3D equilibrium reconstruction with islands

DOE PAGES

Cianciosa, M.; Hirshman, S. P.; Seal, S. K.; ...

2018-02-15

This study presents the development of a 3D equilibrium reconstruction tool and the results of the first-ever reconstruction of an island equilibrium. The SIESTA non-nested equilibrium solver has been coupled to the V3FIT 3D equilibrium reconstruction code. Computed from a coupled VMEC and SIESTA model, synthetic signals are matched to measured signals by finding an optimal set of equilibrium parameters. By using the normalized pressure in place of normalized flux, non-equilibrium quantities needed by diagnostic signals can be efficiently mapped to the equilibrium. The effectiveness of this tool is demonstrated by reconstructing an island equilibrium of a DIII-D inner wallmore » limited L-mode case with an n = 1 error field applied. Finally, flat spots in Thomson and ECE temperature diagnostics show the reconstructed islands have the correct size and phase.« less

3D equilibrium reconstruction with islands

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

Cianciosa, M.; Hirshman, S. P.; Seal, S. K.

This study presents the development of a 3D equilibrium reconstruction tool and the results of the first-ever reconstruction of an island equilibrium. The SIESTA non-nested equilibrium solver has been coupled to the V3FIT 3D equilibrium reconstruction code. Computed from a coupled VMEC and SIESTA model, synthetic signals are matched to measured signals by finding an optimal set of equilibrium parameters. By using the normalized pressure in place of normalized flux, non-equilibrium quantities needed by diagnostic signals can be efficiently mapped to the equilibrium. The effectiveness of this tool is demonstrated by reconstructing an island equilibrium of a DIII-D inner wallmore » limited L-mode case with an n = 1 error field applied. Finally, flat spots in Thomson and ECE temperature diagnostics show the reconstructed islands have the correct size and phase.« less

Preface: Impacts of extreme climate events and disturbances on carbon dynamics

USGS Publications Warehouse

Xiao, Jingfeng; Liu, Shuguang; Stoy, Paul C.

2016-01-01

The impacts of extreme climate events and disturbances (ECE&D) on the carbon cycle have received growing attention in recent years. This special issue showcases a collection of recent advances in understanding the impacts of ECE&D on carbon cycling. Notable advances include quantifying how harvesting activities impact forest structure, carbon pool dynamics, and recovery processes; observed drastic increases of the concentrations of dissolved organic carbon and dissolved methane in thermokarst lakes in western Siberia during a summer warming event; disentangling the roles of herbivores and fire on forest carbon dioxide flux; direct and indirect impacts of fire on the global carbon balance; and improved atmospheric inversion of regional carbon sources and sinks by incorporating disturbances. Combined, studies herein indicate several major research needs. First, disturbances and extreme events can interact with one another, and it is important to understand their overall impacts and also disentangle their effects on the carbon cycle. Second, current ecosystem models are not skillful enough to correctly simulate the underlying processes and impacts of ECE&D (e.g., tree mortality and carbon consequences). Third, benchmark data characterizing the timing, location, type, and magnitude of disturbances must be systematically created to improve our ability to quantify carbon dynamics over large areas. Finally, improving the representation of ECE&D in regional climate/earth system models and accounting for the resulting feedbacks to climate are essential for understanding the interactions between climate and ecosystem dynamics.

Physics and Engineering Design of the ITER Electron Cyclotron Emission Diagnostic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rowan, W. L.; Austin, M. E.; Houshmandyar, S.; Phillips, P. E.; Beno, J. H.; Ouroua, A.; Weeks, D. A.; Hubbard, A. E.; Stillerman, J. A.; Feder, R. E.; Khodak, A.; Taylor, G.; Pandya, H. K.; Danani, S.; Kumar, R.

2015-11-01

Electron temperature (Te) measurements and consequent electron thermal transport inferences will be critical to the non-active phases of ITER operation and will take on added importance during the alpha heating phase. Here, we describe our design for the diagnostic that will measure spatial and temporal profiles of Te using electron cyclotron emission (ECE). Other measurement capability includes high frequency instabilities (e.g. ELMs, NTMs, and TAEs). Since results from TFTR and JET suggest that Thomson Scattering and ECE differ at high Te due to driven non-Maxwellian distributions, non-thermal features of the ITER electron distribution must be documented. The ITER environment presents other challenges including space limitations, vacuum requirements, and very high-neutron-fluence. Plasma control in ITER will require real-time Te. The diagnosic design that evolved from these sometimes-conflicting needs and requirements will be described component by component with special emphasis on the integration to form a single effective diagnostic system. Supported by PPPL/US-DA via subcontract S013464-C to UT Austin.

Physics design of the in-vessel collection optics for the ITER electron cyclotron emission diagnostic.

PubMed

Rowan, W L; Houshmandyar, S; Phillips, P E; Austin, M E; Beno, J H; Hubbard, A E; Khodak, A; Ouroua, A; Taylor, G

2016-11-01

Measurement of the electron cyclotron emission (ECE) is one of the primary diagnostics for electron temperature in ITER. In-vessel, in-vacuum, and quasi-optical antennas capture sufficient ECE to achieve large signal to noise with microsecond temporal resolution and high spatial resolution while maintaining polarization fidelity. Two similar systems are required. One views the plasma radially. The other is an oblique view. Both views can be used to measure the electron temperature, while the oblique is also sensitive to non-thermal distortion in the bulk electron distribution. The in-vacuum optics for both systems are subject to degradation as they have a direct view of the ITER plasma and will not be accessible for cleaning or replacement for extended periods. Blackbody radiation sources are provided for in situ calibration.

Physics design of the in-vessel collection optics for the ITER electron cyclotron emission diagnostic

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

Rowan, W. L., E-mail: w.l.rowan@austin.utexas.edu; Houshmandyar, S.; Phillips, P. E.

2016-11-15

Measurement of the electron cyclotron emission (ECE) is one of the primary diagnostics for electron temperature in ITER. In-vessel, in-vacuum, and quasi-optical antennas capture sufficient ECE to achieve large signal to noise with microsecond temporal resolution and high spatial resolution while maintaining polarization fidelity. Two similar systems are required. One views the plasma radially. The other is an oblique view. Both views can be used to measure the electron temperature, while the oblique is also sensitive to non-thermal distortion in the bulk electron distribution. The in-vacuum optics for both systems are subject to degradation as they have a direct viewmore » of the ITER plasma and will not be accessible for cleaning or replacement for extended periods. Blackbody radiation sources are provided for in situ calibration.« less

Physics design of the in-vessel collection optics for the ITER electron cyclotron emission diagnostic

DOE PAGES

Rowan, W. L.; Houshmandyar, S.; Phillips, P. E.; ...

2016-09-07

Measurement of the electron cyclotron emission (ECE) is one of the primary diagnostics for electron temperature in ITER. In-vessel, in-vacuum, and quasi-optical antennas capture sufficient ECE to achieve large signal to noise with microsecond temporal resolution and high spatial resolution while maintaining polarization fidelity. Two similar systems are required. One views the plasma radially. The other is an oblique view. Both views can be used to measure the electron temperature, while the oblique is also sensitive to non-thermal distortion in the bulk electron distribution. The in-vacuum optics for both systems are subject to degradation as they have a direct viewmore » of the ITER plasma and will not be accessible for cleaning or replacement for extended periods. Here, blackbody radiation sources are provided for in situ calibration.« less

Conceptual Design of the ITER ECE Diagnostic - An Update

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Austin, M. E.; Pandya, H. K. B.; Beno, J.; Bryant, A. D.; Danani, S.; Ellis, R. F.; Feder, R.; Hubbard, A. E.; Kumar, S.; Ouroua, A.; Phillips, P. E.; Rowan, W. L.

2012-09-01

The ITER ECE diagnostic has recently been through a conceptual design review for the entire system including front end optics, transmission line, and back-end instruments. The basic design of two viewing lines, each with a single ellipsoidal mirror focussing into the plasma near the midplane of the typical operating scenarios is agreed upon. The location and design of the hot calibration source and the design of the shutter that directs its radiation to the transmission line are issues that need further investigation. In light of recent measurements and discussion, the design of the broadband transmission line is being revisited and new options contemplated. For the instruments, current systems for millimeter wave radiometers and broad-band spectrometers will be adequate for ITER, but the option for employing new state-of-the-art techniques will be left open.

Intermediate frequency band digitized high dynamic range radiometer system for plasma diagnostics and real-time Tokamak control

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

Bongers, W. A.; Beveren, V. van; Westerhof, E.

2011-06-15

An intermediate frequency (IF) band digitizing radiometer system in the 100-200 GHz frequency range has been developed for Tokamak diagnostics and control, and other fields of research which require a high flexibility in frequency resolution combined with a large bandwidth and the retrieval of the full wave information of the mm-wave signals under investigation. The system is based on directly digitizing the IF band after down conversion. The enabling technology consists of a fast multi-giga sample analog to digital converter that has recently become available. Field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) are implemented to accomplish versatile real-time data analysis. A prototypemore » system has been developed and tested and its performance has been compared with conventional electron cyclotron emission (ECE) spectrometer systems. On the TEXTOR Tokamak a proof of principle shows that ECE, together with high power injected and scattered radiation, becomes amenable to measurement by this device. In particular, its capability to measure the phase of coherent signals in the spectrum offers important advantages in diagnostics and control. One case developed in detail employs the FPGA in real-time fast Fourier transform (FFT) and additional signal processing. The major benefit of such a FFT-based system is the real-time trade-off that can be made between frequency and time resolution. For ECE diagnostics this corresponds to a flexible spatial resolution in the plasma, with potential application in smart sensing of plasma instabilities such as the neoclassical tearing mode (NTM) and sawtooth instabilities. The flexible resolution would allow for the measurement of the full mode content of plasma instabilities contained within the system bandwidth.« less

Opioid Receptor Function Is Regulated by Post-endocytic Peptide Processing*

PubMed Central

Gupta, Achla; Gomes, Ivone; Wardman, Jonathan; Devi, Lakshmi A.

2014-01-01

Most neuroendocrine peptides are generated in the secretory compartment by proteolysis of the precursors at classical cleavage sites consisting of basic residues by well studied endopeptidases belonging to the subtilisin superfamily. In contrast, a subset of bioactive peptides is generated by processing at non-classical cleavage sites that do not contain basic residues. Neither the peptidases responsible for non-classical cleavages nor the compartment involved in such processing has been well established. Members of the endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE) family are considered good candidate enzymes because they exhibit functional properties that are consistent with such a role. In this study we have explored a role for ECE2 in endocytic processing of δ opioid peptides and its effect on modulating δ opioid receptor function by using selective inhibitors of ECE2 that we had identified previously by homology modeling and virtual screening of a library of small molecules. We found that agonist treatment led to intracellular co-localization of ECE2 with δ opioid receptors. Furthermore, selective inhibitors of ECE2 and reagents that increase the pH of the acidic compartment impaired receptor recycling by protecting the endocytosed peptide from degradation. This, in turn, led to a substantial decrease in surface receptor signaling. Finally, we showed that treatment of primary neurons with the ECE2 inhibitor during recycling led to increased intracellular co-localization of the receptors and ECE2, which in turn led to decreased receptor recycling and signaling by the surface receptors. Together, these results support a role for differential modulation of opioid receptor signaling by post-endocytic processing of peptide agonists by ECE2. PMID:24847082

Development and internal validation of a side-specific, multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging-based nomogram for the prediction of extracapsular extension of prostate cancer.

PubMed

Martini, Alberto; Gupta, Akriti; Lewis, Sara C; Cumarasamy, Shivaram; Haines, Kenneth G; Briganti, Alberto; Montorsi, Francesco; Tewari, Ashutosh K

2018-04-19

To develop a nomogram for predicting side-specific extracapsular extension (ECE) for planning nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy. We retrospectively analysed data from 561 patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy between February 2014 and October 2015. To develop a side-specific predictive model, we considered the prostatic lobes separately. Four variables were included: prostate-specific antigen; highest ipsilateral biopsy Gleason grade; highest ipsilateral percentage core involvement; and ECE on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI). A multivariable logistic regression analysis was fitted to predict side-specific ECE. A nomogram was built based on the coefficients of the logit function. Internal validation was performed using 'leave-one-out' cross-validation. Calibration was graphically investigated. The decision curve analysis was used to evaluate the net clinical benefit. The study population consisted of 829 side-specific cases, after excluding negative biopsy observations (n = 293). ECE was reported on mpMRI and final pathology in 115 (14%) and 142 (17.1%) cases, respectively. Among these, mpMRI was able to predict ECE correctly in 57 (40.1%) cases. All variables in the model except highest percentage core involvement were predictors of ECE (all P ≤ 0.006). All variables were considered for inclusion in the nomogram. After internal validation, the area under the curve was 82.11%. The model demonstrated excellent calibration and improved clinical risk prediction, especially when compared with relying on mpMRI prediction of ECE alone. When retrospectively applying the nomogram-derived probability, using a 20% threshold for performing nerve-sparing, nine out of 14 positive surgical margins (PSMs) at the site of ECE resulted above the threshold. We developed an easy-to-use model for the prediction of side-specific ECE, and hope it serves as a tool for planning nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy and in the reduction of PSM in future series. © 2018 The Authors BJU International © 2018 BJU International Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

External validation of a nomogram for prediction of side-specific extracapsular extension at robotic radical prostatectomy.

PubMed

Zorn, Kevin C; Gallina, Andrea; Hutterer, Georg C; Walz, Jochen; Shalhav, Arieh L; Zagaja, Gregory P; Valiquette, Luc; Gofrit, Ofer N; Orvieto, Marcelo A; Taxy, Jerome B; Karakiewicz, Pierre I

2007-11-01

Several staging tools have been developed for open radical prostatectomy (ORP) patients. However, the validity of these tools has never been formally tested in patients treated with robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP). We tested the accuracy of an ORP-derived nomogram in predicting the rate of extracapsular extension (ECE) in a large RALP cohort. Serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) and side-specific clinical stage and biopsy Gleason sum information were used in a previously validated nomogram predicting side-specific ECE. The nomogram-derived predictions were compared with the observed rate of ECE, and the accuracy of the predictions was quantified. Each prostate lobe was analyzed independently. As complete data were available for 576 patients, the analyses targeted 1152 prostate lobes. Median age and serum PSA concentration at radical prostatectomy were 60 years and 5.4 ng/mL, respectively. The majority of side-specific clinical stages were T(1c) (993; 86.2%). Most side-specific biopsy Gleason sums were 6 (572; 49.7%). The median side-specific percentages of positive cores and of cancer were, respectively, 20.0% and 5.0%. At final pathologic review, 107 patients (18.6%) had ECE, and side-specific ECE was present in 117 patients (20.3%). The nomogram was 89% accurate in the RALP cohort v 84% in the previously reported ORP validation. The ORP side-specific ECE nomogram is highly accurate in the RALP population, suggesting that predictive and possibly prognostic tools developed in ORP patients may be equally accurate in their RALP counterparts.

Effects of mechanical deformation on energy conversion efficiency of piezoelectric nanogenerators.

PubMed

Yoo, Jinho; Cho, Seunghyeon; Kim, Wook; Kwon, Jang-Yeon; Kim, Hojoong; Kim, Seunghyun; Chang, Yoon-Suk; Kim, Chang-Wan; Choi, Dukhyun

2015-07-10

Piezoelectric nanogenerators (PNGs) are capable of converting energy from various mechanical sources into electric energy and have many attractive features such as continuous operation, replenishment and low cost. However, many researchers still have studied novel material synthesis and interfacial controls to improve the power production from PNGs. In this study, we report the energy conversion efficiency (ECE) of PNGs dependent on mechanical deformations such as bending and twisting. Since the output power of PNGs is caused by the mechanical strain of the piezoelectric material, the power production and their ECE is critically dependent on the types of external mechanical deformations. Thus, we examine the output power from PNGs according to bending and twisting. In order to clearly understand the ECE of PNGs in the presence of those external mechanical deformations, we determine the ECE of PNGs by the ratio of output electrical energy and input mechanical energy, where we suggest that the input energy is based only on the strain energy of the piezoelectric layer. We calculate the strain energy of the piezoelectric layer using numerical simulation of bending and twisting of the PNG. Finally, we demonstrate that the ECE of the PNG caused by twisting is much higher than that caused by bending due to the multiple effects of normal and lateral piezoelectric coefficients. Our results thus provide a design direction for PNG systems as high-performance power generators.

Study of transmission line attenuation in broad band millimeter wave frequency range.

PubMed

Pandya, Hitesh Kumar B; Austin, M E; Ellis, R F

2013-10-01

Broad band millimeter wave transmission lines are used in fusion plasma diagnostics such as electron cyclotron emission (ECE), electron cyclotron absorption, reflectometry and interferometry systems. In particular, the ECE diagnostic for ITER will require efficient transmission over an ultra wide band, 100 to 1000 GHz. A circular corrugated waveguide transmission line is a prospective candidate to transmit such wide band with low attenuation. To evaluate this system, experiments of transmission line attenuation were performed and compared with theoretical loss calculations. A millimeter wave Michelson interferometer and a liquid nitrogen black body source are used to perform all the experiments. Atmospheric water vapor lines and continuum absorption within this band are reported. Ohmic attenuation in corrugated waveguide is very low; however, there is Bragg scattering and higher order mode conversion that can cause significant attenuation in this transmission line. The attenuation due to miter bends, gaps, joints, and curvature are estimated. The measured attenuation of 15 m length with seven miter bends and eighteen joints is 1 dB at low frequency (300 GHz) and 10 dB at high frequency (900 GHz), respectively.

Single and combination diagnostic test efficiency and cost analysis for detection and isolation of avian influenza virus from wild bird cloacal swabs

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Effective laboratory methods for identifying avian influenza virus (AIV) in wild bird populations are crucial to understanding the ecology of this pathogen. The gold standard method has been AIV isolation in chorioallantoic sac (CAS) of specific-pathogen-free (SPF) embryonating chicken eggs (ECE), ...

Investigation of factors influencing chloride extraction efficiency during electrochemical chloride extraction from reinforcing concrete

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharp, Stephen R.

2005-11-01

Electrochemical chloride extraction (ECE) is an accelerated bridge restoration method similar to cathodic protection, but operates at higher current densities and utilizes a temporary installation. Both techniques prolong the life of a bridge by reducing the corrosion rate of the reinforcing bar when properly applied. ECE achieves this by moving chlorides away from the reinforcement and out of the concrete while simultaneously increasing the alkalinity of the electrolyte near the reinforcing steel. Despite the proven success, significant use of ECE has not resulted in part due to an incomplete understanding in the following areas: (1) An estimation of the additional service life that can be expected following treatment when the treated member is again subjected to chlorides; (2) The cause of the decrease in current flow and, therefore, chloride removal rate during treatment; (3) Influence of water-to-cement (w/c) ratio and cover depth on the time required for treatment. This dissertation covers the research that is connected to the last two areas listed above. To begin examining these issues, plain carbon steel reinforcing bars (rebar) were embedded in portland cement concrete slabs of varying water-to-cement (w/c) ratios and cover depths, and then exposed to chlorides. A fraction of these slabs had sodium chloride added as an admixture, with all of the slabs subjected to cyclical ponding with a saturated solution of sodium chloride. ECE was then used to remove the chlorides from these slabs while making electrical measurements in the different layers between the rebar (cathode) and the titanium mat (anode) to follow the progress of the ECE process. During this study, it was revealed that the resistance of the outer concrete surface layer increases during ECE, inevitably restricting current flow, while the resistance of the underlying concrete decreases or remains constant. During ECE treatment, a white residue formed on the surface of the concrete. Analyses of the residue revealed that it contains calcium carbonate, calcium chloride, and other yet unidentified minor components when calcium hydroxide was used as the electrolyte. The surface film can be completely removed mechanically or to some extent inhibited chemically, with both of these processes resulting in an increase in the efficiency of the electrochemical chloride extraction process. In addition, an obvious relationship between the cover depth, water-to-cement ratio, and chloride extraction efficiency does not exist, however, cover depth does influence the current density. The final phase of this study will be presented in a VTRC/FHWA final report. This report will include the results that are presented in this dissertation, in addition to the results from the ongoing research. It will also include an estimation of the additional service life that can be expected following treatment.

Accuracy of Computed Tomography for Predicting Pathologic Nodal Extracapsular Extension in Patients With Head-and-Neck Cancer Undergoing Initial Surgical Resection

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

Prabhu, Roshan S., E-mail: roshansprabhu@gmail.com; Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; Magliocca, Kelly R.

2014-01-01

Purpose: Nodal extracapsular extension (ECE) in patients with head-and-neck cancer increases the loco-regional failure risk and is an indication for adjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT). To reduce the risk of requiring trimodality therapy, patients with head-and-neck cancer who are surgical candidates are often treated with definitive CRT when preoperative computed tomographic imaging suggests radiographic ECE. The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of preoperative CT imaging for predicting pathologic nodal ECE (pECE). Methods and Materials: The study population consisted of 432 consecutive patients with oral cavity or locally advanced/nonfunctional laryngeal cancer who underwent preoperative CT imaging before initialmore » surgical resection and neck dissection. Specimens with pECE had the extent of ECE graded on a scale from 1 to 4. Results: Radiographic ECE was documented in 46 patients (10.6%), and pECE was observed in 87 (20.1%). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were 43.7%, 97.7%, 82.6%, and 87.3%, respectively. The sensitivity of radiographic ECE increased from 18.8% for grade 1 to 2 ECE, to 52.9% for grade 3, and 72.2% for grade 4. Radiographic ECE criteria of adjacent structure invasion was a better predictor than irregular borders/fat stranding for pECE. Conclusions: Radiographic ECE has poor sensitivity, but excellent specificity for pECE in patients who undergo initial surgical resection. PPV and NPV are reasonable for clinical decision making. The performance of preoperative CT imaging increased as pECE grade increased. Patients with resectable head-and-neck cancer with radiographic ECE based on adjacent structure invasion are at high risk for high-grade pECE requiring adjuvant CRT when treated with initial surgery; definitive CRT as an alternative should be considered where appropriate.« less

Augmented Reality Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy: Preliminary Experience.

PubMed

Porpiglia, Francesco; Fiori, Cristian; Checcucci, Enrico; Amparore, Daniele; Bertolo, Riccardo

2018-05-01

To present our preliminary experience with augmented reality robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (AR-RARP). From June to August 2017, patients candidate to RARP were enrolled and underwent high-resolution multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (1-mm slices) according to dedicated protocol. The obtained three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction was integrated in the robotic console to perform AR-RARP. According to the staging at magnetic resonance imaging or reconstruction, in case of cT2 prostate cancer, intrafascial nerve sparing (NS) was performed: a mark was placed on the prostate capsule to indicate the virtual underlying intraprostatic lesion; in case of cT3, standard NS AR-RARP was scheduled with AR-guided biopsy at the level of suspected extracapsular extension (ECE). Prostate specimens were scanned to assess the 3D model concordance. Sixteen patients underwent intrafascial NS technique (cT2), whereas 14 underwent standard NS+ selective biopsy of suspected ECE (cT3). Final pathology confirmed clinical staging. Positive surgical margins' rate was 30% (no positive surgical margins in pT2). In patients whose intraprostatic lesions were marked, final pathology confirmed lesion location. In patients with suspected ECE, AR-guided selective biopsies confirmed the ECE location, with 11 of 14 biopsies (78%) positive for prostate cancer. Prostate specimens were scanned with finding of a good overlap. The mismatch between 3D reconstruction and scanning ranged from 1 to 5 mm. In 85% of the entire surface, the mismatch was <3 mm. In our preliminary experience, AR-RARP seems to be safe and effective. The accuracy of 3D reconstruction seemed to be promising. This technology has still limitations: the virtual models are manually oriented and rigid. Future collaborations with bioengineers will allow overcoming these limitations. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The peptidase inhibitor CGS-26303 increases endothelin converting enzyme-1 expression in endothelial cells through accumulation of big endothelin-1

PubMed Central

Raoch, V; Martinez-Miguel, P; Arribas-Gomez, I; Rodriguez-Puyol, M; Rodriguez-Puyol, D; Lopez-Ongil, S

2007-01-01

Background and purpose: CGS-26303 inhibits endothelin converting enzyme (ECE)-1 more specifically than phosphoramidon. We have studied the effect of CGS-26303 on ECE-1 expression in bovine aortic endothelial cells. Methods: ECE-1 activity and big endothelin (ET)-1 levels were measured by ELISA, ECE-1 expression using western and northern blot and promoter activity using transfection assays. Key results: ECE-1 activity was completely inhibited by CGS-26303 25 μ M and phosphoramidon 100 μ M. CGS-26303 and phosphoramidon, though not thiorphan, a neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitor, stimulated ECE-1 expression in cells (maximal effect at 16 h, 25 μ M). Cycloheximide abolished that effect. CGS-26303 induced ECE-1 mRNA expression and ECE-1 promoter activity. CGS-35066, a selective ECE-1 inhibitor, mimicked the effects of CGS-26303, suggesting that the effect was specific to ECE-1 inhibition. Big ET-1 accumulated in the cells and in the supernatants after CGS-26303 treatment. Neither exogenously added ET-1 nor the blockade of their receptors with bosentan modified ECE-1 protein. When big ET-1 was added to cells, significant increases in ECE-1 protein content and ECE-1 promoter activity were found. Bosentan did not block those effects. CGS-26303 did not modify prepro-ET-1 expression. CGS-26303 and big ET-1 induced the same effects in human endothelial cells, at lower doses. Conclusions: These results suggest that the accumulation of big ET-1 is responsible for the effects of CGS-26303 on ECE-1 and they did not depend on NEP blockade. Changes in ECE-1 protein after the administration of CGS-26303 could lead to a decreased response in long-term treatments. PMID:17643133

Liquid crystal polymer substrate MMIC receiver modules for the ECE Imaging system on the DIII-D

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

Zhu, Y.; Ye, Y.; Yu, J-H

A new generation of millimeter-wave heterodyne imaging receiver arrays has been developed and demonstrated on the DIII-D ECEI system. Improved circuit integration, allowing for absolute calibration, improved noise performance, and shielding from out-of-band emission, is made possible by using advanced liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrates and MMIC (Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit) receiver chips. This array exhibits ~ 15 dB additional gain and > 30x reduction in noise temperature compared to the previous generation and provide ECEI capability for absolute 2-D electron temperature profile measurements. Each LCP horn-waveguide module houses a 3x3 mm GaAs MMIC receiver chip, which consists of amore » low noise amplifier (LNA), balanced mixer, local oscillator multiplier chain driven by ~12 GHz input via an RF cable to the enclosure box, and IF amplifier. A proof-of-principle instrument with 5 poloidal channels was installed on DIII-D in 2017. The full proof-of-principle system installation (20 poloidal x 8 radial channels) was commissioned early in 2018. The LCP ECEI system is used for pedestal region measurements, especially focusing on temperature evolution during ELM bursting. The DIII-D ECE Imaging signal has been significantly improved with extremely effective shielding of out-of-band microwave noise which plagued previous ECE Imaging studies on DIII-D. In H-mode ELM bursting, the radial propagation of electron heat flow has been detected on DIII-D. The LCP ECE Imaging is expected to be a valuable diagnostic tool for ELM physics investigations.« less

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging for the assessment of extracapsular invasion and other staging parameters in patients with prostate cancer candidates for radical prostatectomy.

PubMed

Lista, F; Gimbernat, H; Cáceres, F; Rodríguez-Barbero, J M; Castillo, E; Angulo, J C

2014-06-01

the proper evaluation of the extracapsular extension (ECE), the invasion of seminal vesicles and regional lymph nodes are necessary to plan the treatment of localized prostate cancer. A model that assesses the risk of ECE in the specimen considering the clinical, histological and imaging findings is defined. prospective study in 85 patients with prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy. Prostate biopsy was performed 4 weeks before multiparametric study (mpMRI). mpMRI included T2-weighted endorectal magnetic resonance imaging (T2W-MRI), diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was also measured. A study of consistency (k) was assessed comparing receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC), which were obtained in each case (Z). Finally, a regression model was performed to predict ECE. the mean age was 63.7 ± 6.9 years and the mean value of PSA 12.6 ± 13.8. In 31.7% of cases, digital rectal examination was suspicious for malignancy. Prostatectomy specimen showed pT2a in 12 cases (14%), pT2b in 3 (3%), pT2c in 37 (43%), pT3a in 19(22%) and pT3b 14 cases (17%). ECE was evidenced in 33 (39%) of the specimens, seminal vesicle invasion in 14 (16.5%) and pelvic node involvement in 5 patients (6%). The consistency in the evaluation of ECE (image and pathological studies) was .35 for MRI (sensitivity .33, specificity .96) and .62 for mpMRI (sensitivity .58, specificity .98). Mean value of ADC was .76 ± .2 in patients with ECE. This value was not associated with Gleason score (P = .2) or with PSA value (P = .6). AUC value as predictor of ECE was of 65% for MRI, 78% for mpMRI and 50% ADC (Z = .008). Univariate analysis demonstrated that ECE probability increases with each Gleason score point, whilst this probability increases 1.06 times with each PSA point, and decreases .3 times with each point of ADC. Multivariate analysis confirmed that ADC value is a slight protective factor against ECE (OR = .01; CI 95% .002-.14). The consistency in the evaluation of seminal vesicles was .43 for MRI and .67 for mpMRI. AUC was 69% and 82% respectively (Z = .02). The consistency in the evaluation of positive lymph nodes was .4 for MRI and .7 for mpMRI. AUC was 68% and 88% respectively (Z = .36). multiparametric study allows to carry out a more proper preoperative evaluation of ECE than convectional MRI. The most reliable predictors of ECE are DW-MRI combined with DCE-MRI, ADC coefficient and Gleason score. The superiority of mpMRI is also demonstrated for detection of seminal vesicles invasion, but not for the evaluation of lymph nodes invasion. Copyright © 2013 AEU. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Study of transmission line attenuation in broad band millimeter wave frequency range

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

Pandya, Hitesh Kumar B.; Austin, M. E.; Ellis, R. F.

2013-10-15

Broad band millimeter wave transmission lines are used in fusion plasma diagnostics such as electron cyclotron emission (ECE), electron cyclotron absorption, reflectometry and interferometry systems. In particular, the ECE diagnostic for ITER will require efficient transmission over an ultra wide band, 100 to 1000 GHz. A circular corrugated waveguide transmission line is a prospective candidate to transmit such wide band with low attenuation. To evaluate this system, experiments of transmission line attenuation were performed and compared with theoretical loss calculations. A millimeter wave Michelson interferometer and a liquid nitrogen black body source are used to perform all the experiments. Atmosphericmore » water vapor lines and continuum absorption within this band are reported. Ohmic attenuation in corrugated waveguide is very low; however, there is Bragg scattering and higher order mode conversion that can cause significant attenuation in this transmission line. The attenuation due to miter bends, gaps, joints, and curvature are estimated. The measured attenuation of 15 m length with seven miter bends and eighteen joints is 1 dB at low frequency (300 GHz) and 10 dB at high frequency (900 GHz), respectively.« less

Lactoferricin B-derived peptides with inhibitory effects on ECE-dependent vasoconstriction.

PubMed

Fernández-Musoles, Ricardo; López-Díez, José Javier; Torregrosa, Germán; Vallés, Salvador; Alborch, Enrique; Manzanares, Paloma; Salom, Juan B

2010-10-01

Endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE), a key peptidase in the endothelin (ET) system, cleaves inactive big ET-1 to produce active ET-1, which binds to ET(A) receptors to exert its vasoconstrictor and pressor effects. ECE inhibition could be beneficial in the treatment of hypertension. In this study, a set of eight lactoferricin B (LfcinB)-derived peptides, previously characterized in our laboratory as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides, was examined for their inhibitory effects on ECE. In vitro inhibitory effects on ECE activity were assessed using both the synthetic fluorogenic peptide substrate V (FPS V) and the natural substrate big ET-1. To study vasoactive effects, an ex vivo functional assay was developed using isolated rabbit carotid artery segments. With FPS V, only four LfcinB-derived peptides induced inhibition of ECE activity, whereas the eight peptides showed ECE inhibitory effects with big ET-1 as substrate. Regarding the ex vivo assays, six LfcinB-derived peptides showed inhibition of big ET-1-induced, ECE-dependent vasoconstriction. A positive correlation between the inhibitory effects of LfcinB-derived peptides on ECE activity when using big ET-1 and the inhibitory effects on ECE-dependent vasoconstriction was shown. ECE-independent vasoconstriction induced by ET-1 was not affected, thus discarding effects of LfcinB-derived peptides on ET(A) receptors or intracellular signal transduction mechanisms. In conclusion, a combined in vitro and ex vivo method to assess the effects of potentially antihypertensive peptides on the ET system has been developed and applied to show the inhibitory effects on ECE-dependent vasoconstriction of six LfcinB-derived peptides, five of which were dual vasopeptidase (ACE/ECE) inhibitors. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Giant Electrocaloric Effect in Ferroelectrics with Tailored Polaw-Nanostructures

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

Zhang, Qiming

2015-06-24

Electrocaloric effect (ECE) is the temperature and/or entropy change in a dielectric material caused by an electric field induced polarization change. Although ECE has been studied since 1930s, the very small ECE observed in earlier studies in bulk materials before 2007 makes it not attractive for practical cooling applications. The objectives of this DOE program are to carry out a systematical scientific research on the entropy change and ECE in polar-dielectrics, especially ferroelectrics based on several fundamental hypotheses and to search for answers on a few scientific questions. Especially, this research program developed a series of polar-dielectric materials with controlledmore » nano- and meso-structures and carried out studies on how these structures affect the polar-ordering, correlations, energy landscapes, and consequently the entropy states at different phases and ECE. The key hypotheses of the program include: (i) Whether a large ECE can be obtained near the ferroelectric-paraelectric (FE-PE) transition in properly designed ferroelectrics which possess large polarization P and large ß (the coefficient in the thermodynamic Landau theory where the Gibbs free energy G = G = G 0+ ½ a P 2 +1/4 b P 4 + 1/6 c P 6 – EP, and a = ß (T-T c), where b,c,ß and Tc are constants)? (ii) What determines/determine ß? Whether a ferroelectric material with built-in disorders, which disrupt the polar-correlations and enabling a large number of local polar-states, such as a properly designed ferroelectric relaxor, can achieve a large ECE? (iii) How to design a ferroelectric material which has flat energy landscape so that the energy barriers for switching among different phases are vanishingly small? What are the necessary conditions to maximize the number of coexisting phases? (iv) How to design ferroelectric materials with a large tunable dielectric response? That is, at zero electric field, the material possesses very low polar-correlation and hence a very small dielectric constant, under the application of electric field, the material develops long range polar-correlation and hence a high dielectric response. Studying and developing these materials will deepen our understanding on the polarization responses in strongly coupled materials and the roles of molecular and nano, meso-, and micro-scale defects and structures on the polarization responses. On the application front, besides ECE, these dielectrics will also have great impact on micro-electronics and communications. (v) The multi-field effect, besides the electric, elastic and even magnetic effects, could be made use of to tune the energy landscape of polar-materials and hence enhance the ECE. Hence the question is what are the suitable material systems to develop and maximize the multi-field effects? (vi) Besides solid dielectric, liquid dielectrics with properly designed molecular structures and dipolar coupling can also exhibit a large ECE near the dipolar order-disorder transition. The study of order-disorder transition and their influence on entropy change and ECE will provide additional avenue to study dielectrics and understand relationship between the polar-ordering and dipolar entropy in dielectrics. (vii) Besides the regular ECE in which applying an electric field will induce dipolar ordering, there are dielectric material systems which can exhibit negative ECE in which the applied field will reduce the dipolar ordering and anomalous ECE in which applying an electric field pulse will generate cooling only. The question is how to control and balance the nano- and meso-scale polar coupling in dielectrics to achieve such effects? ECE in dielectrics provides an interesting and effective avenue to probe the polar-correlation in dielectrics. Thus the study of ECE in polar-dielectrics, besides the application values, will also deepen our understanding of strongly coupled materials systems, phase transitions, and materials systems with nano- and meso-scale disorders. Through the efforts of this DoE program, we have developed understandings for many questions and materials approaches for many hypotheses listed above. The major accomplishments include: (i) The first one to show that a giant ECE can be obtained in bulk materials of ferroelectric P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer, which has a large ß coefficient and high polarization, near FE-PE transition.[1,3,12] (ii) The first who developed the theoretical analyses on the upper bound of dipolar entropy change in polar-materials and the general approach to maximize the coexisting phases with vanishingly small switching fields among the coexisting phases[10,23] Experimental results confirm these theoretical predictions.[24] (iii) The first to show that the relaxor ferroelectrics, due to built-in defects structures at nano- and meso scale, exhibit a giant ECE over a broad temperature range.[1,3,7,14] (iv) The first to show that a large ECE can be obtained near order-disorder transition in dielectric fluids such as liquid crystals with large dielectric anisotropy. Also the study developed a general approach for developing dielectric fluids to achieve a large electric field induced entropy change.[26] (v) We are starting to explore the multi-field effect (multiferroic effect) in nanocomposites in which there exist large dielectric contrasts between the matrix and nanofilelrs and showed that a significantly enhanced ECE compared with polymer matrix.[36] (vi) By facially tuning the nano- and meso-scale dipolar coupling, we are the first to show that an anomalous ECE can be obtained in a relaxor/normal ferroelectric blend.[39] (vii) Introduced and demonstrated that the internal bias field approach can be effective in enhancing the EC response at low electric field. The result is significant since for practical applications, a low applied field is highly desired. (viii) A high sensitivity ECE characterization system has been developed. This program has made major contributions to the advancement of the EC materials and understandings of EC phenomena. To reflect the advancement in the EC materials development and scientific understandings on ECE through in this time period (from Sept. 1, 2007 to May 2015), this final report is written based on the reports complied each year through the program. Some early works on the ECE which were obtained using the indirect method are not included in this report.« less

The effects of ECE on the benefits of PMRT for breast cancer patients with positive axillary nodes.

PubMed

Geng, Wenwen; Zhang, Bin; Li, Danhua; Liang, Xinrui; Cao, Xunchen

2013-07-01

The purpose of the present study was to retrospectively evaluate the effects of extracapsular extension (ECE) on the benefits of post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) for groups of patients with varying numbers of positive axillary nodes (1-3, 4-9 and ≥10 positive axillary nodes). A total of 1220 axillary node-positive patients who had received mastectomy were involved in this study. Patients were grouped as 'Radio + /ECE + ', 'Radio-/ECE + ', 'Radio + /ECE-' or 'Radio-/ECE-' according to status of ECE and whether receiving PMRT or not, and were evaluated in terms of local region relapse (LRR) rate. The 5-year and 10-year Kaplan-Meier disease-free survival and overall survival (OS) rates were analyzed. ECE-positive differed from ECE-negative groups with statistical significance for all comparisons in favor of the ECE-negative group: 5-year locoregional failure-free survival (LRFFS) (82.69% vs 91.83%, P < 0.001), 10-year LRFFS (75.39% vs 90.02%, P < 0.001); 5-year OS (52.12% vs 74.46%, P < 0.001), 10-year OS (35.17% vs 67.63%, P < 0.001). There were no significant effects of ECE on the benefits of PMRT for patients with 1-3 (P = 0.5720), ≥10(P = 0.0614) positive axillary nodes. However, for the group of patients with 4-9 positive axillary nodes, ECE status had a significant effect on the benefits of PMRT with respect to 5-year and 10-year LRFFS (P < 0.05). In our study, regardless of the ECE status, PMRT didn't significantly improve the LRFFS for patients with 1-3 or ≥10 positive axillary nodes. However, for patients with 4-9 positive axillary nodes, ECE could be an important criterion to consider when deciding whether to receive PMRT.

Early Childhood Leadership through the Lens of Distributed Leadership

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heikka, Johanna; Hujala, Eeva

2013-01-01

This study aims to investigate distribution of responsibilities for leadership in early childhood education (ECE) context. It focuses on the enactments of leadership by investigating how ECE stakeholders, e.g. teachers, ECE centre directors and administrative ECE leaders in municipalities perceive the leadership responsibilities. Using focus…

Inclusion in Early Childhood Education: A Zimbabwean Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Majoko, Tawanda

2017-01-01

The current study examined Early Childhood Education (ECE) teachers' understanding, attitudes and demographic influences regarding inclusion in ECE. Embedded within inclusive pedagogical philosophy, the present descriptive study draws on a sample of 21 ECE teachers purposively selected from ECE settings in Mashonaland West educational province of…

Elastic Cherenkov effects in transversely isotropic soft materials-I: Theoretical analysis, simulations and inverse method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Guo-Yang; Zheng, Yang; Liu, Yanlin; Destrade, Michel; Cao, Yanping

2016-11-01

A body force concentrated at a point and moving at a high speed can induce shear-wave Mach cones in dusty-plasma crystals or soft materials, as observed experimentally and named the elastic Cherenkov effect (ECE). The ECE in soft materials forms the basis of the supersonic shear imaging (SSI) technique, an ultrasound-based dynamic elastography method applied in clinics in recent years. Previous studies on the ECE in soft materials have focused on isotropic material models. In this paper, we investigate the existence and key features of the ECE in anisotropic soft media, by using both theoretical analysis and finite element (FE) simulations, and we apply the results to the non-invasive and non-destructive characterization of biological soft tissues. We also theoretically study the characteristics of the shear waves induced in a deformed hyperelastic anisotropic soft material by a source moving with high speed, considering that contact between the ultrasound probe and the soft tissue may lead to finite deformation. On the basis of our theoretical analysis and numerical simulations, we propose an inverse approach to infer both the anisotropic and hyperelastic parameters of incompressible transversely isotropic (TI) soft materials. Finally, we investigate the properties of the solutions to the inverse problem by deriving the condition numbers in analytical form and performing numerical experiments. In Part II of the paper, both ex vivo and in vivo experiments are conducted to demonstrate the applicability of the inverse method in practical use.

Predictors of Public Early Care and Education Use among Children of Low-Income Immigrants

PubMed Central

Johnson, Anna D.; Padilla, Christina; Votruba-Drzal, Elizabeth

2017-01-01

Little is known about predictors of publicly funded early care and education (ECE) use among low-income children of immigrants. Without this knowledge, it is difficult to effectively increase participation in these public programs, which promote school readiness but are underused by children of immigrants. Using nationally representative data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study -Birth Cohort (ECLS-B), this study attempts to identify pertinent family, child, maternal ECE preference, broader contextual, and immigrant specific characteristics predictive of ECE use among 4-year old children in a sample of low-income children of immigrants (N ≈ 1,050). Specifically, we estimate multinomial logistic regression models predicting type of ECE (Head Start, public pre-k, subsidized ECE, unsubsidized ECE, parental care) from these characteristics. Findings suggest that even in a low-income sample, correlates of disadvantage such as low maternal education and prior receipt of public benefits are important predictors of public ECE use, as are maternal preferences for certain features of care and supply-side factors such as ECE availability. Immigrant-specific factors such as English proficiency, citizenship status, availability of non-English speaking caregivers, and generosity of state policies toward immigrants emerged as particularly salient for explaining the public ECE selection patterns of low-income immigrants. Results point to future research areas and potential policy solutions aimed at increasing public ECE use for children who may stand to benefit the most. PMID:28966423

Dynamic linear modeling of monthly electricity demand in Japan: Time variation of electricity conservation effect

PubMed Central

Shiraki, Hiroto; Ashina, Shuichi

2018-01-01

After the severe nuclear disaster in Fukushima, which was triggered by the Great East Japan earthquake in March 2011, nuclear power plants in Japan were temporarily shut down for mandatory inspections. To prevent large-scale blackouts, the Japanese government requested companies and households to reduce electricity consumption in summer and winter. It is reported that the domestic electricity demand had a structural decrease because of the electricity conservation effect (ECE). However, quantitative analysis of the ECE is not sufficient, and especially time variation of the ECE remains unclear. Understanding the ECE is important because Japan’s NDC (nationally determined contribution) assumes the reduction of CO2 emissions through aggressive energy conservation. In this study, we develop a time series model of monthly electricity demand in Japan and estimate time variation of the ECE. Moreover, we evaluate the impact of electricity conservation on CO2 emissions from power plants. The dynamic linear model is used to separate the ECE from the effects of other irrelevant factors (e.g. air temperature, economic production, and electricity price). Our result clearly shows that consumers’ electricity conservation behavior after the earthquake was not temporary but became established as a habit. Between March 2011 and March 2016, the ECE on industrial electricity demand ranged from 3.9% to 5.4%, and the ECE on residential electricity demand ranged from 1.6% to 7.6%. The ECE on the total electricity demand was estimated at 3.2%–6.0%. We found a seasonal pattern that the residential ECE in summer is higher than that in winter. The emissions increase from the shutdown of nuclear power plants was mitigated by electricity conservation. The emissions reduction effect was estimated at 0.82 MtCO2–2.26 MtCO2 (−4.5% on average compared to the zero-ECE case). The time-varying ECE is necessary for predicting Japan’s electricity demand and CO2 emissions after the earthquake. PMID:29708988

Dynamic linear modeling of monthly electricity demand in Japan: Time variation of electricity conservation effect.

PubMed

Honjo, Keita; Shiraki, Hiroto; Ashina, Shuichi

2018-01-01

After the severe nuclear disaster in Fukushima, which was triggered by the Great East Japan earthquake in March 2011, nuclear power plants in Japan were temporarily shut down for mandatory inspections. To prevent large-scale blackouts, the Japanese government requested companies and households to reduce electricity consumption in summer and winter. It is reported that the domestic electricity demand had a structural decrease because of the electricity conservation effect (ECE). However, quantitative analysis of the ECE is not sufficient, and especially time variation of the ECE remains unclear. Understanding the ECE is important because Japan's NDC (nationally determined contribution) assumes the reduction of CO2 emissions through aggressive energy conservation. In this study, we develop a time series model of monthly electricity demand in Japan and estimate time variation of the ECE. Moreover, we evaluate the impact of electricity conservation on CO2 emissions from power plants. The dynamic linear model is used to separate the ECE from the effects of other irrelevant factors (e.g. air temperature, economic production, and electricity price). Our result clearly shows that consumers' electricity conservation behavior after the earthquake was not temporary but became established as a habit. Between March 2011 and March 2016, the ECE on industrial electricity demand ranged from 3.9% to 5.4%, and the ECE on residential electricity demand ranged from 1.6% to 7.6%. The ECE on the total electricity demand was estimated at 3.2%-6.0%. We found a seasonal pattern that the residential ECE in summer is higher than that in winter. The emissions increase from the shutdown of nuclear power plants was mitigated by electricity conservation. The emissions reduction effect was estimated at 0.82 MtCO2-2.26 MtCO2 (-4.5% on average compared to the zero-ECE case). The time-varying ECE is necessary for predicting Japan's electricity demand and CO2 emissions after the earthquake.

Effectiveness of the Lunch is in the Bag program on communication between the parent, child and child-care provider around fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods: a group-randomized controlled trial

PubMed Central

Rashid, Tasnuva; Ranjit, Nalini; Byrd-Williams, Courtney; Chuang, Ru-Jye; Roberts-Gray, Cindy; Briley, Margaret; Sweitzer, Sara; Hoelscher, Deanna M.

2015-01-01

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of the parent- and early care education (ECE) center-based Lunch is in the Bag program on communication between parent, child, and their ECE center providers around fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods (FVWG). Method A total of n=30 ECE center; 577 parent-child dyads participated in this group-randomized controlled trial conducted from 2011–2013 in Texas (n=15 ECE center, 327 dyads intervention group; n=15 ECE center, 250 dyads comparison group). Parent-child and parent-ECE center provider communication was measured using a parent-reported survey administered at baseline and end of the five-week intervention period. Multilevel linear regression analysis was used to compare the pre-to-post intervention changes in the parent-child and parent-ECE center provider communication scales. Significance was set at p<0.05. Results At baseline, parent-child and parent-ECE center provider communication scores were low. There was a significant increase post-intervention in the parent-ECE center provider communication around vegetables (Adjusted β = 0.78, 95%CI: 0.13, 1.43, p=0.002), and around fruit (Adjusted β = 0.62, 95%CI: 0.04, 0.20, p=0.04) among the parents in the intervention group as compared to those in the comparison group. There were no significant intervention effects on parent-child communication. Conclusion Lunch is in the Bag had significant positive effects on improving communication between the parents and ECE center providers around FVWG. PMID:26190371

An intact SAM-dependent methyltransferase fold is encoded by the human endothelin-converting enzyme-2 gene

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

Tempel, W.; Wu, H.; Dombrovsky, L.

2010-08-17

A recent survey of protein expression patterns in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) has identified ece2 (chromosome: 3; Locations: 3q27.1) as the most significantly downregulated gene within the tested group. ece2 encodes endothelin-converting enzyme ECE2, a metalloprotease with a role in neuropeptide processing. Deficiency in the highly homologous ECE1 has earlier been linked to increased levels of AD-related {beta}-amyloid peptide in mice, consistent with a role for ECE in the degradation of that peptide. Initially, ECE2 was presumed to resemble ECE1, in that it comprises a single transmembrane region of {approx}20 residues flanked by a small amino-terminal cytosolic segment andmore » a carboxy-terminal lumenar peptidase domain. The carboxy-terminal domain has significant sequence similarity to both neutral endopeptidase, for which an X-ray structure has been determined, and Kell blood group protein. After their initial discovery, multiple isoforms of ECE1 and ECE2 were discovered, generated by alternative splicing of multiple exons. The originally described ece2 transcript, RefSeq NM{_}174046, contains the amino-terminal cytosolic portion followed by the transmembrane region and peptidase domain (Fig. 1, isoform B). Another ece2 transcript, available from the Mammalian Gene Collection under MGC2408 (Fig. 1, isoform C), RefSeq accession NM{_}032331, is predicted to be translated into a 255 residue peptide with low but detectable sequence similarity to known S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferases (SAM-MTs), such as the hypothetical protein TT1324 from Thermus thermophilis, PDB code 2GS9, which shares 30% amino acid sequence identity with ECE2 over 138 residues of the sequence. Intriguingly, another 'elongated' ece2 transcript (Fig. 1, isoform A) (RefSeq NM{_}014693) contains an amino-terminal portion of the putative SAM-MT domain, the transmembrane domain, and the protease domain. This suggests the possibility for coexistence of the putative SAM-MT and protease domains in a single polypeptide and their transmembrane interplay. Although sequence conservation across the SAM-MT family is weak, the structural fold is highly conserved. The most conserved part of this fold is the SAM-binding subdomain, which is shared between MGC2408 and hypothetical protein TT1324. Typically, the SAM-binding subdomain is flanked by a variable Nterminal extension and, at the C-terminus, by a substrate- binding subdomain, which varies enormously in size but preserves a conserved topology with three antiparallel b-strands. The 'elongated' transcript of ece2 lacks this substrate-binding subdomain. To test the hypothesis that the 255 residue ece2 gene product MGC2408 represents a complete SAM-MT fold, we have determined a crystal structure of this protein in the presence of SAH.« less

Patterns of failure after postoperative radiotherapy for incompletely resected (R1) non-small cell lung cancer: implications for radiation target volume design.

PubMed

Olszyna-Serementa, Marta; Socha, Joanna; Wierzchowski, Marek; Kępka, Lucyna

2013-05-01

Overall survival (OS) and pattern of failure in R1-resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with 3D-planned postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) was retrospectively evaluated. The outcomes and patterns of failure in patients with (+) and without (-) extracapsular nodal extension (ECE) were compared and analyzed with respect to the radiation target volume design. Eighty R1-resected (37 ECE+ and 43 ECE-) patients received PORT (60Gy, 2Gy daily) between 2002 and 2011. Patients with N2 disease received limited elective nodal irradiation (ENI); for pN0-1 disease the use of ENI was optional. Among ECE- (extranodal-R1) patients there were 35 pN0-1 and eight pN2 cases; in pN0-1 patients, patterns of failure and outcomes were analyzed with respect to the use of ENI. Loco-regional failure (LRF) was defined as in-field relapse; isolated nodal failure (INF) was defined as out-of-field regional nodal recurrence occurring without LRF, irrespective of distant metastases. The actuarial 3-year OS rate was 36.3% (median: 30 months). Three-year OS rates in the ECE- and ECE+ group were 40.4% and 31.4%, with median OS of 31 and 24 months, respectively (p=0.43). In multivariate analysis, the presence of ECE was correlated with OS (HR=3.02; 95% CI: 1.00-9.16; p=0.05). Three-year cumulative incidence of LRF (CILRF) was 14.5% and 15.5% in the ECE- and ECE+ groups, respectively (p=0.98). Three-year cumulative incidence of INF (CIINF) was 14.1% in the ECE- group and 11.1% in the ECE+ group (p=0.76). For pN0-1 patients treated with and without ENI (13 and 22 patients) 3-year CILRF rates were 7.7% and 20.8%, respectively (p=0.20); 3-year CIINF rates were 9.1% and 16.3%, respectively (p=0.65). PORT resulted in a relatively good survival of R1-resected NSCLC patients. Relatively high incidence of INF was found in both ECE+ and ECE- patients. For ECE+ patients, treated with limited ENI, distant failure remains a major concern, so the design of ENI fields seems of lesser importance. Omission of ENI in pN0-1 (extranodal-R1) patients resulted in an unacceptably high incidence of INF. We postulate the use of some form of ENI in this setting. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Role of Protein Kinase C in Endothelin Converting Enzyme-1 trafficking and shedding from endothelial cells

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

Kuruppu, Sanjaya, E-mail: Sanjaya.Kuruppu@med.monash.edu.au; Tochon-Danguy, Natalie; Ian Smith, A.

2010-07-23

Research highlights: {yields} PKC activation increases the trafficking of ECE-1 to the cell surface. {yields} This in turn leads to an increase in the amount of ECE-1 shed. {yields} Only the catalytically active C-terminal region is shed from the cell surface. -- Abstract: This study aimed to determine the consequences of Protein Kinase C (PKC) mediated Endothelin Converting Enzyme-1 (ECE-1) phosphorylation and its relationship to ECE-1 expression and shedding. The proteins on the surface of EA.hy926 cells were labelled with EZ-Link NHS-SS-Biotin both prior to (control) and following stimulation by 2 {mu}M phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) which activates PKC. Themore » biotinylated proteins were isolated using neutravidin beads, resolved by gel electrophoresis and analysed by western blotting using anti-ECE-1 antibodies. Significant increase in ECE-1 expression at the cell surface was observed following stimulation by PMA, compared to unstimulated control cells (170 {+-} 32.3% of control, n = 5). The ECE-1 activity (expressed as {mu}M substrate cleaved/min) was determined by monitoring the cleavage of a quenched fluorescent substrate. The specificity of cleavage was confirmed using the ECE-1 inhibitor (CGS35066). The stimulation of cells by PMA (1 {mu}M, 6 h) significantly increased the ECE-1 activity (0.28 {+-} 0.02; n = 3) compared to the control (0.07 {+-} 0.02; n = 3). This increase was prevented by prior incubation with the PKC inhibitor bisindolymaleimide (BIM; 2 {mu}M for 1 h; 0.10 {+-} 0.01; n = 3). Treatment with PMA also increased the activity of ECE-1 in the media (0.18 {+-} 0.01; n = 3) compared to control (0.08 {+-} 0.01; n = 3). In addition, this study confirmed by western immunoblotting that only the extracellular region of ECE-1 is released from the cell surface. These data indicate for the first time that PKC activation induces the trafficking and shedding of ECE to and from the cell surface, respectively.« less

Elsholtzia ciliata (Thunb.) Hylander attenuates renal inflammation and interstitial fibrosis via regulation of TGF-ß and Smad3 expression on unilateral ureteral obstruction rat model.

PubMed

Kim, Tae-Won; Kim, Young-Jung; Seo, Chang-Seob; Kim, Hyun-Tae; Park, Se-Ra; Lee, Mee-Young; Jung, Ju-Young

2016-04-15

Renal interstitial fibrosis is characterized by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix, which leads to end-stage renal failure. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of Elsholtzia ciliata (Thunb.) Hylander ethanol extract (ECE) on renal interstitial fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). After quantitative analysis of ECE using the high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array (HPLC-PDA) method, an in vitro study was performed to assess the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of ECE, using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), respectively. For in vivo study, all male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats (n=10/group), except for those in the control group, underwent UUO. The rats were orally treated with water (control), captopril (positive control, 200 mg/kg), and ECE (300 and 500 mg/kg) for 14 days. In ECE, luteolin and rosmarinic acid were relatively abundant among the other flavonoids and phenolic acids. ECE treatment ameliorated LPS-induced overexpression of nuclear factor-κB, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 and improved oxidative stress in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, ECE treatment suppressed TGF-ß-induced α-smooth muscle actin and matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression in human renal mesangial cells. In the UUO model, 14 consecutive days of ECE treatment improved UUO-induced renal damage and attenuated histopathological alterations and interstitial fibrosis. Moreover, the renal expression of TNF-α, TGF-ß, and Smad 3 were inhibited by ECE treatment. Taken together, the effects of ECE may be mediated by blocking the activation of TGF-ß and inflammatory cytokines, leading subsequently to degradation of the ECM accumulation pathway. Based on these findings, ECE might serve as an improved treatment strategy for renal fibrotic disease. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Effectiveness of the Lunch is in the Bag program on communication between the parent, child and child-care provider around fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods: A group-randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Sharma, Shreela V; Rashid, Tasnuva; Ranjit, Nalini; Byrd-Williams, Courtney; Chuang, Ru-Jye; Roberts-Gray, Cynthia; Briley, Margaret; Sweitzer, Sara; Hoelscher, Deanna M

2015-12-01

To evaluate the effectiveness of the parent- and early care education (ECE) center-based Lunch is in the Bag program on communication between parent, child, and their ECE center providers around fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods (FVWG). A total of n=30 ECE center; 577 parent-child dyads participated in this group-randomized controlled trial conducted from 2011 to 2013 in Texas (n=15 ECE center, 327 dyads intervention group; n=15 ECE center, 250 dyads comparison group). Parent-child and parent-ECE center provider communication was measured using a parent-reported survey administered at baseline and end of the five-week intervention period. Multilevel linear regression analysis was used to compare the pre-to-post intervention changes in the parent-child and parent-ECE center provider communication scales. Significance was set at p<0.05. At baseline, parent-child and parent-ECE center provider communication scores were low. There was a significant increase post-intervention in the parent-ECE center provider communication around vegetables (Adjusted β=0.78, 95%CI: 0.13, 1.43, p=0.002), and around fruit (Adjusted β=0.62, 95%CI: 0.04, 0.20, p=0.04) among the parents in the intervention group as compared to those in the comparison group. There were no significant intervention effects on parent-child communication. Lunch is in the Bag had significant positive effects on improving communication between the parents and ECE center providers around FVWG. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Patterns of care and outcomes of adjuvant therapy for high-risk head and neck cancer after surgery.

PubMed

Osborn, Virginia Wedell; Givi, Babak; Rineer, Justin; Roden, Dylan; Sheth, Niki; Lederman, Ariel; Katsoulakis, Evangelia; Hu, Kenneth; Schreiber, David

2018-06-01

Postoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is considered standard of care in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer with positive margins and/or extracapsular extension (ECE). The National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) was queried to identify patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck with stages III to IVB disease or with positive margins and/or ECE diagnosed between 2004 and 2012 receiving postoperative radiotherapy (RT). Using univariable and multivariable logistic and Cox regression, we assessed for predictors of CRT use and covariables impacting overall survival (OS), including in a propensity-matched subset. Of 12 224 patients, 67.1% with positive margins and/or ECE received CRT as well as 54.0% without positive margins and/or ECE. The 5-year OS was 61.6% for RT alone versus 67.4% for CRT. In the propensity-matched cohort, OS benefit persisted with CRT, including in a subset with positive margins and/or ECE but not without. Postoperative CRT seems underutilized with positive margins and/or ECE and overutilized without positive margins and/or ECE. The CRT was associated with improved OS but the benefit persisted only in the subset with positive margins and/or ECE. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Human uterine cervical epithelial cells grown on permeable support--a new model for the study of differentiation.

PubMed

Gorodeski, G I; Romero, M F; Hopfer, U; Rorke, E; Utian, W H; Eckert, R L

1994-04-01

The purpose of the present study was to establish culture conditions for human uterine cervical epithelial cells on permeable support and to determine how it affects cervical cell differentiation. Human ectocervical epithelial cells (hECE), HPV-16 immortalized hECE cells (ECE16-1) and Caski cells were grown on collagen-coated filters. Culture conditions, density of cells in culture and expression of epithelial and cervical-cell phenotypic markers were determined and compared in cells grown on filter and on solid support. Compared with the latter, cultures on filter had a higher cell density, hECE cells stratified to 5-12 cell layers compared to 1-3 on solid support, and cells of all three types expressed intercellular tight junctions. The cytokeratin profiles revealed differences between the three cell types as well as differences within the same cell species when grown on filter, compared to solid support. Of particular importance was the finding of a higher expression of K-13 in hECE grown on filter compared to solid support; K-13 is a marker of ectocervical cell differentiation. The cytokeratin profiles of the cultured hECE, ECE16-1 and Caski cells resembled those of ectocervical, squamous metaplastic and endocervical epithelia, respectively. hECE and ECE16-1 expressed involucrin protein, the level of which in both was higher in cells grown on filter compared to solid support. Polarization of the cultures was determined by morphology (stratification of hECE cells, expression of pseudomicrovilli in the apical cell membrane), selective apical vs. basolateral secretion of [35S]methionine- and [35S]cysteine-, [3H]fucose- and [14C]glucosamine-labeled molecules, and positive short-circuit current (Isc) under voltage-clamp conditions. Confluency of the cultures was determined by measuring transepithelial unidirectional fluxes of inert molecules with different molecular weights (MWs) through the paracellular pathway, and by measuring transepithelial conductance. The results indicated transepithelial permeability of 7-22.10(-6) cm.sec-1, which was 5-100 fold smaller compared to blank inserts, with a cut-off MW of 40-70 kDa for hECE and Caski cells. Transepithelial conductance ranged 18.5 to 51.5 mS.cm-2, indicating a leaky but confluent epithelia. Collectively the results indicate the epithelial nature of the cells and their improved differentiation when grown on filter support; hECE is a model for ectocervical epithelium while ECE16-1 and Caski express phenotypic characteristics of squamous metaplastic cervical epithelium and endocervical epithelium respectively.

Pre-school nutrition-related behaviours at home and early childhood education services: findings from the Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal study.

PubMed

Gerritsen, Sarah; Anderson, Sarah E; Morton, Susan Mb; Wall, Clare R

2018-05-01

Pre-school nutrition-related behaviours influence diet and development of lifelong eating habits. We examined the prevalence and congruence of recommended nutrition-related behaviours (RNB) in home and early childhood education (ECE) services, exploring differences by child and ECE characteristics. Telephone interviews with mothers. Online survey of ECE managers/head teachers. New Zealand. Children (n 1181) aged 45 months in the Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal study. A mean 5·3 of 8 RNB were followed at home, with statistical differences by gender and ethnic group, but not socio-economic position. ECE services followed a mean 4·8 of 8 RNB, with differences by type of service and health-promotion programme participation. No congruence between adherence at home and in ECE services was found; half of children with high adherence at home attended a service with low adherence. A greater proportion of children in deprived communities attended a service with high adherence, compared with children living in the least deprived communities (20 and 12 %, respectively). Children, across all socio-economic positions, may not experience RNB at home. ECE settings provide an opportunity to improve or support behaviours learned at home. Targeting of health-promotion programmes in high-deprivation areas has resulted in higher adherence to RNB at these ECE services. The lack of congruence between home and ECE behaviours suggests health-promotion messages may not be effectively communicated to parents/family. Greater support is required across the ECE sector to adhere to RNB and promote wider change that can reach into homes.

A potent feed preservative candidate produced by Calcarisporium sp., an endophyte residing in stargrass (Cynodon dactylon).

PubMed

Ji, L L; Song, Y C; Tan, R X

2004-01-01

The cultures of an endophytic fungus Calcarisporium sp. were screened for inhibitors on the growth of feed-associated moulds and on the aflatoxin biosynthesis to find a safe and effective feed preservative. Eight test fungi were isolated from the spoiled poultry feed. The endophytic fungus Calcarisporium sp. was separated from the Chinese coastal grass Cynodon dactylon. The antifungal action concerning the endophytic culture extract (ECE) was performed with propionic acid (PPA) as the corresponding reference. The ECE had a similar antifungal efficacy to PPA in a concentration-dependent manner. The susceptibility order of the ECE to the test fungi was found to be Fusarium sp. > Aspergillus spp. > Penicillium spp. Furthermore, the application of the ECE in pelleted-layer duck feed as a preservative was carried out at a humidity of 10, 15 and 20%. It has been discerned that mould growth and aflatoxin biosynthesis could be co-inhibited almost completely by ECE at concentrations higher than 1.0% (w/w). The LD50 of the ECE on mice was shown to be higher than 28 g kg-1. The ECE can be selected as an inhibitor to preserve poultry feed on inhibiting the growth of mould and aflatoxin biosynthesis during feed storage. The ECE may be an effective and biosafe antifungal ingredient for poultry feed and holds a potential market prospect in feed industry.

Does aggregate school-wide achievement mediate fifth grade outcomes for former early childhood education participants?

PubMed

Curenton, Stephanie M; Dong, Nianbo; Shen, Xiangjin

2015-07-01

This study used a multilevel mediation model to test the theory that former early childhood education (ECE) attendees' 5th grade achievement is mediated by the aggregate school-wide achievement of their elementary school. Aggregate school-wide achievement was defined as the percentage of 5th graders in a school who were at/above academic proficiency in reading or math. Research questions were: (a) Do ECE program participants have better achievement at 5th grade compared with their matched peers who did not participate in an ECE program?; and (b) Is the association between ECE attendance and 5th grade academic performance mediated by school-wide achievement? Results indicated that children who attended prekindergarten (pre-K) and child care outperformed their matched peers who had not attended ECE programs; conversely, those children who did not attend ECE actually outperformed their Head Start counterparts. Mediation analyses indicated that aggregate school-wide achievement at 5th grade partially mediated the association between former ECE attendance and 5th grade performance; however, these mediated effects were small. Overall, the size of the total effects of ECE and the 5th grade academic outcomes were consistent with prior studies. This research confirms the long-term effects of pre-K and child care until 5th grade. (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

Nitric oxide inhibits the production of soluble endothelin converting enzyme-1.

PubMed

Kuruppu, Sanjaya; Rajapakse, Niwanthi W; Dunstan, Rhys A; Smith, A Ian

2014-11-01

This study examined the effect of nitric oxide on the production of soluble ECE-1. Activity of ECE-1 in media was measured using a quenched fluorescent substrate assay, and expressed as a percentage of control. Endothelial cells were incubated with the nitric oxide donor Diethylenetriamine NONOate (DETA; 250-800 µM), NOS substrate L-Arg (200-1,000 µM), a L-Arg transport inhibitor (L-Lys; 10 µM) and NOS inhibitors (L-Gln and N5-[imino(nitroamino)methyl]-L-ornithine, methyl ester, monohydrochloride (L-NAME); 10-100 µM). The effect of L-Arg (1,000 µM) was also tested in the presence of L-Lys (10 µM), L-Gln (100 µM) and L-NAME (10-100 µM). Ultracentrifugation (100,000×g, 4 °C, 1 h) completely removed ECE-1 activity from the supernatant. In addition, fractionation of concentrated media on a sucrose density gradient indicated that ECE-1 activity was localised to the mid portion of the gradient, thus suggesting the possible role of exosomes in ECE-1 release. Production of soluble ECE-1 by Ea.hy926 cells was inhibited significantly (P < 0.05, unpaired t test, n = 4) in the presence of DETA (75.31 ± 3.59; 800 µM) and L-Arg (60.97 ± 9.22; 1,000 µM). L-Arg-mediated reduction in the release of soluble ECE-1 was blocked by the inhibition of NOS using L-NAME (100 µM; 99.19 ± 0.58) and L-Gln (100 µM; 104.41 ± 0.65). In addition, the presence of L-Lys (10 µM) significantly blocked the L-Arg (1,000 µM)-induced reduction in soluble ECE-1 levels (122.38 ± 13.16). These treatments had no effect on the expression of ECE-1 on the cell surface. Our data provide evidence that NO can inhibit the production of soluble ECE-1 by endothelial cells.

Agonist-biased trafficking of somatostatin receptor 2A in enteric neurons.

PubMed

Zhao, Peishen; Canals, Meritxell; Murphy, Jane E; Klingler, Diana; Eriksson, Emily M; Pelayo, Juan-Carlos; Hardt, Markus; Bunnett, Nigel W; Poole, Daniel P

2013-09-06

Somatostatin (SST) 14 and SST 28 activate somatostatin 2A receptors (SSTR2A) on enteric neurons to control gut functions. SST analogs are treatments of neuroendocrine and bleeding disorders, cancer, and diarrhea, with gastrointestinal side effects of constipation, abdominal pain, and nausea. How endogenous agonists and drugs differentially regulate neuronal SSTR2A is unexplored. We evaluated SSTR2A trafficking in murine myenteric neurons and neuroendocrine AtT-20 cells by microscopy and determined whether agonist degradation by endosomal endothelin-converting enzyme 1 (ECE-1) controls SSTR2A trafficking and association with β-arrestins, key regulators of receptors. SST-14, SST-28, and peptide analogs (octreotide, lanreotide, and vapreotide) stimulated clathrin- and dynamin-mediated internalization of SSTR2A, which colocalized with ECE-1 in endosomes and the Golgi. After incubation with SST-14, SSTR2A recycled to the plasma membrane, which required active ECE-1 and an intact Golgi. SSTR2A activated by SST-28, octreotide, lanreotide, or vapreotide was retained within the Golgi and did not recycle. Although ECE-1 rapidly degraded SST-14, SST-28 was resistant to degradation, and ECE-1 did not degrade SST analogs. SST-14 and SST-28 induced transient interactions between SSTR2A and β-arrestins that were stabilized by an ECE-1 inhibitor. Octreotide induced sustained SSTR2A/β-arrestin interactions that were not regulated by ECE-1. Thus, when activated by SST-14, SSTR2A internalizes and recycles via the Golgi, which requires ECE-1 degradation of SST-14 and receptor dissociation from β-arrestins. After activation by ECE-1-resistant SST-28 and analogs, SSTR2A remains in endosomes because of sustained β-arrestin interactions. Therapeutic SST analogs are ECE-1-resistant and retain SSTR2A in endosomes, which may explain their long-lasting actions.

Agonist-biased Trafficking of Somatostatin Receptor 2A in Enteric Neurons*

PubMed Central

Zhao, Peishen; Canals, Meritxell; Murphy, Jane E.; Klingler, Diana; Eriksson, Emily M.; Pelayo, Juan-Carlos; Hardt, Markus; Bunnett, Nigel W.; Poole, Daniel P.

2013-01-01

Somatostatin (SST) 14 and SST 28 activate somatostatin 2A receptors (SSTR2A) on enteric neurons to control gut functions. SST analogs are treatments of neuroendocrine and bleeding disorders, cancer, and diarrhea, with gastrointestinal side effects of constipation, abdominal pain, and nausea. How endogenous agonists and drugs differentially regulate neuronal SSTR2A is unexplored. We evaluated SSTR2A trafficking in murine myenteric neurons and neuroendocrine AtT-20 cells by microscopy and determined whether agonist degradation by endosomal endothelin-converting enzyme 1 (ECE-1) controls SSTR2A trafficking and association with β-arrestins, key regulators of receptors. SST-14, SST-28, and peptide analogs (octreotide, lanreotide, and vapreotide) stimulated clathrin- and dynamin-mediated internalization of SSTR2A, which colocalized with ECE-1 in endosomes and the Golgi. After incubation with SST-14, SSTR2A recycled to the plasma membrane, which required active ECE-1 and an intact Golgi. SSTR2A activated by SST-28, octreotide, lanreotide, or vapreotide was retained within the Golgi and did not recycle. Although ECE-1 rapidly degraded SST-14, SST-28 was resistant to degradation, and ECE-1 did not degrade SST analogs. SST-14 and SST-28 induced transient interactions between SSTR2A and β-arrestins that were stabilized by an ECE-1 inhibitor. Octreotide induced sustained SSTR2A/β-arrestin interactions that were not regulated by ECE-1. Thus, when activated by SST-14, SSTR2A internalizes and recycles via the Golgi, which requires ECE-1 degradation of SST-14 and receptor dissociation from β-arrestins. After activation by ECE-1-resistant SST-28 and analogs, SSTR2A remains in endosomes because of sustained β-arrestin interactions. Therapeutic SST analogs are ECE-1-resistant and retain SSTR2A in endosomes, which may explain their long-lasting actions. PMID:23913690

Major amyloid-β-degrading enzymes, endothelin-converting enzyme-2 and neprilysin, are expressed by distinct populations of GABAergic interneurons in hippocampus and neocortex.

PubMed

Pacheco-Quinto, Javier; Eckman, Christopher B; Eckman, Elizabeth A

2016-12-01

Impaired clearance of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) has been postulated to significantly contribute to the amyloid accumulation typical of Alzheimer's disease. Among the enzymes known to degrade Aβ in vivo are endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE)-1, ECE-2, and neprilysin (NEP), and evidence suggests that they regulate independent pools of Aβ that may be functionally significant. To better understand the differential regulation of Aβ concentration by its physiological degrading enzymes, we characterized the cell and region-specific expression pattern of ECE-1, ECE-2, and NEP by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry in brain areas relevant to Alzheimer's disease. In contrast to the broader distribution of ECE-1, ECE-2 and NEP were found enriched in GABAergic neurons. ECE-2 was majorly expressed by somatostatin-expressing interneurons and was active in isolated synaptosomes. NEP messenger RNA was found mainly in parvalbumin-expressing interneurons, with NEP protein localized to perisomatic parvalbuminergic synapses. The identification of somatostatinergic and parvalbuminergic synapses as hubs for Aβ degradation is consistent with the possibility that Aβ may have a physiological function related to the regulation of inhibitory signaling. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Initial Data of Digital Correlation ECE with a Giga Hertz Sampling Digitizer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsuchiya, Hayato; Inagaki, Shigeru; Tokuzawa, Tokihiko; Nagayama, Yoshio

2015-03-01

The proposed Digital Correlation ECE (DCECE) technique is applied in Large Helical Device. DCECE is realized by the use of the Giga Hertz Sampling Digitizer. The waveform of intermediate frequency band of ECE, whose frequency is several giga hertz, can be discretized and saved directly. The discretized IF data can be used for the analysis of correlation ECE with arbitrary parameter of spatial resolution and temporal resolution. In this paper, the characteristic of DCECE and initial Data in LHD is introduced.

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

C. BARNES

Electron cyclotron emission (ECE) has been employed as a standard electron temperature profile diagnostic on many tokamaks and stellarators, but most magnetically confined plasma devices cannot take advantage of standard ECE diagnostics to measure temperature. They are either overdense, operating at high density relative to the magnetic field (e.g. {omega}{sub pe} >> {Omega}{sub ce} in a spherical torus) or they have insufficient density and temperature to reach the blackbody condition ({tau} > 2). Electron Bernstein waves (EBWs) are electrostatic waves which can propagate in overdense plasmas and have a high optical thickness at the electron cyclotron resonance layers, as amore » result of their large K{sub i}. This talk reports on measurements of EBW emission on the CDX-U spherical torus, where B{sub 0} {approx} 2 kG, {approx} 10{sup 13} cm{sup -3} and T{sub e} {approx} 10 - 200 eV. Results will be presented for both direct detection of EBWs and for mode-converted EBW emission. The EBW emission was absolutely calibrated and compared to the electron temperature profile measured by a multi-point Thomson scattering diagnostic. Depending on the plasma conditions, the mode-converted EBW radiation temperature was found to be {le} T{sub e} and the emission source was determined to be radially localized at the electron cyclotron resonance layer. A Langmuir triple probe was employed to measure changes in edge density profile in the vicinity of the upper hybrid resonance where the mode conversion of the EBWs is expected to occur. Changes in the mode conversion efficiency may explain the observation of mode-converted EBW radiation temperatures below T{sub e}. Initial results suggest EBW emission and EBW heating are viable concepts for plasmas where {omega}{sub pe} >> {Omega}{sub ce}.« less

Combining Phylogenetic and Syntenic Analyses for Understanding the Evolution of TCP ECE Genes in Eudicots

PubMed Central

Citerne, Hélène L.; Le Guilloux, Martine; Sannier, Julie; Nadot, Sophie; Damerval, Catherine

2013-01-01

TCP ECE genes encode transcription factors which have received much attention for their repeated recruitment in the control of floral symmetry in core eudicots, and more recently in monocots. Major duplications of TCP ECE genes have been described in core eudicots, but the evolutionary history of this gene family is unknown in basal eudicots. Reconstructing the phylogeny of ECE genes in basal eudicots will help set a framework for understanding the functional evolution of these genes. TCP ECE genes were sequenced in all major lineages of basal eudicots and Gunnera which belongs to the sister clade to all other core eudicots. We show that in these lineages they have a complex evolutionary history with repeated duplications. We estimate the timing of the two major duplications already identified in the core eudicots within a timeframe before the divergence of Gunnera and after the divergence of Proteales. We also use a synteny-based approach to examine the extent to which the expansion of TCP ECE genes in diverse eudicot lineages may be due to genome-wide duplications. The three major core-eudicot specific clades share a number of collinear genes, and their common evolutionary history may have originated at the γ event. Genomic comparisons in Arabidopsis thaliana and Solanum lycopersicum highlight their separate polyploid origin, with syntenic fragments with and without TCP ECE genes showing differential gene loss and genomic rearrangements. Comparison between recently available genomes from two basal eudicots Aquilegia coerulea and Nelumbo nucifera suggests that the two TCP ECE paralogs in these species are also derived from large-scale duplications. TCP ECE loci from basal eudicots share many features with the three main core eudicot loci, and allow us to infer the makeup of the ancestral eudicot locus. PMID:24019982

Do early care and education services improve language development for maltreated children? Evidence from a national child welfare sample.

PubMed

Merritt, Darcey H; Klein, Sacha

2015-01-01

Young children under 6 years old are over-represented in the U.S. child welfare system (CWS). Due to their exposure to early deprivation and trauma, they are also highly vulnerable to developmental problems, including language delays. High quality early care and education (ECE) programs (e.g. preschool, Head Start) can improve children's development and so policymakers have begun calling for increased enrollment of CWS-supervised children in these programs. However, it is not a given that ECE will benefit all children who experience maltreatment. Some types of maltreatment may result in trauma-related learning and behavior challenges or developmental deficits that cause children to respond to ECE settings differently. The current study uses data from a nationally representative survey of children in the U.S. child welfare system, the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being II, to assess whether young CWS-supervised children (N=1,652) who were enrolled in ECE had better language development outcomes 18 months later than those not enrolled in ECE. We also explore whether the type of maltreatment that brought children to the CWS' attention moderates the relationship between ECE and children's language development. After controlling for children's initial scores on the Preschool Language Scale (PLS-3), type(s) of maltreatment experienced, and child and caregiver demographics, we found that ECE participation predicted better PLS-3 scores at follow-up, with a positive interaction between ECE participation and supervisory neglect. ECE seems to be beneficial for CWS-involved children's early language development, especially for children referred to the CWS because they lack appropriate parent supervision at home. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Endothelin-converting enzyme 2 differentially regulates opioid receptor activity

PubMed Central

Gupta, A; Fujita, W; Gomes, I; Bobeck, E; Devi, L A

2015-01-01

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Opioid receptor function is modulated by post-activation events such as receptor endocytosis, recycling and/or degradation. While it is generally understood that the peptide ligand gets co-endocytosed with the receptor, relatively few studies have investigated the role of the endocytosed peptide and peptide processing enzymes in regulating receptor function. In this study, we focused on endothelin-converting enzyme 2 (ECE2), a member of the neprilysin family of metallopeptidases that exhibits an acidic pH optimum, localizes to an intracellular compartment and selectively processes neuropeptides including opioid peptides in vitro, and examined its role in modulating μ receptor recycling and resensitization. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The effect of ECE2 inhibition on hydrolysis of the endocytosed peptide was examined using thin-layer chromatography and on μ opioid receptor trafficking using either elisa or microscopy. The effect of ECE2 inhibition on receptor signalling was measured using a cAMP assay and, in vivo, on antinociception induced by intrathecally administered opioids by the tail-flick assay. KEY RESULTS The highly selective ECE2 inhibitor, S136492, significantly impaired μ receptor recycling and signalling by only those ligands that are ECE2 substrates and this was seen both in heterologous cells and in cells endogenously co-expressing μ receptors with ECE2. We also found that ECE2 inhibition attenuated antinociception mediated only by opioid peptides that are ECE2 substrates. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These results suggest that ECE2, by selectively processing endogenous opioid peptides in the endocytic compartment, plays a role in modulating opioid receptor activity. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Opioids: New Pathways to Functional Selectivity. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-2 PMID:24990314

Gas-permeable ethylene bags for the small scale cultivation of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 and other viruses in embryonated chicken eggs.

PubMed

Hamilton, Sara B; Daniels, Deirdre E; Sosna, William A; Jeppesen, Eric R; Owells, Julie M; Halpern, Micah D; McCurdy, Kimberly S; Rayner, Jonathan O; Lednicky, John A

2010-01-28

Embryonated chicken eggs (ECE) are sometimes used for the primary isolation or passage of influenza viruses, other viruses, and certain bacteria. For small-scale experiments with pathogens that must be studied in biosafety level three (BSL3) facilities, inoculated ECE are sometimes manipulated and maintained in small egg incubators within a biosafety cabinet (BSC). To simplify the clean up and decontamination of an egg incubator in case of egg breakage, we explored whether ethylene breather bags could be used to encase ECE inoculated with pathogens. This concept was tested by determining embryo survival and examining virus yields in bagged ECE. Virus yields acceptable for many applications were attained when influenza-, alpha-, flavi-, canine distemper-, and mousepox viruses were propagated in ECE sealed within ethylene breather bags. For many small-scale applications, ethylene breather bags can be used to encase ECE inoculated with various viruses.

Perceptions of Early Childhood Education Professionals on Teacher Leadership in Finland

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heikka, Johanna; Halttunen, Leena; Waniganayake, Manjula

2018-01-01

This study investigated perceptions of early childhood education (ECE) professionals employed at three ECE centres on teacher leadership enactment in Finland. These professionals comprised childcare nurses, teachers and ECE centre directors. Theoretically, the study was anchored on an analysis of teacher leadership and distributed leadership…

Occurrence of equine coital exanthema (ECE) in stallions in Japan and effectiveness of treatment with valacyclovir for ECE

PubMed Central

TOISHI, Yuko; TSUNODA, Nobuo; KIRISAWA, Rikio

2017-01-01

Equine coital exanthema (ECE) has been reported in many countries, but equine herpesvirus 3 (EHV-3) has been isolated only once in Japan. In 2015, symptoms of ECE were found, and EHV-3 was isolated in two stallions. Valacyclovir, an anti-herpesvirus agent, was administered orally. The stallions rested from mating for more than two weeks, causing enormous financial losses because of their high fees. This is the first study in which valacyclovir was administered for ECE. Though valacyclovir treatment did not shorten the duration of healing, the affected area did not expand after administration of valacyclovir. Valacyclovir therefore seems to be effective for suppression of EHV-3 infection. Further investigation about the administration protocol might be required. PMID:28123140

Water and nitrogen availability co-control ecosystem CO2 exchange in a semiarid temperate steppe.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiaolin; Tan, Yulian; Li, Ang; Ren, Tingting; Chen, Shiping; Wang, Lixin; Huang, Jianhui

2015-10-23

Both water and nitrogen (N) availability have significant effects on ecosystem CO2 exchange (ECE), which includes net ecosystem productivity (NEP), ecosystem respiration (ER) and gross ecosystem photosynthesis (GEP). How water and N availability influence ECE in arid and semiarid grasslands is still uncertain. A manipulative experiment with additions of rainfall, snow and N was conducted to test their effects on ECE in a semiarid temperate steppe of northern China for three consecutive years with contrasting natural precipitation. ECE increased with annual precipitation but approached peak values at different precipitation amount. Water addition, especially summer water addition, had significantly positive effects on ECE in years when the natural precipitation was normal or below normal, but showed trivial effect on GEP when the natural precipitation was above normal as effects on ER and NEP offset one another. Nitrogen addition exerted non-significant or negative effects on ECE when precipitation was low but switched to a positive effect when precipitation was high, indicating N effect triggered by water availability. Our results indicate that both water and N availability control ECE and the effects of future precipitation changes and increasing N deposition will depend on how they can change collaboratively in this semiarid steppe ecosystem.

Rotational Shear Effects on Edge Harmonic Oscillations in DIII-D Quiescent H-mode Discharges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xi; Burrell, K. H.; Ferraro, N. M.; Osborne, T. H.; Austin, M. E.; Garofalo, A. M.; Groebner, R. J.; Kramer, G. J.; Luhmann, N. C., Jr.; McKee, G. R.; Muscatello, C. M.; Nazikian, R.; Ren, X.; Snyder, P. B.; Solomon, Wm.; Tobias, B. J.; Yan, Z.

2015-11-01

In quiescent H-mode (QH) regime, the edge harmonic oscillations (EHO) play an important role in avoiding the transient ELM power fluxes by providing benign and continuous edge particle transport. A detailed theoretical, experimental and modeling comparison has been made of low-n (n <= 5) EHO in DIII-D QH-mode plasmas. The calculated linear eigenmode structure from the extended MHD code M3D-C1 matches closely the coherent EHO properties from external magnetics data and internal measurements using the ECE, BES, ECE-I and MIR diagnostics, as well as the kink/peeling mode properties of the ideal MHD code ELITE. The numerical investigations indicate that the low-n EHO-like solutions from M3D-C1 are destabilized by the toroidal rotational shear while high-n modes are stabilized. This effect is independent of the rotation direction, suggesting that the low-n EHO can be destabilized in principle with rotation in both directions. These modeling results are consistent with experimental observations of the EHO and support the proposed theory of the EHO as a rotational shear driven kink/peeling mode.

Neural peptidase endothelin-converting enzyme 1 regulates endothelin 1–induced pruritus

PubMed Central

Kido-Nakahara, Makiko; Buddenkotte, Jörg; Kempkes, Cordula; Ikoma, Akihiko; Cevikbas, Ferda; Akiyama, Tasuku; Nunes, Frank; Seeliger, Stephan; Hasdemir, Burcu; Mess, Christian; Buhl, Timo; Sulk, Mathias; Müller, Frank-Ulrich; Metze, Dieter; Bunnett, Nigel W.; Bhargava, Aditi; Carstens, Earl; Furue, Masutaka; Steinhoff, Martin

2014-01-01

In humans, pruritus (itch) is a common but poorly understood symptom in numerous skin and systemic diseases. Endothelin 1 (ET-1) evokes histamine-independent pruritus in mammals through activation of its cognate G protein–coupled receptor endothelin A receptor (ETAR). Here, we have identified neural endothelin–converting enzyme 1 (ECE-1) as a key regulator of ET-1–induced pruritus and neural signaling of itch. We show here that ETAR, ET-1, and ECE-1 are expressed and colocalize in murine dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons and human skin nerves. In murine DRG neurons, ET-1 induced internalization of ETAR within ECE-1–containing endosomes. ECE-1 inhibition slowed ETAR recycling yet prolonged ET-1–induced activation of ERK1/2, but not p38. In a murine itch model, ET-1–induced scratching behavior was substantially augmented by pharmacological ECE-1 inhibition and abrogated by treatment with an ERK1/2 inhibitor. Using iontophoresis, we demonstrated that ET-1 is a potent, partially histamine-independent pruritogen in humans. Immunohistochemical evaluation of skin from prurigo nodularis patients confirmed an upregulation of the ET-1/ETAR/ECE-1/ERK1/2 axis in patients with chronic itch. Together, our data identify the neural peptidase ECE-1 as a negative regulator of itch on sensory nerves by directly regulating ET-1–induced pruritus in humans and mice. Furthermore, these results implicate the ET-1/ECE-1/ERK1/2 pathway as a therapeutic target to treat pruritus in humans. PMID:24812665

Pharmacological hypothesis: Nitric oxide-induced inhibition of ADAM-17 activity as well as vesicle release can in turn prevent the production of soluble endothelin-converting enzyme.

PubMed

Kuruppu, Sanjaya; Rajapakse, Niwanthi W; Parkington, Helena C; Smith, Ian

2017-10-01

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) are two highly potent vasoactive molecules with opposing effects on the vasculature. Endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) catalyse the production of ET-1 and NO, respectively. It is well established that these molecules play a crucial role in the initiation and progression of cardiovascular diseases and have therefore become targets of therapy. Many studies have examined the mechanism(s) by which NO regulates ET-1 production. Expression and localization of ECE-1 is a key factor that determines the rate of ET-1 production. ECE-1 can either be membrane bound or be released from the cell surface to produce a soluble form. NO has been shown to reduce the expression of both membrane-bound and soluble ECE-1. Several studies have examined the mechanism(s) behind NO-mediated inhibition of ECE expression on the cell membrane. However, the precise mechanism(s) behind NO-mediated inhibition of soluble ECE production are unknown. We hypothesize that both exogenous and endogenous NO, inhibits the production of soluble ECE-1 by preventing its release via extracellular vesicles (e.g., exosomes), and/or by inhibiting the activity of A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease-17 (ADAM17). If this hypothesis is proven correct in future studies, these pathways represent targets for the therapeutic manipulation of soluble ECE-1 production. © 2017 The Authors. Pharmacology Research & Perspectives published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd, British Pharmacological Society and American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

Creating an Agile ECE Learning Environment through Engineering Clinics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jansson, P. M.; Ramachandran, R. P.; Schmalzel, J. L.; Mandayam, S. A.

2010-01-01

To keep up with rapidly advancing technology, numerous innovations to the electrical and computer engineering (ECE) curriculum, learning methods and pedagogy have been envisioned, tested, and implemented. It is safe to say that no single approach will work for all of the diverse ECE technologies and every type of learner. However, a few key…

A Universal Early Childhood Education System

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Christopher P.

2006-01-01

In this article, the author demonstrates how the current emphasis on viewing early childhood education (ECE) as an investment keeps ECE at the margins of U.S. political debates as well as in other discussions around the world. Historically, the field of ECE in the United States has struggled, and continues to struggle, for political positioning.…

An initial reliability and validity study of the Interaction, Communication, and Literacy Skills Audit.

PubMed

El-Choueifati, Nisrine; Purcell, Alison; McCabe, Patricia; Heard, Robert; Munro, Natalie

2014-06-01

Early childhood educators (ECEs) have an important role in promoting positive outcomes for children's language and literacy development. This paper reports the development of a new tool, The Interaction Communication and Literacy (ICL) Skills Audit, and pilots its reliability and validity. Intra- and inter-rater reliability was examined by three speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Five skill areas relating to ECE language and literacy practice were rated. The face and content validity of the ICL Skills Audit was examined by expert SLPs (n = 8) and expert ECEs (n = 4) via questionnaire. The overall intra-rater reliability for the ICL Skills Audit was excellent with percentage close agreement (PCA) of 91-94. Inter-rater agreement was PCA 68-80. Expert SLPs and ECEs agreed that the content was comprehensive and practical. Based on this preliminary study, the ICL Skills Audit appears to be a promising tool that can be used by SLPs and ECEs in collaboration to measure the skills of ECEs in the areas of language and literacy support. Future psychometric and outcome research on the revised ICL Skills Audit is warranted.

E.C.E. Connection: A Newsletter for Early Childhood Education (E.C.E.), 1994-1998.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

E.C.E. Connection, 1998

1998-01-01

This document consists of the first 39 consecutive issues of the newsletter, "E.C.E. Connection," published monthly (except August) to offer information and support to early childhood practitioners. Articles from the 1994 issues include: "Some 'Affordable' Ideas To Brighten Your Classroom"; "A Notice Board: A Way To Keep…

Global Vision, Local Reality: Transforming Pre-Primary Teacher Training in Tanzania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilinski, Bethany; Nguyen, Cuong Huy; Landgraf, Jessica M.

2016-01-01

Global attention to early childhood education (ECE) has led to an increased focus on ECE teacher training as a critical component of providing young children with access to high-quality ECE programs. In this paper, we ask how Tanzanian stakeholders at different levels of implementation experienced and responded to efforts to build capacity in…

Getting Early Childhood Educators Up and Running: Creating Strong Technology Curators, Facilitators, Guides, and Users. Policy Brief

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Daugherty, Lindsay; Dossani, Rafiq; Johnson, Erin-Elizabeth; Wright, Cameron

2014-01-01

Providers of early childhood education (ECE) are well positioned to help ensure that technology is used effectively in ECE settings. Indeed, the successful integration of technology into ECE depends on providers who have the ability to curate the most appropriate devices and content, "facilitate" effective patterns of use, guide families…

A Design of an Appropriate Early Childhood Education Funding System in China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Xiaodong, Zeng

2008-01-01

This study analyzes the structural reform of local governments funding for early childhood education (ECE) as the general public still casts doubts about the fairness of ECE system in China. A particular case in point is the Shenzhen Municipal Government's reform on their ECE funding system. Because the reform efforts are more about restructuring…

Diversity in New Zealand Early Childhood Education: Challenges and Opportunities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shuker, Mary Jane; Cherrington, Sue

2016-01-01

The early childhood education (ECE) sector in New Zealand has long been recognised for the diversity of service types and range of organisations involved in delivering ECE. However, less attention has been paid to diversity within individual ECE services. This article draws on a national survey carried out as part of a larger project, "The…

Music Education from Birth to Five: An Examination of Early Childhood Educators' Music Teaching Practices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bolduc, Jonathan; Evrard, Melanie

2017-01-01

Children from birth to five are generally enthusiastic about music. However, because many early-childhood educators (ECEs) feel that they have insufficient knowledge to foster musical development, music education practices are not equivalent across ECEs. This study aimed to identify and determine the frequency of music activities used by ECEs. In…

Advanced ECCD based NTM control in closed-loop operation at ASDEX Upgrade (AUG)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reich, Matthias; Barrera-Orte, Laura; Behler, Karl; Bock, Alexander; Giannone, Louis; Maraschek, Marc; Poli, Emanuele; Rapson, Chris; Stober, Jörg; Treutterer, Wolfgang

2012-10-01

In high performance plasmas, Neoclassical Tearing Modes (NTMs) are regularly observed at reactor-grade beta-values. They limit the achievable normalized beta, which is undesirable because fusion performance scales as beta squared. The method of choice for controlling and avoiding NTMs at AUG is the deposition of ECCD inside the magnetic island for stabilization in real-time (rt). Our approach to tackling such complex control problems using real-time diagnostics allows rigorous optimization of all subsystems. Recent progress in rt-equilibrium reconstruction (< 3.5 ms), rt-localization of NTMs (< 8 ms) and rt beam tracing (< 25 ms) allows closed-loop feedback operation using multiple movable mirrors as the ECCD deposition actuator. The rt-equilibrium uses function parametrization or a fast Grad-Shafranov solver with an option to include rt-MSE measurements. The island localization is based on a correlation of ECE and filtered Mirnov signals. The rt beam-tracing module provides deposition locations and their derivative versus actuator position of multiple gyrotrons. The ``MHD controller'' finally drives the actuators. Results utilizing closed-loop operation with multiple gyrotrons and their effect on NTMs are shown.

Polymorphism in endothelin-related genes limits exercise-induced decreases in arterial stiffness in older subjects.

PubMed

Iemitsu, Motoyuki; Maeda, Seiji; Otsuki, Takeshi; Sugawara, Jun; Tanabe, Takumi; Jesmin, Subrina; Kuno, Shinya; Ajisaka, Ryuichi; Miyauchi, Takashi; Matsuda, Mitsuo

2006-05-01

Increase in arterial stiffness is associated with aging, which is improved by regular exercise. Endothelin (ET) system has crucial roles in regulating vascular tone and in the progression of atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that molecular variations (ie, gene polymorphisms) in ET-related gene might affect exercise-induced improvement in arterial stiffness with age in human subjects. The present study provides a cross-sectional investigation of 191 healthy middle-aged and older (65+/-1 years) human subjects to clarify the relationship between the regular exercise-induced improvement of arterial stiffness and the gene polymorphisms of ET converting enzyme (ECE)-1, ECE-2, ET-A receptor (ET-A), and ET-B receptor (ET-B). The study subjects were divided into active and inactive groups based on the median value (186 kcal/d) of energy expenditure. Brachial-ankle arterial pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was used to evaluate arterial stiffness. All individuals were genotyped for 4 different polymorphisms of the ET system: 2013(+289)A/G in intron 17 of ECE-1, 669(+17)T/C in intron 5 of ECE-2, 958A/G in exon 6 of ET-A, and 831A/G in exon 4 of ET-B. The baseline baPWV was significantly lower in the active group without any change in blood pressure. Polymorphisms in ECE-1 influenced basal blood pressure. Polymorphisms in ECE-1 and ECE-2 had no effect on baPWV between active and inactive groups. However, polymorphisms in both ET-A and ET-B affected baPWV in the 2 groups. The present results suggest that differences in ET-A and ET-B polymorphisms may influence the response of the vascular wall to exercise whereas ECE-1 polymorphisms may affect basal blood pressure.

Phase-locking of magnetic islands diagnosed by ECE-imaging

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

Tobias, Benjamin; Grierson, Brian A.; Muscatello, Christopher M.

2014-08-13

Millimeter-wave imaging diagnostics identify phase-locking and the satisfaction of 3-wave coupling selection criteria amongst multiple magnetic island chains by providing a localized, internal measurement of the 2D power spectral density, S(ω, k pol). In high-confinement tokamak discharges, these interactions impact both plasma rotation and tearing stability. Here, nonlinear coupling amongst neoclassical tearing modes (NTMs) of different n-number, with islands not satisfying the poloidal mode number selection criterion {m, m ', m - m ' }, contributes to a reduction in core rotation and flow shear in the vicinity of the modes.

Professional Development of the Early Childhood Education Teaching Workforce in the United States: An Overview

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gomez, Rebecca E.; Kagan, Sharon Lynn; Fox, Emily A.

2015-01-01

Resulting from a fragmented landscape of policies for and uneven investments in the early childhood education (ECE) field in the United States, the qualifications of the ECE teaching workforce are typically quite low. This article first reviews the history and status of the ECE teaching workforce in the United States, focusing on the evolution of…

When Business Gets Involved: A Case Study of Business Community Involvement In Illinois' Early Childhood Education Policy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kovach, Melissa

2009-01-01

As the first state to offer universal preschool to three-year-olds, Illinois' experience with early childhood education (ECE) policy reform efforts offers lessons about how such change takes shape. This report details Illinois' ECE activities from 1992 to the present, with a particular focus on the business role in ECE policy. Lessons learned…

Shared Services: A Powerful Strategy to Support Sustainability of ECE Businesses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stoney, Louise

2009-01-01

As Co-Founder of the Alliance for Early Childhood Finance, it is the author's job to think about how they pay for early care and education (ECE) services in the United States. Generating the operating revenue needed to establish and sustain a high-quality ECE program has never been easy--and in a recession economy it is becoming even more…

Effect of Male and Female Early Childhood Education Teacher's Educational Practices on Children's Social Adaptation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Besnard, Thérèse; Letarte, Marie-Josée

2017-01-01

It is believed children stand to benefit from a greater male teacher presence in early childhood education (ECE) where, internationally, the vast majority of ECE teachers are female. This study (N = 180) examines the relationship between children's social adaptation and the educational practices of 53 ECE teachers, 23 (44%) of which were male.…

Impacts of an In-Service Education Program on Promoting Language Development in Young Children: A Pilot Study with Early Childhood Educators

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scarinci, Nerina; Rose, Tanya; Pee, Jerrine; Webb, Kylie

2015-01-01

Early childhood educators (ECEs) play an important role in fostering language development in young children. In-service education, led by speech-language pathologists (SLPs), has a potential role in educating ECEs about language development. In this pilot study, 42 ECEs attended an in-service education program and completed pre- and…

"Old, Borrowed, and Renewed": A Review of Early Childhood Education Policy in Post-Reform Indonesia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Octarra, Harla Sara; Hendriati, Agustina

2018-01-01

Early childhood education (ECE) is not new in Indonesia. However, in the past decade, it has received more attention, as shown by the growing number of ECE centres in both urban and rural areas. This growth is accompanied by policy development that corresponds to the global agenda of ECE. Policy development is inevitably linked with the support of…

The ECE Pre-Service Teachers' Perception on Factors Affecting the Integration of Educational Computer Games in Two Conditions: Selecting versus Redesigning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sancar Tokmak, Hatice; Ozgelen, Sinan

2013-01-01

This case study aimed to examine early childhood education (ECE) pre-service teachers' perception on the factors affecting integration of educational computer games to their instruction in two areas: selecting and redesigning. Twenty-six ECE pre-service teachers participated in the study. The data was collected through open-ended questionnaires,…

3D equilibrium reconstruction with islands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cianciosa, M.; Hirshman, S. P.; Seal, S. K.; Shafer, M. W.

2018-04-01

This paper presents the development of a 3D equilibrium reconstruction tool and the results of the first-ever reconstruction of an island equilibrium. The SIESTA non-nested equilibrium solver has been coupled to the V3FIT 3D equilibrium reconstruction code. Computed from a coupled VMEC and SIESTA model, synthetic signals are matched to measured signals by finding an optimal set of equilibrium parameters. By using the normalized pressure in place of normalized flux, non-equilibrium quantities needed by diagnostic signals can be efficiently mapped to the equilibrium. The effectiveness of this tool is demonstrated by reconstructing an island equilibrium of a DIII-D inner wall limited L-mode case with an n = 1 error field applied. Flat spots in Thomson and ECE temperature diagnostics show the reconstructed islands have the correct size and phase. ).

The build-up of energetic electrons triggering electron cyclotron emission bursts due to a magnetohydrodynamic mode at the edge of tokamaks

DOE PAGES

Li, Erzhong; Austin, Max E.; White, R. B.; ...

2017-08-21

Intense bursts of electron cyclotron emission (ECE) triggered by magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instabilities such as edge localized modes (ELMs) have been observed on many tokamaks. On the DIII-D tokamak, it is found that an MHD mode is observed to trigger the ECE bursts in the low collisionality regime at the plasma edge. ORBIT-code simulations have shown that energetic electrons build up due to an interaction between barely trapped electrons with an MHD mode (f = 50 kHz for current case). The energetic tail of the electron distribution function develops a bump within several microseconds for this collisionless case. This behavior dependsmore » on the competition between the perturbing MHD mode and slowing down and pitch angle scattering due to collisions. As a result, for typical DIII-D parameters, the calculated ECE radiation transport predicted by ORBIT is in excellent agreement with ECE measurements, clarifying the electron dynamics of the ECE bursts for the first time.« less

Exploring the Relationship between Early Childhood and Elementary Grade-Level Overlap and Early Childhood Teacher Output

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fowler, R. Clarke

2017-01-01

This study explores the relationship between grade-level overlap between elementary education (ELED) and early childhood education (ECED) licenses and ECED teacher output. Analysis of Title 2 data indicates that ECED/ELED overlap is extensive, as evidenced by the number of states with grade-level overlaps of 5 (n = 2), 4 (n = 24), 3 (n = 10), and…

A Michelson Interferometer for Electron Cyclotron Emission Measurements on EAST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yong; Stefan, Schmuck; Zhao, Hailin; John, Fessey; Paul, Trimble; Liu, Xiang; Zhu, Zeying; Zang, Qing; Hu, Liqun

2016-12-01

A Michelson interferometer, on loan from EFDA-JET (Culham, United Kingdom) has recently been commissioned on the experimental advanced superconducting tokamak (EAST, ASIPP, Hefei, China). Following a successful in-situ absolute calibration the instrument is able to measure the electron cyclotron emission (ECE) spectrum, from 80 GHz to 350 GHz in extraordinary mode (X-mode) polarization, with high accuracy. This allows the independent determination of the electron temperature profile from observation of the second harmonic ECE and the possible identification of non-Maxwellian features by comparing higher harmonic emission with numerical simulations. The in-situ calibration results are presented together with the initial measured temperature profiles. These measurements are then discussed and compared with other independent temperature profile measurements. This paper also describes the main hardware features of the diagnostic and the associated commissioning test results. supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 11405211, 11275233), and the National Magnetic Confinement Fusion Science Program of China (Nos. 2013GB106002, 2015GB101000), and the RCUK Energy Programme (No. EP/I501045), partly supported by the JSPS-NRF-NSFC A3 Foresight Program in the Field of Plasma Physics (NSFC: No. 11261140328)

154 GHz collective Thomson scattering in LHD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanaka, K.; Nishiura, M.; Kubo, S.; Shimozuma, T.; Saito, T.; Moseev, D.; Abramovic, I.

2018-01-01

Collective Thomson scattering (CTS) was developed by using a 154 GHz gyrotron, and the first data has been obtained. Already, 77 GHz CTS has worked successfully. However, in order to access higher density region, 154 GHz option enhances the usability that reduces the refraction effect, which deteriorates in the local measurements. The system in the down converted frequency was almost identical to the system for 77 GHz. Probing beam, a notch filter, a mixer, and a local oscillator in the receiver system for 77 GHz option were replaced to those for the 154 GHz option. 154 GHz gyrotron was originally prepared for the second harmonic electron cyclotron heating (ECRH) at 2.75 T. However, scattering signal was masked by the second harmonic electron cyclotron emission (ECE) at 2.75 T. Therefore, 154 GHz CTS was operated at 1.375 T with fourth harmonic ECE, and an acceptable signal to noise ratio was obtained. There is a signature of fast ion components with neutral beam (NB) injection. In addition, the CTS spectrum became broader in hydrogen discharge than in deuterium discharge, as the theoretical CTS spectrum expects. This observation indicates a possibility to identify ion species ratio by the 154 GHz CTS diagnostic.

Repeatability and validity of a field kit for estimation of cholinesterase in whole blood.

PubMed Central

London, L; Thompson, M L; Sacks, S; Fuller, B; Bachmann, O M; Myers, J E

1995-01-01

OBJECTIVES--To evaluate a spectrophotometric field kit (Test-Mate-OP) for repeatability and validity in comparison with reference laboratory methods and to model its anticipated sensitivity and specificity based on these findings. METHODS--76 farm workers between the age of 20 and 55, of whom 30 were pesticide applicators exposed to a range of organophosphates in the preceding 10 days, had blood taken for plasma cholinesterase (PCE) and erythrocyte cholinesterase (ECE) measurement by field kit or laboratory methods. Paired blinded duplicate samples were taken from subgroups in the sample to assess repeatability of laboratory and field kit methods. Field kits were also used to test venous blood in one subgroup. The variance obtained for the field kit tests was then applied to two hypothetical scenarios that used published action guidelines to model the kit's sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS--Repeatability for PCE was much poorer and for ECE slightly poorer than that of laboratory measures. A substantial upward bias for field kit ECE relative to laboratory measurements was found. Sensitivity of the kit to a 40% drop in PCE was 67%, whereas that for ECE was 89%. Specificity of the kit with no change in mean of the population was 100% for ECE and 91% for PCE. CONCLUSION--Field kit ECE estimation seems to be sufficiently repeatable for surveillance activities, whereas PCE does not. Repeatability of both tests seems to be too low for use in epidemiological dose-response investigations. Further research is indicated to characterise the upward bias in ECE estimation on the kit. PMID:7697143

Does Gender Make a Difference? Results from the German "Tandem Study" on the Pedagogical Activity of Female and Male ECE Workers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brandes, Holger; Andrä, Markus; Röseler, Wenke; Schneider-Andrich, Petra

2015-01-01

Based on an everyday quasi-experimental situation with multiple materials, the behavior of male and female early childhood education (ECE) workers is recorded and compared. The research is based on a sample of 41 female and 41 male ECE workers, who in each case work together in tandem in a kindergarten class, as well as a control group of 12…

GPER mediates the age-dependent upregulation of the myocardial endothelin system

PubMed Central

Meyer, Matthias R.; Fredette, Natalie C.; Sharma, Geetanjali; Barton, Matthias; Prossnitz, Eric R.

2016-01-01

Aims Cardiac aging is associated with progressive structural changes and functional impairment, such as left ventricular hypertrophy, fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction. Aging also increases myocardial activity of endothelin-1 (ET-1), a multifunctional peptide with growth-promoting and pro-fibrotic activity. Because the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) regulates vascular responsiveness to ET-1, we investigated whether GPER also plays a role in the regulation of the cardiac endothelin system with aging. Main methods Young (4 month-old) and aged (24 month-old) wild-type and Gper-deficient (Gper-/-) mice were studied. Gene expression levels of prepro-ET-1, endothelin converting enzymes ECE-1 and ECE-2, and endothelin ETA and ETB receptors were determined by qPCR in left ventricular myocardium. Key findings Aging markedly increased steady-state mRNA expression levels of ECE-1, ECE-2, ETA and ETB receptors (each p<0.001 vs. young mice). Deletion of Gper inhibited the age-dependent increase in ECE-2 and ETB receptor mRNA levels (57% and 40% reduction, respectively, each p<0.01 vs. wild-type mice), whereas gene expression of prepro-ET-1, ECE-1, or the ETA receptor was unaffected in Gper-/- mice. Significance We identified a novel regulatory mechanism through which the endogenous Gper facilitates the age-dependent increase in myocardial expression of ECE-2 and the ETB receptor, which is compatible with an activating role of GPER for the cardiac endothelin system with aging. Targeting GPER signaling by selective antagonists may therefore be considered a new therapeutic approach to reduce age-dependent increased ET-1 activity and the associated development of left ventricular hypertrophy, fibrosis and heart failure. PMID:26880534

Meals for Good: An innovative community project to provide healthy meals to children in early care and education programs through food bank catering.

PubMed

Carpenter, Leah R; Smith, Teresa M; Stern, Katherine; Boyd, Lisa Weissenburger-Moser; Rasmussen, Cristy Geno; Schaffer, Kelly; Shuell, Julie; Broussard, Karen; Yaroch, Amy L

2017-12-01

Innovative approaches to childhood obesity prevention are warranted in early care and education (ECE) settings, since intervening early among youth is recommended to promote and maintain healthy behaviors. The objective of the Meals for Good pilot was to explore feasibility of implementing a food bank-based catering model to ECE programs to provide more nutritious meals, compared to meals brought from home (a parent-prepared model). In 2014-2015, a 12-month project was implemented by a food bank in central Florida in four privately-owned ECE programs. An explanatory sequential design of a mixed-methods evaluation approach was utilized, including a pre-post menu analysis comparing parent-prepared meals to the catered meals, and stakeholder interviews to determine benefits and barriers. The menu analysis of lunches showed daily reductions in calories, fat, and saturated fat, but an increase in sodium in catered meals when compared to parent-prepared meals. Interviews with ECE directors, teachers, parents, and food bank project staff, identified several benefits of the catered meals, including healthfulness of meals, convenience to parents, and the ECE program's ability to market this meal service. Barriers of the catered meals included the increased cost to parents, transportation and delivery logistics, and change from a 5 to a 2-week menu cycle during summer food service. This pilot demonstrated potential feasibility of a food bank-ECE program partnership, by capitalizing on the food bank's existing facilities and culinary programming, and interest in implementing strategies focused on younger children. The food bank has since leveraged lessons learned and expanded to additional ECE programs.

Archaeal Extrachromosomal Genetic Elements

PubMed Central

Wang, Haina; Peng, Nan; Shah, Shiraz A.

2015-01-01

SUMMARY Research on archaeal extrachromosomal genetic elements (ECEs) has progressed rapidly in the past decade. To date, over 60 archaeal viruses and 60 plasmids have been isolated. These archaeal viruses exhibit an exceptional diversity in morphology, with a wide array of shapes, such as spindles, rods, filaments, spheres, head-tails, bottles, and droplets, and some of these new viruses have been classified into one order, 10 families, and 16 genera. Investigation of model archaeal viruses has yielded important insights into mechanisms underlining various steps in the viral life cycle, including infection, DNA replication and transcription, and virion egression. Many of these mechanisms are unprecedented for any known bacterial or eukaryal viruses. Studies of plasmids isolated from different archaeal hosts have also revealed a striking diversity in gene content and innovation in replication strategies. Highly divergent replication proteins are identified in both viral and plasmid genomes. Genomic studies of archaeal ECEs have revealed a modular sequence structure in which modules of DNA sequence are exchangeable within, as well as among, plasmid families and probably also between viruses and plasmids. In particular, it has been suggested that ECE-host interactions have shaped the coevolution of ECEs and their archaeal hosts. Furthermore, archaeal hosts have developed defense systems, including the innate restriction-modification (R-M) system and the adaptive CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) system, to restrict invasive plasmids and viruses. Together, these interactions permit a delicate balance between ECEs and their hosts, which is vitally important for maintaining an innovative gene reservoir carried by ECEs. In conclusion, while research on archaeal ECEs has just started to unravel the molecular biology of these genetic entities and their interactions with archaeal hosts, it is expected to accelerate in the next decade. PMID:25694123

GPER is required for the age-dependent upregulation of the myocardial endothelin system.

PubMed

Meyer, Matthias R; Fredette, Natalie C; Sharma, Geetanjali; Barton, Matthias; Prossnitz, Eric R

2016-08-15

Cardiac aging is associated with progressive structural changes and functional impairment, such as left ventricular hypertrophy, fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction. Aging also increases myocardial activity of endothelin-1 (ET-1), a multifunctional peptide with growth-promoting and pro-fibrotic activity. Because the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) regulates vascular responsiveness to ET-1, we investigated whether GPER also plays a role in the regulation of the myocardial endothelin system with aging. Young (4month-old) and aged (24month-old) wild-type and Gper-deficient (Gper(-/-)) mice were studied. Gene expression levels of prepro-ET-1, endothelin converting enzymes ECE-1 and ECE-2, and endothelin ETA and ETB receptors were determined by qPCR in left ventricular myocardium. Aging markedly increased steady-state mRNA expression levels of ECE-1, ECE-2, ETA and ETB receptors (each p<0.001 vs. young mice). Deletion of Gper inhibited the age-dependent increase in ECE-2 and ETB receptor mRNA levels (57% and 40% reduction, respectively, each p<0.01 vs. wild-type mice), whereas gene expression of prepro-ET-1, ECE-1, and the ETA receptor was unaffected in Gper(-/-) mice. We identified a novel regulatory mechanism through which the endogenous Gper facilitates the age-dependent increase in myocardial expression of ECE-2 and the ETB receptor, which is compatible with an activating role of GPER for the local endothelin system with aging. Targeting GPER signaling by selective antagonists may therefore be considered a new therapeutic approach to reduce age-dependent increased ET-1 activity and the associated development of left ventricular hypertrophy, fibrosis and heart failure. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

No phenotypic plasticity in nest-site selection in response to extreme flooding events.

PubMed

Bailey, Liam D; Ens, Bruno J; Both, Christiaan; Heg, Dik; Oosterbeek, Kees; van de Pol, Martijn

2017-06-19

Phenotypic plasticity is a crucial mechanism for responding to changes in climatic means, yet we know little about its role in responding to extreme climatic events (ECEs). ECEs may lack the reliable cues necessary for phenotypic plasticity to evolve; however, this has not been empirically tested. We investigated whether behavioural plasticity in nest-site selection allows a long-lived shorebird ( Haematopus ostralegus ) to respond to flooding. We collected longitudinal nest elevation data on individuals over two decades, during which time flooding events have become increasingly frequent. We found no evidence that individuals learn from flooding experiences, showing nest elevation change consistent with random nest-site selection. There was also no evidence of phenotypic plasticity in response to potential environmental cues (lunar nodal cycle and water height). A small number of individuals, those nesting near an artificial sea wall, did show an increase in nest elevation over time; however, there is no conclusive evidence this occurred in response to ECEs. Our study population showed no behavioural plasticity in response to changing ECE patterns. More research is needed to determine whether this pattern is consistent across species and types of ECEs. If so, ECEs may pose a major challenge to the resilience of wild populations.This article is part of the themed issue 'Behavioural, ecological and evolutionary responses to extreme climatic events'. © 2017 The Author(s).

Elevated CO2 maintains grassland net carbon uptake under a future heat and drought extreme

PubMed Central

Roy, Jacques; Picon-Cochard, Catherine; Augusti, Angela; Benot, Marie-Lise; Thiery, Lionel; Darsonville, Olivier; Landais, Damien; Piel, Clément; Defossez, Marc; Devidal, Sébastien; Escape, Christophe; Ravel, Olivier; Fromin, Nathalie; Volaire, Florence; Milcu, Alexandru; Bahn, Michael; Soussana, Jean-François

2016-01-01

Extreme climatic events (ECEs) such as droughts and heat waves are predicted to increase in intensity and frequency and impact the terrestrial carbon balance. However, we lack direct experimental evidence of how the net carbon uptake of ecosystems is affected by ECEs under future elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations (eCO2). Taking advantage of an advanced controlled environment facility for ecosystem research (Ecotron), we simulated eCO2 and extreme cooccurring heat and drought events as projected for the 2050s and analyzed their effects on the ecosystem-level carbon and water fluxes in a C3 grassland. Our results indicate that eCO2 not only slows down the decline of ecosystem carbon uptake during the ECE but also enhances its recovery after the ECE, as mediated by increases of root growth and plant nitrogen uptake induced by the ECE. These findings indicate that, in the predicted near future climate, eCO2 could mitigate the effects of extreme droughts and heat waves on ecosystem net carbon uptake. PMID:27185934

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

Simonetto, A.; Sozzi, C.; Garavaglia, S.

A Martin Puplett interferometer for electron cyclotron emission (ECE) measurements from JET tokamak plasmas was extended to multichannel operation for simultaneous radial and oblique ECE measurements. This paper describes the new optics and the instrument's performance.

Design and first plasma measurements of the ITER-ECE prototype radiometer.

PubMed

Austin, M E; Brookman, M W; Rowan, W L; Danani, S; Bryerton, E W; Dougherty, P

2016-11-01

On ITER, second harmonic optically thick electron cyclotron emission (ECE) in the range of 220-340 GHz will supply the electron temperature (T e ). To investigate the requirements and capabilities prescribed for the ITER system, a prototype radiometer covering this frequency range has been developed by Virginia Diodes, Inc. The first plasma measurements with this instrument have been carried out on the DIII-D tokamak, with lab bench tests and measurements of third through fifth harmonic ECE from high T e plasmas. At DIII-D the instrument shares the transmission line of the Michelson interferometer and can simultaneously acquire data. Comparison of the ECE radiation temperature from the absolutely calibrated Michelson and the prototype receiver shows that the ITER radiometer provides accurate measurements of the millimeter radiation across the instrument band.

Exploitation of Unintentional Ethernet Cable Emissions Using Constellation Based-Distinct Native Attribute (CB-DNA) Fingerprints to Enhance Network Security

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-17

Exploitation of Unintentional Information Leakage from Inte- grated Circuits”. Ph.D. dissertation, ECE, AFIT, Wright- Patt AFB, OH, 2011. 16. Cobb, W. E...Ph.D. dissertation, ECE, AFIT, Wright- Patt AFB, OH, 2014. 48. Ramsey, B. W., Temple, M. A., and Mullins, B. E. PHY Foundation for Multi-Factor...dissertation, ECE, AFIT, Wright- Patt AFB, OH, 2012. 132 51. Reising, D. R., Temple, M. A., and Oxley, M. E. Gabor-Based RF-DNA Fingerprinting for

Cadence Feedback With ECE PEDO to Monitor Physical Activity Intensity: A Pilot Study.

PubMed

Ardic, Fusun; Göcer, Esra

2016-03-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the monitoring capabilities of the equipment for clever exercise pedometer (ECE PEDO) that provides audible feedback when the person exceeds the upper and lower limits of the target step numbers per minute and to compare step counts with Yamax SW-200 (YX200) as the criterion pedometer.A total of 30 adult volunteers (15 males and 15 females) were classified as normal weight (n = 10), overweight (n = 10), and obese (n = 10). After the submaximal exercise test on a treadmill, the moderate intensity for walking was determined by using YX200 pedometer and then the number of steps taken in a minute was measured. Lower and upper limits of steps per minute (cadence) were recorded in ECE PEDO providing audible feedback when the person's walking speed gets out of the limits. Volunteers walked for 30 minutes in the individual step count range by attaching the ECE PEDO and YX200 pedometer on both sides of the waist belt in the same session. Step counts of the volunteers were recorded. Wilcoxon, Spearman correlation, and Bland-Altman analyses were performed to show the relationship and agreement between the results of 2 devices.Subjects took an average of 3511 ± 426 and 3493 ± 399 steps during 30 minutes with ECE PEDO and criterion pedometer, respectively. About 3500 steps taken by ECE PEDO reflected that this pedometer has capability of identifying steps per minute to meet moderate intensity of physical activity. There was a strong correlation between step counts of both devices (P < 0.001, r = 0.96). Correlations across all three BMI categories and both sex remained consistently high ranging from 0.92 to 0.95. There was a high level of agreement between the ECE PEDO and YX200 pedometer in the Bland-Altman analysis.Although both devices showed a strong similarity in counting steps, the ECE PEDO provides monitoring of intensity such that a person can walk in a specified time with a desired speed.

Cadence Feedback With ECE PEDO to Monitor Physical Activity Intensity

PubMed Central

Ardic, Fusun; Göcer, Esra

2016-01-01

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the monitoring capabilities of the equipment for clever exercise pedometer (ECE PEDO) that provides audible feedback when the person exceeds the upper and lower limits of the target step numbers per minute and to compare step counts with Yamax SW-200 (YX200) as the criterion pedometer. A total of 30 adult volunteers (15 males and 15 females) were classified as normal weight (n = 10), overweight (n = 10), and obese (n = 10). After the submaximal exercise test on a treadmill, the moderate intensity for walking was determined by using YX200 pedometer and then the number of steps taken in a minute was measured. Lower and upper limits of steps per minute (cadence) were recorded in ECE PEDO providing audible feedback when the person's walking speed gets out of the limits. Volunteers walked for 30 minutes in the individual step count range by attaching the ECE PEDO and YX200 pedometer on both sides of the waist belt in the same session. Step counts of the volunteers were recorded. Wilcoxon, Spearman correlation, and Bland–Altman analyses were performed to show the relationship and agreement between the results of 2 devices. Subjects took an average of 3511 ± 426 and 3493 ± 399 steps during 30 minutes with ECE PEDO and criterion pedometer, respectively. About 3500 steps taken by ECE PEDO reflected that this pedometer has capability of identifying steps per minute to meet moderate intensity of physical activity. There was a strong correlation between step counts of both devices (P < 0.001, r = 0.96). Correlations across all three BMI categories and both sex remained consistently high ranging from 0.92 to 0.95. There was a high level of agreement between the ECE PEDO and YX200 pedometer in the Bland–Altman analysis. Although both devices showed a strong similarity in counting steps, the ECE PEDO provides monitoring of intensity such that a person can walk in a specified time with a desired speed. PMID:26962822

Attitude of medical students towards Early Clinical Exposure in learning endocrine physiology

PubMed Central

Sathishkumar, Solomon; Thomas, Nihal; Tharion, Elizabeth; Neelakantan, Nithya; Vyas, Rashmi

2007-01-01

Background Different teaching-learning methods have been used in teaching endocrine physiology for the medical students, so as to increase their interest and enhance their learning. This paper describes the pros and cons of the various approaches used to reinforce didactic instruction in endocrine physiology and goes on to describe the value of adding an Early Clinical Exposure program (ECE) to didactic instruction in endocrine physiology, as well as student reactions to it as an alternative approach. Discussion Various methods have been used to reinforce didactic instruction in endocrine physiology such as case-stimulated learning, problem-based learning, patient-centred learning and multiple-format sessions. We devised a teaching-learning intervention in endocrine physiology, which comprised of traditional didactic lectures, supplemented with an ECE program consisting of case based lectures and a hospital visit to see patients. A focus group discussion was conducted with the medical students and, based on the themes that emerged from it, a questionnaire was developed and administered to further enquire into the attitude of all the students towards ECE in learning endocrine physiology. The students in their feedback commented that ECE increased their interest for the subject and motivated them to read more. They also felt that ECE enhanced their understanding of endocrine physiology, enabled them to remember the subject better, contributed to their knowledge of the subject and also helped them to integrate their knowledge. Many students said that ECE increased their sensitivity toward patient problems and needs. They expressed a desire and a need for ECE to be continued in teaching endocrine physiology for future groups of students and also be extended for teaching other systems as well. The majority of the students (96.4%) in their feedback gave an overall rating of the program as good to excellent on a 5 point Likert scale. Summary The ECE program was introduced as an alternative approach to reinforce didactic instruction in endocrine physiology for the first year medical students. The study demonstrated that students clearly enjoyed the experience and perceived that it was valuable. This method could potentially be used for other basic science topics as well. PMID:17784967

Validation of gyrokinetic simulations with measurements of electron temperature fluctuations and density-temperature phase angles on ASDEX Upgrade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Freethy, S. J.; Görler, T.; Creely, A. J.; Conway, G. D.; Denk, S. S.; Happel, T.; Koenen, C.; Hennequin, P.; White, A. E.; ASDEX Upgrade Team

2018-05-01

Measurements of turbulent electron temperature fluctuation amplitudes, δTe ⊥/Te , frequency spectra, and radial correlation lengths, Lr(Te ⊥) , have been performed at ASDEX Upgrade using a newly upgraded Correlation ECE diagnostic in the range of scales k⊥<1.4 cm-1, kr<3.5 cm-1 ( k⊥ρs<0.28 and krρs<0.7 ). The phase angle between turbulent temperature and density fluctuations, αnT, has also been measured by using an ECE radiometer coupled to a reflectometer along the same line of sight. These quantities are used simultaneously to constrain a set of ion-scale non-linear gyrokinetic turbulence simulations of the outer core (ρtor = 0.75) of a low density, electron heated L-mode plasma, performed using the gyrokinetic simulation code, GENE. The ion and electron temperature gradients were scanned within uncertainties. It is found that gyrokinetic simulations are able to match simultaneously the electron and ion heat flux at this radius within the experimental uncertainties. The simulations were performed based on a reference discharge for which δTe ⊥/Te measurements were available, and Lr(Te ⊥) and αnT were then predicted using synthetic diagnostics prior to measurements in a repeat discharge. While temperature fluctuation amplitudes are overestimated by >50% for all simulations within the sensitivity scans performed, good quantitative agreement is found for Lr(Te ⊥) and αnT. A validation metric is used to quantify the level of agreement of individual simulations with experimental measurements, and the best agreement is found close to the experimental gradient values.

Design and first plasma measurements of the ITER-ECE prototype radiometer

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

Austin, M. E.; Brookman, M. W.; Rowan, W. L.

2016-11-15

On ITER, second harmonic optically thick electron cyclotron emission (ECE) in the range of 220-340 GHz will supply the electron temperature (T{sub e}). To investigate the requirements and capabilities prescribed for the ITER system, a prototype radiometer covering this frequency range has been developed by Virginia Diodes, Inc. The first plasma measurements with this instrument have been carried out on the DIII-D tokamak, with lab bench tests and measurements of third through fifth harmonic ECE from high T{sub e} plasmas. At DIII-D the instrument shares the transmission line of the Michelson interferometer and can simultaneously acquire data. Comparison of themore » ECE radiation temperature from the absolutely calibrated Michelson and the prototype receiver shows that the ITER radiometer provides accurate measurements of the millimeter radiation across the instrument band.« less

High-frequency intrinsic dynamics of the electrocaloric effect from direct atomistic simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lisenkov, S.; Ponomareva, I.

2018-05-01

We propose a computational methodology capable of harvesting isothermal heat and entropy change in molecular dynamics simulations. The methodology is applied to study high-frequency dynamics of the electrocaloric effect (ECE) in ferroelectric PbTiO3. ECE is associated with a reversible change in temperature under adiabatic application of electric field or with a reversible change in entropy under isothermal application of the electric field. Accurate assessment of electrocaloric performance requires the knowledge of three quantities: isothermal heat, isothermal entropy change, and adiabatic temperature change. Our methodology allows computations of all these quantities directly, that is, without restoring to the reversible thermodynamical models. Consequently, it captures both reversible and irreversible effects, which is critical for ECE simulations. The approach is well suited to address the dynamics of the ECE, which so far remains underexplored. We report the following basic features of the intrinsic dynamics of ECE: (i) the ECE is independent of the electric field frequency, rate of application, or field profile; (ii) the effect persists up to the frequencies associated with the onset of dielectric losses and deteriorates from there due to the creation of irreversible entropy; and (iii) in the vicinity of the phase transition and in the paraelectric phase the onset of irreversible dynamics occurs at lower frequency as compared to the ferroelectric phase. The latter is attributed to lower intrinsic soft-mode frequencies and and larger losses in the paraelectric phase.

Quasi-adiabatic calorimeter for direct electrocaloric measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanlialp, Mehmet; Shvartsman, Vladimir V.; Faye, Romain; Karabasov, Maksim O.; Molin, Christian; Gebhardt, Sylvia; Defay, Emmanuel; Lupascu, Doru C.

2018-03-01

The electrocaloric effect (ECE) in ferroelectric materials is a promising candidate for small, effective, low cost, and environmentally friendly solid state cooling applications. Instead of the commonly used indirect estimates based on Maxwell's relations, direct measurements of the ECE are required to obtain reliable values. In this work, we report on a custom-made quasi-adiabatic calorimeter for direct ECE measurements. The ECE is measured for two promising lead-free materials: Ba(Zr0.12Ti0.88)O3 and Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 bulk ceramics. Adiabatic temperature changes of ΔTEC = 0.5 K at 355 K and ΔTEC = 0.3 K at 314 K were achieved under the application of an electric field of 2 kV/mm for the Ba(Zr0.12Ti0.88)O3 and Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 samples, respectively. The quasi-adiabatic ECE measurements reliably match other direct EC measurements using a differential scanning calorimeter or an infrared camera. The data are compared to indirect EC estimations based on Maxwell's relations and show that the indirect measurements typically underestimate the effect to a certain degree.

Location priority for non-formal early childhood education school based on promethee method and map visualization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ayu Nurul Handayani, Hemas; Waspada, Indra

2018-05-01

Non-formal Early Childhood Education (non-formal ECE) is an education that is held for children under 4 years old. The implementation in District of Banyumas, Non-formal ECE is monitored by The District Government of Banyumas and helped by Sanggar Kegiatan Belajar (SKB) Purwokerto as one of the organizer of Non-formal Education. The government itself has a program for distributing ECE to all villages in Indonesia. However, The location to construct the ECE school in several years ahead is not arranged yet. Therefore, for supporting that program, a decision support system is made to give some recommendation villages for constructing The ECE building. The data are projected based on Brown’s Double Exponential Smoothing Method and utilizing Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluation (Promethee) to generate priority order. As the recommendations system, it generates map visualization which is colored according to the priority level of sub-district and village area. The system was tested with black box testing, Promethee testing, and usability testing. The results showed that the system functionality and Promethee algorithm were working properly, and the user was satisfied.

Commissioning of inline ECE system within waveguide based ECRH transmission systems on ASDEX upgrade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bongers, W. A.; Kasparek, W.; Doelman, N.; van den Braber, R.; van den Brand, H.; Meo, F.; de Baar, M. R.; Amerongen, F. J.; Donné, A. J. H.; Elzendoorn, B. S. Q.; Erckmann, V.; Goede, A. P. H.; Giannone, L.; Grünwald, G.; Hollman, F.; Kaas, G.; Krijger, B.; Michel, G.; Lubyako, L.; Monaco, F.; Noke, F.; Petelin, M.; Plaum, B.; Purps, F.; ten Pierik, J. G. W.; Schüller, C.; Slob, J. W.; Stober, J. K.; Schütz, H.; Wagner, D.; Westerhof, E.; Ronden, D. M. S.

2012-09-01

A CW capable inline electron cyclotron emission (ECE) separation system for feedback control, featuring oversized corrugated waveguides, is commissioned on ASDEX upgrade (AUG). The system is based on a combination of a polarization independent, non-resonant, Mach-Zehnder diplexer equipped with dielectric plate beam splitters [2, 3] employed as corrugated oversized waveguide filter, and a resonant Fast Directional Switch, FADIS [4, 5, 6, 7] as ECE/ECCD separation system. This paper presents an overview of the system, the low power characterisation tests and first high power commissioning on AUG.

Rotational shear effects on edge harmonic oscillations in DIII-D quiescent H-mode discharges

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

Chen, Xi; Burrell, Keith H.; Ferraro, Nathaniel M.

In the quiescent H-mode (QH-mode) regime, edge harmonic oscillations (EHO) play an important role in avoiding transient edge localized mode (ELM) power fluxes by providing benign and continuous edge particle transport. A detailed theoretical, experimental and modeling comparison has been made of low-n (n ≤ 5) EHO in DIII-D QH-mode plasmas. The calculated linear eigenmode structure from the extended MHD code M3D-C1 matches closely the coherent EHO properties from external magnetics data and internal measurements using the ECE, BES, ECE-Imaging and microwave imaging reflectometer (MIR) diagnostics, as well as the kink/peeling mode properties found by the ideal MHD code ELITE.more » Numerical investigations indicate that the low-n EHO-like solutions from M3D-C1 are destabilized by the rotational shear while high-n modes are stabilized. This effect is independent of the rotation direction, suggesting that EHO can be destabilized in principle with rotation in either direction. Furthermore, the modeling results are consistent with observations of the EHO, support the proposed theory of the EHO as a rotational shear driven kink/peeling mode, and improve our understanding and confidence in creating and sustaining QH-mode in present and future devices.« less

Rotational shear effects on edge harmonic oscillations in DIII-D quiescent H-mode discharges

DOE PAGES

Chen, Xi; Burrell, Keith H.; Ferraro, Nathaniel M.; ...

2016-06-21

In the quiescent H-mode (QH-mode) regime, edge harmonic oscillations (EHO) play an important role in avoiding transient edge localized mode (ELM) power fluxes by providing benign and continuous edge particle transport. A detailed theoretical, experimental and modeling comparison has been made of low-n (n ≤ 5) EHO in DIII-D QH-mode plasmas. The calculated linear eigenmode structure from the extended MHD code M3D-C1 matches closely the coherent EHO properties from external magnetics data and internal measurements using the ECE, BES, ECE-Imaging and microwave imaging reflectometer (MIR) diagnostics, as well as the kink/peeling mode properties found by the ideal MHD code ELITE.more » Numerical investigations indicate that the low-n EHO-like solutions from M3D-C1 are destabilized by the rotational shear while high-n modes are stabilized. This effect is independent of the rotation direction, suggesting that EHO can be destabilized in principle with rotation in either direction. Furthermore, the modeling results are consistent with observations of the EHO, support the proposed theory of the EHO as a rotational shear driven kink/peeling mode, and improve our understanding and confidence in creating and sustaining QH-mode in present and future devices.« less

Rotational shear effects on edge harmonic oscillations in DIII-D quiescent H-mode discharges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xi; Burrell, K. H.; Ferraro, N. M.; Osborne, T. H.; Austin, M. E.; Garofalo, A. M.; Groebner, R. J.; Kramer, G. J.; Luhmann, N. C., Jr.; McKee, G. R.; Muscatello, C. M.; Nazikian, R.; Ren, X.; Snyder, P. B.; Solomon, W. M.; Tobias, B. J.; Yan, Z.

2016-07-01

In the quiescent H-mode (QH-mode) regime, edge harmonic oscillations (EHOs) play an important role in avoiding transient edge localized mode (ELM) power fluxes by providing benign and continuous edge particle transport. A detailed theoretical, experimental and modeling comparison has been made of low-n (n  ⩽  5) EHO in DIII-D QH-mode plasmas. The calculated linear eigenmode structure from the extended magentoohydrodynamics (MHD) code M3D-C1 matches closely the coherent EHO properties from external magnetics data and internal measurements using the ECE, BES, ECE-Imaging and microwave imaging reflectometer (MIR) diagnostics, as well as the kink/peeling mode properties found by the ideal MHD code ELITE. Numerical investigations indicate that the low-n EHO-like solutions from M3D-C1 are destabilized by rotation and/or rotational shear while high-n modes are stabilized. This effect is independent of the rotation direction, suggesting that EHOs can be destabilized in principle with rotation in either direction. The modeling results are consistent with observations of EHO, support the proposed theory of the EHO as a low-n kink/peeling mode destabilized by edge E  ×  B rotational shear, and improve our understanding and confidence in creating and sustaining QH-mode in present and future devices.

An exploration of Early Childhood Education students’ knowledge and preparation to facilitate physical activity for preschoolers: a cross-sectional study

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Early childhood educators play an important role in influencing preschoolers’ physical activity levels. The current study sought to explore Early Childhood Education (ECE) students’ physical activity-related knowledge and educational experience during their formal training in Ontario. Methods A total of 1,113 ECE students from 20 Ontario Colleges completed the study survey (online or on paper), which examined students’ physical activity course content; awareness of physical activity guidelines; understanding of health-related benefits of physical activity; self-efficacy to facilitate physical activity for preschoolers; self-reported physical activity levels; as well as physical activity-related resource needs. Descriptive statistics and independent samples t-tests were used to analyze the quantitative findings. Results Survey results identified that 72.1% of ECE students had not completed any physical activity/physical education specific courses, while only 28.7% were familiar with, and 2.0% accurately reported, the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for the Early Years. Only 10.5% of ECE students reported personal physical activity behaviors consistent with national recommendations for adults (150 minutes/week). ECE students’ mean overall task self-efficacy to facilitate physical activity was 7.37 (SD = 1.64). Self-efficacy was significantly higher (p < .05) when students had taken one or more courses devoted to physical activity/physical education, as well as when students engaged in sufficient physical activity to meet the national guidelines for adults (p < .05). Conclusions The results indicate that the current ECE college curriculum represents an excellent opportunity to provide future childcare providers with enriched physical activity-related training and support, such as physical activity guidelines, workshops, and new ideas for activities. Emphasizing the health benefits of physical activity for adults might be important in light of ECE students’ low self-reported physical activity levels. PMID:25034415

UNAVCO's Education and Community Engagement Program: Evaluating Five years of Geoscience Education and Community Outreach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Charlevoix, D. J.; Dutilly, E.

2017-12-01

In 2013, UNAVCO, a facility co-sponsored by the NSF and NASA, received a five-year award from the NSF: Geodesy Advancing Geosciences and EarthScope (GAGE). Under GAGE, UNAVCO's Education and Community Engagement (ECE) program conducts outreach and education activities, in essence broader impacts for the scientific community and public. One major challenge of this evaluation was the breadth and depth of the dozens of projects conducted by the ECE program under the GAGE award. To efficiently solve this problem of a large-scale program evaluation, we adopted a deliberative democratic (DD) approach that afforded UNAVCO ECE staff a prominent voice in the process. The evaluator directed staff members to chose the projects they wished to highlight as case studies of their finest broader impacts work. The DD approach prizes inclusion, dialogue, and deliberation. The evaluator invited ECE staff to articulate qualities of great programs and develop a case study of their most valuable broader impacts work. To anchor the staff's opinion in more objectivity than opinion, the evaluator asked each staff member to articulate exemplary qualities of their chosen project, discuss how these qualities fit their case study, and helped staff to develop data collection systems that lead to an evidence-based argument in support of their project's unique value. The results of this evaluation show that the individual ECE work areas specialized in certain kinds of projects. However, when viewed at the aggregate level, ECE projects spanned almost the entire gamut of NSF broader impacts categories. Longitudinal analyses show that since the beginning of the GAGE award, many projects grew in impact from year 1 to year 5. While roughly half of the ECE projects were prior work projects, by year five at least 33% of projects were newly developed under GAGE. All selected case studies exemplified how education and outreach work can be productively tied to UNAVCO's core mission of promoting geodesy.

Role of LA Shape in Predicting Embolic Cerebrovascular Events in Mitral Stenosis

PubMed Central

Nunes, Maria Carmo P.; Handschumacher, Mark D.; Levine, Robert A.; Barbosa, Marcia M.; Carvalho, Vinicius T.; Esteves, William A.; Zeng, Xin; Guerrero, J. Luis; Zheng, Hui; Tan, Timothy C.; Hung, Judy

2015-01-01

OBJECTIVES This study was designed to assess the role of left atrial (LA) shape in predicting embolic cerebrovascular events (ECE) in patients with mitral stenosis (MS). BACKGROUND Patients with rheumatic MS are at increased risk for ECE. LA remodeling in response to MS involves not only chamber dilation but also changes in the shape. We hypothesized that a more spherical LA shape may be associated with increased embolic events due to predisposition to thrombus formation or to atrial arrhythmias compared with an elliptical-shaped LA of comparable volume. METHODS A total of 212 patients with MS and 20 control subjects were enrolled. LA volume, LA emptying fraction, and cross-sectional area were measured by 3-dimensional (3D) transthoracic echocardiography. LA shape was expressed as the ratio of measured LA end-systolic volume to hypothetical sphere volume ([4/3π r3] where r was obtained from 3D cross-sectional area). The lower the LA shape index, the more spherical the shape. RESULTS A total of 41 patients presented with ECE at the time of enrollment or during follow-up. On multivariate analysis, LA 3D emptying fraction (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.92 to 0.99; p = 0.028) and LA shape index (OR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.61 to 0.87; p < 0.001) emerged as important factors associated with ECE, after adjustment for age and anticoagulation therapy. In patients in sinus rhythm, LA shape index remained associated with ECE (OR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.67 to 0.94; p = 0.007), independent of age and LA function. An in vitro phantom atrial model demonstrated more stagnant flow profiles in spherical compared with ellipsoidal chamber. CONCLUSIONS In rheumatic MS patients, differential LA remodeling affects ECE risk. A more spherical LA shape was independently associated with an increased risk for ECE, adding incremental value in predicting events beyond that provided by age and LA function. PMID:24831206

Endothelin-converting enzyme-1 regulates trafficking and signalling of the neurokinin 1 receptor in endosomes of myenteric neurones

PubMed Central

Pelayo, Juan-Carlos; Poole, Daniel P; Steinhoff, Martin; Cottrell, Graeme S; Bunnett, Nigel W

2011-01-01

Abstract Neuropeptide signalling at the plasma membrane is terminated by neuropeptide degradation by cell-surface peptidases, and by β-arrestin-dependent receptor desensitization and endocytosis. However, receptors continue to signal from endosomes by β-arrestin-dependent processes, and endosomal sorting mediates recycling and resensitization of plasma membrane signalling. The mechanisms that control signalling and trafficking of receptors in endosomes are poorly defined. We report a major role for endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) in controlling substance P (SP) and the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) in endosomes of myenteric neurones. ECE-1 mRNA and protein were expressed by myenteric neurones of rat and mouse intestine. SP (10 nm, 10 min) induced interaction of NK1R and β-arrestin at the plasma membrane, and the SP–NK1R–β-arrestin signalosome complex trafficked by a dynamin-mediated mechanism to ECE-1-containing early endosomes, where ECE-1 can degrade SP. After 120 min, NK1R recycled from endosomes to the plasma membrane. ECE-1 inhibitors (SM-19712, PD-069185) and the vacuolar H+ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin A1, which prevent endosomal SP degradation, suppressed NK1R recycling by >50%. Preincubation of neurones with SP (10 nm, 5 min) desensitized Ca2+ transients to a second SP challenge after 10 min, and SP signals resensitized after 60 min. SM-19712 inhibited NK1R resensitization by >90%. ECE-1 inhibitors also caused sustained SP-induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases, consistent with stabilization of the SP–NK1R–β-arrestin signalosome. By degrading SP and destabilizing endosomal signalosomes, ECE-1 has a dual role in controlling endocytic signalling and trafficking of the NK1R: promoting resensitization of G protein-mediated plasma membrane signalling, and terminating β-arrestin-mediated endosomal signalling. PMID:21878523

Tuning the electrocaloric enhancement near the morphotropic phase boundary in lead-free ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Le Goupil, Florian; McKinnon, Ruth; Koval, Vladimir; Viola, Giuseppe; Dunn, Steve; Berenov, Andrey; Yan, Haixue; Alford, Neil Mcn.

2016-06-01

The need for more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly alternatives in the refrigeration industry to meet global emission targets has driven efforts towards materials with a potential for solid state cooling. Adiabatic depolarisation cooling, based on the electrocaloric effect (ECE), is a significant contender for efficient new solid state refrigeration techniques. Some of the highest ECE performances reported are found in compounds close to the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB). This relationship between performance and the MPB makes the ability to tune the position of the MPB an important challenge in electrocaloric research. Here, we report direct ECE measurements performed on MPB tuned NBT-06BT bulk ceramics with a combination of A-site substitutions. We successfully shift the MPB of these lead-free ceramics closer to room temperature, as required for solid state refrigeration, without loss of the criticality of the system and the associated ECE enhancement.

Tuning the electrocaloric enhancement near the morphotropic phase boundary in lead-free ceramics

PubMed Central

Le Goupil, Florian; McKinnon, Ruth; Koval, Vladimir; Viola, Giuseppe; Dunn, Steve; Berenov, Andrey; Yan, Haixue; Alford, Neil McN.

2016-01-01

The need for more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly alternatives in the refrigeration industry to meet global emission targets has driven efforts towards materials with a potential for solid state cooling. Adiabatic depolarisation cooling, based on the electrocaloric effect (ECE), is a significant contender for efficient new solid state refrigeration techniques. Some of the highest ECE performances reported are found in compounds close to the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB). This relationship between performance and the MPB makes the ability to tune the position of the MPB an important challenge in electrocaloric research. Here, we report direct ECE measurements performed on MPB tuned NBT-06BT bulk ceramics with a combination of A-site substitutions. We successfully shift the MPB of these lead-free ceramics closer to room temperature, as required for solid state refrigeration, without loss of the criticality of the system and the associated ECE enhancement. PMID:27312287

Design and first plasma measurements of the ITER-ECE prototype radiometer

DOE PAGES

Austin, M. E.; Brookman, M. W.; Rowan, W. L.; ...

2016-08-09

On ITER, second harmonic optically thick electron cyclotron emission (ECE) in the range of 220-340 GHz will supply the electron temperature (T e). In order to investigate the requirements and capabilities prescribed for the ITER system, a prototype radiometer covering this frequency range has been developed by Virginia Diodes, Inc. The first plasma measurements with this instrument have been carried out on the DIII-D tokamak, with lab bench tests and measurements of third through fifth harmonic ECE from high T e plasmas. At DIII-D the instrument shares the transmission line of the Michelson interferometer and can simultaneously acquire data. Inmore » our comparison of the ECE radiation temperature from the absolutely calibrated Michelson and the prototype receiver we show that the ITER radiometer provides accurate measurements of the millimeter radiation across the instrument band.« less

Tuning the electrocaloric enhancement near the morphotropic phase boundary in lead-free ceramics.

PubMed

Le Goupil, Florian; McKinnon, Ruth; Koval, Vladimir; Viola, Giuseppe; Dunn, Steve; Berenov, Andrey; Yan, Haixue; Alford, Neil McN

2016-06-17

The need for more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly alternatives in the refrigeration industry to meet global emission targets has driven efforts towards materials with a potential for solid state cooling. Adiabatic depolarisation cooling, based on the electrocaloric effect (ECE), is a significant contender for efficient new solid state refrigeration techniques. Some of the highest ECE performances reported are found in compounds close to the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB). This relationship between performance and the MPB makes the ability to tune the position of the MPB an important challenge in electrocaloric research. Here, we report direct ECE measurements performed on MPB tuned NBT-06BT bulk ceramics with a combination of A-site substitutions. We successfully shift the MPB of these lead-free ceramics closer to room temperature, as required for solid state refrigeration, without loss of the criticality of the system and the associated ECE enhancement.

Bioinformatic analysis of the neprilysin (M13) family of peptidases reveals complex evolutionary and functional relationships.

PubMed

Bland, Nicholas D; Pinney, John W; Thomas, Josie E; Turner, Anthony J; Isaac, R Elwyn

2008-01-23

The neprilysin (M13) family of endopeptidases are zinc-metalloenzymes, the majority of which are type II integral membrane proteins. The best characterised of this family is neprilysin, which has important roles in inactivating signalling peptides involved in modulating neuronal activity, blood pressure and the immune system. Other family members include the endothelin converting enzymes (ECE-1 and ECE-2), which are responsible for the final step in the synthesis of potent vasoconstrictor endothelins. The ECEs, as well as neprilysin, are considered valuable therapeutic targets for treating cardiovascular disease. Other members of the M13 family have not been functionally characterised, but are also likely to have biological roles regulating peptide signalling. The recent sequencing of animal genomes has greatly increased the number of M13 family members in protein databases, information which can be used to reveal evolutionary relationships and to gain insight into conserved biological roles. The phylogenetic analysis successfully resolved vertebrate M13 peptidases into seven classes, one of which appears to be specific to mammals, and insect genes into five functional classes and a series of expansions, which may include inactive peptidases. Nematode genes primarily resolved into groups containing no other taxa, bar the two nematode genes associated with Drosophila DmeNEP1 and DmeNEP4. This analysis reconstructed only one relationship between chordate and invertebrate clusters, that of the ECE sub-group and the DmeNEP3 related genes. Analysis of amino acid utilisation in the active site of M13 peptidases reveals a basis for their biochemical properties. A relatively invariant S1' subsite gives the majority of M13 peptidases their strong preference for hydrophobic residues in P1' position. The greater variation in the S2' subsite may be instrumental in determining the specificity of M13 peptidases for their substrates and thus allows M13 peptidases to fulfil a broad range of physiological roles. The M13 family of peptidases have diversified extensively in all species examined, indicating wide ranging roles in numerous physiological processes. It is predicted that differences in the S2' subsite are fundamental to determining the substrate specificities that facilitate this functional diversity.

Early Clinical Exposure as a Learning Tool to Teach Neuroanatomy for First Year MBBS Students.

PubMed

Kar, Maitreyee; Kar, Chinmaya; Roy, Hironmoy; Goyal, Parmod

2017-12-01

Early clinical exposure (ECE) is one of the important tools to teach basic science to the MBBS students. It is one form of vertical integration between basic science and clinical subjects. This study is an effort at exploring the use of ECE as a motivational tool toward better learning in neuroanatomy for first year MBBS students. This study aims to make the students interested and motivated to study neuroanatomy by using ECE as learning tool in neuroanatomy and to make the students enable to retain the knowledge of neuroanatomy more efficiently and correlate the knowledge of neuroanatomy with neuromedicine. This study was conducted in collaboration with the Departments of Anatomy, General Medicine and Medical Education Unit in the year 2016. This was cross-sectional study. One hundred and fifty students of 1 st Professional MBBS were subdivided into two groups. After preliminary classes on brain, brainstem, and spinal cord for both groups, conventional lecture classes were taken for Group A only on upper motor neuron (UMN) and lower motor neuron (LMN) paralysis, and only Group B visited General Medicine ward where HOD, General Medicine showed and examined patients of UMN paralysis and LMN paralysis, elicited different symptoms, and discussed different investigation. It was followed by assessment of all by problem-based multiple choice questions (MCQ) and short answer questions. Then, Group B attended lecture class on different cranial nerve palsy whereas Group A visited medicine ward. It was followed by assessment of both groups by problem-based MCQ and short answer questions. The performance was compared. Then, the feedback of the students on ECE was collected by means of reflection writing followed by administration of questionnaire. Then, the perception of teachers regarding ECE was recorded by focused group discussion. Student's t -test was used to compare the performance of both batches. Reflection writing and focus group discussion were analyzed qualitatively. There was a significant difference in Group A ( P = 0.019) but no significant difference in Group B ( P = 0.679). All the teachers opined that ECE was an efficient method but more time and interdepartmental collaboration were necessary. Group A improved performance due to ECE but Group B maintained the motivational effect of it. Therefore, ECE can be used as an effective learning tool.

The Impact of Magnetic Resonance Imaging on Prediction of Extraprostatic Extension and Prostatectomy Outcome in Patients with Low-, Intermediate- and High-Risk Prostate Cancer: Try to Find a Standard.

PubMed

Radtke, Jan Philipp; Hadaschik, Boris A; Wolf, Maya B; Freitag, Martin T; Schwab, Constantin; Alt, Celine; Roth, Wilfried; Duensing, Stefan; Pahernik, Sascha A; Roethke, Matthias C; Schlemmer, Heinz-Peter; Hohenfellner, Markus; Teber, Dogu

2015-12-01

To investigate the value of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and to predict extracapsular extension (ECE), seminal vesicle (SV) infiltration, and a negative surgical margin (SM) status at radical prostatectomy (RP) for different prostate cancer (PC) risk groups. In the study, 805 men underwent 3 tesla mpMRI without endorectal coil before MRI/transrectal ultrasonography-fusion guided prostate biopsy. MRIs were analyzed using the prostate imaging reporting and data system. The cohort was classified into risk groups according to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) criteria. Of 132 men who subsequently underwent RP, pathologic stage and SM status at RP were used as reference. Retrospectively, we investigated a European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) score for ECE and SV-infiltration. Statistical analyses included regression analyses, receiver operating characteristics (ROC), and Youden Index to assess an ESUR-score cutoff. Area under the curve in ROC curve analyses was 0.82 for ESUR-ECE score to detect pT(3a)-disease and 0.77 for ESUR-SV score for pT(3b). Using a cutoff of 4 for ECE and of 2 for SV, the positive predictive value of the ECE-score for harboring pT(3) was 50.0%, 90.0%, and 88.8% for the low-, intermediate- and high-risk cohort. Retrospectively, the use of the ESUR-ECE score preoperatively would have changed the initial surgical plan, according to NCCN criteria, in 31.1% of patients. In the high-risk subgroup, 9/35 (25.7%) patients were correctly assessed as not harboring pT(3) by imaging (ECE score <4), and would have allowed secure robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and nerve-sparing surgery (NSS). When T3 suspicion on preoperative MRI would be taken into account, intraoperative frozen-sections (IFS) might avoid positive SM in 12/18 high-risk patients and an oncologic secure NSS in 8/20 intermediate-risk patients. Prediction of pT(3) disease is crucial to plan NSS and to achieve negative SM in RP. Standardized ECE scoring on mpMRI is an independent predictor of pT(3) and may help to plan RP with oncologic security, even in high-risk patients. In addition, it allows more accurate selection of a subgroup of patients for systematic and MRI-guided IFS.

Nkx2.5 regulates Endothelin Converting Enzyme-1 during pharyngeal arch patterning

PubMed Central

Iklé, Jennifer M.; Tavares, Andre L. P.; King, Marisol; Ding, Hailei; Colombo, Sophie; Firulli, Beth A.; Firulli, Anthony B.; Targoff, Kimara L.; Yelon, Deborah; Clouthier, David E.

2017-01-01

In gnathostomes, dorsoventral (D-V) patterning of neural crest cells (NCC) within the pharyngeal arches is crucial for the development of hinged jaws. One of the key signals that mediates this process is Endothelin-1 (EDN1). Loss of EDN1 binding to the Endothelin-A receptor (EDNRA) results in loss of EDNRA signaling and subsequent facial birth defects in humans, mice and zebrafish. A rate-limiting step in this crucial signaling pathway is the conversion of immature EDN1 into a mature active form by Endothelin converting enzyme-1 (ECE1). However, surprisingly little is known about how Ece1 transcription is induced or regulated. We show here that Nkx2.5 is required for proper craniofacial development in zebrafish and acts in part by upregulating ece1 expression. Disruption of nkx2.5 in zebrafish embryos results in defects in both ventral and dorsal pharyngeal arch-derived elements, with changes in ventral arch gene expression consistent with a disruption in Ednra signaling. ece1 mRNA rescues the nkx2.5 morphant phenotype, indicating that Nkx2.5 functions through modulating Ece1 expression or function. These studies illustrate a new function for Nkx2.5 in embryonic development and provide new avenues with which to pursue potential mechanisms underlying human facial disorders. PMID:28109039

The Submillimeter Wave Electron Cyclotron Emission Diagnostic for the Alcator C-Mod Tokamak.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsu, Thomas C.

This thesis describes the engineering design, construction, and operation of a high spatial resolution submillimeter wave diagnostic for electron temperature measurements on Alcator C-Mod. Alcator C-Mod is a high performance compact tokamak capable of producing diverted, shaped plasmas with a major radius of 0.67 meters, minor radius of 0.21 centimeters, plasma current of 3 MA. The maximum toroidal field is 9 Tesla on the magnetic axis. The ECE diagnostic includes three primary components: a 10.8 meter quasioptical transmission line, a rapid scanning Michelson interferometer, and a vacuum compatible calibration source. Due to the compact size and high field of the tokamak the ECE system was designed to have a spectral range from 100 to 1000 GHz with frequency resolution of 5 GHz and spatial resolution of one centimeter. The beamline uses all reflecting optical elements including two off-axis parabolic mirrors with diameters of 20 cm. and focal lengths of 2.7 meters. Techniques are presented for grinding and finishing the mirrors to sufficient surface quality to permit optical alignment of the system. Measurements of the surface figure confirm the design goal of 1/4 wavelength accuracy at 1000 GHz. Extensive broadband tests of the spatial resolution of the ECE system are compared to a fundamental mode Gaussian beam model, a three dimensional vector diffraction model, and a geometric optics model. The Michelson interferometer is a rapid scanning polarization instrument which has an apodized frequency resolution of 5 GHz and a minimum scan period of 7.5 milliseconds. The novel features of this instrument include the use of precision linear bearings to stabilize the moving mirror and active counterbalancing to reduce vibration. Beam collimation within the instrument is done with off-axis parabolic mirrors. The Michelson also includes a 2-50 mm variable aperture and two signal attenuators constructed from crossed wire grid polarizers. To make full use of the advantages of an evacuated optical path a dual element in-situ calibration source was designed and constructed. The calibration source operates as a thermal blackbody at temperatures from 77K to 373K and base pressures down to 10^{-7} torr. The top element of the source serves as a room temperature reference while the lower element can be heated or cooled by the circulation of an appropriate fluid through the internal heat transfer tubes. The submillimeter absorbing bodies of both elements are made from arrays of knife edge tiles cast from thermally conductive, alumina filled epoxy. A boundary element heat transfer model of the tiles was constructed which indicates temperature uniformity within 1.5 percent. Operation during the 1993 startup of Alcator C -Mod demonstrates the excellent potential of the new instruments. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253 -1690.) (Abstract shortened by UMI.).

What's Happening with Computer Technology in Early Childhood Education Settings?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wood, Eileen; Willoughby, Teena; Specht, Jacqueline

1998-01-01

This in-depth survey of 75 early-childhood-education directors examined the current status of computer use in early childhood education (ECE). Results suggest that training may be necessary to facilitate the introduction of computers in ECE environments. (Author/LRW)

Factors that influence the efficiency of electrochemical chloride extraction during corrosion mitigation in reinforced concrete structures.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2006-01-01

Electrochemical chloride extraction (ECE) is an electrochemical bridge restoration method for mitigating corrosion in reinforced concrete structures. ECE does this by moving chlorides away from the reinforcement and out of the concrete while simultan...

Endothelin-converting Enzyme 1 and β-Arrestins Exert Spatiotemporal Control of Substance P-induced Inflammatory Signals*

PubMed Central

Jensen, Dane D.; Halls, Michelle L.; Murphy, Jane E.; Canals, Meritxell; Cattaruzza, Fiore; Poole, Daniel P.; Lieu, TinaMarie; Koon, Hon-Wai; Pothoulakis, Charalabos; Bunnett, Nigel W.

2014-01-01

Although the intracellular trafficking of G protein-coupled receptors controls specific signaling events, it is unclear how the spatiotemporal control of signaling contributes to complex pathophysiological processes such as inflammation. By using bioluminescence resonance energy transfer and superresolution microscopy, we found that substance P (SP) induces the association of the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) with two classes of proteins that regulate SP signaling from plasma and endosomal membranes: the scaffolding proteins β-arrestin (βARRs) 1 and 2 and the transmembrane metallopeptidases ECE-1c and ECE-1d. In HEK293 cells and non-transformed human colonocytes, we observed that G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 and βARR1/2 terminate plasma membrane Ca2+ signaling and initiate receptor trafficking to endosomes that is necessary for sustained activation of ERKs in the nucleus. βARRs deliver the SP-NK1R endosomes, where ECE-1 associates with the complex, degrades SP, and allows the NK1R, freed from βARRs, to recycle. Thus, both ECE-1 and βARRs mediate the resensitization of NK1R Ca2+ signaling at the plasma membrane. Sustained exposure of colonocytes to SP activates NF-κB and stimulates IL-8 secretion. This proinflammatory signaling is unaffected by inhibition of the endosomal ERK pathway but is suppressed by ECE-1 inhibition or βARR2 knockdown. Inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A, which also contributes to sustained NK1R signaling at the plasma membrane, similarly attenuates IL-8 secretion. Thus, the primary function of βARRs and ECE-1 in SP-dependent inflammatory signaling is to promote resensitization, which allows the sustained NK1R signaling from the plasma membrane that drives inflammation. PMID:24898255

Endothelin-converting enzyme 1 degrades neuropeptides in endosomes to control receptor recycling.

PubMed

Roosterman, Dirk; Cottrell, Graeme S; Padilla, Benjamin E; Muller, Laurent; Eckman, Christopher B; Bunnett, Nigel W; Steinhoff, Martin

2007-07-10

Neuropeptide signaling requires the presence of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) at the cell surface. Activated GPCRs interact with beta-arrestins, which mediate receptor desensitization, endocytosis, and mitogenic signaling, and the peptide-receptor-arrestin complex is sequestered into endosomes. Although dissociation of beta-arrestins is required for receptor recycling and resensitization, the critical event that initiates this process is unknown. Here we report that the agonist availability in the endosomes, controlled by the membrane metalloendopeptidase endothelin-converting enzyme 1 (ECE-1), determines stability of the peptide-receptor-arrestin complex and regulates receptor recycling and resensitization. Substance P (SP) binding to the tachykinin neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) induced membrane translocation of beta-arrestins followed by trafficking of the SP-NK1R-beta-arrestin complex to early endosomes containing ECE-1a-d. ECE-1 degraded SP in acidified endosomes, disrupting the complex; beta-arrestins returned to the cytosol, and the NK1R, freed from beta-arrestins, recycled and resensitized. An ECE-1 inhibitor, by preventing NK1R recycling in endothelial cells, inhibited resensitization of SP-induced inflammation. This mechanism is a general one because ECE-1 similarly regulated NK3R resensitization. Thus, peptide availability in endosomes, here regulated by ECE-1, determines the stability of the peptide-receptor-arrestin complex. This mechanism regulates receptor recycling, which is necessary for sustained signaling, and it may also control beta-arrestin-dependent mitogenic signaling of endocytosed receptors. We propose that other endosomal enzymes and transporters may similarly control the availability of transmitters in endosomes to regulate trafficking and signaling of GPCRs. Antagonism of these endosomal processes represents a strategy for inhibiting sustained signaling of receptors, and defects may explain the tachyphylaxis of drugs that are receptor agonists.

Endothelin-converting enzyme-1 degrades internalized somatostatin-14.

PubMed

Roosterman, Dirk; Kempkes, Cordula; Cottrell, Graeme S; Padilla, Benjamin E; Bunnett, Nigel W; Turck, Christoph W; Steinhoff, Martin

2008-05-01

Agonist-induced internalization of somatostatin receptors (ssts) determines subsequent cellular responsiveness to peptide agonists and influences sst receptor scintigraphy. To investigate sst2A trafficking, rat sst2A tagged with epitope was expressed in human embryonic kidney cells and tracked by antibody labeling. Confocal microscopical analysis revealed that stimulation with sst and octreotide induced internalization of sst2A. Internalized sst2A remained sequestrated within early endosomes, and 60 min after stimulation, internalized sst2A still colocalized with beta-arrestin1-enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP), endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1), and rab5a. Internalized (125)I-Tyr(11)-SST-14 was rapidly hydrolyzed by endosomal endopeptidases, with radioactive metabolites being released from the cell. Internalized (125)I-Tyr(1)-octreotide accumulated as an intact peptide and was released from the cell as an intact peptide ligand. We have identified ECE-1 as one of the endopeptidases responsible for inactivation of internalized SST-14. ECE-1-mediated cleavage of SST-14 was inhibited by the specific ECE-1 inhibitor, SM-19712, and by preventing acidification of endosomes using bafilomycin A(1). ECE-1 cleaved SST-14 but not octreotide in an acidic environment. The metallopeptidases angiotensin-1 converting enzyme and ECE-2 did not hydrolyze SST-14 or octreotide. Our results show for the first time that stimulation with SST-14 and octreotide induced sequestration of sst2A into early endosomes and that endocytosed SST-14 is degraded by endopeptidases located in early endosomes. Furthermore, octreotide was not degraded by endosomal peptidases and was released as an intact peptide. This mechanism may explain functional differences between octreotide and SST-14 after sst2A stimulation. Moreover, further investigation of endopeptidase-regulated trafficking of neuropeptides may result in novel concepts of neuropeptide receptor inactivation in cancer diagnosis.

New Developments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lohmander, Maelis Karlson; Vandenbroeck, Michel; Pirard, Florence; Peeters, Jan; Alvestad, Marit

2009-01-01

New developments and challenges regarding early childhood education (ECE) policy and practice in Norway and in the Flemish and French communities in Belgium are presented in this issue. There are clear differences between the countries when comparing systems they have chosen for ECE. In Belgium, supervision and responsibilities for education,…

Temperature induced phase transformations and negative electrocaloric effect in (Pb,La)(Zr,Sn,Ti)O3 antiferroelectric single crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhuo, Fangping; Li, Qiang; Yan, Qingfeng; Zhang, Yiling; Wu, Hong-Hui; Xi, Xiaoqing; Chu, Xiangcheng; Cao, Wenwu

2017-10-01

Temperature induced phase transitions and electrocaloric effect (ECE) of (Pb,La)(Zr,Sn,Ti)O3 (PLZST) single crystals have been comprehensively studied. Based on the in situ evolution of domain structures and dielectric properties of the PLZST crystals, the phase transitions during heating are in the sequence of orthorhombic antiferroelectric → rhombohedral ferroelectric → cubic paraelectric. Coexistence of the negative and positive ECEs has been achieved in the PLZST single crystals. A negative ECE value of -1.26 °C and enhanced electrocaloric strength of -0.21 K mm/kV near the Curie temperature have been obtained. A modified Landau model gives a satisfactory description of the experimentally observed unusual ECE. Moreover, a temperature-electric field phase diagram is also established based on theoretical analysis. Our results will help people understand better the electrocaloric family, particularly on the negative and/or positive effect in antiferroelectrics and ferroelectrics.

Simulation methods supporting homologation of Electronic Stability Control in vehicle variants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lutz, Albert; Schick, Bernhard; Holzmann, Henning; Kochem, Michael; Meyer-Tuve, Harald; Lange, Olav; Mao, Yiqin; Tosolin, Guido

2017-10-01

Vehicle simulation has a long tradition in the automotive industry as a powerful supplement to physical vehicle testing. In the field of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system, the simulation process has been well established to support the ESC development and application by suppliers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). The latest regulation of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe UN/ECE-R 13 allows also for simulation-based homologation. This extends the usage of simulation from ESC development to homologation. This paper gives an overview of simulation methods, as well as processes and tools used for the homologation of ESC in vehicle variants. The paper first describes the generic homologation process according to the European Regulation (UN/ECE-R 13H, UN/ECE-R 13/11) and U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS 126). Subsequently the ESC system is explained as well as the generic application and release process at the supplier and OEM side. Coming up with the simulation methods, the ESC development and application process needs to be adapted for the virtual vehicles. The simulation environment, consisting of vehicle model, ESC model and simulation platform, is explained in detail with some exemplary use-cases. In the final section, examples of simulation-based ESC homologation in vehicle variants are shown for passenger cars, light trucks, heavy trucks and trailers. This paper is targeted to give a state-of-the-art account of the simulation methods supporting the homologation of ESC systems in vehicle variants. However, the described approach and the lessons learned can be used as reference in future for an extended usage of simulation-supported releases of the ESC system up to the development and release of driver assistance systems.

Pre-Service Teachers' Perceptions on Tpack Development after Designing Educational Games

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sancar Tokmak, Hatice

2015-01-01

This qualitative case study aimed to investigate Early Childhood Education (ECE) pre-service teachers' perception of development in their technological, pedagogical, content knowledge (TPACK) after designing educational computer games for young children. Participants included 21 ECE pre-service teachers enrolled in the course Instructional…

Colossal Room-Temperature Electrocaloric Effect in Ferroelectric Polymer Nanocomposites Using Nanostructured Barium Strontium Titanates.

PubMed

Zhang, Guangzu; Zhang, Xiaoshan; Yang, Tiannan; Li, Qi; Chen, Long-Qing; Jiang, Shenglin; Wang, Qing

2015-07-28

The electrocaloric effect (ECE) refers to conversion of thermal to electrical energy of polarizable materials and could form the basis for the next-generation refrigeration and power technologies that are highly efficient and environmentally friendly. Ferroelectric materials such as ceramic and polymer films exhibit large ECEs, but each of these monolithic materials has its own limitations for practical cooling applications. In this work, nanosized barium strontium titanates with systematically varied morphologies have been prepared to form polymer nanocomposites with the ferroelectric polymer matrix. The solution-processed polymer nanocomposites exhibit an extraordinary room-temperature ECE via the synergistic combination of the high breakdown strength of a ferroelectric polymer matrix and the large change of polarization with temperature of ceramic nanofillers. It is found that a sizable ECE can be generated under both modest and high electric fields, and further enhanced greatly by tailoring the morphology of the ferroelectric nanofillers such as increasing the aspect ratio of the nanoinclusions. The effect of the geometry of the nanofillers on the dielectric permittivity, polarization, breakdown strength, ECE and crystallinity of the ferroelectric polymer has been systematically investigated. Simulations based on the phase-field model have been carried out to substantiate the experimental results. With the remarkable cooling energy density and refrigerant capacity, the polymer nanocomposites are promising for solid-state cooling applications.

Active Early: one-year policy intervention to increase physical activity among early care and education programs in Wisconsin.

PubMed

LaRowe, Tara L; Tomayko, Emily J; Meinen, Amy M; Hoiting, Jill; Saxler, Courtney; Cullen, Bridget

2016-07-20

Early childcare and education (ECE) is a prime setting for obesity prevention and the establishment of healthy behaviors. The objective of this quasi-experimental study was to examine the efficacy of the Active Early guide, which includes evidenced-based approaches, provider resources, and training, to improve physical activity opportunities through structured (i.e. teacher-led) activity and environmental changes thereby increasing physical activity among children, ages 2-5 years, in the ECE setting. Twenty ECE programs in Wisconsin, 7 family and 13 group, were included. An 80-page guide, Active Early, was developed by experts and statewide partners in the fields of ECE, public health, and physical activity and was revised by ECE providers prior to implementation. Over 12 months, ECE programs received on-site training and technical assistance to implement the strategies and resources provided in the Active Early guide. Main outcome measures included observed minutes of teacher-led physical activity, physical activity environment measured by the Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation (EPAO) instrument, and child physical activity levels via accelerometry. All measures were collected at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months and were analyzed for changes over time. Observed teacher-led physical activity significantly increased from 30.9 ± 22.7 min at baseline to 82.3 ± 41.3 min at 12 months. The change in percent time children spent in sedentary activity decreased significantly after 12 months (-4.4 ± 14.2 % time, -29.2 ± 2.6 min, p < 0.02). Additionally, as teacher led-activity increased, percent time children were sedentary decreased (r = -0.37, p < 0.05) and percent time spent in light physical activity increased (r = 0.35, p < 0.05). Among all ECE programs, the physical activity environment improved significantly as indicated by multiple sub-scales of the EPAO; scores showing the greatest increases were the Training and Education (14.5 ± 6.5 at 12-months vs. 2.4 ± 3.8 at baseline, p < 0.01) and Physical Activity Policy (18.6 ± 4.6 at 12-months vs. 2.0 ± 4.1 at baseline, p < 0.01). Active Early promoted improvements in providing structured (i.e. teacher-led) physical activity beyond the recommended 60 daily minutes using low- to no-cost strategies along with training and environmental changes. Furthermore, it was observed that Active Early positively impacted child physical activity levels by the end of the intervention. However, resources, training, and technical assistance may be necessary for ECE programs to be successful beyond the use of the Active Early guide. Implementing local-level physical activity policies combined with support from local and statewide partners has the potential to influence higher standards for regulated ECE programs.

Playing the Assessment Game: An English Early Childhood Education Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Basford, Jo; Bath, Caroline

2014-01-01

Assessment and the documentation of learning is an international issue in early childhood education (ECE) and has increasingly become a way for governments to exercise direct control over the practitioners working with young children. This paper details recent statutory guidance about assessment and documentation for English ECE settings and…

Building Capacity through an Early Education Leadership Academy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goffin, Stacie G.

2013-01-01

In 2013, the early childhood education (ECE) field is paying limited attention to leadership development (Goffin & Janke, 2013; Goffin & Means, 2009). A recent survey of ECE leadership development programs suggests that the field does not fully recognize the potential of leadership to serve as a change catalyst, although there is evidence…

Language Arts: Exceptional Child Education Curriculum K-12.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Curran, Teresa; And Others

The Exceptional Child Education (ECE) program of Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky, presents this language arts curriculum for use with K-12 students who have learning problems. The ECE program uses the curriculum and materials of the general education program whenever appropriate, but has access to special instructional…

Constructing Relational Space in Early Childhood Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vuorisalo, Mari; Rutanen, Niina; Raittila, Raija

2015-01-01

This paper examines early childhood education (ECE) by applying and developing relational-spatial perspectives on everyday life in educational institutions for young children. The aim is to investigate the dynamic process of construction of space and to illustrate with selected empirical episodes how this process occurs in ECE. Drawing on authors…

Early Childhood Educators' Understanding of Early Communication: Application to Their Work with Young Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brebner, Chris; Jovanovic, Jessie; Lawless, Angela; Young, Jessica

2016-01-01

Young children need rich learning experiences to maximize their potential. Early childhood educators (ECEs) working in childcare have knowledge of individual children as well as skills and professional knowledge that afford opportunities to provide language-rich environments for learning. To successfully work in partnership with ECEs,…

Canadian Early-Childhood Educators' Perceptions of Children's Gendered Shy, Aggressive, and Prosocial Behaviors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Woods, Heather; Bosacki, Sandra; Coplan, Robert J.

2016-01-01

Early childhood educators' (ECE) perceptions of gender roles may contribute to the development of children's own gender-role identities. This qualitative study examined 40 Canadian female ECEs' perceptions of gender and children's shy, aggressive, and prosocial behaviors. Content analysis of extensive interviews revealed three themes: (1) shyness…

The Influence of Gender Bias on Children in Childcare Settings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ikram, R

2011-01-01

To date, Early Childhood Education (ECE) courses and curriculum are primarily focused on a being gender neutral and teaching non-traditional gender practices in childcare settings. Further, many child care providers, specifically ECE teachers, are women. This paper describes how many teachers in childcare settings are teaching boys and girls to…

Brokering to Support Participation of Disadvantaged Families in Early Childhood Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mitchell, Linda; Meagher-Lundberg, Patricia

2017-01-01

This paper discusses findings from an evaluation of the New Zealand Ministry of Education's Early Childhood Education (ECE) Participation Programme that targeted local areas where there are high numbers of children starting school who have not participated in ECE. The aim of the programme is to increase participation of these low-income…

Praxis in Early Childhood Research with Infants and Educators

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Salamon, Andi

2017-01-01

As emerging literature reflects, "praxis" is an important and useful concept for thinking about the many aspects of early childhood education (ECE) and early childhood research. In this article, I seek to contribute to discussions about praxis in ECE as a valuable concept for meeting the ethical challenges that arise in participatory…

Examining Quality in Two Preschool Settings: Publicly Funded Early Childhood Education and Inclusive Early Childhood Education Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pelatti, Christina Yeager; Dynia, Jaclyn M.; Logan, Jessica A.; Justice, Laura M.; Kaderavek, Joan

2016-01-01

Background: Although classroom quality is an important consideration, few recent research studies have examined the process and structural quality in publicly funded early childhood education (ECE) and inclusive ECE classrooms. This study provides an important contribution to the literature by comparing two conceptualizations of quality in…

The Eros of Counter Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Luzon, Pinhas

2016-01-01

Erotic Counter Education (ECE) is the educational position of the late Ilan Gur-Ze'ev. In ECE Gur-Ze'ev combines two opposing positions in the philosophy of education, one teleological and anti-utopian, the other teleological and utopian. In light of this unique combination, I ask what mediates between these two poles and suggest that the answer…

Homophobia, Sexism, and Early Childhood Education: A Review of the Literature

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Duke, Thomas Scott; McCarthy, Kathrin W.

2009-01-01

We reviewed 31 articles that explored issues related to gender and sexuality in early childhood education (ECE) settings. This body of literature suggests that ECE programs and elementary schools often reinforce the homophobia, heterosexism, and sexism that characterize contemporary U.S. society. A number of the articles described strategies that…

Electronic Continuing Education in the Health Professions: An Update on Evidence from RCTs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lam-Antoniades, Margarita; Ratnapalan, Savithiri; Tait, Gordon

2009-01-01

Introduction: Demonstrating the effectiveness of the rapidly expanding field of electronic continuing education (e-CE) has important implications for CE in the health professions. This study provides an update on evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effectiveness of e-CE in the health professions. Methods: A literature…

Early Childhood Education in Eighteen Countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Khattab, Mohammad S.

1996-01-01

Examined the status of early childhood education (ECE) in 18 middle eastern and north African countries, incorporating country profiles, ECE institutions, teachers, and children. Identified the critical issues needing priority attention, and a set of indicators that could be used by educational planners and policymakers for monitoring and…

Disarming Contankerous People: Coping with Difficult Personalities in ECE Work Settings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hernandez, Luis; Smith, Connie Jo

2009-01-01

Difficult personalities come in a variety of roles in just about every setting. While types have been identified in the typical corporate and business culture, difficult work personalities also inhabit the world of early childhood education (ECE) workplaces. Because difficult people have an impact on workplace morale and productivity, the topic…

Shared-Reading Volume in Early Childhood Special Education Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dynia, Jaclyn M.; Justice, Laura M.

2015-01-01

This study describes book reading practices occurring in early childhood special education (ECSE) classrooms in comparison to early childhood education (ECE) classrooms. Reading logs submitted by 19 ECSE teachers and 13 ECE teachers over one academic year included all books read in whole class settings; these logs were analyzed to assess the…

Experienced Early Childhood Teachers as Graduate Students: A Process of Change

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mevorach, Miriam; Miron, Mordechai

2011-01-01

This paper explores perceptions of professional identity among experienced early childhood educators (ECEs) who are novice students in a new master's degree program in ECE. We sought to examine the changes experienced by these educators. The study used qualitative content analysis, which included an open-ended questionnaire that was administered…

Financing the Early Childhood Education System: NAEYC Policy Brief.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Young Children, 2001

2001-01-01

Discusses the view of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) regarding financing a system of early childhood education (ECE) in every state and community. Considers how to create a system, why financing is so important, the need to finance ECE programs and infrastructure, and various financing mechanisms. Concludes…

Challenges in Implementation of Early Childhood Education in Nigeria: The Way Forward

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Akinrotimi, Adenike A.; Olowe, Peter K.

2016-01-01

Early Childhood Education (ECE) comprises essential programmes and activities which are critical to holistic development, academic success and future achievements of children. ECE is recognised by the federal government of Nigeria as a foundational and essential programme that Nigerian children must experience. This is why the government has given…

Ways of dealing with science learning: a study based on Swedish early childhood education practice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gustavsson, Laila; Jonsson, Agneta; Ljung-Djärf, Agneta; Thulin, Susanne

2016-07-01

The Swedish school system offers curriculum-based early childhood education (ECE) organised as preschool (for 0-5-year-olds) and preschool class (for 6-year-olds). The intention to create a playful and educational environment based on children's perspectives, interests, and questions is strongly based on historical and cultural traditions. This article develops knowledge of ECE teachers' approaches to science-learning situations. The study applies a phenomenographic approach. The analysis is based on approximately 9.5 hours of video documentation of teacher-led and child-initiated Swedish ECE science activities. We identified two descriptive categories and four subcategories dealing with science-learning situations: (A) making anything visible, containing the three subcategories (Aa) addressing everyone, (Ab) addressing everything, and (Ac) addressing play and fantasy; and (B) creating a shared space for learning (Ba) addressing common content. These categories are related to how efforts to take advantage of children's perspectives are interpreted and addressed in educational practice. The article discusses and exemplifies the use of various categories and their potential implications for ECE learning practice.

Ideal kink and neoclassical tearing mode identification in DIII-D with ECE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Hailin; Austin, Max; Brookman, Michale; Rowan, William; La Haye, R. J.

2017-10-01

Detection of neoclassical tearing modes (NTMs), which can degrade plasma confinement or cause disruptions, is important in tokamaks. We have developed a code to cross-correlate ECE/magnetics data to get the amplitude and phase profiles of the electron temperature (Te) oscillation caused by the rotating magnetic island and/or a kink. It has been observed that the ΔTe amplitude on the two sides of the island center can be very different in some discharges. Also, a discrepancy often exists between the location of the rational q surface according to MSE-constrained EFIT and the location of island center according to ECE; this can be an issue for ECCD suppression of NTMs. We explore the possible causes of these two phenomena in terms of ECE location and calibration accuracy. By analyzing the Te fluctuation phase evolution after a large sawtooth crash which triggers an NTM, the presence of a kink-like mode before the onset of NTM can be discerned. Work supported by the US DOE under DE-FG02-97ER54415 and DE-FC02-04ER54698.

Enhanced electrocaloric effect in displacive-type organic ferroelectrics

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

Ding, L. J., E-mail: dinglinjie82@126.com; Zhong, Y.; Fan, S. W.

2015-08-07

We explore the intrinsic feature of electrocaloric effect (ECE) accompanied by ferroelectric (FE)-paraelectric (PE) transition for displacive-type organic ferroelectrics using Green's function theory. It is demonstrated that decreasing elastic constant K or increasing spin-lattice coupling λ can enhance the ECE, as well as polarization P and transition temperature T{sub C}. Indeed, one expects that the optimal operating temperature for solid-state refrigeration is around room temperature, at which the ECE achieves its maximum. As T{sub C} is tuned to ∼310 K, it presents larger ECE response and remanent polarization with lower coercive field for smaller K value, suggesting that well flexible displacive-typemore » organic ferroelectrics are excellent candidates both for electric cooling and data storage in the design of nonvolatile FE random-access memories. Furthermore, in an electric field, it provides a bridge between a Widom line that denotes FE-PE crossover above T{sub C} and a metaelectric transition line below T{sub C} that demonstrates an FE switching behavior with an antiparallel field.« less

Giant electrocaloric effect in a cracked ferroelectrics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Cheng; Yang, Hai-Bing; Gao, Cun-Fa

2018-04-01

The electrocaloric effect (ECE) is the temperature change in a material induced by electrical field variation under adiabatic condition. Considering an external electric load applied on a cracked ferroelectric solid, a non-uniform electric field would be induced at the crack tip, and thus, incompatible strain field and local stress concentration would be generated around it. Furthermore, the enormous strain energy and the electrostatic energy would affect the polarization switching of the ferroelectric solid, important for the electrocaloric response. In this paper, the large negative and positive ECEs in a ferroelectric sheet with a conducting crack are investigated by the phase field method with the consideration of time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equation. The numerical calculations indicated that the polarization field generates a sharp rise during the domain transition from polydomain to monodomain under a certain electric load. Large negative ECEs, about -10.21 K and -7.55 K, are obtained at 135 °C and 85 °C, respectively. The domain transition temperature is much lower than the Curie temperature, which enlarges the existence scope of the large ECE in ferroelectrics. The results also imply that the domain transition from a multi-domain state to a single domain takes place with the minimization of total free energy, which involves the courses of the electric field, stress field, temperature, and polarization interaction. Therefore, the non-uniform distributions of the stress-electric fields induced by the crack play an important role in ECE.

Bioinformatic analysis of the neprilysin (M13) family of peptidases reveals complex evolutionary and functional relationships

PubMed Central

2008-01-01

Background The neprilysin (M13) family of endopeptidases are zinc-metalloenzymes, the majority of which are type II integral membrane proteins. The best characterised of this family is neprilysin, which has important roles in inactivating signalling peptides involved in modulating neuronal activity, blood pressure and the immune system. Other family members include the endothelin converting enzymes (ECE-1 and ECE-2), which are responsible for the final step in the synthesis of potent vasoconstrictor endothelins. The ECEs, as well as neprilysin, are considered valuable therapeutic targets for treating cardiovascular disease. Other members of the M13 family have not been functionally characterised, but are also likely to have biological roles regulating peptide signalling. The recent sequencing of animal genomes has greatly increased the number of M13 family members in protein databases, information which can be used to reveal evolutionary relationships and to gain insight into conserved biological roles. Results The phylogenetic analysis successfully resolved vertebrate M13 peptidases into seven classes, one of which appears to be specific to mammals, and insect genes into five functional classes and a series of expansions, which may include inactive peptidases. Nematode genes primarily resolved into groups containing no other taxa, bar the two nematode genes associated with Drosophila DmeNEP1 and DmeNEP4. This analysis reconstructed only one relationship between chordate and invertebrate clusters, that of the ECE sub-group and the DmeNEP3 related genes. Analysis of amino acid utilisation in the active site of M13 peptidases reveals a basis for their biochemical properties. A relatively invariant S1' subsite gives the majority of M13 peptidases their strong preference for hydrophobic residues in P1' position. The greater variation in the S2' subsite may be instrumental in determining the specificity of M13 peptidases for their substrates and thus allows M13 peptidases to fulfil a broad range of physiological roles. Conclusion The M13 family of peptidases have diversified extensively in all species examined, indicating wide ranging roles in numerous physiological processes. It is predicted that differences in the S2' subsite are fundamental to determining the substrate specificities that facilitate this functional diversity. PMID:18215274

Novel single-cell mega-size chambers for electrochemical etching of panorama position-sensitive polycarbonate ion image detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sohrabi, Mehdi

2017-11-01

A novel development is made here by inventing panorama single-cell mega-size electrochemical etching (MS-ECE) chamber systems for processing panorama position-sensitive mega-size polycarbonate ion image detectors (MS-PCIDs) of potential for many neutron and ion detection applications in particular hydrogen ions or proton tracks and images detected for the first time in polycarbonates in this study. The MS-PCID is simply a large polycarbonate sheet of a desired size. The single-cell MS-ECE invented consists of two large equally sized transparent Plexiglas sheets as chamber walls holding a MS-PCID and the ECE chamber components tightly together. One wall has a large flat stainless steel electrode (dry cell) attached to it which is directly in contact with the MS-PCID and the other wall has a rod electrode with two holes to facilitate feeding and draining out the etching solution from the wet cell. A silicon rubber washer plays the role of the wet cell to hold the etchant and the electrical insulator to isolate the dry cell from the wet cell. A simple 50 Hz-HV home-made generator provides an adequate field strength through the two electrodes across the MS-ECE chamber. Two panorama single-cell MS-ECE chamber systems (circular and rectangular shapes) constructed were efficiently applied to processing the MS-PCIDs for 4π ion emission image detection of different gases in particular hydrogen ions or protons in a 3.5 kJ plasma focus device (PFD as uniquely observed by the unaided eyes). The panorama MS-PCID/MS-ECE image detection systems invented are novel with high potential for many applications in particular as applied to 4π panorama ion emission angular distribution image detection studies in PFD space, some results of which are presented and discussed.

Endothelin-converting enzyme 1 and β-arrestins exert spatiotemporal control of substance P-induced inflammatory signals.

PubMed

Jensen, Dane D; Halls, Michelle L; Murphy, Jane E; Canals, Meritxell; Cattaruzza, Fiore; Poole, Daniel P; Lieu, TinaMarie; Koon, Hon-Wai; Pothoulakis, Charalabos; Bunnett, Nigel W

2014-07-18

Although the intracellular trafficking of G protein-coupled receptors controls specific signaling events, it is unclear how the spatiotemporal control of signaling contributes to complex pathophysiological processes such as inflammation. By using bioluminescence resonance energy transfer and superresolution microscopy, we found that substance P (SP) induces the association of the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) with two classes of proteins that regulate SP signaling from plasma and endosomal membranes: the scaffolding proteins β-arrestin (βARRs) 1 and 2 and the transmembrane metallopeptidases ECE-1c and ECE-1d. In HEK293 cells and non-transformed human colonocytes, we observed that G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 and βARR1/2 terminate plasma membrane Ca(2+) signaling and initiate receptor trafficking to endosomes that is necessary for sustained activation of ERKs in the nucleus. βARRs deliver the SP-NK1R endosomes, where ECE-1 associates with the complex, degrades SP, and allows the NK1R, freed from βARRs, to recycle. Thus, both ECE-1 and βARRs mediate the resensitization of NK1R Ca(2+) signaling at the plasma membrane. Sustained exposure of colonocytes to SP activates NF-κB and stimulates IL-8 secretion. This proinflammatory signaling is unaffected by inhibition of the endosomal ERK pathway but is suppressed by ECE-1 inhibition or βARR2 knockdown. Inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A, which also contributes to sustained NK1R signaling at the plasma membrane, similarly attenuates IL-8 secretion. Thus, the primary function of βARRs and ECE-1 in SP-dependent inflammatory signaling is to promote resensitization, which allows the sustained NK1R signaling from the plasma membrane that drives inflammation. © 2014 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Endothelin-Converting Enzyme-1 Degrades Internalized Somatostatin-14

PubMed Central

Roosterman, Dirk; Kempkes, Cordula; Cottrell, Graeme S.; Padilla, Benjamin E.; Bunnett, Nigel W.; Turck, Christoph W.; Steinhoff, Martin

2008-01-01

Agonist-induced internalization of somatostatin receptors (ssts) determines subsequent cellular responsiveness to peptide agonists and influences sst receptor scintigraphy. To investigate sst2A trafficking, rat sst2A tagged with epitope was expressed in human embryonic kidney cells and tracked by antibody labeling. Confocal microscopical analysis revealed that stimulation with sst and octreotide induced internalization of sst2A. Internalized sst2A remained sequestrated within early endosomes, and 60 min after stimulation, internalized sst2A still colocalized with β-arrestin1-enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP), endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1), and rab5a. Internalized 125I-Tyr11-SST-14 was rapidly hydrolyzed by endosomal endopeptidases, with radioactive metabolites being released from the cell. Internalized 125I-Tyr1-octreotide accumulated as an intact peptide and was released from the cell as an intact peptide ligand. We have identified ECE-1 as one of the endopeptidases responsible for inactivation of internalized SST-14. ECE-1-mediated cleavage of SST-14 was inhibited by the specific ECE-1 inhibitor, SM-19712, and by preventing acidification of endosomes using bafilomycin A1. ECE-1 cleaved SST-14 but not octreotide in an acidic environment. The metallopeptidases angiotensin-1 converting enzyme and ECE-2 did not hydrolyze SST-14 or octreotide. Our results show for the first time that stimulation with SST-14 and octreotide induced sequestration of sst2A into early endosomes and that endocytosed SST-14 is degraded by endopeptidases located in early endosomes. Furthermore, octreotide was not degraded by endosomal peptidases and was released as an intact peptide. This mechanism may explain functional differences between octreotide and SST-14 after sst2A stimulation. Moreover, further investigation of endopeptidase-regulated trafficking of neuropeptides may result in novel concepts of neuropeptide receptor inactivation in cancer diagnosis. PMID:18276747

Novel single-cell mega-size chambers for electrochemical etching of panorama position-sensitive polycarbonate ion image detectors.

PubMed

Sohrabi, Mehdi

2017-11-01

A novel development is made here by inventing panorama single-cell mega-size electrochemical etching (MS-ECE) chamber systems for processing panorama position-sensitive mega-size polycarbonate ion image detectors (MS-PCIDs) of potential for many neutron and ion detection applications in particular hydrogen ions or proton tracks and images detected for the first time in polycarbonates in this study. The MS-PCID is simply a large polycarbonate sheet of a desired size. The single-cell MS-ECE invented consists of two large equally sized transparent Plexiglas sheets as chamber walls holding a MS-PCID and the ECE chamber components tightly together. One wall has a large flat stainless steel electrode (dry cell) attached to it which is directly in contact with the MS-PCID and the other wall has a rod electrode with two holes to facilitate feeding and draining out the etching solution from the wet cell. A silicon rubber washer plays the role of the wet cell to hold the etchant and the electrical insulator to isolate the dry cell from the wet cell. A simple 50 Hz-HV home-made generator provides an adequate field strength through the two electrodes across the MS-ECE chamber. Two panorama single-cell MS-ECE chamber systems (circular and rectangular shapes) constructed were efficiently applied to processing the MS-PCIDs for 4π ion emission image detection of different gases in particular hydrogen ions or protons in a 3.5 kJ plasma focus device (PFD as uniquely observed by the unaided eyes). The panorama MS-PCID/MS-ECE image detection systems invented are novel with high potential for many applications in particular as applied to 4π panorama ion emission angular distribution image detection studies in PFD space, some results of which are presented and discussed.

Estimation of Electron Bernstein Emission in the TJ-II Stellarator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

García-Rega\\ Na, J. M.; Cappa, A.; Castejón, F.; Tereshchenko, M.

2009-05-01

In order to study experimentally the viability of first harmonic EBW heating in the TJ-II stellarator by means of the O-X-B tecnique [1], an EBE diagnostic was recently installed [2]. In the present work a theoretical estimation of the EBW radiation in the TJ-II plasmas have been carried out making use of the ray tracing code TRUBA [3]. The line of sight of the EBE diagnostic may be modified using an internal movable mirror and therefore, for comparison with the experimental results, the theoretical O-X-B emission window has been determined. Experimental density and temperature profiles obtained in NBI discharges are considered in the simulations.References:[1] F. Castejon et al, Nucl. Fusion 48, 075011 (2008).[2] J. Caughman et al, Proc. 15th Joint Workshop on ECE and ECRH, Yosemite, USA (2008).[3] M. A. Tereshchenko et. al, Proc. 30th EPS Conference on Contr. Fusion and Plasma Phys., 27A, P-1.18 (2003).

Tying Early Childhood Education More Closely to Schooling: Promise, Perils and Practical Problems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Halpern, Robert

2013-01-01

Background: Over the past decade or so, the idea of joining early childhood education (ECE) and schooling has gained currency in the educational reform arena. Numerous education reform proposals and plans include ECE as a component. Scores of school districts around the country have added preschool classrooms to at least some of their elementary…

Teaming and Teaching in ECE: Neoliberal Reforms, Teacher Metaphors, and Identity in Head Start

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bullough, Robert V., Jr.

2015-01-01

Noting that surprisingly little researcher attention has been directed toward teaming in early childhood education (ECE), the author conducted parallel case studies of two Head Start teacher teams in a single center. Drawing on interviews, extensive observational notes taken over the course of a school year, and teacher-generated metaphors, the…

Do Learning Stories Tell the Whole Story of Children's Learning? A Phenomenographic Enquiry

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhang, Qilong

2017-01-01

This study compares the stances of practitioners, parents and the quality assurance authority on the assessment of learning in New Zealand (NZ) early childhood education (ECE). The phenomenographic interview participants include practitioners (24) and parents (11) from 11 ECE settings. The reports issued by the Education Review Office (ERO) on all…

Impacts of Early Childhood Education on Medium- and Long-Term Educational Outcomes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCoy, Dana Charles; Yoshikawa, Hirokazu; Ziol-Guest, Kathleen M.; Duncan, Greg J.; Schindler, Holly S.; Magnuson, Katherine; Yang, Rui; Koepp, Andrew; Shonkoff, Jack P.

2017-01-01

Despite calls to expand early childhood education (ECE) in the United States, questions remain regarding its medium- and long-term impacts on educational outcomes. We use meta-analysis of 22 high-quality experimental and quasi-experimental studies conducted between 1960 and 2016 to find that on average, participation in ECE leads to statistically…

Early Childhood Teachers at the Center: A Qualitative Case Study of Professional Development in an Urban District

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baker, Megina

2018-01-01

Professional development for early childhood educators (ECE PD) is an essential component of supporting a professional early childhood workforce. Yet research on ECE PD frequently centers on narrow fidelity data, while teachers' individual voices and teaching contexts are only rarely considered in order to understand teacher experiences with PD…

Moving up the Ladder: How Do States Deliver Quality Improvement Supports within Their Quality Rating and Improvement Systems? Brief

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Holod, Aleksandra; Faria, Ann-Marie; Weinberg, Emily; Howard, Eboni

2015-01-01

As national attention has increasingly focused on the potential for high-quality early childhood education (ECE) to improve children's school readiness, states have developed quality rating and improvement systems (QRISs) to document the quality of ECE programs, support systematic quality improvement, and provide clear information to families…

Choice of the Medium of Instruction in Kenyan Preschools: Averting Xenocentrism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Waithaka, Esther N.

2017-01-01

This qualitative study sought to prompt a critical and reflective discourse on the dismal use of mother tongue in Kenyan early childhood education (ECE) institutions in an attempt to detect existence of xenocentrism. Although the Kenyan ECE policy framework sanctions use of the language of the catchment area when teaching and communicating with…

The World Bank's Position on Early Child Education in Brazil: A Critical Assessment of Contributions and Shortcomings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fernandes, Sabrina

2014-01-01

In 2010, the World Bank published a policy study on early child education (ECE) developments in Brazil, entitled "Early Child Education: Making Programs Work for Brazil's Most Important Generation. Development." This paper analyses the report's assessment of ECE policy in Brazil as well as the recommendations it provides. A critical…

Early Care and Education: Policy Considerations for Ensuring High-Quality Pre-K Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Best, Jane; Cohen, Courtney

2013-01-01

Interest in early care and education (ECE), also referred to as an early childhood education, has escalated in recent years. The interest is bipartisan, as evidenced by the multiple ECE-related bills already introduced by the 113th Congress. Further, 39 states have implemented prekindergarten (pre-K) programs. In 2013, 27 governors mentioned ECE…

Chutes or Ladders? Creating Support Services to Help Early Childhood Students Succeed in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dukakis, Kara; Bellm, Dan; Seer, Natalie; Lee, Yuna

2007-01-01

This report explores efforts in California to generally support nontraditional students, and early care and education (ECE) nontraditional students in particular. It is recommended that institutions of higher education and local planners work together to assess the needs of nontraditional students in their ECE programs, the adequacy of existing…

Early Care and Education as Educational Panacea: What Do We Really Know about Its Effectiveness?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lowenstein, Amy E.

2011-01-01

Most young children in the United States regularly spend time in early care and education (ECE) settings. Institutionalized messages surrounding ECE claim that it has the potential to promote children's life-long success, especially among low-income children. I examine the legitimacy of these claims by reviewing empirical evidence that bears on…

Early Childhood Educators' Perspectives and Practices about Inclusion of Children with Special Needs in Botswana

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chhabra, Simmi; Bose, Kabita; Chadha, Neerja

2018-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate perspectives of Early Childhood Educators (ECEds) about inclusion of Children With Special Needs (CWSN) by examining their attitudes, training needs, and inclusive practices used in the inclusive classroom. One hundred twenty-eight ECEds completed a questionnaire that included the Scale of Teachers'…

The Current State of Early Childhood Education Programs: How Early Childhood Center Directors Manage Their Human Resources

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Arend, Lauren E.

2010-01-01

Purpose: Research in the field of early childhood education (ECE) demonstrated the association between skilled directors and high quality programs. Still, most state licensing requirements do not delineate the requisite knowledge or experience necessary to be an effective director. Many ECE directors advance to their position directly from the…

Four Good Reasons Why ECE Is Not Just Important, but Essential

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mitchell, Anne W.

2009-01-01

As an advocate for young children and families and an advocate for early childhood education, the author has long argued for improving quality and for investing more public dollars in ECE. To make her case, the author used several different arguments, including: moral; workforce productivity; brain research; and return on investment. The author…

Overview of Integrated Child Development Services Programme in India: Some Policy Implications for Nepal.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shrestha, Kishor

This paper presents an overview of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program in India, discusses the context of Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Nepal, analyzes the best practices of the ICDS, and draws some policy implications for improving ECE in Nepal. The ICDS program is an integrated child development program with the…

Early Childhood Education in Pakistan--Progress and Challenges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shami, Pervez A.

2009-01-01

This paper is on Early Childhood Education (ECE)--a goal of Education For All (EFA), assesses the progress of Pakistan's efforts and strategies mainly during post Dakar period 2001-02 to 2005-06 and the major challenges being encountered. The information includes analysis of National Educational Data on ECE in the light of policies and plans, EFA…

Tensions between Discourses of Development, Religion, and Human Capital in Early Childhood Education Policy Texts: The Case of Indonesia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Formen, Ali; Nuttall, Joce

2014-01-01

In this paper we consider how particular discourses have come to dominate early childhood education (ECE) policy in Indonesia. We briefly explain the governance of Indonesian ECE and then our approach to policy analysis using critical discourse analysis. Three prevalent discourses are identified and discussed: "developmentalism",…

The Impact of Every Classroom, Every Day on High School Student Achievement: Results from a School-Randomized Trial

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Early, Diane M.; Berg, Juliette K.; Alicea, Stacey; Si, Yajuan; Aber, J. Lawrence; Ryan, Richard M.; Deci, Edward L.

2016-01-01

Every Classroom, Every Day (ECED) is a set of instructional improvement interventions designed to increase student achievement in math and English/language arts (ELA). ECED includes three primary components: (a) systematic classroom observations by school leaders, (b) intensive professional development and support for math teachers and…

Funding Early Childhood Education: The President's Plan for the Future and States' Current Actions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Best, Jane; Cohen, Courtney

2013-01-01

Increased attention to proposed federal early childhood education (ECE) legislation has sparked a debate on what the future holds for state-funded ECE systems. This brief explores how the goal of universal preschool is being shaped by the federal agenda and examines state programs in various stages of development. President Obama's Preschool for…

Improving Latino Children's Early Language and Literacy Development: Key Features of Early Childhood Education within Family Literacy Programmes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jung, Youngok; Zuniga, Stephen; Howes, Carollee; Jeon, Hyun-Joo; Parrish, Deborah; Quick, Heather; Manship, Karen; Hauser, Alison

2016-01-01

Noting the lack of research on how early childhood education (ECE) programmes within family literacy programmes influence Latino children's early language and literacy development, this study examined key features of ECE programmes, specifically teacher-child interactions and child engagement in language and literacy activities and how these…

A Novel Conceptual Model of Environmental Communal Education: Content Analysis Based on Distance Education Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hafezi, Soheila; Shobeiri, Seyed Mohammad; Sarmadi, Mohammad Reza; Ebadi, Abbas

2013-01-01

Environmental education as a learning process increases people's knowledge and awareness about the environment. Although in some countries, the Environmental Communal Education (ECE) is the core of the environmental education by formal and informal organizations and groups, but, it has not clarified the meaning of the ECE's concept. Therefore the…

Thermal imaging of plasma with a phased array antenna in QUEST

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

Mishra, Kishore, E-mail: mishra@triam.kyushu-u.ac.jp; Nagata, K.; Akimoto, R.

2014-11-15

A thermal imaging system to measure plasma Electron Bernstein Emission (EBE) emanating from the mode conversion region in overdense plasma is discussed. Unlike conventional ECE/EBE imaging, this diagnostics does not employ any active mechanical scanning mirrors or focusing optics to scan for the emission cones in plasma. Instead, a standard 3 × 3 waveguide array antenna is used as a passive receiver to collect emission from plasma and imaging reconstruction is done by accurate measurements of phase and intensity of these signals by heterodyne detection technique. A broadband noise source simulating the EBE, is installed near the expected mode conversionmore » region and its position is successfully reconstructed using phase array technique which is done in post processing.« less

Sensitivity of UK butterflies to local climatic extremes: which life stages are most at risk?

PubMed

McDermott Long, Osgur; Warren, Rachel; Price, Jeff; Brereton, Tom M; Botham, Marc S; Franco, Aldina M A

2017-01-01

There is growing recognition as to the importance of extreme climatic events (ECEs) in determining changes in species populations. In fact, it is often the extent of climate variability that determines a population's ability to persist at a given site. This study examined the impact of ECEs on the resident UK butterfly species (n = 41) over a 37-year period. The study investigated the sensitivity of butterflies to four extremes (drought, extreme precipitation, extreme heat and extreme cold), identified at the site level, across each species' life stages. Variations in the vulnerability of butterflies at the site level were also compared based on three life-history traits (voltinism, habitat requirement and range). This is the first study to examine the effects of ECEs at the site level across all life stages of a butterfly, identifying sensitive life stages and unravelling the role life-history traits play in species sensitivity to ECEs. Butterfly population changes were found to be primarily driven by temperature extremes. Extreme heat was detrimental during overwintering periods and beneficial during adult periods and extreme cold had opposite impacts on both of these life stages. Previously undocumented detrimental effects were identified for extreme precipitation during the pupal life stage for univoltine species. Generalists were found to have significantly more negative associations with ECEs than specialists. With future projections of warmer, wetter winters and more severe weather events, UK butterflies could come under severe pressure given the findings of this study. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Animal Ecology © 2016 British Ecological Society.

Energy efficiency and its relationship with milk, body, and intake traits and energy status among primiparous Nordic Red dairy cattle.

PubMed

Mäntysaari, P; Liinamo, A-E; Mäntysaari, E A

2012-06-01

Existing variation in energy efficiency and its relationship with milk yield and milk composition, body weight and body condition, feed intake, and energy status was studied in primiparous Nordic Red dairy cattle with data including 3,752 weekly records from 145 cows. Energy efficiency was defined as energy conversion efficiency (ECE) and as residual energy intake (REI) estimated based on Finnish feeding standards (REI₁) or from the current data (REI₂). The results indicated true phenotypic variation in energy efficiency of the cows. The proportion of total variance due to the animal was 0.35 for REI₁, 0.30 for REI₂, and 0.50 for ECE. The high efficiency based on ECE was associated with increased mobilization of body reserves (r = -0.50) and decreased dry matter intake (r = -0.51). With REI as an energy efficiency measure, the increased efficiency was associated with a large decrease in feed intake (REI₁: r = 0.60; REI2: r = 0.74) without any effect on body weight change (REI₁: r = 0.13; REI2: r = 0.00). Increased efficiency based on ECE and REI₁ was associated with increased milk yield (ECE: r = 0.58; REI₁: r = -0.41). A clear effect of stage of lactation on REI was found, which could be caused by true differences in utilization of metabolizable energy during lactation. However, it might also be related, in part, to the lack of knowledge of the composition of body weight change in the beginning of lactation. Copyright © 2012 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Investigating Business Schools' Intentions about Offering E-Commerce Education Using an Extended Theory of Planned Behavior

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dodor, Jean Baptiste K.; Rana, Dharam S.

2009-01-01

This study investigates business schools' intentions about offering e-commerce education (ECE) using an extended theory of planned behavior (ETPB). The need for an adequate match between future supply and demand of e-commerce skills constitutes the main motivation for the study. The results show that most business schools consider ECE important…

Korean Early Childhood Educators' Multi-Dimensional Teacher Self-Efficacy and ECE Center Climate and Depression Severity in Teachers as Contributing Factors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, Yeon Ha; Kim, Yang Eun

2010-01-01

This study investigated profiles of South Korean early childhood educators' teacher self-efficacy and contributing factors to teacher self-efficacy. The contributing factors were examined with a focus on early childhood education (ECE) center climate and depression severity in teachers as well as teacher and classroom characteristics. The results…

Learning Together: A Study of Six B.A. Completion Cohort Programs in Early Care and Education--Year 4

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kipnis, F.; Whitebook, M.; Almaraz, M.; Sakai, L.; Austin, L. J. E.

2012-01-01

The Learning Together longitudinal study focuses on four counties' efforts to expand bachelor's degree opportunities in early care and education (ECE) for adults currently working in the field. The "student cohort" model--in which small groups of ECE students with similar interests and characteristics pursue a bachelor's degree together,…

Shifting Views: Exploring the Potential for Technology Integration in Early Childhood Education Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dietze, Beverlie; Kashin, Diane

2013-01-01

Using technology with children in play-based early learning programs creates questions for some within the Early Childhood Education (ECE) community. This paper presents how two faculty who teach in ECE-related degree programs integrated educational technology into their teaching pedagogy as a way to model to their students how it can be used to…

Getting on the Same Page: Identifying Goals for Technology Use in Early Childhood Education. Policy Brief

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Daugherty, Lindsay; Dossani, Rafiq; Johnson, Erin-Elizabeth; Wright, Cameron

2014-01-01

Technology use among young children is increasingly a fact of life, and establishing a clear set of goals that are broadly accepted by stakeholders is critical to planning for the successful integration of technology into early childhood education (ECE). However, debates about the role of technology in ECE settings are ongoing, with some…

An Exploratory Study of Young Students' Core Virtues of e-Character Education: The Taiwanese Teachers' Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chang, Chih-Ming; Chou, Chien

2015-01-01

The e-character education (e-CE) approach refers to systems of ethics education that pertain specifically to cyberspace. This exploratory study used a survey to collect 2495 teachers' responses regarding virtues important to e-CE. Furthermore, in order to identify the teaching concerns associated with these most important virtues, this study used…

Development and Evaluation of an Integrated Pest Management Toolkit for Child Care Providers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alkon, Abbey; Kalmar, Evie; Leonard, Victoria; Flint, Mary Louise; Kuo, Devina; Davidson, Nita; Bradman, Asa

2012-01-01

Young children and early care and education (ECE) staff are exposed to pesticides used to manage pests in ECE facilities in the United States and elsewhere. The objective of this pilot study was to encourage child care programs to reduce pesticide use and child exposures by developing and evaluating an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Toolkit for…

A Comprehensive Review of the Status of Early Childhood Development in the Middle East and North Africa.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Khattab, Mohammad Salih

This report reviews the status of early childhood education (ECE) programs in UNICEF's Middle East and North Africa region. The report compiles information about ECE programs in 18 countries based on a questionnaire sent to UNICEF country offices and other sources. The introduction sets out the economic and social rationales for investing in early…

Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Classroom Quality and Children's Social and Academic Skills in Early Elementary Grades

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mokrova, Irina; Broekhuizen, Martine; Burchinal, Margaret

2015-01-01

A growing body of research has shown that high quality early care and education (ECE) is positively related to the development of children's social and academic skills (e.g., Barnett, 2011; Lamb & Ahnert, 2006; NICHD ECCRN, 2006). There is evidence that high quality ECE experiences can improve children's levels of social adjustment (Bierman et…

How Much and What Kind? Identifying an Adequate Technology Infrastructure for Early Childhood Education. Policy Brief

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Daugherty, Lindsay; Dossani, Rafiq; Johnson, Erin-Elizabeth; Wright, Cameron

2014-01-01

To realize the potential benefits of technology use in early childhood education (ECE), and to ensure that technology can help to address the digital divide, providers, families of young children, and young children themselves must have access to an adequate technology infrastructure. The goals for technology use in ECE that a technology…

Increasing State Investments in Early Care and Education: Lessons Learned from Advocates and Best Practices, Spring 2008

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Voices for America's Children, 2008

2008-01-01

This report showcases advocacy efforts of 11 member organizations in 10 states that recently passed an early care and education (ECE) legislative initiative. The aim of the report is to provide advocates with proven strategies for advancing progress in securing access to ECE and expanding the opportunity for all children to start school prepared…

Building Community Systems for Young Children: Early Childhood Education. Building State Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Series, Number 11

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bassok, Daphna; Stipek, Deborah; Inkelas, Moira; Kuo, Alice

2005-01-01

This report examines the importance and funding sources of early child care and education (ECE), and the ways in which the State Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (SECCS) Initiative improves early childhood outcomes. Section I presents what is known about the importance of ECE, quality and access. Section II describes the current funding…

Material System Engineering for Advanced Electrocaloric Cooling Technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qian, Xiaoshi

Electrocaloric effect refers to the entropy change and/or temperature change in dielectrics caused by the electric field induced polarization change. Recent discovery of giant ECE provides an opportunity to realize highly efficient cooling devices for a broad range of applications ranging from household appliances to industrial applications, from large-scale building thermal management to micro-scale cooling devices. The advances of electrocaloric (EC) based cooling device prototypes suggest that highly efficient cooling devices with compact size are achievable, which could lead to revolution in next generation refrigeration technology. This dissertation focuses on both EC based materials and cooling devices with their recent advances that address practical issues. Based on better understandings in designing an EC device, several EC material systems are studied and improved to promote the performances of EC based cooling devices. In principle, applying an electric field to a dielectric would cause change of dipolar ordering states and thus a change of dipolar entropy. Giant ECE observed in ferroelectrics near ferroelectric-paraelectric (FE-PE) transition temperature is owing to the large dipolar orientation change, between random-oriented dipolar states in paraelectric phase and spontaneous-ordered dipolar states in ferroelectric phases, which is induced by external electric fields. Besides pursuing large ECE, studies on EC cooling devices indicated that EC materials are required to possess wide operational temperature window, in which large ECE can be maintained for efficient operations. Although giant ECE was first predicted in ferroelectric polymers, where the large effect exhibits near FEPE phase transition, the narrow operation temperature window poses obstacles for these normal ferroelectrics to be conveniently perform in wide range of applications. In this dissertation, we demonstrated that the normal ferroelectric polymers can be converted to relaxor ferroelectric polymers which possess both giant ECE (27 Kelvin temperature drop) and much wider operating temperature window (over 50 kelvin covering RT) by proper defect modification which delicately tailors ferroelectrics in meso-, micro- and molecular scales. In addition, in order to be practical, EC device requires EC material can be driven at low electric fields upon achieve the large ECE. It is demonstrated in this dissertation that by facially modifying materials structure in meso-, micro- and molecular scale, lowfield ECE can be greatly improved. Large ECE, induced by low electric fields and existing in wide temperature window, is a major improvement in EC materials for practical applications. Besides EC polymers, this thesis also investigated EC ceramics. Due to several unique opportunities offered by the EC ceramics, Ba(ZrxTi 1-x)O3 (BZT), that is studied. (i) This class of EC ceramics offers a possibility to explore the invariant critical point (ICP), which maximizes the number of coexistent phase and provides a nearly vanishing energy barrier for switching among different phases. As demonstrated in this thesis, the BZT bulk ceramics at x˜ 0.2 exhibits a large adiabatic temperature drop DeltaTc=4.5 K, a large isothermal entropy change DeltaS = 8 Jkg-1K-1, a large EC coefficient (|DeltaT c/DeltaE| = 0.52x10-6 KmV-1 and DeltaS/DeltaE=0.93x10 -6 Jmkg-1K-1V-1) over a wide operating temperature range Tspan>30K. (ii) The thermal conductivity of EC ceramics is in general, much higher than that of EC polymers, and consequently they will allow EC cooling configurations which are not accessible by the EC polymers. Moreover, in the same device configuration, the high thermal conductivity of EC ceramics (kappa> 5 W/mK, compared with EC polymer, ˜ 0.25 W/mK) allows higher operation frequency and therefore a higher cooling power. (iii) Well-established fabrication processes of multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) provide a foundation for the EC ceramic toward mass production. In this thesis, BZT thick film double layers have been fabricated and large ECE has been directly measured. EC induced temperature drop (DeltaT) around 6.3 °C and entropy change (DeltaS) of 11.0 Jkg-1K -1 are observed under an electric field of DeltaE=14.6 MV/m at 40 °C was observed in BZT thick film double layers. The result encourages further investigations on ECE in MLCC for practical applications. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).

Genetic vulnerability interacts with parenting and early care education to predict increasing externalizing behavior.

PubMed

Lipscomb, Shannon T; Laurent, Heidemarie; Neiderhiser, Jenae M; Shaw, Daniel S; Natsuaki, Misaki N; Reiss, David; Leve, Leslie D

2014-01-01

The current study examined interactions among genetic influences and children's early environments on the development of externalizing behaviors from 18 months to 6 years of age. Participants included 233 families linked through adoption (birth parents and adoptive families). Genetic influences were assessed by birth parent temperamental regulation. Early environments included both family (overreactive parenting) and out-of-home factors (center-based Early Care and Education; ECE). Overreactive parenting predicted more child externalizing behaviors. Attending center-based ECE was associated with increasing externalizing behaviors only for children with genetic liability for dysregulation. Additionally, children who were at risk for externalizing behaviors due to both genetic variability and exposure to center-based ECE were more sensitive to the effects of overreactive parenting on externalizing behavior than other children.

Genetic vulnerability interacts with parenting and early care education to predict increasing externalizing behavior

PubMed Central

Lipscomb, Shannon T.; Laurent, Heidemarie; Neiderhiser, Jenae M.; Shaw, Daniel S.; Natsuaki, Misaki N.; Reiss, David; Leve, Leslie D.

2014-01-01

The current study examined interactions among genetic influences and children’s early environments on the development of externalizing behaviors from 18 months to 6 years of age. Participants included 233 families linked through adoption (birth parents and adoptive families). Genetic influences were assessed by birth parent temperamental regulation. Early environments included both family (overreactive parenting) and out-of-home factors (center-based Early Care and Education; ECE). Overreactive parenting predicted more child externalizing behaviors. Attending center-based ECE was associated with increasing externalizing behaviors only for children with genetic liability for dysregulation. Additionally, children who were at risk for externalizing behaviors due to both genetic variability and exposure to center-based ECE were more sensitive to the effects of overreactive parenting on externalizing behavior than other children. PMID:25067867

Digital Mapping of Soil Salinity and Crop Yield across a Coastal Agricultural Landscape Using Repeated Electromagnetic Induction (EMI) Surveys

PubMed Central

Yao, Rongjiang; Yang, Jingsong; Wu, Danhua; Xie, Wenping; Gao, Peng; Jin, Wenhui

2016-01-01

Reliable and real-time information on soil and crop properties is important for the development of management practices in accordance with the requirements of a specific soil and crop within individual field units. This is particularly the case in salt-affected agricultural landscape where managing the spatial variability of soil salinity is essential to minimize salinization and maximize crop output. The primary objectives were to use linear mixed-effects model for soil salinity and crop yield calibration with horizontal and vertical electromagnetic induction (EMI) measurements as ancillary data, to characterize the spatial distribution of soil salinity and crop yield and to verify the accuracy of spatial estimation. Horizontal and vertical EMI (type EM38) measurements at 252 locations were made during each survey, and root zone soil samples and crop samples at 64 sampling sites were collected. This work was periodically conducted on eight dates from June 2012 to May 2013 in a coastal salt-affected mud farmland. Multiple linear regression (MLR) and restricted maximum likelihood (REML) were applied to calibrate root zone soil salinity (ECe) and crop annual output (CAO) using ancillary data, and spatial distribution of soil ECe and CAO was generated using digital soil mapping (DSM) and the precision of spatial estimation was examined using the collected meteorological and groundwater data. Results indicated that a reduced model with EMh as a predictor was satisfactory for root zone ECe calibration, whereas a full model with both EMh and EMv as predictors met the requirement of CAO calibration. The obtained distribution maps of ECe showed consistency with those of EMI measurements at the corresponding time, and the spatial distribution of CAO generated from ancillary data showed agreement with that derived from raw crop data. Statistics of jackknifing procedure confirmed that the spatial estimation of ECe and CAO exhibited reliability and high accuracy. A general increasing trend of ECe was observed and moderately saline and very saline soils were predominant during the survey period. The temporal dynamics of root zone ECe coincided with those of daily rainfall, water table and groundwater data. Long-range EMI surveys and data collection are needed to capture the spatial and temporal variability of soil and crop parameters. Such results allowed us to conclude that, cost-effective and efficient EMI surveys, as one part of multi-source data for DSM, could be successfully used to characterize the spatial variability of soil salinity, to monitor the spatial and temporal dynamics of soil salinity, and to spatially estimate potential crop yield. PMID:27203697

Digital Mapping of Soil Salinity and Crop Yield across a Coastal Agricultural Landscape Using Repeated Electromagnetic Induction (EMI) Surveys.

PubMed

Yao, Rongjiang; Yang, Jingsong; Wu, Danhua; Xie, Wenping; Gao, Peng; Jin, Wenhui

2016-01-01

Reliable and real-time information on soil and crop properties is important for the development of management practices in accordance with the requirements of a specific soil and crop within individual field units. This is particularly the case in salt-affected agricultural landscape where managing the spatial variability of soil salinity is essential to minimize salinization and maximize crop output. The primary objectives were to use linear mixed-effects model for soil salinity and crop yield calibration with horizontal and vertical electromagnetic induction (EMI) measurements as ancillary data, to characterize the spatial distribution of soil salinity and crop yield and to verify the accuracy of spatial estimation. Horizontal and vertical EMI (type EM38) measurements at 252 locations were made during each survey, and root zone soil samples and crop samples at 64 sampling sites were collected. This work was periodically conducted on eight dates from June 2012 to May 2013 in a coastal salt-affected mud farmland. Multiple linear regression (MLR) and restricted maximum likelihood (REML) were applied to calibrate root zone soil salinity (ECe) and crop annual output (CAO) using ancillary data, and spatial distribution of soil ECe and CAO was generated using digital soil mapping (DSM) and the precision of spatial estimation was examined using the collected meteorological and groundwater data. Results indicated that a reduced model with EMh as a predictor was satisfactory for root zone ECe calibration, whereas a full model with both EMh and EMv as predictors met the requirement of CAO calibration. The obtained distribution maps of ECe showed consistency with those of EMI measurements at the corresponding time, and the spatial distribution of CAO generated from ancillary data showed agreement with that derived from raw crop data. Statistics of jackknifing procedure confirmed that the spatial estimation of ECe and CAO exhibited reliability and high accuracy. A general increasing trend of ECe was observed and moderately saline and very saline soils were predominant during the survey period. The temporal dynamics of root zone ECe coincided with those of daily rainfall, water table and groundwater data. Long-range EMI surveys and data collection are needed to capture the spatial and temporal variability of soil and crop parameters. Such results allowed us to conclude that, cost-effective and efficient EMI surveys, as one part of multi-source data for DSM, could be successfully used to characterize the spatial variability of soil salinity, to monitor the spatial and temporal dynamics of soil salinity, and to spatially estimate potential crop yield.

Reframing the Debate about the Relationship between Learning and Development: An Effort to Resolve Dilemmas and Reestablish Dialogue in a Fractured Field

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fowler, R. Clarke

2017-01-01

The field of early childhood education (ECE) is currently unable to reach consensus on the extent to which ECE should be based on child development. One manifestation of this situation is the dilemma that early educators purportedly face between teaching the whole child and the curriculum, between developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) and…

Preparing Teachers of Young Children: The Current State of Knowledge, and a Blueprint for the Future. Executive Summary. Policy Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Whitebook, Marcy; Gomby, Deanna; Bellm, Dan; Sakai, Laura; Kipnis, Fran

2009-01-01

Across the political spectrum, high-quality early care and education (ECE) is viewed as essential to educational reform. No ECE program can succeed without teachers who can establish warm and caring relationships with children, light the fires of children's curiosity and love of learning, and foster their development and readiness for school.…

The Effect of Expertise-Based Training on the Quality of Digital Stories Created to Teach Mathematics to Young Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sancar-Tokmak, Hatice; Incikabi, Lutfi

2013-01-01

This study investigated the effect of expertise-based training (XBT) on the quality of digital stories created by early childhood education (ECE) pre-service teachers. The participants of the study were 69 pre-service teachers from the ECE Department. The study was experimental, utilizing a static-group pre-test/post-test design, supported with…

Bodies Displayed on Walls: Are Children's Bodies Represented in an Inclusive Way in the Pictures on the Walls in Their Early Childhood Educational Environments?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Martínez-Bello, Vladimir E.; Martínez-Bello, Judith T.

2017-01-01

The messages conveyed by visual representations in the early childhood education (ECE) environment are critical to ensuring the success of inclusive practices. Given that anti-bias education permeates and affects everything which takes place in ECE institutions, the challenge for early childhood educators is to think creatively about how classroom…

The Tension between Teacher Control and Children's Freedom in a Child-Centered Classroom: Resolving the Practical Dilemma through a Closer Look at the Related Theories

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tzuo, Pei Wen

2007-01-01

This article explores the meaning of child-centeredness in Early Childhood Education (ECE), by shedding light on the nuanced tensions between teacher control and children's freedom. While ECE professionals advocate the importance of children's individual interests and needs in education, they diverge somewhat in their perspectives about the…

A One-Credit Hands-On Introductory Course in Electrical and Computer Engineering Using a Variety of Topic Modules

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pierre, J. W.; Tuffner, F. K.; Anderson, J. R.; Whitman, D. L.; Ula, A. H. M. S.; Kubichek, R. F.; Wright, C. H. G.; Barrett, S. F.; Cupal, J. J.; Hamann, J. C.

2009-01-01

This paper describes a one-credit laboratory course for freshmen majoring in electrical and computer engineering (ECE). The course is motivational in nature and exposes the students to a wide range of areas of electrical and computer engineering. The authors believe it is important to give freshmen a broad perspective of what ECE is all about, and…

Respecting but Not Sustaining Play: Early Childhood Educators' and Home Childcare Providers' Practices That Support Children's Play

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lemay, Lise; Bigras, Nathalie; Bouchard, Caroline

2016-01-01

This study examined and compared the extent to which early childhood educators' (ECEs) and home childcare providers' (HCPs) practices supported children's play. The sample included 50 ECEs and 20 HCPs in settings that care for 70 children at 18, 24, and 36 months old. At each time point, the childcare process quality was observed using the…

Contrasting Effects of Extreme Drought and Snowmelt Patterns on Mountain Plants along an Elevation Gradient.

PubMed

Rosbakh, Sergey; Leingärtner, Annette; Hoiss, Bernhard; Krauss, Jochen; Steffan-Dewenter, Ingolf; Poschlod, Peter

2017-01-01

Despite the evidence that increased frequency and magnitude of extreme climate events (ECE) considerably affect plant performance, there is still a lack of knowledge about how these events affect mountain plant biodiversity and mountain ecosystem functioning. Here, we assessed the short-term (one vegetation period) effects of simulated ECEs [extreme drought (DR), advanced and delayed snowmelt (AD and DE), respectively] on the performance of 42 plant species occurring in the Bavarian Alps (Germany) along an elevational gradient of 600-2000 m a.s.l. in terms of vegetative growth and reproduction performance. We demonstrate that plant vegetative and generative traits respond differently to the simulated ECEs, but the nature and magnitude treatment effects strongly depend on study site location along the elevational gradient, species' altitudinal origin and plant functional type (PFT) of the target species. For example, the negative effect of DR treatment on growth (e.g., lower growth rates and lower leaf nitrogen content) and reproduction (e.g., lower seed mass) was much stronger in upland sites, as compared to lowlands. Species' response to the treatments also differed according to their altitudinal origin. Specifically, upland species responded negatively to extreme DR (e.g., lower growth rates and lower leaf carbon concentrations, smaller seed set), whereas performance of lowland species remained unaffected (e.g., stable seed set and seed size) or even positively responded (e.g., higher growth rates) to that treatment. Furthermore, we were able to detect some consistent differences in responses to the ECEs among three PFTs (forbs, graminoids, and legumes). For instance, vegetative growth and sexual reproduction of highly adaptable opportunistic graminoids positively responded to nearly all ECEs, likely on the costs of other, more conservative, forbs and legumes. Our results suggest that ECEs can significantly modify the performance of specific plant groups and therefore lead to changes in plant community structure and composition under ongoing climate change. Our study therefore underlines the need for more experimental studies on the effects of extreme climate events to understand the potential consequences of climate change for the alpine ecosystem.

Irrigation salinity hazard assessment and risk mapping in the lower Macintyre Valley, Australia.

PubMed

Huang, Jingyi; Prochazka, Melissa J; Triantafilis, John

2016-05-01

In the Murray-Darling Basin of Australia, secondary soil salinization occurs due to excessive deep drainage and the presence of shallow saline water tables. In order to understand the cause and best management, soil and vadose zone information is necessary. This type of information has been generated in the Toobeah district but owing to the state border an inconsistent methodology was used. This has led to much confusion from stakeholders who are unable to understand the ambiguity of the results in terms of final overall risk of salinization. In this research, a digital soil mapping method that employs various ancillary data is presented. Firstly, an electromagnetic induction survey using a Geonics EM34 and EM38 was used to characterise soil and vadose zone stratigraphy. From the apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) collected, soil sampling locations were selected and with laboratory analysis carried out to determine average (2-12m) clay and EC of a saturated soil-paste extract (ECe). EM34 ECa, land surface parameters derived from a digital elevation model and measured soil data were used to establish multiple linear regression models, which allowed for mapping of various hazard factors, including clay and ECe. EM38 ECa data were calibrated to deep drainage obtained from Salt and Leaching Fraction (SaLF) modelling of soil data. Expert knowledge and indicator kriging were used to determine critical values where the salinity hazard factors were likely to contribute to a shallow saline water table (i.e., clay ≤35%; ECe>2.5dS/m, and deep drainage >100mm/year). This information was combined to produce an overall salinity risk map for the Toobeah district using indicator kriging. The risk map shows potential salinization areas and where detailed information is required and where targeted research can be conducted to monitor soil conditions and water table heights and determine best management strategies. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Prostate weight: an independent predictor for positive surgical margins during robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

PubMed

Msezane, Lambda P; Gofrit, Ofer N; Lin, Shang; Shalhav, Arieh L; Zagaja, Gregory P; Zorn, Kevin C

2007-10-01

Pre-operative prediction of pathological stage represents the cornerstone of prostate cancer management. Patient counseling is routinely based on pre-operative PSA, Gleason score and clinical stage. In this study, we evaluated whether prostate weight (PW) is an independent predictor of extracapsular extension (ECE) and positive surgical margin (PSM). Between February 2003 and November 2006, 709 men underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RLRP). Pre-operative parameters (patient age, pre-operative PSA, biopsy Gleason score, clinical stage) as well as pathological data (prostate weight, pathological stage) were prospectively gathered after internal-review board (IRB) approval. Evaluation of the influence of these variables on ECE and PSM outcomes were assessed using both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Mean overall patient age, pre-operative PSA and PW were 59.6 years, 6.5 ng/ml and 52.9 g (range 5.5 g-198.7 g), respectively. Of the 393, 209 and 107 men with PW < 50 g, 50 g-< 70 g and < 70 g, ECE was observed in 20.1%, 15.3% and 9.3%, respectively (p = 0.015). In the same patient cohorts, PSM was observed in 25.4%, 14.4% and 7.5%, respectively (p < 0.001). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, PW, in addition to pre-operative PSA, biopsy Gleason score and clinical stage, was an independent risk factor for ECE (p < 0.001). Similarly, in multi-variate analysis, PW was observed to be a risk factor for PSM (p < 0.001). PW is an independent predictor of both ECE and PSM, with an inverse relationship having been demonstrated between both variables. PW should be considered when counseling patients with prostate cancer treatment.

Effects of phosphoramidon on endothelin-1 and big endothelin-1 production in human aortic endothelial cells.

PubMed

Matsumura, Y; Tsukahara, Y; Kojima, T; Murata, S; Murakami, A; Takada, K; Takaoka, M; Morimoto, S

1995-03-01

Using cultured human aortic endothelial cells, we examined the effects of phosphoramidon, an endothelin converting enzyme (ECE) inhibitor, on the release of endogenous endothelin-1 (ET-1) and big endothelin-1 (big ET-1), and on the generation of ET-1 from exogenously applied big ET-1. Phosphoramidon, at concentrations of 10(-6) to 2 x 10(-4) M, caused a biphasic alteration of the ET-1 release, i.e., at lower concentrations of the drug, there were slight but unexpected increases of the release, whereas higher concentrations led to a decrease which is due to the drug-induced inhibition of ECE. The former effect appears to be based on the inhibition of ET-1 degradation by neutral endopeptidase 24.11 (NEP), since kelatorphan, a specific NEP inhibitor, produced a similar increasing effect on ET-1 release. Phosphoramidon enhanced the big ET-1 release from the cells in a concentration-dependent manner. When high concentrations of phosphoramidon were added, there was a dramatic increase in the release of big ET-1, which cannot be explained only by the drug-induced inhibition of ECE. This increase in big ET-1 release appeared to be partly due to a transient stimulation of the expression of prepro ET-1 mRNA. The amount of ET-1 generated from exogenously applied big ET-1 was markedly decreased by phosphoramidon in a concentration-dependent manner. In a similar fashion, phosphoramidon markedly inhibited ECE activity of the membrane fraction of cultured cells. Thus, ET-1 generation from exogenously applied big ET-1 reflects the functional phosphoramidon-sensitive ECE activities in human aortic endothelial cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Extreme weather and climate events with ecological relevance: a review

PubMed Central

Meehl, Gerald A.

2017-01-01

Robust evidence exists that certain extreme weather and climate events, especially daily temperature and precipitation extremes, have changed in regard to intensity and frequency over recent decades. These changes have been linked to human-induced climate change, while the degree to which climate change impacts an individual extreme climate event (ECE) is more difficult to quantify. Rapid progress in event attribution has recently been made through improved understanding of observed and simulated climate variability, methods for event attribution and advances in numerical modelling. Attribution for extreme temperature events is stronger compared with other event types, notably those related to the hydrological cycle. Recent advances in the understanding of ECEs, both in observations and their representation in state-of-the-art climate models, open new opportunities for assessing their effect on human and natural systems. Improved spatial resolution in global climate models and advances in statistical and dynamical downscaling now provide climatic information at appropriate spatial and temporal scales. Together with the continued development of Earth System Models that simulate biogeochemical cycles and interactions with the biosphere at increasing complexity, these make it possible to develop a mechanistic understanding of how ECEs affect biological processes, ecosystem functioning and adaptation capabilities. Limitations in the observational network, both for physical climate system parameters and even more so for long-term ecological monitoring, have hampered progress in understanding bio-physical interactions across a range of scales. New opportunities for assessing how ECEs modulate ecosystem structure and functioning arise from better scientific understanding of ECEs coupled with technological advances in observing systems and instrumentation. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Behavioural, ecological and evolutionary responses to extreme climatic events’. PMID:28483866

Protein phosphatase 2A mediates resensitization of the neurokinin 1 receptor

PubMed Central

Murphy, Jane E.; Roosterman, Dirk; Cottrell, Graeme S.; Padilla, Benjamin E.; Feld, Micha; Brand, Eva; Cedron, Wendy J.; Steinhoff, Martin

2011-01-01

Activated G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are phosphorylated and interact with β-arrestins, which mediate desensitization and endocytosis. Endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) degrades neuropeptides in endosomes and can promote recycling. Although endocytosis, dephosphorylation, and recycling are accepted mechanisms of receptor resensitization, a large proportion of desensitized receptors can remain at the cell surface. We investigated whether reactivation of noninternalized, desensitized (phosphorylated) receptors mediates resensitization of the substance P (SP) neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R). Herein, we report a novel mechanism of resensitization by which protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is recruited to dephosphorylate noninternalized NK1R. A desensitizing concentration of SP reduced cell-surface SP binding sites by only 25%, and SP-induced Ca2+ signals were fully resensitized before cell-surface binding sites started to recover, suggesting resensitization of cell-surface-retained NK1R. SP induced association of β-arrestin1 and PP2A with noninternalized NK1R. β-Arrestin1 small interfering RNA knockdown prevented SP-induced association of cell-surface NK1R with PP2A, indicating that β-arrestin1 mediates this interaction. ECE-1 inhibition, by trapping β-arrestin1 in endosomes, also impeded SP-induced association of cell-surface NK1R with PP2A. Resensitization of NK1R signaling required both PP2A and ECE-1 activity. Thus, after stimulation with SP, PP2A interacts with noninternalized NK1R and mediates resensitization. PP2A interaction with NK1R requires β-arrestin1. ECE-1 promotes this process by releasing β-arrestin1 from NK1R in endosomes. These findings represent a novel mechanism of PP2A- and ECE-1-dependent resensitization of GPCRs. PMID:21795521

Characterization of PgPepO, a bacterial homologue of endothelin-converting enzyme-1.

PubMed

Carson, Julie A; Ansai, Toshihiro; Awano, Shuji; Yu, Weixian; Takehara, Tadamichi; Turner, Anthony J

2002-08-01

PgPepO is a homologue of endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1), with which it shares 31% identity. PgPepO was isolated from the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis. Recent studies have suggested a link between periodontal and cardiovascular disease, and several groups have suggested that bacterial and viral infections may contribute to the latter. P. gingivalis possesses the ability to invade, and multiply within, aortic endothelial cells and has been localized to atherosclerotic plaques. PgPepO was expressed and purified to homogeneity and we have begun detailed functional analysis, in terms of substrate preference and inhibitor specificity, in order to provide active-site comparisons with other members of the neprilysin (NEP)/ECE family. PgPepO possesses similar substrate specificity to ECE-1 and has been shown to cleave big endothelin-1 (big ET-1), big ET-2 and big ET-3, converting the substrates into their respective mature endothelin peptides. Substance P, angiotensin I, angiotensin II and neurotensin are all cleaved at multiple sites by PgPepO and the kinetics of these reactions have been compared. The potent vasoconstrictor urotensin II is not hydrolysed by PgPepO. Cleavage of bradykinin by PgPepO occurs at the Pro(7)-Phe(8) bond and is inhibited by the NEP and ECE-1 inhibitor phosphoramidon in a pH-dependent fashion (IC(50) =10 microM at pH 7.0) but not by thiorphan, an NEP-specific inhibitor. PgPepO activity is completely inhibited by EDTA. Characterization of this enzyme is important in elucidating possible links between periodontal pathogens and cardiovascular disorders such as atherosclerosis, and provides an opportunity to gain structural information on a bacterial protein with striking similarity to human ECE-1.

Should reporting of peri-neural invasion and extra prostatic extension be mandatory in prostate cancer biopsies? correlation with outcome in biopsy cases treated conservatively

PubMed Central

Ahmad, Amar S.; Parameshwaran, Vishnu; Beltran, Luis; Fisher, Gabrielle; North, Bernard V.; Greenberg, David; Soosay, Geraldine; Møller, Henrik; Scardino, Peter; Cuzick, Jack; Berney, Daniel M.

2018-01-01

The identification of perineural invasion (PNI) and extraprostatic extension (ECE) in prostate cancer (PC) biopsies is time consuming and can be difficult. Although this is required information in many datasets, there is little evidence on their effect on outcome in patients treated conservatively. Cases of PC were identified from three cancer registries in the UK from men with clinically localized prostate cancer diagnosed by needle biopsy from 1990–2003. The endpoint was prostate cancer death (DOD). Patients treated radically within 6 months, those with objective evidence of metastases or who had prior hormone therapy were excluded. Follow-up was through cancer registries up until 2012. Deaths were divided into those from PC and those from other causes, according to WHO criteria. 988 biopsy cases (6522 biopsy cores) were centrally reviewed by three uropathologists and assigned a Gleason score and Grade Group (GG). The presence of both PNI and ECE was recorded. Of 988 patients, PNI was present in 288 (DOD = 75) and ECE in 23 (DOD = 5). On univariable analysis PNI was highly significantly associated with DOD (hazard ratio [HR] 2.28, 95% CI: 1.68, 3.1, log-rank test p-value = 4.8 × 10–8), but ECE was not (log-rank test p-value = 0.334). On multivariable analysis with GG, serum PSA (per 10%), clinical stage and extent of disease (per 10%), PNI lost significance (HR 1.16, 95% CI: 0.83, 1.63, likelihood ratio test p-value = 0.371). The utility of routinely examining prostate biopsies for ECE and PNI is doubtful as it is not independently associated with higher grade, stage or prognosis. PMID:29755671

Should reporting of peri-neural invasion and extra prostatic extension be mandatory in prostate cancer biopsies? correlation with outcome in biopsy cases treated conservatively.

PubMed

Ahmad, Amar S; Parameshwaran, Vishnu; Beltran, Luis; Fisher, Gabrielle; North, Bernard V; Greenberg, David; Soosay, Geraldine; Møller, Henrik; Scardino, Peter; Cuzick, Jack; Berney, Daniel M

2018-04-17

The identification of perineural invasion (PNI) and extraprostatic extension (ECE) in prostate cancer (PC) biopsies is time consuming and can be difficult. Although this is required information in many datasets, there is little evidence on their effect on outcome in patients treated conservatively. Cases of PC were identified from three cancer registries in the UK from men with clinically localized prostate cancer diagnosed by needle biopsy from 1990-2003. The endpoint was prostate cancer death (DOD). Patients treated radically within 6 months, those with objective evidence of metastases or who had prior hormone therapy were excluded. Follow-up was through cancer registries up until 2012. Deaths were divided into those from PC and those from other causes, according to WHO criteria. 988 biopsy cases (6522 biopsy cores) were centrally reviewed by three uropathologists and assigned a Gleason score and Grade Group (GG). The presence of both PNI and ECE was recorded. Of 988 patients, PNI was present in 288 (DOD = 75) and ECE in 23 (DOD = 5). On univariable analysis PNI was highly significantly associated with DOD (hazard ratio [HR] 2.28, 95% CI: 1.68, 3.1, log-rank test p -value = 4.8 × 10 -8 ), but ECE was not (log-rank test p -value = 0.334). On multivariable analysis with GG, serum PSA (per 10%), clinical stage and extent of disease (per 10%), PNI lost significance (HR 1.16, 95% CI: 0.83, 1.63, likelihood ratio test p -value = 0.371). The utility of routinely examining prostate biopsies for ECE and PNI is doubtful as it is not independently associated with higher grade, stage or prognosis.

Extreme weather and climate events with ecological relevance: a review.

PubMed

Ummenhofer, Caroline C; Meehl, Gerald A

2017-06-19

Robust evidence exists that certain extreme weather and climate events, especially daily temperature and precipitation extremes, have changed in regard to intensity and frequency over recent decades. These changes have been linked to human-induced climate change, while the degree to which climate change impacts an individual extreme climate event (ECE) is more difficult to quantify. Rapid progress in event attribution has recently been made through improved understanding of observed and simulated climate variability, methods for event attribution and advances in numerical modelling. Attribution for extreme temperature events is stronger compared with other event types, notably those related to the hydrological cycle. Recent advances in the understanding of ECEs, both in observations and their representation in state-of-the-art climate models, open new opportunities for assessing their effect on human and natural systems. Improved spatial resolution in global climate models and advances in statistical and dynamical downscaling now provide climatic information at appropriate spatial and temporal scales. Together with the continued development of Earth System Models that simulate biogeochemical cycles and interactions with the biosphere at increasing complexity, these make it possible to develop a mechanistic understanding of how ECEs affect biological processes, ecosystem functioning and adaptation capabilities. Limitations in the observational network, both for physical climate system parameters and even more so for long-term ecological monitoring, have hampered progress in understanding bio-physical interactions across a range of scales. New opportunities for assessing how ECEs modulate ecosystem structure and functioning arise from better scientific understanding of ECEs coupled with technological advances in observing systems and instrumentation.This article is part of the themed issue 'Behavioural, ecological and evolutionary responses to extreme climatic events'. © 2017 The Author(s).

The Role of Access to Head Start and Quality Ratings for Spanish-Speaking Dual Language Learners’ (DLLs) Participation in Early Childhood Education

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Data from the Head Start Impact Study (N = 4,442) were used to test for differences between Spanish-speaking Dual Language Learners (DLLs) and monolingual English-speaking children in: (1) Head Start attendance rates when randomly assigned admission; and (2) quality ratings of other early childhood education (ECE) programs attended when not randomly assigned admission to Head Start. Logistic regressions showed that Spanish-speaking DLL children randomly assigned a spot in Head Start were more likely than monolingual-English learners to attend. Further, Spanish-speaking DLLs not randomly assigned a spot in Head Start were more likely to attend higher-quality ECE centers than non-DLL children. Policy implications are discussed, suggesting that, if given access, Spanish-speaking DLL families will take advantage of quality ECE programs. PMID:25018585

Using State Early Care and Education Workforce Registry Data to Inform Training-Related Questions: Issues to Consider. Research Report. ETS RR-16-31

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ackerman, Debra J.

2016-01-01

The current early care and education (ECE) policy context is bringing increased attention to the training completed by the child care workforce and to the use of registries to track such training. Although ECE workforce registries are designed to record individuals' data, aggregate registry data have the potential to shed light on the workforce's…

The ECE Culminating Design Experience: Analysis of ABET 2000 Compliance at Leading Academic Institutions

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-05-01

a significant design project that requires development of a large scale software project . A distinct shortcoming of Purdue ECE...18-540: Rapid Prototyping of Computer Systems This is a project -oriented course which will deal with all four aspects of project development ; the...instructors, will develop specifications for a mobile computer to assist in inspection and maintenance. The application will be partitioned

Towards Resilient Information-Aware Communication Networks

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-02-01

kPa) kilo pascal (kPa) kilogram (kg) kilogram-meter 2 (kg-m2) kilogram-meter 3 (kg/m 3 ) **Gray (Gy) coulomb /kilogram (C/kg) second (s...Dept. of ECE). Iowa State University Collaborated with Prof. Lei Ying (Dep. of ECE). Massachusetts Institute of Technology Collaborated with Prof...courses on De - sign and Analysis of Communication Networks and also supervised students in a Smart Phone labo- ratory during this period. Both the

Health and safety needs in early care and education programs: what do directors, child health records, and national standards tell us?

PubMed

Alkon, Abbey; To, Kim; Mackie, Joanna F; Wolff, Mimi; Bernzweig, Jane

2010-01-01

To identify the overlapping and unique health and safety needs and concerns identified by early care and education (ECE) directors, health records, and observed compliance with national health and safety (NHS) standards. Cross-sectional study. 127 ECE programs from 5 California counties participated in the study, including 118 directors and 2,498 children's health records. Qualitative data were collected using standardized ECE directors' interviews to identify their health and safety concerns; and objective, quantitative data were collected using child health record reviews to assess regular health care, immunizations, health insurance, special health care needs, and screening tests and an observation Checklist of 66 key NHS standards collected by research assistants. The overlapping health and safety needs and concerns identified by the directors and through observations were hygiene and handwashing, sanitation and disinfection, supervision, and the safety of indoor and outdoor equipment. Some of the health and safety needs identified by only one assessment method were health and safety staff training, medical plans for children with special health care needs and follow-up on positive screening tests. Comprehensive, multimethod assessments are useful to identify health and safety needs and develop public health nursing interventions for ECE programs.

Embedded Cohesive Elements (ECE) Approach to the Simulation of Spall Fracture Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonora, Nicola; Esposito, Luca; Ruggiero, Andrew

2007-06-01

Discrepancies between the calculated and observed velocity vs time plot, relatively to the spall signal portion in terms of both signal amplitude and frequency, in numerical simulations of flyer plate impact test are usually shown. These are often ascribed either to material model or the numerical scheme used. Bonora et al. (2003 )[Bonora N., Ruggiero A. and Milella P.P., 2003, Fracture energy effect on spall signal, Proc. of 13^th APS SCCM03, Portland, USA] showed that, for ductile metals, these differences can be the imputed to the dissipation process during fracturing due to the viscous separation of spall fracture plane surfaces. In this work that concept has been further developed implementing an embedded cohesive elements (ECE) technology into FEM. The ECE method consists in embedding cohesive elements (normal and shear forces only) into standard isoparametric 2D or 3D FEM continuum elements. The cohesive elements remain silent and inactive until the continuum element fails. At failure, the continuum element is removed while the ECE becomes active until the separation energy is dissipated. Here, the methodology is presented and applied to simulate soft spall in ductile metals such as OHFC copper. Results of parametric study on mesh size and cohesive law shape effect are presented.

Depressive effects on the central nervous system and underlying mechanism of the enzymatic extract and its phlorotannin-rich fraction from Ecklonia cava edible brown seaweed.

PubMed

Cho, Suengmok; Han, Daeseok; Kim, Seon-Bong; Yoon, Minseok; Yang, Hyejin; Jin, Young-Ho; Jo, Jinho; Yong, Hyeim; Lee, Sang-Hoon; Jeon, You-Jin; Shimizu, Makoto

2012-01-01

Marine plants have been reported to possess various pharmacological properties; however, there have been few reports on their neuropharmacological effects. Terrestrial plants have depressive effects on the central nervous system (CNS) because of their polyphenols which make them effective as anticonvulsants and sleep inducers. We investigated in this study the depressive effects of the polyphenol-rich brown seaweed, Ecklonia cava (EC), on CNS. An EC enzymatic extract (ECEE) showed significant anticonvulsive (>500 mg/kg) and sleep-inducing (>500 mg/kg) effects on the respective mice seizure induced by picrotoxin and on the mice sleep induced by pentobarbital. The phlorotannin-rich fraction (PTRF) from ECEE significantly potentiated the pentobarbital-induced sleep at >50 mg/kg. PTRF had binding activity to the gamma aminobutyric acid type A (GABA(A))-benzodiazepine (BZD) receptors. The sleep-inducing effects of diazepam (DZP, a well-known GABA(A)-BZD agonist), ECEE, and PTRF were completely blocked by flumazenil, a well-known antagonist of GABA(A)-BZD receptors. These results imply that ECEE produced depressive effects on CNS by positive allosteric modulation of its phlorotannins on GABA(A)-BZD receptors like DZP. Our study proposes EC as a candidate for the effective treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety and insomnia.

Preclinical students’ experiences in early clerkships after skills training partly offered in primary health care centers: a qualitative study from Indonesia

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Students may encounter difficulties when they have to apply clinical skills trained in their pre-clinical studies in clerkships. Early clinical exposure in the pre-clinical phase has been recommended to reduce these transition problems. The aim of this study is to explore differences in students' experiences during the first clerkships between students exclusively trained in a skills laboratory and peers for whom part of their skills training was substituted by early clinical experiences (ECE). Methods Thirty pre-clinical students trained clinical skills exclusively in a skills laboratory; 30 peers received part of their skills training in PHC centers. Within half a year after commencing their clerkships all 60 students shared their experiences in focus group discussions (FGDs). Verbatim transcripts of FGDs were analyzed using Atlas-Ti software. Results Clerkship students who had participated in ECE in PHC centers felt better prepared to perform their clinical skills during the first clerkships than peers who had only practiced in a skills laboratory. ECE in PHC centers impacted positively in particular on students’ confidence, clinical reasoning, and interpersonal communication. Conclusion In the Indonesian setting ECE in PHC centers reduce difficulties commonly encountered by medical students in the first clerkships. PMID:22640419

A frequency tunable, eight-channel correlation ECE system for electron temperature turbulence measurements on the DIII-D tokamak

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

Sung, C., E-mail: csung@physics.ucla.edu; Peebles, W. A.; Wannberg, C.

2016-11-15

A new eight-channel correlation electron cyclotron emission diagnostic has recently been installed on the DIII-D tokamak to study both turbulent and coherent electron temperature fluctuations under various plasma conditions and locations. This unique system is designed to cover a broad range of operation space on DIII-D (1.6-2.1 T, detection frequency: 72-108 GHz) via four remotely selected local oscillators (80, 88, 96, and 104 GHz). Eight radial locations are measured simultaneously in a single discharge covering as much as half the minor radius. In this paper, we present design details of the quasi-optical system, the receiver, as well as representative datamore » illustrating operation of the system.« less

Which Early Care and Education Centers Participate in Head Start or Public Pre-Kindergarten? National Survey of Early Care & Education. Technical Report. OPRE Report 2015-92a

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Administration for Children & Families, 2015

2015-01-01

This report draws on newly available data from the National Survey of Early Care and Education (NSECE) to describe early care and education (ECE) centers that participate in two prominent publicly-funded ECE initiatives: Head Start and publicly-funded pre-kindergarten. Although a great deal is known about Head Start programs, and there are sources…

Early Education and Care: Overlap Indicates Need To Assess Crosscutting Programs. Report to the Chairman, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, Restructuring and the District of Columbia, U.S. Senate.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shaul, Marnie S.

In response to Congressional requests reflecting the nationwide attention on early childhood education (ECE) and care, the General Accounting Office assessed the federally funded programs that provide or support ECE and care for children under 5 years. Information was obtained by means of an electronic search of the June 1999 Catalog of Federal…

A Guide to Nuclear Weapons Phenomena and Effects Literature

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-10-31

and Disarmament Agency. An article entitled "Limited Nuclear War" in Scientific American (Reference ECE-14) is also of interest because of its rela... Sistems and the Aemosphere’-BCj=9. 43 Personne l; .-EP)- / 47 Civilian .S’ector and the .Environment, (ECE) 50 5 SPECIAL REFERENCE MATERIALS (R) ’<ൾ...approximations. DNA has sponsored the development of software for scientific and military applications of nuclear weapon phenomena and effects information

Effects of the ECE/NEP inhibitor CGS 34225 on the big ET-1-induced pressor response and plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentration in conscious rats.

PubMed

Trapani, Angelo J; Beil, Michael E; Bruseo, Charles W; Fink, Cynthia A; Hoyer, Denton; Savage, Paula; Jeng, Arco Y

2002-08-01

CGS 34226 is a thiol-containing, potent dual inhibitor of endothelin converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) and neutral endopeptidase 24.11 (NEP) with IC(50) values of 11 and 5 nM respectively. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the inhibitory effects of CGS 34225, an orally active prodrug of CGS 34226, on ECE-1 and NEP in vivo. The effects on ECE-1 and NEP were assessed by determining the inhibition of big endothelin-1 (big ET-1)-induced increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and increases in plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentrations respectively, in conscious rats. Thirty and 120 min after the administration of vehicle, big ET-1 (0.3 nmol/kg, intravenously; i.v.) produced pressor responses of approximately 800 mmHg.min (area under the curve for change in MAPxtime). Treatment with CGS 34225 at 1 mgEq/kg, per os (p.o.), decreased the pressor effect of big ET-1 by 39 and 53% at 30 and 120 min respectively (P<0.05, both times). Increasing the dose of CGS 34255 to 30 mgEq/kg, p.o., resulted in greater inhibition, 84 and 92% (P<0.05) at 30 and 120 min respectively. Furthermore, at this higher dose, the inhibitory effect on ECE-1 was long-lasting, averaging 86, 75 and 30% (P<0.05, all times) at 4, 8 and 24 h respectively. In rats treated with vehicle, the infusion of ANP at 450 ng/kg per min i.v. resulted in plasma ANP concentrations of 3.9-4.8 ng/ml that remained relatively constant for 4 h. Treatment with CGS 34225 at 10 mgEq/kg, p.o., increased the ANP level to 7.7+/-1.0 and 10.6+/-1.8 ng/ml at 1 and 4 h after dosing (P<0.05, both times). These data demonstrate that CGS 34225 is a potent, orally active and long-acting inhibitor of ECE-1 and NEP in vivo. It is anticipated that compounds with this dual function may be useful in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases where the ET system plays a pathogenic role and the potentiation of ANP elicits therapeutic benefits.

Impact of Postmastectomy Radiation on Locoregional Recurrence in Breast Cancer Patients With 1-3 Positive Lymph Nodes Treated With Modern Systemic Therapy

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

Tendulkar, Rahul D., E-mail: tendulr@ccf.org; Rehman, Sana; Shukla, Monica E.

2012-08-01

Purpose: Postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) remains controversial for patients with 1-3 positive lymph nodes (LN+). Methods and Materials: We conducted a retrospective review of all 369 breast cancer patients with 1-3 LN+ who underwent mastectomy without neoadjuvant systemic therapy between 2000 and 2007 at Cleveland Clinic. Results: We identified 271 patients with 1-3 LN+ who did not receive PMRT and 98 who did receive PMRT. The median follow-up time was 5.2 years, and the median number of LN dissected was 11. Of those not treated with PMRT, 79% received adjuvant chemotherapy (of whom 70% received a taxane), 79% received hormonalmore » therapy, and 5% had no systemic therapy. Of the Her2/neu amplified tumors, 42% received trastuzumab. The 5-year rate of locoregional recurrence (LRR) was 8.9% without PMRT vs 0% with PMRT (P=.004). For patients who did not receive PMRT, univariate analysis showed 6 risk factors significantly (P<.05) correlated with LRR: estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor negative (hazard ratio [HR] 2.6), lymphovascular invasion (HR 2.4), 2-3 LN+ (HR 2.6), nodal ratio >25% (HR 2.7), extracapsular extension (ECE) (HR 3.7), and Bloom-Richardson grade III (HR 3.1). The 5-year LRR rate was 3.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.1%-6.8%] for patients with 0-1 risk factor vs 14.6% [95% CI, 8.4%-20.9%] for patients with {>=}2 risk factors (P=.0006), respectively. On multivariate analysis, ECE (HR 4.3, P=.0006) and grade III (HR 3.6, P=.004) remained significant risk factors for LRR. The 5-year LRR was 4.1% in patients with neither grade III nor ECE, 8.1% with either grade III or ECE, and 50.4% in patients with both grade III and ECE (P<.0001); the corresponding 5-year distant metastasis-free survival rates were 91.8%, 85.4%, and 59.1% (P=.0004), respectively. Conclusions: PMRT offers excellent control for patients with 1-3 LN+, with no locoregional failures to date. Patients with 1-3 LN+ who have grade III disease and/or ECE should be strongly considered for PMRT.« less

An Image Morphing Technique Based on Optimal Mass Preserving Mapping

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-06-01

Yan Yang, Steven Haker , and Allen Tannenbaum Abstract—Image morphing, or image interpolation in the time domain, deals with the metamorphosis of one...of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332 USA (e-mail: zlzl@ece.gatech.edu; zhulei1976@hotmail.com; yan.yang@gatech.edu; tannenba@ece.gatech.edu). S. Haker is...with the Surgical Planning Laboratory, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA (e-mail: haker @bwh.harvard.edu

A Prospective Multi-center Trial of Escherichia coli Extract for the Prophylactic Treatment of Patients with Chronically Recurrent Cystitis

PubMed Central

Kim, Kun Suk; Kim, Ji-Yoon; Jeong, In Gab; Paick, Jae-Seung; Son, Hwancheol; Lim, Dae Jung; Shim, Hong Bang; Park, Won Hee; Jung, Hee Chang

2010-01-01

We have assessed the efficacy and safety of Escherichia coli extract (ECE; Uro-Vaxom®) which contains active immunostimulating fractions, in the prophylactic treatment of chronically recurrent cystitis. Forty-two patients with more than 2 episodes of cystitis in the proceeding 6 months were treated for 3 months with one capsule daily of ECE and observed for a further 6 months. The primary efficacy criterion was the number of episodes of recurrent cystitis during the 6 months after treatment compared to those during the 6 months before treatment. At the end of the 9-month trial, 34 patients (all women) were eligible for statistical analysis. Their mean age was 56.4 yr (range, 34-75 yr), and they had experienced recurrent urinary tract infections for 7.2±5.2 yr. The number of recurrences was significantly lower during the 6-month follow-up period than during the 6 months preceding the trial (0.35 vs. 4.26, P<0.001). During the follow-up, 28 (82.4%) patients had no recurrences and 4 (11.8%) had 1 each. In patients who relapsed, ECE alleviated cystitis symptoms, including painful voiding, frequency and urgency. There were no serious adverse events related to the study drug. Our study demonstrates the efficacy and safety of ECE in the prophylactic treatment of chronically recurrent cystitis. PMID:20191044

External Validation of the Updated Partin Tables in a Cohort of French and Italian Men

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

Bhojani, Naeem; Department of Urology, University of Montreal, Montreal, PQ; Salomon, Laurent

2009-02-01

Purpose: To test the discrimination and calibration properties of the newly developed 2007 Partin Tables in two European cohorts with localized prostate cancer. Methods: Data on clinical and pathologic characteristics were obtained for 1,064 men treated with radical prostatectomy at the Creteil University Health Center in France (n = 839) and at the Milan University Vita-Salute in Italy (n = 225). Overall discrimination was assessed with receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, which quantified the accuracy of stage predictions for each center. Calibration plots graphically explored the relationship between predicted and observed rates of extracapsular extension (ECE), seminal vesicle invasion (SVI)more » and lymph node invasion (LNI). Results: The rates of ECE, SVI, and LNI were 28%, 14%, and 2% in the Creteil cohort vs. 11%, 5%, and 5% in the Milan cohort. In the Creteil cohort, the accuracy of ECE, SVI, and LNI prediction was 61%, 71%, and 82% vs. 66%, 92% and 75% for the Milan cohort. Important departures were recorded between Partin Tables' predicted and observed rates of ECE, SVI, and LNI within both cohorts. Conclusions: The 2007 Partin Tables demonstrated worse performance in European men than they originally did in North American men. This indicates that predictive models need to be externally validated before their implementation into clinical practice.« less

Detection of bluetongue virus in the blood of inoculated calves: comparison of virus isolation, PCR assay, and in vitro feeding of Culicoides variipennis.

PubMed

MacLachlan, N J; Nunamaker, R A; Katz, J B; Sawyer, M M; Akita, G Y; Osburn, B I; Tabachnick, W J

1994-01-01

The interval after infection when bluetongue virus (BTV) was present in the blood of calves inoculated with BTV serotype 10 (BTV 10) was evaluated by virus isolation (VI) in embryonated chicken eggs (ECE), BTV-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and in vitro blood feeding of vector Culicoides variipennis (C.v.) sonorensis. BTV nucleic acid was detected by PCR in blood cells for 16 to 20 weeks after infection whereas infectious virus was detected by VI in ECE for 2 to 8 weeks. BTV was detected in calf blood by in vitro feeding of C.v. sonorensis for only 0 to 2 weeks after inoculation of calves with BTV 10. Selected bloods which were positive by PCR analysis but not by VI in ECE were not infectious for sheep. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that prolonged viremia in BTV-infected cattle results from association of the virus with blood cells, especially erythrocytes. The fact that calf blood that contained viral nucleic acid as determined by PCR analysis, but not infectious virus as determined by VI in ECE, was not infectious for either the insect vector or sheep suggests that cattle whose blood contains BTV nucleic acid but not infectious virus are unimportant to the epidemiology of BTV infection.

Electroclinic effect in the chiral lamellar α phase of a lyotropic liquid crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harjung, Marc D.; Giesselmann, Frank

2018-03-01

In thermotropic chiral Sm -A* phases, an electric field along the smectic layers breaks the D∞ symmetry of the Sm -A* phase and induces a tilt of the liquid crystal director. This so-called electroclinic effect (ECE) was first reported by Garoff and Meyer in 1977 and attracted substantial scientific and technological interest due to its linear and submicrosecond electro-optic response [S. Garoff and R. B. Meyer, Phys. Rev. A 19, 338 (1979), 10.1103/PhysRevA.19.338]. We now report the observation of an ECE in the pretransitional regime from a lyotropic chiral lamellar Lα* phase into a lyo-Sm -C* phase, the lyotropic analog to the thermotropic Sm -C* phase which was recently discovered by Bruckner et al. [Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 52, 8934 (2013), 10.1002/anie.201303344]. We further show that the observed ECE has all signatures of its thermotropic counterpart, namely (i) the effect is chiral in nature and vanishes in the racemic Lα phase, (ii) the effect is essentially linear in the sign and magnitude of the electric field, and (iii) the magnitude of the effect diverges hyperbolically as the temperature approaches the critical temperature of the second order tilting transition. Specific deviations between the ECEs in chiral lamellar and chiral smectic phases are related to the internal field screening effect of electric double layers formed by inevitable ionic impurities in lyotropic phases.

Transfer of Timing Information from RGC to LGN Spike Trains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teich, Malvin C.; Lowen, Steven B.; Saleh, Bahaa E. A.; Kaplan, Ehud

1998-03-01

We have studied the firing patterns of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their target lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) cells. We find that clusters of spikes in the RGC neural firing pattern appear at the LGN output essentially unchanged, while isolated RGC firing events are more likely to be eliminated; thus the LGN action-potential sequence is therefore not merely a randomly deleted version of the RGC spike train. Employing information-theoretic techniques we developed for point processes,(B. E. A. Saleh and M. C. Teich, Phys. Rev. Lett.) 58, 2656--2659 (1987). we are able to estimate the information efficiency of the LGN neuronal output --- the proportion of the variation in the LGN firing pattern that carries information about its associated RGC input. A suitably modified integrate-and-fire neural model reproduces both the enhanced clustering in the LGN data (which accounts for the increased coefficient of variation) and the measured value of information efficiency, as well as mimicking the results of other observed statistical measures. Reliable information transmission therefore coexists with fractal fluctuations, which appear in RGC and LGN firing patterns.(M. C. Teich, C. Heneghan, S. B. Lowen, T. Ozaki, and E. Kaplan, J. Opt. Soc. Am. A) 14, 529--546 (1997).

Use of the Environment and Policy Evaluation and Observation as a Self-Report Instrument (EPAO-SR) to measure nutrition and physical activity environments in child care settings: validity and reliability evidence.

PubMed

Ward, Dianne S; Mazzucca, Stephanie; McWilliams, Christina; Hales, Derek

2015-09-26

Early care and education (ECE) centers are important settings influencing young children's diet and physical activity (PA) behaviors. To better understand their impact on diet and PA behaviors as well as to evaluate public health programs aimed at ECE settings, we developed and tested the Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation - Self-Report (EPAO-SR), a self-administered version of the previously validated, researcher-administered EPAO. Development of the EPAO-SR instrument included modification of items from the EPAO, community advisory group and expert review, and cognitive interviews with center directors and classroom teachers. Reliability and validity data were collected across 4 days in 3-5 year old classrooms in 50 ECE centers in North Carolina. Center teachers and directors completed relevant portions of the EPAO-SR on multiple days according to a standardized protocol, and trained data collectors completed the EPAO for 4 days in the centers. Reliability and validity statistics calculated included percent agreement, kappa, correlation coefficients, coefficients of variation, deviations, mean differences, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), depending on the response option of the item. Data demonstrated a range of reliability and validity evidence for the EPAO-SR instrument. Reporting from directors and classroom teachers was consistent and similar to the observational data. Items that produced strongest reliability and validity estimates included beverages served, outside time, and physical activity equipment, while items such as whole grains served and amount of teacher-led PA had lower reliability (observation and self-report) and validity estimates. To overcome lower reliability and validity estimates, some items need administration on multiple days. This study demonstrated appropriate reliability and validity evidence for use of the EPAO-SR in the field. The self-administered EPAO-SR is an advancement of the measurement of ECE settings and can be used by researchers and practitioners to assess the nutrition and physical activity environments of ECE settings.

Can animal habitat use patterns influence their vulnerability to extreme climate events? An estuarine sportfish case study.

PubMed

Boucek, Ross E; Heithaus, Michael R; Santos, Rolando; Stevens, Philip; Rehage, Jennifer S

2017-10-01

Global climate forecasts predict changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme climate events (ECEs). The capacity for specific habitat patches within a landscape to modulate stressors from extreme climate events, and animal distribution throughout habitat matrices during events, could influence the degree of population level effects following the passage of ECEs. Here, we ask (i) does the intensity of stressors of an ECE vary across a landscape? And (ii) Do habitat use patterns of a mobile species influence their vulnerability to ECEs? Specifically, we measured how extreme cold spells might interact with temporal variability in habitat use to affect populations of a tropical, estuarine-dependent large-bodied fish Common Snook, within Everglades National Park estuaries (FL US). We examined temperature variation across the estuary during cold disturbances with different degrees of severity, including an extreme cold spell. Second, we quantified Snook distribution patterns when the passage of ECEs is most likely to occur from 2012 to 2016 using passive acoustic tracking. Our results revealed spatial heterogeneity in the intensity of temperature declines during cold disturbances, with some habitats being consistently 3-5°C colder than others. Surprisingly, Snook distributions during periods of greatest risk to experience an extreme cold event varied among years. During the winters of 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 a greater proportion of Snook occurred in the colder habitats, while the winters of 2012-2013 and 2015-2016 featured more Snook observed in the warmest habitats. This study shows that Snook habitat use patterns could influence vulnerability to extreme cold events, however, whether Snook habitat use increases or decreases their vulnerability to disturbance depends on the year, creating temporally dynamic vulnerability. Faunal global change research should address the spatially explicit nature of extreme climate events and animal habitat use patterns to identify potential mechanisms that may influence population effects following these disturbances. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Channel microband electrode arrays for mechanistic electrochemistry. Two-dimensional voltammetry:  transport-limited currents.

PubMed

Alden, J A; Feldman, M A; Hill, E; Prieto, F; Oyama, M; Coles, B A; Compton, R G; Dobson, P J; Leigh, P A

1998-05-01

A channel electrode array, with electrodes ranging in size from the millimeter to the submicrometer scale, is used for the amperometric interrogation of mechanistically complex electrode processes. In this way, the transport-limited current, measured as a function of both electrode size and electrolyte flow rate (convection), is shown to provide a highly sensitive probe of mechanism and kinetics. The application of "two-dimensional voltammetry" to diverse electrode processes, including E, ECE, ECEE, EC', and DISP2 reactions, is reported.

Stepping Up Together: Financing Early Care and Education in the 21st Century. Volume 2. Proceedings for "Making It Economically Viable: Financing Early Care and Education." A Working Meeting (Santa Cruz, California, March 3-5, 1999).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Association of Child Advocates, Washington, DC.

The need for an adequate financial base for the future of quality early care and education (ECE) for young children is being increasingly recognized. This document presents the proceedings for a 1999 working meeting of individuals from diverse fields to identify and explore possible actions related to financing ECE for children birth through 5…

Investigation of structure in the modular light pipe component for LED automotive lamp

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Hsi-Chao; Zhou, Yang; Huang, Chien-Sheng; Jhong, Wan-Ling; Cheng, Bo-Wei; Jhang, Jhe-Ming

2014-09-01

Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) have the advantages of small length, long lifetime, fast response time (μs), low voltage, good mechanical properties and environmental protection. Furthermore, LEDs could replace the halogen lamps to avoid the mercury pollution and economize the use of energy. Therefore, the LEDs could instead of the traditional lamp in the future and became an important light source. The proposal of this study was to investigate the effects of the structure and length of the reflector component for a LED automotive lamp. The novel LED automotive lamp was assembled by several different modularization columnar. The optimized design of the different structure and the length to the reflector was simulated by software TracePro. The design result must met the vehicle regulation of United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) such as ECE-R19 etc. The structure of the light pipe could be designed by two steps structure. Then constitute the proper structure and choose different power LED to meet the luminous intensity of the vehicle regulation. The simulation result shows the proper structure and length has the best total luminous flux and a high luminous efficiency for the system. Also, the stray light could meet the vehicle regulation of ECE R19. Finally, the experimental result of the selected structure and length of the light pipe could match the simulation result above 80%.

Understanding the bursty electron cyclotron emission during a sawtooth crash in the HT-7 tokamak

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

Li, Erzhong, E-mail: rzhonglee@ipp.ac.cn; Hu, Liqun; Chen, Kaiyun

2014-01-15

Bursts in electron cyclotron emission (ECE) were observed during sawtooth crashes in HT-7 in discharges with ion cyclotron resonance heating injected near the q = 1 rational surface (q is the safety factor). The local ECE measurement indicated that the bursty radiation is only observed on channels near but a little away outward from the q = 1 magnetic surface. In conjunction with the soft x-ray tomography analysis, it was determined that, for the first time, only a compression process survives in the later stage of fast magnetic reconnection but before prompt heat transport. The compression enhanced the electron radiation temperature, the increased amplitudemore » of which agreed well with the estimation according to a kinetic compression theory model [R. J. Hastie and T. C. Hender, Nucl. Fusion 28, 585 (1988)]. This paper presents the experimental evidence that there indeed exists a transient compression phase which results in the bursty ECE radiation during a sawtooth crash.« less

Effect of ultrasound on electrochemical chloride extraction from mortar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yiqun; Yao, Wu; Zuo, Junqing

2018-03-01

In this paper, the effect of auxiliary ultrasound on electrochemical chloride extraction (ECE) was studied. The chloride removal efficiency was investigated by examining the chloride content with ultrasound-assisted ECE and changing the introducing time of ultrasound. The experimental results showed that removal of chloride ions was noted to be more effective in ECE treatment assisted with ultrasound treatment (UT). In addition, the lower w/c ratio led to more distinct effect of ultrasonic cavitation on chloride removal. Electrochemical behaviors measured with different treatment revealed that UT treatment was effective on moderating the corrosion condition. Microstructural analyses revealed a significant alteration in composition and morphology of cementitious phases with UT treatment. Pull-out tests indicated that ultrasound had a certain negative impact on the bond strength. Although the effect of introducing ultrasound in the first 2 weeks or the last 2 weeks on the extraction efficiency was not obvious, intermittent ultrasound could not only ensure the chloride extraction efficiency, but also reduce the adverse effect of ultrasound on the bond strength.

Synthetic Diagnostics Platform for Fusion Plasma and a Two-Dimensional Synthetic Electron Cyclotron Emission Imaging Code

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

Shi, Lei

Magnetic confinement fusion is one of the most promising approaches to achieve fusion energy. With the rapid increase of the computational power over the past decades, numerical simulation have become an important tool to study the fusion plasmas. Eventually, the numerical models will be used to predict the performance of future devices, such as the International Thermonuclear Experiment Reactor (ITER) or DEMO. However, the reliability of these models needs to be carefully validated against experiments before the results can be trusted. The validation between simulations and measurements is hard particularly because the quantities directly available from both sides are different.more » While the simulations have the information of the plasma quantities calculated explicitly, the measurements are usually in forms of diagnostic signals. The traditional way of making the comparison relies on the diagnosticians to interpret the measured signals as plasma quantities. The interpretation is in general very complicated and sometimes not even unique. In contrast, given the plasma quantities from the plasma simulations, we can unambiguously calculate the generation and propagation of the diagnostic signals. These calculations are called synthetic diagnostics, and they enable an alternate way to compare the simulation results with the measurements. In this dissertation, we present a platform for developing and applying synthetic diagnostic codes. Three diagnostics on the platform are introduced. The reflectometry and beam emission spectroscopy diagnostics measure the electron density, and the electron cyclotron emission diagnostic measures the electron temperature. The theoretical derivation and numerical implementation of a new two dimensional Electron cyclotron Emission Imaging code is discussed in detail. This new code has shown the potential to address many challenging aspects of the present ECE measurements, such as runaway electron effects, and detection of the cross phase between the electron temperature and density fluctuations.« less

Edible gardens in early childhood education settings in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

PubMed

Dawson, A; Richards, R; Collins, C; Reeder, A I; Gray, A

2013-12-01

This paper aims to explore the presence and role of edible gardens in Aotearoa/New Zealand Early Childhood Education Services (ECES). Participant ECES providers were identified from the Ministry of Education database of Early Childhood Education Services (March 2009). These include Education and Care and Casual Education and Care, Kindergarten, Home-based Education and Care services, Playcentres, Te Kōhanga Reo. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was sent to the Principal or Head Teacher of the service. Of the 211 ECES that responded (55% response rate), 71% had edible gardens, incorporating vegetables, berry fruit, tree fruit, edible flowers and nut trees. Garden activities were linked with teaching across all strands of the New Zealand early childhood curriculum. In addition, 34% provided guidance on using garden produce and 30% linked the garden with messages on fruit and vegetable consumption. Most gardens were established recently (past 2 years) and relied on financial and non-financial support from parents, teachers and community organisations. Barriers included a lack of funding, space, time and staff support. Study findings suggest that gardens are already being used as a versatile teaching tool in many ECES settings. Most gardens are new, with a need to support the sustainability and workforce development among teachers and parents in order to be able to maintain these resources for future generations. SO WHAT?: Given the inherent links between gardening and healthy food and exercise, there seem to be extensive opportunities for health promotion aligned with the edible garden movement.

Neutral endopeptidase regulates neurogenic inflammatory responses induced by stimulation of human oral keratinocytes with bacterial lipopolysaccharide and nicotine.

PubMed

Nakata, Motoki; Awano, Shuji; Kinoshita, Naomasa; Yoshida, Akihiro; Ansai, Toshihiro

2013-10-01

Neutral endopeptidase (NEP) is present on various epithelial cells and inactivates numerous physiologically active peptides. Neutral endopeptidase may regulate proinflammatory signals in oral mucosal epithelium. However, the function of NEP in oral mucosal epithelium is unknown. The present study investigated the action of NEP upon proinflammatory signals on human oral keratinocytes and the influence of endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE)-1, an enzyme similar to NEP, on the functions of NEP. Oral keratinocytes were cultured in medium containing inflammatory inducers [lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and nicotine], NEP inhibitors, and ECE-1/NEP inhibitors, either alone or in combination. The concentrations of substance P (SP) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were measured in the supernatant. Additionally, the concentrations of SP and IL-1β were measured in the supernatant of cells incubated with LPS or nicotine after transfection with NEP small interfering RNA (siRNA). The concentrations of SP and IL-1β were significantly increased in cells incubated with NEP inhibitors and, to a lesser extent, in cells incubated with ECE-1/NEP inhibitors, compared with controls (cells incubated with LPS or nicotine alone). The concentrations of SP and IL-1β in cells transfected with NEP siRNA were significantly augmented compared with controls. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that NEP down-regulated the levels of SP and IL-1β produced from human oral keratinocytes, although ECE-1 may be partly related to the down-regulation. © 2013 Eur J Oral Sci.

Neurotensin-induced proinflammatory signaling in human colonocytes is regulated by β-arrestins and endothelin-converting enzyme-1-dependent endocytosis and resensitization of neurotensin receptor 1.

PubMed

Law, Ivy Ka Man; Murphy, Jane E; Bakirtzi, Kyriaki; Bunnett, Nigel W; Pothoulakis, Charalabos

2012-04-27

The neuropeptide/hormone neurotensin (NT) mediates intestinal inflammation and cell proliferation by binding of its high affinity receptor, neurotensin receptor-1 (NTR1). NT stimulates IL-8 expression in NCM460 human colonic epithelial cells by both MAP kinase- and NF-κB-dependent pathways. Although the mechanism of NTR1 endocytosis has been studied, the relationship between NTR1 intracellular trafficking and inflammatory signaling remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we show that in NCM460 cells exposed to NT, β-arrestin-1 (βARR1), and β-arrestin-2 (βARR2) translocate to early endosomes together with NTR1. Endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) degrades NT in acidic conditions, and its activity is crucial for NTR1 recycling. Pretreatment of NCM460 cells with the ECE-1 inhibitor SM19712 or gene silencing of βARR1 or βARR2 inhibits NT-stimulated ERK1/2 and JNK phosphorylation, NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation and phosphorylation, and IL-8 secretion. Furthermore, NT-induced cell proliferation, but not IL-8 transcription, is attenuated by the JNK inhibitor, JNK(AII). Thus, NTR1 internalization and recycling in human colonic epithelial cells involves βARRs and ECE-1, respectively. Our results also indicate that βARRs and ECE-1-dependent recycling regulate MAP kinase and NF-κB signaling as well as cell proliferation in human colonocytes in response to NT.

Endovascular coil embolization of aneurysm neck for the treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysm with bleb formation

PubMed Central

Wan, Jun; Gu, Weijin; Zhang, Xiaolong; Geng, Daoying; Lu, Gang; Huang, Lei; Zhang, Lei; Ge, Liang; Ji, Lihua

2014-01-01

Background Ruptured intracranial aneurysm (ICA) with bleb formation (RICABF) is a special type of ruptured ICA. However, the exact role and effectiveness of endovascular coil embolization (ECE) in RICABF is unknown. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of ECE of aneurysm neck for RICABF treatment. Material/Methods We retrospectively assessed consecutive patients who were hospitalized in our endovascular intervention center between October 2004 and May 2012. Overall, 86 patients underwent ECE of aneurysm neck for 86 RICABF. Treatments outcomes included secondary rupture/bleeding rate, aneurysm neck embolization rate, residual/recurrent aneurysm, intraoperative incidents, and post-embolization complications, as well as improvements in the Glasgow outcome scale (extended) (GOS-E). Results Complete occlusion was achieved in 72 aneurysms (72/86, 83.7%), while 12 aneurysms (12/86, 14.0%) had a residual neck, and 2 aneurysms (2/86, 2.3%) had a residual aneurysm. The postoperative GOS-E was 3 in 3 patients (3.5%), 4 in 10 patients (11.6%), and 5 in 73 patients (84.9%). Follow-up angiography was performed in all patients (mean 9.0 months, interquartile range of 9.0). Recurrence was found in 3 patients (3/86, 3.5%). No aneurysm rupture or bleeding was reported. Conclusions Our mid-term follow-up study showed that ECE of aneurysm neck was an effective and safe treatment modality for RICABF. The long-term effectiveness and safety of this interventional radiology technique need to be investigated in prospective and comparative studies. PMID:24986761

Core Radial Electric Field and Transport in Wendelstein 7-X Plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pablant, Novimir

2016-10-01

Results from the investigation of core transport and the role of the radial electric field profile (Er) in the first operational phase of the Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) stellarator are presented. In stellarator plasmas, the details of the Er profile are expected to have a strong effect on both the particle and heat fluxes. Neoclassical particle fluxes are not intrinsically ambipolar, which leads to the formation of a radial electric field that enforces ambipolarity. The radial electric field is closely related to the perpendicular plasma flow (u⊥) through the force balance equation. This allows the radial electric field to be inferred from measurements of the perpendicular flow velocity from the x-ray imaging crystal spectrometer (XICS) and correlation reflectometry diagnostics. Large changes in the perpendicular rotation, on the order of Δu⊥ 5km /s (ΔEr 12kV / m), have been observed within a set of experiments where the heating power was stepped down from 2 MW to 0.6 MW . These experiments are examined in detail to explore the relationship between, heating power, response of the temperature and density profiles and the response of the radial electric field. Estimations of the core transport are based on power balance and utilize electron temperature (Te) profiles from the ECE and Thomson scattering, electron density profiles (ne) from interferometry and Thomson scattering, ion temperature (Ti) profiles from XICS, along with measurements of the total stored energy and radiated power. Also described are a set core impurity confinement experiments and results. Impurity confinement has been investigated through the injection of trace amount of argon impurity gas at the plasma edge in conjunction with measurements of the density of various ionization states of argon from the XICS and High Efficiency eXtreme-UV Overview Spectrometer (HEXOS) diagnostics. Finally the inferred Er and heat flux profiles are compared to initial neoclassical calculations using measured plasma profiles. On behalf of the W7-X Team.

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

Wang, Y.; Tobias, B.; Chang, Y. -T.

Electron cyclotron emission (ECE) imaging is a passive radiometric technique that measures electron temperature fluctuations; and microwave imaging reflectometry (MIR) is an active radar imaging technique that measures electron density fluctuations. The microwave imaging diagnostic instruments employing these techniques have made important contributions to fusion science and have been adopted at major fusion facilities worldwide including DIII-D, EAST, ASDEX Upgrade, HL-2A, KSTAR, LHD, and J-TEXT. In this paper, we describe the development status of three major technological advancements: custom mm-wave integrated circuits (ICs), digital beamforming (DBF), and synthetic diagnostic modeling (SDM). These also have the potential to greatly advance microwavemore » fusion plasma imaging, enabling compact and low-noise transceiver systems with real-time, fast tracking ability to address critical fusion physics issues, including ELM suppression and disruptions in the ITER baseline scenario, naturally ELM-free states such as QH-mode, and energetic particle confinement (i.e. Alfven eigenmode stability) in high-performance regimes that include steady-state and advanced tokamak scenarios. Furthermore, these systems are fully compatible with today's most challenging non-inductive heating and current drive systems and capable of operating in harsh environments, making them the ideal approach for diagnosing long-pulse and steady-state tokamaks.« less

Te and H_α Measurements on the HT-7 Tokamak: A Collaboration between the Fusion Research Center and the Institute of Plasma Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winslow, D. L.; Carter, K. R.; Chatterjee, R.; Huang, H.; Phillips, P. E.; Rowan, W. L.; Kuang, G. L.; Li, J. G.; Luo, J. R.; Wan, B. N.; Wan, Y. X.; Xie, J. K.

1998-11-01

A team from the Fusion Research Center at the University of Texas at Austin visited the HT-7 Tokamak at the Institute of Plasma Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Hefei, Anhui, China to study the effects of lower hybrid current drive (LHCD) in the HT-7 plasma. HT-7(HT-7 Group, Fusion Energy 1996 Vol. 1, 685 (1997).) is a medium-sized (R = 1.22 m) tokamak with superconducting toroidal field coils and long--pulse capabilities utilizing LHCD to assist ohmic current drive. Core and edge diagnostics supported by a stand-alone data acquisition system were installed for the spring 1998 campaign. The diagnostics included an ECE radiometer which allows determination of both electron temperature profiles and fluctuation levels in the core plasma and an H_α array detector for measurement of turbulence in regions not easily accessible to probes. In addition, a reciprocating Langmuir probe system was developed for use on HT-7 and should be available for the next campaign. The effects of LHCD upon fluctuation levels in the plasma will be discussed.

Final Alternatives Assessment of Interim Response Actions for Other Contamination Sources M-1 Settling Basins, Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Version 3.1

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-11-01

u = W. QU- -; t2 E~ zi=- 6e-1 wo u CC .2 211 ~ .CC > . I- - . Ece Zc a- c’ cC I C! 0. - ZEC E ~C C 6-12 E 0 U- .0 E ~E 0 -6 -1 1 I- 8t~ V- .~ u osz w18...Materials and Waste Management Division Colorado Department of Health 4210 East 11th Avenue Denver, CO 80020 Victoria Peters , Esq. Office of Attorney...999 18th Street, Suite 500 Denver, CO 80202-2405 Dr. Peter Gober U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Bldg. 111 Commerce City, CO

Mapping soil salinity and a fresh-water intrusion in three-dimensions using a quasi-3d joint-inversion of DUALEM-421S and EM34 data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zare, Ehsan; Huang, Jingyi; Koganti, Triven; Triantafilis, John

2017-04-01

In order to understand the drivers of topsoil salinization, the distribution and movement of salt in accordance with groundwater need mapping. In this study, we described a method to map the distribution of soil salinity, as measured by the electrical conductivity of a saturated soil-paste extract (ECe), and in 3-dimensions around a water storage reservoir in an irrigated field near Bourke, New South Wales, Australia. A quasi-3d electromagnetic conductivity image (EMCI) or model of the true electrical conductivity (sigma) was developed using 133 apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) measurements collected on a 50 m grid and using various coil arrays of DUALEM-421S and EM34 instruments. For the DUALEM-421S we considered ECa in horizontal coplanar (i.e., 1 mPcon, 2 mPcon and 4 mPcon) and vertical coplanar (i.e., 1 mHcon, 2 mHcon and 4 mHcon) arrays. For the EM34, three measurements in the horizontal mode (i.e., EM34-10H, EM34-20H and EM34-40H) were considered. We estimated σ using a quasi-3d joint-inversion algorithm (EM4Soil). The best correlation (R2 = 0.92) between σ and measured soil ECe was identified when a forward modelling (FS), inversion algorithm (S2) and damping factor (lambda = 0.2) were used and using both DUALEM-421 and EM34 data; but not including the 4 m coil arrays of the DUALEM-421S. A linear regression calibration model was used to predict ECe in 3-dimensions beneath the study field. The predicted ECe was consistent with previous studies and revealed the distribution of ECe and helped to infer a freshwater intrusion from a water storage reservoir at depth and as a function of its proximity to near-surface prior stream channels and buried paleochannels. It was concluded that this method can be applied elsewhere to map the soil salinity and water movement and provide guidance for improved land management.|

Health and Safety Checklist for Early Care and Education Programs to Assess Key National Health and Safety Standards.

PubMed

Alkon, Abbey; Rose, Roberta; Wolff, Mimi; Kotch, Jonathan B; Aronson, Susan S

2016-01-01

The project aims were to (1) develop an observational Health and Safety Checklist to assess health and safety practices and conditions in early care and education (ECE) programs using Stepping Stones To Caring For Our Children, 3rd Edition national standards, (2) pilot test the Checklist, completed by nurse child care health consultants, to assess feasibility, ease of completion, objectivity, validity, and reliability, and (3) revise the Checklist based on the qualitative and quantitative results of the pilot study. The observable national health and safety standards were identified and then rated by health, safety, and child care experts using a Delphi technique to validate the standards as essential to prevent harm and promote health. Then, child care health consultants recruited ECE centers and pilot tested the 124-item Checklist. The pilot study was conducted in Arizona, California and North Carolina. The psychometric properties of the Checklist were assessed. The 37 participating ECE centers had 2627 children from ethnically-diverse backgrounds and primarily low-income families. The child care health consultants found the Checklist easy to complete, objective, and useful for planning health and safety interventions. The Checklist had content and face validity, inter-rater reliability, internal consistency, and concurrent validity. Based on the child care health consultant feedback and psychometric properties of the Checklist, the Checklist was revised and re-written at an 8th grade literacy level. The Health and Safety Checklist provides a standardized instrument of observable, selected national standards to assess the quality of health and safety in ECE centers.

The role of early childhood education programmes in the promotion of child and adolescent mental health in low- and middle-income countries.

PubMed

Baker-Henningham, Helen

2014-04-01

There is growing evidence that early childhood education (ECE) interventions can reduce the loss of developmental potential of disadvantaged children in low- and middle-income countries (LAMIC). Less attention has been paid to the potential of these programmes to prevent child mental health problems and promote child well-being. Peer-reviewed journal articles describing controlled evaluations of ECE interventions in LAMIC were reviewed to identify studies with child mental health outcomes. Studies with proximal outcomes for child mental health including caregiver practices and caregiver mental health were also reviewed. Of 63 studies identified, 21 (33.33%) included child mental health outcomes; 12 of 16 studies with short-term measures showed benefits; 6 studies included a longer-term follow-up and all found benefits; 25 studies included caregiver outcomes: consistent benefits were found for caregiver practices (21 studies) and 6 of 9 studies that measured caregiver mental health reported benefits. Gains to child mental health may be most likely when ECE interventions include three main elements: (i) activities to increase child skills including cognition, language, self-regulation and social-emotional competence; (ii) training caregivers in the skills required to provide a cognitively stimulating and emotionally supportive environment; and (iii) attention to the caregivers' mental health, motivation and self-efficacy. Recommendations for the design and implementation of programmes are provided. ECE interventions are an important component of mental health prevention and promotion in LAMIC, and promoting child and caregiver well-being is a fundamental aspect of interventions to improve child development.

Runaway electron generation as possible trigger for enhancement of magnetohydrodynamic plasma activity and fast changes in runaway beam behavior

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

Pankratov, I. M., E-mail: pankratov@kipt.kharkov.ua, E-mail: rjzhou@ipp.ac.cn; Zhou, R. J., E-mail: pankratov@kipt.kharkov.ua, E-mail: rjzhou@ipp.ac.cn; Hu, L. Q.

2015-07-15

Peculiar phenomena were observed during experiments with runaway electrons: rapid changes in the synchrotron spot and its intensity that coincided with stepwise increases in the electron cyclotron emission (ECE) signal (cyclotron radiation of suprathermal electrons). These phenomena were initially observed in TEXTOR (Tokamak Experiment for Technology Oriented Research), where these events only occurred in the current decay phase or in discharges with thin stable runaway beams at a q = 1 drift surface. These rapid changes in the synchrotron spot were interpreted by the TEXTOR team as a fast pitch angle scattering event. Recently, similar rapid changes in the synchrotron spot andmore » its intensity that coincided with stepwise increases in the non-thermal ECE signal were observed in the EAST (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak) runaway discharge. Runaway electrons were located around the q = 2 rational magnetic surface (ring-like runaway electron beam). During the EAST runaway discharge, stepwise ECE signal increases coincided with enhanced magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) activity. This behavior was peculiar to this shot. In this paper, we show that these non-thermal ECE step-like jumps were related to the abrupt growth of suprathermal electrons induced by bursting electric fields at reconnection events during this MHD plasma activity. Enhancement of the secondary runaway electron generation also occurred simultaneously. Local changes in the current-density gradient appeared because of local enhancement of the runaway electron generation process. These current-density gradient changes are considered to be a possible trigger for enhancement of the MHD plasma activity and the rapid changes in runaway beam behavior.« less

Neurotensin-induced Proinflammatory Signaling in Human Colonocytes Is Regulated by β-Arrestins and Endothelin-converting Enzyme-1-dependent Endocytosis and Resensitization of Neurotensin Receptor 1*

PubMed Central

Law, Ivy Ka Man; Murphy, Jane E.; Bakirtzi, Kyriaki; Bunnett, Nigel W.; Pothoulakis, Charalabos

2012-01-01

The neuropeptide/hormone neurotensin (NT) mediates intestinal inflammation and cell proliferation by binding of its high affinity receptor, neurotensin receptor-1 (NTR1). NT stimulates IL-8 expression in NCM460 human colonic epithelial cells by both MAP kinase- and NF-κB-dependent pathways. Although the mechanism of NTR1 endocytosis has been studied, the relationship between NTR1 intracellular trafficking and inflammatory signaling remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we show that in NCM460 cells exposed to NT, β-arrestin-1 (βARR1), and β-arrestin-2 (βARR2) translocate to early endosomes together with NTR1. Endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) degrades NT in acidic conditions, and its activity is crucial for NTR1 recycling. Pretreatment of NCM460 cells with the ECE-1 inhibitor SM19712 or gene silencing of βARR1 or βARR2 inhibits NT-stimulated ERK1/2 and JNK phosphorylation, NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation and phosphorylation, and IL-8 secretion. Furthermore, NT-induced cell proliferation, but not IL-8 transcription, is attenuated by the JNK inhibitor, JNK(AII). Thus, NTR1 internalization and recycling in human colonic epithelial cells involves βARRs and ECE-1, respectively. Our results also indicate that βARRs and ECE-1-dependent recycling regulate MAP kinase and NF-κB signaling as well as cell proliferation in human colonocytes in response to NT. PMID:22416137

[Multiparametric 3T MRI in the routine staging of prostate cancer].

PubMed

Largeron, J P; Galonnier, F; Védrine, N; Alfidja, A; Boyer, L; Pereira, B; Boiteux, J P; Kemeny, J L; Guy, L

2014-03-01

To analyse the detection ability of a multiparametric 3T MRI with phased-array coil in comparison with the pathological data provided by the prostatectomy specimens. Prospective study of 30 months, including 74 patients for whom a diagnosis of prostate cancer had been made on randomized prostate biopsies, and all eligible to a radical prostatectomy. They all underwent multiparametric 3T MRI with pelvic phased-array coil including T2-weighted imaging (T2W), dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with an ADC mapping. Each gland was divided in octants. Three specific criteria have been sought (detection ability, capsular contact [CC] and extracapsular extension [ECE]), in comparison with the pathological data provided by the prostatectomy specimens. Five hundred and ninety-two octants were considered with 124 significant tumors (volume ≥ 0.1cm(3)). The general ability of tumor detection had a sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV respectively to 72.3%, 87.4%, 83.2% and 78.5%. The estimate of the CC and ECE had a high negative predictive power with specificities and VPN respectively to 96.4% and 95.4% for CC, and 97.5 and 97.7% for ECE. Multiparametric 3T MRI with pelvic phased-array coil appeared to be a reliable imaging technique in clinical and routine practice for the detection of localized prostate cancer. Estimation of the CC and millimeter ECE remains to be clarified, even if the negative predictive power for these parameters seems encouraging. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Runaway electron generation as possible trigger for enhancement of magnetohydrodynamic plasma activity and fast changes in runaway beam behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pankratov, I. M.; Zhou, R. J.; Hu, L. Q.

2015-07-01

Peculiar phenomena were observed during experiments with runaway electrons: rapid changes in the synchrotron spot and its intensity that coincided with stepwise increases in the electron cyclotron emission (ECE) signal (cyclotron radiation of suprathermal electrons). These phenomena were initially observed in TEXTOR (Tokamak Experiment for Technology Oriented Research), where these events only occurred in the current decay phase or in discharges with thin stable runaway beams at a q = 1 drift surface. These rapid changes in the synchrotron spot were interpreted by the TEXTOR team as a fast pitch angle scattering event. Recently, similar rapid changes in the synchrotron spot and its intensity that coincided with stepwise increases in the non-thermal ECE signal were observed in the EAST (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak) runaway discharge. Runaway electrons were located around the q = 2 rational magnetic surface (ring-like runaway electron beam). During the EAST runaway discharge, stepwise ECE signal increases coincided with enhanced magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) activity. This behavior was peculiar to this shot. In this paper, we show that these non-thermal ECE step-like jumps were related to the abrupt growth of suprathermal electrons induced by bursting electric fields at reconnection events during this MHD plasma activity. Enhancement of the secondary runaway electron generation also occurred simultaneously. Local changes in the current-density gradient appeared because of local enhancement of the runaway electron generation process. These current-density gradient changes are considered to be a possible trigger for enhancement of the MHD plasma activity and the rapid changes in runaway beam behavior.

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

Nam, Y. B., E-mail: southub@postech.ac.kr; Yun, G. S.; Lee, D. J.

Electron cyclotron emission imaging (ECEI) diagnostic on Korean Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research utilizes quasi-optical heterodyne-detection method to measure 2D (vertical and radial) T{sub e} fluctuations from two toroidally separated poloidal cross section of the plasma. A cylindrical lens local oscillator (LO) optics with optical path length (OPL) 2–2.5 m has been used in the current ECEI system to couple the LO source to the 24 vertically aligned array of ECE detectors. For efficient and compact LO optics employing the Powell lens is proposed so that the OPL of the LO source is significantly reduced from ∼2.0 m to 0.4 mmore » with new optics. The coupling efficiency of the LO source is expected to be improved especially at the edge channels. Results from the optical simulation together with the laboratory test of the prototype optics will be discussed in this paper.« less

Orientation dependent cyclic stability of the elastocaloric effect in textured Ni-Mn-Ga alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Longsha; Zhang, Xuexi; Liu, Jian; Geng, Lin

2018-05-01

High-performance elastocaloric materials require a large reversible elastocaloric effect and long life cyclic stability. Here, we fabricated textured polycrystalline Ni50.4Mn27.3Ga22.3 alloys by cost-effective casting method to create a <001> texture. A strong correlation between the cyclic stability and the crystal orientation was demonstrated. A large reversible adiabatic temperature change ΔT ˜6 K was obtained when the external stress was applied parallel to <001> direction. However, the ΔT decreased rapidly after 50 cycles, showing an unstable elastocaloric effect (eCE). On the other hand, when the external stress was applied perpendicular to <001>, the adiabatic ΔT was smaller ˜4 K, but was stable over 100 cycles. This significantly enhanced eCE stability was related to the high yield strength, low transformation strain and much higher crack initiation-propagation resistances perpendicular to <001> direction. This study provides a feasible strategy for optimizing the eCE property by creation of the texture structure in polycrystalline Ni-Mn-Ga and Ni-Mn-X (X= In, Sn, Sb) alloys.

Monkey search algorithm for ECE components partitioning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuliev, Elmar; Kureichik, Vladimir; Kureichik, Vladimir, Jr.

2018-05-01

The paper considers one of the important design problems – a partitioning of electronic computer equipment (ECE) components (blocks). It belongs to the NP-hard class of problems and has a combinatorial and logic nature. In the paper, a partitioning problem formulation can be found as a partition of graph into parts. To solve the given problem, the authors suggest using a bioinspired approach based on a monkey search algorithm. Based on the developed software, computational experiments were carried out that show the algorithm efficiency, as well as its recommended settings for obtaining more effective solutions in comparison with a genetic algorithm.

Strength of obesity prevention interventions in early care and education settings: A systematic review.

PubMed

Ward, Dianne S; Welker, Emily; Choate, Ashley; Henderson, Kathryn E; Lott, Megan; Tovar, Alison; Wilson, Amanda; Sallis, James F

2017-02-01

2010-2015; INTERNATIONAL: Given the high levels of obesity in young children, numbers of children in out-of-home care, and data suggesting a link between early care and education (ECE) participation and overweight/obesity, obesity prevention in ECE settings is critical. As the field has progressed, a number of interventions have been reviewed yet there is a need to summarize the data using more sophisticated analyses to answer questions on the effectiveness of interventions. We conducted a systematic review of obesity prevention interventions in center-based ECE settings published between 2010 and 2015. Our goal was to identify promising intervention characteristics associated with successful behavioral and anthropometric outcomes. A rigorous search strategy resulted in 43 interventions that met inclusion criteria. We developed a coding strategy to assess intervention strength, used a validated study quality assessment tool, and presented detailed descriptive information about interventions (e.g., target behaviors, intervention strategies, and mode of delivery). Intervention strength was positively correlated with reporting of positive anthropometric outcomes for physical activity, diet, and combined interventions, and parent engagement components increased the strength of these relationships. Study quality was modestly related to percent successful healthy eating outcomes. Relationships between intervention strength and behavioral outcomes demonstrated negative relationships for all behavioral outcomes. Specific components of intervention strength (number of intervention strategies, potential impact of strategies, frequency of use, and duration of intervention) were correlated with some of the anthropometric and parent engagement outcomes. The review provided tentative evidence that multi-component, multi-level ECE interventions with parental engagement are most likely to be effective with anthropometric outcomes. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Investigating the Et-1/SphK/S1P Pathway as a Novel Approach for the Prevention of Inflammation-Induced Preterm Birth.

PubMed

Giusto, Kiersten; Ashby, Charles R

2018-01-30

Preterm birth (PTB), defined as birth before 37 completed weeks of gestation, occurs in up to 18 percent of births worldwide and accounts for the majority of perinatal morbidity and mortality. While the single most common cause of PTB has been identified as inflammation, safe and effective pharmacotherapy to prevent PTB has yet to be developed. Our group has used an in vivo model of inflammation driven PTB, biochemical methods, pharmacological approaches, a novel endothelin receptor antagonist that we synthesized and RNA knockdown to help establish the role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in inflammation-associated PTB. Further, we have used our in vivo model to test whether sphingosine kinase, which acts downstream of ET-1, plays a role in PTB. We have shown that levels of endothelin converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) and ET-1 are increased when PTB is induced in timed pregnant mice with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and that blocking ET-1 action, pharmacologically or using ECE-1 RNA silencing, rescues LPS-induced mice from PTB. ET-1 activates the sphingosine kinase/sphingosine-1-phosphate (SphK/S1P) pathway. S1P, in turn, is an important signaling molecule in the pro-inflammatory response. Interestingly, we have shown that SphK inhibition also prevents LPS-induced PTB in timed pregnant mice. Further, we showed that SphK inhibition suppresses the ECE-1/ET-1 axis, implicating positive feedback regulation of the SphK/S1P/ECE-1/ET-1 axis. The ET-1/SphK/SIP pathway is a potential pharmacotherapeutic target for the prevention of PTB. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

Efficacy and Safety of Oritavancin Relative to Vancomycin for Patients with Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections (ABSSSI) in the Outpatient Setting: Results From the SOLO Clinical Trials.

PubMed

Lodise, Thomas P; Redell, Mark; Armstrong, Shannon O; Sulham, Katherine A; Corey, G Ralph

2017-01-01

The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oritavancin compared with vancomycin for patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs) who received treatment in the outpatient setting in the Phase 3 SOLO clinical trials. SOLO I and SOLO II were 2 identically designed comparative, multicenter, double-blind, randomized studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a single 1200-mg dose of intravenous (IV) oritavancin versus 7-10 days of twice-daily IV vancomycin for the treatment of ABSSSI. Protocols were amended to allow enrolled patients to complete their entire course of antimicrobial therapy in an outpatient setting. The primary efficacy outcome was a composite endpoint (cessation of spread or reduction in size of the baseline lesion, absence of fever, and no rescue antibiotic at early clinical evaluation [ECE]) (48 to 72 hours). Key secondary endpoints included investigator-assessed clinical cure 7 to 14 days after end of treatment (posttherapy evaluation [PTE]) and 20% or greater reduction in lesion area at ECE. Safety was assessed until day 60. Seven hundred ninety-two patients (oritavancin, 392; vancomycin, 400) received entire course of treatment in the outpatient setting. Efficacy response rates at ECE and PTE were similar (primary composite endpoint at ECE: 80.4% vs 77.5% for oritavancin and vancomycin, respectively) as was incidence of adverse events. Five patients (1.3%) who received oritavancin and 9 (2.3%) vancomycin patients were subsequently admitted to a hospital. Oritavancin provides a single-dose alternative to multidose vancomycin for treatment of ABSSSI in the outpatient setting. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Reflective Optics Design for an LED High Beam Headlamp of Motorbikes

PubMed Central

Ge, Peng; Wang, Xiang; Li, Yang; Wang, Hong

2015-01-01

We propose a reflective optics design for an LED motorbike high beam lamp. We set the measuring screen as an elliptical zone and divide it into many small lattices and divide the spatial angle of the LED source into many parts and make relationships between them. According to the conservation law of energy and the Snell's law, the reflector is generated by freeform optics design method. Then the optical system is simulated by Monte Carlo method using ASAP software. Light pattern of simulation could meet the standard. The high beam headlamp is finally fabricated and assembled into a physical object. Experiment results can fully comply with United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) vehicle regulations R113 revision 2 (Class C). PMID:25961073

Reflective optics design for an LED high beam headlamp of motorbikes.

PubMed

Ge, Peng; Wang, Xiang; Li, Yang; Wang, Hong

2015-01-01

We propose a reflective optics design for an LED motorbike high beam lamp. We set the measuring screen as an elliptical zone and divide it into many small lattices and divide the spatial angle of the LED source into many parts and make relationships between them. According to the conservation law of energy and the Snell's law, the reflector is generated by freeform optics design method. Then the optical system is simulated by Monte Carlo method using ASAP software. Light pattern of simulation could meet the standard. The high beam headlamp is finally fabricated and assembled into a physical object. Experiment results can fully comply with United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) vehicle regulations R113 revision 2 (Class C).

Service quality of Early Childhood Education web portals in Finnish municipalities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koskivaara, Eija; Pihlaja, Päivi

Increasing number of governmental organizations have transformed material on their web sites as a way of providing users with information about their products and services. In this paper, we apply Yang et al (2005) instrument for analyzing municipal early childhood education (ECE) web sites in Finland. The objective of the study was to find out the quality of ECE web portals as well as to give hints to improve their value from users' point of view. In general the five dimensions, usability, usefulness of content, adequacy of information, accessibility, and interaction, of the Yang et al model seems to be applicable also in the early childhood education environment.

Understanding the Scientific Basis of Electrocaloric Effect in Defects Modified Ferroelectric Polymers

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-12-19

0.2), but is higher than that of BZT(x=0.25). The directly recorded ECE signal from BZT(x=0.2) (at 35 oC under a E = 9.5 MVm -1) is presented in Fig...the sample as the field is removed are presented in Fig. 7(b) for the BZT(x=0.2) at 35 oC under different E. The data reveals that at E = 14 MVm -1...samples in the ECE study, the highest field that can be applied was 14 MVm -1. To make a comparison with the results on BT thick films, we extrapolate the

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

The ECE application forecasts annual costs of preventive and corrective maintenance for budgeting purposes. Features within the application enable the user to change the specifications of the model to customize your forecast to best fit their needs and support “what if” analysis. Based on the user's selections, the ECE model forecasts annual maintenance costs. Preventive maintenance costs include the cost of labor to perform preventive maintenance activities at the specific frequency and labor rate. Corrective maintenance costs include the cost of labor and the cost of replacement parts. The application presents forecasted maintenance costs for the next five years inmore » two tables: costs by year and costs by site.« less

The excess choice effect: The role of outcome valence and counterfactual thinking.

PubMed

Hafner, Rebecca J; White, Mathew P; Handley, Simon J

2016-02-01

Contrary to economic theory, psychological research has demonstrated increased choice can undermine satisfaction. When and why this 'excess choice effect' (ECE) occurs remains unclear. Building on theories of counterfactual thinking we argue the ECE is more likely to occur when people experience counterfactual thought or emotion and that a key trigger is a negative versus positive task outcome. Participants either selected a drink (Experiment 1) or chocolate (Experiment 2) from a limited (6) versus extensive (24) selection (Experiment 1) or were given no choice versus extensive (24) choice (Experiment 2). In both experiments, however, the choice was illusory: Half the participants tasted a 'good' flavour, half a 'bad' flavour. As predicted, extensive choice was only detrimental to satisfaction when participants tasted the 'bad' drink or chocolate, and this was mediated by the experience of counterfactual thought (Experiment 1) or emotion (Experiment 2). When outcomes were positive, participants were similarly satisfied with limited versus extensive and no choice versus extensive choice. Implications for our theoretical understanding of the ECE and for the construction of choice architectures aimed at promoting individual satisfaction and well-being are discussed. © 2015 The British Psychological Society.

Understanding the Thermodynamic Properties of the Elastocaloric Effect Through Experimentation and Modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tušek, Jaka; Engelbrecht, Kurt; Mañosa, Lluis; Vives, Eduard; Pryds, Nini

2016-12-01

This paper presents direct and indirect methods for studying the elastocaloric effect (eCE) in shape memory materials and its comparison. The eCE can be characterized by the adiabatic temperature change or the isothermal entropy change (both as a function of applied stress/strain). To get these quantities, the evaluation of the eCE can be done using either direct methods, where one measures (adiabatic) temperature changes or indirect methods where one can measure the stress-strain-temperature characteristics of the materials and from these deduce the adiabatic temperature and isothermal entropy changes. The former can be done using the basic thermodynamic relations, i.e. Maxwell relation and Clausius-Clapeyron equation. This paper further presents basic thermodynamic properties of shape memory materials, such as the adiabatic temperature change, isothermal entropy change and total entropy-temperature diagrams (all as a function of temperature and applied stress/strain) of two groups of materials (Ni-Ti and Cu-Zn-Al alloys) obtained using indirect methods through phenomenological modelling and Maxwell relation. In the last part of the paper, the basic definition of the efficiency of the elastocaloric thermodynamic cycle (coefficient of performance) is defined and discussed.

Electrochemical etching technique of platinum-iridium tips for scanning tunneling microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herrera, Oscar

The scanning tunneling microscope (STM) allows researchers to investigate atomic and molecular structures and properties of nanomaterials. Through the quantum tunneling effect a charge is transferred between the surface of the material and a Platinum-Iridium (Pt-Ir) tip. The production of Pt-Ir tips by electrochemical etching (ECE) has been developed as an alternative technique, to achieve enhanced scanned images of samples, in contrast to the standard mechanical method (SMM). The sharpness apex structure is an essential feature during scanning in order to provide reliable data. We generated a control group of tips by the SMM technique and another group by the ECE technique to investigate the resolution effectiveness in scanning of graphite. The etching of the tips was produced using an auto-variable transformer running a 30 V AC in a 1.5 and 4.0 M CaCl2 solution. The scanning of the graphite surface was conducted at 7x7 nm image width, 0.2 seconds time/line, 256 points/line and 0.05 V for tip voltage. ECE etched tips displayed consistent image resolution, and the sharpness of the tip apex was generally uniform.

Quantifying the Spatial and Seasonal Hydrodynamics of Subsurface Soil Salinity and Selenium Mobilization in the Pariette Watershed, Uintah Basin, UT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amakor, X. N.; Jacobson, A. R.; Cardon, G. E.; Grossl, P. R.

2011-12-01

A recent water quality report recognized concentrations of salts and selenium above total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) in the Pariette Wetlands located in the Uintah Basin, Utah. Since the wetlands are located in the Pacific Migratory Flyway and frequented by numerous water fowl, the elevated levels of total dissolved solids and Se are of concern. To determine whether it possible to manage the mobilization of salts and associated contaminants through the watershed soils into the Pariette Wetlands, knowledge of the spatio-temporal dynamics and distribution of these contaminants is required. Thus, the objective of this study is to characterize the spatio-temporal mobilization of salts and total selenium in the Pariette Draw watershed. Intensive soil information is being collected along the streams feeding the wetlands from fields representing the dominant land-uses in the watershed (irrigated agricultural fields, fallow salt-crusted fields, oil and natural gas extraction fields) using both the noninvasive electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensing technique (EM38DD) and the invasive time-domain reflectometry (TDR). At each site, ground truth samples were collected from optimally determined points generated using the ESAP-RSSD program based on the bulk soil electrical conductivity survey information. Stable soil properties affecting the measurement of salinity (e.g., clay content, organic matter content, cation exchange capacity, bulk density) were also characterized at these points. Parameters affected by fluctuations in soil moisture content (e.g., pH, electrical conductivity of saturation paste extract (ECe), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and total selenium in the dissolved saturation extract) are being measured repeatedly over a minimum of 1 year. Based on regression models of collocated EMI, TDR and ECe measurements, the dense survey data are transformed into ECe. Geostatistical kriging methods are applied to the transformed ECe and volumetric water content to reveal the complex spatio-temporal patterns of salinity, water content, and total selenium (based on the association between ECe and total Se) across portions of the watershed. Temporal changes are being compared using the paired t-test. Here we present the spatio-temporal correlations among the properties and over the sampling times for the 2011 summer and fall seasons with an initial evaluation of the underlying processes contributing to the elevated contaminant loads at the wetlands. Additional measurements will be made in 2012 to capture the effects of early spring snowmelt and runoff.

Millimeter-wave imaging of magnetic fusion plasmas: technology innovations advancing physics understanding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Y.; Tobias, B.; Chang, Y.-T.; Yu, J.-H.; Li, M.; Hu, F.; Chen, M.; Mamidanna, M.; Phan, T.; Pham, A.-V.; Gu, J.; Liu, X.; Zhu, Y.; Domier, C. W.; Shi, L.; Valeo, E.; Kramer, G. J.; Kuwahara, D.; Nagayama, Y.; Mase, A.; Luhmann, N. C., Jr.

2017-07-01

Electron cyclotron emission (ECE) imaging is a passive radiometric technique that measures electron temperature fluctuations; and microwave imaging reflectometry (MIR) is an active radar imaging technique that measures electron density fluctuations. Microwave imaging diagnostic instruments employing these techniques have made important contributions to fusion science and have been adopted at major fusion facilities worldwide including DIII-D, EAST, ASDEX Upgrade, HL-2A, KSTAR, LHD, and J-TEXT. In this paper, we describe the development status of three major technological advancements: custom mm-wave integrated circuits (ICs), digital beamforming (DBF), and synthetic diagnostic modeling (SDM). These have the potential to greatly advance microwave fusion plasma imaging, enabling compact and low-noise transceiver systems with real-time, fast tracking ability to address critical fusion physics issues, including ELM suppression and disruptions in the ITER baseline scenario, naturally ELM-free states such as QH-mode, and energetic particle confinement (i.e. Alfvén eigenmode stability) in high-performance regimes that include steady-state and advanced tokamak scenarios. Furthermore, these systems are fully compatible with today’s most challenging non-inductive heating and current drive systems and capable of operating in harsh environments, making them the ideal approach for diagnosing long-pulse and steady-state tokamaks.

Millimeter-wave imaging of magnetic fusion plasmas: technology innovations advancing physics understanding

DOE PAGES

Wang, Y.; Tobias, B.; Chang, Y. -T.; ...

2017-03-14

Electron cyclotron emission (ECE) imaging is a passive radiometric technique that measures electron temperature fluctuations; and microwave imaging reflectometry (MIR) is an active radar imaging technique that measures electron density fluctuations. The microwave imaging diagnostic instruments employing these techniques have made important contributions to fusion science and have been adopted at major fusion facilities worldwide including DIII-D, EAST, ASDEX Upgrade, HL-2A, KSTAR, LHD, and J-TEXT. In this paper, we describe the development status of three major technological advancements: custom mm-wave integrated circuits (ICs), digital beamforming (DBF), and synthetic diagnostic modeling (SDM). These also have the potential to greatly advance microwavemore » fusion plasma imaging, enabling compact and low-noise transceiver systems with real-time, fast tracking ability to address critical fusion physics issues, including ELM suppression and disruptions in the ITER baseline scenario, naturally ELM-free states such as QH-mode, and energetic particle confinement (i.e. Alfven eigenmode stability) in high-performance regimes that include steady-state and advanced tokamak scenarios. Furthermore, these systems are fully compatible with today's most challenging non-inductive heating and current drive systems and capable of operating in harsh environments, making them the ideal approach for diagnosing long-pulse and steady-state tokamaks.« less

Hyphae-specific genes HGC1, ALS3, HWP1, and ECE1 and relevant signaling pathways in Candida albicans.

PubMed

Fan, Yan; He, Hong; Dong, Yan; Pan, Hengbiao

2013-12-01

Fungal virulence mechanisms include adhesion to epithelia, morphogenesis, production of secretory hydrolytic enzymes, and phenotype switching, all of which contribute to the process of pathogenesis. A striking feature of the biology of Candida albicans is its ability to grow in yeast, pseudohyphal, and hyphal forms. The hyphal form plays an important role in causing disease, by invading epithelial cells and causing tissue damage. In this review, we illustrate some of the main hyphae-specific genes, namely HGC1, UME6, ALS3, HWP1, and ECE1, and their relevant and reversed signal transduction pathways in reactions stimulated by environmental factors, including pH, CO2, and serum.

Enhanced electrocaloric effect in La-based PZT antiferroelectric ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mendez-González, Y.; Peláiz-Barranco, A.; Yang, Tongqing; Guerra, J. D. S.

2018-03-01

The electrocaloric effect (ECE) has been investigated in (Pb0.98La0.02)(Zr0.95Ti0.05)0.995O3 antiferroelectric ceramics obtained via the solid-state reaction method. The results from indirect measurements across the temperature range considered reveal a large electrocaloric temperature change (ΔT) of approximately 5 K at 373 K. The enhanced ECE, which is significantly higher than those reported for some lead-free and lead-based electro-ceramics, was obtained by applying an electric field of 60 kV/cm lower than what has been reported for commonly studied ceramic systems. This result suggests that this system is a potential candidate for practical electrocaloric device applications.

Runaway electrons in tokamaks

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

Liu, Chang

The generation of runaway electrons is a complex and important phenomenon that impacts many areas of plasma physics. Due to the decrease of electron collision frequency with increasing velocity, electrons under strong electric field can experience unlimited “runaway” acceleration. In tokamaks, runaway electrons can be produced in disruptions, due to the strong inductive electric field formed as the thermal energy of plasma gets rapidly lost. This population of runaway electrons can undergo an exponential growth, denoted the runaway electron avalanche, due to hard collisions between relativistic runaway electrons and low energy electrons. It is predicted that in a large tokamakmore » device like the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), a runway electron beam generated in a disruption event can potentially cause severe damage to the device, which poses a significant challenge for ITER to achieve its mission. It is therefore extremely important to seek an effective mitigation mechanism for runaway electrons. Experimental efforts have been made to study the properties of runaway electrons in tokamaks, including their generation, diffusion, and radiation. In order to understand these experimental results, extensive theoretical and simulation studies of runaway electron physics are required. The main topic of this thesis is to study the wave particle interaction associated with runaway electron beams in tokamaks. The runaway electrons can emit and absorb electromagnetic waves through resonances, and can be diffused in momentum space by the waves. Initially, we address the Cherenkov radiation of runaway electrons, which originates from the polarization of the plasma medium. The energy and momentum loss of the Cherenkov radiation can be modeled by adding a correction to the Coulomb logarithm in the collisional drag force. Subsequently, we address pitch angle scattering caused by normal modes in the plasma, which are driven unstable by the anisotropicity of the runaway electron beam. The fluctuating electromagnetic fields are found to act as a seed for the unstable normal modes. Numerical simulations show that the pitch angle scattering effect from the normal modes, mainly whistler waves, can be significantly larger than that from collisional pitch angle scattering. Finally, we present a synthetic diagnostic tool we developed to calculate the electron cyclotron emission (ECE) from the runaway electrons, and successfully reproduce the prompt growth of the ECE signal observed in DIII-D quiescent runaway electron (QRE) experiments. Within the thesis, we also present the application of the adjoint method to runaway electron research, and show the calculations of the runaway probability function (RPF) and the expected loss time (ELT). These calculations not only help depict the dynamics of runaway electrons in momentum space, but also can be used to efficiently calculate experimentally relevant quantities such as the critical electric field for runaway electron avalanche and the avalanche growth rate.« less

Large Electrocaloric Effect in Relaxor Ferroelectric and Antiferroelectric Lanthanum Doped Lead Zirconate Titanate Ceramics

PubMed Central

Lu, Biao; Li, Peilian; Tang, Zhenhua; Yao, Yingbang; Gao, Xingsen; Kleemann, Wolfgang; Lu, Sheng-Guo

2017-01-01

Both relaxor ferroelectric and antiferroelectric materials can individually demonstrate large electrocaloric effects (ECE). However, in order to further enhance the ECE it is crucial to find a material system, which can exhibit simultaneously both relaxor ferroelectric and antiferroelectric properties, or easily convert from one into another in terms of the compositional tailoring. Here we report on a system, in which the structure can readily change from antiferroelectric into relaxor ferroelectric and vice versa. To this end relaxor ferroelectric Pb0.89La0.11(Zr0.7Ti0.3)0.9725O3 and antiferroelectric Pb0.93La0.07(Zr0.82Ti0.18)0.9825O3 ceramics were designed near the antiferroelectric-ferroelectric phase boundary line in the La2O3-PbZrO3-PbTiO3 phase diagram. Conventional solid state reaction processing was used to prepare the two compositions. The ECE properties were deduced from Maxwell relations and Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire (LGD) phenomenological theory, respectively, and also directly controlled by a computer and measured by thermometry. Large electrocaloric efficiencies were obtained and comparable with the results calculated via the phenomenological theory. Results show great potential in achieving large cooling power as refrigerants. PMID:28345655

Traveling magnetopause distortion related to a large-scale magnetosheath plasma jet: THEMIS and ground-based observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dmitriev, A. V.; Suvorova, A. V.

2012-08-01

Here, we present a case study of THEMIS and ground-based observations of the perturbed dayside magnetopause and the geomagnetic field in relation to the interaction of an interplanetary directional discontinuity (DD) with the magnetosphere on 16 June 2007. The interaction resulted in a large-scale local magnetopause distortion of an "expansion - compression - expansion" (ECE) sequence that lasted for ˜15 min. The compression was caused by a very dense, cold, and fast high-βmagnetosheath plasma flow, a so-called plasma jet, whose kinetic energy was approximately three times higher than the energy of the incident solar wind. The plasma jet resulted in the effective penetration of magnetosheath plasma inside the magnetosphere. A strong distortion of the Chapman-Ferraro current in the ECE sequence generated a tripolar magnetic pulse "decrease - peak- decrease" (DPD) that was observed at low and middle latitudes by some ground-based magnetometers of the INTERMAGNET network. The characteristics of the ECE sequence and the spatial-temporal dynamics of the DPD pulse were found to be very different from any reported patterns of DD interactions with the magnetosphere. The observed features only partially resembled structures such as FTE, hot flow anomalies, and transient density events. Thus, it is difficult to explain them in the context of existing models.

Value of Endorectal MRI in Romanian Men for High Risk of Prostate Cancer: MRI Findings Compared with Saturation Biopsy.

PubMed

Lebovici, A; Sfrangeu, S A; Caraiani, C; Lucan, C; Suciu, M; Elec, F; Iacob, Gh; Buruian, M

2015-01-01

To evaluate the potentials of T2 weighted (T2W)MRI and diffusion weighted (DW) MRI for prostate cancer(PCa) detection, local staging and treatment planning in high-risk group. Endorectal MRI was performed in 17 Romanian men (median age: 66 years; range: 58 75 years), prostate specific antigen (PSA) serum levels (median: 20 ng mL; range: 8.6 100 ng mL) with positive findings for PCa(median Gleason score: 8; range: 7 - 9). Imaging findings were compared to standarised 20-core transperineal saturation biopsy. The prostate was divided into 16 standart sectors(10 posterior and 6 anterior). Overall, prostate cancer was detected in 16 patients(94%) on DW-MRI alone and in all 17 patients (100%) on T2W-MRI alone, and on combined imaging. On T2W-MRI165 sectors out of 272 were suspicious for PCa and 124 (75%)were cancer positive. On DW-MRI 126 sectors out of 272 were suspicious for PCa and 118 (95%) were cancer positive. On the combined imaging approach 134 sectors out of 272 were suspicious for PCa and 126 (94%) were cancer positive. This resulted in diagnostic accuracies per sector of 76% for T2WMRI, 86% for DW-MRI and 89% for combined imaging. Multifocal PCa was confirmed both on MR imaging and by biopsy in 8 of the 17 men (47%) Extra capsular extension(ECE) or seminal vesicles invasion (SVI) was highly suspected in 8 (47%) respectively 7 (41%) of the 17 patients. 6 patients(35%) presented both ECE and SVI. MRI findings were taken into account for treatment planning and none of these patients underwent radical prostatectomy and instead was treated with palliative cryotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. Endorectal MRI is highly accurate in PCa detection in the high-risk group and seems to have an important role in local staging and treatment planning for Romanian population. Celsius.

Managing the risk of extreme climate events in Australian major wheat production systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Qunying; Trethowan, Richard; Tan, Daniel K. Y.

2018-06-01

Extreme climate events (ECEs) such as drought, frost risk and heat stress cause significant economic losses in Australia. The risk posed by ECEs in the wheat production systems of Australia could be better managed through the identification of safe flowering (SFW) and optimal time of sowing (TOS) windows. To address this issue, three locations (Narrabri, Roseworthy and Merredin), three cultivars (Suntop and Gregory for Narrabri, Mace for both Roseworthy and Merredin) and 20 TOS at 1-week intervals between 1 April and 12 August for the period from 1957 to 2007 were evaluated using the Agricultural Production System sIMulator (APSIM)-Wheat model. Simulation results show that (1) the average frequency of frost events decreased with TOS from 8 to 0 days (d) across the four cases (the combination of locations and cultivars), (2) the average frequency of heat stress events increased with TOS across all cases from 0 to 10 d, (3) soil moisture stress (SMS) increased with earlier TOS before reaching a plateau and then slightly decreasing for Suntop and Gregory at Narrabri and Mace at Roseworthy while SMS increased with TOS for Mace at Merredin from 0.1 to 0.8, (4) Mace at Merredin had the earliest and widest SFW (216-260) while Mace at Roseworthy had latest SFW (257-280), (5) frost risk and heat stress determine SFW at wetter sites (i.e. Narrabri and Roseworthy) while frost risk and SMS determine SFW at drier site (i.e. Merredin) and (6) the optimal TOS (window) to maximise wheat yield are 6-20 May, 13-27 May and 15 April at Narrabri, Roseworthy and Merredin, respectively. These findings provide important and specific information for wheat growers about the management of ECE risk on farm. Furthermore, the coupling of the APSIM crop models with state-of-the-art seasonal and intra-seasonal climate forecast information provides an important tool for improved management of the risk of ECEs in economically important cropping industries in the foreseeable future.

Telemedicine for gastrointestinal endoscopy: The Endoscopic Club E-conference in the Asia Pacific Region

PubMed Central

Ho, Shiaw-Hooi; Rerknimitr, Rungsun; Kudo, Kuriko; Tomimatsu, Shunta; Ahmad, Mohamad Zahir; Aso, Akira; Seo, Dong Wan; Goh, Khean-Lee; Shimizu, Shuji

2017-01-01

Background and study aims An Endoscopic Club E-conference (ECE) was set up in May 2014 to cater to increased demand for gastrointestinal endoscopy-related teleconferences in the Asia-Pacific region which were traditionally organized by the medical working group (MWG) of Asia-Pacific Advanced Network. This study describes how the ECE meeting was run, examines the group dynamics, outlines feedback and analyzes factors affecting the enthusiasm of participants. It is hoped that the findings here can serve as guidance for future development of other teleconference groups. Methods The preparation, running of and feedback on the ECE teleconference were evaluated and described. The country’s economic situation, time zone differences, connectivity with a research and education network (REN) and engineering cooperation of each member were recorded and analyzed with regard to their association with participant enthusiasm, which was taken as participation in at least 50 % of the meetings since joining. Associations were calculated using 2-way table with chi-square test to generate odds ratio and P value. Results To date, ECE members have increased from 7 to 29 (increment of 314 %). Feedback received indicated a high level of satisfaction with program content, audiovisual transmission and ease of technical preparation. Upper gastrointestinal luminal endoscopy-related topics were the most favored program content. Those topics were presented mainly via case studies with a focus on management challenges. Time zone differences of more than 6 hours and poor engineering cooperation were independently associated with inactive participation (P values of 0.04 and 0.001 respectively). Conclusions Good program content and high-quality audiovisual transmission are keys to the success of an endoscopic medical teleconference. In our analysis, poor engineering cooperation and discordant time zones contributed to inactive participation while connectivity with REN and a country’s economic situation were not significantly associated with participant enthusiasm. PMID:28382322

Pretreatment Endorectal Coil Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings Predict Biochemical Tumor Control in Prostate Cancer Patients Treated With Combination Brachytherapy and External-Beam Radiotherapy

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

Riaz, Nadeem; Afaq, Asim; Akin, Oguz

Purpose: To investigate the utility of endorectal coil magenetic resonance imaging (eMRI) in predicting biochemical relapse in prostate cancer patients treated with combination brachytherapy and external-beam radiotherapy. Methods and Materials: Between 2000 and 2008, 279 men with intermediate- or high-risk prostate cancer underwent eMRI of their prostate before receiving brachytherapy and supplemental intensity-modulated radiotherapy. Endorectal coil MRI was performed before treatment and retrospectively reviewed by two radiologists experienced in genitourinary MRI. Image-based variables, including tumor diameter, location, number of sextants involved, and the presence of extracapsular extension (ECE), were incorporated with other established clinical variables to predict biochemical control outcomes.more » The median follow-up was 49 months (range, 1-13 years). Results: The 5-year biochemical relapse-free survival for the cohort was 92%. Clinical findings predicting recurrence on univariate analysis included Gleason score (hazard ratio [HR] 3.6, p = 0.001), PSA (HR 1.04, p = 0.005), and National Comprehensive Cancer Network risk group (HR 4.1, p = 0.002). Clinical T stage and the use of androgen deprivation therapy were not correlated with biochemical failure. Imaging findings on univariate analysis associated with relapse included ECE on MRI (HR 3.79, p = 0.003), tumor size (HR 2.58, p = 0.04), and T stage (HR 1.71, p = 0.004). On multivariate analysis incorporating both clinical and imaging findings, only ECE on MRI and Gleason score were independent predictors of recurrence. Conclusions: Pretreatment eMRI findings predict for biochemical recurrence in intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer patients treated with combination brachytherapy and external-beam radiotherapy. Gleason score and the presence of ECE on MRI were the only significant predictors of biochemical relapse in this group of patients.« less

Telemedicine for gastrointestinal endoscopy: The Endoscopic Club E-conference in the Asia Pacific Region.

PubMed

Ho, Shiaw-Hooi; Rerknimitr, Rungsun; Kudo, Kuriko; Tomimatsu, Shunta; Ahmad, Mohamad Zahir; Aso, Akira; Seo, Dong Wan; Goh, Khean-Lee; Shimizu, Shuji

2017-04-01

Background and study aims  An Endoscopic Club E-conference (ECE) was set up in May 2014 to cater to increased demand for gastrointestinal endoscopy-related teleconferences in the Asia-Pacific region which were traditionally organized by the medical working group (MWG) of Asia-Pacific Advanced Network. This study describes how the ECE meeting was run, examines the group dynamics, outlines feedback and analyzes factors affecting the enthusiasm of participants. It is hoped that the findings here can serve as guidance for future development of other teleconference groups. Methods  The preparation, running of and feedback on the ECE teleconference were evaluated and described. The country's economic situation, time zone differences, connectivity with a research and education network (REN) and engineering cooperation of each member were recorded and analyzed with regard to their association with participant enthusiasm, which was taken as participation in at least 50 % of the meetings since joining. Associations were calculated using 2-way table with chi-square test to generate odds ratio and P value. Results  To date, ECE members have increased from 7 to 29 (increment of 314 %). Feedback received indicated a high level of satisfaction with program content, audiovisual transmission and ease of technical preparation. Upper gastrointestinal luminal endoscopy-related topics were the most favored program content. Those topics were presented mainly via case studies with a focus on management challenges. Time zone differences of more than 6 hours and poor engineering cooperation were independently associated with inactive participation ( P values of 0.04 and 0.001 respectively). Conclusions  Good program content and high-quality audiovisual transmission are keys to the success of an endoscopic medical teleconference. In our analysis, poor engineering cooperation and discordant time zones contributed to inactive participation while connectivity with REN and a country's economic situation were not significantly associated with participant enthusiasm.

Field Testing of High Current Electrokinetic Nanoparticle Treatment for Corrosion Mitigation in Reinforced Concrete

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cardenas, Henry; Alexander, Joshua; Kupwade-Patil, Kunal; Calle, Luz marina

2010-01-01

Electrokinetic Nanoparticle (EN) treatment was used as a rapid repair measure to mitigate chloride induced corrosion of reinforced concrete in the field. EN treatment uses an electric field to transport positively charged nanoparticles to the reinforcement through the concrete capillary pores. Cylindrical reinforced concrete specimens were batched with 4.5 wt % salt content (based on cement mass). Three distinct electrokinetic treatments were conducted using high current density (up to 5 A/m2) to form a chloride penetration barrier that was established in 5 days, as opposed to the traditional 6-8 weeks, generally required for electrochemical chloride extraction (ECE). These treatments included basic EN treatment, EN with additional calcium treatment, and basic ECE treatment. Field exposures were conducted at the NASA Beachside Corrosion Test Site, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA. The specimens were subjected to sea water immersion at the test site as a posttreatment exposure. Following a 30-day post-treatment exposure period, the specimens were subjected to indirect tensile testing to evaluate treatment impact. The EN treated specimens exhibited 60% and 30% increases in tensile strength as compared to the untreated controls and ECE treated specimens respectively. The surfaces of the reinforcement bars of the control specimens were 67% covered by corrosion products. In contrast, the EN treated specimens exhibited corrosion coverage of only 4%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a dense concrete microstructure adjacent to the bars of the treated specimens as compared to the control and ECE specimens. Energy dispersive spectroscopic (EDS) analysis of the polished EN treated specimens showed a reduction in chloride content by a factor of 20 adjacent to the bars. This study demonstrated that EN treatment was successful in forming a chloride penetration barrier rapidly. This work also showed that the chloride barrier was effective when samples were exposed to field conditions at one of the most severely corrosive environments in North America.

Efficacy of the Lunch is in the Bag intervention to increase parents' packing of healthy bag lunches for young children: a cluster-randomized trial in early care and education centers.

PubMed

Roberts-Gray, Cindy; Briley, Margaret E; Ranjit, Nalini; Byrd-Williams, Courtney E; Sweitzer, Sara J; Sharma, Shreela V; Palafox, Maria Romo; Hoelscher, Deanna M

2016-01-08

Lunches that parents pack for their young children to eat at school or the Early Care and Education (ECE) center fall short of recommended standards. Lunch is in the Bag is a multi-level behavioral nutrition intervention to increase parents' packing of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains in their children's lunches. Designed for implementation in ECE centers, the five-week long intervention is followed three months later with a one-week booster. Efficacy of Lunch is in the Bag was tested in cluster randomized trial. Participants were 633 families from 30 ECE centers (15 intervention, 15 control) across Austin, San Antonio, and Houston, Texas, USA. Primary outcomes were servings of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains observed in the children's parent-packed bag lunches. Servings of refined grains, meats/beans/eggs/nuts, dairy, chips, and sweets also were observed. Data were collected at baseline, post-intervention (6-week follow-up), pre-booster (22-weeks follow-up), and post-booster (28-week follow-up). Time-by-treatment interactions were analyzed separately for each of the food groups using multi-level models to compare changes from baseline. Analyses were adjusted for relevant demographic variables and clustering within centers and parents. The intervention effected increases from baseline to 6-week follow-up in vegetables (0.17 servings, SE = 0.04, P < 0.001) and whole grains (0.30 servings, SE = 0.13, P = 0.018). The increase in whole grains was maintained through the 28-week follow-up (0.34 servings, SE = 0.13, P = 0.009). Fruit averaged more than 1.40 servings with no differences between groups or across time. The intervention prevented increase in sweets (-0.43 servings, SE = 0.11, P < .001, at the 22-week follow-up). Parents persisted, however, in packing small amounts of vegetables (averages of 0.41 to 0.52 servings) and large amounts of sweets and chips (averages of 1.75 to 1.99 servings). The need for and positive effects of the Lunch is in the Bag intervention at ECE centers where parents send bag lunch for their preschool-aged children was confirmed. An important direction for future research is discovery of more options for leveraging the partnership of ECE centers and families to help young children learn to eat and enjoy vegetables and other healthy foods in preference to less healthy choices such as chips and sweets. The Clinical Trials Number is NCT01292434 .

Child Care Enrollment Decisions Among Dual Language Learner Families: The Role of Spanish Language Instruction in the Child Care Setting

PubMed Central

Miller, Elizabeth B.

2016-01-01

Data from the Head Start Impact Study (N = 1,141) and the Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey, 2009 Cohort (N = 825) were used to describe child care enrollment decisions among Spanish-speaking Dual Language Learner (DLL) families. In particular, logistic regression models tested which child, family, and institutional characteristics predicted enrollment in early care and education (ECE) settings that used Spanish for instruction versus enrollment in settings that did not use Spanish. Results showed that whether the child’s first language was exclusively Spanish and whether other DLL families previously attended the ECE arrangement strongly predicted whether that child enrolled. Policy implications for Head Start-eligible Spanish-speaking DLLs are discussed. PMID:26900255

The BepiColombo Spacecraft: The Mercury Transfer Module Structure Qualification Test Campaign Description

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin Zurdo, M. J.

2012-07-01

The BepiColombo is a space mission to Mercury (ESA in cooperation with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency). The spacecraft consist of three different structures: two orbiters responsible for the scientific mission (MPO and MMO) and one service module, Mercury Transfer Module (MTM), which provides propulsion and services during the journey to Mercury. Taking into account only the MTM structure, the companies involved are ASTRIUM GERMANY acting as the prime contractor and ASTRIUM UK acting as the co- prime contractor company. EADS CASA Espacio (ECE) in Spain is the company responsible for the final design, manufacturing and qualification of the MTM structure. The test campaign specimen is the MTM core structure, which corresponds to the central cone with the structure floors, shear panels and tank support structure. This test campaign qualifies the primary load path and its primary interfaces; the rest of the MTM structure is qualified by system level vibration test. In order to qualify the MTM structure, three different kinds of qualification tests have been performed: stiffness test, global strength test and local tests in different specific areas. The most relevant test during the campaign is the global strength test case, in which several external loads are introduced (different interfaces) simulating the load introduction for a selected critical flight case. There are two important items in the qualification test campaign: 1. The instrumentation of the structure, with two main functions: to control the specimen under test loads, and to demonstrate the qualification of the structure. 2. The set-up structure, designed by ECE to allow the correct load introduction on each testing case during the whole test campaign. This paper describes the MTM structure test campaign from the definition of the loads applied in each test to the qualification of the complete structure.

Genetic characteristics of eighty-seven patients with the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.

PubMed

Gulácsy, Vera; Freiberger, Tomas; Shcherbina, Anna; Pac, Malgorzata; Chernyshova, Liudmyla; Avcin, Tadej; Kondratenko, Irina; Kostyuchenko, Larysa; Prokofjeva, Tatjana; Pasic, Srdjan; Bernatowska, Ewa; Kutukculer, Necil; Rascon, Jelena; Iagaru, Nicolae; Mazza, Cinzia; Tóth, Beáta; Erdos, Melinda; van der Burg, Mirjam; Maródi, László

2011-02-01

The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is an X-linked recessive immune deficiency disorder characterized by thrombocytopenia, small platelet size, eczema, recurrent infections, and increased risk of autoimmune disorders and malignancies. WAS is caused by mutations in the WASP gene which encodes WASP, a 502-amino acid protein. WASP plays a critical role in actin cytoskeleton organization and signalling, and functions of immune cells. We present here the results of genetic analysis of patients with WAS from eleven Eastern and Central European (ECE) countries and Turkey. Clinical and haematological information of 87 affected males and 48 carrier females from 77 WAS families were collected. The WASP gene was sequenced from genomic DNA of patients with WAS, as well as their family members to identify carriers. In this large cohort, we identified 62 unique mutations including 17 novel sequence variants. The mutations were scattered throughout the WASP gene and included single base pair changes (17 missense and 11 nonsense mutations), 7 small insertions, 18 deletions, and 9 splice site defects. Genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis were applied in four affected families. This study was part of the J Project aimed at identifying genetic basis of primary immunodeficiency disease in ECE countries. This report provides the first comprehensive overview of the molecular genetic and demographic features of WAS in ECE. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Substance P stimulates endothelin 1 secretion via endothelin-converting enzyme 1 and promotes melanogenesis in human melanocytes.

PubMed

Park, Phil June; Lee, Tae Ryong; Cho, Eun-Gyung

2015-02-01

Substance P (SP) is a well-known neuropeptide implicated in the wound-healing process. The wound occasionally causes a pigmented scar. In the present study, we examined whether increased levels of SP affected melanogenesis. When human melanocytes were treated with SP, the melanin content increased and the pigmentation process accelerated in a dose-dependent manner. In addition to melanogenesis-related genes, the expression of neurokinin 1 receptor, endothelin 1 (EDN1), and EDN receptor type B (EDNRB) also increased at both the messenger RNA and protein levels. Interestingly, secreted EDN1 was observed in the melanocyte culture medium, and this phenomenon was significantly enhanced by SP treatment. Through knockdown experiments using small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), we confirmed that endothelin-converting enzyme 1 (ECE1), EDN1, and EDNRB were involved in SP-induced pigmentation and found that EDN1 secretion was affected by ECE1 and EDN1 siRNAs, but not by EDNRB siRNA. These findings indicate that ECE1 is essential for EDN1 secretion in melanocytes and that EDNRB functions downstream of secreted EDN1 to increase the cAMP levels and activate the melanogenesis-related phosphorylation cascade. This study provides in vitro evidence for a melanogenic function of SP in the skin and suggests that the SP-related signal is a potent target for regulating stress- or wound-induced pigmentation.

Electron-Cloud Build-Up: Theory and Data

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

Furman, M. A.

We present a broad-brush survey of the phenomenology, history and importance of the electron-cloud effect (ECE). We briefly discuss the simulation techniques used to quantify the electron-cloud (EC) dynamics. Finally, we present in more detail an effective theory to describe the EC density build-up in terms of a few effective parameters. For further details, the reader is encouraged to refer to the proceedings of many prior workshops, either dedicated to EC or with significant EC contents, including the entire 'ECLOUD' series. In addition, the proceedings of the various flavors of Particle Accelerator Conferences contain a large number of EC-related publications.more » The ICFA Beam Dynamics Newsletter series contains one dedicated issue, and several occasional articles, on EC. An extensive reference database is the LHC website on EC.« less

Fabrication and evaluation of 100 Ah cylindrical lithium ion battery for electric vehicle applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hyung, Yoo-Eup; Moon, Seong-In; Yum, Duk-Hyeng; Yun, Seong-Kyu

A total of 100 Ah class lithium ion cells with C/LiCoO 2 cell system for electric vehicles (EVs) was developed. EV-size lithium ion battery was developed by Sony, KERI/STC, SAFT, VARTA, Sanyo and Matsushita. GS battery and Hitachi have developed also stationary type large scale (70-80 Ah) lithium ion batteries. Lithium ion battery module for EVs was demonstrated by Sony/Nissan and KERI/STC in 1996. At present, the performance of developed EV-cells was up to 115 Wh/kg and 286 W/kg of specific power at 80% DOD. We assume our EV cells to have 248 and 242 km driving distance per one charge with DST-120 mode and ECE-15 mode, respectively. Finally, we performed safety/abuse tests of developed lithium ion cell.

[Inhibition of antisense-endothelin converting enzyme RNA on interleukin-5 released from dust mite-challenged peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with allergic asthma].

PubMed

Li, Li; Xu, Ju; Zhong, Nan-shan

2003-09-01

To investigate the effect of antisense endothelin converting enzyme (ECE) RNA on levels of cytokines released from CD(4)(+) lymphocytes in patients with allergic diseases responsive to house dust mites. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were separated from 21 patients who were sensitive to dust mites. PBMCs from those patients were divided into two groups. No stimulation group (A group) induded A(1) group (anti-ECE epithelial cells + PBMCs) and A(2) group (control cells + PBMCs). Stimulation group (B group) included B(1) group (anti-ECE epithelial cells + PBMCs + dust mites extract) and B(2) group (control cells + PBMCs + dust mites extract). House dust mite extract (20 microg/ml) was added to the culture of stimulation group as described above. After 72 hours, supernatants from both groups were collected and the levels of IL-5 and IFN-ggr; released into the supernatants were detected by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay. IL-5 levels were increased significantly after treatment with dust mite in twelve of 21 cases. No significant differences of IL-5 were found between the groups of A(1)[(6.0 +/- 1.3) x 10(-9) g/L] and A(2) [(7.5 +/- 1.1) x 10(-9) g/L] before house dust mite stimulation in the 12 cases (P > 0.05), and no significant differences in IFN-ggr; were found between the groups of A(1) [(63 +/- 26) x 10(-9) g/L] and A(2) [(70 +/- 52) x 10(-9) g/L] before house dust mite stimulation (P > 0.05). IL-5 level was increased in both groups after stimulation but it was significantly lower in the B(1) group [(8.2 +/- 1.6) x 10(-9) g/L] than that in the B(2) [(12.0 +/- 1.8) x 10(-9) g/L] (P = 0.047). It seemed that increased IFN-ggr; level after stimulation was higher in B(2) [(153 +/- 71) x 10(-9) g/L] than that in the B(1) group (100 +/- 41) x 10(-9) g/L], but there was no statistic significance (P > 0.05). In addition, our results also showed that the release of IL-5 was significantly increased in those cases with asthma, or asthma plus allergic rhinitis after dust mites stimulation [(44 +/- 15)%] compared with that in those with urticaria [(7 +/- 4)%] (P = 0.047). Antisense-ECE downregulated the IL-5 secretion from Th2 lymphocytes in patients with allergic asthma after being challenged with dust mites. It is indicated that ET-1 is an important cytokine involved with allergic airway inflammation. Antisense-ECE RNA management in airways may be of value in treating allergic asthma.

Managing the risk of extreme climate events in Australian major wheat production systems.

PubMed

Luo, Qunying; Trethowan, Richard; Tan, Daniel K Y

2018-06-04

Extreme climate events (ECEs) such as drought, frost risk and heat stress cause significant economic losses in Australia. The risk posed by ECEs in the wheat production systems of Australia could be better managed through the identification of safe flowering (SFW) and optimal time of sowing (TOS) windows. To address this issue, three locations (Narrabri, Roseworthy and Merredin), three cultivars (Suntop and Gregory for Narrabri, Mace for both Roseworthy and Merredin) and 20 TOS at 1-week intervals between 1 April and 12 August for the period from 1957 to 2007 were evaluated using the Agricultural Production System sIMulator (APSIM)-Wheat model. Simulation results show that (1) the average frequency of frost events decreased with TOS from 8 to 0 days (d) across the four cases (the combination of locations and cultivars), (2) the average frequency of heat stress events increased with TOS across all cases from 0 to 10 d, (3) soil moisture stress (SMS) increased with earlier TOS before reaching a plateau and then slightly decreasing for Suntop and Gregory at Narrabri and Mace at Roseworthy while SMS increased with TOS for Mace at Merredin from 0.1 to 0.8, (4) Mace at Merredin had the earliest and widest SFW (216-260) while Mace at Roseworthy had latest SFW (257-280), (5) frost risk and heat stress determine SFW at wetter sites (i.e. Narrabri and Roseworthy) while frost risk and SMS determine SFW at drier site (i.e. Merredin) and (6) the optimal TOS (window) to maximise wheat yield are 6-20 May, 13-27 May and 15 April at Narrabri, Roseworthy and Merredin, respectively. These findings provide important and specific information for wheat growers about the management of ECE risk on farm. Furthermore, the coupling of the APSIM crop models with state-of-the-art seasonal and intra-seasonal climate forecast information provides an important tool for improved management of the risk of ECEs in economically important cropping industries in the foreseeable future.

N-glycan profiles in H9N2 avian influenza viruses from chicken eggs and human embryonic lung fibroblast cells.

PubMed

Chen, Wentian; Zhong, Yaogang; Su, Rui; Qi, Huicai; Deng, Weina; Sun, Yu; Ma, Tianran; Wang, Xilong; Yu, Hanjie; Wang, Xiurong; Li, Zheng

2017-11-01

N-glycosylation can affect the host specificity, virulence and infectivity of influenza A viruses (IAVs). In this study, the distribution and evolution of N-glycosylation sites in the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) of H9N2 virus were explored using phylogenetic analysis. Then, one strain of the H9N2 subtypes was proliferated in the embryonated chicken eggs (ECE) and human embryonic lung fibroblast cells (MRC-5) system. The proliferated viral N-glycan profiles were analyzed by a glycomic method that combined the lectin microarray and MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS. As a result, HA and NA of H9N2 viruses prossess six and five highly conserved N-glycosylation sites, respectively. Sixteen lectins (e.g., MAL-II, SNA and UEA-I) had increased expression levels of the glycan structures in the MRC-5 compared with the ECE system; however, 6 lectins (e.g., PHA-E, PSA and DSA) had contrasting results. Eleven glycans from the ECE system and 13 glycans from the MRC-5 system were identified. Our results showed that the Fucα-1,6GlcNAc(core fucose) structure was increased, and pentaantennary N-glycans were only observed in the ECE system. The SAα2-3/6Gal structures were highly expressed and Fucα1-2Galβ1-4GlcNAc structures were only observed in the MRC-5 system. We conclude that the existing SAα2-3/6Gal sialoglycans make the offspring of the H9N2 virus prefer entially attach to each other, which decreases the virulence. Alterations in the glycosylation sites for the evolution and role of IAVs have been widely described; however, little is known about the exact glycan structures for the same influenza strain from different hosts. Our findings may provide a novel way for further discussing the molecular mechanism of the viral transmission and virulence associated with viral glycosylation in avian and human hosts as well as vital information for designing a vaccine against influenza and other human viruses. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Electrochemical chloride extraction : influence of concrete surface on treatment.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2002-10-01

One bridge restoration technique available for reducing corrosion-induced concrete deterioration, which removes : chloride ions while simultaneously realkalizing the concrete adjacent to the steel, is electrochemical chloride extraction : (ECE). Stud...

Electrochemical Chloride Extraction : Influence of Concrete Surface on Treatment

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2002-09-01

One bridge restoration technique available for reducing corrosion-induced concrete deterioration, which removes chloride ions while simultaneously realkalizing the concrete adjacent to the steel, is electrochemical chloride extraction (ECE). Studies ...

Aβ degradation or cerebral perfusion? Divergent effects of multifunctional enzymes.

PubMed

Miners, J Scott; Palmer, Jennifer C; Tayler, Hannah; Palmer, Laura E; Ashby, Emma; Kehoe, Patrick G; Love, Seth

2014-01-01

There is increasing evidence that deficient clearance of β-amyloid (Aβ) contributes to its accumulation in late-onset Alzheimer disease (AD). Several Aβ-degrading enzymes, including neprilysin (NEP), endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE), and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) reduce Aβ levels and protect against cognitive impairment in mouse models of AD. In post-mortem human brain tissue we have found that the activity of these Aβ-degrading enzymes rise with age and increases still further in AD, perhaps as a physiological response that helps to minimize the build-up of Aβ. ECE-1/-2 and ACE are also rate-limiting enzymes in the production of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and angiotensin II (Ang II), two potent vasoconstrictors, increases in the levels of which are likely to contribute to reduced blood flow in AD. This review considers the possible interdependence between Aβ-degrading enzymes, ischemia and Aβ in AD: ischemia has been shown to increase Aβ production both in vitro and in vivo, whereas increased Aβ probably enhances ischemia by vasoconstriction, mediated at least in part by increased ECE and ACE activity. In contrast, NEP activity may help to maintain cerebral perfusion, by reducing the accumulation of Aβ in cerebral blood vessels and lessening its toxicity to vascular smooth muscle cells. In assessing the role of Aβ-degrading proteases in the pathogenesis of AD and, particularly, their potential as therapeutic agents, it is important to bear in mind the multifunctional nature of these enzymes and to consider their effects on other substrates and pathways.

Enhanced electrochemical sensitivity of enzyme precipitate coating (EPC)-based glucose oxidase biosensors with increased free CNT loadings.

PubMed

Kim, Jae Hyun; Jun, Sun-Ae; Kwon, Yongchai; Ha, Su; Sang, Byong-In; Kim, Jungbae

2015-02-01

Enzymatic electrodes were fabricated by using three different immobilizations of glucose oxidase (GOx): covalent enzyme attachment (CA), enzyme coating (EC), and enzyme precipitate coating (EPC), here referred to as CA-E, EC-E, and EPC-E, respectively. When additional carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were introduced from 0 to 75wt% for the EPC-E design, its initial biosensor sensitivity was improved from 2.40×10(-3) to 16.26×10(-3) A∙M(-1)∙cm(-2), while its electron charge transfer rate constant was increased from 0.33 to 1.47s(-1). When a fixed ratio of CNTs was added for three different electrode systems, EPC-E showed the best glucose sensitivity and long-term thermal stability. For example, when 75wt% of additional CNTs was added, the initial sensitivity of EPC-E was 16.26×10(-3) A∙M(-1)∙cm(-2), while those of EC-E and CA-E were only 6.42×10(-3) and 1.18×10(-3) A∙M(-1)∙cm(-2), respectively. Furthermore, EPC-E retained 63% of its initial sensitivity after thermal treatment at 40°C over 41days, while EC-E and CA-E showed only 12% and 1% of initial sensitivities, respectively. Consequently, the EPC approach with additional CNTs achieved both high sensitivity and long-term stability, which are required for continuous and accurate glucose monitoring. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sensor-Based Assessment of Soil Salinity during the First Years of Transition from Flood to Sprinkler Irrigation

PubMed Central

Herrero, Juan; Betrán, Jesús A.; Ritchie, Glen

2018-01-01

A key issue for agriculture in irrigated arid lands is the control of soil salinity, and this is one of the goals for irrigated districts when changing from flood to sprinkling irrigation. We combined soil sampling, proximal electromagnetic induction, and satellite data to appraise how soil salinity and its distribution along a previously flood-irrigated field evolved after its transformation to sprinkling. We also show that the relationship between NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) and ECe (electrical conductivity of the soil saturation extracts) mimics the production function between yield and soil salinity. Under sprinkling, the field had a double crop of barley and then sunflower in 2009 and 2011. In both years, about 50% of the soil of the entire studied field—45 ha—had ECe < 8 dS m−1, i.e., allowing barley cultivation, while the percent of surface having ECe ≥ 16 dS m−1 increased from 8.4% in 2009 to 13.7% in 2011. Our methodology may help monitor the soil salinity oscillations associated with irrigation management. After quantifying and mapping the soil salinity in 2009 and 2011, we show that barley was stunted in places of the field where salinity was higher. Additionally, the areas of salinity persisted after the subsequent alfalfa cropping in 2013. Application of differential doses of water to the saline patches is a viable method to optimize irrigation water distribution and lessen soil salinity in sprinkler-irrigated agriculture. PMID:29462981

Sensor-Based Assessment of Soil Salinity during the First Years of Transition from Flood to Sprinkler Irrigation.

PubMed

Casterad, Mª Auxiliadora; Herrero, Juan; Betrán, Jesús A; Ritchie, Glen

2018-02-17

A key issue for agriculture in irrigated arid lands is the control of soil salinity, and this is one of the goals for irrigated districts when changing from flood to sprinkling irrigation. We combined soil sampling, proximal electromagnetic induction, and satellite data to appraise how soil salinity and its distribution along a previously flood-irrigated field evolved after its transformation to sprinkling. We also show that the relationship between NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) and ECe (electrical conductivity of the soil saturation extracts) mimics the production function between yield and soil salinity. Under sprinkling, the field had a double crop of barley and then sunflower in 2009 and 2011. In both years, about 50% of the soil of the entire studied field-45 ha-had ECe < 8 dS m-1, i.e., allowing barley cultivation, while the percent of surface having ECe ≥ 16 dS m-1 increased from 8.4% in 2009 to 13.7% in 2011. Our methodology may help monitor the soil salinity oscillations associated with irrigation management. After quantifying and mapping the soil salinity in 2009 and 2011, we show that barley was stunted in places of the field where salinity was higher. Additionally, the areas of salinity persisted after the subsequent alfalfa cropping in 2013. Application of differential doses of water to the saline patches is a viable method to optimize irrigation water distribution and lessen soil salinity in sprinkler-irrigated agriculture.

140 GHz EC waves propagation and absorption for normal/oblique injection on FTU tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nowak, S.; Airoldi, A.; Bruschi, A.; Buratti, P.; Cirant, S.; Gandini, F.; Granucci, G.; Lazzaro, E.; Panaccione, L.; Ramponi, G.; Simonetto, A.; Sozzi, C.; Tudisco, O.; Zerbini, M.

1999-09-01

Most of the interest in ECRH experiments is linked to the high localization of EC waves absorption in well known portions of the plasma volume. In order to take full advantage of this capability a reliable code has been developed for beam tracing and absorption calculations. The code is particularly important for oblique (poloidal and toroidal) injection, when the absorbing layer is not simply dependent on the position of the EC resonance only. An experimental estimate of the local heating power density is given by the jump in the time derivative of the local electron pressure at the switching ON of the gyrotron power. The evolution of the temperature profile increase (from ECE polychromator) during the nearly adiabatic phase is also considered for ECRH profile reconstruction. An indirect estimate of optical thickness and of the overall absorption coefficient is given by the measure of the residual e.m. power at the tokamak walls. Beam tracing code predictions of the power deposition profile are compared with experimental estimates. The impact of the finite spatial resolution of the temperature diagnostic on profile reconstruction is also discussed.

Modular design of the LED vehicle projector headlamp system.

PubMed

Hsieh, Chi-Chang; Li, Yan-Huei; Hung, Chih-Ching

2013-07-20

A well designed headlamp for a vehicle lighting system is very important as it provides drivers with safe and comfortable driving conditions at night or in dark places. With the advances of the semiconductor technology, the LED has become the fourth generation lighting source in the auto industry. In this study, we will propose a LED vehicle projector headlamp system. This headlamp system contains several LED headlamp modules, and every module of it includes four components: focused LEDs, asymmetric metal-based plates, freeform surfaces, and condenser lenses. By optimizing the number of LED headlamp modules, the proposed LED vehicle projector headlamp system has only five LED headlamp modules. It not only provides the low-beam cutoff without a shield, but also meets the requirements of the ECE R112 regulation. Finally, a prototype of the LED vehicle projector headlamp system was assembled and fabricated to create the correct light pattern.

National Association for the Education of Young Children

MedlinePlus

... families — from child development to reading, writing, music, math, and more! Higher Education Search an ECE degree ... childhood topics such Developmentally Appropriate Practice, play, and math. Blog Stay up-to-date on issues in ...

[Research on NEDC ultrafine particle emission characters of a port fuel injection gasoline car].

PubMed

Hu, Zhi-Yuan; Li, Jin; Tan, Pi-Qiang; Lou, Di-Ming

2012-12-01

A Santana gasoline car with multi-port fuel injection (PFI) system was used as the research prototype and an engine exhaust particle sizer (EEPS) was employed to investigate the exhaust ultrafine particle number and size distribution characters of the tested vehicle in new European driving cycle (NEDC). The tested results showed that the vehicle's nuclear particle number, accumulation particle number, as well as the total particle number emission increased when the car drove in accelerated passage, and the vehicle's particle number emission was high during the first 40 seconds after test started and when the speed was over 90 km x h(-1) in extra urban driving cycle (EUDC) in NEDC. The ultrafine particle distribution of the whole NEDC showed a single peak logarithmic distribution, with diameters of the peak particle number emission ranging from 10 nm to 30 nm, and the geometric mean diameter was 24 nm. The ultrafine particle distribution of the urban driving cycle named by the economic commission for Europe (ECE) e. g. ECE I, ECE II - IV, the extra urban driving cycle e. g. EUDC, and the idling, constant speed, acceleration, deceleration operation conditions of NEDC all showed a single peak logarithmic distribution, also with particle diameters of the peak particle number emission ranging from 10 nm to 30 nm, and the geometric mean diameters of different driving cycle and different driving mode were from 14 nm to 42 nm. Therefore, the ultrafine particle emissions of the tested PFI gasoline car were mainly consisted of nuclear mode particles with a diameter of less than 50 nm.

Energy analysis of electric vehicles using batteries or fuel cells through well-to-wheel driving cycle simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campanari, Stefano; Manzolini, Giampaolo; Garcia de la Iglesia, Fernando

This work presents a study of the energy and environmental balances for electric vehicles using batteries or fuel cells, through the methodology of the well to wheel (WTW) analysis, applied to ECE-EUDC driving cycle simulations. Well to wheel balances are carried out considering different scenarios for the primary energy supply. The fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) are based on the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) technology, and it is discussed the possibility to feed the fuel cell with (i) hydrogen directly stored onboard and generated separately by water hydrolysis (using renewable energy sources) or by conversion processes using coal or natural gas as primary energy source (through gasification or reforming), (ii) hydrogen generated onboard with a fuel processor fed by natural gas, ethanol, methanol or gasoline. The battery electric vehicles (BEV) are based on Li-ion batteries charged with electricity generated by central power stations, either based on renewable energy, coal, natural gas or reflecting the average EU power generation feedstock. A further alternative is considered: the integration of a small battery to FCEV, exploiting a hybrid solution that allows recovering energy during decelerations and substantially improves the system energy efficiency. After a preliminary WTW analysis carried out under nominal operating conditions, the work discusses the simulation of the vehicles energy consumption when following standardized ECE-EUDC driving cycle. The analysis is carried out considering different hypothesis about the vehicle driving range, the maximum speed requirements and the possibility to sustain more aggressive driving cycles. The analysis shows interesting conclusions, with best results achieved by BEVs only for very limited driving range requirements, while the fuel cell solutions yield best performances for more extended driving ranges where the battery weight becomes too high. Results are finally compared to those of conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, showing the potential advantages of the different solutions considered in the paper and indicating the possibility to reach the target of zero-emission vehicles (ZEV).

Vehicle kinematics in turns and the role of cornering lamps in driver vision.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-11-01

"SAE Recommended Practice J852 and ECE Regulations 119 and 48 for cornering lamps : were compared. Photometric points described in each specification were then compared : to naturalistic low-speed turn trajectories produced by 87 drivers. Future loca...

The effect of big endothelin-1 in the proximal tubule of the rat kidney

PubMed Central

Beara-Lasić, Lada; Knotek, Mladen; Čejvan, Kenan; Jakšić, Ozren; Lasić, Zoran; Skorić, Boško; Brkljačić, Vera; Banfić, Hrvoje

1997-01-01

An obligatory step in the biosynthesis of endothelin-1 (ET-1) is the conversion of its inactive precursor, big ET-1, into the mature form by the action of specific, phosphoramidon-sensitive, endothelin converting enzyme(s) (ECE). Disparate effects of big ET-1 and ET-1 on renal tubule function suggest that big ET-1 might directly influence renal tubule function. Therefore, the role of the enzymatic conversion of big ET-1 into ET-1 in eliciting the functional response (generation of 1,2-diacylglycerol) to big ET-1 was studied in the rat proximal tubules.In renal cortical slices incubated with big ET-1, pretreatment with phosphoramidon (an ECE inhibitor) reduced tissue immunoreactive ET-1 to a level similar to that of cortical tissue not exposed to big ET-1. This confirms the presence and effectiveness of ECE inhibition by phosphoramidon.In freshly isolated proximal tubule cells, big ET-1 stimulated the generation of 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Neither phosphoramidon nor chymostatin, a chymase inhibitor, influenced the generation of DAG evoked by big ET-1.Big ET-1-dependent synthesis of DAG was found in the brush-border membrane. It was unaffected by BQ123, an ETA receptor antagonist, but was blocked by bosentan, an ETA,B-nonselective endothelin receptor antagonist.These results suggest that the proximal tubule is a site for the direct effect of big ET-1 in the rat kidney. The effect of big ET-1 is confined to the brush-border membrane of the proximal tubule, which may be the site of big ET-1-sensitive receptors. PMID:9051300

Role of endothelin-converting enzyme, chymase and neutral endopeptidase in the processing of big ET-1, ET-1(1-21) and ET-1(1-31) in the trachea of allergic mice.

PubMed

De Campo, Benjamin A; Goldie, Roy G; Jeng, Arco Y; Henry, Peter J

2002-08-01

The present study examined the roles of endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE), neutral endopeptidase (NEP) and mast cell chymase as processors of the endothelin (ET) analogues ET-1(1-21), ET-1(1-31) and big ET-1 in the trachea of allergic mice. Male CBA/CaH mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (10 microg) delivered intraperitoneal on days 1 and 14, and exposed to aerosolized ovalbumin on days 14, 25, 26 and 27 (OVA mice). Mice were killed and the trachea excised for histological analysis and contraction studies on day 28. Tracheae from OVA mice had 40% more mast cells than vehicle-sensitized mice (sham mice). Ovalbumin (10 microg/ml) induced transient contractions (15+/-3% of the C(max)) in tracheae from OVA mice. The ECE inhibitor CGS35066 (10 microM) inhibited contractions induced by big ET-1 (4.8-fold rightward shift of dose-response curve; P<0.05), but not those induced by either ET-1(1-21) or ET-1(1-31). The chymase inhibitors chymostatin (10 microM) and Bowman-Birk inhibitor (10 microM) had no effect on contractions induced by any of the ET analogues used. The NEP inhibitor CGS24592 (10 microM) inhibited contractions induced by ET-1(1-31) (6.2-fold rightward shift; P<0.05) but not ET-1(1-21) or big ET-1. These data suggest that big ET-1 is processed predominantly by a CGS35066-sensitive ECE within allergic airways rather than by mast cell-derived proteases such as chymase. If endogenous ET-1(1-31) is formed within allergic airways, it is likely to undergo further conversion by NEP to more active products.

Effect of extreme sea surface temperature events on the demography of an age-structured albatross population.

PubMed

Pardo, Deborah; Jenouvrier, Stéphanie; Weimerskirch, Henri; Barbraud, Christophe

2017-06-19

Climate changes include concurrent changes in environmental mean, variance and extremes, and it is challenging to understand their respective impact on wild populations, especially when contrasted age-dependent responses to climate occur. We assessed how changes in mean and standard deviation of sea surface temperature (SST), frequency and magnitude of warm SST extreme climatic events (ECE) influenced the stochastic population growth rate log( λ s ) and age structure of a black-browed albatross population. For changes in SST around historical levels observed since 1982, changes in standard deviation had a larger (threefold) and negative impact on log( λ s ) compared to changes in mean. By contrast, the mean had a positive impact on log( λ s ). The historical SST mean was lower than the optimal SST value for which log( λ s ) was maximized. Thus, a larger environmental mean increased the occurrence of SST close to this optimum that buffered the negative effect of ECE. This 'climate safety margin' (i.e. difference between optimal and historical climatic conditions) and the specific shape of the population growth rate response to climate for a species determine how ECE affect the population. For a wider range in SST, both the mean and standard deviation had negative impact on log( λ s ), with changes in the mean having a greater effect than the standard deviation. Furthermore, around SST historical levels increases in either mean or standard deviation of the SST distribution led to a younger population, with potentially important conservation implications for black-browed albatrosses.This article is part of the themed issue 'Behavioural, ecological and evolutionary responses to extreme climatic events'. © 2017 The Author(s).

Electron Temperature Gradient Scale Measurements in ICRF Heated Plasmas at Alcator C-Mod

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Houshmandyar, Saeid; Phillips, Perry E.; Rowan, William L.; Howard, Nathaniel T.; Greenwald, Martin

2016-10-01

It is generally believed that the temperature gradient is a driving mechanism for the turbulent transport in hot and magnetically confined plasmas. A feature of many anomalous transport models is the critical threshold value (LC) for the gradient scale length, above which both the turbulence and the heat transport increases. This threshold is also predicted by the recent multi-scale gyrokinetic simulations, which are focused on addressing the electron (and ion) heat transport in tokamaks. Recently, we have established an accurate technique (BT-jog) to directly measure the electron temperature gradient scale length (LTe =Te / ∇T) profile, using a high-spatial resolution radiometer-based electron cyclotron emission (ECE) diagnostic. For the work presented here, electrons are heated by ion cyclotron range of frequencies (ICRF) through minority heating in L-mode plasmas at different power levels, TRANSP runs determine the electron heat fluxes and the scale lengths are measured through the BT-jog technique. Furthermore, the experiment is extended for different plasma current and electron densities by which the parametric dependence of LC on magnetic shear, safety factor and density will be investigated. This work is supported by U.S. DoE OFES, under Award No. DE-FG03-96ER-54373.

Electron Profile Stiffness and Critical Gradient Length Studies in the Alcator C-Mod Tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Houshmandyar, Saeid; Hatch, David R.; Liao, Kenneth T.; Zhao, Bingzhe; Phillips, Perry E.; Rowan, William L.; Cao, Norman; Ernst, Darin R.; Rice, John E.

2017-10-01

Electron temperature profile stiffness was investigated at Alcator C-Mod L-mode discharges. Electrons were heated by ion cyclotron range of frequencies (ICRF) through minority heating. The intent of the heating mechanism was to vary the heat flux and simultaneously, gradually change the local gradient. The electron temperature gradient scale length (LTe- 1 = | ∇Te |/Te) was accurately measured through a novel technique, using the high-resolution radiometer ECE diagnostic. The TRANSP power balance analysis (Q/QGB) and the measured scale length (a/LTe) result in critical scale length measurements at all major radius locations. These measurements suggest that the profiles are already at the critical values. Furthermore, the dependence of the stiffness on plasma rotation and magnetic shear will be discussed. In order to understand the underlying mechanism of turbulence for these discharges, simulations using the gyrokinetic code, GENE, were carried out. For linear runs at electron scales, it was found that the largest growth rates are very sensitive to a/LTe variation, which suggests the presence of ETG modes, while the sensitivity studies in the ion scales indicate ITG/TEM modes. Supported by USDoE awards DE-FG03-96ER54373 and DE-FC02-99ER54512.

Strengthening Families: Community Strategies That Work

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olson, Maril

2007-01-01

Supporting and strengthening families has always been part of the early childhood professional's unique role in the community. NAEYC's Supporting Teachers, Strengthening Families initiative (www.naeyc.org/ece/supporting) is a set of activities designed to provide intentional leadership and education in the family-strengthening approach. The…

Simplified spatiotemporal electromagnetic induction - salinity multi-field calibration

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Salinity-affected farmlands are common in arid and semi-arid regions. To assure long-term sustainability of farming practices in these areas, soil salinity (ECe) should be routinely mapped and monitored. Salinity can be measured through soil sampling directed by geospatial measurements of apparent s...

Avian influenza virus isolation, propagation and titration in embryonated chicken eggs

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Avian influenza (AI) virus is usually isolated, propagated, and titrated in embryonated chickens eggs (ECE). Most any sample type can be accommodated for culture with appropriate processing. Isolation may also be accomplished in cell culture particularly if mammalian lineage isolates are suspected, ...

Soil salinization in the agricultural lands of Rhodope District, northeastern Greece.

PubMed

Pisinaras, V; Tsihrintzis, V A; Petalas, C; Ouzounis, K

2010-07-01

The objective of this study was to identify seasonal and spatial trends and soil salinization patterns in a part of Rhodope District irrigated land, northeastern Greece, located east of Vistonis Lagoon. The study area is irrigated from a coastal aquifer, where salt water intrusion occurs because of extensive groundwater withdrawals. Fourteen monitoring sites were established in harvest fields in the study area, where soil samples were collected. Electrical conductivity (ECe), pH, and ion concentrations were determined in the saturated paste extract of the soil samples in the laboratory using standard methods. A clear tendency was observed for ECe to increase from April to September, i.e., within the irrigation period, indicating the effect of saline groundwater to soil. In the last years, the change from moderately sensitive (e.g., corn) to moderately tolerant crops (e.g., cotton) in the south part of the study area indicates the impacts of soil salinity. The study proposes management methods to alleviate this problem.

Critical scaling analysis for displacive-type organic ferroelectrics around ferroelectric transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, L. J.

2017-04-01

The critical scaling properties of displacive-type organic ferroelectrics, in which the ferroelectric-paraelectric transition is induced by spin-Peierls instability, are investigated by Green's function theory through the modified Arrott plot, critical isothermal and electrocaloric effect (ECE) analysis around the transition temperature TC. It is shown that the electric entropy change - ΔS follows a power-law dependence of electric field E : - ΔS ∼En with n satisfying the Franco equation n(TC) = 1 +(β - 1) /(β + γ) = 0.618, wherein the obtained critical exponents β = 0.440 and γ = 1.030 are not only corroborated by Kouvel-Fisher method, but also confirm the Widom critical relation δ = 1 + γ / β. The self-consistency and reliability of the obtained critical exponents are further verified by the scaling equations. Additionally, a universal curve of - ΔS is constructed with rescaling temperature and electric field, so that one can extrapolate the ECE in a certain temperature and electric field range, which would be helpful in designing controlled electric refrigeration devices.

Study of high field side/low field side asymmetry in the electron temperature profile with electron cyclotron emission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gugliada, V. R.; Austin, M. E.; Brookman, M. W.

2017-10-01

Electron cyclotron emission (ECE) provides high resolution measurements of electron temperature profiles (Te(R , t)) in tokamaks. Calibration accuracy of this data can be improved using a sawtooth averaging technique. This improved calibration will then be utilized to determine the symmetry of Te profiles by comparing low field side (LFS) and high field side (HFS) measurements. Although Te is considered constant on flux surfaces, cases have been observed in which there are pronounced asymmetries about the magnetic axis, particularly with increased pressure. Trends in LFS/HFS overlap are examined as functions of plasma pressure, MHD mode presence, heating techniques, and other discharge conditions. This research will provide information on the accuracy of the current two-dimensional mapping of flux surfaces in the tokamak. Findings can be used to generate higher quality EFITs and inform ECE calibration. Work supported in part by US DoE under the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) program and under DE-FC02-04ER549698.

Measurement of ion beam angular distribution at different helium gas pressures in a plasma focus device by large-area polycarbonate detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sohrabi, M.; Habibi, M.; Ramezani, V.

2017-02-01

The paper presents an experimental study and analysis of full helium ion density angular distributions in a 4-kJ plasma focus device (PFD) at pressures of 10, 15, 25, and 30 mbar using large-area polycarbonate track detectors (PCTDs) (15-cm etchable diameter) processed by 50-Hz-HV electrochemical etching (ECE). Helium ion track distributions at different pressures, in particular, at the main axis of the PFD are presented. Maximum ion track density of 4.4 × 104 tracks/cm2 was obtained in the PCTD placed 6 cm from the anode. The ion distributions for all pressures applied are ring-shaped, which is possibly due to the hollow cylindrical copper anode used. The large-area PCTD processed by ECE proves, at the present state-of-theart, a superior method for direct observation and analysis of ion distributions at a glance with minimum efforts and time. Some observations of the ion density distributions at different pressures are reported and discussed.

Improving Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies and Practices in Early Care and Education in Three States, 2014-2016.

PubMed

Smith, Teresa M; Blaser, Casey; Geno-Rasmussen, Cristy; Shuell, Julie; Plumlee, Catherine; Gargano, Tony; Yaroch, Amy L

2017-08-31

The National Early Care and Education Learning Collaboratives (ECELC) project aims to facilitate best practices in nutrition, physical activity, screen time, and breastfeeding support and infant feeding among early care and education (ECE) programs across multiple states. The project uses a train-the-trainer approach with 5, in-person learning-collaborative sessions, technical assistance, and action planning. We describe the longitudinal practice-based evaluation of the project and assess whether ECE programs evaluated (n = 104) sustained changes in policies and practices 1 year after completing the project. The number of best practices increased from pre-assessment to post-assessment (P < .01) but did not change significantly from post-assessment to follow-up assessment. ECELC shows promise as an approach to incorporate professional development and training focused on improving best practices for environment-level child nutrition and physical activity, which is one strategy among many that are warranted for obesity prevention in young children.

Design method of LED rear fog lamp based on freeform micro-surface reflectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Jindong; Wu, Heng

2017-11-01

We propose a practical method for the design of a light-emitting diode (LED) rear fog lamp based on freeform micro-surface reflectors. The lamp consists of nine LEDs and each of them has a freeform micro-surface reflector correspondingly. The micro-surface reflector design includes three steps. An initial freeform reflector is first built based on the light energy maps. The micro-surface reflector is then constructed on the bias of the initial one. Finally, a two-step method is designed to optimize the micro-surface reflector. With the proposed method, a module is designed and LCW DURIS E5 LED source whose emitting surface is 5.7 mm × 3.0 mm is adopted for simulation. A prototype is also assembled and fabricated to verify the real performance. Both the simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the luminous intensity distribution can well fulfill the requirements of ECE No.38 regulation. Furthermore, more than 79% energy can be saved when compared with the rear fog lamps using conventional sources.

76 FR 8743 - Proposed Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-15

....: New Collection. Billing Accounting Code (BAC): 418423 (CAN G999916). Description: The Administration... available resources for understanding how families use, seek, and cope with the ECE/SA choices that are available to them. Perhaps most significantly, the NSECE will allow the policy and research communities to...

Electrical and Computer Engineering |

Science.gov Websites

PROGRAM GRADUATE PROGRAM RESEARCH FACULTY & STAFF MEET THE STUDENTS ALUMNI CORPORATE RELATIONS GIVING Gift FOLLOW US ON ECE SITE FEEDBACK 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award

Simplifying field-scale assessment of spatiotemporal changes of soil salinity

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Monitoring soil salinity (ECe) is important to properly plan agronomic and irrigation practices. Salinity can be readily measured through soil sampling directed by geospatial measurements of apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa). Using data from a long-term (1999-2012) monitoring study at a 32...

Inclusion in Early Childhood Education: Pre-Service Teachers Voices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Majoko, Tawanda

2016-01-01

This study examined pre-service teachers' understanding, attitudes, preparation and concerns regarding inclusion in early childhood education (ECE) in Zimbabwe. Entrenched within inclusive pedagogy, this descriptive study draws on a sample of 24 pre-service teachers purposively selected from the largest teachers' college with the oldest…

Validation of the ANOCOVA model for regional scale ECa-ECe calibration

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Over the past decade two approaches have emerged as the preferred means for assessing salinity at regional scale: (1) vegetative indices from satellite imagery (e.g., MODIS enhanced vegetative index, NDVI, etc.) and (2) analysis of covariance (ANOCOVA) calibration of apparent soil electrical conduct...

Identifying soil landscape units at the district scale by numerically clustering remote and proximal sensed data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zare, Ehsan; Huang, Jingyi; Triantafilis, John

2017-04-01

Identifying soil landscape units at a district scale is important as it allows for sustainable land-use management. However, given the large number of soil properties that need to be understood and mapped, cost-effective methods are required. In this study, we use a digital soil mapping (DSM) approach where remote and proximal sensed ancillary data collected across a farming district near Bourke, are numerical clustered (fuzzy k-means: FKM) to identify soil landscape units. The remote data was obtained from an air-borne gamma-ray spectrometer survey (i.e. potassium-K, uranium-U, thorium-Th and total counts-TC). Proximal sensed data was collected using an EM38 in the horizontal (EM38h) and vertical (EM38v) mode of operation. The FKM analysis (using Mahalanobis metric) of the kriged ancillary (i.e. common 100 m grid) data revealed a fuzziness exponent (phi) of 1.4 was suitable for further analysis and that k = 4 classes was smallest for the fuzziness performance index (FPI) and normalised classification entropy (NCE). Using laboratory measured physical (i.e. clay) and chemical (i.e. CEC, ECe and pH) properties we found k = 4 was minimized in terms of mean squared prediction error (i.e. 2p,C) when considering topsoil (0-0.3 m) clay (159.76), CEC (21.943), ECe (13.56) and pH (0.2296) and subsoil (0.9-1.2 m) clay (80.81), CEC (31.251) and ECe (16.66). These sigma2p,C are smaller than those calculated using the mapped soil landscape units identified using a traditional approach. Nevertheless, class 4A represents the Aeolian soil landscape (i.e. Nb4), while 4D, represents deep grey (CC19) self-mulching clays, and 4B and 4C yellow-grey (II1) self-mulching clays adjacent to the river and clay alluvial plain, respectively. The differences in clay and CEC reveal why 4B, 4C and 4D have been extensively developed for irrigated cotton production and also why the slightly less reactive 4B might be a source of deep drainage; evidenced by smaller topsoil (2.13 dS/m) and subsoil (3.76 dS/m) ECe. The research has implications for providing meaningful DSM of soil landscape units for farmers at districts scales where traditional methods are restrictive in terms of time and cost.

Fulfilling Dreams: Transitions into an ECE Online Preservice Teacher Education Degree

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taylor, Pauline

2009-01-01

There is increased attention on the first year experience at universities generally as a result of the Australian federal government's focus on increased accountability for universities and widening participation in further education (DEST, 2003; Jardine & Krause, 2005; Kift, 2005; Krause, Hartley, James & McInnes, 2005). However, these…

Effects of Early Childhood Education on Kindergarten Readiness Scores

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Modeste, Janis Monrose

2016-01-01

The purpose of this correlational study, which took place in a Central Florida school district, was to investigate the relationship between the quality of the early childhood education (ECE) programs and students' kindergarten readiness scores. Vygotsky's sociocultural theory, which states that a child's environment, culture, and language are…

Measurement of electron temperature and density of the edge plasma of JET by ECE and microwave reflectometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bartlett, D. V.; Costley, A. E.; Porte, L.; Prentice, R.; Salmon, N. A.; Sips, G.

1990-12-01

The potential of electron cyclotron emission and microwave reflectometry as techniques for measuring the electron temperature and density in the edge region of tokamak plasmas is investigated. Experiments to realize this potential on JET are described and some illustrative results presented.

Four Methods for Engaging Young Children as Environmental Education Researchers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Green, Carie

2017-01-01

This article contributes to the ongoing dialogue regarding what it means to engage young children as active researchers in Early Childhood Environmental Education (ECEE) and Early Childhood Education for Sustainability (ECEfS). Drawing from a participatory and phenomenological framework, this paper considers the advantages, challenges, and…

Candidate Success and edTPA: Looking at the Data

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Evans, Lesley A.; Kelly, Mary K.; Baldwin, Joni L.; Arnold, Jackie M.

2016-01-01

This descriptive study looks at the correlations between Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) data and numerous program data points, including GPA, major GPA, and benchmark assignment scores, gathered in an Early Childhood Education (ECE) program. Previous studies have looked to correlate grade point average (GPA) with pre-service teacher…

Out of Place: Economic Imperialisms in Early Childhood Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stuart, Margaret

2016-01-01

New Zealand has received world-wide accolades for its Early Childhood Education (ECE) curriculum, Te Whariki. This paper explores the tension between economic imperialism, and a curriculum acknowledged as visionary. The foundational ideas of Te Whariki emanate from sociocultural and anti-racist pedagogies. However, its implementation is hampered…

Anti-Bias Education: Reflections

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Derman-Sparks, Louise

2011-01-01

It is 30 years since NAEYC published "Anti-Bias Curriculum Tools for Empowering Young Children" (Derman-Sparks & ABC Task Force, 1989). Since then, anti-bias education concepts have become part of the early childhood education (ECE) narrative in the United States and many other countries. It has brought a fresh way of thinking about…

Spanish Instruction in Head Start and Dual Language Learners' Achievement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miler, Elizabeth B.

2016-01-01

Prior research suggests that Spanish-speaking Dual Language Learners (DLLs)--young children who must master two languages simultaneously, their home language and English (Espinosa, 2013)--differentially benefit from quality Early Childhood Education (ECE), and in particular from Head Start, compared with children of other subgroups and…

Constructing Occupational Identities: How Female Preschool Teachers Develop Professionalism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, Mina

2013-01-01

This study explores how female teachers construct their occupational identities as teachers within early childhood education (ECE) settings. The combination of feminist scholarship and the use of teacher life history method allow these women to describe themselves as professionally trained and educated teachers who love teaching and children even…

Flame Retardant Exposures in California Early Childhood Education Environments

EPA Science Inventory

Infants and young children spend as much as 50 hours per week in child care and preschool centers. Although approximately 13 million children, or 65% of all U.S. children, spend a portion of each day in early childhood education (ECE) facilities, little information is available a...

Early Childhood Education in Saudi Arabia: Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rabaah, Alqassem; Doaa, Dashash; Asma, Alzahrani

2016-01-01

This paper reviewed the development of early childhood education (ECE) in Saudi Arabia and its strengths and weaknesses. The paper discusses the contextual background of Saudi Arabia, including its geography, demographics, social system, economy, political system and religion. In addition, the paper investigated the education system at large in…

Ethics Instruction for Preservice Teachers: How Are We Doing in ECE?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Freeman, Nancy Krupnick; Brown, Mac H.

1996-01-01

Notes the importance of providing preservice early childhood educators with ethics guidance and instruction. Summarizes results of Survey of Instruction in Professional Ethics (SIPE) indicating that most early childhood teacher educators include professional ethics instruction. Suggests use of a Code of Ethics, SIPE, textbooks, and videotape…

Early Childhood Education as a Resilience Intervention for Maltreated Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ellenbogen, Stephen; Klein, Benjamin; Wekerle, Christine

2014-01-01

The profound injuries caused by child maltreatment are well documented in the neurological, attachment, cognitive, and developmental literature. In this review paper, we explore the potential of early childhood education (ECE) as a community-based resilience intervention for mitigating the impacts of child abuse and neglect and supporting families…

Family Child Care as a Small Business. ECE/CDA Training Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huhn, Susan

This Child Development Associate training module explores the multifaceted aspects of family child care, including zoning, certification, insurance, hours of care, fees, advertising, programming, and parent/provider agreements. The module's purpose is to help individuals interested in a career in family child care understand the CDA requirements…

Transforming the Early Care and Education Workforce

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vecchiotti, Sara

2018-01-01

There is ample opportunity for state boards to improve outcomes for children by strengthening the early care and education workforce and thereby improving the quality of early care and education. Ensuring that ECE professionals have the knowledge, supports, and resources they need to support children's learning is one avenue to improving the…

ESTROGENIC ACTIVITY OF DICOFOL WITH THE HUMAN ESTROGEN RECEPTOR: ISOMER- AND ENANTIOMER-SPECIFIC IMPLICATIONS

EPA Science Inventory

Dicofol is a non-systemic acaricide/miticide currently registered in the U.S. and Canada for use on a wide variety of crops. This agrochemical has been identified as a potential candidate substance for the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN-ECE) Persistent Organic ...

Dominant Discourses of Teachers in Early Childhood Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ebrahim, H. B.

2010-01-01

This article examines the dominant discourses teachers in early childhood education (ECE) used to produce understandings of children and educational practice for them. Seven teachers from two early childhood centres in urban KwaZulu-Natal participated in this qualitative study. Data were produced through semi-structured interviews and…

Strategies for Enrolling Traditionally Underserved Families in Early Childhood Education Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fowler, Susan A.; Thomas, Dawn V.; Tompkins, Jill; Hartle, Luminita; Corr, Catherine

2013-01-01

Six agencies in Illinois received 18 months of funding from the governor's office to develop effective and innovative strategies to recruit young children from traditionally underserved families into early childhood education (ECE) programs. The five agencies that provided families with immediate follow-up and some services shortly after…

Computer Training for Early Childhood Educators.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Specht, Jacqueline; Wood, Eileen; Willoughby, Teena

Recent research in early childhood education (ECE) centers suggests that some teacher characteristics are not at a level that would support computer learning opportunities for children. This study identified areas of support required by teachers to provide a smooth introduction of the computer into the early childhood education classroom.…

Differential Exposure to Early Childhood Education Services and Mother-Toddler Interaction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Klebanov, P.K.; Brooks-Gunn, J.

2008-01-01

This study examined the associations of exposure to early childhood education (ECE) services upon 2.5-year-old children's task persistence and enthusiasm and their mothers' authoritative and authoritarian behavior and support stimulation. Families participated in the Infant Health and Development Program, an eight-site randomized comprehensive ECE…

New Developments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lohmander, Maelis Karlsson, Ed.; Rabusicova, Milada; Einarsdottir, Johanna

2008-01-01

The development of early childhood education (ECE) in Europe and beyond is inextricably linked with women's roles and power in society. Towards the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth century in a context of urbanisation and industrialisation the need for some sort of public childcare became apparent in many countries. Whereas…

International Perspectives on Early Childhood Curriculum Changes in Singapore and Australia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nyland, Berenice; Ng, Josephine

2016-01-01

This article explores early childhood curriculum reform in Australia and Singapore in order to identify international trends in early childhood education (ECE), similarities in curriculum reform initiatives and implementation strategies adopted. We have observed the existence of many shared ideas across the two contexts that may influence…

Inventory of main standards and parameters of the waterway network ("blue book") as amended by addenda 1 and 2

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1998-01-01

At its fortieth session, the UN/ECE Working Party on Inland Water Transport (SC.3) agreed to proceed with the drafting of the so-called "blue book" which would contain technical characteristics of European inland waterways and ports of international ...

Mainstream Early Childhood Education Teacher Preparation for Inclusion in Zimbabwe

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Majoko, Tawanda

2017-01-01

This study examined mainstream teachers' preparation for inclusion in Early Childhood Education (ECE). Embedded within the "core expertise" of inclusive pedagogy, this descriptive study drew on a sample of 23 mainstream teachers purposively drawn from the Midlands educational province of Zimbabwe. A constant comparative approach of…

Early Childhood Education Intervention Programs in the Netherlands: Still Searching for Empirical Evidence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Driessen, Geert

2018-01-01

Early childhood education (ECE) intervention programs nowadays are the core of the educational disadvantage policy in the Netherlands. They offer institutional compensatory activities to young children who lack educational stimulation in the home environment. Target groups mainly comprise children from deprived socioeconomic backgrounds and of…

Preparing California's Early Care and Education Workforce to Teach Young Dual Language Learners

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oliva-Olson, Carola; Estrada, Mari; Edyburn, Kelly L.

2017-01-01

The stage is set for major change in California early childhood education (ECE). The State's requirements for Transitional Kindergarten instruction, teacher training, and professional development could lead to mandated integration of existing, impressive Dual Language Learner (DLL) resources, guidance, and best practices. In addition to more…

Early Childhood Education in Neoliberal, Religiously Conservative Times in Turkey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aksoy, Naciye; Eren Deniz, Ebru

2018-01-01

This article provides an analysis and discussion of the impacts of neoliberal, religiously conservative educational policies on early childhood education (ECE) in Turkey. After an introduction, the article is presented in four sections. The first section provides an overview of neoliberal, religiously conservative policies in the Turkish…

Knowledge of Child Abuse and Reporting Practices among Early Care and Education Providers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dinehart, Laura; Kenny, Maureen C.

2015-01-01

This study sought to assess child abuse knowledge and reporting practices of a diverse sample of early care and education (ECE) practitioners. One hundred and thirty-seven practitioners in the state of Florida completed the "Early Childhood Educators Child Abuse Questionnaire." Results revealed that only a minority of participants have…

Microsoft in Southeast Europe: A Conversation with Goran Radman

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pendergast, William; Frayne, Colette; Kelley, Patricia

2009-01-01

Goran Radman (GR) joined Microsoft in 1996 and served until Fall 2008 as Microsoft Chairman, Southeast Europe (SEE) and Chairman, East and Central Europe (ECEE). Based in Croatia, where he enjoys sailing the Adriatic coast and islands, he spoke with the authors during 2008 and 2009 about his experience launching Microsoft's commercial presence in…

Supporting Early Childhood Environmental Education through the Natural Start Alliance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Merrick, Christy; Braus, Judy

2013-01-01

The Natural Start Alliance is a new initiative of the North American Association for Environmental Education. Natural Start was created to support and expand early childhood environmental education (ECEE) by creating a network of organizations, educators, parents, and others who care about using environmental education to support young children's…

The Design and Validation of an Early Childhood STEM Classroom Observational Protocol

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Milford, Todd; Tippett, Christine

2015-01-01

Across K-12 education, there has been recent attention to the learning opportunities available to students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning. Early childhood education (ECE) has been excluded from this process. The scholarly literature contains good evidence for including science teaching and learning at the ECE…

Introducing Creativity in a Design Laboratory for a Freshman Level Electrical and Computer Engineering Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burkett, Susan L.; Kotru, Sushma; Lusth, John C.; McCallum, Debra; Dunlap, Sarah

2014-01-01

Dunlap, The University of Alabama, USA ABSTRACT In the electrical and computer engineering (ECE) curriculum at The University of Alabama, freshmen are introduced to fundamental electrical concepts and units, DC circuit analysis techniques, operational amplifiers, circuit simulation, design, and professional ethics. The two credit course has both…

Engineering Students for the 21st Century: Student Development through the Curriculum

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cheville, Alan; Bunting, Chuck

2011-01-01

Through support of the National Science Foundation's Department Level Reform program, "Engineering Students for the 21st Century" (ES21C) has implemented a ten-course sequence designed to help students develop into engineers. Spread across the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) curriculum at Oklahoma State University, these…

Reversing the Trend of Engineering Enrollment Declines with Innovative Outreach, Recruiting, and Retention Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davis, C. E.; Yeary, M. B.; Sluss, J. J., Jr.

2012-01-01

This paper discusses an all-encompassing approach to increase the number of students in engineering through innovative outreach, recruiting, and retention programs. Prior to adopting these programs, the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the University of Oklahoma (OU), Norman, experienced a reduction in engineering enrollment…

49 CFR Appendix C to Part 553 - Statement of Policy: Implementation of the United Nations/Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... Agreement Continuously improve safety and seek high levels of safety, particularly by developing and... and regions, thereby providing greater safety protection with available government resources. II... a working party of experts recommends a harmonized or new global technical regulation, it sends a...

Curricular Ethics in Early Childhood Education Programming: A Challenge to the Ontario Kindergarten Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heydon, Rachel M.; Wang, Ping

2006-01-01

Through a case study of a key Canadian early childhood education program, The Kindergarten Program (Ontario Ministry of Education and Training, 1998a), we explore the relationship between curricular paradigms and early childhood education (ECE) models, and the opportunities that each creates for enacting ethical teaching and learning…

Colliding Worlds: Practical and Political Tensions of Prekindergarten Implementation in Public Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCabe, Lisa A.; Sipple, John W.

2011-01-01

This chapter examines how the previously distinct worlds of early childhood education (ECE) and K-12 public school education are being drawn together through the recent and rapid advances of prekindergarten programming in the United States. Tensions around teaching philosophies, teacher qualifications, and financing are presented to illustrate the…

Reconstruction of the Financial System in Early Childhood Education in China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cai, Yingqi; Feng, Xiaoxia

2007-01-01

This paper presents a profile about the financial system of the early childhood education (ECE) in China. The problems discussed are related to (1) segmentation of Tiao and Kuai (some education institutions are directly administered by provincial governments, and some were affiliated to the relative administrative departments of the state), (2)…

The State of Early Childhood Higher Education in Nebraska. Technical Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sakai, Laura; Austin, Lea J. E.; Bloechliger, Olivia; Whitebook, Marcy; Amanta, Felippa

2015-01-01

Teacher preparation in the field of early childhood education (ECE) has historically included a variety of higher education degree programs, in various child-related disciplines, all of which have generally been considered equally acceptable. And too often, these highly diverse degree programs are assumed to produce equivalent results (Maxwell,…

Perspectives in Early Childhood Education: Belize, Brazil, Mexico, El Salvador and Peru

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McConnell-Farmer, Judith Lynne; Cook, Pamela R.; Farmer, M. W.

2012-01-01

Early childhood education (ECE) provision is becoming a growing priority. During the past twenty years, Latin America has shown a growing recognition in the provision of educational programs for young children, birth to age eight, is essential. Urban and rural populations intimated in 2009, that many countries utilizing equitable access to…

Depictions of Human Bodies in the Illustrations of Early Childhood Textbooks

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Martínez-Bello, Vladimir E.; Martínez-Bello, Daniel A.

2016-01-01

In many Ibero-American countries children in the early childhood education (ECE) system have the opportunity to interact with textbooks on a regular basis. The powerful social function of textbooks in socializing children in primary and secondary school, and in legitimizing what counts as cultural norms and officially sanctioned values and…

An Open Letter to Premier Wen Jiabao

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chinese Education and Society, 2008

2008-01-01

This article is an open letter of a group of early childhood education (ECE) practitioners to Premier Wen Jiabao. This open letter was written with one goal in mind: to ask Premier Wen's government to take measures to protect young children and support early childhood education. These practitioners have become worried about the many accidents that…

Affordances for Risk-Taking and Physical Activity in Australian Early Childhood Education Settings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Little, Helen; Sweller, Naomi

2015-01-01

Motor competence and physical activity (PA) patterns are established during the early childhood years. Early childhood education (ECE) settings are an important context for children's engagement in physically active play. This paper reports the findings from an online survey examining resources, spaces and affordances for PA and risk-taking in…

Arizona Early Childhood Education Standards.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Arizona State Dept. of Education, Phoenix.

In an effort to provide a sound basis for educational accountability for preschool programs, the Arizona Early Childhood Education (ECE) Standards were developed as a framework for literacy-based programs for 3- and 4-year-olds and to provide parents with a basic understanding of indicators of early learning. These standards, to be adopted by…

Assessment and Program Accountability in Early Childhood Education: Lessons Learned in Ohio

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boat, Mary; Zorn, Debbie; Austin, James T.

2005-01-01

Ensuring that children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, start school ready to learn is an important goal. This paper presents lessons learned from the state of Ohio's multi-year program to develop a standards-based assessment system for programs delivering state-funded early childhood education (ECE) through programs receiving…

Children's Self-Regulation in the Context of Participatory Pedagogy in Early Childhood Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kangas, Jonna; Ojala, Mikko; Venninen, Tuulikki

2015-01-01

Research Findings: Research has shown that self-regulation can support child development in the areas of children's attentional flexibility, working memory, and inhibitory control for excluding impulsive responses. How this is actually related in everyday pedagogical early childhood education (ECE) activities has rarely been studied in detail. In…

Evaluating New Zealand Early Childhood Education Professional Development: Access, Barriers and Effectiveness

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cherrington, Sue; Wansbrough, Deborah

2010-01-01

"Pathways to the Future: Nga Huarahi Arataki," the ten year strategic plan for early childhood education (ECE) in New Zealand, identified reviewing the delivery of professional development as one strategy for "promoting the effective delivery of 'Te Whariki'"(Ministry of Education, 2002, p. 15) within the overall goal of…

The State of Early Childhood Higher Education in Indiana. Technical Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kipnis, Fran; Sakai, Laura; Amanta, Felippa; Whitebook, Marcy; Austin, Lea J. E.; Montoya, Elena

2015-01-01

Teacher preparation in the field of early childhood education (ECE) has historically included a variety of higher education degree programs, in various child-related disciplines, all of which have generally been considered to produce equivalent results. In contrast, programs to prepare teachers and administrators to work with older children…

The State of Early Childhood Higher Education in California. Technical Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Austin, Lea J. E.; Kipnis, Fran; Whitebook, Marcy; Sakai, Laura

2015-01-01

Teacher preparation in the field of early childhood education (ECE) has historically included a variety of higher education degree programs, in various child-related disciplines, all of which have generally been considered equally acceptable. And too often, these highly diverse degree programs are assumed to produce equivalent results. In…

Aquatic ecosystems in a changing climate

USGS Publications Warehouse

Inamdar, Shreeram; Shanley, James B.; McDowell, William H.

2017-01-01

Extreme climate events (ECEs) such as tropical storms and hurricanes, thunderstorms, heat waves, droughts, ice storms, and snow storms have increased and are projected to further increase in intensity and frequency across the world. These events are expected to have significant consequences for aquatic ecosystems with the potential for large changes in ecosystem processes, responses, and functions.

A Phenomenological Study: Teachers' Experiences of Using Digital Storytelling in Early Childhood Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yuksel-Arslan, Pelin; Yildirim, Soner; Robin, Bernard Ross

2016-01-01

This study investigates how early childhood education (ECE) teachers incorporated digital storytelling in their classrooms and the challenges and successes that they faced in the process. After the teachers attended a digital storytelling workshop, in-depth phenomenological interview, observation and focus group interviews were used to collect…

Capacity Building for School Development: Current Problems and Future Challenges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ho, Dora; Lee, Moosung

2016-01-01

This article offers a theoretical discussion on the current problems and future challenges of school capacity building in early childhood education (ECE), aiming to highlight some key areas for future research. In recent years, there has been a notable policy shift from monitoring quality through inspection to improving quality through school…

Challenges to Early Childhood Education in Rural China: Lessons from the Hebei Province

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hu, Bi Ying; Roberts, Sherron Killingsworth; Leng Ieong, Sylvia Sao; Guo, Haiying

2016-01-01

This research study examined the challenges faced by early childhood education (ECE) in rural China based on a qualitative study of 217 kindergarten classrooms in a large agricultural, rural province. This study utilised onsite teacher surveys, interviews, and observational field notes. This investigation's findings revealed important information…

Empowerment through Pedagogy: Positioning Service-Learning as an Early Childhood Pedagogy for Pre-Service Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Winterbottom, Christian; Mazzocco, Philip J.

2015-01-01

Over the past decade early childhood education (ECE) teachers have faced increasing pressures to implement standardised tests in order to secure external validation and funding. In response, many teacher education programmes now focus heavily on positivistic training approaches, as opposed to more developmentally appropriate pedagogies…

Leadership and the Use of Power in ECE Administration.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Cynthia Cavenaugh

This guidebook for administrators of early childhood programs discusses effective leadership and use of power in program management. Leadership is defined as planning for change to improve an organization. Power, differentiated from authority, is defined as an ability to influence others' behaviors; power is always granted by the people over whom…

Is "Boss" a Four-Letter Word?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carter, Margie

2011-01-01

The author has been musing on how directors perceive their roles and choose their leadership style, particularly when changes are needed in their centers. In community-based ECE programs the author typically sees a preference for the idea of director as a facilitator, rather than a supervisor, and for shared leadership rather than a ship's…

Preschool Education in Saudi Arabia: Past, Present, and Future

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aljabreen, Haifa Hassan; Lash, Martha

2016-01-01

Despite differences in specific teaching styles, nations around the world are united in the belief that early education is essential for preparing children for success throughout their school life and beyond. This tenet is as applicable to the Saudi Arabian early childhood education (ECE) system as it is anywhere else. Yet, little is actually…

Encore: A Selction of Articles from ERIC/ECE Newsletters (Jan. 1971-Dec. 1972).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

ERIC Clearinghouse on Early Childhood Education, Champaign, IL.

This compilation of articles from newsletters issued by the ERIC Clearinghouse on Early Childhood Education, (January 1971 - December 1972) includes a wide variety of topics such as: teachers' developmental stages, family day care in Pasadena, television violence, children's altruistic lying, and the Home Start program. Also included is a complete…

In "Numberland": Play-Based Pedagogy in Response to Imaginative Numeracy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Magnusson, Maria; Pramling, Niklas

2018-01-01

The overarching interest of this study concerns how to outline learning opportunities and support in early childhood education (ECE) without losing its play-based character. More specifically, the study reports an empirical investigation into the evolving activity of a 6.5-year-old child and an adult conversing about the child's drawing of…

Caregiver Responsiveness during Preschool Supports Cooperation in Kindergarten: Moderation by Children's Early Compliance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pratt, Megan E.; Lipscomb, Shannon T.; McClelland, Megan M.

2016-01-01

Research Findings: The current study examined how children's parent-reported compliance at age 3 (36 months) moderated the effects of 2 dimensions of directly observed early care and education (ECE) process quality (positivity/responsivity and cognitive stimulation) during the prekindergarten year (54 months) on teacher reports of children's…

Improvement of the energy conversion efficiency of Chlorella pyrenoidosa biomass by a three-stage process comprising dark fermentation, photofermentation, and methanogenesis.

PubMed

Xia, Ao; Cheng, Jun; Ding, Lingkan; Lin, Richen; Huang, Rui; Zhou, Junhu; Cen, Kefa

2013-10-01

The effects of pre-treatment methods on saccharification and hydrogen fermentation of Chlorella pyrenoidosa biomass were investigated. When raw biomass and biomass pre-treated by steam heating, by microwave heating, and by ultrasonication were used as feedstock, the hydrogen yields were only 8.8-12.7 ml/g total volatile solids (TVS) during dark fermentation. When biomass was pre-treated by steam heating with diluted acid and by microwave heating with diluted acid, the dark hydrogen yields significantly increased to 75.6 ml/g TVS and 83.3 ml/g TVS, respectively. Steam heating with diluted acid is the preferred pre-treatment method of C. pyrenoidosa biomass to improve hydrogen yield during dark fermentation and photofermentation, which is followed by methanogenesis to increase energy conversion efficiency (ECE). A total hydrogen yield of 198.3 ml/g TVS and a methane yield of 186.2 ml/g TVS corresponding to an overall ECE of 34.0% were obtained through the three-stage process (dark fermentation, photofermentation, and methanogenesis). Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Measurement of ion beam angular distribution at different helium gas pressures in a plasma focus device by large-area polycarbonate detectors

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

Sohrabi, M.; Habibi, M., E-mail: mortezahabibi@gmail.com; Ramezani, V.

2017-02-15

The paper presents an experimental study and analysis of full helium ion density angular distributions in a 4-kJ plasma focus device (PFD) at pressures of 10, 15, 25, and 30 mbar using large-area polycarbonate track detectors (PCTDs) (15-cm etchable diameter) processed by 50-Hz-HV electrochemical etching (ECE). Helium ion track distributions at different pressures, in particular, at the main axis of the PFD are presented. Maximum ion track density of ~4.4 × 10{sup 4} tracks/cm{sup 2} was obtained in the PCTD placed 6 cm from the anode. The ion distributions for all pressures applied are ring-shaped, which is possibly due tomore » the hollow cylindrical copper anode used. The large-area PCTD processed by ECE proves, at the present state-of-theart, a superior method for direct observation and analysis of ion distributions at a glance with minimum efforts and time. Some observations of the ion density distributions at different pressures are reported and discussed.« less

Recommendations to minimize diagnostic nuclear medicine exposure to the embryo, fetus, and infant; availability of final recommendations--FDA. Notice.

PubMed

1986-02-19

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of final recommendations to minimize diagnostic nuclear medicine exposure to the embryo, fetus, and breastfeeding infant. The final recommendations, prepared by FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), include the agency's rationale for the recommendations as well as the endorsement of the recommendations by several professional organizations. The final recommendations are being published in a pamphlet that is being made available to interested persons.

Development of remote sensing techniques for assessment of salinity induced plant stresses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stong, Matthew Harold

Salinity has been shown to reduce vegetative growth, crop quality, and yield in agricultural crops. Remote sensing is capable of providing data about large areas. This project was designed to induce salinity stress in a crop, pak choi, and thereafter monitor the response of the crop as expressed by its spectral reflectances. The project was conducted in the National Taiwan University Phytotron, and spectral data was collected using a GER 2600. Yield and soil salinity (ECe) were also measured. After three seasons of data were collected, wavelengths sensitive to salinity were selected. These wavelengths, which are within the spectral response of biochemicals produced by plants as a response to soil salinity, were used to create two indices, the Salinity Stress Index (SSI) and the Normalized Salinity Stress Index (NSSI). After creating the indices tests were conducted to determine the efficacy of these indices in detecting salinity and drought stresses as compared to existing indices (SRVI and NDVI). This project induced salinity and drought stress in a crop, pak choi, and thereafter monitored the response of the crop as expressed by its spectral reflectances. The SSI and NSSI correlated well to both ECe and marketable yield. Additionally the SSI and NSSI were found to provide statistical differences between salinity stressed treatments and the control treatment. Drought stress was not detected well by any of the indices reviewed although the SSI and NSSI indices tended to increase with drought stress and decrease with salinity stress. As a final test, specific ion toxicities of sodium and chloride were tested against the developed indices (SSI and NSSI) and existing indices (NDVI, SRVI, and NDWI). There were no differences in SSI and NSSI responses to specific ion concentration in the high salinity treatments. These results indicated that the SSI and NSSI are not sensitive to the specific ion concentration in irrigation water. However, the SSI and NSSI were higher for the sodium water than the choride water in the low salinity treatments. It is likely that this difference was caused by the fact that the high SAR water decreased infiltration and caused water stress.

Mechanisms Underlying Endothelin-1 Level Elevations Caused by Excessive Fluoride Exposure.

PubMed

Sun, Liyan; Gao, Yanhui; Zhang, Wei; Liu, Xiaona; Li, Bingyun; Cui, Xiaohui; Sun, Dianjun

2016-01-01

To explore the mechanisms underlying endothelin-1 (ET-1) elevations induced by excessive fluoride exposure. We measured serum and bone fluoride ion content and plasma ET-1 levels and compared these parameters among different groups in an animal model. We also observed morphological changes in the aorta and endothelium of rabbits. In cell experiments, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with varying concentrations of NaF for 24h, with or without 10 µM U0126 pretreatment for 1 h. ET-1 levels in culture fluid and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, as well as ET1 gene, endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1), extracellular signal-regulating kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), pERK1/2 expression levels and RAS activation were measured and compared among the groups. Plasma ET-1 levels of rabbits increased significantly in fluorinated groups compared with those in the control group. The rabbit thoracic aortas became slightly hardened in fluorinated groups compared with those in the control group, and some vacuoles were present in the endothelial cell cytoplasm of the rabbits in fluorinated groups. In our cell experiments, ET1 gene and ECE-1 expression levels in HUVECs and ET-1 expression levels in the cell culture supernatants increased significantly in some experimental groups compared with those in the control group. These trends paralleled the changes in intracellular ROS levels, RAS activation, and the pERK1/2-to-ERK1/2 ratio. After U0126 was added, ECE-1 expression and ET-1 levels decreased significantly. Excessive fluoride exposure leads to characteristic endothelial damage (vacuoles), thoracic aorta hardening, and plasma ET-1 level elevations in rabbits. In addition, the ROS-RAS-MEK1/2-pERK1/2/ERK1/2 pathway plays a crucial-and at least partial-role in ET-1 over-expression, which is promoted by excessive fluoride exposure. © 2016 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.

Technical Assistance and Changes in Nutrition and Physical Activity Practices in the National Early Care and Education Learning Collaboratives Project, 2015-2016.

PubMed

Chiappone, Alethea; Smith, Teresa M; Estabrooks, Paul A; Rasmussen, Cristy Geno; Blaser, Casey; Yaroch, Amy L

2018-04-26

The National Early Care and Education Learning Collaboratives Project (ECELC) aims to improve best practices in early care and education (ECE) programs in topic areas of the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment in Child Care (NAP SACC). Technical assistance is a component of the ECELC, yet its effect on outcomes is unclear. Beyond dose and duration of technical assistance, limited research exists on characteristics of technical assistance that contribute to outcomes. The objective of this study was to identify and describe technical assistance characteristics and explore associations with NAP SACC outcomes. We collected data from 10 collaboratives comprising 84 ECE programs in 2 states in 2015-2016. The objective of technical assistance was to support programs in improving best practices. Technical assistance was provided to programs via on-site, telephone, or email and was tailored to program needs. We used a mixed-methods design to examine associations between technical assistance and NAP SACC outcomes. We used multiple regression analysis to assess quantitative data and qualitative comparative analysis to determine necessary and sufficient technical assistance conditions supporting NAP SACC outcomes. We also conducted a document review to describe technical assistance that referred conditions identified by the qualitative comparative analysis. Regression analyses detected an inverse relationship between changes in NAP SACC scores and hours of technical assistance. No clear pattern emerged in the qualitative comparative analysis, leaving no necessary and sufficient conditions. However, the qualitative comparative analysis identified feedback as a potentially important component of technical assistance, whereas resource sharing and frequent email were characteristics that seemed to reduce the likelihood of improved outcomes. Email and resource sharing were considered primarily general information rather than tailored technical assistance. Technical assistance may be used in programs and made adaptable to program needs. The inclusion and evaluation of technical assistance, especially tailored approaches, is warranted for environmental interventions, including ECE settings.

Does Marriage Make Us Healthier? Inter-Country Comparative Evidence from China, Japan, and Korea

PubMed Central

Fu, Rong; Noguchi, Haruko

2016-01-01

Objectives This study focuses on East Asian countries and investigates the difference in the marriage premium on the health-marriage protection effect (MPE) between younger and older generations and the intra-couple education concordance effect (ECE) on the health of married individuals. This study used inter-country comparative data from China, Japan, and Korea. Methods This study focused on individuals (n = 7,938) in China, Japan, and Korea who were sampled from the 2010 East Asian Social Survey. To investigate MPE and ECE, four health indicators were utilized: a physical and mental components summary (PCS and MCS), self-rated health status (Dself), and happiness level (Dhappy). Ordinary least squares regression was conducted by country- and gender-specific subsamples. Results We found that the MPE on PCS, MCS, and Dself was more significant for the older generation than for the younger generation in both China and Japan, whereas the results were inconclusive in Korea. With regard to the ECE on happiness (Dhappy), for both men and women, couples tend to be happier when both the husband and the wife are well educated (“higher balanced marriage”) compared to couples with a lower level of educational achievement (“lower balanced marriage”). Significant benefits from a “higher balanced marriage” on MCS and Dself were observed for women only. In contrast, no statistically significant differences in health status were observed between “higher balanced marriage” couples and couples with different levels of educational achievements (“upward marriage” or “downward marriage”). Conclusions This study found that (1) the MPE was more significant for the older generation, and (2) the health gap, particularly the happiness gap, between higher- and lower-balanced married couples was significant. The inter-country comparative findings are useful to explain how the role of marriage (and therefore of family) on health has been diluted due to the progress of industrialization and modernization. PMID:26862896

Does Marriage Make Us Healthier? Inter-Country Comparative Evidence from China, Japan, and Korea.

PubMed

Fu, Rong; Noguchi, Haruko

2016-01-01

This study focuses on East Asian countries and investigates the difference in the marriage premium on the health-marriage protection effect (MPE) between younger and older generations and the intra-couple education concordance effect (ECE) on the health of married individuals. This study used inter-country comparative data from China, Japan, and Korea. This study focused on individuals (n = 7,938) in China, Japan, and Korea who were sampled from the 2010 East Asian Social Survey. To investigate MPE and ECE, four health indicators were utilized: a physical and mental components summary (PCS and MCS), self-rated health status (Dself), and happiness level (Dhappy). Ordinary least squares regression was conducted by country- and gender-specific subsamples. We found that the MPE on PCS, MCS, and Dself was more significant for the older generation than for the younger generation in both China and Japan, whereas the results were inconclusive in Korea. With regard to the ECE on happiness (Dhappy), for both men and women, couples tend to be happier when both the husband and the wife are well educated ("higher balanced marriage") compared to couples with a lower level of educational achievement ("lower balanced marriage"). Significant benefits from a "higher balanced marriage" on MCS and Dself were observed for women only. In contrast, no statistically significant differences in health status were observed between "higher balanced marriage" couples and couples with different levels of educational achievements ("upward marriage" or "downward marriage"). This study found that (1) the MPE was more significant for the older generation, and (2) the health gap, particularly the happiness gap, between higher- and lower-balanced married couples was significant. The inter-country comparative findings are useful to explain how the role of marriage (and therefore of family) on health has been diluted due to the progress of industrialization and modernization.

Inflammation-induced abnormalities in the subcellular localization and trafficking of the neurokinin 1 receptor in the enteric nervous system

PubMed Central

Lieu, TinaMarie; Pelayo, Juan Carlos; Eriksson, Emily M.; Veldhuis, Nicholas A.; Bunnett, Nigel W.

2015-01-01

Activated G protein-coupled receptors traffic to endosomes and are sorted to recycling or degradative pathways. Endosomes are also a site of receptor signaling of sustained and pathophysiologically important processes, including inflammation. However, the mechanisms of endosomal sorting of receptors and the impact of disease on trafficking have not been fully defined. We examined the effects of inflammation on the subcellular distribution and trafficking of the substance P (SP) neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) in enteric neurons. We studied NK1R trafficking in enteric neurons of the mouse colon using immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. The impact of inflammation was studied in IL10−/−-piroxicam and trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid colitis models. NK1R was localized to the plasma membrane of myenteric and submucosal neurons of the uninflamed colon. SP evoked NK1R endocytosis and recycling. Deletion of β-arrestin2, which associates with the activated NK1R, accelerated recycling. Inhibition of endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1), which degrades endosomal SP, prevented recycling. Inflammation was associated with NK1R endocytosis in myenteric but not submucosal neurons. Whereas the NK1R in uninflamed neurons recycled within 60 min, NK1R recycling in inflamed neurons was delayed for >120 min, suggesting defective recycling machinery. Inflammation was associated with β-arrestin2 upregulation and ECE-1 downregulation, which may contribute to the defective NK1R recycling. We conclude that inflammation evokes redistribution of NK1R from the plasma membrane to endosomes of myenteric neurons through enhanced SP release and defective NK1R recycling. Defective recycling may be secondary to upregulation of β-arrestin2 and downregulation of ECE-1. Internalized NK1R may generate sustained proinflammatory signals that disrupt normal neuronal functions. PMID:26138465

Detecting esophageal disease with second-generation capsule endoscopy: initial evaluation of the PillCam ESO 2.

PubMed

Gralnek, I M; Adler, S N; Yassin, K; Koslowsky, B; Metzger, Y; Eliakim, R

2008-04-01

Esophageal capsule endoscopy (ECE) provides an alternative, minimally invasive modality for evaluating the esophagus. This study evaluates the performance and test characteristics of a second-generation esophageal capsule endoscope, the PillCam ESO 2. Adults with known or suspected esophageal disease were included. Using the simplified ingestion procedure, each patient underwent capsule endoscopy with the PillCam ESO 2. Following ECE, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was performed on the same day by an investigator who was blinded to the results of the ECE. In random order, capsule endoscopy videos were read and interpreted by the study investigator blinded to EGD results. 28 patients (19 men, 9 women; mean age 53.3 years) were included. In 82 % of the patients, at least 75 % of the Z line was visualized by the PillCam ESO 2. A per-lesion analysis demonstrated that the PillCam ESO 2 had definitive results in 30/43 lesions (69.8 %) and EGD in 29/43 (67.4 %), P value = 0.41. Compared with EGD for detecting suspected Barrett's esophagus and esophagitis, the PillCam ESO 2 had a sensitivity of 100 % and a specificity of 74 %, and a sensitivity of 80 % and a specificity of 87 %, respectively. The PillCam ESO 2 demonstrated 86 % agreement with EGD in describing the Z line (kappa statistic 0.68). The modified ingestion protocol provided excellent cleansing, with bubbles/saliva having no or only a minor effect on Z line images in 86 % of cases. The PillCam ESO 2 demonstrated excellent visualization of the Z line. Compared with standard EGD, the PillCam ESO 2 had good test characteristics with high rates of detection of suspected Barrett's esophagus and esophagitis. This study provides indirect validation of the simplified ingestion procedure. The PillCam ESO 2 acquires high quality esophageal images, performs safely, and should be able to replace the current PillCam ESO.

MoRFpred, a computational tool for sequence-based prediction and characterization of short disorder-to-order transitioning binding regions in proteins

PubMed Central

Disfani, Fatemeh Miri; Hsu, Wei-Lun; Mizianty, Marcin J.; Oldfield, Christopher J.; Xue, Bin; Dunker, A. Keith; Uversky, Vladimir N.; Kurgan, Lukasz

2012-01-01

Motivation: Molecular recognition features (MoRFs) are short binding regions located within longer intrinsically disordered regions that bind to protein partners via disorder-to-order transitions. MoRFs are implicated in important processes including signaling and regulation. However, only a limited number of experimentally validated MoRFs is known, which motivates development of computational methods that predict MoRFs from protein chains. Results: We introduce a new MoRF predictor, MoRFpred, which identifies all MoRF types (α, β, coil and complex). We develop a comprehensive dataset of annotated MoRFs to build and empirically compare our method. MoRFpred utilizes a novel design in which annotations generated by sequence alignment are fused with predictions generated by a Support Vector Machine (SVM), which uses a custom designed set of sequence-derived features. The features provide information about evolutionary profiles, selected physiochemical properties of amino acids, and predicted disorder, solvent accessibility and B-factors. Empirical evaluation on several datasets shows that MoRFpred outperforms related methods: α-MoRF-Pred that predicts α-MoRFs and ANCHOR which finds disordered regions that become ordered when bound to a globular partner. We show that our predicted (new) MoRF regions have non-random sequence similarity with native MoRFs. We use this observation along with the fact that predictions with higher probability are more accurate to identify putative MoRF regions. We also identify a few sequence-derived hallmarks of MoRFs. They are characterized by dips in the disorder predictions and higher hydrophobicity and stability when compared to adjacent (in the chain) residues. Availability: http://biomine.ece.ualberta.ca/MoRFpred/; http://biomine.ece.ualberta.ca/MoRFpred/Supplement.pdf Contact: lkurgan@ece.ualberta.ca Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. PMID:22689782

Improvements, upgrades, and plans for Thomson scattering on DIII-D

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carlstrom, T. N.; Du, D.; Glass, F.; Liu, C.; Watkins, M.; McLean, A. G.

2016-10-01

The Thomson scattering diagnostic on DIII-D consists of 3 beam lines that probe vertically, horizontally, and in the divertor region of the tokamak, with 54 spatial locations, edge spatial resolution down to 5 mm, and 10 Nd:YAG lasers. In its 25-year history, the collection lens optics and interference filters degraded and have been replaced, restoring previous performance. In addition, improved calibrations and detector temperature control (+/- 0.1 C) have reduced systematic errors. Cross calibration with the CO2 interferometer and ECE cut-off have improved the density calibration. Improvements to the beam line and lasers have increased the laser energy delivered to the scattering volume in the plasma. Future plans include moving the divertor system to measure regions of high triangularity using in-vessel mirrors to redirect the laser beam; adding a wide angle lens to the horizontal system to view the entire plasma radius near the plasma mid plane; and reversing the direction of the laser beam on the horizontal system to reduce the scattering angle and compressing the spectrum in wavelength space so that higher central Te measurements (<5 KeV) can be made with improved accuracy. Work supported by the US DOE under DE-FC02-04ER54698 and by LLNL under DE-AC52-07NA27344.

Can Home-Based Care Offer High Quality Early Childhood Education?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Anne B.

2015-01-01

The nature of quality within home-based early childhood education (HBECE) services is important, since all children have the right to access high quality ECE whether it is centre or home-based. HBECE services are increasing more rapidly than other EC services in New Zealand, and their flexible hours, local contexts, and favourable ratios and group…

Teachers' Literal and Inferential Talk in Early Childhood and Special Education Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sembiante, Sabrina F.; Dynia, Jaclyn M.; Kaderavek, Joan N.; Justice, Laura M.

2018-01-01

Research Findings: This study examined preschool teachers' literal talk (LT) and inferential talk (IT) during shared book readings in early childhood education (ECE) and early childhood special education (ECSE) classrooms. We aimed to characterize and compare teachers' LT and IT in these 2 classroom contexts and determine whether differences in LT…

77 FR 67732 - Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 2009 Porsche Cayenne S Multipurpose...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-13

... the word ``brake'' on the brake failure indicator lamp in place of the international ECE warning...: Installation of U.S.-model software to ensure that the power- operated window system meets the requirements of... Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition. SUMMARY: This document announces receipt by the...

Does Attendance in Early Education Predict Attendance in Elementary School? An Analysis of DCPS's Early Education Program. Research Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dubay, Lisa; Holla, Nikhil

2016-01-01

Enrollment in early childhood education programs can be an important stepping stone to higher educational achievement, particularly for low-income children. However, children cannot succeed in these programs unless they are present. The Early Childhood Education Division (ECED) in the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) has identified…

Elevating Learner Achievement Using Formative Electronic Lab Assessments in the Engineering Laboratory: A Viable Alternative to Weekly Lab Reports

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Baiyun; DeMara, Ronald F.; Salehi, Soheil; Hartshorne, Richard

2018-01-01

A laboratory pedagogy interweaving weekly student portfolios with onsite formative electronic laboratory assessments (ELAs) is developed and assessed within the laboratory component of a required core course of the electrical and computer engineering (ECE) undergraduate curriculum. The approach acts to promote student outcomes, and neutralize…

Perceived, Expressed and Observed Prosociality among Four-Year-Old Girls and Boys in Childcare Centres

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bouchard, Caroline; Coutu, Sylvain; Bigras, Nathalie; Lemay, Lise; Cantin, Gilles; Bouchard, Marie-Claire; Duval, Stéphanie

2015-01-01

This article examines the prosociality of four-year-old girls and boys in childcare centres. More specifically, it aims to measure gender differences in prosociality among children, based on three sources and methods of evaluation: (1) the early childhood educator's (ECE) perception (perceived prosociality), (2) the children's own responses to…

The Effects of Accountability Incentives in Early Childhood Education. CEPA Working Paper No. 17-10

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bassok, Daphna; Dee, Thomas S.; Latham, Scott

2017-01-01

In an effort to enhance the quality of early childhood education (ECE) at scale, nearly all U.S. states have recently adopted Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS). These accountability systems give providers and parents information on program quality and create both reputational and financial incentives for program improvement. However,…

Life Long Learning Is an Incredible Gift!

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lock, Theresa F.

2017-01-01

The author has been working for over four decades in the field of early childhood education (ECE). She is currently entering her fifth year as an early childhood teacher educator with the University of Hawai'i at Manoa (UHM) College of Education. In her role, the author is teaching future professionals in a dual degree program with a preschool…

The Effects of Early Childhood Classroom Size and Duration on Development of Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Canbeldek, Merve; Isikoglu Erdogan, Nesrin

2017-01-01

Purpose: The numbers of early childhood education programs are dramatically increasing throughout Turkey, and the regulations to ensure quality are frequently changing. A very limited number of studies have examined the quality of Turkish ECE programs on children's development. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify the effects of…

Understanding Family Involvement in the Preparation of Graduate Students: Measuring Family-Centered Beliefs, Skills, Systems, and Practices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Giallourakis, Angie; Kent, Kristie Pretti-Frontczak; Cook, Bryan

2005-01-01

This research project sought to develop a measure to examine the family-centered beliefs, skills, work systems, and work practices of early childhood intervention, (ECI) and early childhood education (ECE) graduate students. The study was guided by four research questions: (1) To what extent do graduate students from preservice preparation…

Socio-Spatial Practices in a Finnish Daycare Group for One- to Three-Year-Olds

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rutanen, Niina

2012-01-01

This qualitative case study approaches early childhood education and care practices from a socio-spatial point of view. One Finnish daycare group for one- to three-year-olds participated in the study. The ethnographic observations from the practices are analyzed together with the ECE practitioners' audio-recorded team meetings and video-elicited…

Regarding Animals: A Perspective on the Importance of Animals in Early Childhood Environmental Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Born, Patty

2018-01-01

Using the human-animal bond, relational ecology, and the "common world" framework as theoretical underpinnings, I set out to better understand the array of settings and experiences wherein young children are able to interact, either directly or indirectly with animals within the context of early childhood environmental education (ECEE).…

Early Childhood General and Special Educators: An Examination of Similarities and Differences in Beliefs, Knowledge, and Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spear, Caitlin F.; Piasta, Shayne B.; Yeomans-Maldonado, Gloria; Ottley, Jennifer R.; Justice, Laura M.; O'Connell, Ann A.

2018-01-01

In this study, we provide a contemporary examination of the similarities and differences between early childhood general educators (ECEs) and early childhood special educators (ECSEs) within a theoretically driven model that accounted for the associations of beliefs and knowledge with practice. We used structural equation modeling to examine the…

The Many Modes of Experience and Learning: The Grandmasters of ECE

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Elkind, David

2012-01-01

As defined by psychologists, learning is "the modification of behavior as the result of experience." The problem with this definition is that it leaves the term "experience" undefined. The major contributors to early childhood education theory and practice each had his or her own conception of the process of acquiring knowledge. The philosophers…

49 CFR Appendix C to Part 553 - Statement of Policy: Implementation of the United Nations/Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 1. Notice Requesting Written Comment on Proposed Global Technical Regulations a. Proposals by the U.... Notice Requesting Written Comment on Recommended Global Technical Regulations If a working party of... comments and develop a U.S. position on the recommended technical regulation. 3. Notice Requesting Written...

A Study of Classroom Literacy Interventions and Outcomes in Even Start. NCEE 2008-4028

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Judkins, David; St. Pierre, Robert; Gutmann, Babette; Goodson, Barbara; von Glatz, Adrienne; Hamilton, Jennifer; Webber, Ann; Troppe, Patricia; Rimdzius, Tracy

2008-01-01

The Even Start Family Literacy Program was established in 1989 to help break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy for low-income families, by improving the literacy skills of parents and their young children. Even Start projects offer family literacy services, defined as four integrated instructional components: (1) Childhood Education (ECE); (2)…

A Mixed Methods Investigation of Maternal Perspectives on Transition Experiences in Early Care and Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Swartz, Rebecca Anne; Speirs, Katherine Elizabeth; Encinger, Amy Johnson; McElwain, Nancy L.

2016-01-01

Research Findings: Strong relationships among children, families, and early care and education (ECE) providers are key to quality infant-toddler care. These relationships are shaped during the initial transition period to group care. We used a mixed methods approach to (a) assess maternal perspectives on the transition to group care, (b) explore…

Validation of the Early Childhood Ecology Scale-Revised: A Reflective Tool for Teacher Candidates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Flores, Belinda Bustos; Casebeer, Cindy M.; Riojas-Cortez, Mari

2011-01-01

Given increasing numbers of young culturally and/or linguistically diverse (CLD) children across the United States, it is crucial to prepare early childhood teachers to create high-quality environments that facilitate the development of all children. The Early Childhood Ecology Scale-Revised (ECES-R) has been developed as a reflective tool to help…

Size Matters: The Link between Staff Size and Perceived Organizational Support in Early Childhood Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ho, Dora; Lee, Moosung; Teng, Yue

2016-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between staff size and perceived organizational support (POS) in early childhood education (ECE) organizations. Design/methodology/approach: A territory-wide questionnaire survey was designed to investigate the perceptions of preschool teachers in Hong Kong on four dimensions of…

Early Childhood Open-Mindedness: An Investigation into Preservice Teachers' Capacity to Address Controversial Issues

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bautista, Nazan; Misco, Thomas; Quaye, Stephen John

2018-01-01

We investigated the characteristics of early childhood education (ECE) preservice teachers (PSTs) who were identified as closed minded and their capacity to deal with controversial issues. We define open-mindedness as the willingness to consider experiences, beliefs, values, and perspectives that differ from one's own. First, we used quantitative…

Early Childhood Education in Europe. Achievements: Challenges and Possibilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Urban, Mathias

2009-01-01

This document is the report of a study commissioned by Education International. The aim of this study is to present key characteristics of ECE systems, to highlight strengths and successful approaches and to identify major challenges and areas where urgent action is needed. To achieve this aim, the report comprises two main sections. The first…

When Business Gets Involved: A Case Study of Business Community Involvement in Minnesota's Early Childhood Education Policy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kovach, Melissa

2009-01-01

The report details Minnesota's early childhood education (ECE) activities from 2003 to the present, with a particular focus on the role of the business community. Although the report illustrates how fact-based information, partnered with dedicated and well-connected people and organized task forces, creates change, there remain components of…

Learning, Assessment and Equality in Early Childhood Education (ECE) Settings in England

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bradbury, Alice

2014-01-01

The early childhood sector in England, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), has been a site of intense policy intervention over the last decade, including the introduction of a statutory assessment of children's development at age five, conducted by teachers. National results from this assessment, the EYFS Profile, show continued and…

National Household Education Survey of 1991: Preprimary and Primary Data Files User's Manual.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brick, J. Michael; And Others

This manual provides documentation and guidance for users of the public release data files for the Early Childhood Education (ECE) component of the 1991 National Household Education Survey (NHES:91). Information is presented about the purpose of the study, the data collection instruments, the sample design, and data collection and data processing…

Preschool Units EMIS Staff Report. EMIS Staff ECE Units 2005. Report Documentation. Version 1.0

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ohio Department of Education, 2004

2004-01-01

The purpose of Preschool Units EMIS Staff Report is twofold. First, it helps School Districts and Educational Service Centers (ESC) ensure accuracy and validity of preschool staff, student and program data submitted to the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) through the Education Management Information System (EMIS). From this report, school…

The U.S. Salinity Laboratory (USDA-ARS) guidelines for assessing multi-scale soil salinity with proximal and remote sensing

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Soil salinity is a major threat to sustainable agriculture, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. Updated and accurate inventories of salinity in agronomically and environmentally relevant ranges (i.e., <20 dS/m, when salinity is measured as electrical conductivity of the saturation extract, ECe...

Preservice Early Childhood Educators' and Elementary Teachers' Perspectives on Including Young Children with Developmental Disabilities: A Mixed Methods Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Frankel, Elaine B.; Hutchinson, Nancy L.; Burbidge, Julie; Minnes, Patricia

2014-01-01

This mixed methods study reports on the perspectives of 143 preservice early childhood educators (ECE) and 208 elementary teacher candidates (TC) on teaching children with developmental disabilities and delays (DDD) in inclusive classrooms. A questionnaire was administered which included items on demographic characteristics, experience, knowledge,…

Profiles of Teacher-Child Interaction Quality in Preschool Classrooms and Teachers' Professional Competence Features

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hu, Bi Ying; Chen, Liang; Fan, Xitao

2018-01-01

This paper investigates early childhood education (ECE) teachers' self-reported and observed teacher-child interaction quality (TIQ) and the associated teachers' professional competence features using a latent profile analysis (LPA) approach to identify the variations in the quality of classroom experiences in Chinese preschools. A total of 164…

Professional Role and Identity of Icelandic Preschool Teachers: Effects of Stakeholders' Views

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jónsdóttir, Arna H.; Coleman, Marianne

2014-01-01

In this article, we explore the reality of Icelandic preschool teachers who are, as in most other countries, predominantly female. The gendered nature of the role and the current identity adopted by preschool teachers appear to impact on their perceived status and professionalism. In this process, stakeholders in early childhood education (ECE),…

Picture This: Young Quechua Children's Reactions to Imported Picture Books in Ayacucho, Peru

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eck, Jennifer Rowse

2017-01-01

Practitioners in ECE consider picture books an effective instructional tool in early childhood programming in the developed regions of the world. However, many young children from marginalized populations in the developing world have little to no access to them and thus, the effect that picture books could have upon their emergent literacy…

Interdisciplinary Team-Teaching Experience for a Computer and Nuclear Energy Course for Electrical and Computer Engineering Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, Charles; Jackson, Deborah; Keiller, Peter

2016-01-01

A new, interdisciplinary, team-taught course has been designed to educate students in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) so that they can respond to global and urgent issues concerning computer control systems in nuclear power plants. This paper discusses our experience and assessment of the interdisciplinary computer and nuclear energy…

The Professionalization of Educational Leaders through Postgraduate Study and Professional Development Opportunities in New Zealand Tertiary Education Institutions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Macpherson, Reynold

2010-01-01

This paper reports a review of the professionalization services in educational leadership available from New Zealand's tertiary institutions at a time of accelerating retirements and turnover. Case studies of current programs identified six urgent policy issues: the need for research-based provisions in early childhood education (ECE); potential…

A Nordic Perspective on Early Childhood Education and Care Policy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Karila, Kirsti

2012-01-01

The national policies and historical roots of early childhood education (ECE) vary from society to society. In the Nordic countries, early childhood education and care (ECEC) policies have been built in the context of the welfare state. As such, they are closely connected to other welfare policy areas such as social policy, family policy and…

Developing the OBTL Curriculum with Blended Learning to Enhance Student Learning Effectiveness in the Undergraduate ECE Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leung, Chi-hung

2012-01-01

Background: The project included continuous assessment, group presentation, self-learning, and individual assignment to assess students' learning outcomes. A self-learning system was set up as e-learning for students to monitor their learning progress during the semester, including two online exercises and a checklist of learning outcomes. The…

Influence of driving cycles on unit emissions from passenger cars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joumard, R.; André, M.; Vidon, R.; Tassel, P.; Pruvost, C.

Small samples of petrol engine or diesel cars, equipped with or without catalysts, were tested over 36 driving cycles divided into four categories - standard cycles and three sets of cycles more representative of real-world driving conditions. The tests addressed standard gaseous pollutants and fuel consumption and also less frequently measured pollutant such as CH 4. In the first part of this paper we examine cold emissions in order to assess the duration of the cold start impact and the representativity of the cold ECE15 cycle. Then unit emissions are compared over the four driving cycle families. As compared to representative cycles, the standardised cycles underestimate hot emissions by almost 50% for petrol engine cars and 30% for diesel vehicles. Conversely, the results obtained for the three representative cycle families are in relatively close agreement with each other - within approximately 10%. However, the cinematic properties of the three families differ. Finally, we demonstrate that weighting all emission data equally, not taking into account the weight of each cycle in overall traffic, introduces significant biases, particularly when plotting emission vs. average speed curves.

Integrated diagnostics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hunthausen, Roger J.

1988-01-01

Recently completed projects in which advanced diagnostic concepts were explored and/or demonstrated are summarized. The projects begin with the design of integrated diagnostics for the Army's new gas turbine engines, and advance to the application of integrated diagnostics to other aircraft subsystems. Finally, a recent project is discussed which ties together subsystem fault monitoring and diagnostics with a more complete picture of flight domain knowledge.

International Field Experience as an Impetus for Personal and Professional Transformation: Through the Lens of Early Childhood Postsecondary Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bonnett, Tina Heather

2015-01-01

Research exploring preservice postsecondary students' experiences participating in an international field placement is a relatively new area of study in the domains of Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Early Childhood Leadership (ECL). While there is a growing body of literature offering merit to the profound transformations that can occur for…

Effects of different definitions on forest area estimation in national forest inventories in Europe

Treesearch

Berthold Traub; Michael Kohl; Risto Paivinen; Olaf Kugler

2000-01-01

International forest statistics such as those provided by the UN/ECE-FAO Temperate and Boreal Forest Resource Assessment (TBFRA) are typically compiled from national surveys. However, the national systems of nomenclature as well as the definition of the attributes often vary considerably. The European Commission, DG VI, initiated a study to investigate the potential of...

Teaching the Teachers of Our Youngest Children: The State of Early Childhood Higher Education in Nebraska, 2015

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Austin, Lea J. E.; Sakai, Laura; Whitebook, Marcy; Bloechliger, Olivia; Amanta, Felippa

2015-01-01

Midway through the second decade of this century, the importance of early care and education (ECE) to children's lifelong learning and to our nation's economic well-being is recognized up to the highest levels of government, and in businesses, schools, and living rooms across the country. This understanding represents a dramatic shift from earlier…

CHASE Survey of Technology Needs

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-03-01

CHASE Survey of Technology Needs Shahed Enamul Quadir ECE Department University of Connecticut Storrs, CT, USA Daniel DiMase Honeywell, Inc...based on a survey conducted in late 2015. Counterfeits and Hardware Trojans have been identified as areas needing continued research and focus... survey of its advisory board and industry professionals to determine the technology needs in the area of IC counterfeits, hardware assurance

First-Year Practicum Experiences for Preservice Early Childhood Education Teachers Working with Birth-to-3-Year-Olds: An Australasian Experience

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

White, E. Jayne; Peter, Mira; Sims, Margaret; Rockel, Jean; Kumeroa, Maureen

2016-01-01

This article reports on a project, "Collaboration of Universities Pedagogies of Infants' and Toddlers' Development-'down under' (CUPID)," in which the practicum experiences of 1st-year preservice initial teacher education (ITE) students at five universities across Australia and New Zealand (NZ) engaging in early childhood education (ECE)…

Teaching the Teachers of Our Youngest Children: The State of Early Childhood Higher Education in California, 2015. Highlights

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Austin, Lea J. E.; Whitebook, Marcy; Kipnis, Fran; Sakai, Laura; Amanta, Felippa; Abbasi, Ferheen

2015-01-01

Today, the importance of early care and education (ECE) to children's lifelong learning and to the nation's economic well-being is recognized up to the highest levels of government, and in businesses, schools, and living rooms across the country. This understanding represents a dramatic shift from earlier decades, and carries with it heightened…

Obesity Prevention in Early Child Care Settings: A Bistate (Minnesota and Wisconsin) Assessment of Best Practices, Implementation Difficulty, and Barriers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nanney, Marilyn S.; LaRowe, Tara L.; Davey, Cynthia; Frost, Natasha; Arcan, Chrisa; O'Meara, Joyce

2017-01-01

Background: Long-term evaluation studies reveal that high-quality early care and education (ECE) programs that include a lifestyle component predict later adult health outcomes. The purpose of this article is to characterize the nutrition and physical activity (PA) practices, including implementation difficulty and barriers, of licensed center-…

Missing rings in Pinus halepensis – the missing link to relate the tree-ring record to extreme climatic events

Treesearch

Klemen Novak; Martin de Luis; Miguel A. Saz; Luis A. Longares; Roberto Serrano-Notivoli; Josep Raventos; Katarina Cufar; Jozica Gricar; Alfredo Di Filippo; Gianluca Piovesan; Cyrille B.K. Rathgeber; Andreas Papadopoulos; Kevin T. Smith

2016-01-01

Climate predictions for the Mediterranean Basin include increased temperatures, decreased precipitation, and increased frequency of extreme climatic events (ECE). These conditions are associated with decreased tree growth and increased vulnerability to pests and diseases. The anatomy of tree rings responds to these environmental conditions. Quantitatively, the width of...

Integrated Sensing and Information Processing Theme-Based Redesign of the Undergraduate Electrical and Computer Engineering Curriculum at Duke University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ybarra, Gary A.; Collins, Leslie M.; Huettel, Lisa G.; Brown, April S.; Coonley, Kip D.; Massoud, Hisham Z.; Board, John A.; Cummer, Steven A.; Choudhury, Romit Roy; Gustafson, Michael R.; Jokerst, Nan M.; Brooke, Martin A.; Willett, Rebecca M.; Kim, Jungsang; Absher, Martha S.

2011-01-01

The field of electrical and computer engineering has evolved significantly in the past two decades. This evolution has broadened the field of ECE, and subfields have seen deep penetration into very specialized areas. Remarkable devices and systems arising from innovative processes, exotic materials, high speed computer simulations, and complex…

Collaborative Teaching and Self-Study: Engaging Student Teachers in Sociological Theory in Teacher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hogan, Vivienne; Daniell, Linda

2015-01-01

This article presents some of the findings of a three-year project researching the impact of changes made to teaching and learning in a first-year sociology paper for primary and early childhood education (ece) student teachers. The context of the research is an undergraduate Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programme situated in the School of…

Challenges and Benefits of Early Bilingualism in the United States' Context

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Espinosa, Linda M.

2015-01-01

The population of young dual language learners (DLL) in the United States has tripled in the last several decades and now accounts for 25% of all children in the United States (Migration Policy Institute, June 2014). Many of these children are exposed to multiple languages in the home and the early childhood setting (ECE) setting, and the vast…

Teaching the Teachers of Our Youngest Children: The State of Early Childhood Higher Education in California, 2015

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Austin, Lea J. E.; Whitebook, Marcy; Kipnis, Fran; Sakai, Laura; Abbasi, Ferheen; Amanta, Felippa

2015-01-01

Midway through the second decade of this century, the importance of early care and education (ECE) to children's lifelong learning and to the nation's economic well-being is recognized up to the highest levels of government, and in businesses, schools, and living rooms across the country. This understanding represents a dramatic shift from earlier…

Teaching the Teachers of Our Youngest Children: The State of Early Childhood Higher Education in Indiana, 2015. Highlights

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kipnis, Fran; Sakai, Laura; Amanta, Felippa; Whitebook, Marcy; Austin, Lea J. E.; Montoya, Elena

2015-01-01

Today, the importance of early care and education (ECE) to children's lifelong learning and to our nation's economic well being is recognized up to the highest levels of government, and in businesses, schools, and living rooms across the country. This understanding represents a dramatic shift from earlier decades, and carries with it heightened…

Leading for Quality Improvement: A Comparative Research Agenda in Early Childhood Education in England and Hong Kong

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leeson, Caroline; Campbell-Barr, Verity; Ho, Dora

2012-01-01

This paper discusses the changing concepts of leadership in early childhood education (ECE) in England and Hong Kong during a period of significant education reform. We seek to illustrate the interplay between the impact of the policy agenda and the emerging quality leadership perspectives found in the theoretical literature, by first considering…

The Effects of Using Exploratory Computerized Environments in Grades 1 to 8 Mathematics: A Meta-Analysis of Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sokolowski, Andrzej; Li, Yeping; Willson, Victor

2015-01-01

Background: The process of problem solving is difficult for students; thus, mathematics educators have made multiple attempts to seek ways of making this process more accessible to learners. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect size statistic of utilizing exploratory computerized environments (ECEs) to support the process of word…

Early Childhood Education Teachers: Life History, Life Course, and the Problem of Family-Work Balance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bullough, Robert V., Jr.

2016-01-01

In contrast to the wider education literature, rather little is known about the lives of early childhood education (ECE) teachers and the impact of those lives on their practice. Drawing on surveys completed by Head Start assistant and lead teachers, teacher lifelines, and interviews, and through the lens of life-course theory, the author portrays…

Improving Family Engagement: The Organizational Context and Its Influence on Partnering with Parents in Formal Child Care Settings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Douglass, Anne

2011-01-01

Family engagement is widely considered a key component of high-quality early care and education (ECE). While most efforts to improve the quality of family engagement focus on teacher training, strong evidence from health care research suggests that the organizational context is a critical determinant of the quality of client-professional…

Cross-Cultural Interpretations of Changes in Early Childhood Education in the USA, Russia, and Finland

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vlasov, Janniina; Hujala, Eeva

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine changes that have taken place in centre-based early childhood education (ECE) in the USA, Russia, and Finland between 1991 and 2014. The cross-culturally conducted study aimed to identify and contrast socio-cultural differences and similarities of the perceived changes in the context of the studied…

On Following Commands: A Philosophical Inquiry into the Governing Values of Swedish Early Childhood Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dahlbeck, Johan

2014-01-01

In this article I will investigate a perceived tension in Swedish early childhood education (ECE) policy between reevaluating certain foundational claims on the one hand and following universal moral commands on the other. I ask the question; how is it that certain commonly held assumptions are being debunked and others left undisturbed in this…

Workforce Information: A Critical Component of Coordinated State Early Care and Education Data Systems. Policy Brief

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kipnis, Fran; Whitebook, Marcy

2011-01-01

The Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE) receives support from the Birth to Five Policy Alliance and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation to assist states with early care and education (ECE) workforce systems development. Their efforts include membership in the Early Childhood Data Collaborative (ECDC), and their participation…

JPRS Report, Soviet Union, Political Affairs.

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-07-20

14 Christian Group Performs Musical Narration of Christ’s Life [A. Ece; PADOMJU JAUNATNE 15 Apr 89] 14 SOCIAL ISSUES Canadian Student Detained...theatrical and musical collectives, as well as soloists; to make a practice of exchanging invitations among directors, producers, choreographers, and...tional organizations; and, holding international confer- ences, meetings, symposia, exhibits, festivals , Republic Days, and so on. The new

The New York City Early Childhood Research Network: A Model for Integrating Research, Policy, and Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Foundation for Child Development, 2018

2018-01-01

Much attention has been paid to examining the effectiveness of early care and education (ECE) programs. Yet, little research examines how to implement such programs and help policymakers utilize research to inform on-the-ground operations in real time. This has left researchers conducting studies in silos, schools and programs applying for funding…

Learning Together: A Study of Six B.A. Completion Cohort Programs in Early Care and Education. Year 2 Report. Research Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Whitebook, Marcy; Sakai, Laura; Kipnis, Fran; Bellm, Dan; Almaraz, Mirella

2010-01-01

Interest in expanding access to higher education has been driven by concerns about ethnic and linguistic stratification within the early childhood workforce, and building a pipeline for diversifying the early care and education (ECE) field's leadership. "Cohort" B.A. completion programs, which target small groups of adults working in ECE…

Does Aggregate School-Wide Achievement Mediate Fifth Grade Outcomes for Former Early Childhood Education Participants?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Curenton, Stephanie M.; Dong, Nianbo; Shen, Xiangjin

2015-01-01

This study used a multilevel mediation model to test the theory that former early childhood education (ECE) attendees' 5th grade achievement is mediated by the aggregate school-wide achievement of their elementary school. Aggregate school-wide achievement was defined as the percentage of 5th graders in a school who were at/above academic…

Gender Equality for a New Generation: Expect Male Involvement in ECE

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Piburn, Donald E.

2006-01-01

The world is in the midst of societal shifts in gender role expectations. In many societies, traditional norms of woman as nurturer/caregiver and man as provider/disciplinarian are yielding to new social practices where women and men are expected to fulfill a full range of adult roles and responsibilities. The clearest evidence of this change lies…

49 CFR Appendix C to Part 553 - Statement of Policy: Implementation of the United Nations/Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... Policy Goals and Public Participation C Appendix C to Part 553 Transportation Other Regulations Relating... TRANSPORTATION RULEMAKING PROCEDURES Pt. 553, App. C Appendix C to Part 553—Statement of Policy: Implementation... on which NHTSA will focus in the future under the 1998 Global Agreement. C. Public Meetings NHTSA...

49 CFR Appendix C to Part 553 - Statement of Policy: Implementation of the United Nations/Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... Policy Goals and Public Participation C Appendix C to Part 553 Transportation Other Regulations Relating... TRANSPORTATION RULEMAKING PROCEDURES Pt. 553, App. C Appendix C to Part 553—Statement of Policy: Implementation... on which NHTSA will focus in the future under the 1998 Global Agreement. C. Public Meetings NHTSA...

49 CFR Appendix C to Part 553 - Statement of Policy: Implementation of the United Nations/Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Policy Goals and Public Participation C Appendix C to Part 553 Transportation Other Regulations Relating... TRANSPORTATION RULEMAKING PROCEDURES Pt. 553, App. C Appendix C to Part 553—Statement of Policy: Implementation... on which NHTSA will focus in the future under the 1998 Global Agreement. C. Public Meetings NHTSA...

An Examination of the Quality of Discipline Policies in NAEYC-Accredited Early Care and Education Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Garrity, Sarah M.; Longstreth, Sascha L.; Linder, Lisa K.

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to expand the knowledge base regarding discipline policies in early care and education (ECE) programs by examining the extent to which programs utilize policies that reflect the implementation of evidence-based practices to prevent and address challenging behaviors in the early years. Discipline policies were gathered…

Right at Your Fingertips: Important Web-Based Resources for Understanding Evidence-Based Practices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Purper, Cammy J.

2016-01-01

The era of educational accountability has drawn attention to a need for the use of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in today's classrooms. The existence of a research-to-practice gap is well established in the field of early childhood education (ECE), and significant barriers to the use of EBPs by practitioners have been documented through…

A Golden Opportunity: Advancing California's Early Care and Education Workforce Professional Development System. Monograph

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Karoly, Lynn A.

2012-01-01

In an effort to inform preschool policy in California, an interdisciplinary team of RAND researchers conducted a multiyear study of preschool education known as the California Preschool Study. One of the recommendations from that study was the need for a more in-depth analysis of the effectiveness of the early care and education (ECE) workforce…

Center-Based Early Care and Education and Children's School Readiness: Do Impacts Vary by Neighborhood Poverty?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morrissey, Taryn W.; Vinopal, Katie

2018-01-01

Neighborhoods provide resources that may affect children's achievement or moderate the influences of other developmental contexts, such as early care and education (ECE). Using a sample (N ˜ 12,430) from the 2010-2011 Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Cohort, merged with census tract-level poverty data from the 2008-2012 American…

Early Educators as Agents of Social Change for Inclusive Practices: An Action Research Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rausch, Alissa

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new course developed for students in the early childhood education (ECE) graduate and/or licensure in early childhood special education (ECSE)--a Colorado teacher licensure program--in the School of Education and Human Development at CU Denver. The study explored graduate students' learning in a course…

Teaching the Teachers of Our Youngest Children: The State of Early Childhood Higher Education in Indiana, 2015

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kipnis, Fran; Sakai, Laura; Amanta, Felippa; Whitebook, Marcy; Austin, Lea J. E.; Montoya, Elena

2015-01-01

Midway through the second decade of this century, the importance of early care and education (ECE) to children's lifelong learning and to our nation's economic well-being is recognized up to the highest levels of government, and in businesses, schools, and living rooms across the country. This understanding represents a dramatic shift from earlier…

Unification of the negative electrocaloric effect in Bi{sub 1/2}Na{sub 1/2}TiO{sub 3}-BaTiO{sub 3} solid solutions by Ba{sub 1/2}Sr{sub 1/2}TiO{sub 3} doping

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

Uddin, Sarir; Materials Research Laboratory, Institute of Physics and Electronics, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120; Zheng, Guang-Ping, E-mail: mmzheng@polyu.edu.hk

2013-12-07

The microscopic mechanisms of the negative electrocaloric effect (ECE) of the single-phase (1−x)(0.94Bi{sub 1/2}Na{sub 1/2}TiO{sub 3}-0.06BaTiO{sub 3})-xBa{sub 1/2}Sr{sub 1/2}TiO{sub 3} (BNT-BT-BST) perovskite solid solutions fabricated via the sol-gel technique are explored in this study. Dielectric and mechanical relaxation analyses are employed to investigate the ferroelectric and structural transitions of the samples. The electrocaloric properties of the samples were measured by thermodynamics Maxwell relations. The difference between the depolarization temperature (T{sub d}) and the maximum dielectric constant temperature (T{sub m}) was found to decrease with increasing BST content. Doping with BST stabilized the ferroelectric phase along with unifying the EC temperaturemore » changes (ΔT) to only negative values. The origin of the uniform negative ECE of BNT-BT-BST is discussed.« less

Final Rule for Control of Air Pollution From Motor Vehicles and New Motor Vehicle Engines; Modification of Federal Onboard Diagnostic Regulations for Light-Duty Vehicles and Light-Duty Trucks; Extension of Acceptance of California OBD

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This action finalizes modifications to the federal on-board diagnostics regulations, including: harmonizing the emission levels above which a component or system is considered malfunctioning with those of the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

Estimated Participation and Hours in Early Care and Education by Type of Arrangement and Income at Ages 2 to 4 in 2010

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barnett, Steve; Nores, Milagros

2012-01-01

This working paper estimates participation in early childhood education (ECE) programs by child's age, program setting, family income level, and child's household language. To produce the best possible estimates of participation, the authors combined information from multiple data sets. In 2010, approximately 6.6 million between the ages of 2 and…

Increasing Early Childhood Educators' Use of Communication-Facilitating and Language-Modelling Strategies: Brief Speech and Language Therapy Training

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McDonald, David; Proctor, Penny; Gill, Wendy; Heaven, Sue; Marr, Jane; Young, Jane

2015-01-01

Intensive Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) training courses for Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) can have a positive effect on their use of interaction strategies that support children's communication skills. The impact of brief SLT training courses is not yet clearly understood. The aims of these two studies were to assess the impact of a brief…

Implementation of Early Childhood Development Education Service Standard Guidelines on Physical Facilities in Public and Private Early Childhood Education Centres Kakamega County, Kenya

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sitati, Emmily M.; Ndirangu, Mwangi; Kennedy, Bota; Rapongo, George S.

2016-01-01

In 2006, the Kenyan Ministry of Education (MoE) developed an early childhood development education (ECDE) service standard guidelines to guide the ECDE stakeholders in provision of early childhood education (ECE) programmes. The study sought to investigate the implementation of the ECDE service standard guidelines on provision of physical…

Assessing the Implementation and Cost of High Quality Early Care and Education: A Review of the Literature. OPRE Report 2016-31

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Caronongan, Pia; Kirby, Gretchen; Boller, Kimberly; Modlin, Emily; Lyskawa, Julia

2016-01-01

This report summarizes the findings of a literature review conducted as part of the Assessing the Implementation and Cost of High-Quality Early Care and Education (ECE-ICHQ) project. The project's goal is to create a technically sound and feasible instrument that will provide consistent, systematic measures of the implementation and costs of…

Social Capital Made Visible: A Case Study of Professional Learning Communities in Early Care and Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Allen, Wendy Bickford

2016-01-01

Early care and education (ECE) services are necessary for a society because of a variety of ethical, economic, and developmental reasons. A well-developed field of practice is needed to ensure young children have access to high quality care and education settings. To promote a thriving profession, many are calling for the field of early care and…

Designing Secure Systems on Reconfigurable Hardware

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-07-01

Jeff White Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of California, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA 93106 {nick callegari,valamehr...ece.ucsb.edu, jdwhite08@engineering.ucsb.edu Ryan Kastner Department of Computer Science and Engineering University of California, San Diego La Jolla...Transactions on Design Automation of Electronic Systems (TODAES), Vol. 13, No. 3, July 2008, 1-24 14. ABSTRACT see report 15. SUBJECT TERMS 16

Effects of In-Class Hands-On Laboratories in a Large Enrollment, Multiple Section Blended Linear Circuits Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ferri, Bonni H.; Ferri, Aldo A.; Majerich, David M.; Madden, Amanda G.

2016-01-01

This paper examines the effects of hands-on learning in an undergraduate circuits class that is taught to non-majors; i.e., students outside of electrical and computing engineering. The course, ECE3710, is taught in a blended format facilitated by the video lectures prepared for two Massive Open Online Courses developed for the Coursera Platform.…