pipeline developmental decisions. Nevertheless, our review of the clinicaltrials.gov database demonstrates that PGx is rarely used by drug developers. Of the total 323 trials that included PGx as an outcome, 80% have been conducted by academic institutions after initial regulatory approval. Barriers for the application of PGx are discussed. We propose a framework for the role of PGx in early-phase drug development and recommend PGx be universally considered in study design, result interpretation and hypothesis generation for later-phase studies, but PGx results from underpowered studies should not be used by themselves to terminate drug-development programs. PMID:23837482

Effect of MgO on Liquidus Temperatures in the ZnO-"FeO"-Al2O3-CaO-SiO2-MgO System in Equilibrium with Metallic Iron

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Baojun; Hayes, Peter C.; Jak, Evgueni

2011-06-01

The phase equilibria in the ZnO-"FeO"-Al2O3-CaO-SiO2-MgO system have been determined experimentally in equilibrium with metallic iron. Synthetic slags were equilibrated at a high temperature, quenched, and then the compositions of the phases in equilibrium were measured using electron probe X-ray microanalysis. Pseudoternary sections of the form ZnO-"FeO"-(Al2O3 + CaO + SiO2) for CaO/SiO2 = 0.71, (CaO + SiO2)/Al2O3 = 5 and fixed MgO concentrations of 2, 4, and 6 wt pct have been constructed. Wustite (Fe2+,Mg,Zn)O and spinel (Fe2+,Mg,Zn)O·(Al,Fe3+)2O3 are the major primary phases in the temperature and composition ranges investigated. The liquidus temperatures are increased by 140 K in the wustite primary phase field and by 70 K in the spinel primary phase field with the addition of 6 wt pct MgO in the slag. The partitioning of MgO and ZnO between the solid and liquid phases has been discussed.

Effect of sulfate on the liquidus and sulfur concentration at anhydrite saturation (SCAS) of hydrous basalt at subduction zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chowdhury, P.; Dasgupta, R.

2017-12-01

Sulfur (S) as sulfide minerals, melts, and as S2- species in silicate melts is prevalent in many different tectono-magmatic settings in Earth. Yet, S as anhydrite or as SO42- species in fluids and melts is thought to be relevant for subduction zones, where the presence of sulfate over sulfide is argued to play a key role in processes such as mobility of chalcophile element [e.g., 1], oxidation of mantle and mantle-derived magmas [2], and release of excess S-rich gases [3]. However, it remains unclear what role the slab-released SO42-, dissolved in fluids or melts plays in magma genesis in sub-arc mantle. Furthermore, although oxidized arc magma is thought to transport SO42- from mantle to volcanic arc crust and atmosphere, the SO42- carrying capacity of arc basalts at mantle conditions are unknown as the existing S concentration at anhydrite saturation (SCAS) experiments are restricted to 1 GPa and mostly on felsic compositions [e.g. 4,5]. We performed piston-cylinder experiments in Au-Pd capsules at 1-3 GPa and 1000-1325 °C to investigate (a) the effect of variable dissolved SO42- (0-2 wt.% S) on the liquidus of a primary hydrous arc basalt with 4 wt.% H2O and (b) the SCAS of hydrous mafic magmas. Dissolved SO42- in the silicate melt was confirmed by S Kα X-ray peak position using electron microprobe. S-free hydrous liquidus of cpx at 2 GPa is 25 °C hotter than the liquidus with 0.1 wt.% S as SO42- and the liquidus depression with further S enrichment to anhydrite saturation ( 2 wt.% S) can be fitted by an empirical power function. Experiments on more mafic compositions show that SCAS increases with increasing temperature and CaO and decreases with SiO2. Calculations using a new SCAS model, fitted with our new data and previous experiments, and assuming 150-550 ppm S in the arc mantle [6] show that <10% melting would exhaust anhydrite, if present. The S content as SO42- of hydrous arc basalts produced by 10-20% melting [7] will be 500-4000 ppm, which is

Numerical study of the effect of the shape of the phase diagram on the eutectic freezing temperature

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

Ode, M.; Shimono, M.; Sasajima, N.

2013-09-11

To evaluate the reliability of metal-carbon eutectic systems as fixed points for the next generation of high-temperature standards the effect of thermodynamic properties related to the shape of eutectic phase diagram on the freezing temperature is investigated within the context of the numerical multi-phase-field model. The partition coefficient and liquidus slopes of the two solids involved in the eutectic reaction are varied deliberately and independently. The difference between the eutectic temperature and the freezing temperature is determined in dependence of the solid/liquid (s/l) interface shape and concentration. Where appropriate reference is made to the Jackson-Hunt analytical theory. It is shownmore » that there are mainly two typical conditions to decrease the undercooling: 1) a small liquidus slope and 2) the associated difference between the eutectic composition and the liquid composition during solidification.« less

Liquidus temperatures of komatiites and the effect of cooling rate on element partitioning between olivine and komatiitic melt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sossi, Paolo A.; O'Neill, Hugh St. C.

2016-05-01

Archean komatiites are the hottest magmas preserved on Earth and are thus unique probes of its thermal evolution. Estimating their eruption temperatures remains problematic, however, because the uppermost (A1, A2) zones of komatiite flows contain randomly oriented spinifex-textured olivines, indicative of rapid cooling and growth. Fe-Mg partitioning between olivine and assumed komatiitic liquid typically shows departures from equilibrium, extending towards higher K_{{D}}^{{{{Fe}}^{2 + } - {{Mg}}}}. If these higher values are a disequilibrium effect, using them to calculate parental magma composition would lead to errors in estimated liquidus temperatures. In order to investigate this possibility, we have performed experiments on two komatiite compositions, the classic Barberton Aluminium Undepleted Komatiite (AUK) sample 49J (32.2 % MgO) and Munro AUK sample 422/95 (23 % MgO). Isothermal experiments to constrain phase equilibria on 49J at atmospheric pressure, between 1360 and 1600 °C at 1.7 log units below and 1.1 above the fayalite-magnetite-quartz (FMQ) buffer reveal a liquidus temperature ( T liq) of 1616 °C, 40 °C lower than a previous estimate. The K_{{D}}^{{Σ {{Fe}}{-}{{Mg}}}} ranges between 0.320 and 0.295 at FMQ - 1.7, with a slight negative dependence on temperature. To replicate the conditions that prevailed during the quenching of komatiites in their upper chill zones, experiments with a constant cooling rate at FMQ - 1.7 were performed on 422/95 ( T liq = 1450 °C) at 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 6.5 and 16 °C/min. Olivine morphology changes from euhedral to tabular at low cooling rates, hopper at intermediate, and skeletal and chain structures at high rates. Concurrently, the K_{{D}}^{{Σ {{Fe}}{-}{{Mg}}}} increases monotonically from an equilibrium value of 0.305 to 0.376 at 16 °C/min, reflecting the inability of unwanted cations to diffuse away from the growing olivine. The high K_{{D}}^{{Σ {{Fe}}{-}{{Mg}}}} between olivine and komatiitic liquid caused by

Early Intervention Services for Early-Phase Psychosis - Centre for integrative psychiatry in Psychiatric Hospital "Sveti Ivan", Croatia.

PubMed

Matić, Katarina; Gereš, Natko; Gerlach, Josefina; Prskalo-Čule, Diana; Zadravec Vrbanc, Tihana; Lovretić, Vanja; Librenjak, Dina; Vuk Pisk, Sandra; Ivezić, Ena; Šimunović Filipčić, Ivona; Jeleč, Vjekoslav; Filipčić, Igor

2018-06-01

There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that early and effective management in the critical early years of schizophrenia can improve long-term outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate time to relapse of the patients with early-phase psychosis treated in the Centre for integrative psychiatry (CIP). We performed a retrospective cohort study on the sample of 373 early-phase psychosis patients admitted to Psychiatric Hospital "Sveti Ivan", Zagreb Croatia: from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017. The primary outcome was time to relapse. Patients who were admitted to group psychotherapeutic program after the end of acute treatment had 70% lower hazard for relapse (HR=0.30; 95% CI 0.16-0.58). Patients who were included first in the psychotherapeutic program and then treated and controlled in the daily hospital had 74% lower hazard for relapse (HR=0.26; 95% CI 0.10-0.67). In early-phase psychosis, integrative early intervention service has relevant beneficial effects compare to treatment as usual. These results justified the implementation of multimodal early intervention services in treatment of patients with early-phase psychosis.

Calculation of the vapor-saturated liquidus for the NaCl-CO2-H2O system

USGS Publications Warehouse

Barton, P.B.; I-Ming, C.

1993-01-01

The polybaric liquidus surface for the H2O-rich corner of the NaCl-CO2-H2O ternary is calculated, relying heavily on 1. (1) a Henry's law equation for CO2 in brines (modified from Drummond, 1981), 2. (2) the assumption that the contributions of dissolved NaCl and CO2 in lowering the activity of H2O are additive, and 3. (3) data on the CO2 clathrate solid solution (nominally CO2 ?? 7.3H2O, but ranging from 5.75 to 8 or 9 H2O) from Bozzo et al. (1975). The variation with composition of the activity of CO2??7.3H2O, or any other composition within the clathrate field, is small, thereby simplifying the calculations appreciably. Ternary invariant points are 1. (1) ternary eutectic at -21.5??C, with ice + clathrate + hydrohalite NaCl-??H2O + brine mNaCl = 5.15, mco2 = 0.22 + vapor Ptotal ??? Pco2 = 5.7 atm; 2. (2) peritectic at -9.6??C, with clathrate + hydrohalite + liquid CO2 + brine mNaCl = 5.18, mco2 = 0.55 + vapor (Ptotal ??? Pco2 = 26.47 atm); and 3. (3) peritectic slightly below +0.1 ??C, with halite + hydrohalite + liquid CO2 + brine (mNaCl ??? 5.5, mco2 ??? 0.64) + vapor (Ptotal ??? Pco2 ??? 34 atm). CO2 isobars have been contoured on the ternary liquidus and also on the 25??C isotherm. An important caveat regarding the application of this information to the interpretation of the freezing-thawing behavior of fluid inclusions is that metastable behavior is a common characteristic of the clathrate. ?? 1993.

Phase Equilibria Study in the TeO2-Na2O-SiO2 System in Air Between 723 K (500 °C) and 1473 K (1200 °C)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santoso, Imam; Taskinen, Pekka

2016-08-01

Knowledge of phase equilibria in the TeO2-Na2O-SiO2 system at elevated temperatures is important for ceramic and glass industries and for improving the operation of the smelting process of tellurium-containing materials. A review of previous investigations has indicated, however, that there are omissions in the available datasets on the liquidus temperatures of the molten TeO2-Na2O-SiO2 mixtures. The employed experimental method included equilibration of mixtures made from high purity oxides, rapid quenching of the equilibrated samples in water and followed by compositional analysis of the phases using an electron probe X-ray microanalyzer. The liquidus and phase equilibria in the TeO2-SiO2, TeO2-Na2O, and SiO2-TeO2-Na2O systems have been studied for a wide range of compositions between 723 K (500 °C) and 1473 K (1200 °C) at TeO2, SiO2, and Na2SiO3 saturations. New data have been generated in the SiO2-TeO2-Na2O system at SiO2 saturation. The liquidus compositions in the TeO2-Na2O system at TeO2 saturation have been compared with the previous data and an assessed phase diagram.

The System Forsterite-Diopside-Enstatite up to 70 kbar and its Significance to the Genesis of Komatiites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dasgupta, S.; Gupta, A. K.

2011-12-01

Liquidus phase relations in the system forsterite-diopside-enstatite has been made at 70 kbar under anhydrous conditions using a Walker-type multi-anvil high pressure apparatus. Positions of the pseudoeutectic/ invariant, minimum points and amount of solid solutions of appearing phases are summarized in table 1. Comparison of these phase relations with those conducted by previous investigators at lower pressures and temperatures shows that the fosterite-pyroxene liquidus boundary shifts toward forsterite and away from the diopside apex with increasing pressure. Microprobe analyses indicate that the maximum amount of MgSiO3 that can be incorporated in diopside increases with pressure, and at the solidus (70 kbar, 2010°C), it is about 82%. On the basis of EPMA analyses of coexisting liquid and crystalline phases, three-phase triangles have been constructed. It is observed that at 70 kbar, the early partial melt generated from a model peridotite does not precipitate orthopyroxene. If such a melt instead of crystallizing in-situ, ascend to the surface, then the polybaric-polythermal crystallization path should never intersect the liquidus phase field of orthopyroxene, enstatitess may then appear in the solidus as an exsolution product. Our calculation shows that at 31% partial melting of a model mantle, orthopyroxene should appear as a liquidus phase. With further increase in the degree of partial melting (42-60%), proportion of orthopyroxene crystallizing from the melt progressively increases. With reference to the above discussion we propose that the Gorgona komatiites which are primarily orthopyroxene-deficient komatiites, are an outcome of low degree of partial melting, whereas the orthopyroxene-bearing Commondale komatiites of the southern Kaapvaal Craton, South Africa, are the outcome of a larger degree of partial melting, both generated from melting of an anhydrous mantle.

Kinetic Phase Diagrams of Ternary Al-Cu-Li System during Rapid Solidification: A Phase-Field Study

PubMed Central

Yang, Xiong; Zhang, Lijun; Sobolev, Sergey; Du, Yong

2018-01-01

Kinetic phase diagrams in technical alloys at different solidification velocities during rapid solidification are of great importance for guiding the novel alloy preparation, but are usually absent due to extreme difficulty in performing experimental measurements. In this paper, a phase-field model with finite interface dissipation was employed to construct kinetic phase diagrams in the ternary Al-Cu-Li system for the first time. The time-elimination relaxation scheme was utilized. The solute trapping phenomenon during rapid solidification could be nicely described by the phase-field simulation, and the results obtained from the experiment measurement and/or the theoretical model were also well reproduced. Based on the predicted kinetic phase diagrams, it was found that with the increase of interface moving velocity and/or temperature, the gap between the liquidus and solidus gradually reduces, which illustrates the effect of solute trapping and tendency of diffusionless solidification. PMID:29419753

Phase III Early Restoration Meeting | NOAA Gulf Spill Restoration

Science.gov Websites

Louisiana Mississippi Texas Region-wide Open Ocean Data Media & News Publications Press Releases Story programmatic approach to early restoration planning for Phase III and future early restoration plans. Open

Phase III Early Restoration Meeting - Pensacola, FL (rescheduled) | NOAA

Science.gov Websites

Restoration Areas Alabama Florida Louisiana Mississippi Texas Region-wide Open Ocean Data Media & News programmatic approach to early restoration planning for Phase III and future early restoration plans. Open

Primary Phase Field of the Pb-Doped 2223 High-Tc Superconductor in the (Bi, Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O System

PubMed Central

Wong-Ng, W.; Cook, L. P.; Kearsley, A.; Greenwood, W.

1999-01-01

Both liquidus and subsolidus phase equilibrium data are of central importance for applications of high temperature superconductors in the (Bi, Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system, including material synthesis, melt processing and single crystal growth. The subsolidus equilibria of the 110 K high-Tc Pb-doped 2223 ([Bi, Pb], Sr, Ca, Cu) phase and the location of the primary phase field (crystallization field) have been determined in this study. For the quantitative determination of liquidus data, a wicking technique was developed to capture the melt for quantitative microchemical analysis. A total of 29 five-phase volumes that include the 2223 phase as a component was obtained. The initial melt compositions of these volumes range from a mole fraction of 7.3 % to 28.0 % for Bi, 11.3 % to 27.8 % for Sr, 1.2 % to 19.4 % for Pb, 9.8 % to 30.8 % for Ca, and 17.1 % to 47.0 % for Cu. Based on these data, the crystallization field for the 2223 phase was constructed using the convex hull technique. A section of this “volume” was obtained by holding two components of the composition at the median value, allowing projection on the other three axes to show the extent of the field.

Phase Equilibria in the System "FeO"-CaO-SiO2-Al2O3-MgO at Different CaO/SiO2 Ratios

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jang, Kyoung-oh; Ma, Xiaodong; Zhu, Jinming; Xu, Haifa; Wang, Geoff; Zhao, Baojun

2017-06-01

The "FeO"-containing slags play an important role in the operation of an ironmaking blast furnace (BF), in particular the primary slags such as the system "FeO"-CaO-SiO2-Al2O3-2 mass pct MgO with CaO/SiO2 weight ratios of 1.3, 1.5, and 1.8 saturated with metallic iron. To investigate the characteristics of such a slag system and its behavior in BF, the phase equilibria and liquidus temperatures in the slag system have been experimentally determined using the high-temperature equilibration and quenching technique followed by an electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPMA). Isotherms between 1553 K and 1603 K (1280 °C and 1330 °C) were determined in the primary phase fields of dicalcium silicate, melilite, spinel, and monoxide [(Mg,Fe2+)O]. Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams of (CaO + SiO2)-Al2O3-"FeO" with a fixed MgO concentration at 2 mass pct and at CaO/SiO2 ratios of 1.3, 1.5, and 1.8 have been discussed, respectively, simplifying the complexity of the slag system for easy understanding and applying in BF operation. It was found that the liquidus temperatures increase in melilite and spinel primary phase fields, but decrease in dicalcium silicate and monoxide primary phase fields with increasing Al2O3/(CaO + SiO2) ratio. In addition, the liquidus temperatures decrease with increasing "FeO" concentration in dicalcium silicate and melilite primary phase fields, while showing an increasing trend in the spinel and monoxide primary phase fields. The data resulted from this study can be used to improve and optimize currently available database of thermodynamic models used in FactSage.

Metacognition in Early Phase Psychosis: Toward Understanding Neural Substrates

PubMed Central

Vohs, Jenifer L.; Hummer, Tom A.; Yung, Matthew G.; Francis, Michael M.; Lysaker, Paul H.; Breier, Alan

2015-01-01

Individuals in the early phases of psychotic illness have disturbed metacognitive capacity, which has been linked to a number of poor outcomes. Little is known, however, about the neural systems associated with metacognition in this population. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the neuroanatomical correlates of metacognition. We anticipated that higher levels of metacognition may be dependent upon gray matter density (GMD) of regions within the prefrontal cortex. Examining whole-brain structure in 25 individuals with early phase psychosis, we found positive correlations between increased medial prefrontal cortex and ventral striatum GMD and higher metacognition. These findings represent an important step in understanding the path through which the biological correlates of psychotic illness may culminate into poor metacognition and, ultimately, disrupted functioning. Such a path will serve to validate and promote metacognition as a viable treatment target in early phase psychosis. PMID:26132568

Nature of phase transitions in crystalline and amorphous GeTe-Sb2Te3 phase change materials.

PubMed

Kalkan, B; Sen, S; Clark, S M

2011-09-28

The thermodynamic nature of phase stabilities and transformations are investigated in crystalline and amorphous Ge(1)Sb(2)Te(4) (GST124) phase change materials as a function of pressure and temperature using high-resolution synchrotron x-ray diffraction in a diamond anvil cell. The phase transformation sequences upon compression, for cubic and hexagonal GST124 phases are found to be: cubic → amorphous → orthorhombic → bcc and hexagonal → orthorhombic → bcc. The Clapeyron slopes for melting of the hexagonal and bcc phases are negative and positive, respectively, resulting in a pressure dependent minimum in the liquidus. When taken together, the phase equilibria relations are consistent with the presence of polyamorphism in this system with the as-deposited amorphous GST phase being the low entropy low-density amorphous phase and the laser melt-quenched and high-pressure amorphized GST being the high entropy high-density amorphous phase. The metastable phase boundary between these two polyamorphic phases is expected to have a negative Clapeyron slope. © 2011 American Institute of Physics

Si-Ge-metal ternary phase diagram calculations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fleurial, J. P.; Borshchevsky, A.

1990-01-01

Solution crystal growth and doping conditions of Si-Ge alloys used for high-temperature thermoelectric generation are determined here. Liquid-phase epitaxy (LPE) has been successfully employed recently to obtain single-crystalline homogeneous layers of Si-Ge solid solutions from a liquid metal solvent. Knowledge of Si-Ge-metallic solvent ternary phase diagrams is essential for further single-crystal growth development. Consequently, a thermodynamic equilibrium model was used to calculate the phase diagrams of the Si-Ge-M systems, including solid solubilities, where M is Al, Ga, In, Sn, Pb, Sb, or Bi. Good agreement between calculated liquidus and solidus data and experimental DTA and microprobe results was obtained. The results are used to compare the suitability of the different systems for crystal growth (by LPE-type process).

Fluctuation-driven electroweak phase transition. [in early universe

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gleiser, Marcelo; Kolb, Edward W.

1992-01-01

We examine the dynamics of the electroweak phase transition in the early Universe. For Higgs masses in the range 46 less than or = M sub H less than or = 150 GeV and top quark masses less than 200 GeV, regions of symmetric and asymmetric vacuum coexist to below the critical temperature, with thermal equilibrium between the two phases maintained by fluctuations of both phases. We propose that the transition to the asymmetric vacuum is completed by percolation of these subcritical fluctuations. Our results are relevant to scenarios of baryogenesis that invoke a weakly first-order phase transition at the electroweak scale.

Phase relations in the system NaCl-KCl-H2O: V. Thermodynamic-PTX analysis of solid-liquid equilibria at high temperatures and pressures

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sterner, S.M.; Chou, I.-Ming; Downs, R.T.; Pitzer, Kenneth S.

1992-01-01

The Gibbs energies of mixing for NaCl-KCl binary solids and liquids and solid-saturated NaCl-KCl-H2O ternary liquids were modeled using asymmetric Margules treatments. The coefficients of the expressions were calibrated using an extensive array of binary solvus and solidus data, and both binary and ternary liquidus data. Over the PTX range considered, the system exhibits complete liquid miscibility among all three components and extensive solid solution along the anhydrous binary. Solid-liquid and solid-solid phase equilibria were calculated by using the resulting equations and invoking the equality of chemical potentials of NaCl and KCl between appropriate phases at equilibrium. The equations reproduce the ternary liquidus and predict activity coefficients for NaCl and KCl components in the aqueous liquid under solid-saturation conditions between 673 and 1200 K from vapor saturation up to 5 kbar. In the NaCl-KCl anhydrous binary system, the equations describe phase equilibria and predict activity coefficients of the salt components for all stable compositions of solid and liquid phases between room temperature and 1200 K and from 1 bar to 5 kbar. ?? 1992.

Effects of Al2O3 and CaO/SiO2 Ratio on Phase Equilbria in the ZnO-"FeO"-Al2O3-CaO-SiO2 System in Equilibrium with Metallic Iron

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Baojun; Hayes, Peter C.; Jak, Evgueni

2011-02-01

The phase equilibria and liquidus temperatures in the ZnO-"FeO"-Al2O3-CaO-SiO2 system in equilibrium with metallic iron have been determined experimentally in the temperature range 1383 K to 1573 K (1150 °C to 1300 °C). The experimental conditions were selected to characterize lead blast furnace and imperial smelting furnace slags. The results are presented in a form of pseudoternary sections ZnO-"FeO"-(Al2O3 + CaO + SiO2) with fixed CaO/SiO2 and (CaO + SiO2)/Al2O3 ratios. It was found that wustite and spinel are the major primary phases in the composition range investigated. Effects of Al2O3 concentration as well as the CaO/SiO2 ratio on the primary phase field, the liquidus temperature, and the partitioning of ZnO between liquid and solid phases have been discussed for zinc-containing slags.

Phase relations in the system NaCl-KCl-H2O. Part I: Differential thermal analysis of the NaCl-KCl liquidas at 1 atmosphere and 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 bars

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chou, I.-Ming

1982-01-01

A simple differential thermal analysis (DTA) technique has been developed to study phase relations of various chemical systems at elevated pressures and temperatures. The DTA system has been calibrated against known melting temperatures in the system NaCl-KCl. Isobaric sections of the liquidus in the system NaCl-KCl have been determined at pressures of 1 atmosphere and 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 bars. Using the least-squares method, the following equation was used to fit the experimental data: T(??C)= ??? i=0 6aiXiKCl where T is the liquidus temperature, XKCl is mole fraction of KCl, and ai (listed below) are the derived empirical constants. {A table is presented}. The liquidus temperatures estimated from these equations are within ??3??C of experimental values. The measured liquidus temperatures at 1 atmosphere agree with the best available data to within 5??C. The melting temperatures for pure end members at higher pressures agree with the values calculated from the Simon equation (Clark, 1959) to within 3??C. No previous melting data are available for the intermediate compositions at elevated pressures. Using the data in both heating and cooling scans, the minimum melting temperature at 1 atmosphere in the system was located at 658?? ?? 3??C where the sample has an equimolar composition. ?? 1982.

Volunteering for early phase gene transfer research in Parkinson disease.

PubMed

Kim, S Y H; Holloway, R G; Frank, S; Beck, C A; Zimmerman, C; Wilson, R; Kieburtz, K

2006-04-11

For early phase trials of novel interventions-such as gene transfer for Parkinson disease (PD)--whose focus is primarily on safety and tolerability, it is important that participants have a realistic understanding of the goals of such research. Recently, some have expressed concern that patients with PD may have unrealistic expectations. The authors examined why patients with PD might volunteer for invasive early phase research by interviewing 92 patients with PD and comparing those who would (n = 46) and those who would not (n = 46) participate in a hypothetical phase I gene-transfer study. The two groups' demographic, clinical, functional, and quality of life measures, as well as their understanding of the research protocol, were similar. The groups did not differ on their perception of potential for personal benefit nor on the level of likelihood of benefit they saw as a precondition for volunteering. However, those willing to participate tended to perceive lower probability of risk, were tolerant of greater probability of risk, and were more optimistic about the phase I study's potential benefits to society. They also appeared more decisive and action-oriented than the unwilling group. It is likely that the decision whether to participate in early phase PD gene transfer studies will depend mostly on patients' attitudes regarding risk, optimism about science, and an action orientation, rather than on their clinical, functional, or demographic characteristics.

Implementing Effective Mission Systems Engineering Practices During Early Project Formulation Phases

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moton, Tryshanda

2016-01-01

Developing and implementing a plan for a NASA space mission can be a complicated process. The needs, goals, and objectives of any proposed mission or technology must be assessed early in the Project Life Cycle. The key to successful development of a space mission or flight project is the inclusion of systems engineering in early project formulation, namely during Pre-phase A, Phase A, and Phase B of the NASA Project Life Cycle. When a space mission or new technology is in pre-development, or "pre-Formulation", feasibility must be determined based on cost, schedule, and risk. Inclusion of system engineering during project formulation is key because in addition to assessing feasibility, design concepts are developed and alternatives to design concepts are evaluated. Lack of systems engineering involvement early in the project formulation can result in increased risks later in the implementation and operations phases of the project. One proven method for effective systems engineering practice during the pre-Formulation Phase is the use of a mission conceptual design or technology development laboratory, such as the Mission Design Lab (MDL) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). This paper will review the engineering process practiced routinely in the MDL for successful mission or project development during the pre-Formulation Phase.

The liquidus temperature of nuclear waste glasses: an international Round-Robin Study

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

Riley, Brian J.; Hrma, Pavel R.; Vienna, John D.

2012-12-01

Ten institutions from five countries participated in a Round Robin study to contribute to the Precision and Bias section of an American Society for Testing and Materials standard procedure that Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is developing for measuring the liquidus temperature (TL) of radioactive and simulated waste glasses. In this study, three separate TL measurement methods were a gradient temperature (GT) method, a uniform temperature (UT) method, and a crystal fraction extrapolation (CF) method. Three different glasses were measured with a combination of these three methods. The TL values reported by different institutions are generally consistent and vary withinmore » a narrow range. The precision of a TL measurement was evaluated as ±10°C regardless of the method used for making the measurement. The Round Robin glasses were all previously studied at PNNL and included ARG-1 (Glass A), Zr-9 (Glass B), and AmCm2-19 (Glass C), with measured TL values spanning the temperature range ~960-1240°C. The three methods discussed here in more detail are the GT, UT, and CF methods. A best-case precision for TL has been obtained from the data, even though the data were not acquired for all three glasses using all three methods from each participating organization.« less

40 CFR 76.8 - Early election for Group 1, Phase II boilers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) ACID RAIN NITROGEN OXIDES EMISSION REDUCTION PROGRAM § 76.8 Early election for Group 1... plan and: (i) If a Phase I Acid Rain permit governing the source at which the unit is located has been... chapter to include the early election plan; or (ii) If a Phase I Acid Rain permit governing the source at...

40 CFR 76.8 - Early election for Group 1, Phase II boilers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) ACID RAIN NITROGEN OXIDES EMISSION REDUCTION PROGRAM § 76.8 Early election for Group 1... plan and: (i) If a Phase I Acid Rain permit governing the source at which the unit is located has been... chapter to include the early election plan; or (ii) If a Phase I Acid Rain permit governing the source at...

40 CFR 76.8 - Early election for Group 1, Phase II boilers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) ACID RAIN NITROGEN OXIDES EMISSION REDUCTION PROGRAM § 76.8 Early election for Group 1... plan and: (i) If a Phase I Acid Rain permit governing the source at which the unit is located has been... chapter to include the early election plan; or (ii) If a Phase I Acid Rain permit governing the source at...

40 CFR 76.8 - Early election for Group 1, Phase II boilers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) ACID RAIN NITROGEN OXIDES EMISSION REDUCTION PROGRAM § 76.8 Early election for Group 1... plan and: (i) If a Phase I Acid Rain permit governing the source at which the unit is located has been... chapter to include the early election plan; or (ii) If a Phase I Acid Rain permit governing the source at...

40 CFR 76.8 - Early election for Group 1, Phase II boilers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) ACID RAIN NITROGEN OXIDES EMISSION REDUCTION PROGRAM § 76.8 Early election for Group 1... plan and: (i) If a Phase I Acid Rain permit governing the source at which the unit is located has been... chapter to include the early election plan; or (ii) If a Phase I Acid Rain permit governing the source at...

Phase III Early Restoration Meeting - Corpus Christi, TX | NOAA Gulf Spill

Science.gov Websites

Areas Alabama Florida Louisiana Mississippi Texas Region-wide Open Ocean Data Media & News programmatic approach to early restoration planning for Phase III and future early restoration plans. Open

Phase III Early Restoration Meeting - Lake Charles, LA | NOAA Gulf Spill

Science.gov Websites

Areas Alabama Florida Louisiana Mississippi Texas Region-wide Open Ocean Data Media & News early restoration planning for Phase III and future early restoration plans. Open House: 5:30pm Public

Early visual processing is enhanced in the midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle.

PubMed

Lusk, Bethany R; Carr, Andrea R; Ranson, Valerie A; Bryant, Richard A; Felmingham, Kim L

2015-12-01

Event-related potential (ERP) studies have revealed an early attentional bias in processing unpleasant emotional images in women. Recent neuroimaging data suggests there are significant differences in cortical emotional processing according to menstrual phase. This study examined the impact of menstrual phase on visual emotional processing in women compared to men. ERPs were recorded from 28 early follicular women, 29 midluteal women, and 27 men while they completed a passive viewing task of neutral and low- and high- arousing pleasant and unpleasant images. There was a significant effect of menstrual phase in early visual processing, as midluteal women displayed significantly greater P1 amplitude at occipital regions to all visual images compared to men. Both midluteal and early follicular women displayed larger N1 amplitudes than men (although this only reached significance for the midluteal group) to the visual images. No sex or menstrual phase differences were apparent in later N2, P3, or LPP. A condition effect demonstrated greater P3 and LPP amplitude to highly-arousing unpleasant images relative to all other stimuli conditions. These results indicate that women have greater early automatic visual processing compared to men, and suggests that this effect is particularly strong in women in the midluteal phase at the earliest stage of visual attention processing. Our findings highlight the importance of considering menstrual phase when examining sex differences in the cortical processing of visual stimuli. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Statistical controversies in clinical research: early-phase adaptive design for combination immunotherapies.

PubMed

Wages, N A; Slingluff, C L; Petroni, G R

2017-04-01

In recent years, investigators have asserted that the 3 + 3 design lacks flexibility, making its use in modern early-phase trial settings, such as combinations and/or biological agents, inefficient. More innovative approaches are required to address contemporary research questions, such as those posed in trials involving immunotherapies. We describe the implementation of an adaptive design for identifying an optimal treatment regimen, defined by low toxicity and high immune response, in an early-phase trial of a melanoma helper peptide vaccine plus novel adjuvant combinations. Operating characteristics demonstrate the ability of the method to effectively recommend optimal regimens in a high percentage of trials with reasonable sample sizes. The proposed design is a practical, early-phase, adaptive method for use with combined immunotherapy regimens. This design can be applied more broadly to early-phase combination studies, as it was used in an ongoing study of two small molecule inhibitors in relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society for Medical Oncology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Anhydrous PT phase relations of an Aleutian high-MgO basalt: an investigation of the role of olivine-liquid reaction in the generation of arc high-alumina basalts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Draper, David S.; Johnston, A. Dana

1992-12-01

We report results of anhydrous 1 atm and piston-cylinder experiments on ID16, an Aleutian high-magnesia basalt (HMB), designed to investigate potential petrogenetic links between arc high-alumina basalts (HABs) and less common HMBs. ID16 is multiply saturated with a plagioclase/spinel iherzolite mineral assemblage (olivine, plagioclase, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, spinel) immediately beneath the 12 kbar liquidus. Derivative liquids produced at high temperatures in the 10 20 kbar melting interval of ID16 have compositions resembling those published of many moderate-CaO HABs, although lower-temperature liquids are poorer in CaO and richer in alkalies than are typical HABs. Isomolar pseudoternary projections and numerical mass-balance modeling suggest that derivative melts of ID16 enter into a complex reaction relationship with olivine at 10 kbar and 1,200° C 1,150° C. We sought to test such a mechanism to explain the lack of liquidus olivine in anhydrous experiments on mafic high-alumina basalts such as SSS. 1.4 (Johnston 1986). These derivative liquids, however, do not resemble typical arc high-alumina basalts, suggesting that olivine-liquid reaction does not account for Johnston's (1986) observations. Instead, we suggest that olivine can be brought onto the liquidus of such compositions only through the involvement of H2O, which will affect the influence of bulk CaO, MgO, and Al2O3 contents on the identity of HAB liquidus phases (olivine or plagioclase) at pressures less than ˜12 kbar.

Liquidus temperature and chemical durability of selected glasses to immobilize rare earth oxides waste

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

Mohd Fadzil, Syazwani Binti; Hrma, Pavel R.; Schweiger, Michael J.

Pyroprocessing is a reprocessing method for managing and reusing used nuclear fuel (UNF) by dissolving it in an electrorefiner with a molten alkali or alkaline earth chloride salt mixture while avoiding wet reprocessing. Pyroprocessing UNF with a LiCl-KCl eutectic salt releases the fission products from the fuel and generates a variety of metallic and salt-based species, including rare earth (RE) chlorides. If the RE-chlorides are converted to oxides, borosilicate glass is a prime candidate for their immobilization because of its durability and ability to dissolve almost any RE waste component into the matrix at high loadings. Crystallization that occurs inmore » waste glasses as the waste loading increases may complicate glass processing and affect the product quality. This work compares three types of borosilicate glasses in terms of liquidus temperature (TL): the International Simple Glass designed by the International Working Group, sodium borosilicate glass developed by Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power, and the lanthanide aluminoborosilicate (LABS) glass established in the United States. The LABS glass allows the highest waste loadings (over 50 mass% RE2O3) while possessing an acceptable chemical durability.« less

Liquidus temperature and chemical durability of selected glasses to immobilize rare earth oxides waste

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohd Fadzil, Syazwani; Hrma, Pavel; Schweiger, Michael J.; Riley, Brian J.

2015-10-01

Pyroprocessing is are processing method for managing and reusing used nuclear fuel (UNF) by dissolving it in an electrorefiner with a molten alkali or alkaline earth chloride salt mixture while avoiding wet reprocessing. Pyroprocessing UNF with a LiCl-KCl eutectic salt releases the fission products from the fuel and generates a variety of metallic and salt-based species, including rare earth (RE) chlorides. If the RE-chlorides are converted to oxides, borosilicate glass is a prime candidate for their immobilization because of its durability and ability to dissolve almost any RE waste component into the glass matrix at high loadings. Crystallization that occurs in waste glasses as the waste loading increases may complicate glass processing and affect the product quality. This work compares three types of borosilicate glasses in terms of liquidus temperature (TL): the International Simple Glass designed by the International Working Group, sodium borosilicate glass developed by Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power, and the lanthanide aluminoborosilicate (LABS) glass established in the United States. The LABS glass allows the highest waste loadings (over 50 mass% RE2O3) while possessing an acceptable chemical durability.

Proteomic analysis of early phase of conidia germination in Aspergillus nidulans.

PubMed

Oh, Young Taek; Ahn, Chun-Seob; Kim, Jeong Geun; Ro, Hyeon-Su; Lee, Chang-Won; Kim, Jae Won

2010-03-01

In order to investigate proteins involved in early phase of conidia germination, proteomic analysis was performed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-GE) in conjunction with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS). The expression levels of 241 proteins varied quantitatively with statistical significance (P<0.05) at the early phase of the germination stage. Out of these 57 were identified by MALDI-TOF MS. Through classification of physiological functions from Conserved Domain Database analysis, among the identified proteins, 21, 13, and 6 proteins were associated with energy metabolism, protein synthesis, and protein folding process, respectively. Interestingly, eight proteins, which are involved in detoxification of reactive oxygen species (ROS) including catalase A, thioredoxin reductase, and mitochondrial peroxiredoxin, were also identified. The expression levels of the genes were further confirmed using Northern blot and reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR analyses. This study represents the first proteomic analysis of early phase of conidia germination and will contribute to a better understanding of the molecular events involved in conidia germination process. Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

On the composition dependence of faceting behaviour of primary phases during solidification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saroch, Mamta; Dubey, K. S.; Ramachandrarao, P.

1993-02-01

The entropy of solution of the primary aluminium-rich phase in the aluminium-tin melts has been evaluated as a function of temperature using available thermodynamic and phase equilibria data with a view to understand the faceting behaviour of this phase. It was noticed that the range of compositions in which alloys of aluminium and tin yield a faceted primary phase is correlated with the domain of compositions over which the entropy of solution shows a strong temperature dependence. It is demonstrated that both a high value of the entropy of solution and a strong temperature dependence of it are essential for providing faceting. A strong temperature dependence of the entropy of solution is in turn a consequence of negligible liquidus slope and existence of retrograde solubility. The AgBi and AgPb systems have similar features.

High-pressure and high-temperature phase diagram for Fe0.9Ni0.1-H alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shibazaki, Yuki; Terasaki, Hidenori; Ohtani, Eiji; Tateyama, Ryuji; Nishida, Keisuke; Funakoshi, Ken-ichi; Higo, Yuji

2014-03-01

Planetary cores are considered to consist of an iron-nickel (Fe-Ni) alloy and light elements and hydrogen is one of plausible light elements in the core. Here we have performed in situ X-ray diffraction experiments on an Fe0.9Ni0.1-H system up to 15.1 GPa and 1673 K, and investigated the effect of Ni on phase relations of FeHx under high pressure and high temperature. The experimental system in the present work was oversaturated with hydrogen. We found a face-center-cubic (fcc) phase (with hydrogen concentration up to x∼1) and a body-center-cubic (bcc) phase (x < 0.1) as stable phases. The partial melting was observed below 6 GPa. We could not observe a double-hexagonal-close-packed (dhcp) phase because of limitations in pressure and temperature conditions. The stability field of each phase of Fe0.9Ni0.1Hx was almost same as that of FeHx. The solidus of Fe0.9Ni0.1Hx was 500-700 K lower than the melting curve of Fe and its liquidus was 400-600 K lower than that of Fe in the pressure range of this study. Both the solidus and liquidus of Fe0.9Ni0.1Hx were depressed at around 3.5 GPa, as was the solidus of FeHx. The hydrogen contents in fcc-Fe0.9Ni0.1Hx just below solidus were slightly lower than those of fcc-FeHx, which suggests that nickel is likely to prevent dissolution of hydrogen into iron. Due to the lower hydrogen solubilities in Fe0.9Ni0.1 compared to Fe, the solidus of Fe0.9Ni0.1Hx is about 100-150 K higher than that of FeHx.

Challenges and perspective of drug repurposing strategies in early phase clinical trials.

PubMed

Kato, Shumei; Moulder, Stacy L; Ueno, Naoto T; Wheler, Jennifer J; Meric-Bernstam, Funda; Kurzrock, Razelle; Janku, Filip

2015-01-01

Despite significant investments in the development of new agents only 5% of cancer drugs entering Phase I clinical trials are ultimately approved for routine clinical cancer care. Drug repurposing strategies using novel combinations of previously tested anticancer agents could reduce the cost and improve treatment outcomes. At MD Anderson Cancer Center, early phase clinical trials with drug repurposing strategies demonstrated promising outcomes in patients with both rare and common treatment refractory advanced cancers. Despite clinical efficacy advancing drug repurposing strategies in the clinical trial trajectory beyond early phase studies has been challenging mainly due to lack of funding and interest from the pharmaceutical industry. In this review, we delineate our experience and challenges with drug repurposing strategies.

Cytokine expression during early and late phase of acute Puumala hantavirus infection

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Hantaviruses of the family Bunyaviridae are emerging zoonotic pathogens which cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in the Old World and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in the New World. An immune-mediated pathogenesis is discussed for both syndromes. The aim of our study was to investigate cytokine expression during the course of acute Puumala hantavirus infection. Results We retrospectively studied 64 patients hospitalised with acute Puumala hantavirus infection in 2010 during a hantavirus epidemic in Germany. Hantavirus infection was confirmed by positive anti-hantavirus IgG/IgM. Cytokine expression of IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-γ, TNF-α and TGF-β1 was analysed by ELISA during the early and late phase of acute hantavirus infection (average 6 and 12 days after onset of symptoms, respectively). A detailed description of the demographic and clinical presentation of severe hantavirus infection requiring hospitalization during the 2010 hantavirus epidemic in Germany is given. Acute hantavirus infection was characterized by significantly elevated levels of IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, TGF-β1 and TNF-α in both early and late phase compared to healthy controls. From early to late phase of disease, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α significantly decreased whereas TGF-β1 levels increased. Disease severity characterized by elevated creatinine and low platelet counts was correlated with high pro-inflammatory IL-6 and TNF-α but low immunosuppressive TGF-β1 levels and vice versa . Conclusion High expression of cytokines activating T-lymphocytes, monocytes and macrophages in the early phase of disease supports the hypothesis of an immune-mediated pathogenesis. In the late phase of disease, immunosuppressive TGF-β1 level increase significantly. We suggest that delayed induction of a protective immune mechanism to downregulate a massive early pro-inflammatory immune response might contribute to the pathologies characteristic of human hantavirus infection

Multiphase Dynamics of Magma Oceans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boukaré, Charles-Edouard; Ricard, Yanick; Parmentier, Edgar M.

2017-04-01

Since the earliest study of the Apollo lunar samples, the magma ocean hypothesis has received increasing consideration for explaining the early evolution of terrestrial planets. Giant impacts seem to be able to melt significantly large planets at the end of their accretion. The evolution of the resulting magma ocean would set the initial conditions (thermal and compositionnal structure) for subsequent long-term solid-state planet dynamics. However, magma ocean dynamics remains poorly understood. The major challenge relies on understanding interactions between the physical properties of materials (e.g., viscosity (at liquid or solid state), buoyancy) and the complex dynamics of an extremely vigorously convecting system. Such complexities might be neglected in cases where liquidus/adiabat interactions and density stratification leads to stable situations. However, interesting possibilities arise when exploring magma ocean dynamics in other regime. In the case of the Earth, recent studies have shown that the liquidus might intersect the adiabat at mid-mantle depth and/or that solids might be buoyant at deep mantle conditions. These results require the consideration of more sophisticated scenarios. For instance, how does bottom-up crystallization look with buoyant crystals? To understand this complex dynamics, we develop a multiphase phase numerical code that can handle simultaneously phase change, the convection in each phase and in the slurry, as well as the compaction or decompaction of the two phases. Although our code can only run in a limited parameter range (Rayleigh number, viscosity contrast between phases, Prandlt number), it provides a rich dynamics that illustrates what could have happened. For a given liquidus/adiabat configuration and density contrast between melt and solid, we explore magma ocean scenarios by varying the relative timescales of three first order processes: solid-liquid separation, thermo-chemical convective motions and magma ocean cooling.

Phase III Early Restoration Meeting - Galveston, TX | NOAA Gulf Spill

Science.gov Websites

Areas Alabama Florida Louisiana Mississippi Texas Region-wide Open Ocean Data Media & News planning for Phase III and future early restoration plans. Open House: 6:00pm Public Meeting: 6:30pm

Impact of incretin on early-phase insulin secretion and glucose excursion.

PubMed

Shen, Jie; Chen, Zhi; Chen, Chaofeng; Zhu, Xiao; Han, Yajuan

2013-10-01

This study investigated the impact of incretin on early-phase insulin secretion and glucose excursion. The normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) groups included 16, 8, and 19 subjects, respectively. Subjects underwent continuous glucose monitoring for 3 days, followed by an oral glucose tolerance test. Plasma glucose, insulin, glucagon, total glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), and glucagon-like peptide-l (GLP-1) levels were measured at 30-min increments for 2 h after glucose intake. Differences with P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The area under the curve (AUC) of total GIP (120-min GIP-AUC) of the T2DM group was significantly lower than those of the NGT and IGT groups. The 120-min GLP-1-AUC of the NGT group was significantly larger than those of the T2DM and IGT groups. The early-phase insulin secretion index (ΔI30/ΔG30) of the T2DM group was significantly lower than those of the NGT and IGT groups. Mean amplitudes of glycemic excursions (MAGEs) went in the order of NGT < IGT < T2DM (P < 0.01, IGT vs. NGT; P < 0.001, T2DM vs. IGT). The 120-min GIP-AUC was negatively correlated with MAGE (r = -0.464), but uncorrelated with ΔI30/ΔG30. The 120-min GLP-1-AUC was positively correlated with ΔI30/ΔG30 (r = 0.580), but negatively correlated with MAGE (r = -0.606). Incretin may ameliorate glucose excursions, and GLP-1 may exert them by promoting early-phase insulin secretion. No correlation was observed between GIP secretion and early-phase insulin secretion.

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

PubMed Central

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

2015-01-01

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

Early Risk Reduction Phase 1 FLIR/Laser Designator Window. Revision

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-12-31

Sandwich-Type FLIR Windows," Air Force AFWAL-TR-83- 4122, Nov 1983. 4-1 Hughes Danbury Optical Systems Final Report, "ATA Window Technology Program," PRBll...Risk Reduction -- Phase I, Optical Properties Measurement Techniques of Three Wide Band Window Materials," 22 August 1991. xii I i 86PR0869 30... Optical Systems, Lexington, MA, 02173, 1 Feb 1991. 5-7 McDonnell Aircraft Company Technical Memorandum TM 256.91.0056.01, "Early Risk Reduction -- Phase

A Comparative Study of Continental vs. Intraoceanic Arc Mantle Melting: Experimentally Determined Phase Relations of Hydrous, Primitive Melts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weaver, S.; Johnston, A.; Wallace, P. J.

2009-12-01

It is widely recognized that H2O and other volatiles play a crucial role in mantle melting in subduction zones. This work is a comparative study focused on determining the H2O-undersaturated, near-liquidus phase relations for two primitive subduction related compositions with the goal of determining the P-T-H2O conditions of mantle melting beneath arcs. These samples, JR-28, a calc-alkaline basalt from Volcan Jorullo, Mexico, and ID-16, a tholeiitic basalt from Okmok Volcano, Aleutian Islands, have major element compositions that indicate they are primary, mantle-derived melts. H2O-undersaturated piston cylinder experiments have been carried out at upper mantle pressures and temperatures (1.0-2.0 GPa and 1100-1350°C). The near-liquidus mineralogy of these two compositions has been mapped in P-T- H2O space in order to constrain the conditions under which these melts are multiply saturated with a mantle residue (lherzolite or harzburgite). Previous studies of dissolved volatiles in olivine-hosted melt inclusions have provided an estimate of pre-eruptive H2O-contents for JR-28 at ≥5 wt% H2O and experiments have been carried out accordingly. Preliminary results for JR-28 at 5 wt% H2O show olivine ± Cr-rich spinel on the liquidus at 1.0 GPa and enstatite as the liquidus phase at higher pressures (1.3 to 2.0 GPa). Ca-rich pyroxene appears in only one experiment 50°C below the liquidus at 1.5 GPa. These data show that JR-28 melts are multiply saturated with a harzburgite assemblage at ~1175°C and ~1.2 GPa at 5 wt% H2O. Experiments at 7 wt% H2O show similar results, although the olivine/Cr-spinel stability field expands at the expense of the enstatite stability field. Consequently, the olivine-enstatite cotectic is shifted to higher pressures and slightly cooler temperatures. The relatively high SiO2 content in the bulk rock (~52 wt% SiO2) supports the hypothesis that JR-28 last equilibrated with a depleted or harzburgite residue rather than a more fertile mantle

Early Detection of Amyloid Plaque in Alzheimer’s Disease via X-ray Phase CT

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-08-01

AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-12-1-0138 TITLE: Early Detection of Amyloid Plaque in Alzheimer’s Disease via X-ray Phase CT PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR...NUMBER W81XWH-12-1-0138 Early Detection of Amyloid Plaque in Alzheimer’s Disease via X-ray Phase CT 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6...method for early detection of amyloid plaque in Alzheimer’s disease , with three Specific Aims: #1 Develop and optimize an x-ray PCCT to explore the

Phase Equilibria and Thermodynamic Descriptions of Ag-Ge and Ag-Ge-Ni Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rajkumar, V. B.; Chen, Sinn-Wen

2018-07-01

Gibbs energy modeling of Ag-Ge and Ag-Ge-Ni systems was done using the calculation of the phase diagram method with associated data from this work and relevant literature information. In the Ag-Ge system, the solidus temperatures of Ag-rich alloys are measured using differential thermal analysis, and the energy of mixing for the FCC_A1 phase is calculated using the special quasi-random structures technique. The isothermal sections of the Ag-Ge-Ni system at 1023 K and 673 K are also experimentally determined. These data and findings in the relevant literature are used to model the Gibbs energy of the Ag-Ge and Ag-Ge- Ni systems. A reaction scheme and a liquidus projection of the Ag-Ge-Ni system are determined.

Wide-field phase imaging for the endoscopic detection of dysplasia and early-stage esophageal cancer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fitzpatrick, C. R. M.; Gordon, G. S. D.; Sawyer, T. W.; Wilkinson, T. D.; Bohndiek, S. E.

2018-02-01

Esophageal cancer has a 5-year survival rate below 20%, but can be curatively resected if it is detected early. At present, poor contrast for early lesions in white light imaging leads to a high miss rate in standard-of- care endoscopic surveillance. Early lesions in the esophagus, referred to as dysplasia, are characterized by an abundance of abnormal cells with enlarged nuclei. This tissue has a different refractive index profile to healthy tissue, which results in different light scattering properties and provides a source of endogenous contrast that can be exploited for advanced endoscopic imaging. For example, point measurements of such contrast can be made with scattering spectroscopy, while optical coherence tomography generates volumetric data. However, both require specialist interpretation for diagnostic decision making. We propose combining wide-field phase imaging with existing white light endoscopy in order to provide enhanced contrast for dysplasia and early-stage cancer in an image format that is familiar to endoscopists. Wide-field phase imaging in endoscopy can be achieved using coherent illumination combined with phase retrieval algorithms. Here, we present the design and simulation of a benchtop phase imaging system that is compatible with capsule endoscopy. We have undertaken preliminary optical modelling of the phase imaging setup, including aberration correction simulations and an investigation into distinguishing between different tissue phantom scattering coefficients. As our approach is based on phase retrieval rather than interferometry, it is feasible to realize a device with low-cost components for future clinical implementation.

Accumulation of unsaturated lipids in monocytes during early phase pyrogen tolerance.

PubMed

Szewczenko-Pawlikowski, M; Kozak, W

2000-04-12

This paper presents data that inspired a new explanation for the mechanism of early phase endotoxin tolerance. Rabbits injected intravenously with LPS from Salmonella abortus developed a two-phase fever (6 h) and monophasic hyperlipidemia of very low density lipoproteins (two consecutive days). If during these days rabbits were injected with the same dose of LPS at 24-h intervals, the second phase of fever disappeared, i.e. early phase pyrogenic tolerance was obtained. This was correlated with a decrease of lipoprotein hyperlipidemia (measured 1.5 h after LPS injection) and an accumulation of lipids rich in double bonds in monocytes (measured 3.5 h after LPS injection). Results showed that the degree of unsaturation of acyl chains (AC) in monocytes (AC/DB, DB=double bonds) is negatively correlated (r=-0.72) with fever response (fever index). The authors maintain that a gradual increase in monocyte membrane fluidity is an adaptation to repeated exposure of monocytes to lipid A and is responsible for the progressive desensitization of monocytes to endotoxin. It is suggested that disorders of this mechanism lead to an accumulation of abnormal quantities of saturated lipids and cholesterol within macrophages, which, as foam cells, are the starting point for atherosclerosis pathology.

Phase III Early Restoration Meeting - Port Arthur, TX | NOAA Gulf Spill

Science.gov Websites

Areas Alabama Florida Louisiana Mississippi Texas Region-wide Open Ocean Data Media & News planning for Phase III and future early restoration plans. Open House: 6:00pm Public Meeting: 6:30pm

Phase III Early Restoration Meeting - Panama City, FL | NOAA Gulf Spill

Science.gov Websites

Areas Alabama Florida Louisiana Mississippi Texas Region-wide Open Ocean Data Media & News planning for Phase III and future early restoration plans. Open House: 6:00pm Public Meeting: 6:30pm

Beryllium and boron constraints on an early Galactic bright phase

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fields, Brian D.; Schramm, David N.; Truran, James W.

1993-01-01

The recent observations of Be and B in metal-deficient halo dwarfs are used to constrain a 'bright phase' of enhanced cosmic-ray flux in the early Galaxy. Assuming that this Be and B arises from cosmic-ray spallation in the early Galaxy, limits are placed on the intensity of the early (Population II) cosmic-ray flux relative to the present (Population I) flux. A simple estimate of bounds on the flux ratio is 1 - 40. This upper bound would restrict galaxies like our own from producing neutrino fluxes that would be detectable in any currently proposed detectors. It is found that the relative enhancement of the early flux varies inversely with the relative time of enhancement. It is noted that associated gamma-ray production via pp - pi sup 0 pp may be a significant contribution to the gamma-ray background above 100 MeV.

Early Childhood Technology Integrated Instructional System (EC-TIIS) Phase 1: A Final Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hutinger, Patricia; Robinson, Linda; Schneider, Carol

2004-01-01

The Early Childhood Technology Integrated Instructional System (EC-TIIS), a Steppingstones of Technology Innovation Phase 1--Development project, was developed by the Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood (the Center) at Western Illinois University as an online instructional system. EC-TIIS' ultimate goal was to improve technology services…

Dispositional Optimism and Therapeutic Expectations in Early Phase Oncology Trials

PubMed Central

Jansen, Lynn A.; Mahadevan, Daruka; Appelbaum, Paul S.; Klein, William MP; Weinstein, Neil D.; Mori, Motomi; Daffé, Racky; Sulmasy, Daniel P.

2016-01-01

Purpose Prior research has identified unrealistic optimism as a bias that might impair informed consent among patient-subjects in early phase oncology trials. Optimism, however, is not a unitary construct – it can also be defined as a general disposition, or what is called dispositional optimism. We assessed whether dispositional optimism would be related to high expectations for personal therapeutic benefit reported by patient-subjects in these trials but not to the therapeutic misconception. We also assessed how dispositional optimism related to unrealistic optimism. Methods Patient-subjects completed questionnaires designed to measure expectations for therapeutic benefit, dispositional optimism, unrealistic optimism, and the therapeutic misconception. Results Dispositional optimism was significantly associated with higher expectations for personal therapeutic benefit (Spearman r=0.333, p<0.0001), but was not associated with the therapeutic misconception. (Spearman r=−0.075, p=0.329). Dispositional optimism was weakly associated with unrealistic optimism (Spearman r=0.215, p=0.005). In multivariate analysis, both dispositional optimism (p=0.02) and unrealistic optimism (p<0.0001) were independently associated with high expectations for personal therapeutic benefit. Unrealistic optimism (p=.0001), but not dispositional optimism, was independently associated with the therapeutic misconception. Conclusion High expectations for therapeutic benefit among patient-subjects in early phase oncology trials should not be assumed to result from misunderstanding of specific information about the trials. Our data reveal that these expectations are associated with either a dispositionally positive outlook on life or biased expectations about specific aspects of trial participation. Not all manifestations of optimism are the same, and different types of optimism likely have different consequences for informed consent in early phase oncology research. PMID:26882017

Topological Ordering and Viscosity in the Glassy Ge-Se System: The Search for a Structural or Dynamical Signature of the Intermediate Phase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeidler, Anita; Salmon, Philip S.; Whittaker, Dean A. J.; Pizzey, Keiron J.; Hannon, Alex C.

2017-11-01

The topological ordering of the network structure in vitreous Ge_xSe_{1-x} was investigated across most of the glass-forming region (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) by using high-resolution neutron diffraction to measure the Bhatia-Thornton number-number partial structure factor. This approach gives access to the composition dependence of the mean coordination number \\bar{n} and correlation lengths associated with the network ordering. The thermal properties of the samples were also measured by using temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry. The results do not point to a structural origin of the so-called intermediate phase, which in our work is indicated for the composition range 0.175(8) ≤ x ≤ 0.235(8) by a vanishingly-small non-reversing enthalpy near the glass transition. The midpoint of this range coincides with the mean-field expectation of a floppy-to-rigid transition at x = 0.20. The composition dependence of the liquid viscosity, as taken from the literature, was also investigated to look for a dynamical origin of the intermediate phase, using the Mauro-Yue-Ellison-Gupta-Allan (MYEGA) model to estimate the viscosity at the liquidus temperature. The evidence points to a maximum in the viscosity at the liquidus temperature, and a minimum in the fragility index, for the range 0.20 ≤ x ≤ 0.22. The utility of the intermediate phase as a predictor of the material properties in network glass-forming systems is discussed.

Theoretical Prediction of Melting Relations in the Deep Mantle: the Phase Diagram Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belmonte, D.; Ottonello, G. A.; Vetuschi Zuccolini, M.; Attene, M.

2016-12-01

Despite the outstanding progress in computer technology and experimental facilities, understanding melting phase relations in the deep mantle is still an open challenge. In this work a novel computational scheme to predict melting relations at HP-HT by a combination of first principles DFT calculations, polymer chemistry and equilibrium thermodynamics is presented and discussed. The adopted theoretical framework is physically-consistent and allows to compute multi-component phase diagrams relevant to Earth's deep interior in a broad range of P-T conditions by a convex-hull algorithm for Gibbs free energy minimisation purposely developed for high-rank simplexes. The calculated phase diagrams are in turn used as a source of information to gain new insights on the P-T-X evolution of magmas in the deep mantle, providing some thermodynamic constraints to both present-day and early Earth melting processes. High-pressure melting curves of mantle silicates are also obtained as by-product of phase diagram calculation. Application of the above method to the MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 (MAS) ternary system highlights as pressure effects are not only able to change the nature of melting of some minerals (like olivine and pyroxene) from eutectic to peritectic (and vice versa), but also simplify melting relations by drastically reducing the number of phases with a primary phase field at HP-HT conditions. It turns out that mineral phases like Majorite-Pyrope garnet and Anhydrous Phase B (Mg14Si5O24), which are often disregarded in modelling melting processes of mantle assemblages, are stable phases at solidus or liquidus conditions in a P-T range compatible with the mantle transition zone (i.e. P = 16 - 23 GPa and T = 2200 - 2700 °C) when their thermodynamic and thermophysical properties are properly assessed. Financial support to the Senior Author (D.B.) during his stay as Invited Scientist at the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP, Paris) is warmly acknowledged.

78 FR 39736 - Draft Guidance for Industry: Considerations for the Design of Early-Phase Clinical Trials of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-02

..., choosing a study population, using a control group and blinding, dose selection, treatment plans...] Draft Guidance for Industry: Considerations for the Design of Early-Phase Clinical Trials of Cellular... document entitled ``Guidance for Industry: Considerations for the Design of Early-Phase Clinical Trials of...

Numerical investigation of the early flight phase in ski-jumping.

PubMed

Gardan, N; Schneider, A; Polidori, G; Trenchard, H; Seigneur, J M; Beaumont, F; Fourchet, F; Taiar, R

2017-07-05

The purpose of this study is to develop a numerical methodology based on real data from wind tunnel experiments to investigate the effect of the ski jumper's posture and speed on aerodynamic forces in a wide range of angles of attack. To improve our knowledge of the aerodynamic behavior of the ski jumper and his equipment during the early flight phase of the ski jump, we applied CFD methodology to evaluate the influence of angle of attack (α=14°, 21.5°, 29°, 36.5° and 44°) and speed (u=23, 26 and 29m/s) on aerodynamic forces in the situation of stable attitude of the ski jumper's body and skis. The standard k-ω turbulence model was used to investigate both the influence of the ski jumper's posture and speed on aerodynamic performance during the early flight phase. Numerical results show that the ski jumper's speed has very little impact on the lift and drag coefficients. Conversely, the lift and drag forces acting on the ski jumper's body during the early flight phase of the jump are strongly influenced by the variations of the angle of attack. The present results suggest that the greater the ski jumper's angle of inclination, with respect to the relative flow, the greater the pressure difference between the lower and upper parts of the skier. Further studies will focus on the dependency of the parameters with both the angle of attack α and the body-ski angle β as control variables. It will be possible to test and optimize different ski jumping styles in different ski jumping hills and investigate different environmental conditions such as temperature, altitude or crosswinds. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dispositional optimism and therapeutic expectations in early-phase oncology trials.

PubMed

Jansen, Lynn A; Mahadevan, Daruka; Appelbaum, Paul S; Klein, William M P; Weinstein, Neil D; Mori, Motomi; Daffé, Racky; Sulmasy, Daniel P

2016-04-15

Prior research has identified unrealistic optimism as a bias that might impair informed consent among patient-subjects in early-phase oncology trials. However, optimism is not a unitary construct; it also can be defined as a general disposition, or what is called dispositional optimism. The authors assessed whether dispositional optimism would be related to high expectations for personal therapeutic benefit reported by patient-subjects in these trials but not to the therapeutic misconception. The authors also assessed how dispositional optimism related to unrealistic optimism. Patient-subjects completed questionnaires designed to measure expectations for therapeutic benefit, dispositional optimism, unrealistic optimism, and the therapeutic misconception. Dispositional optimism was found to be significantly associated with higher expectations for personal therapeutic benefit (Spearman rank correlation coefficient [r], 0.333; P<.0001), but was not associated with the therapeutic misconception (Spearman r, -0.075; P = .329). Dispositional optimism was found to be weakly associated with unrealistic optimism (Spearman r, 0.215; P = .005). On multivariate analysis, both dispositional optimism (P = .02) and unrealistic optimism (P<.0001) were found to be independently associated with high expectations for personal therapeutic benefit. Unrealistic optimism (P = .0001), but not dispositional optimism, was found to be independently associated with the therapeutic misconception. High expectations for therapeutic benefit among patient-subjects in early-phase oncology trials should not be assumed to result from misunderstanding of specific information regarding the trials. The data from the current study indicate that these expectations are associated with either a dispositionally positive outlook on life or biased expectations concerning specific aspects of trial participation. Not all manifestations of optimism are the same, and different types of optimism likely have

Experimental determination of phase relationships of a chemically-zoned peralkaline silicic reservoir: the example of Green Tuff eruption at Pantelleria (Italy)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romano, Pierangelo; Andujar, Joan; Scaillet, Bruno; Rotolo, Silvio

2017-04-01

Phase equilibrium experiments are recognized as an excellent method to determine the pre-eruptive conditions of magmas inasmuch they are extremely sensitive to small variation in major elements composition in the studied rocks. Trachytes and peralkaline rhyolites (i.e pantellerite and comendite) usually represent the felsic end-member in continental rift systems and oceanic island settings. Pantelleria island, almost entirely made up of trachyte and pantellerite, is well known in the petrological literature as being the type locality of pantellerites. In this study we present the results of phase equilibrium experiments performed on representative peralkaline rhyolite (pantellerite) and metaluminous trachytes of the Green Tuff eruptions of Pantelleria, the sole known compositionally zoned ignimbrite at this volcanic location, which varies from a crystal-poor pantellerite at the base towards a crystal-rich trachyte at the top of the eruptive sequence. Crystallization experiments were performed in the temperature range 750-950°C, pressure 1-1.5 kbar, fluid saturation conditions with XH2O (=H2O/H2O+CO2) between 0 and 1 and redox conditions fixed around the FMQ (Fayalite-Magnetite- Quartz) buffer. Results show that at 900 °C pantelleritic starting compositions are well above their liquidus, regardless their water content. At T < 800°C clinopyroxene is the liquidus phase followed by amphibole and alkali feldspar. Aenigmatite and quartz crystallize at 750°C and XH2O lower than 0.8. In contrast, the trachytic composition at 800°C is highly crystallized regardless its water content. The liquidus phase is clinopyroxene crystallizing at 950°C and XH2O<0.8 followed by iron-rich olivine and alkali feldspar. Iron-bearing minerals record the effect of both H2O and fO2, showing progressive iron enrichment when XH2O decreases. Alkali feldspar becomes the most abundant mineral phase for XH2O<0.8 at 900°C or XH2O<1 at 850°C both at 1 and 1.5 kbar. Experiments reproduced the

Development of Environmental Load Estimation Model for Road Drainage Systems in the Early Design Phase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Jin-Young; Lee, Dong-Eun; Kim, Byung-Soo

2017-10-01

Due to the increasing concern about climate change, efforts to reduce environmental load are continuously being made in construction industry, and LCA (life cycle assessment) is being presented as an effective method to assess environmental load. Since LCA requires information on construction quantity used for environmental load estimation, however, it is not being utilized in the environmental review in the early design phase where it is difficult to obtain such information. In this study, computation system for construction quantity based on standard cross section of road drainage facilities was developed to compute construction quantity required for LCA using only information available in the early design phase to develop and verify the effectiveness of a model that can perform environmental load estimation. The result showed that it is an effective model that can be used in the early design phase as it revealed a 13.39% mean absolute error rate.

Imaging of early acceleration phase of the 2013-2014 Boso slow slip event

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fukuda, J.; Kato, A.; Obara, K.; Miura, S.; Kato, T.

2014-12-01

Based on GPS and seismic data, we examine the spatiotemporal evolution of a slow slip event (SSE) and associated seismic activity that occurred off the Boso peninsula, central Japan, from December 2013 to January 2014. We use GPS data from 71 stations of the GEONET and 6 stations operated by Earthquake Research Institute of the University of Tokyo and Tohoku University around the Boso peninsula. We apply a modified version of the Network Inversion Filter to the GPS time series at the 77 stations to estimate the spatiotemporal evolution of daily cumulative slip and slip rate on the subducting Philippine Sea plate. In addition, we create an improved earthquake catalog by applying a matched filter technique to continuous seismograms and examine the spatiotemporal relations between slow slip and seismicity. We find that the SSE started in early December 2013. The spatiotemporal evolution of slow slip and seismicity is divided into two distinct phases, an earlier slow phase from early to 30 December 2013 (Phase I) and a subsequent faster phase from 30 December 2013 to 9 January 2014 (Phase II). During Phase I, slip accelerated slowly up to a maximum rate of 1.6 m/yr with potentially accelerating　along-strike propagation at speeds on the order of 1 km/day or less and no accompanying seismicity. On the other hand, during Phase II, slip accelerated rapidly up to a maximum rate of 4.5 m/yr and then rapidly decelerated. The slip front propagated along strike at a constant speed of ~10 km/day. During the Phase II, slow slip was accompanied by seismic swarm activity that was highly correlated in space and time with slip rate, suggesting that the swarm activity was triggered by stress loading due to slow slip. Early slow acceleration of slip has not been identified in the past Boso SSEs in 1996, 2002, 2007, and 2011. It is not clear at this point whether the past Boso SSEs started with slow acceleration similarly to the 2013-2014 SSE. The transition from the slow to the

Perspectives and Open Problems in the Early Phases of Left-Right Patterning

PubMed Central

Vandenberg, Laura N.; Levin, Michael

2009-01-01

Summary Embryonic left-right (LR) patterning is a fascinating aspect of embryogenesis. The field currently faces important questions about the origin of LR asymmetry, the mechanisms by which consistent asymmetry is imposed on the scale of the whole embryo, and the degree of conservation of early phases of LR patterning among model systems. Recent progress on planar cell polarity and cellular asymmetry in a variety of tissues and species provides a new perspective on the early phases of LR patterning. Despite the huge diversity in body-plans over which consistent LR asymmetry is imposed, and the apparent divergence in molecular pathways that underlie laterality, the data reveal conservation of physiological modules among phyla and a basic scheme of cellular chirality amplified by a planar cell polarity-like pathway over large cell fields. PMID:19084609

Ultra-Early Phase pathologies of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.

PubMed

Okazawa, Hitoshi

2017-01-01

The concept of neurodegenerative diseases and the therapeutics targeting these intractable diseases are changing rapidly. Protein aggregation as the top of pathological cascade is now challenged, and many alternative ideas are proposed. Early molecular pathologies before microscopic detection of diseases protein aggregates, which I propose to call "Ultra-Early Phase pathologies or phase 0 pathologies", are the focus of research that might explain the failures of clinical trials with anti-Aβ antibodies against Alzheimer's disease. In this review article, I summarize the critical issues that should be successfully and consistently answered by a new concept of neurodegeneration. For reevaluating old concepts and reconstructing a new concept of neurodegeneration that will replace the old ones, non-biased comprehensive approaches including proteome combined with systems biology analyses will be a powerful tool. I introduce our recent efforts in this orientation that have reached to the stage of non-clinical proof of concept applicable to clinical trials.

Reinvestigation of the Cd–Gd phase diagram

PubMed Central

Reichmann, Thomas L.; Ipser, Herbert

2014-01-01

The complete Cd–Gd equilibrium phase diagram was investigated by a combination of powder-XRD, SEM and DTA. All previously reported phases, i.e., CdGd, Cd2Gd, Cd3Gd, Cd45Gd11, Cd58Gd13, and Cd6Gd, could be confirmed. In addition, a new intermetallic compound with a stoichiometric composition corresponding to “Cd8Gd” was found to exist. It was obtained that “Cd8Gd” decomposes peritectically at 465 °C. Homogeneity ranges of all intermetallic compounds were determined at distinct temperatures. In addition, the maximum solubilities of Cd in the low- and high-temperature modifications of Gd were determined precisely as 4.6 and 22.6 at.%, respectively. All invariant reaction temperatures (with the exception of the formation of Cd58Gd13) as well as liquidus temperatures were determined, most probably, Cd58Gd13 is formed in a peritectoid reaction from Cd45Gd11 and Cd6Gd at a temperature below 700 °C. PMID:25544803

Metastable phase formation in undercooled Fe-Co melts under terrestrial and parabolic flight conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hermann, R.; Löser, W.; Lindenkreuz, H. G.; Yang-Bitterlich, W.; Mickel, Ch.; Diefenbach, A.; Schneider, S.; Dreier, W.

2007-12-01

Soft magnetic Fe-Co alloys display primary fcc phase solidification for>19,5 at% Co in conventional near-equilibrium solidification processes. Undercooled Fe-Co melt drops within the composition range of 30 to 50 at% Co have been investigated with the electromagnetic levitation technique. The solidification kinetics was measured in situ using a high-resolution Siphotodiode. Melt drops were undercooled up to 263 K below the liquidus temperature and subsequently quenched onto a chill substrate in order to characterize the solidification sequence and microstructure. The transition from stable fcc phase to metastable bcc primary phase solidification has been observed after reaching a critical undercooling level. The critical undercooling increases with rising Co content. The growth velocity drops obviously after transition to metastable bcc phase formation. Parabolic flight experiments were performed in order to study the phase selection under reduced gravity conditions. Under microgravity conditions, a much smaller critical undercooling and an increased life time of the metastable bcc phase were obtained. This result was validated with TEM investigations. The appearance of Fe-O particles gives an indirect hint for an intermediate fcc phase formation from the metastable bcc phase at elevated temperature.

Kawai-type apparatus equipped with sintered diamond and its application to melting of mantle materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ito, E.; Kubo, A.; Katsura, T.; Walter, M. J.

2003-12-01

Kawai-type (the 6-8 type) of multi-anvil apparatus has been widely used in the mineral physics because of its versatile abilities such as large volume and pressure environment of high hydrostacity. However, it has been realized for last two decades that the maximum attainable pressure is limited to ca. 27 GPa when using tungsten carbide (WC) as anvil material. We have tried to extend capability of Kawai-type apparatus by adopting sintered diamond (SD) cubes of 14 mm edge length with 1.5 or 2.0 mm truncations together with an octahedral magnesia pressure medium. Recently generated pressures of 54 GPa and 40 GPa were confirmed for 1.5 and 2.0 mm truncations, respectively, at room temperature based on the MgO pressure scale. Following above technical innovation, we have carried out melting experiments on peridotite and CI model mantle material up to 35 GPa to examine the hypothesis for crystal fractionation in deep magma ocean in early stage of the Earth's history. Powdered starting material was put directly into a small cylindrical Re heater, which was set in the octahedron with a LaCrO3 sleeve. The sample was heated to ca. 2500° C for 2-3 min at the prescribed load. The quenched products were made to polished sections, which were examined by electron microscopy and then analyzed by the electron probe micro analyzer. In peridotite, ferropericlase (Fp) is the liquidus phase up to about 30 GPa. Both Fp and Mg-perovskite (Mg-Pv), however, coexist on the liquidus at 31 GPa, indicating multiple saturation of these phases. At higher than 32 GPa the front of Fp grains moves back from the liquidus to the slightly lower temperature region and Mg-Pv becomes the liquidus phase. Ca-perovskite (Ca-Pv) crystallizes at a fairly lower temperature than Fp and Mg-Pv at pressures up to ca. 29 GPa. However the crystallization temperatures of Fp and Ca-Pv become closer with increasing pressure, and the former might be only a few degrees higher than the latter at 33 GPa. In CI mantle, on

Early follicular phase hormone levels in relation to patterns of alcohol, tobacco, and coffee use.

PubMed

Lucero, J; Harlow, B L; Barbieri, R L; Sluss, P; Cramer, D W

2001-10-01

To examine the effects of alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco use on early follicular phase FSH, LH, E2, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Cross-sectional study. Academic medical center. Four hundred ninety-eight women selected from the general population, ages 36-45, who were not currently pregnant, breast feeding, or using exogenous hormones. A general questionnaire assessing demography, anthropometry, and smoking habits and a standardized dietary questionnaire assessing food and beverage frequencies, including sources of alcohol and caffeine. FSH, LH, E2, and SHBG levels measured during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Significant associations observed in a univariate analysis included age > or =40 and current smoking associated with higher FSH; higher body mass index (BMI) associated with lower SHBG levels; and daily alcohol use, cholesterol consumption greater than the median, and coffee use >1 cup/d associated with higher E2 levels. In a multivariate model, total caffeine use was significantly associated with E2 levels after adjustment for age, BMI, total calories, current smoking, alcohol, cholesterol consumption, and day of sampling. Early follicular phase E2 increased from 28.2 pg/mL for women consuming < or =100 mg of caffeine to 45.2 pg/mL for women consuming > or =500 mg of caffeine per day, about a 70% increase. Coffee consumption and total caffeine use may increase early follicular phase E2 levels independent of related habits of alcohol or tobacco use.

Experimental investigation of the phase equilibria and thermodynamic assessment in the U-Ga and U-Al-Ga systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moussa, Chantal; Berche, Alexandre; Barbosa, José; Pasturel, Mathieu; Stepnik, Bertrand; Tougait, Olivier

2018-02-01

The phase relations in the binary U-Ga and ternary U-Al-Ga systems were established as an isopleth section and two isothermal sections at 900 K and 1150 K for the whole concentration range, respectively. They were experimentally determined by means of powder and single crystal XRD, SEM-EDS analyses on both as-cast and heat-treated samples and DTA measurements. Both systems were thermodynamically assessed using the Calphad method based on the available data, i.e. phase relations and thermodynamic properties. The new description of the U-Ga phase diagram improves the composition-temperature description for most of invariant reactions. The U-Al-Ga system is characterized by large ternary extensions of the binary phases and the absence of ternary intermediate phase at both 900 K and 1150 K. These experimental results are nicely reproduced by the Calphad assessment, allowing to extract the thermodynamic parameters further used to calculate the liquidus projection and the invariant reactions along with their temperature.

Functional neuroanatomical correlates of episodic memory impairment in early phase psychosis

PubMed Central

Hummer, Tom A.; Vohs, Jenifer L.; Yung, Matthew G.; Liffick, Emily; Mehdiyoun, Nicole F.; Radnovich, Alexander J.; McDonald, Brenna C.; Saykin, Andrew J.; Breier, Alan

2015-01-01

Studies have demonstrated that episodic memory (EM) is often preferentially disrupted in schizophrenia. The neural substrates that mediate EM impairment in this illness are not fully understood. Several functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have employed EM probe tasks to elucidate the neural underpinnings of impairment, though results have been inconsistent. The majority of EM imaging studies have been conducted in chronic forms of schizophrenia with relatively few studies in early phase patients. Early phase schizophrenia studies are important because they may provide information regarding when EM deficits occur and address potential confounds more frequently observed in chronic populations. In this study, we assessed brain activation during the performance of visual scene encoding and recognition fMRI tasks in patients with earlyphase psychosis (n=35) and age, sex, and race matched healthy control subjects (n = 20). Patients demonstrated significantly lower activation than controls in the right hippocampus and left fusiform gyrus during scene encoding and lower activation in the posterior cingulate, precuneus, and left middle temporal cortex during recognition of target scenes. Symptom levels were not related to the imaging findings, though better cognitive performance in patients was associated with greater right hippocampal activation during encoding. These results provide evidence of altered function in neuroanatomical circuitry subserving EM early in the course of psychotic illness, which may have implications for pathophysiological models of this illness. PMID:25749917

Phase Diagram of HgTe -ZnTe Pseudobinary and Density, Heat Capacity, and Enthalphy of Mixing of Hg(sub 1-x)Zn(sub x)Te Pseudobinary Melts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Su, Ching-Hua; Sha, Yi-Gao; Mazuruk, K.; Lehoczky, S. L.

1996-01-01

In this article, the solidus temperatures of the Hg(sub 1-x) Zn(sub x)Te pseudobinary phase diagram for several compositions in the low x region were measured by differential thermal analysis and the HgTe-ZnTe pseudobinary phase diagram was constructed. The densities of two HgZnTe melts, x = 0.10 and 0.16, were determined by an in situ pycnometric technique in a transparent furnace over, respectively, 110 and 50 C ranges of temperature. The thermodynamic properties of the melts, such as the heat capacity and enthalpy of mixing, were calculated for temperatures between the liquidus and 1500 C by assuming an associated solution model for the liquid phase.

A liquidus phase diagram for the groundmass of EETA 79001A (Eg), a primitive Shergottite composition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, J. H.; Jurewicz, A. J. G.; Le, L.

1992-01-01

Shergottites are members of the SNC meteorite suite, which may be samples of Mars. If so, the shergottite in our collection that most likely represents primitive liquid from the Martian mantle is EETA 79001. EETA 79001 has the Nd isotopic signature of a long-term depleted mantle, a relatively high Mg number, and a slightly olivine-normative composition. The authors have performed experiments on the composition of EETA 79001 for traces of Eg. Other topics discussed include: comparison of calculated phase equilibria; nature of the olivine-pyroxene boundary; and interstitial liquids.

78 FR 5816 - Guidance for Industry on Clinical Pharmacogenomics: Premarket Evaluation in Early-Phase Clinical...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-28

.... The guidance provides recommendations on when and how genomic principles should be considered and... recommendations on when and how genomic principles should be considered and applied in early-phase clinical... the larger, later adequate, and well-controlled trials (phase 3) that are needed to support marketing...

Geoeffectiveness during the early phase of Solar Cycle 24

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pande, Bimal

Geoeffectiveness during the early phase of Solar Cycle 24 \\underline{} Abstract\\underline{} It is very important and interesting to understand the solar eruptions because it produces the geoeffectiveness in our Earth environment. In the rise phase of the solar cycle, geoeffective events are less frequent, thus this provide us better opportunity to study these events including the detection of their source regions. Keeping this in mind, we have analysed the data of rise phase of current solar cycle 24 ( 2009-2012). During above time period, we have selected 59 geoeffective events having Disturbance Storm Time (Dst) index < -50 nT. Based on the Dst index, we divided the events into two categories i.e. moderate (< -50 nT > -100 nT ) and intense ( <-100 nT). To locate the solar source regions of geoeffective and SEPs associated events, we have used available images, movies and Solar Geophysical data (SGD) list: for example movies from SOHO/EIT, images and movies from the Solar Dynamic Observatory (SDO). In this study, we will discuss and compare the different properties of associated CMEs, flares and their relation with geoeffectiveness.

Quantum Dots obtained by LPE from under-saturated In-As liquid phases on GaAs substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ortiz, F. E.; Mishurnyi, V.; Gorbatchev, A.; De Anda, F.; Prutskij, T.

2011-01-01

In this work we inform about quantum dots (QD) obtained by Liquid Phase Epitaxy (LPE) on GaAs substrates from under-saturated In-As liquid phases. In our processes, we have prepared saturated In-rich liquid phases by dissolving an InAs wafer at one of the temperatures interval from 450 to 414 C for 60 minutes. The contact between In-As liquid phase and the GaAs substrate was always done at a constant temperature of 444 C for 5 seconds. Thus, the growth temperature for most of the samples was higher than the liquidus temperature. We think that the growth driving force is related to a transient process that occurs when the system is trying to reach equilibrium. Under the atom force microscope (AFM) we have observed nano-islands on the surfaces of the samples obtained from under-saturated liquid phases prepared at 438, 432 and 426 C. The 25 K photoluminescence spectrum shows a peak at a 1.33 eV, in addition to the GaAs related line.

Decreased endometrial vascularity and receptivity in unexplained recurrent miscarriage patients during midluteal and early pregnancy phases.

PubMed

Tan, Shu-Yin; Hang, Fu; Purvarshi, Gowreesunkur; Li, Min-Qing; Meng, Da-Hua; Huang, Ling-Ling

2015-10-01

To evaluate the predictive value of three-dimensional (3D)-power Doppler sonography on recurrent miscarriage. The study patients were divided into a recurrent miscarriage group (30 cases) and a normal pregnancy group (21 cases). Measurement of endometrial thickness was performed using two-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound in the midluteal phase. The endometrial volume, vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI), and vascularization-flow index (VFI) in midluteal and placenta volume, as well as the VI, FI, and VFI of early pregnancy were measured using Virtual Organ Computer-aided Analysis of 3D-power Doppler ultrasound. Endometrial thickness, endometrial volume, endometrial vascular data, VI, FI, and VFI of the midluteal phase were lower in the recurrent miscarriage group compared with the normal pregnancy group (p < 0.05). Placental volume, VI, and VFI during early pregnancy were lower in the miscarriage group compared with the normal pregnancy group (p < 0.05). There was no significant change in FI between the recurrent miscarriage and control groups during early pregnancy (p > 0.05). The predictive accuracy of endometrial thickness, endometrial volume, VI, FI, and VFI in the midluteal phase, and placenta volume, VI, FI, and VFI in early pregnancy as measured by the receiver operating characteristic curve to predict miscarriage before 12 gestational weeks in participants was 0.681, 0.876, 0.770, 0.720, 0.879, 0.771, 0.907, 0.592, respectively. The 3D-power Doppler ultrasound is a more comprehensive and sensitive method for evaluating endometrial receptivity. Endometrial volume, VI, FI, and VFI in the midluteal phase, as well as VI in early pregnancy, can be considered as predictive factors for recurrent miscarriage. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

The Effect of Palladium Additions on the Solidus/Liquidus Temperatures and Wetting Properties of Ag-CuO Based Air Brazes

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

Darsell, Jens T.; Weil, K. Scott

2007-05-16

As a means of increasing the use temperature of ceramic-ceramic and ceramic-metal air brazes, palladium was investigated as possible ternary addition to the currently employed silver - copper oxide system. The silver component was directly substituted with palladium to form the following series of alloys: (100-y)[(100-z)Pd - (z)Ag] - (y)CuOx where y = 0 - 34 mol% CuOx, z = 50 - 100 mol% silver, and x = 0, 0.5, and 1, denoting copper metal, Cu2O, or CuO. From differential scanning calorimetry, it was determined that the addition of palladium causes an increase in the solidus and liquidus temperatures ofmore » the resulting Pd-Ag-CuO brazes. In general, the liquidus was found to increase by approximately 220°C for the (100-y)(25Pd - 75Ag) - (z)CuOx filler metal compositions relative to comparable Ag-CuOx alloys. Likewise, the solidus was found to increase for these alloys, respectively by 185°C and 60°C, respectively for CuOx contents of y = 0 - 1mol% and 4 - 10 mol%. For the (100-y)(50Pd - 50Ag) - (y)CuOx alloys, the solidus increased between 280 - 390°C over a copper oxide compositional range of x = 0 to 8 mol%. It was determined from sessile drop experiments conducted on alumina substrates that in all cases the palladium causes an increase in the wetting angle relative to the corresponding binary braze. Alloy compositions of (100-y)(25Pd - 75Ag) - (y)CuOx displayed increased wetting angles of 5-20° relative to comparable binary compositions. (100-y)(50Pd - 50Ag) - (y)CuOx alloys exhibited an increase in contact angle of 10-60° and compositions containing less than 10 mol% CuOx were not able to wet the substrate. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the microstructure of the braze consists of discrete CuOx precipitates in an alloyed silver-palladium matrix. In both the binary and ternary filler metal formulations, a reaction layer consisting of CuAlO2 was observed along the interface with the alumina substrate. This reaction product appears to be

Effects of temperature on early-phase transmission of Yersina pestis by the flea, Xenopsylla cheopis.

PubMed

Schotthoefer, Anna M; Bearden, Scott W; Vetter, Sara M; Holmes, Jennifer; Montenieri, John A; Graham, Christine B; Woods, Michael E; Eisen, Rebecca J; Gage, Kenneth L

2011-03-01

Sharp declines in human and animal cases of plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis (Yersin), have been observed when outbreaks coincide with hot weather. Failure of biofilm production, or blockage, to occur in the flea, as temperatures reach 30 degrees C has been suggested as an explanation for these declines. Recent work demonstrating efficient flea transmission during the first few days after fleas have taken an infectious blood meal, in the absence of blockage (e.g., early-phase transmission), however, has called this hypothesis into question. To explore the potential effects of temperature on early-phase transmission, we infected colony-reared Xenopsylla cheopis (Rothchild) fleas with a wild-type strain of plague bacteria using an artificial feeding system, and held groups of fleas at 10, 23, 27, and 30 degrees C. Naive Swiss Webster mice were exposed to fleas from each of these temperatures on days 1-4 postinfection, and monitored for signs of infection for 21 d. Temperature did not significantly influence the rates of transmission observed for fleas held at 23, 27, and 30 degrees C. Estimated per flea transmission efficiencies for these higher temperatures ranged from 2.32 to 4.96% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.96-8.74). In contrast, no transmission was observed in mice challenged by fleas held at 10 degrees C (per flea transmission efficiency estimates, 0-1.68%). These results suggest that declines in human and animal cases during hot weather are not related to changes in the abilities of X. cheopis fleas to transmit Y. pestis infections during the early-phase period. By contrast, transmission may be delayed or inhibited at low temperatures, indicating that epizootic spread of Y. pestis by X. cheopis via early-phase transmission is unlikely during colder periods of the year.

Early phase drugs and biologicals clinical trials on worldwide leading causes of death: a descriptive analysis.

PubMed

Dal-Ré, Rafael

2011-06-01

To describe the global effort targeting the major causes of mortality in terms of "open" early phase clinical trials with drugs and biologicals. Sixteen of the 20 leading causes of death were chosen; 9 of these were also amongst the top 10 causes of death in low-income countries. Studies were identified from the ClinicalTrials.gov database and included phase 1 and/or 2 "interventional" "open" trials, i.e. those recruiting or about to start recruitment. Trials were considered in terms of sponsorship [industry, universities and other organisations (UNO), and US federal agencies (NIH included)], genders and age groups included, and whether they were conducted with drugs and/or biologicals. The search was performed in March 2010. A total of 2,298 (824 phase 1; 1,474 phase 2) trials were retrieved. Of these, 67% were on trachea, bronchus, and lung cancers (25%); diabetes mellitus (15%); colon and rectum cancers (14%); and HIV/AIDS (12%). In contrast, only 4% were trials on diarrhoeal disease, nephrosis and nephritis, liver cirrhosis, and prematurity and low birth weight. UNO were the first source of funding. Fifty-two percent of phase 1 non-cancer trials were on healthy volunteers. Twenty-nine percent of all trials were co-funded. There were 4.6 times as many drug trials as those with biologicals. Only 7% were conducted with a combination of drugs and biologicals, the majority (78%) on cancers. Discrimination in terms of gender or age group was not observed. Four of the 16 diseases considered represented 2/3 of early phase trials. Cancers were a top priority for all sponsors. Increasing attention should be given to conditions with current and projected global high mortality rates that had few "open" early phase trials.

Worldwide isotope ratios of the Fukushima release and early-phase external dose reconstruction

PubMed Central

Chaisan, Kittisak; Smith, Jim T.; Bossew, Peter; Kirchner, Gerald; Laptev, Gennady V.

2013-01-01

Measurements of radionuclides (RNs) in air made worldwide following the Fukushima accident are quantitatively compared with air and soil measurements made in Japan. Isotopic ratios RN:137Cs of 131I, 132Te, 134,136Cs, are correlated with distance from release. It is shown, for the first time, that both within Japan and globally, ratios RN:137Cs in air were relatively constant for primarily particle associated radionuclides (134,136Cs; 132Te) but that 131I shows much lower local (<80 km) isotope ratios in soils relative to 137Cs. Derived isotope ratios are used to reconstruct external dose rate during the early phase post-accident. Model “blind” tests show more than 95% of predictions within a factor of two of measurements from 15 sites to the north, northwest and west of the power station. It is demonstrated that generic isotope ratios provide a sound basis for reconstruction of early-phase external dose rates in these most contaminated areas. PMID:24018776

Early differentiation of the Moon: Experimental and modeling studies and experimental and modeling studies of massif anorthosites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Longhi, John

1994-01-01

NASA grant NAG9-329 was in effect from 3/1/89 to 8/31/94, the last 18 months being a no-cost extension. While the grant was in effect, the P.I., coworkers, and students gave 22 talks and poster sessions at professional meetings, published 12 articles in referred journals (one more is in press, and another is in review), and edited 2 workshop reports relevant to this project. Copies of all the publications are appended to this report. The major accomplishments during the grant period have derived from three quarters: 1) the application of quantitative models of fractional crystallization and partial melting to various problems in planetary science, such as the petrogenesis of picritic glasses and mare basalts and the implications of the SNC meteorites for martian evolution; 2) an experimental study of silicate liquid immiscibility relevant to early lunar differentiation and the petrogenesis of evolved highlands rocks; and 3) experimental studies of massif anorthosites and related rocks that provide terrestrial analogs for the proposed origin of lunar anorthosites by multistage processes. The low-pressure aspects of the quantitative models were developed by the P.I. in the 1980s with NASA support and culminated with a paper comparing the crystallization of terrestrial and lunar lavas. The basis for the high-pressure modifications to the quantitative models is a data set gleaned from high pressure melting experiments done at Lamont and is supplemented by published data from other labs that constrain the baric and compositional dependences of various liquidus phase boundaries such as olivine/orthopyroxene, relevant to the melting of the mantles of the terrestrial planets. With these models it is possible to predict not only the thermal and compositional evolution of magmatic liquids ranging in composition from lumar mare basalt to terrestrial calc-alkaline basalts, but also the small increments of fractional melting that are produced when mantle rises adiabatically

Three steps to writing adaptive study protocols in the early phase clinical development of new medicines

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

This article attempts to define terminology and to describe a process for writing adaptive, early phase study protocols which are transparent, self-intuitive and uniform. It provides a step by step guide, giving templates from projects which received regulatory authorisation and were successfully performed in the UK. During adaptive studies evolving data is used to modify the trial design and conduct within the protocol-defined remit. Adaptations within that remit are documented using non-substantial protocol amendments which do not require regulatory or ethical review. This concept is efficient in gathering relevant data in exploratory early phase studies, ethical and time- and cost-effective. PMID:24980283

Cosmological QCD phase transition in steady non-equilibrium dissipative Hořava–Lifshitz early universe

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

Khodadi, M., E-mail: M.Khodadi@sbu.ac.ir; Sepangi, H.R., E-mail: hr-sepangi@sbu.ac.ir

We study the phase transition from quark–gluon plasma to hadrons in the early universe in the context of non-equilibrium thermodynamics. According to the standard model of cosmology, a phase transition associated with chiral symmetry breaking after the electro-weak transition has occurred when the universe was about 1–10 μs old. We focus attention on such a phase transition in the presence of a viscous relativistic cosmological background fluid in the framework of non-detailed balance Hořava–Lifshitz cosmology within an effective model of QCD. We consider a flat Friedmann–Robertson–Walker universe filled with a non-causal and a causal bulk viscous cosmological fluid respectively and investigatemore » the effects of the running coupling constants of Hořava–Lifshitz gravity, λ, on the evolution of the physical quantities relevant to a description of the early universe, namely, the temperature T, scale factor a, deceleration parameter q and dimensionless ratio of the bulk viscosity coefficient to entropy density (ξ)/s . We assume that the bulk viscosity cosmological background fluid obeys the evolution equation of the steady truncated (Eckart) and full version of the Israel–Stewart fluid, respectively. -- Highlights: •In this paper we have studied quark–hadron phase transition in the early universe in the context of the Hořava–Lifshitz model. •We use a flat FRW universe with the bulk viscosity cosmological background fluid obeying the evolution equation of the steady truncated (Eckart) and full version of the Israel–Stewart fluid, respectively.« less

Changes in neural circuitry associated with depression at pre-clinical, pre-motor and early motor phases of Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Borgonovo, Janina; Allende-Castro, Camilo; Laliena, Almudena; Guerrero, Néstor; Silva, Hernán; Concha, Miguel L

2017-02-01

Although Parkinson's Disease (PD) is mostly considered a motor disorder, it can present at early stages as a non-motor pathology. Among the non-motor clinical manifestations, depression shows a high prevalence and can be one of the first clinical signs to appear, even a decade before the onset of motor symptoms. Here, we review the evidence of early dysfunction in neural circuitry associated with depression in the context of PD, focusing on pre-clinical, pre-motor and early motor phases of the disease. In the pre-clinical phase, structural and functional changes in the substantia nigra, basal ganglia and limbic structures are already observed. Some of these changes are linked to motor compensation mechanisms while others correspond to pathological processes common to PD and depression and thus could underlie the appearance of depressive symptoms during the pre-motor phase. Studies of the early motor phase (less than five years post diagnosis) reveal an association between the extent of damage in different monoaminergic systems and the appearance of emotional disorders. We propose that the limbic loop of the basal ganglia and the lateral habenula play key roles in the early genesis of depression in PD. Alterations in the neural circuitry linked with emotional control might be sensitive markers of the ongoing neurodegenerative process and thus may serve to facilitate an early diagnosis of this disease. To take advantage of this, we need to improve the clinical criteria and develop biomarkers to identify depression, which could be used to determine individuals at risk to develop PD. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Endothelial gaps and adherent leukocytes in allergen-induced early- and late-phase plasma leakage in rat airways.

PubMed Central

Baluk, P.; Bolton, P.; Hirata, A.; Thurston, G.; McDonald, D. M.

1998-01-01

Exposure of sensitized individuals to antigen can induce allergic responses in the respiratory tract, manifested by early and late phases of vasodilatation, plasma leakage, leukocyte influx, and bronchoconstriction. Similar responses can occur in the skin, eye, and gastrointestinal tract. The early-phase response involves mast cell mediators and the late-phase response is leukocyte dependent, but the mechanism of leakage is not understood. We sought to identify the leaky blood vessels, to determine whether these vessels contained endothelial gaps, and to analyze the relationship of the gaps to adherent leukocytes, using biotinylated lectins or silver nitrate to stain the cells in situ and Monastral blue as a tracer to quantify plasma leakage. Most of the leakage occurred in postcapillary venules (< 40-microns diameter), whereas most of the leukocyte migration (predominantly neutrophils) occurred in collecting venules. Capillaries and arterioles did not leak. Endothelial gaps were found in the leaky venules, both by silver nitrate staining and by scanning electron microscopy, and 94% of the gaps were distinct from sites of leukocyte adhesion or migration. We conclude that endothelial gaps contribute to both early and late phases of plasma leakage induced by antigen, but most leakage occurs upstream to sites of leukocyte adhesion. Images Figure 3 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 PMID:9626051

Contribution of economic evaluation to decision making in early phases of product development: a methodological and empirical review.

PubMed

Hartz, Susanne; John, Jürgen

2008-01-01

Economic evaluation as an integral part of health technology assessment is today mostly applied to established technologies. Evaluating healthcare innovations in their early states of development has recently attracted attention. Although it offers several benefits, it also holds methodological challenges. The aim of our study was to investigate the possible contributions of economic evaluation to industry's decision making early in product development and to confront the results with the actual use of early data in economic assessments. We conducted a literature research to detect methodological contributions as well as economic evaluations that used data from early phases of product development. Economic analysis can be beneficially used in early phases of product development for various purposes including early market assessment, R&D portfolio management, and first estimations of pricing and reimbursement scenarios. Analytical tools available for these purposes have been identified. Numerous empirical works were detected, but most do not disclose any concrete decision context and could not be directly matched with the suggested applications. Industry can benefit from starting economic evaluation early in product development in several ways. Empirical evidence suggests that there is still potential left unused.

A layer of neutrally buoyant olivine in the early stages of a deep lunar magma ocean and a possible consecutive overturn

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krättli, G.; Schmidt, M. W.

2017-12-01

The moon is thought to have undergone a completely molten stage during its accretion, the lunar magma ocean. In order to understand the evolution and first differentiation of the lunar magma ocean, we performed a series of consecutive liquidus experiments at pressures of the lower half of the lunar magma ocean. In these experiments, we determined the liquidus, crystallized some amount of minerals (typically 10-20%) and then stepped to a new bulk composition representing the residual liquid after fractionation of these minerals. Mineral and melt densities were then calculated in order to decide whether minerals would float or sink. The bulk lunar composition used in this study (Taylor 1982) results in extensive early olivine crystallization with high XMg (94-90) for all experimental pressures, the liquidus temperature slightly decreasing from 1900 to 1850°C from 4.5 to 3.5 GPa. Crystallization begins at the core-mantle boundary, but calculations indicate that olivine initially floats and becomes neutrally buoyant at 3.5-3.7 GPa, leading to a stable olivine layer of several 100 km thickness at this depth. This layer should rapidly compact yielding two chemically separated magma reservoirs. Olivine crystallization is followed by orthopyroxene (1650°C, twm_fr2), minor garnet (1600°C, twm_fr3), clinopyroxene and spinel (1550°C, twm_fr3) in the lower magma ocean. Despite continuously decreasing XMg and increasing Ca/Al, further experiments indicate that the more extensively fractionated lower magma should become finally buoyant, possibly causing an overturn of the previously layered structure. Additionally, few centrifuge assisted experiments at 2.5-3.5 GPa were performed showing decreasing olivine-melt density contrasts with increasing pressure. Slightly higher pressures would be necessary to positively prove the neutral buoyancy of olivine at 3.6 GPa, currently we are improving the piston cylinder on the centrifuge to reach 4 GPa. Taylor, Stuart Ross. Planetary

Hemoglobin phase of oxygenation and deoxygenation in early brain development measured using fNIRS

PubMed Central

Watanabe, Hama; Shitara, Yoshihiko; Aoki, Yoshinori; Inoue, Takanobu; Tsuchida, Shinya; Takahashi, Naoto; Taga, Gentaro

2017-01-01

A crucial issue in neonatal medicine is the impact of preterm birth on the developmental trajectory of the brain. Although a growing number of studies have shown alterations in the structure and function of the brain in preterm-born infants, we propose a method to detect subtle differences in neurovascular and metabolic functions in neonates and infants. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to obtain time-averaged phase differences between spontaneous low-frequency (less than 0.1 Hz) oscillatory changes in oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) and those in deoxygenated hemoglobin (deoxy-Hb). This phase difference was referred to as hemoglobin phase of oxygenation and deoxygenation (hPod) in the cerebral tissue of sleeping neonates and infants. We examined hPod in term, late preterm, and early preterm infants with no evidence of clinical issues and found that all groups of infants showed developmental changes in the values of hPod from an in-phase to an antiphase pattern. Comparison of hPod among the groups revealed that developmental changes in hPod in early preterm infants precede those in late preterm and term infants at term equivalent age but then, progress at a slower pace. This study suggests that hPod measured using fNIRS is sensitive to the developmental stage of the integration of circular, neurovascular, and metabolic functions in the brains of neonates and infants. PMID:28196885

Inside information: Financial conflicts of interest for research subjects in early phase clinical trials.

PubMed

Helft, Paul R; Ratain, Mark J; Epstein, Richard A; Siegler, Mark

2004-05-05

In recent years, several research subjects have told us that they had bought or intended to buy stock in the companies sponsoring the clinical trials in which they were enrolled. This situation has led us to ask what, if any, are physician-investigators' scientific, ethical, and legal responsibilities concerning research subjects who choose to buy stock in the companies sponsoring the clinical trials in which they are participating. Although the scope of this problem is unknown and is likely to be small, this commentary examines the scientific, ethical, and legal concerns raised by such activities on the part of research subjects enrolled in early phase clinical trials. In addition, this commentary also outlines the basis for our opinion that research subjects involved in an early phase clinical trial should avoid the financial conflicts of interest created by trading stock in the company sponsoring the clinical trial.

Enabling Parametric Optimal Ascent Trajectory Modeling During Early Phases of Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holt, James B.; Dees, Patrick D.; Diaz, Manuel J.

2015-01-01

During the early phases of engineering design, the costs committed are high, costs incurred are low, and the design freedom is high. It is well documented that decisions made in these early design phases drive the entire design's life cycle. In a traditional paradigm, key design decisions are made when little is known about the design. As the design matures, design changes become more difficult -- in both cost and schedule -- to enact. Indeed, the current capability-based paradigm that has emerged because of the constrained economic environment calls for the infusion of knowledge acquired during later design phases into earlier design phases, i.e. bring knowledge acquired during preliminary and detailed design into pre-conceptual and conceptual design. An area of critical importance to launch vehicle design is the optimization of its ascent trajectory, as the optimal trajectory will be able to take full advantage of the launch vehicle's capability to deliver a maximum amount of payload into orbit. Hence, the optimal ascent trajectory plays an important role in the vehicle's affordability posture as the need for more economically viable access to space solutions are needed in today's constrained economic environment. The problem of ascent trajectory optimization is not a new one. There are several programs that are widely used in industry that allows trajectory analysts to, based on detailed vehicle and insertion orbit parameters, determine the optimal ascent trajectory. Yet, little information is known about the launch vehicle early in the design phase - information that is required of many different disciplines in order to successfully optimize the ascent trajectory. Thus, the current paradigm of optimizing ascent trajectories involves generating point solutions for every change in a vehicle's design parameters. This is often a very tedious, manual, and time-consuming task for the analysts. Moreover, the trajectory design space is highly non-linear and multi

Divided attention can enhance early-phase memory encoding: the attentional boost effect and study trial duration.

PubMed

Mulligan, Neil W; Spataro, Pietro

2015-07-01

Divided attention during encoding typically produces marked reductions in later memory. The attentional boost effect (ABE) is a surprising variation on this phenomenon. In this paradigm, each study stimulus (e.g., a word) is presented along with a target or a distractor (e.g., different colored circles) in a detection task. Later memory is better for stimuli co-occurring with targets. The present experiments indicate that the ABE arises during an early phase of memory encoding that involves initial stimulus perception and comprehension rather than at a later phase entailing controlled, elaborative rehearsal. Experiment 1 demonstrated that the ABE was robust at a short study duration (700 ms) and did not increase with increasing study trial durations (1,500 ms and 4,000 ms). Furthermore, the target condition is boosted to the level of memory performance in a full-attention condition for the short duration but not the long duration. Both results followed from the early-phase account. This account also predicts that for very short study times (limiting the influence of late-phase controlled encoding and thus minimizing the usual negative effect of divided attention), the target condition will produce better memory than will the full-attention condition. Experiment 2 used a study time of 400 ms and found that words presented with targets lead to greater recognition accuracy than do either words presented with distractors or words in the full-attention condition. Consistent with the early-phase account, a divided attention condition actually produced superior memory than did the full-attention condition, a very unusual but theoretically predicted result. (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved.

Early Childhood Settings in 15 Countries: What Are Their Structural Characteristics? The IEA Preprimary Project, Phase 2.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olmsted, Patricia P., Ed.; Montie, Jeanne, Ed.

This is the second of four monographs reporting the findings of Phase 2 of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) Preprimary Project, which presents data on the physical characteristics of children's early childhood settings. Early childhood settings were documented in the following 15 countries: (1)…

Efficient runner safety assessment during early design phase and root cause analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Q. W.; Lais, S.; Gentner, C.; Braun, O.

2012-11-01

Fatigue related problems in Francis turbines, especially high head Francis turbines, have been published several times in the last years. During operation the runner is exposed to various steady and unsteady hydraulic loads. Therefore the analysis of forced response of the runner structure requires a combined approach of fluid dynamics and structural dynamics. Due to the high complexity of the phenomena and due to the limitation of computer power, the numerical prediction was in the past too expensive and not feasible for the use as standard design tool. However, due to continuous improvement of the knowledge and the simulation tools such complex analysis has become part of the design procedure in ANDRITZ HYDRO. This article describes the application of most advanced analysis techniques in runner safety check (RSC), including steady state CFD analysis, transient CFD analysis considering rotor stator interaction (RSI), static FE analysis and modal analysis in water considering the added mass effect, in the early design phase. This procedure allows a very efficient interaction between the hydraulic designer and the mechanical designer during the design phase, such that a risk of failure can be detected and avoided in an early design stage.The RSC procedure can also be applied to a root cause analysis (RCA) both to find out the cause of failure and to quickly define a technical solution to meet the safety criteria. An efficient application to a RCA of cracks in a Francis runner is quoted in this article as an example. The results of the RCA are presented together with an efficient and inexpensive solution whose effectiveness could be proven again by applying the described RSC technics. It is shown that, with the RSC procedure developed and applied as standard procedure in ANDRITZ HYDRO such a failure is excluded in an early design phase. Moreover, the RSC procedure is compatible with different commercial and open source codes and can be easily adapted to apply for

Characterization of Early-Phase Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Urinary Tract Infections

PubMed Central

Yu, Yanbao; Kwon, Keehwan; Tsitrin, Tamara; Sikorski, Patricia; Nelson, Karen E.; Pieper, Rembert

2017-01-01

Neutrophils have an important role in the antimicrobial defense and resolution of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Our research suggests that a mechanism known as neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation is a defense strategy to combat pathogens that have invaded the urinary tract. A set of human urine specimens with very high neutrophil counts had microscopic evidence of cellular aggregation and lysis. Deoxyribonuclease I (DNase) treatment resulted in disaggregation of such structures, release of DNA fragments and a proteome enriched in histones and azurophilic granule effectors whose quantitative composition was similar to that of previously described in vitro-formed NETs. The effector proteins were further enriched in DNA-protein complexes isolated in native PAGE gels. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed a flattened morphology of neutrophils associated with decondensed chromatin, remnants of granules in the cell periphery, and myeloperoxidase co-localized with extracellular DNA, features consistent with early-phase NETs. Nuclear staining revealed that a considerable fraction of bacterial cells in these structures were dead. The proteomes of two pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, were indicative of adaptive responses to early-phase NETs, specifically the release of virulence factors and arrest of ribosomal protein synthesis. Finally, we discovered patterns of proteolysis consistent with widespread cleavage of proteins by neutrophil elastase, proteinase 3 and cathepsin G and evidence of citrullination in many nuclear proteins. PMID:28129394

Sustained attention is favored by progesterone during early luteal phase and visuo-spatial memory by estrogens during ovulatory phase in young women.

PubMed

Solís-Ortiz, S; Corsi-Cabrera, M

2008-08-01

Studies examining the influence of the menstrual cycle on cognitive function have been highly contradictory. The maintenance of attention is key to successful information processing, however how it co-vary with other cognitive functions and mood in function of phases of the menstrual cycle is not well know. Therefore, neuropsychological performance of nine healthy women with regular menstrual cycles was assessed during ovulation (OVU), early luteal (EL), late luteal (LL) and menstrual (MEN) phases. Neuropsychological test scores of sustained attention, executive functions, manual coordination, visuo-spatial memory, verbal fluency, spatial ability, anxiety and depression were obtained and submitted to a principal components analysis (PCA). Five eigenvectors that accounted the 68.31% of the total variance were identified. Performance of the sustained attention was grouped in an independent eigenvector (component 1), and the scores on verbal fluency and visuo-spatial memory were grouped together in an eigenvector (component 5), which explained 17.69% and 12.03% of the total variance, respectively. The component 1 (p<0.034) and the component 5 (p<0.003) showed significant variations during the menstrual cycle. Sustained attention showed an increase in the EL phase, when the progesterone is high. Visuo-spatial memory was increased, while that verbal fluency was decreased during the OVU phase, when the estrogens levels are high. These results indicate that sustained attention is favored by early luteal phase progesterone and do not covaried with any other neuropsychological variables studied. The influence of the estrogens on visuo-spatial memory was corroborated, and covaried inversely with verbal fluency.

The Stefan problem of solidification of ternary systems in the presence of moving phase transition regions

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

Alexandrov, D. V., E-mail: Dmitri.Alexandrov@usu.ru; Ivanov, A. A.

2009-05-15

The process of solidification of ternary systems in the presence of moving phase transition regions has been investigated theoretically in terms of the nonlinear equation of the liquidus surface. A mathematical model is developed and an approximate analytical solution to the Stefan problem is constructed for a linear temperature profile in two-phase zones. The temperature and impurity concentration distributions are determined, the solid-phase fractions in the phase transition regions are obtained, and the laws of motion of their boundaries are established. It is demonstrated that all boundaries move in accordance with the laws of direct proportionality to the square rootmore » of time, which is a general property of self-similar processes. It is substantiated that the concentration of an impurity of the substance undergoing a phase transition only in the cotectic zone increases in this zone and decreases in the main two-phase zone in which the other component of the substance undergoes a phase transition. In the process, the concentration reaches a maximum at the interface between the main two-phase zone and the cotectic two-phase zone. The revealed laws of motion of the outer boundaries of the entire phase transition region do not depend on the amount of the components under consideration and hold true for crystallization of a multicomponent system.« less

Early Human Testing Initiative Phase 1 Regenerative Life Support Systems

NASA Image and Video Library

1995-08-08

Early Human Testing (EHT) Initiative Phase 1 Regenerative Life Support Systems Laboratory (RLSSL). Nigel Packham activities in the Variable Pressure Growth Chamber which he lived inside for 15 days. A crowd of well-wishers outside the test chamber, at the console are John Lewis, Ed Mohr and Marybeth Edeen (15577). Packham exiting the chamber (15578-81). Packham is the focus of television cameras and reporters (15582-3). Don Henninger interviewed by reporters (15584). Packham is presented with a jacket after his stay in the chamber (15585). Packham inside the wheat growth chamber checking the condition of the plants (15586-7, 15597). Packham exercising on a recumbant bicycle (15588, 15592). Packham, through the window into the growth chamber, displays a handful of wheat plants to console monitor Dan Barta (15589-90). Group portrait of the team conducting the Early Human Testing Initiative Phase 1 Regenerative Life Support Systems test and include, front row, from left: Jeff Dominick and Don Overton and back row, from left, unidentified member, Marybeth Edeen, Nigel Packham, John Lewis, Ed Mohr, Dan Barta and Tim Monk (15591). Harry Halford prepares to send a package through the airlock to Packham (15593). Packham displays a handful of wheat plants (15594). Packham fixes himself a bowl of cereal (15595) and retrieves a carton of milk from the refrigerator (15596). Packham retrieves a package from the airlock (15598). Packham packs up trash in plastic bag (15599-600) and sends it back through the airlock (15601). Packham gets a cup of water (15602) and heats it in the microwave (15603).

Phase Equilibria of ``Cu2O''-``FeO''-CaO-MgO-Al2O3 Slags at PO2 of 10-8.5 atm in Equilibrium with Metallic Copper for a Copper Slag Cleaning Production

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Henao, Hector M.; Pizarro, Claudio; Font, Jonkion; Moyano, Alex; Hayes, Peter C.; Jak, Evgueni

2010-12-01

Limited data are available on phase equilibria of the multicomponent slag system at the oxygen partial pressures used in the copper smelting, converting, and slag-cleaning processes. Recently, experimental procedures have been developed and have been applied successfully to characterize several complex industrial slags. The experimental procedures involve high-temperature equilibration on a substrate and quenching followed by electron probe X-ray microanalysis. This technique has been used to construct the liquidus for the “Cu2O”-“FeO”-SiO2-based slags with 2 wt pct of CaO, 0.5 wt pct of MgO, and 4.0 wt pct of Al2O3 at controlled oxygen partial pressures in equilibrium with metallic copper. The selected ranges of compositions and temperatures are directly relevant to the copper slag-cleaning processes. The new experimental equilibrium results are presented in the form of ternary sections and as a liquidus temperature vs Fe/SiO2 weight ratio diagram. The experimental results are compared with the FactSage thermodynamic model calculations.

[The correlation between serum uric acid level and early-phase insulin secretion in subjects with normal glucose regulation].

PubMed

Lu, L; Zheng, F P; Li, H

2016-05-01

To investigate the correlation between serum uric acid (SUA) level and early-phase insulin secretion in subjects with normal glucose regulation (NGR). Totally 367 community NGR residents confirmed by a 75g oral glucose tolerance test were enrolled. The insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and the early-phase insulin secretion index after a glucose load (ΔI30/ΔG30) were used to estimate the insulin sensitivity and the early-phase insulin secretion, respectively. The subjects were divided into 4 groups according to the SUA level quartiles. Differences in early-phase insulin levels, ΔI30/ΔG30, and HOMA-IR were compared among the 4 groups. Age, BMI, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting insulin (FINS), 30 minutes postprandial insulin(30 minINS), 2 hours postprandial insulin(2hINS), HOMA-IR and TG levels increased across the rising categories of SUA levels, while the HDL-C was decreased across the SUA groups (P<0.01). The SUA level was positively correlated with age(r=0.157, P<0.01), BMI(r=0.262, P<0.01), waist circumference(r=0.372, P<0.01), systolic blood pressure(r=0.200, P<0.01), diastolic blood pressure(r=0.254, P<0.01), 30 minutes postprandial plasma glucose(r=0.118, P=0.023), FINS(r=0.249, P<0.01), 30minINS(r=0.189, P<0.01), 2hINS(r=0.206, P<0.01), glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c, r=0.106, P=0.042), HOMA-IR(r=0.244, P<0.01), TG(r=0.350, P<0.01), ΔI30/ΔG30(r=0.144, P<0.01), and negatively correlated with HDL-C level(r=-0.321, P<0.01). Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that SUA(β=0.292, P<0.01) and HOMA-IR(β=29.821, P<0.01) were positively associated with ΔI30/ΔG30. SUA level is closely related with the early-phase insulin secretion in NGR subjects.

77 FR 36958 - Proposed Requirements-Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge; Phase 2

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-20

... DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 34 CFR Chapter II DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 45 CFR Subtitle... Requirements--Race to the Top--Early Learning Challenge; Phase 2 AGENCY: Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Services. ACTION: Proposed requirements. SUMMARY: The Secretary of Education and...

HgCdTe liquid phase epitaxy - An overview

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Castro, C. A.; Korenstein, R.

1982-08-01

Techniques and results of using liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) to form crystalline thin HgCdTe films for industrial-scale applications in IR detectors and focal plane arrays are discussed. Varying the mole fraction of CdTe in HgCdTe is noted to permit control of the bandwidth. LPE-grown films are noted to have a low carrier concentration, on the order of 4 x 10 to the 14th to 5 x 10 to the 15th/cu cm, a good surface morphology and be amenable to production scale-up. Details of the isothermal, equilibrium cooling, and supersaturation cooling LPE growth modes are reviewed, noting the necessity of developing a reliable method for determining the liquidus temperature for all modes to maintain uniformity of film growth from batch to batch. Mechanical steps can be either dipping the substrate into the melt or the slider boat approach, which is used in the production of compound semiconductors.

Antigravity treadmill training during the early rehabilitation phase following unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: A case series.

PubMed

Huang, Chun-Hao; Schroeder, E Todd; Powers, Christopher

2018-02-26

Patients who have undergone unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) have been reported to exhibit altered gait 19-25 months post-surgery. The most common gait impairment in this population is inadequate knee flexion and a corresponding decrease in the knee extensor moment during loading response (i.e., quadriceps avoidance). The purpose of this case series was to determine whether incorporation of antigravity treadmill training into a standard physical therapy program can eliminate quadriceps avoidance gait during the early rehabilitation phase following UKA. Four females who underwent UKA were recruited for this study. Participants completed antigravity treadmill training three times per week for 12 weeks in addition to their standard physical therapy program. Instrumented gait analysis was performed at baseline (pre-intervention), week 6 (mid-intervention), and week 12 (post-intervention). We found that peak knee flexion and the peak knee extensor moment during the weight acceptance phase of gait increased to normal values following the 12-week intervention period (14.1 ± 6.5° to 20.6 ± 1.5° and 0.4 ± 0.3 to 0.7 ± 0.2 Nm/kg respectively). The findings of this case series suggest that a standard physical therapy program that incorporates early gait training using an antigravity treadmill may be beneficial in eliminating "quadriceps avoidance" during the early rehabilitation phase following UKA.

The practical application of adaptive study design in early phase clinical trials: a retrospective analysis of time savings.

PubMed

Lorch, U; Berelowitz, K; Ozen, C; Naseem, A; Akuffo, E; Taubel, J

2012-05-01

The interest in adaptive study design is evident from the growing amount of clinical research employing this model in the mid to later stages of medicines development. Little has been published on the practical application and merits of adaptive study design in early phase clinical research. This paper describes a retrospective analysis performed on a sample of 29 industry lead adaptive early phase studies commencing between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2010 in a clinical trials unit in London, England. All studies containing at least one adaptive feature in the original protocol were included in the analysis. The scope of the analysis was to assess whether the use of adaptive study designs provided tangible benefits over the use of conventional study designs using time savings as the main measure. We conclude that the use of adaptive study design saves time in early phase research programs. This is achieved by abolishing the need for substantial amendments or by mitigating their impact on timelines and by using adaptive scheduling efficiencies.

White matter changes in early phase schizophrenia and cannabis use: an update and systematic review of diffusion tensor imaging studies.

PubMed

Cookey, Jacob; Bernier, Denise; Tibbo, Philip G

2014-07-01

The impact of cannabis use on the brain tissue is still unclear, both in the healthy developing brain and in people with schizophrenia. The focus of this review is on white matter, the primary connective infrastructure of the brain. We systematically reviewed diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies of early phase schizophrenia (illness effect), of cannabis use in otherwise healthy brains (drug effect), and of early phase schizophrenia with cannabis use (combined effects). Studies had to include a healthy, non-cannabis using, control group as well as report on fractional anisotropy as it is the most commonly used DTI index. We excluded cohorts with heavy alcohol or illicit drug use and studies with a sample size of less than 20 in the clinical group. We retained 17 studies of early phase schizophrenia, which together indicate deficits in white matter integrity observed in all fiber tract families, but most frequently in association, callosal and projection fibers. In otherwise healthy cannabis users (2 studies), deficits in white matter tracts were reported mainly in callosal fibers, but also in projection and limbic fibers. In cannabis users with early phase schizophrenia (1 study), deficits in white matter integrity were also observed in all fiber tract families, except for limbic fibers. The current literature points to several families of white matter tracts being differentially affected in early phase schizophrenia. Further work is required to reveal the impact of cannabis use in otherwise healthy people as well as those with schizophrenia. Paucity of available studies as well as restricting analysis to FA values represent the main limitations of this review. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Directional Solidification and Liquidus Projection of the Sn-Co-Cu System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Sinn-Wen; Chang, Jui-Shen; Pan, Kevin; Hsu, Chia-Ming; Hsu, Che-Wei

2013-04-01

This study investigates the Sn-Co-Cu ternary system, which is of interest to the electronics industry. Ternary Sn-Co-Cu alloys were prepared, their as-solidified microstructures were examined, and their primary solidification phases were determined. The primary solidification phases observed were Cu, Co, Co3Sn2, CoSn, CoSn2, Cu6Sn5, Co3Sn2, γ, and β phases. Although there are ternary compounds reported in this ternary system, no ternary compound was found as the primary solidification phase. The directional solidification technique was applied when difficulties were encountered using the conventional quenching method to distinguish the primary solidification phases, such as Cu6Sn5, Cu3Sn, and γ phases. Of all the primary solidification phases, the Co3Sn2 and Co phases have the largest compositional regimes in which alloys display them as the primary solidification phases. There are four class II reactions and four class III reactions. The reactions with the highest and lowest reaction temperatures are both class III reactions, and are L + CoSn2 + Cu6Sn5 = CoSn3 at 621.5 K (348.3 °C) and L + Co3Sn2 + CoSn = Cu6Sn5 at 1157.8 K (884.6 °C), respectively.

The Role of Early-Phase Transmission in the Spread of Yersinia pestis

PubMed Central

EISEN, REBECCA J.; DENNIS, DAVID T.; GAGE, KENNETH L.

2015-01-01

Early-phase transmission (EPT) of Yersinia pestis by unblocked fleas is a well-documented, replicable phenomenon with poorly defined mechanisms. We review evidence demonstrating EPT and current knowledge on its biological and biomechanical processes. We discuss the importance of EPT in the epizootic spread of Y. pestis and its role in the maintenance of plague bacteria in nature. We further address the role of EPT in the epidemiology of plague. PMID:26336267

Webcam Delivery of the Lidcombe Program for Early Stuttering: A Phase I Clinical Trial

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

O'Brian, Sue; Smith, Kylie; Onslow, Mark

2014-01-01

Purpose: The Lidcombe Program is an operant treatment for early stuttering shown with meta-analysis to have a favorable odds ratio. However, many clients are unable to access the treatment because of distance and lifestyle factors. In this Phase I trial, we explored the potential efficacy, practicality, and viability of an Internet webcam Lidcombe…

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging findings of kidneys in patients with early phase of obstruction.

PubMed

Bozgeyik, Zulkif; Kocakoc, Ercan; Sonmezgoz, Fitnet

2009-04-01

Diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is an MR technique used to show molecular diffusion. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), as a quantitative parameter calculated from the DW MR images. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the ability of DW MR imaging in early phase of obstruction due to urolithiasis. Twenty-six patients with acute dilatation of the pelvicalyceal system detected by intravenous urography were included in this study. MR imaging was performed using a 1.5 T whole-body superconducting MR scanner. DW imaging can be performed using single-shot spin-echo, echo-planar imaging (EPI) sequences with the following diffusion gradient b values: 100, 600, 1000 s/mm(2). Circular region of interest (ROI) was placed in the renal parenchyma for the measurement of ADC values in the normal and obstructed kidney. For statistical analyses, Paired t test were used. In spite of obstructed kidneys had the lower ADC values compared to normal kidneys, these alterations were statistically insignificant. We did not observe significantly different ADC values of early phase of obstructed kidneys compared to normal kidneys.

Phase equilibria in the quasi-ternary system Ag{sub 2}Se–Ga{sub 2}Se{sub 3}–In{sub 2}Se{sub 3} and physical properties of (Ga{sub 0.6}In{sub 0.4}){sub 2}Se{sub 3}, (Ga{sub 0.594}In{sub 0.396}Er{sub 0.01}){sub 2}Se{sub 3} single crystals

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

Ivashchenko, I.A., E-mail: inna.ivashchenko@mail.ru; Danyliuk, I.V.; Olekseyuk, I.D.

2014-02-15

The quasi-ternary system Ag{sub 2}Se–Ga{sub 2}Se{sub 3}–In{sub 2}Se{sub 3} was investigated by differential thermal, X-ray phase, X-ray structure, microstructure analysis and microhardness measurements. Five quasi-binary phase diagrams, six polythermal sections, isothermal section at 820 K and the liquidus surface projection were constructed. The character and temperature of the invariant processes were determined. The specific resistance of the single crystals (Ga{sub 0.6}In{sub 0.4}){sub 2}Se{sub 3}, (Ga{sub 0.594}In{sub 0.396}Er{sub 0.01}){sub 2}Se{sub 3} was measured, 7.5×10{sup 5} and 3.15×10{sup 5} Ω m, respectively, optical absorption spectra in the 600–1050 nm range were recorded at room temperature, and the band gap energy was estimatedmore » which is 1.95±0. 01 eV for both samples. - Graphical abstract: The article reports for the first time the investigated liquidus surface projection of the Ag{sub 2}Se–Ga{sub 2}Se{sub 3}–In{sub 2}Se{sub 3} system and isothermal section at 820 K of the system. Five phase diagrams, six polythermal sections, isothermal section at 820 K and the liquidus surface projection were built at the first time. The existence of the large region of the solid solutions based on AgIn{sub 5}Se{sub 8}, Ga{sub 2}Se{sub 3} and AgGa{sub 1−x}In{sub x}Se{sub 2} was investigated. The existence of two ternary phases was established in the Ga{sub 2}Se{sub 3}–In{sub 2}Se{sub 3} system. Two single crystals (Ga{sub 0.6}In{sub 0.4}){sub 2}Se{sub 3}, (Ga{sub 0.594}In{sub 0.396}Er{sub 0.01}){sub 2}Se{sub 3} were grown and some of optical properties of them were studied at first time. Display Omitted - Highlights: • Liquidus surface projection was built for Ag{sub 2}Se–Ga{sub 2}Se{sub 3}–In{sub 2}Se{sub 3} system. • Solid solution ranges of AgIn{sub 5}Se{sub 8}, Ga{sub 2}Se{sub 3} and AgGa{sub 1−x}In{sub x}Se{sub 2} were investigated. • Two single crystals (Ga{sub 0.6}In{sub 0.4}){sub 2}Se{sub 3}, (Ga{sub 0.594}In{sub 0

Phase Transitions in the Early Universe: The Cosmology of Non-Minimal Scalar Sectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kost, Jeffrey D.

Light scalar fields such as axions and string moduli can play an important role in early-universe cosmology. However, many factors can significantly impact their late-time cosmological abundances. For example, in cases where the potentials for these fields are generated dynamically--such as during cosmological mass-generating phase transitions--the duration of the time interval required for these potentials to fully develop can have significant repercussions. Likewise, in scenarios with multiple scalars, mixing amongst the fields can also give rise to an effective timescale that modifies the resulting late-time abundances. Previous studies have focused on the effects of either the first or the second timescale in isolation. In this thesis, by contrast, we examine the new features that arise from the interplay between these two timescales when both mixing and time-dependent phase transitions are introduced together. First, we find that the effects of these timescales can conspire to alter not only the total late-time abundance of the system--often by many orders of magnitude--but also its distribution across the different fields. Second, we find that these effects can produce large parametric resonances which render the energy densities of the fields highly sensitive to the degree of mixing as well as the duration of the time interval over which the phase transition unfolds. Finally, we find that these effects can even give rise to a "re-overdamping" phenomenon which causes the total energy density of the system to behave in novel ways that differ from those exhibited by pure dark matter or vacuum energy. All of these features therefore give rise to new possibilities for early-universe phenomenology and cosmological evolution. They also highlight the importance of taking into account the time dependence associated with phase transitions in cosmological settings. In the second part of this thesis, we proceed to study the early-universe cosmology of a Kaluza-Klein (KK

Cognitive function in early clinical phase huntington disease after rivastigmine treatment.

PubMed

Sešok, Sanja; Bolle, Nika; Kobal, Jan; Bucik, Valentin; Vodušek, David B

2014-09-01

In Huntington disease (HD) patients receiving rivastigmine treatment improvement of behavioral symptoms and of cognitive function (assessed with screening diagnostic instruments) has been reported. The aim of the present study was to verify such improvement in cognitive function by cognitive function assessment with a detailed neuropsychological battery covering all relevant cognitive systems expected to be impaired in early phase HD. Eighteen (18) HD patients entered the study and were randomly allocated to the rivastigmine and placebo group. All subjects underwent neuropsychological assessment at baseline. Follow-up neuropsychological assessment was applied after 6 months of rivastigmine or placebo treatment. Eighteen (18) healthy controls entered the study to control for practice effect and underwent neuropsychological assessment at baseline and after 6 months, without treatment. The neuropsychological battery consisted of assessment tools that are sensitive to cognitive impairment seen in early phase HD: CTMT, SDMT, Stroop (attention and information control), RFFT, TOL, Verbal fluency (executive functioning), CVLT-II, RCFT (learning and memory). Effect of rivastigmine and possible effect of practice was assessed using the mixed ANOVA model. No statistically significant effect of rivastigmine treatment on cognitive function in HD patients was detected. There was no evidence for practice or placebo effect. Detailed neuropsychological assessment did not confirm previously reported effect of rivastigmine treatment on cognitive function in HD patients. The limitations of our study are, in particular, small sample size and the lack of a single measure of relevant cognitive functioning in HD patients. Instead of focusing solely on statistical significance, a clinical relevance study is proposed to clarify the issue of rivastigmine effects in HD.

Challenges Facing Early Phase Trials Sponsored by the National Cancer Institute: An Analysis of Corrective Action Plans to Improve Accrual

PubMed Central

Massett, Holly A.; Mishkin, Grace; Rubinstein, Larry; Ivy, S. Percy; Denicoff, Andrea; Godwin, Elizabeth; DiPiazza, Kate; Bolognese, Jennifer; Zwiebel, James A.; Abrams, Jeffrey S.

2016-01-01

Accruing patients in a timely manner represents a significant challenge to early phase cancer clinical trials. The NCI Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program analyzed 19 months of corrective action plans (CAPs) received for slow-accruing Phase 1 and 2 trials to identify slow accrual reasons, evaluate whether proposed corrective actions matched these reasons, and assess the CAP impact on trial accrual, duration, and likelihood of meeting primary scientific objectives. Of the 135 CAPs analyzed, 69 were for Phase 1 trials and 66 for Phase 2 trials. Primary reasons cited for slow accrual were safety/toxicity (Phase 1: 48%), design/protocol concerns (Phase 1: 42%, Phase 2: 33%), and eligibility criteria (Phase 1: 41%, Phase 2: 35%). The most commonly proposed corrective actions were adding institutions (Phase 1: 43%, Phase 2: 85%) and amending the trial to change eligibility or design (Phase 1: 55%, Phase 2: 44%). Only 40% of CAPs provided proposed corrective actions that matched the reasons given for slow accrual. Seventy percent of trials were closed to accrual at time of analysis (Phase 1=48; Phase 2=46). Of these, 67% of Phase 1 and 70% of Phase 2 trials met their primary objectives, but they were active three times longer than projected. Among closed trials, 24% had an accrual rate increase associated with a greater likelihood of meeting their primary scientific objectives. Ultimately, trials receiving CAPs saw improved accrual rates. Future trials may benefit from implementing CAPs early in trial lifecycles, but it may be more beneficial to invest in earlier accrual planning. PMID:27401246

Melting relations in the Fe-S-Si system at high pressure and temperature: implications for the planetary core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakairi, Takanori; Ohtani, Eiji; Kamada, Seiji; Sakai, Takeshi; Sakamaki, Tatsuya; Hirao, Naohisa

2017-12-01

The phase and melting relations in the Fe-S-Si system were determined up to 60 GPa by using a double-sided laser-heated diamond anvil cell combined with X-ray diffraction. On the basis of the X-ray diffraction patterns, we confirmed that hcp/fcc Fe-Si alloys and Fe3S are stable phases under subsolidus conditions in the Fe-S-Si system. Both solidus and liquidus temperatures are significantly lower than the melting temperature of pure Fe and both increase with pressure. The slopes of the Fe-S-Si liquidus and solidus curves determined here are smaller than the adiabatic temperature gradients of the liquid cores of Mercury and Mars. Thus, crystallization of their cores started at the core-mantle boundary region.

Unknown loads affect force production capacity in early phases of bench press throws.

PubMed

Hernández Davó, J L; Sabido Solana, R; Sarabia Marínm, J M; Sánchez Martos, Á; Moya Ramón, M

2015-10-01

Explosive strength training aims to improve force generation in early phases of movement due to its importance in sport performance. The present study examined the influence of lack of knowledge about the load lifted in explosive parameters during bench press throws. Thirteen healthy young men (22.8±2.0 years) participated in the study. Participants performed bench press throws with three different loads (30, 50 and 70% of 1 repetition maximum) in two different conditions (known and unknown loads). In unknown condition, loads were changed within sets in each repetition and participants did not know the load, whereas in known condition the load did not change within sets and participants had knowledge about the load lifted. Results of repeated-measures ANOVA revealed that unknown conditions involves higher power in the first 30, 50, 100 and 150 ms with the three loads, higher values of ratio of force development in those first instants, and differences in time to reach maximal rate of force development with 50 and 70% of 1 repetition maximum. This study showed that unknown conditions elicit higher values of explosive parameters in early phases of bench press throws, thereby this kind of methodology could be considered in explosive strength training.

Analysis of Loss-of-Coolant Accidents in the NIST Research Reactor - Early Phase

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

Baek, Joo S.; Diamond, David

A study of the fuel temperature during the early phase of a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) in the NIST research reactor (NBSR) was completed. Previous studies had been reported in the preliminary safety analysis report for the conversion of the NBSR from high-enriched uranium (HEU) fuel to low-enriched (LEU) fuel. Those studies had focused on the most vulnerable LOCA situation, namely, a double-ended guillotine break in the time period after reactor trip when water is drained from either the coolant channels inside the fuel elements or the region outside the fuel elements. The current study fills in a gap in themore » analysis which is the early phase of the event when there may still be water present but the reactor is at power or immediately after reactor trip and pumps have tripped. The calculations were done, for both the current HEU-fueled core and the proposed LEU core, with the TRACE thermal-hydraulic systems code. Several break locations and different break sizes were considered. In all cases the increase in the clad (or fuel meat) temperature was relatively small so that a large margin to the temperature threshold for blistering (the Safety Limit for the NBSR) remained.« less

Extinct radioactivities - A three-phase mixing model. [for early solar system abundances

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clayton, D. D.

1983-01-01

A new class of models is advanced for interpreting the relationship of radioactive abundances in the early solar system to their average concentration in the interstellar medium. The model assumes that fresh radioactivities are ejected from supernovae into the hot interstellar medium, and that the time scales for changes of phase into molecular clouds determine how much survives for formation therein of the solar system. A more realistic and physically motivated understanding of the low observed concentrations of I-129, Pu-244, and Pd-107 may result.

Examination of a modified cell cycle synchronization method and bovine nuclear transfer using synchronized early G1 phase fibroblast cells.

PubMed

Urakawa, Manami; Ideta, Atsushi; Sawada, Tokihiko; Aoyagi, Yoshito

2004-08-01

Somatic cell nuclear transfer has a low success rate, due to a high incidence of fetal loss and increased perinatal morbidity/mortality. One factor that may affect the successful development of nuclear transfer embryos is the cell cycle stage of the donor cell. In order to establish a cell cycle synchronization method that can consistently produce cloned embryos and offspring, we examined the effects of different combinations of three cell treatments on the recovery rate of mitotic phase cells using bovine fetal fibroblasts. In the first experiment, we examined the recovery rate of mitotic phase cells by a combination of treatment with a metaphase arrestant (1 microM 2-methoxyestradiol), shaking the plate and selecting cells with a diameter of 20 microns. As a result, 99% of mitotic phase cells were recovered by repeating the combined treatment of metaphase arrestant and shaking, and collection of cells with a specific diameter. In the second experiment, nuclear transfer was carried out using early G1 phase cells by choosing pairs of bridged cells derived from mitotic phase cells recovered by the combined treatment of 1 microM 2-methoxyestradiol and shaking, and collection of cells with a diameter of 20 microns. The reconstructed embryos were transferred to recipient heifers to determine post-implantation development. Development of embryos reconstructed from early G1 phase cells from the >/=6 cells stage on Day 3 to the morula-blastocyst stage on Day 6 was 100%. Ten blastocysts constructed from two cell lines were transferred into 10 recipient heifers. Nine of the 10 recipients delivered single live calves. In conclusion, mitotic phase bovine fibroblast cells were easily recovered by the combined treatments of 1 microM 2-methoxyestradiol, shaking, and selecting cells of the appropriate diameter. Furthermore, nuclear transfer using cells in the early G1 phase as donor cells gave a high rate of offspring production.

Auto-inhibitory regulation of angiotensin II functionality in hamster aorta during the early phases of dyslipidemia.

PubMed

Pereira, Priscila Cristina; Pernomian, Larissa; Côco, Hariane; Gomes, Mayara Santos; Franco, João José; Marchi, Kátia Colombo; Hipólito, Ulisses Vilela; Uyemura, Sergio Akira; Tirapelli, Carlos Renato; de Oliveira, Ana Maria

2016-06-15

Emerging data point the crosstalk between dyslipidemia and renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Advanced dyslipidemia is described to induce RAS activation in the vasculature. However, the interplay between early dyslipidemia and the RAS remains unexplored. Knowing that hamsters and humans have a similar lipid profile, we investigated the effects of early and advanced dyslipidemia on angiotensin II-induced contraction. Cumulative concentration-response curves for angiotensin II (1.0pmol/l to 1.0µmol/l) were obtained in the hamster thoracic aorta. We also investigated the modulatory action of NAD(P)H oxidase on angiotensin II-induced contraction using ML171 (Nox-1 inhibitor, 0.5µmol/l) and VAS2870 (Nox-4 inhibitor, 5µmol/l). Early dyslipidemia was detected in hamsters treated with a cholesterol-rich diet for 15 days. Early dyslipidemia decreased the contraction induced by angiotensin II and the concentration of Nox-4-derived hydrogen peroxide. Advanced dyslipidemia, observed in hamsters treated with cholesterol-rich diet for 30 days, restored the contractile response induced by angiotensin II by compensatory mechanism that involves Nox-4-mediated oxidative stress. The hyporresponsiveness to angiotensin II may be an auto-inhibitory regulation of the angiotensinergic function during early dyslipidemia in an attempt to reduce the effects of the upregulation of the vascular RAS during the advanced stages of atherogenesis. The recovery of vascular angiotensin II functionality during the advanced phases of dyslipidemia is the result of the upregulation of redox-pro-inflammatory pathway that might be most likely involved in atherogenesis progression rather than in the recovery of vascular function. Taken together, our findings show the early phase of dyslipidemia may be the most favorable moment for effective atheroprotective therapeutic interventions. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The cortical damage, early relapses, and onset of the progressive phase in multiple sclerosis.

PubMed

Scalfari, Antonio; Romualdi, Chiara; Nicholas, Richard S; Mattoscio, Miriam; Magliozzi, Roberta; Morra, Aldo; Monaco, Salvatore; Muraro, Paolo A; Calabrese, Massimiliano

2018-05-16

To investigate the relationship among cortical radiologic changes, the number of early relapses (ERs), and the long-term course of multiple sclerosis (MS). In this cohort study, we assessed the number of cortical lesions (CLs) and white matter (WM) lesions and the cortical thickness (Cth) at clinical onset and after 7.9 mean years among 219 patients with relapsing remitting (RR) MS with 1 (Low-ER), 2 (Mid-ER), and ≥3 (High-ER) ERs during the first 2 years. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses investigated early factors influencing the risk of secondary progressive (SP) MS. Fifty-nine patients (27%) converted to SPMS in 6.1 mean years. A larger number of CLs at onset predicted a higher risk of SPMS (hazard ratio [HR] 2.16, 4.79, and 12.3 for 2, 5, and 7 CLs, respectively, p < 0.001) and shorter latency to progression. The High-ER compared to the Low-ER and Mid-ER groups had a larger volume of WM lesions and CLs at onset, accrued more CLs, experienced more severe cortical atrophy over time, and entered the SP phase more rapidly. In the multivariate model, older age at onset (HR 1.97, p < 0.001), a larger baseline CL (HR 2.21, p = 0.005) and WM lesion (HR 1.32, p = 0.03) volume, early changes of global Cth (HR 1.36, p = 0.03), and ≥3 ERs (HR 6.08, p < 0.001) independently predicted a higher probability of SP. Extensive cortical damage at onset is associated with florid inflammatory clinical activity and predisposes to a rapid occurrence of the progressive phase. Age at onset, the number of early attacks, and the extent of baseline focal cortical damage can identify groups at high risk of progression who may benefit from more active therapy. © 2018 American Academy of Neurology.

Feasibility study for early removal of HEU from CPP-651-Phase II

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

Smith, C.V.; Henry, R.; Milligan, C.

1997-09-01

A two-phase feasibility study was initiated in late 1996 to identify a way to expedite the removal of SNM from the CPP-651 vault. The first phase of this study provided preliminary information that appeared promising, but needed additional detailed planning and evaluate to validate the concepts and conclusions. The focus of Phase 2 was to provide the validation via resource-loaded schedules and more detailed cost estimates. Section 1 describes the purpose and objectives of the Phase 2 tasks and the programmatic drivers that influence related CPP-651 high-enriched uranium (HEU) management issues. Section 2 identifies the evaluation criteria and methodology andmore » the transfer issues and barriers preventing shipment. Section 3 provides site-specific background information for the CPP-651 facility and the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) and describes the development of the basic material removal schedule, the proposed base case plan for removal of SNM, and the proposed HEU material management/shipping issues and strategies. Section 4 identifies the proposed options for accelerated removal of SNM and how they were evaluated via detailed scheduling, resource histograms, and cost analysis. Section 5 summarizes principal tasks for implementing this plan and other related HEU CPP-651 management issues that require continued planning efforts to assure successful implementation of this proposed early removal strategy.« less

Phase equilibrium constraints on angrite petrogenesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Longhi, John

1999-02-01

Parameterizations of liquidus boundaries and solid solution in the CMAS + Fe system (Shi, 1992) have been employed to depict the liquidus equilibria relevant to the petrogenesis of angrites. Angrites are basaltic achondrites characterized by highly aluminous augite (fassaite), intermediate Mg-Fe olivine, and late-stage CaFe-olivine (kirschsteinite). Two important features of the equilibria on the olivine liquidus surface relevant to angrite petrogenesis are: 1) the presence of a thermal divide on the ol + aug + plag + liq boundary curve, which separates the compositions of source materials that produce low-silica angritic melts that crystallize highly aluminous augite from those that produce higher silica melts with tholeiitic to eucritic crystallization patterns; and 2) the change in the pseudo-invariant point on the low-silica side of the thermal divide from a plagioclase-peritectic involving spinel ( ol + aug + plag + sp + liq) at high to intermediate Mg' (Mg/[Mg + Fe]) to two pseudo-eutectics involving kirschsteinite ( ol + aug + plag + kir + liq and ol + kir + plag + sp + liq) at low Mg'. The fassaitic (aluminous augite) pyroxene composition in Angra Dos Reis (ADOR), the presence of minor green spinel, and the absence of primary kirschsteinite (Prinz et al., 1977) indicate that crystallization of the ADOR parental liquid was governed by the intermediate-Mg' set of equilibria such that, following crystallization of ol + aug + plag, the plagioclase reacted completely at the plagioclase-peritectic with the interstitial liquid, which subsequently crystallized beyond the plagioclase-peritectic onto the ol + aug + sp liquidus boundary curve. The ADOR bulk composition is consistent with trapping ˜10% of the parental liquid in a cumulate with cotectic proportions of fassaite and olivine. Lewis Cliff (LEW)86010 crystallized from a liquid with Mg' similar to that of ADOR, but on the ol + plag cotectic closer to the thermal divide such that the first pyroxene to

Early-phase prandial insulin secretion: its role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its modulation by repaglinide.

PubMed

Owens, D R; Cozma, L S; Luzio, S D

2002-12-01

The major contributory factor to increasing hyperglycaemia in established Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) appears to be the progressive delay and attenuation of the prandial insulin response. An important consequence of this derangement is that hepatic glucose production is no longer suppressed during times of prandial glucose intake. Together with a relative impairment in the rate of peripheral glucose disposal, this leads to supra-physiological plasma glucose excursions, which may damage the vasculature. An obvious therapeutic strategy, therefore, would be to increase insulin availability when most needed--in the early prandial phase. In experiments with exogenous insulin interventions, peak post-prandial blood glucose increments were curtailed without undue increases in total insulin exposure. However, available evidence suggests that the sulphonylurea glibenclamide does not effectively alter early-phase prandial insulin release but predominately increases late-phase and basal insulin output, thus incurring the risk of hypoglycaemia. The novel insulin secretagogue repaglinide, by contrast, augments early-phase prandial insulin secretion when taken before meals, as shown by studies in non-diabetic people and patients with newly diagnosed, previously untreated T2DM. Repaglinide exerts its greatest effect on the insulin secretion rate during the first 30 min after a meal is started, thereby going some way to restoring the early insulin secretion curve seen after a meal in non-diabetic people. No residual secretagogue activity is seen 4 hr after taking a single dose of up to 2 mg. Prandial glucose regulation with repaglinide could be associated with lower post-prandial glucose excursions and less risk of post-prandial hypoglycaemia than glibenclamide.

Mechanisms of the early phases of plant gravitropism

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kiss, J. Z.

2000-01-01

Gravitropism is directed growth of a plant or plant organ in response to gravity and can be divided into the following temporal sequence: perception, transduction, and response. This article is a review of the research on the early events of gravitropism (i.e., phenomena associated with the perception and transduction phases). The two major hypotheses for graviperception are the protoplast-pressure and starch-statolith models. While most researchers support the concept of statoliths, there are suggestions that plants have multiple mechanisms of perception. Evidence supports the hypothesis that the actin cytoskeleton is involved in graviperception/transduction, but the details of these mechanisms remain elusive. A number of recent developments, such as increased use of the molecular genetic approach, magnetophoresis, and laser ablation, have facilitated research in graviperception and have allowed for refinement of the current models. In addition, the entire continuum of acceleration forces from hypo- to hyper-gravity have been useful in studying perception mechanisms. Future interdisciplinary molecular approaches and the availability of sophisticated laboratories on the International Space Station should help to develop new insights into mechanisms of gravitropism in plants.

Early Restoration | NOAA Gulf Spill Restoration

Science.gov Websites

Early Restoration Plan. On April 20, 2011 we reached an agreement with BP to start restoration planning draft plan for the third phase of early restoration in December 2013. We are considering your comments : All Phase III information and documents Phase II Useful Links: Phase II Early Restoration Plan &

Challenges Facing Early Phase Trials Sponsored by the National Cancer Institute: An Analysis of Corrective Action Plans to Improve Accrual.

PubMed

Massett, Holly A; Mishkin, Grace; Rubinstein, Larry; Ivy, S Percy; Denicoff, Andrea; Godwin, Elizabeth; DiPiazza, Kate; Bolognese, Jennifer; Zwiebel, James A; Abrams, Jeffrey S

2016-11-15

Accruing patients in a timely manner represents a significant challenge to early phase cancer clinical trials. The NCI Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program analyzed 19 months of corrective action plans (CAP) received for slow-accruing phase I and II trials to identify slow accrual reasons, evaluate whether proposed corrective actions matched these reasons, and assess the CAP impact on trial accrual, duration, and likelihood of meeting primary scientific objectives. Of the 135 CAPs analyzed, 69 were for phase I trials and 66 for phase II trials. Primary reasons cited for slow accrual were safety/toxicity (phase I: 48%), design/protocol concerns (phase I: 42%, phase II: 33%), and eligibility criteria (phase I: 41%, phase II: 35%). The most commonly proposed corrective actions were adding institutions (phase I: 43%, phase II: 85%) and amending the trial to change eligibility or design (phase I: 55%, phase II: 44%). Only 40% of CAPs provided proposed corrective actions that matched the reasons given for slow accrual. Seventy percent of trials were closed to accrual at time of analysis (phase I = 48; phase II = 46). Of these, 67% of phase I and 70% of phase II trials met their primary objectives, but they were active three times longer than projected. Among closed trials, 24% had an accrual rate increase associated with a greater likelihood of meeting their primary scientific objectives. Ultimately, trials receiving CAPs saw improved accrual rates. Future trials may benefit from implementing CAPs early in trial life cycles, but it may be more beneficial to invest in earlier accrual planning. Clin Cancer Res; 22(22); 5408-16. ©2016 AACRSee related commentary by Mileham and Kim, p. 5397. ©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.

Current status of amorphous formulation and other special dosage forms as formulations for early clinical phases.

PubMed

Kawakami, Kohsaku

2009-09-01

Although most chemists in the pharmaceutical industry have a good understanding on favorable physicochemical properties for drug candidates, formulators must still deal with many challenging candidates. On the other hand, formulators are not allowed to spend much time on formulation development for early phases of the clinical studies. Thus, it is basically difficult to apply special dosage form technologies to the candidates for the first-in-human formulations. Despite the availability of numerous reviews on oral special dosage forms, information on their applicability as the early phase formulation has been limited. This article describes quick review on the oral special dosage forms that may be applied to the early clinical formulations, followed by discussion focused on the amorphous formulations, which still has relatively many issues to be proved for the general use. The major problems that inhibit the use of the amorphous formulation are difficulty in the manufacturing and the poor chemical/physical stability. Notably, the poor physical stability can be critical, because of not the poor stability itself but the difficulty in the timely evaluation in the preclinical developmental timeframes. Research directions of the amorphous formulations are suggested to utilize this promising technology without disturbing the preclinical developmental timelines.

Men Managing, Not Teaching Foundation Phase: Teachers, Masculinity and the Early Years of Primary Schooling

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moosa, Shaaista; Bhana, Deevia

2017-01-01

In this article we argue that eliminating the divisions of labour between men and women could work towards counteracting gender inequality within professions. Globally women are over-represented in the teaching of young children in the early years of primary school, or Foundation Phase (FP), as it is known in South Africa. We are concerned to go…

High pressure study of water-salt systems, phase equilibria, partitioning, thermodynic properties and implication for large icy worlds hydrospheres.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Journaux, B.; Brown, J. M.; Abramson, E.; Petitgirard, S.; Pakhomova, A.; Boffa Ballaran, T.; Collings, I.

2017-12-01

Water salt systems are predicted to be present in deep hydrosphere inside water-rich planetary bodies, following water/rock chemical interaction during early differentiation stages or later hydrothermal activity. Unfortunately the current knowledge of the thermodynamic and physical properties of aqueous salt mixtures at high pressure and high temperature is still insufficient to allow realistic modeling of the chemical or dynamic of thick planetary hydrospheres. Recent experimental results have shown that the presence of solutes, and more particularly salts, in equilibrium with high pressure ices have large effects on the stability fields, buoyancy and chemistry of all the phases present at these extreme conditions. Effects currently being investigated by our research group also covers ice melting curve depressions that depend on the salt species and incorporation of solutes inside the crystallographic lattice of high pressure ices. Both of these could have very important implication at the planetary scale, enabling thicker/deeper liquid oceans, and allowing chemical transportation through the high pressure ice layer in large icy worlds. We will present the latest results obtained in-situ using diamond anvil cell, coupled with Synchrotron X-Ray diffraction, Raman Spectroscopy and optical observations, allowing to probe the crystallographic structure, equations of state, partitioning and phase boundary of high pressure ice VI and VII in equilibrium with Na-Mg-SO4-Cl ionic species at high pressures (1-10 GPa). The difference in melting behavior depending on the dissolved salt species was characterized, suggesting differences in ionic speciation at liquidus conditions. The solidus P-T conditions were also measured as well as an increase of lattice volumes interpreted as an outcome of ionic incorporation in HP ice during incongruent crystallization. The measured phase diagrams, lattice volumes and important salt incorporations suggest a more complex picture of the

77 FR 58359 - Applications for New Awards; Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge; Phase 2

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-20

... amended by section 1832(b) of Division B of Pub. L. 112-10, the Department of Defense and Full-Year... DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Applications for New Awards; Race to the Top--Early Learning Challenge; Phase 2 AGENCY: Department of Education and Department of...

The Low-luminosity Type IIP Supernova 2016bkv with Early-phase Circumstellar Interaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakaoka, Tatsuya; Kawabata, Koji S.; Maeda, Keiichi; Tanaka, Masaomi; Yamanaka, Masayuki; Moriya, Takashi J.; Tominaga, Nozomu; Morokuma, Tomoki; Takaki, Katsutoshi; Kawabata, Miho; Kawahara, Naoki; Itoh, Ryosuke; Shiki, Kensei; Mori, Hiroki; Hirochi, Jun; Abe, Taisei; Uemura, Makoto; Yoshida, Michitoshi; Akitaya, Hiroshi; Moritani, Yuki; Ueno, Issei; Urano, Takeshi; Isogai, Mizuki; Hanayama, Hidekazu; Nagayama, Takahiro

2018-06-01

We present optical and near-infrared observations of a low-luminosity (LL) Type IIP supernova (SN) 2016bkv from the initial rising phase to the plateau phase. Our observations show that the end of the plateau is extended to ≳140 days since the explosion, indicating that this SN takes one of the longest times to finish the plateau phase among Type IIP SNe (SNe IIP), including LL SNe IIP. The line velocities of various ions at the middle of the plateau phase are as low as 1000–1500 km s‑1, which is the lowest even among LL SNe IIP. These measurements imply that the ejecta mass in SN 2016bkv is larger than that of the well-studied LL IIP SN 2003Z. In the early phase, SN 2016bkv shows a strong bump in the light curve. In addition, the optical spectra in this bump phase exhibit a blue continuum accompanied by a narrow Hα emission line. These features indicate an interaction between the SN ejecta and the circumstellar matter (CSM) as in SNe IIn. Assuming the ejecta–CSM interaction scenario, the mass loss rate is estimated to be ∼ 1.7× {10}-2 {M}ȯ yr‑1 within a few years before the SN explosion. This is comparable to or even larger than the largest mass loss rate observed for the Galactic red supergiants (∼ {10}-3 {M}ȯ yr‑1 for VY CMa). We suggest that the progenitor star of SN 2016bkv experienced a violent mass loss just before the SN explosion.

Lunar and terrestrial crust formation

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

Walker, D.

1983-11-15

Planetary crusts may be accreted, produced in primordial differentiation, or built up piecemeal by serial magmatism. The existence of old, polygenetic, laterally heterogeneous, partial melt rocks in the lunar highlands suggests that the moon produced its early crust by serial magmatism. This view can be reconciled with lunar Eu anomalies, previously thought to support the magma ocean model of crust formation, if complications in the fractionation of mare basalts are reconized. Phase equilibrium and magmatic density information for mare basalts suggest a model in which plagioclase fractionation can occur even though plagioclase is not a near-liquidus phase. The crytic fractionationmore » of clinopryoxene in MORB provides a precedent for this model. The necessity for a lunar magma ocean is questioned, but a role for a terrestrial magma ocean of sorts at depth is suggested.« less

The progamic phase of an early-divergent angiosperm, Annona cherimola (Annonaceae)

PubMed Central

Lora, J.; Hormaza, J. I.; Herrero, M.

2010-01-01

Background and Aims Recent studies of reproductive biology in ancient angiosperm lineages are beginning to shed light on the early evolution of flowering plants, but comparative studies are restricted by fragmented and meagre species representation in these angiosperm clades. In the present study, the progamic phase, from pollination to fertilization, is characterized in Annona cherimola, which is a member of the Annonaceae, the largest extant family among early-divergent angiosperms. Beside interest due to its phylogenetic position, this species is also an ancient crop with a clear niche for expansion in subtropical climates. Methods The kinetics of the reproductive process was established following controlled pollinations and sequential fixation. Gynoecium anatomy, pollen tube pathway, embryo sac and early post-fertilization events were characterized histochemically. Key Results A plesiomorphic gynoecium with a semi-open carpel shows a continuous secretory papillar surface along the carpel margins, which run from the stigma down to the obturator in the ovary. The pollen grains germinate in the stigma and compete in the stigma-style interface to reach the narrow secretory area that lines the margins of the semi-open stylar canal and is able to host just one to three pollen tubes. The embryo sac has eight nuclei and is well provisioned with large starch grains that are used during early cellular endosperm development. Conclusions A plesiomorphic simple gynoecium hosts a simple pollen–pistil interaction, based on a support–control system of pollen tube growth. Support is provided through basipetal secretory activity in the cells that line the pollen tube pathway. Spatial constraints, favouring pollen tube competition, are mediated by a dramatic reduction in the secretory surface available for pollen tube growth at the stigma–style interface. This extramural pollen tube competition contrasts with the intrastylar competition predominant in more recently derived

The early phase of /see symbol/ production development in adult Japanese learners of English.

PubMed

Saito, Kazuya; Munro, Murray J

2014-12-01

Although previous research indicates that Japanese speakers' second language (L2) perception and production of English /see symbol/ may improve with increased L2 experience, relatively little is known about the fine phonetic details of their /see symbol/ productions, especially during the early phase of L2 speech learning. This cross-sectional study examined acoustic properties of word-initial /see symbol/ from 60 Japanese learners with a length of residence of between one month and one year in Canada. Their performance was compared to that of 15 native speakers of English and 15 low-proficiency Japanese learners of English. Formant frequencies (F2 and F3) and F1 transition durations were evaluated under three task conditions--word reading, sentence reading, and timed picture description. Learners with as little as two to three months of residence demonstrated target-like F2 frequencies. In addition, increased LOR was predictive of more target-like transition durations. Although the learners showed some improvement in F3 as a function of LOR, they did so mainly at a controlled level of speech production. The findings suggest that during the early phase of L2 segmental development, production accuracy is task-dependent and is influenced by the availability of L1 phonetic cues for redeployment in L2.

Restoration of energy level in the early phase of acute pediatric pancreatitis.

PubMed

Mosztbacher, Dóra; Farkas, Nelli; Solymár, Margit; Pár, Gabriella; Bajor, Judit; Szűcs, Ákos; Czimmer, József; Márta, Katalin; Mikó, Alexandra; Rumbus, Zoltán; Varjú, Péter; Hegyi, Péter; Párniczky, Andrea

2017-02-14

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a serious inflammatory disease with rising incidence both in the adult and pediatric populations. It has been shown that mitochondrial injury and energy depletion are the earliest intracellular events in the early phase of AP. Moreover, it has been revealed that restoration of intracellular ATP level restores cellular functions and defends the cells from death. We have recently shown in a systematic review and meta-analysis that early enteral feeding is beneficial in adults; however, no reviews are available concerning the effect of early enteral feeding in pediatric AP. In this minireview, our aim was to systematically analyse the literature on the treatment of acute pediatric pancreatitis. The preferred reporting items for systematic review (PRISMA-P) were followed, and the question was drafted based on participants, intervention, comparison and outcomes: P: patients under the age of twenty-one suffering from acute pancreatitis; I: early enteral nutrition (per os and nasogastric- or nasojejunal tube started within 48 h); C: nil per os therapy; O: length of hospitalization, need for treatment at an intensive care unit, development of severe AP, lung injury (including lung oedema and pleural effusion), white blood cell count and pain score on admission. Altogether, 632 articles (PubMed: 131; EMBASE: 501) were found. After detailed screening of eligible papers, five of them met inclusion criteria. Only retrospective clinical trials were available. Due to insufficient information from the authors, it was only possible to address length of hospitalization as an outcome of the study. Our mini-meta-analysis showed that early enteral nutrition significantly (SD = 0.806, P = 0.034) decreases length of hospitalization compared with nil per os diet in acute pediatric pancreatitis. In this minireview, we clearly show that early enteral nutrition, started within 24-48 h, is beneficial in acute pediatric pancreatitis. Prospective studies and better

Restoration of energy level in the early phase of acute pediatric pancreatitis

PubMed Central

Mosztbacher, Dóra; Farkas, Nelli; Solymár, Margit; Pár, Gabriella; Bajor, Judit; Szűcs, Ákos; Czimmer, József; Márta, Katalin; Mikó, Alexandra; Rumbus, Zoltán; Varjú, Péter; Hegyi, Péter; Párniczky, Andrea

2017-01-01

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a serious inflammatory disease with rising incidence both in the adult and pediatric populations. It has been shown that mitochondrial injury and energy depletion are the earliest intracellular events in the early phase of AP. Moreover, it has been revealed that restoration of intracellular ATP level restores cellular functions and defends the cells from death. We have recently shown in a systematic review and meta-analysis that early enteral feeding is beneficial in adults; however, no reviews are available concerning the effect of early enteral feeding in pediatric AP. In this minireview, our aim was to systematically analyse the literature on the treatment of acute pediatric pancreatitis. The preferred reporting items for systematic review (PRISMA-P) were followed, and the question was drafted based on participants, intervention, comparison and outcomes: P: patients under the age of twenty-one suffering from acute pancreatitis; I: early enteral nutrition (per os and nasogastric- or nasojejunal tube started within 48 h); C: nil per os therapy; O: length of hospitalization, need for treatment at an intensive care unit, development of severe AP, lung injury (including lung oedema and pleural effusion), white blood cell count and pain score on admission. Altogether, 632 articles (PubMed: 131; EMBASE: 501) were found. After detailed screening of eligible papers, five of them met inclusion criteria. Only retrospective clinical trials were available. Due to insufficient information from the authors, it was only possible to address length of hospitalization as an outcome of the study. Our mini-meta-analysis showed that early enteral nutrition significantly (SD = 0.806, P = 0.034) decreases length of hospitalization compared with nil per os diet in acute pediatric pancreatitis. In this minireview, we clearly show that early enteral nutrition, started within 24-48 h, is beneficial in acute pediatric pancreatitis. Prospective studies and better

Welcome to the Twilight Zone: a forgotten early phase of human evolutionary studies.

PubMed

Delisle, Richard G

2012-06-01

The field of paleoanthropology arose out of a strange and unacknowledged early phase of development prior to about the 1930s. It is often assumed that a key pillar of the discipline, the unity of humankind--the notion that humans are clearly separated phylogenetically (genealogically) from other non-human primates--was widely accepted from the inception of paleoanthropology around 1860. However, a final consensus on this fundamental question only appeared later on in the 20th century. This paper will focus on two key areas of disagreement, which reveal the unsettled state of this question during this early period: the question of uncertainty with respect to the number, identity and boundary of primate species (including humans) which prevailed in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries; and the matter of uncertainty with respect to the nature of the phylogenetic relationships among the various human populations and the other primate species which prevailed between 1864 and 1931. Consideration of these matters reveals that the modern research structure that paleoanthropologists take for granted today is much more recent than believed. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Muscle contributions to knee extension in the early stance phase in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

PubMed

Ogaya, Shinya; Kubota, Ryo; Chujo, Yuta; Hirooka, Eiko; Kwang-Ho, Kim; Hase, Kimitaka

2017-10-01

The aim of this study was to analyze individual muscle contributions to knee angular acceleration using a musculoskeletal simulation analysis and evaluate knee extension mechanics in the early stance phase in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). The subjects comprised 15 patients with medial knee OA and 14 healthy elderly individuals. All participants underwent gait performance test using 8 infrared cameras and two force plates to measure the kinetic and kinematic data. The simulation was driven by 92 Hill-type muscle-tendon units of the lower extremities and a trunk with 23° of freedom. We analyzed each muscle contribution to knee angular acceleration in the 5%-15% and 15%-25% periods of the stance phase (% SP) using an induced acceleration analysis. We compared accelerations by individual muscles between the two groups using an analysis of covariance for controlling gait speed. Patients with knee OA had a significantly lesser knee extension acceleration by the vasti muscles and higher knee acceleration by hip adductors than those in controls in 5-15% SP. In addition, knee OA resulted in significantly lesser knee extension acceleration by the vasti muscles in 15-25% SP. These results indicate that patients with knee OA have decreased dependency on the vasti muscles to control knee movements during early stance phase. Hip adductor muscles, which mainly control mediolateral motion, partly compensate for the weak knee extension by the vasti muscles in patients with knee OA. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

78 FR 69690 - Draft Guidance for Industry: Considerations for the Design of Early-Phase Clinical Trials of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-20

... and Gene Therapy Products; Extension of Comment Period AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS...: Considerations for the Design of Early-Phase Clinical Trials of Cellular and Gene Therapy Products'' that... sponsors of Investigational New Drug Applications for cellular therapy (CT) and gene therapy (GT) products...

The system CaO-MgO-SiO2-CO2 at 1 GPa, metasomatic wehrlites, and primary carbonatite magmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, W. J.; Wyllie, P. J.

New experimental data in CaO-MgO-SiO2-CO2 at 1GPa define the vapor-saturated silicate-carbonate liquidus field boundary involving primary minerals calcite, forsterite and diopside. The eutectic reaction for melting of model calcite (1% MC)-wehrlite at 1GPa is at 1100°C, with liquid composition (by weight) 72% CaCO3 (CC), 9% MgCO3 (MC), and 18% CaMgSi2O6 (Di). These data combined with previous results permit construction of the isotherm-contoured vapor-saturated liquidus surface for the calcite/dolomite field, and part of the adjacent forsterite and diopside fields. Nearly pure calcite crystals in mantle xenoliths cannot represent equilibrium liquids. We recently determined the complete vapor-saturated liquidus surface between carbonates and model peridotites at 2.7GPa the peritectic reaction for dolomite (25% MC)-wehrlite at 2.7GPa occurs at 1300°C, with liquid composition 60% CC, 29% MC, and 11% Di. The liquidus field boundaries on these two surfaces provide the road-map for interpretation of magmatic processes in various peridotite-CO2 systems at depths between the Moho and about 100km. Relationships among kimberlites, melilitites, carbonatites and the liquidus phase boundaries are discussed. Experimental data for carbonatite liquid protected by metasomatic wehrlite have been reported. The liquid trends directly from dolomitic towards CaCO3 with decreasing pressure. The 1.5GPa liquid contains 87% CC and 4% Di, much lower in silicate components than our phase boundary. However, the liquids contain approximately the same CaCO3 (90+/- 1wt%) in terms of only carbonate components. For CO2-bearing mantle, all magmas at depth must pass through initial dolomitic compositions. Rising dolomitic carbonatite melt will vesiculate and may erupt as primary magmas through cracks from about 70km. If it percolates through metasomatic wehrlite from 70km toward the Moho at 35-40km, primary calcic siliceous carbonatite magma can be generated with silicate content at least 11

Ultrastructural Complexity of Nuclear Components During Early Apoptotic Phases in Breast Cancer Cells

PubMed Central

Castelli, Christian; Losa, Gabriele A.

2001-01-01

Fractal morphometry was used to investigate the ultrastructural features of the plasma membrane, perinuclear membrane and nuclear chromatin in SK‐BR‐3 human breast cancer cells undergoing apoptosis. Cells were incubated with 1 μM calcimycin (A23187) for 24 h. Cells in the early stage of apoptosis had fractal dimension (FD) values indicating that their plasma membranes were less rough (lower FD) than those of control cells, while their perinuclear membranes were unaffected. Changes of the chromatin texture within the entire nucleus and in selected nuclear domains were more pronounced in treated cells. This confirms that the morphological reorganization imputable to a loss of structural complexity (reduced FD) occurs in the early stage of apoptosis, is accompanied by the inhibition of distinct enzymatic events and precedes the onset of conventional cellular markers, which can only be detected during the active phases of the apoptotic process. PMID:11790854

The hepatocyte phase of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI in the evaluation of hepatic fibrosis and early liver cirrhosis in a rat model: an experimental study.

PubMed

Ma, Chunmei; Liu, Ailian; Wang, Yuanyuan; Geng, Xiaoling; Hao, Li; Song, Qingwei; Sun, Bo; Wang, Heqing; Zhao, Gang

2014-07-17

To evaluate the hepatocyte phase of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI in the early diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis and assessment of liver function in a rat model. In 2 groups of SD rats, liver fibrosis was induced in experimental animals by repetitive carbon tetrachloride injections, while the control group received saline injections. Five experimental rats and 2 control rats were randomly selected at weeks 4, 8, 12. One week after carbon tetrachloride administration, MRI (FIRM T1WI) scan was performed. Gd-EOB-DTPA (0.08mL) was injected into the rat's tail vein and hepatocyte phase images were obtained after 20min. The pre-enhanced phase and hepatocyte phase signal intensities (SI) were measured, and the relative contrast enhancement index (RCEI) was calculated. ANOVA analysis (LSD) of RCEI values in controls (n=6), hepatic fibrosis (n=7), and histopathologically-determined early cirrhosis group (n=6) was performed. RECI values showed a decreasing trend in the control group, hepatic fibrosis and early cirrhosis groups (1.11±0.43, 0.96±0.22, and 0.57±0.33, respectively). While the difference between the control and early cirrhosis groups was statistically significant (p=0.013), there was no significant difference in the hepatic fibrosis group vs the control (p=0.416) and the hepatic fibrosis group vs the early cirrhosis group (p=0.054). Hepatocyte phase RCEI values obtained with Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI scan indicate liver injury in hepatic fibrosis and early cirrhosis. RCEI values are helpful for early diagnosis of liver cirrhosis. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Maintenance phase in psoralen-ultraviolet A phototherapy of early-stage mycosis fungoides. A critically appraised topic.

PubMed

Grandi, V; Delfino, C; Pileri, A; Pimpinelli, N

2017-08-01

A 65-year-old patient affected by mycosis fungoides (MF) stage IB achieved complete remission (CR) after a cycle of PUVA phototherapy. The U.S. Cutaneous Lymphoma Consortium (USCLC) guidelines suggest that the patient should be kept in the maintenance phase, defined as a 'period of gradual decrease of frequency of UVL [ultraviolet light] while in clinical remission before discontinuation of phototherapy' by slowly tapering the number of psoralen-ultraviolet A (PUVA) applications over time up to clinical relapse. The USCLC guidelines also suggest a standardized schedule for the maintenance phase. Alternatively, the patient could end PUVA therapy and go straight to follow-up. The aim of this critically appraised topic (CAT) was to determine if a maintenance phase gives a significant benefit in terms of relapse rate (RR) and RFI in patients affected by early-stage MF who had achieved CR under PUVA phototherapy. Embase, PubMed and TRIP databases were searched for 'mycosis fungoides' AND [('photochemotherapy' OR 'puva') OR 'psoralen'] in June 2016. Three articles matched our inclusion criteria and are discussed in this CAT. In this field of research the literature is poor and the reported level of evidence is low. Only one of the studies was conducted prospectively, and none were randomized. No significant difference in terms of reduction in relapse rate or increase in RFI in patients who underwent a PUVA maintenance phase emerged when compared with those who went for simple follow-up. Further randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are required in order to evaluate maintenance phase vs. no treatment before it can be favoured as the standard protocol of treatment in early-stage MF. At the time of writing this paper, we report an ongoing Austrian multicentre RCT (Clinical Trial.gov identifier: NCT01686594) that will hopefully give useful results in this topic. © 2017 British Association of Dermatologists.

Phase Equilibria Studies in the System ZnO-``FeO''-Al2O3-CaO-SiO2 Relevant to Imperial Smelting Furnace Slags: Part I

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Baojun; Hayes, Peter C.; Jak, Evgueni

2010-04-01

The phase equilibria and liquidus temperatures in the system ZnO-“FeO”-Al2O3-CaO-SiO2 in equilibrium with metallic iron have been determined experimentally in the temperature range of 1423 K to 1553 K. The experimental conditions were focused on the composition range relevant to Imperial Smelting Furnace slags. The results are presented in the form of a pseudo-ternary section ZnO-“FeO”-(CaO + SiO2 + Al2O3) in which CaO/SiO2 = 0.93 and (CaO + SiO2)/Al2O3 = 7.0. It was found that wustite and spinel are the major primary phases and that zincite and melilite are also present in the composition range investigated. Wustite (Fe2+,Zn)O and spinel (Fe2+,Zn)O (A1,Fe3+)2O3 solid solutions are formed in this system, and the ZnO concentration in the spinel phase is found to be much greater than in the liquid phase.

Phytochrome-mediated germination and early development in spores of Dryopteris filix-mas L.: phase-specific and non phase-specific inhibition by staurosporine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haas, C. J.; Scheuerlein, R.; Roux, S. J.

1991-01-01

The alkaloid staurosporine, currently known as the most potent inhibitor of protein kinase C, PKC, was tested for its ability to inhibit phytochrome-mediated spore germination in Dryopteris filix-mas L., evaluated by the induction of chlorophyll synthesis. Approximately half-maximal inhibition was obtained at a concentration of 10(-5) M. This effect of staurosporine was phase-specific and was found during the same period in which the presence of extracellular calcium is necessary for realization of the light signal. Furthermore, the ability of staurosporine to prevent progression of a germinated spore into early gametophyte development, evaluated by the accumulation of chlorophyll, was examined. Again, staurosporine (10(-5) M) significantly diminished chlorophyll accumulation, determined quantitatively in vivo by single-cell measurements, in a non-phase specific way. The fact that the phase-specific inhibitory effect of staurosporine in preventing germination was coincident with the phase-specific requirement of Ca2+ suggests that both Ca2+ and staurosporine affect the same step in the signal-transduction chain. A phosphorylation event catalysed by PKC or any Ca2+ -dependent protein kinase is proposed as the target of staurosporine and Ca2+.

Methylene blue prevents surgery-induced peritoneal adhesions but impairs the early phase of anastomotic wound healing

PubMed Central

Dinc, Soykan; Ozaslan, Cihangir; Kuru, Bekir; Karaca, Sefa; Ustun, Huseyin; Alagol, Haluk; Renda, Nurten; Oz, Murat

2006-01-01

Objectives Adhesion formation continues to be an important problem in gastrointestinal surgery. In recent years, methylene blue (MB) has been reported to be an effective agent for preventing peritoneal adhesions. However, its effects on the wound healing process are unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effects of MB on the early and late phases of anastomotic wound healing and on adhesion formation. Methods We randomly categorized 92 rats into 2 groups in bursting pressure measurements and 50 rats into 3 groups in the adhesion model. We divided the animals into saline-treated (n = 46) or MB-treated (n = 46) groups. Bursting pressures of the anastomoses were measured on postoperative days 3 and 7. In biochemical studies, tissue hydroxyproline levels, total nitrite/nitrate levels and nitric oxide synthase activity were measured on postoperative days 3 and 7. In the adhesion model, we randomly categorized rats into sham (n = 10), saline-treated (n = 20) and MB-treated (n = 20) groups, and the formation of intraperitoneal adhesions was scored on postoperative day 14. We compared the measurement of bursting pressure and biochemical measurements of tissue hydroxyproline levels, total nitrite/nitrate levels and nitric oxide synthase activity. Histopathological findings of specimens were presented. Results During the early phase of wound healing (postoperative day 3), bursting pressures, tissue hydroxyproline, total nitrite/nitrate levels and nitric oxide synthase activity in the MB-treated group were significantly lower than those of the saline-treated group. On postoperative day 7, there was no significant difference in these parameters between MB and saline-treated groups. In the adhesion model, MB caused a significant reduction in the formation of peritoneal adhesions. Conclusion MB prevents peritoneal adhesions but causes a significant impairment of anastomotic bursting pressure during the early phase of the wound healing process by its transient

Teachers' Beliefs on Foreign Language Teaching Practices in Early Phases of Primary Education: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Caner, Mustafa; Subasi, Gonca; Kara, Selma

2010-01-01

The purpose of the study was to examine whether teacher beliefs would play a role in their actual practices while teaching target language in early phases of primary education, principally, in kindergarten and first grades in a state school. As it is a very broad research area, the researchers exclusively analyzed teaching practices and teaching…

A tale of two timescales: Mixing, mass generation, and phase transitions in the early universe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dienes, Keith R.; Kost, Jeff; Thomas, Brooks

2016-02-01

Light scalar fields such as axions and string moduli can play an important role in early-universe cosmology. However, many factors can significantly impact their late-time cosmological abundances. For example, in cases where the potentials for these fields are generated dynamically—such as during cosmological mass-generating phase transitions—the duration of the time interval required for these potentials to fully develop can have significant repercussions. Likewise, in scenarios with multiple scalars, mixing amongst the fields can also give rise to an effective timescale that modifies the resulting late-time abundances. Previous studies have focused on the effects of either the first or the second timescale in isolation. In this paper, by contrast, we examine the new features that arise from the interplay between these two timescales when both mixing and time-dependent phase transitions are introduced together. First, we find that the effects of these timescales can conspire to alter not only the total late-time abundance of the system—often by many orders of magnitude—but also its distribution across the different fields. Second, we find that these effects can produce large parametric resonances which render the energy densities of the fields highly sensitive to the degree of mixing as well as the duration of the time interval over which the phase transition unfolds. Finally, we find that these effects can even give rise to a "reoverdamping" phenomenon which causes the total energy density of the system to behave in novel ways that differ from those exhibited by pure dark matter or vacuum energy. All of these features therefore give rise to new possibilities for early-universe phenomenology and cosmological evolution. They also highlight the importance of taking into account the time dependence associated with phase transitions in cosmological settings.

Proteomics analysis identified peroxiredoxin 2 involved in early-phase left ventricular impairment in hamsters with cardiomyopathy.

PubMed

Kuzuya, Kentaro; Ichihara, Sahoko; Suzuki, Yuka; Inoue, Chisa; Ichihara, Gaku; Kurimoto, Syota; Oikawa, Shinji

2018-01-01

Given the hypothesis that inflammation plays a critical role in the progression of cardiovascular diseases, the aim of the present study was to identify new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of myocardial proteins involved in early-phase cardiac impairment, using proteomics analysis. Using the two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) combined with MALDI-TOF/TOF tandem mass spectrometry, we compared differences in the expression of proteins in the whole left ventricles between control hamsters, dilated cardiomyopathic hamsters (TO-2), and hypertrophy cardiomyopathic hamsters (Bio14.6) at 6 weeks of age (n = 6, each group). Proteomic analysis identified 10 protein spots with significant alterations, with 7 up-regulated and 3 down-regulated proteins in the left ventricles of both TO-2 and Bio 14.6 hamsters, compared with control hamsters. Of the total alterations, peroxiredoxin 2 (PRDX2) showed significant upregulation in the left ventricles of TO-2 and Bio 14.6 hamsters. Our data suggest that PRDX2, a redox regulating molecule, is involved in early-phase left ventricular impairment in hamsters with cardiomyopathy.

The Ni-rich part of the Al–Ge–Ni phase diagram

PubMed Central

Jandl, Isabella; Reichmann, Thomas L.; Richter, Klaus W.

2013-01-01

The Ni-rich part of the ternary system Al–Ge–Ni (xNi > 50 at.%) was investigated by means of optical microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The two isothermal sections at 550 °C and 700 °C were determined. Within these two sections a new ternary phase, designated as τ4, AlyGe9−yNi13±x (hP66, Ga3Ge6Ni13-type) was detected and investigated by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Another ternary low temperature phase, τ5, was found only in the isothermal section at 550 °C around the composition AlGeNi4. This compound was found to crystallise in the Co2Si type structure (oP12, Pnma). The structure was identified by Rietveld refinement of powder data. The NiAs type (B8) phase based on binary Ge3Ni5 revealed an extended solid solubility of Al and the two isotypic compounds AlNi3 and GeNi3 form a complete solid solution. Based on DTA results, six vertical sections at 55, 60, 70, 75 and 80 at.% Ni and at a constant Al:Ni ratio of 1:3 were constructed. Furthermore, the liquidus surface projection and the reaction scheme (Scheil diagram) were completed by combining our results with previous results from the Ni-poor part of the phase diagram. Six invariant ternary reactions were identified in the Ni-rich part of the system. PMID:27087754

Extension of quality-by-design concept to the early development phase of pharmaceutical R&D processes.

PubMed

Csóka, Ildikó; Pallagi, Edina; Paál, Tamás L

2018-03-27

Here, we propose the extension of the quality-by-design (QbD) concept to also fit the early development phases of pharmaceuticals by adding elements that are currently widely applied, but not yet included in the QbD model in a structured way. These are the introduction of a 'zero' preformulation phase (i.e., selection of drug substance, possible dosage forms and administration routes based on the evaluated therapeutic need); building in stakeholders' (industry, patient, and regulatory) requirements into the quality target product profile (QTTP); and the use of modern quality management tools during the composition and process design phase [collecting critical quality attributes (CQAs) and selection of CPPs) for (still laboratory-scale) design space (DS) development. Moreover, during industrial scale-up, CQAs (as well as critical process parameters; CPPs) can be changed; however, we recommend that the existing QbD elements are reconsidered and updated after this phase. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Serum Metabolomics Reveals Serotonin as a Predictor of Severe Dengue in the Early Phase of Dengue Fever

PubMed Central

Thein, Tun Linn; Fang, Jinling; Pang, Junxiong; Ooi, Eng Eong; Leo, Yee Sin; Ong, Choon Nam; Tannenbaum, Steven R.

2016-01-01

Effective triage of dengue patients early in the disease course for in- or out-patient management would be useful for optimal healthcare resource utilization while minimizing poor clinical outcome due to delayed intervention. Yet, early prognosis of severe dengue is hampered by the heterogeneity in clinical presentation and routine hematological and biochemical measurements in dengue patients that collectively correlates poorly with eventual clinical outcome. Herein, untargeted liquid-chromatography mass spectrometry metabolomics of serum from patients with dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) in the febrile phase (<96 h) was used to globally probe the serum metabolome to uncover early prognostic biomarkers of DHF. We identified 20 metabolites that are differentially enriched (p<0.05, fold change >1.5) in the serum, among which are two products of tryptophan metabolism–serotonin and kynurenine. Serotonin, involved in platelet aggregation and activation decreased significantly, whereas kynurenine, an immunomodulator, increased significantly in patients with DHF, consistent with thrombocytopenia and immunopathology in severe dengue. To sensitively and accurately evaluate serotonin levels as prognostic biomarkers, we implemented stable-isotope dilution mass spectrometry and used convalescence samples as their own controls. DHF serotonin was significantly 1.98 fold lower in febrile compared to convalescence phase, and significantly 1.76 fold lower compared to DF in the febrile phase of illness. Thus, serotonin alone provided good prognostic utility (Area Under Curve, AUC of serotonin = 0.8). Additionally, immune mediators associated with DHF may further increase the predictive ability than just serotonin alone. Nine cytokines, including IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-8, G-CSF, MIP-1β, FGF basic, TNFα and RANTES were significantly different between DF and DHF, among which IFN-γ ranked top by multivariate statistics. Combining serotonin and IFN-γ improved

The Role of Convection and Growth Competition in Phase Selection in Microgravity: Controlled Convection in the Containerless Processing of Steel Alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Matson, D. M.; Loser, W.; Rogers, J. R.; Flemings, M. C.

2001-01-01

Containerless processing using electromagnetic levitation (EML) is a powerful technique in the investigation of reactive molten metal systems. On ground, the power required to overcome the weight of the sample is sufficient to cause significant heating and induce substantial melt convection. In microgravity, the heating and positioning fields may be decoupled and the field strength may be varied to achieve the desired level of convection within the limits set by the geometry of the levitation coil and the sample size. From high-speed digital images of the double recalescence behavior of Fe-Cr-Ni alloys in ground-based testing and in reduced-gravity aboard the NASA KC-135 parabolic aircraft, we have shown that phase selection can be predicted based on a growth competition model. An important parameter in this model is the delay time between primary nucleation and subsequent nucleation of the stable solid within the liquid/metastable solid array. This delay time is a strong function of composition and a weak function of the undercooling of the melt below the metastable liquidus. From the results obtained during the first Microgravity Sciences Laboratory (MSL-1) mission, we also know that convection may significantly influence the delay time, especially at low undercoolings. Currently, it is unclear what mechanism controls the formation of a heterogeneous site that allows nucleation of the austenitic phase on the pre-existing ferrite skeleton. By examining the behavior of the delay time under different convective conditions, we hypothesize that we can differentiate between several of these mechanisms to gain an understanding of how to control microstructural. evolution. We will anchor these predictions by examining samples quenched at different times following primary recalescence in microgravity. A second important parameter in the growth competition model is the identification of the growth rate of the stable phase into the semi-solid array that formed during

Strontium ranelate causes osteophytes overgrowth in a model of early phase osteoarthritis.

PubMed

Chu, Jian-Guo; Dai, Mu-Wei; Wang, Yu; Tian, Fa-Ming; Song, Hui-Ping; Xiao, Ya-Ping; Shao, Li-Tao; Zhang, Ying-Ze; Zhang, Liu

2017-02-10

Osteoarthritis (OA) involves cartilage changes as well as modifications of subchondral bone and synovial tissues. Strontium ranelate (SR), an anti-osteoporosis compound, which is currently in phase III clinical trial for treatment of OA. Evidences suggest that SR preferably deposited in osteophyte, other than in subchondral bone in early phase of OA. This phenomenon raises concern about its utility for OA treatment as a disease-modifying drug. To evaluate the effect of SR on cartilage, subchondral bone mass and subchondral trabecular bone structure in medial meniscectomized (MNX) guinea pigs. Thirty-six 3-month-old male Dunkin Hartley albino guinea pigs received either sham or medial meniscectomy operations. One week after the procedure, meniscectomized animals began 12 weeks of SR (625 mg/kg, daily) treatment by oral gavage for MNX + SR group, or normal saline for MNX + V group. All animals were euthanized 12 weeks later, cartilage degeneration and subchondral bone micro-architecture was analyzed. Both OARSI scores (P = 0.523 for marcoscopic scores, P = 0.297 for histological scores) and Cartilage thickness (P = 0.335) in MNX + SR group were comparable to MNX + V group. However, osteophyte sizes were larger in MNX + SR group (P = 0.014), and collapsed osteophytes in MNX + SR group (7 by 12) were significantly more than in MNX + V group (1 by 12) (P = 0.027), while immunohistochemistry indicates catabolic changes in osteophyte/plateau junction. Micro-CT analysis showed bone mineral density (BMD) (P = 0.001), bone volume fraction (BV/TV) (P = 0.008), trabecular spacing (Tb.Sp) (P = 0.020), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) (P = 0.012) and structure model index (SMI) (P = 0.005) levels to be significantly higher in the MNX + SR group than in the MNX + V group. SR (625 mg/kg/day) did not protect cartilage from degeneration in MNX guinea pigs but subchondral bone was significantly enhanced. In early

77 FR 7174 - Correction Notice for Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill; Draft Phase I Early Restoration Plan and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-10

... DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R4-FHC-2012-N030; FVHC98130406900Y4-XXX-FF04G01000] Correction Notice for Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill; Draft Phase I Early Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability and request...

Evaluation of measles-rubella vaccination for mothers in early puerperal phase.

PubMed

Hisano, Michi; Kato, Tatsuo; Inoue, Eisuke; Sago, Haruhiko; Yamaguchi, Koushi

2016-02-24

The postpartum period is an ideal opportunity to vaccinate mothers with inadequate immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases including measles and rubella. A prospective study of measles-rubella (MR) vaccination in the early puerperal phase was conducted in 171 mothers, who had insufficient antibody titers when screened for immunity to measles (≤ 1:4 on the neutralization test [NT]) or rubella (≤ 1:16 on the hemagglutination inhibition [HI] test) during pregnancy. To evaluate the efficacy of MR vaccination in the postpartum period, we determined their post-vaccination antibody titers and immune responses to vaccination, and investigated the association between these and their prolactin (PRL) levels and Th1/Th2 ratios at the time of vaccination. We also examined the passage of viral RNA and antigen into breast milk. Of the 169 participants who completed the study schedule, 117 and 101 had low antibody titers against measles and rubella, respectively. In the measles-seronegative group, the antibody-positive rate was 87% on the NT assay, and the NT geometric mean antibody titer was 11.4 (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.0-13.0). In the rubella-seronegative group, the antibody-positive rate was 88% on the HI test assay, and the HI geometric mean antibody titer was 64.0 (95% CI, 53.9-76.0). There was no association between the post-vaccination antibody titers and the PRL levels or Th1/Th2 ratios at the time of vaccination. In the rubella-seronegative group, subjects with higher Th1/Th2 ratios showed higher rates of responsiveness than those with lower ratios (P=0.045). Although measles virus RNA was isolated from the breast milk of two vaccinated mothers, breastfeeding was not associated with clinical disease in any infants. MR vaccination in the early puerperal phase is considered an effective way to prevent the diseases, regardless of the mother's immunological status and hormonal milieu. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Temporal regulation of expression of immediate early and second phase transcripts by endothelin-1 in cardiomyocytes

PubMed Central

Cullingford, Timothy E; Markou, Thomais; Fuller, Stephen J; Giraldo, Alejandro; Pikkarainen, Sampsa; Zoumpoulidou, Georgia; Alsafi, Ali; Ekere, Collins; Kemp, Timothy J; Dennis, Jayne L; Game, Laurence; Sugden, Peter H; Clerk, Angela

2008-01-01

Background Endothelin-1 stimulates Gq protein-coupled receptors to promote proliferation in dividing cells or hypertrophy in terminally differentiated cardiomyocytes. In cardiomyocytes, endothelin-1 rapidly (within minutes) stimulates protein kinase signaling, including extracellular-signal regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2; though not ERK5), with phenotypic/physiological changes developing from approximately 12 h. Hypertrophy is associated with changes in mRNA/protein expression, presumably consequent to protein kinase signaling, but the connections between early, transient signaling events and developed hypertrophy are unknown. Results Using microarrays, we defined the early transcriptional responses of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes to endothelin-1 over 4 h, differentiating between immediate early gene (IEG) and second phase RNAs with cycloheximide. IEGs exhibited differential temporal and transient regulation, with expression of second phase RNAs within 1 h. Of transcripts upregulated at 30 minutes encoding established proteins, 28 were inhibited >50% by U0126 (which inhibits ERK1/2/5 signaling), with 9 inhibited 25-50%. Expression of only four transcripts was not inhibited. At 1 h, most RNAs (approximately 67%) were equally changed in total and polysomal RNA with approximately 17% of transcripts increased to a greater extent in polysomes. Thus, changes in expression of most protein-coding RNAs should be reflected in protein synthesis. However, approximately 16% of transcripts were essentially excluded from the polysomes, including some protein-coding mRNAs, presumably inefficiently translated. Conclusion The phasic, temporal regulation of early transcriptional responses induced by endothelin-1 in cardiomyocytes indicates that, even in terminally differentiated cells, signals are propagated beyond the primary signaling pathways through transcriptional networks leading to phenotypic changes (that is, hypertrophy). Furthermore, ERK1/2 signaling plays a major role in

Physical state of the very early Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abe, Yutaka

1993-09-01

The earliest surface environment of the Earth is reconstructed in accordance with the planetary formation theory. Formation of an atmosphere is an inevitable consequence of Earth's formation. The atmosphere near the close of accretion is composed of 200 ˜ 300 bars of H 2 and H 2O, and several tens of bars of CO and CO 2. Either by the blanketing effect of the proto-atmosphere or heating by large planetesimal impacts a magma ocean is formed during accretion. We can distinguish three stages for the thermal evolution of the magma ocean and proto-crust. Stage 0 is characterized by a super-liquidus (or completely molten) regime near the surface. At this stage the surface of the Earth is covered by a super-liquidus magma ocean. No chemical differentiation is expected during this stage. Once the energy flux released by planet formation decreases to the 200 W/m 2 level the super-liquidus magma ocean then disappears within a time interval of 1 m.y. This is the transition from stage 0 to 1. Stage 1 is characterized by a partially molten magma ocean. In the magma ocean consisting of 20 ˜ 30% partial melt, heat transport is controlled by melt-solid separation (a type of compositional convection) rather than thermal convection. Chemical differentiation of the mantle mainly occurs in this stage. Once the energy flux drops to the 160 W/m 2 level, more than 90% of water vapor in the proto-atmosphere condense to form the proto-oceans. Several tens of bars of CO and CO 2 remain in the atmosphere just after formation of the oceans. Water oceans are occasionally evaporated by large impacts. After each such event, recondensation of the ocean takes several hundred years. Although the surface is covered by a chilled proto-crust, it is short-lived because of extensive volcanic resurfacing activity as well as meteorite impacts resurfacing. This stage ends when the energy flux drops to 0.1 ˜ 1 W/m 2 level. The duration time of stage 1 is estimated to be several hundred million years (the

PAR-2-mediated control of barrier function and motility differs between early and late phases of postinfectious gut dysfunction in the rat.

PubMed

Fernández-Blanco, Joan Antoni; Fernández-Blanco, Juan A; Hollenberg, Morley D; Martínez, Vicente; Vergara, Patri

2013-02-15

Proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) and mast cell (MC) mediators contribute to inflammatory and functional gastrointestinal disorders. We aimed to characterize jejunal PAR-2-mediated responses and the potential MC involvement in the early and late phases of a rat model of postinfectious gut dysfunction. Jejunal tissues of control and Trichinella spiralis-infected (14 and 30 days postinfection) rats, treated or not with the MC stabilizer, ketotifen, were used. Histopathology and immunostaining were used to characterize inflammation, PAR-2 expression, and mucosal and connective tissue MCs. Epithelial barrier function (hydroelectrolytic transport and permeability) and motility were assessed in vitro in basal conditions and after PAR-2 activation. Intestinal inflammation on day 14 postinfection (early phase) was significantly resolved by day 30 (late phase) although MC counts and epithelial permeability remained increased. PAR-2-mediated ion transport (Ussing chambers, in vitro) and epithelial surface PAR-2 expression were reduced in the early phase, with a trend toward normalization during the late phase. In control conditions, PAR-2 activation (organ bath) induced biphasic motor responses (relaxation followed by excitation). At 14 days postinfection, spontaneous contractility and PAR-2-mediated relaxations were enhanced; motor responses were normalized on day 30. Postinfectious changes in PAR-2 functions were not affected by ketotifen treatment. We concluded that, in the rat model of Trichinella spiralis infection, alterations of intestinal PAR-2 function and expression depend on the inflammatory phase considered. A lack of a ketotifen effect suggests no interplay between MCs and PAR-2-mediated motility and ion transport alterations. These observations question the role of MC mediators in PAR-2-modulating postinfectious gut dysfunction.

Phase equilibria in the UO 2-PuO 2 system under a temperature gradient

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kleykamp, Heiko

2001-04-01

The phase behaviour of U 0.80Pu 0.20O 1.95 was investigated under a steady-state temperature gradient between the solidus and liquidus by a short-time power-to-melt irradiation experiment. The radial U, Pu, Am and O profiles in the fuel pin after redistribution were measured by X-ray microanalysis. During irradiation, an inner fuel melt forms which is separated from the outer solid only by one concentric liquid-solid-phase boundary. The UO 2 concentration increases to 85% and the PuO 2 concentration decreases to 15% on the solid side of the interface. Opposite gradients occur on the liquid side of the interface. The concentration discontinuity is a consequence of the necessary equality of the chemical potentials of UO 2 and PuO 2 on both sides of the phase boundary which corresponds to a 2750°C isotherm. The radial oxygen profile results in an O/(U + Pu) ratio of 2.00 at the fuel surface and 1.92 at the central void of the fuel. The redistribution is caused by the thermal diffusion of oxygen vacancies in the lattice along the temperature gradient. This process is quantified by the heat of transport Q*v which ranges between -10 kJ/mol at the central void and about -230 kJ/mol near the fuel surface.

Cognitive effects of bilateral high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in early phase psychosis: a pilot study.

PubMed

Francis, Michael M; Hummer, Tom A; Vohs, Jenifer L; Yung, Matthew G; Visco, Andrew C; Mehdiyoun, Nikki F; Kulig, Teresa C; Um, Miji; Yang, Ziyi; Motamed, Mehrdad; Liffick, Emily; Zhang, Ying; Breier, Alan

2018-05-31

Cognitive dysfunction is a core facet of schizophrenia that is present early in the course of the illness and contributes to diminished functioning and outcomes. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a relatively new neuropsychiatric intervention. Initially used in treatment resistant depression, investigators are now studying rTMS for other psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia. In this study we examined the effect of high frequency rTMS on cognitive function in a group of individuals with early phase psychosis. Twenty subjects were randomized (1:1) in double-blind fashion to rTMS or sham condition. Over two weeks subjects underwent ten sessions of high frequency, bilateral, sequential rTMS targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Prior to beginning and following completion of study treatment, subjects completed a cognitive assessment and magnetic resonance imaging. Subjects receiving rTMS, compared to sham treatment, displayed improvement on a standardized cognitive battery both immediately following the course of study treatment and at follow-up two weeks later. Imaging results revealed that left frontal cortical thickness at baseline was correlated with treatment response. The study treatment was found to be safe and well tolerated. These results suggest that rTMS may hold promise for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction in the early phase of psychosis, and that MRI may provide biomarkers predicting response to the treatment.

High alumina (HA) and very high potassium (VHK) basalt clasts from Apollo 14 breccias. I - Mineralogy and Petrology - Evidence of crystallization from evolving magmas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neal, C. R.; Taylor, L. A.; Patchen, A. D.

1989-01-01

The mineralogy and petrography of very high potassium (VHK) and high alumina (HA) basalts from the Apollo 14 site provide an insight into their magmatic evolution. Generally, their parageneses are similar, with olivine and chromite the early liquidus phases, followed by plagioclase and pyroxene, which crystallized together. Although late-stage ilmenite and FeNi metal occur in both VHK and HA samples, the VHKs also crystallize K-feldspar and Fa-rich olivine. Zoning of constituent minerals is similar for both basalt types, demonstrating that the parental magmas for both HA and VHK basalts became enriched in K, Na, Ca, Fe, and Ti and depleted in Mg and Al as crystallization proceeded. Enrichment of K in the VHK basalts is above that expected from normal fractional crystallization.

Decrease in early right alpha band phase synchronization and late gamma band oscillations in processing syntax in music.

PubMed

Ruiz, María Herrojo; Koelsch, Stefan; Bhattacharya, Joydeep

2009-04-01

The present study investigated the neural correlates associated with the processing of music-syntactical irregularities as compared with regular syntactic structures in music. Previous studies reported an early ( approximately 200 ms) right anterior negative component (ERAN) by traditional event-related-potential analysis during music-syntactical irregularities, yet little is known about the underlying oscillatory and synchronization properties of brain responses which are supposed to play a crucial role in general cognition including music perception. First we showed that the ERAN was primarily represented by low frequency (<8 Hz) brain oscillations. Further, we found that music-syntactical irregularities as compared with music-syntactical regularities, were associated with (i) an early decrease in the alpha band (9-10 Hz) phase synchronization between right fronto-central and left temporal brain regions, and (ii) a late ( approximately 500 ms) decrease in gamma band (38-50 Hz) oscillations over fronto-central brain regions. These results indicate a weaker degree of long-range integration when the musical expectancy is violated. In summary, our results reveal neural mechanisms of music-syntactic processing that operate at different levels of cortical integration, ranging from early decrease in long-range alpha phase synchronization to late local gamma oscillations. 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Internal Dose from Food and Drink Ingestion in the Early Phase after the Accident

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawai, Masaki; Yoshizawa, Nobuaki; Hirakawa, Sachiko; Murakami, Kana; Takizawa, Mari; Sato, Osamu; Takagi, Shunji; Miyatake, Hirokazu; Takahashi, Tomoyuki; Suzuki, Gen

2017-09-01

Activity concentrations in food and drink, represented by water and vegetables, have been monitored continuously since the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, with a focus on radioactive cesium. On the other hand, iodine-131 was not measured systematically in the early phase after the accident. The activity concentrations of iodine-131 in food and drink are important to estimate internal exposure due to ingestion pathway. When the internal dose from ingestion in the evacuation areas is estimated, water is considered as the main ingestion pathway. In this study, we estimated the values of activity concentrations in water in the early phase after the accident, using a compartment model as an estimation method. The model uses measurement values of activity concentration and deposition rate of iodine-131 onto the ground, which is calculated from an atmospheric dispersion simulation. The model considers how drinking water would be affected by radionuclides deposited into water. We estimated the activity concentrations of water on Kawamata town and Minamisouma city during March of 2011 and the committed effective doses were 0.08 mSv and 0.06 mSv. We calculated the transfer parameters in the model for estimating the activity concentrations in the areas with a small amount of measurement data. In addition, we estimated the committed effective doses from vegetables using atmospheric dispersion simulation and FARMLAND model in case of eating certain vegetables as option information.

Masks as Self-Study. Challenging and Sustaining Teachers' Personal and Professional Personae in Early-Mid Career Life Phases

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leitch, Ruth

2010-01-01

Drawing on previous research identifying how teachers' capacities to sustain their effectiveness in different phases of their professional lives are affected positively and/or negatively by their sense of identity, this paper illuminates three early-mid career teachers' self-study inquiries, centring on mask work. The creative development of…

Differential role of afferent and efferent renal nerves in the maintenance of early- and late-phase Dahl S hypertension

PubMed Central

Foss, Jason D.; Fink, Gregory D.

2015-01-01

Clinical data suggest that renal denervation (RDNX) may be an effective treatment for human hypertension; however, it is unclear whether this therapeutic effect is due to ablation of afferent or efferent renal nerves. We have previously shown that RDNX lowers arterial pressure in hypertensive Dahl salt-sensitive (S) rats to a similar degree observed in clinical trials. In addition, we have recently developed a method for selective ablation of afferent renal nerves (renal-CAP). In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the antihypertensive effect of RDNX in the Dahl S rat is due to ablation of afferent renal nerves by comparing the effect of complete RDNX to renal-CAP during two phases of hypertension in the Dahl S rat. In the early phase, rats underwent treatment after 3 wk of high-NaCl feeding when mean arterial pressure (MAP) was ∼140 mmHg. In the late phase, rats underwent treatment after 9 wk of high NaCl feeding, when MAP was ∼170 mmHg. RDNX reduced MAP ∼10 mmHg compared with sham surgery in both the early and late phase, whereas renal-CAP had no antihypertensive effect. These results suggest that, in the Dahl S rat, the antihypertensive effect of RDNX is not dependent on pretreatment arterial pressure, nor is it due to ablation of afferent renal nerves. PMID:26661098

Relationship between ADAMTS13 activity, von Willebrand factor antigen levels and platelet function in the early and late phases after TIA or ischaemic stroke.

PubMed

McCabe, Dominick J H; Murphy, Stephen J X; Starke, Richard; Harrison, Paul; Brown, Martin M; Sidhu, Paul S; Mackie, Ian J; Scully, Marie; Machin, Samuel J

2015-01-15

Reduced ADAMTS13 activity is seen in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), and may lead to accumulation of prothrombotic ultra-large von Willebrand factor (ULVWF) multimers in vivo. ADAMTS13 activity and its relationship with VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) levels and platelet function in 'non-TTP related' TIA or ischaemic stroke has not been comprehensively studied. In this prospective pilot observational analytical case-control study, ADAMTS13 activity and VWF:Ag levels were quantified in platelet poor plasma in 53 patients in the early phase (≤ 4 weeks) and 34 of these patients in the late phase (≥ 3 months) after TIA or ischaemic stroke on aspirin. Data were compared with those from 22 controls not on aspirin. The impact of ADAMTS13 on platelet function in whole blood was quantified by measuring Collagen-ADP (C-ADP) and Collagen-Epinephrine closure times on a platelet function analyser (PFA-100(®)). Median ADAMTS13 activity was significantly reduced in the early phase (71.96% vs. 95.5%, P <0.01) but not in the late phase after TIA or stroke compared with controls (86.3% vs. 95.5%, P=0.19). There was a significant inverse relationship between ADAMTS13 activity and VWF:Ag levels in the early phase (r=-0.31; P=0.024), but not in the late phase after TIA or stroke (P=0.74). There was a positive correlation between ADAMTS13 activity and C-ADP closure times in early phase patients only, likely mediated via VWF:Ag levels. ADAMTS13 activity is reduced and VWF:Ag expression is increased within 4 weeks of TIA or ischaemic stroke onset, and can promote enhanced platelet adhesion and aggregation in response to stimulation with collagen and ADP via VWF-mediated pathways. These data improve our understanding of the dynamic haemostatic and thrombotic profiles of ischaemic cerebrovascular disease (CVD) patients, and are important in view of the potential future role that ADAMTS13 may have to play as an anti-thrombotic agent in CVD. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights

Experimental Determination of the Phase Diagram of the CaO-SiO2-5 pctMgO-10 pctAl2O3-TiO2 System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Junjie; Sun, Lifeng; Zhang, Bo; Liu, Xuqiang; Qiu, Jiyu; Wang, Zhaoyun; Jiang, Maofa

2016-02-01

Ti-bearing CaO-SiO2-MgO-Al2O3-TiO2 slags are important for the smelting of vanadium-titanium bearing magnetite. In the current study, the pseudo-melting temperatures were determined by the single-hot thermocouple technique for the specified content of 5 to 25 pct TiO2 in the CaO-SiO2-5 pctMgO-10 pctAl2O3-TiO2 phase diagram system. The 1573 K to 1773 K (1300 °C to 1500 °C) liquidus lines were first calculated based on the pseudo-melting temperatures according to thermodynamic equations in the specific primary crystal field. The phase equilibria at 1573 K (1300 °C) were determined experimentally using the high-temperature equilibrium and quench method followed by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope analysis; the liquid phase, melilite solid solution phase (C2MS2,C2AS)ss, and perovskite phase of CaO·TiO2 were found. Therefore, the phase diagram was constructed for the specified region of the CaO-SiO2-5 pctMgO-10 pctAl2O3-TiO2 system.

The Impact of Early Design Phase Risk Identification Biases on Space System Project Performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reeves, John D., Jr.; Eveleigh, Tim; Holzer, Thomas; Sarkani, Shahryar

2012-01-01

Risk identification during the early design phases of complex systems is commonly implemented but often fails to result in the identification of events and circumstances that truly challenge project performance. Inefficiencies in cost and schedule estimation are usually held accountable for cost and schedule overruns, but the true root cause is often the realization of programmatic risks. A deeper understanding of frequent risk identification trends and biases pervasive during space system design and development is needed, for it would lead to improved execution of existing identification processes and methods.

The Preparation and Characterization of INTEC HAW Phase I Composition Variation Study Glasses

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

Musick, C. A.; Peeler, D. K.; Piepel, G. F.

1999-03-01

A glass composition variation study (CVS) is in progress to define formulations for the vitrification of high activity waste (HAW) proposed to be separated from dissolved calcine stored at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). Estimates of calcine and HAW compositions prepared in FY97 were used to define test matrix glasses. The HAW composition is of particular interest because high aluminum, zirconium, phosphorous and potassium, and low iron and sodium content places it outside the realm of vitrification experience in the Department of Energy (DOE) complex. Through application of statistical techniques, a test matrix was defined for Phasemore » 1 of the CVS. From this matrix, formulations were systematically selected for preparation and characterization with respect to homogeneity, viscosity, liquidus temperature (TL), and leaching response when subjected to the Product Consistency Test (PCT). Based on the properties determined, certain formulations appear suitable for further development including use in planning Phase 2 of the study. It is recommended that glasses to be investigated in Phase 2 be limited to 3-5 wt % phosphate. The results of characterizing the Phase 1 glasses are presented in this document. A full analysis of the composition-property relationships of glasses being developed for immobilizing HAWs will be performing at the completion of CVS phases. This analysis will be needed for the optimization of the glass formulations of vitrifying HAW. Contributions were made to this document by personnel working at the INEEL, Pacific Northwest National Laboratories (PNNL), and the Savannah River Technology Center (SRTC).« less

[Spiral CT of the head-neck area: the advantages of the early arterial phase in the detection of squamous-cell carcinomas].

PubMed

Conrad, R; Pauleit, D; Layer, G; Kandyba, J; Kohlbecher, R; Hortling, N; Baselides, P; Schild, H

1999-07-01

To determine if scanning in the arterial phase improves detection of squamous cell carcinomas in the pharynx and larynx. In a prospective clinical study 20 patients with a pharyngeal or laryngeal carcinoma were examined with by spiral CT. 80 ml lopromid were intravenously injected as a bolus with a rate of 3 ml/sec. Two consecutive spiral CT scans were performed with start-delay times of 20 and 70 seconds respectively. Delineation and contrast enhancement of tumours, cervical lymph nodes and vessels were evaluated. The radiodensities (HU) of tumors, lymph nodes vessels, pharyngeal wall and muscle were measured. Comparing early and late start delay time scans tumor assessment in the early phase was better in 58%, less in 16% and equal in both scans in 26%. 82% of the pathologic lymph nodes had more peripheral enhancement than surrounding muscle tissue. During the arterial phase the measured radiodensities of the common carotid artery and jugular vein were significantly higher than in the second phase. Contrast-enhanced special CT permits accurate morphologic assessment (size, infiltration) of pharyngeal and supraglottic laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, while pathologic lymph nodes already have a sufficient contrast enhancement for the detection.

Effect of Impurities on the Freezing Point of Zinc

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Jianping; Rudtsch, Steffen; Niu, Yalu; Zhang, Lin; Wang, Wei; Den, Xiaolong

2017-03-01

The knowledge of the liquidus slope of impurities in fixed-point metal defined by the International Temperature Scale of 1990 is important for the estimation of uncertainties and correction of fixed point with the sum of individual estimates method. Great attentions are paid to the effect of ultra-trace impurities on the freezing point of zinc in the National Institute of Metrology. In the present work, the liquidus slopes of Ga-Zn, Ge-Zn were measured with the slim fixed-point cell developed through the doping experiments, and the temperature characteristics of the phase diagram of Fe-Zn were furthermore investigated. A quasi-adiabatic Zn fixed-point cell was developed with the thermometer well surrounded by the crucible with the pure metal, and the temperature uniformity of less than 20 mK in the region where the metal is located was obtained. The previous doping experiment of Pb-Zn with slim fixed-point cell was checked with quasi-adiabatic Zn fixed-point cell, and the result supports the previous liquidus slope measured with the traditional fixed-point realization.

Acute lipophilicity-dependent effect of intravascular simvastatin in the early phase of focal cerebral ischemia.

PubMed

Beretta, S; Pastori, C; Sala, G; Piazza, F; Ferrarese, C; Cattalini, A; de Curtis, M; Librizzi, L

2011-05-01

The acute effects of simvastatin lactone (lipophilic) and simvastatin acid (hydrophilic) on transient focal ischemia were assessed using the isolated guinea pig brain maintained in vitro by arterial perfusion. This new model of cerebral ischemia allows the assessment of the very early phase of the ischemic process, with the functional preservation of the vascular and neuronal compartments and the blood-brain barrier (bbb). The middle cerebral artery was transiently tied for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 60 min. Statins (nanomolar doses) were administered by intravascular continuous infusion starting 60 min before ischemia induction. Brain cortical activity and arterial vascular tone were continuously recorded. At the end of the experiment immunoreactivity for microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2), expression of survival kinases (ERK and Akt) and total anti-oxidant capacity were assayed. Brains treated with simvastatin lactone showed i) reduced amplitude and delayed onset of ischemic depressions, ii) preservation of MAP-2 immunoreactivity, iii) activation of ERK signaling in the ischemic hemisphere and iv) increase in whole-brain anti-oxidant capacity. Treatment with the bbb-impermeable simvastatin acid was ineffective on the above-mentioned parameters. Vascular resistance recordings and Akt signaling were unchanged by any statin treatment. Our findings suggest that intravascular-delivered simvastatin exerts an acute lipophilicity-dependent protective effect in the early phase of cerebral ischemia. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Predicting major element mineral/melt equilibria - A statistical approach

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hostetler, C. J.; Drake, M. J.

1980-01-01

Empirical equations have been developed for calculating the mole fractions of NaO0.5, MgO, AlO1.5, SiO2, KO0.5, CaO, TiO2, and FeO in a solid phase of initially unknown identity given only the composition of the coexisting silicate melt. The approach involves a linear multivariate regression analysis in which solid composition is expressed as a Taylor series expansion of the liquid compositions. An internally consistent precision of approximately 0.94 is obtained, that is, the nature of the liquidus phase in the input data set can be correctly predicted for approximately 94% of the entries. The composition of the liquidus phase may be calculated to better than 5 mol % absolute. An important feature of this 'generalized solid' model is its reversibility; that is, the dependent and independent variables in the linear multivariate regression may be inverted to permit prediction of the composition of a silicate liquid produced by equilibrium partial melting of a polymineralic source assemblage.

Early cytokine modulation after the rapid induction phase of sublingual immunotherapy with mite monomeric allergoids.

PubMed

Di Gioacchino, M; Perrone, A; Petrarca, C; Di Claudio, F; Mistrello, G; Falagiani, P; Dadorante, V; Verna, N; Braga, M; Ballone, E; Cavallucci, E

2008-01-01

The influence of different treatment schedules of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in activating IL-10-producing T-cells, crucial in inducing allergen-specific tolerance, is not completely understood. The present work was designed to evaluate allergen driven interleukin release by mononuclear cells in the early phase of SLIT, after application of different induction schemes. Twenty mite-allergic patients were enrolled, 10 (group A) treated with a traditional 98 day induction scheme and 10 (group B) with a 16 day scheme with monomeric allergoid vaccine. At the end of the induction phase, the cumulative doses taken by group A and group B patients were equivalent to 50.5 and 50.3 microg of mite group 1 allergens, respectively. The release of Th1-, Th2- and Treg-related interleukins was assessed in culture supernatants of 5 microg/ml Der-p1-stimulated mononuclear cells, isolated before and after the induction phases. No relevant treatment-related side effects were observed. Interleukin release was similar in the two groups at the enrolment. Non-stimulated and Der p 1 stimulated release of studied cytokines was similar in the two groups at enrolment. Der p 1 stimulation significantly increased IL-10 release (p<0.0002) after treatment in group B patients, and this effect was higher (p=0.05) compared to group A patients. Furthermore, at the end of SLIT induction TNF-alpha, IL-4 and IFN-gamma production were reduced in group B patients (p<0.05, p=0.062 and p=0.060, respectively). The rapid induction scheme of sublingual immunotherapy induces an early immune suppression more effectively than the slower one. The rapid induction scheme should be the preferential way to start sublingual immunotherapy, particularly when monomeric allergoids are utilized.

Inhibition of Late and Early Phases of Cancer Metastasis by the NF-κB Inhibitor DHMEQ Derived from Microbial Bioactive Metabolite Epoxyquinomicin: A Review.

PubMed

Lin, Yinzhi; Ukaji, Tamami; Koide, Naoki; Umezawa, Kazuo

2018-03-03

We previously designed and synthesized dehydroxyepoxyquinomicin (DHMEQ) as an inhibitor of NF-κB based on the structure of microbial secondary metabolite epoxyquinomicin C. DHMEQ showed anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity in various in vivo disease models without toxicity. On the other hand, the process of cancer metastasis consists of cell detachment from the primary tumor, invasion, transportation by blood or lymphatic vessels, invasion, attachment, and formation of secondary tumor. Cell detachment from the primary tumor and subsequent invasion are considered to be early phases of metastasis, while tumor cell attachment to the tissue and secondary tumor formation the late phases. The assay system for the latter phase was set up with intra-portal-vein injection of pancreatic cancer cells. Intraperitoneal administration of DHMEQ was found to inhibit liver metastasis possibly by decreasing the expression of MMP-9 and IL-8. Also, when the pancreatic cancer cells treated with DHMEQ were inoculated into the peritoneal cavity of mice, the metastatic foci formation was inhibited. These results indicate that DHMEQ is likely to inhibit the late phase of metastasis. Meanwhile, we have recently employed three-dimensional (3D) culture of breast cancer cells for the model of early phase metastasis, since the 3D invasion just includes cell detachment and invasion into the matrix. DHMEQ inhibited the 3D invasion of breast cancer cells at 3D-nontoxic concentrations. In this way, DHMEQ was shown to inhibit the late and early phases of metastasis. Thus, DHMEQ is likely to be useful for the suppression of cancer metastasis.

F247. INTERNALIZED STIGMA HAS A STRONGER RELATIONSHIP WITH INTRINSIC MOTIVATION COMPARED TO AMOTIVATION IN EARLY PHASE AND PROLONGED SCHIZOPHRENIA

PubMed Central

Firmin, Ruth; Luther, Lauren; Lysaker, Paul; Vohs, Jennifer

2018-01-01

Abstract Background Motivation deficits predict decreased functioning in schizophrenia. Recent work suggests deficits reflect challenges in separate domains: intrinsic motivation (one’s internal drive to engage in a behavior out of enjoyment or interest) and amotivation (one’s broader decrease in motivated behavior linked to avolition and anhedonia). Internalized stigma is another determinant of functioning for people with schizophrenia that may impact motivation. However, little is known about these relationships, including which aspects of motivation it may impact nor when these links emerge. Identifying the link between these constructs may help to identify whether internalized stigma may be a novel treatment target to facilitate improvements in motivation. Methods Forty adults with early phase schizophrenia and 66 adults with prolonged schizophrenia completed measures of internalized stigma, intrinsic motivation, and amotivation. Pearson’s correlations were examined followed by Fischer’s r-to-z transformations to compare differences in the magnitude of associations between internalized stigma and intrinsic motivation and internalized stigma and amotivation among the first episode and prolonged samples. Next, we conducted stepwise regressions to examine whether internalized stigma was associated with intrinsic motivation above and beyond associations with amotivation in each sample. Results In the early phase sample, the association between internalized stigma was greater with intrinsic motivation (r=-0.48, p=.00) compared to amotivation (r=0.27, p=0.10). Associations with internalized stigma in the prolonged sample were also greater with intrinsic motivation (r=-0.30, p=0.02) versus amotivation (r=0.19, p=0.12). The magnitude of the associations between internalized stigma and intrinsic motivation (z=1.03, p=0.15) and between internalized stigma and amotivation (z=0.41, p = 0.34) did not significantly differ when comparing phase of illness. Regression

New Experimental Constraints on Crystallization Differentiation in a Deep Magma Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walter, M. J.; Ito, E.; Nakamura, E.; Tronnes, R.; Frost, D.

2001-12-01

Most of Earth's mass probably accreted as a consequence of numerous impacts between large bodies and proto-Earth, and a giant impact with a Mars-sized object is the most plausible explanation for a Moon forming event. 1 Physical models show that large impacts would have caused high-degrees of melting and a global magma ocean. 2 Crystallization differentiation in a deep magma ocean could impart stratification in the solidified mantle, forming large geochemical domains. To accurately model crystallization in a deep magma ocean the liquidus phase-relations of peridotite, as well as mineral/melt element partitioning, must be known at lower mantle conditions. Here, we report the results of liquidus experiments on fertile model peridotite compositions at 23 - 33 GPa. Experiments were performed in 6/8-type multi-anvil apparatus using carbide and sintered-diamond second-stage anvils with 4 and 2 mm truncations, respectively. Samples were encapsulated by either graphite or Re. High-temperatures were generated using LaCrO3 or Re furnaces, and temperatures were held from 2 to 50 minutes at 2300 - 2500 C. Run products were analyzed for major and trace elements using EPMA and SIMS. At 23 GPa the liquidus phase is majorite, followed closely down temperature by ferropericlase (Fp) and Mg-perovskite (Mg-Pv). At 24 GPa the liquidus phase has changed to Fp, followed closely by majorite and Mg-Pv. Ca-perovskite (Ca-Pv) is present only at much lower temperatures close to the solidus. At approximately 31 GPa Mg-Pv is the liquidus phase followed down-temperature by Fp then Ca-Pv. At ~ 33 GPa Ca-Pv crystallizes closer to the liquidus, within about 50 C, at a similar temperature to Fp. Thus, important phases crystallizing in a deep magma ocean are Mg-Pv, Ca-Pv and Fp. Crystallization models based on major element partitioning show that only very modest amounts of crystal separation of a Mg-Pv + Fp assemblage can be tolerated before Ca/Al, Al/Ti and Ca/Ti ratios become unrealistic for

Studies of high temperature ternary phases in mixed-metal-rich early transition metal sulfide and phosphide systems

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

Marking, Gregory Allen

1994-01-04

Investigations of ternary mixed early transition metal-rich sulfide and phosphide systems resulted in the discovery of new structures and new phases. A new series of Zr and Hf - group V transition metal - sulfur K-phases was synthesized and crystallographically characterized. When the group V transition metal was Nb or Ta, the unit cell volume was larger than any previously reported K-phase. The presence of adventitious oxygen was determined in two K-phases through a combination of neutron scattering and X-ray diffraction experiments. A compound Hf 10Ta 3S 3 was found to crystallize in a new-structure type similar to the knownmore » gamma brasses. This structure is unique in that it is the only reported "stuffed" gamma-brass type structure. The metal components, Hf and Ta, are larger in size and more electropositive than the metals found in normal gamma brasses (e.g. Cu and Zn) and because of the larger metallic radii, sulfur can be incorporated into the structure where it plays an integral role in stabilizing this phase relative to others. X-ray single-crystal, X-ray powder and neutron powder refinements were performed on this structure. A new structure was found in the ternary Nb-Zr-P system which has characteristics in common with many known early transition metal-rich sulfides, selenides, and phosphides. This structure has the simplest known interconnection of the basic building blocks known for this structural class. Anomalous scattering was a powerful tool for differentiating between Zr and Nb when using Mo Kα X-radiation. The compounds ZrNbP and HfNbP formed in the space group Prima with the simple Co 2Si structure which is among the most common structures found for crystalline solid materials. Solid solution compounds in the Ta-Nb-P, Ta-Zr-P, Nb-Zr-P, Hf-Nb-P, and Hf-Zr-S systems were crystallographically characterized. The structural information corroborated ideas about bonding in metal-rich compounds.« less

7T T₂*-weighted magnetic resonance imaging reveals cortical phase differences between early- and late-onset Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

van Rooden, Sanneke; Doan, Nhat Trung; Versluis, Maarten J; Goos, Jeroen D C; Webb, Andrew G; Oleksik, Ania M; van der Flier, Wiesje M; Scheltens, Philip; Barkhof, Frederik; Weverling-Rynsburger, Annelies W E; Blauw, Gerard Jan; Reiber, Johan H C; van Buchem, Mark A; Milles, Julien; van der Grond, Jeroen

2015-01-01

The aim of this study is to explore regional iron-related differences in the cerebral cortex, indicative of Alzheimer's disease pathology, between early- and late-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD, LOAD, respectively) patients using 7T magnetic resonance phase images. High-resolution T2(∗)-weighted scans were acquired in 12 EOAD patients and 17 LOAD patients with mild to moderate disease and 27 healthy elderly control subjects. Lobar peak-to-peak phase shifts and regional mean phase contrasts were computed. An increased peak-to-peak phase shift was found for all lobar regions in EOAD patients compared with LOAD patients (p < 0.05). Regional mean phase contrast in EOAD patients was higher than in LOAD patients in the superior medial and middle frontal gyrus, anterior and middle cingulate gyrus, postcentral gyrus, superior and inferior parietal gyrus, and precuneus (p ≤ 0.042). These data suggest that EOAD patients have an increased iron accumulation, possibly related to an increased amyloid deposition, in specific cortical regions as compared with LOAD patients. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Early stages of styrene-isoprene copolymerization in gas phase clusters probed by resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization.

PubMed

Mahmoud, Hatem; Germanenko, Igor N; El-Shall, M Samy

2006-04-06

We present direct evidence for the formation of the covalent bonded styrene (isoprene)(2) oligomer and the isoprene dimer ions following resonance ionization of the gas phase styrene-isoprene binary clusters. The application of resonance ionization to study polymerization reactions in clusters provides new information on the structure and mechanism of formation of the early stages of polymerization and holds considerable promise for the discovery of new initiation mechanisms and for the development of novel materials with unique properties.

Early Origins of Child Obesity: Bridging Disciplines and Phases of Development - September 30–October 1, 2010

PubMed Central

Christoffel, Katherine Kaufer; Wang, Xiaobin; Binns, Helen J.

2012-01-01

This report summarizes a conference: “Early Origins of Child Obesity: Bridging Disciplines and Phases of Development”, held in Chicago on September 30–October 1, 2010. The conference was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health and the Williams Heart Foundation, to achieve the conference objective: forging a next-step research agenda related to the early origins of childhood obesity. This research agenda was to include working with an array of factors (from genetic determinants to societal ones) along a continuum from prenatal life to age 7, with an emphasis on how the developing child deals with the challenges presented by his/her environment (prenatal, parental, nutritional, etc.). The conference offered a unique opportunity to facilitate communication and planning of future work among a variety of researchers whose work separately addresses different periods in early life. Over the span of two days, speakers addressed existing, critical research topics within each of the most-studied age ranges. On the final day, workshops fostered the discussion needed to identify the highest priority research topics related to linking varied early factor domains. These are presented for use in planning future research and research funding. PMID:23443002

Historical time to disease progression and progression-free survival in patients with recurrent/refractory neuroblastoma treated in the modern era on Children's Oncology Group early-phase trials.

PubMed

London, Wendy B; Bagatell, Rochelle; Weigel, Brenda J; Fox, Elizabeth; Guo, Dongjing; Van Ryn, Collin; Naranjo, Arlene; Park, Julie R

2017-12-15

Early-phase trials in patients with recurrent neuroblastoma historically used an objective "response" of measureable disease (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors [RECIST], without bone/bone marrow assessment) to select agents for further study. Historical cohorts may be small and potentially biased; to the authors' knowledge, disease recurrence studies from international registries are outdated. Using a large recent cohort of patients with recurrent/refractory neuroblastoma from Children's Oncology Group (COG) modern-era early-phase trials, the authors determined outcome and quantified parameters for designing future studies. The first early-phase COG trial enrollment (sequential) of 383 distinct patients with recurrent/refractory neuroblastoma on 23 phase 1, 3 phase 1/2, and 9 phase 2 trials (August 2002 to January 2014) was analyzed for progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and time to disease progression (TTP). Planned frontline therapy for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma included hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (approximately two-thirds of patients underwent ≥1 hematopoietic stem cell transplantation); 13.2% of patients received dinutuximab. From the time of the patient's first early-phase trial enrollment (383 patients), the 1-year and 4-year PFS rates ( ± standard error) were 21% ± 2% and 6% ± 1%, respectively, whereas the 1-year and 4-year OS rates were 57% ± 3% and 20% ± 2%, respectively. The median TTP was 58 days (interquartile range, 31-183 days [350 patients]); the median follow-up was 25.3 months (33 patients were found to be without disease recurrence/progression). The median time from diagnosis to first disease recurrence/progression was 18.7 months (range, 1.4-64.8 months) (176 patients). MYCN amplification and 11q loss of heterozygosity were prognostic of worse PFS and OS (P = .003 and P<.0001, respectively, and P = .02 and P = .03, respectively) after early-phase trial

Review of hardware cost estimation methods, models and tools applied to early phases of space mission planning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trivailo, O.; Sippel, M.; Şekercioğlu, Y. A.

2012-08-01

The primary purpose of this paper is to review currently existing cost estimation methods, models, tools and resources applicable to the space sector. While key space sector methods are outlined, a specific focus is placed on hardware cost estimation on a system level, particularly for early mission phases during which specifications and requirements are not yet crystallised, and information is limited. For the space industry, cost engineering within the systems engineering framework is an integral discipline. The cost of any space program now constitutes a stringent design criterion, which must be considered and carefully controlled during the entire program life cycle. A first step to any program budget is a representative cost estimate which usually hinges on a particular estimation approach, or methodology. Therefore appropriate selection of specific cost models, methods and tools is paramount, a difficult task given the highly variable nature, scope as well as scientific and technical requirements applicable to each program. Numerous methods, models and tools exist. However new ways are needed to address very early, pre-Phase 0 cost estimation during the initial program research and establishment phase when system specifications are limited, but the available research budget needs to be established and defined. Due to their specificity, for vehicles such as reusable launchers with a manned capability, a lack of historical data implies that using either the classic heuristic approach such as parametric cost estimation based on underlying CERs, or the analogy approach, is therefore, by definition, limited. This review identifies prominent cost estimation models applied to the space sector, and their underlying cost driving parameters and factors. Strengths, weaknesses, and suitability to specific mission types and classes are also highlighted. Current approaches which strategically amalgamate various cost estimation strategies both for formulation and validation

Evaporation in the young solar nebula as the origin of 'just-right' melting of chondrules

PubMed

Cohen; Hewins; Yu

2000-08-10

Chondrules are millimetre-sized, solidified melt spherules formed in the solar nebula by an early widespread heating event of uncertain nature. They were accreted into chondritic asteroids, which formed about 4.56 billion years ago and have not experienced melting or differentiation since that time. Chondrules have diverse chemical compositions, corresponding to liquidus temperatures in the range 1,350-1,800 degrees C. Most chondrules, however, show porphyritic textures (consisting of large crystals in a distinctly finer grained or glassy matrix), indicative of melting within the narrow range 0-50 degrees C below the liquidus. This suggests an unusual heating mechanism for chondrule precursors, which would raise each individual chondrule to just the right temperature (particular to individual bulk composition) in order to form porphyritic textures. Here we report the results of isothermal melting of a chondritic composition at nebular pressures. Our results suggest that evaporation stabilizes porphyritic textures over a wider range of temperatures below the liquidus (about 200 degrees C) than previously believed, thus removing the need for individual chondrule temperature buffering. In addition, we show that evaporation explains many chondrule bulk and mineral compositions that have hitherto been difficult to understand.

S-phase Synchronization Facilitates the Early Progression of Induced-Cardiomyocyte Reprogramming through Enhanced Cell-Cycle Exit.

PubMed

Bektik, Emre; Dennis, Adrienne; Pawlowski, Gary; Zhou, Chen; Maleski, Danielle; Takahashi, Satoru; Laurita, Kenneth R; Deschênes, Isabelle; Fu, Ji-Dong

2018-05-04

Direct reprogramming of fibroblasts into induced cardiomyocytes (iCMs) holds a great promise for regenerative medicine and has been studied in several major directions. However, cell-cycle regulation, a fundamental biological process, has not been investigated during iCM-reprogramming. Here, our time-lapse imaging on iCMs, reprogrammed by Gata4, Mef2c, and Tbx5 (GMT) monocistronic retroviruses, revealed that iCM-reprogramming was majorly initiated at late-G1- or S-phase and nearly half of GMT-reprogrammed iCMs divided soon after reprogramming. iCMs exited cell cycle along the process of reprogramming with decreased percentage of 5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine (EdU)⁺/α-myosin heavy chain (αMHC)-GFP⁺ cells. S-phase synchronization post-GMT-infection could enhance cell-cycle exit of reprogrammed iCMs and yield more GFP high iCMs, which achieved an advanced reprogramming with more expression of cardiac genes than GFP low cells. However, S-phase synchronization did not enhance the reprogramming with a polycistronic-viral vector, in which cell-cycle exit had been accelerated. In conclusion, post-infection synchronization of S-phase facilitated the early progression of GMT-reprogramming through a mechanism of enhanced cell-cycle exit.

Phase equilibria and geochemical constraints on the petrogenesis of high-Ti picrite from the Paleogene East Greenland flood basalt province

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yi-Shen; Hou, Tong; Veksler, Ilya V.; Lesher, Charles E.; Namur, Olivier

2018-02-01

Phase equilibrium experiments have been performed on an extremely high-Ti (5.4 wt.% TiO2) picrite from the base of the Paleogene ( 55 Ma) East Greenland Flood Basalt Province. This sample has a high CaO/Al2O3 ratio (1.14), a steep rare-earth elements (REE) profile, is enriched in incompatible trace elements, and is in chemical equilibrium with highly primitive olivine. This all suggests that the picrite is a near-primary melt that did not suffer major chemical evolution during ascent from the mantle source and through the crust. Near-liquidus phase relations were determined over the pressure range of 1 atm, 1 to 1.5 GPa and at temperatures from 1094 to 1400°C. They provide an important constraint on the petrogenesis of these lavas. The high-Ti picritic melt is multi-saturated with olivine (Ol) + orthopyroxene (Opx) at 1 GPa but has only Ol or Opx on the liquidus at lower and higher pressures, respectively. This indicates the primitive melt was last equilibrated with its mantle source at relatively shallow pressure ( 1 GPa). Melting probably started at 2-3 GPa and the picritic melt was produced by 15-30% melting of the mantle source. Such a degree of partial melting requires a mantle with a high potential temperature (1480-1530˚C). The relatively low CaO content and high FeO/MnO ratios of the most primitive East Greenland picrites, the high Ni content of olivine phenocrysts and the presence of low-Ca pyroxene (i.e., pigeonite) at high pressure in our experiments all suggest that the mantle source contained a major component of garnet pyroxenite. Residual garnet in the source could adequately explain the low Al2O3 content (7.92 wt.%) and steep REE patterns of the picrite sample. However, simple melting of a lherzolitic source, even with a major pyroxenite component, cannot explain the formation of magmas with the very high Ti contents observed in some East Greenland basalts. We therefore propose that magmas highly-enriched in Ti were produced by melting of a

Carbachol improves secretion in the early phase after rabbit submandibular gland transplantation.

PubMed

Shi, L; Cong, X; Zhang, Y; Ding, C; Ding, Q W; Fu, F Y; Wu, L L; Yu, G Y

2010-05-01

To investigate the changes in the muscarinic receptor signaling pathway with submandibular gland (SMG) transplantation and whether carbachol improves secretion in transplanted SMGs. SMG autotransplantation was performed in a rabbit model. Carbachol (1 microM) was infused into the transplanted glands from postoperative day 1-7. The expression of the M1 and M3 muscarinic receptors, aquaporin-5 (AQP5), and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2) was measured by RT-PCR, immunoblotting or immunofluorescence. The content of inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) was measured by radioimmunoassay. Salivary flow of the transplanted SMGs was decreased after transplantation. As well, the expressions of M1 and M3 receptors and their downstream signaling molecules, IP(3), p-ERK1/2 and AQP5, were all reduced. Atrophy of acinar cells was shown in transplanted glands. However, all these alterations were reversed after carbachol treatment for 7 days. Furthermore, carbachol directly increased the mRNA expression of AQP5 and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in cultured neonatal rabbit SMG cells. A lack of acetylcholine and downregulation of the muscarinic receptor signaling pathway is involved in the early hypofunction of transplanted SMGs. Carbachol treatment could be a new therapeutic strategy to improve secretion and prevent the obstruction of Wharton's duct in the early phase after SMG transplantation.

Differential involvement of IL-6 in the early and late phase of 1-methylnicotinamide (MNA) release in Concanavalin A-induced hepatitis.

PubMed

Sternak, Magdalena; Jakubowski, Andrzej; Czarnowska, Elzbieta; Slominska, Ewa M; Smolenski, Ryszard T; Szafarz, Malgorzata; Walczak, Maria; Sitek, Barbara; Wojcik, Tomasz; Jasztal, Agnieszka; Kaminski, Karol; Chlopicki, Stefan

2015-09-01

Exogenous 1-methylnicotinamide (MNA) displays anti-inflammatory activity. The aim of this work was to characterize the profile of release of endogenous MNA during the initiation and progression of murine hepatitis induced by Concanavalin A (ConA). In particular we aimed to clarify the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) as well as the energy state of hepatocytes in MNA release in early and late phases of ConA-induced hepatitis in mice. Hepatitis was induced by ConA in IL-6(+/+) and IL-6(-/-) mice, and various parameters of liver inflammation and injury, as well as the energy state of hepatocytes, were analysed in relation to MNA release. The decrease in ATP/ADP and NADH/NAD ratios, cytokine release (IL-6, IFN-ɤ), acute phase response (e.g. haptoglobin) and liver injury (alanine aminotransaminase, ALT) were all blunted in ConA-induced hepatitis in IL-6(-/-) mice as compared to IL-6(+/+) mice. The release of MNA in response to Con A was also significantly blunted in IL-6(-/-) mice as compared to IL-6(+/+) mice in the early stage of ConA-induced hepatitis. In turn, nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) and aldehyde oxidase (AO) activities were blunted in the liver and MNA plasma concentration was elevated to similar degree in the late stage after Concanavalin A in IL-6(+/+) and IL-6(-/-) mice. In conclusion, we demonstrated that in ConA-induced hepatitis, early, but not late MNA release was IL-6-dependent. Our results suggest that in the initiation and early hepatitis, MNA release is linked to the energy deficit/impaired redox status in hepatocytes, while in a later phase, MNA release is rather linked to the systemic inflammation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Differential Thermal Analysis of Hg(1-x)Mn(x)Te Alloys in the X=0 to 0.3 Range

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Price, M. W.; Scripa, R. N.; Szofran, F. R.; Lehoczky, S. L.; Su, C-H

1998-01-01

Understanding the experimental conditions necessary for the development of radial and axial compositional homogeneity in directionally solidified Hg(0.89)Mn(0.11)Te(MMT) crystals has been difficult due to the lack of segregation coefficient data on the Hg(1-x)Mn(x)Te alloy system in the X = 0 to 0.3 composition range. Determining segregation coefficient data from the available Hg(1-x)Mn(x)Te alloy phase equilibria data is not practical due to discrepancies in the shape of the reported solidus and liquidus curves in the X = 0 to 0.3 range. To resolve these discrepancies and to obtain segregation coefficient data which can be used to understand homogeneity in directionally solidified MMT crystals, the solidus and liquidus temperatures of seven Hg(1-x)Mn(x)Te alloys in the X = 0 to 0.3 range were determined using differential thermal analysis (DTA). The Hg(1-x)Mn(x)Te phase diagram constructed for the X = 0 to 0.3 range of this alloy system from the DTA measurements clarifies the shape of the solidus and liquidus curves in this range. The segregation coefficient for the Hg(1-x)Mn(x)Te system was found to vary from 5 to 4.4 as the solidus composition increased from 0-30 atomic percent MnTe. This information will be useful in the analysis of axial and radial homogeneity of directionally solidified MMT crystals.

Development and application of a biorelevant dissolution method using USP apparatus 4 in early phase formulation development.

PubMed

Fang, Jiang B; Robertson, Vivian K; Rawat, Archana; Flick, Tawnya; Tang, Zhe J; Cauchon, Nina S; McElvain, James S

2010-10-04

Dissolution testing is frequently used to determine the rate and extent at which a drug is released from a dosage form, and it plays many important roles throughout drug product development. However, the traditional dissolution approach often emphasizes its application in quality control testing and usually strives to obtain 100% drug release. As a result, dissolution methods are not necessarily biorelevant and meaningful application of traditional dissolution methods in the early phases of drug product development can be very limited. This article will describe the development of a biorelevant in vitro dissolution method using USP apparatus 4, biorelevant media, and real-time online UV analysis. Several case studies in the areas of formulation selection, lot-to-lot variability, and food effect will be presented to demonstrate the application of this method in early phase formulation development. This biorelevant dissolution method using USP apparatus 4 provides a valuable tool to predict certain aspects of the in vivo drug release. It can be used to facilitate the formulation development/selection for pharmacokinetic (PK) and clinical studies. It may also potentially be used to minimize the number of PK studies, and to aid in the design of more efficient PK and clinical studies.

Absent 99mTc-MIBI Uptake in the Thyroid Gland during Early Phase of Parathyroid Scintigraphy in Patients with Primary and Secondary Hyperparathyroidism.

PubMed

Jovanovska, Anamarija; Stoilovska, Bojana; Mileva, Magdalena; Miladinova, Daniela; Majstorov, Venjamin; Ugrinska, Ana

2018-05-20

Thyroid uptake of technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile ( 99m Tc-MIBI) during parathyroid scintigraphy can be affected by various conditions. To evaluate the frequency of absent 99m Tc-MIBI uptake by the thyroid gland in the early phase of dual-phase parathyroid scintigraphy. The early planar images of dual phase Tc 99m MIBI parathyroid scintigraphy from 217 patients performed between 2014 and 2017 were retrospectively analysed. Patients were divided into two groups. The first group included 147 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and the second group included 70 patients with chronic renal failure. Patient records, laboratory and ultrasonographic data were analysed in all patients. Descriptive statistic was used for data analysis. Out of all patients in the first group, 18 patients (12.24%) showed absent thyroid uptake. Thyroidectomy was performed in 44.4% of these patients, and the rest of them had some thyroid disease. Only one patient had no thyroid or another chronic disease. In the second group, 8 patients (11.42%) presented with absent thyroid uptake of MIBI. Among them, 5 patients had no history of thyroid disease and had been on hemodialysis programme, and 3 patients had hypothyroidism. Absent 99m Tc-MIBI uptake in the thyroid during the early phase of parathyroid scintigraphy is most frequently related to thyroid disease. A small proportion of patients with chronic renal failure can present with absent 99m Tc-MIBI uptake in the thyroid as well. The mechanism for this alteration is still unclear and needs further investigation.

Early Intervention in Bipolar Disorder.

PubMed

Vieta, Eduard; Salagre, Estela; Grande, Iria; Carvalho, André F; Fernandes, Brisa S; Berk, Michael; Birmaher, Boris; Tohen, Mauricio; Suppes, Trisha

2018-05-01

Bipolar disorder is a recurrent disorder that affects more than 1% of the world population and usually has its onset during youth. Its chronic course is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality, making bipolar disorder one of the main causes of disability among young and working-age people. The implementation of early intervention strategies may help to change the outcome of the illness and avert potentially irreversible harm to patients with bipolar disorder, as early phases may be more responsive to treatment and may need less aggressive therapies. Early intervention in bipolar disorder is gaining momentum. Current evidence emerging from longitudinal studies indicates that parental early-onset bipolar disorder is the most consistent risk factor for bipolar disorder. Longitudinal studies also indicate that a full-blown manic episode is often preceded by a variety of prodromal symptoms, particularly subsyndromal manic symptoms, therefore supporting the existence of an at-risk state in bipolar disorder that could be targeted through early intervention. There are also identifiable risk factors that influence the course of bipolar disorder, some of them potentially modifiable. Valid biomarkers or diagnosis tools to help clinicians identify individuals at high risk of conversion to bipolar disorder are still lacking, although there are some promising early results. Pending more solid evidence on the best treatment strategy in early phases of bipolar disorder, physicians should carefully weigh the risks and benefits of each intervention. Further studies will provide the evidence needed to finish shaping the concept of early intervention. AJP AT 175 Remembering Our Past As We Envision Our Future April 1925: Interpretations of Manic-Depressive Phases Earl Bond and G.E. Partridge reviewed a number of patients with manic-depressive illness in search of a unifying endo-psychic conflict. They concluded that understanding either phase of illness was "elusive" and

The Interplay between Inflammation, Coagulation and Endothelial Injury in the Early Phase of Acute Pancreatitis: Clinical Implications

PubMed Central

Dumnicka, Paulina; Maduzia, Dawid; Ceranowicz, Piotr; Olszanecki, Rafał; Drożdż, Ryszard; Kuśnierz-Cabala, Beata

2017-01-01

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease with varied severity, ranging from mild local inflammation to severe systemic involvement resulting in substantial mortality. Early pathologic events in AP, both local and systemic, are associated with vascular derangements, including endothelial activation and injury, dysregulation of vasomotor tone, increased vascular permeability, increased leukocyte migration to tissues, and activation of coagulation. The purpose of the review was to summarize current evidence regarding the interplay between inflammation, coagulation and endothelial dysfunction in the early phase of AP. Practical aspects were emphasized: (1) we summarized available data on diagnostic usefulness of the markers of endothelial dysfunction and activated coagulation in early prediction of severe AP; (2) we reviewed in detail the results of experimental studies and clinical trials targeting coagulation-inflammation interactions in severe AP. Among laboratory tests, d-dimer and angiopoietin-2 measurements seem the most useful in early prediction of severe AP. Although most clinical trials evaluating anticoagulants in treatment of severe AP did not show benefits, they also did not show significantly increased bleeding risk. Promising results of human trials were published for low molecular weight heparin treatment. Several anticoagulants that proved beneficial in animal experiments are thus worth testing in patients. PMID:28208708

Advanced methods for preparation and characterization of infrared detector materials. [mercury cadmium telluride alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lehoczky, S. L.; Szofran, F. R.

1981-01-01

Differential thermal analysis data were obtained on mercury cadmium telluride alloys in order to establish the liquidus temperatures for the various alloy compositions. Preliminary theoretical analyses was performed to establish the ternary phase equilibrium parameters for the metal rich region of the phase diagram. Liquid-solid equilibrium parameters were determined for the pseudobinary alloy system. Phase equilibrium was calculated and Hg(l-x) Cd(x) Te alloys were directionally solidified from pseudobinary melts. Electrical resistivity and Hall coefficient measurements were obtained.

Phase behavior of mixtures of DPPC and POPG.

PubMed

Wiedmann, T; Salmon, A; Wong, V

1993-04-07

The phase relation of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylglycerol (POPG) has been determined by measurement of the endothermic transitions of mixtures of DPPC and POPG in 100 mM NaCl, 50 mM PIPES (pH 7.0). With the use of differential scanning calorimetry, the gel-liquid crystalline phase transitions of pure POPG and DPPC were estimated to be 274 K and 315.8 K, respectively. With mixtures, there was considerable broadening of the endotherms, but there was no evidence of immiscibility. At high and low mole fractions of DPPC, the observed transition regions are not different from that calculated assuming ideal behavior. However in the central region of the phase diagram, there were deviations from both the ideal liquidus and solidus curves. The chemical shift anisotropy of the 13C-labelled carbonyl carbon of pure DPPC was determined as a function of temperature. At 298 K, a broad peak characteristic of axially symmetric motional averaging of the shielding tensor was observed. At a temperature of 300 K, a narrow peak at 173 ppm was superimposed upon the broad peak. The magnitude of the narrow resonance increased with temperature over the range of 300 to 315 K with the spectrum obtained at the latter point almost completely devoid of any broad features. Spectra obtained with a 9:1 mole ratio of DPPC/POPG was very similar to that obtained with pure DPPC. However, with increasing amounts of POPG, both the temperature at which the narrow resonance appeared and the temperature at which only a narrow resonance was observed were reduced. Over the range of 0 to 50 mol % POPG, there was no major change in the width or shape of the spectra which contained only a broad or narrow resonance. Also for mol % of POPG of 20% and less, there was agreement between the temperature at which only the narrow component was observed and the completion of the main phase transition based on the DSC scans. However, at the two higher mol % of 33 and 50

Migration as a turning point in food habits: the early phase of dietary acculturation among women from South Asian, African, and Middle Eastern Countries living in Norway.

PubMed

Terragni, Laura; Garnweidner, Lisa M; Pettersen, Kjell Sverre; Mosdøl, Annhild

2014-01-01

This article explores the early phase of dietary acculturation after migration. South Asian, African and Middle Eastern women (N = 21) living in Norway were interviewed about their early experiences with food in a new context. The findings pointed to abrupt changes in food habits in the first period after migration. To various degrees, women reported unfamiliarity with foods in shops, uncertainty about meal formats and food preparation and fear of eating food prohibited by their religion. Their food consumption tended to be restricted to food items perceived as familiar or safe. Our findings indicate that the first period after migration represents a specific phase in the process of dietary acculturation. Early initiatives aimed at enhancing confidence in food and familiarity with the new food culture are recommended.

Sn–Ag–Cu nanosolders: Melting behavior and phase diagram prediction in the Sn-rich corner of the ternary system

PubMed Central

Roshanghias, Ali; Vrestal, Jan; Yakymovych, Andriy; Richter, Klaus W.; Ipser, Herbert

2015-01-01

Melting temperatures of Sn–Ag–Cu (SAC) alloys in the Sn-rich corner are of interest for lead-free soldering. At the same time, nanoparticle solders with depressed melting temperatures close to the Sn–Pb eutectic temperature have received increasing attention. Recently, the phase stability of nanoparticles has been the subject of plenty of theoretical and empirical investigations. In the present study, SAC nanoparticles of various sizes have been synthesized via chemical reduction and the size dependent melting point depression of these particles has been specified experimentally. The liquidus projection in the Sn-rich corner of the ternary SAC system has also been calculated as a function of particle size, based on the CALPHAD-approach. The calculated melting temperatures were compared with those obtained experimentally and with values reported in the literature, which revealed good agreement. The model also predicts that with decreasing particle size, the eutectic composition shifts towards the Sn-rich corner. PMID:26082567

The scaffold protein Nde1 safeguards the brain genome during S phase of early neural progenitor differentiation

PubMed Central

Houlihan, Shauna L; Feng, Yuanyi

2014-01-01

Successfully completing the S phase of each cell cycle ensures genome integrity. Impediment of DNA replication can lead to DNA damage and genomic disorders. In this study, we show a novel function for NDE1, whose mutations cause brain developmental disorders, in safeguarding the genome through S phase during early steps of neural progenitor fate restrictive differentiation. Nde1 mutant neural progenitors showed catastrophic DNA double strand breaks concurrent with the DNA replication. This evoked DNA damage responses, led to the activation of p53-dependent apoptosis, and resulted in the reduction of neurons in cortical layer II/III. We discovered a nuclear pool of Nde1, identified the interaction of Nde1 with cohesin and its associated chromatin remodeler, and showed that stalled DNA replication in Nde1 mutants specifically occurred in mid-late S phase at heterochromatin domains. These findings suggest that NDE1-mediated heterochromatin replication is indispensible for neuronal differentiation, and that the loss of NDE1 function may lead to genomic neurological disorders. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.03297.001 PMID:25245017

Role of Hf on Phase Formation in Ti45Zr(38-x)Hf(x)Ni17 Liquids and Solids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wessels, V.; Sahu, K. K.; Gangopadhyay, A. K.; Huett, V. T.; Canepari, S.; Goldman, A. I.; Hyers, R. W.; Kramer, M. J.; Rogers, J. R.; Kelton, K. F.;

Sulfur in Hydrous, Oxidized Basaltic Magmas: Phase Equilibria and Melt Solubilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pichavant, M.; Scaillet, B.; di Carlo, I.; Rotolo, S.; Metrich, N.

2006-05-01

basalt, sulphides were found to coexist with anhydrite in a fO2 range as high as NNO+3.0. Melts at equilibrium with anhydrite have S concentrations, measured by electron microprobe, of 2070 ppm (basaltic andesite), 5600 ppm (K basalt) and 6500-6550 ppm (picritic basalt). These values reach concentrations similar to found previously for hydrous oxidized trachyandesite melts at 1000 ° C but are significantly less than recent determinations for dry basaltic melts saturated with sulfate at 1300 ° C. Two anhydrite-saturated glasses, investigated by XANES spectroscopy at the sulfur K-edge, show S to be present only as sulfate species. At lower fO2, between NNO and NNO+1, S concentrations in melts synthesized in AuPd capsules strongly decrease because most of the S present is sequestered in the Pd-rich phases. When Au capsules are used (basaltic andesite experiments), there is no marked effect of fO2 on S solubility in this fO2 range: 2250 ppm S (NNO+1.3, sulfide-saturated) vs. 2070 ppm S (NNO+4.1, anhydrite-saturated). This is consistent with the predominance of sulfate species at NNO+1.3 although sulfide species were also detected by XANES. Comparison between near-liquidus experiments with and without S shows no large influence of S on silicate phase equilibria. However, anhydrite crystallization removes a significant amount of Ca from the melt. This strongly affects melt chemistry, and induces major changes in the nature of liquidus silicate phases and in their composition.

2,3-diphosphoglycerate, nucleotide phosophate, and organic and inorganic phosphate levels during the early phases of diabetic ketoacidosis.

PubMed

Kanter, Y; Gerson, J R; Bessman, A N

1977-05-01

The relation between serum and red blood cell (RBC) inorganic phosphate levels, RBC 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) levels, RBC nucleotide phosphate (Pn), and RBC total phosphate (Pt) levels were studied during the early phases of treatment and recovery from diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). A steady drop in serum inorganic phosphate was found during the first 24 hours of insulin treatment and was most profound at 24 hours. No statistically significant changes (P less than 0.05) were found in red cell inorganic phosphate or nucleotide phosphate levels during the 24-hour study period. The levels of total red cell phosphate were lower in this group of patients than in nonacidotic diabetic subjects and decreased slightly after 24 hours of treatment. The red cell 2,3-DPG levels were low at the initiation of therapy and remained low during the 24-hour study period. Glucose, bicarbonate, lactate, and ketone levels fell in linear patterns with treatment. In view of the current evidence for the effects of low 2,3-DPG on oxygen delivery and the relation of low serum phosphate levels to RBC glycolysis and 2,3-DPG formation, this study reemphasizes the need for phosphate replacement during the early phases of treatment of DKA.

Dietary Soy Supplement on Fibromyalgia Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Early Phase Trial

PubMed Central

Wahner-Roedler, Dietlind L.; Thompson, Jeffrey M.; Luedtke, Connie A.; King, Susan M.; Cha, Stephen S.; Elkin, Peter L.; Bruce, Barbara K.; Townsend, Cynthia O.; Bergeson, Jody R.; Eickhoff, Andrea L.; Loehrer, Laura L.; Sood, Amit; Bauer, Brent A.

2011-01-01

Most patients with fibromyalgia use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Properly designed controlled trials are necessary to assess the effectiveness of these practices. This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, early phase trial. Fifty patients seen at a fibromyalgia outpatient treatment program were randomly assigned to a daily soy or placebo (casein) shake. Outcome measures were scores of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) at baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention. Analysis was with standard statistics based on the null hypothesis, and separation test for early phase CAM comparative trials. Twenty-eight patients completed the study. Use of standard statistics with intent-to-treat analysis showed that total FIQ scores decreased by 14% in the soy group (P = .02) and by 18% in the placebo group (P < .001). The difference in change in scores between the groups was not significant (P = .16). With the same analysis, CES-D scores decreased in the soy group by 16% (P = .004) and in the placebo group by 15% (P = .05). The change in scores was similar in the groups (P = .83). Results of statistical analysis using the separation test and intent-to-treat analysis revealed no benefit of soy compared with placebo. Shakes that contain soy and shakes that contain casein, when combined with a multidisciplinary fibromyalgia treatment program, provide a decrease in fibromyalgia symptoms. Separation between the effects of soy and casein (control) shakes did not favor the intervention. Therefore, large-sample studies using soy for patients with fibromyalgia are probably not indicated. PMID:18990724

Recombinant luteinizing hormone priming in early follicular phase for women undergoing in vitro fertilization: systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Hu, Linli; Bu, Zhiqin; Wang, Keyan; Sun, Yingpu

2014-04-01

To investigate the effect of recombinant human luteinizing hormone supplementation (rLH priming) during the early follicular phase on in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes. In order to evaluate available evidence regarding the efficacy of rLH priming in IVF/ICSI procedures, a systematic review and meta-analysis was preformed. Searches were conducted on MEDLINE®, EMBASE and the Cochrane Database of Clinical Trials without language limitation, but were restricted to randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Three RCTs including 346 patients were included in this meta-analysis, which demonstrated that rLH priming did not increase ongoing pregnancy rate. Although less recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) was required and the oestradiol level was higher on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration in the rLH priming group, the numbers of oocytes retrieved and embryos produced were comparable between patients treated with rLH priming and those treated with rFSH alone. This systematic review and meta-analysis has demonstrated that at present there is insufficient evidence that patients undergoing IVF/ICSI may benefit from rLH priming during the early follicular phase.

Early intervention for psychosis

PubMed Central

Marshall, Max; Rathbone, John

2014-01-01

Background Proponents of early intervention have argued that outcomes might be improved if more therapeutic efforts were focused on the early stages of schizophrenia or on people with prodromal symptoms. Early intervention in schizophrenia has two elements that are distinct from standard care: early detection, and phase-specific treatment (phase-specific treatment is a psychological, social or physical treatment developed, or modified, specifically for use with people at an early stage of the illness). Early detection and phase-specific treatment may both be offered as supplements to standard care, or may be provided through a specialised early intervention team. Early intervention is now well established as a therapeutic approach in America, Europe and Australasia. Objectives To evaluate the effects of: (a) early detection; (b) phase-specific treatments; and (c) specialised early intervention teams in the treatment of people with prodromal symptoms or first-episode psychosis. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group Trials Register (March 2009), inspected reference lists of all identified trials and reviews and contacted experts in the field. Selection criteria We included all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) designed to prevent progression to psychosis in people showing prodromal symptoms, or to improve outcome for people with first-episode psychosis. Eligible interventions, alone and in combination, included: early detection, phase-specific treatments, and care from specialised early intervention teams. We accepted cluster-randomised trials but excluded non-randomised trials. Data collection and analysis We reliably selected studies, quality rated them and extracted data. For dichotomous data, we estimated relative risks (RR), with the 95% confidence intervals (CI). Where possible, we calculated the number needed to treat/harm statistic (NNT/H) and used intention-to-treat analysis (ITT). Main results Studies were diverse, mostly small

TRAVELLERS: a school-based early intervention programme helping young people manage and process change, loss and transition. Pilot phase findings.

PubMed

Dickinson, Pauline; Coggan, Carolyn; Bennett, Sara

2003-06-01

This paper outlines the conceptual background and findings from the pilot phase of TRAVELLERS--an early intervention programme designed to enhance protective factors for young people experiencing change, loss and transition events and early signs of emotional distress. The pilot study aimed to determine whether TRAVELLERS was a feasible, acceptable and promising intervention for young people within secondary schools in Aotearoa/New Zealand. The conceptual origins of the TRAVELLERS programme are described in terms of: adolescent mental health concerns; emerging mental health promotion theory and practice; and prevention and early intervention models. The key elements of the TRAVELLERS programme are described. The programme was piloted in two secondary schools, one rural and one urban with 34 participants (females n = 24, males n = 10). Evaluation methods included: review of programme materials; identification of potential selection tools appropriate to Year 9 students; analysis of selection questionnaire; and conduct of feedback from participants, facilitators and parents/caregivers. The TRAVELLERS programme provides a means of identifying and selecting young people who may benefit from participating in an early intervention programme. The programme has achieved a statistically significant reduction in participants' distress (p < 0.01). Young people were overwhelmingly enthusiastic about most aspects of TRAVELLERS. School personnel reported that TRAVELLERS was an appropriate and acceptable programme to the school. Targeted interventions provided within a supportive school environment can contribute to enhancing protective factors such as personal and interpersonal coping strategies, increased help-seeking behaviour, and young people feeling more positive about themselves and their lives. The pilot programme has been amended and prepared for a two year trial phase in 10 secondary schools during 2002-2003.

Early-Time Solution of the Horizontal Unconfined Aquifer in the Buildup Phase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gravanis, Elias; Akylas, Evangelos

2017-10-01

We derive the early-time solution of the Boussinesq equation for the horizontal unconfined aquifer in the buildup phase under constant recharge and zero inflow. The solution is expressed as a power series of a suitable similarity variable, which is constructed so that to satisfy the boundary conditions at both ends of the aquifer, that is, it is a polynomial approximation of the exact solution. The series turns out to be asymptotic and it is regularized by resummation techniques that are used to define divergent series. The outflow rate in this regime is linear in time, and the (dimensionless) coefficient is calculated to eight significant figures. The local error of the series is quantified by its deviation from satisfying the self-similar Boussinesq equation at every point. The local error turns out to be everywhere positive, hence, so is the integrated error, which in turn quantifies the degree of convergence of the series to the exact solution.

Role of phase instabilities in the early response of bulk fused silica during laser-induced breakdown

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demange, P.; Negres, R. A.; Raman, R. N.; Colvin, J. D.; Demos, S. G.

2011-08-01

We report on the experimental and hydrocode modeling investigation of the early material response to localized energy deposition via nanosecond laser pulses in bulk fused silica. A time-resolved microscope system was used to acquire transient images with adequate spatial and temporal resolution to resolve the material behavior from the onset of the process. These images revealed a high-pressure shock front propagating at twice the speed of sound at ambient conditions and bounding a region of modified material at delays up to one nanosecond. Hydrocode simulations matching the experimental conditions were also performed and indicated initial pressures of ˜40 GPa and temperatures of ˜1 eV at the absorption region. Both the simulations and the image data show a clear boundary between distinct material phases, a hot plasma and solid silica, with a suggestion that growth of perturbations at the Rayleigh-Taylor unstable interface between the two phases is the seed mechanism for the growth of cracks into the stressed solid.

Melting relations in the MgO-MgSiO3 system up to 70 GPa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohnishi, Satoka; Kuwayama, Yasuhiro; Inoue, Toru

2017-06-01

Melting experiments in a binary system MgO-MgSiO3 were performed up to 70 GPa using a CO2 laser heated diamond anvil cell. The quenched samples were polished and analyzed by a dualbeam focused ion beam (FIB) and a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), respectively. The liquidus phase and the eutectic composition were determined on the basis of textual and chemical analyses of sample cross sections. Our experimental results show that the eutectic composition is the Si/Mg molar ratio of 0.76 at 35 GPa and it decreases with increasing pressure. Above 45 GPa, it becomes relatively constant at about 0.64-0.65 Si/Mg molar ratio. Using our experimental data collected at a wide pressure range up to 70 GPa together with previous experimental data, we have constructed a thermodynamic model of the eutectic composition of the MgO-MgSiO3 system. The eutectic composition extrapolated to the pressure and temperature conditions at the base of the mantle is about 0.64 Si/Mg molar ratio. The modeled eutectic composition is quite consistent with a previous prediction from ab initio calculations (de Koker et al. in Earth Planet Sci Lett 361:58-63, 2013), suggesting that the simple assumption of a non-ideal regular solution model can well describe the melting relation of the MgO-MgSiO3 system at high pressure. Our results show that the liquidus phase changes from MgO-periclase to MgSiO3-bridgmanite at 35 GPa for the simplified pyrolite composition ( 0.7 Si/Mg molar ratio), while MgSiO3-bridgmanite is the liquidus phase at the entire lower mantle conditions for the chondritic composition ( 0.84 Si/Mg molar ratio).

[Semiquantitative measurement of progesterone receptors in luteal-phase-defect endometrial cells during secretory phase].

PubMed

Ma, Q; Han, Z; Huang, W

1998-03-01

To investigate the changes of endometrial progesterone receptor (PR) of luteal-phase-defect (LPD) patients during the secretory phase, thirteen patients with complaints of infertility or habitual abortion were studied. During the early-mid secretory phase, endometrial tissue was obtained by dilatation and curettage (D & C) for histological and receptor study: meanwhile serum E2, P, FSH, LH and PRL were measured. Based on histologic diagnosis, the patients were divided into two groups: the LPD group (n = 7) and the normal control group(n = 6). PR content was determined by immunohisto-chemical (IHC) assay. The results showed that during the early-mid luteal phase a significantly low PR content on endometrial glandular nucleus was observed in LPD group, compared with normal control(6.75 +/- 2.57 vs 9.50 +/- 1.64 P < 0.05), but no difference in serum progesterone was noted between the two groups. These findings suggest that during early-mid secretory phase, PR content on endometrial glandular nucleus decreases in LPD cases, which results in deficient response of endometrium to proper stimulus of progesterone. This change may cause endometrial secretory deficiency and blockade of embreyo implantation. That is why infertility or habitual abortion happened.

Expectations of Benefit in Early-Phase Clinical Trials: Implications for Assessing the Adequacy of Informed Consent

PubMed Central

Weinfurt, Kevin P.; Seils, Damon M.; Tzeng, Janice P.; Compton, Kate L.; Sulmasy, Daniel P.; Astrow, Alan B.; Solarino, Nicholas A.; Schulman, Kevin A.; Meropol, Neal J.

2009-01-01

Background Participants in early-phase clinical trials have reported high expectations of benefit from their participation. There is concern that participants misunderstand the trials to which they have consented. Such concern is based on assumptions about what patients mean when they respond to questions about likelihood of benefit. Methods Participants were 27 women and 18 men in early-phase oncology trials at 2 academic medical centers in the United States. To determine whether expectations of benefit differ depending on how patients are queried, we randomly assigned participants to 1 of 3 interviews corresponding to 3 questions about likelihood of benefit: frequency-type, belief-type, and vague. In semistructured interviews, we queried participants about how they understood and answered the question. Participants then answered and discussed one of the other questions. Results Expectations of benefit in response to the belief-type question were significantly greater than expectations in response to the frequency-type and vague questions (P = .02). The most common justifications involved positive attitude (n = 27 [60%]) and references to physical health (n = 23 [51%]). References to positive attitude were most common among participants with higher (> 70%) expectations (n = 11 [85%]) and least common among those with lower (< 50%) expectations (n = 3 [27%]). Conclusions The wording of questions about likelihood of benefit shapes the expectations that patients express. Also, patients who express high expectations may not do so to communicate understanding, but rather to register optimism. Ongoing research will clarify the meaning of high expectations and examine methods for assessing understanding in this context. PMID:18378940

A qualitative study evaluating causality attribution for serious adverse events during early phase oncology clinical trials.

PubMed

Mukherjee, Som D; Coombes, Megan E; Levine, Mitch; Cosby, Jarold; Kowaleski, Brenda; Arnold, Andrew

2011-10-01

In early phase oncology trials, novel targeted therapies are increasingly being tested in combination with traditional agents creating greater potential for enhanced and new toxicities. When a patient experiences a serious adverse event (SAE), investigators must determine whether the event is attributable to the investigational drug or not. This study seeks to understand the clinical reasoning, tools used and challenges faced by the researchers who assign causality to SAE's. Thirty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted with medical oncologists and trial coordinators at six Canadian academic cancer centres. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Individual interview content analysis was followed by thematic analysis across the interview set. Our study found that causality assessment tends to be a rather complex process, often without complete clinical and investigational data at hand. Researchers described using a common processing strategy whereby they gather pertinent information, eliminate alternative explanations, and consider whether or not the study drug resulted in the SAE. Many of the interviewed participants voiced concern that causality assessments are often conducted quickly and tend to be highly subjective. Many participants were unable to identify any useful tools to help in assigning causality and welcomed more objectivity in the overall process. Attributing causality to SAE's is a complex process. Clinical trial researchers apply a logical system of reasoning, but feel that the current method of assigning causality could be improved. Based on these findings, future research involving the development of a new causality assessment tool specifically for use in early phase oncology clinical trials may be useful.

Experimental study of phase equilibria and thermodynamic optimization of the Fe-Zn-O system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Degterov, Sergei A.; Pelton, Arthur D.; Jak, Evgueni; Hayes, Peter C.

2001-08-01

specific heat, heat content, entropy, enthalpy, and Gibbs energy); the cation distribution between octahedral and tetrahedral sites in spinel; the oxygen partial pressure over single-phase, two-phase, and three-phase regions; the phase boundaries (liquidus, solidus, and subsolidus); and the tie-lines.

Brain responses to food images during the early and late follicular phase of the menstrual cycle in healthy young women: relation to fasting and feeding1234

PubMed Central

Ziemke, Florencia; Magkos, Faidon; Barrios, Fernando A; Brinkoetter, Mary; Boyd, Ingrid; Rifkin-Graboi, Anne; Yannakoulia, Mary; Rojas, Rafael; Pascual-Leone, Alvaro; Mantzoros, Christos S

2011-01-01

Background: Food intake fluctuates throughout the menstrual cycle; it is greater during the early follicular and luteal phases than in the late follicular (periovulatory) phase. Ovarian steroids can influence brain areas that process food-related information, but the specific contribution of individual hormones and the importance of the prandial state remain unknown. Objective: The objective was to examine whether brain activation during food visualization is affected by changes in estradiol concentration in the fasted and fed conditions. Design: Nine eumenorrheic, lean young women [mean (±SD) age: 26.2 ± 3.2 y; body mass index (in kg/m2): 22.4 ± 1.2] completed 2 visits, one in the early (low estradiol) and one in the late (high estradiol) follicular phase of their menstrual cycle. At each visit, subjects underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while they viewed food and nonfood images, before and after a standardized meal. Region-of-interest analysis was used to examine the effect of follicular phase and prandial state on brain activation (food > nonfood contrast) and its association with estradiol concentration. Results: Differences were identified in the inferior frontal and fusiform gyri. In these areas, visualization of food elicited greater activation in the fed state than during fasting but only in the late follicular phase, when estradiol concentration was high. The change in estradiol concentration across the follicular phase (late minus early) was inversely correlated with the change in fusiform gyrus activation in the fasted state but not in the fed state. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that estradiol may reduce food intake by decreasing sensitivity to food cues in the ventral visual pathway under conditions of energy deprivation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00130117. PMID:21593494

Rapamycin ameliorates inflammation and fibrosis in the early phase of cirrhotic portal hypertension in rats through inhibition of mTORC1 but not mTORC2.

PubMed

Wang, Weijie; Yan, Jiqi; Wang, Huakai; Shi, Minmin; Zhang, Mingjun; Yang, Weiping; Peng, Chenghong; Li, Hongwei

2014-01-01

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) transdifferentiation and subsequent inflammation are important pathological processes involved in the formation of cirrhotic portal hypertension. This study characterizes the pathogenetic mechanisms leading to cholestatic liver fibrosis and portal hypertension, and focuses on mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway as a potential modulator in the early phase of cirrhotic portal hypertension. Early cirrhotic portal hypertension was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) for three weeks. One week after operation, sham-operated (SHAM) and BDL rats received rapamycin (2 mg/kg/day) by intraperitoneal injection for fourteen days. Vehicle-treated SHAM and BDL rats served as controls. Fibrosis, inflammation, and portal pressure were evaluated by histology, morphometry, and hemodynamics. Expressions of pro-fibrogenic and pro-inflammatory genes in liver were measured by RT-PCR; alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and antigen Ki67 were detected by immunohistochemistry; expressions of AKT/mTOR signaling molecules, extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p-ERK1/2, and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) were assessed by western blot. The AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was markedly activated in the early phase of cirrhotic portal hypertension induced by BDL in rats. mTOR blockade by rapamycin profoundly improved liver function by limiting inflammation, fibrosis and portal pressure. Rapamycin significantly inhibited the expressions of phosphorylated 70KD ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p-P70S6K) and phosphorylated ribosomal protein S6 (p-S6) but not p-AKT Ser473 relative to their total proteins in BDL-Ra rats. Those results suggested that mTOR Complex 1 (mTORC1) rather than mTORC2 was inhibited by rapamycin. Interestingly, we also found that the level of p-ERK1/2 to ERK1/2 was significantly increased in BDL rats, which was little affected by rapamycin. The AKT/mTOR signaling pathway played an important role in the early phase of cirrhotic portal

Disequilibrium dihedral angles in layered intrusions: the microstructural record of fractionation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holness, Marian; Namur, Olivier; Cawthorn, Grant

2013-04-01

The dihedral angle formed at junctions between two plagioclase grains and a grain of augite is only rarely in textural equilibrium in gabbros from km-scale crustal layered intrusions. The median of a population of these disequilibrium angles, Θcpp, varies systematically within individual layered intrusions, remaining constant over large stretches of stratigraphy with significant increases or decreases associated with the addition or reduction respectively of the number of phases on the liquidus of the bulk magma. The step-wise changes in Θcpp are present in Upper Zone of the Bushveld Complex, the Megacyclic Unit I of the Sept Iles Intrusion, and the Layered Series of the Skaergaard Intrusion. The plagioclase-bearing cumulates of Rum have a bimodal distribution of Θcpp, dependent on whether the cumulus assemblage includes clinopyroxene. The presence of the step-wise changes is independent of the order of arrival of cumulus phases and of the composition of either the cumulus phases or the interstitial liquid inferred to be present in the crystal mush. Step-wise changes in the rate of change in enthalpy with temperature (ΔH) of the cooling and crystallizing magma correspond to the observed variation of Θcpp, with increases of both ΔH and Θcpp associated with the addition of another liquidus phase, and decreases of both associated with the removal of a liquidus phase. The replacement of one phase by another (e.g. olivine ⇔ orthpyroxene) has little effect on ΔH and no discernible effect on Θcpp. An increase of ΔH is manifest by an increase in the fraction of the total enthalpy budget that is the latent heat of crystallization (the fractional latent heat). It also results in an increase in the amount crystallized in each incremental temperature drop (the crystal productivity). An increased fractional latent heat and crystal productivity result in an increased rate of plagioclase growth compared to that of augite during the final stages of solidification

Anesthesia-Induced Hypothermia Attenuates Early-Phase Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption but Not Infarct Volume following Cerebral Ischemia.

PubMed

Liu, Yu-Cheng; Lee, Yu-Da; Wang, Hwai-Lee; Liao, Kate Hsiurong; Chen, Kuen-Bao; Poon, Kin-Shing; Pan, Yu-Ling; Lai, Ted Weita

2017-01-01

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption is thought to facilitate the development of cerebral infarction after a stroke. In a typical stroke model (such as the one used in this study), the early phase of BBB disruption reaches a peak 6 h post-ischemia and largely recovers after 8-24 h, whereas the late phase of BBB disruption begins 48-58 h post-ischemia. Because cerebral infarct develops within 24 h after the onset of ischemia, and several therapeutic agents have been shown to reduce the infarct volume when administered at 6 h post-ischemia, we hypothesized that attenuating BBB disruption at its peak (6 h post-ischemia) can also decrease the infarct volume measured at 24 h. We used a mouse stroke model obtained by combining 120 min of distal middle cerebral arterial occlusion (dMCAo) with ipsilateral common carotid arterial occlusion (CCAo). This model produced the most reliable BBB disruption and cerebral infarction compared to other models characterized by a shorter duration of ischemia or obtained with dMCAO or CCAo alone. The BBB permeability was measured by quantifying Evans blue dye (EBD) extravasation, as this tracer has been shown to be more sensitive for the detection of early-phase BBB disruption compared to other intravascular tracers that are more appropriate for detecting late-phase BBB disruption. We showed that a 1 h-long treatment with isoflurane-anesthesia induced marked hypothermia and attenuated the peak of BBB disruption when administered 6 h after the onset of dMCAo/CCAo-induced ischemia. We also demonstrated that the inhibitory effect of isoflurane was hypothermia-dependent because the same treatment had no effect on ischemic BBB disruption when the mouse body temperature was maintained at 37°C. Importantly, inhibiting the peak of BBB disruption by hypothermia had no effect on the volume of brain infarct 24 h post-ischemia. In conclusion, inhibiting the peak of BBB disruption is not an effective neuroprotective strategy, especially in comparison

Early-phase transmission of Yersinia pestis by unblocked fleas as a mechanism explaining rapidly spreading plague epizootics.

PubMed

Eisen, Rebecca J; Bearden, Scott W; Wilder, Aryn P; Montenieri, John A; Antolin, Michael F; Gage, Kenneth L

2006-10-17

Plague is a highly virulent disease believed to have killed millions during three historic human pandemics. Worldwide, it remains a threat to humans and is a potential agent of bioterrorism. Dissemination of Yersinia pestis, the etiological agent of plague, by blocked fleas has been the accepted paradigm for flea-borne transmission. However, this mechanism, which requires a lengthy extrinsic incubation period before a short infectious window often followed by death of the flea, cannot sufficiently explain the rapid rate of spread that typifies plague epidemics and epizootics. Inconsistencies between the expected rate of spread by blocked rat fleas and that observed during the Black Death has even caused speculation that plague was not the cause of this medieval pandemic. We used the primary vector to humans in North America, Oropsylla montana, which rarely becomes blocked, as a model for studying alternative flea-borne transmission mechanisms. Our data revealed that, in contrast to the classical blocked flea model, O. montana is immediately infectious, transmits efficiently for at least 4 d postinfection (early phase) and may remain infectious for a long time because the fleas do not suffer block-induced mortality. These factors match the criteria required to drive plague epizootics as defined by recently published mathematical models. The scenario of efficient early-phase transmission by unblocked fleas described in our study calls for a paradigm shift in concepts of how Y. pestis is transmitted during rapidly spreading epizootics and epidemics, including, perhaps, the Black Death.

Skin manifestations in sulfur mustard exposed victims with ophthalmologic complications: Association between early and late phase.

PubMed

Hejazi, Somayeh; Soroush, Mohammadreza; Moradi, Ahmad; Khalilazar, Sara; Mousavi, Batool; Firooz, Alireza; Younespour, Shima

2016-01-01

Sulfur mustard (SM) was used during the Iraq-Iran war (1980-1988). Exposed veterans continue to suffer from its ocular, skin, and respiratory complications. We aimed to evaluate associations between early (at the time of acute exposure) and decades later skin manifestations in individuals with severe ophthalmologic complications secondary to sulfur mustard exposure. One hundred forty-nine veterans with severe ocular injuries were evaluated for acute and chronic skin complications. Logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between early and late skin manifestations. Late skin complaints were observed in nearly all survivors who had early skin lesions (131 out of 137; 95.62%). Seven out of 12 patients (58.33%) who did not have early skin lesions ultimately developed late skin complications. There was a significant relationship between the presence of lesions at the time of exposure and developing late skin complaints (two-sided Fisher's exact test, OR = 15.59, p < 0.001). There was an association between having at least one early skin lesion and occurrence of late skin complications. Survivors with blisters at the time of chemical exposure were more likely to complain of itching (95% CI: 3.63-25.97, p < 0.001), burning (OR = 11.16; 95% CI: 2.97-41.89, p < 0.001), pigmentation changes (OR = 10.17; 95% CI: 2.54-40.75, p = 0.001), dryness (OR = 6.71, 95% CI: 1.22-37.01, p = 0.03) or cherry angioma (OR = 2.59; 95% CI:1.21-5.55, p = 0.01) during the late phase. Using multivariate logistic models, early blisters remained significantly associated with latent skin complaints. Of note, the genitalia and great flexure areas were the most involved anatomical sites for both early and late skin lesions in SM exposed survivors. According to this study, the presence of blisters at the time of exposure to SM is the most important predictor of developing dermatologic complications decades later in patients with severe ophthalmologic

Experimental Determination of One-Atmosphere Phase Relations of Rhyodacite Pumice Erupted from Chaos Crags, Lassen Volcanic Center, California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quinn, E. T.; Schwab, B. E.

2012-12-01

A series of one-atmosphere high-temperature anhydrous phase equilibrium melting experiments was performed on a natural rhyodacite pumice from the 1103±13 years BP pyroclastic flow from the Chaos Crags, Lassen Volcanic Center, California. The pumice (CCP) is the most silicic product known of the 1103 eruption of Chaos Crags. All experimental runs were performed in a Deltech VT-31 one-atmosphere gas-mixing furnace at the Experimental Petrology Lab, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California. Six ~90-99 hour runs were conducted at 35-55°C intervals, with target temperatures from 1000°C to 1200°C at the Ni-NiO buffer. The nominally anhydrous liquidus of the rhyodacite pumice is >1196°C and solidus is <998°C, outside the investigated temperature range. All experimental run products contain glass, plagioclase, quartz, and Fe-Ti oxides. Amphibole with breakdown textures is observed at temperatures ≤1159°C, and appears more stable in lower temperature runs. At 998°C, amphibole appears most stable, with only minor breakdown texture. Biotite, a major phase in starting material, is not observed in any run products. Based on comparison between experimental and natural phase assemblages and glass, plagioclase, and amphibole compositions, the Chaos Crags rhyodacite pumice erupted at a temperature <998°C, the lowest experimental run temperature investigated. Additional experimental runs at temperatures <998°C are currently being conducted.

Postpartum Circulating Markers of Inflammation and the Systemic Acute-Phase Response After Early-Onset Preeclampsia.

PubMed

van Rijn, Bas B; Bruinse, Hein W; Veerbeek, Jan H; Post Uiterweer, Emiel D; Koenen, Steven V; van der Bom, Johanna G; Rijkers, Ger T; Roest, Mark; Franx, Arie

2016-02-01

Preeclampsia is an inflammatory-mediated hypertensive disorder of pregnancy and seems to be an early indicator of increased cardiovascular risk, but mechanisms underlying this association are unclear. In this study, we identified levels of circulating inflammatory markers and dynamic changes in the systemic acute-phase response in 44 women with a history of severe early-onset preeclampsia, compared with 29 controls with only uneventful pregnancies at 1.5 to 3.5 years postpartum. Models used were in vivo seasonal influenza vaccination and in vitro whole-blood culture with T-cell stimulants and the toll-like receptor-4 ligand lipopolysaccharide. Outcome measures were C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-18, fibrinogen, myeloperoxidase, and a panel of 13 cytokines representative of the innate and adaptive inflammatory response, in addition to established cardiovascular markers. The in vivo acute-phase response was higher for women with previous preeclampsia than that for controls without such a history, although only significant for C-reactive protein (P=0.04). Preeclampsia was associated with higher IL-1β (P<0.05) and IL-8 (P<0.01) responses to T-cell activation. Hierarchical clustering revealed 2 distinct inflammatory clusters associated with previous preeclampsia: an adaptive response cluster associated with increased C-reactive protein and IL-6 before and after vaccination, increased weight, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; and a toll-like receptor-4 mediated the cluster associated with increased IL-18 before and after vaccination but not associated with other cardiovascular markers. Furthermore, we found interactions between previous preeclampsia, common TLR4 gene variants, and the IL-18 response to vaccination. In conclusion, preeclampsia is associated with alterations in the inflammatory response postpartum mostly independent of other established cardiovascular risk markers. © 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.

Early response with dasatinib or imatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia: 3-year follow-up from a randomized phase 3 trial (DASISION)

PubMed Central

Jabbour, Elias; Saglio, Giuseppe; Steegmann, Juan Luis; Shah, Neil P.; Boqué, Concepción; Chuah, Charles; Pavlovsky, Carolina; Mayer, Jiří; Cortes, Jorge; Baccarani, Michele; Kim, Dong-Wook; Bradley-Garelik, M. Brigid; Mohamed, Hesham; Wildgust, Mark; Hochhaus, Andreas

2014-01-01

This analysis explores the impact of early cytogenetic and molecular responses on the outcomes of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP) in the phase 3 DASatinib versus Imatinib Study In treatment-Naive CML patients trial with a minimum follow-up of 3 years. Patients with newly diagnosed CML-CP were randomized to receive 100 mg dasatinib (n = 259) or 400 mg imatinib (n = 260) once daily. The retrospective landmark analysis included patients evaluable at the relevant time point (3, 6, or 12 months). Median time to complete cytogenetic response was 3 vs 6 months with dasatinib vs imatinib. At 3 and 6 months, the proportion of patients with BCR-ABL transcript levels ≤10% was higher in the dasatinib arm. Deeper responses at 3, 6, and 12 months were observed in a higher proportion of patients on dasatinib therapy and were associated with better 3-year progression-free survival and overall survival in both arms. First-line dasatinib resulted in faster and deeper responses compared with imatinib. The achievement of an early molecular response was predictive of improved progression-free survival and overall survival, supporting new milestones for optimal response in patients with early CML-CP treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00481247. PMID:24311723

Prognostic Performance Evaluation of the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis and the Korean Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis Scores in the Early Phase of Trauma.

PubMed

Kim, Hong Sug; Lee, Dong Hun; Lee, Byung Kook; Cho, Yong Soo

2018-01-15

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) contributes to poor outcome in the early phase of trauma. We aimed to analyze and compare the prognostic performances of the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH) and the Korean Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (KSTH) scores in the early phase of trauma. Receiver operating characteristics analysis was used to examine the prognostic performance of both scores, and multivariate analysis was used to estimate the prognostic impact of the ISTH and KSTH scores in the early phase of trauma. The primary outcome was 24-hour mortality and the secondary outcome was massive transfusion. Of 1,229 patients included in the study, the 24-hour mortality rate was 7.6% (n = 93), and 8.1% (n = 99) of patients who received massive transfusions. The area under the curves (AUCs) of the KSTH and ISTH scores for 24-hour mortality were 0.784 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.760-0.807) and 0.744 (95% CI, 0.718-0.768), respectively. The AUC of KSTH and ISTH scores for massive transfusion were 0.758 (95% CI, 0.734-0.782) and 0.646 (95% CI, 0.619-0.673), respectively. The AUCs of the KSTH score was significantly different from those of the ISTH score. Overt DIC according to KSTH criteria only, was independently associated with 24-hour mortality (odds ratio [OR], 2.630; 95% CI, 1.456-4.752). Only the KSTH score was independently associated with massive transfusion (OR, 1.563; 95% CI, 1.182-2.068). The KSTH score demonstrates a better prognostic performance for outcomes than the ISTH score in the early phase of trauma. © 2018 The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences.

2015 Guidance on cancer immunotherapy development in early-phase clinical studies.

PubMed

2015-12-01

The development of cancer immunotherapies is progressing rapidly with a variety of technological approaches. They consist of "cancer vaccines", which are based on the idea of vaccination, "effector cell therapy", classified as passive immunotherapy, and "inhibition of immunosuppression", which intends to break immunological tolerance to autoantigens or immunosuppressive environments characterizing antitumor immune responses. Recent reports showing clinical evidence of efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive immunotherapies with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and tumor-specific receptor gene-modified T cells indicate the beginning of a new era for cancer immunotherapy. This guidance summarizes ideas that will be helpful to those who plan to develop cancer immunotherapy. The aims of this guidance are to discuss and offer important points in early phase clinical studies of innovative cancer immunotherapy, with future progress in this field, and to contribute to the effective development of cancer immunotherapy aligned with the scope of regulatory science. This guidance covers cancer vaccines, effector cell therapy, and inhibition of immunosuppression, including immune checkpoint inhibitors. © 2015 The Authors. Cancer Science published by Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd on behalf of Japanese Cancer Association.

The solubility of carbon monoxide in silicate melts at high pressures and its effect on silicate phase relations. [in terrestrial and other planetary interiors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eggler, D. H.; Mysen, B. O.; Hoering, T. C.; Holloway, J. R.

1979-01-01

Autoradiographic analysis and gas chromatography were used to measure the solubility in silicate melts of CO-CO2 vapors (30 to 40% CO by thermodynamic calculation) in equilibrium with graphite at temperatures up to 1700 deg C and pressures to 30 kbar. At near-liquidus temperatures CO-CO2 vapors were found to be slightly more soluble than CO2 alone. As a result of the apparently negative temperature dependence of CO solubility, the solubility of CO-CO2 at superliquidus temperatures is less than that of CO2. Melting points of two silicates were depressed more by CO than by CO2. Phase boundary orientations suggest that CO/CO + CO2 is greater in the liquid than in the vapor. The effect of the presence of CO on periodotite phase relations was investigated, and it was found that melts containing both CO and CO2 are nearly as polymerized as those containing only CO2. These results suggest that crystallization processes in planetary interiors can be expected to be about the same, whether the melts contain CO2 alone or CO2 and CO.

Psychotropic and Anticonvulsant Drug Usage in Early Childhood Special Education Programs I. Phase One: A Preliminary Report: Prevalence, Attitude, Training, and Problems.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gadow, Kenneth D.

As part of a three phase study designed to survey the teachers and parents of children receiving psychotropic and anticonvulsant drugs, 208 teachers of preschool special education children on medication were mailed questionnaires. The Early Childhood Medication Questionnaire used in the survey included items relating to teacher, program, and…

The Diagnostic Usefulness of Serum Total Bile Acid Concentrations in the Early Phase of Acute Pancreatitis of Varied Etiologies.

PubMed

Maleszka, Aleksandra; Dumnicka, Paulina; Matuszyk, Aleksandra; Pędziwiatr, Michał; Mazur-Laskowska, Małgorzata; Sporek, Mateusz; Ceranowicz, Piotr; Olszanecki, Rafał; Kuźniewski, Marek; Kuśnierz-Cabala, Beata

2017-01-06

The most common causes of acute pancreatitis (AP) are biliary tract diseases with cholestasis and alcohol consumption. In 10%-15% of patients, etiology determination is difficult. Identification of the etiology allows for the implementation of adequate treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of the serum concentrations of total bile acids (TBA) to diagnose AP etiology in the early phase of the disease. We included 66 patients with AP, admitted within the first 24 h from the onset of symptoms. TBA were measured in serum at 24, 48, and 72 h from the onset of AP, using an automated fifth generation assay. The bilirubin-to-TBA ratio (B/TBA) was calculated. TBA was highest on the first day of AP and decreased subsequently. In patients with biliary etiology, serum TBA was significantly higher compared to those with alcoholic and other etiologies. B/TBA was significantly higher in patients with alcoholic etiology. At admission, the cut-off values of 4.7 µmol/L for TBA and 4.22 for the B/TBA ratio allowed for a differentiation between biliary and other etiologies of AP with a diagnostic accuracy of 85 and 83%. Both TBA and B/TBA may help in the diagnosis of AP etiology in the early phase of AP.

Innovative strategies for early clinical R&D.

PubMed

Butz, Robert F; Morelli, Gaetano

2008-01-01

Developments in translational medicine and regulatory initiatives associated with the FDA's Critical Path Initiative are creating new opportunities for innovation in early clinical R&D. The introduction of the exploratory IND process allows small, 'phase 0' clinical trials to be conducted prior to traditional phase I trials - sometimes requiring considerably less chemistry, manufacturing and controls, or preclinical support. Phase 0 clinical trials involving subtherapeutic, yet pharmacologically active, dose levels can provide an early demonstration of clinical proof of concept; such demonstration is of particular importance to small pharmaceutical and early-stage biotechnology companies. However, these opportunities for rapid entry into the clinic must be balanced by a consideration of the unique risks associated with first-in-human clinical trials, and by accounting for public concerns regarding drug safety in general. This feature review discusses how innovative clinical strategies can be used effectively in early drug development.

Leu72Met408 Polymorphism of the Ghrelin Gene Is Associated With Early Phase of Gastric Emptying in the Patients With Functional Dyspepsia in Japan

PubMed Central

Yamawaki, Hiroshi; Futagami, Seiji; Shimpuku, Mayumi; Shindo, Tomotaka; Maruki, Yuuta; Nagoya, Hiroyuki; Kodaka, Yasuhiro; Sato, Hitomi; Gudis, Katya; Kawagoe, Tetsuro; Sakamoto, Choitsu

2015-01-01

Background/Aims There are no available data about the relationship between ghrelin gene genotypes and early phase of gastric emptying in functional dyspepsia (FD) as defined by Rome III classification. Methods We enrolled 74 patients presenting with typical symptoms of FD and 64 healthy volunteers. Gastric motility was evaluated using the 13C-acetate breath test. We used Rome III criteria to evaluate upper abdominal symptoms and self-rating questionnaires for depression (SRQ-D) scores to determine status of depression. The Arg51Gln (346G>A), preproghrelin (3056T>C), Leu72Met (408C>A), Gln90Leu (3412T>A) and G-protein β3 (825C>T) polymorphisms were analyzed in the DNA from blood samples of enrolled subjects. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction. Results There was a significant relationship between the Gln90Leu3412 genotype and SRQ-D score in FD patients (P = 0.009). Area under the curve at 15 minutes (AUC15) value was significantly associated with the Leu72Met408 genotype (P = 0.015) but not with entire gastric emptying. Conclusions The Leu72Met (408C>A) single nucleotide polymorphism was significantly associated with early phase of gastric emptying in FD patients. Further studies will be necessary to clarify the association between ghrelin gene single nucleotide polymorphisms and early phase of gastric emptying in FD patients. PMID:25540946

Leu72Met408 Polymorphism of the Ghrelin Gene Is Associated With Early Phase of Gastric Emptying in the Patients With Functional Dyspepsia in Japan.

PubMed

Yamawaki, Hiroshi; Futagami, Seiji; Shimpuku, Mayumi; Shindo, Tomotaka; Maruki, Yuuta; Nagoya, Hiroyuki; Kodaka, Yasuhiro; Sato, Hitomi; Gudis, Katya; Kawagoe, Tetsuro; Sakamoto, Choitsu

2015-01-01

There are no available data about the relationship between ghrelin gene genotypes and early phase of gastric emptying in functional dyspepsia (FD) as defined by Rome III classification. We enrolled 74 patients presenting with typical symptoms of FD and 64 healthy volunteers. Gastric motility was evaluated using the 13C-acetate breath test. We used Rome III criteria to evaluate upper abdominal symptoms and self-rating questionnaires for depression (SRQ-D) scores to determine status of depression. The Arg51Gln (346G->A), preproghrelin (3056T->C), Leu72Met (408C->A), Gln90Leu (3412T->A) and G-protein 3 (825C->T) polymorphisms were analyzed in the DNA from blood samples of enrolled subjects. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction. There was a significant relationship between the Gln90Leu3412 genotype and SRQ-D score in FD patients (P = 0.009). Area under the curve at 15 minutes (AUC15) value was significantly associated with the Leu72Met408 genotype (P = 0.015) but not with entire gastric emptying. The Leu72Met (408C->A) single nucleotide polymorphism was significantly associated with early phase of gastric emptying in FD patients. Further studies will be necessary to clarify the association between ghrelin gene single nucleotide polymorphisms and early phase of gastric emptying in FD patients.

Microstructure, Lattice Misfit, and High-Temperature Strength of γ'-Strengthened Co-Al-W-Ge Model Superalloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zenk, Christopher H.; Bauer, Alexander; Goik, Philip; Neumeier, Steffen; Stone, Howard J.; Göken, Mathias

2016-05-01

The quaternary alloy system Co-Al-W-Ge was investigated and it was found that a continuous γ /γ ^' two-phase field extends between the systems Co-Al-W and Co-Ge-W. All alloys examined comprised cuboidal L1_2 precipitates coherently embedded in an A1 matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements revealed that the liquidus, solidus, and γ ^' -solvus temperatures decrease when the Ge content is increased. The lower liquidus temperature and the capability of γ ^' -strengthening in the Ge-rich alloys make them interesting as potential candidates for brazing applications of Co-base superalloys. The γ /γ ^' lattice misfit was determined by high-resolution X-ray diffraction and found to be positive for all alloys investigated, decreasing with increasing Ge content. The mechanical properties of the Al-rich alloys surpass those rich in Ge.

Flow Test to Predict Early Hypotony and Hypertensive Phase After Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV) Surgical Implantation.

PubMed

Cheng, Jason; Beltran-Agullo, Laura; Buys, Yvonne M; Moss, Edward B; Gonzalez, Johanna; Trope, Graham E

2016-06-01

To assess the validity of a preimplantation flow test to predict early hypotony [intraocular pressure (IOP)≤5 mm Hg on 2 consecutive visits and hypertensive phase (HP) (IOP>21 mm Hg) after Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV) implantation. Prospective interventional study on patients receiving an AGV. A preimplantation flow test using a gravity-driven reservoir and an open manometer was performed on all AGVs. Opening pressure (OP) and closing pressure (CP) were defined as the pressure at which fluid was seen to flow or stop flowing through the AGV, respectively. OP and CP were measured twice per AGV. Patients were followed for 12 weeks. In total, 20 eyes from 19 patients were enrolled. At 12 weeks the mean IOP decreased from 29.2±9.1 to 16.8±5.2 mm Hg (P<0.01). The mean AGV OP was 17.5±5.4 mm Hg and the mean CP was 6.7±2.3 mm Hg. Early (within 2 wk postoperative) HP occurred in 37% and hypotony in 16% of cases. An 18 mm Hg cutoff for the OP gave a sensitivity of 0.71, specificity of 0.83, positive predictive value of 0.71, and negative predictive value of 0.83 for predicting an early HP. A 7 mm Hg cutoff for the CP yielded a sensitivity of 1.0, specificity of 0.38, positive predictive value of 0.23, and negative predictive value of 1.0 for predicting hypotony. Preoperative OP and CP may predict early hypotony or HP and may be used as a guide as to which AGV valves to discard before implantation surgery.

Optimizing the early phase development of new analgesics by human pain biomarkers.

PubMed

Arendt-Nielsen, Lars; Hoeck, Hans Christian

2011-11-01

Human pain biomarkers are based on standardized acute activation of pain pathways/mechanisms and quantitative assessment of the evoked responses. This approach can be applied to healthy volunteers, to pain patients, and before and after pharmacological interventions to help understanding and profile the mode of action (proof-of-concept) of new and existing analgesic compounds. Standardized stimuli of different modalities can be applied to different tissues (multimodal and multi-tissue) for profiling analgesic compounds with respect to modulation of pain transduction, transmission, specific mechanisms and processing. This approach substantiates which specific compounds may work in particular clinical pain conditions. Human pain biomarkers can be translational and may bridge animal findings in clinical pain conditions, which in turn can provide new possibilities for designing more successful clinical trials. Biomarker based proof-of-concept drug studies in either volunteers or selected patient populations provide inexpensive, fast and reliable mechanism-based information about dose-efficacy relationships. This is important information in the early drug development phase and for designing large expensive clinical trials.

Couple Therapy with Veterans: Early Improvements and Predictors of Early Dropout.

PubMed

Fischer, Melanie S; Bhatia, Vickie; Baddeley, Jenna L; Al-Jabari, Rawya; Libet, Julian

2017-07-28

Family services within Veterans Affairs Medical Centers fulfill an important role in addressing relationship distress among Veterans, which is highly prevalent and comorbid with psychopathology. However, even for evidence-based couple therapies, effectiveness is weaker compared to controlled studies, maybe because many Veteran couples drop out early and do not reach the "active" treatment stage after the 3-4 session assessment. In order to improve outcomes, it is critical to identify couples at high risk for early dropout, and understand whether couples may benefit from the assessment as an intervention. The current study examined (a) demographics, treatment delivery mode, relationship satisfaction, and psychological symptoms as predictors of dropout during and immediately following the assessment phase, and (b) changes in relationship satisfaction during assessment. 174 couples completed questionnaires during routine intake procedures. The main analyses focused on 140 male Veterans and their female civilian partners; 36.43% dropped out during the assessment phase and 24.74% of the remaining couples immediately following the first treatment session. More severe depressive symptoms in non-Veteran partners were associated with dropout during assessment. Relationship satisfaction improved significantly during the assessment phase for couples who did not drop out, with larger gains for non-Veteran partners. No demographics or treatment delivery mode were associated with dropout. Although more research is needed on engaging couples at risk for early dropout and maximizing early benefits, the findings suggest that clinicians should attend to the civilian partner's and Veteran's depressive symptoms at intake and consider the assessment part of active treatment. © 2017 Family Process Institute.

Early phase clinical trials with human immunodeficiency virus-1 and malaria vectored vaccines in The Gambia: frontline challenges in study design and implementation.

PubMed

Afolabi, Muhammed O; Adetifa, Jane U; Imoukhuede, Egeruan B; Viebig, Nicola K; Kampmann, Beate; Bojang, Kalifa

2014-05-01

Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and malaria are among the most important infectious diseases in developing countries. Existing control strategies are unlikely to curtail these diseases in the absence of efficacious vaccines. Testing of HIV and malaria vaccines candidates start with early phase trials that are increasingly being conducted in developing countries where the burden of the diseases is high. Unique challenges, which affect planning and implementation of vaccine trials according to internationally accepted standards have thus been identified. In this review, we highlight specific challenges encountered during two early phase trials of novel HIV-1 and malaria vectored vaccine candidates conducted in The Gambia and how some of these issues were pragmatically addressed. We hope our experience will be useful for key study personnel involved in day-to-day running of similar clinical trials. It may also guide future design and implementation of vaccine trials in resource-constrained settings.

[Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound in Diagnostic Imaging of Muscle Injuries: Perfusion Imaging in the Early Arterial Phase].

PubMed

Hotfiel, T; Carl, H D; Swoboda, B; Engelhardt, M; Heinrich, M; Strobel, D; Wildner, D

2016-03-01

Ultrasound is a standard procedure widely used in the diagnostic investigation of muscle injuries and widely described in the literature. Its advantages include rapid availability, cost effectiveness and the possibility to perform a real-time dynamic examination with the highest possible spatial resolution. In the diagnostic work-up of minor lesions (muscle stiffness, muscle strain), plain ultrasound has so far been inferior to MRI. The case presented by us is an example of the possibilities offered by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the imaging of muscle injuries compared with plain B-mode image ultrasound and MRI imaging of the affected region. This case report is about a high-performance football player who sustained a muscle injury. He underwent an ultrasound examination (S 2000, 9L4 Probe, Siemens, Germany), which was performed simultaneously in the conventional and contrast-enhanced mode at the level of the lesion. An intravenous bolus injection of 4.8 ml of intravascular contrast agent (SonoVue(®), Bracco, Italy) was given via a cubital intravenous line. After that, the distribution of contrast agent was visualised in the early arterial phase. In addition, a plain magnetic resonance imaging scan of both thighs was performed for reference. On conventional ultrasound, the lesion was not clearly distinguishable from neighbouring tissue, whereas contrast-enhanced ultrasound demonstrated a well delineated, circumscribed area of impaired perfusion with hypoenhancement compared with the surrounding muscles at the clinical level of the lesion in the arterial wash-in phase (0-30 sec, after intravenous administration). The MRI scan revealed an edema signal with perifascial fluid accumulation in the corresponding site. The use of intravascular contrast agent enabled the sensitive detection of a minor injury by ultrasound for the first time. An intramuscular edema seen in the MRI scan showed a functional arterial perfusion impairment on ultrasound, which was

3D Computer Models of T- x- y Diagrams, Forming the Fe-Ni-Co-FeS-NiS-CoS Subsystem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lutsyk, V. I.; Vorob'eva, V. P.

2017-12-01

3D computer models of Fe-Ni-Co, Fe-Ni-FeS-NiS, Fe-Co-FeS-CoS, Ni-Co-NiS-CoS T- x- y diagrams have been designed. The geometric structure (35 surfaces, two-phase surface of the reaction type change, 17 phase regions) of the Fe-Ni-FeS-NiS T- x- y diagram is investigated in detail. The liquidus hypersurfaces prediction of the Fe-Ni-Co-FeS-NiS-CoS subsystem is represented.

Redox Variations in Early Solar System Materials and Implications for Late Stage Planetary Accretion and Planet Formation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Righter, K.

2017-01-01

Oxygen fugacity plays an important role in determining the detailed physical and chemical aspects of planets and their building blocks. Basic chemical properties such as the amount of oxidized Fe in a mantle (as FeO), the nature of alloying elements in the core (S, C, H, O, Si), and the solubility of various volatile elements in the silicate and metallic portions of embryos and planets can influence physical properties such as the size of the core, the liquidus and solidus of the mantle and core, and the speciation of volatile compounds contributing to atmospheres. This paper will provide an overview of the range of fO2 variation observed in primitive and differentiated materials that may have participated in accretion (cosmic dust, Star-dust and meteorites), a comparison to observations of planetary fO2 (Mercury, Mars and Earth), and a discus-sion of timing of variation of fO2 within both early and later accreted materials. This overview is meant to promote discussion and interaction between students of these two stages of planet formation to identify areas where more work is needed.

HISPASAT launch and early operations phases: Computation and monitoring of geostationary satellite positioning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brousse, Pascal; Desprairies, Arnaud

1993-01-01

Since 1974, CNES, the French National Space Agency, has been involved in the geostationary launch and early operations phases (LEOP) of moving satellites from a transfer orbit delivered by a launcher to a geostationary point. During the operations and their preparation, the Flight Dynamics Center (FDC), part of CNES LEOP facilities, is in charge of the space mechanics aspects. What is noteworthy about the Spanish HISPASAT satellite positioning is that all the operations were performed on the customer's premises, and consequently the FDC was duplicated in Madrid, Spain. The first part of this paper is the FDC presentation: its role, its hardware configuration, and its space dynamics ground control system called MERCATOR. The second part of this paper details the preparation used by the FDC for the HISPASAT mission: hardware and software installation in Madrid, integration with the other entities, and technical and operational qualifications. The third part gives results concerning flight dynamics aspects and operational activities.

Rapamycin Ameliorates Inflammation and Fibrosis in the Early Phase of Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension in Rats through Inhibition of mTORC1 but Not mTORC2

PubMed Central

Wang, Weijie; Yan, Jiqi; Wang, Huakai; Shi, Minmin; Zhang, Mingjun; Yang, Weiping; Peng, Chenghong; Li, Hongwei

2014-01-01

Objective Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) transdifferentiation and subsequent inflammation are important pathological processes involved in the formation of cirrhotic portal hypertension. This study characterizes the pathogenetic mechanisms leading to cholestatic liver fibrosis and portal hypertension, and focuses on mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway as a potential modulator in the early phase of cirrhotic portal hypertension. Methods Early cirrhotic portal hypertension was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) for three weeks. One week after operation, sham-operated (SHAM) and BDL rats received rapamycin (2 mg/kg/day) by intraperitoneal injection for fourteen days. Vehicle-treated SHAM and BDL rats served as controls. Fibrosis, inflammation, and portal pressure were evaluated by histology, morphometry, and hemodynamics. Expressions of pro-fibrogenic and pro-inflammatory genes in liver were measured by RT-PCR; alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and antigen Ki67 were detected by immunohistochemistry; expressions of AKT/mTOR signaling molecules, extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p-ERK1/2, and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) were assessed by western blot. Results The AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was markedly activated in the early phase of cirrhotic portal hypertension induced by BDL in rats. mTOR blockade by rapamycin profoundly improved liver function by limiting inflammation, fibrosis and portal pressure. Rapamycin significantly inhibited the expressions of phosphorylated 70KD ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p-P70S6K) and phosphorylated ribosomal protein S6 (p-S6) but not p-AKT Ser473 relative to their total proteins in BDL-Ra rats. Those results suggested that mTOR Complex 1 (mTORC1) rather than mTORC2 was inhibited by rapamycin. Interestingly, we also found that the level of p-ERK1/2 to ERK1/2 was significantly increased in BDL rats, which was little affected by rapamycin. Conclusions The AKT/mTOR signaling pathway played an important role in the

The stability of hibonite, melilite and other aluminous phases in silicate melts: Implications for the origin of hibonite-bearing inclusions from carbonaceous chondrites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beckett, J. R.; Stolper, E.

1994-01-01

Phase fields in which hibonite and silicate melt coexist with spinel CaAl4O7, gehlenitic melilite, anorthite or corundum at 1 bar in the system CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-TiO2 were determined. The hibonites contain up to 1.7 wt% SiO2. For TiO2, the experimentally determined partition coefficients between hibonite and coexisting melt D(sub i)(sup Hib/L), vary from 0.8 to 2.1 and generally decrease with increasing TiO2 in the liquid. Based on Ti partitioning between hibonite and melt, bulk inclusion compositions and hibonite-saturated liquidus phase diagrams, the hibonite in hibonite-poor fluffy Type A inclusions from Allende and at least some hibonite from hibonite-rich inclusions is relict, although much of the hibonite from hibonite-glass spherules probably crystallized metasably from a melt. Bulk compositions for all of these CAIs are consistent with an origin as melite + hibonite + spinel + perovskite phase assembalges that were partially altered and in some cases partially or completely melted. The duration of the melting event was sufficient to remove any Na introduced by the alteration process but frequently insufficient to dissolve all of the original hibonite. Simple thermochemical models developed for meteoritic melilite and hibonite solid solutions were used to obtain equilibration temperatures of hibonite-bearing phase assemblages with vapor. Referenced to 10(exp -3) atm, hibonite + corundum + vapor equilibrated at approximately 1260 C and hibonite + spinel +/- melilite + vapor at 1215 +/- 10 C. If these temperatures reflect condensation in a cooling gas of solar composition, then hibonite +/- corundum condensed first, followed by spinel and then melilite. The position of perovskite within this sequence is uncertain, but it probably began to condense before spinel. This sequence of phase appearances and relative temperatures is generally consistent with observed textures but differs from expectations based on classical condensation calculations in that

Phase II Validation of a New Panel of Biomarkers for Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer — EDRN Public Portal

Cancer.gov

While all cancer patients could potentially benefit from earlier detection and prevention, the development of new screening technologies and chemoprevention for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is unique in this regard. EOC is characterized by few early symptoms, presentation at an advanced stage, and poor survival. Presently there is no commercially available test that is diagnostic for either early or advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer. The most commonly used marker, CA125, identifies a group of cell surface glycoproteins, which have uncertain biological behavior and very limited clinical utility for the detection of early stage disease. In recent years, several approaches have been used in order to develop a test for early detection, including the analysis of serum samples by SELDI-TOF and MALDI-TOF to find proteins or protein fragments of unknown identity that detect the presence/absence of cancer. Unfortunately, at the present time, none of these techniques have been shown to be adequate. Therefore, the development of a test that can detect early stages of the disease could dramatically improve treatment success and long-term survival. We have developed a new blood test based on a different approach: 1) we used known proteins related to cancer biology, 2) we characterized these proteins with several different screening steps using samples obtained from both healthy and cancer patient populations, and 3) validated the results with different techniques. Using split point analysis with four markers, 96 out of 100 EOC patients (96%) were correctly diagnosed with ovarian cancer (including 23 of 24 patients with Stage I/II EOC). In the healthy group, 6 out of 106 individuals were diagnosed incorrectly (5.6%). Working in collaboration with the Early Detection Network (EDRN/NCI/NIH), we performed Phase I discovery study confirming the potential application of this test for early detection of ovarian cancer (Preliminary results). The main objective of this pr

Experimental Constraints on the Origin of Lunar High-Ti Ultramafic Glasses

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wagner, T. P.; Grove, T. L.

1996-01-01

Phase equilibria and dissolution rate experiments are used to develop a petrogenetic model for the high-Ti lunar ultramafic glasses. Near-liquidus phase relations of the Apollo 14 black glass, the most Ti-rich lunar ultramafic glass, are determined to 2.2-GPa. The liquidus is saturated with Cr-spinel at 1-atm, olivine between approximately 0.5- and 1.5-GPa, and low-Ca pyroxene + Cr-spinel above 1.5-GPa. Ilmenite does not crystallize near the liquidus and implies that high-Ti ultramafic glasses are not produced by melting of an ilmenite-saturated source. We infer that high-Ti ultramafic magmas are derived from low-Ti ultramafic parent magmas by assimilation of ilmenite +/- clinopyroxene +/- urKREEP +/- pigeonite in the shallow lunar interior. Heat is provided by adiabatic ascent of the low-Ti ultramafic primary magmas from the deeper lunar interior and crystallization of olivine during assimilation. The assimilation reaction is modeled by mass balance and requires that ilmenite and high-Ca pyroxene are assimilated in a approximately 3:1 ratio, a much higher ratio than the proportion in which these minerals are thought to exist in the lunar interior. In an effort to understand the kinetic controls on this reaction, the dissolution of ilmenite is examined experimentally in both low- and high-Ti lunar magmas. We find that ilmenite dissolves incongruently to Cr-spinel and a high-Ti melt. The dissolution reaction proceeds by a diffusion-controlled mechanism. An assimilation model for the origin of high-Ti melts is developed that leaves the magma ocean cumulates in their initial stratigraphic positions and obviates source hybridization models that require lunar overturn.

A phase I/II trial of AT9283, a selective inhibitor of aurora kinase in children with relapsed or refractory acute leukemia: challenges to run early phase clinical trials for children with leukemia.

PubMed

Vormoor, B; Veal, G J; Griffin, M J; Boddy, A V; Irving, J; Minto, L; Case, M; Banerji, U; Swales, K E; Tall, J R; Moore, A S; Toguchi, M; Acton, G; Dyer, K; Schwab, C; Harrison, C J; Grainger, J D; Lancaster, D; Kearns, P; Hargrave, D; Vormoor, J

2017-06-01

Aurora kinases regulate mitosis and are commonly overexpressed in leukemia. This phase I/IIa study of AT9283, a multikinase inhibitor, was designed to identify maximal tolerated doses, safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamic activity in children with relapsed/refractory acute leukemia. The trial suffered from poor recruitment and terminated early, therefore failing to identify its primary endpoints. AT9283 caused tolerable toxicity, but failed to show clinical responses. Future trials should be based on robust preclinical data that provide an indication of which patients may benefit from the experimental agent, and recruitment should be improved through international collaborations and early combination with established treatment strategies. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Premenstrual symptoms are associated with psychological and physical symptoms in early pregnancy.

PubMed

Winkel, Susanne; Einsle, Franziska; Wittchen, Hans-Ulrich; Martini, Julia

2013-04-01

The reproductive life of women is characterised by a number of distinct reproductive events and phases (e.g. premenstrual phase, peripartum, perimenopause). The hormonal transitions during these phases are often associated with both psychological and physical symptoms. Associations between these reproductive phases have been shown by numerous studies. However, the relationship between symptoms during the premenstrual phase and during early pregnancy has received little attention thus far, although early pregnancy is a time of dramatic hormonal as well as physical adaptation. Findings are based on a prospective longitudinal study with N = 306 pregnant women (MARI study). Three hundred five women that had menstrual bleeding in the year before pregnancy rated the severity of psychological and physical symptoms during premenstrual phases in the year preceding pregnancy. Besides this, they rated the severity of the same symptoms during early pregnancy (weeks 10 to 12 of gestation). The overall severity of premenstrual symptoms was significantly associated with the overall severity of early pregnancy symptoms (b = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.3-0.5; p < 0.001). The overall severity of early pregnancy symptoms was best predicted by the severity of premenstrual irritability. The best predictor for a particular symptom in early pregnancy mostly was the corresponding premenstrual symptom. The associations between premenstrual and early pregnancy symptoms support the reproductive hormone sensitivity hypothesis that some women are prone to repeatedly experience specific psychological and physical symptoms during different reproductive phases. The findings further imply that the nature of symptoms might be rather consistent between different reproductive phases.

The Diagnostic Usefulness of Serum Total Bile Acid Concentrations in the Early Phase of Acute Pancreatitis of Varied Etiologies

PubMed Central

Maleszka, Aleksandra; Dumnicka, Paulina; Matuszyk, Aleksandra; Pędziwiatr, Michał; Mazur-Laskowska, Małgorzata; Sporek, Mateusz; Ceranowicz, Piotr; Olszanecki, Rafał; Kuźniewski, Marek; Kuśnierz-Cabala, Beata

2017-01-01

The most common causes of acute pancreatitis (AP) are biliary tract diseases with cholestasis and alcohol consumption. In 10%–15% of patients, etiology determination is difficult. Identification of the etiology allows for the implementation of adequate treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of the serum concentrations of total bile acids (TBA) to diagnose AP etiology in the early phase of the disease. We included 66 patients with AP, admitted within the first 24 h from the onset of symptoms. TBA were measured in serum at 24, 48, and 72 h from the onset of AP, using an automated fifth generation assay. The bilirubin-to-TBA ratio (B/TBA) was calculated. TBA was highest on the first day of AP and decreased subsequently. In patients with biliary etiology, serum TBA was significantly higher compared to those with alcoholic and other etiologies. B/TBA was significantly higher in patients with alcoholic etiology. At admission, the cut-off values of 4.7 µmol/L for TBA and 4.22 for the B/TBA ratio allowed for a differentiation between biliary and other etiologies of AP with a diagnostic accuracy of 85 and 83%. Both TBA and B/TBA may help in the diagnosis of AP etiology in the early phase of AP. PMID:28067818

Human Dose-Response Data for Francisella tularensis and a Dose- and Time-Dependent Mathematical Model of Early-Phase Fever Associated with Tularemia After Inhalation Exposure.

PubMed

McClellan, Gene; Coleman, Margaret; Crary, David; Thurman, Alec; Thran, Brandolyn

2018-04-25

Military health risk assessors, medical planners, operational planners, and defense system developers require knowledge of human responses to doses of biothreat agents to support force health protection and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN) defense missions. This article reviews extensive data from 118 human volunteers administered aerosols of the bacterial agent Francisella tularensis, strain Schu S4, which causes tularemia. The data set includes incidence of early-phase febrile illness following administration of well-characterized inhaled doses of F. tularensis. Supplemental data on human body temperature profiles over time available from de-identified case reports is also presented. A unified, logically consistent model of early-phase febrile illness is described as a lognormal dose-response function for febrile illness linked with a stochastic time profile of fever. Three parameters are estimated from the human data to describe the time profile: incubation period or onset time for fever; rise time of fever; and near-maximum body temperature. Inhaled dose-dependence and variability are characterized for each of the three parameters. These parameters enable a stochastic model for the response of an exposed population through incorporation of individual-by-individual variability by drawing random samples from the statistical distributions of these three parameters for each individual. This model provides risk assessors and medical decisionmakers reliable representations of the predicted health impacts of early-phase febrile illness for as long as one week after aerosol exposures of human populations to F. tularensis. © 2018 Society for Risk Analysis.

Free Trehalose Accumulation in Dormant Mycobacterium smegmatis Cells and Its Breakdown in Early Resuscitation Phase

PubMed Central

Shleeva, Margarita O.; Trutneva, Kseniya A.; Demina, Galina R.; Zinin, Alexander I.; Sorokoumova, Galina M.; Laptinskaya, Polina K.; Shumkova, Ekaterina S.; Kaprelyants, Arseny S.

2017-01-01

Under gradual acidification of growth medium resulting in the formation of dormant Mycobacterium smegmatis, a significant accumulation of free trehalose in dormant cells was observed. According to 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy up to 64% of total organic substances in the dormant cell extract was represented by trehalose whilst the trehalose content in an extract of active cells taken from early stationary phase was not more than 15%. Trehalose biosynthesis during transition to the dormant state is provided by activation of genes involved in the OtsA-OtsB and TreY-TreZ pathways (according to RT-PCR). Varying the concentration of free trehalose in dormant cells by expression of MSMEG_4535 coding for trehalase we found that cell viability depends on trehalose level: cells with a high amount of trehalose survive much better than cells with a low amount. Upon resuscitation of dormant M. smegmatis, a decrease of free trehalose and an increase in glucose concentration occurred in the early period of resuscitation (after 2 h). Evidently, breakdown of trehalose by trehalase takes place at this time as a transient increase in trehalase activity was observed between 1 and 3 h of resuscitation. Activation of trehalase was not due to de novo biosynthesis but because of self-activation of the enzyme from the inactive state in dormant cells. Because, even a low concentration of ATP (2 mM) prevents self-activation of trehalase in vitro and after activation the enzyme is still sensitive to ATP we suggest that the transient character of trehalase activation in cells is due to variation in intracellular ATP concentration found in the early resuscitation period. The negative influence of the trehalase inhibitor validamycin A on the resuscitation of dormant cells proves the importance of trehalase for resuscitation. These experiments demonstrate the significance of free trehalose accumulation for the maintenance of dormant mycobacterial viability and the involvement of trehalose

A phase II trial for the efficacy of physiotherapy intervention for early-onset hip osteoarthritis: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Kemp, Joanne L; Moore, Kate; Fransen, Marlene; Russell, Trevor G; Crossley, Kay M

2015-01-27

Early-onset hip osteoarthritis is commonly seen in people undergoing hip arthroscopy and is associated with increased pain, reduced ability to participate in physical activity, reduced quality of life and reduced range of motion and muscle strength. Despite this, the efficacy of non-surgical interventions such as exercise therapies remains unknown. The primary aim is to establish the feasibility of a phase III randomised controlled trial investigating a targeted physiotherapy intervention for people with early-onset hip osteoarthritis. The secondary aims are to determine the size of treatment effects of a physiotherapy intervention, targeted to improve hip joint range and hip-related symptoms in early-onset hip osteoarthritis following hip arthroscopy, compared to a health-education control. This protocol describes a randomised, assessor- and participant-blind, controlled clinical trial. We will include 20 participants who are (i) aged between 18 and 50 years; (ii) have undergone hip arthroscopy during the past six to 12 months; (iii) have early-onset hip osteoarthritis (defined as chondrolabral pathology) at the time of hip arthroscopy; and (iv) experience hip-related pain during activities. Primary outcome will be the feasibility of a phase III clinical trial. Secondary outcomes will be (i) perceived global change score; (ii) hip-related symptoms (measured using the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) pain subscale, activity subscale, and sport and recreation subscale); (iii) hip quality of life (measured using the HOOS quality of life subscale and International Hip Outcome tool; (iv) hip muscle strength and (v) hip range of motion. The physiotherapy intervention is semi-standardised, including joint and soft tissue mobilisation and stretching, hip and trunk muscle retraining and functional and activity-specific retraining and education. The control intervention encompasses individualised health education, with the same frequency and duration

Phase equilibria in the quasiternary system Ag{sub 2}S–Ga{sub 2}S{sub 3}–In{sub 2}S{sub 3} and optical properties of (Ga{sub 55}In{sub 45}){sub 2}S{sub 300}, (Ga{sub 54.59}In{sub 44.66}Er{sub 0.75}){sub 2}S{sub 300} single crystals

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

Ivashchenko, I.A., E-mail: Ivashchenko.Inna@eenu.edu.ua; Danyliuk, I.V.; Olekseyuk, I.D.

The quasiternary system Ag{sub 2}S–Ga{sub 2}S{sub 3}–In{sub 2}S{sub 3} was investigated by differential thermal, X-ray diffraction analyses. The phase diagram of the Ga{sub 2}S{sub 3}–In{sub 2}S{sub 3} system and nine polythermal sections, isothermal section at 820 K and the liquidus surface projection were constructed. The existence of the large solid solutions ranges of binary and ternary compounds was established. The range of the existence of the quaternary phase AgGa{sub x}In{sub 5−x}S{sub 8} (2.25≤x≤2.85) at 820 K was determined. The single crystals (Ga{sub 55}In{sub 45}){sub 2}S{sub 300} and (Ga{sub 54.59}In{sub 44.66}Er{sub 0.75}){sub 2}S{sub 300} were grown by a directional crystallization methodmore » from solution-melt. Optical absorption spectra in the 500–1600 nm range were recorded. The luminescence of the (Ga{sub 54.59}In{sub 44.66}Er{sub 0.75}){sub 2}S{sub 300} single crystal shows a maximum at 1530 nm for the excitation wavelengths of 532 and 980 nm at 80 and 300 K. - Graphical abstract: Isothermal section of the quasiternary system Ag{sub 2}S–Ga{sub 2}S{sub 3}–In{sub 2}S{sub 3} at 820 K and normalized photoluminescence spectra of the single crystal (Ga{sub 54.59}In{sub 44.66}Er{sub 0.75}){sub 2}S{sub 300} at 300 K. - Highlights: • Isothermal section at 820 K, liquidus surface projection were built for Ag{sub 2}S–Ga{sub 2}S{sub 3}–In{sub 2}S{sub 3}. • Optical properties of single crystals were studied.« less

Tholeiitic basalt magmatism of Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes of Hawaii

USGS Publications Warehouse

Murata, K.J.

1970-01-01

The primitive magmas of Kilauca and Mauna Loa are generated by partial melting of mantle peridotite at depths of -60 km or more. Results of high-pressure melting experiments indicate that the primitive melt must contain at least 20% MgO in order to have olivine as a liquidus mineral. The least fractionated lavas of both volcanoes have olivine (Fa13) on the liquidus at 1 atmosphere, suggesting that the only substance lost from the primitive melt, during a rather rapid ascent to the surface, is olivine. This relation allows the primitive composition to be computed by adding olivine to the composition of an erupted lava until total MgO is at least 20 percent. Although roughly similar, historic lavas of the two volcanoes show a consistent difference in composition. The primitive melt of Mauna Loa contains 20% more dissolved orthopyroxene, a high-temperature melting phase in the mantle, and is deficient in elements such as potassium, uranium, and niobium, which presumably occur in minor low-melting phases. Mauna Loa appears to be the older volcano, deriving its magma at higher temperature and greater depth from a more depleted source rock. ?? 1970 Springer-Verlag.

A study of cannabinoid-1 receptors during the early phase of excitotoxic damage to rat spinal locomotor networks in vitro.

PubMed

Veeraraghavan, Priyadharishini; Dekanic, Ana; Nistri, Andrea

2016-10-01

Endocannabinoids acting on cannabinoid-1 receptors (CB1Rs) are proposed to protect brain and spinal neurons from excitotoxic damage. The ability to recover from spinal cord injury (SCI), in which excitotoxicity is a major player, is usually investigated at late times after modulation of CB1Rs whose role in the early phases of SCI remains unclear. Using the rat spinal cord in vitro as a model for studying SCI initial pathophysiology, we investigated if agonists or antagonists of CB1Rs might affect SCI induced by the excitotoxic agent kainate (KA) within 24h from a transient (1h) application of this glutamate agonist. The CB1 agonist anandamide (AEA or pharmacological block of its degradation) did not limit excitotoxic depolarization of spinal networks: cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) assay demonstrated that CB1Rs remained functional 24h later and similarly expressed among dead or survived cells. Locomotor-like network activity recorded from ventral roots could not recover with such treatments and was associated with persistent depression of synaptic transmission. Motoneurons, that are particularly vulnerable to KA, were not protected by AEA. Application of 2-arachidonoylglycerol also did not attenuate the electrophysiological and histological damage. The intensification of damage by the CB1 antagonist AM251 suggested that endocannabinoids were operative after excitotoxic stimulation, yet insufficient to contrast it efficiently. The present data indicate that the early phases of excitotoxic SCI could not be arrested by pharmacologically exploiting the endocannabinoid system, consistent with the notion that AEA and its derivatives are more useful to treat late SCI phases. Copyright © 2016 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Investigation of the relationships between the thermodynamic phase behavior and gelation behavior of a series of tripodal trisamide compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Li

Low molecular weight organic gelators(LMOGs) are important due to potential applications in many fields. Currently, most of the major studies focus on the empirical explanation of the crystallization for gelator assembly formation and morphologies, few efforts have been devoted to the thermodynamic phase behaviors and the effect of the non-ideal solution behavior on the structure of the resultant gels. In this research, tripodal trisamide compounds, synthesized from tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (TREN) by condensation with different acid chlorides, were studied as model LMOGs due to the simple one-step reaction and the commercially available chemical reactants. Gelation of organic solvents was investigated as a function of concentration and solvent solubility parameter.It has been found that the introduction of branches or cyclic units have dramatically improves the gelation ability compared to linear alkyl peripheral units. Fitting the liquidus lines using the regular solution model and calculation of the trisamide solubility parameter using solubility parameter theory gave good agreement with the trisamide solubility parameter calculated by group contribution methods. These results demonstrate that non-ideal solution behavior is an important factor in the gelation behavior of low molecular mass organic gelators. Understanding and controlling the thermodynamics and phase behaviors of the gel systems will provide effective ways to produce new efficient LMOGs in the future.

Safety and effectiveness of stem cell therapies in early-phase clinical trials in stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Nagpal, Anjali; Choy, Fong Chan; Howell, Stuart; Hillier, Susan; Chan, Fiona; Hamilton-Bruce, Monica A; Koblar, Simon A

2017-08-30

Stem cells have demonstrated encouraging potential as reparative therapy for patients suffering from post-stroke disability. Reperfusion interventions in the acute phase of stroke have shown significant benefit but are limited by a narrow window of opportunity in which they are beneficial. Thereafter, rehabilitation is the only intervention available. The current review summarises the current evidence for use of stem cell therapies in stroke from early-phase clinical trials. The safety and feasibility of administering different types of stem cell therapies in stroke seem to be reasonably proven. However, the effectiveness needs still to be established through bigger clinical trials with more pragmatic clinical trial designs that address the challenges raised by the heterogeneous nature of stroke per se, as well those due to unique characteristics of stem cells as therapeutic agents.

Method for the generation of variable density metal vapors which bypasses the liquidus phase

DOEpatents

Kunnmann, Walter; Larese, John Z.

2001-01-01

The present invention provides a method for producing a metal vapor that includes the steps of combining a metal and graphite in a vessel to form a mixture; heating the mixture to a first temperature in an argon gas atmosphere to form a metal carbide; maintaining the first temperature for a period of time; heating the metal carbide to a second temperature to form a metal vapor; withdrawing the metal vapor and the argon gas from the vessel; and separating the metal vapor from the argon gas. Metal vapors made using this method can be used to produce uniform powders of the metal oxide that have narrow size distribution and high purity.

Unimpaired endogenous pain inhibition in the early phase of complex regional pain syndrome.

PubMed

Kumowski, N; Hegelmaier, T; Kolbenschlag, J; Maier, C; Mainka, T; Vollert, J; Enax-Krumova, E

2017-05-01

The complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is characterized by distal generalisation of pain beyond the initial trauma. This might be the result of impaired endogenous pain inhibition. We compared Conditioned Pain Modulation (CPM) between patients with CRPS (n = 24; pain: 4.5 ± 2.2, NRS 0-10; disease duration <1 year), neuralgia (n = 17; pain: 5.5 ± 1.1) and healthy subjects (n = 23) and its correlation with loss and gain of function as assessed by Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST). CPM was assessed with heat as test stimulus (TS) and cold water as conditioning stimulus (CS). The early CPM-effect was calculated as difference between heat pain during and before conditioning, the late CPM-effect, 5 minutes after and before conditioning, respectively. Heat pain decreased comparably after CS in all groups, resulting in a significant CPM-effect (healthy: -12.5 ± 12.4, NRS 0-100; CRPS: -14.7 ± 15.7; neuralgia: -7.9 ± 9.8; p < 0.001). When compared to healthy subjects, heat pain declined significantly steeper in CRPS patients (healthy: -2.0 ± 5.5, NRS 0-100/10 s; CRPS: -6.3 ± 8.1; p < 0.05). Only CRPS patients demonstrated a late CPM effect (-6.0 ± 9.0, p < 0.005). Neither spontaneous pain nor any QST parameter correlated with CPM, with the exception of a decreased cold pain threshold, which correlated with an enhanced CPM in CRPS patients only (r = -0.456, p < 0.05). An impairment of endogenous pain inhibition does not explain the extent of pain in the early stage of CRPS or in neuralgia. The unexpectedly high CPM in CRPS patients might result from activation of the intact descending pathways in response to central sensitization, as cold hyperalgesia correlated with the CPM-effect. Conditioned pain modulation (CPM) is not impaired in the early phase of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and neuralgia. Only in CRPS higher CPM was associated with lower cold pain thresholds. © 2017 European Pain Federation - EFIC®.

Phase distribution of spliceosomal introns: implications for intron origin

PubMed Central

Nguyen, Hung D; Yoshihama, Maki; Kenmochi, Naoya

2006-01-01

Background The origin of spliceosomal introns is the central subject of the introns-early versus introns-late debate. The distribution of intron phases is non-uniform, with an excess of phase-0 introns. Introns-early explains this by speculating that a fraction of present-day introns were present between minigenes in the progenote and therefore must lie in phase-0. In contrast, introns-late predicts that the nonuniformity of intron phase distribution reflects the nonrandomness of intron insertions. Results In this paper, we tested the two theories using analyses of intron phase distribution. We inferred the evolution of intron phase distribution from a dataset of 684 gene orthologs from seven eukaryotes using a maximum likelihood method. We also tested whether the observed intron phase distributions from 10 eukaryotes can be explained by intron insertions on a genome-wide scale. In contrast to the prediction of introns-early, the inferred evolution of intron phase distribution showed that the proportion of phase-0 introns increased over evolution. Consistent with introns-late, the observed intron phase distributions matched those predicted by an intron insertion model quite well. Conclusion Our results strongly support the introns-late hypothesis of the origin of spliceosomal introns. PMID:16959043

Beam-induced pressure gradients in the early phase of proton-heated solar flares

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tamres, David H.; Canfield, Richard C.; Mcclymont, A. N.

1986-01-01

The pressure gradient induced in a coronal loop by proton beam momentum deposition is calculated and compared with the thermal pressure gradient arising from nonuniform deposition of beam energy; it is assumed that the transfer of momentum and energy from beam to target occurs via the Coulomb interaciton. Results are presented for both a low mean energy and a high mean energy proton beam injected at the loop apex and characterized by a power-law energy spectrum. The present treatment takes account of the breakdown of the cold target approximation for the low-energy proton beam in the corona, where the thermal speed of target electrons exceeds the beam speed. It is found that proton beam momentum deposition plays a potentially significant role in flare dynamics only in the low mean energy case and only in the corona, where it may dominate the acceleration of target material for as long as several tens of seconds. This conclusion suggest that the presence of low-energy nonthermal protons may be inferred from velocity-sensitive coronal observations in the early impulsive phase.

Optimization of Primary Drying in Lyophilization during Early Phase Drug Development using a Definitive Screening Design with Formulation and Process Factors.

PubMed

Goldman, Johnathan M; More, Haresh T; Yee, Olga; Borgeson, Elizabeth; Remy, Brenda; Rowe, Jasmine; Sadineni, Vikram

2018-06-08

Development of optimal drug product lyophilization cycles is typically accomplished via multiple engineering runs to determine appropriate process parameters. These runs require significant time and product investments, which are especially costly during early phase development when the drug product formulation and lyophilization process are often defined simultaneously. Even small changes in the formulation may require a new set of engineering runs to define lyophilization process parameters. In order to overcome these development difficulties, an eight factor definitive screening design (DSD), including both formulation and process parameters, was executed on a fully human monoclonal antibody (mAb) drug product. The DSD enables evaluation of several interdependent factors to define critical parameters that affect primary drying time and product temperature. From these parameters, a lyophilization development model is defined where near optimal process parameters can be derived for many different drug product formulations. This concept is demonstrated on a mAb drug product where statistically predicted cycle responses agree well with those measured experimentally. This design of experiments (DoE) approach for early phase lyophilization cycle development offers a workflow that significantly decreases the development time of clinically and potentially commercially viable lyophilization cycles for a platform formulation that still has variable range of compositions. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Alpha phase precipitation from phase-separated beta phase in a model Ti-Mo-Al alloy studied by direct coupling of transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography

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

Devaraj, Arun; Nag, Soumya; Banerjee, Rajarshi

2013-10-19

The benefit of direct coupling of APT with TEM dark field imaging to investigate early stages of phase transformation in multicomponent alloys is demonstrated by analyzing alpha phase precipitated in a model Ti-10 at% Mo-10 at% Al alloy during annealing at 400oC. Through such a direct coupling approach a thermodynamically unexpected solute partitioning trend between beta matrix and alpha precipitate is observed in the early stages of precipitation, which is explained based on possible nucleation of alpha phase in the Ti rich (Mo and Al depleted regions) created as a result of phase separation in beta matrix. On further highermore » temperature annealing at 600oC for 1 hour, the alpha precipitates were shown to grow and get enriched in Al and further depleted in Mo reaching the thermodynamic equilibrium.« less

Career Planning and Development for Early-Career Scientists

EPA Science Inventory

Early career development can be looked at as being of two major phases. The first phase is the formal educational process leading to an awarded degree, postdoctoral training, and potentially formal certification in a scientific discipline. The second phase is the informal educa...

Serum Uromodulin Levels in Prediction of Acute Kidney Injury in the Early Phase of Acute Pancreatitis.

PubMed

Kuśnierz-Cabala, Beata; Gala-Błądzińska, Agnieszka; Mazur-Laskowska, Małgorzata; Dumnicka, Paulina; Sporek, Mateusz; Matuszyk, Aleksandra; Gil, Krzysztof; Ceranowicz, Piotr; Walocha, Jerzy; Kucharz, Jakub; Pędziwiatr, Michał; Bartuś, Krzysztof; Trąbka, Rafał; Kuźniewski, Marek

2017-06-14

In health, uromodulin is the main protein of urine. Serum uromodulin concentrations (sUMOD) have been shown to correlate with kidney function. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is among the main complications of severe acute pancreatitis (AP). No reports exist on sUMOD in patients with AP, including the diagnostic usefulness for early prediction of AP severity. We measured sUMOD during first 72 h of AP. Sixty-six adult patients with AP were recruited at the surgical ward of the District Hospital in Sucha Beskidzka, Poland. AP was diagnosed according to the Revised Atlanta Classification. Blood samples were collected at 24, 48 and 72 h of AP, and sUMOD concentrations were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent test. sUMOD decreased non-significantly during the study. Patients with severe AP had non-significantly lower sUMOD concentrations than those with mild disease. Significant positive correlation was observed between sUMOD and estimated glomerular filtration rate on each day of the study and negative correlations were shown between sUMOD and age, serum creatinine, cystatin C and urea. Patients with AKI tended to have lower sUMOD. Although sUMOD correlated significantly with kidney function in the early phase of AP, measuring sUMOD did not allow to reliably predict AP severity or development of AKI.

Effects of Solid Solution Strengthening Elements Mo, Re, Ru, and W on Transition Temperatures in Nickel-Based Superalloys with High γ'-Volume Fraction: Comparison of Experiment and CALPHAD Calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ritter, Nils C.; Sowa, Roman; Schauer, Jan C.; Gruber, Daniel; Goehler, Thomas; Rettig, Ralf; Povoden-Karadeniz, Erwin; Koerner, Carolin; Singer, Robert F.

2018-06-01

We prepared 41 different superalloy compositions by an arc melting, casting, and heat treatment process. Alloy solid solution strengthening elements were added in graded amounts, and we measured the solidus, liquidus, and γ'-solvus temperatures of the samples by DSC. The γ'-phase fraction increased as the W, Mo, and Re contents were increased, and W showed the most pronounced effect. Ru decreased the γ'-phase fraction. Melting temperatures (i.e., solidus and liquidus) were increased by addition of Re, W, and Ru (the effect increased in that order). Addition of Mo decreased the melting temperature. W was effective as a strengthening element because it acted as a solid solution strengthener and increased the fraction of fine γ'-precipitates, thus improving precipitation strengthening. Experimentally determined values were compared with calculated values based on the CALPHAD software tools Thermo-Calc (databases: TTNI8 and TCNI6) and MatCalc (database ME-NI). The ME-NI database, which was specially adapted to the present investigation, showed good agreement. TTNI8 also showed good results. The TCNI6 database is suitable for computational design of complex nickel-based superalloys. However, a large deviation remained between the experiment results and calculations based on this database. It also erroneously predicted γ'-phase separations and failed to describe the Ru-effect on transition temperatures.

Experimental crystallization of chrome spinel in FAMOUS basalt 527-1-1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fisk, Martin R.; Bence, A. E.

1980-06-01

FAMOUS basalt 527-1-1 (a high-Mg oceanic pillow basalt) has three generations of spinel which can be distinguished petrographically and chemically. The first generation (Group I) have reaction coronas and are high in Al 2O 3. The second generation (Group II) have no reaction coronas and are high in Cr 2O 3 and the third generation (Group III) are small, late-stage spinels with intermediate Al 2O 3 and Cr 2O 3. Experimental synthesis of spinels from fused rock powder of this basalt was carried out at temperatures of 1175-1270°C and oxygen fugacities of 10 -5.5 to 10 -10 atm at 1 atm pressure. Spinel is the liquidus phase at oxygen fugacities of 10 -8.5 atm and higher but it does not crystallize at any temperature at oxygen fugacities less than 10 -9.5. The composition of our spinels synthesized at 1230-1250°C and 10 -9 atm f O 2 are most similar to the high-Cr spinels (Group II) found in the rock. Spinels synthesized at 1200°C and 10 -8.5 atm O 2 are chemically similar to the Group III spinels in 527-1-1. We did not synthesize spinel at any temperature or oxygen fugacity that are similar to the high-Al (Group I) spinel found in 527-1-1. These results indicate that the high-Cr (Group II) spinel is the liquidus phase in 527-1-1 at low pressure and Group III spinel crystallize below the liquidus (˜1200°C) after eruption of the basalt on the sea floor. The high-Al spinel (Group I) could have crystallized at high pressure or from a magma enriched in Al and perhaps Mg compared to 527-1-1.

KPU-300, a Novel Benzophenone–Diketopiperazine–Type Anti-Microtubule Agent with a 2-Pyridyl Structure, Is a Potent Radiosensitizer That Synchronizes the Cell Cycle in Early M Phase

PubMed Central

Okuyama, Kohei; Kaida, Atsushi; Hayashi, Yoshiki; Hayashi, Yoshio; Harada, Kiyoshi; Miura, Masahiko

2015-01-01

KPU-300 is a novel colchicine-type anti-microtubule agent derived from plinabulin (NPI-2358). We characterized the effects of KPU-300 on cell cycle kinetics and radiosensitization using HeLa cells expressing the fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator (Fucci). Cells treated with 30 nM KPU-300 for 24 h were efficiently synchronized in M phase and contained clearly detectable abnormal Fucci fluorescence. Two-dimensional flow-cytometric analysis revealed a fraction of cells distinct from the normal Fucci fluorescence pattern. Most of these cells were positive for an M phase marker, the phosphorylated form of histone H3. Cells growing in spheroids responded similarly to the drug, and the inner quiescent fraction also responded after recruitment to the growth fraction. When such drug-treated cells were irradiated in monolayer, a remarkable radiosensitization was observed. To determine whether this radiosensitization was truly due to the synchronization in M phase, we compared the radiosensitivity of cells synchronized by KPU-300 treatment and cells in early M phase isolated by a combined method that took advantage of shake-off and the properties of the Fucci system. Following normalization against the surviving fraction of cells treated with KPU-300 alone, the surviving fractions of cells irradiated in early M phase coincided. Taken together with potential vascular disrupting function in vivo, we propose a novel radiosensitizing strategy using KPU-300. PMID:26716455

KPU-300, a Novel Benzophenone-Diketopiperazine-Type Anti-Microtubule Agent with a 2-Pyridyl Structure, Is a Potent Radiosensitizer That Synchronizes the Cell Cycle in Early M Phase.

PubMed

Okuyama, Kohei; Kaida, Atsushi; Hayashi, Yoshiki; Hayashi, Yoshio; Harada, Kiyoshi; Miura, Masahiko

2015-01-01

KPU-300 is a novel colchicine-type anti-microtubule agent derived from plinabulin (NPI-2358). We characterized the effects of KPU-300 on cell cycle kinetics and radiosensitization using HeLa cells expressing the fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator (Fucci). Cells treated with 30 nM KPU-300 for 24 h were efficiently synchronized in M phase and contained clearly detectable abnormal Fucci fluorescence. Two-dimensional flow-cytometric analysis revealed a fraction of cells distinct from the normal Fucci fluorescence pattern. Most of these cells were positive for an M phase marker, the phosphorylated form of histone H3. Cells growing in spheroids responded similarly to the drug, and the inner quiescent fraction also responded after recruitment to the growth fraction. When such drug-treated cells were irradiated in monolayer, a remarkable radiosensitization was observed. To determine whether this radiosensitization was truly due to the synchronization in M phase, we compared the radiosensitivity of cells synchronized by KPU-300 treatment and cells in early M phase isolated by a combined method that took advantage of shake-off and the properties of the Fucci system. Following normalization against the surviving fraction of cells treated with KPU-300 alone, the surviving fractions of cells irradiated in early M phase coincided. Taken together with potential vascular disrupting function in vivo, we propose a novel radiosensitizing strategy using KPU-300.

Early Childhood Program: Summary of Context Analysis Phase.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Southwest Educational Development Lab., Austin, TX.

Progress made in the field of early childhood development during the past decade is examined to provide the background and rationale for tree programs funded by the National Institute of Education (NIE) in 1974: a parenting information center, a multimedia child care training package, and television spots related to child rearing principles. The…

Studies on copper alloys containing chromium on the copper side phase diagram

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Doi, T.

1984-01-01

Specimens were prepared from vacuum melted alloys of high purity vacuum melted copper and electrolytic chromium. The liquidus and eutectic point were determined by thermal analysis. The eutectic temperature is 1974.8 F and its composition is 1.28 wt% of chromium. The determination of solid solubility of chromium in copper was made by microscopic observation and electrical resistivity measurement. The solubility of chromium in solid copper is 0.6 wt% at 1050 F, 0.4 wt% at 1000 F, 0.25 wt% at 950 F, 0.17 wt% at 900 F, and 0.30 wt% at 840 F.

Resting Heart Rate Predicts Depression and Cognition Early after Ischemic Stroke: A Pilot Study.

PubMed

Tessier, Arnaud; Sibon, Igor; Poli, Mathilde; Audiffren, Michel; Allard, Michèle; Pfeuty, Micha

2017-10-01

Early detection of poststroke depression (PSD) and cognitive impairment (PSCI) remains challenging. It is well documented that the function of autonomic nervous system is associated with depression and cognition. However, their relationship has never been investigated in the early poststroke phase. This pilot study aimed at determining whether resting heart rate (HR) parameters measured in early poststroke phase (1) are associated with early-phase measures of depression and cognition and (2) could be used as new tools for early objective prediction of PSD or PSCI, which could be applicable to patients unable to answer usual questionnaires. Fifty-four patients with first-ever ischemic stroke, without cardiac arrhythmia, were assessed for resting HR and heart rate variability (HRV) within the first week after stroke and for depression and cognition during the first week and at 3 months after stroke. Multiple regression analyses controlled for age, gender, and stroke severity revealed that higher HR, lower HRV, and higher sympathovagal balance (low-frequency/high-frequency ratio of HRV) were associated with higher severity of depressive symptoms within the first week after stroke. Furthermore, higher sympathovagal balance in early phase predicted higher severity of depressive symptoms at the 3-month follow-up, whereas higher HR and lower HRV in early phase predicted lower global cognitive functioning at the 3-month follow-up. Resting HR measurements obtained in early poststroke phase could serve as an objective tool, applicable to patients unable to complete questionnaires, to help in the early prediction of PSD and PSCI. Copyright © 2017 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Provenance and Concentration of Water in the Shergottite Mantle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, J. H.; Usui, T.; Alexander, C. M. O'D.; Simon, J. I.; Wang, J.

2012-01-01

The water content of the martian mantle is controversial. In particular, the role of water in the petrogenesis of the shergottites has been much debated. Although the shergottites, collectively, contain very little water [e.g., 1,2], some experiments have been interpreted to show that percent levels of water are required for the petrogenesis of shergottites such as Shergotty and Zagami [3]. In this latter interpretation, the general paucity of water in the shergottites and their constituent minerals is attributed to late-stage degassing. Y980459 (Y98) is a very primitive, perhaps even parental, martian basalt, with a one-bar liquidus temperature of approx.1400 C. Olivine is the liquidus phase, and olivine core compositions are in equilibrium with the bulk rock [e.g., 4]. Petrogenetically, therefore, Y98 has had a rather simple history and can potentially help constrain the role of water in martian igneous processes. In particular, once trapped, melt inclusions should not be affected by subsequent degassing.

An efficient early phase 2 procedure to screen medications for efficacy in smoking cessation.

PubMed

Perkins, Kenneth A; Lerman, Caryn

2014-01-01

Initial screening of new medications for potential efficacy (i.e., Food and Drug Administration (FDA) early phase 2), such as in aiding smoking cessation, should be efficient in identifying which drugs do, or do not, warrant more extensive (and expensive) clinical testing. This focused review outlines our research on development, evaluation, and validation of an efficient crossover procedure for sensitivity in detecting medication efficacy for smoking cessation. First-line FDA-approved medications of nicotine patch, varenicline, and bupropion were tested as model drugs, in three separate placebo-controlled studies. We also tested specificity of our procedure in identifying a drug that lacks efficacy, using modafinil. This crossover procedure showed sensitivity (increased days of abstinence) during week-long "practice" quit attempts with each of the active cessation medications (positive controls) versus placebo, but not with modafinil (negative control) versus placebo, as hypothesized. Sensitivity to medication efficacy signal was observed only in smokers high in intrinsic quit motivation (i.e., already preparing to quit soon) and not smokers low in intrinsic quit motivation, even if monetarily reinforced for abstinence (i.e., given extrinsic motivation). A crossover procedure requiring less time and fewer subjects than formal trials may provide an efficient strategy for a go/no-go decision whether to advance to subsequent phase 2 randomized clinical trials with a novel drug. Future research is needed to replicate our results and evaluate this procedure with novel compounds, identify factors that may limit its utility, and evaluate its applicability to testing efficacy of compounds for treating other forms of addiction.

Experimental approach to form anorthositic melts: phase relations in the system CaAl2Si2O8 - CaMgSi2O6 - Mg2SiO4 at 6 wt.% H2O

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zirner, Aurelia Lucretia Katharina; Ballhaus, Chris; Fonseca, Raúl; Müncker, Carsten

2014-05-01

Massive anorthosite dykes are documented for the first time from the Limassol Forest Complex (LFC) of Cyprus, the LFC being a deformed equivalent of the Troodos ultramafic massif. Both the Troodos and LFC complexes are part of the Tethyan realm consisting of Cretaceous oceanic crust that formed within a backarc basin 90 Ma ago and was obduced during late Miocene. From crosscutting relations with the sheeted dyke complex, it follows that the anorthosites belong to one of the latest magmatic events on Cyprus. In hand specimen, the rocks appear massive and unaltered, although in thin section magmatic plagioclase (An93) is partially replaced by albite and thomsonite (zeolite). Where magmatic textures are preserved, plagioclase forms cm-sized, acicular, radially arranged crystal aggregates that remind of spinifex textures. Six major types of anorthosite occurrences have previously been described, none of them matching with the above described anorthosite dykes [1]. The origin of these anorthosite dykes remains poorly understood. Even though they occur as intrusive dykes, it is evident that they cannot represent liquidus compositions, at least under dry conditions. Whole-sale melting of pure An93 would require temperatures in excess of 1450 °C, which is a quite unrealistic temperature of the modern Earth's crust. The working hypothesis is that boninitic melts with approximately 4 wt.% H2O, as found in the cyprian upper pillow lavas (UPL), could produce such rocks by olivine-pyroxene fractionation. Indeed, experiments indicate that such lithologies can be generated by medium-pressure fractional crystallization of hydrous basaltic melts followed by decompression-degassing. High pH2O stabilizes olivine but tends to suppress plagioclase as the highest polymerized phase. Hence the An component is accumulated in the (late-stage) melt. When such a system experiences sudden decompression, the aqueous phase will exsolve and will trigger massive precipitation of anorthite

Failures in Phase III: Causes and Consequences.

PubMed

Seruga, Bostjan; Ocana, Alberto; Amir, Eitan; Tannock, Ian F

2015-10-15

Phase III randomized controlled trials (RCT) in oncology fail to lead to registration of new therapies more often than RCTs in other medical disciplines. Most RCTs are sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry, which reflects industry's increasing responsibility in cancer drug development. Many preclinical models are unreliable for evaluation of new anticancer agents, and stronger evidence of biologic effect should be required before a new agent enters the clinical development pathway. Whenever possible, early-phase clinical trials should include pharmacodynamic studies to demonstrate that new agents inhibit their molecular targets and demonstrate substantial antitumor activity at tolerated doses in an enriched population of patients. Here, we review recent RCTs and found that these conditions were not met for most of the targeted anticancer agents, which failed in recent RCTs. Many recent phase III RCTs were initiated without sufficient evidence of activity from early-phase clinical trials. Because patients treated within such trials can be harmed, they should not be undertaken. The bar should also be raised when making decisions to proceed from phase II to III and from phase III to marketing approval. Many approved agents showed only better progression-free survival than standard treatment in phase III trials and were not shown to improve survival or its quality. Introduction of value-based pricing of new anticancer agents would dissuade the continued development of agents with borderline activity in early-phase clinical trials. When collaborating with industry, oncologists should be more critical and better advocates for cancer patients. ©2015 American Association for Cancer Research.

Thermophysical Properties of Five Industrial Steels in the Solid and Liquid Phase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilthan, B.; Schützenhöfer, W.; Pottlacher, G.

2017-07-01

The need for characterization of thermophysical properties of steel was addressed in the FFG-Bridge Project 810999 in cooperation with our partner from industry, Böhler Edelstahl GmbH & Co KG. To optimize numerical simulations of production processes such as plastic deformation or remelting, additional and more accurate thermophysical property data were necessary for the group of steels under investigation. With the fast ohmic pulse heating circuit system and a commercial high-temperature Differential Scanning Calorimeter at Graz University of Technology, we were able to measure the temperature-dependent specific electrical resistivity and specific enthalpy for a set of five high alloyed steels: E105, M314, M315, P800, and V320 from room temperature up into the liquid phase. The mechanical properties of those steels make sample preparation an additional challenge. The described experimental approach typically uses electrically conducting wire-shaped specimen with a melting point high enough for the implemented pyrometric temperature measurement. The samples investigated here are too brittle to be drawn as wires and could only be cut into rectangular specimen by Electrical Discharge Machining. Even for those samples all electrical signals and the temperature signal can be recorded with proper alignment of the pyrometer. For each material under investigation, a set of data including chemical composition, solidus and liquidus temperature, enthalpy, electrical resistivity, and thermal diffusivity as a function of temperature will be reported.

Improving the luteal phase after ovarian stimulation: reviewing new options.

PubMed

Yding Andersen, C; Vilbour Andersen, K

2014-05-01

The human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) trigger used for final follicular maturation in connection with assisted reproduction treatment combines ovulation induction and early luteal-phase stimulation of the corpora lutea. The use of a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) for final follicular maturation has, however, for the first time allowed a separation of the ovulatory signal from the early luteal-phase support. This has generated new information that may improve the currently employed luteal-phase support. Thus, combined results from a number of randomized controlled trials using the GnRHa trigger suggest an association between the reproductive outcome after IVF treatment and the mid-luteal-phase serum progesterone concentration. It appears that a minimum mid-luteal progesterone threshold of approximately 80-100 nmol/l exists, which, when surpassed, results in reduced early pregnancy loss and an increased live birth rate. Further, the trade off between the HCG bolus and the subsequent risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome has resulted in a trend to reduce the HCG bolus from 10,000 IU to 6500-5000 IU, which augments the HCG/LH deficiency during the early/mid-luteal phase. The mid-luteal HCG/LH shortage results in an altered progesterone profile, showing the highest concentration during the early luteal phase, contrasting with the mid-luteal peak seen in the natural menstrual cycle. Copyright © 2014 Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Use of activated protein C has no avail in the early phase of acute pancreatitis.

PubMed

Akay, Sinan; Ozutemiz, Omer; Yenisey, Cigdem; Simsek, Nilufer Genc; Yuce, Gul; Batur, Yucel

2008-01-01

Sepsis and acute pancreatitis have similar pathogenetic mechanisms that have been implicated in the progression of multiple organ failure. Drotrecogin alfa, an analogue of endogenous protein C, reduces mortality in clinical sepsis. Our objective was to evaluate the early therapeutic effects of activated protein C (APC) in a rat model of acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Acute necrotizing pancreatitis was induced by intraductal injection of 5% Na taurocholate. Hourly bolus injections of saline or recombinant human APC (drotrecogin alfa) was commenced via femoral venous catheter four hours after the induction of acute pancreatitis. The experiment was terminated nine hours after pancreatitis induction. Animals in group one (n=20) had a sham operation while animals in group two (n=20) received saline and animals in group three (n=20) received drotrecogin alfa boluses after acute pancreatitis induction. Pancreatic tissue for histopathologic scores and myeloperoxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase activities were collected, and blood for serum amylase, urea, creatinine, and interleukin-6 measurements was withdrawn. Serum amylase activity was significantly lower in the APC treated group than the untreated group (17,435+/-432 U/L vs. 27,426+/-118 U/L, respectively). While the serum interleukin-6 concentration in the APC untreated group was significantly lower than the treated group (970+/-323 pg/mL vs. 330+/-368 pg/mL, respectively). In the early phase of acute pancreatitis, drotrecogin alfa treatment did not result in a significant improvement in oxidative and inflammatory parameters or renal functions.

Effect of anabolic implants on adrenal cortisol synthesis in feedlot beef cattle implanted early or late in the finishing phase.

PubMed

Gifford, C A; Branham, K A; Ellison, J O; Gómez, B I; Lemley, C O; Hart, C G; Krehbiel, C R; Bernhard, B C; Maxwell, C L; Goad, C L; Hallford, D M; Hernandez Gifford, J A

2015-01-01

Implantation of anabolic steroids to increase growth rate in beef cattle impacts adrenal glucocorticoid production. The mechanism by which combination androgen and estrogen implants reduce cortisol biosynthesis in heifers is not clear. The objective of this study was to identify whether pituitary or adrenal gene expression and liver enzyme activity may contribute to altered serum cortisol concentrations in heifers receiving a combination implant. On d 0 of a 122-d finishing phase, 187 predominantly Angus heifers (361 kg) approximately 14 months old were randomly assigned to one of three implant groups: (1) non-implanted control, (2) implanted at the beginning of the finishing phase (d 0; early implant) with a combination implant (200mg TBA+20mg E2; Revalor 200®), and (3) implanted during the late stage of the finishing phase (d 56; late implant) with Revalor 200®. At d 56, body weight (BW) was greater (P<0.0001) for the early implanted heifers (456 ± 1.9 kg) compared to 437 and 435 (± 1.8) kg for control and late implanted heifers, respectively. Final BW (d 122) was similar between both implanted groups and heavier than non-implanted controls (P<0.0001). Serum cortisol was similar among groups at d 0 (P=0.86) however, by d 28 heifers receiving the combination implant had reduced (P<0.05) serum cortisol concentrations (31.2 ng/mL) compared to controls (49.4 ng/mL) and late (48.2 ng/mL) groups. On d 84 cortisol was similar (P=0.75) among implanted heifers and was less (P<0.01) than non-implanted heifers. Expression of pituitary and adrenal genes involved in glucocorticoid synthesis was evaluated at d 28/29 or 84/85; however, despite decreased serum cortisol in implanted heifers, no change in mRNA expression was demonstrated. Liver CYP3A enzyme activity at d 28/29 was decreased 59% in early implanted heifers compared to control heifers (P=0.01). Additionally, at d 84/85 AKR1C activity was greatest (P=0.01) in control heifers compared to both implanted groups. Data

Phase equilibria in the iron oxide-cobalt oxide-phosphorus oxide system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

De Guire, Mark R.; Prasanna, T. R. S.; Kalonji, Gretchen; O'Handley, Robert C.

1987-01-01

Two novel ternary compounds are noted in the present study of 1000 C solid-state equilibria in the Fe-Co-P-O system's Fe2O3-FePO4-Co3(Po4)2-CoO region: CoFe(PO4)O, which undergoes incongruent melting at 1130 C, and Co3Fe4(PO4)6, whose incongruent melting occurs at 1080 C. The liquidus behavior-related consequences of rapidly solidified cobalt ferrite formation from cobalt ferrite-phosphate melts are discussed with a view to spinel formation. It is suggested that quenching from within the spinel-plus-liquid region may furnish an alternative to quenching a homogeneous melt.

Phase equilibria in the quasiternary system Ag2S-Ga2S3-In2S3 and optical properties of (Ga55In45)2S300, (Ga54.59In44.66Er0.75)2S300 single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivashchenko, I. A.; Danyliuk, I. V.; Olekseyuk, I. D.; Pankevych, V. Z.; Halyan, V. V.

2015-07-01

The quasiternary system Ag2S-Ga2S3-In2S3 was investigated by differential thermal, X-ray diffraction analyses. The phase diagram of the Ga2S3-In2S3 system and nine polythermal sections, isothermal section at 820 K and the liquidus surface projection were constructed. The existence of the large solid solutions ranges of binary and ternary compounds was established. The range of the existence of the quaternary phase AgGaxIn5-xS8 (2.25≤x≤2.85) at 820 K was determined. The single crystals (Ga55In45)2S300 and (Ga54.59In44.66Er0.75)2S300 were grown by a directional crystallization method from solution-melt. Optical absorption spectra in the 500-1600 nm range were recorded. The luminescence of the (Ga54.59In44.66Er0.75)2S300 single crystal shows a maximum at 1530 nm for the excitation wavelengths of 532 and 980 nm at 80 and 300 K.

Phase equilibrium and preparation, crystallization and viscous sintering of glass in the alumina-silica-lanthanum phosphate system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Feng

The phase equilibrium, viscosity of melt-quenched glasses, and processing of sol-gel glasses of the alumina-silica-lanthanum phosphate system were studied. These investigations were directed towards serving the objective of synthesizing nano-structured ceramic-matrix-composites via controlled crystallization of glass precursors. The thermal stability, phase equilibrium, and liquidus temperatures of the alumina- and mullite-lanthanum phosphate systems are determined. An iridium wire heater was constructed to anneal samples up to 2200°C. Phosphorus evaporation losses were significant at high temperatures, especially over 1800°C. The tentative phase diagrams of the two quasi-binary systems were presented. The viscosity of the melt-quenched mullite-lanthanum phosphate glasses was measured by three different methods, including viscous sintering of glass powder compacts, neck formation between two Frenkel glass beads, and thermal analysis of the glass transition. Improved methodologies were developed for applying the interpretative mathematical models to the results of the sintered powder and thermal analytical experiments. Good agreement was found between all three methods for both absolute values and temperature dependence. A sol-gel process was developed as a low temperature route to producing glasses. A unique, single phase mullite gel capable of low temperature (575°C) mullitization was made from tetraethoxysilane and aluminum isopropoxide at room temperature in three days. Low temperature crystallization was attributed to the avoidance of phase segregation during gel formation and annealing. This was greatly enhanced by a combination of low temperature preheating in the amorphous state, a high heating rate during crystallization and low water content. The Al2O3 content in mullite (61-68 mol%) depended on the highest annealing temperature. Two mullite-lanthanum phosphate gels were made based upon modifying the chemical procedures used for the homogeneous single

Portfolio management in early stage drug discovery - a traveler's guide through uncharted territory.

PubMed

Betz, Ulrich A K

2011-07-01

Portfolio management in drug development has become a best practice in the pharmaceutical industry. By contrast, early on in the value chain - the discovery phase - portfolio management is still in its infancy. Nevertheless, owing to the attrition of R&D projects from phase to phase and the cost of capital involved, these early phases of drug discovery play a significant part for the overall cost of bringing new, innovative drugs to the market. This paper describes various approaches to manage a portfolio of projects in early-stage drug discovery and provides crucial factors that determine the success of such an approach. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Luteal phase deficiency: abnormal gonadotropin and progesterone secretion patterns.

PubMed

Soules, M R; Clifton, D K; Cohen, N L; Bremner, W J; Steiner, R A

1989-10-01

Luteal phase deficiency (LPD) is a reproductive disorder associated with infertility and spontaneous abortion. This study was undertaken to determine whether LPD might be related to an abnormal pattern of gonadotropin secretion. We tested this hypothesis by evaluating the pattern of pulsatile LH secretion in both the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle in normal women (n = 21) and women with LPD (n = 20), which was diagnosed on the basis of two out of phase endometrial biopsies. In addition, we sought to determine whether changes in progesterone (P) pulse patterns could account for the decrease in average serum P levels in women with LPD. To this end, we examined the pulse patterns of P and compared these patterns between normal women and those with LPD. Frequent blood sampling was performed in both groups to determine their respective hormone secretion patterns. In the follicular phase, blood samples were obtained every 10 min for 12 h; in the luteal phase the samples were obtained every 10 min for 12 h; in the luteal LH, FSH, and P were assayed in each sample. Pulse detection was performed by an adaptive threshold method of pulse analysis. The LH pulse frequency was significantly higher in the women with LPD than in the normal women in the early follicular phase [P less than 0.05; LPD, 12.8 +/- 1.4 (+/- SE); normal, 8.2 +/- 0.7 pulses/12 h]. LH pulse frequency was similar in the early and late follicular phases in the women with LPD, whereas it was higher in the late follicular phase in normal women. Mean serum FSH levels were not different between groups in both the early and late follicular phases. In the luteal phase the P pulse amplitude and mean serum P level were significantly lower in the LPD group than in the normal women (P less than 0.01). We conclude that 1) a too rapid LH pulse pattern in the early follicular phase may lead to inadequate LH support of the corpus luteum and become manifest as LPD; 2) the mechanism for inadequate P

Shallow fractionation signature of phase chemistry in Taburiente lavas, La Palma, Canary Islands: Results of MELTS modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guetschow, H. A.; Nelson, B. K.

2002-12-01

Depth of crystal fractionation influences the chemical evolution of ocean island basalts and has significant implications for the physical structures of these volcanoes. In contrast to dominantly shallow systems such as Hawaii, a range of fractionation depths have been reported for Canary Islands lavas. Magmas erupted on La Palma preserve fluid- and melt-inclusion evidence for high-pressure (> 10 kbar) crystallization (Klügel et al., 1998; Hansteen et al., 1998; Nikogosian et al., 2002). If high-pressure fractional crystallization were an early and dominant process, it would generate specific patterns in rock and phase chemistry of eruptive sequences. Alkalic basalts from Taburiente volcano display coherent major element trends consistent with evolution dominated by fractional crystallization while their phenocryst compositions, trace elements, and isotopic trends require mixing between multiple sources. The current model confirms the importance of both fractionation and mixing to achieve the full range of lavas observed. A low-pressure (1 kbar) thermodynamic fractional crystallization model performed with the MELTS (Ghiorso and Sack, 1995) software closely reproduces major element trends from two stratigraphic sequences. This model also predicts the observed sequence of groundmass clinopyroxene compositions and phenocryst zoning reversals. In all low pressure simulations, olivine remains a modally significant liquidus phase during the first 20% and last 30% of the crystallization sequence, resulting in a negative correlation between the CaO and Fo content of olivine. These results are consistent with the presence of olivine phenocrysts that bear petrographic evidence of early crystallization, as well as observed compositional trends of groundmass olivine and clinopyroxene in Taburiente lavas. MELTS models that include an initial period of high pressure (12 kbar) clinopyroxene fractionation produce major element trends comparable to the low pressure model, but

Webcam delivery of the Lidcombe program for early stuttering: a phase I clinical trial.

PubMed

O'Brian, Sue; Smith, Kylie; Onslow, Mark

2014-06-01

The Lidcombe Program is an operant treatment for early stuttering shown with meta-analysis to have a favorable odds ratio. However, many clients are unable to access the treatment because of distance and lifestyle factors. In this Phase I trial, we explored the potential efficacy, practicality, and viability of an Internet webcam Lidcombe Program service delivery model. Participants were 3 preschool children who stuttered and their parents, all of whom received assessment and treatment using webcam in their homes with no clinic attendance. At 6 months post-Stage 1 completion, all children were stuttering below 1.0% syllables stuttered. The webcam intervention was acceptable to the parents and appeared to be practical and viable, with only occasional audiovisual problems. At present, there is no reason to doubt that a webcam-delivered Lidcombe Program will be shown with clinical trials to have comparable efficacy with the clinic version. Webcam-delivered Lidcombe Program intervention is potentially efficacious, is practical and viable, and requires further exploration with comparative clinical trials and a qualitative study of parent and caregiver experiences.

Biomechanical and neuromuscular adaptations during the landing phase of a stepping-down task in patients with early or established knee osteoarthritis.

PubMed

Sanchez-Ramirez, Diana C; Malfait, Bart; Baert, Isabel; van der Leeden, Marike; van Dieën, Jaap; Lems, Willem F; Dekker, Joost; Luyten, Frank P; Verschueren, Sabine

2016-06-01

To compare the knee joint kinematics, kinetics and EMG activity patterns during a stepping-down task in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) with control subjects. 33 women with knee OA (early OA, n=14; established OA n=19) and 14 female control subjects performed a stepping-down task from a 20cm step. Knee joint kinematics, kinetics and EMG activity were recorded on the stepping-down leg during the loading phase. During the stepping-down task patients with established knee OA showed greater normalized medial hamstrings activity (p=0.034) and greater vastus lateralis-medial hamstrings co-contraction (p=0.012) than controls. Greater vastus medialis-medial hamstrings co-contraction was found in patients with established OA compared to control subjects (p=0.040) and to patients with early OA (p=0.023). Self-reported knee instability was reported in 7% and 32% of the patients with early and established OA, respectively. The greater EMG co-activity found in established OA might suggest a less efficient use of knee muscles or an attempt to compensate for greater knee laxity usually present in patients with established OA. In the early stage of the disease, the biomechanical and neuromuscular control of stepping-down is not altered compared to healthy controls. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Real-Time Optical Monitoring and Simulations of Gas Phase Kinetics in InN Vapor Phase Epitaxy at High Pressure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dietz, Nikolaus; Woods, Vincent; McCall, Sonya D.; Bachmann, Klaus J.

2003-01-01

Understanding the kinetics of nucleation and coalescence of heteroepitaxial thin films is a crucial step in controlling a chemical vapor deposition process, since it defines the perfection of the heteroepitaxial film both in terms of extended defect formation and chemical integrity of the interface. The initial nucleation process also defines the film quality during the later stages of film growth. The growth of emerging new materials heterostructures such as InN or In-rich Ga(x)In(1-x)N require deposition methods operating at higher vapor densities due to the high thermal decomposition pressure in these materials. High nitrogen pressure has been demonstrated to suppress thermal decomposition of InN, but has not been applied yet in chemical vapor deposition or etching experiments. Because of the difficulty with maintaining stochiometry at elevated temperature, current knowledge regarding thermodynamic data for InN, e.g., its melting point, temperature-dependent heat capacity, heat and entropy of formation are known with far less accuracy than for InP, InAs and InSb. Also, no information exists regarding the partial pressures of nitrogen and phosphorus along the liquidus surfaces of mixed-anion alloys of InN, of which the InN(x)P(1-x) system is the most interesting option. A miscibility gap is expected for InN(x)P(1-x) pseudobinary solidus compositions, but its extent is not established at this point by experimental studies under near equilibrium conditions. The extension of chemical vapor deposition to elevated pressure is also necessary for retaining stoichiometric single phase surface composition for materials that are characterized by large thermal decomposition pressures at optimum processing temperatures.

Species-driven phases and increasing structure in early-successional plant communities.

PubMed

Zaplata, Markus K; Winter, Susanne; Fischer, Anton; Kollmann, Johannes; Ulrich, Werner

2013-01-01

Successional phases describe changes in ecological communities that proceed in steps rather than continuously. Despite their importance for the understanding of ecosystem development, there still exists no reliable definition of phases and no quantitative measure of phase transitions. In order to obtain these data, we investigated primary succession in an artificial catchment (6 ha) in eastern Germany over a period of 6 years. The data set consists of records of plant species and their cover values, and initial substrate properties, both from plots in a regular grid (20 m × 20 m) suitable for spatial data analysis. Community assembly was studied by analyses of species co-occurrence and nestedness. Additionally, we correlated lognormal and log series distributions of species abundance to each community. We here introduce a new general method for detection of successional phases based on the degree of transient spatial homogeneity in the study system. Spatially coherent vegetation patterns revealed nonoverlapping partitions within this sequence of primary succession and were characterized as two distinct ecological phases. Patterns of species co-occurrence were increasingly less random, and hence the importance of demographic stochasticity and neutral community assembly decreased during the study period. Our findings highlight the spatial dimension of successional phases and quantify the degree of change between these steps. They are an element for advancing a more reliable terminology of ecological successions.

The Culture of Faith and Hope: Patients’ Justifications for Their High Estimations of Expected Therapeutic Benefit When Enrolling in Early-Phase Oncology Trials

PubMed Central

Sulmasy, Daniel P.; Astrow, Alan B.; He, M. Kai; Seils, Damon M.; Meropol, Neal J.; Micco, Ellyn; Weinfurt, Kevin P.

2013-01-01

Purpose Patients’ estimates of their chances of therapeutic benefit from participation in early-phase trials greatly exceed historical data. Ethicists worry that this “therapeutic misestimation” undermines the validity of informed consent. Patients and Methods We interviewed 45 patients enrolled in phase I or II oncology trials about their expectations of therapeutic benefit and their reasons for those expectations. We employed a phenomenological, qualitative approach with one primary coder to identify emergent themes, verified by 2 independent coders. Results Median expectations of therapeutic benefit varied from 50% to 80%, depending on how the question was asked. Justifications universally invoked hope and optimism, and 27/45 participants used one of these words. Three major themes emerged: (1) optimism as performative, that is, the notion that positive thoughts and expressions improve chances of benefit; (2) fighting cancer as a battle; and (3) faith in God, science, or both. Many participants described a culture in which optimism was encouraged and expected, such that trial enrollment became a way of reflecting this expectation. Many reported they had been told few patients would benefit and appeared to understand the uncertainties of clinical research, yet expressed high expected personal therapeutic benefit. More distressed participants were less likely to invoke performative justifications for their expectations (50% vs 84%; P = .04). Conclusion Expressions of high expected therapeutic benefit had little to do with reporting knowledge and more to do with expressing optimism. These results have implications for understanding how to obtain valid consent from participants in early-phase clinical trials. PMID:20564120

Redox systematics of a magma ocean with variable pressure-temperature gradients and composition.

PubMed

Righter, K; Ghiorso, M S

2012-07-24

Oxygen fugacity in metal-bearing systems controls some fundamental aspects of the geochemistry of the early Earth, such as the FeO and siderophile trace element content of the mantle, volatile species that influence atmospheric composition, and conditions for organic compounds synthesis. Redox and metal-silicate equilibria in the early Earth are sensitive to oxygen fugacity (fO(2)), yet are poorly constrained in modeling and experimentation. High pressure and temperature experimentation and modeling in metal-silicate systems usually employs an approximation approach for estimating fO(2) that is based on the ratio of Fe and FeO [called "ΔIW (ratio)" hereafter]. We present a new approach that utilizes free energy and activity modeling of the equilibrium: Fe + SiO(2) + O(2) = Fe(2)SiO(4) to calculate absolute fO(2) and relative to the iron-wüstite (IW) buffer at pressure and temperature [ΔIW (P,T)]. This equilibrium is considered across a wide range of pressures and temperatures, including up to the liquidus temperature of peridotite (4,000 K at 50 GPa). Application of ΔIW (ratio) to metal-silicate experiments can be three or four orders of magnitude different from ΔIW (P,T) values calculated using free energy and activity modeling. We will also use this approach to consider the variation in oxygen fugacity in a magma ocean scenario for various thermal structures for the early Earth: hot liquidus gradient, 100 °C below the liquidus, hot and cool adiabatic gradients, and a cool subsolidus adiabat. The results are used to assess the effect of increasing P and T, changing silicate composition during accretion, and related to current models for accretion and core formation in the Earth. The fO(2) in a deep magma ocean scenario may become lower relative to the IW buffer at hotter and deeper conditions, which could include metal entrainment scenarios. Therefore, fO(2) may evolve from high to low fO(2) during Earth (and other differentiated bodies) accretion. Any

Redox systematics of a magma ocean with variable pressure-temperature gradients and composition

PubMed Central

Righter, K.; Ghiorso, M. S.

2012-01-01

Oxygen fugacity in metal-bearing systems controls some fundamental aspects of the geochemistry of the early Earth, such as the FeO and siderophile trace element content of the mantle, volatile species that influence atmospheric composition, and conditions for organic compounds synthesis. Redox and metal-silicate equilibria in the early Earth are sensitive to oxygen fugacity (fO2), yet are poorly constrained in modeling and experimentation. High pressure and temperature experimentation and modeling in metal-silicate systems usually employs an approximation approach for estimating fO2 that is based on the ratio of Fe and FeO [called “ΔIW (ratio)” hereafter]. We present a new approach that utilizes free energy and activity modeling of the equilibrium: Fe + SiO2 + O2 = Fe2SiO4 to calculate absolute fO2 and relative to the iron-wüstite (IW) buffer at pressure and temperature [ΔIW (P,T)]. This equilibrium is considered across a wide range of pressures and temperatures, including up to the liquidus temperature of peridotite (4,000 K at 50 GPa). Application of ΔIW (ratio) to metal-silicate experiments can be three or four orders of magnitude different from ΔIW (P,T) values calculated using free energy and activity modeling. We will also use this approach to consider the variation in oxygen fugacity in a magma ocean scenario for various thermal structures for the early Earth: hot liquidus gradient, 100 °C below the liquidus, hot and cool adiabatic gradients, and a cool subsolidus adiabat. The results are used to assess the effect of increasing P and T, changing silicate composition during accretion, and related to current models for accretion and core formation in the Earth. The fO2 in a deep magma ocean scenario may become lower relative to the IW buffer at hotter and deeper conditions, which could include metal entrainment scenarios. Therefore, fO2 may evolve from high to low fO2 during Earth (and other differentiated bodies) accretion. Any modeling of

Photodynamic therapy with 3-(1'-hexyloxyethyl) pyropheophorbide-a for early-stage cancer of the larynx: Phase Ib study.

PubMed

Shafirstein, Gal; Rigual, Nestor R; Arshad, Hassan; Cooper, Michele T; Bellnier, David A; Wilding, Gregory; Tan, Wei; Merzianu, Mihai; Henderson, Barbara W

2016-04-01

The purpose of this study was for us to report results regarding the safety of 3-(1'-hexyloxyethyl) pyropheophorbide-a (HPPH) mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) in early laryngeal disease, and offer preliminary information on treatment responses. A single-institution, phase Ib, open label, noncomparative study of HPPH-PDT in patients with high-risk dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, and T1 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx. The primary outcomes were safety and maximum tolerated dose (MTD), and the secondary outcome was response. Twenty-nine patients and 30 lesions were treated. The most common adverse event (AE) was transient hoarseness of voice. Severe edema, requiring tracheostomy, was the most serious AE, which occurred in 2 patients within several hours of therapy. The MTD was 100 J/cm(2) . Patients with T1 SCC seemed to have good complete response rate (82%) to HPPH-PDT at MTD. HPPH-PDT can be safely used to treat early-stage laryngeal cancer, with potential efficacy. © 2015 The Authors Head & Neck Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E377-E383, 2016. © 2015 The Authors Head & Neck Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

"Big Bang" as a result result of the curvature-driven first-order phase transition in the early cold Universe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pashitskii, E. A.; Pentegov, V. I.

We suggest that the "Big Bang" may be a result of the first-order phase transition driven by changing scalar curvature of the 4D space-time in the expanding cold Universe, filled with nonlinear scalar field φ and neutral matter with equation of state p = vɛ (where p and ɛ are pressure and energy density of matter). We consider a Lagrangian for scalar field in curved space-time with nonlinearity φ, which along with the quadratic term -ΣR|φ|2 (where Σ is interaction constant and R is scalar curvature) contains a term ΣR(φ +φ+) linear in φ. Due to this term the condition for the extrema of the potential energy of the scalar field is given by a cubic equation. Provided v > 1/3 the scalar curvature R = [κ(3v-1)ɛ - 4Γ (where κ and Γ are Einstein's gravitational and cosmological constants) decreases along with decreasing " in the process of the Universe's expansion, and at some critical value Rc < 0 a first-order phase transition occurs, driven by an "external field" parameter proportional to R. Given certain conditions the critical radius of the early Universe at the point of the first-order phase transition may reach arbitrary large values, so this scenario of unrestricted "inflation" of the Universe may be called "hyperinflation". Beyond the point of phase transition the system is rolling down into the potential minimum releasing the potential energy of scalar field with subsequent powerful heating of the Universe playing the role of "Big Bang".

Simplified spacecraft vulnerability assessments at component level in early design phase at the European Space Agency's Concurrent Design Facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kempf, Scott; Schäfer, Frank K.; Cardone, Tiziana; Ferreira, Ivo; Gerené, Sam; Destefanis, Roberto; Grassi, Lilith

2016-12-01

During recent years, the state-of-the-art risk assessment of the threat posed to spacecraft by micrometeoroids and space debris has been expanded to the analysis of failure modes of internal spacecraft components. This method can now be used to perform risk analyses for satellites to assess various failure levels - from failure of specific sub-systems to catastrophic break-up. This new assessment methodology is based on triple-wall ballistic limit equations (BLEs), specifically the Schäfer-Ryan-Lambert (SRL) BLE, which is applicable for describing failure threshold levels for satellite components following a hypervelocity impact. The methodology is implemented in the form of the software tool Particle Impact Risk and vulnerability Analysis Tool (PIRAT). During a recent European Space Agency (ESA) funded study, the PIRAT functionality was expanded in order to provide an interface to ESA's Concurrent Design Facility (CDF). The additions include a geometry importer and an OCDT (Open Concurrent Design Tool) interface. The new interface provides both the expanded geometrical flexibility, which is provided by external computer aided design (CAD) modelling, and an ease of import of existing data without the need for extensive preparation of the model. The reduced effort required to perform vulnerability analyses makes it feasible for application during early design phase, at which point modifications to satellite design can be undertaken with relatively little extra effort. The integration of PIRAT in the CDF represents the first time that vulnerability analyses can be performed in-session in ESA's CDF and the first time that comprehensive vulnerability studies can be applied cost-effectively in early design phase in general.

Relation of Cardiac Complications in the Early Phase of Community-Acquired Pneumonia to Long-Term Mortality and Cardiovascular Events.

PubMed

Cangemi, Roberto; Calvieri, Camilla; Falcone, Marco; Bucci, Tommaso; Bertazzoni, Giuliano; Scarpellini, Maria G; Barillà, Francesco; Taliani, Gloria; Violi, Francesco

2015-08-15

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is complicated by cardiac events in the early phase of the disease. Aim of this study was to assess if these intrahospital cardiac complications may account for overall mortality and cardiovascular events occurring during a long-term follow-up. Three hundred one consecutive patients admitted to the University-Hospital, Policlinico Umberto I, with community-acquired pneumonia were prospectively recruited and followed up for a median of 17.4 months. Primary end point was the occurrence of death for any cause, and secondary end point was the occurrence of cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction [MI], and stroke). During the intrahospital stay, 55 patients (18%) experienced a cardiac complication. Of these, 32 had an MI (29 non-ST-elevation MI and 3 ST-elevation MI) and 30 had a new episode of atrial fibrillation (7 nonmutually exclusive events). During the follow-up, 89 patients died (51% of patients with an intrahospital cardiac complication and 26% of patients without, p <0.001) and 73 experienced a cardiovascular event (47% of patients with and 19% of patients without an intrahospital cardiac complication, p <0.001). A Cox regression analysis showed that intrahospital cardiac complications, age, and Pneumonia Severity Index were significantly associated with overall mortality, whereas intrahospital cardiac complications, age, hypertension, and diabetes were significantly associated with cardiovascular events during the follow-up. In conclusion, this prospective study shows that intrahospital cardiac complications in the early phase of pneumonia are associated with an enhanced risk of death and cardiovascular events during long-term follow-up. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Use of activated protein C has no avail in the early phase of acute pancreatitis

PubMed Central

Ozutemiz, Omer; Yenisey, Cigdem; Genc Simsek, Nilufer; Yuce, Gul; Batur, Yucel

2008-01-01

Objectives. Sepsis and acute pancreatitis have similar pathogenetic mechanisms that have been implicated in the progression of multiple organ failure. Drotrecogin alfa, an analogue of endogenous protein C, reduces mortality in clinical sepsis. Our objective was to evaluate the early therapeutic effects of activated protein C (APC) in a rat model of acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Subjects and method. Acute necrotizing pancreatitis was induced by intraductal injection of 5% Na taurocholate. Hourly bolus injections of saline or recombinant human APC (drotrecogin alfa) was commenced via femoral venous catheter four hours after the induction of acute pancreatitis. The experiment was terminated nine hours after pancratitis induction. Animals in group one (n=20) had a sham operation while animals in group two (n=20) received saline and animals in group three (n=20) received drotrecogin alfa boluses after acute pancreatitis induction. Pancreatic tissue for histopathologic scores and myeloperoxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase activites were collected, and blood for serum amylase, urea, creatinine, and inleukin-6 measurements was withdrawn. Results. Serum amylase activity was significantly lower in the APC treated group than the untreated group (17,435±432 U/L vs. 27,426±118 U/L, respectively). While the serum interleukin-6 concentration in the APC untreated group was significantly lower than the treated group (970±323 pg/mL vs. 330±368 pg/mL, respectively). Conclusion. In the early phase of acute pancreatitis, drotrecogin alfa treatment did not result in a significant improvement in oxidative and inflammatory parameters or renal functions. PMID:19088933

Thermodynamic Assessment of Cr-Rare Earth Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-02-01

alloys. These disadvantages are high ductile-to-brittle transition temperature (DBTT – 150°C for unalloyed recrystallized chromium of commercial purity... eutectic temperature. Data from Kobzenko et al. [7] show appreciable scatter for both solidus and liquidus lines with temperatures ranging from 1790...0.56-0.75 at.% to 2.72 at.% [6]. The eutectic temperature was determined to be 780°C based on thermal analysis of cerium-rich alloys [6]. The phase

Al and Mg Alloys for Aerospace Applications Using Rapid Solidification and Power Metallurgy Processing.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-10-07

primary solidification phase in the alloy in this condition was identified by CBED as Mg 2 Si , which formed dendrites within the matrix. Each... solidification below the extended c-liquidus. Evolution of Microstructure in Melt-spun Mg- Si Alloys -, The microstructurcs observed in the alloys can...solidificaion pr(es .. in the cellular (dendritic) regime. Solidification of the 5.0 wt.% Si alloy occurs in the coupled eutectic region, and the 8.0 wt.% Si

Fluctuation driven electroweak phase transition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gleiser, Marcelo; Kolb, Edward W.

1991-01-01

We examine the dynamics of the electroweak phase transition in the early Universe. For Higgs masses in the range 46 less than or = M sub H less than or = 150 GeV and top quark masses less than 200 GeV, regions of symmetric and asymmetric vacuum coexist to below the critical temperature, with thermal equilibrium between the two phases maintained by fluctuations of both phases. We propose that the transition to the asymmetric vacuum is completed by percolation of these subcritical fluctuations. Our results are relevant to scenarios of baryogenesis that invoke a weakly first-order phase transition at the electroweak scale.

Influences on Turkish Early Childhood Teachers' Science Teaching Practices and the Science Content Covered in the Early Years

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olgan, Refika

2015-01-01

The first rationale of the study was not only to determine the topics taught in Turkish early childhood settings but also to define the frequency and time allocation for teaching science (n?=?382). In the second phase, through semi-structured interview questions, the aim was to gain detailed information about Turkish early childhood teachers'…

Toward a clinically useful method of predicting early breast-feeding attrition.

PubMed

Lewallen, Lynne Porter; Dick, Margaret J; Wall, Yolanda; Zickefoose, Kimberly Taylor; Hannah, Susan Hensley; Flowers, Janet; Powell, Wanda

2006-08-01

The overall purpose of this study was to revise and test an instrument to identify, during the early postpartum period, women at risk for early breast-feeding attrition. This study was completed in two phases: the first phase tested a revision of the Breast-Feeding Attrition Prediction Tool (BAPT); the second, a new instrument, the Breast-Feeding Attitude Scale (BrAS), which was adapted from the BAPT. The two phases of this study involved 415 pregnant and postpartum women. Women answered questions either by phone (pregnant women) or in their hospital rooms after delivery (postpartum women). Data were analyzed using t tests and reliability analysis. The BAPT did not predict early breast-feeding attrition; however, the BrAS did differentiate between the attitudes of breast-feeding women and those of formula-feeding women and had adequate reliability. Women at risk for early breast-feeding attrition should be identified early so nursing interventions can be directed toward preventing early unintended weaning. Although the BrAS did not reliably identify women at risk in this sample, it did highlight important differences between breast-feeding and formula-feeding women that can be used in designing preconceptional or prenatal educational assessments and interventions.

Early Program Development

NASA Image and Video Library

1969-01-01

This 1969 artist's concept illustrates the use of three major elements of NASA's Integrated program, as proposed by President Nixon's Space Task Group. In Phases I and II, a Space Tug with a manipulator-equipped crew module removes a cargo module from an early Space Shuttle Orbiter and docks with it. In Phases III and IV, the Space Tug with attached cargo module flys toward a Nuclear Shuttle. As a result of the Space Task Group's recommendations for more commonality and integration in the American space program, Marshall Space Flight Center engineers studied many of the spacecraft depicted here.

Prediction of poly(ethylene) glycol-drug eutectic compositions using an index based on the van't Hoff equation.

PubMed

Law, Devalina; Wang, Weili; Schmitt, Eric A; Long, Michelle A

2002-03-01

To define an index based on the van't Hoff equation that can be used as a screening tool for predicting poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG)-drug eutectic composition. Phase diagrams of PEG with ritonavir, ibuprofen, fenofibrate. naproxen, and griseofulvin were constructed using differential scanning calorimetry, hot stage microscopy and powder X-ray diftractometry. Previously reported phase diagrams were also used to test the predictive capability of the index. This work shows that a modified van't Hoff equation can be used to model the drug liquidus line of these phase diagrams. The slope of the liquidus line depends on the melting point (T(f)d) and heat of fusion (deltaH(f)d) of the drug and describes the initial rate at which the eutectic or monotectic point is approached. Based on this finding, a dimensionless index Ic was defined. The index can be calculated from the melting points of the pure components and heat of fusion of the drug. In addition to the compounds listed above, the index was found to predict the eutectic composition for flurbiprofen, temazepam and indomethacin. These compounds range over 150 degrees C in T(f)d, and from 25-65 kJ/mole in deltaH(f)d. Using Ic the approximate eutectic composition for eight different compounds was predicted. The index provides a useful screening tool for assessing the maximum drug loading in a drug-polymer eutectic/monotectic formulation.

Benzoate, a D-amino acid oxidase inhibitor, for the treatment of early-phase Alzheimer disease: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

PubMed

Lin, Chieh-Hsin; Chen, Ping-Kun; Chang, Yue-Cune; Chuo, Liang-Jen; Chen, Yan-Syun; Tsai, Guochuan E; Lane, Hsien-Yuan

2014-05-01

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-mediated neurotransmission is vital for learning and memory. Hypofunction of NMDAR has been reported to play a role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer disease (AD), particularly in the early phase. Enhancing NMDAR activation might be a novel treatment approach. One of the methods to enhance NMDAR activity is to raise the levels of NMDA coagonists by blocking their metabolism. This study examined the efficacy and safety of sodium benzoate, a D-amino acid oxidase inhibitor, for the treatment of amnestic mild cognitive impairment and mild AD. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in four major medical centers in Taiwan. Sixty patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment or mild AD were treated with 250-750 mg/day of sodium benzoate or placebo for 24 weeks. Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (the primary outcome) and global function (assessed by Clinician Interview Based Impression of Change plus Caregiver Input) were measured every 8 weeks. Additional cognition composite was measured at baseline and endpoint. Sodium benzoate produced a better improvement than placebo in Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (p = .0021, .0116, and .0031 at week 16, week 24, and endpoint, respectively), additional cognition composite (p = .007 at endpoint) and Clinician Interview Based Impression of Change plus Caregiver Input (p = .015, .016, and .012 at week 16, week 24, and endpoint, respectively). Sodium benzoate was well-tolerated without evident side-effects. Sodium benzoate substantially improved cognitive and overall functions in patients with early-phase AD. The preliminary results show promise for D-amino acid oxidase inhibition as a novel approach for early dementing processes. Copyright © 2014 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Insight as a social identity process in the evolution of psychosocial functioning in the early phase of psychosis.

PubMed

Klaas, H S; Clémence, A; Marion-Veyron, R; Antonietti, J-P; Alameda, L; Golay, P; Conus, P

2017-03-01

Awareness of illness (insight) has been found to have contradictory effects for different functional outcomes after the early course of psychosis. Whereas it is related to psychotic symptom reduction and medication adherence, it is also associated with increased depressive symptoms. In this line, the specific effects of insight on the evolution of functioning over time have not been identified, and social indicators, such as socio-occupational functioning have barely been considered. Drawing from social identity theory we investigated the impact of insight on the development of psychosocial outcomes and the interactions of these variables over time. The participants, 240 patients in early phase of psychosis from the Treatment and Early Intervention in Psychosis Program (TIPP) of the University Hospital of Lausanne, Switzerland, were assessed at eight time points over 3 years. Cross-lagged panel analyses and multilevel analyses were conducted on socio-occupational and general functioning [Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS) and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF)] with insight, time and depressive symptoms as independent variables. Results from multilevel analyses point to an overall positive impact of insight on psychosocial functioning, which increases over time. Yet the cross-lagged panel analysis did not reveal a systematic positive and causal effect of insight on SOFAS and GAF scores. Depressive symptoms seem only to be relevant in the beginning of the treatment process. Our results point to a complex process in which the positive impact of insight on psychosocial functioning increases over time, even when considering depressive symptoms. Future studies and treatment approaches should consider the procedural aspect of insight.

Central State University: Phase III Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ohio Board of Regents, 2013

2013-01-01

This document is the final report on Central State University's implementation of Section 371 of Ohio Amended Substitute House Bill 153. Implementation of Phase I action items required that deliverables and timelines be shifted to give Central State the best opportunity for early success. In Phase II, Central State responded aggressively to a…

Life cycle assessment based environmental impact estimation model for pre-stressed concrete beam bridge in the early design phase

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

Kim, Kyong Ju, E-mail: kjkim@cau.ac.kr; Yun, Won Gun, E-mail: ogun78@naver.com; Cho, Namho, E-mail: nhc51@cau.ac.kr

The late rise in global concern for environmental issues such as global warming and air pollution is accentuating the need for environmental assessments in the construction industry. Promptly evaluating the environmental loads of the various design alternatives during the early stages of a construction project and adopting the most environmentally sustainable candidate is therefore of large importance. Yet, research on the early evaluation of a construction project's environmental load in order to aid the decision making process is hitherto lacking. In light of this dilemma, this study proposes a model for estimating the environmental load by employing only the mostmore » basic information accessible during the early design phases of a project for the pre-stressed concrete (PSC) beam bridge, the most common bridge structure. Firstly, a life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted on the data from 99 bridges by integrating the bills of quantities (BOQ) with a life cycle inventory (LCI) database. The processed data was then utilized to construct a case based reasoning (CBR) model for estimating the environmental load. The accuracy of the estimation model was then validated using five test cases; the model's mean absolute error rates (MAER) for the total environmental load was calculated as 7.09%. Such test results were shown to be superior compared to those obtained from a multiple-regression based model and a slab area base-unit analysis model. Henceforth application of this model during the early stages of a project is expected to highly complement environmentally friendly designs and construction by facilitating the swift evaluation of the environmental load from multiple standpoints. - Highlights: • This study is to develop the model of assessing the environmental impacts on LCA. • Bills of quantity from completed designs of PSC Beam were linked with the LCI DB. • Previous cases were used to estimate the environmental load of new case by CBR model. • CBR

Immunological dynamics associated with rapid virological response during the early phase of type I interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

PubMed

Lee, Jae-Won; Kim, Won; Kwon, Eun-Kyung; Kim, Yuri; Shin, Hyun Mu; Kim, Dong-Hyun; Min, Chan-Ki; Choi, Ji-Yeob; Lee, Won-Woo; Choi, Myung-Sik; Kim, Byeong Gwan; Cho, Nam-Hyuk

2017-01-01

Type I interferons (IFNs) play an important role in antiviral immunity as well as immunopathogenesis of diverse chronic viral infections. However, the precise mechanisms regulating the multifaceted effects of type I IFNs on the immune system and pathological inflammation still remain unclear. In order to assess the immunological dynamics associated with rapid viral clearance in chronic hepatitis C patients during the acute phase of type I IFN therapy, we analyzed multiple parameters of virological and immunological responses in a cohort of 59 Korean hepatitis C patients who received pegylated IFN-α and ribavirin (IFN/RBV). Most of the Korean patients had favorable alleles in the IFN-λ loci for responsiveness to IFN/RBV (i.e., C/C in rs12979860, T/T in rs8099917, and TT/TT in rs368234815). Rapid virological response (RVR) was determined mainly by the hepatitis C virus genotype. Among the cytokines analyzed, higher plasma levels of IL-17A and FGF were observed in non-RVR patients infected with viral genotype 1 and IP-10 was consistently elevated in RVR group infected with genotype 2 during the early phase of antiviral therapy. In addition, these three cytokines were correlated each other, suggesting a functional linkage of the cytokines in antiviral responses during IFN/RBV therapy. A low baseline frequencies of regulatory T cells and γδ T cells, but high level of group 2 innate lymphoid cells, in peripheral bloods were also significantly associated with the RVR group, implicating a potential role of the cellular immunity during the early phase of IFN/RBV therapy. Therefore, the immunological programs established by chronic hepatitis C and rapid disruption of the delicate balance by exogenous type I IFN might be associated with the subsequent virological outcomes in chronic hepatitis C patients.

Immunological dynamics associated with rapid virological response during the early phase of type I interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C

PubMed Central

Lee, Jae-Won; Kim, Won; Kwon, Eun-Kyung; Kim, Yuri; Shin, Hyun Mu; Kim, Dong-Hyun; Min, Chan-Ki; Choi, Ji-Yeob; Lee, Won-Woo; Choi, Myung-Sik; Kim, Byeong Gwan

2017-01-01

Type I interferons (IFNs) play an important role in antiviral immunity as well as immunopathogenesis of diverse chronic viral infections. However, the precise mechanisms regulating the multifaceted effects of type I IFNs on the immune system and pathological inflammation still remain unclear. In order to assess the immunological dynamics associated with rapid viral clearance in chronic hepatitis C patients during the acute phase of type I IFN therapy, we analyzed multiple parameters of virological and immunological responses in a cohort of 59 Korean hepatitis C patients who received pegylated IFN-α and ribavirin (IFN/RBV). Most of the Korean patients had favorable alleles in the IFN-λ loci for responsiveness to IFN/RBV (i.e., C/C in rs12979860, T/T in rs8099917, and TT/TT in rs368234815). Rapid virological response (RVR) was determined mainly by the hepatitis C virus genotype. Among the cytokines analyzed, higher plasma levels of IL-17A and FGF were observed in non-RVR patients infected with viral genotype 1 and IP-10 was consistently elevated in RVR group infected with genotype 2 during the early phase of antiviral therapy. In addition, these three cytokines were correlated each other, suggesting a functional linkage of the cytokines in antiviral responses during IFN/RBV therapy. A low baseline frequencies of regulatory T cells and γδ T cells, but high level of group 2 innate lymphoid cells, in peripheral bloods were also significantly associated with the RVR group, implicating a potential role of the cellular immunity during the early phase of IFN/RBV therapy. Therefore, the immunological programs established by chronic hepatitis C and rapid disruption of the delicate balance by exogenous type I IFN might be associated with the subsequent virological outcomes in chronic hepatitis C patients. PMID:28614389

Dynamic CT for parathyroid disease: are multiple phases necessary?

PubMed

Raghavan, P; Durst, C R; Ornan, D A; Mukherjee, S; Wintermark, M; Patrie, J T; Xin, W; Shada, A L; Hanks, J B; Smith, P W

2014-10-01

A 4D CT protocol for detection of parathyroid lesions involves obtaining unenhanced, arterial, early, and delayed venous phase images. The aim of the study was to determine the ideal combination of phases that would minimize radiation dose without sacrificing diagnostic accuracy. With institutional review board approval, the records of 29 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who had undergone surgical exploration were reviewed. Four neuroradiologists who were blinded to the surgical outcome reviewed the imaging studies in 5 combinations (unenhanced and arterial phase; unenhanced, arterial, and early venous; all 4 phases; arterial alone; arterial and early venous phases) with an interval of at least 7 days between each review. The accuracy of interpretation in lateralizing an abnormality to the side of the neck (right, left, ectopic) and localizing it to a quadrant in the neck (right or left upper, right or left lower) was evaluated. The lateralization and localization accuracy (90.5% and 91.5%, respectively) of the arterial phase alone was comparable with the other combinations of phases. There was no statistically significant difference among the different combinations of phases in their ability to lateralize or localize adenomas to a quadrant (P = .976 and .996, respectively). Assessment of a small group of patients shows that adequate diagnostic accuracy for parathyroid adenoma localization may be achievable by obtaining arterial phase images alone. If this outcome can be validated prospectively in a larger group of patients, then the radiation dose can potentially be reduced to one-fourth of what would otherwise be administered. © 2014 by American Journal of Neuroradiology.

Diverse roles of actin in C. elegans early embryogenesis

PubMed Central

Velarde, Nathalie; Gunsalus, Kristin C; Piano, Fabio

2007-01-01

Background The actin cytoskeleton plays critical roles in early development in Caenorhabditis elegans. To further understand the complex roles of actin in early embryogenesis we use RNAi and in vivo imaging of filamentous actin (F-actin) dynamics. Results Using RNAi, we found processes that are differentially sensitive to levels of actin during early embryogenesis. Mild actin depletion shows defects in cortical ruffling, pseudocleavage, and establishment of polarity, while more severe depletion shows defects in polar body extrusion, cytokinesis, chromosome segregation, and eventually, egg production. These defects indicate that actin is required for proper oocyte development, fertilization, and a wide range of important events during early embryogenesis, including proper chromosome segregation. In vivo visualization of the cortical actin cytoskeleton shows dynamics that parallel but are distinct from the previously described myosin dynamics. Two distinct types of actin organization are observed at the cortex. During asymmetric polarization to the anterior, or the establishment phase (Phase I), actin forms a meshwork of microfilaments and focal accumulations throughout the cortex, while during the anterior maintenance phase (Phase II) it undergoes a morphological transition to asymmetrically localized puncta. The proper asymmetric redistribution is dependent on the PAR proteins, while both asymmetric redistribution and morphological transitions are dependent upon PFN-1 and NMY-2. Just before cytokinesis, actin disappears from most of the cortex and is only found around the presumptive cytokinetic furrow. Finally, we describe dynamic actin-enriched comets in the early embryo. Conclusion During early C. elegans embryogenesis actin plays more roles and its organization is more dynamic than previously described. Morphological transitions of F-actin, from meshwork to puncta, as well as asymmetric redistribution, are regulated by the PAR proteins. Results from this study

Simple uncertainty propagation for early design phase aircraft sizing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lenz, Annelise

Many designers and systems analysts are aware of the uncertainty inherent in their aircraft sizing studies; however, few incorporate methods to address and quantify this uncertainty. Many aircraft design studies use semi-empirical predictors based on a historical database and contain uncertainty -- a portion of which can be measured and quantified. In cases where historical information is not available, surrogate models built from higher-fidelity analyses often provide predictors for design studies where the computational cost of directly using the high-fidelity analyses is prohibitive. These surrogate models contain uncertainty, some of which is quantifiable. However, rather than quantifying this uncertainty, many designers merely include a safety factor or design margin in the constraints to account for the variability between the predicted and actual results. This can become problematic if a designer does not estimate the amount of variability correctly, which then can result in either an "over-designed" or "under-designed" aircraft. "Under-designed" and some "over-designed" aircraft will likely require design changes late in the process and will ultimately require more time and money to create; other "over-designed" aircraft concepts may not require design changes, but could end up being more costly than necessary. Including and propagating uncertainty early in the design phase so designers can quantify some of the errors in the predictors could help mitigate the extent of this additional cost. The method proposed here seeks to provide a systematic approach for characterizing a portion of the uncertainties that designers are aware of and propagating it throughout the design process in a procedure that is easy to understand and implement. Using Monte Carlo simulations that sample from quantified distributions will allow a systems analyst to use a carpet plot-like approach to make statements like: "The aircraft is 'P'% likely to weigh 'X' lbs or less, given the

Anomalous eutectic formation in the solidification of undercooled Co-Sn alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, L.; Wei, X. X.; Huang, Q. S.; Li, J. F.; Cheng, X. H.; Zhou, Y. H.

2012-11-01

Three Co-Sn alloys with compositions around the eutectic point were undercooled to different degrees below the equilibrium liquidus temperature and the solidification behaviors were investigated by monitoring the temperature recalescence and examing the solidification structure. It is revealed that the primary phase during rapid solidification changes complexly with the increasing undercooling in the off-eutectic alloys, while coupled eutectic growth takes place at all undercoolings in the eutectic alloy. Two types of anomalous eutectics form in the alloys: one evolving from coupled eutectics and the other from single phase dendrites or seaweeds. The crystallographic orientation of eutectic phases in the anomalous eutectic is dependent on which type their precursors belong to.

Logistics planning for phased programs.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cook, W. H.

1973-01-01

It is pointed out that the proper and early integration of logistics planning into the phased program planning process will drastically reduce these logistics costs. Phased project planning is a phased approach to the planning, approval, and conduct of major research and development activity. A progressive build-up of knowledge of all aspects of the program is provided. Elements of logistics are discussed together with aspects of integrated logistics support, logistics program planning, and logistics activities for phased programs. Continuing logistics support can only be assured if there is a comprehensive sequential listing of all logistics activities tied to the program schedule and a real-time inventory of assets.

The radial growth phase of malignant melanoma: multi-phase modelling, numerical simulations and linear stability analysis.

PubMed

Ciarletta, P; Foret, L; Ben Amar, M

2011-03-06

Cutaneous melanoma is disproportionately lethal despite its relatively low incidence and its potential for cure in the early stages. The aim of this study is to foster understanding of the role of microstructure on the occurrence of morphological changes in diseased skin during melanoma evolution. The authors propose a biomechanical analysis of its radial growth phase, investigating the role of intercellular/stromal connections on the initial stages of epidermis invasion. The radial growth phase of a primary melanoma is modelled within the multi-phase theory of mixtures, reproducing the mechanical behaviour of the skin layers and of the epidermal-dermal junction. The theoretical analysis takes into account those cellular processes that have been experimentally observed to disrupt homeostasis in normal epidermis. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the loss of adhesiveness of the melanoma cells both to the basal laminae, caused by deregulation mechanisms of adherent junctions, and to adjacent keratynocytes, consequent to a downregulation of E-cadherin, are the fundamental biomechanical features for promoting tumour initiation. Finally, the authors provide the mathematical proof of a long wavelength instability of the tumour front during the early stages of melanoma invasion. These results open the perspective to correlate the early morphology of a growing melanoma with the biomechanical characteristics of its micro-environment.

The radial growth phase of malignant melanoma: multi-phase modelling, numerical simulations and linear stability analysis

PubMed Central

Ciarletta, P.; Foret, L.; Ben Amar, M.

2011-01-01

Cutaneous melanoma is disproportionately lethal despite its relatively low incidence and its potential for cure in the early stages. The aim of this study is to foster understanding of the role of microstructure on the occurrence of morphological changes in diseased skin during melanoma evolution. The authors propose a biomechanical analysis of its radial growth phase, investigating the role of intercellular/stromal connections on the initial stages of epidermis invasion. The radial growth phase of a primary melanoma is modelled within the multi-phase theory of mixtures, reproducing the mechanical behaviour of the skin layers and of the epidermal–dermal junction. The theoretical analysis takes into account those cellular processes that have been experimentally observed to disrupt homeostasis in normal epidermis. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the loss of adhesiveness of the melanoma cells both to the basal laminae, caused by deregulation mechanisms of adherent junctions, and to adjacent keratynocytes, consequent to a downregulation of E-cadherin, are the fundamental biomechanical features for promoting tumour initiation. Finally, the authors provide the mathematical proof of a long wavelength instability of the tumour front during the early stages of melanoma invasion. These results open the perspective to correlate the early morphology of a growing melanoma with the biomechanical characteristics of its micro-environment. PMID:20656740

Study design and early result of a phase I study of SABR for early-stage glottic cancer.

PubMed

Yu, Tosol; Wee, Chan Woo; Choi, Noorie; Wu, Hong-Gyun; Kang, Hyun-Cheol; Park, Jong Min; Kim, Jung-In; Kim, Jin Ho; Kwon, Tack-Kyun; Chung, Eun-Jae

2018-05-14

Avoidance of organs at risk has become possible with advances in image-guided volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) techniques. This study was designed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) for early stage glottic cancer. This report presents the preliminary result of the first and second dose level. Fraction size was increased from 3.5 gray (Gy) (total dose 59.5 Gy) to 9 Gy (total dose 45 Gy). Dose-limiting toxicities were defined as grade 3 or higher treatment-related toxicities. Voice outcome was assessed with electroglottography, and quality of life (QoL) was measured with the Head and Neck Cancer Inventory (HNCI). Seven patients received 59.5 Gy at 3.5 Gy per fraction as the first dose level, and five patients received 55 Gy at 5 Gy per fraction as the second dose level. None of the patients developed grade 3+ toxicity throughout a median follow-up of 17.5 months (range, 1.7-30.6 months). One patient in the second dose level recurred in the primary site at 4 months after radiotherapy (RT) and received total laryngectomy. The rest of participants were disease-free at locoregional and distant sites. Jitter, shimmer, mean phonation time, and noise-to-harmony ratio did not change significantly at 6 months after RT. HNCI scores between pretreatment and posttreatment were not significantly different (P = 0.221). This study revealed acceptable toxicity, voice outcome, and QoL in patients treated with hypofractionated VMAT of 3.5 Gy and 5 Gy per fraction. This phase I study is currently ongoing with a dose of 55 Gy in 11 fractions and 45 Gy in five fractions. 2b. Laryngoscope, 2018. © 2018 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

Early marijuana initiation: The link between prenatal marijuana exposure, early childhood behavior, and negative adult roles.

PubMed

Goldschmidt, Lidush; Richardson, Gale A; Larkby, Cynthia; Day, Nancy L

We investigated the associations among gestational factors including prenatal marijuana exposure (PME), child behavior at age 3, early age of onset of marijuana use (EAOM, <15years), and adult roles at 22years. Participants were drawn from the Maternal Health Practices and Child Development (MHPCD) Project, a longitudinal study of prenatal substance exposure in offspring who have been studied for over 22years since the prenatal phase. Data from the prenatal, birth, 3-, and 22-year phases (N=608) were used in the present study. Age of onset of offspring substance use was determined based on data from the 14-, 16-, and 22-year phases. The subjects were of lower socioeconomic status, 43% were Caucasian and the remaining were African-American, and 48% were males. Early childhood behavior was significantly (p<0.05) related to EAOM after controlling for PME, birth and childhood environmental risk factors, and Conduct Disorder. EAOM was significantly associated with negative adult roles including increased risk of being arrested (p<0.001), lower educational attainment (p<0.001), having a child without being married (p<0.05), and unemployment at 22years (p<0.001). The correlations between PME and negative adult roles and between early childhood behavior and negative adult roles were also statistically significant. Pathway analysis demonstrated that EAOM significantly mediated the associations between PME and fulfillment of adult roles and between early childhood behavior and adult roles. There are a number of intervention points that could be targeted that would have a long-term impact on lowering the probability of EAOM and less success in adult roles. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Critical roles of myeloid differentiation factor 88-dependent proinflammatory cytokine release in early phase clearance of Listeria monocytogenes in mice.

PubMed

Seki, Ekihiro; Tsutsui, Hiroko; Tsuji, Noriko M; Hayashi, Nobuki; Adachi, Keishi; Nakano, Hiroki; Futatsugi-Yumikura, Shizue; Takeuchi, Osamu; Hoshino, Katsuaki; Akira, Shizuo; Fujimoto, Jiro; Nakanishi, Kenji

2002-10-01

Listeria monocytogenes (LM), a facultative intracellular Gram-positive bacterium, often causes lethal infection of the host. In this study we investigated the molecular mechanism underlying LM eradication in the early phase of infection. Upon infection with LM, both IL-12 and IL-18 were produced, and then they synergistically induced IFN-gamma production, leading to normal LM clearance in the host. IFN-gamma knockout (KO) mice were highly susceptible to LM infection. IL-12/IL-18 double knockout mice were also highly susceptible. Their susceptibility was less than that of IFN-gamma KO mice, but more than that of single IL-12 or IL-18 KO mice. Mice deficient in myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), an essential adaptor molecule used by signal transduction pathways of all members of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family, showed an inability to produce IL-12 and IFN-gamma following LM infection and were most susceptible to LM. Furthermore, MyD88-deficient, but not IFN-gamma-deficient, Kupffer cells could not produce TNF-alpha in response to LM in vitro, indicating the importance of MyD88-dependent TNF-alpha production for host defense. As TLR2 KO, but not TLR4 KO, mice showed partial impairment in their capacity to produce IL-12, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha, TLR2 activation partly contributed to the induction of IL-12-mediated IFN-gamma production. These results indicated a critical role for TLRs/MyD88-dependent IL-12/TNF-alpha production and for IL-12- and IL-18-mediated IFN-gamma production in early phase clearance of LM.

Temporal Genetic Dynamics of an Invasive Species, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), in an Early Phase of Establishment.

PubMed

Yang, Xian-Ming; Lou, Heng; Sun, Jing-Tao; Zhu, Yi-Ming; Xue, Xiao-Feng; Hong, Xiao-Yue

2015-07-03

Many species can successfully colonize new areas despite their propagules having low genetic variation. We assessed whether the decreased genetic diversity could result in temporal fluctuations of genetic parameters of the new populations of an invasive species, western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, using mitochondrial and microsatellite markers. This study was conducted in eight localities from four climate regions in China, where F. occidentalis was introduced in the year 2000 and had lower genetic diversity than its native populations. We also tested the level of genetic differentiation in these introduced populations. The genetic diversity of the samples at different years in the same locality was not significantly different from each other in most localities. FST and STRUCTURE analysis also showed that most temporal population comparisons from the same sites were not significantly differentiated. Our results showed that the invasive populations of F. occidentalis in China can maintain temporal stability in genetic composition at an early phase of establishment despite having lower genetic diversity than in their native range.

Illness versus substance use effects on the frontal white matter in early phase schizophrenia: A 4Tesla (1)H-MRS study.

PubMed

Bernier, Denise; Bartha, Robert; McAllindon, David; Hanstock, Christopher C; Marchand, Yannick; Dillen, Kim N H; Gallant, Michelle; Good, Kimberly P; Tibbo, Philip G

2016-08-01

Young adults with early phase schizophrenia often report a past or current pattern of illicit substance use and/or alcohol misuse. Still, little is known about the cumulative and separate effects of each stressor on white matter tissue, at this vulnerable period of brain development. Participants involved 24 healthy controls with a past or current history of sustained illicit drug use and/or alcohol misuse (users), 23 healthy controls without such history (normative data), and 27 users with early phase schizophrenia. (1)H-MRS data were acquired from a large frontal volume encompassing 95% of white matter, using a 4Tesla scanner (LASER sequence, TR/TE 3200/46ms). Reduced levels of choline-containing compounds (Cho) were specific to the effect of illness (Cohen's d=0.68), with 22% of the variance in Cho levels accounted for by duration of illness. Reduced levels of myoInositol (d=1.10) and creatine plus phosphocreatine (d=1.07) were specific to the effects of illness plus substance use. Effect of substance use on its own was revealed by reductions in levels of glutamate plus glutamine (d=0.83) in control users relative to normative data. The specific effect of illness on white matter might indicate a decreased synthesis of membrane phospholipids or alternatively, reduced membrane cellular density. In terms of limitations, this study did not include patients without a lifetime history of substance use (non-users), and the specific effect of each substance used could not be studied separately. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Metabolic and structural changes during early maturation of Inga vera seeds are consistent with the lack of a desiccation phase.

PubMed

Caccere, Rodrigo; Teixeira, Simone P; Centeno, Danilo C; Figueiredo-Ribeiro, Rita de Cássia L; Braga, Márcia R

2013-06-15

Inga vera, native to South America, is an important leguminous species used for ecological restoration of riparian forests and its seeds are among the most recalcitrant ones described up to date. In this work, we analysed the metabolic profile, cell ultrastructure as well as cell wall polysaccharides of I. vera seeds in order to better understand its maturation, which allows embryo germination without a quiescent phase. Increased amounts of citric, glutamic, pyroglutamic, and aspartic acids from stages I to II (120 and 129 days after flowering (DAF)) corroborate the hypothesis of high metabolism, shifting from fermentative to aerobic respiration at seed maturity. This phase was characterized by an extensive vacuolization of embryonic cells, which also indicate high metabolic activity. The proportion of arabinose in the cell walls of embryonic axis (approx. 20%) was lower than those found in some orthodox seeds (nearly 40%), suggesting that arabinose-containing polysaccharides, which are thought to provide more flexibility to the cell wall during natural drying, are less abundant in I. vera seeds. Taken together, our results provide evidence that the major changes occurred during early stages of seed maturation of I. vera, indicating that the rapid temporary metabolic shift observed between stages I and II may be related to the lack of desiccation phase, moving directly to germination. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

THE RECIPROCAL SYSTEM FORMED BY THE CHLORIDES AND THE BROMIDES OF LITHIUM AND THALLIUM (in Russian)

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

Bergman, A.G.; Arabadzhan, A.S.

1963-06-01

The phase diagrams of 2 series of continuous solid solutions, the Li, K:: Cl,Br and the Li,Tl:: Cl,Br were investigated, as part of a study of the relation between thermal effect of equilibrium reactions and the structure of the melts. In the second system, the heat of the exchange reaction LiCl + TlBr in equilibrium LiBr + TlCl amounts to 8.19 kcal/mole, being larger than that of the corresponding reaction in the Li,K:: Cl,Br system; this affects the crystallization surface in the system. A Pt crucible and Pt, Au, Pd/Pt-Rh thermocouple were used in the thermal studies. It was foundmore » that the liquidus surface consists of 2 fields of continuous series of solid solutions. The joint crystallization curve has a maximum at 392 deg C at the stable portion of the LiCl-TlBr system. There is crest in the liquidus surface corresponding to the stable diagonal LiCl--TlBr; this is visible more markedly in the Li(Cl,Br) field. (TTT)« less

Differential Contributions of Ventral and Dorsal Striatum to Early and Late Phases of Cognitive Set Reconfiguration

PubMed Central

Sleezer, Brianna J.; Hayden, Benjamin Y.

2017-01-01

Flexible decision-making, a defining feature of human cognition, is typically thought of as a canonical pFC function. Recent work suggests that the striatum may participate as well; however, its role in this process is not well understood. We recorded activity of neurons in both the ventral (VS) and dorsal (DS) striatum while rhesus macaques performed a version of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, a classic test of flexibility. Our version of the task involved a trial-and-error phase before monkeys could identify the correct rule on each block. We observed changes in firing rate in both regions when monkeys switched rules. Specifically, VS neurons demonstrated switch-related activity early in the trial-and-error period when the rule needed to be updated, and a portion of these neurons signaled information about the switch context (i.e., whether the switch was intradimensional or extradimensional). Neurons in both VS and DS demonstrated switch-related activity at the end of the trial-and-error period, immediately before the rule was fully established and maintained, but these signals did not carry any information about switch context. We also observed associative learning signals (i.e., specific responses to options associated with rewards in the presentation period before choice) that followed the same pattern as switch signals (early in VS, later in DS). Taken together, these results endorse the idea that the striatum participates directly in cognitive set reconfiguration and suggest that single neurons in the striatum may contribute to a functional handoff from the VS to the DS during reconfiguration processes. PMID:27417204

Psychosocial Interventions in Reducing Cannabis Use in Early Phase Psychosis: A Canadian Survey of Treatments Offered.

PubMed

Aydin, Cristina; Tibbo, Philip G; Ursuliak, Zenovia

2016-06-01

Cannabis use in people with early phase psychosis (EPP) can have a significant impact on long-term outcomes. The purpose of this investigation was to describe current cannabis use treatment practices in English-speaking early intervention services (EISs) in Canada and determine if their services are informed by available evidence. Thirty-five Canadian English-speaking EISs for psychosis were approached to complete a survey through email, facsimile, or online in order to collect information regarding their current cannabis use treatment practices. Data were acquired from 27 of the 35 (78%) programs approached. Only 12% of EISs offered formal services that targeted cannabis use, whereas the majority (63%) of EISs offered informal services for all substance use, not specifically cannabis. In programs with informal services, individual patient psychoeducation (86%) was slightly more common than individual motivational interviewing (MI) (76%) followed by group patient psychoeducation (52%) and information handouts (52%). Thirty-seven percent of EISs offered formal services for substance use, and compared to programs with informal services, more MI, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and family services were offered, with individual treatment modalities more common than groups. No EISs used contingency management, even though it has some preliminary evidence in chronic populations. Evidence-based service implementation barriers included appropriate training and administrative support. While most English-speaking Canadian EIS programs offer individual MI and psychoeducation, which is in line with the available literature, there is room for improvement in cannabis treatment services based on current evidence for both people with EPP and their families. © The Author(s) 2016.

SAD phasing: History, current impact and future opportunities.

PubMed

Rose, John P; Wang, Bi-Cheng

2016-07-15

Single wavelength anomalous diffraction (SAD) can trace its beginnings to the early 1950s. Researchers at the time recognized that SAD offers some unique features that might be advantageous for crystallographic phasing, despite the fact that at that time recording accurate SAD data was problematic. In this review we will follow the trail from those early days, highlighting key advances in the field and interpreting them in terms on how they stimulated continued phasing development that produced the theoretical foundation for the routine macromolecular structure determination by SAD today. The technological advances over the past three decades in both hardware and software, which played a significant role in making SAD phasing a 'first choice method', will also be described. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Stability of the high pressure phase Fe3S2 up to Earth's core pressures in the Fe-S-O and the Fe-S-Si systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zurkowski, C. C.; Chidester, B.; Davis, A.; Brauser, N.; Greenberg, E.; Prakapenka, V. B.; Campbell, A.

2017-12-01

Earth's core is comprised of an iron-nickel alloy that contains 5-15% of a light element component. The abundance and alloying capability of sulfur, silicon and oxygen in the bulk Earth make them important core alloy candidates; therefore, the high-pressure phase equilibria of the Fe-S-O and Fe-S-Si systems are relevant for understanding the possible chemistry of Earth's core. Previously, a Fe3S2 phase was recognized as a low-pressure intermediate phase in the Fe-FeS system that is stable from 14-21 GPa, but the structure of this phase has not been resolved. We report in-situ XRD and chemical analysis of recovered samples to further examine the stability and structure of Fe3S2 as it coexists with other phases in the Fe-S-O and Fe-S-Si systems. In situ high P-T synchrotron XRD experiments were conducted in the laser-heated diamond anvil cell to determine the equilibrium phases in Fe75S7O18 and Fe80S5Si15 compositions between 30 and 174 GPa and up to 3000 K. In the S,O-rich samples, an orthorhombic Fe3S2 phase coexists with hcp-Fe, Fe3S and FeO and undergoes two monoclinic distortions between 60 and 174 GPa. In the S,Si-rich samples, the orthorhombic Fe3S2 phase was observed up to 115 GPa. With increasing pressure, the Fe3S2 phase becomes stable to higher temperatures in both compositions, suggesting possible Fe3(S,O)2 or Fe3(S,Si)2 solid solutions. SEM analysis of a laser heated Fe75S7O18 sample recovered from 40 GPa and 1450 K confirms a Fe3(S,O)2 phase with O dissolved into the structure. Based on the current melting data in the Fe-S-O and Fe-S-Si systems, the Fe3(S,O)2 stability field intersects the solidus in the outer core and could be a possible liquidus phase in Fe,S,O-rich planetary cores, whereas Fe3S is the stable sulfide at outer core pressures in Fe,S,Si-rich systems.

The early phase of the SMBH-galaxy coevolution in low-z "young" galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagao, Tohru

2014-01-01

It is now widely recognized that most galaxies have a supermassive black hole (SMBH) in their nucleus, and the evolution of SMBHs is closely related with that of their host galaxies (the SMBH-galaxy coevolution). This is suggested by the correlation in the mass of SMBHs and their host galaxies, that has been observed in low redshifts. However, the physics of the coevolution is totally unclear, that prevents us from complete understandings of the galaxy evolution. One possible strategy to tackle this issue is measuring the mass ratio between SMBHs and their host galaxies (M_BH/M_host) at high redshifs, since different scenarios predict different evolution of the ratio ofMBH/Mhost. However it is extremely challenging to measure the mass of the host of high-z quasars, given the faint surface brightness of the host at close to the glaring quasar nucleus. Here we propose a brand-new approach to assess the early phase of the SMBH-galaxy coevolution, by focusing on low-z AGN-hosting "young" galaxies. Specifically, we focus on some very metal-poor galaxies with broadline Balmer lines at z ~ 0.1 - 0.3. By examining the SMBH scaling relations in some low-z metal-poor AGNs through high-resolution IRCS imaging observations, we will discriminate various scenarios for the SMBH-galaxy coevolution.

Atomic disorder, phase transformation, and phase restoration in Co3Sn2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

di, L. M.; Zhou, G. F.; Bakker, H.

1993-03-01

The behavior of the intermetallic compound Co3Sn2 upon ball milling was studied by x-ray diffraction, high-field-magnetization measurements, and subsequently by differential scanning calorimetry. It turns out that starting from the stoichiometric-ordered compound, mechanical attrition of Co3Sn2 generates atomic disorder in the early stage of milling. The nonequilibrium phase transformation from the low-temperature phase with orthorhombic structure to the high-temperature phase with a hexagonal structure was observed in the intermediate stage of milling. It was accompanied by the creation of increasing atomic disorder. After long milling periods, the phase transformation was completed and the atomic disordering became saturated. All the physical parameters measured in the present work remained constant during this period. The above outcome was confirmed by comparison with the high-temperature phase thermally induced by quenching. The good agreement of the results obtained by different techniques proves that the ball milling generates well-defined metastable states in Co3Sn2.

Usability of Videogame-Based Dexterity Training in the Early Rehabilitation Phase of Stroke Patients: A Pilot Study.

PubMed

Vanbellingen, Tim; Filius, Suzanne J; Nyffeler, Thomas; van Wegen, Erwin E H

2017-01-01

Approximately 70-80% of stroke survivors have limited activities of daily living, mainly due to dexterous problems. Videogame-based training (VBT) along with virtual reality seems to be beneficial to train upper limb function. To evaluate the usability of VBT using the Leap Motion Controller (LMC) to train fine manual dexterity in the early rehabilitation phase of stroke patients as an add-on to conventional therapy. Additionally, this study aimed to estimate the feasibility and potential efficacy of the VBT. During 3 months, 64 stroke patients were screened for eligibility, 13 stroke patients were included (4 women and 9 men; age range: 24-91 years; mean time post stroke: 28.2 days). Nine sessions of 30 min VBT, three times per week as an add-on to conventional therapy with stroke inpatients. Primary outcome was the usability of the system measured with the System Usability Scale. Secondary outcomes concerning feasibility were the compliance rate calculated from the total time spent on the intervention (TT) compared to planned time, the opinion of participants via open-end questions, and the level of active participation measured with the Pittsburgh Rehabilitation Participation Scale. Regarding the potential efficacy secondary outcomes were: functional dexterity measured with the Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT), subjective dexterity measured with the Dexterity Questionnaire 24, grip strength measured with the Jamar dynamometer, and motor impairment of the upper limb measured with the Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity (FM-UE) scale. Primarily, the usability of the system was good to excellent. The patient's perception of usability remained stable over a mean period of 3 weeks of VBT. Secondly, the compliance rate was good, and the level of active participation varied between good and very good. The opinion of the participants revealed that despite individual differences, the overall impression of the therapy and device was good. Patients showed significant

Early osteoarthritis of the knee.

PubMed

Madry, Henning; Kon, Elizaveta; Condello, Vincenzo; Peretti, Giuseppe M; Steinwachs, Matthias; Seil, Romain; Berruto, Massimo; Engebretsen, Lars; Filardo, Giuseppe; Angele, Peter

2016-06-01

There is an increasing awareness on the importance in identifying early phases of the degenerative processes in knee osteoarthritis (OA), the crucial period of the disease when there might still be the possibility to initiate treatments preventing its progression. Early OA may show a diffuse and ill-defined involvement, but also originate in the cartilage surrounding a focal lesion, thus necessitating a separate assessment of these two entities. Early OA can be considered to include a maximal involvement of 50 % of the cartilage thickness based on the macroscopic ICRS classification, reflecting an OARSI grade 4. The purpose of this paper was to provide an updated review of the current status of the diagnosis and definition of early knee OA, including the clinical, radiographical, histological, MRI, and arthroscopic definitions and biomarkers. Based on current evidence, practical classification criteria are presented. As new insights and technologies become available, they will further evolve to better define and treat early knee OA.

1,5-anhydroglucitol is associated with early-phase insulin secretion in chinese patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Ma, Xiaojing; Hao, Yaping; Hu, Xiang; Luo, Yuqi; Deng, Zixuan; Zhou, Jian; Bao, Yuqian; Jia, Weiping

2015-05-01

The goal of the present study was to explore the correlations of 1,5-anhydroglucitol (l,5-AG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and glycated albumin (GA) with insulin sensitivity and secretion. In total, 302 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (166 men, 136 women) were enrolled in this study. The homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and homeostasis model assessment for β-cell function (HOMA-β) were calculated to determine the basal insulin sensitivity and secretion. The insulinogenic index (IGI) was used to evaluate early-phase insulin secretion. 1,5-AG and GA were assayed via the enzymatic method, and HbA1c was detected by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Among all 302 subjects, the serum 1,5-AG level was 13.1±7.2 μg/mL, and the HbA1c and GA levels [median (interquartile range)] were 6.7% (6.2-7.3%) and 17.7% (16.0-19.5%), respectively. Increased 1,5-AG quartiles were accompanied by trends toward a decreased HOMA-IR and an increased HOMA-β and IGI (for all trends, P<0.001). 1,5-AG was negatively associated with HOMA-IR (r=-0.200, P<0.001) and positively associated with HOMA-β and IGI (r=0.210 and 0.413, respectively; both P<0.001). 1,5-AG was independently related to HOMA-IR and HOMA-β and exhibited an independent positive association with IGI (standardized β=0.242, P<0.001). Additionally, both HbA1c and GA were independently correlated with HOMA-IR and HOMA-β. 1,5-AG is not only correlated with basal insulin sensitivity and secretion, but also closely associated with early-phase insulin secretion in Chinese patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Pokemon proto-oncogene in oral cancer: potential role in the early phase of tumorigenesis.

PubMed

Sartini, D; Lo Muzio, L; Morganti, S; Pozzi, V; Di Ruscio, G; Rocchetti, R; Rubini, C; Santarelli, A; Emanuelli, M

2015-05-01

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) represents about 90% of all oral neoplasms with a poor clinical prognosis. To improve survival of OSCC patients, it is fundamental to understand the basic molecular mechanisms characterizing oral carcinogenesis. Dysregulation of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes seems to play a central role in tumorigenesis, including malignant transformation of the oral cavity. We analyzed the expression levels of the pro-oncogenic transcription factor Pokemon through real-time PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry in tumor, and normal oral tissue samples obtained from 22 patients with OSCC. The relationship between tumor characteristics and the level of Pokemon intratumor expression was also analyzed. Pokemon was significantly downregulated in OSCC. In particular, both mRNA and protein levels (tumor vs normal tissue) inversely correlated with histological grading, suggesting its potential role as a prognostic factor for OSCC. Moreover, a significant inverse correlation was found between Pokemon protein expression levels (OSCC vs normal oral mucosa) and tumor size, supporting the hypothesis that Pokemon could play an important role in the early phase of tumor expansion. This work shows that reduced expression of Pokemon is a peculiar feature of OSCC. Additional studies may establish the effective role of Pokemon in oral tumorigenesis. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Presence of the acute phase protein, bikunin, in the endometrium of gilts during estrous cycle and early pregnancy.

PubMed

Hettinger, A M; Allen, M R; Zhang, B R; Goad, D W; Malayer, J R; Geisert, R D

2001-08-01

Noninvasive, epitheliochorial placental attachment in the pig is regulated through endometrial production of protease inhibitors. The objective of the present study was to determine if the light-chain serine protease inhibitor of the inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor family, bikunin, is produced by the porcine endometrium during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. Western blot analysis revealed the presence of bikunin in uterine flushings of gilts collected during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle and early pregnancy (Days 12-18). However, bikunin unbound to the inter-alpha-trypsin heavy chains was detected only in endometrial explant culture medium obtained from estrus and pregnant (Days 12, 15, and 18) gilts. Endometrial bikunin gene expression was lowest on Day 10 of the estrous cycle and pregnancy, followed by a 30- to 77-fold increase on Day 15 of the estrous cycle and pregnancy. Bikunin gene expression decreased on Day 18 of the estrous cycle, whereas endometrial bikunin gene expression continued to increase in pregnant gilts. Bikunin mRNA was localized to the uterine glands between Days 15 and 18 of the estrous cycle and pregnancy. In addition to its role as a protease inhibitor, bikunin functions in stabilization of the extracellular matrix, which suggests that bikunin could be involved with facilitating placental attachment to the uterine epithelial surface in the pig.

SU-E-I-91: Quantitative Assessment of Early Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Cavernous Hemangioma of Live Using In-Line Phase-Contrast X-Ray Imaging

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

Duan, J

Purpose: To investigate the potential utility of in-line phase-contrast imaging (ILPCI) technique with synchrotron radiation in detecting early hepatocellular carcinoma and cavernous hemangioma of live using in vitro model system. Methods: Without contrast agents, three typical early hepatocellular carcinoma specimens and three typical cavernous hemangioma of live specimens were imaged using ILPCI. To quantitatively discriminate early hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and cavernous hemangioma tissues, the projection images texture feature based on gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) were extracted. The texture parameters of energy, inertia, entropy, correlation, sum average, sum entropy, difference average, difference entropy and inverse difference moment, were obtained respectively.more » Results: In the ILPCI planar images of early hepatocellular carcinoma specimens, vessel trees were clearly visualized on the micrometer scale. Obvious distortion deformation was presented, and the vessel mostly appeared as a ‘dry stick’. Liver textures appeared not regularly. In the ILPCI planar images of cavernous hemangioma of live specimens, typical vessels had not been found compared with the early hepatocellular carcinoma planar images. The planar images of cavernous hemangioma of live specimens clearly displayed the dilated hepatic sinusoids with the diameter of less than 100 microns, but all of them were overlapped with each other. The texture parameters of energy, inertia, entropy, correlation, sum average, sum entropy, and difference average, showed a statistically significant between the two types specimens image (P<0.01), except the texture parameters of difference entropy and inverse difference moment(P>0.01). Conclusion: The results indicate that there are obvious changes in morphological levels including vessel structures and liver textures. The study proves that this imaging technique has a potential value in evaluating early hepatocellular carcinoma and

Nb-Based Nb-Al-Fe Alloys: Solidification Behavior and High-Temperature Phase Equilibria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stein, Frank; Philips, Noah

2018-03-01

High-melting Nb-based alloys hold significant promise for the development of novel high-temperature materials for structural applications. In order to understand the effect of alloying elements Al and Fe, the Nb-rich part of the ternary Nb-Al-Fe system was investigated. A series of Nb-rich ternary alloys were synthesized from high-purity Nb, Al, and Fe metals by arc melting. Solidification paths were identified and the liquidus surface of the Nb corner of the ternary system was established by analysis of the as-melted microstructures and thermal analysis. Complementary analysis of heat-treated samples yielded isothermal sections at 1723 K and 1873 K (1450 °C and 1600 °C).

Phase-equilibrium geobarometers for silicic rocks based on rhyolite-MELTS. Part 4: Plagioclase, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, glass geobarometer, and application to Mt. Ruapehu, New Zealand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harmon, Lydia J.; Cowlyn, James; Gualda, Guilherme A. R.; Ghiorso, Mark S.

2018-01-01

A new phase equilibria geobarometer determines magmatic storage and crystallization conditions, including pressure, temperature, oxygen fugacity ({f_{{{o}_2}}}), and the presence of a fluid phase for glass-bearing rocks containing the assemblage plagioclase + pyroxene(s). This newly developed geobarometer can better constrain crystallization conditions of shallow (< 500 MPa; < 20 km), glass-bearing andesites to dacites. The geobarometer utilizes rhyolite-MELTS to determine crystallization conditions in natural pumice and scoria samples. The validity of the geobarometer is tested by comparing it to results from experiments. Uncertainties are assessed using Monte Carlo simulations. We apply the geobarometer to the plag + opx + cpx-bearing system of Mt. Ruapehu, in the southern Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand. The samples from Mt. Ruapehu are tested from 5 to 400 MPa and from super-liquidus to 90% crystalline ( 1200 to 700 °C). Mt. Ruapehu serves as a methodological testing ground for the geobarometer, and results from our geobarometer agree with recent Mt. Ruapehu studies. Results show a distribution of crystallization pressures ranging from 50 to 150 MPa ( 2.0 to 5.9 km) for different eruptions, with modes of 110 MPa ( 4.3 km) and 130 MPa ( 5.1 km). These are consistent with field interpretations of different eruptive styles based on juvenile clast textures and previous knowledge of the magma plumbing system. Mt. Ruapehu magmas are fluid saturated, with {f_{{{o}_2}}} of ΔQFM + 1 (NNO).

[INFORNUT process: validation of the filter phase-FILNUT--and comparison with other methods for the detection of early hospital hyponutrition].

PubMed

Villalobos Gámez, J L; García-Almeida, J M; Guzmán de Damas, J M; Rioja Vázquez, R; Osorio Fernández, D; Rodríguez-García, L M; del Río Mata, J; Ortiz García, C; Gutiérrez Bedmar, M

2006-01-01

According to several series, hospital hyponutrition involves 30-50% of hospitalized patients. The high prevalence justifies the need for early detection from admission. There several classical screening tools that show important limitations in their systematic application in daily clinical practice. To analyze the relationship between hyponutrition, detected by our screening method, and mortality, hospital stay, or re-admissions. To analyze, as well, the relationship between hyponutrition and prescription of nutritional support. To compare different nutritional screening methods at admission on a random sample of hospitalized patients. Validation of the INFORNUT method for nutritional screening. In a previous phase from the study design, a retrospective analysis with data from the year 2003 was carried out in order to know the situation of hyponutrition in Virgen de la Victoria Hospital, at Malaga, gathering data from the MBDS (Minimal Basic Data Set), laboratory analysis of nutritional risk (FILNUT filter), and prescription of nutritional support. In the experimental phase, a cross-sectional cohort study was done with a random sample of 255 patients, on May of 2004. Anthropometrical study, Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS), Gassull's method, CONUT and INFORNUT were done. The settings of the INFORNUT filter were: albumin < 3.5 g/dL, and/or total proteins <5 g/dL, and/or prealbumin <18 mg/dL, with or without total lymphocyte count < 1.600 cells/mm3 and/or total cholesterol <180 mg/dL. In order to compare the different methods, a gold standard is created based on the recommendations of the SENPE on anthropometrical and laboratory data. The statistical association analysis was done by the chi-squared test (a: 0.05) and agreement by the k index. In the study performed in the previous phase, it is observed that the prevalence of hospital hyponutrition is 53.9%. One thousand six hundred and forty four

Early-stage attenuation of phase-amplitude coupling in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex in a transgenic rat model of Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Bazzigaluppi, Paolo; Beckett, Tina L; Koletar, Margaret M; Lai, Aaron Y; Joo, Illsung L; Brown, Mary E; Carlen, Peter L; McLaurin, JoAnne; Stefanovic, Bojana

2018-03-01

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is pathologically characterized by amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) accumulation, neurofibrillary tangle formation, and neurodegeneration. Preclinical studies on neuronal impairments associated with progressive amyloidosis have demonstrated some Aβ-dependent neuronal dysfunction including modulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic signaling. The present work focuses on the early stage of disease progression and uses TgF344-AD rats that recapitulate a broad repertoire of AD-like pathologies to investigate the neuronal network functioning using simultaneous intracranial recordings from the hippocampus (HPC) and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), followed by pathological analyses of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA A ) receptor subunits α1 , α5, and δ, and glutamic acid decarboxylases (GAD65 and GAD67). Concomitant to amyloid deposition and tau hyperphosphorylation, low-gamma band power was strongly attenuated in the HPC and mPFC of TgF344-AD rats in comparison to those in non-transgenic littermates. In addition, the phase-amplitude coupling of the neuronal networks in both areas was impaired, evidenced by decreased modulation of theta band phase on gamma band amplitude in TgF344-AD animals. Finally, the gamma coherence between HPC and mPFC was attenuated as well. These results demonstrate significant neuronal network dysfunction at an early stage of AD-like pathology. This network dysfunction precedes the onset of cognitive deficits and is likely driven by Aβ and tau pathologies. This article is part of the Special Issue "Vascular Dementia". © 2017 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada Journal of Neurochemistry © 2017 International Society for Neurochemistry.

Disturbance of DNA methylation patterns in the early phase of hepatocarcinogenesis induced by a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined diet in rats.

PubMed

Shimizu, Kyoko; Onishi, Mariko; Sugata, Eriko; Sokuza, Yui; Mori, Chiharu; Nishikawa, Tomoki; Honoki, Kanya; Tsujiuchi, Toshifumi

2007-09-01

The authors investigated the DNA methylation patterns of the E-cadherin, Connexin 26 (Cx26), Rassf1a and c-fos genes in the early phase of rat hepatocarcinogenesis induced by a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet. Six-week-old F344 male rats were continuously fed with the CDAA diet, and three animals were then killed at each of 4 and 8 days and 3 weeks. Genomic DNA was extracted from livers for assessment of methylation status in the 5' upstream regions of E-cadherin, Cx26, Rassf1a and c-fos genes by bisulfite sequencing, compared with normal livers. The livers of rats fed the CDAA diet for 4 and 8 days and 3 weeks were methylated in E-cadherin, Cx26 and Rassf1a genes, while normal livers were all unmethylated. In contrast, normal livers were highly methylated in c-fos gene. Although the livers at 4 days were weakly methylated, those at 8 days and 3 weeks were markedly unmethylated. Methylation patterns of CpG sites in E-cadherin, Cx26 and Rassf1a were sparse and the methylation was not associated with gene repression. These results indicate that gene-specific DNA methylation patterns were found in livers of rats after short-term feeding of the CDAA diet, suggesting gene-specific hypermethylation might be involved in the early phase of rat hepatocarcinogenesis induced by the CDAA diet.

Media Messages and Perceptions of the Affordable Care Act during the Early Phase of Implementation.

PubMed

Fowler, Erika Franklin; Baum, Laura M; Barry, Colleen L; Niederdeppe, Jeff; Gollust, Sarah E

2017-02-01

Public opinion about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been polarized since the law's passage. Past research suggests these conditions would make any media influence on the public limited at best. However, during the early phase of implementation, locally broadcast ACA-related media messages-in the form of paid health insurance and political advertisements and news media stories-abounded as advocates, insurance marketers, and politicians sought to shape the public's perceptions of the law. To what extent did message exposure affect ACA perceptions during the first open enrollment period? We merge data on volumes of messaging at the media market level with nationally representative survey data to examine the relationship between estimated exposure to media messaging and the public's perceptions of how informed they were about and favorable toward the ACA in October 2013. We find that higher volumes of insurance advertising and local news coverage are associated with participants' perceptions of being informed about the law. Volumes of insurance advertising and of local news coverage are also associated with participants' favorability toward the law, but the relationship varies with partisanship, supporting the growing body of research describing partisan perceptual bias. Copyright © 2017 by Duke University Press.

Cdc7 is required throughout the yeast S phase to activate replication origins.

PubMed

Donaldson, A D; Fangman, W L; Brewer, B J

1998-02-15

The long-standing conclusion that the Cdc7 kinase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is required only to trigger S phase has been challenged by recent data that suggests it acts directly on individual replication origins. We tested the possibility that early- and late-activated origins have different requirements for Cdc7 activity. Cells carrying a cdc7(ts) allele were first arrested in G1 at the cdc7 block by incubation at 37 degrees C, and then were allowed to enter S phase by brief incubation at 23 degrees C. During the S phase, after return to 37 degrees C, early-firing replication origins were activated, but late origins failed to fire. Similarly, a plasmid with a late-activated origin was defective in replication. As a consequence of the origin activation defect, duplication of chromosomal sequences that are normally replicated from late origins was greatly delayed. Early-replicating regions of the genome duplicated at approximately their normal time. The requirements of early and late origins for Cdc7 appear to be temporally rather than quantitatively different, as reducing overall levels of Cdc7 by growth at semi-permissive temperature reduced activation at early and late origins approximately equally. Our results show that Cdc7 activates early and late origins separately, with late origins requiring the activity later in S phase to permit replication initiation.

Is early integration of palliative care feasible and acceptable for advanced respiratory and gastrointestinal cancer patients? A phase 2 mixed-methods study.

PubMed

Costantini, Massimo; Apolone, Giovanni; Tanzi, Silvia; Falco, Francesco; Rondini, Ermanno; Guberti, Monica; Fanello, Silvia; Cavuto, Silvio; Savoldi, Luisa; Piro, Roberto; Mecugni, Daniela; Di Leo, Silvia

2018-01-01

There is evidence that early integration of palliative care improves quality of life, lowers spending and helps clarify preferences and goals for advanced cancer patients. Little is known about the feasibility and acceptability of early integration. Assessing feasibility of early integration of palliative care, and exploring concerns perceived and problems encountered by patients, relatives and oncologists. A phase 2 mixed-methods study ( ClinicalTrials.Gov :NCT02078700). Oncologists of two outpatient clinics offered a specialised palliative care intervention integrated with standard oncological care to all consecutive newly diagnosed metastatic respiratory/gastrointestinal cancer patients. We interviewed samples of patients, relatives and oncologists to explore strengths and weaknesses of the intervention. The intervention was proposed to 44/54 eligible patients (81.5%), 40 (90.1%) accepted, 38 (95.0%) attended the first palliative care visit. The intervention was completed for 32 patients (80.0%). It did not start for three (7.5%) and was interrupted for three patients who refused (7.5%). The Palliative Care Unit performed 274 visits in 38 patients (median per patient 4.5), and 24 family meetings with relatives of 16 patients. All patients and most relatives referred to the usefulness of the intervention, specifically for symptoms management, information and support to strategies for coping. Oncologists highlighted their difficulties in informing patients on palliative intervention, sharing information and coordinating patient's care with the palliative care team. Early integration of palliative care in oncological setting seems feasible and well accepted by patients, relatives and, to a lesser extent, oncologists. Some difficulties emerged concerning patient information and inter-professional communication.

Temporal Genetic Dynamics of an Invasive Species, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), in an Early Phase of Establishment

PubMed Central

Yang, Xian-Ming; Lou, Heng; Sun, Jing-Tao; Zhu, Yi-Ming; Xue, Xiao-Feng; Hong, Xiao-Yue

2015-01-01

Many species can successfully colonize new areas despite their propagules having low genetic variation. We assessed whether the decreased genetic diversity could result in temporal fluctuations of genetic parameters of the new populations of an invasive species, western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, using mitochondrial and microsatellite markers. This study was conducted in eight localities from four climate regions in China, where F. occidentalis was introduced in the year 2000 and had lower genetic diversity than its native populations. We also tested the level of genetic differentiation in these introduced populations. The genetic diversity of the samples at different years in the same locality was not significantly different from each other in most localities. FST and STRUCTURE analysis also showed that most temporal population comparisons from the same sites were not significantly differentiated. Our results showed that the invasive populations of F. occidentalis in China can maintain temporal stability in genetic composition at an early phase of establishment despite having lower genetic diversity than in their native range. PMID:26138760

Phase Equilibria and Crystallography of Ceramic Oxides

PubMed Central

Wong-Ng, W.; Roth, R. S.; Vanderah, T. A.; McMurdie, H. F.

2001-01-01

Research in phase equilibria and crystallography has been a tradition in the Ceramics Division at National Bureau of Standards/National Institute of Standatrds and Technology (NBS/NIST) since the early thirties. In the early years, effort was concentrated in areas of Portland cement, ceramic glazes and glasses, instrument bearings, and battery materials. In the past 40 years, a large portion of the work was related to electronic materials, including ferroelectrics, piezoelectrics, ionic conductors, dielectrics, microwave dielectrics, and high-temperature superconductors. As a result of the phase equilibria studies, many new compounds have been discovered. Some of these discoveries have had a significant impact on US industry. Structure determinations of these new phases have often been carried out as a joint effort among NBS/NIST colleagues and also with outside collaborators using both single crystal and neutron and x-ray powder diffraction techniques. All phase equilibria diagrams were included in Phase Diagrams for Ceramists, which are collaborative publications between The American Ceramic Society (ACerS) and NBS/NIST. All x-ray powder diffraction patterns have been included in the Powder Diffraction File (PDF). This article gives a brief account of the history of the development of the phase equilibria and crystallographic research on ceramic oxides in the Ceramics Division. Represented systems, particularly electronic materials, are highlighted. PMID:27500068

Transcription-dependent induction of G1 phase during the zebra fish midblastula transition.

PubMed

Zamir, E; Kam, Z; Yarden, A

1997-02-01

The early development of the zebra fish (Danio rerio) embryo is characterized by a series of rapid and synchronous cell cycles with no detectable transcription. This period is followed by the midblastula transition (MBT), during which the cell cycle gradually lengthens, cell synchrony is lost, and zygotic transcription is initially detected. In this work, we examined the changes in the pattern of the cell cycle during MBT in zebra fish and whether these changes are dependent on the initiation of zygotic transcription. To characterize the pattern of the early zebra fish cell cycles, the embryonic DNA content was determined by flow cytometric analysis. We found that G1 phase is below detection levels during the first 10 cleavages and can be initially detected at the onset of MBT. Inhibition of zygotic transcription, by microinjection of actinomycin D, abolished the appearance of G1 phase at MBT. Premature activation of zygotic transcription, by microinjection of nonspecific DNA, induced G1 phase before the onset of MBT, while coinjection of actinomycin D and nonspecific DNA abolished this early appearance of G1 phase. We therefore suggest that during the early development of the zebra fish embryo, G1 phase appears at the onset of MBT and that the activation of transcription at MBT is essential and sufficient for the G1-phase induction.

Adaptation of Mycobacterium smegmatis to Stationary Phase

PubMed Central

Smeulders, Marjan J.; Keer, Jacquie; Speight, Richard A.; Williams, Huw D.

1999-01-01

Mycobacterium tuberculosis can persist for many years within host lung tissue without causing clinical disease. Little is known about the state in which the bacilli survive, although it is frequently referred to as dormancy. Some evidence suggests that cells survive in nutrient-deprived stationary phase. Therefore, we are studying stationary-phase survival of Mycobacterium smegmatis as a model for mycobacterial persistence. M. smegmatis cultures could survive 650 days of either carbon, nitrogen, or phosphorus starvation. In carbon-limited medium, cells entered stationary phase before the carbon source (glycerol) had been completely depleted and glycerol uptake from the medium continued during the early stages of stationary phase. These results suggest that the cells are able to sense when the glycerol is approaching limiting concentrations and initiate a shutdown into stationary phase, which involves the uptake of the remaining glycerol from the medium. During early stationary phase, cells underwent reductive cell division and became more resistant to osmotic and acid stress and pool mRNA stabilized. Stationary-phase cells were also more resistant to oxidative stress, but this resistance was induced during late exponential phase in a cell-density-dependent manner. Upon recovery in fresh medium, stationary-phase cultures showed an immediate increase in protein synthesis irrespective of culture age. Colony morphology variants accumulated in stationary-phase cultures. A flat colony variant was seen in 75% of all long-term-stationary-phase cultures and frequently took over the whole population. Cryo scanning electron microscopy showed that the colony organization was different in flat colony strains, flat colonies appearing less well organized than wild-type colonies. Competition experiments with an exponential-phase-adapted wild-type strain showed that the flat strain had a competitive advantage in stationary phase, as well a providing evidence that growth and cell

Characterization of hormonal profiles during the luteal phase in regularly menstruating women.

PubMed

Ecochard, Rene; Bouchard, Thomas; Leiva, Rene; Abdulla, Saman; Dupuis, Olivier; Duterque, Olivia; Garmier Billard, Marie; Boehringer, Hans; Genolini, Christophe

2017-07-01

To characterize the variability of hormonal profiles during the luteal phase in normal cycles. Observational study. Not applicable. Ninety-nine women contributing 266 menstrual cycles. The women collected first morning urine samples that were analyzed for estrone-3-glucuronide, pregnanediol-3-alpha-glucuronide (PDG), FSH, and LH. The women had serum P tests (twice per cycle) and underwent ultrasonography to identify the day of ovulation. The luteal phase was divided into three parts: the early luteal phase with increasing PDG (luteinization), the midluteal phase with PDG ≥10 μg/mg Cr (progestation), and the late luteal phase (luteolysis) when PDG fell below 10 μg/mg Cr. Long luteal phases begin with long luteinization processes. The early luteal phase is marked by low PDG and high LH levels. Long luteinization phases were correlated with low E1G and low PDG levels at day 3. The length of the early luteal phase is highly variable between cycles of the same woman. The duration and hormonal levels during the rest of the luteal phase were less correlated with other characteristics of the cycle. The study showed the presence of a prolonged pituitary activity during the luteinization process, which seems to be modulated by an interaction between P and LH. This supports a luteal phase model with three distinct processes: the first is a modulated luteinization process, whereas the second and the third are relatively less modulated processes of progestation and luteolysis. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Phase Equilibria in the ZnO-"FeO"-SiO2 System in Reducing Atmosphere and in the ZnO-"FeO"-SiO2-"Cu2O" System in Equilibrium with Liquid Copper Metal at 1250 °C (1523 K)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hidayat, Taufiq; Hayes, Peter C.; Jak, Evgueni

2018-05-01

Recent experimental studies in the ZnO-"FeO"-SiO2 system in reducing atmosphere demonstrated significant discrepancies with the current FactSage thermodynamic model developed using previous experimental data in this system in equilibrium with metallic iron and air. The present experimental study on phase equilibria in the ZnO-"FeO"-SiO2-"Cu2O" system in equilibrium with liquid copper at 1250 °C (1523 K) at low copper oxide concentrations in slag was initiated and undertaken to resolve these discrepancies. A high-temperature equilibration-rapid quenching-electron-probe X-ray microanalysis (EPMA) technique using a primary phase substrate support and closed system approach with Cu metal introduced to determine effective equilibrium oxygen partial pressure from the Cumetal/Cu2Oslag equilibria was applied to provide accurate information on the liquidus and corresponding solid compositions in the spinel, willemite, and tridymite primary phase fields. The present results confirmed the accuracy of the FactSage model, resolved discrepancies, and demonstrated significant uncertainties in the recent studies by other authors on the system in the open reducing atmosphere. The present study shows how this closed system approach can be used to obtain key thermodynamic data on phase equilibria in systems containing volatile metal species, overcoming the limitations and uncertainties encountered in conventional open gas/condensed phase equilibration with these systems. The study highlights the importance of the focus on obtaining accurate experimental data and the risks of misleading information from inadequate experimental control and analysis. The study also demonstrates that continuing in-depth critical review and analysis of the elemental reactions taking place in complex systems is an essential step in phase equilibrium research.

Integrating Crystallography into Early Metabolism Studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cruciani, Gabriele; Aristei, Yasmin; Goracci, Laura; Carosati, Emanuele

Since bioavailability, activity, toxicity, distribution, and final elimination all depend on metabolic biotransformations, it would be extremely advantageous if this information to be produced early in the discovery phase. Once obtained, researchers can judge whether or not a potential candidate should be eliminated from the pipeline, or modified to improve chemical stability or safety. The use of in silico methods to predict the site of metabolism in Phase I cytochrome-mediated reactions is a starting point in any metabolic pathway prediction. This paper presents a new method, which provides the site of metabolism for any CYP-mediated reaction acting on unknown substrates. The methodology can be applied automatically to all the cytochromes whose Xray 3D structure is known, but can be also applied to homology model 3D structures. The fully automated procedure can be used to detect positions that should be protected in order to avoid metabolic degradation, or to check the suitability of a new scaffold or pro-drug. Therefore the procedure is also a valuable new tool in early ADME-Tox, where drug-safety and metabolic profile patterns must be evaluated as soon, and as early, as possible.

Changes in the Milk Metabolome of the Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) with Time after Birth--Three Phases in Early Lactation and Progressive Individual Differences.

PubMed

Zhang, Tong; Zhang, Rong; Zhang, Liang; Zhang, Zhihe; Hou, Rong; Wang, Hairui; Loeffler, I Kati; Watson, David G; Kennedy, Malcolm W

2015-01-01

Ursids (bears) in general, and giant pandas in particular, are highly altricial at birth. The components of bear milks and their changes with time may be uniquely adapted to nourish relatively immature neonates, protect them from pathogens, and support the maturation of neonatal digestive physiology. Serial milk samples collected from three giant pandas in early lactation were subjected to untargeted metabolite profiling and multivariate analysis. Changes in milk metabolites with time after birth were analysed by Principal Component Analysis, Hierarchical Cluster Analysis and further supported by Orthogonal Partial Least Square-Discriminant Analysis, revealing three phases of milk maturation: days 1-6 (Phase 1), days 7-20 (Phase 2), and beyond day 20 (Phase 3). While the compositions of Phase 1 milks were essentially indistinguishable among individuals, divergences emerged during the second week of lactation. OPLS regression analysis positioned against the growth rate of one cub tentatively inferred a correlation with changes in the abundance of a trisaccharide, isoglobotriose, previously observed to be a major oligosaccharide in ursid milks. Three artificial milk formulae used to feed giant panda cubs were also analysed, and were found to differ markedly in component content from natural panda milk. These findings have implications for the dependence of the ontogeny of all species of bears, and potentially other members of the Carnivora and beyond, on the complexity and sequential changes in maternal provision of micrometabolites in the immediate period after birth.

Early 20th Century Arctic Warming Intensified by Pacific and Atlantic Multidecadal Variability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tokinaga, H.; Xie, S. P.; Mukougawa, H.

2017-12-01

We investigate the influence of Pacific and Atlantic multidecadal variability on the Arctic temperature, with a particular focus on the early 20th century Arctic warming. Arctic surface air temperature increased rapidly over the early 20th century, at rates comparable to those of recent decades despite much weaker greenhouse gas forcing than at present. We find that the concurrent phase shift of Pacific and Atlantic multidecadal variability is the major driver for the early 20th century Arctic warming. Atmospheric model simulations reproduce the early Arctic warming when the interdecadal variability of sea surface temperature (SST) is properly prescribed. The early Arctic warming is associated with the cold-to-warm phase shifts of Atlantic and Pacific multidecadal variability modes, a SST pattern reminiscent of the positive phase of the Pacific decadal and Atlantic multidecadal oscillations. The extratropical North Atlantic and North Pacific SST warming strengthens surface westerly winds over northern Eurasia, intensifying the warming there. The equatorial Pacific warming deepens the Aleutian low, advecting warm air to the North American Arctic. Coupled ocean-atmosphere simulations support the constructive intensification of Arctic warming by a concurrent, cold-to-warm phase shift of the Pacific and Atlantic multidecadal variability. Our results aid attributing the historical Arctic warming and thereby constrain the amplified warming projected for this important region.

A quantitative risk model for early lifecycle decision making

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Feather, M. S.; Cornford, S. L.; Dunphy, J.; Hicks, K.

2002-01-01

Decisions made in the earliest phases of system development have the most leverage to influence the success of the entire development effort, and yet must be made when information is incomplete and uncertain. We have developed a scalable cost-benefit model to support this critical phase of early-lifecycle decision-making.

Chandra Catches Early Phase of Cosmic Assembly

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2004-08-01

A NASA Chandra X-ray Observatory image has revealed a complex of several intergalactic hot gas clouds in the process of merging. The superb Chandra spatial resolution made it possible to distinguish individual galaxies from the massive clouds of hot gas. One of the clouds, which that envelops hundreds of galaxies, has an extraordinarily low concentration of iron atoms, indicating that it is in the very early stages of cluster evolution. "We may be seeing hot intergalactic gas in a relatively pristine state before it has been polluted by gas from galaxies," said Q. Daniel Wang of the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, and lead author on an upcoming Astrophysical Journal article describing the study. "This discovery should provide valuable insight into how the most massive structures in the universe are assembled." 3-Panel Image of Abell 2125, Its Core & Galaxy C153 3-Panel Image of Abell 2125, Its Core & Galaxy C153 The complex, known as Abell 2125,is about 3 billion light years from Earth, and is seen at a time about 11 billion years after the Big Bang, when many galaxy clusters are believed to have formed. The Chandra Abell 2125 image shows several huge elongated clouds of multimillion degree gas coming together from different directions. These hot gas clouds, each of which contains hundreds of galaxies, appear to be in the process of merging to form a single massive galaxy cluster. Chandra, Hubble Space Telescope, and Very Large Array radio telescope data show that several galaxies in the Abell 2125 core cluster are being stripped of their gas as they fall through surrounding high-pressure hot gas. This stripping process has enriched the core cluster's gas in heavy elements such as iron. Abell 2125's Core & Galaxy C153 Abell 2125's Core & Galaxy C153 The gas in the pristine cloud, which is still several million light years away from the core cluster, is conspicuous for its lack of iron atoms. This anemic cloud must be in a very early evolutionary stage. The

Early phase drug discovery: cheminformatics and computational techniques in identifying lead series.

PubMed

Duffy, Bryan C; Zhu, Lei; Decornez, Hélène; Kitchen, Douglas B

2012-09-15

Early drug discovery processes rely on hit finding procedures followed by extensive experimental confirmation in order to select high priority hit series which then undergo further scrutiny in hit-to-lead studies. The experimental cost and the risk associated with poor selection of lead series can be greatly reduced by the use of many different computational and cheminformatic techniques to sort and prioritize compounds. We describe the steps in typical hit identification and hit-to-lead programs and then describe how cheminformatic analysis assists this process. In particular, scaffold analysis, clustering and property calculations assist in the design of high-throughput screening libraries, the early analysis of hits and then organizing compounds into series for their progression from hits to leads. Additionally, these computational tools can be used in virtual screening to design hit-finding libraries and as procedures to help with early SAR exploration. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Experimental technique for studying high-temperature phase equilibria in reactive molten metal based systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ermoline, Alexandre

beam. The follow-up on-ground experiments were conducted to study phase relations in the Zr-O-N system at high-temperatures. Samples with specific compositions were laser-heated above the melt formation and naturally cooled. Recovered samples were characterized using electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction. Results of these analyses combined with the interpretations of the binary Zr-O and Zr-N phase diagrams enabled us to outline the liquidus and the subsolidus equilibria for the ternary Zr-ZrO2-ZrN phase diagrams. Further research is suggested to develop the microgravity techniques for detailed characterization of high-temperature relations in the reactive, metal based systems.

A late wake time phase delays the human dim light melatonin rhythm.

PubMed

Burgess, Helen J; Eastman, Charmane I

2006-03-13

Short sleep/dark durations, due to late bedtimes or early wake times or both, are common in modern society. We have previously shown that a series of days with a late bedtime phase delays the human dim light melatonin rhythm, as compared to a series of days with an early bedtime, despite a fixed wake time. Here we compared the effect of an early versus late wake time with a fixed bedtime on the human dim light melatonin rhythm. Fourteen healthy subjects experienced 2 weeks of short 6h nights with an early wake time fixed at their habitual weekday wake time and 2 weeks of long 9 h nights with a wake time that occurred 3h later than the early wake time, in counterbalanced order. We found that after 2 weeks with the late wake time, the dim light melatonin onset delayed by 2.4 h and the dim light melatonin offset delayed by 2.6 h (both p < 0.001), as compared to after 2 weeks with the early wake time. These results highlight the substantial influence that wake time, likely via the associated morning light exposure, has on the timing of the human circadian clock. Furthermore, the results suggest that when people truncate their sleep by waking early their circadian clocks phase advance and when people wake late their circadian clocks phase delay.

Multimodal neuroimaging of frontal white matter microstructure in early phase schizophrenia: the impact of early adolescent cannabis use

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background A disturbance in connectivity between different brain regions, rather than abnormalities within the separate regions themselves, could be responsible for the clinical symptoms and cognitive dysfunctions observed in schizophrenia. White matter, which comprises axons and their myelin sheaths, provides the physical foundation for functional connectivity in the brain. Myelin sheaths are located around the axons and provide insulation through the lipid membranes of oligodendrocytes. Empirical data suggests oligodendroglial dysfunction in schizophrenia, based on findings of abnormal myelin maintenance and repair in regions of deep white matter. The aim of this in vivo neuroimaging project is to assess the impact of early adolescent onset of regular cannabis use on brain white matter tissue integrity, and to differentiate this impact from the white matter abnormalities associated with schizophrenia. The ultimate goal is to determine the liability of early adolescent use of cannabis on brain white matter, in a vulnerable brain. Methods/Design Young adults with schizophrenia at the early stage of the illness (less than 5 years since diagnosis) will be the focus of this project. Four magnetic resonance imaging measurements will be used to assess different cellular aspects of white matter: a) diffusion tensor imaging, b) localized proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy with a focus on the neurochemical N-acetylaspartate, c) the transverse relaxation time constants of regional tissue water, d) and of N-acetylaspartate. These four neuroimaging indices will be assessed within the same brain region of interest, that is, a large white matter fibre bundle located in the frontal region, the left superior longitudinal fasciculus. Discussion We will expand our knowledge regarding current theoretical models of schizophrenia with a more comprehensive multimodal neuroimaging approach to studying the underlying cellular abnormalities of white matter, while taking into

Multimodal neuroimaging of frontal white matter microstructure in early phase schizophrenia: the impact of early adolescent cannabis use.

PubMed

Bernier, Denise; Cookey, Jacob; McAllindon, David; Bartha, Robert; Hanstock, Christopher C; Newman, Aaron J; Stewart, Sherry H; Tibbo, Philip G

2013-10-17

A disturbance in connectivity between different brain regions, rather than abnormalities within the separate regions themselves, could be responsible for the clinical symptoms and cognitive dysfunctions observed in schizophrenia. White matter, which comprises axons and their myelin sheaths, provides the physical foundation for functional connectivity in the brain. Myelin sheaths are located around the axons and provide insulation through the lipid membranes of oligodendrocytes. Empirical data suggests oligodendroglial dysfunction in schizophrenia, based on findings of abnormal myelin maintenance and repair in regions of deep white matter. The aim of this in vivo neuroimaging project is to assess the impact of early adolescent onset of regular cannabis use on brain white matter tissue integrity, and to differentiate this impact from the white matter abnormalities associated with schizophrenia. The ultimate goal is to determine the liability of early adolescent use of cannabis on brain white matter, in a vulnerable brain. Young adults with schizophrenia at the early stage of the illness (less than 5 years since diagnosis) will be the focus of this project. Four magnetic resonance imaging measurements will be used to assess different cellular aspects of white matter: a) diffusion tensor imaging, b) localized proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy with a focus on the neurochemical N-acetylaspartate, c) the transverse relaxation time constants of regional tissue water, d) and of N-acetylaspartate. These four neuroimaging indices will be assessed within the same brain region of interest, that is, a large white matter fibre bundle located in the frontal region, the left superior longitudinal fasciculus. We will expand our knowledge regarding current theoretical models of schizophrenia with a more comprehensive multimodal neuroimaging approach to studying the underlying cellular abnormalities of white matter, while taking into consideration the important confounding

Early Intervention of Didang Decoction on MLCK Signaling Pathways in Vascular Endothelial Cells of Type 2 Diabetic Rats

PubMed Central

Song, Zhenqiang; Li, Jing; Li, Chunshen

2016-01-01

In the study, type 2 diabetic rat model was established using streptozotocin (STZ) combined with a high-fat diet, and the rats were divided into control and diabetic groups. Diabetic groups were further divided into nonintervening, simvastatin, Didang Decoction (DDD) early-phase intervening, DDD mid-phase intervening, and DDD late-phase intervening groups. The expression level of MLCK was detected using Western Blot analysis, and the levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), protein kinase C (PKC), and protein kinase A (PKA) were examined using Real Time PCR. Under the electron microscope, the cells in the early-DDD-intervention group and the simvastatin group were significantly more continuous and compact than those in the diabetic group. Compared with the control group, the expression of cAMP-1 and PKA was decreased in all diabetic groups, whereas the expression of MLCK and PKC was increased in early- and mid-phase DDD-intervening groups (P < 0.05); compared with the late-phase DDD-intervening group, the expression of cAMP-1 and PKA was higher, but the level of MLCK and PKC was lower in early-phase DDD-intervening group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the early use of DDD improves the permeability of vascular endothelial cells by regulating the MLCK signaling pathway. PMID:27703477

Factors associated with a positive attitude towards change among employees during the early phase of a downsizing process.

PubMed

Svensen, Erling; Neset, Gunnar; Eriksen, Hege R

2007-04-01

Most research on organizational changes in working life, including downsizing, focuses on the negative attitudes and negative consequences of the change. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the employee's previous learning experience and characteristics of the working environment were associated with positive attitudes towards organizational change. The 467 employees (73.5% males) working in a global oil company in the early phases of a downsizing process were asked to answer a questionnaire with demographic variables, perception of the working environment, and attitude to change (93% response rate). Corporate social responsibility (CSR), involvement and participation, team leadership and team effectiveness were important factors related to positive attitudes towards organizational change. Non-leaders and older employees were positive to change. We conclude that employees' perceptions of their psychosocial working environment, in particular the CSR, were highly related to their attitude to organizational change.

Comparative analysis of the alveolar macrophage proteome in ALI/ARDS patients between the exudative phase and recovery phase

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Despite decades of extensive studies, the morbidity and mortality for acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) remained high. Particularly, biomarkers essential for its early diagnosis and prognosis are lacking. Methods Recent studies suggest that alveolar macrophages (AMs) at the exudative phase of ALI/ARDS initiate, amplify and perpetuate inflammatory responses, while they resolve inflammation in the recovery phase to prevent further tissue injury and perpetuated inflammation in the lung. Therefore, proteins relevant to this functional switch could be valuable biomarkers for ALI/ARDS diagnosis and prognosis. We thus conducted comparative analysis of the AM proteome to assess its dynamic proteomic changes during ALI/ARDS progression and recovery. Results 135 proteins were characterized to be differentially expressed between AMs at the exudative and recovery phase. MALDI-TOF-MS and peptide mass fingerprint (PMF) analysis characterized 27 informative proteins, in which 17 proteins were found with a marked increase at the recovery phase, while the rest of 10 proteins were manifested by the significantly higher levels of expression at the exudative phase. Conclusions Given the role of above identified proteins played in the regulation of inflammatory responses, cell skeleton organization, oxidative stress, apoptosis and metabolism, they have the potential to serve as biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis in the setting of patients with ALI/ARDS. PMID:23773529

Modelling Equilibrium and Fractional Crystallization in the System MgO-FeO-CaO-Al2O3-SiO2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herbert, F.

1985-01-01

A mathematical modelling technique for use in petrogenesis calculations in the system MgO-FeO-CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 is reported. Semiempirical phase boundary and elemental distribution information was combined with mass balance to compute approximate equilibrium crystallization paths for arbitrary system compositions. The calculation is applicable to a range of system compositions and fractionation calculations are possible. The goal of the calculation is the computation of the composition and quantity of each phase present as a function of the degree of solidification. The degree of solidification is parameterized by the heat released by the solidifying phases. The mathematical requirement for the solution of this problem is: (1) An equation constraining the composition of the magma for each solid phase in equilibrium with the liquidus phase, and (2) an equation for each solid phase and each component giving the distribution of that element between that phase and the magma.

Early- and later-phases satellite cell responses and myonuclear content with resistance training in young men.

PubMed

Damas, Felipe; Libardi, Cleiton A; Ugrinowitsch, Carlos; Vechin, Felipe C; Lixandrão, Manoel E; Snijders, Tim; Nederveen, Joshua P; Bacurau, Aline V; Brum, Patricia; Tricoli, Valmor; Roschel, Hamilton; Parise, Gianni; Phillips, Stuart M

2018-01-01

Satellite cells (SC) are associated with skeletal muscle remodelling after muscle damage and/or extensive hypertrophy resulting from resistance training (RT). We recently reported that early increases in muscle protein synthesis (MPS) during RT appear to be directed toward muscle damage repair, but MPS contributes to hypertrophy with progressive muscle damage attenuation. However, modulations in acute-chronic SC content with RT during the initial (1st-wk: high damage), early (3rd-wk: attenuated damage), and later (10th-wk: no damage) stages is not well characterized. Ten young men (27 ± 1 y, 23.6 ± 1.0 kg·m-2) underwent 10-wks of RT and muscle biopsies (vastus-lateralis) were taken before (Pre) and post (48h) the 1st (T1), 5th (T2) and final (T3) RT sessions to evaluate fibre type specific SC content, cross-sectional area (fCSA) and myonuclear number by immunohistochemistry. We observed RT-induced hypertrophy after 10-wks of RT (fCSA increased ~16% in type II, P < 0.04; ~8% in type I [ns]). SC content increased 48h post-exercise at T1 (~69% in type I [P = 0.014]; ~42% in type II [ns]), and this increase was sustained throughout RT (pre T2: ~65%, ~92%; pre T3: ~30% [ns], ~87%, for the increase in type I and II, respectively, vs. pre T1 [P < 0.05]). Increased SC content was not coupled with changes in myonuclear number. SC have a more pronounced role in muscle repair during the initial phase of RT than muscle hypertrophy resulted from 10-wks RT in young men. Chronic elevated SC pool size with RT is important providing proper environment for future stresses or larger fCSA increases.

The accelerating effect of chitosan-silica hybrid dressing materials on the early phase of wound healing.

PubMed

Park, Ji-Ung; Jung, Hyun-Do; Song, Eun-Ho; Choi, Tae-Hyun; Kim, Hyoun-Ee; Song, Juha; Kim, Sukwha

2017-10-01

Commercialized dressing materials with or without silver have played a passive role in early-phase wound healing, protecting the skin defects from infections, absorbing exudate, and preventing dehydration. Chitosan (CTS)-based sponges have been developed in pure or hybrid forms for accelerating wound healing, but their wound-healing capabilities have not been extensively compared with widely used commercial dressing materials, providing limited information in a practical aspect. In this study, we have developed CTS-silica (CTS-Si) hybrid sponges with water absorption, flexibility, and mechanical behavior similar to those of CTS sponges. In vitro and in vivo tests were performed to compare the CTS-Si sponges with three commercial dressing materials [gauze, polyurethane (PU), and silver-containing hydrofiber (HF-Ag)] in addition to CTS sponges. Both in vitro and in vivo tests showed that CTS-Si sponges promoted fibroblast proliferation, leading to accelerated collagen synthesis, whereas the CTS sponges did not exhibit significant differences in fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis from gauze, PU, and HF-Ag sponges. In case of CTS-Si, the inflammatory cells were actively recruited to the wound by the influence of the released silicon ions from CTS-Si sponges, which, in return, led to an enhanced secretion of growth factors, particularly TGF-β during the early stage. The higher level of TGF-β likely improved the proliferation of fibroblasts, and as a result, collagen synthesis by fibroblasts became remarkably productive, thereby increasing collagen density at the wound site. Therefore, the CTS-Si hybrid sponges have considerable potential as a wound-dressing material for accelerating wound healing. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 1828-1839, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Predictors of Early versus Later Spelling Development in Danish

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nielsen, Anne-Mette Veber; Juul, Holger

2016-01-01

The present study examined phoneme awareness, phonological short term memory, letter knowledge, rapid automatized naming (RAN), and visual-verbal paired associate learning (PAL) as longitudinal predictors of spelling skills in an early phase (Grade 2) and a later phase (Grade 5) of development in a sample of 140 children learning to spell in the…

Mechanisms underlying hemodynamic and neuroendocrine stress reactivity at different phases of the menstrual cycle

PubMed Central

Gordon, Jennifer L.; Girdler, Susan S.

2014-01-01

This study examined the association of menstrual cycle phase with stress reactivity as well as the hormonal and neuroendocrine mechanisms contributing to cycle effects. Fifty-seven women underwent a modified Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) during the early follicular, late follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Greater increases in cardiac index (CI) and greater decreases in vascular resistance index (VRI) during speech were observed in the luteal phase relative to other phases, while greater increases in epinephrine (EPI) was observed during the late follicular and luteal phases compared to the early follicular phase. Luteal phase estradiol predicted luteal EPI reactivity but not CI or VRI reactivity while luteal phase EPI reactivity predicted luteal phase CI and VRI reactivity. Thus, cycle-related changes in EPI reactivity may be a stronger determinant of cycle effects on hemodynamic reactivity than sex hormones per se. PMID:24397365

Highly specific preoperative selection of solitary parathyroid adenoma cases in primary hyperparathyroidism by quantitative image analysis of the early-phase Technetium-99m sestamibi scan.

PubMed

Kim, DaeHee; Rhodes, Jeffrey A; Hashim, Jeffrey A; Rickabaugh, Lawrence; Brams, David M; Pinkus, Edward; Dou, Yamin

2018-06-07

Highly specific preoperative localizing test is required to select patients for minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) in lieu of traditional four-gland exploration. We hypothesized that Tc-99m sestamibi scan interpretation incorporating numerical measurements on the degree of asymmetrical activity from bilateral thyroid beds can be useful in localizing single adenoma for MIP. We devised a quantitative interpretation method for Tc-99m sestamibi scan based on the numerically graded asymmetrical activity on early phase. The numerical ratio value of each scan was obtained by dividing the number of counts from symmetrically drawn regions of interest (ROI) over bilateral thyroid beds. The final pathology and clinical outcome of 109 patients were used to perform receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis. Receiver operating curve analysis revealed the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to be 0.71 (P = 0.0032), validating this method as a diagnostic tool. The optimal cut-off point for the ratio value with maximal combined sensitivity and specificity was found with corresponding sensitivity of 67.9% (56.5-77.2%, 95% CI) and specificity of 75.0% (52.8-91.8%, 95% CI). An additional higher cut-off with higher specificity with minimal possible sacrifice on sensitivity was also selected, yielding sensitivity of 28.6% (18.8-38.6%, 95% CI) and specificity of 90.0% (69.6-98.8%, 95% CI). Our results demonstrated that the more asymmetrical activity on the initial phase, the more successful it is to localize a single parathyroid adenoma on sestamibi scans. Using early-phase Tc-99m sestamibi scan only, we were able to select patients for minimally invasive parathyroidectomy with 90% specificity. © 2018 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists.

From Apprentice to Colleague: The Metamorphosis of Early Career Researchers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Laudel, Grit; Glaser, Jochen

2008-01-01

While the studies of Early Career Researchers (ECRs) have contributed politically important insights into factors hindering ECRs, they have not yet achieved a theoretical understanding of the causal mechanisms that are at work in the transition from dependent to independent research. This paper positions the early career phase in a theoretical…

Analysis of nonuniformity in intron phase distribution.

PubMed Central

Fedorov, A; Suboch, G; Bujakov, M; Fedorova, L

1992-01-01

The distribution of different intron groups with respect to phases has been analyzed. It has been established that group II introns and nuclear introns have a minimum frequency of phase 2 introns. Since the phase of introns is an extremely conservative measure the observed minimum reflects evolutionary processes. A sample of all known, group I introns was too small to provide a valid characteristic of their phase distribution. The findings observed for the unequal distribution of phases cannot be explained solely on the basis of the mobile properties of introns. One of the most likely explanations for this nonuniformity in the intron phase distribution is the process of exon shuffling. It is proposed that group II introns originated at the early stages of evolution and were involved in the process of exon shuffling. PMID:1598214

Changes in the Milk Metabolome of the Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) with Time after Birth – Three Phases in Early Lactation and Progressive Individual Differences

PubMed Central

Zhang, Tong; Zhang, Rong; Zhang, Liang; Zhang, Zhihe; Hou, Rong; Wang, Hairui; Loeffler, I. Kati; Watson, David G.; Kennedy, Malcolm W.

2015-01-01

Ursids (bears) in general, and giant pandas in particular, are highly altricial at birth. The components of bear milks and their changes with time may be uniquely adapted to nourish relatively immature neonates, protect them from pathogens, and support the maturation of neonatal digestive physiology. Serial milk samples collected from three giant pandas in early lactation were subjected to untargeted metabolite profiling and multivariate analysis. Changes in milk metabolites with time after birth were analysed by Principal Component Analysis, Hierarchical Cluster Analysis and further supported by Orthogonal Partial Least Square-Discriminant Analysis, revealing three phases of milk maturation: days 1–6 (Phase 1), days 7–20 (Phase 2), and beyond day 20 (Phase 3). While the compositions of Phase 1 milks were essentially indistinguishable among individuals, divergences emerged during the second week of lactation. OPLS regression analysis positioned against the growth rate of one cub tentatively inferred a correlation with changes in the abundance of a trisaccharide, isoglobotriose, previously observed to be a major oligosaccharide in ursid milks. Three artificial milk formulae used to feed giant panda cubs were also analysed, and were found to differ markedly in component content from natural panda milk. These findings have implications for the dependence of the ontogeny of all species of bears, and potentially other members of the Carnivora and beyond, on the complexity and sequential changes in maternal provision of micrometabolites in the immediate period after birth. PMID:26630345

The Cost of Inequality: The Importance of Investing in High Quality Early Childhood Education Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keith, Rebecca S.

2017-01-01

The focus of this dissertation was to explore the importance of high quality early education in later secondary education development, quantifying quality in early childhood education programs, and examining how teacher education contributes to quality of early childhood education programs. For phase I, early childhood education positively…

Experimental study and thermodynamic modeling of the phase relation in the Fe-S-Si system with implications for the distribution of S and Si in a partially solidified core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tao, R.; Fei, Y.

2017-12-01

Planetary cooling leads to solidification of any initially molten metallic core. Some terrestrial cores (e.g. Mercury) are formed and differentiated under relatively reduced conditions, and they are thought to be composed of Fe-S-Si. However, there are limited understanding of the phase relations in the Fe-S-Si system at high pressure and temperature. In this study, we conducted high-pressure experiments to investigate the phase relations in the Fe-S-Si system up to 25 GPa. Experimental results show that the liquidus and solidus in this study are slightly lower than those in the Fe-S binary system for the same S concentration in liquid at same pressure. The Fe3S, which is supposed to be the stable sub-solidus S-bearing phase in the Fe-S binary system above 17 GPa, is not observed in the Fe-S-Si system at 21 GPa. Almost all S prefers to partition into liquid, while the distribution of Si between solid and liquid depends on experimental P and T conditions. We obtained the partition coefficient log(KDSi) by fitting the experimental data as a function of P, T and S concentration in liquid. At a constant pressure, the log(KDSi) linearly decreases with 1/T(K). With increase of pressure, the slopes of linear correlation between log(KDSi) and 1/T(K) decreases, indicating that more Si partitions into solid at higher pressure. In order to interpolate and extrapolate the phase relations over a wide pressure and temperature range, we established a comprehensive thermodynamic model in the Fe-S-Si system. The results will be used to constrain the distribution of S and Si between solid inner core and liquid outer core for a range of planet sizes. A Si-rich solid inner core and a S-rich liquid outer core are suggested for an iron-rich core.

Development of a Single-Crystal Fifth-Generation Nickel Superalloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrushin, N. V.; Elyutin, E. S.; Visik, E. M.; Golynets, S. A.

2017-11-01

The chemical and phase compositions of a rhenium-ruthenium-containing fifth-generation VZhM8 nickel superalloy, which is intended for single-crystal turbine blades of an aviation engine, are calculated using computer simulation. VZhM8 alloy <001>, <011>, and <111> single crystals are fabricated. The microstructure, the γ/γ' misfit, the segregation coefficients of alloying elements, the dissolution temperature of the γ' phase, and the solidus and liquidus temperatures of the VZhM8 alloy single crystals in the as-cast state and after heat treatment are studied. The temperature-time dependences of the static elastic modulus, the short-term mechanical properties, and the long-term strength of the alloy single crystals are determined

Early-phase musculoskeletal adaptations to different levels of eccentric resistance after 8 weeks of lower body training.

PubMed

English, Kirk L; Loehr, James A; Lee, Stuart M C; Smith, Scott M

2014-11-01

Eccentric muscle actions are important to the development of muscle mass and strength and may affect bone mineral density (BMD). This study's purpose was to determine the relative effectiveness of five different eccentric:concentric load ratios to increase musculoskeletal parameters during early adaptations to resistance training. Forty male subjects performed a supine leg press and calf press training program 3 days week(-1) for 8 weeks. Subjects were matched for pre-training leg press 1-repetition maximum strength (1-RM) and randomly assigned to one of five training groups. Concentric training load (% 1-RM) was constant across groups, but within groups, eccentric load was 0, 33, 66, 100, or 138% of concentric load. Muscle mass (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry; DXA), strength (1-RM), and BMD (DXA) were measured pre- and post-training. Markers of bone metabolism were assessed pre-, mid- and post-training. The increase in leg press 1-RM in the 138% group (20 ± 4%) was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than the 0% (8 ± 3%), 33% (8 ± 5%) and 66% (8 ± 4%) groups, but not the 100% group (13 ± 6 %; P = 0.15). All groups, except the 0% group, increased calf press 1-RM (P < 0.05). Leg lean mass and greater trochanter BMD were increased only in the 138% group (P < 0.05). Early-phase adaptations to eccentric overload training include increases in muscle mass and site-specific increases in BMD and muscle strength which are not present or are less with traditional and eccentric underload training. Eccentric overload provides a robust musculoskeletal stimulus that may benefit bedridden patients, individuals recovering from injury or illness, and astronauts during spaceflight.

Containerless drop tube solidification and grain refinement of NiAl3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ethridge, E. C.; Curreri, P. A.; Kelly, M.; Workman, G.; Smith, A. M.; Bond, R.

1984-01-01

The possibility of undercooling Ni-Al alloys below the liquidus in order to produce a single phase peritectic structure by containerless drop tube solidification was studied. Containerless process is a technique for both high purity contamination free studies as well as for investigating the undercooling and rapid solidification of alloys by suppression of heterogeneous nucleation on container walls. In order to achieve large undercoolings one must avoid heterogeneous nucleation of crystallization. It was shown that the Marshall Space Flight Center drop tubes ae unique facilities for containerless solidification experiments and large undercoolings are possible with some alloys. The original goal of undercooling the liquid metal well below the liquidus to the peritectic temperature during containerless free to form primarily NiAl3 was achieved. The microstructures were interesting from another point of view. The microstructure from small diameter samples is greatly refined. Small dendrite arm spacings such as these could greatly facilitate the annealing and solid state transformation of the alloy to nearly 10% NiAl3 by reducing the distance over which diffusion needs to occur. This could minimize annealing time and might make it economically feasible to produce NiAl3 alloy.

Unified approach for extrapolation and bridging of adult information in early-phase dose-finding paediatric studies.

PubMed

Petit, Caroline; Samson, Adeline; Morita, Satoshi; Ursino, Moreno; Guedj, Jérémie; Jullien, Vincent; Comets, Emmanuelle; Zohar, Sarah

2018-06-01

The number of trials conducted and the number of patients per trial are typically small in paediatric clinical studies. This is due to ethical constraints and the complexity of the medical process for treating children. While incorporating prior knowledge from adults may be extremely valuable, this must be done carefully. In this paper, we propose a unified method for designing and analysing dose-finding trials in paediatrics, while bridging information from adults. The dose-range is calculated under three extrapolation options, linear, allometry and maturation adjustment, using adult pharmacokinetic data. To do this, it is assumed that target exposures are the same in both populations. The working model and prior distribution parameters of the dose-toxicity and dose-efficacy relationships are obtained using early-phase adult toxicity and efficacy data at several dose levels. Priors are integrated into the dose-finding process through Bayesian model selection or adaptive priors. This calibrates the model to adjust for misspecification, if the adult and pediatric data are very different. We performed a simulation study which indicates that incorporating prior adult information in this way may improve dose selection in children.

Multifractality and Network Analysis of Phase Transition

PubMed Central

Li, Wei; Yang, Chunbin; Han, Jihui; Su, Zhu; Zou, Yijiang

2017-01-01

Many models and real complex systems possess critical thresholds at which the systems shift dramatically from one sate to another. The discovery of early-warnings in the vicinity of critical points are of great importance to estimate how far the systems are away from the critical states. Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation analysis (MF-DFA) and visibility graph method have been employed to investigate the multifractal and geometrical properties of the magnetization time series of the two-dimensional Ising model. Multifractality of the time series near the critical point has been uncovered from the generalized Hurst exponents and singularity spectrum. Both long-term correlation and broad probability density function are identified to be the sources of multifractality. Heterogeneous nature of the networks constructed from magnetization time series have validated the fractal properties. Evolution of the topological quantities of the visibility graph, along with the variation of multifractality, serve as new early-warnings of phase transition. Those methods and results may provide new insights about the analysis of phase transition problems and can be used as early-warnings for a variety of complex systems. PMID:28107414

CARBON DIOXIDE SEPARATION BY PHASE ENHANCED GAS-LIQUID ABSORPTION

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

Liang Hu

A new process called phase enhanced gas-liquid absorption has been developed in its early stage. It was found that adding another phase into the absorption system of gas/aqueous phase could enhance the absorption rate. A system with three phases was studied. In the system, gas phase was carbon dioxide. Two liquid phases were used. One was organic phase. Another was aqueous phase. By addition of organic phase into the absorption system of CO{sub 2}-aqueous phase, the absorption rate of CO{sub 2} was increased significantly. CO{sub 2} finally accumulated into aqueous phase. The experimental results proved that (1) Absorption rate ofmore » carbon dioxide was enhanced by adding organic phase into gas aqueous phase system; (2) Organic phase played the role of transportation of gas solute (CO{sub 2}). Carbon dioxide finally accumulated into aqueous phase.« less

Synchronization of Oscillators: An Ideal Introduction to Phase Transitions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

English, L. Q.

2008-01-01

The spontaneous synchronization of phase-coupled, non-identical oscillators is explored numerically via the famous Kuramoto model. The conditions for synchronization are examined as a function of the coupling network. I argue that such a numerical exploration provides a feasible way to introduce the topic of phase transitions early in the physics…

Attitudes and decision-making about early-infant versus early-adolescent male circumcision: Demand-side insights for sustainable HIV prevention strategies in Zambia and Zimbabwe.

PubMed

Sgaier, Sema K; Sharma, Sunny; Eletskaya, Maria; Prasad, Ram; Mugurungi, Owen; Tambatamba, Bushimbwa; Ncube, Getrude; Xaba, Sinokuthemba; Nanga, Alice; Gumede-Moyo, Sehlulekile; Kretschmer, Steve

2017-01-01

As countries approach their scale-up targets for the voluntary medical male circumcision program for HIV prevention, they are strategizing and planning for the sustainability phase to follow. Global guidance recommends circumcising adolescent (below 14 years) and/or early infant boys (aged 0-60 days), and countries need to consider several factors before prioritizing a cohort for their sustainability phase. We provide community and healthcare provider-side insights on attitudes and decision-making process as a key input for this strategic decision in Zambia and Zimbabwe. We studied expectant parents, parents of infant boys (aged 0-60 days), family members and neo-natal and ante-natal healthcare providers in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Our integrated methodology consisted of in-depth qualitative and quantitative one-on-one interviews, and a simulated-decision-making game, to uncover attitudes towards, and the decision-making process for, early adolescent or early infant medical circumcision (EAMC or EIMC). In both countries, parents viewed early infancy and early adolescence as equally ideal ages for circumcision (38% EIMC vs. 37% EAMC in Zambia; 24% vs. 27% in Zimbabwe). If offered for free, about half of Zambian parents and almost 2 in 5 Zimbabwean parents indicated they would likely circumcise their infant boy; however, half of parents in each country perceived that the community would not accept EIMC. Nurses believed their facilities currently could not absorb EIMC services and that they would have limited ability to influence fathers, who were seen as having the primary decision-making authority. Our analysis suggests that EAMC is more accepted by the community than EIMC and is the path of least resistance for the sustainability phase of VMMC. However, parents or community members do not reject EIMC. Should countries choose to prioritize this cohort for their sustainability phase, a number of barriers around information, decision-making by parents, and supply side

Attitudes and decision-making about early-infant versus early-adolescent male circumcision: Demand-side insights for sustainable HIV prevention strategies in Zambia and Zimbabwe

PubMed Central

Sgaier, Sema K.; Sharma, Sunny; Eletskaya, Maria; Prasad, Ram; Mugurungi, Owen; Tambatamba, Bushimbwa; Ncube, Getrude; Xaba, Sinokuthemba; Nanga, Alice; Gumede-Moyo, Sehlulekile; Kretschmer, Steve

2017-01-01

As countries approach their scale-up targets for the voluntary medical male circumcision program for HIV prevention, they are strategizing and planning for the sustainability phase to follow. Global guidance recommends circumcising adolescent (below 14 years) and/or early infant boys (aged 0–60 days), and countries need to consider several factors before prioritizing a cohort for their sustainability phase. We provide community and healthcare provider-side insights on attitudes and decision-making process as a key input for this strategic decision in Zambia and Zimbabwe. We studied expectant parents, parents of infant boys (aged 0–60 days), family members and neo-natal and ante-natal healthcare providers in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Our integrated methodology consisted of in-depth qualitative and quantitative one-on-one interviews, and a simulated-decision-making game, to uncover attitudes towards, and the decision-making process for, early adolescent or early infant medical circumcision (EAMC or EIMC). In both countries, parents viewed early infancy and early adolescence as equally ideal ages for circumcision (38% EIMC vs. 37% EAMC in Zambia; 24% vs. 27% in Zimbabwe). If offered for free, about half of Zambian parents and almost 2 in 5 Zimbabwean parents indicated they would likely circumcise their infant boy; however, half of parents in each country perceived that the community would not accept EIMC. Nurses believed their facilities currently could not absorb EIMC services and that they would have limited ability to influence fathers, who were seen as having the primary decision-making authority. Our analysis suggests that EAMC is more accepted by the community than EIMC and is the path of least resistance for the sustainability phase of VMMC. However, parents or community members do not reject EIMC. Should countries choose to prioritize this cohort for their sustainability phase, a number of barriers around information, decision-making by parents, and supply side

Where Is ELSA? The Early to Late Shift in Aging

PubMed Central

Buchler, Norbou; Dobbins, Ian G.; Cabeza, Roberto

2012-01-01

Studies of cognitive and neural aging have recently provided evidence of a shift from an early- to late-onset cognitive control strategy, linked with temporally extended activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). It has been uncertain, however, whether this age-related shift is unique to PFC and executive control tasks or whether the functional location might vary depending on the particular cognitive processes that are altered. The present study tested whether an early-to-late shift in aging (ELSA) might emerge in the medial temporal lobes (MTL) during a protracted context memory task comprising both anticipatory cue (retrieval preparation) and retrieval probe (retrieval completion) phases. First, we found reduced MTL activity in older adults during the early retrieval preparation phase coupled with increased MTL activity during the late retrieval completion phase. Second, we found that functional connectivity between MTL and PFC regions was higher during retrieval preparation in young adults but higher during retrieval completion in older adults, suggesting an important interactive relationship between the ELSA pattern in MTL and PFC. Taken together, these results critically suggest that aging results in temporally lagged activity even in regions not typically associated with cognitive control, such as the MTL. PMID:22114083

Timing of the endometrial biopsy may be critical for the accurate diagnosis of luteal phase deficiency.

PubMed

Castelbaum, A J; Wheeler, J; Coutifaris, C B; Mastroianni, L; Lessey, B A

1994-03-01

To determine the optimal time to perform the endometrial biopsy for the detection of "out-of-phase" endometrium. Two endometrial biopsies were performed during a single menstrual cycle in each subject. The patient's chronological day was determined by counting forward from the midcycle LH surge, as assessed by urinary LH detection. The "early" biopsy was done on day LH + 7.4 +/- 0.8, and the "late" biopsy on day LH + 11.6 +/- 0.7. Each biopsy was independently read by two pathologists and was considered out of phase if the histologic date was > or = 3 days delayed compared with the chronological date. Infertility practice of an academic teaching hospital. Thirty-three ovulatory women seeking evaluation for infertility. Number of patients with out-of-phase endometrium detected by the early versus the late biopsy. There was a significantly greater detection rate for out-of-phase endometrium using the early biopsy (12.1% to 18.2% incidence depending on the observer) compared with the later biopsy (6.1% to 9.1% incidence). A majority of the early out-of-phase biopsies corrected by the time of the later biopsy. Our findings indicate that an endometrial biopsy performed in the midluteal phase may detect a greater number of women with delayed endometrial maturation during the temporal window of embryo implantation. The observation that most of the women with out-of-phase midluteal biopsies had normal late luteal endometrium may represent a cryptic form of luteal phase deficiency.

SELDI Validation Study Phase II — EDRN Public Portal

Cancer.gov

This project –A Comprehensive Program for the Validation of Prostate Cancer Early Detection with Novel Protein Identification Techniques -- is divided into three phases. The goal of Phase I was to assess the reproducibility and portability of Surface-Enhanced Laser Desorption and Ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) using protein profiles generated from serum. Phase I was recently successfully completed at six institutions using a single source of pooled sera.

PHOBOS, the Early Years

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stephans, George S. F.; Back, B. B.; Baker, M. D.; Barton, D. S.; Betts, R. R.; Ballintijn, M.; Bickley, A. A.; Bindel, R.; Budzanowski, A.; Busza, W.; Carroll, A.; Decowski, M. P.; Garcia, E.; George, N.; Gulbrandsen, K.; Gushue, S.; Halliwell, C.; Hamblen, J.; Heintzelman, G. A.; Henderson, C.; Hofman, D. J.; Hollis, R. S.; Holynski, R.; Holzman, B.; Iordanova, A.; Johnson, E.; Kane, J. L.; Katzy, J.; Khan, N.; Kucewicz, W.; Kulinich, P.; Kuo, C. M.; Lin, W. T.; Manly, S.; McLeod, D.; Michalowski, J.; Mignerey, A. C.; Nouicer, R.; Olszewski, A.; Pak, R.; Park, I. C.; Pernegger, H.; Reed, C.; Remsberg, L. P.; Reuter, M.; Roland, C.; Roland, G.; Rosenberg, L.; Sagerer, J.; Sarin, P.; Sawicki, P.; Skulski, W.; Steadman, S. G.; Steinberg, P.; Stephans, G. S. F.; Stodulski, M.; Sukhanov, A.; Tang, J.-L.; Teng, R.; Trzupek, A.; Vale, C.; van Nieuwenhuizen, G. J.; Verdier, R.; Wadsworth, B.; Wolfs, F. L. H.; Wosiek, B.; Wozniak, K.; Wuosmaa, A. H.; Wyslouch, B.

2002-06-01

The PHOBOS detector, one of the two small experiments at RHIC, focuses on measurements of charged particle multiplicity over almost the full phase space and identified particles near mid-rapidity. Results will be presented from the early RHIC gold--gold runs at nucleon--nucleon center of mass energies of 56 and 130 GeV as well as the recently concluded run at the full RHIC energy of 200 GeV.

Safety evaluation of laninamivir octanoate hydrate through analysis of adverse events reported during early post-marketing phase vigilance.

PubMed

Nakano, Takashi; Okumura, Akihisa; Tanabe, Takuya; Niwa, Shimpei; Fukushima, Masato; Yonemochi, Rie; Eda, Hisano; Tsutsumi, Hiroyuki

2013-06-01

Abnormal behavior and delirium are common in children with influenza. While abnormal behavior and delirium are considered to be associated with influenza encephalopathy, an increased risk of such neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients receiving neuraminidase inhibitor treatment is suspected. Laninamivir octanoate hydrate, recently approved in Japan, is a long-acting neuraminidase inhibitor. It is important to establish a safety profile for laninamivir early, based on post-marketing experiences. Spontaneous safety reports collected in the early post-marketing phase vigilance were analyzed. Adverse events of interest such as abnormal behavior/delirium, dizziness/vertigo, respiratory disorders, shock/syncope, and any other serious events were intensively reviewed by the Safety Evaluation Committee. Abnormal behavior/delirium was a frequently reported event. Almost all the reported cases were considered to be due to influenza and not laninamivir. There were 32 cases of abnormal behavior/delirium that could lead to dangerous accidents, and these were observed more frequently in males and teenagers. Syncope probably related to the act of inhalation per se of laninamivir was reported during this survey. This safety review revealed that the safety profile of laninamivir for abnormal behavior/delirium and syncope was similar to that of other neuraminidase inhibitors. As stated in the labeling, teenage patients inhaling laninamivir should remain under constant parental supervision for at least 2 days and should be closely monitored for behavioral changes to prevent serious accidents associated with abnormal behavior/delirium. Furthermore, to avoid syncope because of inhalation, patients should be instructed to inhale in a relaxed sitting position.

Preferential site occupancy of alloying elements in TiAl-based phases

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

Holec, David, E-mail: david.holec@unileoben.ac.at; Reddy, Rajeev K.; Klein, Thomas

2016-05-28

First principles calculations are used to study the preferential occupation of ternary alloying additions into the binary Ti-Al phases, namely, γ-TiAl, α{sub 2}-Ti{sub 3}Al, β{sub o}-TiAl, and B19-TiAl. While the early transition metals (TMs, group IVB, VB, and VIB elements) prefer to substitute for Ti atoms in the γ-, α{sub 2}-, and B19-phases, they preferentially occupy Al sites in the β{sub o}-TiAl. Si is, in this context, an anomaly, as it prefers to sit on the Al sublattice for all four phases. B and C are shown to prefer octahedral Ti-rich interstitial positions instead of substitutional incorporation. The site preferencemore » energy is linked with the alloying-induced changes of energy of formation, hence alloying-related (de)stabilisation of the phases. We further show that the phase-stabilisation effect of early TMs on β{sub o}-phase has a different origin depending on their valency. Finally, an extensive comparison of our predictions with available theoretical and experimental data (which is, however, limited mostly to the γ-phase) shows a consistent picture.« less

Improved healing of extraperitoneal intestinal anastomoses in the early phase when surrounded by omentum.

PubMed

Pierie, J P; de Graaf, P W; van Dijk, M; Renooij, W; van Vroonhoven, T J; Obertop, H

2000-01-01

The extra-anatomical position of a cervical oesophagogastrostomy is a reason for impaired anastomotic healing, but transposition of the omentum that is covered with mesothelial cells may be a way to improve that. This hypothesis was tested in a rat model. An end-to-end jejuno-jejunostomy was placed subcutaneously in group I (n = 29), subcutaneously surrounded by omentum in group II (n = 29) and intra-abdominally surrounded by omentum in group III (n = 20). After 3, 7 or 14 days, the rats were sacrificed and bursting pressure (BP) of the anastomosis or jejunum was measured and the hydroxyproline (HP) level was determined. In group I 5/29, in group II 2/29 and in group III 0/20 rats died following anastomotic leakage (nonsignificant) and were excluded from other measurements. BP was decreased after 3 days in group I (60+/-9 mm Hg) compared with group II (101+/-8 mm Hg) and group III (107+/-11 mm Hg) (p = 0.002). After 7 days, BP in groups I (122+/-10 mm Hg) and II (132+/-10 mm Hg) were lower as compared with group III (230+/-8 mm Hg) (p<0.001). Differences in HP levels were not statistically significant between the groups after 3, 7 and 14 days. The healing of intestinal anastomoses in an extraperitoneal position is improved in the early phase only when surrounded by omentum. Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel

Early-time solution of the horizontal unconfined aquifer in the build-up phase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gravanis, Elias; Akylas, Evangelos

2017-04-01

goes away. Nonetheless, no analogue of the kinematic wave or the Boussinesq separable solution exists in this case. The late time state of the build-up phase under constant recharge rate is very simply the steady state solution. Our aim is to construct the early time asymptotic solution of this problem. The solution is expressed as a power series of a suitable similarity variable, which is constructed so that to satisfy the boundary conditions at both ends of the aquifer, that is, it is a polynomial approximation of the exact solution. The series turn out to be asymptotic and it is regularized by re-summation techniques which are used to define divergent series. The outflow rate in this regime is linear in time, and the (dimensionless) coefficient is calculated to eight significant figures. The local error of the series is quantified by its deviation from satisfying the self-similar Boussinesq equation at every point. The local error turns out to be everywhere positive, hence, so is the integrated error, which in turn quantifies the degree of convergence of the series to the exact solution.

The origin of chondrules - Experimental investigation of metastable liquids in the system Mg2SiO4-SiO2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blander, M.; Planner, H. N.; Keil, K.; Nelson, L. S.; Richardson, N. L.

1976-01-01

Laser-melted magnesium silicate droplets were supercooled 400-750 C below their equilibrium liquidus temperatures before crystallization and their texture was compared with that of meteoritic and lunar chondrules. Crystal morphology, width and texture were studied in relation to nucleation temperature and bulk composition. It was found that the only phase to nucleate from the forsterite-enstatite normative melts was forsterite. Highly siliceous glass, about 65% SiO2 by weight, was identified interstitially to the forsterite crystals in seven of the MgSiO4 spherules and was thought to be present in all.

Fundamentals of rapid solidification processing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Flemings, Merton C.; Shiohara, Yuh

1985-01-01

An attempt is made to illustrate the continuous change that occurs in the solidification behavior of undercooled melts, as cooling rates increase from 0.0001 K/sec to about 1000 K/sec. At the higher cooling rates, more significant changes occur as the dendrite tip temperature begins to drop from the equilibrium liquidus. Discontinuous solidification behavior changes will occur if absolute stability is reached, or a metastable phase forms, or solidification proceeds to a glass rather than to a crystalline solid, or if there is significant undercooling prior to nucleation.

A Dual-Stage Two-Phase Model of Selective Attention

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hubner, Ronald; Steinhauser, Marco; Lehle, Carola

2010-01-01

The dual-stage two-phase (DSTP) model is introduced as a formal and general model of selective attention that includes both an early and a late stage of stimulus selection. Whereas at the early stage information is selected by perceptual filters whose selectivity is relatively limited, at the late stage stimuli are selected more efficiently on a…

Higher-dimensional phase imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huntley, Jonathan M.

2010-04-01

Traditional full-field interferometric techniques (speckle, moiré, holography etc) provide 2-D phase images, which encode the surface deformation state of the object under test. Over the past 15 years, the use of additional spatial or temporal dimensions has been investigated by a number of research groups. Early examples include the measurement of 3-D surface profiles by temporally-varying projected fringe patterns, and dynamic speckle interferometry. More recently (the past 5 years) a family of related techniques (Wavelength Scanning Interferometry, Phase Contrast Spectral Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), and Tilt Scanning Interferometry) has emerged that provides the volume deformation state of the object. The techniques can be thought of as a marriage between the phase sensing capabilities of Phase Shifting Interferometry and the depth-sensing capabilities of OCT. Finally, in the past 12 months a technique called Hyperspectral Interferometry has been proposed in which absolute optical path distributions are obtained in a single shot through the spectral decomposition of a white light interferogram, and for which the additional dimension therefore corresponds to the illumination wavenumber. An overview of these developments, and the related issue of robust phase unwrapping of noisy 3-D wrapped phase volumes, is presented in this paper.

Early Childhood Professionals' Experience of Time to Facilitate Children's Thinking

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fumoto, Hiroko; Robson, Sue

2006-01-01

This paper reports on the second phase of the Froebel Research Fellowship project "Ownership and Autonomy in Early Childhood" (2003-5). Based on the first phase of the project (Robson and Hargreaves, 2005), a questionnaire survey of 80 professionals working in the Foundation Stage (age 3-5) in England was conducted to obtain an overview…

Echocardiographic assessment of the incidence of mechanical complications during the early phase of myocardial infarction in the reperfusion era: a French multicentre prospective registry.

PubMed

Gueret, P; Khalife, K; Jobic, Y; Fillipi, E; Isaaz, K; Tassan-Mangina, S; Baixas, C; Motreff, P; Meune, C

2008-01-01

Since the early reports on the incidence of mechanical complications of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) assessed by echocardiography published in the 1980s, the management of patients with AMI has changed considerably, in particular with the progressive development of early revascularisation. The aim of this multicentre study was to assess the incidence of mechanical complications of AMI in the reperfusion era. Nine-hundred and eight consecutive patients were included. Echocardiography was performed on admission and at discharge. Seventy-eight percent of patients were revascularised at the acute phase. The following incidence rates of mechanical complications were observed: mitral regurgitation 28%, secondary to left ventricular (LV) remodelling (43%) or papillary muscle dysfunction (57%); pericardial effusion 6.6%, more frequent after anterior AMI and associated with a lower ejection fraction (EF); LV thrombus 2.4%, mainly after anterior AMI and associated with a lower EF (38+/-10% vs. 48+/-12%; p<0.001); early infarct expansion 4%; septal rupture 0.6%; and acute free wall rupture 0.8%. The following factors were independently associated with the occurrence of mechanical complications by multivariate logistic regression analysis: lack of early revascularisation (OR 3.48, 95%CI 1.36-8.95; p<0.001), LV-EF<50% (OR 1.95, 95%CI 1.42-2.67; p<0.001), Killip class>II (OR 1.91, 95%CI 1.27-2.87; p<0.002) and age > or =70 years (OR 1.42, 95%CI 1.03-1.97; p<0.03). This study demonstrates the favourable prognostic influence of early revascularisation as shown by the low incidence of mechanical complications after AMI, and underlines the persistent relationship between the development of these complications and depressed LV function.

Constructing the 'Best' Reliability Data for the Job - Developing Generic Reliability Data from Alternative Sources Early in a Product's Development Phase

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kleinhammer, Roger K.; Graber, Robert R.; DeMott, D. L.

2016-01-01

Reliability practitioners advocate getting reliability involved early in a product development process. However, when assigned to estimate or assess the (potential) reliability of a product or system early in the design and development phase, they are faced with lack of reasonable models or methods for useful reliability estimation. Developing specific data is costly and time consuming. Instead, analysts rely on available data to assess reliability. Finding data relevant to the specific use and environment for any project is difficult, if not impossible. Instead, analysts attempt to develop the "best" or composite analog data to support the assessments. Industries, consortia and vendors across many areas have spent decades collecting, analyzing and tabulating fielded item and component reliability performance in terms of observed failures and operational use. This data resource provides a huge compendium of information for potential use, but can also be compartmented by industry, difficult to find out about, access, or manipulate. One method used incorporates processes for reviewing these existing data sources and identifying the available information based on similar equipment, then using that generic data to derive an analog composite. Dissimilarities in equipment descriptions, environment of intended use, quality and even failure modes impact the "best" data incorporated in an analog composite. Once developed, this composite analog data provides a "better" representation of the reliability of the equipment or component. It can be used to support early risk or reliability trade studies, or analytical models to establish the predicted reliability data points. It also establishes a baseline prior that may updated based on test data or observed operational constraints and failures, i.e., using Bayesian techniques. This tutorial presents a descriptive compilation of historical data sources across numerous industries and disciplines, along with examples of contents

Definition of technology development missions for early Space Station satellite servicing. Volume 1: Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1984-01-01

The Executive Summary volume 1, includes an overview of both phases of the Definition of Technology Development Missions for Early Space Station Satellite Servicing. The primary purpose of Phase 1 of the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Satellite Servicing Phase 1 study was to establish requirements for demonstrating the capability of performing satellite servicing activities on a permanently manned Space Station in the early 1990s. The scope of Phase 1 included TDM definition, outlining of servicing objectives, derivation of initial Space Station servicing support requirements, and generation of the associated programmatic schedules and cost. The purpose of phase 2 of the satellite servicing study was to expand and refine the overall understanding of how best to use the manned space station as a test bed for demonstration of satellite servicing capabilities.

Neratinib for the treatment of HER2-positive early stage breast cancer.

PubMed

Echavarria, Isabel; López-Tarruella, Sara; Márquez-Rodas, Iván; Jerez, Yolanda; Martin, Miguel

2017-08-01

Despite the advances in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer, resistance to actual chemotherapeutic regimens eventually occurs. Neratinib, an orally available pan-inhibitor of the ERBB family, represents an interesting new option for early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer. Areas covered: In this article, the development of neratinib, with a special focus on its potential value in the treatment of early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer, has been reviewed. For this purpose, a literature search was conducted, including preclinical studies, early-phase trials in advanced cancer with neratinib in monotherapy and in combination, and phase II and large phase III trials in the early setting. Management of neratinib-induced toxicity, future perspectives for the drug, and ongoing trials are also discussed in this review. Expert commentary: Neratinib is emerging as a promising oral drug for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. Although FDA and EMA approval is derived from the extended adjuvant treatment, this setting may not be the ideal scenario to obtain the beneficial effects of neratinib. Confirmatory data in the neoadjuvant setting and subgroup analysis from the ExTENET trial might bring some light into the best setting for neratinib therapy. Data from confirmatory trials in the metastatic setting are also required.

Biomarkers for identifying the early phases of osteoarthritis secondary to medial patellar luxation in dogs.

PubMed

Alam, Md Rafiqul; Ji, Joong Ryong; Kim, Min Su; Kim, Nam Soo

2011-09-01

The levels of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) in synovial fluid (SF) and serum in cases of canine osteoarthritis (OA) were measured. OA was induced by a surgically-created medial patellar luxation in the left stifle of 24 dogs. SF and blood samples were collected at 1.5- and 3-month intervals, respectively. Every 3 months, one dog was euthanatized to collect tissue samples from both stifles. TRAP levels in SF and serum were measured using a spectrophotometer, and TRAP-positive cells in joint tissues were identified by enzyme histochemistry. MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in SF and serum were detected by Western blotting and ELISA, respectively. TRAP in SF from the stifles and serum was significantly increased (p < 0.05) after 3 months. TIMP-2 in SF and serum was significantly decreased (p < 0.05), whereas MMP-2 in SF was significantly increased (p < 0.05) during the progression of OA. Histochemistry revealed an increased number of TRAP-positive cells in tissues from OA-affected joints. Assays measuring TRAP, MMP-2, and TIMP-2 in SF and serum, and methods that detect increased numbers of TRAP-positive cells in the joint tissues can play an important role in identifying the early phases of degenerative changes in canine joint components.

Discovery Of Low Oxygen Fugacity (fo2) Mineral And Fluid Phases In Lower Mantle -Derived Early Pulse Of The Deccan Flood Basalts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basu, A. R.; Das, S.

2017-12-01

Estimation of Earth's lower mantle mineralogy and oxygen fugacity are principally based on indirect geophysical and experimental studies. According to these studies, the mantle becomes increasingly reducing from upper to lower mantle due to the distribution of ferric (Fe3+) and ferrous (Fe2+) iron in perovskite, the dominant mineral phase in the lower mantle. However, the natural occurrence of low oxygen fugacity (fO2), lower mantle mineral and fluid phases are rare, except some for discrete inclusions in superdeep diamonds. In this study, we document that some rocks associated with plume volcanism, such as the Deccan flood basalt volcanic province, preserve the lower mantle mineral phases. We document here unusual primary texture - bearing minerals in olivine-clinopyroxene bearing picrite intrusives associated with the Deccan Traps. The olivine and clinopyroxene of these rocks have high 3He/4He ratio (R/RA 14) as well as Nd, Sr and Pb isotopes identical to those of the Réunion plume, clearly indicating their lower mantle - derivation. These rocks are the initial pulse at 68Ma of the Deccan Trap eruption [1]. Presence of unusual exsolved lamella and rectangular, vermicular intergrowths of diopside and magnetite in olivine indicate a precursory phase with higher Fe3+. The diopside part in rectangular intergrowth show presence of hydrocarbon. Trails of small graphitic carbon crystals are also present both in the cores of these olivine and diopside. We suggest that the hydrocarbons are derived from the lower mantle having much lesser fO2 than the upper mantle. This study unequivocally indicates that direct lower mantle mineralogical signature, including their fo2 can be obtained from early pulse of plume volcanism. References: [1] Basu A R, Renne P R, Dasgupta D K, Teichmann F, Poreda R J, Science 261, 902 - 906; 1993.

Liquid-solid equilibria involving spinel, ilmenite, and ferropseudobrookite in the system 'FeO'-Al2O3-TiO2 in contact with metallic iron

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schreifels, W. A.; Muan, A.

1975-01-01

Phase relations in the liquidus temperature region of the system 'FeO'-Al2O3-TiO2 in contact with metallic iron, at a total pressure below 1 atm, have been determined by the quenching technique. Four invariant points have been located, with phase assemblages and temperatures as follows; wuestite, ulvoespinel, nercynite and liquid, 1306 C; ulvoespinel, ilmenite, ferropseudobrookite and liquid, 1340 C; ulvoespinel, hercynite, ferropseudobrookite and liquid, 1367 C; hercynite, ferropseudobrookite, corundum and liquid, 1465 C. The data obtained confirm the presence of a miscibility gap between titanate and aluminate spinels, and provide quantitative data for the effect of Al2O3 on mutual stability relations among spinel, ilmenite, and ferropseudobrookite phases in the presence of liquid at high temperatures and strongly reducing conditions. It is shown that Al2O3 has a strong stabilizing effect on the phase assemblage ferropseudobrookite and spinel relative to ilmenite.

Carbachol Induces Phase-dependent Phase Shifts of Per1 Transcription Rhythms in Cultured Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Slices.

PubMed

Dojo, Kumiko; Yamaguchi, Yoshiaki; Fustin, Jean-Michel; Doi, Masao; Kobayashi, Masaki; Okamura, Hitoshi

2017-04-01

Among nonphotic stimulants, a classic cholinergic agonist, carbachol, is known to have a strong and unique phase-resetting effect on the circadian clock: Intracerebroventricular carbachol treatment causes phase delays during the subjective early night and phase advances in the subjective late night, but the effects of this drug on the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in vivo and in vitro are still controversial. In the present study, we succeeded in reproducing the biphasic phase-shifting effect of carbachol on clock gene expression in organotypic SCN slices prepared from mice carrying a Per1-promoter fused luciferase gene ( Per1-luc). Since this biphasic effect of carbachol in Per1-luc SCN was prevented by atropine but not by mecamylamine, we concluded that these phase shifts were muscarinic receptor-dependent. Next, we analyzed the expression of muscarinic receptors in the SCN by in situ hybridization and found that M3 and M4 subtypes were expressed in SCN cells. These signals appeared neonatally and reached adult levels at postnatal day 10. Together, these findings suggest that carbachol has a phase-dependent phase-shifting effect on the SCN clock through muscarinic receptor subtypes expressed in the SCN.

Thermophysical Properties of Fluid Latent Heat Storage Material using Urea-Water Mixture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hokamura, Taku; Ohkubo, Hidetoshi; Ashizawa, Kiyonori

This study is concerned with the measurement of thermophysical properties of a urea-water mixture with the aim of adopting the mixture as a latent heat storage material for air-conditioning systems. The urea-water mixture is made of natural substances and has a good fluidity. The urea concentration in the mixture was controlled by measuring the refractive index of the mixture. Being a multi-component substance, a urea-water solution has a liquid-solid co-existent phase on a phase-diagram. Therefore, the liquidus temperature was measured to establish a relationship between the fraction of the solid-phase and temperature. Furthermore, apparent values of specific heat and coefficient of viscosity were measured in the two-phase region where the solid phase is ice. The apparent specific heat and coefficient of viscosity were measure by using an adiabatic calorimeter and a stirring torque meter respectively. The results revealed that the urea-water mixture can probably be used as a latent heat storage material of good fluidity.

Abnormal lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle tissue of patients with muscular dystrophy: In vitro, high-resolution NMR spectroscopy based observation in early phase of the disease.

PubMed

Srivastava, Niraj Kumar; Yadav, Ramakant; Mukherjee, Somnath; Pal, Lily; Sinha, Neeraj

2017-05-01

Qualitative (assignment of lipid components) and quantitative (quantification of lipid components) analysis of lipid components were performed in skeletal muscle tissue of patients with muscular dystrophy in early phase of the disease as compared to control/normal subjects. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy based experiment was performed on the lipid extract of skeletal muscle tissue of patients with muscular dystrophy in early phase of the disease and normal individuals for the analysis of lipid components [triglycerides, phospholipids, total cholesterol and unsaturated fatty acids (arachidonic, linolenic and linoleic acid)]. Specimens of muscle tissue were obtained from patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) [n=11; Age, Mean±SD; 9.2±1.4years; all were males], Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) [n=12; Age, Mean±SD; 21.4±5.0years; all were males], facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) [n=11; Age, Mean±SD; 23.7±7.5years; all were males] and limb girdle muscular dystrophy-2B (LGMD-2B) [n=18; Age, Mean±SD; 24.2±4.1years; all were males]. Muscle specimens were also obtained from [n=30; Mean age±SD 23.1±6.0years; all were males] normal/control subjects. Assigned lipid components in skeletal muscle tissue were triglycerides (TG), phospholipids (PL), total cholesterol (CHOL) and unsaturated fatty acids (arachidonic, linolenic and linoleic acid)]. Quantity of lipid components was observed in skeletal muscle tissue of DMD, BMD, FSHD and LGMD-2B patients as compared to control/normal subjects. TG was significantly elevated in muscle tissue of DMD, BMD and LGMD-2B patients. Increase level of CHOL was found only in muscle of DMD patients. Level of PL was found insignificant for DMD, BMD and LGMD-2B patients. Quantity of TG, PL and CHOL was unaltered in the muscle of patients with FSHD as compared to control/normal subjects. Linoleic acids were significantly reduced in muscle tissue of DMD, BMD, FSHD and LGMD-2B as compared to normal

Electronic Monitoring of Medication Adherence in Early Maintenance Phase Treatment for Pediatric Leukemia and Lymphoma: Identifying Patterns of Nonadherence

PubMed Central