Hydroalcoholic extract of Stevia rebaudiana bert. leaves and stevioside ameliorates lipopolysaccharide induced acute liver injury in rats.

PubMed

S, Latha; Chaudhary, Sheetal; R S, Ray

2017-11-01

Oxidative stress and hepatic inflammatory response is primarily implicated in the pathogenesis of LPS induced acute liver injury. Stevioside, a diterpenoidal glycoside isolated from the Stevia rebaudiana leaves, exerts potent anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. The present study was aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Stevia rebaudiana leaves (STE EXT) and its major phytochemical constituent, stevioside (STE) in LPS induced acute liver injury. The hepatoprotective activity of STE EXT (500mg/kg p.o) and STE (250mg/kg p.o) was investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS 5mg/kg i.p.) induced acute liver injury in male wistar rats. Our results revealed that both STE EXT and STE treatment ameliorated LPS induced hepatic oxidative stress, evident from altered levels of reduced SOD, Catalase, GSH, MDA, NO. Histopathological observations revealed that both STE EXT and STE attenuated LPS induced structural changes and hepatocellular apoptosis providing additional evidence for its hepatoprotective effect. Further, STE EXT and STE significantly restored the elevated serum and tissue levels of AST and ALT in LPS treated rats. Furthermore, both STE EXT and STE rescued hepatocellular dysfunctions to normal by altering the level of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 exhibiting its anti-inflammatory potential. In conclusion, both STE EXT and STE demonstrated excellent hepatoprotective effects against endotoxemia induced acute liver injury possibly through suppression of hepatic inflammatory response and oxidative stress, attributing to its medicinal importance in treating various liver ailments. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Protein Kinases Involved in Mating and Osmotic Stress in the Yeast Kluyveromyces lactis▿

PubMed Central

Kawasaki, Laura; Castañeda-Bueno, María; Sánchez-Paredes, Edith; Velázquez-Zavala, Nancy; Torres-Quiroz, Francisco; Ongay-Larios, Laura; Coria, Roberto

2008-01-01

Systematic disruption of genes encoding kinases and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) was performed in Kluyveromyces lactis haploid cells. The mutated strains were assayed by their capacity to mate and to respond to hyperosmotic stress. The K. lactis Ste11p (KlSte11p) MAPK kinase kinase (MAPKKK) was found to act in both mating and osmoresponse pathways while the scaffold KlSte5p and the MAPK KlFus3p appeared to be specific for mating. The p21-activated kinase KlSte20p and the kinase KlSte50p participated in both pathways. Protein association experiments showed interaction of KlSte50p and KlSte20p with Gα and Gβ, respectively, the G protein subunits involved in the mating pathway. Both KlSte50p and KlSte20p also showed interaction with KlSte11p. Disruption mutants of the K. lactis PBS2 (KlPBS2) and KlHOG1 genes of the canonical osmotic response pathway resulted in mutations sensitive to high salt and high sorbitol but dispensable for mating. Mutations that eliminate the MAPKK KlSte7p activity had a strong effect on mating and also showed sensitivity to osmotic stress. Finally, we found evidence of physical interaction between KlSte7p and KlHog1p, in addition to diminished Hog1p phosphorylation after a hyperosmotic shock in cells lacking KlSte7p. This study reveals novel roles for components of transduction systems in yeast. PMID:18024598

The small serine-threonine protein SIP2 interacts with STE12 and is involved in ascospore germination in Sordaria macrospora.

PubMed

Elleuche, Skander; Bernhards, Yasmine; Schäfers, Christian; Varghese, Jans Manjali; Nolting, Nicole; Pöggeler, Stefanie

2010-12-01

In fungi, the homoeodomain protein STE12 controls diverse developmental processes, and derives its regulatory specificity from different protein interactions. We recently showed that in the homothallic ascomycete Sordaria macrospora, STE12 is essential for ascospore development, and is able to interact with the alpha-domain mating-type protein SMTA-1 and the MADS box protein MCM1. To further evaluate the functional roles of STE12, we used the yeast two-hybrid approach to identify new STE12-interacting partners. Using STE12 as bait, a small, serine-threonine-rich protein (designated STE12-interacting protein 2, SIP2) was identified. SIP2 is conserved among members of the fungal class Sordariomycetes. In vivo localization studies revealed that SIP2 was targeted to the nucleus and cytoplasm. The STE12/SIP2 interaction was further confirmed in vivo by bimolecular fluorescence complementation. Nuclear localization of SIP2 was apparently mediated by STE12. Unlike deletion of ste12, deletion of sip2 in S. macrospora led to only a slight decrease in ascospore germination, and no other obvious morphological phenotype. In comparison to the Δste12 single knockout strain, ascospore germination was significantly increased in a Δsip2/ste12 double knockout strain. Our data provide evidence for a regulatory role of the novel fungal protein SIP2 in ascospore germination. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Infarct-like acute myocarditis: relation between electrocardiographic findings and myocardial damage as assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Nucifora, Gaetano; Miani, Daniela; Di Chiara, Antonio; Piccoli, Gianluca; Artico, Jessica; Puppato, Michela; Slavich, Gianaugusto; De Biasio, Marzia; Gasparini, Daniele; Proclemer, Alessandro

2013-03-01

Acute myocarditis (AM) may occasionally have an infarct-like presentation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relation between electrocardiographic (ECG) findings in this group of patients and myocardial damage assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) technique. Myocardial damage may be associated with ECG changes in infarct-like AM. Forty-one consecutive patients (36 males; mean age, 36 ± 12 years) with diagnosis of AM according to cardiac MRI Lake Louise criteria and infarct-like presentation were included. The relation between site of ST-segment elevation (STE), sum of STE (sumSTE), time to normalization of STE, and development of negative T wave with the extent of LGE (expressed as % of left ventricular mass [%LV LGE]), was evaluated. Most (80%) patients presented with inferolateral STE; mean sumSTE was 5 ± 3 mm. Normalization of STE occurred within 24 hours in 20 (49%) patients. Development of negative T wave occurred in 28 (68%) patients. Cardiac MRI showed LGE in all patients; mean %LV LGE was 9.6 ± 7.2%. Topographic agreement between site of STE and LGE was 68%. At multivariate analysis, sumSTE (β = 0.42, P < 0.001), normalization of STE >24 hours (β = 0.39, P < 0.001), and development of negative T wave (β = 0.49, P < 0.001) were independently related to %LV LGE. Analysis of the site of STE underestimates the extent of myocardial injury among patients with infarct-like myocarditis. However, some ECG features (ie, sumSTE, normalization of STE >24 hours, and development of negative T wave) may help to identify patients with larger areas of myocardial damage. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Defense Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR). Volume 3. Air Force Abstracts of Phase 1 Awards from FY 1988 SBIR Solicitation

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-05-01

THE TARGET DOPPLER FREQUENCIES. ADAPTIVE SENSORS INC 216 PICO BLVD - STE 8 SANTA MONICA, CA 90405 CONTRACT NUMBER: JOHN S BAILEY TITLE: SPATIALLY...APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCS INC 4300 SAN MATEO BLVD NE - STE A220 ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87110 CONTRACT NUMBER: FRANK A MAESTAS TITLE: PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS OF EXPLOSIVE...VERIFIED THROUGH SUBSCALE FABRICATION AND TEST. AV DYNAMICS INC 825 MYRTLE AVE MONROVIA, CA 91016 CONTRACT NUMBER: DR P B S LISSAMAN TITLE: LIGHT WEIGHT

Microbial Diversity of Septic Tank Effluent and a Soil Biomat▿ †

PubMed Central

Tomaras, Jill; Sahl, Jason W.; Siegrist, Robert L.; Spear, John R.

2009-01-01

Microbial diversity of septic tank effluent (STE) and the biomat that is formed as a result of STE infiltration on soil were characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Results indicate that microbial communities are different within control soil, STE, and the biomat and that microbes found in STE are not found in the biomat. The development of a stable soil biomat appears to provide the best on-site water treatment or protection for subsequent groundwater interactions of STE. PMID:19304840

Microbial diversity of septic tank effluent and a soil biomat.

PubMed

Tomaras, Jill; Sahl, Jason W; Siegrist, Robert L; Spear, John R

2009-05-01

Microbial diversity of septic tank effluent (STE) and the biomat that is formed as a result of STE infiltration on soil were characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Results indicate that microbial communities are different within control soil, STE, and the biomat and that microbes found in STE are not found in the biomat. The development of a stable soil biomat appears to provide the best on-site water treatment or protection for subsequent groundwater interactions of STE.

63. Photocopied August 1978. TESTING TURBINES AT HOLYOKE. INSTALLING A ...

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

63. Photocopied August 1978. TESTING TURBINES AT HOLYOKE. INSTALLING A PAIR OF THE JOLLY-McCORMICK RUNNERS AND CONTROL GATES IN THE TEST PIT. (343) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

Temporal effect of maternal heat stress during gestation on the fertility and anti-Müllerian hormone concentration of offspring in bovine.

PubMed

Akbarinejad, V; Gharagozlou, F; Vojgani, M

2017-09-01

Ovarian reserve has been suggested as an important contributing factor of reproductive success in bovine. Size of ovarian reserve is determined during fetal period and it could be altered by environmental factors, with which the dam is exposed. Maternal heat stress could impair placental function and fetal development; however, there is limited information on the impact of prenatal heat stress on fertility and ovarian reserve in the offspring. Therefore, a retrospective study was conducted, in which fertility parameters and AMH concentration, as a reliable marker of ovarian reserve in bovine, were studied in the offspring of dams that had been exposed to heat stress during the first (FTE), second (STE) or third (TTE) trimester of gestation and the offspring of dams unexposed to heat stress (US). Additionally, postpartum exposure of offspring with heat stress was considered in the model to adjust the statistical analysis in this regard. Days to first service (DFS) and calving to conception interval (CCI) were prolonged in exposed than unexposed cows (P < 0.05). Days to first service and CCI were also longer in STE compared with FTE cows (P < 0.05). First service conception rate was lower in TTE than UN cows (P < 0.05). The proportion of repeat breeders was higher in exposed compared with unexposed cows (P < 0.05). Service per conception was higher in STE and TTE than UN cows (P < 0.05). Culling rate between different periods of lactation was also higher in exposed than unexposed cows (P < 0.05). Finally, AMH concentration was lower in STE and TTE than UN cows (P < 0.05); moreover, it was lower in STE compared with FTE cows (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the present study revealed detrimental effects of maternal heat stress on fertility, productive longevity and ovarian reserve in the offspring. In this context, the second and third trimesters appeared to be more critical periods. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of acute exposure to ergot alkaloids on short-chain fatty acid absorption and barrier function of isolated bovine ruminal epithelium

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Ergot alkaloids present in endophyte-infected tall fescue are the causative agents for fescue toxicosis in cattle. Ergot alkaloids have been shown to cause a reduction in blood flow to the rumen epithelium as well as a decrease in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) absorption from the washed rumen of ste...

Synergistic foaming and surface properties of a weakly interacting mixture of soy glycinin and biosurfactant stevioside.

PubMed

Wan, Zhi-Li; Wang, Li-Ying; Wang, Jin-Mei; Yuan, Yang; Yang, Xiao-Quan

2014-07-16

The adsorption of the mixtures of soy glycinin (11S) with a biosurfactant stevioside (STE) at the air-water interface was studied to understand its relation with foaming properties. A combination of several techniques such as dynamic surface tension, dilatational rheology, fluorescence spectroscopy, and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) was used. In the presence of intermediate STE concentrations (0.25-0.5%), the weak binding of STE with 11S in bulk occurred by hydrophobic interactions, which could induce conformational changes of 11S, as evidenced by fluorescence and ITC. Accordingly, the strong synergy in reducing surface tension and the plateau in surface elasticity for mixed 11S-STE layers formed from the weakly interacting mixtures were clearly observed. This effect could be explained by the complexation with STE, which might facilitate the partial dissociation and further unfolding of 11S upon adsorption, thus enhancing the protein-protein and protein-STE interfacial interactions. These surface properties were positively reflected in foams produced by the weakly interacting system, which exhibited good foaming capacity and considerable stability probably due to better response to external stresses. However, at high STE concentrations (1-2%), as a consequence of the interface dominated by STE due to the preferential adsorption of STE molecules, the surface elasticity of layers dramatically decreased, and the resultant foams became less stable.

The RING domain of the scaffold protein Ste5 adopts a molten globular character with high thermal and chemical stability.

PubMed

Walczak, Michal J; Samatanga, Brighton; van Drogen, Frank; Peter, Matthias; Jelesarov, Ilian; Wider, Gerhard

2014-01-27

Ste5 is a scaffold protein that controls the pheromone response of the MAP-kinase cascade in yeast cells. Upon pheromone stimulation, Ste5 (through its RING-H2 domain) interacts with the β and γ subunits of an activated heterodimeric G protein and promotes activation of the MAP-kinase cascade. With structural and biophysical studies, we show that the Ste5 RING-H2 domain exists as a molten globule under native buffer conditions, in yeast extracts, and even in denaturing conditions containing urea (7 M). Furthermore, it exhibits high thermal stability in native conditions. Binding of the Ste5 RING-H2 domain to the physiological Gβ/γ (Ste4/Ste18) ligand is accompanied by a conformational transition into a better folded, more globular structure. This study reveals novel insights into the folding mechanism and recruitment of binding partners by the Ste5 RING-H2 domain. We speculate that many RING domains may share a similar mechanism of substrate recognition and molten-globule-like character. Copyright © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

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

Taylor, Antoniette J

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) uses external peer review to measure and continuously improve the quality of its science, technology and engineering (STE). LANL uses capability reviews to assess the STE quality and institutional integration and to advise Laboratory Management on the current and future health of the STE. Capability reviews address the STE integration that LANL uses to meet mission requirements. STE capabilities are define to cut across directorates providing a more holistic view of the STE quality, integration to achieve mission requirements, and mission relevance. The scope of these capabilities necessitate that there will be significant overlap inmore » technical areas covered by capability reviews (e.g ., materials research and weapons science and engineering). In addition, LANL staff may be reviewed in different capability reviews because of their varied assignments and expertise. LANL plans to perform a complete review of the Laboratory's STE capabilities (hence staff) in a three-year cycle. The principal product of an external review is a report that includes the review committee's assessments, commendations, and recommendations for STE. The Capability Review Committees serve a dual role of providing assessment of the Laboratory's technical contributions and integration towards its missions and providing advice to Laboratory Management. The assessments and advice are documented in reports prepared by the Capability Review Committees that are delivered to the Director and to the Principal Associate Director for Science, Technology and Engineering (PADSTE). This report will be used by Laboratory Management for STE assessment and planning. The report is also provided to the Department of Energy (DOE) as part of LANL's Annual Performance Plan and to the Los Alamos National Security (LANS) LLC's Science and Technology Committee (STC) as part of its responsibilities to the LANS Board of Governors. LANL has defined fourteen STE capabilities. Table 1 lists the five STE capabilities that LANL Management (Director, PADSTE, technical Associate Directors) have identified for review in Fiscal Year (FY) 2009.« less

Kap121p-Mediated Nuclear Import Is Required for Mating and Cellular Differentiation in Yeast

PubMed Central

Leslie, Deena M.; Grill, Brock; Rout, Michael P.; Wozniak, Richard W.; Aitchison, John D.

2002-01-01

To further our understanding of how the nucleocytoplasmic transport machinery interfaces with its cargoes and how this affects cellular physiology, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of phenotypes associated with mutations in karyopherin Kap121p. Two previously unreported phenotypes of kap121 cells were observed: defects in mating and in the transition from the normal yeast form to the pseudohyphal, invasive form. In parallel, we searched for Kap121p cargoes by using Kap121p as a probe in overlay assays of yeast nuclear proteins. One of the major interacting proteins identified by this procedure was Ste12p, a transcription factor central to both the mating response and the pseudohyphal transition. We therefore investigated whether defects in these differentiation processes were due to an inability to import Ste12p. Both immunopurification and in vitro binding studies demonstrated that Ste12p interacted specifically with Kap121p in a Ran-GTP-sensitive manner and that Ste12p was mislocalized to the cytoplasm by inactivation of Kap121p in a temperature-sensitive mutant. The Kap121p-specific nuclear localization signal (NLS) of Ste12p was determined to reside within a C-terminal region of Ste12p. Furthermore, by overexpression of STE12 or expression of a STE12-cNLS fusion in kap121 cells, the invasive-growth defect and the mating defect were both suppressed. Together these data demonstrate that Ste12p is imported into nuclei by Kap121p and that mating and differentiation defects associated with kap121 mutants are primarily attributable to the mislocalization of Ste12p. PMID:11909949

48 CFR 245.608-5 - Special items screening.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Disposal of Contractor Inventory 245.608-5 Special items screening. (a) Special test equipment with standard components. (1) The contractor shall report any excess special test equipment (STE) using SF 1432, Inventory Schedule D (Special Tooling and Special Test Equipment). The contractor shall list and describe on...

In situ measurement and source apportionment of aerosols in the Kathmandu valley, Nepal, April 2015.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

DeCarlo, P. F.; Werden, B.; Goetz, J. D.; Giordano, M.; Bhave, P.; Jayarathne, T. S.; Stockwell, C.; Christian, T. J.; Nadler, W.; Panday, A. K.; Yokelson, R. J.; Stone, E. A.

2017-12-01

The Kathmandu Valley in Nepal is home to over 2.5 Million people, and is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in South Asia. It is subject to extreme pollution events due to numerous unregulated localized pollution sources and regional transport from the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP). Over 10% of Nepali fatalities are from lung disorders, making it the most common cause of death in the country. Previous field work has studied gas species, wintertime VOCs and PM in the valley. The Nepal Ambient Measurement and Site Testing Experiment [NAMaSTE] is the first deployment of a High-Resolution Time-of-Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS) in Nepal and allows for a more comprehensive analysis of aerosol species and their source contributions. Ambient measurements for the NAMaSTE campaign were made in Bode, 8 km east of Kathmandu. Intensive measurements were made in April 2015, but cut short by the 2015 Gorka earthquake. HR-ToF-AMS measurements provided detailed chemical composition information on particulate matter in the valley. Ancillary measurements of chemical species CO, CO2, CH4, H2O, O3, NOx, BC and PM were carried out and compared to AMS data and meteorological parameters. AMS species show a clear diurnal pattern, with extremely elevated concentrations in the morning, with a wind shift to westerly in the afternoon. PMF was performed on the ambient data set, and mass spectral data was compared to source mass spectra generated from emission testing of various local sources measured during the campaign. The mean concentration of PM2.5 was 83 ± 45 µg/m3, which is above the 24 hour WHO exposure threshold of 25 µg/m3 and annual continous exposure limit of 10 µg/m3­­. Localized sources of anthropogenic emissions such as garbage burning, coal for brick kilns, dung and biomass burning for cooking and agriculture are likely sources of elevated pollutant emissions. Unmitigated burning of trash and biomass coupled with irregular fuels are a major source of pollutant species and aerosols in the undeveloped world.

Ste12/Fab1 phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate 5-kinase is required for nitrogen-regulated mitotic commitment and cell size control

PubMed Central

Schauries, Marie; Kaczmarek, Adrian; Franz-Wachtel, Mirita; Du, Wei; Krug, Karsten; Maček, Boris; Petersen, Janni

2017-01-01

Tight coupling of cell growth and cell cycle progression enable cells to adjust their rate of division, and therefore size, to the demands of proliferation in varying nutritional environments. Nutrient stress promotes inhibition of Target Of Rapamycin Complex 1 (TORC1) activity. In fission yeast, reduced TORC1 activity advances mitotic onset and switches growth to a sustained proliferation at reduced cell size. A screen for mutants, that failed to advance mitosis upon nitrogen stress, identified a mutant in the PIKFYVE 1-phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate 5-kinase fission yeast homolog Ste12. Ste12PIKFYVE deficient mutants were unable to advance the cell cycle to reduce cell size after a nitrogen downshift to poor nitrogen (proline) growth conditions. While it is well established that PI(3,5)P2 signalling is required for autophagy and that Ste12PIKFYVE mutants have enlarged vacuoles (yeast lysosomes), neither a block to autophagy or mutants that independently have enlarged vacuoles had any impact upon nitrogen control of mitotic commitment. The addition of rapamycin to Ste12PIKFYVE deficient mutants reduced cell size at division to suggest that Ste12PIKFYVE possibly functions upstream of TORC1. ste12 mutants display increased Torin1 (TOR inhibitor) sensitivity. However, no major impact on TORC1 or TORC2 activity was observed in the ste12 deficient mutants. In summary, Ste12PIKFYVE is required for nitrogen-stress mediated advancement of mitosis to reduce cell size at division. PMID:28273166

Global impact of Salmonella type III secretion effector SteA on host cells

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

Cardenal-Muñoz, Elena, E-mail: e_cardenal@us.es; Gutiérrez, Gabriel, E-mail: ggpozo@us.es; Ramos-Morales, Francisco, E-mail: framos@us.es

Highlights: • We analyzed HeLa cells transcriptome in response to Salmonella SteA. • Significant differential expression was detected for 58 human genes. • They are involved in ECM organization and regulation of some signaling pathways. • Cell death, cell adhesion and cell migration were decreased in SteA-expressing cells. • These results contribute to understand the role of SteA during infections. - Abstract: Salmonella enterica is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes gastroenteritis, bacteremia and typhoid fever in several animal species including humans. Its virulence is greatly dependent on two type III secretion systems, encoded in pathogenicity islands 1 and 2. Thesemore » systems translocate proteins called effectors into eukaryotic host cell. Effectors interfere with host signal transduction pathways to allow the internalization of pathogens and their survival and proliferation inside vacuoles. SteA is one of the few Salmonella effectors that are substrates of both type III secretion systems. Here, we used gene arrays and bioinformatics analysis to study the genetic response of human epithelial cells to SteA. We found that constitutive synthesis of SteA in HeLa cells leads to induction of genes related to extracellular matrix organization and regulation of cell proliferation and serine/threonine kinase signaling pathways. SteA also causes repression of genes related to immune processes and regulation of purine nucleotide synthesis and pathway-restricted SMAD protein phosphorylation. In addition, a cell biology approach revealed that epithelial cells expressing steA show altered cell morphology, and decreased cytotoxicity, cell–cell adhesion and migration.« less

StePar: an automatic code for stellar parameter determination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tabernero, H. M.; González Hernández, J. I.; Montes, D.

2013-05-01

We introduce a new automatic code (StePar) for determinig stellar atmospheric parameters (T_{eff}, log{g}, ξ and [Fe/H]) in an automated way. StePar employs the 2002 version of the MOOG code (Sneden 1973) and a grid of Kurucz ATLAS9 plane-paralell model atmospheres (Kurucz 1993). The atmospheric parameters are obtained from the EWs of 263 Fe I and 36 Fe II lines (obtained from Sousa et al. 2008, A&A, 487, 373) iterating until the excitation and ionization equilibrium are fullfilled. StePar uses a Downhill Simplex method that minimizes a quadratic form composed by the excitation and ionization equilibrium conditions. Atmospheric parameters determined by StePar are independent of the stellar parameters initial-guess for the problem star, therefore we employ the canonical solar values as initial input. StePar can only deal with FGK stars from F6 to K4, also it can not work with fast rotators, veiled spectra, very metal poor stars or Signal to noise ratio below 30. Optionally StePar can operate with MARCS models (Gustafson et al. 2008, A&A, 486, 951) instead of Kurucz ATLAS9 models, additionally Turbospectrum (Alvarez & Plez 1998, A&A, 330, 1109) can replace the MOOG code and play its role during the parameter determination. StePar has been used to determine stellar parameters for some studies (Tabernero et al. 2012, A&A, 547, A13; Wisniewski et al. 2012, AJ, 143, 107). In addition StePar is being used to obtain parameters for FGK stars from the GAIA-ESO Survey.

Biogenesis pathways of piRNAs loaded onto AGO3 in the Drosophila testis.

PubMed

Nagao, Akihiro; Mituyama, Toutai; Huang, Haidong; Chen, Dahua; Siomi, Mikiko C; Siomi, Haruhiko

2010-12-01

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) silence transposable elements in animal germ cells. In Drosophila ovaries, piRNAs are produced by two distinct pathways: the "ping-pong" amplification cycle that operates in germ cells and a ping-pong-independent pathway termed the primary pathway that mainly operates in somatic cells. AGO3, one of three PIWI proteins in flies, is involved in the ping-pong cycle in ovaries. We characterized AGO3-associated piRNAs in fly testes and found that like in ovaries, AGO3 functions in the ping-pong cycle with Aubergine (Aub) for piRNA production from transposon transcripts. In contrast, most AGO3-associated piRNAs corresponding to Suppressor of Stellate [Su(Ste)] genes are antisense-oriented and bound to Aub. In addition, the vast majority of AGO3-bound piRNAs derived from the AT-chX locus on chromosome X are antisense-oriented and are also found among Aub-associated piRNAs. The presence of very few sense Su(Ste) and AT-chX piRNAs suggests that biogenesis of both Su(Ste) and AT-chX piRNAs by a ping-pong mechanism only is highly unlikely. Nevertheless, the mutual interdependence of AGO3 and Aub for the accumulation of these piRNAs shows that their production relies on both AGO3 and Aub. Analysis of piRNA pathway mutants revealed that although the requirements for piRNA factors for Su(Ste)- and AT-chX-piRNA levels mostly overlap and resemble those for the ping-pong mechanism in the ovaries, Armitage (armi) is not required for the accumulation of AT-chX-1 piRNA. These findings suggest that the impacts of armi mutants on the operation of the piRNA pathway are variable in germ cells of fly testes.

Unravelling the contribution of the Penicillium expansum PeSte12 transcription factor to virulence during apple fruit infection.

PubMed

Sánchez-Torres, Paloma; Vilanova, Laura; Ballester, Ana Rosa; López-Pérez, Mario; Teixidó, Neus; Viñas, Inmaculada; Usall, Josep; González-Candelas, Luis; Torres, Rosario

2018-02-01

Blue mould disease caused by Penicillium expansum infection is one of the most important diseases of pome fruit accounting for important economic losses. In the present study, the PeSte12 transcription factor gene was identified, and deletant mutants were produced by gene replacement. Knockout mutants showed a significant decrease of virulence during apple fruit infection. Virulence was affected by the maturity stage of the fruit (immature, mature and over-mature), and disease severity was notably reduced when the apples were stored at 0 °C. The ΔPeSte12 mutants resulted defective in asexual reproduction, producing less conidia, but this characteristic did not correlate with differences in microscopic morphology. In addition, the ΔPeSte12 mutants produced higher quantity of hydrogen peroxide than the wild type strain. Gene expression analysis revealed that PeSte12 was induced over time during apple infection compared to axenic growth, particularly from 2 dpi, reinforcing its role in virulence. Analysis of transcriptional abundance of several genes in ΔPeSte12 mutants showed that in most of the evaluated genes, PeSte12 seemed to act as a negative regulator during axenic growth, as most of them exhibited an increasing expression pattern along the time period evaluated. The highest expression values corresponded to detoxification, ATPase activity, protein folding and basic metabolism. Gene expression analysis during apple infection showed that 3 out of 9 analysed genes were up regulated; thus, PeSte12 seemed to exert a positive control to particular type of aldolase. These results demonstrate the PeSte12 transcription factor could play an important role in P. expansum's virulence and asexual reproduction. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Archeological Echocardiography: Digitization and Speckle Tracking Analysis of Archival Echocardiograms in the HyperGEN Study.

PubMed

Aguilar, Frank G; Selvaraj, Senthil; Martinez, Eva E; Katz, Daniel H; Beussink, Lauren; Kim, Kwang-Youn A; Ping, Jie; Rasmussen-Torvik, Laura; Goyal, Amita; Sha, Jin; Irvin, Marguerite R; Arnett, Donna K; Shah, Sanjiv J

2016-03-01

Several large epidemiologic studies and clinical trials have included echocardiography, but images were stored in analog format and these studies predated tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). We hypothesized that digitization of analog echocardiograms, with subsequent quantification of cardiac mechanics using STE, is feasible, reproducible, accurate, and produces clinically valid results. In the NHLBI HyperGEN study (N = 2234), archived analog echocardiograms were digitized and subsequently analyzed using STE to obtain tissue velocities/strain. Echocardiograms were assigned quality scores and inter-/intra-observer agreement was calculated. Accuracy was evaluated in: (1) a separate second study (N = 50) comparing prospective digital strain versus post hoc analog-to-digital strain, and (2) in a third study (N = 95) comparing prospectively obtained TDI e' velocities with post hoc STE e' velocities. Finally, we replicated previously known associations between tissue velocities/strain, conventional echocardiographic measurements, and clinical data. Of the 2234 HyperGEN echocardiograms, 2150 (96.2%) underwent successful digitization and STE analysis. Inter/intra-observer agreement was high for all STE parameters, especially longitudinal strain (LS). In accuracy studies, LS performed best when comparing post hoc STE to prospective digital STE for strain analysis. STE-derived e' velocities correlated with, but systematically underestimated, TDI e' velocity. Several known associations between clinical variables and cardiac mechanics were replicated in HyperGEN. We also found a novel independent inverse association between fasting glucose and LS (adjusted β = -2.4 [95% CI -3.6, -1.2]% per 1-SD increase in fasting glucose; P < 0.001). Archeological echocardiography, the digitization and speckle tracking analysis of archival echocardiograms, is feasible and generates indices of cardiac mechanics similar to contemporary studies. © 2015, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Archeological Echocardiography: Digitization and Speckle-Tracking Analysis of Archival Echocardiograms in the HyperGEN Study

PubMed Central

Aguilar, Frank G.; Selvaraj, Senthil; Martinez, Eva E.; Katz, Daniel H.; Beussink, Lauren; Kim, Kwang-Youn A.; Ping, Jie; Rasmussen-Torvik, Laura; Goyal, Amita; Sha, Jin; Irvin, Marguerite R.; Arnett, Donna K.; Shah, Sanjiv J.

2015-01-01

Background Several large epidemiologic studies and clinical trials have included echocardiography, but images were stored in analog format and these studies predated tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE). We hypothesized that digitization of analog echocardiograms, with subsequent quantification of cardiac mechanics using STE, is feasible, reproducible, accurate, and produces clinically valid results. Methods In the NHLBI HyperGEN study (N=2234), archived analog echocardiograms were digitized and subsequently analyzed using STE to obtain tissue velocities/strain. Echocardiograms were assigned quality scores and inter/intraobserver agreement was calculated. Accuracy was evaluated in (1) a separate second study (N=50) comparing prospective digital strain vs. post-hoc analog-to-digital strain; and (2) in a third study (N=95) comparing prospectively-obtained TDI e′ velocities with post-hoc STE e′ velocities. Finally, we replicated previously known associations between tissue velocities/strain, conventional echocardiographic measurements, and clinical data. Results Of the 2234 HyperGEN echocardiograms, 2150 (96.2%) underwent successful digitization and STE analysis. Inter/intraobserver agreement was high for all STE parameters, especially longitudinal strain (LS). In accuracy studies, LS performed best when comparing post-hoc STE to prospective digital STE for strain analysis. STE-derived e′ velocities correlated with, but systematically underestimated, TDI e′ velocity. Several known associations between clinical variables and cardiac mechanics were replicated in HyperGEN. We also found a novel independent inverse association between fasting glucose and LS (adjusted β =−2.4 [95% CI −3.6,−1.2]% per 1-SD increase in fasting glucose; P<0.001). Conclusions Archeological echocardiography, the digitization and speckle-tracking analysis of archival echocardiograms, is feasible and generates parameters of cardiac mechanics similar to contemporary studies. PMID:26525308

Burn Rate Modification with Carborane Polymers

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-11-01

test, ARDEC electrostatic discharge test, and DSC analysis of the small-scale runs were performed to ensure the products were safe to handle. Once...Accessions Division 8725 John J. Kingman Road, Ste 0944 Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-6218 GIDEP Operations Center P.O. Box 8000 Corona , CA

Investigations of Stratosphere-Troposphere Exchange of Ozone Derived From MLS Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Olsen, Mark A.; Schoeberl, Mark R.; Ziemke, Jerry R.

2006-01-01

Daily high-resolution maps of stratospheric ozone have been constructed using observations by MLS combined with trajectory information. These fields are used to determine the extratropical stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE) of ozone for the year 2005 using two diagnostic methods. The resulting two annual estimates compare well with past model- and observational-based estimates. Initial analyses of the seasonal characteristics indicate that significant STE of ozone in the polar regions occurs only during spring and early summer. We also examine evidence that the Antarctic ozone hole is responsible for a rapid decrease in the rate of ozone STE during the SH spring. Subtracting the high-resolution stratospheric ozone fiom OMI total column measurements creates a high-resolution tropospheric ozone residual (HTOR) product. The HTOR fields are compared to the spatial distribution of the ozone STE. We show that the mean tropospheric ozone maxima tend to occur near locations of significant ozone STE. This suggests that STE may be responsible for a significant fraction of many mean tropospheric ozone anomalies.

Effects of isolated tobacco alkaloids and tobacco products on deprivation-induced food intake and meal patterns in rats.

PubMed

Bunney, Patricia E; Hansen, Mylissa; LeSage, Mark

2018-02-01

The ability of smoking to reduce body weight serves as motivation for continued smoking. It is unclear to what extent non-nicotine constituents in cigarettes are contributing to the weight-reducing effect of smoking. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of nicotine and four minor tobacco alkaloids (nornicotine, cotinine, anatabine, and anabasine) on food intake, one of the key regulators of body weight. In addition, a smokeless tobacco extract (STE) and e-cigarette (EC) refill liquid were used to model the effects of actual tobacco product exposure on food intake. Male Holztman rats were trained to lever press for food pellets during daily 2h sessions in operant chambers. In Experiment 1, the effects of subcutaneous injections of saline, nicotine (0.25-1.00mg/kg), nornicotine (0.50-6.00mg/kg), cotinine (1.00-100.00mg/kg), anatabine (0.25-3.00mg/kg), and anabasine (0.50-4.00mg/kg) were assessed. In Experiment 2, rats from Experiment 1 were used to examine the effects of nicotine, STE, and EC liquid. All alkaloids, except cotinine, produced a dose-dependent reduction in overall food intake. The highest doses of all drugs significantly reduced latency and response rate to obtain the first pellet. At some doses, nicotine, anatabine, and nornicotine reduced food intake within the first 45min without compensatory increases in intake later in the session. STE and EC liquid produced dose dependent decreases in food intake similar to nicotine alone. These data suggest that minor tobacco alkaloids have appetite suppressant effects and warrant further investigation into their effects on body weight, energy intake, and energy expenditure under free-feeding conditions. However, findings with STE and EC liquid suggest that nicotine is the primary constituent in these products to affect food intake, whereas levels of minor alkaloids in these products may be too low to influence food intake. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Petrology of Mississippian carbonate eolianites and associated facies: Ste. Genevieve Limestone of Indiana

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

Dodd, J.R.; Brown, T.W.; Harris, C.D.

1990-05-01

Descriptions of carbonate eolianites of pre-Pleistocene age are rare. Based largely on sedimentary structures and facies associations, Hunter has recently identified eolian deposits in the middle Mississippian Ste. Genevieve Limestone near Corydon, Indiana. Eolianite grainstones contain a diverse assemblage of allochems, including a variety of skeletal grains, ooids (some broken and abraded), peloids, intraclasts, and abundant quartz silt. Carbonate grains, which rarely exceed 0.5 mm are usually more spherical than grains from associated marine unit. Eolian units contain cross-laminations that sometimes coarsen upward. No evidence for vadose cement was found in the eolianite units; the extensive solution packing suggest thatmore » cementation did not occur until burial to considerable depth. Marine grainstones, which probably formed on shallow shoals or an open platform, are common in the section. They contain a diverse assemblage of skeletal grain types as well as ooids, peloids, and intraclasts; however, one grain type (such as ooids) frequently dominates an individual unit. Detrital quartz grains are rare. Rounding of grains is usually good, but sphericity of skeletal grains which were not originally spherical is low. Fine laminations are uncommon, and no systematic grading is found on a thin-section scale. Grains and fossils in excess of 10 mm are common in the marine unit. Carbonate mud-rich rocks that probably formed in a shallow lagoonal setting also occur in the Ste. Genevieve section as do poorly developed exposure surfaces with pedogenic features.« less

8. Photocopied August 1978. BREAKING CONCRETE BARS, JULY 1898. TESTING ...

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

8. Photocopied August 1978. BREAKING CONCRETE BARS, JULY 1898. TESTING MACHINE USED BY VON SCHON IN EXPERIMENTS ON METHODS OF MIXING CONCRETE AND ON CONCRETE AGGREGATES WHICH USED LOCAL MATERIALS. (4) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

Tracing the origin of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in subterranean estuaries using colored DOM and amino acids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, T.; Kwon, E.; Kim, G.

2011-12-01

In order to determine the origin of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the subterranean estuary (STE), the mixing zone of fresh terrestrial groundwater and recirculating seawater in a coastal permeable aquifer, we conducted water sampling from two STEs with different geological settings: (1) Jeju Island beaches (Hwasun and Samyang), which are composed of volcanic rocks and sandy sediments, and (2) Hampyeong beach, which is located in a large intertidal, sandy flat zone. The distributions of salinity, total hydrolysable amino acids (THAA), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and colored DOM (CDOM) were measured for groundwater samples in these STEs. In the Hwasun STE, the humic-like peak decreases with increasing salinity, whereas the protein-like peak does not show a clear relationship with salinity. In contrast, in the Samyang STE, both humic-like peak and protein-like peak increase with increasing salinity. These contrasting results indicate that DOM in the Hwasun STE originates mainly from terrestrial inputs, while that in the Samyang STE originates mainly from biological and/or microbial activities. In the Hampyeong STE, we observed good correlations among the biodegradation index, alanine D/L ratios, THAA concentrations, DOC, and CDOM index (both humic-like and protein-like). Together with their geographical distribution patterns, these correlations indicate that DOM in the Hampyeong STE is mainly derived from marine sediments in the course of seawater recirculation. Our study shows that CDOM and amino acids are excellent tracers of DOM in the STE where DOM is derived from diverse sources.

Alaskan Ice Core Shows Relationship Between Asian Dust Storm And The Stratosphere Troposphere Exchange

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yasunari, T. J.; Shiraiwa, T.; Kanamori, S.; Fujii, Y.; Igarashi, M.; Yamazaki, K.; Benson, C. S.; Hondoh, T.

2005-12-01

Atmospheric dust absorbs and scatters solar radiation, and affects global radiative balance. Dust storm in arid and semi-arid regions in East Asia is main dust source in the northern hemisphere. Asian dust has large effect on radiative balance in the northern hemisphere and its long range transport to Alaskan region frequently occurs in springtime. On the other hand, the stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE) is a important phenomenon for material exchange among the spheres. Some parameters such as tritium, ozone and beryllium can be transferred from the stratosphere into the troposphere under some conditions such as tropopause folding outbreaks, cut-off low developing and cyclonic activities. STE has a seasonal exchange with maximum in springtime. In June 2003, a 50m ice core was drilled at the summit of Mount Wrangell volcano (60N, 144W, 4100 m), Alaska. Dust particle concentration, tritium content and ratio of stable hydrogen isotope were analyzed. Tritium is the stratospheric tracer recently because the effect of nuclear tests in 1960s has faded these days, and its concentration is highest north of 30th parallel. Therefore, the ice core drilled here is ideal to assess both the Asian dust transport and STE. The core covers 1992-2002 with divided four seasons (winter, spring, late-spring and summer). Fine dust less than one micro meter generally represents long range transport increased in springtime every year. The drastic fine and coarse dust flux increases after 2000 correspond to recent increase of Asian Dust outbreaks. These indicate that Asian dust storm largely affects Mount Wrangell every year. Here we show the fact that highest positive correlation between tritium and fine dust fluxes was seen in the term from late-spring to summer (also high correlation between tritium and coarse dust fluxes in this term), suggesting that the stratosphere-troposphere exchange was most intensified by Asian dust storms in this transient season from spring to summer. Asian dust and STE are dominant in springtime. However, our results showed that these activities related each other the most from late-spring to summer. Asian dust storm and STE are not active in summer. Hence, our results are assumed to mainly reflect late-spring relationship between Asian dust storm and STE. Asian dust outbreaks with severe weather would impact on vertical and horizontal material circulation from the stratosphere to the troposphere. Further studies for Asian dust and STE especially focused on late-spring may lead to elucidate the mechanism of material circulation and assess the radiative forcing of Asian dust in springtime.

33 CFR 162.117 - St. Marys River, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false St. Marys River, Sault Ste. Marie... SECURITY (CONTINUED) PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY INLAND WATERWAYS NAVIGATION REGULATIONS § 162.117 St. Marys River, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. (a) The area. The waters of the St. Marys River and lower Whitefish...

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

Fujimura, Hiroaki

Mating pheromones, a- and {alpha}-factors, arrest the division of cells of opposite mating types, {alpha} and a cells, respectively. The author has isolated a sterile mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae using EMS that is defective in division arrest in response to {alpha}-factor but not defective in morphological changes and agglutinin induction. The mutation was designated dac2 for division arrest control by mating pheromones. The dac2 mutation was closely linked to gal1 and was different from the previously identified cell type nonspecific sterile mutations (ste4, ste5, ste7, ste11, ste12, ste18, and dac1). Although dac2 cells had no phenotype in the absence ofmore » pheromones, they showed morphological alterations and divided continuously in the presence of pheromones. As a result, dac2 cells had a mating defect. The dac2 mutation could suppress the lethality caused by the disruption of the GPA1 gene. These results suggest that the DAC2 product may control the signal for G-protein-mediated cell-cycle arrest and indicate that the synchronization of haploid yeast cell cycles by mating pheromones is essential for cell fusion during conjugation.« less

Robotic telepathology for intraoperative remote diagnosis using a still-imaging-based system.

PubMed

Demichelis, F; Barbareschi, M; Boi, S; Clemente, C; Dalla Palma, P; Eccher, C; Forti, S

2001-11-01

The aim of the present study was to assess whether a telemicroscopy system based on static imaging could provide a remote intraoperative frozen section service. Three pathologists evaluated 70 consecutive frozen section cases (for a total of 210 diagnoses) using a static telemicroscopy system (STeMiSy) and light microscopy (LM). STeMiSy uses a robotic microscope, enabling full remote control by consultant pathologists in a near real-time manner. Clinically important concordance between STeMiSy and LM was 98.6% (95.2% overall concordance), indicating very good agreement. The rates of deferred diagnoses given by STeMiSy and LM were comparable (11.0% and 9.5%, respectively). Compared with the consensus diagnosis, the diagnostic accuracy of STeMiSy and LM was 95.2% and 96.2%. The mean viewing time per slide was 3.6 minutes, and the overall time to make a diagnosis by STeMiSy was 6.2 minutes, conforming to intraoperative practice requirements. Our study demonstrates that a static imaging active telepathology system is comparable to dynamic telepathology systems and can provide a routine frozen section service.

Removal and attenuation of sewage effluent combined tracer signals of phosphorus, caffeine and saccharin in soil.

PubMed

Richards, Samia; Withers, Paul J A; Paterson, Eric; McRoberts, Colin W; Stutter, Marc

2017-04-01

Contaminants in septic tank effluent (STE) are expected to be removed by the soil system before discharging to the environment. However, potential contaminants such as phosphorus (P), caffeine and artificial sweeteners do find their way to watercourses impacting aquatic eco systems. In this study, the attenuation of STE P, caffeine and saccharin were investigated in untreated soil and in soil with reduced microbial activity, in aqueous solutions and in the complex matrix of STE. Time series sorption and desorption experiments using batch equilibrium and a column experiment of STE P attenuation were conducted. The results revealed that the soil distribution coefficients (K d ) were: P 81.57 > caffeine 22.16 > saccharin 5.98 cm 3 /g, suggesting greater soil affinity to P adsorption. The data revealed that 80% of saccharin and 33% of caffeine attenuation was associated with microbial activities rather than adsorption processes. However, a complete removal of saccharin and caffeine did not occur during the equilibration period, suggesting their leaching potential. The dominant mechanism of P attenuation was adsorption (chemical and physical), yielding P retention of >73% and 35% for P in aqueous solution and in STE matrix, respectively, for batch equilibrium. The soil in the column acted as effluent P sink retaining 125 μg P/g soil of effluent P. The attenuation of P, caffeine and saccharin in the aqueous solution was greater than in STE, suggesting that the complex composition of STE reduced soil adsorption ability, and that other substances present in STE may be competing for soil binding sites. The data revealed that caffeine and P had similarities in the interaction with soils and thus caffeine may be considered as a STE tracer of anthropogenic source of P in receiving waters. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ultraviolet luninescence of ScPO 4, AlPO 4, and GaPO 4 crystals

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

Trukhin, Anatoly N.; Shmits, Krishjanis; Jansons, Janis L.

2013-08-29

The luminescence of self-trapped excitons (STE) was previously observed and described for the case of tetragonal-symmetry ScPO 4 single crystals in 1996 by Trukhin and Boatner. The subject band in this material is situated in the UV spectral range of ~210 nm or ~5.8 eV. In the present work, we are both expanding this earlier luminescence study and seeking to identify similar luminescence phenomena in other orthophosphate crystals i.e., AlPO 4 and GaPO 4. These efforts have proven to be successful - in spite of the structural differences between these materials and ScPO 4. Specifically we have found that formore » AlPO 4 and GaPO 4, in addition to an -quartz-like STE, there is a UV luminescence that is similar in position and decay properties to that of ScPO 4 crystals. Potentially this represents an STE in AlPO 4, and GaPO 4 crystals that is analogous to the STE of ScPO 4 and other orthophosphates. The decay kinetics of the UV luminescence of ScPO 4 were studied over a wide temperature range from 8 to 300 K, and they exhibited some unusual decay characteristics when subjected to pulses from an F 2 excimer laser (157 nm). These features could be ascribed to a triplet state of the STE that is split in a zero magnetic field. A fast decay of the STE was detected as well, and therefore, we conclude that, in addition to the slow luminescence corresponding to a transition from the triplet state, there are singlet-singlet transitions of the STE. Furthermore, time-resolved spectra of the slow and fast decay exhibit a small shift (~0.15 eV) indicating that the singlet triplet splitting is small and the corresponding wave function of the STE is widely distributed over the atoms of the ScPO 4 crystal where the STE is created.« less

Materiel Acquisition Management Guide

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-02-11

Ii-n manager and his staff, hiqhlighted by the specific de - tails provided in tabbea one-sheet descriptions. • Part III - Areas of Aco-uisition...support program requirements? Support and Test Equipment (S/TE)? Spares Support (SS)? Storage and transportation ? training? o Have test and...PACKAGES PROCUREMENT PLANNING/ PROCUREMENT pLANS TEST AND EVALUATION - PLANNING PRODUCIBILITY ENGINEERING AND TRAINING PLANNING (PEP) TRANSPORTABILITY

Carrier recombination dynamics in anatase TiO 2 nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cavigli, Lucia; Bogani, Franco; Vinattieri, Anna; Cortese, Lorenzo; Colocci, Marcello; Faso, Valentina; Baldi, Giovanni

2010-11-01

We present an experimental study of the radiative recombination dynamics in size-controlled TiO 2 nanoparticles in the range 20-130 nm. Time-integrated photoluminescence spectra clearly show a dominance of self-trapped exciton (STE) emission, with main features not dependent on the nanoparticle size and on its environment. From picosecond time-resolved experiments as a function of the excitation density and the nanoparticle size we address the STE recombination dynamics as the result of two main processes related to the direct STE formation and to the indirect STE formation mediated by non-radiative surface states.

Ste. Genevieve, Missouri Feasibility Report (Flood Control Study for Historic Ste. Genevieve - 80061). Volume 1. Main Report Public Views and Responses.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-03-01

Species Act of 1973, Available habitat as amended State Wildlife Code of Missouri Available habitat Floodplain Forest Fish and Wildife Coordination...Ste. Genevieve. The most valuable wildlife habitat in the study area is the riparian forest corridors adjacent to portions of the tributary streams

The Transcription Factor Ste12 Mediates the Regulatory Role of the Tmk1 MAP Kinase in Mycoparasitism and Vegetative Hyphal Fusion in the Filamentous Fungus Trichoderma atroviride

PubMed Central

Gruber, Sabine; Zeilinger, Susanne

2014-01-01

Mycoparasitic species of the fungal genus Trichoderma are potent antagonists able to combat plant pathogenic fungi by direct parasitism. An essential step in this mycoparasitic fungus-fungus interaction is the detection of the fungal host followed by activation of molecular weapons in the mycoparasite by host-derived signals. The Trichoderma atroviride MAP kinase Tmk1, a homolog of yeast Fus3/Kss1, plays an essential role in regulating the mycoparasitic host attack, aerial hyphae formation and conidiation. However, the transcription factors acting downstream of Tmk1 are hitherto unknown. Here we analyzed the functions of the T. atroviride Ste12 transcription factor whose orthologue in yeast is targeted by the Fus3 and Kss1 MAP kinases. Deletion of the ste12 gene in T. atroviride not only resulted in reduced mycoparasitic overgrowth and lysis of host fungi but also led to loss of hyphal avoidance in the colony periphery and a severe reduction in conidial anastomosis tube formation and vegetative hyphal fusion events. The transcription of several orthologues of Neurospora crassa hyphal fusion genes was reduced upon ste12 deletion; however, the Δste12 mutant showed enhanced expression of mycoparasitism-relevant chitinolytic and proteolytic enzymes and of the cell wall integrity MAP kinase Tmk2. Based on the comparative analyses of Δste12 and Δtmk1 mutants, an essential role of the Ste12 transcriptional regulator in mediating outcomes of the Tmk1 MAPK pathway such as regulation of the mycoparasitic activity, hyphal fusion and carbon source-dependent vegetative growth is suggested. Aerial hyphae formation and conidiation, in contrast, were found to be independent of Ste12. PMID:25356841

The transcription factor Ste12 mediates the regulatory role of the Tmk1 MAP kinase in mycoparasitism and vegetative hyphal fusion in the filamentous fungus Trichoderma atroviride.

PubMed

Gruber, Sabine; Zeilinger, Susanne

2014-01-01

Mycoparasitic species of the fungal genus Trichoderma are potent antagonists able to combat plant pathogenic fungi by direct parasitism. An essential step in this mycoparasitic fungus-fungus interaction is the detection of the fungal host followed by activation of molecular weapons in the mycoparasite by host-derived signals. The Trichoderma atroviride MAP kinase Tmk1, a homolog of yeast Fus3/Kss1, plays an essential role in regulating the mycoparasitic host attack, aerial hyphae formation and conidiation. However, the transcription factors acting downstream of Tmk1 are hitherto unknown. Here we analyzed the functions of the T. atroviride Ste12 transcription factor whose orthologue in yeast is targeted by the Fus3 and Kss1 MAP kinases. Deletion of the ste12 gene in T. atroviride not only resulted in reduced mycoparasitic overgrowth and lysis of host fungi but also led to loss of hyphal avoidance in the colony periphery and a severe reduction in conidial anastomosis tube formation and vegetative hyphal fusion events. The transcription of several orthologues of Neurospora crassa hyphal fusion genes was reduced upon ste12 deletion; however, the Δste12 mutant showed enhanced expression of mycoparasitism-relevant chitinolytic and proteolytic enzymes and of the cell wall integrity MAP kinase Tmk2. Based on the comparative analyses of Δste12 and Δtmk1 mutants, an essential role of the Ste12 transcriptional regulator in mediating outcomes of the Tmk1 MAPK pathway such as regulation of the mycoparasitic activity, hyphal fusion and carbon source-dependent vegetative growth is suggested. Aerial hyphae formation and conidiation, in contrast, were found to be independent of Ste12.

Tropopause Inversion Layer and Stratosphere-Troposphere Exchange in Baroclinic Life Cycles: The Role of Diabatic Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kunkel, D.; Hoor, P. M.; Wirth, V.

2014-12-01

Observations and model simulations of temperature and tracer profiles in the extratropical upper troposphere/lower stratosphere (UTLS) show the presence of an inversion layer just above the thermal tropopause, i.e., the tropopause inversion layer (TIL), which is situated in a region affected by stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE). Moreover, from a dynamical perspective the extratropical UTLS is highly affected by baroclinic life cycles. Since both the TIL and STE emerge, amongst many other features, during simulated baroclinic life cycles, we study whether there is a relationship between the TIL and STE. We use the non-hydrostatic model COSMO in an idealized mid-latitude channel configuration to simulate baroclinic life cycles. In a first step contributions of individual diabatic processes from turbulence, radiation, and cloud microphysics to the formation of the TIL are analyzed. These results are compared to those from adiabatic simulations in which the TIL forms during the life cycles with the limitation of being less sharp than in observations. Furthermore, passive tropospheric and stratospheric tracers are used to identify STE. Regions of STE are then analyzed with respect to the temporal evolution of the static stability above the tropopause. The results suggest that radiative effects, especially from water vapor, have the largest additional contribution to the TIL formation, while additional individual effects of cloud microphysics are almost negligible. STE occurs in all diabatic simulations but its strength depends highly on how the underlying diabatic process can affect the thermal and dynamical structure in the tropopause region. Weak STE is found when considering cloud microphysics, while STE is stronger in case of using turbulence and radiation. Tropopause-based vertical profiles of the tropospheric tracers show in some cases similarities with observed tracer profiles of CO.

Assessment of Left Atrial Deformation and Function by 2-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Healthy Dogs and Dogs With Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease.

PubMed

Baron Toaldo, M; Romito, G; Guglielmini, C; Diana, A; Pelle, N G; Contiero, B; Cipone, M

2017-05-01

The assessment of left atrial (LA) function by 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) holds important clinical implications in human medicine. Few similar data are available in dogs. To assess LA function by STE in dogs with and without myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), analyzing LA areas, systolic function, and strain. One hundred and fifty dogs were divided according to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine classification of heart failure: 23 dogs in class A, 52 in class B1, 36 in class B2, and 39 in class C + D. Prospective observational study. Conventional morphologic and Doppler variables, LA areas, and STE-based LA strain analysis were performed in all dogs and results were compared among groups. Correlation analysis was carried out between LA STE variables and other echocardiographic variables. Variability study showed good reproducibility for all the tested variables (coefficient of variation <16%). Left atrial areas, fractional area change, peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS), peak atrial contraction strain, and contraction strain index (CSI) differed significantly between groups B2 and C + D and all the other groups (overall P < .001), whereas only PALS differed between groups B1 and A (P = .01). Left atrial areas increased with progression of the disease, whereas LA functional parameters decreased. Only CSI increased nonsignificantly from group A to group B1 and then progressively decreased. Thirty-one significant correlations (P < .001, r > .3) were found between conventional left heart echocardiographic variables and LA areas and strain variables. Left atrial STE analysis provides useful information on atrial function in the dog, highlighting a progressive decline in atrial function with worsening of MMVD. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Prognostic value of echocardiographic indices of left atrial morphology and function in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease.

PubMed

Baron Toaldo, Marco; Romito, Giovanni; Guglielmini, Carlo; Diana, Alessia; Pelle, Nazzareno G; Contiero, Barbara; Cipone, Mario

2018-05-01

The prognostic relevance of left atrial (LA) morphological and functional variables, including those derived from speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), has been little investigated in veterinary medicine. To assess the prognostic value of several echocardiographic variables, with a focus on LA morphological and functional variables in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). One-hundred and fifteen dogs of different breeds with MMVD. Prospective cohort study. Conventional morphologic and echo-Doppler variables, LA areas and volumes, and STE-based LA strain analysis were performed in all dogs. A survival analysis was performed to test for the best echocardiographic predictors of cardiac-related death. Most of the tested variables, including all LA STE-derived variables were univariate predictors of cardiac death in Cox proportional hazard analysis. Because of strong correlation between many variables, only left atrium to aorta ratio (LA/Ao > 1.7), mitral valve E wave velocity (MV E vel > 1.3 m/s), LA maximal volume (LAVmax > 3.53 mL/kg), peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS < 30%), and contraction strain index (CSI per 1% increase) were entered in the univariate analysis, and all were predictors of cardiac death. However, only the MV E vel (hazard ratio [HR], 4.45; confidence interval [CI], 1.76-11.24; P < .001) and LAVmax (HR, 2.32; CI, 1.10-4.89; P = .024) remained statistically significant in the multivariable analysis. The assessment of LA dimension and function provides useful prognostic information in dogs with MMVD. Considering all the LA variables, LAVmax appears the strongest predictor of cardiac death, being superior to LA/Ao and STE-derived variables. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

A new 4-variable formula to differentiate normal variant ST segment elevation in V2-V4 (early repolarization) from subtle left anterior descending coronary occlusion - Adding QRS amplitude of V2 improves the model.

PubMed

Driver, Brian E; Khalil, Ayesha; Henry, Timothy; Kazmi, Faraz; Adil, Amina; Smith, Stephen W

Precordial normal variant ST elevation (NV-STE), previously often called "early repolarization," may be difficult to differentiate from subtle ischemic STE due to left anterior descending (LAD) occlusion. We previously derived and validated a logistic regression formula that was far superior to STE alone for differentiating the two entities on the ECG. The tool uses R-wave amplitude in lead V4 (RAV4), ST elevation at 60 ms after the J-point in lead V3 (STE60V3) and the computerized Bazett-corrected QT interval (QTc-B). The 3-variable formula is: 1.196 x STE60V3 + 0.059 × QTc-B - 0.326 × RAV4 with a value ≥23.4 likely to be acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Adding QRS voltage in V2 (QRSV2) would improve the accuracy of the formula. 355 consecutive cases of proven LAD occlusion were reviewed, and those that were obvious ST elevation myocardial infarction were excluded. Exclusion was based on one straight or convex ST segment in V2-V6, 1 millimeter of summed inferior ST depression, any anterior ST depression, Q-waves, "terminal QRS distortion," or any ST elevation >5 mm. The NV-STE group comprised emergency department patients with chest pain who ruled out for AMI by serial troponins, had a cardiologist ECG read of "NV-STE," and had at least 1 mm of STE in V2 and V3. R-wave amplitude in lead V4 (RAV4), ST elevation at 60 ms after the J-point in lead V3 (STE60V3) and the computerized Bazett-corrected QT interval (QTc-B) had previously been measured in all ECGs; physicians blinded to outcome then measured QRSV2 in all ECGs. A 4-variable formula was derived to more accurately classify LAD occlusion vs. NV-STE and optimize area under the curve (AUC) and compared with the previous 3-variable formula. There were 143 subtle LAD occlusions and 171 NV-STE. A low QRSV2 added diagnostic utility. The derived 4-variable formula is: 0.052*QTc-B - 0.151*QRSV2 - 0.268*RV4 + 1.062*STE60V3. The 3-variable formula had an AUC of 0.9538 vs. 0.9686 for the 4-variable formula (p = 0.0092). At the same specificity as the 3-variable formula [90.6%, at which cutpoint (≥23.4), 123 of 143 MI were correctly classified for 86% sensitivity], the sensitivity of the new formula at cutpoint ≥17.75 is 90.2%, with 129/143 correctly classified MI, identifying an additional 6 cases. The cutpoint with the highest accuracy (92.0%) was at a cutoff value ≥18.2, with 88.8% sensitivity, 94.7% specificity, and a positive and negative likelihood ratio of 16.9 (95% CI: 8.9-32) and 0.12 (95% CI: 0.07-0.19). At this cutpoint, it correctly classified an additional 11 cases (289 of 315, vs. 278 of 315): 127/143 for MI (an additional 4 cases) and 162/171 for NV-STE (an additional 7 cases). On the ECG, a 4-variable formula was derived which adds QRSV2; it differentiates subtle LAD occlusion from NV-STE better than the 3-variable formula. At a value ≥18.2, the formula (0.052*QTc-B - 0.151*QRSV2 - 0.268*RV4 + 1.062*STE60V3) was very accurate, sensitive, and specific, with excellent positive and negative likelihood ratios. This formula needs to be validated. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Prefabricated Roof Beams for Hardened Shelters

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-08-01

beam with a composite concrete slab. Based on the results of the concept evaluation, a test program was designed and conducted to validate the steel...ultimaw, strength. The results of these tests showed that the design procedure accurately predicts the response of the ste,-confined concrete composite...BENDING OF EXTERNALLY REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS ........ 67 TABLE 9. SINGLE POINT LOAD BEAM TEST RESULTS

Trend-surface analysis of the structure of the Ste. Genevieve limestone in the Effingham, Illinois, area

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

Stevenson, D.

1970-01-01

Recent studies of oil accumulations in the Ste. Genevieve Limestone Formation in Illinois demonstrate the usefulness of fitting third-order trend surfaces to structural data and analyzing the residuals calculated by subtracting the trend surface from the structure surface. Known oil pools are located in areas having positive residual values. This type of investigation, supplemented by conventional structural and stratigraphic studies, was performed on a 9-township (approx. 324 sq miles) area in Effingham and Shelby counties, Illinois. The known oil pools in the oolite and sandstone lenses of the Ste. Genevieve Formation lie within positive residuals resulting from the difference betweenmore » a third-order trend surface and the structural surface on top of the Ste. Genevieve. A composite map outlining areas where present anticlinal noses, sandstone lenses, and positive residuals lie in close proximity to each other is included in this report to indicate places where future exploration for Ste. Genevieve oil would have the greatest chance for success.« less

Current Status of 3-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography: A Review from Our Experiences

PubMed Central

Ishizu, Tomko; Aonuma, Kazutaka

2014-01-01

Cardiac function analysis is the main focus of echocardiography. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) has been the clinical standard, however, LVEF is not enough to investigate myocardial function. For the last decade, speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) has been the novel clinical tool for regional and global myocardial function analysis. However, 2-dimensional imaging methods have limitations in assessing 3-dimensional (3D) cardiac motion. In contrast, 3D echocardiography also has been widely used, in particular, to measure LV volume measurements and assess valvular diseases. Joining the technology bandwagon, 3D-STE was introduced in 2008. Experimental studies and clinical investigations revealed the reliability and feasibility of 3D-STE-derived data. In addition, 3D-STE provides a novel deformation parameter, area change ratio, which have the potential for more accurate assessment of overall and regional myocardial function. In this review, we introduced the features of the methodology, validation, and clinical application of 3D-STE based on our experiences for 7 years. PMID:25031794

Observational Diagnoses of Extratropical Ozone STE During the Aura Era

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Olsen, Mark A.; Douglass, Anne R.; Witte, Jacquie C.; Kaplan, Trevor B.

2011-01-01

The transport of ozone from the stratosphere to the extratropical troposphere is an important boundary condition to tropospheric chemistry. However, previous direct estimates from models and indirect estimates from observations have poorly constrained the magnitude of ozone stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE). In this study we provide a direct diagnosis of the extratropical ozone STE using data from the Microwave Limb Sounder on Aura and output of the MERRA reanalysis over the time period from 2005 to the present. We find that the mean annual STE is about 275 Tg/yr and 205 Tg/yr in the NH and SH, respectively. The interannual variability of the magnitude is about twice as great in the NH than the SH. We find that this variability is dominated by the seasonal variability during the late winter and spring. A comparison of the ozone flux to the mass flux reveals that there is not a simple relationship between the two quantities. This presentation will also examine the magnitude and distribution of ozone in the lower stratosphere relative to the years of maximum and minimum ozone STE. Finally, we will examine any possible signature of increased ozone STE in the troposphere using sonde and tropospheric ozone residual (TOR) data, and output from the Global Modeling Initiative Chemistry Transport Model (GMI CTM).

Nonlinear Surface Dilatational Rheology and Foaming Behavior of Protein and Protein Fibrillar Aggregates in the Presence of Natural Surfactant.

PubMed

Wan, Zhili; Yang, Xiaoquan; Sagis, Leonard M C

2016-04-19

The surface and foaming properties of native soy glycinin (11S) and its heat-induced fibrillar aggregates, in the presence of natural surfactant steviol glycoside (STE), were investigated and compared at pH 7.0 to determine the impact of protein structure modification on protein-surfactant interfacial interactions. The adsorption at, and nonlinear dilatational rheological behavior of, the air-water interface were studied by combining drop shape analysis tensiometry, ellipsometry, and large-amplitude oscillatory dilatational rheology. Lissajous plots of surface pressure versus deformation were used to analyze the surface rheological response in terms of interfacial microstructure. The heat treatment generates a mixture of long fibrils and unconverted peptides. The presence of small peptides in 11S fibril samples resulted in a faster adsorption kinetics than that of native 11S. The addition of STE affected the adsorption of 11S significantly, whereas no apparent effect on the adsorption of the 11S fibril-peptide system was observed. The rheological response of interfaces stabilized by 11S-STE mixtures also differed significantly from the response for 11S fibril-peptide-STE mixtures. For 11S, the STE reduces the degree of strain hardening in extension and increases strain hardening in compression, suggesting the interfacial structure may change from a surface gel to a mixed phase of protein patches and STE domains. The foams generated from the mixtures displayed comparable foam stability to that of pure 11S. For 11S fibril-peptide mixtures STE only significantly affects the response in extension, where the degree of strain softening is decreased compared to the pure fibril-peptide system. The foam stability of the fibril-peptide system was significantly reduced by STE. These findings indicate that fibrillization of globular proteins could be a potential strategy to modify the complex surface and foaming behaviors of protein-surfactant mixtures.

Substrate analysis of the Pneumocystis carinii protein kinases PcCbk1 and PcSte20 using yeast proteome microarrays provides a novel method for Pneumocystis signalling biology.

PubMed

Kottom, Theodore J; Limper, Andrew H

2011-10-01

Pneumocystis carinii (Pc) undergoes morphological transitions between cysts and trophic forms. We have previously described two Pc serine/threonine kinases, termed PcCbk1 and PcSte20, with PcSte20 belonging to a family of kinases involved in yeast mating, while PcCbk1 is a member of a group of protein kinases involved in regulation of cell cycle, shape, and proliferation. As Pc remains genetically intractable, knowledge on specific substrates phosphorylated by these kinases remains limited. Utilizing the phylogenetic relatedness of Pc to Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we interrogated a yeast proteome microarray containing >4000 purified protein based peptides, leading to the identification of 18 potential PcCbk1 and 15 PcSte20 substrates (Z-score > 3.0). A number of these potential protein substrates are involved in bud site selection, polarized growth, and response to mating α factor and pseudohyphal and invasive growth. Full-length open reading frames suggested by the PcCbk1 and PcSte20 protoarrays were amplified and expressed. These five proteins were used as substrates for PcCbk1 or PcSte20, with each being highly phosphorylated by the respective kinase. Finally, to demonstrate the utility of this method to identify novel PcCbk1 and PcSte20 substrates, we analysed DNA sequence data from the partially complete Pc genome database and detected partial sequence information of potential PcCbk1 kinase substrates PcPxl1 and PcInt1. We additionally identified the potential PcSte20 kinase substrate PcBdf2. Full-length Pc substrates were cloned and expressed in yeast, and shown to be phosphorylated by the respective Pc kinases. In conclusion, the yeast protein microarray represents a novel crossover technique for identifying unique potential Pc kinase substrates. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Mobility Research and Development (Briefing charts)

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-17

Mobility Research & Development Dr. Paramsothy Jayakumar, STE, Analytics Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center Research...Mobility Model (NRMM) • Dr. M. G. Bekker of TARDEC is the “Father of Terrain-Vehicle Systems ” • NRMM was developed in 1960-70 by TARDEC and ERDC...Blocks: Scaled Experiments Particle Image Velocimetry Pressure – Sinkage Test Direct Shear Test Simulations Single Wheel Test Plate width = 50 mm

Improvement of microcirculation and wound healing in vertical ridge augmentation after pre-treatment with self-inflating soft tissue expanders - a randomized study in dogs.

PubMed

Kaner, Dogan; Zhao, Han; Terheyden, Hendrik; Friedmann, Anton

2015-06-01

We investigated the effect of soft tissue expansion (STE) on vertical ridge augmentation with regard to the incidence of wound dehiscences and the impairment of microcirculation in dogs, and the applicability of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) to explore the relation between microcirculation and wound healing. Bone defects were created on both mandibular sides in ten beagle dogs by extraction of premolars and removal of bone. Six weeks later, self-filling tissue expanders were implanted in randomly assigned test sites. After 5 weeks of expansion, vertical augmentation was carried out in test and control sites using calvarial onlay grafts side by side with granular biphasic calcium phosphate covered with a resorbable polyethylene glycol membrane. Microcirculation was evaluated with laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). The incidence of wound dehiscences was evaluated after 2 weeks. The validity of LDF to predict dehiscences was evaluated by construction of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. After augmentation, test sites showed significantly better perfusion than control sites without preceding STE (P = 0.012). Three days after surgery, perfusion was still significantly decreased in control sites (P = 0.005), while microcirculation in test sites had returned to pre-surgical levels. After 2 weeks, healing in test sites was good, whereas eight dehiscences were found in control sites (P = 0.002). ROC curves showed that microcirculation levels immediately after augmentation surgery significantly predicted subsequent wound dehiscences (AUC = 0.799, CI 0.642-0.955, P = 0.006). Laser Doppler flowmetry is suitable for evaluation of soft tissue microcirculation after ridge augmentation. STE reduced the impairment of microcirculation caused by vertical ridge augmentation and decreased the incidence of wound dehiscences in the investigated animal model. © 2014 The Authors. Clinical Oral Implants Research Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Developing new low-temperature admixtures for concrete : a field evaluation

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-04-01

Two new admixtures, capable of preventing water from freezing, as well as increasing the hydration rate of cement at below-freezing temperatures, were field tested at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Concrete made with the admixtures was placed on a froze...

Pervanadate induces Mammalian Ste20 Kinase 3 (MST3) tyrosine phosphorylation but not activation.

PubMed

Kan, Wei-Chih; Lu, Te-Ling; Ling, Pin; Lee, Te-Hsiu; Cho, Chien-Yu; Huang, Chi-Ying F; Jeng, Wen-Yih; Weng, Yui-Ping; Chiang, Chun-Yen; Wu, Jin Bin; Lu, Te-Jung

2016-07-01

The yeast Ste20 (sterile) protein kinase, which is a serine/threonine kinase, responds to the stimulation of the G proteincoupled receptor (GPCR) pheromone receptor. Ste20 protein kinase serves as the critical component that links signaling from the GPCR/G proteins to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade in yeast. The yeast Ste20p functions as a MAP kinase kinase kinase kinase (MAP4K) in the pheromone response. Ste20-like kinases are structurally conserved from yeast to mammals. The mechanism by which MAP4K links GPCR to the MAPK pathway is less clearly defined in vertebrates. In addition to MAP4K, the tyrosine kinase cascade bridges G proteins and the MAPK pathway in vertebrate cells. Mammalian Ste20 Kinase 3 (MST3) has been categorized into the Ste20 family and has been reported to function in the regulation of cell polarity and migration. However, whether MST3 tyrosine phosphorylation regulates diverse signaling pathways is unknown. In this study, the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor pervanadate was found to induce MST3 tyrosine phosphorylation in intact cells, and the activity of tyrosine-phosphorylated MST3 was measured. This tyrosine-directed phosphorylation was independent of MST3 activity. Parameters including protein conformation, Triton concentration and ionic concentration influenced the sensitivity of MST3 activity. Taken together, our data suggests that the serine/threonine kinase MST3 undergoes tyrosinedirected phosphorylation. The tyrosine-phosphorylated MST3 may create a docking site for the structurally conserved SH2/SH3 (Src Homology 2 and 3) domains within the Src oncoprotein. The unusual tyrosinephosphorylated MST3 may recruit MST3 to various signaling components. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Subband-Based Group Delay Segmentation of Spontaneous Speech into Syllable-Like Units

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagarajan, T.; Murthy, H. A.

2004-12-01

In the development of a syllable-centric automatic speech recognition (ASR) system, segmentation of the acoustic signal into syllabic units is an important stage. Although the short-term energy (STE) function contains useful information about syllable segment boundaries, it has to be processed before segment boundaries can be extracted. This paper presents a subband-based group delay approach to segment spontaneous speech into syllable-like units. This technique exploits the additive property of the Fourier transform phase and the deconvolution property of the cepstrum to smooth the STE function of the speech signal and make it suitable for syllable boundary detection. By treating the STE function as a magnitude spectrum of an arbitrary signal, a minimum-phase group delay function is derived. This group delay function is found to be a better representative of the STE function for syllable boundary detection. Although the group delay function derived from the STE function of the speech signal contains segment boundaries, the boundaries are difficult to determine in the context of long silences, semivowels, and fricatives. In this paper, these issues are specifically addressed and algorithms are developed to improve the segmentation performance. The speech signal is first passed through a bank of three filters, corresponding to three different spectral bands. The STE functions of these signals are computed. Using these three STE functions, three minimum-phase group delay functions are derived. By combining the evidence derived from these group delay functions, the syllable boundaries are detected. Further, a multiresolution-based technique is presented to overcome the problem of shift in segment boundaries during smoothing. Experiments carried out on the Switchboard and OGI-MLTS corpora show that the error in segmentation is at most 25 milliseconds for 67% and 76.6% of the syllable segments, respectively.

Speckle tracking analysis: a new tool for left atrial function analysis in systemic hypertension: an overview.

PubMed

Cameli, Matteo; Ciccone, Marco M; Maiello, Maria; Modesti, Pietro A; Muiesan, Maria L; Scicchitano, Pietro; Novo, Salvatore; Palmiero, Pasquale; Saba, Pier S; Pedrinelli, Roberto

2016-05-01

Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is an imaging technique applied to the analysis of left atrial function. STE provides a non-Doppler, angle-independent and objective quantification of left atrial myocardial deformation. Data regarding feasibility, accuracy and clinical applications of left atrial strain are rapidly gathering. This review describes the fundamental concepts of left atrial STE, illustrates its pathophysiological background and discusses its emerging role in systemic arterial hypertension.

HPCMP CREATE (trademark)-AV Quality Assurance: Best Practices for Validating and Supporting Computation-Based Engineering Software

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-30

Hariharan, Cynthia Dahl HPCMP, Lorton VA HPCMP CREATE 10501 Furnace Road Ste 101 Lorton, VA 22079-2624 HPCMP CREATE 10501 Furnace Road Ste 101...PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) HPCMP CREATE,,10501 Furnace Road Ste 101,,Lorton, ,VA, 22079 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT...Orlando, FL, 2015. [22] E. Reed and A. T. Egolf, "Coaxial Rotor Wake and Prop Induction Impact on a Horizontal Tail Using HPCMP CREATE™-AV

A STE12 homologue of the homothallic ascomycete Sordaria macrospora interacts with the MADS box protein MCM1 and is required for ascosporogenesis.

PubMed

Nolting, Nicole; Pöggeler, Stefanie

2006-11-01

The MADS box protein MCM1 controls diverse developmental processes and is essential for fruiting body formation in the homothallic ascomycete Sordaria macrospora. MADS box proteins derive their regulatory specificity from a wide range of different protein interactions. We have recently shown that the S. macrospora MCM1 is able to interact with the alpha-domain mating-type protein SMTA-1. To further evaluate the functional roles of MCM1, we used the yeast two-hybrid approach to identify MCM1-interacting proteins. From this screen, we isolated a protein with a putative N-terminal homeodomain and C-terminal C2/H2-Zn2+ finger domains. The protein is a member of the highly conserved fungal STE12 transcription factor family of proteins and was therefore termed STE12. Furthermore, we demonstrate by means of two-hybrid and far western analysis that in addition to MCM1, the S. macrospora STE12 protein is able to interact with the mating-type protein SMTA-1. Unlike the situation in the closely related heterothallic ascomycete Neurospora crassa, deletion (Delta) of the ste12 gene in S. macrospora neither affects vegetative growth nor fruiting body formation. However, ascus and ascospore development are highly impaired by the Deltaste12 mutation. Our data provide another example of the functional divergence within the fungal STE12 transcription factor family.

Antimicrobial lectin from Schinus terebinthifolius leaf.

PubMed

Gomes, F S; Procópio, T F; Napoleão, T H; Coelho, L C B B; Paiva, P M G

2013-03-01

Schinus terebinthifolius leaves are used for treating human diseases caused by micro-organisms. This work reports the isolation, characterization and antimicrobial activity of S. terebinthifolius leaf lectin (SteLL). The isolation procedure involved protein extraction with 0.15 mol l(-1) NaCl, filtration through activated charcoal and chromatography of the filtrate on a chitin column. SteLL is a 14-kDa glycopeptide with haemagglutinating activity that is inhibited by N-acetyl-glucosamine, not affected by ions (Ca(2+) and Mg(2+)) and stable upon heating (30-100 °C) as well as over the pH 5.0-8.0. The antimicrobial effect of SteLL was evaluated by determining the minimal inhibitory (MIC), bactericide (MBC) and fungicide (MFC) concentrations. Lectin was active against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enteritidis and Staphylococcus aureus. Highest bacteriostatic and bactericide effects were detected for Salm. enteritidis (MIC: 0.45 μg ml(-1)) and Staph. aureus (MBC: 7.18 μg ml(-1)), respectively. SteLL impaired the growth (MIC: 6.5 μg ml(-1)) and survival (MFC: 26 μg ml(-1)) of Candida albicans. SteLL, a chitin-binding lectin, purified in milligram quantities, showed antimicrobial activity against medically important bacteria and fungi. SteLL can be considered as a new biomaterial for potential antimicrobial applications. © 2012 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

Characterization of the near native conformational states of the SAM domain of Ste11 protein by NMR spectroscopy.

PubMed

Gupta, Sebanti; Bhattacharjya, Surajit

2014-11-01

The sterile alpha motif or SAM domain is one of the most frequently present protein interaction modules with diverse functional attributions. SAM domain of the Ste11 protein of budding yeast plays important roles in mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades. In the current study, urea-induced, at subdenaturing concentrations, structural, and dynamical changes in the Ste11 SAM domain have been investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Our study revealed that a number of residues from Helix 1 and Helix 5 of the Ste11 SAM domain display plausible alternate conformational states and largest chemical shift perturbations at low urea concentrations. Amide proton (H/D) exchange experiments indicated that Helix 1, loop, and Helix 5 become more susceptible to solvent exchange with increased concentrations of urea. Notably, Helix 1 and Helix 5 are directly involved in binding interactions of the Ste11 SAM domain. Our data further demonstrate that the existence of alternate conformational states around the regions involved in dimeric interactions in native or near native conditions. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Statistical key factors optimization of conditions for hydrogen production from S-TE (solubilization by thermophilic enzyme) waste sludge.

PubMed

Guo, Liang; Zhao, Jun; She, Zonglian; Lu, Mingmin; Zong, Yan

2013-06-01

Waste sludge can be solubilized after S-TE (solubilization by thermophilic enzyme) pretreatment as the cryptic growth occurs at the expense of the cell lysate. The hydrogen production from S-TE sludge is greatly influenced by many factors. In this study, factors including pH, C/N, C/P, and Fe(2+) affecting hydrogen production from S-TE sludge were optimized using uniform design. The optimum condition for maximum hydrogen yield of 68.4 ml H2/g VSS (volatile suspended solid) could be predicted from regression model, and the optimum conditions were pH of 6.4, C/N ratio of 38, C/P ratio of 265, and Fe(2+) concentration of 85 mg/L. There was interaction effect of factors on hydrogen production from S-TE sludge. Different pH, C/N, C/P and Fe(2+) conditions could influence the VSS removal rate, carbohydrate and protein utilization. When the highest compositions of acetate and ethanol and lowest propionate were observed in metabolites, effective hydrogen production was also achieved. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Observational Diagnoses of Extratropical Ozone STE from 2005-2010

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Olsen, Mark A.; Douglass, Anne R.; Witte, Jacquie C.; Kaplan, Trevor B.

2011-01-01

The transport of ozone from the stratosphere to the extratropical troposphere is an important boundary condition to tropospheric chemistry. However, previous direct estimates from models and indirect estimates from observations have poorly constrained the magnitude of ozone stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE). In this study we provide a direct diagnosis of the extratropical ozone STE using data from the Microwave Limb Sounder on Aura and output of the MERRA reanalysis over the time period from 2005 to the present. We find that the mean annual STE is about 275 Tg yr-1 and 205 Tg yr-1 in the NH and SH, respectively. The interannual variability of the magnitude is about twice as great in the NH than the SH. This variability is dominated by the seasonal variability during the late winter and spring. A comparison of the ozone flux to the mass flux reveals that there is not a simple relationship between the two quantities. This presentation will also examine the magnitude and distribution of ozone in the lower stratosphere relative to the years of maximum and minimum ozone STE

StePS: Stereographically Projected Cosmological Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rácz, Gábor; Szapudi, István; Csabai, István; Dobos, László

2018-05-01

StePS (Stereographically Projected Cosmological Simulations) compactifies the infinite spatial extent of the Universe into a finite sphere with isotropic boundary conditions to simulate the evolution of the large-scale structure. This eliminates the need for periodic boundary conditions, which are a numerical convenience unsupported by observation and which modifies the law of force on large scales in an unrealistic fashion. StePS uses stereographic projection for space compactification and naive O(N2) force calculation; this arrives at a correlation function of the same quality more quickly than standard (tree or P3M) algorithms with similar spatial and mass resolution. The N2 force calculation is easy to adapt to modern graphics cards, hence StePS can function as a high-speed prediction tool for modern large-scale surveys.

[Cloning and identification of the priming glycosyltransferase gene involved in exopolysaccharide 139A biosynthesis in Streptomyces].

PubMed

Wang, Ling-Yan; Li, Shi-Tao; Guo, Lian-Hong; Jiang, Rong; Li, Yuan

2003-08-01

Recently in our laboratory, Streptomyces sp. 139 has been identified to produce a new exopolysaccharide designated EPS 139A that shows anti-rheumatic arthritis activity. The strategy of studying EPS 139A biosynthesis is to clone the key gene in the EPS biosynthesis pathway, i.e. the priming glycosyltransferase gene catalyzing the first step of nucleotide sugar transfer. Degenerate primers-based PCR approach was adopted to isolate the putative priming glycosyltransferase gene in Streptomyces sp. 139. According to the genes encoding the priming glycosyltransferases that have been identified in several microorganisms, a multiple alignment of the amino acid sequences of these genes was used to identify regions conserved between all genes. To clone the priming glycosyltransferase gene in Streptomyces sp. 139, degenerate primers were designed from these conserved regions taking into account information on Streptomyces codon usage to amplify an internal DNA fragment of this gene. A distinctive PCR product with the expected size of 0.3 kb was amplified from Streptomyces sp. 139 total genomic DNA. Sequence analysis showed that it is part of a putative priming glycosyltransferase gene and contains the predicted conserved domain B. To isolate the complete priming glycosyltransferase gene, a Streptomyces sp. 139 genomic library was constructed in the E. coli--Streptomyces shuttle vector pOJ446. Using the 0.3 kb PCR product of priming glycosyltransferase gene as a probe, 17 positive colonies were isolated by colony hybridization. A 4.0 kb BamHI fragment from all positive cosmids that hybridized to this probe was sequenced, which revealed the complete priming glycosyltransferase gene. The priming glycosyltransferase gene ste5 (GenBank under accession number AY131229) most likely begins with GTG, preceded by a probable ribosome binding site (RBS), GGGGA. It encodes a 492-amino-acid protein with molecular weight of 54 kDa and isoelectric point of 10.6. The G + C content of ste5 is 73%, close to the average of G + C content (74%) for Streptomyces. Moreover, the preference usage of G or C as third base of codons are found in the ste5, which is in accordance with the Streptomyces codon usage. A BlastP search showed that the C-terminal region of Ste5 shows highly homology with a number of priming glycosyltransferases from many different organisms. Ste5 contains two putative catalytic residues, Glu and Asp (residues 423 and 474) with a spacing of approximately 50 amino acids that conserved in various beta-glycosyltransferases. Moreover, the C-terminal one third of Ste5 contains three domains, A, B and C that is reported to be common to glycosyltransferases. By hydrophilicity plot prediction, the N-terminal two thirds of Ste5 exhibits 5 putative transmembrane domains. To investigate the involvement of the identified polysaccharide gene cluster in EPS 139A biosynthesis, the gene ste5 encoding priming glycosyltransferase was insertionally disrupted by a single-crossover homologous recombination event. A 0.85 kb internal fragment of ste5 was cloned into vector pKC1139 to yield pLY5015 that was transduced into Streptomyces sp. 139. Correct integration in Streptomyces LY1001 ste5- mutant strain was confirmed by Southern hybridization. After fermentation, no EPS 139A could be detected in the cultures of ste5- mutant strain Streptomyces LY1001. Therefore, the gene ste5 identified in this work is involved in the synthesis of the Streptomyces sp. 139 EPS.

Fate and Transport of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toor, G.; De, M.; Danmowa, N.

2012-12-01

The contribution of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) to groundwater pollution is largely not quantified in most aquifers and watersheds in the world. Thus, the knowledge about the fate and transport of N and P from OWTS is needed to protect groundwater contamination. In Florida, porous sandy soils intensify the transport of N from drianfield of OWTS to shallow groundwater. To overcome this limitation, elevated disposal fields (commonly called mounds) on top of the natural soil are constructed to provide unsaturated conditions for wastewater treatment. Our objective was to investigate the dynamics of N and P transport in the vadose zone and groundwater in full scale OWTS. We constructed three mounds: (1) drip dispersal mound: 45 cm depth of sand below the emitters, followed by natural soil; (2) gravel trench mound: 45 cm depth of sand below the emitters, followed by 30 cm depth of gravels, and natural soil; and (3) advanced system mound: which contained aerobic (lingo-cellulosic) and anaerobic (sulfur) media for enhanced nitrification and denitrification before dispersing wastewater in the vadose zone. Each mound received 120 L of septic tank effluent (STE) per day (equivalent to maximum allowable rate of 3 L/ft2/day) from our facility (office and homes); STE was dosed 6 times at 4-hour intervals in a day. Soil water samples were collected from the mounds (vadose zone) by using suction cup lysimeters installed at 0.30, 0.60, and 1.05 m depth and groundwater samples were collected by using piezometers installed at 3-3.30 m depth below mounds. We collected samples during May-Aug 2012 before STE delivery (3 events at 3-day intervals) and after STE delivery (10 events at 3-day intervals; 13 events at 7-day intervals). Collected samples (STE, soil water, groundwater) were analysed for pH, EC, chloride (Cl), and organic and inorganic N and P fractions. The ranges of pH, EC, and Cl of STE (26 events) were 6.9-7.7, 1.01-1.33 dS/m, and 56-121 mg/l, respectively. Mean (n = 26) ammonium-N (NH4-N) and nitrate-N (NO3-N) concentrations in the STE were 53.4 and 0.06 mg/L, respectively, while concentrations of P in the STE were 5.2-13.8 mg/L. The pH (6.31-6.94) and EC (0.46-0.75 dS/m) in lysimeter samples were lower than STE. The pH (4.39-4.78) and EC (0.28-0.34 dS/m) of groundwater was much lower than both STE and soil water. Concentrations of NH4-N in all samples collected from lysimeters (0.02-0.45 mg/L) and piezometers (0.01-0.14 mg/L) were <0.50 mg/L; suggesting that >99% disappeared (primarily nitrified) in the vadose zone (<1.05 m soil profile depth). Higher residence time and presence of gravels apparently in gravel trench resulted in greater nitrification (82.3%) than drip dispersal mound (upto 66.4%). Concentrations of NO3-N were lower (0.02-6.14 mg/L) in the soil water at 0.30-1.05 m depth before STE delivery, but slowly increased after STE delivery. Concentrations of P in the lysimeters and piezometers were 0.041-1.68 mg/L and 0-0.113 mg/L, respectively; suggesting greater P attenuation in the vadose zone of all OWTS. Concentrations of Cl showed a distinct pattern of NO3-N breakthrough in vadose zone and groundwater. The groundwater NO3-N was elevated upto 19.2 mg/L after STE delivery.

Quantifying isentropic stratosphere-troposphere exchange of ozone

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

Yang, Huang; Chen, Gang; Tang, Qi

There is increased evidence that stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE) of ozone has a significant impact on tropospheric chemistry and radiation. Traditional diagnostics of STE consider the ozone budget in the lowermost stratosphere (LMS) as a whole. However, this can only render the hemispherically integrated ozone flux and therefore does not distinguish the exchange of ozone into low latitudes from that into high latitudes. The exchange of ozone at different latitudes may have different tropospheric impacts. This present study extends the traditional approach from the entire LMS to individual isentropic layers in the LMS and therefore gives the meridional distribution of STEmore » by the latitudes where each isentropic surface intersects the tropopause. The specified dynamics version of the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model is used to estimate the STE ozone flux on each isentropic surface. It is found that net troposphere-to-stratosphere ozone transport occurs in low latitudes along the 350–380 K isentropic surfaces and that net stratosphere-to-troposphere ozone transport takes place in the extratropics along the 280–350 K isentropes. Particularly, the seasonal cycle of extratropical STE ozone flux in the Northern Hemisphere displays a maximum in late spring and early summer, following the seasonal migration of the upper tropospheric jet and associated isentropic mixing. Moreover, differential diabatic heating and isentropic mixing tend to induce STE ozone fluxes in opposite directions, but the net effect results in a spatiotemporal pattern similar to the STE ozone flux associated with isentropic mixing.« less

Quantifying isentropic stratosphere-troposphere exchange of ozone

DOE PAGES

Yang, Huang; Chen, Gang; Tang, Qi; ...

2016-03-25

There is increased evidence that stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE) of ozone has a significant impact on tropospheric chemistry and radiation. Traditional diagnostics of STE consider the ozone budget in the lowermost stratosphere (LMS) as a whole. However, this can only render the hemispherically integrated ozone flux and therefore does not distinguish the exchange of ozone into low latitudes from that into high latitudes. The exchange of ozone at different latitudes may have different tropospheric impacts. This present study extends the traditional approach from the entire LMS to individual isentropic layers in the LMS and therefore gives the meridional distribution of STEmore » by the latitudes where each isentropic surface intersects the tropopause. The specified dynamics version of the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model is used to estimate the STE ozone flux on each isentropic surface. It is found that net troposphere-to-stratosphere ozone transport occurs in low latitudes along the 350–380 K isentropic surfaces and that net stratosphere-to-troposphere ozone transport takes place in the extratropics along the 280–350 K isentropes. Particularly, the seasonal cycle of extratropical STE ozone flux in the Northern Hemisphere displays a maximum in late spring and early summer, following the seasonal migration of the upper tropospheric jet and associated isentropic mixing. Moreover, differential diabatic heating and isentropic mixing tend to induce STE ozone fluxes in opposite directions, but the net effect results in a spatiotemporal pattern similar to the STE ozone flux associated with isentropic mixing.« less

Global Longitudinal Strain Using Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography as a Mortality Predictor in Sepsis: A Systematic Review.

PubMed

Vallabhajosyula, Saraschandra; Rayes, Hamza A; Sakhuja, Ankit; Murad, Mohammad Hassan; Geske, Jeffrey B; Jentzer, Jacob C

2018-01-01

The data on speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) in patients with sepsis are limited. This systematic review from 1975 to 2016 included studies in adults and children evaluating cardiovascular dysfunction in sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock utilizing STE for systolic global longitudinal strain (GLS). The primary outcome was short- or long-term mortality. Given the significant methodological and statistical differences between published studies, combining the data using meta-analysis methods was not appropriate. A total of 120 studies were identified, with 5 studies (561 patients) included in the final analysis. All studies were prospective observational studies using the 2001 criteria for defining sepsis. Three studies demonstrated worse systolic GLS to be associated with higher mortality, whereas 2 did not show a statistically significant association. Various cutoffs between -10% and -17% were used to define abnormal GLS across studies. This systematic review revealed that STE may predict mortality in patients with sepsis; however, the strength of evidence is low due to heterogeneity in study populations, GLS technologies, cutoffs, and timing of STE. Further dedicated studies are needed to understand the optimal application of STE in patients with sepsis.

Quantification of mutation-derived bias for alternate mating functionalities of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ste2p pheromone receptor.

PubMed

Choudhary, Pooja; Loewen, Michele C

2016-01-01

Although well documented for mammalian G-protein-coupled receptors, alternate functionalities and associated alternate signalling remain to be unequivocally established for the Saccharomyces cerevisiae pheromone Ste2p receptor. Here, evidence supporting alternate functionalities for Ste2p is re-evaluated, extended and quantified. In particular, strong mating and constitutive signalling mutations, focusing on residues S254, P258 and S259 in TM6 of Ste2p, are stacked and investigated in terms of their effects on classical G-protein-mediated signal transduction associated with cell cycle arrest, and alternatively, their impact on downstream mating projection and zygote formation events. In relative dose response experiments, accounting for systemic and observational bias, mutational-derived functional differences were observed, validating the S254L-derived bias for downstream mating responses and highlighting complex relationships between TM6-mutation derived constitutive signalling and ligand-induced functionalities. Mechanistically, localization studies suggest that alterations to receptor trafficking may contribute to mutational bias, in addition to expected receptor conformational stabilization effects. Overall, these results extend previous observations and quantify the contributions of Ste2p variants to mediating cell cycle arrest versus downstream mating functionalities. © Crown copyright 2015.

PKI: The DoD’s Critical Supporting Infrastructure for Information Assurance

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-12-01

Allen Hamilton,AF PKI SPO,4241 E Piedras Dr STE 210,San Antonio,TX,78228 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY...4241 E Piedras DR STE 210 San Antonio,TX 78228 Phone: (210) 925-9129 Fax: (210) 925-2644 E-mail: susan.chandler.3.ctr@ us.af.mil Jerrod Loyless is a...Professional. General Dynamics C4 Systems AF PKI SPO 4241 E Piedras DR STE 210 San Antonio,TX 78228 Phone: (210) 925-2073 Fax: (210) 925-2644 E-mail

Quality Improvement Project for Shelf Stable Bakery Products

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-07-01

noodle -making properties Instron UTM, Scanning electron microscopy, DSC Flour with lower swelling power and small starch granules resulted in...Iodized STE-1803 0.75 0.75% 68.0 gram Starch, Instant , Granular STE-715 1.00 1.00% 90.7 gram Vanilla Flavor, Liquid RUT-1450 0.09 0.09% 8.2 gram...0.73% 66.2 gram Starch, Instant , Granular STE-715 0.99 0.99% 89.8 gram Vanilla Flavor, Liquid RUT-1450 0.09 0.09% 8.2 gram Bicarbonate of Soda RUT-901

Influence of Diffuse Radiation and Its Timescale Effects on Gross Primary Productivity in a Mid-subtropical Planted Coniferous Forest Ecosystem.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, J.; Zhang, L.; Li, S.

2017-12-01

The mid-subtropical forests in East Asia monsoon zone act as an important carbon sink. Planted coniferous forests are important vegetation types in this area. However, we lack an in-depth understanding of both controlling mechanisms of environmental and biotic factors in gross primary productivity (GPP) and their timescale effects. Based on eddy covariance carbon flux data and micro-meteorological data (2003-2015) observed at a mid-subtropical planted coniferous forest in Qianyanzhou, along with leaf area index derived from MODIS products, we used the path analysis mothed to quantify standardized total effects (STE) of environmental factors on GPP and their variabilities at different timescales. We found that GPP was mainly affected by photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) at half-hour scale. Furthermore, GPP under cloudy weather conditions was greater than under sunny weather conditions across seasons. From daily to yearly scales, PAR had the positive STE with GPP, but such STE was gradually reduced toward yearly scale; diffuse radiation or air temperature had the positive STE with GPP at daily and monthly scales, while negative STE occurred at seasonal and yearly scales. Vapor pressure deficit exhibited the negative STE with GPP at all timescales, and such STE increased gradually toward the yearly scale. Therefore, on one hand, GPP was controlled by light conditions, but on the other hand, high air temperature in summer and water availability had a significant restraining effect over GPP, and such effect increased with the timescales from day to year. Based on the simulation results by the light use efficiency (LUE) model, it indicated that modelled GPP agreed well with the measurements when the influence of the seasonal variations of LUE and diffuse radiation were incorporated into the model, especially at the yearly scale. This further indicated that diffuse radiation, together with changes in air temperature and water supply, had a significant effect on the variations of yearly GPP.

Potential tracers for tracking septic tank effluent discharges in watercourses.

PubMed

Richards, Samia; Withers, Paul J A; Paterson, Eric; McRoberts, Colin W; Stutter, Marc

2017-09-01

Septic tank effluent (STE) contributes to catchment nutrient and pollutant loads. To assess the role of STE discharges in impairment of surface water, it is essential to identify the sources of pollution by tracing contaminants in watercourses. We examined tracers that were present in STE to establish their potential for identifying STE contamination in two stream systems (low and high dilution levels) against the background of upstream sources. The studied tracers were microbial, organic matter fluorescence, caffeine, artificial sweeteners and effluent chemical concentrations. The results revealed that tracer concentration ratios Cl/EC, Cl/NH 4 -N, Cl/TN, Cl/TSS, Cl/turbidity, Cl/total coliforms, Cl/sucralose, Cl/saccharin and Cl/Zn had potential as tracers in the stream with low dilution level (P < 0.05). Fluorescence spectroscopy could detect STE inputs through the presence of the tryptophan-like peak, but was limited to water courses with low level of dilution and was positively correlated with stream Escherichia coli (E. coli) and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP). The results also suggested that caffeine and artificial sweeteners can be suitable tracers for effluent discharge in streams with low and high level of dilution. Caffeine and saccharin were positively correlated with faecal coliforms, E. coli, total P and SRP, indicating their potential to trace discharge of a faecal origin and to be a marker for effluent P. Caffeine and SRP had similar attenuation behaviour in the receiving stream waters suggesting caffeine's potential role as a surrogate indicator for the behaviour of P downstream of effluent inputs. Taken together, results suggest that a single tracer alone was not sufficient to evaluate STE contamination of watercourses, but rather a combination of multiple chemical and physical tracing approaches should be employed. A multiple tracing approach would help to identify individual and cumulative STE inputs that pose risks to stream waters in order to prioritise and target effective mitigation measures. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Editor's Choice-Is the pre-hospital ECG after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest accurate for the diagnosis of ST-elevation myocardial infarction?

PubMed

Salam, Idrees; Hassager, Christian; Thomsen, Jakob Hartvig; Langkjær, Sandra; Søholm, Helle; Bro-Jeppesen, John; Bang, Lia; Holmvang, Lene; Erlinge, David; Wanscher, Michael; Lippert, Freddy K; Køber, Lars; Kjaergaard, Jesper

2016-08-01

Current guidelines recommend that comatose out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients with ST-segment elevations (STEs) following return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) should be referred for an acute coronary angiography. We sought to investigate the diagnostic value of the pre-hospital ROSC-ECG in predicting ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). ROSC-ECGs of 145 comatose survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, randomly assigned in the Target Temperature Management trial, were classified according to the current STEMI ECG criteria (third universal definition of myocardial infarction). STEs were present in the pre-hospital ROSC-ECG of 78 (54%) patients. A final diagnosis revealed that 69 (48%) patients had STEMI, 31 (21%) patients had non-STEMI and 45 (31%) patients had no myocardial infarction. STE in ROSC-ECGs had a sensitivity of 74% (95% confidence interval (CI) 62-84), specificity of 65% (95% CI 53-75) and a positive and negative predictive value of 65% (95% CI 54-76) and 73% (95% CI 61-83) in predicting STEMI. Time to ROSC was significantly longer (24 minutes vs. 19 minutes, P=0.02) in STE compared with no STE patients. Percutaneous coronary intervention was successful in 68% versus 36% (P<0.001) of STE compared to no STE patients. No significant difference was found in 180-day mortality rates between STE and no STE patients (36% vs. 30%, Plogrank=0.37). The pre-hospital ROSC-ECG is a suboptimal diagnostic tool to predict STEMI and therefore not a sensitive tool for triage to cardiac centres. This supports the incentive of referring all comatose survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of suspected cardiac origin to a tertiary heart centre with the availability of acute coronary angiography, even in the absence of STEs. © The European Society of Cardiology 2015.

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

Taylor, Antoinette J

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) uses Capability Reviews to assess the quality and institutional integration of science, technology and engineering (STE) and to advise Laboratory Management on the current and future health of LANL STE. The capabilities are deliberately chosen to be crosscutting over the Laboratory and therefore will include experimental, theoretical and simulation disciplines from multiple line organizations. Capability Reviews are designed to provide a more holistic view of the STE quality, integration to achieve mission requirements, and mission relevance. The scope of these capabilities necessitate that there will be significant overlap in technical areas covered by capability reviewsmore » (e.g., materials research and weapons science and engineering). In addition, LANL staff may be reviewed in different capability reviews because of their varied assignments and expertise. The principal product of the Capability Review is the report that includes the review committee's assessments, recommendations, and recommendations for STE.« less

Static-transmission-error vibratory-excitation contributions from plastically deformed gear teeth caused by tooth bending-fatigue damage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mark, W. D.; Reagor, C. P.

2007-02-01

To assess gear health and detect gear-tooth damage, the vibratory response from meshing gear-pair excitations is commonly monitored by accelerometers. In an earlier paper, strong evidence was presented suggesting that, in the case of tooth bending-fatigue damage, the principal source of detectable damage is whole-tooth plastic deformation; i.e. yielding, rather than changes in tooth stiffness caused by tooth-root cracks. Such plastic deformations are geometric deviation contributions to the "static-transmission-error" (STE) vibratory excitation caused by meshing gear pairs. The STE contributions caused by two likely occurring forms of such plastic deformations on a single tooth are derived, and displayed in the time domain as a function of involute "roll distance." Example calculations are provided for transverse contact ratios of Qt=1.4 and 1.8, for spur gears and for helical-gear axial contact ratios ranging from Qa=1.2 to Qa=3.6. Low-pass- and band-pass-filtered versions of these same STE contributions also are computed and displayed in the time domain. Several calculations, consisting of superposition of the computed STE tooth-meshing fundamental harmonic contribution and the band-pass STE contribution caused by a plastically deformed tooth, exhibit the amplitude and frequency or phase modulation character commonly observed in accelerometer-response waveforms caused by damaged teeth. General formulas are provided that enable computation of these STE vibratory-excitation contributions for any form of plastic deformation on any number of teeth for spur and helical gears with any contact ratios.

Differentiating ST elevation myocardial infarction and nonischemic causes of ST elevation by analyzing the presenting electrocardiogram.

PubMed

Jayroe, Jason B; Spodick, David H; Nikus, Kjell; Madias, John; Fiol, Miguel; De Luna, Antoni Bayés; Goldwasser, Diego; Clemmensen, Peter; Fu, Yuling; Gorgels, Anton P; Sclarovsky, Samuel; Kligfield, Paul D; Wagner, Galen S; Maynard, Charles; Birnbaum, Yochai

2009-02-01

Guidelines recommend that patients with suggestive symptoms of myocardial ischemia and ST-segment elevation (STE) in > or =2 adjacent electrocardiographic leads should receive immediate reperfusion therapy. Novel strategies aimed to reduce door-to-balloon time, such as prehospital wireless electrocardiographic transmission, may be dependent on the interpretation accuracy of the electrocardiogram (ECG) readers. We assessed the ability of experienced electrocardiographers to differentiate among STE, acute STE myocardial infarction (STEMI), and nonischemic STE (NISTE). A total of 116 consecutive ECGs showing STE were studied. Fifteen experienced cardiologists were asked to decide, based on the ECG and assuming that the patient had compatible symptoms, whether they would send each patient for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). If NISTE was chosen, the reader selected 1 or more 12 possible options to explain the choice. Of 116 patients, only 8 had STEMI. The percentage of ECGs for which PPCI was recommended for the patient by the individual readers varied widely (7.8% to 33%). There was no significant difference between the North American and Other Countries readers (p = 0.13). The sensitivity and specificity of the individual readers ranged from 50% to 100% (average 75%) and 73% to 97% (average 85%), respectively. There were broad inconsistencies among the readers in the chosen reasons used to classify NISTE. In conclusion, we found wide variations among experienced electrocardiographers in reading ECGs with STE and differentiating STEMI with need for PPCI from NISTE. There is a need to revise our current electrocardiographic criteria for differentiating STEMI from NISTE.

76 FR 13508 - Ninth Coast Guard District Sector Realignment; Northern Lake Michigan and Lake Huron

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-14

... Station Alpena from Group Sault Ste. Marie to Sectors Lake Michigan and Detroit, respectively. That... boundary adjustment is that Stations Charlevoix and Alpena will be reassigned to Sector Sault Ste. Marie...

Discussion panel: field test design & data analysis

Treesearch

Daniel M. Schmitt; William E. Waters; B. Leo Cadogan; Gerald S. Walton

1985-01-01

I think it is time to open the panel. On my left respectively are Bill Waters, Professor of Entomology and Forestry, University of California, Berkeley; Gerald S. Walton, Biometrician, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Hamden; and Leo Cadogan, Forest Pest Management Institute, Canadian Forestry Service, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. My name is Dan Schmitt, Program...

Atom interferometry in space: Thermal management and magnetic shielding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milke, Alexander; Kubelka-Lange, André; Gürlebeck, Norman; Rievers, Benny; Herrmann, Sven; Schuldt, Thilo; Braxmaier, Claus

2014-08-01

Atom interferometry is an exciting tool to probe fundamental physics. It is considered especially apt to test the universality of free fall by using two different sorts of atoms. The increasing sensitivity required for this kind of experiment sets severe requirements on its environments, instrument control, and systematic effects. This can partially be mitigated by going to space as was proposed, for example, in the Spacetime Explorer and Quantum Equivalence Principle Space Test (STE-QUEST) mission. However, the requirements on the instrument are still very challenging. For example, the specifications of the STE-QUEST mission imply that the Feshbach coils of the atom interferometer are allowed to change their radius only by about 260 nm or 2.6 × 10-4 % due to thermal expansion although they consume an average power of 22 W. Also Earth's magnetic field has to be suppressed by a factor of 105. We show in this article that with the right design such thermal and magnetic requirements can indeed be met and that these are not an impediment for the exciting physics possible with atom interferometers in space.

Surrogate endpoints for overall survival in combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy trials in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

PubMed

Chen, Yu-Pei; Sun, Ying; Chen, Lei; Mao, Yan-Ping; Tang, Ling-Long; Li, Wen-Fei; Liu, Xu; Zhang, Wen-Na; Zhou, Guan-Qun; Guo, Rui; Lin, Ai-Hua; Ma, Jun

2015-08-01

We used a literature-based meta-analysis to assess whether failure-free survival (FFS) or progression-free survival (PFS) could be reliable surrogate endpoints for overall survival (OS) in trials of combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We identified randomised trials that evaluated combined chemoradiotherapy strategies, and reported FFS or PFS and OS in NPC. We analysed the treatment effects on FFS or PFS, and OS. We used the coefficient of determination (R(2)), and the surrogate threshold effect (STE) to assess the trial-level correlation. Twenty-one trials (5212 patients), with sixteen treatment-control comparisons for FFS, and nine for PFS, were analysed. FFS was strongly correlated with OS (R(2)=0.88, STE=0.84), as was PFS (R(2)=0.90, STE=0.88). Moreover, FFS and PFS at 3 years were still strongly correlated with 5-year OS (R(2)=0.80, STE=0.83; R(2)=0.85, STE=0.84). Both FFS and PFS could be valid surrogate endpoints for OS in trials of combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy for NPC; PFS may be a more acceptable surrogate endpoint compared with FFS. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Regulation of gene expression by tobacco product preparations in cultured human dermal fibroblasts

PubMed Central

Malpass, Gloria E.; Arimilli, Subhashini; Prasad, G. L.; Howlett, Allyn C.

2015-01-01

Skin fibroblasts comprise the first barrier of defense against wounds, and tobacco products directly contact the oral cavity. Cultured human dermal fibroblasts were exposed to smokeless tobacco extract (STE), total particulate matter (TPM) from tobacco smoke, or nicotine at concentrations comparable to those found in these extracts for 1 h or 5 h. Differences were identified in pathway-specific genes between treatments and vehicle using qRT-PCR. At 1 h, IL1α was suppressed significantly by TPM and less significantly by STE. Neither FOS nor JUN was suppressed at 1 h by tobacco products. IL8, TNFα, VCAM1, and NFκB1 were suppressed after 5 h with STE, whereas only TNFα and NFκB1 were suppressed by TPM. At 1 h with TPM, secreted levels of IL10 and TNFα were increased. Potentially confounding effects of nicotine were exemplified by genes such as ATF3 (5 h), which was increased by nicotine but suppressed by other components of STE. Within 2 h, TPM stimulated nitric oxide production, and both STE and TPM increased reactive oxygen species. The biological significance of these findings and utilization of the gene expression changes reported herein regarding effects of the tobacco product preparations on dermal fibroblasts will require additional research. PMID:24927667

Training Materials and Data Requirements for Turret Organizational Maintenance Trainer (TOM-T) Training Test Support Plan

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-05-01

performed on the TOM-T Turret Mock- Up . Those marked with a number symbol (#) can be done on the TOM-T Programmable Maintenance Trainer. Tasks with both...an asterisk and a number symbol (*/#) are those which can be performed partially on the turret mock- up and partially on the programmable trainer...time, the tasks serve as prerequisites to troubleshooting. With the exception of setting- up , testing, and shutting-down the STE/XMI test set, and

Large Multiple Transmembrane Domain Fragments of a G Protein-Coupled Receptor: Biosynthesis, Purification, and Biophysical Studies

PubMed Central

Potetinova, Zhanna; Tantry, Subramanyam; Cohen, Leah S.; Caroccia, Katrina E.; Arshava, Boris; Becker, Jeffrey M.; Naider, Fred

2013-01-01

To conduct biophyiscal analyses on large domains of GPCRs, multi-milligram quantities of highly homogeneous proteins are necessary. This communication discusses the biosynthesis of 4 transmembrane and 5 transmembrane-containing fragments of Ste2p, a GPCR recognizing the Saccharomyces cerevisiae tridecapeptide pheromone α-factor. The target fragments contained the predicted four N-terminal Ste2p[G31-A198] (4TMN), four C-terminal Ste2p[T155-L340] (4TMC) or five C-terminal Ste2p[I120-L340] (5TMC) transmembrane segments of Ste2p. 4TMN was expressed as a fusion protein using a modified pMMHa vector in L-arabinose-induced Escherichia coli BL21-AI, and cleaved with cyanogen bromide. 4TMC and 5TMC were obtained by direct expression using a pET21a vector in IPTG-induced Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) cells. 4TMC and 5TMC were biosynthesized on a preparative scale, isolated in multi-milligram amounts, characterized by MS and investigated by biophysical methods. CD spectroscopy indicated the expected highly α-helical content for 4TMC and 5TMC in membrane mimetic environments. Tryptophan fluorescence showed that 5TMC integrated into the nonpolar region of 1-stearoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1′-rac-glycerol) micelles. HSQC-TROSY investigations revealed that [15N]-labeled 5TMC in 50% trifluoroethanol-d2/H2O/0.05% trifluoroacetic acid was stable enough to conduct long multidimensional NMR measurements. The entire Ste2p GPCR was not readily reconstituted from the first two and last five or first three and last four transmembrane domains. PMID:23203693

Benefits and shortcomings of superselective transarterial embolization of renal tumors before zero ischemia laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

PubMed

D'Urso, L; Simone, G; Rosso, R; Collura, D; Castelli, E; Giacobbe, A; Muto, G L; Comelli, S; Savio, D; Muto, G

2014-12-01

To report feasibility, safety and effectiveness of "zero-ischemia" laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) following preoperative superselective transarterial embolization (STE) for clinical T1 renal tumors. We retrospectively reviewed perioperative data of 23 consecutive patients, who underwent STE prior LPN between March 2010 and November 2012 for incidental clinical T1 renal mass. STE was performed by two experienced radiologists the day before surgery. Surgical procedures were performed in extended flank position, transperitoneally, by a single surgeon. Mean patients age was 68 years (range 56-74), mean tumor size was 3.5 cm (range 2.2-6.3 cm). STE was successfully completed in 16 patients 12-15 h before surgery. In 4 cases STE failed to provide a complete occlusion of all feeding arteries, while in 3 cases the ischemic area was larger than expected. LPN was successfully completed in all patients but one where open conversion was necessary; a "zero-ischemia" approach was performed in 19/23 patients (82.6%) while hilar clamp was necessary in 4 cases, with a mean warm-ischemia time of 14.8 min (range 5-22). Mean operative time was 123 min (range 115-130) and mean intraoperative blood loss was 250 mL (range 20-450). No patient experienced postoperative acute renal failure and no patient developed new onset IV stage chronic kidney disease at 1-yr follow-up. STE is a viable option to perform "zero-ischemia" LPN at beginning of learning curve; however, hilar clamp was necessary to achieve a relatively blood-less field in 17.4% of cases. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Predictive value of the baseline electrocardiogram ST-segment pattern in cardiogenic shock: Results from the CardShock Study.

PubMed

Javanainen, Tuija; Tolppanen, Heli; Lassus, Johan; Nieminen, Markku S; Sionis, Alessandro; Spinar, Jindrich; Silva-Cardoso, José; Greve Lindholm, Matias; Banaszewski, Marek; Harjola, Veli-Pekka; Jurkko, Raija

2018-05-30

The most common aetiology of cardiogenic shock (CS) is acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but even up to 20%-50% of CS is caused by other disorders. ST-segment deviations in the electrocardiogram (ECG) have been investigated in patients with ACS-related CS, but not in those with other CS aetiologies. We set out to explore the prevalence of different ST-segment patterns and their associations with the CS aetiology, clinical findings and 90-day mortality. We analysed the baseline ECG of 196 patients who were included in a multinational prospective study of CS. The patients were divided into 3 groups: (a) ST-segment elevation (STE). (b) ST-segment depression (STDEP). (c) No ST-segment deviation or ST-segment impossible to analyse (NSTD). A subgroup analysis of the ACS patients was conducted. ST-segment deviations were present in 80% of the patients: 52% had STE and 29% had STDEP. STE was associated with the ACS aetiology, but one-fourth of the STDEP patients had aetiology other than ACS. The overall 90-day mortality was 41%: in STE 47%, STDEP 36% and NSTD 33%. In the multivariate mortality analysis, only STE predicted mortality (HR 1.74, CI 95 1.07-2.84). In the ACS subgroup, the patients were equally effectively revascularized, and no differences in the survival were noted between the study groups. ST-segment elevation is associated with the ACS aetiology and high mortality in the unselected CS population. If STE is not present, other aetiologies must be considered. When effectively revascularized, the prognosis is similar regardless of the ST-segment pattern in ACS-related CS. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Fungal Communication Requires the MAK-2 Pathway Elements STE-20 and RAS-2, the NRC-1 Adapter STE-50 and the MAP Kinase Scaffold HAM-5

PubMed Central

Dettmann, Anne; Heilig, Yvonne; Valerius, Oliver; Ludwig, Sarah; Seiler, Stephan

2014-01-01

Intercellular communication is critical for the survival of unicellular organisms as well as for the development and function of multicellular tissues. Cell-to-cell signaling is also required to develop the interconnected mycelial network characteristic of filamentous fungi and is a prerequisite for symbiotic and pathogenic host colonization achieved by molds. Somatic cell–cell communication and subsequent cell fusion is governed by the MAK-2 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade in the filamentous ascomycete model Neurospora crassa, yet the composition and mode of regulation of the MAK-2 pathway are currently unclear. In order to identify additional components involved in MAK-2 signaling we performed affinity purification experiments coupled to mass spectrometry with strains expressing functional GFP-fusion proteins of the MAPK cascade. This approach identified STE-50 as a regulatory subunit of the Ste11p homolog NRC-1 and HAM-5 as cell-communication-specific scaffold protein of the MAPK cascade. Moreover, we defined a network of proteins consisting of two Ste20-related kinases, the small GTPase RAS-2 and the adenylate cyclase capping protein CAP-1 that function upstream of the MAK-2 pathway and whose signals converge on the NRC-1/STE-50 MAP3K complex and the HAM-5 scaffold. Finally, our data suggest an involvement of the striatin interacting phosphatase and kinase (STRIPAK) complex, the casein kinase 2 heterodimer, the phospholipid flippase modulators YPK-1 and NRC-2 and motor protein-dependent vesicle trafficking in the regulation of MAK-2 pathway activity and function. Taken together, these data will have significant implications for our mechanistic understanding of MAPK signaling and for homotypic cell–cell communication in fungi and higher eukaryotes. PMID:25411845

Fungal communication requires the MAK-2 pathway elements STE-20 and RAS-2, the NRC-1 adapter STE-50 and the MAP kinase scaffold HAM-5.

PubMed

Dettmann, Anne; Heilig, Yvonne; Valerius, Oliver; Ludwig, Sarah; Seiler, Stephan

2014-11-01

Intercellular communication is critical for the survival of unicellular organisms as well as for the development and function of multicellular tissues. Cell-to-cell signaling is also required to develop the interconnected mycelial network characteristic of filamentous fungi and is a prerequisite for symbiotic and pathogenic host colonization achieved by molds. Somatic cell-cell communication and subsequent cell fusion is governed by the MAK-2 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade in the filamentous ascomycete model Neurospora crassa, yet the composition and mode of regulation of the MAK-2 pathway are currently unclear. In order to identify additional components involved in MAK-2 signaling we performed affinity purification experiments coupled to mass spectrometry with strains expressing functional GFP-fusion proteins of the MAPK cascade. This approach identified STE-50 as a regulatory subunit of the Ste11p homolog NRC-1 and HAM-5 as cell-communication-specific scaffold protein of the MAPK cascade. Moreover, we defined a network of proteins consisting of two Ste20-related kinases, the small GTPase RAS-2 and the adenylate cyclase capping protein CAP-1 that function upstream of the MAK-2 pathway and whose signals converge on the NRC-1/STE-50 MAP3K complex and the HAM-5 scaffold. Finally, our data suggest an involvement of the striatin interacting phosphatase and kinase (STRIPAK) complex, the casein kinase 2 heterodimer, the phospholipid flippase modulators YPK-1 and NRC-2 and motor protein-dependent vesicle trafficking in the regulation of MAK-2 pathway activity and function. Taken together, these data will have significant implications for our mechanistic understanding of MAPK signaling and for homotypic cell-cell communication in fungi and higher eukaryotes.

Picosecond absorption spectroscopy of self-trapped excitons and transient Ce states in LaBr3 and LaBr3:Ce

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Peiyun; Gridin, Sergii; Ucer, K. Burak; Williams, Richard T.; Menge, Peter R.

2018-04-01

Picosecond time-resolved optical absorption spectra induced by two-photon interband excitation of LaBr3 are reported. The spectra are similar in general characteristics to self-trapped exciton (STE) absorption previously measured in alkali halides and alkaline-earth halides. A broad ultraviolet absorption band results from excitation of the self-trapped hole within the STE. A series of infrared and red-visible bands results from excitation of the bound outer electron within the STE similar to bands found in alkali halides corresponding to different degrees of "off-center" relaxation. Induced absorption in cerium-doped LaBr3 after band-gap excitation of the host exhibits similar STE spectra, except it decays faster on the tens-of-picoseconds scale in proportion to the Ce concentration. This is attributed to dipole-dipole energy transfer from STE to Ce3 + dopant ions. The absorption spectra were also measured after direct excitation of the Ce3 + ions with sufficient intensity to drive two- and three-photon resonantly enhanced excitation. In this case, the spectrum attributed to STEs created adjacent to Ce3 + ions decays in 1 ps suggesting dipole-dipole transfer from the nearest-neighbor separation. A transient absorption band at 2.1 eV growing with Ce concentration is found and attributed to a charge-transfer excitation of the Ce3 +* excited state responsible for scintillation in LaBr3:Ce crystals. This study concludes that the energy transport from host to activator responsible for the scintillation of LaBr3:Ce proceeds by STE creation and dipole-dipole transfer more than by sequential trapping of holes and electrons on Ce3 + ions.

Optical Properties of ZnCdS:I Orange and ZnSTe:I White Thin Film Phosphor for High Ra White LED

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fujii, Satoshi; Tasaki, Norio; Shinomura, Naohiko; Kurai, Satoshi; Yamada, Yoichi; Taguchi, Tsunemasa

In order to develop visible thin film phosphors, we have for the first time prepared ZnCdS and ZnSTe doped with Iodine (I) using low-pressure MOCVD method. ZnCdS:I, of which Cd composition was calibrated to match the lattice constant to that of substrate and the band gap to absorption peak, showed a orange broad emission consist of yellow near band edge emission and red SA emission. Isoelectronic Te in ZnS indicates strong blue-green emissions, whilst I donor impurity in ZnS shows strong red SA emissions. A typical ZnSTe:I thin film shows two broad emission bands locating at around 500 and 680 nm, respectively, indicating Ra˜90. It was shown that high Ra thin film phosphor can be realized by single material (ZnSTe:I), and that MOCVD method is capable for controlling the thickness and doping profile to obtain uniform white emission pattern.

2-Year follow-up to STeP trial shows sustainability of structured self-monitoring of blood glucose utilization: results from the STeP practice logistics and usability survey (STeP PLUS).

PubMed

Friedman, Kevin; Noyes, Jeannette; Parkin, Christopher G

2013-04-01

We report findings from a follow-up survey of clinicians from the STeP study that assessed their attitudes toward and current use of the Accu-Chek(®) 360° View tool (Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, IN) approximately 2 years after the study was completed. The Accu-Chek 360° View tool enables patients to record/plot a seven-point self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) profile (fasting, preprandial/2-h postprandial at each of the three meals, and bedtime) on 3 consecutive days, document meal sizes and energy levels, and comment on their SMBG experiences. Our findings showed that the majority of these physicians continue to use the tool with their patients, citing enhanced patient understanding and engagement, better discussions with patients regarding the impact of lifestyle behaviors, improved clinical outcomes, and better practice efficiencies as significant benefits of the tool.

Characteristics of stratosphere-troposphere exchange in a general circulation model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mote, Philip W.; Holton, James R.; Boville, Byron A.

1994-01-01

In this study we examine mass exchange, water vapor exchange, and the behavior of idealized tracers and parcels to diagnose Stratosphere-Troposphere Exchange (STE) in the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) General Circulation Model (GCM), the Community Climate Model (CCM2). The CCM2 correctly represents the seasonality of mass exchange across 100 hPa, but values are uniformly too strong. Water vapor, however, indicates that tropical STE is not well represented in the CCM2; even though mean tropopause temperatures are colder than observed, the lower stratosphere is too moist. Most net mass flux occurs at water vapor mixing ratios of about 4-5 parts per million by volume (ppmv), about 1 ppmv too moist. Vertical resolution has little impact on the nature of tropical STE. In midlatitudes, CCM2 more successfully represents STE, which occurs in developing baroclinic waves and stationary anticyclones. Exchange from troposphere to stratosphere does occur but only influences the lowest few kilometers of the extratropical stratosphere, even for tracers with large vertical gradients.

Developing a standardized measurement of alcohol intoxication.

PubMed

Benoit, Justin L; Hart, Kimberly W; Soliman, Adam A; Barczak, Christopher M; Sibilia, Robert S; Lindsell, Christopher J; Fermann, Gregory J

2017-05-01

We assessed multiple examinations and assessment tools to develop a standardized measurement of alcohol intoxication to aid medical decision making in the Emergency Department. Volunteers underwent an alcohol challenge. Pre- and post-alcohol challenge, subjects were videotaped performing three standardized clinical examinations: (1) Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) examination, (2) Hack's Impairment Index (HII) examination, and (3) Cincinnati Intoxication Examination (CIE). Emergency clinicians evaluated the level of intoxication using five standardized assessment tools in a blinded and randomized fashion: (1) SFST assessment tool (range 0-18), (2) HII assessment tool (range 0-1), (3) St. Elizabeth Alcohol Intoxication Scale (STE, range 0-17), (4) a Visual Analog Scale (VAS, range 0-100), and (5) a Binary Intoxication Question (BIQ). Construct validity was assessed along with inter- and intra-rater reliability. Median scores pre- and post-alcohol challenge were: SFST 6 (interquartile range 5) and 11 (3), respectively; HII 0 (0.05), 0.1 (0.1); STE 0 (1), 1 (2); VAS 10 (22), 33 (31). For BIQ, 59% and 91% indicated intoxication, respectively. Inter-rater reliability scores were: SFST 0.71 (95% confidence interval 0.48-0.86) to 0.93 (0.88-0.97) depending on examination component; HII 0.90 (0.82-0.95); STE 0.86 (0.75-0.93); VAS 0.92 (0.88-0.94); BIQ 0.3. Intra-rater reliability scores were: SFST 0.74 (0.64-0.82) to 0.87 (0.81-0.91); HII 0.85 (0.79-0.90); STE 0.78 (0.68-0.85); VAS 0.82 (0.74-0.87); BIQ 0.71. VAS reliability was best when paired with the HII and SFST examinations. HII examination, paired with either a VAS or HII assessment tool, yielded valid and reliable measurements of alcohol intoxication. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of surface treatments on self-trapped exciton luminescence in single-crystal CaF2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cramer, L. P.; Cumby, T. D.; Leraas, J. A.; Langford, S. C.; Dickinson, J. T.

2005-05-01

We show that near-surface defects produced by mechanical treatments and electron irradiation can significantly enhance the intensity of luminescence due to the decay of self-trapped excitons (STEs) in single-crystal calcium fluoride during 157- and 193-nm irradiation. For example, polishing can double the intensity of the STE luminescence. Defects produced by mechanical indentation can either increase or decrease the luminescence intensity, depending on the indentation force. Electron irradiation also enhances subsequent STE luminescence. When electron-irradiated samples are annealed, additional increases in luminescence intensity are observed. Plausible mechanisms for the observed effects on STE luminescence intensity are discussed.

Emergency Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Post-Cardiac Arrest Patients Without ST-Segment Elevation Pattern: Insights From the PROCAT II Registry.

PubMed

Dumas, Florence; Bougouin, Wulfran; Geri, Guillaume; Lamhaut, Lionel; Rosencher, Julien; Pène, Frédéric; Chiche, Jean-Daniel; Varenne, Olivier; Carli, Pierre; Jouven, Xavier; Mira, Jean-Paul; Spaulding, Christian; Cariou, Alain

2016-05-23

In a large cohort of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients without ST-segment elevation (STE), the study assessed the relationship between the use of an early invasive strategy and patient outcome. Emergent coronary angiogram (CAG) and reperfusion are currently a standard of care in patients resuscitated from an OHCA with ST-segment elevation (STE). However, using a similar invasive strategy is still debated in patients without STE. In the absence of an obvious extracardiac cause, for many years our practice has had to perform an emergent CAG in all OHCA patients (STE and no STE) at admission, followed by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) when required. All patients' characteristics are prospectively collected in the PROCAT (Parisian Registry Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest) database. Focusing on non-STE patients and using logistical regression, we investigated the association between early PCI and favorable outcome (cerebral performance category 1 to 2 at discharge) and we searched predictive factors for PCI requirement. During the study period (2004 to 2013), we investigated 958 OHCA patients with an emergent CAG. Among them 695 of 958 (73%), mostly male (76%), and average 60 years of age had no evidence of STE on the post-resuscitation electrocardiography. A PCI was deemed necessary in 199 of 695 (29%). A favorable outcome was observed in 87 of 200 (43%) in patients with PCI compared with 164 of 495 (33%) in patients without PCI (p = 0.02). After adjustment, PCI was associated with a better outcome (adjusted odds ratio: 1.80 [95% confidence interval: 1.09 to 2.97]; p = 0.02). The other predictive factors of favorable outcome were a shorter resuscitation length (<20 min), an initial shockable rhythm, and a lower dose of epinephrine during resuscitation (p < 0.001). An initial shockable rhythm (adjusted odds ratio: 2.83 [95% confidence interval: 1.84 to 4.36]; p < 0.001) was the sole independent indicator for PCI requirement. A culprit coronary lesion requiring PCI was found in nearly one-third of OHCA patients without STE. In these patients, emergent PCI was associated with a nearly 2-fold increase in the rate of favorable outcome. These findings support the use of an invasive strategy in these patients, particularly in those resuscitated from a shockable rhythm. Copyright © 2016 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Removal of Uranium in Drinking Water: Brimac Environmental Services, Inc. Brimac HA 216 Adsorptive Media

EPA Science Inventory

The Brimac HA 216 Adsorptive Media was tested for uranium (U) removal from a drinking water source (well water) at Grappone Toyota located in Bow, New Hampshire. The HA 216 media is a hydroxyapatite-based material. A pilot unit, consisting of a TIGG Corporation Cansorb® C-5 ste...

A potential relation between stratosphere-troposphere exchange and the tropopause inversion layer in idealized baroclinic life cycle experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kunkel, Daniel; Kaluza, Thorsten; Wirth, Volkmar; Hoor, Peter

2017-04-01

The tropopause inversion layer (TIL) as a well known feature of the lower stratosphere in the extratropics has often been suspected of impeding the exchange between stratospheric and tropospheric air masses (STE). However, it is still an open question whether a physical relation between STE and the TIL exists. We use a non-hydrostatic limited area model to simulate idealized baroclinic life cycles along with different diagnostics for STE such as Eulerian passive tracers and Lagrangian trajectories. Recent findings suggest a strenghtening of the TIL during such life cycles due to diabatic tropospheric processes as well as wave breaking. Moreover, STE also occurs frequently during such baroclinic life cycles, e.g., in the vicinity of tropopause folds, cut-off lows, or stratospheric streamers. Contradicting to current knowledge the analysis of static stability above the thermal tropopause and the identification of regions of STE show that a temporal and spatial co-location of a strong TIL and regions of transport from the troposphere into the stratosphere is possible. Evidence is further presented that such a co-location is related to tropospheric updrafts and small scale waves in the lower stratosphere. These findings are also supported by an analysis of baroclinic life cycles in high resolution operational analysis data from the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF).

Is Science Me? Exploring Middle School Students' STE-M Career Aspirations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aschbacher, Pamela R.; Ing, Marsha; Tsai, Sherry M.

2014-12-01

This study explores middle school students' aspirations in science, technology, engineering, and medical (STE-M) careers by analyzing survey data during their eighth and ninth grade years from an ethnically and economically diverse sample of Southern California urban and suburban public school students ( n = 493). Students were classified based on their responses to questions about their science ability beliefs and subjective task values using latent class analysis (LCA). Four distinct groups of students were identified: Science is Me; I Value Science But Don't Do It Well; I Can Do Science but I Don't Value It Highly; and Science is Not Me. Few students (22 %) were classified as having strong science ability beliefs, and only a third as strongly valuing learning/doing science; a majority (57 %) were in the Science is Not Me category, underscoring the scope of the challenge to invite more young people to want to learn science. As predicted, students who believed they could do science and valued science were more likely than others to indicate interest in STE-M careers. This relationship between perceptions and aspirations was true regardless of gender, ethnicity, and type of STE-M field, but varied depending on socioeconomic status. Using LCA to organize information about students' science self-perceptions may help target specific interventions to student interests and aspirations and better support and encourage their persistence in STE-M careers.

77 FR 56796 - Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Sault Ste Marie, ON

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-14

...: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Sault Ste Marie, ON. Changes to controlled airspace are... action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport...

Is Science Me? Exploring Middle School Students' STE-M Career Aspirations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aschbacher, Pamela R.; Ing, Marsha; Tsai, Sherry M.

2014-01-01

This study explores middle school students' aspirations in science, technology, engineering, and medical (STE-M) careers by analyzing survey data during their eighth and ninth grade years from an ethnically and economically diverse sample of Southern California urban and suburban public school students (n = 493). Students were classified based on…

Demographic Influence on Emotional Intelligence of Science Technology and Engineering Teachers in Region 1 Philippines

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Llego, Jordan Hso

2017-01-01

This study investigated the Emotional Intelligence (EI) of Science, Technology and Engineering (STE) science teachers based on their demographic profile. Total enumeration was used and 113 STE science teachers in Region 1 Philippines participated in this study. The study adopted descriptive- quantitative research design, frequency count and…

Sharing the Environment: Cultural Exchange through Inquiry-Based Environmental Education in Trinidad and Tobago (T & T) and the United States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McHenry, Nadine; Alvare, Bretton; Bowes, Kathleen; Childs, Ashley

2013-01-01

This study examined the effects of Sharing the Environment (STE), a situated professional development pilot program that uses an inquiry-based approach to teaching Environmental Education (EE) to elementary students in the US and Trinidad. Inquiry is difficult to incorporate in both cultures because proficient performance on national tests is a…

Atom interferometry in space: Thermal management and magnetic shielding

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

Milke, Alexander; Kubelka-Lange, André; Gürlebeck, Norman, E-mail: norman.guerlebeck@zarm.uni-bremen.de

2014-08-15

Atom interferometry is an exciting tool to probe fundamental physics. It is considered especially apt to test the universality of free fall by using two different sorts of atoms. The increasing sensitivity required for this kind of experiment sets severe requirements on its environments, instrument control, and systematic effects. This can partially be mitigated by going to space as was proposed, for example, in the Spacetime Explorer and Quantum Equivalence Principle Space Test (STE-QUEST) mission. However, the requirements on the instrument are still very challenging. For example, the specifications of the STE-QUEST mission imply that the Feshbach coils of themore » atom interferometer are allowed to change their radius only by about 260 nm or 2.6 × 10{sup −4} % due to thermal expansion although they consume an average power of 22 W. Also Earth's magnetic field has to be suppressed by a factor of 10{sup 5}. We show in this article that with the right design such thermal and magnetic requirements can indeed be met and that these are not an impediment for the exciting physics possible with atom interferometers in space.« less

Ste. Genevieve Fault Zone, Missouri and Illinois. Final report

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

Nelson, W.J.; Lumm, D.K.

1985-07-01

The Ste. Genevieve Fault Zone is a major structural feature which strikes NW-SE for about 190 km on the NE flank of the Ozark Dome. There is up to 900 m of vertical displacement on high angle normal and reverse faults in the fault zone. At both ends the Ste. Genevieve Fault Zone dies out into a monocline. Two periods of faulting occurred. The first was in late Middle Devonian time and the second from latest Mississippian through early Pennsylvanian time, with possible minor post-Pennsylvanian movement. No evidence was found to support the hypothesis that the Ste. Genevieve Fault Zonemore » is part of a northwestward extension of the late Precambrian-early Cambrian Reelfoot Rift. The magnetic and gravity anomalies cited in support of the ''St. Louis arm'' of the Reelfoot Rift possible reflect deep crystal features underlying and older than the volcanic terrain of the St. Francois Mountains (1.2 to 1.5 billion years old). In regard to neotectonics no displacements of Quaternary sediments have been detected, but small earthquakes occur from time to time along the Ste. Genevieve Fault Zone. Many faults in the zone appear capable of slipping under the current stress regime of east-northeast to west-southwest horizontal compression. We conclude that the zone may continue to experience small earth movements, but catastrophic quakes similar to those at New Madrid in 1811-12 are unlikely. 32 figs., 1 tab.« less

Is the coexistence of sustained ST-segment elevation and abnormal Q waves a risk factor for electrical storm in implanted cardioverter defibrillator patients with structural heart diseases?

PubMed

Furushima, Hiroshi; Chinushi, Masaomi; Iijima, Kenichi; Hasegawa, Kanae; Sato, Akinori; Izumi, Daisuke; Watanabe, Hiroshi; Aizawa, Yoshifusa

2012-05-01

The aim of this study was to determine whether or not the coexistence of sustained ST-segment elevation and abnormal Q waves (STe-Q) could be a risk factor for electrical storm (ES) in implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients with structural heart diseases. In all, 156 consecutive patients received ICD therapy for secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death and/or sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias were included. Electrical storm was defined as ≥3 separate episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and/or ventricular fibrillation (VF) terminated by ICD therapies within 24 h. During a mean follow-up of 1825 ± 1188 days, 42 (26.9%) patients experienced ES, of whom 12 had coronary artery disease, 15 had idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, 6 had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, 4 had arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, 4 had cardiac sarcoidosis, and 1 had valvular heart disease. Sustained ST-segment elevation and abnormal Q waves in ≥2 leads on the 12-lead electrocardiography was observed in 33 (21%) patients. On the Kaplan-Meier analysis, patients with STe-Q had a markedly higher risk of ES than those without STe-Q (P< 0.0001). The multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model indicated that STe-Q and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (<30%) were independent risk factors associated with the recurrence of VT/VF (STe-Q: HR 1.962, 95% CI 1.24-3.12, P= 0.004; LVEF: HR 1.860, 95% CI 1.20-2.89, P= 0.006), and STe-Q was an independent risk factor associated with ES (HR 4.955, 95% CI 2.69-9.13, P< 0.0001). Sustained ST-segment elevation and abnormal Q waves could be a risk factor of not only recurrent VT/VF but also ES in patients with structural heart diseases.

Echocardiographic Assessment of Cardiac Function by Conventional and Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in Dogs with Patent Ductus Arteriosus.

PubMed

Spalla, I; Locatelli, C; Zanaboni, A M; Brambilla, P; Bussadori, C

2016-05-01

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is one of the most common congenital heart defects in dogs. Advanced echocardiographic techniques such as speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) have not been extensively used to evaluate cardiac function in affected dogs. Advanced echocardiographic techniques are more sensitive than standard echocardiographic techniques in analyzing systolic function in dogs with PDA. Forty-four client-owned dogs: 34 dogs with PDA (preoperative evaluation) and 10 healthy sex- and weight-matched controls. Prospective study. Dogs were recruited over a 2-year period. Complete echocardiographic evaluation was performed, including conventional (end-diastolic volumes indexed to body surface area in B and M-mode [EDVIB /M ], end-systolic volumes indexed to body surface area in B and M-mode [ESVIB /M ], allometric scaling in diastole and systole [AlloD/S], pulmonary flow to systemic flow [Qp/Qs], ejection fraction [EF] and fractional shortening [FS]) and speckle-tracking echocardiography ([STE]: global longitudinal, radial and circumferential strain [S] and strain rate [SR]). Dogs with PDA had significantly different EDVIB /M , ESVIB /M , AlloD/S, Qp/Qs and all STE-derived parameters (global longitudinal S and SR, global circumferential S and SR, global radial S and SR)compared to healthy dogs. No correlation was found between standard techniques (EDVIB /M , ESVIB /M , AlloD/S, Qp/Qs) and STE-derived parameters (global longitudinal, circumferential and radial S and SR). Conventional parameters routinely used to assess systolic function (EF and FS) were not different between the groups; STE-derived parameters identified subtle changes in cardiac systolic function and contractility between the 2 groups of dogs. Based on these findings, STE may be a more appropriate tool to assess cardiac contractility in dogs with PDA. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Seasonality of major redox constituents in a shallow subterranean estuary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Connor, Alison E.; Krask, Julie L.; Canuel, Elizabeth A.; Beck, Aaron J.

2018-03-01

The subterranean estuary (STE), the subsurface mixing zone of outflowing fresh groundwater and infiltrating seawater, is an area of extensive geochemical reactions that determine the composition of groundwater that flows into coastal environments. This study examined the porewater composition of a shallow STE (<5 m depth) in Gloucester Point, VA (USA) over two years to determine seasonal variations in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and the reduced metabolites Fe, Mn, and sulfide. An additional aim of this study was to investigate the relative importance of salinity gradients (which have great geochemical influence in surface estuaries) versus redox gradients on STE geochemistry. Two freshwater endmembers were identified, between which redox potential and composition varied with depth-a shallow freshwater endmember was oxidizing and high in DOC, whereas a deep freshwater endmember was reducing, lower in DOC, and high in sulfide. Results showed that dissolved Fe, Mn, and sulfide varied along a redox gradient distinct from the salinity gradient, and that three-endmember mixing was required to quantify non-conservative chemical addition/removal in the STE. In addition to salinity, humic carbon was used as a quasi-conservative tracer to quantify mixing according to a three-endmember model. The vertical distributions of DOC and reduced metabolites remained approximately constant over time, but concentrations varied with season. Dissolved organic carbon concentrations were greatest in the summer, and shallow meteoric groundwater supplied the majority of DOC to the STE. In summer, there was additional evidence for shallow non-conservative addition of DOC. Dissolved Fe and Mn were highest in a subsurface plume through the middle of the STE (100-140 cm below sediment surface at the high tide line) which was characterized by higher concentrations and greater non-conservative addition in the winter. In contrast, sulfide was higher in summer at depths within the Fe and Mn plume (100-140 cm). We attribute the contrasting seasonal patterns of dissolved Fe, Mn, and sulfide to differences in microbial response to temperature changes and organic matter availability, and to competition at the ferrous-sulfidic transition zone between dissimilatory metal reduction and sulfate reduction, leading to sulfate/sulfur reducing bacteria (SRB) being more active in summer and metal reducers being more active in winter. Throughout the STE, seasonal temperature and DOC variations determined the spatial distribution and geochemical cycling of Fe, Mn, and sulfur.

Impact of 900 MHz electromagnetic field exposure on main male reproductive hormone levels: a Rattus norvegicus model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sepehrimanesh, Masood; Saeb, Mehdi; Nazifi, Saeed; Kazemipour, Nasrin; Jelodar, Gholamali; Saeb, Saeedeh

2014-09-01

This work analyzes the effects of radiofrequency-electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure on the reproductive system of male rats, assessed by measuring circulating levels of FSH, LH, inhibin B, activin B, prolactin, and testosterone. Twenty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (180 ± 10 g) were exposed to 900 MHz RF-EMF in four equal separated groups. The duration of exposure was 1, 2, and 4 h/day over a period of 30 days and sham-exposed animals were kept under the same environmental conditions as the exposed group except with no RF-EMF exposure. Before the exposure, at 15 and 30 days of exposure, determination of the abovementioned hormone levels was performed using ELISA. At the end of the experiment, FSH and LH values of the long time exposure (LTE) group were significantly higher than the sham-exposed group ( p < 0.05). Serum activin B and prolactin in the LTE group showed significant increase and inhibin B showed significant decrease than sham and short time exposed (STE) groups after 30 days RF-EMF exposure ( p < 0.05). Also, a significant decrease in serum testosterone levels in the LTE group was found compared to short and moderate time exposed (MTE) groups after 30 days RF-EMF exposure ( p < 0.05). Results suggest that reproductive hormone levels are disturbed as a result of RF-EMF exposure and it may possibly affect reproductive functions. However, testosterone and inhibin B concentrations as a fertility marker and spermatogenesis were decreased significantly.

The Effects of Integrated Science, Technology, and Engineering Education on Elementary Students' Knowledge and Identity Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yoon, So Yoon; Dyehouse, Melissa; Lucietto, Anne M.; Diefes-Dux, Heidi A.; Capobianco, Brenda M.

2014-01-01

This study examines the effects of integrated science, technology, and engineering (STE) education on second-, third-, and fourth-grade students' STE content knowledge and aspirations concerning engineering after validation of the measures. During the 2009-2010 school year, 59 elementary school teachers, who attended a week-long engineering…

CrossTalk: The Journal of Defense Software Engineering. Volume 22, Number 7, Nov/Dec 2009

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-12-01

an MBA, and is a Certified Corporate Trainer. Booz Allen Hamilton AF PKI SPO 4241 E Piedras DR STE 210 San Antonio,TX 78228 Phone: (210) 925-9129...Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional, and a Project Management Professional. General Dynamics C4 Systems AF PKI SPO 4241 E Piedras DR STE 210

Regulation of gene expression by tobacco product preparations in cultured human dermal fibroblasts

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

Malpass, Gloria E., E-mail: gloria.malpass@gmail.com; Arimilli, Subhashini, E-mail: sarimill@wakehealth.edu; Prasad, G.L., E-mail: prasadg@rjrt.com

Skin fibroblasts comprise the first barrier of defense against wounds, and tobacco products directly contact the oral cavity. Cultured human dermal fibroblasts were exposed to smokeless tobacco extract (STE), total particulate matter (TPM) from tobacco smoke, or nicotine at concentrations comparable to those found in these extracts for 1 h or 5 h. Differences were identified in pathway-specific genes between treatments and vehicle using qRT-PCR. At 1 h, IL1α was suppressed significantly by TPM and less significantly by STE. Neither FOS nor JUN was suppressed at 1 h by tobacco products. IL8, TNFα, VCAM1, and NFκB1 were suppressed after 5more » h with STE, whereas only TNFα and NFκB1 were suppressed by TPM. At 1 h with TPM, secreted levels of IL10 and TNFα were increased. Potentially confounding effects of nicotine were exemplified by genes such as ATF3 (5 h), which was increased by nicotine but suppressed by other components of STE. Within 2 h, TPM stimulated nitric oxide production, and both STE and TPM increased reactive oxygen species. The biological significance of these findings and utilization of the gene expression changes reported herein regarding effects of the tobacco product preparations on dermal fibroblasts will require additional research. - Highlights: • Tobacco product preparations (TPPs) alter gene expression in dermal fibroblasts. • Some immediate early genes critical to the inflammatory process are affected. • Different TPPs produce differential responses in certain pro-inflammatory genes.« less

15. Wayne Chandler, Photographer, May 2000 Photographic copy of engineering ...

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

15. Wayne Chandler, Photographer, May 2000 Photographic copy of engineering drawings, dated 1917, by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Drawing in possession of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. General plan of locks in 1990's - St. Mary's Falls Canal, Soo Locks, St. Mary's River at Falls, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

69. Photocopied August 1978. VIEW OF THE HEADGATES LOOKING WEST ...

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

69. Photocopied August 1978. VIEW OF THE HEADGATES LOOKING WEST AT THE TIME OF THE 1910 SHUTDOWN. THE CONCRETE ARCHES LINKING THE PIERS OF THIS STRUCTURE WERE DESIGNED TO SUSTAIN RAILROAD LOADING FOR A CONTEMPLATED (BUT NEVER CONSTRUCTED) SECOND INTERNATIONAL RAILROAD BRIDGE AT SAULT STE. MARIE. (805) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

Proceedings of the International Conferences on Education Technologies (ICEduTech) and Sustainability, Technology and Education (STE) (New Tapei City, Taiwan, December 10-12, 2014)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kommers, Piet, Ed.; Issa, Tomayess, Ed.; Issa, Theodora, Ed.; Chang, Dian-Fu, Ed.; Isias, Pedro, Ed.

2014-01-01

These proceedings contain the papers of the International Conferences on Educational Technologies (ICEduTech 2014), and Sustainability, Technology and Education (STE 2014). The International Conference on Educational Technologies (ICEduTech 2014) is the scientific conference addressing the real topics as seen by teachers, students, parents and…

Proceedings of the International Conferences on Internet Technologies & Society (ITS), Education Technologies (ICEduTECH), and Sustainability, Technology and Education (STE) (Melbourne, Australia, December 6-8, 2016)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kommers, Piet, Ed.; Issa, Tomayess, Ed.; Issa, Theodora, Ed.; McKay, Elspeth, Ed.; Isias, Pedro, Ed.

2016-01-01

These proceedings contain the papers and posters of the International Conferences on Internet Technologies & Society (ITS 2016), Educational Technologies (ICEduTech 2016) and Sustainability, Technology and Education (STE 2016), which have been organised by the International Association for Development of the Information Society and…

Enhanced piezoelectric effect in Janus group-III chalcogenide monolayers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Yu; Zhou, Si; Bai, Yizhen; Zhao, Jijun

2017-04-01

Piezoelectricity is a unique material property that converts mechanical energy into electricity or vice versa. Starting from the group-III monochalcogenide monolayers, we design a series of derivative Janus structures for piezoelectric materials, including Ga2SSe, Ga2STe, Ga2SeTe, In2SSe, In2STe, In2SeTe, GaInS2, GaInSe2, and GaInTe2. Our first-principles calculations show that these Janus structures are thermodynamically and dynamically stable. They have a bandgap in the range of 0.89-2.03 eV, lower than those of the perfect monolayers, and Ga2STe, Ga2SeTe, In2STe, and In2SeTe monolayers are direct gap semiconductors. They possess piezoelectric coefficients up to 8.47 pm/V, over four times the maximum value obtained in perfect group-III monochalcogenide monolayers. Moreover, the broken mirror symmetry of these Janus structures induces out-of-plane dipolar polarization, yielding additional out-of-plane piezoelectric coefficients of 0.07-0.46 pm/V. The enhanced piezoelectric properties enable the development of these novel two-dimensional materials for piezoelectric sensors and nanogenerators.

Sorptive tape extraction in the analysis of the volatile fraction emitted from biological solid matrices.

PubMed

Bicchi, C; Cordero, C; Liberto, E; Rubiolo, P; Sgorbini, B; Sandra, P

2007-05-04

Sorptive tape extraction (STE) is a recent sorption-based sampling technique in which a flexible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) tape is used to recover analytes at the surface of a solid matrix by direct contact as well as from the headspace in equilibrium with it. Solutes thus enriched on the inert PDMS material can be recovered either by solvent desorption or by thermo-desorption. The concentration capability of both direct contact and headspace STE was evaluated by sampling (a) aromatic plants to study the reaction of a vegetable matrix submitted to stress, and (b) fruits at the surface of the pulp or inside the pulp; the composition of the volatile fraction released from the skin when a perfume is sprayed on the back of the hand was also studied. The concentration capability of direct contact and headspace STE was compared to that of HSSE with a 20 microL PDMS twister and HS-SPME with a PDMS 100 microm fibre, by determining the relative abundances (RA) of the characterizing components of the aromatic plants under investigation. Repeatability and influence of tape surface on STE recovery were also evaluated.

Facile preparation of water soluble curcuminoids extracted from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) powder by using steviol glucosides.

PubMed

Nguyen, Thi Thanh Hanh; Si, Jinbeom; Kang, Choongil; Chung, Byoungsang; Chung, Donghwa; Kim, Doman

2017-01-01

Curcuminoids from rhizomes of Curcuma longa possess various biological activities. However, low aqueous solubility and consequent poor bioavailability of curcuminoids are major limitations to their use. In this study, curcuminoids extracted from turmeric powder using stevioside (Ste), rebaudioside A (RebA), or steviol glucosides (SG) were solubilized in water. The optimum extraction condition by Ste, RebA, or SG resulted in 11.3, 9.7, or 6.7mg/ml water soluble curcuminoids. Curcuminoids solubilized in water showed 80% stability at pH from 6.0 to 10.0 after 1week of storage at 25°C. The particle sizes of curcuminoids prepared with Ste, RebA, and SG were 110.8, 95.7, and 32.7nm, respectively. The water soluble turmeric extracts prepared with Ste, RebA, and SG showed the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging (SC50) activities of 127.6, 105.4, and 109.8μg/ml, and the inhibition activities (IC50) against NS2B-NS3(pro) from dengue virus type IV of 14.1, 24.0 and 15.3μg/ml, respectively. Copyright © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Association between left ventricular perfusion defects and myocardial deformation indexes in heart transplantation recipients.

PubMed

D'Andrea, Antonello; De Rimini, Maria Luisa; America, Raffaella; Cirillo, Chiara; Riegler, Lucia; Limongelli, Giuseppe; D'Alto, Michele; Salerno, Gemma; Maiello, Ciro; Muto, Pietro; Russo, Maria Giovanna; Calabrò, Raffaele; Bossone, Eduardo; Pacileo, Giuseppe

2017-10-01

The aim of the study was to analyze possible correlations between strain echocardiography (STE) and PET myocardial perfusion in a population of heart transplantation (HTx) recipients showing preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction. By STE, LV global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) was lower in HTx. PET showed no transient or chronic ischemia in 83 of 115 HTx (73%). Fixed perfusion defects were observed in 17% of HTx and reversible ischemia in 10%. Significant coronary stenosis was observed only in 10 cases. GLS was independently associated with age at HTx and fixed perfusion defects (HR 0.41; P<.001). Such relationships underline STE ability to early identify HTx pts with subclinical myocardial dysfunction during long-term follow-up. © 2017, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

14. Wayne Chandler, Photographer, May 2000 Photographic copy of engineering ...

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

14. Wayne Chandler, Photographer, May 2000 Photographic copy of engineering drawings, dated 1917, by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Drawing in possession of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. General plan of locks prior to completion of Sabin (fourth) Lock - St. Mary's Falls Canal, Soo Locks, St. Mary's River at Falls, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

16. Wayne Chandler, Photographer, May 2000 Photographic copy of engineering ...

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

16. Wayne Chandler, Photographer, May 2000 Photographic copy of engineering drawings, dated 1915, by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Drawing in possession of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Filling and emptying culvert butterfly valve and hydraulic piston. - St. Mary's Falls Canal, Soo Locks, Sabin Lock Subcomplex, Sabin Lock, St. Mary's River at Falls, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

9. Wayne Chandler, Photographer, May 2000 Photographic copy of engineering ...

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

9. Wayne Chandler, Photographer, May 2000 Photographic copy of engineering drawings, dated 1912, by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Drawing in possession of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Filling and emptying culvert butterfly valve and hydraulic piston. - St. Mary's Falls Canal, Soo Locks, Davis Lock Subcomplex, Davis Lock, St. Mary's River at Falls, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

Self-Trapped Excitons in Ionic-Covalent Silver Halide Crystals and Nanostructures: High-Frequency EPR, ESE, ENDOR and ODMR Studies

PubMed Central

Baranov, P. G.; Poluektov, O. G.; Schmidt, J.

2010-01-01

Silver halides have unique features in solid state physics because their properties are considered to be of borderline nature between ionic and covalent bonding. In AgCl, the self-trapped hole (STH) is centered and partly trapped in the cationic sublattice, forming an Ag2+ ion inside of a (AgCl6)4− complex as a result of the Jahn–Teller distortion. The STH in AgCl can capture an electron from the conduction band forming the self-trapped exciton (STE). Recent results of a study of STE by means of high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance, electron spin echo, electron–nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) and optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) are reviewed. The properties of the STE in AgCl crystals, such as exchange coupling, the ordering of the triplet and singlet sublevels, the dynamical properties of the singlet and triplet states, and the hyperfine interaction with the Ag and Cl (Br) nuclei are discussed. Direct information about the spatial distribution of the wave function of STE unpaired electrons was obtained by ENDOR. From a comparison with the results of an ENDOR study of the shallow electron center and STH, it is concluded that the electron is mainly contained in a hydrogen-like 1s orbital with a Bohr radius of 15.1 ± 0.6 Å, but near its center the electron density reflects the charge distribution of the hole. The hole of the STE is virtually identical to an isolated STH center. For AgCl nanocrystals embedded into the KCl crystalline matrix, the anisotropy of the g-factor of STE and STH was found to be substantially reduced compared with that of bulk AgCl crystals, which can be explained by a considerable suppression of the Jahn–Teller effect in nanoparticles. A study of ODMR in AgBr nanocrystals in KBr revealed spatial confinement effects and allowed estimating the nanocrystal size from the shape of the ODMR spectra. PMID:21151483

Archaeological Testing of the Bauman Site (23STG158) Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-05-01

represented--Odocoileus (deer) spp., Cervis canadensis (elk), and Procyon lotor (raccoon)-- and only two taxa of fish-- Amia calva (bowfin) and...t. complete (153) Amia calve maxilla rt. complete (153) Asnia calva ectopterygoid it. complete (153) Amia calve hymandibular rt. complete (153) Asia...calve articular rt. complete (154) Amia calva dorsal postorbital It. complete (155) Asnia calve ceratohyal rt. complete (156) Aia calve parital rt

SH2/SH3 adaptor proteins can link tyrosine kinases to a Ste20-related protein kinase, HPK1.

PubMed

Anafi, M; Kiefer, F; Gish, G D; Mbamalu, G; Iscove, N N; Pawson, T

1997-10-31

Ste20-related protein kinases have been implicated as regulating a range of cellular responses, including stress-activated protein kinase pathways and the control of cytoskeletal architecture. An important issue involves the identities of the upstream signals and regulators that might control the biological functions of mammalian Ste20-related protein kinases. HPK1 is a protein-serine/threonine kinase that possesses a Ste20-like kinase domain, and in transfected cells activates a protein kinase pathway leading to the stress-activated protein kinase SAPK/JNK. Here we have investigated candidate upstream regulators that might interact with HPK1. HPK1 possesses an N-terminal catalytic domain and an extended C-terminal tail with four proline-rich motifs. The SH3 domains of Grb2 bound in vitro to specific proline-rich motifs in the HPK1 tail and functioned synergistically to direct the stable binding of Grb2 to HPK1 in transfected Cos1 cells. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation did not affect the binding of Grb2 to HPK1 but induced recruitment of the Grb2.HPK1 complex to the autophosphorylated EGF receptor and to the Shc docking protein. Several activated receptor and cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases, including the EGF receptor, stimulated the tyrosine phosphorylation of the HPK1 serine/threonine kinase. These results suggest that HPK1, a mammalian Ste20-related protein-serine/threonine kinase, can potentially associate with protein-tyrosine kinases through interactions mediated by SH2/SH3 adaptors such as Grb2. Such interaction may provide a possible mechanism for cross-talk between distinct biochemical pathways following the activation of tyrosine kinases.

Yeast Genes Controlling Responses to Topogenic Signals in a Model Transmembrane Protein

PubMed Central

Tipper, Donald J.; Harley, Carol A

2002-01-01

Yeast protein insertion orientation (PIO) mutants were isolated by selecting for growth on sucrose in cells in which the only source of invertase is a C-terminal fusion to a transmembrane protein. Only the fraction with an exocellular C terminus can be processed to secreted invertase and this fraction is constrained to 2–3% by a strong charge difference signal. Identified pio mutants increased this to 9–12%. PIO1 is SPF1, encoding a P-type ATPase located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) or Golgi. spf1-null mutants are modestly sensitive to EGTA. Sensitivity is considerably greater in an spf1 pmr1 double mutant, although PIO is not further disturbed. Pmr1p is the Golgi Ca2+ ATPase and Spf1p may be the equivalent ER pump. PIO2 is STE24, a metalloprotease anchored in the ER membrane. Like Spf1p, Ste24p is expressed in all yeast cell types and belongs to a highly conserved protein family. The effects of ste24- and spf1-null mutations on invertase secretion are additive, cell generation time is increased 60%, and cells become sensitive to cold and to heat shock. Ste24p and Rce1p cleave the C-AAX bond of farnesylated CAAX box proteins. The closest paralog of SPF1 is YOR291w. Neither rce1-null nor yor291w-null mutations affected PIO or the phenotype of spf1- or ste24-null mutants. Mutations in PIO3 (unidentified) cause a weaker Pio phenotype, enhanced by a null mutation in BMH1, one of two yeast 14-3-3 proteins. PMID:11950929

Quality Control and Reproducibility in M-mode, Two-dimensional, and Speckle Tracking Echocardiography Acquisition and Analysis: The CARDIA Study, Year-25 Examination Experience

PubMed Central

Armstrong, Anderson C.; Ricketts, Erin P.; Cox, Christopher; Adler, Paul; Arynchyn, Alexander; Liu, Kiang; Stengel, Ellen; RDCS; Sidney, Stephen; Lewis, Cora E.; Schreiner, Pamela J.; Shikany, James M.; Keck, Kimberly; Merlo, Jamie; Gidding, Samuel S.; Lima, João A. C.

2014-01-01

Introduction Few large studies describe quality control procedures and reproducibility findings in cardiovascular ultra-sound, particularly in novel techniques such as Speckle Tracking (STE). We evaluate the echocardiography assessment performance in the CARDIA study Y25 examination (2010-2011) and report findings from a quality control and reproducibility program conducted to assess Field Center image acquisition and Reading Center (RC) accuracy. Methods The CARDIA Y25 examination had 3,475 echocardiograms performed in 4 US Field Centers and analyzed in a Reading Center, assessing standard echocardiography (LA dimension, aortic root, LV mass, LV end-diastolic volume [LVEDV], ejection fraction [LVEF]), and STE (2- and 4-chamber longitudinal, circumferential, and radial strains). Reproducibility was assessed using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), coefficients of variation (CV), and Bland-Altman plots. Results For standard echocardiography reproducibility, LV mass and LVEDV consistently had CV above 10% and aortic root below 6%. Intra-sonographer aortic root and LV mass had the most robust values of ICC in standard echocardiography. For STE, the number of properly tracking segments was above 80% in short-axis and 4-chamber and 58% in 2-chamber. Longitudinal strain parameters were the most robust and radial strain showed the highest variation. Comparing Field Centers with Echo RC STE readings, mean differences ranged from 0.4% to 4.1% and ICC from 0.37 to 0.66, with robust results for longitudinal strains. Conclusion Echocardiography image acquisition and reading processes in the CARDIA study were highly reproducible, including robust results for STE analysis. Consistent quality control may increase the reliability of echocardiography measurements in large cohort studies. PMID:25382818

Quality Control and Reproducibility in M-Mode, Two-Dimensional, and Speckle Tracking Echocardiography Acquisition and Analysis: The CARDIA Study, Year 25 Examination Experience.

PubMed

Armstrong, Anderson C; Ricketts, Erin P; Cox, Christopher; Adler, Paul; Arynchyn, Alexander; Liu, Kiang; Stengel, Ellen; Sidney, Stephen; Lewis, Cora E; Schreiner, Pamela J; Shikany, James M; Keck, Kimberly; Merlo, Jamie; Gidding, Samuel S; Lima, João A C

2015-08-01

Few large studies describe quality control procedures and reproducibility findings in cardiovascular ultrasound, particularly in novel techniques such as speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). We evaluate the echocardiography assessment performance in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study Year 25 (Y25) examination (2010-2011) and report findings from a quality control and reproducibility program conducted to assess Field Center image acquisition and reading center (RC) accuracy. The CARDIA Y25 examination had 3475 echocardiograms performed in 4 US Field Centers and analyzed in a RC, assessing standard echocardiography (LA dimension, aortic root, LV mass, LV end-diastolic volume [LVEDV], ejection fraction [LVEF]), and STE (two- and four-chamber longitudinal, circumferential, and radial strains). Reproducibility was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), coefficients of variation (CV), and Bland-Altman plots. For standard echocardiography reproducibility, LV mass and LVEDV consistently had CV above 10% and aortic root below 6%. Intra-sonographer aortic root and LV mass had the most robust values of ICC in standard echocardiography. For STE, the number of properly tracking segments was above 80% in short-axis and four-chamber and 58% in two-chamber views. Longitudinal strain parameters were the most robust and radial strain showed the highest variation. Comparing Field Centers with echocardiography RC STE readings, mean differences ranged from 0.4% to 4.1% and ICC from 0.37 to 0.66, with robust results for longitudinal strains. Echocardiography image acquisition and reading processes in the CARDIA study were highly reproducible, including robust results for STE analysis. Consistent quality control may increase the reliability of echocardiography measurements in large cohort studies. © 2014, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

High-Frame-Rate Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography.

PubMed

Joos, Philippe; Poree, Jonathan; Liebgott, Herve; Vray, Didier; Baudet, Mathilde; Faurie, Julia; Tournoux, Francois; Cloutier, Guy; Nicolas, Barbara; Garcia, Damien; Baudet, Mathilde; Tournoux, Francois; Joos, Philippe; Poree, Jonathan; Cloutier, Guy; Liebgott, Herve; Faurie, Julia; Vray, Didier; Nicolas, Barbara; Garcia, Damien

2018-05-01

Conventional echocardiography is the leading modality for noninvasive cardiac imaging. It has been recently illustrated that high-frame-rate echocardiography using diverging waves could improve cardiac assessment. The spatial resolution and contrast associated with this method are commonly improved by coherent compounding of steered beams. However, owing to fast tissue velocities in the myocardium, the summation process of successive diverging waves can lead to destructive interferences if motion compensation (MoCo) is not considered. Coherent compounding methods based on MoCo have demonstrated their potential to provide high-contrast B-mode cardiac images. Ultrafast speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) based on common speckle-tracking algorithms could substantially benefit from this original approach. In this paper, we applied STE on high-frame-rate B-mode images obtained with a specific MoCo technique to quantify the 2-D motion and tissue velocities of the left ventricle. The method was first validated in vitro and then evaluated in vivo in the four-chamber view of 10 volunteers. High-contrast high-resolution B-mode images were constructed at 500 frames/s. The sequences were generated with a Verasonics scanner and a 2.5-MHz phased array. The 2-D motion was estimated with standard cross correlation combined with three different subpixel adjustment techniques. The estimated in vitro velocity vectors derived from STE were consistent with the expected values, with normalized errors ranging from 4% to 12% in the radial direction and from 10% to 20% in the cross-range direction. Global longitudinal strain of the left ventricle was also obtained from STE in 10 subjects and compared to the results provided by a clinical scanner: group means were not statistically different ( value = 0.33). The in vitro and in vivo results showed that MoCo enables preservation of the myocardial speckles and in turn allows high-frame-rate STE.

Temporal variability in domestic point source discharges and their associated impact on receiving waters.

PubMed

Richards, Samia; Withers, Paul J A; Paterson, Eric; McRoberts, Colin W; Stutter, Marc

2016-11-15

Discharges from the widely distributed small point sources of pollutants such as septic tanks contribute to microbial and nutrient loading of streams and can pose risks to human health and stream ecology, especially during periods of ecological sensitivity. Here we present the first comprehensive data on the compositional variability of septic tank effluents (STE) as a potential source of water pollution during different seasons and the associated links to their influence on stream waters. To determine STE parameters and nutrient variations, the biological and physicochemical properties of effluents sampled quarterly from 12 septic tank systems were investigated with concurrent analyses of upstream and downstream receiving waters. The study revealed that during the warmer dryer months of spring and summer, effluents were similar in composition, as were the colder wetter months of autumn and winter. However, spring/summer effluents differed significantly (P<0.05) from autumn/winter for concentrations of biological oxygen demand (BOD), arsenic, barium (Ba), cobalt, chromium, manganese, strontium (Sr), titanium, tungsten (W) and zinc (Zn). With the exception of BOD, Ba and Sr which were greater in summer and spring, the concentrations of these parameters were greater in winter. Receiving stream waters also showed significant seasonal variation (P≤0.05) in alkalinity, BOD, dissolved organic carbon, sulphate, sulphur, lithium, W, Zn and Escherichiacoli abundance. There was a clear significant influence of STE on downstream waters relative to upstream from the source (P<0.05) for total suspended solids, total particulate P and N, ammonium-N, coliforms and E. coli. The findings of this study found seasonal variation in STE and place effluent discharges as a factor affecting adjacent stream quality and call for appropriate measures to reduce or redirect STE discharges away from water courses. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Noninvasive Localization of Accessory Pathways in Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome by Three-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography.

PubMed

Ishizu, Tomoko; Seo, Yoshihiro; Igarashi, Miyako; Sekiguchi, Yukio; Machino-Ohtsuka, Tomoko; Ogawa, Kojiro; Kuroki, Kenji; Yamamoto, Masahiro; Nogami, Akihiko; Kawakami, Yasushi; Aonuma, Kazutaka

2016-06-01

We have developed a noninvasive isochrone activation imaging (AI) system with 3-dimensional (3D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), which allows visualization of the wavefront image of mechanical propagation of the accessory pathway (ACP) in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Patients with manifest Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome were imaged in 3D-STE AI mode, which quantified the time from QRS onset to regional endocardial deformation. In 2 patients with left- and right-side ACP, we confirmed that intraoperative contact endocardial electric mapping and the 3D-STE AI system showed comparable images pre- and postablation. In normal heart assessment by 3D-echo AI, the earliest activation sites were found at the attachment of the papillary muscles in the left ventricle and midseptum in the right ventricle, and none showed earliest activation at the peri-atrioventricular valve annuli. An analyzer who was unaware of the clinical information assessed 39 ACP locations in 38 Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome patients using 3D-STE. All showed abnormal perimitral or tricuspid annular activations, and the location of 34 ACP (87%) showed agreement with the successful ablation sites within a 2-o'clock range. Especially for left free wall ACP, 17/18 (94%) showed consistency with the ablation site within a 2 o'clock range. Among 15 ACP at the ventricular septum, 9 (60%) showed early local activation in both right and left sides of the septum. Isochrone AI with 3D-STE may be a promising noninvasive imaging tool to assess cardiac synchronized activation in normal hearts and detect abnormal breakthrough of mechanical activation from both atrioventricular annuli in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. © 2016 American Heart Association, Inc.

The prognostic value of early repolarization with ST-segment elevation in African Americans.

PubMed

Perez, Marco V; Uberoi, Abhimanyu; Jain, Nikhil A; Ashley, Euan; Turakhia, Mintu P; Froelicher, Victor

2012-04-01

Increased prevalence of classic early repolarization, defined as ST-segment elevation (STE) in the absence of acute myocardial injury, in African Americans is well established. The prognostic value of this pattern in different ethnicities remains controversial. Measure association between early repolarization and cardiovascular mortality in African Americans. The resting electrocardiograms of 45,829 patients were evaluated at the Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Hospital. Subjects with inpatient status or electrocardiographic evidence of acute myocardial infarction were excluded, leaving 29,281 subjects. ST-segment elevation, defined as an elevation of >0.1 mV at the end of the QRS, was electronically flagged and visually adjudicated by 3 observers blinded to outcomes. An association between ethnicity and early repolarization was measured by using multivariate logistic regression. We analyzed associations between early repolarization and cardiovascular mortality by using the Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Subjects were 13% women and 13.3% African Americans, with an average age of 55 years and followed for an average of 7.6 years, resulting in 1995 cardiovascular deaths. There were 479 subjects with lateral STE and 185 with inferior STE. After adjustment for age, sex, heart rate, and coronary artery disease, African American ethnicity was associated with lateral or inferior STE (odds ratio 3.1; P = .0001). While lateral or inferior STE in non-African Americans was independently associated with cardiovascular death (hazard ratio 1.6; P = .02), it was not associated with cardiovascular death in African Americans (hazard ratio 0.75; P = .50). Although early repolarization is more prevalent in African Americans, it is not predictive of cardiovascular death in this population and may represent a distinct electrophysiologic phenomenon. Copyright © 2012 Heart Rhythm Society. All rights reserved.

Role of Transmembrane Domain 8 in Substrate Selectivity and Translocation of SteT, a Member of the l-Amino Acid Transporter (LAT) Family*

PubMed Central

Bartoccioni, Paola; del Rio, César; Ratera, Merce; Kowalczyk, Lukasz; Baldwin, Jocelyn M.; Zorzano, Antonio; Quick, Matthias; Baldwin, Stephen A.; Vázquez-Ibar, José Luis; Palacín, Manuel

2010-01-01

System l-amino acid transporters (LAT) belong to the amino acid, polyamine, and organic cation superfamily of transporters and include the light subunits of heteromeric amino acid transporters and prokaryotic homologues. Cysteine reactivity of SteT (serine/threonine antiporter) has been used here to study the substrate-binding site of LAT transporters. Residue Cys-291, in transmembrane domain 8 (TM8), is inactivated by thiol reagents in a substrate protectable manner. Surprisingly, DTT activated the transporter by reducing residue Cys-291. Cysteine-scanning mutagenesis of TM8 showed DTT activation in the single-cysteine mutants S287C, G294C, and S298C, lining the same α-helical face. S-Thiolation in Escherichia coli cells resulted in complete inactivation of the single-cysteine mutant G294C. l-Serine blocked DTT activation with an EC50 similar to the apparent KM of this mutant. Thus, S-thiolation abolished substrate translocation but not substrate binding. Mutation of Lys-295, to Cys (K295C) broadened the profile of inhibitors and the spectrum of substrates with the exception of imino acids. A structural model of SteT based on the structural homologue AdiC (arginine/agmatine antiporter) positions residues Cys-291 and Lys-295 in the putative substrate binding pocket. All this suggests that Lys-295 is a main determinant in the recognition of the side chain of SteT substrates. In contrast, Gly-294 is not facing the surface, suggesting conformational changes involving TM8 during the transport cycle. Our results suggest that TM8 sculpts the substrate-binding site and undergoes conformational changes during the transport cycle of SteT. PMID:20610400

Biogenesis of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pheromone a-Factor, from Yeast Mating to Human Disease

PubMed Central

Barrowman, Jemima

2012-01-01

Summary: The mating pheromone a-factor secreted by Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a farnesylated and carboxylmethylated peptide and is unusually hydrophobic compared to other extracellular signaling molecules. Mature a-factor is derived from a precursor with a C-terminal CAAX motif that directs a series of posttranslational reactions, including prenylation, endoproteolysis, and carboxylmethylation. Historically, a-factor has served as a valuable model for the discovery and functional analysis of CAAX-processing enzymes. In this review, we discuss the three modules comprising the a-factor biogenesis pathway: (i) the C-terminal CAAX-processing steps carried out by Ram1/Ram2, Ste24 or Rce1, and Ste14; (ii) two sequential N-terminal cleavage steps, mediated by Ste24 and Axl1; and (iii) export by a nonclassical mechanism, mediated by the ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter Ste6. The small size and hydrophobicity of a-factor present both challenges and advantages for biochemical analysis, as discussed here. The enzymes involved in a-factor biogenesis are conserved from yeasts to mammals. Notably, studies of the zinc metalloprotease Ste24 in S. cerevisiae led to the discovery of its mammalian homolog ZMPSTE24, which cleaves the prenylated C-terminal tail of the nuclear scaffold protein lamin A. Mutations that alter ZMPSTE24 processing of lamin A in humans cause the premature-aging disease progeria and related progeroid disorders. Intriguingly, recent evidence suggests that the entire a-factor pathway, including all three biogenesis modules, may be used to produce a prenylated, secreted signaling molecule involved in germ cell migration in Drosophila. Thus, additional prenylated signaling molecules resembling a-factor, with as-yet-unknown roles in metazoan biology, may await discovery. PMID:22933563

The influence of adding tomato extract and acetylsalicylic acid to hypotensive therapy on the daily blood pressure profiles of patients with arterial hypertension and high cardiovascular risk.

PubMed

Osińska, Angelika N; Begier-Krasińska, Beata; Rzymski, Piotr; Krasińska, Aleksandra; Tykarski, Andrzej; Krasiński, Zbigniew

2017-12-01

Arterial hypertension (HT) is one of the most common diseases around the world and constitutes a significant medical, social, and economic problem. Lifestyle changes, including adequate fruit and vegetable consumption, play an important role in controlling blood pressure (BP) and other cardiovascular risk factors. To compare the influence of adding acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or standardized tomato extract (STE) to standard hypotensive therapy on the values of arterial pressure and the daily blood pressure profiles of patients with hypertension and high cardiovascular risk. The study included 65 patients with arterial hypertension and high cardiovascular risk. High-risk patients with primary hypertension were randomly allocated in a blinded fashion to one of two groups (ASA or STE). In each case, two visits were made: the first - before the treatment, and the second - after 4 weeks of treatment. During each visit, the patients underwent a clinical measurement of arterial pressure and an ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM). Blood platelet aggregation was assessed using the VerifyNow analyzer. After 4 weeks of treatment, the blood pressure values during the day (p < 0.001), during the night ( p < 0.05), and in 24-h BP profiles ( p < 0.01) obtained with ABPM were significantly lower in the STE group in comparison to the ASA group. The addition of STE to standard hypotensive treatment resulted in a favorable increase in the nocturnal fall of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (by 6.5%) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) (by 3.3%). The use of STE is significant in HT patients with high total cardiovascular risk; it is associated with better BP control and improvements in the daily BP profile.

The Effect of Green Tea and Sour Tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Supplementation on Oxidative Stress and Muscle Damage in Athletes.

PubMed

Hadi, Amir; Pourmasoumi, Makan; Kafeshani, Marzieh; Karimian, Jahangir; Maracy, Mohammad Reza; Entezari, Mohammad Hasan

2017-05-04

Additional oxygen consumption during intense exercises may lead to oxidative stress and contribute to muscular fatigue. Green tea and sour tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), which contain various flavonoids and polyphenols, have many healthful properties such as anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and heart protecting effects. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of green tea and sour tea supplementation on oxidative stress and muscle damage in soccer athletes. This randomized, double-blind control trial was conducted on 54 male soccer players. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups to receive: 450 mg/d green tea extract (GTE) in the first group (n = 18), 450 mg/d sour tea extract (STE) in the second group (n = 18) and 450 mg/d maltodextrin in the control group (n = 18). Fasting whole blood samples were taken under resting conditions at the beginning and the end of the study to quantify the serum levels of muscle damage indices, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and oxidative stress biomarkers, malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). After six weeks intervention, athletes who received GTE and STE supplements compared with the placebo had a significantly decreased MDA level (P = 0.008). Furthermore, STE supplementation resulted in a significant increase in TAC level compared with GTE and placebo groups (P = 0.01). However, supplementation with GTE and STE had no significant effects on muscle damage indices. GTE and STE supplementation have beneficial effects on oxidative stress status in male athletes. However, both kinds of tea extract did not affect muscle damage status.

Value of three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography to assess left ventricular function in hyperuricemia patients.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiaojie; Lu, Qing; Zhang, Zhuojun; Chen, Yongle; Wang, Yanan; Wang, Youngshi; Li, Zheng; Jiang, Lindi

2018-05-22

To assess the value of three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3D STE) in evaluating the left ventricular (LV) function in hyperuricemia patients. We enrolled 15 healthy controls and 40 hyperuricemia patients and collected and analyzed full-volume 3D STE images of the left ventricle in the apical four-chamber heart view. Laboratory tests and 3D STE parameters, including left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end-diastolic volume, left ventricular end-systolic volume, stroke volume (SV), global longitudinal strain (GLS), and global circumferential strain (GCS), were compared between hyperuricemia patients and healthy controls. Hyperuricemia patients exhibited higher body mass index (24.70 ± 2.9 vs. 21.83 ± 2.4 kg/m 2 , p = 0.001), C-reactive protein (5.82 ± 9.4 vs. 1.12 ± 1.8 g/L, p = 0.012), alanine transaminase (34.26 ± 26.6 vs. 17.60 ± 13.0 U/L, p = 0.011), aspartate transaminase (24.90 ± 11.3 vs. 17.70 ± 4.1 U/L, p = 0.001), blood urea nitrogen (5.11 ± 1.6 vs. 4.18 ± 0.6 mmol/L, p = 0.046), and serum creatinine (90.25 ± 14.6 vs. 77.93 ± 10.8 μmol/L, p = 0.006) levels, as well as a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (87.87 ± 16.5 vs. 103.64 ± 11.3 mL/min/1.73m 2 , p = 0.002). The 3D STE parameters reflecting LV function, including SV (54.71 ± 9.6 vs. 61.92 ± 14.4 mL, p = 0.024), GLS (- 20.51 ± 4.0 vs. - 23.20 ± 4.0%, p = 0.019), and GCS (- 31.30 ± 5.0 vs. - 35.65 ± 2.5%, p = 0.000), were significantly decreased in hyperuricemia patients. Furthermore, GCS was significantly correlated with the serum uric acid (sUA) level even after adjustment of confounding variables like age, body mass index, and serum creatinine. 3D STE is a novel technique for recognizing the early decline in LV function, with GLS and GCS serving as reliable indicators, in hyperuricemia patients. Moreover, the degree of decline in LV function may be correlated with the sUA level in hyperuricemia patients.

Reliable Function Approximation and Estimation

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-08-16

AUSTIN , TX 78712 08/16/2016 Final Report DISTRIBUTION A: Distribution approved for public release. Air Force Research Laboratory AF Office Of Scientific...UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN 101 EAST 27TH STREET STE 4308 AUSTIN , TX 78712 DISTRIBUTION A: Distribution approved for public release. INSTRUCTIONS...AFRL-AFOSR-VA-TR-2016-0293 Reliable Function Approximation and Estimation Rachel Ward UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN 101 EAST 27TH STREET STE 4308

8. Wayne Chandler, Photographer, May 2000 Photographic copy of engineering ...

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

8. Wayne Chandler, Photographer, May 2000 Photographic copy of engineering drawings, dated 1911, by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Drawings in possession of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. General plan of hydraulic accumulator, exhaust reservoir, and pressure pumps. - St. Mary's Falls Canal, Soo Locks, Davis Lock Subcomplex, Southwest Operating Shelter, St. Mary's River at Falls, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

10. Wayne Chandler, Photographer, May 2000 Photographic copy of engineering ...

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

10. Wayne Chandler, Photographer, May 2000 Photographic copy of engineering drawings, dated 1912, by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Drawing in possession of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Hydraulic accumulator and pressure pumping plant for east end of Davis Lock. - St. Mary's Falls Canal, Soo Locks, Davis Lock Subcomplex, Davis Lock, St. Mary's River at Falls, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

33 CFR 3.45-45 - Sector Sault Ste. Marie Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone; Marine Safety Unit...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone; Marine Safety Unit Duluth. 3.45-45 Section 3.45-45 Navigation..., SECTORS, MARINE INSPECTION ZONES, AND CAPTAIN OF THE PORT ZONES Ninth Coast Guard District § 3.45-45 Sector Sault Ste. Marie Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone; Marine Safety Unit Duluth...

33 CFR 3.45-45 - Sector Sault Ste. Marie Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone; Marine Safety Unit...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone; Marine Safety Unit Duluth. 3.45-45 Section 3.45-45 Navigation..., SECTORS, MARINE INSPECTION ZONES, AND CAPTAIN OF THE PORT ZONES Ninth Coast Guard District § 3.45-45 Sector Sault Ste. Marie Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone; Marine Safety Unit Duluth...

33 CFR 3.45-45 - Sector Sault Ste. Marie Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone; Marine Safety Unit...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone; Marine Safety Unit Duluth. 3.45-45 Section 3.45-45 Navigation..., SECTORS, MARINE INSPECTION ZONES, AND CAPTAIN OF THE PORT ZONES Ninth Coast Guard District § 3.45-45 Sector Sault Ste. Marie Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone; Marine Safety Unit Duluth...

33 CFR 3.45-45 - Sector Sault Ste. Marie Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone; Marine Safety Unit...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone; Marine Safety Unit Duluth. 3.45-45 Section 3.45-45 Navigation..., SECTORS, MARINE INSPECTION ZONES, AND CAPTAIN OF THE PORT ZONES Ninth Coast Guard District § 3.45-45 Sector Sault Ste. Marie Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone; Marine Safety Unit Duluth...

33 CFR 3.45-45 - Sector Sault Ste. Marie Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone; Marine Safety Unit...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone; Marine Safety Unit Duluth. 3.45-45 Section 3.45-45 Navigation..., SECTORS, MARINE INSPECTION ZONES, AND CAPTAIN OF THE PORT ZONES Ninth Coast Guard District § 3.45-45 Sector Sault Ste. Marie Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone; Marine Safety Unit Duluth...

Comparative studies of a new subfamily of human Ste20-like kinases: homodimerization, subcellular localization, and selective activation of MKK3 and p38.

PubMed

Yustein, Jason T; Xia, Liang; Kahlenburg, J Michelle; Robinson, Dan; Templeton, Dennis; Kung, Hsing-Jien

2003-09-18

The Sterile-20 or Ste20 family of serine/threonine kinases is a group of signaling molecules whose physiological roles within mammalian cells are just starting to be elucidated. Here, in this report we present the characterization of three human Ste20-like kinases with greater than 90% similarity within their catalytic domains that define a novel subfamily of Ste20s. Members of this kinase family include rat thousand and one (TAO1) and chicken KFC (kinase from chicken). For the lack of a consensus nomenclature in the literature, in this report, we shall call this family hKFC (for their homology to chicken KFC) and the three members hKFC-A, hKFC-B, and hKFC-C, respectively. These kinases have many similarities including an aminoterminal kinase domain, a serine-rich region, and a coiled-coil configuration within the C-terminus. All three kinases are able to activate the p38 MAP kinase pathway through the specific activation of the upstream MKK3 kinase. We also offer evidence, both theoretical and biochemical, showing that these kinases can undergo self-association. Despite these similarities, these kinases differ in tissue distribution, apparent subcellular localization, and feature structural differences largely within the carboxyl-terminal sequence.

Formation and mobilization of neutral lipids in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

PubMed

Wagner, A; Daum, G

2005-11-01

Since energy storage is a basic metabolic process, the synthesis of neutral lipids occurs in all kingdoms of life. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, widely accepted as a model eukaryotic cell, contains two classes of neutral lipids, namely STEs (steryl esters) and TAGs (triacylglycerols). TAGs are synthesized through two pathways governed by the acyl-CoA diacylglycerol acyltransferase Dga1p and the phospholipid diacylglycerol acyltransferase Lro1p. STEs are formed by two STE synthases Are1p and Are2p, two enzymes with overlapping function, which also catalyse TAG formation, although to a minor extent. Neutral lipids are stored in the so-called lipid particles and can be utilized for membrane formation under conditions of lipid depletion. For this purpose, storage lipids have to be mobilized by TAG lipases and STE hydrolases. A TAG lipase named Tgl3p was identified as a major yeast TAG hydrolytic enzyme in lipid particles. Recently, a new family of hydrolases was detected which is required for STE mobilization in S. cerevisiae. These enzymes, named Yeh1p, Yeh2p and Tgl1p, are paralogues of the mammalian acid lipase family. The role of these proteins in biosynthesis and mobilization of TAG and STE, and the regulation of these processes will be discussed in this minireview.

Multidimensional differentiation in foraging resource use during breeding of two sympatric top predators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Friedemann, Guilad; Leshem, Yossi; Kerem, Lior; Shacham, Boaz; Bar-Massada, Avi; McClain, Krystaal M.; Bohrer, Gil; Izhaki, Ido

2016-10-01

Ecologically-similar species were found to develop specific strategies to partition their resources, leading to niche differentiation and divergence, in order to avoid interspecific competition. Our study determines multi-dimensional differentiation of two sympatric top-predators, long-legged buzzards (LLB) and short-toed eagles (STE), which recently became sympatric during their breeding season in the Judean Foothills, Israel. By combining information from comprehensive diet and movement analyses we found four dimensions of differentiation: (1) Geographic foraging area: LLB tended to forage relatively close to their nests (2.35 ± 0.62 km), while STE forage far from their nest (13.03 ± 2.20 km) (2) Foraging-habitat type: LLBs forage at low natural vegetation, avoiding cultivated fields, whereas STEs forage in cultivated fields, avoiding low natural vegetation; (3) Diurnal dynamics of foraging: LLBs are uniformly active during daytime, whereas STEs activity peaks in the early afternoon; and (4) Food-niche: while both species largely rely on reptiles (47.8% and 76.3% for LLB and STE, respectively), LLB had a more diverse diet and consumed significantly higher percentages of lizards, while STE consumed significantly higher percentages of snakes. Our results suggest that this multidimensional differentiation allows the spatial coexistence of these two dense populations in the study area.

Fiber Optic Chemical Sensors

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-10-01

patent rights. A major problem was identification of the property of ST&E vs LLNL ST&E was formed to manage the activities of Dr. Hirschfeld and Dr...positions of the fields defined in a fixed format to allow its importation into file management programs both in the microcomputer and the minicomputer...Systems Inc., Perry, Florida. askSam is a free-form information manager . A few basic elements of structure can be used to create a highly structured

Structure of the Integral Membrane Protein CAAX Protease Ste24p

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

Pryor Jr., Edward E.; Horanyi, Peter S.; Clark, Kathleen M.

2012-10-26

Posttranslational lipidation provides critical modulation of the functions of some proteins. Isoprenoids (i.e., farnesyl or geranylgeranyl groups) are attached to cysteine residues in proteins containing C-terminal CAAX sequence motifs (where A is an aliphatic residue and X is any residue). Isoprenylation is followed by cleavage of the AAX amino acid residues and, in some cases, by additional proteolytic cuts. We determined the crystal structure of the CAAX protease Ste24p, a zinc metalloprotease catalyzing two proteolytic steps in the maturation of yeast mating pheromone a -factor. The Ste24p core structure is a ring of seven transmembrane helices enclosing a voluminous cavitymore » containing the active site and substrate-binding groove. The cavity is accessible to the external milieu by means of gaps between splayed transmembrane helices. We hypothesize that cleavage proceeds by means of a processive mechanism of substrate insertion, translocation, and ejection.« less

Molecular Physiology of SPAK and OSR1: Two Ste20-Related Protein Kinases Regulating Ion Transport

PubMed Central

Gagnon, Kenneth B.; Delpire, Eric

2015-01-01

SPAK (Ste20-related proline alanine rich kinase) and OSR1 (oxidative stress responsive kinase) are members of the germinal center kinase VI sub-family of the mammalian Ste20 (Sterile20)-related protein kinase family. Although there are 30 enzymes in this protein kinase family, their conservation across the fungi, plant and animal kingdom confirms their evolutionary importance. Already, a large volume of work has accumulated on the tissue distribution, binding partners, signaling cascades, and physiological roles of mammalian SPAK and OSR1 in multiple organ systems. After reviewing this basic information, we will examine newer studies that demonstrate the pathophysiological consequences to SPAK and/or OSR1 disruption, discuss the development and analysis of genetically-engineered mouse models, and address the possible role these serine/threonine kinases might have in cancer proliferation and migration. PMID:23073627

Assessment of left ventricular functions and myocardial iron load with tissue Doppler and speckle tracking echocardiography and T2* MRI in patients with β-thalassemia major.

PubMed

Ari, Mehmet Emre; Ekici, Filiz; Çetin, İbrahim İlker; Tavil, Emine Betül; Yaralı, Neşe; Işık, Pamir; Hazırolan, Tuncay; Tunç, Bahattin

2017-03-01

The purpose of this study is to determine early myocardial dysfunction in β-thalassemia major (BTM) patients. Where the myocardial dysfunction cannot be detected by conventional echocardiography, it could be detected by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) or speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). In this study, we analyzed 60 individuals, 30 of whom were BTM patients and the other 30 of whom were the control group. T2* magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure cardiac iron deposition. The myocardial functions were evaluated by conventional echocardiography, TDI and STE. When basal lateral left ventricular and basal septal wall TDI values were compared between the patient group and control group, only isovolumic contraction time values were significantly longer in the patients. The global circumferential strain was significantly lower in the patients. When evaluated as segmental, longitudinal strain values of basal inferoseptum and circumferential strain values of anteroseptum, anterior, and inferolateral segments were significantly lower in the patients. In the patients, global longitudinal and circumferential strains in the group who had pathological T2* values were significantly lower than the group who did not. In addition, circumferential strain values in anteroseptum, anterolateral, inferior, and inferoseptum segments were significantly lower in the patients with T2* values<20 ms than those with T2* values≥20 ms. Although T2* MRI is the most sensitive test detecting myocardial iron load, TDI and STE can be used for screening myocardial dysfunction. The abnormal strain values, especially circumferential, may be detected as the first finding of abnormal iron load and related to T2* values. © 2017, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Retrospective epidemiological study of canine epilepsy in Japan using the International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force classification 2015 (2003-2013): etiological distribution, risk factors, survival time, and lifespan.

PubMed

Hamamoto, Yuji; Hasegawa, Daisuke; Mizoguchi, Shunta; Yu, Yoshihiko; Wada, Masae; Kuwabara, Takayuki; Fujiwara-Igarashi, Aki; Fujita, Michio

2016-11-09

Epilepsy is the most common neurological disease in veterinary practice. However, contrary to human medicine, epilepsy classification in veterinary medicine had not been clearly defined until recently. A number of reports on canine epilepsy have been published, reflecting in part updated proposals from the human epilepsy organization, the International League Against Epilepsy. In 2015, the International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force (IVETF) published a consensus report on the classification and definition of canine epilepsy. The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the etiological distribution, survival time of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy (IdE) and structural epilepsy (StE), and risk factors for survival time, according to the recently published IVETF classification. We investigated canine cases with epilepsy that were referred to our teaching hospital in Japan during the past 10 years, and which encompassed a different breed population from Western countries. A total of 358 dogs with epilepsy satisfied our etiological study criteria. Of these, 172 dogs (48 %) were classified as IdE and 76 dogs (21 %) as StE. Of these dogs, 100 dogs (consisting of 65 with IdE and 35 with StE) were included in our survival study. Median survival time from the initial epileptic seizure in dogs with IdE and StE was 10.4 and 4.5 years, respectively. Median lifespan of dogs with IdE and StE was 13.5 and 10.9 years, respectively. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that risk factors for survival time in IdE were high seizure frequency (≥0.3 seizures/month) and focal epileptic seizures. Focal epileptic seizures were identified as a risk factor for survival time in IdE. Clinicians should carefully differentiate seizure type as it is difficult to identify focal epileptic seizures. With good seizure control, dogs with IdE can survive for nearly the same lifespan as the general dog population. Our results using the IVETF classification are similar to previous studies, although some features were noted in our Japanese canine population (which was composed of mainly small-breed dogs), including a longer lifespan in dogs with epilepsy and a larger percentage of meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown origin in dogs with StE.

KFC, a Ste20-like kinase with mitogenic potential and capability to activate the SAPK/JNK pathway.

PubMed

Yustein, J T; Li, D; Robinson, D; Kung, H J

2000-02-03

The Sterile-20 (Ste20) family of serine-threonine kinases has been implicated in the activation of the stress-activated protein kinase pathways. However, the physiological role has remained ambiguous for most of the investigated mammalian Ste20's. Here we report the cloning of a novel Ste20-like kinase, from chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells, which we have named KFC, for Kinase From Chicken. The 898 amino acid full-length KFC protein contains an amino-terminal kinase domain, an adjacent downstream serine-rich region, and a C-terminal tail containing a coiled-coil domain. Here we show that the coiled-coil domain of KFC negatively regulates the intrinsic kinase activity. We have also identified a splice variant of KFC in which there is a 207 nucleotide in-frame deletion. This deletion of 69 amino acids encompasses the serine-rich region. These two isoforms, called KFCL, for full-length, and KFCS for spliced (or short) form, not only differ in structure, but also in biological properties. Stable CEF cells overexpressing KFCL, but not KFCS, have a significant increase in growth rate when compared to parental cells. This mitogenic effect is the first such reported for this family of kinases. Finally, we found that KFC, when activated by truncation of the regulatory C-terminus, has a specific activation of the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK/JNK) pathway.

Final Environmental Impact Statement MX: Buried Trench Construction and Test Project.

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-11-01

miles ’li kmn) away from the s:te along Interstate Highway 3. The nearest : ommunities are Dateland, Arizona , stlmated population less than L00) and...tend to con- centrate in Yuma City, and other groups are randomly distributed through- out the population centers (38, 39). Tourism is an important... tourism to Yuma. The government sector is about the same size as agriculture as a source or earnings, and the presence of substantial military activities

STE/ICE (Simplified Test Equipment/Internal Combustion Engines) Design Guide for Vehicle Diagnostic Connector Assemblies

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-08-01

19 3.2 Diesel Engine Speed Transducer 20 3.3 Pressure Transducer 20 3.4 Temperature Transducer 22 3.5 Differential Pressure Switch 22 3.6 Differential... Pressure Switch , Multi-Point 22 3.7 Current Measurement Transducer 23 - 3.8 Electrolyte Level Probes 23 3.9 Diagnostic Connector 24 3.10 Harness...12258933 Differential Pressure Switch - Multi-point 12258934 K -. Differential Pressure Switch 12258938 Electrolyte Level Sensor 12258935 Shunt 1000

Comparison of speckle-tracking echocardiography with invasive hemodynamics for the detection of characteristic cardiac dysfunction in type-1 and type-2 diabetic rat models.

PubMed

Mátyás, Csaba; Kovács, Attila; Németh, Balázs Tamás; Oláh, Attila; Braun, Szilveszter; Tokodi, Márton; Barta, Bálint András; Benke, Kálmán; Ruppert, Mihály; Lakatos, Bálint Károly; Merkely, Béla; Radovits, Tamás

2018-01-16

Measurement of systolic and diastolic function in animal models is challenging by conventional non-invasive methods. Therefore, we aimed at comparing speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE)-derived parameters to the indices of left ventricular (LV) pressure-volume (PV) analysis to detect cardiac dysfunction in rat models of type-1 (T1DM) and type-2 (T2DM) diabetes mellitus. Rat models of T1DM (induced by 60 mg/kg streptozotocin, n = 8) and T2DM (32-week-old Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats, n = 7) and corresponding control animals (n = 5 and n = 8, respectively) were compared. Echocardiography and LV PV analysis were performed. LV short-axis recordings were used for STE analysis. Global circumferential strain, peak strain rate values in systole (SrS), isovolumic relaxation (SrIVR) and early diastole (SrE) were measured. LV contractility, active relaxation and stiffness were measured by PV analysis. In T1DM, contractility and active relaxation were deteriorated to a greater extent compared to T2DM. In contrast, diastolic stiffness was impaired in T2DM. Correspondingly, STE described more severe systolic dysfunction in T1DM. Among diastolic STE parameters, SrIVR was more decreased in T1DM, however, SrE was more reduced in T2DM. In T1DM, SrS correlated with contractility, SrIVR with active relaxation, while in T2DM SrE was related to cardiac stiffness, cardiomyocyte diameter and fibrosis. Strain and strain rate parameters can be valuable and feasible measures to describe the dynamic changes in contractility, active relaxation and LV stiffness in animal models of T1DM and T2DM. STE corresponds to PV analysis and also correlates with markers of histological myocardial remodeling.

Structure of the top of the Karnak Limestone Member (Ste. Genevieve) in Illinois

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

Bristol, H.M.; Howard, R.H.

1976-01-01

To facilitate petroleum exploration in Illinois, the Illinois State Geological Survey presents a structure map (for most of southern Illinois) of the Karnak Limestone Member--a relatively pure persistent limestone unit (generally 10 to 35 ft thick) in the Ste. Genevieve Limestone of Genevievian age. All available electric logs and selected studies of well cuttings were used in constructing the map. Oil and gas development maps containing Karnak-structure contours are on open file at the ISGS.

5. Wayne Chandler, Photographer, May 2000 Photographic copy of engineering ...

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

5. Wayne Chandler, Photographer, May 2000 Photographic copy of engineering drawings, dated 1912, by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Drawing in possession of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. General plan of wide walls showing location of filling and emptying culvert intakes and discharges, as well as cable system for operating gates. - St. Mary's Falls Canal, Soo Locks, Davis Lock Subcomplex, Davis Lock, St. Mary's River at Falls, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

CON4EI: Development of serious eye damage and eye irritation testing strategies with respect to the requirements of the UN GHS/EU CLP hazard categories.

PubMed

Verstraelen, Sandra; Van Rompay, An R

2018-06-01

The main objective of the CON4EI (CONsortium for in vitro Eye Irritation testing strategy) project (2015-2016) was to develop tiered, non-animal testing strategies for serious eye damage and eye irritation assessment in relation to the most important drivers of classification. The serious eye damage and eye irritation potential of a set of 80 chemicals was identified based on existing in vivo Draize eye test data and testing was conducted using the following eight alternative test methods: BCOP (Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability)+histopathology, BCOP-LLBO (BCOP Laser Light-Based Opacitometer), ICE (Isolated Chicken Eye)+histopathology, STE (Short Term Exposure), EpiOcular™ EIT (EpiOcular Eye Irritation Test), EpiOcular™ ET-50 (EpiOcular™ Time-to-toxicity), SkinEthic™ HCE EIT (SkinEthic™ Human Corneal Epithelial Eye Irritation Test), and SMI (Slug Mucosal Irritation). Project management decided to not include the ICE data in this project since the execution showed relevant, and not predictable, deviations from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Test Guideline (TG) 438 and Guidance Document 160. At this stage, the outcome of these deviations has not been fully assessed. In addition to these alternative test methods, the computational models Toxtree and Case Ultra were taken into account. This project assessed the relevance of these test methods, their applicability domains and limitations in terms of 'drivers of classification', and their strengths and weaknesses. In this way, methods were identified that fit into a tiered-testing strategy for serious eye damage/eye irritation assessment to distinguish United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (UN GHS) Category 1 (Cat 1) chemicals from non-Cat 1 chemicals and address the gap namely distinguish between Category 2 (Cat 2) and Cat 1 chemicals. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Two micro-scale protocols for the isolation of DNA from polysaccharide-rich plant tissue.

PubMed

Shepherd, Lara D; McLay, Todd G B

2011-03-01

The high polysaccharide content of some plant species hinders the successful isolation of their DNA. As an alternative to the macro-extraction methods previously published for polysaccharide-rich plants, we present two techniques (STE/CTAB and HEPES/CTAB), which are performed in microcentrifuge tubes. These protocols are suitable for small amounts of silica gel-preserved plant tissue such as are commonly available from endangered plants. The critical step to remove polysaccharides was performing initial washes in either STE (0.25 M sucrose, 0.03 M Tris, 0.05 M EDTA) or HEPES (2% β-mercaptoethanol, 0.2% PVP, 0.1 M HEPES, pH 8.0) buffer. Precipitating the DNA at room temperature with isopropanol also aided in decreasing polysaccharide co-precipitation. Of the two protocols we present the STE/CTAB method has the advantages of being more cost-effective and avoiding the use of the hazardous chemical β-mercaptoethanol.

[Opportunity for the integration of the gender perspective in health research and innovation in Europe: COST Network genderSTE].

PubMed

Sánchez de Madariaga, Inés; Ruiz Cantero, María Teresa

2014-01-01

The European Commission supports several routes for incorporating the gender perspective. The Commission currently supports the new Horizon 2020 program, and also funds projects such as "gendered innovations", which show how gender innovations increase the quality of research and professional practice for health and welfare. One of the policy instruments is the Recommendation on Gender, Science and Innovation. Against this background, the international European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) network genderSTE (Gender, Science, Technology and Environment) was created, which seeks to: 1) promote structural changes in institutions to increase the number of women researchers; 2) identify the gender dimensions relevant to the environment; and 3) improve the integration of a gender perspective in research and technology. COST GenderSTE supports networking and the dissemination of knowledge with a gender perspective. All these tools provide an opportunity to incorporate a gender perspective in research in Europe. Copyright © 2013 SESPAS. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

The mapping of yeast's G-protein coupled receptor with an atomic force microscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takenaka, Musashi; Miyachi, Yusuke; Ishii, Jun; Ogino, Chiaki; Kondo, Akihiko

2015-03-01

An atomic force microscope (AFM) can measure the adhesion force between a sample and a cantilever while simultaneously applying a rupture force during the imaging of a sample. An AFM should be useful in targeting specific proteins on a cell surface. The present study proposes the use of an AFM to measure the adhesion force between targeting receptors and their ligands, and to map the targeting receptors. In this study, Ste2p, one of the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), was chosen as the target receptor. The specific force between Ste2p on a yeast cell surface and a cantilever modified with its ligand, α-factor, was measured and found to be approximately 250 pN. In addition, through continuous measuring of the cell surface, a mapping of the receptors on the cell surface could be performed, which indicated the differences in the Ste2p expression levels. Therefore, the proposed AFM system is accurate for cell diagnosis.

Creating a knowledge-based economy in the United Arab Emirates: realising the unfulfilled potential of women in the science, technology and engineering fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghazal Aswad, Noor; Vidican, Georgeta; Samulewicz, Diana

2011-12-01

As the United Arab Emirates (UAE) moves towards a knowledge-based economy, maximising the participation of the national workforce, especially women, in the transformation process is crucial. Using survey methods and semi-structured interviews, this paper examines the factors that influence women's decisions regarding their degree programme and their attitudes towards science, technology and engineering (STE). The findings point to the importance of adapting mainstream policies to the local context and the need to better understand the effect of culture and society on the individual and the economy. There is a need to increase interest in STE by raising awareness of what the fields entail, potential careers and their suitability with existing cultural beliefs. Also suggested is the need to overcome negative stereotypes of engineering, implement initiatives for further family involvement at the higher education level, as well as the need to ensure a greater availability of STE university programmes across the UAE.

Stratigraphic and facies analysis of Ste. Genevieve Limestone, Putnam County, Indiana

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

Stevenson, G.M.

1987-05-01

The Ste. Genevieve Limestone (Mississippian) in Putnam County, Indiana, was deposited on a southwestward-sloping ramp in the northeastern portion of the Illinois basin. This portion of the Ste. Genevieve Limestone is divided into three members which, in ascending order, are the Fredonia, the Spar Mountain, and the Levias. The Fredonia Member appears to be homogeneous biomicrite on out-crop, but petrographic analysis reveals mottling and distinguishable pellets and is classified as pelbiosparite. Storm deposits are observed and typically are composed of fossil hash zones (biopelsparite) overlain by calcitic shale layers. Bioclasts consist of stenohaline forms with foraminifera, echinoderms, and bryozoans predominant.more » The gray-green shale layers represent punctuated terrigenous influx in this shallow restricted shelf. The Spar Mountain Member is commonly cross-bedded calcarenite but commonly lacks the quartz and is oolitic-pelbiosparite. The dominant particle types are quartz-centered ooids, peloids, and echinoderm fragments. Relatively high energy conditions and herringbone-cross-beds suggest deposition of a shoal with tidal current influence. The Levias Member is thin-bedded biopelsparite which represents shallow shelf deposition. The Bryantsville Breccia Bed varies in thickness across the study area and marks the top of the Levias Member. Oolitic-biopelsparite centimeter-sized clasts are contained in a matrix of similar material, suggesting an intraformational mode of origin, possibly a collapse breccia. Two incomplete shoaling-upward cycles are present in this Ste. Genevieve sequence. The lower portion of each cycle is pelbiosparite/biopelsparite overlain by oolitic-pelbiosparite and/or calcarenite.« less

Preliminary study on filamentous particle distribution in septic tank effluent and their impact on filter cake development.

PubMed

Spychała, Marcin; Nieć, Jakub; Pawlak, Maciej

2013-01-01

In this paper, the preliminary study on the impact of filamentous particles (FP) in the septic tank effluent (STE) on filter cake (FC) development was presented. The number, length and diameter (30 p./cm3, 451 and 121 microm, respectively, on average) of FPs were measured using microscope image analysis of STE samples condensed using a vacuum evaporation set. Results of this study showed, that 0.73% of volatile suspended solids (VSSs) mass from the STE occurs in the form of FPs. No correlation between FP total mass and VSS was found. An experiment with a layer of FPs simulated by ground toilet paper was conducted and showed the impact of this layer (4.89 mg/cm2) on wastewater hydraulic conductivity--for an FC with FPs (FC-FP), hydraulic conductivity was seven times lower than for the FC without the FP layer, and on outflow quality (lower concentration of organic matter expressed as chemical oxygen demand (COD) in effluent from the FC-FP filter than in the effluent from the FC filter: 618 and 732 gO2/m3, respectively). Despite a relatively small amount of FPs in STE solids (as volume fraction), they play an important role in FC development due to their relatively high length and low degradability. Probably relatively small pores of the FC containing FPs (FC-FP) caused a small particle blocking and a decrease in permeability.

Electroencephalogram–Electromyography Coupling Analysis in Stroke Based on Symbolic Transfer Entropy

PubMed Central

Gao, Yunyuan; Ren, Leilei; Li, Rihui; Zhang, Yingchun

2018-01-01

The coupling strength between electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) signals during motion control reflects the interaction between the cerebral motor cortex and muscles. Therefore, neuromuscular coupling characterization is instructive in assessing motor function. In this study, to overcome the limitation of losing the characteristics of signals in conventional time series symbolization methods, a variable scale symbolic transfer entropy (VS-STE) analysis approach was proposed for corticomuscular coupling evaluation. Post-stroke patients (n = 5) and healthy volunteers (n = 7) were recruited and participated in various tasks (left and right hand gripping, elbow bending). The proposed VS-STE was employed to evaluate the corticomuscular coupling strength between the EEG signal measured from the motor cortex and EMG signal measured from the upper limb in both the time-domain and frequency-domain. Results showed a greater strength of the bi-directional (EEG-to-EMG and EMG-to-EEG) VS-STE in post-stroke patients compared to healthy controls. In addition, the strongest EEG–EMG coupling strength was observed in the beta frequency band (15–35 Hz) during the upper limb movement. The predefined coupling strength of EMG-to-EEG in the affected side of the patient was larger than that of EEG-to-EMG. In conclusion, the results suggested that the corticomuscular coupling is bi-directional, and the proposed VS-STE can be used to quantitatively characterize the non-linear synchronization characteristics and information interaction between the primary motor cortex and muscles. PMID:29354091

Detergent-associated solution conformations of helical and beta-barrel membrane proteins.

PubMed

Mo, Yiming; Lee, Byung-Kwon; Ankner, John F; Becker, Jeffrey M; Heller, William T

2008-10-23

Membrane proteins present major challenges for structural biology. In particular, the production of suitable crystals for high-resolution structural determination continues to be a significant roadblock for developing an atomic-level understanding of these vital cellular systems. The use of detergents for extracting membrane proteins from the native membrane for either crystallization or reconstitution into model lipid membranes for further study is assumed to leave the protein with the proper fold with a belt of detergent encompassing the membrane-spanning segments of the structure. Small-angle X-ray scattering was used to probe the detergent-associated solution conformations of three membrane proteins, namely bacteriorhodopsin (BR), the Ste2p G-protein coupled receptor from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and the Escherichia coli porin OmpF. The results demonstrate that, contrary to the traditional model of a detergent-associated membrane protein, the helical proteins BR and Ste2p are not in the expected, compact conformation and associated with detergent micelles, while the beta-barrel OmpF is indeed embedded in a disk-like micelle in a properly folded state. The comparison provided by the BR and Ste2p, both members of the 7TM family of helical membrane proteins, further suggests that the interhelical interactions between the transmembrane helices of the two proteins differ, such that BR, like other rhodopsins, can properly refold to crystallize, while Ste2p continues to prove resistant to crystallization from an initially detergent-associated state.

A Practical Application Combining Wireless Sensor Networks and Internet of Things: Safety Management System for Tower Crane Groups

PubMed Central

Zhong, Dexing; Lv, Hongqiang; Han, Jiuqiang; Wei, Quanrui

2014-01-01

The so-called Internet of Things (IoT) has attracted increasing attention in the field of computer and information science. In this paper, a specific application of IoT, named Safety Management System for Tower Crane Groups (SMS-TC), is proposed for use in the construction industry field. The operating status of each tower crane was detected by a set of customized sensors, including horizontal and vertical position sensors for the trolley, angle sensors for the jib and load, tilt and wind speed sensors for the tower body. The sensor data is collected and processed by the Tower Crane Safety Terminal Equipment (TC-STE) installed in the driver's operating room. Wireless communication between each TC-STE and the Local Monitoring Terminal (LMT) at the ground worksite were fulfilled through a Zigbee wireless network. LMT can share the status information of the whole group with each TC-STE, while the LMT records the real-time data and reports it to the Remote Supervision Platform (RSP) through General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). Based on the global status data of the whole group, an anti-collision algorithm was executed in each TC-STE to ensure the safety of each tower crane during construction. Remote supervision can be fulfilled using our client software installed on a personal computer (PC) or smartphone. SMS-TC could be considered as a promising practical application that combines a Wireless Sensor Network with the Internet of Things. PMID:25196106

Detergent-associated Solution Conformations of Helical and Beta-barrel Membrane Proteins

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

Mo, Yiming; Lee, Byung-Kwon; Ankner, John Francis

2008-01-01

Membrane proteins present major challenges for structural biology. In particular, the production of suitable crystals for high-resolution structural determination continues to be a significant roadblock for developing an atomic-level understanding of these vital cellular systems. The use of detergents for extracting membrane proteins from the native membrane for either crystallization or reconstitution into model lipid membranes for further study is assumed to leave the protein with the proper fold with a belt of detergent encompassing the membrane-spanning segments of the structure. Small-angle X-ray scattering was used to probe the detergent-associated solution conformations of three membrane proteins, namely bacteriorhodopsin (BR), themore » Ste2p G-protein coupled receptor from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and the Escherichia coli porin OmpF. The results demonstrate that, contrary to the traditional model of a detergent-associated membrane protein, the helical proteins BR and Ste2p are not in the expected, compact conformation and associated with detergent micelles, while the ?-barrel OmpF is indeed embedded in a disk-like micelle in a properly folded state. The comparison provided by the BR and Ste2p, both members of the 7TM family of helical membrane proteins, further suggests that the interhelical interactions between the transmembrane helices of the two proteins differ, such that BR, like other rhodopsins, can properly refold to crystallize, while Ste2p continues to prove resistant to crystallization from an initially detergent-associated state.« less

Frequency and Efficacy of Talk-Related Tasks in Primary Science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Braund, Martin; Leigh, Joanne

2013-04-01

Pupil talk and discussion are seen as having important social and cognitive outcomes. In science classes, pupils' collaborative talk supports the construction of meaning and helps examine the status of evidence, theory and knowledge. However, pupil interactive talk in groups is rare in science lessons. The research reported is part of a project to increase the amount of pupil-pupil talk in primary schools through a programme of teaching and professional development. Pupils' self-reports of the frequency and learning efficacies of talk related activities in science lessons were collected before and after a programme of teaching in 24 schools in one of the most socially and educationally deprived areas of England. Findings showed pupils valued talking about their ideas over listening to those of other pupils. Science talk frequency (STF) was closely correlated with science talk efficacy (STE) and both were positively correlated with pupils' attitudes to school science. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) of the correlation of STF with STE showed values were independent of gender and ability but that school experience was a significant factor. After the teaching programme and, contrary to expectations, the frequency of talk activities in science lessons appeared to have decreased but varied according to class grades. The degree of correlation between STF and STE was stronger after the teaching in over half of the schools. Schools where STF/STE strengthened most as a result of teaching were those involved in an additional initiative to use modelled talk related to industrial contexts.

A practical application combining wireless sensor networks and Internet of Things: Safety Management System for Tower Crane Groups.

PubMed

Zhong, Dexing; Lv, Hongqiang; Han, Jiuqiang; Wei, Quanrui

2014-07-30

The so-called Internet of Things (IoT) has attracted increasing attention in the field of computer and information science. In this paper, a specific application of IoT, named Safety Management System for Tower Crane Groups (SMS-TC), is proposed for use in the construction industry field. The operating status of each tower crane was detected by a set of customized sensors, including horizontal and vertical position sensors for the trolley, angle sensors for the jib and load, tilt and wind speed sensors for the tower body. The sensor data is collected and processed by the Tower Crane Safety Terminal Equipment (TC-STE) installed in the driver's operating room. Wireless communication between each TC-STE and the Local Monitoring Terminal (LMT) at the ground worksite were fulfilled through a Zigbee wireless network. LMT can share the status information of the whole group with each TC-STE, while the LMT records the real-time data and reports it to the Remote Supervision Platform (RSP) through General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). Based on the global status data of the whole group, an anti-collision algorithm was executed in each TC-STE to ensure the safety of each tower crane during construction. Remote supervision can be fulfilled using our client software installed on a personal computer (PC) or smartphone. SMS-TC could be considered as a promising practical application that combines a Wireless Sensor Network with the Internet of Things.

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

Ojeda-Gonzalez, A.; Prestes, A.; Klausner, V.

Spatio-temporal entropy (STE) analysis is used as an alternative mathematical tool to identify possible magnetic cloud (MC) candidates. We analyze Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) data using a time interval of only 10 days. We select a convenient data interval of 2500 records moving forward by 200 record steps until the end of the time series. For every data segment, the STE is calculated at each step. During an MC event, the STE reaches values close to zero. This extremely low value of STE is due to MC structure features. However, not all of the magnetic components in MCs have STEmore » values close to zero at the same time. For this reason, we create a standardization index (the so-called Interplanetary Entropy, IE, index). This index is a worthwhile effort to develop new tools to help diagnose ICME structures. The IE was calculated using a time window of one year (1999), and it has a success rate of 70% over other identifiers of MCs. The unsuccessful cases (30%) are caused by small and weak MCs. The results show that the IE methodology identified 9 of 13 MCs, and emitted nine false alarm cases. In 1999, a total of 788 windows of 2500 values existed, meaning that the percentage of false alarms was 1.14%, which can be considered a good result. In addition, four time windows, each of 10 days, are studied, where the IE method was effective in finding MC candidates. As a novel result, two new MCs are identified in these time windows.« less

Blue Whale Behavioral Response Study & Field Testing of the New Bioacoustic Probe

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-09-30

New Bioacoustic Probe Erin M. Oleson NOAA-NMFS-Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center 1601 Kapiolani Blvd. Ste. 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814...NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) NOAA-NMFS-Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center,1601...goal is to bring the new tag into a field- ready state for community -wide use of the tag with a variety of cetacean species to study vocal and dive

Summary Report of Depleted Uranium (DU) Survey Actions at Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR), Airspace Region 63B, Active Target Complex 10 (63-10)

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-09-15

currently valid OMB control number. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS. 1. REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YYYY) 15 Sep 2016 2. REPORT TYPE...Consultative Letter 3. DATES COVERED (From – To) Feb – Jun 2013 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Summary Report of Depleted Uranium (DU) Survey Actions at...USAF RADIOISOTOPE COMMITTEE SECRETARIAT ATTN: DR. RAMACHANDRA BHAT 7700 ARLINGTON BLVD, STE 5151 FALLS CHURCH, VA 22042-5151

Ste. Genevieve, Missouri Feasibility Report (Flood Control Study for Historic Ste. Genevieve - 80061). Volume 2. Appendices.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-06-01

A greater seismic risk may be posed by two other zones: the *-."Southern Illinois - Wabash Zone and the New Madrid Zone. Earthquake ground motions...A-3 S 0I The study area is located in the Ozark Random Source Zone. This *seismotectonic zone is a region of moderate seismicity ( earthquake activity...40 inches, so that the tops of the casings are now 57 inches above the 1973 flood height. The new well casings’ elevations are approximately 395 feet

Application of Rapid Solidification Techniques to Aluminum Alloys

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-10-01

relatkonship h e 4r eoTs/(T5 TG) (3.7) 32 where e is the surface emissivity, a is the Stefan Boltzmann constant, Ts and TG are the droplet and cooling...their fully implicit form and solved by a Gauss Seidel iteration routine. The results are I I 40I compared with the equivalent Newtonian case and...temperature respectively, Fo is the Fourier number or dimensionless time, Fo = aLt/r2 (5.2) and Ste is the Stefan number, Ste = CL (TM - TG)/AHM (5.3) which

Is blood pressure reduction a valid surrogate endpoint for stroke prevention? an analysis incorporating a systematic review of randomised controlled trials, a by-trial weighted errors-in-variables regression, the surrogate threshold effect (STE) and the biomarker-surrogacy (BioSurrogate) evaluation schema (BSES)

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Blood pressure is considered to be a leading example of a valid surrogate endpoint. The aims of this study were to (i) formally evaluate systolic and diastolic blood pressure reduction as a surrogate endpoint for stroke prevention and (ii) determine what blood pressure reduction would predict a stroke benefit. Methods We identified randomised trials of at least six months duration comparing any pharmacologic anti-hypertensive treatment to placebo or no treatment, and reporting baseline blood pressure, on-trial blood pressure, and fatal and non-fatal stroke. Trials with fewer than five strokes in at least one arm were excluded. Errors-in-variables weighted least squares regression modelled the reduction in stroke as a function of systolic blood pressure reduction and diastolic blood pressure reduction respectively. The lower 95% prediction band was used to determine the minimum systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure difference, the surrogate threshold effect (STE), below which there would be no predicted stroke benefit. The STE was used to generate the surrogate threshold effect proportion (STEP), a surrogacy metric, which with the R-squared trial-level association was used to evaluate blood pressure as a surrogate endpoint for stroke using the Biomarker-Surrogacy Evaluation Schema (BSES3). Results In 18 qualifying trials representing all pharmacologic drug classes of antihypertensives, assuming a reliability coefficient of 0.9, the surrogate threshold effect for a stroke benefit was 7.1 mmHg for systolic blood pressure and 2.4 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure. The trial-level association was 0.41 and 0.64 and the STEP was 66% and 78% for systolic and diastolic blood pressure respectively. The STE and STEP were more robust to measurement error in the independent variable than R-squared trial-level associations. Using the BSES3, assuming a reliability coefficient of 0.9, systolic blood pressure was a B + grade and diastolic blood pressure was an A grade surrogate endpoint for stroke prevention. In comparison, using the same stroke data sets, no STEs could be estimated for cardiovascular (CV) mortality or all-cause mortality reduction, although the STE for CV mortality approached 25 mmHg for systolic blood pressure. Conclusions In this report we provide the first surrogate threshold effect (STE) values for systolic and diastolic blood pressure. We suggest the STEs have face and content validity, evidenced by the inclusivity of trial populations, subject populations and pharmacologic intervention populations in their calculation. We propose that the STE and STEP metrics offer another method of evaluating the evidence supporting surrogate endpoints. We demonstrate how surrogacy evaluations are strengthened if formally evaluated within specific-context evaluation frameworks using the Biomarker- Surrogate Evaluation Schema (BSES3), and we discuss the implications of our evaluation of blood pressure on other biomarkers and patient-reported instruments in relation to surrogacy metrics and trial design. PMID:22409774

Net subterranean estuarine export fluxes of dissolved inorganic C, N, P, Si, and total alkalinity into the Jiulong River estuary, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Guizhi; Wang, Zhangyong; Zhai, Weidong; Moore, Willard S.; Li, Qing; Yan, Xiuli; Qi, Di; Jiang, Yuwu

2015-01-01

To evaluate geochemical impacts of the subterranean estuary (STE) on the Jiulong River estuary, China, we estimated seasonal fluxes of subterranean water discharge into the estuary based on the mass balance of radium isotopes and net subterranean export fluxes of dissolved inorganic C (DIC), N (DIN), Si (DSi), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), and total alkalinity (TA). Based on 226Ra data, the subterranean discharge (in 107 m3 d-1) was estimated to be 0.29-0.60 in the spring, 0.69-1.44 in the summer, 0.45-0.93 in the fall, and 0.26-0.54 in the winter. This was equivalent to 8-19% of the concomitant river discharge. The net spatially integrated material fluxes from the STE into the estuary were equivalent up to 45-110% of the concomitant riverine fluxes for DIC and TA, around 14-32% for DSi and 7-19% for DIN, and negligible for SRP. Paradoxically, the mixing lines along the salinity gradient revealed no apparent additions of these species. These additions are not revealed because the STE is a relatively small spatially-averaged source (at most 11% of the total input at steady state) that spreads throughout the estuary as a non-point source in contrast to the major point sources of the river and the ocean for the estuary and a true open ocean endmember is likely lacking. Greater water flushing in the summer might dilute the STE effect on the mixing lines even more. The great spatial variation in salinity in the estuary introduced the major uncertainty in our estimates of the flushing time, which further affected the estimate of the subterranean discharge and associated material fluxes. Additionally, the great spatial variation in the STE endmember caused the relatively large ranges in these flux estimates. Despite apparent conservative mixing of DIC, DIN, and DSi in estuaries, net subterranean exports must be taken into account in evaluating geochemical impacts of estuarine exports on shelf waters.

SVM-based classification of LV wall motion in cardiac MRI with the assessment of STE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mantilla, Juan; Garreau, Mireille; Bellanger, Jean-Jacques; Paredes, José Luis

2015-01-01

In this paper, we propose an automated method to classify normal/abnormal wall motion in Left Ventricle (LV) function in cardiac cine-Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), taking as reference, strain information obtained from 2D Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (STE). Without the need of pre-processing and by exploiting all the images acquired during a cardiac cycle, spatio-temporal profiles are extracted from a subset of radial lines from the ventricle centroid to points outside the epicardial border. Classical Support Vector Machines (SVM) are used to classify features extracted from gray levels of the spatio-temporal profile as well as their representations in the Wavelet domain under the assumption that the data may be sparse in that domain. Based on information obtained from radial strain curves in 2D-STE studies, we label all the spatio-temporal profiles that belong to a particular segment as normal if the peak systolic radial strain curve of this segment presents normal kinesis, or abnormal if the peak systolic radial strain curve presents hypokinesis or akinesis. For this study, short-axis cine- MR images are collected from 9 patients with cardiac dyssynchrony for which we have the radial strain tracings at the mid-papilary muscle obtained by 2D STE; and from one control group formed by 9 healthy subjects. The best classification performance is obtained with the gray level information of the spatio-temporal profiles using a RBF kernel with 91.88% of accuracy, 92.75% of sensitivity and 91.52% of specificity.

Complex facies relationships and regional stratigraphy of the Mississippian Ste. Genevieve, Paoli, and Aux Vases Formations, Illinois basin: A major hydrocarbon-producing interval

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

Cole, R.D.; Nelson, W.J.

1993-03-01

The Mississippian Ste. Genevieve and Paoli Limestones and sandstones of the Aux Vases Formation are lateral facies of one another. This interpretation is based on comprehensive investigations of outcrops, and selected cores, samples of well cuttings, and geophysical logs conducted over a period of four years. Both units exhibit similar sedimentological characteristics and represent open marine, shallow subtidal, and intertidal environments. The presence of low-angle cross-laminae, ripple- and plane-laminae, climbing ripples, and ooid shoals suggest most deposition occurred under low energy conditions. Lenticular, channel-like scour and fill structures that contain both fine-grained quartz sand and abraded, disarticulated fossil fragments indicatemore » localized higher energy deposition. The authors studies indicate that siliciclastic vs. carbonate deposition was controlled strictly by available sediment, and not by regressive (siliciclastic) and transgressive (carbonate) events, as inferred by previous workers. This conclusion is based on lateral facies relationships, and the supplanting of carbonates by clastics occurring in the upper part of the Ste. Genevieve through the middle part of the Paoli. The Aux Vases is thickest, coarsest, and least mature in the northwestern part of the Illinois Basin, and pinches out to the southeast. This implies a northwesterly source for clastics, perhaps the Transcontinental Arch. After early Chesterian time, the Transcontinental Arch apparently supplied little or no sediment to any flanking basin. The Ste. Genevieve, Paoli, and Aux Vases are major oil-producing units in the Illinois Basin. New understanding of regional relationships should enhance exploratory success and improve recovery from established fields.« less

Deformation associated with the Ste. Genevieve fault zone and mid-continent tectonics

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

Schultz, A.; Baker, G.S.; Harrison, R.W.

1992-01-01

The Ste. Genevieve fault is a northwest-trending deformation zone on the northeast edge of the Ozark Dome in Missouri. The fault has been described as a high-angle block fault resulting from vertical uplift of Proterozoic basement rocks, and also as a left-lateral, strike-slip or transpressive wrench fault associated with the Reelfoot rift. Recent mapping across the fault zone documents significant changes in the style of deformation along strike, including variations in the number and the spacing of fault strands, changes in the orientation of rocks within and adjacent to the fault zone, and changes in the direction of stratigraphic offsetmore » between different fault slices. These data are inconsistent with existing Ste. Genevieve models of monoclinal folding over basement upthrusts. Mesoscopic structural analysis of rocks in and near the fault zone indicates highly deformed noncylindrical folds, faults with normal, reverse, oblique, and strike-slip components of movement, and complex joint systems. Fabric orientation, calcite shear fibers, and slickensides indicate that the majority of these mesoscopic structures are kinematically related to left-lateral oblique slip with the southwest side up. Within the fault zone are highly fractured rocks, microscopic to coarse-grained carbonate breccia, and siliciclastic cataclasite. Microscopic deformation includes twinning in carbonate rocks, deformation banding, undulose extinction, and strain-induced polygonization in quartz, tectonic stylolites, extension veining, microfractures, and grain-scale cataclasis. Data are consistent with models relating the Ste. Genevieve fault zone to left-lateral oblique slip possibly associated with New Madrid tectonism.« less

T1 correlates age: A short-TE MR relaxometry study in vivo on human cortical bone free water at 1.5T.

PubMed

Akbari, Atena; Abbasi-Rad, Shahrokh; Rad, Hamidreza Saligheh

2016-02-01

Large pores of human cortical bone (>30μm) are filled with fluids, essentially consisting of water, suggesting that cortical bone free water can be considered as a reliable surrogate measure of cortical bone porosity and hence quality. Signal from such pores can be reliably captured using Short Echo Time (STE) pulse sequence with echo-time in the range of 1-1.5msec (which should be judiciously selected correspond to T2(⁎) value of free water molecules). Furthermore, it is well-known that cortical bone T1-relaxivity is a function of its geometry, suggesting that cortical bone free water increases with age. In this work, we quantified cortical bone free water longitudinal relaxation time (T1) by a Dual-TR technique using STE pulse sequence. In the sequel, we investigated relationship between STE-derived cortical bone free water T1-values and age in a group of healthy volunteers (thirty subjects covering the age range of 20-70years) at 1.5T. Preliminary results showed that cortical bone free water T1 highly correlates with age (r(2)=0.73, p<0.0001), representing cortical bone free water T1 as a reliable indicator of cortical bone porosity and age-related deterioration. It can be concluded that STE-MRI can be utilized as proper alternative in quantifying cortical bone porosity parameters in-vivo, with the advantages of widespread clinical availability and being cost-effective. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A model-based study delineating the roles of the two signaling branches of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Sho1 and Sln1, during adaptation to osmotic stress

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parmar, J. H.; Bhartiya, Sharad; Venkatesh, K. V.

2009-09-01

Adaptation to osmotic shock in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is brought about by the activation of two independent signaling pathways, Sho1 and Sln1, which in turn trigger the high osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathway. The HOG pathway thereby activates the transcription of Gpd1p, an enzyme necessary to synthesize glycerol. The production of glycerol brings about a change in the intracellular osmolarity leading to adaptation. We present a detailed mechanistic model for the response of the yeast to hyperosmotic shock. The model integrates the two branches, Sho1 and Sln1, of the HOG pathway and also includes the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade, gene regulation and metabolism. Model simulations are consistent with known experimental results for wild-type strain, and Ste11Δ and Ssk1Δ mutant strains subjected to osmotic stress. Simulation results predict that both the branches contribute to the overall wild-type response for moderate osmotic shock, while under severe osmotic shock, the cell responds mainly through the Sln1 branch. The analysis shows that the Sln1 branch helps the cell in preventing cross-talk to other signaling pathways by inhibiting ste11ste50 activation and also by increasing the phosphorylation of Ste50. We show that the negative feedbacks to the Sho1 branch must be faster than those to the Sln1 branch to simultaneously achieve pathway specificity and adaptation during hyperosmotic shock. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the presence of both branches imparts robust behavior to the cell under osmoadaptation to perturbations.

Earth Observation

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-06-29

ISS028-E-010162 (29 June 2011) --- Sault Ste Marie, Ontario and Michigan are featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 28 crew member on the International Space Station. The twin cities of Sault Ste Marie are located across the St. Mary?s River that forms part of the international boundary between Canada (Province of Ontario) and the United States (State of Michigan). This photograph highlights the two cities, together with the region of lakes and islands that separates Lakes Huron and Superior, two of the Great Lakes of North America. Smaller lakes include Lake George to the west; the large forested islands of St. Joseph and Drummond are visible at lower left. The Sault Ste Marie urban areas (upper right) have a distinctive gray to white coloration in the image, contrasting with the deep green of forested areas in Ontario and the lighter green of agricultural fields in Michigan. The coloration of water surfaces in the lakes and rivers varies from blue to blue-green to silver, and is likely caused by varying degrees of sediment and sunglint ? light reflecting back to the observer on the space station from the water surface, much as light reflects from a mirror. Prior to formalization of the US/Canada border in 1817, Sault Ste Marie was a single community. Archeological evidence suggests that the region had been occupied by Native Americans at least five hundred years ago. A mission ? the first European settlement in Michigan ? was established there in 1668 by the French Jesuit Father Jacques Marquette. Today, shipping locks and canals in both urban areas are an important part of the Great Lakes shipping traffic system.

Heart rate variability and repolarization characteristics in symptomatic and asymptomatic Brugada syndrome.

PubMed

Behar, Nathalie; Petit, Bertrand; Probst, Vincent; Sacher, Frederic; Kervio, Gaelle; Mansourati, Jacques; Bru, Paul; Hernandez, Alfredo; Mabo, Philippe

2017-10-01

Modulation of ST-segment elevation (STE) and tachyarrhythmic events by the autonomic nervous system (ANS) has been reported in patients with Brugada syndrome (BS). This study examined and compared the autonomic characteristics and STE in symptomatic vs. asymptomatic patients with BS. We studied 40 symptomatic and 78 asymptomatic patients (mean age = 46.1 ± 13.7 years; 88 men) who underwent 24 h, 12-lead electrocardiograms, and exercise and a head-up tilt tests. Heart rate variability was examined and STE was measured at 5 points between 100 and 140 ms after the onset of 1 min averaged QRS complexes, and the type 1 Brugada pattern was automatically identified. 'Type 1 Brugada burden' was the percentage of averaged type 1 complexes. All measurements were made over 24 h, and during day and night times. During daytime, the variation coefficients of standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals were 39.0 ± 12.3 vs. 34.1 ± 14.5 ms (P< 0.05) and high frequency normalized units were 39.9 ± 16.9 vs. 33.9 ± 16.2% (P< 0.05) in symptomatic vs. asymptomatic patients, respectively. ST-segment elevation was similar in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients at all time points. The type 1 Brugada burden in V2 was 38.7 ± 33.6% in the symptomatic vs. 24.3 ± 35.2% in the asymptomatic sample, a statistically non-significant difference. This analysis of ANS did not identify sensitive predictors of arrhythmic events in patients with BS. We observed, however, greater fluctuations in sinus node response to ANS in symptomatic patients. The type 1 Brugada electrocardiographic pattern was not as reliable a predictor of arrhythmic risk as previously reported. Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2016. For permissions please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Three alpha-subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins and an adenylyl cyclase have distinct roles in fruiting body development in the homothallic fungus Sordaria macrospora.

PubMed

Kamerewerd, Jens; Jansson, Malin; Nowrousian, Minou; Pöggeler, Stefanie; Kück, Ulrich

2008-09-01

Sordaria macrospora, a self-fertile filamentous ascomycete, carries genes encoding three different alpha-subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins (gsa, G protein Sordaria alpha subunit). We generated knockout strains for all three gsa genes (Deltagsa1, Deltagsa2, and Deltagsa3) as well as all combinations of double mutants. Phenotypic analysis of single and double mutants showed that the genes for Galpha-subunits have distinct roles in the sexual life cycle. While single mutants show some reduction of fertility, double mutants Deltagsa1Deltagsa2 and Deltagsa1Deltagsa3 are completely sterile. To test whether the pheromone receptors PRE1 and PRE2 mediate signaling via distinct Galpha-subunits, two recently generated Deltapre strains were crossed with all Deltagsa strains. Analyses of the corresponding double mutants revealed that compared to GSA2, GSA1 is a more predominant regulator of a signal transduction cascade downstream of the pheromone receptors and that GSA3 is involved in another signaling pathway that also contributes to fruiting body development and fertility. We further isolated the gene encoding adenylyl cyclase (AC) (sac1) for construction of a knockout strain. Analyses of the three DeltagsaDeltasac1 double mutants and one Deltagsa2Deltagsa3Deltasac1 triple mutant indicate that SAC1 acts downstream of GSA3, parallel to a GSA1-GSA2-mediated signaling pathway. In addition, the function of STE12 and PRO41, two presumptive signaling components, was investigated in diverse double mutants lacking those developmental genes in combination with the gsa genes. This analysis was further completed by expression studies of the ste12 and pro41 transcripts in wild-type and mutant strains. From the sum of all our data, we propose a model for how different Galpha-subunits interact with pheromone receptors, adenylyl cyclase, and STE12 and thus cooperatively regulate sexual development in S. macrospora.

Complex oolite reservoirs in Ste. Genevieve limestone (Mississippian) at Folsomville field, Warrick County, Indiana

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

Zuppann, C.W.

1989-09-01

Correlation of productive zones at the Folsomville field is difficult because lithology in the upper part of the Ste. Genevieve Limestone, which contains oolite bodies, is both laterally and vertically variable. The problem is further complicated by significant thickness variations of this interval that result in juxtaposed positions of porosity zones when geophysical logs are correlated side by side. Subsurface slice mapping, now an infrequently used method of subsurface analysis, can resolve complex geometries of oolite bodies and account for seemingly incongruous patterns of hydrocarbon production. Any mappable parameter can be envisioned in three dimensions by using the slice-map method.more » Net porosity and lithofacies slice maps, constructed at 2-ft intervals beneath a persistent stratigraphic marker near the top of the Ste. Genevieve Limestone, describe the stratigraphic geometries of oolite reservoirs at the Folsomville field. Integrating fluid content and well-production histories with the slice maps allows patterns of hydrocarbon production to be deciphered, a procedure that should provide a valuable guide in designing the most effect enhanced recovery program for the field.« less

Luminescence of silicon dioxide different polymorph modification: Silica glass, α-quartz, stishovite, coesite

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

Trukhin, A. N., E-mail: truhins@cfi.lu.lv

2014-10-21

Stishovite, coesite, oxygen deficient silica glass as well as irradiated α-quartz, exhibit two luminescence bands: a blue one and an UV one both excitable in the range within optical gap. There are similarities in spectral position and in luminescence decay kinetics among centers in these materials. The interpretation was done on the model of Oxygen Deficient Centers (ODC) [1]. The ODC(II) or twofold coordinated silicon and ODC(I) are distinguished. ODC(I) is object of controversial interpretation. The Si-Si oxygen vacancy [2] and complex defect including latent twofold coordinated silicon [3] are proposed. Remarkably, this luminescence center does not exist in asmore » grown crystalline α-quartz. However, destructive irradiation of α-quartz crystals with fast neutrons, γ rays, or dense electron beams [4–6] creates ODC(I) like defect. In tetrahedron structured coesite the self trapped exciton (STE) luminescence observed with high energetic yield (∼30%) like in α-quartz crystals. STE in coesite coexists with oxygen deficient-like center. In octahedron structured stishovite STE was not found and only ODC exists.« less

Analysis of ligand-receptor cross-linked fragments by mass spectrometry

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

Son, C.D.; Sargsyan, H.; Hurst, Gregory

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a class of integral membrane receptor proteins that are characterized by a signature seven-transmembrane (7-TM) configuration. The a-factor receptor (Ste2p) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a GPCR that, upon binding of a peptide ligand, transduces a signal to initiate a cascade of events leading to the mating of haploid yeast cells. This study summarizes the application of affinity purification and of matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) experiments using biotinylated photoactivatable a-factor analogs. Affinity purification and enrichment of biotinylated peptides by monomeric avidin beads resulted in mass spectrometric detection of specific signals corresponding to crosslinked fragments ofmore » Ste2p. Data obtained from cyanogen bromide (CNBr) fragments of receptor cross-linked to an a-factor analog with the photoaffinity group p-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine on position 1 were in agreement with the previous results reported by our laboratory suggesting the cross-linking between position 1 of a-factor and a region of Ste2p covering residues 251 294.« less

Decision Lists for Lexical Ambiguity Resolution: Application to Accent Restoration in Spanish and French

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-06-01

and compute a table of accent pa t tern distributions as follows: De -accented Form Accent Pat tern cesse cesse cessd cout cofit couta coute...c6td du laisser de cote faute de temps (1) c6td appeler l’ autre cote de l’ at lantique (1) c6td passe de notre cote de la frontiere (2) cSte...vivre sur notre cote ouest toujours verte (2) c6te creer sur la cote du labrador des (2) cSte travaillaient cote a cote , ils avaient The training

Space Launch System, Core Stage, Structural Test Design and Implementation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shaughnessy, Ray

2017-01-01

As part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Space Launch System (SLS) Program, engineers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama are working to design, develop and implement the SLS Core Stage structural testing. The SLS will have the capability to return humans to the Moon and beyond and its first launch is scheduled for December of 2017. The SLS Core Stage consist of five major elements; Forward Skirt, Liquid Oxygen (LOX) tank, Intertank (IT), Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) tank and the Engine Section (ES). Structural Test Articles (STA) for each of these elements are being designed and produced by Boeing at Michoud Assembly Facility located in New Orleans, La. The structural test for the Core Stage STAs (LH2, LOX, IT and ES) are to be conducted by the MSFC Test Laboratory. Additionally, the MSFC Test Laboratory manages the Structural Test Equipment (STE) design and development to support the STAs. It was decided early (April 2012) in the project life that the LH2 and LOX tank STAs would require new test stands and the Engine Section and Intertank would be tested in existing facilities. This decision impacted schedules immediately because the new facilities would require Construction of Facilities (C of F) funds that require congressional approval and long lead times. The Engine Section and Intertank structural test are to be conducted in existing facilities which will limit lead times required to support the first launch of SLS. With a SLS launch date of December, 2017 Boeing had a need date for testing to be complete by September of 2017 to support flight certification requirements. The test facilities were required to be ready by October of 2016 to support test article delivery. The race was on to get the stands ready before Test Article delivery and meet the test complete date of September 2017. This paper documents the past and current design and development phases and the supporting processes, tools, and methodology for supporting the SLS Core Stage STA test stands and related STE. The paper will address key requirements, system development activities and project challenges. Additionally, the interrelationships as well as interdependencies within the SLS project will be discussed.

Ex ante Implementatietoetsing van Beleid, Een Methodiek Gebaseerd op Synergie Tussen Risicomanagement en Verandermanagement (Ex Ante Test for Policy Implementation - A Method Based Upon Synergy Between Risk Management an Change Management)

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-12-01

ante implementatietoetsing van beleid Een methodiek gebaseerd op synergie tussen risicomnanagemnent en verandermanagemnent Datuni december 2006 Auteur (s...te analyseren. Het de resultaten van de interviews gebruikct bij de theorie van risicomanagement en project Verandermanagernent bij de de ontwikkehing...Opdrachtnummer Hoewel expliciet is gekeken naar voorbeelden van risico’s bij Datum december 2006 Auteur (s) PROGRAMMA PR03ECT drs. R.C.T. de Haas drs

WNK-SPAK-NCC cascade revisited: WNK1 stimulates the activity of the Na-Cl cotransporter via SPAK, an effect antagonized by WNK4.

PubMed

Chávez-Canales, María; Zhang, Chong; Soukaseum, Christelle; Moreno, Erika; Pacheco-Alvarez, Diana; Vidal-Petiot, Emmanuelle; Castañeda-Bueno, María; Vázquez, Norma; Rojas-Vega, Lorena; Meermeier, Nicholas P; Rogers, Shaunessy; Jeunemaitre, Xavier; Yang, Chao-Ling; Ellison, David H; Gamba, Gerardo; Hadchouel, Juliette

2014-11-01

The with-no-lysine (K) kinases, WNK1 and WNK4, are key regulators of blood pressure. Their mutations lead to familial hyperkalemic hypertension (FHHt), associated with an activation of the Na-Cl cotransporter (NCC). Although it is clear that WNK4 mutants activate NCC via Ste20 proline-alanine-rich kinase, the mechanisms responsible for WNK1-related FHHt and alterations in NCC activity are not as clear. We tested whether WNK1 modulates NCC through WNK4, as predicted by some models, by crossing our recently developed WNK1-FHHt mice (WNK1(+/FHHt)) with WNK4(-/-) mice. Surprisingly, the activated NCC, hypertension, and hyperkalemia of WNK1(+/FHHt) mice remain in the absence of WNK4. We demonstrate that WNK1 powerfully stimulates NCC in a WNK4-independent and Ste20 proline-alanine-rich kinase-dependent manner. Moreover, WNK4 decreases the WNK1 and WNK3-mediated activation of NCC. Finally, the formation of oligomers of WNK kinases through their C-terminal coiled-coil domain is essential for their activity toward NCC. In conclusion, WNK kinases form a network in which WNK4 associates with WNK1 and WNK3 to regulate NCC. © 2014 American Heart Association, Inc.

Soil conservation through sediment trapping: A review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mekonnen, Mulatie; Keesstra, Saskia; Baartman, Jantiene; Maroulis, Jerry; Stroosnijder, Leo

2014-05-01

Preventing the off-site effects of soil erosion is an essential part of good catchment management. Most efforts are in the form of on-site soil and water conservation measures. However, sediment trapping (ST) can be an alternative (or additional) measure to prevent the negative off-site effects of soil erosion. Therefore, not all efforts should focus solely on on-site soil conservation, but also on the safe routing of sediment-laden flows and on creating sites and conditions where sediment can be trapped, preferably in a cost effective or even profitable way. ST can be applied on-site (in-field) and off-site and involves both vegetative and structural measures. The main vegetative measures include grass strips, tree or bush buffers, grassed waterways and restoration of the waterways and their riparian zone; while structural measures include terraces, ponds and check dams. This paper provides a review of studies that have assessed the sediment trapping efficacy (STE) of such vegetative and structural measures. Vegetation type and integration of two or more measures (vegetative as well as structural) are important factors influencing STE. In this review, the STE of most measures was evaluated either individually or in such combinations. In real landscape situations, it is not only important to select the most efficient erosion control measures, but also to determine their optimum location in the catchment. Hence, there is a need for research that shows a more integrated determination of STE at the catchment scale. If integrated measures are implemented at the most appropriate spatial locations within a catchment where they can disconnect landscape units from each other, they will decrease runoff velocity and sediment transport and, subsequently, reduce downstream flooding and sedimentation problems. KEY WORDS: Integrated sediment trapping, sediment trapping efficacy, vegetative, structural, on-site and off-site measures.

Estimating the water budget for a peat filter treating septic tank effluent in the field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Van Geel, Paul J.; Parker, Wayne J.

2003-02-01

The use of peat as a filter medium for the treatment of a variety of liquid and gas waste streams has increased over the past decade. Peat has been used as an alternate treatment medium to treat septic tank effluent (STE) from domestic and small communal systems. Very little research has been completed to study the hydraulics and water budget of a peat filter operating in the field. This study evaluated the water budget of a peat filter operating at an elementary school near Ottawa, Canada. The peat filter was instrumented with tensiometers to measure the pore water pressures within the filter and a weather station to collect weather data required to estimate potential evapotranspiration. A one-dimensional unsaturated flow model, SoilCover, was calibrated using the pressure data and weather data collected in the field. The calibrated model was use to estimate the water budget for the filter operating with and without STE loading. The calibrated model predicted that the annual precipitation exceeded evapotranspiration for both scenarios. For the filter treating 50 mm/day of STE, there was a slight dilution due to the infiltration resulting in a net dilution factor of 0.97 (loading divided by the loading plus infiltration). The largest rainfall event of 49.9 mm resulted in a dilution factor of approximately 0.87, which corresponded to an approximate decrease in the hydraulic retention time (HRT) of between 12 and 33% depending on the calculation used to determine the HRT. When the filter does not receive STE, the precipitation exceeds evapotranspiration and hence the filter should not dry out when the filter is not in use.

Generation of Hypertension-Associated STK39 Polymorphism Knockin Cell Lines With the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/Cas9 System.

PubMed

Mandai, Shintaro; Mori, Takayasu; Sohara, Eisei; Rai, Tatemitsu; Uchida, Shinichi

2015-12-01

Previous genome-wide association studies identified serine threonine kinase 39 (STK39), encoding STE20/SPS1-related proline/alanine-rich kinase, as one of a limited number of hypertension susceptibility genes. A recent meta-analysis confirmed the association of STK39 intronic polymorphism rs3754777 with essential hypertension, among previously reported hypertension-associated STK39 polymorphisms. However, the biochemical function of this polymorphism in the mechanism responsible for hypertension is yet to be clarified. We generated rs3754777G>A knockin human cell lines with clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-mediated genome engineering. Homozygous (A/A) and heterozygous (G/A) knockin human embryonic kidney cell lines were generated using a double nickase, single-guide RNAs targeting STK39 intron 5 around single-nucleotide polymorphism, and a 100-bp donor single-stranded DNA oligonucleotide. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction with sequencing analyses revealed the identical STK39 transcripts among the wild-type and both knockin cell lines. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed increased STK39 mRNA expression, and immunoblot analysis revealed increases in total and phosphorylated STE20/SPS1-related proline/alanine-rich kinase with increased phosphorylated Na-K-Cl cotransporter isoform 1 in both knockin cell lines. The largest increases in these molecules were observed in the homozygous cell line. These findings indicated that this intronic polymorphism increases STK39 transcription, leading to activation of the STE20/SPS1-related proline/alanine-rich kinase-solute carrier family 12A signaling cascade. Increased interactions between STE20/SPS1-related proline/alanine-rich kinase and the target cation-chloride cotransporters may be responsible for hypertension susceptibility in individuals with this polymorphism. © 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.

Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography demonstrates no effect of active acromegaly on left ventricular strain.

PubMed

Volschan, I C M; Kasuki, L; Silva, C M S; Alcantara, M L; Saraiva, R M; Xavier, S S; Gadelha, M R

2017-06-01

Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) allows for the study of myocardial strain (ε), a marker of early and subclinical ventricular systolic dysfunction. Cardiac disease may be present in patients with acromegaly; however, STE has never been used to evaluate these patients. To evaluate left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain in patients with active acromegaly with normal LV systolic function. Cross-sectional clinical study. Patients with active acromegaly with no detectable heart disease and a control group were matched for age, gender, arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus underwent STE. Global LV longitudinal ε (GLS), left ventricular mass index (LVMi), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and relative wall thickness (RWT) were obtained via two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography using STE. Thirty-seven patients with active acromegaly (mean age 45.6 ± 13.8; 48.6% were males) and 48 controls were included. The mean GLS was not significantly different between the acromegaly group and the control group (in %, -20.1 ± 3.1 vs. -19.4 ± 2.2, p = 0.256). Mean LVMi was increased in the acromegaly group (in g/m 2 , 101.6 ± 27.1 vs. 73.2 ± 18.6, p < 0.01). There was a negative correlation between LVMi and GLS (r = -0.39, p = 0.01). Acromegaly patients, despite presenting with a higher LVMi when analyzed by 2D echocardiography, did not present with impairment in the strain when compared to a control group; this finding indicates a low chance of evolution to systolic dysfunction and agrees with recent studies that show a lower frequency of cardiac disease in these patients.

Acquisition and amplification of a testis-expressed autosomal gene, SSL, by the Drosophila Y chromosome

PubMed Central

Kalmykova, Alla I.; Shevelyov, Yury Y.; Dobritsa, Anna A.; Gvozdev, Vladimir A.

1997-01-01

The acquisition of autosomal fertility genes has been proposed to be an important process in human Y chromosome evolution. For example, the Y-linked fertility factor DAZ (Deleted in Azoospermia) appears to have arisen after the transposition and tandem amplification of the autosomal DAZH gene. The Drosophila melanogaster Y chromosome contains tandemly repeated Su(Ste) units that are thought to affect male fertility as suppressors of the homologous X-linked Stellate repeats. Here we report the detection of a testis-expressed autosomal gene, SSL [Su(Ste)-like], that appears to be an ancestor of the Y-linked Su(Ste) units. SSL encodes a casein kinase 2 (CK2) β-subunit-like protein. Its putative ORF shares extensive (45%) homology with the genuine β-subunit of CK2 and retains the conserved C-terminal and Glu/Asp-rich domains that are essential for CK2 holoenzyme regulation. SSL maps within region 60D1–2 of D. melanogaster and D. simulans polytene chromosomes. We present evidence that SSL was derived from the genuine βCK2 gene by reverse transcription. This event resulted in the loss of the first three introns in the coding region of the SSL ancestor gene. Evolutionary analysis indicates that SSL has evolved under selective pressure at the translational level. Its sequence, especially in the 3′ region, is much closer to the Y-linked Su(Ste) tandem repeats than to the βCK2 gene. These results suggest that the acquisition of testis-specific autosomal genes may be important for the evolution of Drosophila as well as human Y chromosomes. PMID:9177211

Right ventricular longitudinal strain and right ventricular stroke work index in patients with severe heart failure: left ventricular assist device suitability for transplant candidates.

PubMed

Cameli, M; Bernazzali, S; Lisi, M; Tsioulpas, C; Croccia, M G; Lisi, G; Maccherini, M; Mondillo, S

2012-09-01

Right ventricular (RV) systolic function has a critical role in determining the clinical outcome and the success of using left ventricular assist devices in patients with refractory heart failure. RV deformation analysis by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) has recently allowed the analysis of RV longitudinal function. Using cardiac catheterization as the reference standard, this study aimed to explore the correlation between RV longitudinal function by STE and RV stroke work index (RVSWI) among patients referred for cardiac transplantation. Right heart catheterization and transthoracic echo-Doppler were simultaneously performed in 47 patients referred for cardiac transplant assessment due to refractory heart failure (ejection fraction 25.1 ± 4.5%). Thermodilution RV stroke volume and invasive pulmonary pressures were used to obtain RVSWI. RV longitudinal strain (RVLS) by STE was assessed averaging RV free-wall segments (free-wall RVLS). We also calculated. Tricuspid S' and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). No significant correlation was observed for TAPSE on tricuspid S' with RV stroke volume (r = 0.14 and r = 0.06, respectively). A close negative correlation between free-wall RVLS and RVSWI was found (r = -0.82; P < .0001). Furthermore, free-wall RVLS showed the highest diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve of 0.90) with good sensitivity and specificity of 95% and 91%, respectively, to predict depressed RVSWI using a cutoff value less than -11.8%. Among patients referred for heart transplantation, TAPSE and tricuspid S' did not correlate with invasively obtained RVSWI. RV longitudinal deformation analysis by STE correlated with RVSWI, providing a better estimate of RV systolic performance. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Checkout and Standard Use Procedures for the Mark III Space Suit Assembly

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Valish, Dana J.

2012-01-01

The operational pressure range is the range to which the suit can be nominally operated for manned testing. The top end of the nominal operational pressure range is equivalent to 1/2 the proof pressure. Structural pressure is 1.5 times the specified test pressure for any given test. Proof pressure is the maximum unmanned pressure to which the suit was tested by the vendor prior to delivery. The maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) is 90% of the proof pressure. The pressure systems RVs are set to keep components below their MAWPs. If the suit is pressurized over its MAWP, the suit will be taken out of service and an in-depth inspection/review of the suit will be performed before the suit is put back in service. The procedures outlined in this document should be followed as written. However, the suit test engineer (STE) may make redline changes real-time, provided those changes are recorded in the anomaly section of the test data sheet. If technicians supporting suit build-up, check-out, and/or test execution believe that a procedure can be improved, they should notify their lead. If procedures are incorrect to the point of potentially causing hardware damage or affecting safety, bring the problem to the technician lead and/or STE s attention and stop work until a solution (temporary or permanent) is authorized. Certain steps in the procedure are marked with a DV , for Designated Verifier. The Designated Verifier for this procedure is an Advanced Space Suit Technology Development Laboratory technician, not directly involved in performing the procedural steps, who will verify that the step was performed as stated. The steps to be verified by the DV were selected based on one or more of the following criteria: the step was deemed significant in ensuring the safe performance of the test, the data recorded in the step is of specific interest in monitoring the suit system operation, or the step has a strong influence on the successful completion of test objectives. Prior to all manned test activities, Advanced Suit Test Data Sheet (TDS) Parts A-E shall be completed to verify system and team are ready for test. Advanced Suit TDS Parts F-G shall be completed at the end of the suited activity. Appendix B identifies tha appropriate Mark III suit emergency event procedures.

7. Photocopied August 1978. REAR VIEW OF A LINEUP OF ...

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

7. Photocopied August 1978. REAR VIEW OF A LINE-UP OF HORRY FURNACES AT SAULT STE. MARIE, AS THE 'SPOOL' ROTATED AWAY FROM THE ELECTRODES, THE CARBIDE PRODUCED IN THE ELECTRIC ARC WOULD BEGIN TO COOL. AT THE REAR THE COVERING PLATES INSTALLED AFTER THE 'SPOOL' HAD PASSED THE ELECTRODES IN FRONT WOULD BE REMOVED AND THE INGOT OF CALCIUM CARBIDE (VISIBLE IN THE ROTARY FURNACE ON THE FAR RIGHT) WOULD BE REMOVED AND TAKEN ASIDE FOR FURTHER COOLING AND FOR SEPARATION OF RELATIVELY PURE CARBIDE FROM HALF-REACTED WASTES, (M) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

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

Michael E. McIlwain; Nick Thompson; Da Gao

Considerable interest is given to the excellent scintillation properties of cerium doped lanthanum chloride (LaCl3) and lanthanum bromide (LaBr3). The scintillation efficiencies are much greater than other materials, even those containing cerium. This high efficiency is attributed to the high mobility of electrons and holes, unique placement of the cerium 5d states within the band gap, and energy of the band gap. To better understand the scintillation process and better define the nature of the Self Trapped Exciton (STE) within these unique scintillation materials, density functional theory (DFT), and Ab-inito (HF-MP2) calculations are reported. DFT calculations have yielded a qualitativemore » description of the orbital composition and energy distribution of the band structure in the crystalline material. MP2 and single configuration interaction calculations have provided quantitative values for the band gap and provided energies for the possible range of excited states created following hole and electron creation. Based on this theoretical treatment, one possible description of the STE is the combination of Vk center (Br2-1) and LaBr+1 species that recombine to form a distorted geometry LaBr3* (triplet state). Depending on the distance between the LaBr and Br2, the STE emission band can be reproduced.« less

Sault Tribe Building Efficiency Energy Audits

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

Holt, Jeffrey W.

2013-09-26

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians is working to reduce energy consumption and expense in Tribally-owned governmental buildings. The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians will conduct energy audits of nine Tribally-owned governmental buildings in three counties in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to provide a basis for evaluating and selecting the technical and economic viability of energy efficiency improvement options. The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians will follow established Tribal procurement policies and procedures to secure the services of a qualified provider to conduct energy audits of nine designated buildings. The contracted provider willmore » be required to provide a progress schedule to the Tribe prior to commencing the project and submit an updated schedule with their monthly billings. Findings and analysis reports will be required for buildings as completed, and a complete Energy Audit Summary Report will be required to be submitted with the provider?s final billing. Conducting energy audits of the nine governmental buildings will disclose building inefficiencies to prioritize and address, resulting in reduced energy consumption and expense. These savings will allow Tribal resources to be reallocated to direct services, which will benefit Tribal members and families.« less

Dynamic Stall Control Using Plasma Actuators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Webb, Nathan; Singhal, Achal; Castaneda, David; Samimy, Mo

2017-11-01

Dynamic stall occurs in many applications, including sharp maneuvers of fixed wing aircraft, wind turbines, and rotorcraft and produces large unsteady aerodynamic loads that can lead to flutter and mechanical failure. This work uses flow control to reduce the unsteady loads by excitation of instabilities in the shear layer over the separated region using nanosecond pulse driven dielectric barrier discharge (NS-DBD) plasma actuators. These actuators have been shown to effectively delay or mitigate static stall. A wide range of flow parameters were explored in the current work: Reynolds number (Re = 167,000 to 500,000), reduced frequency (k = 0.025 to 0.075), and excitation Strouhal number (Ste = 0 to 10). Based on the results, three major conclusions were drawn: (a) Low Strouhal number excitation (Ste <0.5) results in oscillatory aerodynamic loads in the stalled stage of dynamic stall; (b) All excitation resulted in earlier flow reattachment; and (c) Excitation at progressively higher Ste weakened and eventually eliminated the dynamic stall vortex (DSV), thereby dramatically reducing the unsteady loading. The decrease in the strength of the DSV is achieved by the formation of shear layer coherent structures that bleed the leading-edge vorticity prior to the ejection of the DSV.

Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of excitation density dependent scintillation in CsI and CsI(Tl)

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

Wang, Zhiguo; Williams, Richard; Grim, Joel

2013-08-15

Nonlinear quenching of electron-hole pairs in the denser regions of ionization tracks created by γ-ray and high-energy electrons is a likely cause of the light yield nonproportionality of many inorganic scintillators. Therefore, kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulations were carried out to investigate the scintillation properties of pure and thallium-doped CsI as a function of electron-hole pair density. The availability of recent experimental data on the excitation density dependence of the light yield of CsI following ultraviolet excitation allowed for an improved parameterization of the interactions between self-trapped excitons (STE) in the KMC model via dipole-dipole Förster transfer. The KMC simulationsmore » reveal that nonlinear quenching occurs very rapidly (within a few picoseconds) in the early stages of the scintillation process. In addition, the simulations predict that the concentration of thallium activators can affect the extent of nonlinear quenching as it has a direct influence on the STE density through STE dissociation and electron scavenging. This improved model will enable more realistic simulations of the nonproportional γ-ray and electron response of inorganic scintillators.« less

Five Blind Men and an Elephant: Comparing Aura Ozone Datasets and Sonde with Model Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Q.; Prather, M. J.

2011-12-01

The four Earth Observing System (EOS) Aura satellite ozone measurements (HIRDLS, MLS, OMI, and TES) as well as the coincident WOUDC sonde are the five ``blind men'' touching the ``elephant'' (ozone). They all measure ozone (O3) in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UT/LS) region, providing the great opportunity to study how the tropospheric ozone is influenced by the stratospheric source, an important tropospheric ozone budget term with large uncertainties and discrepancies across different models and methods. Based upon the 2-D autocorrelation for the tropospheric column ozone anomalies of the OMI swaths, we show that the stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE) processes occur on the scale of a few hundred kilometers. Applying the high resolution (1o±1o±40-layer±0.5 hr) atmospheric chemistry transport model (CTM) as a transfer standard, we compare the noncoincident Aura level 2 swath datasets with the exact matching simulations of each measurement to investigate the consistency of different instruments as well as evaluate the accuracy of modeled ozone. Different signs of the CTM biases against HIRDLS, MLS, and TES are found from tropics to northern hemisphere (NH) mid-latitudes in July 2005 at 215 hPa and over tropics at 147 hPa for July 2005 and January 2006, suggesting inconsistency across these Aura datasets. On the other hand, the CTM has great positive biases against satellite observations in the lower stratosphere of winter time southern hemisphere (SH) mid-latitudes, which is probably attributed to the problems in the stratospheric circulation of the driving met-fields. The model's ability of reproducing STE-related processes, such as tropospheric folds (TFs), is confirmed by the comparisons with WOUDC sonde. We found eight cases in year 2005 with all the four Aura measurements available and folding structures in the coincident sonde profile. The case studies indicate that all the four Aura instruments demonstrate some skills in catching the STE structures, either from the high tropospheric column anomalies (for OMI) or from the O3 vertical profiles (for HIRDLS, MLS, and TES), while miss many of such events. Therefore, Aura datasets can only apply for the STE case studies. Improvements in the data quality and sensing techniques are suggested by this result to provide better satellite data for constraining the STE modeling.

Revisiting 26Al-26Mg systematics of plagioclase in H4 chondrites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Telus, M.; Huss, G. R.; Nagashima, K.; Ogliore, R. C.

2014-06-01

Zinner and Göpel found clear evidence for the former presence of 26Al in the H4 chondrites Ste. Marguerite and Forest Vale. They assumed that the 26Al-26Mg systematics of these chondrites date "metamorphic cooling of the H4 parent body." Plagioclase in these chondrites can have very high Al/Mg ratios and low Mg concentrations, making these ion probe analyses susceptible to ratio bias, which is inversely proportional to the number of counts of the denominator isotope (Ogliore et al.). Zinner and Göpel used the mean of the ratios to calculate the isotope ratios, which exacerbates this problem. We analyzed the Al/Mg ratios and Mg isotopic compositions of plagioclase grains in thin sections of Ste. Marguerite, Forest Vale, Beaver Creek, and Sena to evaluate the possible influence of ratio bias on the published initial 26Al/27Al ratios for these meteorites. We calculated the isotope ratios using total counts, a less biased method of calculating isotope ratios. The results from our analyses are consistent with those from Zinner and Göpel, indicating that ratio bias does not significantly affect 26Al-26Mg results for plagioclase in these chondrites. Ste. Marguerite has a clear isochron with an initial 26Al/27Al ratio indicating that it cooled to below 450 °C 5.2 ± 0.2 Myr after CAIs. The isochrons for Forest Vale and Beaver Creek also show clear evidence that 26Al was alive when they cooled, but the initial 26Al/27Al ratios are not well constrained. Sena does not show evidence that 26Al was alive when it cooled to below the Al-Mg closure temperature. Given that metallographic cooling rates for Ste. Marguerite, Forest Vale, and Beaver Creek are atypical (>5000 °C/Myr at 500 °C) compared with most H4s, including Sena, which have cooling rates of 10-50 °C/Myr at 500 °C (Scott et al.), we conclude that the Al-Mg systematics for Ste. Marguerite, Forest Vale, and Beaver Creek are the result of impact excavation of these chondrites and cooling at the surface of the parent body, instead of undisturbed cooling at depth in the H chondrite parent body, like many have assumed.

Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging in human achilles tendon.

PubMed

Wengler, Kenneth; Fukuda, Takeshi; Tank, Dharmesh; Huang, Mingqian; Gould, Elaine S; Schweitzer, Mark E; He, Xiang

2018-05-09

Limited microcirculation has been implicated in Achilles tendinopathy and may affect healing and disease progression. Existing invasive and noninvasive approaches to evaluate tendon microcirculation lack sensitivity and spatial coverage. To develop a novel Achilles tendon intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) MRI protocol to overcome the limitations from low tendon T 2 /T 2 * value and low intratendinous blood volume and blood velocity to evaluate tendon microcirculation. Prospective. Sixteen healthy male participants (age 31.0 ± 2.1) were recruited. A stimulated echo readout-segmented echo planar imaging (ste-RS-EPI) IVIM sequence at 3.0T. The feasibility of the proposed ste-RS-EPI IVIM protocol combined with Achilles tendon magic angle effect was evaluated. The sensitivity of the protocol was assessed by an exercise-induced intratendinous hemodynamic response in healthy participants. The vascular origin of the observed IVIM signal was validated by varying the diffusion mixing time and echo time. Two-tailed t-tests were used to evaluate differences (P < 0.05 was considered significant). Consistent with known tendon hypovascularity, the midportion Achilles tendon at baseline showed significantly lower IVIM-derived perfusion fraction (f p ) (3.1 ± 0.9%) compared to the proximal and distal Achilles tendon (6.0 ± 1.8% and 6.1 ± 2.0%, respectively; P < 0.01). Similarly, the midportion Achilles tendon exhibited significantly lower baseline blood flow index (D*×f p ) (40.9 ± 19.2, 18.3 ± 5.3, and 32.0 ± 9.4 in proximal, midportion, and distal Achilles tendon, respectively; P < 0.01). Eccentric heel-raise exercise led to ∼2 times increase of Achilles tendon blood flow in healthy participants. Consistent with its vascular origin, the estimated f p demonstrated a high dependency to IVIM protocol parameters, while the T 1 /T 2 -corrected absolute intratendinous microvascular blood volume fraction (V b ) did not vary. Achilles tendon ste-RS-EPI IVIM noninvasively assessed baseline values and exercise-induced changes to tendon microcirculation in healthy tendon. 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018. © 2018 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Three α-Subunits of Heterotrimeric G Proteins and an Adenylyl Cyclase Have Distinct Roles in Fruiting Body Development in the Homothallic Fungus Sordaria macrospora

PubMed Central

Kamerewerd, Jens; Jansson, Malin; Nowrousian, Minou; Pöggeler, Stefanie; Kück, Ulrich

2008-01-01

Sordaria macrospora, a self-fertile filamentous ascomycete, carries genes encoding three different α-subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins (gsa, G protein Sordaria alpha subunit). We generated knockout strains for all three gsa genes (Δgsa1, Δgsa2, and Δgsa3) as well as all combinations of double mutants. Phenotypic analysis of single and double mutants showed that the genes for Gα-subunits have distinct roles in the sexual life cycle. While single mutants show some reduction of fertility, double mutants Δgsa1Δgsa2 and Δgsa1Δgsa3 are completely sterile. To test whether the pheromone receptors PRE1 and PRE2 mediate signaling via distinct Gα-subunits, two recently generated Δpre strains were crossed with all Δgsa strains. Analyses of the corresponding double mutants revealed that compared to GSA2, GSA1 is a more predominant regulator of a signal transduction cascade downstream of the pheromone receptors and that GSA3 is involved in another signaling pathway that also contributes to fruiting body development and fertility. We further isolated the gene encoding adenylyl cyclase (AC) (sac1) for construction of a knockout strain. Analyses of the three ΔgsaΔsac1 double mutants and one Δgsa2Δgsa3Δsac1 triple mutant indicate that SAC1 acts downstream of GSA3, parallel to a GSA1–GSA2-mediated signaling pathway. In addition, the function of STE12 and PRO41, two presumptive signaling components, was investigated in diverse double mutants lacking those developmental genes in combination with the gsa genes. This analysis was further completed by expression studies of the ste12 and pro41 transcripts in wild-type and mutant strains. From the sum of all our data, we propose a model for how different Gα-subunits interact with pheromone receptors, adenylyl cyclase, and STE12 and thus cooperatively regulate sexual development in S. macrospora. PMID:18723884

The deformation stimulated luminescence in KCl, KBr and KI crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shunkeyev, K.; Sergeyev, D.; Drozdowski, W.; Brylev, K.; Myasnikova, L.; Barmina, A.; Zhanturina, N.; Sagimbaeva, Sh; Aimaganbetova, Z.

2017-05-01

Currently, strengthening of the intensity of luminescence in alkali halide crystals (AHC) at lattice symmetry lowering is discussed as a promising direction for the development of scintillation detectors [1-3]. In this regard, for the study of anion excitons and radiation defects in the AHC anion sublattice at deformation, the crystals with the same sizes of cations and different sizes of anions were chosen. In the X-ray spectra of KCl at 10 K, the luminescence at 3.88 eV; 3.05 eV and 2.3 eV is clearly visible. The luminescence at 3.05 eV corresponds to the tunneling recharge [F*, H]. Luminescence at 3.88 eV is quenched in the region of thermal destruction of F‧-centers and characterizes tunneling recharge of F‧, VK-centers. In KCl at 90 K, the luminescence of self-trapped excitons (STE) is completely absent. In KBr at deformation not only STE luminescence, but also deformation stimulated luminescence at 3.58 eV were recorded, the last one corresponds to tunneling recharge of F‧, VK-centers. In KI crystal at 10 K and 90 K at deformation, only STE luminescence is enhanced. There are no deformation luminescence bands in KI compares with KBr and KCl crystals.

Dynamic and Inherent B0 Correction for DTI Using Stimulated Echo Spiral Imaging

PubMed Central

Avram, Alexandru V.; Guidon, Arnaud; Truong, Trong-Kha; Liu, Chunlei; Song, Allen W.

2013-01-01

Purpose To present a novel technique for high-resolution stimulated echo (STE) diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with self-navigated interleaved spirals (SNAILS) readout trajectories that can inherently and dynamically correct for image artifacts due to spatial and temporal variations in the static magnetic field (B0) resulting from eddy currents, tissue susceptibilities, subject/physiological motion, and hardware instabilities. Methods The Hahn spin echo formed by the first two 90° radio-frequency pulses is balanced to consecutively acquire two additional images with different echo times (TE) and generate an inherent field map, while the diffusion-prepared STE signal remains unaffected. For every diffusion-encoding direction, an intrinsically registered field map is estimated dynamically and used to effectively and inherently correct for off-resonance artifacts in the reconstruction of the corresponding diffusion-weighted image (DWI). Results After correction with the dynamically acquired field maps, local blurring artifacts are specifically removed from individual STE DWIs and the estimated diffusion tensors have significantly improved spatial accuracy and larger fractional anisotropy. Conclusion Combined with the SNAILS acquisition scheme, our new method provides an integrated high-resolution short-TE DTI solution with inherent and dynamic correction for both motion-induced phase errors and off-resonance effects. PMID:23630029

Five blind men and an elephant: can NASA Aura measurements quantify the stratosphere-troposphere exchange of ozone flux?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Q.; Prather, M. J.

2011-09-01

We examine whether the instantaneous ozone (O3) measurements from the four Aura instruments can quantify the stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE) flux of O3, an important term of the tropospheric O3 budget. Comparing the level 2 (L2) Aura swaths and ozone sondes with the coincident, high-resolution (1°×1°×40-layer×0.5 h) simulations using the University of California, Irvine chemistry transport model (CTM) for years 2005-2006, it is revealed in many cases that all four Aura datasets have some skill in catching the STE process, while missing many of them. Despite a few cases, the individual retrievals in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere contain too much noise preventing the quantification and integration of STE flux with Aura L2 data. The CTM is applied as a transfer standard to compare with different Aura observations. The statistics of exact matching CTM-Aura comparisons identify the model's high biases in the lower stratosphere and the inconsistency amongst different instruments, such as from tropics to Northern Hemisphere mid-latitudes in July 2005 at 215 hPa and over tropics at 147 hPa for July 2005 and January 2006.

Awareness and Prevalence of Mycotoxin Contamination in Selected Nigerian Fermented Foods

PubMed Central

Njobeh, Patrick; Obadina, Adewale

2017-01-01

Fermented food samples (n = 191) including maize gruel (ogi), sorghum gruel (ogi-baba), melon seed (ogiri), locust bean (iru) and African oil bean seed (ugba) from Southwest Nigeria were quantified for 23 mycotoxins, including aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), fumonisin B1 (FB1), and sterigmatocystin (STE) using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The practices, perceived understanding and health risks related to fungal and mycotoxin contamination amongst fermented food sellers was also established. Data obtained revealed that 82% of the samples had mycotoxins occurring singly or in combination. FB1 was present in 83% of ogi-baba samples, whereas 20% of ugba samples contained AFB1 (range: 3 to 36 µg/kg) and STE was present in 29% of the ogi samples. In terms of multi-mycotoxin contamination, FB1 + FB2 + FB3 + STE + AFB1 + alternariol + HT-2 co-occurred within one sample. The awareness study revealed that 98% of respondents were unaware of mycotoxin contamination, and their education level slightly correlated with their level of awareness (p < 0.01, r = 0.308). The extent to which the analyzed mycotoxins contaminated these food commodities, coupled with the poor perception of the population under study on fungi and mycotoxins, justifies the need to enact fungal and mycotoxin mitigation strategies along the food chain. PMID:29117141

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

Hancock, R.G.V.; Farquhar, R.M.; Pavlish, L.A.

In 1639, French Jesuit missionaries established the fortified mission of Ste. Marie I at Midland, Ontario. Ten years later, following a series of Iroquoian war-party raids that were facilitated by Dutch and English trading interests, the mission was abandoned and destroyed. The missionaries and local Wendats (Hurons) debated new venues, finally settling on Christian Island in southwestern Georgian Bay as a temporary safe haven rather than their original first choice, the more distant and safer Manitoulin Island. In 1649, they began establishing the fortified mission of Ste. Marie 11. A Wendat settlement existed on the island, but unlike the fortmore » whose walls are intact today, little evidence remains of the island`s single-year population of {approximately} 10000 Wendats, most of whom perished. There was extreme deprivation on the island during the winter of 1649-1650. People died of famine, disease, and ill-fated sorties to the mainland. In June of 1650, after a single year of occupation, the site of Ste. Marie 11 was abandoned when the missionaries were recalled to the relative safety of Quebec City. The remaining Wendats were either assimilated by other groups or killed by the Iroquois. An analysis was performed of the brass goods discarded in the area of the island fort and nearby villages.« less

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

Wei, Hua; Du, Mao -Hua; Stand, Luis

Scintillators attract wide research interest for their distinct applications in radiation detection. Elpasolite halides are among the most promising scintillators due to their high structural symmetry and good scintillation performance. A better understanding of their underlying scintillation mechanism opens up possibilities in scintillator development. In this work, we employ a variety of experimental techniques to study the two mixed-anion elpasolites Cs 2Na RBr 3I 3 ( R = La, Y). The emission of intrinsic Cs 2Na RBr 3I 3 with a light yield ranging from 20 000 to 40 000 ph / MeV is dominant by self-trapped exciton emission. Partialmore » substitution of R with Ce introduces a competing emission, the Ce 3+ 5d-to-4f radiative transition. Ab initio calculations are performed to investigate the electronic structures as well as the binding energies of polarons in Cs 2Na RBr 6. The calculated large self-trapped exciton binding energies are consistent with the observed high light yield due to self-trapped exciton (STE) emission. The unique electronic structure of halide elpasolites as calculated enhances the STE stability and the STE emission. The highly tunable scintillation properties of mixed-anion elpasolites underscore the role of their complex scintillation mechanism. Furthermore, our study provides guidance for the design of elpasolite scintillators with exceptional energy resolution and light yield desirable for applications.« less

A glance to the past: subfossils, stable isotopes, seed dispersal, and lemur species loss in Southern Madagascar.

PubMed

Crowley, Brooke E; Godfrey, Laurie R; Irwin, Mitchell T

2011-01-01

The Spiny Thicket Ecoregion (STE) of Southern and southwestern Madagascar was recently home to numerous giant lemurs and other "megafauna," including pygmy hippopotamuses, giant tortoises, elephant birds, and large euplerid carnivores. Following the arrival of humans more than 2,000 years ago, dramatic extinctions occurred. Only one-third of the lemur species which earlier occupied the STE survive today; other taxa suffered even greater losses. We use stable isotope biogeochemistry to reconstruct past diets and habitat preferences of the recently extinct lemurs of the STE. We show that the extinct lemurs occupied a wide range of niches, often distinct from those filled by coeval non-primates. Many of the now-extinct lemurs regularly exploited habitats that were drier than the gallery forests in which the remaining lemurs of this ecoregion are most often protected and studied. Most fed predominantly on C3 plants and some were likely the main dispersers of the large seeds of native C3 trees; others included CAM and/or C4 plants in their diets. These new data suggest that the recent extinctions have likely had significant ecological ramifications for the communities and ecosystems of Southern and southwestern Madagascar. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Echocardiographic Techniques of Deformation Imaging in the Evaluation of Maternal Cardiovascular System in Patients with Complicated Pregnancies.

PubMed

Visentin, Silvia; Palermo, Chiara; Camerin, Martina; Daliento, Luciano; Muraru, Denisa; Cosmi, Erich; Badano, Luigi P

2017-01-01

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent the leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. Knowledge of CVD in women is constantly evolving and data are emerging that female-specific risk factors as complications of pregnancy are conditions associated with an increased risk for the long-term development of CVD. Echocardiography is a safe and effective imaging technique indicated in symptomatic or asymptomatic pregnant women with congenital heart diseases who require close monitoring of cardiac function. Deformation imaging is an echocardiographic technique used to assess myocardial function by measuring the actual deformation of the myocardium through the cardiac cycle. Speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) is a two-dimensional (2D) technique which has been found to be more accurate than tissue Doppler to assess both left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) myocardial function. The use of 2D STE however might present some technical issues due to the tomographic nature of the technique and the motion in the three-dimensional space of the myocardial speckles. This has promoted the use of 3D STE to track the motion of the speckles in the 3D space. This review will focus on the clinical value of the new echocardiographic techniques of deformation imaging used to assess the maternal cardiovascular system in complicated pregnancies.

Transmembrane helix hydrophobicity is an energetic barrier during the retrotranslocation of integral membrane ERAD substrates

PubMed Central

Guerriero, Christopher J.; Reutter, Karl-Richard; Augustine, Andrew A.; Preston, G. Michael; Weiberth, Kurt F.; Mackie, Timothy D.; Cleveland-Rubeor, Hillary C.; Bethel, Neville P.; Callenberg, Keith M.; Nakatsukasa, Kunio; Grabe, Michael; Brodsky, Jeffrey L.

2017-01-01

Integral membrane proteins fold inefficiently and are susceptible to turnover via the endoplasmic reticulum–associated degradation (ERAD) pathway. During ERAD, misfolded proteins are recognized by molecular chaperones, polyubiquitinated, and retrotranslocated to the cytoplasm for proteasomal degradation. Although many aspects of this pathway are defined, how transmembrane helices (TMHs) are removed from the membrane and into the cytoplasm before degradation is poorly understood. In this study, we asked whether the hydrophobic character of a TMH acts as an energetic barrier to retrotranslocation. To this end, we designed a dual-pass model ERAD substrate, Chimera A*, which contains the cytoplasmic misfolded domain from a characterized ERAD substrate, Sterile 6* (Ste6p*). We found that the degradation requirements for Chimera A* and Ste6p* are similar, but Chimera A* was retrotranslocated more efficiently than Ste6p* in an in vitro assay in which retrotranslocation can be quantified. We then constructed a series of Chimera A* variants containing synthetic TMHs with a range of ΔG values for membrane insertion. TMH hydrophobicity correlated inversely with retrotranslocation efficiency, and in all cases, retrotranslocation remained Cdc48p dependent. These findings provide insight into the energetic restrictions on the retrotranslocation reaction, as well as a new computational approach to predict retrotranslocation efficiency. PMID:28539401

Activation of the Cph1-Dependent MAP Kinase Signaling Pathway Induces White-Opaque Switching in Candida albicans

PubMed Central

Ramírez-Zavala, Bernardo; Weyler, Michael; Gildor, Tsvia; Schmauch, Christian; Kornitzer, Daniel; Arkowitz, Robert; Morschhäuser, Joachim

2013-01-01

Depending on the environmental conditions, the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans can undergo different developmental programs, which are controlled by dedicated transcription factors and upstream signaling pathways. C. albicans strains that are homozygous at the mating type locus can switch from the normal yeast form (white) to an elongated cell type (opaque), which is the mating-competent form of this fungus. Both white and opaque cells use the Ste11-Hst7-Cek1/Cek2 MAP kinase signaling pathway to react to the presence of mating pheromone. However, while opaque cells employ the transcription factor Cph1 to induce the mating response, white cells recruit a different downstream transcription factor, Tec1, to promote the formation of a biofilm that facilitates mating of opaque cells in the population. The switch from the white to the opaque cell form is itself induced by environmental signals that result in the upregulation of the transcription factor Wor1, the master regulator of white-opaque switching. To get insight into the upstream signaling pathways controlling the switch, we expressed all C. albicans protein kinases from a tetracycline-inducible promoter in a switching-competent strain. Screening of this library of strains showed that a hyperactive form of Ste11 lacking its N-terminal domain (Ste11ΔN467) efficiently stimulated white cells to switch to the opaque phase, a behavior that did not occur in response to pheromone. Ste11ΔN467-induced switching specifically required the downstream MAP kinase Cek1 and its target transcription factor Cph1, but not Cek2 and Tec1, and forced expression of Cph1 also promoted white-opaque switching in a Wor1-dependent manner. Therefore, depending on the activation mechanism, components of the pheromone-responsive MAP kinase pathway can be reconnected to stimulate an alternative developmental program, switching of white cells to the mating-competent opaque phase. PMID:24130492

Long-term survival and causes of death in patients with ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome without obstructive coronary artery disease.

PubMed

Andersson, Hedvig Bille; Pedersen, Frants; Engstrøm, Thomas; Helqvist, Steffen; Jensen, Morten Kvistholm; Jørgensen, Erik; Kelbæk, Henning; Räder, Sune Bernd Emil Werner; Saunamäki, Kari; Bates, Eric; Grande, Peer; Holmvang, Lene; Clemmensen, Peter

2018-01-07

We aimed to study survival and causes of death in patients with ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (STE-ACS) with and without obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). We included 4793 consecutive patients with STE-ACS triaged for acute coronary angiography at a large cardiac invasive centre (2009-2014). Of these, 88% had obstructive CAD (stenosis ≥50%), 6% had non-obstructive CAD (stenosis 1-49%), and 5% had normal coronary arteries. Patients without obstructive CAD were younger and more often female with fewer cardiovascular risk factors. Median follow-up time was 2.6 years. Compared with patients with obstructive CAD, the short-term hazard of death (≤30 days) was lower in both patients with non-obstructive CAD [hazard ratio (HR) 0.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.27-0.89, P = 0.018] and normal coronary arteries (HR 0.31, 95% CI 0.11-0.83, P = 0.021). In contrast, the long-term hazard of death (>30 days) was similar in patients with non-obstructive CAD (HR 1.15, 95% CI 0.77-1.72, P = 0.487) and higher in patients with normal coronary arteries (HR 2.44, 95% CI 1.58-3.76, P < 0.001), regardless of troponin levels. Causes of death were cardiovascular in 70% of patients with obstructive CAD, 38% with non-obstructive CAD, and 32% with normal coronary arteries. Finally, patients without obstructive CAD had lower survival compared with an age and sex matched general population. STE-ACS patients without obstructive CAD had a long-term risk of death similar to or higher than patients with obstructive CAD. Causes of death were less often cardiovascular. This suggests that STE-ACS patients without obstructive CAD warrant medical attention and close follow-up. Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2017. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Alternative Mating Type Configurations (a/α versus a/a or α/α) of Candida albicans Result in Alternative Biofilms Regulated by Different Pathways

PubMed Central

Srikantha, Thyagarajan; Huang, Guanghua; Garnaas, Adam M.; Soll, David R.

2011-01-01

Similar multicellular structures can evolve within the same organism that may have different evolutionary histories, be controlled by different regulatory pathways, and play similar but nonidentical roles. In the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans, a quite extraordinary example of this has occurred. Depending upon the configuration of the mating type locus (a/α versus a/a or α/α), C. albicans forms alternative biofilms that appear similar morphologically, but exhibit dramatically different characteristics and are regulated by distinctly different signal transduction pathways. Biofilms formed by a/α cells are impermeable to molecules in the size range of 300 Da to 140 kDa, are poorly penetrated by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), and are resistant to antifungals. In contrast, a/a or α/α biofilms are permeable to molecules in this size range, are readily penetrated by PMNs, and are susceptible to antifungals. By mutational analyses, a/α biofilms are demonstrated to be regulated by the Ras1/cAMP pathway that includes Ras1→Cdc35→cAMP(Pde2—|)→Tpk2(Tpk1)→Efg1→Tec1→Bcr1, and a/a biofilms by the MAP kinase pathway that includes Mfα→Ste2→ (Ste4, Ste18, Cag1)→Ste11→Hst7→Cek2(Cek1)→Tec1. These observations suggest the hypothesis that while the upstream portion of the newly evolved pathway regulating a/a and α/α cell biofilms was derived intact from the upstream portion of the conserved pheromone-regulated pathway for mating, the downstream portion was derived through modification of the downstream portion of the conserved pathway for a/α biofilm formation. C. albicans therefore forms two alternative biofilms depending upon mating configuration. PMID:21829325

Characterization of the PcCdc42 small G protein from Pneumocystis carinii, which interacts with the PcSte20 life cycle regulatory kinase

PubMed Central

Krajicek, Bryan J.; Kottom, Theodore J.; Villegas, Leah

2010-01-01

Pneumocystis carinii (Pc) causes severe pneumonia in immunocompromised hosts. The binding of Pc trophic forms to alveolar epithelial cells is a central feature of infection, inducing the expression and activation of PcSte20, a gene participating in mating, proliferation, and pseudohyphal growth. In related fungi, Ste20 proteins are generally activated by immediate upstream small G proteins of the Cdc42-like family. PcCdc42 has not been previously described in Pneumocystis. To address the potential role of such a G protein in Pneumocystis, PcCdc42 was cloned from a Pc cDNA library. Using the full-length 576-bp PcCdc42 cDNA sequence, a CHEF blot of genomic DNA yielded a single band, providing evidence that this gene is present as a single copy within the genome. The total length of PcCdc42 cDNA was 576 bp with an estimated molecular mass of ∼38 kDa. BLASTP analysis demonstrated greater than 80% homology with other fungal Cdc42p proteins. Northern analysis indicated equal mRNA expression in both cystic and trophic life forms. Heterologous expression of PcCdc42 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc) demonstrated that PcCdc42p was able to restore growth in an ScCdc42Δ yeast strain. Additional assays with purified PcCdc42 protein demonstrated GTP binding and intrinsic GTPase activity, which was partially but significantly suppressed by Clostridium difficile toxin B, characteristic of Cdc42 GTPases. Furthermore, PcCdc42 protein was also shown to bind to the downstream PCSte20 kinase partner in the presence (but not the absence) of GTP. These data indicate that Pc possesses a Cdc42 gene expressing an active G protein, which binds the downstream regulatory kinase PcSte20, important in Pc life cycle regulation. PMID:19915161

Right ventricular longitudinal strain correlates well with right ventricular stroke work index in patients with advanced heart failure referred for heart transplantation.

PubMed

Cameli, Matteo; Lisi, Matteo; Righini, Francesca Maria; Tsioulpas, Charilaos; Bernazzali, Sonia; Maccherini, Massimo; Sani, Guido; Ballo, Piercarlo; Galderisi, Maurizio; Mondillo, Sergio

2012-03-01

Right ventricular (RV) systolic function has a critical role in determining the clinical outcome and success of using left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) in patients with refractory heart failure. Tissue Doppler and M-mode measurements of tricuspid systolic motion (tricuspid S' and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion [TAPSE]) are the most currently used methods for the quantification of RV longitudinal function; RV deformation analysis by speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) has recently allowed the analysis of global RV longitudinal function. Using cardiac catheterization as the reference standard, this study aimed at exploring the correlation between RV longitudinal function by STE and RV stroke work index (RVSWI) in patients referred for cardiac transplantation. Right-side heart catheterization and transthoracic echo Doppler were simultaneously performed in 41 patients referred for cardiac transplantation evaluation for advanced systolic heart failure. Thermodilution RV stroke volume and invasive pulmonary pressures were used to obtain RVSWI. RV longitudinal strain (RVLS) by STE was assessed averaging all segments in apical 4-chamber view (global RVLS) and by averaging RV free-wall segments (free-wall RVLS). Tricuspid S' and TAPSE were also calculated. No significant correlations were found for TAPSE or tricuspid S' with RVSWI (r = 0.14; r = 0.06; respectively). Close negative correlations between global RVLS and free-wall RVLS with the RVSWI were found (r = -0.75; r = -0.82; respectively; both P < .0001). Furthermore, free-wall RVLS demonstrated the highest diagnostic accuracy (area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve 0.90) and good sensitivity and specificity of 92% and 86%, respectively, to predict depressed RVSWI using a cutoff value of less than -11.8%. In a group of patients referred for heart transplantation, TAPSE and tricuspid S' did not correlate with invasively obtained RVSWI. RV longitudinal deformation analysis by STE correlated well with RVSWI, providing a better estimation of RV systolic performance. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Assessing Protection Afforded to the Microbiological Quality of Bedrock Groundwater from the Impacts of Septic Tank Effluent by Irish Glacial Till: A Field Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orr, Alison; McCarthy, Valerie; Meehan, Robert; Flynn, Raymond

2010-05-01

The rural population of Ireland relies almost exclusively on on-site treatment systems for disposal of waste water. Septic tank systems, which discharge effluent to ground, constitute the dominant means of waste water disposal. Many of the areas that employ this technology rely on private or small group groundwater supplies, often located in close proximity of septic tanks. Since many of these water supplies provide raw groundwater to consumers, septic tank effluent (STE) can pose a significant hazard to the microbiological quality of drinking water. T-tests (infiltration testing) carried out prior to tank installation aim to assess the capacity of subsoils to receive STE. Tests completed across Ireland indicate that many existing septic tank systems are located in low permeability subsoils. These subsoils are assumed to afford significant protection to the microbiological quality of groundwater in the underlying bedrock units. A two year investigation in the Lough Muckno Catchment in Co. Monaghan, investigating the impact of STE on water quality, involved carrying out T-tests at three sites where effluent discharged to a dense, silty, ‘fractured' glacial till derived from the underlying bedrock and containing clasts of low grade metamorphic Ordovician and Silurian sandstone and shale. Analysis of groundwater samples collected from 28 piezometers straddling the water table within the till, down-gradient of septic tank systems at two sites, permitted faecal indicator microorganism (FIO) levels in near-surface groundwater to be established. Associated hydraulic conductivity tests (slug tests) at all three sites permitted an evaluation of the levels of horizontal hydraulic conductivity heterogeneity present in the till. Slug test results suggest that till median hydraulic conductivities range from 1.1x10-4 cm/s to 1.1x10-5 cm/s, with variability of up to 2 orders of magnitude across each site. On the other hand no significant differences in properties existed between sites. T-test results ranged from 37.96 min/25mm to 98.26 min/25mm, suggesting hydraulic conductivities of the order of 1.1x10-3 cm/s to 4.24x10-4 cm/s. The contrast in hydraulic conductivity between T-test and slug test results may reflect slight anisotropy within the till, with water flowing vertically a little more easily than horizontally, under equivalent gradients. Despite the low hydraulic conductivities and the low hydraulic gradients observed at each site, analyses of water samples collected from up to 115 metres from septic tank discharge points consistently detected FIOs. The results of the study highlight the possibility of viable pathogenic microorganisms being transported considerable distances from septic tanks through fine-grained glacial tills. Given limited survival times of FIOs outside of their host organisms, study findings suggest that travel times in the till separating septic tanks from monitoring points are of the order of 10s of days, despite similarly low hydraulic conductivities determined independently by the T-test and slug test methods. The microbiological results, coupled to hydraulic measurements, point to very low effective porosities in the till that may possibly relate to fracturing. Moreover, hydraulic conductivity anisotropy suggests that contaminants may flow equally easily to depth. However, the exact levels of protection provided by the till will be a function of effective porosity variation with depth; the role played by fractures remains to be investigated but could prove to be potentially significant. Overall, the results of the study suggest that the levels of protection afforded by fine-grained Irish tills to bedrock aquifers may be considerably lower than originally assumed.

Oil production from the Ste. Genevieve limestone in the exchange area, Marion County, Illinois

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

Stevenson, D.L.

1969-01-01

The 4 townships making up the SE. quarter of Marion County, Illinois, contain 7 relatively small oil pools. The major portion of the oil produced from these pools was trapped in oolitic limestones and sandstones of the Ste. Genevieve Formation. The oil appears to be accumulated in stratigraphic traps, as no significant structural closure is evident. A reconstruction of the geologic history of the area, aided by the technique of trend-surface fitting, suggests that structural folding was, however, an important factor in trapping the oil. Subsequent tilting of the area has removed the closure of the structures, but the oilmore » did not escape because of permeability pinch outs of the reservoir beds.« less

Evaluation of antitumor activity and development of solid lipid nanoparticles of metronidazole analogue.

PubMed

Lages, Eduardo Burgarelli; de Freitas, Maria Betânia; Gonçalves, Isadora Marques Brum; Alves, Ricardo José; Vianna-Soares, Cristina Duarte; Ferreira, Lucas Antônio Miranda; de Oliveira, Mônica Cristina; de Oliveira, Renata Barbosa

2013-11-01

Nitroheterocyclic compounds have received considerable interest as hypoxia-selective cytotoxins (HSC) for cancer treatment. In the present study, we investigated antitumor activity of an iodide analogue of metronidazole, 1-(2-iodoethyl)-2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole (MTZ-I), using Swiss mice bearing solid Ehrlich tumor. MTZ-I showed potent anti-cancer activity at a dose of 40 mg/kg. MTZ-I loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) were developed as an alternative colloidal carrier system to enhance tumor drug uptake. SLN were characterized for particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency. In addition, the influence of presence of the cationic lipid stearylamine (STE) on stability of formulation was assessed. The results of DSC study showed that MTZ-I exhibited interaction with STE.

The Satellite View of Extra-Tropical Stratosphere-Troposphere Exchange and the UT/LS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schoeberl, Mark R.

2004-01-01

This talk will review satellite studies which have helped define the UT/LS and stratosphere-troposphere exchange. Satellites have provided a global perspective but have had limited temporal and spatial measurements for stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE) studies. Nonetheless, long lived tracer measurements from satellites can be used as proxies for age-of-air can thus provide estimates of mixing and transport processes in the UT/LS. These measurements can be compared to model estimates of the mean age-of-air and trace gas fluxes providing an important model diagnostic. With the launch of EOS Aura, the potential for satellite trace gas measurements of the lower-most stratosphere and STE is significantly improved, and Aura s mission will be briefly described.

Association between left atrial function assessed by speckle-tracking echocardiography and the presence of left atrial appendage thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation.

PubMed

Kupczynska, Karolina; Michalski, Blazej W; Miskowiec, Dawid; Kasprzak, Jaroslaw D; Wejner-Mik, Paulina; Wdowiak-Okrojek, Katarzyna; Lipiec, Piotr

2017-07-01

The aim of the study was to investigate whether the deformation of left atrium (LA) measured by speckle-tracking analysis (STE) is associated with the presence of LA appendage thrombus (LAAT) during non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Eighty-seven patients (mean age 67 years, 59% men) were included to retrospective cross-sectional study. On top of standard echocardiography we assessed: LA longitudinal systolic strain (LS), systolic (LSSR) and early diastolic strain rate (LESR) in four-chamber and twochamber apical views. All patients underwent transesophageal echocardiography disclosing LAAT in 36 (41%) patients. Subgroups with and without thrombi did not differ with regard to clinical characteristics. Univariate factors associated with LAAT were as follows: CH2ADS2-VASc Score, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), LV mass, and STE measurements. In a multivariate model only LVEF (p=0.002), LS (p=0.02), LESR (p=0.008), and LSSR (p=0.045) were independently associated with LAAT presence. Moreover, LVEF and LA STE measurements provided incremental value over the CH2ADS2-VASc Score. Speckle-tracking TTE may be used to describe LA reservoir and conduit function during AF, allowing the identification of patients with higher risk of LAAT and providing incremental value over the CH2ADS2-VASc Score.

Regulation of Catalytic and Non-catalytic Functions of the Drosophila Ste20 Kinase Slik by Activation Segment Phosphorylation.

PubMed

Panneton, Vincent; Nath, Apurba; Sader, Fadi; Delaunay, Nathalie; Pelletier, Ariane; Maier, Dominic; Oh, Karen; Hipfner, David R

2015-08-21

Protein kinases carry out important functions in cells both by phosphorylating substrates and by means of regulated non-catalytic activities. Such non-catalytic functions have been ascribed to many kinases, including some members of the Ste20 family. The Drosophila Ste20 kinase Slik phosphorylates and activates Moesin in developing epithelial tissues to promote epithelial tissue integrity. It also functions non-catalytically to promote epithelial cell proliferation and tissue growth. We carried out a structure-function analysis to determine how these two distinct activities of Slik are controlled. We find that the conserved C-terminal coiled-coil domain of Slik, which is necessary and sufficient for apical localization of the kinase in epithelial cells, is not required for Moesin phosphorylation but is critical for the growth-promoting function of Slik. Slik is auto- and trans-phosphorylated in vivo. Phosphorylation of at least two of three conserved sites in the activation segment is required for both efficient catalytic activity and non-catalytic signaling. Slik function is thus dependent upon proper localization of the kinase via the C-terminal coiled-coil domain and activation via activation segment phosphorylation, which enhances both phosphorylation of substrates like Moesin and engagement of effectors of its non-catalytic growth-promoting activity. © 2015 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Septic systems as hot-spots of pollutants in the environment: Fate and mass balance of micropollutants in septic drainfields.

PubMed

Yang, Yun-Ya; Toor, Gurpal S; Wilson, P Chris; Williams, Clinton F

2016-10-01

Septic systems, a common type of onsite wastewater treatment systems, can be an important source of micropollutants in the environment. We investigated the fate and mass balance of 17 micropollutants, including wastewater markers, hormones, pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the drainfield of a septic system. Drainfields were replicated in lysimeters (1.5m length, 0.9m width, 0.9m height) and managed similar to the field practice. In each lysimeter, a drip line dispersed 9L of septic tank effluent (STE) per day (equivalent to 32.29L/m(2) per day). Fourteen micropollutants in the STE and 12 in the leachate from drainfields were detected over eight months. Concentrations of most micropollutants in the leachate were low (<200ng/L) when compared to STE because >85% of the added micropollutants except for sucralose were attenuated in the drainfield. We discovered that sorption was the key mechanism for retention of carbamazepine and partially for sulfamethoxazole, whereas microbial degradation likely attenuated acetaminophen in the drainfield. This data suggests that sorption and microbial degradation limited transport of micropollutants from the drainfields. However, the leaching of small amounts of micropollutants indicate that septic systems are hot-spots of micropollutants in the environment and a better understanding of micropollutants in septic systems is needed to protect groundwater quality. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Medulloblastoma

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Diet and Spondylitis

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History of displacement along Ste. Genevieve Fault Zone, Southwestern Illinois

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

Schwalb, H.R.

1983-09-01

The Ste. Genevieve fault zone extends eastward from Missouri across the Mississippi River into Jackson County, Illinois, about 75 mi (120 km) southeast of St. Louis. Outcrop studies have dated movement along portions of the zone as pre-Middle Devonian, post-Mississippian, and post-Pennsylvanian. Present displacement is down to the north and east with throw ranging up to 3,000 ft (915 m). However, pre-Middle Devonian movement was down to the south and west. The present upthrown block shows no evidence of vertical movement during the Cambrian and Ordovician. Nor is there any indication that the fault zone was part of the northernmore » border of the Reelfoot basin, where earliest Paleozoic sediments infilled an aulacogen at the northern end of the Mississippi embayment.« less

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

Nishitani, Junichi, E-mail: jnishitani@issp.u-tokyo.ac.jp; Lippmaa, Mikk; Suemoto, Tohru

The dynamics of photoexcited electrons in various excited d-states was investigated in a transition metal oxide MnO by tunable optical pump-terahertz probe measurements. Photoexcited electrons in the lowest excited d-state showed the longest relaxation time among the three excited d-states that are accessible in MnO at room temperature. The relaxation rate in the lowest excited d-state showed a drastic increase below the Neel temperature T{sub N} = 120 K in MnO. We conclude that this increase is caused by the appearance of a decay channel related to magnetic-excitation-assisted photoluminescence from self-trapped exciton (STE) states. The opening of relaxation channels to the STE statesmore » in an antiferromagnetic phase suggests that it may be possible to control photocarrier lifetime by magnetic order in transition metal oxides.« less

Analysis of the Latitudinal Variability of Tropospheric Ozone in the Arctic Using the Large Number of Aircraft and Ozonesonde Observations in Early Summer 2008

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ancellet, Gerard; Daskalakis, Nikos; Raut, Jean Christophe; Tarasick, David; Hair, Jonathan; Quennehen, Boris; Ravetta, Francois; Schlager, Hans; Weinheimer, Andrew J.; Thompson, Anne M.;

Epicardial potentials computed from the body surface potential map using inverse electrocardiography and an individualised torso model improve sensitivity for acute myocardial infarction diagnosis.

PubMed

Daly, Michael J; Finlay, Dewar D; Guldenring, Daniel; Bond, Raymond R; McCann, Aaron J; Scott, Peter J; Adgey, Jennifer A; Harbinson, Mark T

2017-12-01

Epicardial potentials (EPs) derived from the body surface potential map (BSPM) improve acute myocardial infarction (AMI) diagnosis. In this study, we compared EPs derived from the 80-lead BSPM using a standard thoracic volume conductor model (TVCM) with those derived using a patient-specific torso model (PSTM) based on body mass index (BMI). Consecutive patients presenting to both the emergency department and pre-hospital coronary care unit between August 2009 and August 2011 with acute ischaemic-type chest pain at rest were enrolled. At first medical contact, 12-lead electrocardiograms and BSPMs were recorded. The BMI for each patient was calculated. Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) was sampled 12 hours after symptom onset. Patients were excluded from analysis if they had any ECG confounders to interpretation of the ST-segment. A cardiologist assessed the 12-lead ECG for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction by Minnesota criteria and the BSPM. BSPM ST-elevation (STE) was ⩾0.2 mV in anterior, ⩾0.1 mV in lateral, inferior, right ventricular or high right anterior and ⩾0.05 mV in posterior territories. To derive EPs, the BSPM data were interpolated to yield values at 352 nodes of a Dalhousie torso. Using an inverse solution based on the boundary element method, EPs at 98 cardiac nodes positioned within a standard TVCM were derived. The TVCM was then scaled to produce a PSTM using a model developed from computed tomography in 48 patients of varying BMIs, and EPs were recalculated. EPs >0.3 mV defined STE. A cardiologist blinded to both the 12-lead ECG and BSPM interpreted the EP map. AMI was defined as cTnT ⩾0.1 µg/L. Enrolled were 400 patients (age 62 ± 13 years; 57% male); 80 patients had exclusion criteria. Of the remaining 320 patients, the BMI was an average of 27.8 ± 5.6 kg/m 2 . Of these, 180 (56%) had AMI. Overall, 132 had Minnesota STE on ECG (sensitivity 65%, specificity 89%) and 160 had BSPM STE (sensitivity 81%, specificity 90%). EP STE occurred in 165 patients using TVCM (sensitivity 88%, specificity 95%; p < 0.001) and in 206 patients using PSTM (sensitivity 98%, specificity 79%; p < 0.001). Of those with AMI by cTnT and EPs ⩽0.3 mV using TVCM ( n = 22), 18 (82%) patients had EPs >0.3 mV when an individualised PSTM was used. Among patients presenting with ischaemic-type chest pain at rest, EPs derived from BSPM using a novel PSTM significantly improve sensitivity for AMI diagnosis.

Descending aortic mechanics and atrial fibrillation: a two-dimensional speckle tracking transesophageal echocardiography study.

PubMed

Teixeira, Rogério; Monteiro, Ricardo; Dinis, Paulo; Santos, Maria José; Botelho, Ana; Quintal, Nuno; Cardim, Nuno; Gonçalves, Lino

2017-04-01

Vascular mechanics assessed with two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) could be used as a new imaging surrogate of vascular stiffening. The CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score is considered accurate as an estimate of stroke risk in non-valvular AF, although many potential stroke risk factors have not been included in this scoring method. The purpose of this research is to study the feasibility of evaluating vascular mechanics at the descending aorta in non-valvular AF patients using transesophageal 2D-STE and to analyze the association between descending aortic mechanics and stroke. We prospectively recruited a group of 44 patients referred for a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) in the context of cardioversion for non-valvular AF. A short-axis view of the descending aorta, one to two centimeters after the aortic arch was selected for the vascular mechanics assessment with the 2D-STE methodology. The vascular mechanics parameters analyzed were circumferential aortic strain (CAS) and early circumferential aortic strain rate (CASR). A clinical assessment was performed with focus on the past stroke history and the CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score. The mean age of our cohort was 65 ± 13 years and 75% were men; AF was known for 2.8 ± 2.5 years and it was considered paroxystic in 41% of cases. Waveforms adequate for measuring 2D-STE were present in 85% of the 264 descending aortic wall segments. The mean CAS was 3.5 ± 1.2% and the mean CASR was 0.7 ± 0.3 s -1 . The inter- and intra-observer variability for aortic mechanics was considered adequate. The median CHA 2 DS 2 VASc score was 2 (2-3). As the score increased we noted that both the CAS (r = -0.38, P = 0.01) and the CASR (r = -0.42, P < 0.01) decreased. Over 16% of the AF patients had a past history of stroke. These patients had lower values of both descending aortic strain [2.2 (1.8-2.6) vs. 3.9 (3.3-4.9)%, P < 0.01] and strain rate [0.4 (0.3-0.4) vs. 0.7 (0.6-1.1) s -1 , P < 0.01]. CAS remained independently associated with a past history of stroke after adjustment for the CHA 2 DS 2 VASc score. Our data showed that non-valvular AF patients with a past history of stroke had lower values of aortic mechanics assessed with transesophageal 2D-STE.

Diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis

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Juvenile Spondyloarthritis: An Overview

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Alternative Treatments for Ankylosing Spondylitis

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Carbonate system biogeochemistry in a subterranean estuary - Waquoit Bay, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Qian; Charette, Matthew A.; Breier, Crystaline F.; Henderson, Paul B.; McCorkle, Daniel C.; Martin, William; Dai, Minhan

2017-04-01

Quantifying carbon fluxes associated with submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) remains challenging due to the complex biogeochemistry of the carbonate system in the subterranean estuary (STE). Here we conducted time series measurements of total alkalinity (TAlk) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in a well-studied coastal aquifer (Waquoit Bay, Massachusetts, USA). Groundwater samples were collected monthly from May 2009 to June 2010 across the freshwater-saltwater mixing zone of the Waquoit Bay (WB) STE. The concentrations of both TAlk and DIC in zero-salinity groundwater were variable, but were lower than those in the bay water (S ∼ 28). DIC underwent slightly non-conservative mixing between low and intermediate salinities while there was an apparent additional DIC source at high salinity (>20) in all seasons. TAlk concentrations exhibited even stronger variations, with evidence of both production and consumption in high salinity zones, and consistent TAlk consumption at intermediate salinity in summer and fall (June-December, 2009). The increases in DIC and TAlk at high salinity were attributed to aerobic respiration and denitrification in WB sediments during bay water recharge of the STE. We infer that the loss of TAlk at intermediate salinity reflects H+ production as reduced compounds (e.g. Fe2+) are oxidized within the STE. In terms of impacts on surface water inorganic carbon budgets, the SGD-derived DIC flux was mainly controlled by seasonal changes in SGD while a combination of TAlk concentration variability and SGD drove the TAlk flux. SGD-derived DIC, aqueous CO2, and H+ fluxes to the bay were ∼40-50% higher in summer vs. in winter, a result of enhanced marine groundwater flux and significant TAlk removal (proton addition) during periods of high seawater intrusion. Furthermore, the SGD-derived DIC flux was consistently greater than TAlk flux regardless of season, indicating that SGD serves to reduce the CO2 buffering capacity of surface water. Our results highlight the importance of seasonality and subsurface biogeochemical processes on the subterranean estuary carbonate system and the resulting impact on SGD-derived TAlk, DIC, aqueous CO2, and H+ fluxes to the coastal ocean.

Assessment of left atrial mechanical function and synchrony in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.

PubMed

Shang, Zhijuan; Su, Dechun; Cong, Tao; Sun, Yinghui; Liu, Yan; Chen, Na; Yang, Jun

2017-02-01

The aim of this study was to investigate left atrial (LA) function and synchrony in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) patients using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). Forty-five PAF patients and 30 healthy controls were enrolled. LA peak ventricular systolic longitudinal strain (LA S -S ) and strain rate (LA SR -S ) and left atrial longitudinal strain (LA S -A ) and strain rate (LA SR -A ) during late diastole were determined using STE, and the standard deviation of the time to peak (TPSD) of the regional strains was calculated to quantify LA dyssynchrony. TPSD during ventricular systole and late diastole were named SDs and SDa, respectively. Left atrial peak longitudinal strain during ventricular systole (LA S -S ) (29.34±8.57 vs 36.73±6.13), LA SR -S (1.27±0.311 vs 1.57±0.25), LA S -A (13.11±4.91 vs 17.86±3.57), and LA SR -A (-1.51±0.58 vs -1.90±0.30) were reduced in the PAF group compared with the controls (P<.05 for all). SDs (8.11±3.00% vs 4.67±1.48%) and SDa (5.57±2.26% vs 3.11±1.13%) were greater in PAF patients than in the controls (P<.05 for both). Furthermore, PAF patients with normal LA sizes exhibited lower LA S -S (P<.05), LA SR -S (P<.05), LA S -A (P<.05), and LA SR -A (P<.05) values and increased SDs (P<.05) and SDa (P<.05) values compared with the controls. Multivariate regression confirmed that SDs and SDa were powerful parameters for differentiating PAF patients from controls (SDs: sensitivity, 83%; specificity, 72%; SDa: sensitivity, 81%; specificity, 76%). Left atrial (LA) dysfunction and dyssynchrony in PAF patients can be detected with STE even in the absence of LA enlargement. STE-derived SDs and SDa were powerful parameters for identifying PAF patients. © 2017, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Variational Iterative Refinement Source Term Estimation Algorithm Assessment for Rural and Urban Environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Delle Monache, L.; Rodriguez, L. M.; Meech, S.; Hahn, D.; Betancourt, T.; Steinhoff, D.

2016-12-01

It is necessary to accurately estimate the initial source characteristics in the event of an accidental or intentional release of a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, or Nuclear (CBRN) agent into the atmosphere. The accurate estimation of the source characteristics are important because many times they are unknown and the Atmospheric Transport and Dispersion (AT&D) models rely heavily on these estimates to create hazard assessments. To correctly assess the source characteristics in an operational environment where time is critical, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) has developed a Source Term Estimation (STE) method, known as the Variational Iterative Refinement STE algorithm (VIRSA). VIRSA consists of a combination of modeling systems. These systems include an AT&D model, its corresponding STE model, a Hybrid Lagrangian-Eulerian Plume Model (H-LEPM), and its mathematical adjoint model. In an operational scenario where we have information regarding the infrastructure of a city, the AT&D model used is the Urban Dispersion Model (UDM) and when using this model in VIRSA we refer to the system as uVIRSA. In all other scenarios where we do not have the city infrastructure information readily available, the AT&D model used is the Second-order Closure Integrated PUFF model (SCIPUFF) and the system is referred to as sVIRSA. VIRSA was originally developed using SCIPUFF 2.4 for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and integrated into the Hazard Prediction and Assessment Capability and Joint Program for Information Systems Joint Effects Model. The results discussed here are the verification and validation of the upgraded system with SCIPUFF 3.0 and the newly implemented UDM capability. To verify uVIRSA and sVIRSA, synthetic concentration observation scenarios were created in urban and rural environments and the results of this verification are shown. Finally, we validate the STE performance of uVIRSA using scenarios from the Joint Urban 2003 (JU03) experiment, which was held in Oklahoma City and also validate the performance of sVIRSA using scenarios from the FUsing Sensor Integrated Observing Network (FUSION) Field Trial 2007 (FFT07), held at Dugway Proving Grounds in rural Utah.

Evaluation of left atrial function in patients with iron-deficiency anemia by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.

PubMed

Shen, Jiaqi; Zhou, Qiao; Liu, Yue; Luo, Runlan; Tan, Bijun; Li, Guangsen

2016-08-23

Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is a global health problem and a common medical condition that can be seen in everyday clinical practice. And two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) has been reported very useful in evaluating left atrial (LA) function, as well as left ventricular (LV) function. The aim of our study is to evaluate the LA function in patients with IDA by 2D-STE. 65 patients with IDA were selected. This group of patients was then divided into two groups according to the degree of hemoglobin: group B (Hb > 90 g/L) and group C (Hb60 ~ 90 g/L). Another 30 healthy people were also selected as control group A. Conventional echocardiography parameters, such as left atrial diameter (LAD), peak E and A of mitralis (E, A), E/A, end-diastolic thickness of ventricular septum (IVST d), end-diastolic thickness of LV posterior wall (PWTd) and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVDd) were obtained from these three groups. Left atrial minimum volume (LAVmin), left atrial pre-atrial contraction volume (LAVp) and left atrial maximum volume (LAVmax) were measured by Simpson's rule, whereas left atrial active ejection fraction (LAAEF) and left atrial passive ejection fraction (LAPEF) were obtained from calculation. Two-dimensional images were acquired from apical four-chamber view and two-chamber view to store images for offline analysis. The global peak atrial longitudinal strain and strain rate of systolic LV (GLSs, GLSRs) as well as early and late diastolic LV strain rate (GLSRe, GLSRa) curves of LA were acquired in each LA segment from basal segment to top segment of LA by 2D-STE. Compared with group A, there were no differences between group B and group A (all P > 0.05). The LAAEF and GLSRa were significantly higher in group C compared with those of group A and group B (all P < 0.01). The LAPEF, GLSs, GLSRs and GLSRe were significantly lower in group C compared with those of group A and group B (all P < 0.01). 2D-STE could evaluate the LA function in patients with IDA.

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78 FR 50436 - Missouri; Major Disaster and Related Determinations

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-19

...-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding during the period of May 29 to June 10, 2013, is of sufficient..., Putnam, Ralls, Shelby, St. Charles, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Stoddard, Sullivan, Texas, and Webster...

7. EXTERIOR, SIDE VIEW FROM GARDEN SHOWING GRAPE ARBOR undated ...

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

7. EXTERIOR, SIDE VIEW FROM GARDEN SHOWING GRAPE ARBOR undated - Jean Baptiste Valle House, 99 South Main Street (Northwest corner of Main & Market Streets), Sainte Genevieve, Ste. Genevieve County, MO

2. EAST SIDE OF SLAVE QUARTERS (Jack E. Boucher, photgrapher, ...

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

2. EAST SIDE OF SLAVE QUARTERS (Jack E. Boucher, photgrapher, April/May, 1986) - Felix & Odile Pratt Valle Slave Quarters, Southeast corner of Merchant & Second Streets, Sainte Genevieve, Ste. Genevieve County, MO

Recognition of oolite-filled channels, Ste. Genevieve Formation, Illinois basin

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

Bandy, W.F. Jr.

1991-03-01

Porous oolitic grainstones in the Ste. Genevieve Formation (Mississippian) of the Illinois basin have typically been viewed as bar-shaped reservoirs. However, a reservoir discovered in the Allendale Pool, southern Lawrence County, is an oolitic grainstone with a channel geometry. A similar, oolite-filled channel has been recognized in southern Lawrence field, approximately 4 miles north of the Allendale channel. This reservoir, previously thought to be a bar, was discovered over 80 years ago is much larger than the Allendale channel. Both reservoirs have proven prolific, with high initial and cumulative productions and relatively little water. In contrast to oolitic bars, whichmore » are convex downward, with relatively greater average thickness and porosities. Laterally, bars thin gradually, whereas channels may thin very abruptly. Similar, undiscovered channels probably occur elsewhere in the Illinois basin.« less

Dominant genetics using a yeast genomic library under the control of a strong inducible promoter.

PubMed

Ramer, S W; Elledge, S J; Davis, R W

1992-12-01

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, numerous genes have been identified by selection from high-copy-number libraries based on "multicopy suppression" or other phenotypic consequences of overexpression. Although fruitful, this approach suffers from two major drawbacks. First, high copy number alone may not permit high-level expression of tightly regulated genes. Conversely, other genes expressed in proportion to dosage cannot be identified if their products are toxic at elevated levels. This work reports construction of a genomic DNA expression library for S. cerevisiae that circumvents both limitations by fusing randomly sheared genomic DNA to the strong, inducible yeast GAL1 promoter, which can be regulated by carbon source. The library obtained contains 5 x 10(7) independent recombinants, representing a breakpoint at every base in the yeast genome. This library was used to examine aberrant gene expression in S. cerevisiae. A screen for dominant activators of yeast mating response identified eight genes that activate the pathway in the absence of exogenous mating pheromone, including one previously unidentified gene. One activator was a truncated STE11 gene lacking approximately 1000 base pairs of amino-terminal coding sequence. In two different clones, the same GAL1 promoter-proximal ATG is in-frame with the coding sequence of STE11, suggesting that internal initiation of translation there results in production of a biologically active, truncated STE11 protein. Thus this library allows isolation based on dominant phenotypes of genes that might have been difficult or impossible to isolate from high-copy-number libraries.

Molecular Determinants of Sporulation in Ashbya gossypii

PubMed Central

Wasserstrom, Lisa; Lengeler, Klaus B.; Walther, Andrea; Wendland, Jürgen

2013-01-01

Regulation of development and entry into sporulation is critical for fungi to ensure survival of unfavorable environmental conditions. Here we present an analysis of gene sets regulating sporulation in the homothallic ascomycete Ashbya gossypii. Deletion of components of the conserved pheromone/starvation MAP kinase cascades, e.g., STE11 and STE7, results in increased sporulation. In kar3 mutants sporulation is severely reduced, while deletion of KAR4 as well as of homologs of central Saccharomyces cerevisiae regulators of sporulation, IME1, IME2, IME4, and NDT80, abolishes sporulation in A. gossypii. Comparison of RNAseq transcript profiles of sporulation-deficient mutants identified a set of 67 down-regulated genes, most of which were up-regulated in the oversporulating ste12 mutant. One of these differentially expressed genes is an endoglucanase encoded by ENG2. We found that Eng2p promotes hyphal fragmentation as part of the developmental program of sporulation, which generates single-celled sporangia. Sporulation-deficient strains are arrested in their development but form sporangia. Supply of new nutrients enabled sporangia to return to hyphal growth, indicating that these cells are not locked in meiosis. Double-strand break (DSB) formation by Spo11 is apparently not required for sporulation; however, the absence of DMC1, which repairs DSBs in S. cerevisiae, results in very poor sporulation in A. gossypii. We present a comprehensive analysis of the gene repertoire governing sporulation in A. gossypii and suggest an altered regulation of IME1 expression compared to S. cerevisiae. PMID:23833180

Molecular determinants of sporulation in Ashbya gossypii.

PubMed

Wasserstrom, Lisa; Lengeler, Klaus B; Walther, Andrea; Wendland, Jürgen

2013-09-01

Regulation of development and entry into sporulation is critical for fungi to ensure survival of unfavorable environmental conditions. Here we present an analysis of gene sets regulating sporulation in the homothallic ascomycete Ashbya gossypii. Deletion of components of the conserved pheromone/starvation MAP kinase cascades, e.g., STE11 and STE7, results in increased sporulation. In kar3 mutants sporulation is severely reduced, while deletion of KAR4 as well as of homologs of central Saccharomyces cerevisiae regulators of sporulation, IME1, IME2, IME4, and NDT80, abolishes sporulation in A. gossypii. Comparison of RNAseq transcript profiles of sporulation-deficient mutants identified a set of 67 down-regulated genes, most of which were up-regulated in the oversporulating ste12 mutant. One of these differentially expressed genes is an endoglucanase encoded by ENG2. We found that Eng2p promotes hyphal fragmentation as part of the developmental program of sporulation, which generates single-celled sporangia. Sporulation-deficient strains are arrested in their development but form sporangia. Supply of new nutrients enabled sporangia to return to hyphal growth, indicating that these cells are not locked in meiosis. Double-strand break (DSB) formation by Spo11 is apparently not required for sporulation; however, the absence of DMC1, which repairs DSBs in S. cerevisiae, results in very poor sporulation in A. gossypii. We present a comprehensive analysis of the gene repertoire governing sporulation in A. gossypii and suggest an altered regulation of IME1 expression compared to S. cerevisiae.

Scintillation properties and electronic structure of the intrinsic and extrinsic mixed elpasolites Cs 2 Na RBr 3I 3 ( R = La, Y)

DOE PAGES

Wei, Hua; Du, Mao -Hua; Stand, Luis; ...

2016-02-19

Scintillators attract wide research interest for their distinct applications in radiation detection. Elpasolite halides are among the most promising scintillators due to their high structural symmetry and good scintillation performance. A better understanding of their underlying scintillation mechanism opens up possibilities in scintillator development. In this work, we employ a variety of experimental techniques to study the two mixed-anion elpasolites Cs 2Na RBr 3I 3 ( R = La, Y). The emission of intrinsic Cs 2Na RBr 3I 3 with a light yield ranging from 20 000 to 40 000 ph / MeV is dominant by self-trapped exciton emission. Partialmore » substitution of R with Ce introduces a competing emission, the Ce 3+ 5d-to-4f radiative transition. Ab initio calculations are performed to investigate the electronic structures as well as the binding energies of polarons in Cs 2Na RBr 6. The calculated large self-trapped exciton binding energies are consistent with the observed high light yield due to self-trapped exciton (STE) emission. The unique electronic structure of halide elpasolites as calculated enhances the STE stability and the STE emission. The highly tunable scintillation properties of mixed-anion elpasolites underscore the role of their complex scintillation mechanism. Furthermore, our study provides guidance for the design of elpasolite scintillators with exceptional energy resolution and light yield desirable for applications.« less

Detection and characterization of protein interactions in vivo by a simple live-cell imaging method.

PubMed

Gallego, Oriol; Specht, Tanja; Brach, Thorsten; Kumar, Arun; Gavin, Anne-Claude; Kaksonen, Marko

2013-01-01

Over the last decades there has been an explosion of new methodologies to study protein complexes. However, most of the approaches currently used are based on in vitro assays (e.g. nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray, electron microscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry etc). The accurate measurement of parameters that define protein complexes in a physiological context has been largely limited due to technical constrains. Here, we present PICT (Protein interactions from Imaging of Complexes after Translocation), a new method that provides a simple fluorescence microscopy readout for the study of protein complexes in living cells. We take advantage of the inducible dimerization of FK506-binding protein (FKBP) and FKBP-rapamycin binding (FRB) domain to translocate protein assemblies to membrane associated anchoring platforms in yeast. In this assay, GFP-tagged prey proteins interacting with the FRB-tagged bait will co-translocate to the FKBP-tagged anchor sites upon addition of rapamycin. The interactions are thus encoded into localization changes and can be detected by fluorescence live-cell imaging under different physiological conditions or upon perturbations. PICT can be automated for high-throughput studies and can be used to quantify dissociation rates of protein complexes in vivo. In this work we have used PICT to analyze protein-protein interactions from three biological pathways in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade (Ste5-Ste11-Ste50), exocytosis (exocyst complex) and endocytosis (Ede1-Syp1).

Multilocus analysis using putative fungal effectors to describe a population of Fusarium oxysporum from sugar beet.

PubMed

Covey, Paul A; Kuwitzky, Brett; Hanson, Mia; Webb, Kimberly M

2014-08-01

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) Fusarium yellows is caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. betae and can lead to significant reductions in root yield, sucrose percentage, juice purity, and storability. F. oxysporum f. sp. betae can be highly variable and many F. oxysporum strains isolated from symptomatic sugar beet are nonpathogenic. Identifying pathogenicity factors and their diversity in the F. oxysporum f. sp. betae population could further understanding of how this pathogen causes disease and potentially provide molecular markers to rapidly identify pathogenic isolates. This study used several previously described fungal effector genes (Fmk1, Fow1, Pda1, PelA, PelD, Pep1, Prt1, Rho1, Sge1, Six1, Six6, Snf1, and Ste12) as genetic markers, in a population of 26 pathogenic and nonpathogenic isolates of F. oxysporum originally isolated from symptomatic sugar beet. Of the genes investigated, six were present in all F. oxysporum isolates from sugar beet (Fmk1, Fow1, PelA, Rho1, Snf1, and Ste12), and seven were found to be dispersed within the population (Pda1, PelD, Pep1, Prt1, Sge1, Six1, and Six6). Of these, Fmk1, Fow1, PelA, Rho1, Sge1, Snf1, and Ste12 were significant in relating clade designations and PelD, and Prt1 were significant for correlating with pathogenicity in F. oxysporum f. sp. betae.

Direct quantitative identification of the “surface trans-effect”

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

Deimel, Peter S.; Bababrik, Reda M.; Wang, Bin

The strong parallels between coordination chemistry and adsorption on metal surfaces, with molecules and ligands forming local bonds to individual atoms within a metal surface, have been established over many years of study. The recently proposed “surface trans-effect” (STE) appears to be a further manifestation of this analogous behaviour, but so far the true nature of the modified molecule–metal surface bonding has been unclear. The STE could play an important role in determining the reactivities of surface-supported metal–organic complexes, influencing the design of systems for future applications. However, the current understanding of this effect is incomplete and lacks reliable structuralmore » parameters with which to benchmark theoretical calculations. Using X-ray standing waves, we demonstrate that ligation of ammonia and water to iron phthalocyanine (FePc) on Ag(111) increases the adsorption height of the central Fe atom; dispersion corrected density functional theory calculations accurately model this structural effect. The calculated charge redistribution in the FePc/H 2O electronic structure induced by adsorption shows an accumulation of charge along the σ-bonding direction between the surface, the Fe atom and the water molecule, similar to the redistribution caused by ammonia. Finally, this apparent σ-donor nature of the observed STE on Ag(111) is shown to involve bonding to the delocalised metal surface electrons rather than local bonding to one or more surface atoms, thus indicating that this is a true surface trans-effect.« less

Direct quantitative identification of the “surface trans-effect”

DOE PAGES

Deimel, Peter S.; Bababrik, Reda M.; Wang, Bin; ...

2016-06-09

The strong parallels between coordination chemistry and adsorption on metal surfaces, with molecules and ligands forming local bonds to individual atoms within a metal surface, have been established over many years of study. The recently proposed “surface trans-effect” (STE) appears to be a further manifestation of this analogous behaviour, but so far the true nature of the modified molecule–metal surface bonding has been unclear. The STE could play an important role in determining the reactivities of surface-supported metal–organic complexes, influencing the design of systems for future applications. However, the current understanding of this effect is incomplete and lacks reliable structuralmore » parameters with which to benchmark theoretical calculations. Using X-ray standing waves, we demonstrate that ligation of ammonia and water to iron phthalocyanine (FePc) on Ag(111) increases the adsorption height of the central Fe atom; dispersion corrected density functional theory calculations accurately model this structural effect. The calculated charge redistribution in the FePc/H 2O electronic structure induced by adsorption shows an accumulation of charge along the σ-bonding direction between the surface, the Fe atom and the water molecule, similar to the redistribution caused by ammonia. Finally, this apparent σ-donor nature of the observed STE on Ag(111) is shown to involve bonding to the delocalised metal surface electrons rather than local bonding to one or more surface atoms, thus indicating that this is a true surface trans-effect.« less

Gallstones in Women

MedlinePlus

... Multiple pregnancies Family history of gallstones Hispanic or American Indian heritage Obesity Rapid loss of weight What is the gallbladder ... Hepatitis C Inflammatory Bowel Disease Irritable Bowel Syndrome Obesity ©2018 American College of Gastroenterology 6400 Goldsboro Rd Ste 200 ...

Left atrial mechanics strongly predict functional capacity assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing in subjects without structural heart disease.

PubMed

Leite, Luís; Mendes, Sofia Lázaro; Baptista, Rui; Teixeira, Rogério; Oliveira-Santos, Manuel; Ribeiro, Nelson; Coutinho, Rosa; Monteiro, Victor; Martins, Rui; Castro, Graça; Ferreira, Maria João; Pego, Mariano

2017-05-01

Left atrium function is essential for cardiovascular performance and is evaluable by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE). Our aim was to determine how echocardiographic parameters interrelate with exercise capacity and ventilatory efficiency in subjects with no structural heart disease. Asymptomatic volunteers, in sinus rhythm and with normal biventricular size and function, were recruited from a community-based population. Individuals with moderate-to-severe valvular disease, pulmonary hypertension, and history of cardiac disease were excluded. We performed a transthoracic echocardiogram and assessed left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) mechanics via 2D-STE. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing by treadmill took place immediately thereafter. Peak oxygen uptake (VO 2 ) served as measure of functional capacity and ventilation/carbon dioxide output (VE/VCO 2 ) slope as surrogate of ventilation/perfusion mismatch. 20 subjects were included (age 51 ± 14 years, male gender 65%). Peak VO 2 strongly correlated with age (r = -0.83; P < 0.01), with E/e' ratio (r = -0.72; P < 0.01), and with LA reservoir- and conduit-phase mechanics, particularly with LA conduit strain rate (SR) (r = -0.82; P < 0.01), but showed no correlation with LA volume index or LV mechanics. A similar pattern of associations was identified for VE/VCO 2 slope. In multivariate analysis, LA conduit SR (β = -0.69; P = 0.02) emerged as sole independent correlate of peak VO 2 , adjusted for age and for E/e' ratio (adjusted r 2  = 0.76; P < 0.01). Conduit and reservoir components of LA mechanics displayed strong associations with peak VO 2 and VE/VCO 2 slope. LA conduit-phase SR seems best suited as echocardiographic marker of functional capacity in subjects with no structural heart disease.

Analysis of the Latitudinal Variability of Tropospheric Ozone in the Arctic Using the Large Number of Aircraft and Ozonesonde Observations in Early Summer 2008

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ancellet, Gerard; Daskalakis, Nikos; Raut, Jean Christophe; Quennehen, Boris; Ravetta, Francois; Hair, Jonathan; Tarasick, David; Schlager, Hans; Weinheimer, Andrew J.; Thompson, Anne M.;

Virtualization in network and servers infrastructure to support dynamic system reconfiguration in ALMA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Tzu-Chiang; Ovando, Nicolás.; Bartsch, Marcelo; Simmond, Max; Vélez, Gastón; Robles, Manuel; Soto, Rubén.; Ibsen, Jorge; Saldias, Christian

2012-09-01

ALMA is the first astronomical project being constructed and operated under industrial approach due to the huge amount of elements involved. In order to achieve the maximum through put during the engineering and scientific commissioning phase, several production lines have been established to work in parallel. This decision required modification in the original system architecture in which all the elements are controlled and operated within a unique Standard Test Environment (STE). The advance in the network industry and together with the maturity of virtualization paradigm allows us to provide a solution which can replicate the STE infrastructure without changing their network address definition. This is only possible with Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) and Virtual LAN (VLAN) concepts. The solution allows dynamic reconfiguration of antennas and other hardware across the production lines with minimum time and zero human intervention in the cabling. We also push the virtualization even further, classical rack mount servers are being replaced and consolidated by blade servers. On top of them virtualized server are centrally administrated with VMWare ESX. Hardware costs and system administration effort will be reduced considerably. This mechanism has been established and operated successfully during the last two years. This experience gave us confident to propose a solution to divide the main operation array into subarrays using the same concept which will introduce huge flexibility and efficiency for ALMA operation and eventually may simplify the complexity of ALMA core observing software since there will be no need to deal with subarrays complexity at software level.

Detection of small subendocardial infarction using speckle tracking echocardiography in a rat model.

PubMed

Bachner-Hinenzon, Noa; Shlomo, Liron; Khamis, Hanan; Ertracht, Offir; Vered, Zvi; Malka, Assaf; Binah, Ofer; Adam, Dan

2016-10-01

It is challenging to detect small nontransmural infarcts visually or automatically. As it is important to detect myocardial infarction (MI) at early stages, we tested the hypothesis that small nontransmural MI can be detected using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) at the acute stage. Minimal nontransmural infarcts were induced in 18 rats by causing recurrent ischemia-reperfusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery, followed by a 30-min ligation and by reperfusion. A week later, the scar size was measured by histological analysis. Each rat underwent three echocardiography measurements: at baseline, 1 day post-MI, and 1 week post-MI. To measure the peak circumferential strain (CS), peak systolic CS, radial strain (RS), and time-to-peak (TTP) of the CS, short-axis view of the apex was analyzed by a STE program. The TTP was normalized by the duration of the heart cycle to create percent change of heart cycle. Histological analysis after 1 week showed scar size of 4±6% at the anterior wall. At 24 h post-MI, the peak CS, peak systolic CS, and RS were reduced compared to baseline at the anterior wall due to the MI, and at the adjacent segments-the anterior septum and lateral wall, due to stunning (P<.05). However, only the anterior wall, the genuine damaged segment, showed prolonged TTP vs baseline (baseline 36%, 24 h 48%, P<.05). The TTP of the CS can distinguish between regions adjacent to MI (stunned or tethered) and MI, even in small nontransmural infarcts. © 2016, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Operational data and thermodynamic modeling of a Stirling-dish demonstration installation in desert conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nilsson, Martin; Jamot, Jakob; Malm, Tommy

2017-06-01

To field test its Stirling-dish unit, Cleanergy AB of Sweden in Q1 2015 built a ten unit demo park in Dubai. The first STE (Solar Thermal Energy) generation of its Stirling genset, the C11S, had at its core an 11 kWel Stirling engine/generator combination. The genset was mated with a parabolic concentrator developed for the genset by a supplier. Local weather conditions in Dubai provide opportunities to test performance in an environment with high insolation and high ambient temperature. In addition, the conditions in Dubai are windy, salty, humid and dusty, historically challenging for solar technologies [1]. In Q1 2016 one of the C11S Stirling-dish units was replaced by the first prototype of Cleanergy's second generation Stirling genset, the Sunbox, and an in-house developed parabolic concentrator. Operational data from field testing during the spring of 2016 are presented and discussed and show the large performance improvement achieved with the Sunbox unit.

Methodological Gaps in Left Atrial Function Assessment by 2D Speckle Tracking Echocardiography

PubMed Central

Rimbaş, Roxana Cristina; Dulgheru, Raluca Elena; Vinereanu, Dragoş

2015-01-01

The assessment of left atrial (LA) function is used in various cardiovascular diseases. LA plays a complementary role in cardiac performance by modulating left ventricular (LV) function. Transthoracic two-dimensional (2D) phasic volumes and Doppler echocardiography can measure LA function non-invasively. However, evaluation of LA deformation derived from 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a new feasible and promising approach for assessment of LA mechanics. These parameters are able to detect subclinical LA dysfunction in different pathological condition. Normal ranges for LA deformation and cut-off values to diagnose LA dysfunction with different diseases have been reported, but data are still conflicting, probably because of some methodological and technical issues. This review highlights the importance of an unique standardized technique to assess the LA phasic functions by STE, and discusses recent studies on the most important clinical applications of this technique. PMID:26761370

The SH2/SH3 adaptor protein dock interacts with the Ste20-like kinase misshapen in controlling growth cone motility.

PubMed

Ruan, W; Pang, P; Rao, Y

1999-11-01

Recent studies suggest that the SH2/SH3 adaptor Dock/Nck transduces tyrosine phosphorylation signals to the actin cytoskeleton in regulating growth cone motility. The signaling cascade linking the action of Dock/Nck to the reorganization of cytoskeleton is poorly understood. We now demonstrate that Dock interacts with the Ste20-like kinase Misshapen (Msn) in the Drosophila photoreceptor (R cell) growth cones. Loss of msn causes a failure of growth cones to stop at the target, a phenotype similar to loss of dock, whereas overexpression of msn induces pretarget growth cone termination. Physical and genetic interactions between Msn and Dock indicate a role for Msn in the Dock signaling pathway. We propose that Msn functions as a key controller of growth cone cytoskeleton in response to Dock-mediated signals.

Ste20-like kinase SLK, at the crossroads

PubMed Central

Al-Zahrani, Khalid N.; Baron, Kyla D.; Sabourin, Luc A.

2013-01-01

Reorganization of the cytoskeleton is necessary for apoptosis, proliferation, migration, development and tissue repair. However, it is well established that mutations or overexpression of key regulators contribute to the phenotype and progression of several pathologies such as cancer. For instance, c-src mutations and the overexpression of FAK have been implicated in the invasive and metastatic process, suggesting that components of the motility system may represent a new class of therapeutic targets. Over the last several years, we and others have established distinct roles for the Ste20-like kinase SLK, encompassing apoptosis, growth, motility and development. Here, we review the SLK field from its initial cloning to the most recent findings from our laboratory. We summarize the various roles of SLK and the biochemical mechanisms that regulate its activity. These various findings reveal very complex functions and pattern of regulation for SLK in development and cancer, making it a potential therapeutic target. PMID:23154402

Sistema Planeta-Satélite. Simulación orbital y potenciales gravitatorios

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Medina, C.; Carrillo, M.

Se presenta un programa (desarrollado en Quick Basic 4.5) que simula, en tres dimensiones, el movimiento orbital de un satélite (o luna) alrededor de un planeta, al tiempo que calcula y grafica, en un plano, el potencial gravitatorio del sistema en función de la distancia al planeta. Para la simulación orbital, se emplea la matriz de transformación entre el sistema del planeta y el plano orbital. Para el cálculo y graficación del potencial se aplica un desarrollo en serie hasta el segundo orden, que da cuenta del efecto de achatamiento de los polos, en caso de que éste exista. Las longitudes de los ejes del planeta, la masa de éste y del satélite, sus tamaños aparentes, y los parámetros orbitales son introducidos por el usuario.

Scaffold Protein Ahk1, Which Associates with Hkr1, Sho1, Ste11, and Pbs2, Inhibits Cross Talk Signaling from the Hkr1 Osmosensor to the Kss1 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase

PubMed Central

Nishimura, Akiko; Yamamoto, Katsuyoshi; Oyama, Masaaki; Kozuka-Hata, Hiroko

2016-01-01

In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, osmostress activates the Hog1 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), which regulates diverse osmoadaptive responses. Hkr1 is a large, highly glycosylated, single-path transmembrane protein that is a putative osmosensor in one of the Hog1 upstream pathways termed the HKR1 subbranch. The extracellular region of Hkr1 contains both a positive and a negative regulatory domain. However, the function of the cytoplasmic domain of Hkr1 (Hkr1-cyto) is unknown. Here, using a mass spectrometric method, we identified a protein, termed Ahk1 (Associated with Hkr1), that binds to Hkr1-cyto. Deletion of the AHK1 gene (in the absence of other Hog1 upstream branches) only partially inhibited osmostress-induced Hog1 activation. In contrast, Hog1 could not be activated by constitutively active mutants of the Hog1 pathway signaling molecules Opy2 or Ste50 in ahk1Δ cells, whereas robust Hog1 activation occurred in AHK1+ cells. In addition to Hkr1-cyto binding, Ahk1 also bound to other signaling molecules in the HKR1 subbranch, including Sho1, Ste11, and Pbs2. Although osmotic stimulation of Hkr1 does not activate the Kss1 MAPK, deletion of AHK1 allowed Hkr1 to activate Kss1 by cross talk. Thus, Ahk1 is a scaffold protein in the HKR1 subbranch and prevents incorrect signal flow from Hkr1 to Kss1. PMID:26787842

Myocardial deformation in pediatric patients with mucopolysaccharidoses: A two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography study.

PubMed

Borgia, Francesco; Pezzullo, Enrica; Schiano Lomoriello, Vincenzo; Sorrentino, Regina; Lo Iudice, Francesco; Cocozza, Sara; Della Casa, Roberto; Parenti, Giancarlo; Strisciuglio, Pietro; Trimarco, Bruno; Galderisi, Maurizio

2017-02-01

Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are inherited lysosomal storage disorders caused by deficiency of required glycosaminoglycans breakdown enzymes, inducing cardiac involvement. Little is known about myocardial deformation involvement in MPS. Our aim was to assess biventricular structure and function in asymptomatic children with MPS using standard echo Doppler and 2D speckle tracking (STE). Fifteen MPS children (one type I, six type II, three type III A, one III B, three IV A, one VI), asymptomatic for cardiac symptoms, and 15 age and sex-matched healthy controls underwent echo Doppler and STE. Left ventricular (LV) wall thicknesses, diameters, and mass were normalized by z-score. LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), global radial strain (GRS) at papillary muscles, LV twisting, and right ventricular (RV) GLS were measured. The two groups were comparable for body mass index, heart rate, and blood pressure. LV mass index and relative wall thickness were higher in MPS. Ejection fraction (EF), and s' velocity did not differ between the two groups. E/A ratio was lower and E/e' higher in MPS. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, RV s' and e' were lower in MPS. LV GLS did not differ between the two groups, but GCS (P=.014), GRS (P=.023), twisting (P=.012), and RV GLS (P<.001) were lower in the MPS group. LV strain abnormalities are detectable in MPS pediatric patients, independently of MPS type, when EF is still normal. RV GLS is also involved consensually with TAPSE reduction. STE can be useful for detection of subclinical myocardial damage in MPS. © 2017, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Stratigraphy and sedimentation of Mississippian Ste. Genevieve-Cedar Bluff interval, Southwestern Indiana

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

Breedon, D.; Droste, J.B.; Murray, H.H.

1983-09-01

The Ste. Genevieve Limestone and Cedar Bluff Group of Mississippian age, both important sources of hydrocarbons in the Illinois basin, were traced from a subsurface stratigraphic section in White County, Illinois (described by Swan in 1963, across Gibson and Daviess Counties, Indiana, using electric logs and sample descriptions from 84 wells. The Ste. Genevieve Limestone is subdivided into four members and the Cedar Bluff Group into three formations. Six cross sections and nine isopach maps based on 300 wells show that these units comprise a succession of alternating fine- and coarse-grained carbonate rocks with only minor interruptions of sandstone andmore » shale. Two complete coarsening-upward cycles are apparent, and a third cycle is incomplete. Each cycle consists of a lower sequence of lime mudstones and wackestones, and an upper sequence of oolitic and skeletal grainstones. These cycles are the record of successive shoaling-upward cycles of sedimentation on a shallow marine platform. The lower mudstone-wackestone sequence represents deposition in a shallow subtidal environment, and the upper oolitic-skeletal grainstone unit represents development of oolite shoals and tidal channels in very shallow waters. Terrigenous clastic sediments brought into the basin by the Michigan river periodically encroached into the marine environment. Dolomitization of the fine-grained carbonate sediments is largely restricted to areas which are overlain by oolitic grainstones. In eastern Daviess County, indentification of the individual stratigraphic units in this interval is somewhat tenuous, but tracing the units from eastern Illinois into Indiana made correlation and identification of the individual stratigraphic units possible by using electric logs and sample descriptions.« less

Five blind men and the elephant: what can the NASA Aura ozone measurements tell us about stratosphere-troposphere exchange?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Q.; Prather, M. J.

2012-03-01

We examine whether the individual ozone (O3) measurements from the four Aura instruments can quantify the stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE) flux of O3, an important term of the tropospheric O3 budget. The level 2 (L2) Aura swath data and the nearly coincident ozone sondes for the years 2005-2006 are compared with the 4-D, high-resolution (1° × 1° × 40-layer × 0.5 h) model simulation of atmospheric ozone for the same period from the University of California, Irvine chemistry transport model (CTM). The CTM becomes a transfer standard for comparing individual profiles from these five, not-quite-coincident measurements of atmospheric ozone. Even with obvious model discrepancies identified here, the CTM can readily quantify instrument-instrument biases in the tropical upper troposphere and mid-latitude lower stratosphere. In terms of STE processes, all four Aura datasets have some skill in identifying stratosphere-troposphere folds, and we find several cases where both model and measurements see evidence of high-O3 stratospheric air entering the troposphere. In many cases identified in the model, however, the individual Aura profile retrievals in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere show too much noise, as expected from their low sensitivity and coarse vertical resolution at and below the tropopause. These model-measurement comparisons of individual profiles do provide some level of confidence in the model-derived STE O3 flux, but it will be difficult to integrate this flux from the satellite data alone.

The importance of speckle tracking echocardiography in the early detection of left ventricular dysfunction in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PubMed

Demirelli, Selami; Degirmenci, Husnu; Ermis, Emrah; Inci, Sinan; Nar, Gokay; Ayhan, Mehmet Emin; Fırtına, Serdar; Hamur, Hikmet; Durmaz, Senay Arikan

2015-10-19

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hormonal and metabolic abnormalities and is thought to increase a risk for cardiovascular diseases. In this study we use speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) to evaluate left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in the early period of the disease. We enrolled 31 patients with PCOS and 32 healthy volunteers as a control group. The participants' ages ranged between 18 and 40 years. PCOS was diagnosed according to the Rotterdam criteria. LV strain (LS) and strain rate (SR) were evaluated using apical two-chamber (2C), three-chamber (3C), and four-chamber (4C) imaging. Global LS and SR were calculated as average of three apical views. The waist-to-hip ratio, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and fasting insulin and triglyceride levels were higher in the PCOS group than in the controls (p=0.001, p=0.001, p=0.001, and p=0.005, respectively). In the PCOS group, the mitral A wave, deceleration time (DT), and isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT) were significantly higher than in the controls (all p<0.05). The LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global longitudinal SR systolic (GLSRS) were significantly lower in the PCOS patient group (both p= 0.001). There were strong negative correlations between GLS and both fasting insulin (r=-0.64) and DT (r=-0.62) (both p<0.05). The study demonstrated that PCOS patients had decreased LV function using STE. Therefore, STE imaging appears to be useful for the early detection of subclinical LV dysfunction in patients with PCOS.

A Cognitive Machine Learning Algorithm for Cardiac Imaging: A Pilot Study for Differentiating Constrictive Pericarditis from Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

PubMed Central

Sengupta, Partho P.; Huang, Yen-Min; Bansal, Manish; Ashrafi, Ali; Fisher, Matt; Shameer, Khader; Gall, Walt; Dudley, Joel T

2016-01-01

Background Associating a patient’s profile with the memories of prototypical patients built through previous repeat clinical experience is a key process in clinical judgment. We hypothesized that a similar process using a cognitive computing tool would be well suited for learning and recalling multidimensional attributes of speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) data sets derived from patients with known constrictive pericarditis (CP) and restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM). Methods and Results Clinical and echocardiographic data of 50 patients with CP and 44 with RCM were used for developing an associative memory classifier (AMC) based machine learning algorithm. The STE data was normalized in reference to 47 controls with no structural heart disease, and the diagnostic area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the AMC was evaluated for differentiating CP from RCM. Using only STE variables, AMC achieved a diagnostic AUC of 89·2%, which improved to 96·2% with addition of 4 echocardiographic variables. In comparison, the AUC of early diastolic mitral annular velocity and left ventricular longitudinal strain were 82.1% and 63·7%, respectively. Furthermore, AMC demonstrated greater accuracy and shorter learning curves than other machine learning approaches with accuracy asymptotically approaching 90% after a training fraction of 0·3 and remaining flat at higher training fractions. Conclusions This study demonstrates feasibility of a cognitive machine learning approach for learning and recalling patterns observed during echocardiographic evaluations. Incorporation of machine learning algorithms in cardiac imaging may aid standardized assessments and support the quality of interpretations, particularly for novice readers with limited experience. PMID:27266599

Magnetospheric conditions for sawtooth event development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noah, M. A.; Burke, W. J.

2014-04-01

This paper addresses two topics concerning the magnetospheric conditions that allow sawtooth events (STEs) to develop during "nonstorm" intervals yet fail to yield them during many intense/super storms. A statistical analysis by Cai et al. (2011) reported that while only 5.4% of STEs occurred outside the context of magnetic storms, their occurrence rate during intense storms was just 63.5%. They concluded that (1) STEs are not necessarily storm time phenomena and (2) particular interplanetary conditions are needed to drive the class of storms in which STEs are generated. Traces of Sym-H indices and cross polar cap potentials during "nonstorm" STEs indicate that ring current energy remained above normal, quiet time values and open flux was continually being transferred to the magnetotail. We combined two independently generated lists of intense/super storms from the 1996 to 2007 period and found that 46 of them did not appear on the STE list of Cai et al. (2011). They divide three categories of storms in which (1) information needed to establish the presence/absence of STEs is insufficient, (2) STE signatures were present but overlooked, and (3) the magnetopause moved earthward of 6.6 RE so that energetic particles cannot gradient-curvature drift to geosynchronous satellites in the magnetosheath near local noon. We conclude that STE identification criteria be expanded to include compressed cases in which quasiperiodic nightside injections occur. Super storms with no nightside injections are attributed to episodes of severe ring current inflation of the inner magnetosphere that inhibited the formation of sustained near-Earth neutral lines.

Intestinal Helminths Recovered from Humans in Xieng Khouang Province, Lao PDR with a Particular Note on Haplorchis pumilio Infection.

PubMed

Chai, Jong-Yil; Sohn, Woon-Mok; Jung, Bong-Kwang; Yong, Tai-Soon; Eom, Keeseon S; Min, Duk-Young; Insisiengmay, Bounnaloth; Insisiengmay, Sithat; Phommasack, Bounlay; Rim, Han-Jong

2015-08-01

A survey of intestinal helminths was undertaken in riparian people in Xieng Khouang Province, Lao PDR. Fecal specimens were collected from 643 people (289 males and 354 females) residing in 4 districts (Nonghet, Kham, Phoukout, and Pek) and were examined by the Kato-Katz technique. The overall helminth egg positive rate was 41.2%, and hookworms revealed the highest prevalence (32.7%) followed by Trichuris trichiura (7.3%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (5.6%). The positive rate for small trematode eggs (STE), which may include Opisthorchis viverrini, heterophyids, and lecithodendriids, was 4.4%. For recovery of adult helminths, 12 STE or nematode/cestode egg-positive people were treated with 40 mg/kg praziquantel and 15 mg/kg pyrantel pamoate, and then purged. Mixed infections with 2 Haplorchis species (H. pumilio and H. taichui), Centrocestus formosanus, Opisthorchis viverrini, a species of cestode (Taenia saginata), and several species of nematodes including hookworms and Enterobius vermicularis were detected. The worm load for trematodes was the highest for H. pumilio with an average of 283.5 specimens per infected person followed by C. formosanus, H. taichui, and O. viverrini. The worm load for nematodes was the highest for hookworms (21.5/infected case) followed by E. vermicularis (3.2/infected case). The results revealed that the surveyed areas of Xieng Khouang Province, Lao PDR are endemic areas of various species of intestinal helminths. The STE found in the surveyed population were verified to be those of heterophyids, particularly H. pumilio.

13. Photocopied August 1978. ROCK DRILLING MACHINES, NOVEMBER 23, 1898. ...

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

13. Photocopied August 1978. ROCK DRILLING MACHINES, NOVEMBER 23, 1898. THE HOLES DRILLED BY THESE MACHINES WERE PACKED WITH GUNPOWDER FOR BLASTING. (19) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

75 FR 36643 - U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-28

... meeting is to review morale and discipline, social climate, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment... Force Development, Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower and Personnel, AF/A1DOA, 2221 S. Clark St, Ste 500...

76 FR 22748 - Wisconsin Central Ltd.-Intra-Corporate Family Merger Exemption-Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-22

... transaction, the WCTC family of rail carriers also included Fox Valley & Western Ltd. (FVW), Sault Ste. Marie.... Cent. Transp., Wis. Cent. Ltd. and Fox Valley & W. Ltd.--Intracorporate Family Transaction Exemption...

78 FR 8226 - Art Advisory Panel-Notice of Availability of Report of 2012 Closed Meetings

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-05

...: Internal Revenue Service, Freedom of Information Reading Room, Room 1621, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW.../Appeals, 1111 Constitution Ave. NW., Ste. 700, Washington, DC 20224, telephone (202) 435-5739 (not a toll...

Timing of angiography with a routine invasive strategy and long-term outcomes in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome: a collaborative analysis of individual patient data from the FRISC II (Fragmin and Fast Revascularization During Instability in Coronary Artery Disease), ICTUS (Invasive Versus Conservative Treatment in Unstable Coronary Syndromes), and RITA-3 (Intervention Versus Conservative Treatment Strategy in Patients With Unstable Angina or Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction) Trials.

PubMed

Damman, Peter; van Geloven, Nan; Wallentin, Lars; Lagerqvist, Bo; Fox, Keith A A; Clayton, Tim; Pocock, Stuart J; Hirsch, Alexander; Windhausen, Fons; Tijssen, Jan G P; de Winter, Robbert J

2012-02-01

This study sought to investigate long-term outcomes after early or delayed angiography in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (nSTE-ACS) undergoing a routine invasive management. The optimal timing of angiography in patients with nSTE-ACS is currently a topic for debate. Long-term follow-up after early (within 2 days) angiography versus delayed (within 3 to 5 days) angiography was investigated in the FRISC-II (Fragmin and Fast Revascularization During Instability in Coronary Artery Disease), ICTUS (Invasive Versus Conservative Treatment in Unstable Coronary Syndromes), and RITA-3 (Intervention Versus Conservative Treatment Strategy in Patients With Unstable Angina or Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction) (FIR) nSTE-ACS patient-pooled database. The main outcome was cardiovascular death or myocardial infarction up to 5-year follow-up. Hazard ratios (HR) were calculated with Cox regression models. Adjustments were made for the FIR risk score, study, and the propensity of receiving early angiography using inverse probability weighting. Of 2,721 patients originally randomized to the routine invasive arm, consisting of routine angiography and subsequent revascularization if suitable, 975 underwent early angiography and 1,141 delayed angiography. No difference was observed in 5-year cardiovascular death or myocardial infarction in unadjusted (HR: 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.79 to 1.42, p=0.61) and adjusted (HR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.75 to 1.16, p=0.54) Cox regression models. In the FIR database of patients presenting with nSTE-ACS, the timing of angiography was not related to long-term cardiovascular mortality or myocardial infarction. (Invasive Versus Conservative Treatment in Unstable Coronary Syndromes [ICTUS]; ISRCTN82153174. Intervention Versus Conservative Treatment Strategy in Patients With Unstable Angina or Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction [the Third Randomised Intervention Treatment of Angina Trials (RITA-3)]; ISRCTN07752711). Copyright © 2012 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Nitrogen transformations along a shallow subterranean estuary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Couturier, Mathilde; Tommi-Morin, Gwendoline; Sirois, Maude; Rao, Alexandra; Nozais, Christian; Chaillou, Gwénaëlle

2017-07-01

The transformations of chemical constituents in subterranean estuaries (STEs) control the delivery of nutrient loads from coastal aquifers to the ocean. It is important to determine the processes and sources that alter nutrient concentrations at a local scale in order to estimate accurate regional and global nutrient fluxes via submarine groundwater discharge (SGD), particularly in boreal environments, where data are still very scarce. Here, the biogeochemical transformations of nitrogen (N) species were examined within the STE of a boreal microtidal sandy beach located in the Magdalen Islands (Quebec, Canada). This study revealed the vertical and horizontal distribution of nitrate (NO3-), nitrite (NO2-), ammonia (NH4+), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) measured in beach groundwater during four spring seasons (June 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015) when aquifer recharge was maximal after snowmelt. Inland groundwater supplied high concentrations of NOx and DON to the STE, whereas inputs from seawater infiltration were very limited. Non-conservative behaviour was observed along the groundwater flow path, leading to low NOx and high NH4+ concentrations in the discharge zone. The long transit time of groundwater within the beach (˜ 166 days), coupled with oxygen-depleted conditions and high carbon concentrations, created a favourable environment for N transformations such as heterotrophic and autotrophic denitrification and ammonium production. Biogeochemical pathways led to a shift in nitrogen species along the flow path from NOx-rich to NOx-poor groundwater. An estimate of SGD fluxes of N was determined to account for biogeochemical transformations within the STE based on a N-species inventory and Darcy's flow. Fresh inland groundwater delivered 37 mol NOx yr-1 per metre of shoreline and 63 mol DON m-1 yr-1 to the STE, and NH4+ input was negligible. Near the discharge zone, the potential export of N species was estimated around 140, 1.5 and 33 mol yr-1 per metre of shoreline for NH4+, NOx and DON respectively. In contrast to the fresh inland groundwater, the N load of beach groundwater near the discharge zone was dominated by NH4+ and DON. Our study shows the importance of tidal sands in the biogeochemical transformation of the terrestrial N pool. This local export of bioavailable N probably supports benthic production and higher trophic levels leading to its rapid transformation in surface sediments and coastal waters.

Investigation of Continuously Variable Slope Delta Modulator/Demodulator Compatability.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-12-01

20 d,"mO Test Signal) 4 stp Ize Pratio -J-l Li] c4 u FnoR~e mx -,cli - td 32k/ I’.’: (2 .Bm’ et i~ l z s tep g ize Ratio MJismatc(_h Bd FREQUENCY (HZJ...Ste~p Size it-tio flisriatch ’ F] - ,a tc he d 0 - 2 dB [: L’\\- 4 dB 4Bd B 0’ 0 0 b l - FREQUENCY (HZ) Figure 49a. CVSD Encoder/Decoder Back-to-Back...APPENDIX rl Total t’,ar-onic i tor’i w’. -r -,,,t ,ntl Po’..’r PROGRAM DTHD(I PUT,OUTPUT,TAPES-INPUT.TAPE6-OUTPUT,PLOT) CT_---- -- - TD US. INPUT POER

Prosthetically directed implant placement using computer software to ensure precise placement and predictable prosthetic outcomes. Part 2: rapid-prototype medical modeling and stereolithographic drilling guides requiring bone exposure.

PubMed

Rosenfeld, Alan L; Mandelaris, George A; Tardieu, Philippe B

2006-08-01

The purpose of this paper is to expand on part 1 of this series (published in the previous issue) regarding the emerging future of computer-guided implant dentistry. This article will introduce the concept of rapid-prototype medical modeling as well as describe the utilization and fabrication of computer-generated surgical drilling guides used during implant surgery. The placement of dental implants has traditionally been an intuitive process, whereby the surgeon relies on mental navigation to achieve optimal implant positioning. Through rapid-prototype medical modeling and the ste-reolithographic process, surgical drilling guides (eg, SurgiGuide) can be created. These guides are generated from a surgical implant plan created with a computer software system that incorporates all relevant prosthetic information from which the surgical plan is developed. The utilization of computer-generated planning and stereolithographically generated surgical drilling guides embraces the concept of collaborative accountability and supersedes traditional mental navigation on all levels of implant therapy.

[Early detection of the cardiotoxicity induced by chemotherapy drug through two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography combined with high-sensitive cardiac troponin T].

PubMed

Wang, W; Kang, Y; Shu, X H; Shen, X D; He, B

2017-11-23

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography(2D-STE) combined with high-sensitive cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) in early detection of the cardiotoxicity induced by chemotherapy drug. Methods: Seventy-five non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients who received the CHOP regimen were recruited in this study. Conventional echocardiography and 2D-STE were performed on these patients before chemotherapy, the second day after the third course of chemotherapy (during chemotherapy) and the second day after the last course of chemotherapy (after chemotherapy). The parameters included left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), global longitudinal strain (LS), global circumferential strain (CS) and global radial strain (RS). The serum hs-cTNT levels were tested simultaneously. Results: Three cycles of CHOP were completed in 30 patients and 6-8 cycles of CHOP were completed in 45 patients. The LVEF of 75 patients before, during and after chemotherapy was (63.8±2.6)%, (63.8±2.8)% and (64.0±3.3)%, respectively, without significant difference ( P =0.91). However, the LS of 75 patients before, during and after chemotherapy was (-18.5±1.7)%, (-16.5±1.9)% and (-16.0±1.6)%, respectively. The CS was (-20.9±2.9)%, (-19.3±3.5)% and (-19.2±3.2)%, respectively. The RS was (39.2±6.4)%, (35.3±5.2)% and (35.0±6.2)%, respectively. The hs-cTnT was (0.001 0±0.002 0)ng/ml, (0.006 3±0.008 9)ng/ml and (0.007 3±0.003 8)ng/ml, respectively. The LS, CS and RS were significantly decreased while hs-cTnT was significantly increased during chemotherapy when compared to those before chemotherapy (all of P <0.01). Alternatively, the LS, CS, RS and hs-cTnT after chemotherapy were marginally different from those during chemotherapy (all of P >0.05). Moreover, T(LS-SD), T(CS-SD) and T(RS-SD) showed no significant difference before, during and after chemotherapy (all of P >0.05). The reduction of LS was positively associated with the enhancement of hs-cTnT after chemotherapy ( r =0.60, P <0.01). Conclusion: 2D-STE combined with hs-cTnT can effectively and precisely detect the occult cardiotoxicity induced by anthracycline.

Contamination issues in a continuous ethanol production corn wet milling facility

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Low ethanol yields and poor yeast viability were investigated at a continuous ethanol production corn wet milling facility. Using starch slurries and recycle streams from a commercial ethanol facility, laboratory hydrolysates were prepared by reproducing starch liquefaction and saccharification ste...

12. Wayne Chandler, Photographer, July 2000 View to northwest. Poe ...

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

12. Wayne Chandler, Photographer, July 2000 View to northwest. Poe Lock at center. Davis Lock at center right and Sabin Lock at far right - St. Mary's Falls Canal, Soo Locks, St. Mary's River at Falls, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

Diagnostic power of longitudinal strain at rest for the detection of obstructive coronary artery disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Zuo, Houjuan; Yan, Jiangtao; Zeng, Hesong; Li, Wenyu; Li, Pengcheng; Liu, Zhengxiang; Cui, Guanglin; Lv, Jiagao; Wang, Daowen; Wang, Hong

2015-01-01

Global longitudinal strain (GLS) measured by 2-D speckle-tracking echocardiography (2-D STE) at rest has been recognized as a sensitive parameter in the detection of significant coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the diagnostic power of 2-D STE in the detection of significant CAD in patients with diabetes mellitus is unknown. Two-dimensional STE features were studied in total of 143 consecutive patients who underwent echocardiography and coronary angiography. Left ventricular global and segmental peak systolic longitudinal strains (PSLSs) were quantified by speckle-tracking imaging. In the presence of obstructive CAD (defined as stenosis ≥75%), global PSLS was significantly lower in patients with diabetes mellitus than in patients without (16.65 ± 2.29% vs. 17.32 ± 2.27%, p < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that global PSLS could effectively detect obstructive CAD in patients without diabetes mellitus (cutoff value: -18.35%, sensitivity: 78.8%, specificity: 77.5%). However, global PSLS could detect obstructive CAD in diabetic patients at a lower cutoff value with inadequate sensitivity and specificity (cutoff value: -17.15%; sensitivity: 61.1%, specificity: 52.9%). In addition, the results for segmental PSLS were similar to those for global PSLS. In conclusion, global and segmental PSLSs at rest were significantly lower in patients with both obstructive CAD and diabetes mellitus than in patients with obstructive CAD only; thus, PSLSs at rest might not be a useful parameter in the detection of obstructive CAD in patients with diabetes mellitus. Copyright © 2015 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Velocity vector imaging fails to quantify regional myocardial dysfunction in a mouse model of isoprenaline-induced cardiotoxicity.

PubMed

Täng, Margareta Scharin; Redfors, Bjorn; Shao, Yangzhen; Omerovic, Elmir

2012-08-01

Regional myocardial deformation patterns are important in a variety of cardiac diseases, including stress-induced cardiomyopathy. Velocity-vector-based imaging is a speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE)-based algorithm that has been shown to allow in-depth cardiac phenotyping in humans. Regional posterior wall myocardial dysfunction occurs during severe isoprenaline stress in mice. We have previously shown that regional posterior wall end-systolic transmural strain decreases after severe isoprenaline toxicity in mice. We hypothesize that STE can detect and further quantify these perturbations. Twenty-three mice underwent echocardiographic examination using the VEVO2100 system. Regional transmural radial strain and strain rate were calculated in both parasternal short-axis and parasternal long-axis cine loops using the VisualSonics VEVO 2100 velocity vector imaging (VVI) STE algorithm. Eight C57BL/6 mice underwent baseline echocardiographic examination using the VisualSonics VEVO 770 system, which can acquire >1,000 frames/s cine loops. In a parasternal short-axis cine loop, the heart was divided into six segments, and regional fractional wall thickening (FWT) was assessed manually. The same protocols were also performed 90 minutes post 400 mg/kg intraperitoneally isoprenaline. Regional myocardial FWT is uniform at baseline but increases significantly in anterolateral segments, whereas it decreases significantly in posterior segments (P < 0.05). A similar pattern is seen using the VVI algorithm although the variance is larger, and differences are smaller and fail to reach significance. VVI is less sensitive in detecting regional perturbations in myocardial function than manual tracing, possibly due to the low frame rate in the cine loops used. © 2012, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography prognostic parameters in patients after acute myocardial infarction.

PubMed

Haberka, Maciej; Liszka, Jerzy; Kozyra, Andrzej; Finik, Maciej; Gąsior, Zbigniew

2015-03-01

The aim of the study was to evaluate the left ventricle (LV) function with speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and to assess its relation to prognosis in patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Sixty-three patients (F/M = 16/47 pts; 62.33 ± 11.85 years old) with AMI (NSTEMI/STEMI 24/39 pts) and successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent implantation (thrombolysis in myocardial infarction; TIMI 3 flow) were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent baseline two-dimensional conventional echocardiography and STE 3 days (baseline) and 30 days after PCI. All patients were followed up for cardiovascular clinical endpoints, major adverse cardiovascular endpoint (MACE), and functional status (Canadian Cardiovascular Society and New York Heart Association). During the follow-up (31.9 ± 5.1 months), there were 3 cardiovascular deaths, 15 patients had AMI, 2 patients had cerebral infarction, 24 patients reached the MACE. Baseline LV torsion (P = 0.035), but none of the other strain parameters were associated with the time to first unplanned cardiovascular hospitalization. Univariate analysis showed that baseline longitudinal two-chamber and four-chamber strain (sLa2 0 and sLa4 0) and the same parameters obtained 30 days after the AMI together with transverse four-chamber strain (sLa2 30, sLa4 30, and sTa4 30) were significantly associated with combined endpoint (MACE). The strongest association in the univariate analysis was found for the baseline sLa2. However, in multivariable analysis only a left ventricular remodeling (LVR - 27% pts) was significantly associated with MACE and strain parameters were not associated with the combined endpoint. The assessment of LV function with STE may improve cardiovascular risk prediction in postmyocardial infarction patients. © 2014, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Normal myocardial strain values using 2D speckle tracking echocardiography in healthy adults aged 20 to 72 years.

PubMed

Menting, Myrthe E; McGhie, Jackie S; Koopman, Laurens P; Vletter, Wim B; Helbing, Willem A; van den Bosch, Annemien E; Roos-Hesselink, Jolien W

2016-11-01

Evaluation of left ventricular (LV) myocardial deformation by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is useful for clinical and research purposes. However, strain measurements depend on the used software. Normative data for QLAB 10 (Philips) are scarce. Additionally, little is known about the influence of anthropometric factors. We aimed to establish normal adult STE-derived strain and strain rate values and to evaluate associations with anthropometrics. One hundred fifty-five healthy subjects aged 20 to 72 years (≥28 subjects per decile) were prospectively gathered and examined with electrocardiography and two-dimensional echocardiography. With STE, we assessed peak systolic LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), segmental longitudinal strain, and strain rate from the three standard apical views. We included 147 healthy subjects (age 44.6±13.7 years, 50% female, GLS -20.8±2.0%). Men had significantly lower GLS than women (-20.1±1.8% vs -21.5±2.0%, P<.001). GLS was significantly lower in subjects with age above 55 years (P=.029), higher blood pressure (P<.001), higher body surface area (BSA, P<.001), larger LV end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes (both P<.001), lower LV ejection fraction (P<.001), and some indices of diastolic function. After multivariable regression analysis, the correlation with systolic blood pressure, E-wave, and LV end-systolic volume remained significant. The systolic strain rates of most segments correlated with BSA. Our study resulted in normative LV GLS values assessed with QLAB 10. Male sex, higher BSA, and higher blood pressure negatively influence GLS. Therefore, these factors should be taken into account for strain interpretation in clinical practice. © 2016, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Flow and discharge of groundwater from a snowmelt-affected sandy beach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaillou, G.; Lemay-Borduas, F.; Larocque, M.; Couturier, M.; Biehler, A.; Tommi-Morin, G.

2018-02-01

The study is based on a complex and unique data set of water stable isotopes (i.e., δ18O and δ2H), radon-222 activities (i.e., 222Rn) and groundwater levels to better understand the interaction of fresh groundwater and recirculated seawater in a snowmelt-affected subterranean estuary (STE) in a boreal region (Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Qc, Canada). By using a combination of hydrogeological and marine geochemical approaches, the objective was to analyze and quantify submarine groundwater discharge processes through a boreal beach after the snow melt period, in early June. The distribution of δ18O and δ2H in beach groundwater showed that inland fresh groundwater contributed between 97 and 30% of water masses presented within the STE. A time series of water table levels during the 16 days of the study indicated that tides propagated as a dynamic wave limiting the mass displacement of seawater within the STE. This up-and-down movement of the water table (∼10-30 cm) induced the vertical infiltration of seawater at the falling tide. At the front of the beach, a radon-based mass balance calculated with high-resolution 222Rn survey estimated total SGD of 3.1 m3/m/d at the discharge zone and a mean flow to 1.5 m3/m/d in the bay. The nearshore discharge agreed relatively well with Darcy fluxes calculated at the beach face. Fresh groundwater makes up more than 50% of the total discharge during the measuring campaign. These results indicate that beaches in boreal and cold regions could be important sources of freshwater originate and groundwater-borne solutes and contaminants to the marine environment after the snowmelt.

Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography Improves Pre-operative Risk Stratification Before the Total Cavopulmonary Connection.

PubMed

Park, Patsy W; Atz, Andrew M; Taylor, Carolyn L; Chowdhury, Shahryar M

2017-05-01

Single-ventricle patients with elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) or end-diastolic pressure (EDP) are excluded from undergoing total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC). However, a subset of patients deemed to be at acceptable risk experience prolonged length of stay (LOS) after TCPC. Routine assessment of ventricular function has been inadequate in identifying these high-risk patients. Speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) is a novel method for assessment of myocardial deformation that may be useful in single-ventricle patients. The aim of this study was to perform a contemporary preoperative risk assessment for prolonged LOS to determine whether STE improves risk stratification before TCPC. Our single institution's perioperative data were retrospectively collected. The primary outcome was postoperative LOS >14 days. Longitudinal and circumferential STE deformation measures were analyzed on echocardiograms obtained during preoperative catheterization. Patient-specific, echocardiographic, and catheterization data were included in multivariable logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic area under the curves (AUC) were analyzed. From 2007 to 2014, 135 patients who underwent TCPC were included in the analysis. The median LOS was 11 (IQR 9-14) days. The PVR (P < .01) and circumferential strain rate (CSR) (P < .01) were the only variables independently associated with LOS >14 days. For every 0.1 s -1 CSR increased, there was a 20% increased odds of prolonged LOS. The AUC for CSR was 0.70. The AUC for PVR and EDP combined was 0.68. The AUC for PVR, EDP, and CSR combined was 0.73. Preoperative CSR is independently associated with LOS >14 days and improves preoperative risk stratification in patients undergoing TCPC. Copyright © 2017 American Society of Echocardiography. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Adjustable under-expression of yeast mating pathway proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using a programmed ribosomal frameshift.

PubMed

Choi, Min-Yeon; Park, Sang-Hyun

2016-06-01

Experimental research in molecular biology frequently relies on the promotion or suppression of gene expression, an important tool in the study of its functions. Although yeast is among the most studied model systems with the ease of maintenance and manipulation, current experimental methods are mostly limited to gene deletion, suppression or overexpression of genes. Therefore, the ability to reduce protein expressions and then observing the effects would promote a better understanding of the exact functions and their interactions. Reducing protein expression is mainly limited by the difficulties associated with controlling the reduction level, and in some cases, the initial endogenous abundance is too low. For the under-expression to be useful as an experimental tool, repeatability and stability of reduced expression is important. We found that cis-elements in programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifting (-1RFS) of beet western yellow virus (BWYV) could be utilized to reduced protein expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The two main advantages of using -1RFS are adjustable reduction rates and ease of use. To demonstrate the utility of this under-expression system, examples of reduced protein abundance were shown using yeast mating pathway components. The abundance of MAP kinase Fus3 was reduced to approximately 28-75 % of the wild-type value. Other MAP kinase mating pathway components, including Ste5, Ste11, and Ste7, were also under-expressed to verify that the -1RFS system works with different proteins. Furthermore, reduced Fus3 abundance altered the overall signal transduction outcome of the mating pathway, demonstrating the potential for further studies of signal transduction adjustment via under-expression.

Mass Balance of Water and Nitrogen in the Mounded Drainfield of a Drip-Dispersal Septic System.

PubMed

De, Mriganka; Toor, Gurpal S

2016-07-01

Quantitative assessment of nitrogen (N) loading from septic systems is needed to protect groundwater contamination. We determined the mass balance of water and N in the mounded drainfield of a drip-dispersal septic system. Three lysimeters (152.4 cm long, 91.4 cm wide, 91.4 cm high, with 1:1 side slope) were constructed using pressure-treated wood to mimic mounded drainfields. Of total water inputs, septic tank effluent (STE) added 57% water and natural rainfall added 43% water from January 2013 to January 2014. Outputs included leached water (46%) from the lysimeters over 67 sampling events ( = 15 daily and = 52 weekly flow-weighted), potential evapotranspiration (28%), and water stored in the drainfields (26%). Over 13 mo, each drainfield received 227 g of total N (STE, 99%; rainfall, 1%), of which 33% leached, 23% accumulated in the drainfield, and 6% was taken up by grass, with the remainder (38%) estimated to be gaseous N loss. Using these data, the leaching of water from 2.5 million drip-dispersal drainfields in the state of Florida was estimated to be 2.29 × 10 L yr, which would transport 2.4 × 10 kg of total N yr from the drainfields to shallow groundwater. Further reduction of N below drainfields in the soil profile could be expected before STE reaches groundwater. Our results provide quantitative information on the water and N loading and can be used to optimize drainfield conditions to attenuate N and protect groundwater quality. Copyright © by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, Inc.

Tropopause inversion layer formation and stratosphere-troposphere exchange during idealized baroclinic wave life cycle experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kunkel, Daniel; Wirth, Volkmar; Hoor, Peter

2014-05-01

Recent simulations of baroclinic wave life cycles revealed that the tropopause inversion layer (TIL), commonly situated just above the thermal tropopause, is evident in such experiments and emerges after the onset of wave breaking. Furthermore, bidirectional stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE) occurs during this non-linear stage of the wave evolution and might be affected by the appearance of the TIL. We study the evolution and the impact of the TIL on STE by using the COSMO model in an idealized mid-latitude channel geometry configuration without physical sub-grid scale parameterizations. We initialize the model with a geostrophically balanced upper level jet stream which is disturbed by an anomaly of potential vorticity to trigger the evolution of the baroclinic waves. Moreover, we use passive tracers of tropospheric or stratospheric origin to identify regions of potential STE. Our results show that the static stability is low in regions of stratosphere to troposphere exchange (STT), while it is high in regions dominated by exchange in the opposite direction (TST). Furthermore, inertia gravity waves, originating from regions with strong ageostrophic wind components, modulate the static stability as well as the vertical shear of the horizontal wind near and above the tropopause. While propagating away from their source, the inertia gravity waves lead to large values of the squared Brunt Vaisala frequency in regions which are simultaneously characterized by low bulk Richardson numbers. Thus, these regions are statically stable and turbulent at the same time and might be crucial for TST, thereby explaining tropospheric mixing ratio changes of e.g. CO across the tropopause which commonly change from tropospheric to stratospheric values a few hundred meters above the local thermal tropopause.

Assessment of left ventricular function in healthy Great Danes and in Great Danes with dilated cardiomyopathy using speckle tracking echocardiography.

PubMed

Pedro, B; Stephenson, H; Linney, C; Cripps, P; Dukes-McEwan, J

2017-08-01

Assess global circumferential and radial systolic and diastolic myocardial function with speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in healthy Great Danes (GD) and in GD diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Eighty-nine GD were included in the study: 39 healthy (normal group [NORMg]) and 50 diagnosed with DCM (DCMg). This was a retrospective study. Signalment and echocardiographic diagnosis were obtained from the medical records of GD assessed between 2008 and 2012. Speckle tracking echocardiography analysis of circumferential (C) and radial (R) strain (St) and strain rate (SR) in systole (S), early (E) and late (A) diastole was performed at the levels of the mitral valve (MV), papillary muscles (PM) and apex (Ap) of the left ventricle. Univariable and multivariable analysis was performed to identify differences between groups. Speckle tracking echocardiography variables increase from the MV towards the Ap of the left ventricle in both NORMg and DCMg dogs, some reaching statistical significance. Most of the variables (28/31) were lower in DCMg than in NORMg dogs: statistically significant variables included radial SR at the Ap in systole (p=0.029), radial strain at the PM (p=0.012), circumferential SR at the PM in systole (p=0.031), circumferential and radial SR at the MV in early diastole (p=0.019 and p=0.049, respectively). There are significant differences in STE variables between NORMg and DCMg Great Danes, although the overlap between the two groups may indicate that these variables are not sufficiently discriminatory. STE variables are not sufficiently sensitive to use in isolation as a screening method. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Enhanced Right-Chamber Remodeling in Endurance Ultra-Trail Athletes Compared to Marathon Runners Detected by Standard and Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography

PubMed Central

Ujka, Kristian; Bastiani, Luca; D'Angelo, Gennaro; Catuzzo, Bruna; Tonacci, Alessandro; Mrakic-Sposta, Simona; Vezzoli, Alessandra; Giardini, Guido; Pratali, Lorenza

2017-01-01

Background: Strenuous and endurance exercise training have been associated with morphological and functional heart remodeling. Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) is a novel technique that allows an accurate quantification of global myocardium deformation. Our aim was to evaluate together left and right cardiac remodeling in different long-distance running athletes: marathon runners (42 km) (M) and endurance mountain runners (>300 Km) (UT). Methods: A total of 92 athletes (70 males, 76%) including 47 M [age 45 ± 7 years; training: 18 (9–53) years*days/week], 45 UT [age 42 ± 9, training: 30 (15–66) years*days/week] underwent conventional echocardiography and STE (Beyond Diogenes 2.0, AMID) during the agonistic season. Results: Right ventricle (RV) end-diastolic area (p = 0.026), fractional area changing (FAC) (p = 0.008) and RV global longitudinal strain (GLS) were significantly increasedin UT athletes. Furthermore, UT showed larger right atrium (RA) volume (p = 0.03), reduced RA GLS and significantly increased RA global circumferential strain (GCS) compared to M. After adjustment for age, sex, and HR as covariates, UT showed a reduced RA GLS (OR 0.907; CI 0.856–0.961) and increased RV FAC (OR 1.172; CI: 1.044–1.317) compared to M. Conclusion: Athletes enrolled in UT endurance activities showed RV and RA morphological and functional remodeling to increased preload in comparison with M runners characterized by increased RV FAC and reduced RA GLS. Follow-up studies are needed to better assess the long-term clinical impact of these modifications. 2D STE is a useful tool for investigating the deformation dynamic in different sports specialties. PMID:28790928

Tidal pumping drives nutrient and dissolved organic matter dynamics in a Gulf of Mexico subterranean estuary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santos, Isaac R.; Burnett, William C.; Dittmar, Thorsten; Suryaputra, I. G. N. A.; Chanton, Jeffrey

2009-03-01

We hypothesize that nutrient cycling in a Gulf of Mexico subterranean estuary (STE) is fueled by oxygen and labile organic matter supplied by tidal pumping of seawater into the coastal aquifer. We estimate nutrient production rates using the standard estuarine model and a non-steady-state box model, separate nutrient fluxes associated with fresh and saline submarine groundwater discharge (SGD), and estimate offshore fluxes from radium isotope distributions. The results indicate a large variability in nutrient concentrations over tidal and seasonal time scales. At high tide, nutrient concentrations in shallow beach groundwater were low as a result of dilution caused by seawater recirculation. During ebb tide, the concentrations increased until they reached a maximum just before the next high tide. The dominant form of nitrogen was dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) in freshwater, nitrate in brackish waters, and ammonium in saline waters. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) production was two-fold higher in the summer than in the winter, while nitrate and DON production were one order of magnitude higher. Oxic remineralization and denitrification most likely explain these patterns. Even though fresh SGD accounted for only ˜5% of total volumetric additions, it was an important pathway of nutrients as a result of biogeochemical inputs in the mixing zone. Fresh SGD transported ˜25% of DOC and ˜50% of total dissolved nitrogen inputs into the coastal ocean, with the remainder associated with a one-dimensional vertical seawater exchange process. While SGD volumetric inputs are similar seasonally, changes in the biogeochemical conditions of this coastal plain STE led to higher summertime SGD nutrient fluxes (40% higher for DOC and 60% higher for nitrogen in the summer compared to the winter). We suggest that coastal primary production and nutrient dynamics in the STE are linked.

Functional characterization of an alpha-factor-like Sordaria macrospora peptide pheromone and analysis of its interaction with its cognate receptor in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

PubMed

Mayrhofer, Severine; Pöggeler, Stefanie

2005-04-01

The homothallic filamentous ascomycete Sordaria macrospora possesses genes which are thought to encode two pheromone precursors and two seven-transmembrane pheromone receptors. The pheromone precursor genes are termed ppg1 and ppg2. The putative products derived from the gene sequence show structural similarity to the alpha-factor precursors and a-factor precursors of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Likewise, sequence similarity has been found between the putative products of the pheromone receptor genes pre2 and pre1 and the S. cerevisiae Ste2p alpha-factor receptor and Ste3p a-factor receptor, respectively. To investigate whether the alpha-factor-like pheromone-receptor pair of S. macrospora is functional, a heterologous yeast assay was used. Our results show that the S. macrospora alpha-factor-like pheromone precursor PPG1 is processed into an active pheromone by yeast MATalpha cells. The S. macrospora PRE2 protein was demonstrated to be a peptide pheromone receptor. In yeast MATa cells lacking the endogenous Ste2p receptor, the S. macrospora PRE2 receptor facilitated all aspects of the pheromone response. Using a synthetic peptide, we can now predict the sequence of one active form of the S. macrospora peptide pheromone. We proved that S. macrospora wild-type strains secrete an active pheromone into the culture medium and that disruption of the ppg1 gene in S. macrospora prevents pheromone production. However, loss of the ppg1 gene does not affect vegetative growth or fertility. Finally, we established the yeast assay as an easy and useful system for analyzing pheromone production in developmental mutants of S. macrospora.

Current use of carbonate rocks and lime for controlling emissions from coal-fired plants in Kentucky

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

Dever, G.R. Jr.

1993-03-01

Seven coal-fired power plants in Kentucky currently are operating wet-scrubbing systems for flue-gas desulfurization. Atmospheric fluidized-bed combustion (AFBC) units are being used for SO[sub 2] emission control at a petroleum refinery, and a 160-MW utility-scale AFBC demonstration plant is being operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority. A lime-based spray-dryer reactor system has been installed on an industrial boiler, and a spray-dryer system is being tested at a utility pilot-plant facility. Four of the seven power plants operate limestone-based wet-scrubbing systems and require about 885,000 tons of stone per year. Stone is obtained from Mississippian limestones, principally the Ste. Genevieve Limestone,more » produced at four quarries in Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois. Scrubber limestone specifications include CaCO[sub 3] content (minimum 88--90%), MgCO[sub 3] content (maximum 4--6%), and grindability (maximum Bond Work Index of 11--12). Three power plants operate lime-based scrubbers, requiring about 250,000 tons of lime per year. The scrubbers currently use (1) lime manufactured from an Ordovician dolomitic limestone, mined in north-central Kentucky, and (2) carbide lime, a chemical-industry byproduct. Fluidized-bed units at the petroleum refinery require about 100,000 tons of sorbent stone per year. The sorbent consists of about equal amounts of Silurian dolomite from Ohio and Ordovician dolomitic limestone from Kentucky. The utility-scale AFBC demonstration plant uses a limestone sorbent and currently requires about 200,000 tons of stone per year. Limestone is obtained from the Ste. Genevieve in western Kentucky.« less

Digital image processing based identification of nodes and internodes of chopped biomass stems

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Chemical composition of biomass feedstock is an important parameter for optimizing the yield and economics of various bioconversion pathways. Although understandably, the chemical composition of biomass varies among species, varieties, and plant components, there is distinct variation even among ste...

15. Photocopied August 1978. LOCOMOTIVE CRANE IN THE ROCK CUT, ...

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

15. Photocopied August 1978. LOCOMOTIVE CRANE IN THE ROCK CUT, AUGUST 21, 1900. LOADING DUMP CARS. A STEAM SHOVEL LOADING DUMP CARS IS VISIBLE IN THE LEFT BACKGROUND. (61) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

16. Photocopied August 1978. CANAL SECTION I, LOOKING EAST, AUGUST ...

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

16. Photocopied August 1978. CANAL SECTION I, LOOKING EAST, AUGUST 21, 1900. NOTE THE DUMP TRAIN ENGINES PUSHING THE TRAIN OF DUMP CARS AWAY FROM THE STEAM SHOVEL. (62) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

77 FR 31039 - Certain Electronic Devices Having a Retractable USB Connector; Institution of Investigation...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-24

... Industry E Rd. 4, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu, Taiwan. Aluratek, Inc., 14831 Myford Rd. Ste A, Tustin, CA... notice to the respondent, to find the facts to be as alleged in the complaint and this notice and to...

DEMONSTRATION BULLETIN: IN SITU STEAM ENHANCED RECOVERY PROCESS - HUGHES ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, INC.

EPA Science Inventory

The Steam Enhanced Recovery Process (SERP) is designed to remove volatile compounds such as halogenated solvents and petroleum hydrocarbons, and semi-volatile compounds from contaminated soils in situ. The vapor pressures of most contaminants will increase by the addition of ste...

Heterogeneous Software System Interoperability Through Computer-Aided Resolution of Modeling Differences

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-06-01

techniques for addressing the software component retrieval problem. Steigerwald [Ste91] introduced the use of algebraic specifications for defining the...provided in terms of a specification written using Luqi’s Prototype Specification Description Language (PSDL) [LBY88] augmented with an algebraic

Serbo-Croatian Workbook. Phase 1. Part 1A,

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-10-25

1 PRACTICE OF NOUN GENDERS * Determine the gender of the following nouns: kiupa zadruga junak me so zora novac stolica voce jastuk Pismo izvinjenje...tamo? (povrce i voce ) 7. Da li ste napisali ?___________________________ (pismo, zadatak, knjiga) 71 8. Koga niste videli? (majka, otac, sin, moji

Is the residual vertical velocity a good proxy for stratosphere-troposphere exchange of ozone?

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

Hsu, Juno; Prather, Michael J.

Stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE) of ozone (O 3) is key in the budget of tropospheric O 3, in turn affecting climate forcing and global air quality. We compare three commonly used diagnostics meant to quantify cross-tropopause O 3 fluxes with a Chemistry-Transport Model driven by two distinct European Centre forecast fields. Here, our reference case calculates accurate, geographically resolved net transport across an isosurface in artificial tracer e90 representing the tropopause. Hemispheric fluxes derived from the ozone mass budget of the lowermost stratosphere yield similar results. Use of the Brewer-Dobson residual vertical velocity as a scaled proxy for ozone flux, however,more » fails to capture the interannual variability. Thus, the common notion that the strength of stratospheric overturning circulation is a good measure for global STE does not apply to O 3. Finally, climatic variability in the modeled O 3 flux needs to be diagnosed directly rather than indirectly through the overturning circulation.« less

Is the residual vertical velocity a good proxy for stratosphere-troposphere exchange of ozone?

DOE PAGES

Hsu, Juno; Prather, Michael J.

2014-12-20

Stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE) of ozone (O 3) is key in the budget of tropospheric O 3, in turn affecting climate forcing and global air quality. We compare three commonly used diagnostics meant to quantify cross-tropopause O 3 fluxes with a Chemistry-Transport Model driven by two distinct European Centre forecast fields. Here, our reference case calculates accurate, geographically resolved net transport across an isosurface in artificial tracer e90 representing the tropopause. Hemispheric fluxes derived from the ozone mass budget of the lowermost stratosphere yield similar results. Use of the Brewer-Dobson residual vertical velocity as a scaled proxy for ozone flux, however,more » fails to capture the interannual variability. Thus, the common notion that the strength of stratospheric overturning circulation is a good measure for global STE does not apply to O 3. Finally, climatic variability in the modeled O 3 flux needs to be diagnosed directly rather than indirectly through the overturning circulation.« less

A Close Association of Three Carbon Stars in the Direction of M92

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurtanidze, O. M.; Nikolashvili, M. G.

The discovery of the first faint (V>15.0) high-latitude carbon star (FHLCS) was announced by Sanduleak (1980, PASP, 92, 246).It is located in the direction of the Magellanic Stream.On low-dispersion spectral plates (1250 AA μm at Hγ, 0IIIa--J,F) taken with the 70-cm meniscus telescope for identification of blue horizontal-branch stars in the globular cluster M92, two FHLCS were accidentally discovered (Kurtanidze 1980, Astron.Tsirk., 1109, 3) near the known bright carbon star HD156074 = Ste3795. The surface density of C stars in this region is equal to 30 per sq.deg. although their mean surface density is only about 0.03 C star per sq.deg. at b>30deg. None of these objects shows detectable proper motion except of Ste3795 (MacConnell 1996, private communication). The astrometric and photometric data were obtained from plates taken with 2-m Tautenburg Schmidt (1961-1990) and the 0.7-m Abastumani meniscus telescope (1978-1989).

The Ldb1 and Ldb2 Transcriptional Cofactors Interact with the Ste20-like Kinase SLK and Regulate Cell Migration

PubMed Central

Storbeck, Chris J.; Wagner, Simona; O'Reilly, Paul; McKay, Marlene; Parks, Robin J.; Westphal, Heiner

2009-01-01

Cell migration involves a multitude of signals that converge on cytoskeletal reorganization, essential for development, immune responses, and tissue repair. Here, we show that the microtubule-associated Ste20 kinase SLK, required for cell migration, interacts with the LIM domain binding transcriptional cofactor proteins Ldb1/CLIM2 and Ldb2/CLIM1/NLI. We demonstrate that Ldb1 and 2 bind directly to the SLK carboxy-terminal AT1-46 homology domain in vitro and in vivo. We find that Ldb1 and -2 colocalize with SLK in migrating cells and that both knockdown and overexpression of either factor results in increased motility. Supporting this, knockdown of Ldb1 increases focal adhesion turnover and enhances migration in fibroblasts. We propose that Ldb1/2 function to maintain SLK in an inactive state before its activation. These findings highlight a novel function for Ldb1 and -2 and expand their role to include the control of cell migration. PMID:19675209

A MAP4 kinase related to Ste20 is a nutrient-sensitive regulator of mTOR signalling

PubMed Central

Findlay, Greg M.; Yan, Lijun; Procter, Julia; Mieulet, Virginie; Lamb, Richard F.

2007-01-01

The mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signalling pathway is a key regulator of cell growth and is controlled by growth factors and nutrients such as amino acids. Although signalling pathways from growth factor receptors to mTOR have been elucidated, the pathways mediating signalling by nutrients are poorly characterized. Through a screen for protein kinases active in the mTOR signalling pathway in Drosophila we have identified a Ste20 family member (MAP4K3) that is required for maximal S6K (S6 kinase)/4E-BP1 [eIF4E (eukaryotic initiation factor 4E)-binding protein 1] phosphorylation and regulates cell growth. Importantly, MAP4K3 activity is regulated by amino acids, but not the growth factor insulin and is not regulated by the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin. Our results therefore suggest a model whereby nutrients signal to mTORC1 via activation of MAP4K3. PMID:17253963

Standardization of left atrial, right ventricular, and right atrial deformation imaging using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography: a consensus document of the EACVI/ASE/Industry Task Force to standardize deformation imaging.

PubMed

Badano, Luigi P; Kolias, Theodore J; Muraru, Denisa; Abraham, Theodore P; Aurigemma, Gerard; Edvardsen, Thor; D'Hooge, Jan; Donal, Erwan; Fraser, Alan G; Marwick, Thomas; Mertens, Luc; Popescu, Bogdan A; Sengupta, Partho P; Lancellotti, Patrizio; Thomas, James D; Voigt, Jens-Uwe

2018-03-27

The EACVI/ASE/Industry Task Force to standardize deformation imaging prepared this consensus document to standardize definitions and techniques for using two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) to assess left atrial, right ventricular, and right atrial myocardial deformation. This document is intended for both the technical engineering community and the clinical community at large to provide guidance on selecting the functional parameters to measure and how to measure them using 2D STE.This document aims to represent a significant step forward in the collaboration between the scientific societies and the industry since technical specifications of the software packages designed to post-process echocardiographic datasets have been agreed and shared before their actual development. Hopefully, this will lead to more clinically oriented software packages which will be better tailored to clinical needs and will allow industry to save time and resources in their development.

Sampling design for early detection of aquatic invasive species in Great Lakes ports

EPA Science Inventory

We evaluated a pilot adaptive monitoring program for aquatic invasive species (AIS) early detection in Lake Superior. The monitoring program is designed to detect newly-introduced fishes, and encompasses the lake’s three major ports (Duluth-Superior, Sault Ste. Marie, Thund...

Sampling design for aquatic invasive species early detection in Great Lakes ports

EPA Science Inventory

From 2006-2012, we evaluated a pilot aquatic invasive species (AIS) early detection monitoring program in Lake Superior that was designed to detect newly introduced fishes. We established survey protocols for three major ports (Duluth-Superior, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay) and ...

Home - Southern IPM Center

Science.gov Websites

National Institute of Food and Agriculture Invests in Research on the Implications of Gene Editing Profiles PMSPs IPM Elements Crop Timelines United States Department of Agriculture - National Institute of Food and Agriculture Website managed by the Southern IPM Center. 1730 Varsity Drive, STE 110, NCSU

Home - Southern IPM Center

Science.gov Websites

of Food and Agriculture Invests in Research on the Implications of Gene Editing Technologies USDA IPM Elements Crop Timelines United States Department of Agriculture - National Institute of Food and Agriculture Website managed by the Southern IPM Center. 1730 Varsity Drive, STE 110, NCSU Centennial Campus

Development of the Next Generation of Adaptive Interfaces

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-01

References Drury JL, Riek L, Rackliffe N. A decomposition of UAV-related situation awareness. Proceedings of Human- Robot Interaction Conference, Salt Lake...317 FORT BELVOIR VA 22060-5828 1 ARMY RSCH LABORATORY – HRED (PDF) RDRL HRM AY M BARNES 2520 HEALY AVE STE 1172 BLDG 51005

25. EAST FRONT FROM SOUTHEAST; WALLS ARE HEAVY OAK TIMBERS ...

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

25. EAST FRONT FROM SOUTHEAST; WALLS ARE HEAVY OAK TIMBERS SET ABOUT SIX INCHES APART ON A STONE FOUNDATION; AREAS BETWEEN THE POSTS ARE NOGGED WITH CLAY AND CHOPPED STRAW (BOUZILLAGE). - Louis Bolduc House, 123 South Main Street, Sainte Genevieve, Ste. Genevieve County, MO

6. John N. Vogel, Photographer, June 2000 View to east. ...

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

6. John N. Vogel, Photographer, June 2000 View to east. Center pier. Sabin and Davis Locks to left (north). New Poe and MAcArthur Locks to right (south) - St. Mary's Falls Canal, Soo Locks, St. Mary's River at Falls, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

78 FR 29373 - National Institute of Nursing Research; Notice of Closed Meetings

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-20

... Nursing Research; Notice of Closed Meetings Pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee... clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Name of Committee: National Institute of Nursing... of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Democracy Blvd., Ste. 710, Bethesda, MD...

76 FR 59413 - National Institute of Nursing Research; Notice of Closed Meetings

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-26

... Nursing Research; Notice of Closed Meetings Pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee... clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Name of Committee: National Institute of Nursing..., National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Democracy Blvd., Ste. 710...

Early results of MitraClip system implantation by real-time three-dimensional speckle-tracking left ventricle analysis.

PubMed

Scandura, Salvatore; Dipasqua, Fabio; Gargiulo, Giuseppe; Capodanno, Davide; Caggegi, Anna; Grasso, Carmelo; Mangiafico, Sarah; Pistritto, Anna Maria; Immè, Sebastiano; Chiarandà, Marta; Ministeri, Margherita; Ronsivalle, Giuseppe; Cannata, Stefano; Arcidiacono, Antonio Andrea; Capranzano, Piera; Tamburino, Corrado

2016-11-01

To appraise the early effect of percutaneous mitral valve repair with the MitraClip system on myocardial function using real-time three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (3D-STE). Consecutive patients with moderate-to-severe or severe mitral regurgitation, undergoing mitral valve repair with the MitraClip system, were prospectively evaluated during the peri-procedural workout and follow-up. Left ventricular deformation was evaluated by a two-dimensional and 3D speckle-tracking analysis. 3D-STE acquisitions were elaborated obtaining real-time 3D global longitudinal strain evaluation, and by appraising both volumetric and hemodynamic parameters (i.e. left ventricular end-diastolic volume, left ventricular end-systolic volume, left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiac output, and stroke volume). In all, 30 patients were included. At 1-month follow-up, 3D-STE analysis revealed no changes in left ventricular end-diastolic volume (162.6 ± 73.7 ml at baseline vs. 159.8 ± 64.5 ml at 1-month follow-up; P = 0.63) and a downward trend in left ventricular end-systolic volume (104.7 ± 52.0 vs. 100.1 ± 50.4 ml, respectively; P = 0.06). Left ventricular ejection fraction did not significantly increase (38.1 ± 11.3% at baseline vs. 39.4 ± 11.0% at 1-month follow-up; P = 0.20). No significant changes were reported in cardiac output (4.3 ± 2.0 l/min at baseline vs. 4.0 ± 1.5 l/min at follow-up; P = 0.377) and in stroke volume (59.5 ± 25.5 ml at baseline vs. 59.9 ± 20.7 ml at follow-up; P = 0.867). On the contrary, left ventricular deformation capability significantly improved, with the real-time 3D global longitudinal strain value changing from -9.8 ± 4.1% at baseline to -11.0 ± 4.4% at follow-up (P = 0.018). Accurately assessing myocardial function by the use of 3D-STE, this study reported irrelevant early changes in left ventricular size, but a positive effect on left ventricular deformation capability following mitral valve repair with the MitraClip system. These preliminary results need to be confirmed in larger series and extended to long-term follow-up.

95. Photocopied August 1978. CRIBS BEING FLOATED INTO PLACE FOR ...

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

95. Photocopied August 1978. CRIBS BEING FLOATED INTO PLACE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SECOND SET (NOS. 13-16) OF COMPENSATING GATES. NOTE THE ORIGINAL FOUR GATES IN THE BACKGROUND, MAY 14, 1915. (587) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

Who Teaches the "STE" in STEM?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bartholomew, Scott

2015-01-01

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is a buzzword in America (Ames, 2013; Woodruff, 2013). With recent pushes from the federal government (Obama, 2013) the educational landscape is changing, with an increased emphasis on STEM (Noddings, 2013; Obama, 2013). However, a clear definition of who teaches each aspect of STEM does not exist…

Science Technology and Engineering Teachers' Emotional Intelligence vis-à-vis Classroom Management

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Llego, Jordan Hiso

2017-01-01

This study aimed to determine the relationship of emotional intelligence of science STE teachers' with their classroom management. This study used descriptive-correlational using survey questionnaire with total population sampling who are offering Science, Technology and Engineering curriculum in Region 1, Philippines with 113 respondents.…

BIOREMEDIATION AND BIORESTORATION OF A CRUDE OIL CONTAMINATED FRESHWATER WETLAND ON THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

EPA Science Inventory

Biostimulation by nutrient enrichment and phytoremediation were studied for the restoration of an acutely stressed freshwater wetland experimentally exposed to crude oil. The research was carried out along the shores of the St. Lawrence River at Ste. Croix, Quebec, Canada. The ...

Modeling of Defects in Transparent Ceramics for Improving Military Armor

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-06-01

UCRL -50694, University of California, Liveromore. 2. Gatti,A & Noone, M J, Feasibility Study for Producing Transparent Spinel (MgAl2O4), AMMRC-CR-70...J GOLDWASSER 3701 N FAIRFAX DR ARLINGTON VA 22217-5600 2 DIRECTED TECHNOLOGIES INC J PEREZ R SANDS 3601 WILSON BLVD STE 650

78 FR 61947 - H2O Holdings, LLC; Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-07

...: Ms. Joy Focht, H2O Holdings, LLC, 1485 Garden of the Gods Rd., Ste. 160, Colorado Springs, CO 80907; telephone: (719) 473-7763 (ext. 202) and Mr. Sam Houston, H2O Holdings, LLC, 1485 Garden of the Gods Rd...

Tenderization of beef loins using a high efficiency sparker

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of tenderizing beef strip loins using high-pressure shockwaves generated from a sparker source. A total of 117 steaks from 16 beef strip loins were utilized with each treated steak having an adjacent steak as a non-treated control. Ste...

78 FR 2276 - National Institute of Nursing Research; Notice of Closed Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-10

... Nursing Research; Notice of Closed Meeting Pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act... clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Name of Committee: National Institute of Nursing... Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Democracy Blvd., Ste. 710, Bethesda, MD...

75 FR 1794 - National Institute of Nursing Research; Notice of Closed Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-13

... Nursing Research; Notice of Closed Meeting Pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act... unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Name of Committee: National Institute of Nursing Research Special... Administrator, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Democracy Blvd., Ste...

The Role of Thiol/Disulphide Homeostasis in Anthracycline Associated Cardiac Toxicity.

PubMed

Topuz, Mustafa; Şen, Omer; Kaplan, Mehmet; Akkus, Oguz; Erel, Ozcan; Gur, Mustafa

2017-02-07

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the baseline thiol/disulfide state can predict the occurrence of anthracycline induced cardiac toxicity. A total of 186 cancer patients receiving anthracycline (doxorubicin)-based chemotherapy were enrolled. All patients underwent 2-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) to determine their left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and blood samples for measuring thiol forms were obtained before treatment and 4 weeks after completion of the chemotherapy. The mean dose of doxorubicin exposure was 255 ± 39.2 mg/m 2 . Baseline native thiol was found to be lower whereas baseline disulfide and the disulfide/total thiol ratio were found to be higher in patients who had a decrease in LVEF after anthracycline therapy. Also, the amount of decrease in LVEF was well correlated with the delta value of the thiol forms. Logistic regression analysis revealed that changes in BNP and global longitudinal strain (GLS), baseline level of native thiol, disulfide, and the disulfide/total thiol ratio were strong predictors for a decrease in LVEF.The thiol/disulfide pathway may be a factor for predicting chemotherapy-induced cardiac toxicity as one of the oxidative stress mechanisms.

APPLICATION OF SUSTAINABILITY CRITERIA TO STELLA, MISSOURI-ECONOMIC PLANNING-PRELIMINARY SITE INFORMATION AND ELEMENTS OF THE MASTER PLAN-16NOV2006 (1130)

EPA Science Inventory

Economic systems constraints and performance requirements that are essential to providing goods and services, jobs, and a functioning economic system form a list of criteria for planning a sustainable economy. This presentation places these economic criteria in the context of Ste...

Principles in sampling design, lessons, and recommendations from a multi-year, multi-port surveillance program in Lake Superior

EPA Science Inventory

We evaluated a pilot aquatic invasive species (AIS) early detection monitoring program in Lake Superior that was designed to detect newly-introduced fishes. We established survey protocols for three major ports (Duluth-Superior, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay), and designed an ada...

Steroidogenic follicular response differences to LH and FSH treatment in low and high egg producing turkey hens

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Low egg production in turkey hens is correlated with decreased ovulation frequency. Ovulation frequency is governed at the ovarian level by the steroid hormones progesterone and estradiol. The avian ovary is comprised of follicles in varying stages of maturation, which serve specialized roles in ste...

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

Verce, M. F.; Schwartz, L. I.

This was a collaborative effort between LLNL and STE to investigate the use of vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP®) to decontaminate spore-contaminated heating, ventilation, and cooling (HV AC) systems in a trailer sized room. LLNL's effort under this CRADA was funded by DOE's Chemical and Biological National Security Program (CBNP), which later became part of Department of Homeland Security in 2004.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Treatment Strategy for Gulf War Illness

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-10-01

5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM ,THE 200 TECHNOLOGY WAY, STE 2079COLLEGE STATION...IgD) expression in splenocytes. IgD is an immunoglobulin that appears in species with an adaptive immune system . Among its numerous activities in the

U.S. EPA, Pesticide Product Label, , 07/17/2001

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

2011-04-21

... Clilll¥9UFl&lMllsprdw

77 FR 14059 - Surety Companies Acceptable On Federal Bonds: Name, Address and Phone Number Change: Van Tol...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-08

... DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Fiscal Service Surety Companies Acceptable On Federal Bonds: Name, Address and Phone Number Change: Van Tol Surety Company, Incorporated (NAIC 30279) AGENCY: Financial... Square, Ste. 201, Andover, Massachusetts 01810. The new phone number is (978) 662-5131. Federal bond...

Exploring the role of trehalose-6-phosphate synthase in oxidation and desiccation stress tolerance of Fusarium verticillioides

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Fusarium verticillioides is a pathogenic filamentous fungus that primarily affects maize. We are exploring stress response mechanisms in F. verticillioides, particularly the role of the disaccharide trehalose. Trehalose-6-phosphate synthase, coded for by the TPS1 gene, catalyzes the first of two ste...

70. Photocopied August 1978. BIRDSEYE VIEW OF COMPENSATING GATES CONSTRUCTION ...

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

70. Photocopied August 1978. BIRDSEYE VIEW OF COMPENSATING GATES CONSTRUCTION SITE FROM THE CANADIAN CANAL, SEPTEMBER 24, 1901. THE VIEW SHOWS THE INTERNATIONAL RAILROAD BRIDGE AND THE BEGININGS OF BREAKWATER CONSTRUCTION FOR THE FIRST FOUR COMPENSATING GATES. (309) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

57. Photocopied August 1978. POWER HOUSE MASONRY WALLS, NORTH FRONT, ...

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

57. Photocopied August 1978. POWER HOUSE MASONRY WALLS, NORTH FRONT, JULY 26, 1901. THE COMPLETED TAIL RACE EXITS ARE JUST BELOW THE RISING MASONRY WALL. THE COFFER DAM IS ON THE EXTREME RIGHT HAND PORTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH. (161) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

58. Photocopied August 1978. POWER HOUSE FROM COAL TIPPLE, SEPTEMBER ...

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

58. Photocopied August 1978. POWER HOUSE FROM COAL TIPPLE, SEPTEMBER 26, 1901. NOTE WORK ON THE FOREBAY EMBANKMENT IN THE AREA IN FRONT OF THE POWER HOUSE: THE COFFER DAM IS IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE POWER HOUSE. (182) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

The Business Writing Agenda, Part I: Collaboration between Business and the Undergraduate Student.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schmitigal, Linda

Twenty-two students in a business communications course engaged in a collaborative project with several Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, business enterprises. After the students had acquired introductory skills that would enable them to perform effectively, they were divided into six groups and began working with representatives from local businesses…

20. Photocopied August 1978. CANAL SECTION III, LOOKING SOUTH, AUGUST ...

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

20. Photocopied August 1978. CANAL SECTION III, LOOKING SOUTH, AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER 1900, FOLLOWING A MAJOR BANK SLIDE. SLIDES LIKE THIS ONE WERE FAIRLY FREQUENT FOLLOWING RAIN STORMS BEFORE THE CANAL WALLS WERE TIMBER LINED IN THE EARTH SECTIONS. (64) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

117. Photocopied August 1978. VIEW OF EAST FOREBAY SHOWING COMPLETED ...

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

117. Photocopied August 1978. VIEW OF EAST FOREBAY SHOWING COMPLETED APRON. NOVEMBER 24, 1926. CLAY LEFT OVER FROM REFILLING THE AREA BETWEEN FOREBAY FLOOR SILLS IS SHOWN HEAPED AGAINST THE FOREBAY WALL TO PROVIDE AN EXTRA MEASURE OF PROTECTION. (1051) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

80. Photocopied August 1978. VIEW OF THE POWER HOUSE FROM ...

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

80. Photocopied August 1978. VIEW OF THE POWER HOUSE FROM PORTAGE AVENUE ON GRAND OPENING DAY, OCTOBER 25, 1902. THE PUMP HOUSE ON THE WEST END OF THE POWER HOUSE WAS STILL INCOMPLETE AT THIS TIME. (407) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

Open Concept School for Indian Education. Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, 1973.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sault Sainte Marie Public Schools, MI.

The product of an Elementary Secondary Education Act Title III project produced by the staff and administration of the Finlayson Elementary School in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan for American Indian students, this handbook is designed as a guide to educators engaging in open concept education. Constituting a model, this handbook incorporates the…

Merlin, the Hippo Pathway, and Tumor Suppression in Meningiomas

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-02-07

CONTRACTING ORGANIZATION: Regents of the University of California San Francisco , CA 94143-0962...Sponsored Research 3333 California Street, Ste. 315 San Francisco , CA 94143-0962 9. SPONSORING / MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND...Tumor Research Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco , CA 94143, USA; †Department of Neurology, Washington

Finance Support During Operation Desert Shield

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-04-10

Arabia) for the assault CP. They moved from Ft. Ste wart to Ft. Bragg to catch the earliest possible aircraft. He brought $50 1 000 and 200 blank...units were initially placed in an are a which became known as cement City. This was an old cement plant and gravel yard. Because the CFG commander

IMPRINT Analysis of an Unmanned Air System Geospatial Information Process

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-07-01

1 COMMANDANT USAADASCH ATSA CD AMSRD ARL HR ME DR HAWLEY 5800 CARTER RD FT BLISS TX 79916-3802 1 ARMY RSCH LABORATORY - HRED...STE 1172 BLDG 51005 FT HUACHUCA AZ 85613-7069 5 MARINE CORPS SYSTEMS CMD PM-ICE A SCHWEIZER 2201A WILLIS ST QUANTICO VA 22134-6050

Echocardiographic evaluation of right ventricular systolic function: The traditional and innovative approach.

PubMed

Smolarek, Dorota; Gruchała, Marcin; Sobiczewski, Wojciech

2017-01-01

Estimation of right ventricular (RV) performance still remains technically challenging due to its anatomical and functional distinctiveness. The current guidelines for the echocardiographic quantification of RV function recommend using multiple indices to describe the RV in a thorough and comprehensive manner, such as RV index of myocardial performance, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, fractional area change, Doppler tissue imaging-derived tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity (S'-wave), three-dimensional RV ejection fraction (3D RVEF), RV longitudinal strain (RVLS)/strain rate by speckle- tracking echocardiography (STE). Among these, the last one mentioned here is an innovative and a particularly promising tool that yields more precise information about complex regional and global RV mechanics. STE was initially designed to evaluate left ventricular function, but recently it has been introduced to assess RV performance, which is difficult due to its unique structure and physiology. Many studies have shown that both free wall and 6-segment RVLS present a stronger correlation with the RVEF assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance than conventional parameters and seem to be more sensitive in detecting myocardial dysfunction at an earlier, subclinical stage.

Distinct peptide binding specificities of Src homology 3 (SH3) protein domains can be determined by modulation of local energetics across the binding interface.

PubMed

Gorelik, Maryna; Davidson, Alan R

2012-03-16

The yeast Nbp2p SH3 and Bem1p SH3b domains bind certain target peptides with similar high affinities, yet display vastly different affinities for other targets. To investigate this unusual behavior, we have solved the structure of the Nbp2p SH3-Ste20 peptide complex and compared it with the previously determined structure of the Bem1p SH3b bound to the same peptide. Although the Ste20 peptide interacts with both domains in a structurally similar manner, extensive in vitro studies with domain and peptide mutants revealed large variations in interaction strength across the binding interface of the two complexes. Whereas the Nbp2p SH3 made stronger contacts with the peptide core RXXPXXP motif, the Bem1p SH3b domain made stronger contacts with residues flanking the core motif. Remarkably, this modulation of local binding energetics can explain the distinct and highly nuanced binding specificities of these two domains.

Subsurface recognition of oolitic facies in carbonate sequence: Exploration and development applications: Ste. Genevieve Formation (Mississippian), Illinois basin

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

Bandy, W.F.

1989-08-01

The oolitic grainstone facies of the Ste. Genevieve Limestone is a widespread and highly productive reservoir in the Illinois basin. However, exploration and development of these oolitic facies are hampered by the inability to recognize the reservoir on logs. In many areas, the only log data available are old wireline electric logs. Comparison of cores with log response in northern Lawrence field, Lawrence County, Illinois, indicates a subjective but predictable relationship between log signature and carbonate lithology. Two productive lithologies, dolomite and oolitic grainstone, display well-developed SP curves. However, resistivity response is greatest in dense limestone, less well developed inmore » oolitic grainstone, and poorly developed in dolomites. On gamma-ray logs, oolitic facies can be differentiated from dolomites by their lower radioactivity. Oolitic sands are most easily recognized on porosity logs, where their average porosity is 13.7%, only half the average porosity of dolomites. In a new well, the best information for subsequent offset and development of an oolitic reservoir is provided by porosity and dipmeter logs.« less

Strontium isotopic study of subsurface brines from Illinois basin

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

hetherington, E.A.; Stueber, A.M.; Pushkar, P.

1986-05-01

The abundance of the radiogenic isotope /sup 87/Sr in a subsurface brine can be used as a tracer of brine origin, evolution, and diagenetic effects. The authors have determined the /sup 87/Sr//sup 86/Sr ratios of over 60 oil-field waters from the Illinois basin, where brine origin is perplexing because of the absence of any significant evaporite strata. Initially, they analyzed brines from 15 petroleum-producing sandstone and carbonate units; waters from Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, and Mississippian strata have /sup 87/Sr//sup 86/Sr ratios in the range 0.7079-0.7108. All but those from the Ste. Genevieve Limestone (middle Mississippian) are more radiogenic in /supmore » 87/Sr//sup 86/Sr than seawater values for this interval of geologic time. The detrital source of the more radiogenic /sup 87/Sr may be the New Albany Shale group, considered to be a major petroleum source rock in the basin. The /sup 87/Sr//sup 86/Sr ratios of Ste. Genevieve brines apparently evolved without a contribution from fluid-shale interaction.« less

Left atrial physiology and pathophysiology: Role of deformation imaging

PubMed Central

Kowallick, Johannes Tammo; Lotz, Joachim; Hasenfuß, Gerd; Schuster, Andreas

2015-01-01

The left atrium (LA) acts as a modulator of left ventricular (LV) filling. Although there is considerable evidence to support the use of LA maximum and minimum volumes for disease prediction, theoretical considerations and a growing body of literature suggest to focus on the quantification of the three basic LA functions: (1) Reservoir function: collection of pulmonary venous return during LV systole; (2) Conduit function: passage of blood to the left ventricle during early LV diastole; and (3) Contractile booster pump function (augmentation of ventricular filling during late LV diastole. Tremendous advances in our ability to non-invasively characterize all three elements of atrial function include speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), and more recently cardiovascular magnetic resonance myocardial feature tracking (CMR-FT). Corresponding imaging biomarkers are increasingly recognized to have incremental roles in determining prognosis and risk stratification in cardiac dysfunction of different origins. The current editorial introduces the role of STE and CMR-FT for the functional assessment of LA deformation as determined by strain and strain rate imaging and provides an outlook of how this exciting field may develop in the future. PMID:26131333

The Steroid Hormone 20-Hydroxyecdysone Up-regulates Ste-20 Family Serine/Threonine Kinase Hippo to Induce Programmed Cell Death*

PubMed Central

Dong, Du-Juan; Jing, Yu-Pu; Liu, Wen; Wang, Jin-Xing; Zhao, Xiao-Fan

2015-01-01

The steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and the serine/threonine Ste20-like kinase Hippo signal promote programmed cell death (PCD) during development, although the interaction between them remains unclear. Here, we present evidence that 20E up-regulates Hippo to induce PCD during the metamorphic development of insects. We found that Hippo is involved in 20E-induced metamorphosis via promoting the phosphorylation and cytoplasmic retention of Yorkie (Yki), causing suppressed expression of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP), thereby releasing its inhibitory effect on caspase. Furthermore, we show that 20E induced the expression of Hippo at the transcriptional level through the ecdysone receptor (EcR), ultraspiracle protein (USP), and hormone receptor 3 (HR3). We also found that Hippo suppresses the binding of Yki complex to the HR3 promoter. In summary, 20E up-regulates the transcription of Hippo via EcRB1, USP1, and HR3 to induce PCD, and Hippo has negative feedback effects on HR3 expression. These two signaling pathways coordinate PCD during insect metamorphosis. PMID:26272745

GC51D-0831: A Study of the Impact of Dams on Sediment Retention in the Mekong River Basin

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Munroe, Thailynn; Griffin, Robert; Anderson, Eric; Markert, Kel

2017-01-01

Dam construction in the Mekong Basin has many cascading effects on the ecology, economy, and hydrology of the surrounding region. The focus of this study is to utilize the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), developed at Texas A & M, a rainfall-runoff hydrologic model to determine change in sedimentation in the Mekong Basin after the construction of dams. This study uses land cover land use and reservoir datasets created by the NASA SERVIR-Mekong Regional Land Cover Monitoring System and Dam Inundation Mapping Tool as inputs into the model. The study also builds on the capabilities of the SWAT model by using the sediment trapping efficiency (STE) equation from Brune (1953), rewritten by Kummu & Varis (2007), to calculate STE of dams and estimate change in sediment concentration downstream. The outputs from this study can be used to inform dam operation policies, study the correlation between dams and delta subsidence, and study the impact of dams on river fisheries, which are all pressing issues in the Mekong region.

Strategies to regulate transcription factor-mediated gene positioning and interchromosomal clustering at the nuclear periphery.

PubMed

Randise-Hinchliff, Carlo; Coukos, Robert; Sood, Varun; Sumner, Michael Chas; Zdraljevic, Stefan; Meldi Sholl, Lauren; Garvey Brickner, Donna; Ahmed, Sara; Watchmaker, Lauren; Brickner, Jason H

2016-03-14

In budding yeast, targeting of active genes to the nuclear pore complex (NPC) and interchromosomal clustering is mediated by transcription factor (TF) binding sites in the gene promoters. For example, the binding sites for the TFs Put3, Ste12, and Gcn4 are necessary and sufficient to promote positioning at the nuclear periphery and interchromosomal clustering. However, in all three cases, gene positioning and interchromosomal clustering are regulated. Under uninducing conditions, local recruitment of the Rpd3(L) histone deacetylase by transcriptional repressors blocks Put3 DNA binding. This is a general function of yeast repressors: 16 of 21 repressors blocked Put3-mediated subnuclear positioning; 11 of these required Rpd3. In contrast, Ste12-mediated gene positioning is regulated independently of DNA binding by mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation of the Dig2 inhibitor, and Gcn4-dependent targeting is up-regulated by increasing Gcn4 protein levels. These different regulatory strategies provide either qualitative switch-like control or quantitative control of gene positioning over different time scales. © 2016 Randise-Hinchliff et al.

[Interventional therapy of acute myocardial infarction].

PubMed

Zahn, R; Zeymer, U

2008-09-01

Currently an acute myocardial infarction has to be differentiated into ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or non ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). However, there exists another definition of acute coronary syndromes (ACS), which is more important in clinical practice, for all recommendations from the guidelines of the cardiac societies concerning the invasive strategies rely on this one. Here one has to differentiate an ACS with ST-elevation (STE-ACS = STEMI) from an ACS without ST-elevation (NSTE-ACS). The last one is further divided into an NSTE-ACS with or without high risk. In patients with an NSTE-ACS with high risk an early invasive strategy is recommended within 72 h after the diagnosis. In patients with an NSTE-ACS without high risk a more conservative approach can be pursued. In STE-ACS patients primary angioplasty is the reperfusion therapy of choice, if it can be performed in a timely fashion within 2 h after diagnosis at an interventional centre with experienced interventionalists and short "door-to-balloon" times. In Germany this goal is achievable almost everywhere. Therefore it is currently the most important task to establish local networks to reach this goal.

Health care providers' requests to Teratogen Information Services on medication use during pregnancy and lactation.

PubMed

Gendron, Marie-Pierre; Martin, Brigitte; Oraichi, Driss; Bérard, Anick

2009-05-01

Medication use during pregnancy and lactation is prevalent. However, current knowledge of the risks and benefits of medication use during pregnancy and lactation is incomplete as the best available evidence has been obtained from cohort studies of inadvertent exposures and registries. This situation may partly explain health care providers' (HCP) risk perceptions and thus the increasing number of calls to Teratogen Information Services (TIS). The objectives of this study were (1) to identify the medication classes for which HCP are seeking counseling from the IMAGe center, a Quebec TIS; (2) to identify the medical conditions for which medication classes were used during pregnancy and lactation; (3) to identify and quantify predictors of medication information requests during pregnancy and lactation. A retrospective analysis of data was conducted within the population served by the IMAGe center, a TIS based at CHU Ste-Justine in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, that serves the French population of Canada. To be included, calls had to be received between January 1, 2004 and April 30, 2007, and the subject of the call had to be directly associated with the exposure, or not, of a pregnant or breastfeeding woman to medication. Multivariate generalized estimating equation (GEE) regression models were performed to identify the predictors of medication requests. A total of 11, 076 requests regarding medication exposure during pregnancy, 12 055 requests regarding pregnant women before the exposure took place, and 13, 364 requests regarding lactation were included for analyses. Pregnant women were most frequently exposed to antidepressants (17.3), antibiotics (6.3%), and benzodiazepines (5.3%). Prior to drug exposure, the most frequent inquiries by HCP were on antibiotics (11.0%), anti-inflammatory drugs (6.0%), and antiemetics (5.1%). Inquiries concerning lactating women most frequently requested information on the drug classes of antidepressants (10.8%), antibiotics (9.1%), and anti-inflammatory drugs (7.8%). Depressive disorders were an indication of antidepressant, benzodiazepine and antipsychotic exposures reported to IMAGe. Associations were found between medication use and maternal age, previous pregnancies, trimester of pregnancy at the time of the call and lifestyle habits. The IMAGe received frequent inquiries on antidepressant, antibiotic, and benzodiazepine exposures, with depressive disorders being the most frequently declared indication. Predictors of medication requests were identified among exposed women during pregnancy, and breastfeeding women. These results emphasize the need for effective studies on drug use during pregnancy and lactation and for better knowledge transfer programs.

Effects of increased left ventricular wall thickness on the myocardium in severe aortic stenosis with normal left ventricular ejection fraction: Two- and three-dimensional multilayer speckle tracking echocardiography.

PubMed

Cho, Eun Jeong; Park, Sung-Ji; Kim, Eun Kyoung; Lee, Ga Yeon; Chang, Sung-A; Choi, Jin-Oh; Lee, Sang-Chol; Park, Seung Woo

2017-04-01

The aim of this study was to determine the capability of real time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) and two-dimensional (2D) multilayer speckle tracking echocardiography (MSTE) for evaluation of early myocardial dysfunction triggered by increased left ventricular (LV) wall thickness in severe aortic stenosis (AS) with normal LV ejection fraction (EF≥55%). Conventional, RT3D STE and 2D MSTE were performed in 45 patients (mean 68.9±9.0 years) with severe AS (aortic valve area <1 cm 2 , aortic velocity Vmax >4 m/s or mean PG >40 mm Hg) and normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) without overt coronary artery disease and in 18 age-, sex-matched healthy controls. Global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), global area strain (GAS), and global radial strain (GRS) were calculated using RT3DE and MSTE. The severe AS group had lower 3D GLS, GRS, GAS and 2D epicardium, and mid-wall and endocardium GLS compared to healthy controls. In MSTE analysis, 2D LS and CS values decreased from the endocardial layer toward the epicardial layer. Severe AS patients with increased LV wall thickness had lower 3D GLS and 2D epicardium, and mid-wall and endocardium GLS compared with severe AS patients without LV wall thickening. GLS on RT3D STE was correlated with GLS on 2D MSTE, left ventricular mass index, LVEF, left atrial volume index, and lnNT-proBNP. RT3DE and 2D MSTE can be used to identify subtle contractile dysfunction triggered by increased LV wall thickness in severe AS with normal LVEF. Therefore, RT3D STE and 2D MSTE may provide additional information that can facilitate decision-making regarding severe AS patients with increased LV wall thickness and normal LV function. © 2017, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Left Ventricular Myocardial Deformation Parameters Are Affected by Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon: A Study of Speckle Tracking Echocardiography.

PubMed

Gulel, Okan; Akcay, Murat; Soylu, Korhan; Aksan, Gokhan; Yuksel, Serkan; Zengin, Halit; Meric, Murat; Sahin, Mahmut

2016-05-01

The coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) is defined as a delayed distal vessel contrast opacification in the absence of obstructive epicardial coronary artery disease during coronary angiography. There is conflicting data in medical literature regarding the effects of CSFP on the left ventricular functions assessed by conventional echocardiography or tissue Doppler imaging. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate whether there is any abnormality in the myocardial deformation parameters (strain, strain rate (SR), rotation, twist) of the left ventricle obtained by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in patients with CSFP. Twenty patients with CSFP were included prospectively in the study. Another 20 patients with similar demographics and cardiovascular risk factors as well as normal coronary angiography were used as the control group. Two-dimensional echocardiographic images of the left ventricle from the apical long-axis, two-chamber, four-chamber, and parasternal short-axis views were used for STE analysis. The analysis of left ventricular circumferential deformation parameters showed that the averaged peak systolic strain, systolic SR, and early diastolic SR values were significantly lower in patients with CSFP (P = 0.009, P = 0.02, and P = 0.02, respectively). Among the left ventricular rotation and twist values, apical rotation was significantly lower in patients with CSFP (P = 0.02). Further, the mean thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count value was found to be negatively correlated with the averaged peak circumferential early diastolic SR (r = -0.35, P = 0.03). It was positively correlated with the averaged peak circumferential systolic strain (r = 0.47, P = 0.003) and circumferential systolic SR (r = 0.46, P = 0.005). Coronary slow flow phenomenon leads to significant alterations in the myocardial deformation parameters of the left ventricle as assessed by STE. Specifically, circumferential deformation parameters are affected in CSFP patients. © 2015, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Multigene assessment of the species boundaries and sexual status of the basidiomycetous yeasts Cryptococcus flavescens and C. terrestris (Tremellales).

PubMed

Yurkov, Andrey; Guerreiro, Marco A; Sharma, Lav; Carvalho, Cláudia; Fonseca, Álvaro

2015-01-01

Cryptococcus flavescens and C. terrestris are phenotypically indistinguishable sister species that belong to the order Tremellales (Tremellomycetes, Basidiomycota) and which may be mistaken for C. laurentii based on phenotype. Phylogenetic separation between C. flavescens and C. terrestris was based on rDNA sequence analyses, but very little is known on their intraspecific genetic variability or propensity for sexual reproduction. We studied 59 strains from different substrates and geographic locations, and used a multilocus sequencing (MLS) approach complemented with the sequencing of mating type (MAT) genes to assess genetic variation and reexamine the boundaries of the two species, as well as their sexual status. The following five loci were chosen for MLS: the rDNA ITS-LSU region, the rDNA IGS1 spacer, and fragments of the genes encoding the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1), the translation elongation factor 1 alpha (TEF1) and the p21-activated protein kinase (STE20). Phylogenetic network analyses confirmed the genetic separation of the two species and revealed two additional cryptic species, for which the names Cryptococcus baii and C. ruineniae are proposed. Further analyses of the data revealed a high degree of genetic heterogeneity within C. flavescens as well as evidence for recombination between lineages detected for this species. Strains of C. terrestris displayed higher levels of similarity in all analysed genes and appear to make up a single recombining group. The two MAT genes (STE3 and SXI1/SXI2) sequenced for C. flavescens strains confirmed the potential for sexual reproduction and suggest the presence of a tetrapolar mating system with a biallelic pheromone/receptor locus and a multiallelic HD locus. In C. terrestris we could only sequence STE3, which revealed a biallelic P/R locus. In spite of the strong evidence for sexual recombination in the two species, attempts at mating compatible strains of both species on culture media were unsuccessful.

Time-resolved optical studies of wide-gap II-VI semiconductor heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hong

ZnSe and ZnSe-based quantum well and superlattice structures are potential candidates for light emitting devices and other optical devices such as switches and modulators working in the blue-green wavelength range. Carrier dynamics studies of these structures are important in evaluating device performance as well as understanding the underlying physical processes. In this thesis, a carrier dynamics investigation is conducted for temperature from 77K to 295K on CdZnSSe/ZnSSe single quantum well structure (SQW) and ZnSe/ZnSTe superlattice fabricated by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Two experimental techniques with femtosecond time resolution are used in this work: up-conversion technique for time- resolved photoluminescence (PL) and pump-probe technique for time-resolved differential absorption studies. For both heterostructures, the radiative recombination is dominated by exciton transition due to the large exciton binding energy as a result of quantum confinement effect. The measured decay time of free exciton PL in CdZnSSe/ZnSSe SQW increases linearly with increasing temperature which agrees with the theoretical prediction by considering the conservation of momentum requirement for radiative recombination. However, the recombination of free carriers is also observed in CdZnSSe/ZnSSe SQW for the whole temperature range studied. On the other hand, in ZnSe/ZnSTe superlattice structures, the non- radiative recombination processes are non-negligible even at 77K and become more important in higher temperature range. The relaxation processes such as spectral hole burning, carrier thermalization and hot-carrier cooling are observed in ZnSe/ZnSTe superlattices at room temperature (295K) by the femtosecond pump-probe measurements. A rapid cooling of the thermalized hot- carrier from 763K to 450K within 4ps is deduced. A large optical nonlinearity (i.e., the induced absorption change) around the heavy-hole exciton energy is also obtained.

Use of three-dimensional speckle tracking to assess left ventricular myocardial mechanics: inter-vendor consistency and reproducibility of strain measurements.

PubMed

Badano, Luigi P; Cucchini, Umberto; Muraru, Denisa; Al Nono, Osama; Sarais, Cristiano; Iliceto, Sabino

2013-03-01

Since there is insufficient data available about the inter-vendor consistency of three-dimensional (3D) speckle-tracking (STE) measurements, we undertook this study to (i) assess the inter-vendor consistency of 3D LV global strain values obtained using two different scanners; (ii) identify the sources of inter-vendor inconsistencies, if any; and (iii) compare their respective intrinsic variability. Sixty patients (38 ± 12 years, 64% males) with a wide range of LV end-diastolic volumes (from 74 to 205 ml) and ejection fractions (from 17 to 70%) underwent two 3D LV data set acquisitions using VividE9 and Artida ultrasound systems. Global longitudinal (Lε), radial (Rε), circumferential (Cε) and area (Aε) strain values were obtained offline using the corresponding 3D STE softwares. Despite being significantly different, Lε showed the closest values between the two platforms (bias = 1.5%, limits of agreement (LOA) from -2.9 to -5.9%, P < 0.05). Artida produced significantly higher values of both Cε and Aε than VividE9 (bias = 6.6, LOA: -14.1 to 0.9%, and bias = 6.0, LOA = -28.2-8.6%, respectively, P < 0.001). Conversely, Rε values obtained with Artida were significantly lower than those measured using VividE9 platform (bias = -24.2, LOA: 1.5-49.9, P < 0.001). All strain components showed good reproducibility (intra-class correlation coefficients: 0.82-0.98), except for Rε by Artida, which showed only a moderate reproducibility. Apart from Lε, the inter-vendor agreement of Rε, Cε and Aε measured with Artida and VividE9 was poor. Reference values should be specific for each system and baseline and follow-up data in longitudinal studies should be obtained using the same 3D STE platform.

Septic Systems Contribution to Phosphorus in Shallow Groundwater: Field-Scale Studies Using Conventional Drainfield Designs

PubMed Central

Mechtensimer, Sara

2017-01-01

Septic systems can be a potential source of phosphorus (P) in groundwater and contribute to eutrophication in aquatic systems. Our objective was to investigate P transport from two conventional septic systems (drip dispersal and gravel trench) to shallow groundwater. Two new in-situ drainfields (6.1 m long by 0.61 m wide) with a 3.72 m2 infiltrative surface were constructed. The drip dispersal drainfield was constructed by placing 30.5 cm commercial sand on top of natural soil and the gravel trench drainfield was constructed by placing 30.5 cm of gravel on top of 30.5 cm commercial sand and natural soil. Suction cup lysimeters were installed in the drainfields (at 30.5, 61, 106.7 cm below infiltrative surface) and piezometers were installed in the groundwater (>300 cm below infiltrative surface) to capture P dynamics from the continuum of unsaturated to saturated zones in the septic systems. Septic tank effluent (STE), soil-water, and groundwater samples were collected for 64 events (May 2012–Dec 2013) at 2 to 3 days (n = 13), weekly (n = 29), biweekly (n = 17), and monthly (n = 5) intervals. One piezometer was installed up-gradient of the drainfields to monitor background groundwater (n = 15). Samples were analyzed for total P (TP), orthophosphate-P (PO4–P), and other–P (TP—PO4-P). The gravel trench drainfield removed significantly (p<0.0001) greater TP (~20%) than the drip dispersal in the first 30.5 cm of the drainfield. However, when STE reached >300 cm in the groundwater, both systems had similar TP reductions of >97%. After 18 months of STE application, there was no significant increase in groundwater TP concentrations in both systems. We conclude that both drainfield designs are effective at reducing P transport to shallow groundwater. PMID:28107505

Septic Systems Contribution to Phosphorus in Shallow Groundwater: Field-Scale Studies Using Conventional Drainfield Designs.

PubMed

Mechtensimer, Sara; Toor, Gurpal S

2017-01-01

Septic systems can be a potential source of phosphorus (P) in groundwater and contribute to eutrophication in aquatic systems. Our objective was to investigate P transport from two conventional septic systems (drip dispersal and gravel trench) to shallow groundwater. Two new in-situ drainfields (6.1 m long by 0.61 m wide) with a 3.72 m2 infiltrative surface were constructed. The drip dispersal drainfield was constructed by placing 30.5 cm commercial sand on top of natural soil and the gravel trench drainfield was constructed by placing 30.5 cm of gravel on top of 30.5 cm commercial sand and natural soil. Suction cup lysimeters were installed in the drainfields (at 30.5, 61, 106.7 cm below infiltrative surface) and piezometers were installed in the groundwater (>300 cm below infiltrative surface) to capture P dynamics from the continuum of unsaturated to saturated zones in the septic systems. Septic tank effluent (STE), soil-water, and groundwater samples were collected for 64 events (May 2012-Dec 2013) at 2 to 3 days (n = 13), weekly (n = 29), biweekly (n = 17), and monthly (n = 5) intervals. One piezometer was installed up-gradient of the drainfields to monitor background groundwater (n = 15). Samples were analyzed for total P (TP), orthophosphate-P (PO4-P), and other-P (TP-PO4-P). The gravel trench drainfield removed significantly (p<0.0001) greater TP (~20%) than the drip dispersal in the first 30.5 cm of the drainfield. However, when STE reached >300 cm in the groundwater, both systems had similar TP reductions of >97%. After 18 months of STE application, there was no significant increase in groundwater TP concentrations in both systems. We conclude that both drainfield designs are effective at reducing P transport to shallow groundwater.

Long-term flow rates and biomat zone hydrology in soil columns receiving septic tank effluent.

PubMed

Beal, C D; Gardner, E A; Kirchhof, G; Menzies, N W

2006-07-01

Soil absorption systems (SAS) are used commonly to treat and disperse septic tank effluent (STE). SAS can hydraulically fail as a result of the low permeable biomat zone that develops on the infiltrative surface. The objectives of this experiment were to compare the hydraulic properties of biomats grown in soils of different textures, to investigate the long-term acceptance rates (LTAR) from prolonged application of STE, and to assess if soils were of major importance in determining LTAR. The STE was applied to repacked sand, Oxisol and Vertisol soil columns over a period of 16 months, at equivalent hydraulic loading rates of 50, 35 and 8L/m(2)/d, respectively. Infiltration rates, soil matric potentials, and biomat hydraulic properties were measured either directly from the soil columns or calculated using established soil physics theory. Biomats 1 to 2 cm thick developed in all soils columns with hydraulic resistances of 27 to 39 d. These biomats reduced a 4 order of magnitude variation in saturated hydraulic conductivity (K(s)) between the soils to a one order of magnitude variation in LTAR. A relationship between biomat resistance and organic loading rate was observed in all soils. Saturated hydraulic conductivity influenced the rate and extent of biomat development. However, once the biomat was established, the LTAR was governed by the resistance of the biomat and the sub-biomat soil unsaturated flow regime induced by the biomat. Results show that whilst initial soil K(s) is likely to be important in the establishment of the biomat zone in a trench, LTAR is determined by the biomat resistance and the unsaturated soil hydraulic conductivity, not the K(s) of a soil. The results call into question the commonly used approach of basing the LTAR, and ultimately trench length in SAS, on the initial K(s) of soils.

Septic tank discharges as multi-pollutant hotspots in catchments.

PubMed

Richards, Samia; Paterson, Eric; Withers, Paul J A; Stutter, Marc

2016-01-15

Small point sources of pollutants such as septic tanks are recognised as significant contributors to streams' pathogen and nutrient loadings, however there is little data in the UK on which to judge the potential risks that septic tank effluents (STEs) pose to water quality and human health. We present the first comprehensive analysis of STE to help assess multi-pollutant characteristics, management-related risk factors and potential tracers that might be used to identify STE sources. Thirty-two septic tank effluents from residential households located in North East of Scotland were sampled along with adjacent stream waters. Biological, physical, chemical and fluorescence characterisation was coupled with information on system age, design, type of tank, tank management and number of users. Biological characterisation revealed that total coliforms and Escherichia coli (E. coli) concentration ranges were: 10(3)-10(8) and 10(3)-10(7)MPN/100 mL, respectively. Physical parameters such as electrical conductivity, turbidity and alkalinity ranged 160-1730 μS/cm, 8-916 NTU and 15-698 mg/L, respectively. Effluent total phosphorus (TP), soluble reactive P (SRP), total nitrogen (TN) and ammonium-N (NH4-N) concentrations ranged 1-32, <1-26, 11-146 and 2-144 mg/L, respectively. Positive correlations were obtained between phosphorus, sodium, potassium, barium, copper and aluminium. Domestic STE may pose pollution risks particularly for NH4-N, dissolved P, SRP, copper, dissolved N, and potassium since enrichment factors were >1651, 213, 176, 63, 14 and 8 times that of stream waters, respectively. Fluorescence characterisation revealed the presence of tryptophan peak in the effluent and downstream waters but not detected upstream from the source. Tank condition, management and number of users had influenced effluent quality that can pose a direct risk to stream waters as multiple points of pollutants. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

One motif to bind them: A small-XXX-small motif affects transmembrane domain 1 oligomerization, function, localization, and cross-talk between two yeast GPCRs.

PubMed

Lock, Antonia; Forfar, Rachel; Weston, Cathryn; Bowsher, Leo; Upton, Graham J G; Reynolds, Christopher A; Ladds, Graham; Dixon, Ann M

2014-12-01

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of cell-surface receptors in mammals and facilitate a range of physiological responses triggered by a variety of ligands. GPCRs were thought to function as monomers, however it is now accepted that GPCR homo- and hetero-oligomers also exist and influence receptor properties. The Schizosaccharomyces pombe GPCR Mam2 is a pheromone-sensing receptor involved in mating and has previously been shown to form oligomers in vivo. The first transmembrane domain (TMD) of Mam2 contains a small-XXX-small motif, overrepresented in membrane proteins and well-known for promoting helix-helix interactions. An ortholog of Mam2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Ste2, contains an analogous small-XXX-small motif which has been shown to contribute to receptor homo-oligomerization, localization and function. Here we have used experimental and computational techniques to characterize the role of the small-XXX-small motif in function and assembly of Mam2 for the first time. We find that disruption of the motif via mutagenesis leads to reduction of Mam2 TMD1 homo-oligomerization and pheromone-responsive cellular signaling of the full-length protein. It also impairs correct targeting to the plasma membrane. Mutation of the analogous motif in Ste2 yielded similar results, suggesting a conserved mechanism for assembly. Using co-expression of the two fungal receptors in conjunction with computational models, we demonstrate a functional change in G protein specificity and propose that this is brought about through hetero-dimeric interactions of Mam2 with Ste2 via the complementary small-XXX-small motifs. This highlights the potential of these motifs to affect a range of properties that can be investigated in other GPCRs. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Predicting Cardiotoxic Effects of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Using Speckle Tracking Echocardiography.

PubMed

Saraçoğlu, Erhan; Vuruşkan, Ertan; Kılıç, Salih; Çekici, Yusuf; Onur, Bahaeddin; Arslan, Yavuz; Kılıç, Ertuğrul; Aykut, Ömer

2018-04-01

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning could cause significant cardiac injury. This study aimed to evaluate patients with CO poisoning by using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), a potentially more sensitive technique, to identify left systolic ventricular dysfunction for the first time in the literature. Seventy-two patients who were exposed to CO poisoning were studied. Blood collection and echocardiography were performed at admission and after patients' discharge on days 10-15 (mean 12 days). Global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global circumferential strain (GCS) were calculated using STE. In order to find the normal strain levels and to compare it to the patient with CO poisoning, 35 healthy subjects were included in the study. Left ventricular ejection fraction was analyzed according to Simpson's method. Patients were divided into two groups based on their LVEF values. LVEF < 55%, Group 1 (n = 24); LVEF ≥ 55%, Group 2 (n = 48). The reduction in Group 1 strain levels decreased in correlation with LVEF (p < 0.001) while in Group 2, there were no significant changes in LVEF but strain levels were significantly reduced (p = 0.091; p < 0.001). Compared with the control group patients, admission GLS and GLC values of CO-poisoned patients were significantly low both in Group 1 and 2. On the contrary, no significant difference was observed when compared with follow-up GLS value. For prediction of CO cardiotoxicity, the cutoff value of GLS was ≥ - 19.1 with a sensitivity of 70.3% and a specificity of 100% [(AUC) 0.840, 95% (CI) 0.735-0.916; p < 0.001] in the ROC curve analyses. GLS was found as independent predictors of cardiotoxicity. Our study demonstrates the potential of using systolic strain values obtained using 2D-STE in determining cardiotoxicity due to CO poisoning. Speckle tracking echocardiography has the potential of demonstrating subtle LV systolic dysfunction even in CO poisoning patients with preserved EF.

Nck-Interacting Ste20 Kinase Couples Eph Receptors to c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase and Integrin Activation

PubMed Central

Becker, Elena; Huynh-Do, Uyen; Holland, Sacha; Pawson, Tony; Daniel, Tom O.; Skolnik, Edward Y.

2000-01-01

The mammalian Ste20 kinase Nck-interacting kinase (NIK) specifically activates the c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) mitogen-activated protein kinase module. NIK also binds the SH3 domains of the SH2/SH3 adapter protein Nck. To determine whether Nck functions as an adapter to couple NIK to a receptor tyrosine kinase signaling pathway, we determined whether NIK is activated by Eph receptors (EphR). EphRs constitute the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK), and members of this family play important roles in patterning of the nervous and vascular systems. In this report, we show that NIK kinase activity is specifically increased in cells stimulated by two EphRs, EphB1 and EphB2. EphB1 kinase activity and phosphorylation of a juxtamembrane tyrosine (Y594), conserved in all Eph receptors, are both critical for NIK activation by EphB1. Although pY594 in the EphB1R has previously been shown to bind the SH2 domain of Nck, we found that stimulation of EphB1 and EphB2 led predominantly to a complex between NIK/Nck, p62dok, RasGAP, and an unidentified 145-kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated protein. Tyrosine-phosphorylated p62dok most probably binds directly to the SH2 domain of Nck and RasGAP and indirectly to NIK bound to the SH3 domain of Nck. We found that NIK activation is also critical for coupling EphB1R to biological responses that include the activation of integrins and JNK by EphB1. Taken together, these findings support a model in which the recruitment of the Ste20 kinase NIK to phosphotyrosine-containing proteins by Nck is an important proximal step in the signaling cascade downstream of EphRs. PMID:10669731

Multigene Assessment of the Species Boundaries and Sexual Status of the Basidiomycetous Yeasts Cryptococcus flavescens and C. terrestris (Tremellales)

PubMed Central

Sharma, Lav; Carvalho, Cláudia; Fonseca, Álvaro

2015-01-01

Cryptococcus flavescens and C. terrestris are phenotypically indistinguishable sister species that belong to the order Tremellales (Tremellomycetes, Basidiomycota) and which may be mistaken for C. laurentii based on phenotype. Phylogenetic separation between C. flavescens and C. terrestris was based on rDNA sequence analyses, but very little is known on their intraspecific genetic variability or propensity for sexual reproduction. We studied 59 strains from different substrates and geographic locations, and used a multilocus sequencing (MLS) approach complemented with the sequencing of mating type (MAT) genes to assess genetic variation and reexamine the boundaries of the two species, as well as their sexual status. The following five loci were chosen for MLS: the rDNA ITS-LSU region, the rDNA IGS1 spacer, and fragments of the genes encoding the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1), the translation elongation factor 1 alpha (TEF1) and the p21-activated protein kinase (STE20). Phylogenetic network analyses confirmed the genetic separation of the two species and revealed two additional cryptic species, for which the names Cryptococcus baii and C. ruineniae are proposed. Further analyses of the data revealed a high degree of genetic heterogeneity within C. flavescens as well as evidence for recombination between lineages detected for this species. Strains of C. terrestris displayed higher levels of similarity in all analysed genes and appear to make up a single recombining group. The two MAT genes (STE3 and SXI1/SXI2) sequenced for C. flavescens strains confirmed the potential for sexual reproduction and suggest the presence of a tetrapolar mating system with a biallelic pheromone/receptor locus and a multiallelic HD locus. In C. terrestris we could only sequence STE3, which revealed a biallelic P/R locus. In spite of the strong evidence for sexual recombination in the two species, attempts at mating compatible strains of both species on culture media were unsuccessful. PMID:25811603

Presence of post-systolic shortening is an independent predictor of heart failure in patients following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

PubMed

Brainin, Philip; Haahr-Pedersen, Sune; Sengeløv, Morten; Olsen, Flemming Javier; Fritz-Hansen, Thomas; Jensen, Jan Skov; Biering-Sørensen, Tor

2018-05-01

Following an ischemic event post systolic shortening (PSS) may occur. We investigated the association between PSS in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) and occurrence of cardiovascular events at follow-up. A total of 373 patients admitted with STEMI and treated with pPCI were prospectively included in the study cohort. All patients were examined by echocardiography a median of 2 days after admission (interquartile range, 1-3 days). PSS was measured by color tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in six myocardial walls from all three apical projections. During a median follow-up period of 5.4 years (interquartile range, 4.1-6.0 years), 180 events occurred: 59 deaths, 70 heart failures (HF) and 51 new myocardial infarctions (MI). In multivariable analysis adjusting for: age, sex, peak troponin, left ventricle ejection fraction, TIMI flow grade, left ventricle mass index, hypertension and diabetes, presence of PSS by TDI in the culprit region was associated with a nearly twofold increased risk of HF (HR 1.90, 95% CI 1.02-3.53, P = 0.043) and the risk of HF increased incrementally with increasing numbers of walls displaying PSS. The increased risk of HF was confirmed when assessing the post-systolic index by STE (HR 1.29 95% CI 1.09-1.53, P = 0.003, per 1% increase). A regional analysis showed that PSS by TDI in the septal wall was the strongest predictor of HF (HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.08-2.92, P = 0.024). Presence of PSS was not associated with increased risk of death or MI. In patients with STEMI treated with pPCI, the presence of PSS examined by TDI and STE provides prognostic information on development of HF. Presence of PSS in the septal wall is the strongest predictor of HF.

High-Intensity Training Improves Global and Segmental Strains in Severe Congestive Heart Failure.

PubMed

Blumberg, Yair; Ertracht, Offir; Gershon, Itai; Bachner-Hinenzon, Noa; Reuveni, Tali; Atar, Shaul

2017-05-01

High-intensity training (HIT) is superior to moderate aerobic training (MAT) for improving quality of life in congestive heart failure (CHF) patients. Speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) has recently been suggested for estimation of left ventricle global and regional function. We evaluated the utility of STE for characterizing differences in cardiac function following MAT or HIT in a CHF rat model. After baseline physiologic assessment, CHF was induced by means of coronary artery ligation in Sprague-Dawley rats. Repeated measurements confirmed the presence of CHF (ejection fraction 52 ± 10%, global circumferential strain (GCS) 10.5 ± 4, and maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O 2 max ) 71 ± 11 mL⋅min -1 ⋅kg -1 ; P < .001 vs baseline for all). Subsequently, rats were divided into training protocols: sedentary (SED), MAT, or HIT. After the training period, rats underwent the same measurements and were killed. Training intensity improved V˙O 2 max (73 ± 13 mL⋅min -1 ⋅kg -1 in MAT [P < .01 vs baseline] and 82 ± 6 mL⋅min -1 ⋅kg -1 in HIT [P < .05 vs baseline or SED] and ejection fraction (50 ± 21% in MAT [P < .001 vs baseline] and 66 ± 7% in HIT [P > .05 vs baseline]). In addition, strains of specific segments adjacent to the infarct zone regained basal values (P > .05 vs baseline), whereas global cardiac functional parameters as assessed with the use of 2-dimensional echocardiography did not improve. High-intensity exercise training improved function in myocardial segments remote from the scar, which resulted in compensatory cardiac remodeling. This effect is prominent, yet it could be detected only with the use of STE. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

40. Photocopied August 1978. EXCAVATION IN THE FOREBAY, VIEW LOOKING ...

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

40. Photocopied August 1978. EXCAVATION IN THE FOREBAY, VIEW LOOKING WEST, MARCH 31, 1899. THE EQUIPMENT USED IN THIS AREA WAS MAINLY MAN-OR HORSE-POWERED SINCE SOIL CONDITIONS HERE (NEAR THE RIVER) WERE TOO SOFT TO PERMIT HEAVY EQUIPMENT. (28) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

19 CFR 24.24 - Harbor maintenance fee.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... are intraport. 0404—Gloucester 0407—Fall River Michigan 3843—Alpena Fee does not apply to Stoneport... intraport. Upper Lake Huron Ports3803—Sault Ste. Marie 3804—Saginaw-Flint-Bay City 3843—Alpena Includes all points on the St. Mary's River, the ports of Cheyboygan, Alpena, Bay City, and Saginaw River. Does not...

Flight Display Integration

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-10-01

public, including foreign nationals. National Technical Information Service 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield VA 22161 Federal Government...Technical Information Center 8725 John J. Kingman Rd., STE 0944, Ft Belvoir VA 22060-6218 TECHNICAL REVIEW AND APPROVAL AFRL-HE-WP-TR-2006...and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302, and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction

Ballistic Evaluation of Magnesium Alloy AZ31B

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-04-01

4, and the 0.22-cal, 0.50-cal, and 20-mm FSPs produced in accordance with MIL- DTL-46593B (MR), issued 6 July 2006, as depicted in figure 5. Figure...BIRCH STE 210 BREA CA 92821-6267 6 RMI TITANIUM CO ATTN J BENNETT E CHRIST F JANOWSKI W PALLANTE S ROBERTSON O YU 1000 WARREN

76 FR 58292 - Announcement of Funding Awards for Fiscal Year 2011; Doctoral Dissertation Research Grant Program

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-20

... Harvard University, Ms. Kathryn Edin, President and Fellows of Harvard University, 1350 Massachusetts...: $25,000 to Tanja Kubas- Meyer. 9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Mr. William Rohe, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 104 Airport Drive, Ste. 2200 CB 1350, Chapel Hill, NC 27599...

77 FR 34125 - Wisconsin Central Ltd.-Intra-Corporate Family Merger Exemption-Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-08

... Ltd.--Intra-Corporate Family Merger Exemption-- Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Company Wisconsin... 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(3) for an intra-corporate family transaction. WCL, a rail carrier, is a wholly owned... transaction, the WCTC family of rail carriers also included WCL, Fox Valley & Western Ltd. (FVW), Sault Ste...

28. Photocopied August 1978. UPPER INTAKE COFFER DAM, OCTOBER 7, ...

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

28. Photocopied August 1978. UPPER INTAKE COFFER DAM, OCTOBER 7, 1901. LOGS WERE PLACED ON THE WATER SIDE OF THIS DAM TO COUNTERACT WAVE ACTION AGAINST THE DAM. NOTE THE TIMBER RETAINING WALL ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE LOWER INTAKE. (185) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

84. Photocopied August 1978. REPAIRING FOREBAY LEAK, NOVEMBER 1907. THE ...

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

84. Photocopied August 1978. REPAIRING FOREBAY LEAK, NOVEMBER 1907. THE PILE-DRIVER IS DRIVING NEW PILES FOR THE FOREBAY APRON, CLAY BACKFILL AND PLANKING CREWS ARE BUSY AT THE RIGHT. MUCH OF THE FOREBAY FLOOR WAS ALSO REPLANKED AT THIS TIME. (520) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

Brunei English: A Developing Variety

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

O'Hara-Davies, Breda

2010-01-01

A considerable amount of time has elapsed since the existence of a distinct variety of English, Brunei English (BNE), was mooted in the early 1990s. A subsequent study conducted by Svalberg in 1998 suggested that BNE was then in its infancy and that its speakers were largely unaware of the differences between it and Standard British English (STE).…

Nepal Ambient Monitoring and Source Testing Experiment (NAMaSTE): emissions of trace gases and light-absorbing carbon from wood and dung cooking fires, garbage and crop residue burning, brick kilns, and other sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stockwell, Chelsea E.; Christian, Ted J.; Goetz, J. Douglas; Jayarathne, Thilina; Bhave, Prakash V.; Praveen, Puppala S.; Adhikari, Sagar; Maharjan, Rashmi; DeCarlo, Peter F.; Stone, Elizabeth A.; Saikawa, Eri; Blake, Donald R.; Simpson, Isobel J.; Yokelson, Robert J.; Panday, Arnico K.

2016-09-01

The Nepal Ambient Monitoring and Source Testing Experiment (NAMaSTE) campaign took place in and around the Kathmandu Valley and in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) of southern Nepal during April 2015. The source characterization phase targeted numerous important but undersampled (and often inefficient) combustion sources that are widespread in the developing world such as cooking with a variety of stoves and solid fuels, brick kilns, open burning of municipal solid waste (a.k.a. trash or garbage burning), crop residue burning, generators, irrigation pumps, and motorcycles. NAMaSTE produced the first, or rare, measurements of aerosol optical properties, aerosol mass, and detailed trace gas chemistry for the emissions from many of the sources. This paper reports the trace gas and aerosol measurements obtained by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, whole-air sampling (WAS), and photoacoustic extinctiometers (PAX; 405 and 870 nm) based on field work with a moveable lab sampling authentic sources. The primary aerosol optical properties reported include emission factors (EFs) for scattering and absorption coefficients (EF Bscat, EF Babs, in m2 kg-1 fuel burned), single scattering albedos (SSAs), and absorption Ångström exponents (AAEs). From these data we estimate black and brown carbon (BC, BrC) emission factors (g kg-1 fuel burned). The trace gas measurements provide EFs (g kg-1) for CO2, CO, CH4, selected non-methane hydrocarbons up to C10, a large suite of oxygenated organic compounds, NH3, HCN, NOx, SO2, HCl, HF, etc. (up to ˜ 80 gases in all). The emissions varied significantly by source, and light absorption by both BrC and BC was important for many sources. The AAE for dung-fuel cooking fires (4.63 ± 0.68) was significantly higher than for wood-fuel cooking fires (3.01 ± 0.10). Dung-fuel cooking fires also emitted high levels of NH3 (3.00 ± 1.33 g kg-1), organic acids (7.66 ± 6.90 g kg-1), and HCN (2.01 ± 1.25 g kg-1), where the latter could contribute to satellite observations of high levels of HCN in the lower stratosphere above the Asian monsoon. HCN was also emitted in significant quantities by several non-biomass burning sources. BTEX compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes) were major emissions from both dung- (˜ 4.5 g kg-1) and wood-fuel (˜ 1.5 g kg-1) cooking fires, and a simple method to estimate indoor exposure to the many measured important air toxics is described. Biogas emerged as the cleanest cooking technology of approximately a dozen stove-fuel combinations measured. Crop residue burning produced relatively high emissions of oxygenated organic compounds (˜ 12 g kg-1) and SO2 (2.54 ± 1.09 g kg-1). Two brick kilns co-firing different amounts of biomass with coal as the primary fuel produced contrasting results. A zigzag kiln burning mostly coal at high efficiency produced larger amounts of BC, HF, HCl, and NOx, with the halogenated emissions likely coming from the clay. The clamp kiln (with relatively more biomass fuel) produced much greater quantities of most individual organic gases, about twice as much BrC, and significantly more known and likely organic aerosol precursors. Both kilns were significant SO2 sources with their emission factors averaging 12.8 ± 0.2 g kg-1. Mixed-garbage burning produced significantly more BC (3.3 ± 3.88 g kg-1) and BTEX (˜ 4.5 g kg-1) emissions than in previous measurements. For all fossil fuel sources, diesel burned more efficiently than gasoline but produced larger NOx and aerosol emission factors. Among the least efficient sources sampled were gasoline-fueled motorcycles during start-up and idling for which the CO EF was on the order of ˜ 700 g kg-1 - or about 10 times that of a typical biomass fire. Minor motorcycle servicing led to minimal if any reduction in gaseous pollutants but reduced particulate emissions, as detailed in a companion paper (Jayarathne et al., 2016). A small gasoline-powered generator and an "insect repellent fire" were also among the sources with the highest emission factors for pollutants. These measurements begin to address the critical data gap for these important, undersampled sources, but due to their diversity and abundance, more work is needed.

Transient Pressure Test Article Test Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vibbart, Charles M.

1989-01-01

The Transient Pressure Test Article (TPTA) test program is being conducted at a new test facility located in the East Test Area at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama. This facility, along with the special test equipment (STE) required for facility support, was constructed specifically to test and verify the sealing capability of the Redesigned Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) field, igniter, and nozzle joints. The test article consists of full scale RSRM hardware loaded with inert propellant and assembled in a short stack configuration. The TPTA is pressurized by igniting a propellant cartridge capable of inducing a pressure rise rate which stimulates the ignition transient that occurs during launch. Dynamic loads are applied during the pressure cycle to simulate external tank attach (ETA) strut loads present on the ETA ring. Sealing ability of the redesigned joints is evaluated under joint movement conditions produced by these combined loads since joint sealing ability depends on seal resilience velocity being greater than gap opening velocity. Also, maximum flight dynamic loads are applied to the test article which is either pressurized to 600 psia using gaseous nitrogen (GN2) or applied to the test article as the pressure decays inside the test article on the down cycle after the ignition transient cycle. This new test facility is examined with respect to its capabilities. In addition, both the topic of test effectiveness versus space vehicle flight performance and new aerospace test techniques, as well as a comparison between the old SRM design and the RSRM are presented.

Sediment storage dam: A structural gully erosion control and sediment trapping measure, northern Ethiopia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mekonnen, Mulatie; Keesstra, Saskia; Baartman, Jantiene; Ritsema, Coen

2014-05-01

Gully erosion is a prime problem in Ethiopia. This study assessed the severity of gully erosion and the role of sediment storage dams (SSD) in restoring gullies and preventing further gully development, its sediment trapping efficacy (STE) and its capacity in converting degraded gully lands to productive land. On average 2.5 m deep, 6.6 m wide and 28.3 m long gullies were formed in Minizr watershed, northwest Ethiopia, in 2013. Concentrated surface runoff, traditional ditches, graded terraces without suitable water ways and road construction are the main causes of such serious gully erosion. Over grazing, tunnel flow and lack of proper immediate gully treatment actions after gully initiation are found to be additional causes of the problem. Gully erosion was also found as the major source of sediment for downstream rivers and water reservoirs. The annual volume of soil eroded from only four gullies was 1941.3 m3. To control gully erosion, SSDs were found to be important physical structures, which can trap significant amount of sediment within gullies and they can convert unproductive gully land to productive agricultural land for fruit and crop production. Eight SSDs trapped about 44*103 m3 of sediment within 2 to 8 years. Two representative SSDs constructed using gabion and stone were tested for their STE. Results showed that their efficacy was 74.1% and 66.4% for the gabion and stone SSDs, respectively. Six of the older SSDs were already full of sediment and created 0.75 ha of productive land within 2 to 8 years. SSDs best fits to treat large size and deep gullies where other gully control measures, check dams, could not function well. To prevent gully formation, controlling its causes that is avoiding traditional ditches, practicing grassed water ways to safely remove runoff water from graded terraces, integrated watershed and road side management practices are important solutions. KEY WORDS: Sediment storage dam, gully erosion, sediment trapping efficacy, productive land, Ethiopia

Conflation and integration of archived geologic maps and associated uncertainties

USGS Publications Warehouse

Shoberg, Thomas G.

2016-01-01

Old, archived geologic maps are often available with little or no associated metadata. This creates special problems in terms of extracting their data to use with a modern database. This research focuses on some problems and uncertainties associated with conflating older geologic maps in regions where modern geologic maps are, as yet, non-existent as well as vertically integrating the conflated maps with layers of modern GIS data (in this case, The National Map of the U.S. Geological Survey). Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri was chosen as the test area. It is covered by six archived geologic maps constructed in the years between 1928 and 1994. Conflating these maps results in a map that is internally consistent with these six maps, is digitally integrated with hydrography, elevation and orthoimagery data, and has a 95% confidence interval useful for further data set integration.

A processing centre for the CNES CE-GPS experimentation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Suard, Norbert; Durand, Jean-Claude

1994-01-01

CNES is involved in a GPS (Global Positioning System) geostationary overlay experimentation. The purpose of this experimentation is to test various new techniques in order to select the optimal station synchronization method, as well as the geostationary spacecraft orbitography method. These new techniques are needed to develop the Ranging GPS Integrity Channel services. The CNES experimentation includes three transmitting/receiving ground stations (manufactured by IN-SNEC), one INMARSAT 2 C/L band transponder and a processing center named STE (Station de Traitements de l'Experimentation). Not all the techniques to be tested are implemented, but the experimental system has to include several functions; part of the future system simulation functions, such as a servo-loop function, and in particular a data collection function providing for rapid monitoring of system operation, analysis of existing ground station processes, and several weeks of data coverage for other scientific studies. This paper discusses system architecture and some criteria used in its design, as well as the monitoring function, the approach used to develop a low-cost and short-life processing center in collaboration with a CNES sub-contractor (ATTDATAID), and some results.

Proceedings of the Canadian Camping Association Outdoor Education Conference (La Caleche, Ste-Agathe, Que, October 3-6, 1974.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Canadian Camping Association.

The proceedings of the National Outdoor Education Conference include 3 addresses on outdoor education and camping and 3 workshops reports, representing the input of some 60 delegates from every part of Canada. Emphasizing living and learning, quality of life, and utilization of the environment, the speeches are aimed at defining and clarifying the…

Reconnaissance Report for Hydropower Redevelopment at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-01-01

Pink Salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Round Whitefish Prosopium cylindraceum Cisco Coregonus spp. Northern Pike Esox lucius White Sucker Catostomus...from white to mottled pink and purple- scattered white and gray reduction spots are abundant. The bedding is irregular and characterized by ripple marks...Brook trout x lake trout Coho Salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Pink Salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Round Whitefish

Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast: Leveraging the Past and the Changing of the Guard

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Freed, Debbie

2016-01-01

With a great wave of baby boomers retiring, school leadership is in the midst of a generational shift. At the same time, schools themselves are changing with rapid technological advances and a new 21st century focus on, among other things, STE(A)M, project-based learning, blended and online learning, innovation, mindfulness, global education, and…

113. Photocopied August 1978. LOMBARD GOVERNOR UNIT. DURING THE EXPANSION ...

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

113. Photocopied August 1978. LOMBARD GOVERNOR UNIT. DURING THE EXPANSION PROGRAM UNDERTAKEN BY THE MICHIGAN NORTHERN POWER COMPANY C. 1913 TO C. 1920 LOMBARD GOVERNORS WERE INSTALLED ON ALL OF THE TURBINES. PREVIOUSLY THERE HAD BEEN ONLY TWO OR THREE GOVERNORS IN THE ENTIRE PLANT. (898) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

77 FR 67386 - Announcement of Funding Awards; Indian Community Development Block Grant Program; Fiscal Year 2012

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-09

... Jefferson Ave, Ste 260, Temecula, CA 92590, (951) 760- 7390. Arctic Village, Raymond Tritt, First 530,000 Housing Construction...... Construction of 2 homes. Chief, P.O. Box 22069, Arctic Village, AK 99722, (907..., Chairperson, P.O. Box 529, to the Chere-ere Bridge RV Klamath, CA 95548, (707) 482-2431. Park. Sac & Fox Tribe...

Richard L. Hurley, 1934-2008

Treesearch

Justin Runyon

2008-01-01

Richard Lester Hurley, dolichopodid worker and friend to everyone, passed away on September 3rd at the age of 74. He was born on June 22, 1934 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and received a B.A. in biology from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario in 1957. For his senior thesis, he conducted an insect survey of the Lake Opinicon region. Rich spent the summers of...

78 FR 9890 - DoD Board of Actuaries; Notice of Federal Advisory Committee Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-12

... DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary DoD Board of Actuaries; Notice of Federal Advisory... Advisory Committee meeting of the DoD Board of Actuaries will take place. DATES: July 18, 2013, from 1:00 p... Defense Human Resource Activity, DoD Office of the Actuary, 4800 Mark Center Drive, STE 06J25-01...

Examining the Chirality, Conformation and Selective Kinase Inhibition of 3-((3R,4R)-4-methyl-3-(methyl(7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)amino)piperidin-1-yl)-3-oxopropanenitrile (CP-690,550)

PubMed Central

Jiang, Jian-kang; Ghoreschi, Kamran; Deflorian, Francesca; Chen, Zhi; Perreira, Melissa; Pesu, Marko; Smith, Jeremy; Nguyen, Dac-Trung; Liu, Eric H.; Leister, William; Costanzi, Stefano; O’Shea, John J.; Thomas, Craig J.

2009-01-01

Here, we examine the significance that stereochemistry plays within the clinically relevant Janus Kinase 3 (Jak3) inhibitor CP-690,550. A synthesis of all four enantiopure stereoisomers of the drug was carried out and an examination of each compound revealed that only the enantiopure 3R, 4R isomer was capable of blocking Stat5 phosphorylation (Jak3 dependent). Each compound was profiled across a panel of over 350 kinases which revealed a high level of selectivity for the Jak family kinases for these related compounds. Each stereoisomer retained a degree of binding to Jak3 and Jak2 and the 3R, 4S and 3S, 4R stereoisomers were further revealed to have binding affinity for selected members of the STE7 and STE20 subfamily of kinases. Finally, an appraisal of the minimum energy conformation of each stereoisomer and molecular docking at Jak3 was performed in an effort to better understand each compounds selectivity and potency profiles. PMID:19053756

A Study of the Impact of Dams on Streamflow and Sediment Retention in the Mekong River Basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Munroe, T.; Anderson, E.; Markert, K. N.; Griffin, R.

2017-12-01

Dam construction in the Mekong Basin has many cascading effects on the ecology, economy, and hydrology of the surrounding region. Current studies that assess the hydrological impact of dams in the region focus on only one or a small subset (<10) of dams. The focus of this study is to utilize the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), a rainfall-runoff hydrologic model to determine change in streamflow and sedimentation in the Mekong Basin before and after the construction of dams. This study uses land cover land use and reservoir datasets created by the NASA SERVIR-Mekong Regional Land Cover Monitoring System and Dam Inundation Mapping Tool as inputs into the model. The study also builds on the capabilities of the SWAT model by using the sediment trapping efficiency (STE) equation from Brune (1953), rewritten by Kummu (2007), to calculate STE of dams and estimate change in sediment concentration downstream. The outputs from this study can be used to inform dam operation policies, study the correlation between dams and delta subsidence, and study the impact of dams on river fisheries, which are all pressing issues in the Mekong region.

The Steroid Hormone 20-Hydroxyecdysone Up-regulates Ste-20 Family Serine/Threonine Kinase Hippo to Induce Programmed Cell Death.

PubMed

Dong, Du-Juan; Jing, Yu-Pu; Liu, Wen; Wang, Jin-Xing; Zhao, Xiao-Fan

2015-10-09

The steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and the serine/threonine Ste20-like kinase Hippo signal promote programmed cell death (PCD) during development, although the interaction between them remains unclear. Here, we present evidence that 20E up-regulates Hippo to induce PCD during the metamorphic development of insects. We found that Hippo is involved in 20E-induced metamorphosis via promoting the phosphorylation and cytoplasmic retention of Yorkie (Yki), causing suppressed expression of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP), thereby releasing its inhibitory effect on caspase. Furthermore, we show that 20E induced the expression of Hippo at the transcriptional level through the ecdysone receptor (EcR), ultraspiracle protein (USP), and hormone receptor 3 (HR3). We also found that Hippo suppresses the binding of Yki complex to the HR3 promoter. In summary, 20E up-regulates the transcription of Hippo via EcRB1, USP1, and HR3 to induce PCD, and Hippo has negative feedback effects on HR3 expression. These two signaling pathways coordinate PCD during insect metamorphosis. © 2015 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Sexual Biofilm Formation in Candida tropicalis Opaque Cells

PubMed Central

Jones, Stephen K.; Hirakawa, Matthew P.; Bennett, Richard J.

2014-01-01

Summary Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis are opportunistic fungal pathogens that can transition between white and opaque phenotypic states. White and opaque cells differ both morphologically and in their responses to environmental signals. In C. albicans, opaque cells respond to sexual pheromones by undergoing conjugation, while white cells are induced by pheromones to form sexual biofilms. Here, we show that sexual biofilm formation also occurs in C. tropicalis but, unlike C. albicans, biofilms are formed exclusively by opaque cells. C. tropicalis biofilm formation was dependent on the pheromone receptors Ste2 and Ste3, confirming the role of pheromone signaling in sexual biofilm development. Structural analysis of C. tropicalis sexual biofilms revealed stratified communities consisting of a basal layer of yeast cells and an upper layer of filamentous cells, together with an extracellular matrix. Transcriptional profiling showed that genes involved in pheromone signaling and conjugation were upregulated in sexual biofilms. Furthermore, FGR23, which encodes an agglutinin-like protein, was found to enhance both mating and sexual biofilm formation. Together, these studies reveal that C. tropicalis opaque cells form sexual biofilms with a complex architecture, and suggest a conserved role for sexual agglutinins in mediating mating, cell cohesion and biofilm formation. PMID:24612417

The Drosophila TIPE family member Sigmar interacts with the Ste20-like kinase Misshapen and modulates JNK signaling, cytoskeletal remodeling and autophagy.

PubMed

Chittaranjan, Suganthi; Xu, Jing; Kuzyk, Michael; Dullat, Harpreet K; Wilton, James; DeVorkin, Lindsay; Lebovitz, Chandra; Morin, Gregg B; Marra, Marco A; Gorski, Sharon M

2015-04-02

TNFAIP8 and other mammalian TIPE family proteins have attracted increased interest due to their associations with disease-related processes including oncogenic transformation, metastasis, and inflammation. The molecular and cellular functions of TIPE family proteins are still not well understood. Here we report the molecular and genetic characterization of the Drosophila TNFAIP8 homolog, CG4091/sigmar. Previous gene expression studies revealed dynamic expression of sigmar in larval salivary glands prior to histolysis. Here we demonstrate that in sigmar loss-of-function mutants, the salivary glands are morphologically abnormal with defects in the tubulin network and decreased autophagic flux. Sigmar localizes subcellularly to microtubule-containing projections in Drosophila S2 cells, and co-immunoprecipitates with the Ste20-like kinase Misshapen, a regulator of the JNK pathway. Further, the Drosophila TNF ligand Eiger can induce sigmar expression, and sigmar loss-of-function leads to altered localization of pDJNK in salivary glands. Together, these findings link Sigmar to the JNK pathway, cytoskeletal remodeling and autophagy activity during salivary gland development, and provide new insights into TIPE family member function. © 2015. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

The Drosophila TIPE family member Sigmar interacts with the Ste20-like kinase Misshapen and modulates JNK signaling, cytoskeletal remodeling and autophagy

PubMed Central

Chittaranjan, Suganthi; Xu, Jing; Kuzyk, Michael; Dullat, Harpreet K.; Wilton, James; DeVorkin, Lindsay; Lebovitz, Chandra; Morin, Gregg B.; Marra, Marco A.; Gorski, Sharon M.

2015-01-01

TNFAIP8 and other mammalian TIPE family proteins have attracted increased interest due to their associations with disease-related processes including oncogenic transformation, metastasis, and inflammation. The molecular and cellular functions of TIPE family proteins are still not well understood. Here we report the molecular and genetic characterization of the Drosophila TNFAIP8 homolog, CG4091/sigmar. Previous gene expression studies revealed dynamic expression of sigmar in larval salivary glands prior to histolysis. Here we demonstrate that in sigmar loss-of-function mutants, the salivary glands are morphologically abnormal with defects in the tubulin network and decreased autophagic flux. Sigmar localizes subcellularly to microtubule-containing projections in Drosophila S2 cells, and co-immunoprecipitates with the Ste20-like kinase Misshapen, a regulator of the JNK pathway. Further, the Drosophila TNF ligand Eiger can induce sigmar expression, and sigmar loss-of-function leads to altered localization of pDJNK in salivary glands. Together, these findings link Sigmar to the JNK pathway, cytoskeletal remodeling and autophagy activity during salivary gland development, and provide new insights into TIPE family member function. PMID:25836674

Mammalian Ste20-like protein kinase 3 mediates trophoblast apoptosis in spontaneous delivery.

PubMed

Wu, Hung-Yi; Lin, Chia-Ying; Lin, Tze-Yi; Chen, Tai-Chang; Yuan, Chiun-Jye

2008-02-01

The placenta is essential in transferring gases and nutrients from the mother to the developing fetus. Trophoblast apoptosis may cause labor or other pregnancy-related disorders. This study demonstrated the essential role of Mst3, a human Ste20-like protein kinase, in the oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of trophoblasts of term placenta in normal spontaneous delivery. Oxidative stress, but not hormones released during labor such as prostaglandin E1, oxytocin or angiotensin II, induces the expression of Mst3 and apoptosis of human term placenta after elective Cesarean section without labor pain. The role of Mst3 in oxidative stress-induced apoptosis was further demonstrated in the 3A-sub-E, a human trophoblast cell line. The H2O2-induced apoptosis of 3A-sub-E cells was largely suppressed by overexpressed Mst3KR, the kinase-dead mutant or by selective knockdown of endogenous Mst3. Further studies showed that Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) may participate in the signaling pathway of H2O2-induced apoptosis by mediating the level of Mst3. Subsequently, caspase 3 and other downstream apoptotic components may be activated by Mst3 and trigger the apoptotic process in human trophoblasts.

Transforming growth factor β-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition requires the Ste20-like kinase SLK independently of its catalytic activity

PubMed Central

Conway, Jillian; Al-Zahrani, Khalid N.; Pryce, Benjamin R.; Abou-Hamad, John; Sabourin, Luc A.

2017-01-01

Invasion can be stimulated in vitro using the soluble ligand transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) to induce a process called epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) characterized by cell-cell junction breakdown and an invasive phenotype. We have previously demonstrated a role for Ste20-like kinase SLK cell migration and invasion. Here we show that SLK depletion in NMuMG mammary epithelial cells significantly impairs their TGFβ-induced migration and invasion. Immunofluorescence studies show that a fraction of SLK localizes to E-cadherin-positive adherens junction and that SLK impairs the breakdown of cell-cell contacts. We find that SLK-depleted cultures express significantly lower levels of vimentin protein as well as Snai1 and E-cadherin mRNA levels following TGF-β treatment. Surprisingly, our data show that SLK depletion does not affect the activation and nuclear translocation of Smad3. Furthermore, we show that expression of a dominant negative kinase does not impair tight junction breakdown and rescues Snai1 mRNA expression levels. Together these data suggest that SLK plays a novel role in TGFβ-induced EMT, independent of Smads, in a kinase activity-independent manner. PMID:29228724

Non-Toxic Dual Thrust Reaction Control Engine Development for On-Orbit APS Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Robinson, Philip J.; Veith, Eric M.

2003-01-01

A non-toxic dual thrust proof-of-concept demonstration engine was successfully tested at the Aerojet Sacramento facility under a technology contract sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The goals of the NASA MSFC contract (NAS8-01109) were to develop and expand the technical maturity of a non-toxic, on-orbit auxiliary propulsion system (APS) thruster under the Next Generation Launch Technology (NGLT) program. The demonstration engine utilized the existing Kistler K-1 870 lbf LOX/Ethanol orbital maneuvering engine ( O m ) coupled with some special test equipment (STE) that enabled engine operation at 870 lbf in the primary mode and 25 lbf in the vernier mode. Ambient testing in primary mode varied mixture ratio (MR) from 1.28 to 1.71 and chamber pressure (P(c) from 110 to 181 psia, and evaluated electrical pulse widths (EPW) of 0.080, 0.100 and 0.250 seconds. Altitude testing in vernier mode explored igniter and thruster pulsing characteristics, long duration steady state operation (greater than 420 sec) and the impact of varying the percent fuel film cooling on vernier performance and chamber thermal response at low PC (4 psia). Data produced from the testing provided calibration of the performance and thermal models used in the design of the next version of the dual thrust Reaction Control Engine (RCE).

X-33/RLV Program Aerospike Engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1999-01-01

Substantial progress was made during the past year in support of the X-33/RLV program. X-33 activity was directed towards completing the remaining design work and building hardware to support test activities. RLV work focused on the nozzle ramp and powerpack technology tasks and on supporting vehicle configuration studies. On X-33, the design activity was completed to the detail level and the remainder of the drawings were released. Component fabrication and engine assembly activity was initiated, and the first two powerpacks and the GSE and STE needed to support powerpack testing were completed. Components fabrication is on track to support the first engine assembly schedule. Testing activity included powerpack testing and component development tests consisting of thrust cell single cell testing, CWI system spider testing, and EMA valve flow and vibration testing. Work performed for RLV was divided between engine system and technology development tasks. Engine system activity focused on developing the engine system configuration and supporting vehicle configuration studies. Also, engine requirements were developed, and engine performance analyses were conducted. In addition, processes were developed for implementing reliability, mass properties, and cost controls during design. Technology development efforts were divided between powerpack and nozzle ramp technology tasks. Powerpack technology activities were directed towards the development of a prototype powerpack and a ceramic turbine technology demonstrator (CTTD) test article which will allow testing of ceramic turbines and a close-coupled gas generator design. Nozzle technology efforts were focused on the selection of a composite nozzle supplier and on the fabrication and test of composite nozzle coupons.

A comparative study on the CT effective dose for various positions of the patient's arm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seong, Ji-Hye; Park, Soon-Ki; Kim, Jung-Sun; Jung, Woo-Young; Kim, Ho-Sung; Dong, Kyung-Rae; Chung, Woon-Kwan; Cho, Jae-Hwan; Cho, Young-Kuk

2012-10-01

In a whole body PET/CT (positron emission tomography/computed tomography) scan, lifting the patient's arm to improve the image quality is natural. On the other hand, the arms should be placed lower when the lesion is located in the head and neck. This study compared the CT effective dose for each arm position after applying AEC (automatic exposure control). Forty-five patients who had undergone an 18F-FDG (fluorine-18-fluoro deoxy glucose) whole body PET/CT scan were examined using Biograph Truepoint 40, Biograph Sensation 16, and Discovery STe 8 systems. The CT effective dose of 15 patients for each set of equipment was measured and analyzed comparatively in both the arm-lifted and arm-lowered positions. The ImPACT Ver. 1.0 program was used to measure the CT effective dose. A paired t-test (SPSS 18.0 statistic program) was applied for statistical analysis. In the case of the arm-lifted position, the CT effective dose measured for Biograph 40, Biograph 16, and DSTe 8 systems were 6.33 ± 0.93 mSv, 8.01 ± 1.34 mSv, and 9.69 ± 2.32 mSv, respectively. When the arms were located in the lower position, the respective CT effective doses were 6.97 ± 0.76 mSv, 8.95 ± 1.85 mSv, and 13.07 ± 2.87 mSv, respectively. These results revealed 9.2%, 10.5%, and 25.9% improvement in the CT effective doses for the Biograph 40, Biograph 16 and DSTe 8 systems, respectively, when the arms were raised compared to that when they were lowered (p < 0.05). For the whole body PET/CT case, the CT effective dose applying AEC showed a mean 15.2% decrease in the radiation exposure of the patients when the arm was lifted. The patient with no lesion in the head and neck would show fewer artifacts in the objective part and a lower CT effective dose. For a patient with a lesion in the head and neck, the artifacts in the objective part can be reduced by putting the arms down. The fact that the CT effective dose is increased in a whole-body PET/CT scan should be a concern.

SoSTeM Model Development for Application of Soft Skills to Engineering Students at Malaysian Polytechnics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Esa, Ahmad; Padil, Suhaili; Selamat, Asri; Idris, Mohammad Talha Mohamed

2015-01-01

Soft skills are some of the skills needed to ensure that graduates fulfill the needs of the job market. Until 2010, almost 30% of unemployed graduates in Malaysia are technical graduates and one third comes are graduates from polytechnic. Most engineering graduates are proficient in technical skills but lack in soft skills. The lack of relevant…

The Brachypodium-Puccinia graminis system: Solving a puzzle to uncover the underlying mechanisms of non-host resistance and plant immunity

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Brachypodium distachyon is regarded as non-host to the causal agent of stem rust in wheat and barley, P. graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt), and a near-host to the pathogens of forage grasses, P. graminis f. sp. lolii (Pgl) and P. graminis f. sp. phlei-pratensis (Pgp). Given the devastating effect of ste...

The Methodists' Great 1869 Camp Meeting and Aboriginal Conservation Strategies in the North Saskatchewan River Valley

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Colpitts, George

2009-01-01

The author analyzes a buffalo hunt which occurred in 1869. That spring, many hundreds of Cree, Assiniboine, Stoney, and Metis hunters going to the Plains were joined by a contingent of Wesleyan Methodists and their Native affiliates from Fort Edmonton, Pigeon Lake, Lac Ste. Anne, Lac La Biche, and Whitefish Lake--all located on the most northern…

24. Photcopied August 1978. SECTION I LOOKING EAST, AUGUST 25, ...

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

24. Photcopied August 1978. SECTION I LOOKING EAST, AUGUST 25, 1901. POWER COMPANY CREWS ARE AT WORK CONSTRUCTING A MASONRY WALL ON THE LEFT SIDE WHERE THE ROCK FALLS WELL BELOW THE PROJECTED WATER LINE. ALREADY COMPLETED MASONRY RETAINING WALLS ARE VISIBLE ALONG THE RIGHT BANK OF THE CANAL. (172) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

Positive Fungal Cultures in Burn Patients: A Multicenter Review

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-02-01

These factors include neutropenia, systemic ste- roids, central venous access,39 TPN, hemodialysis, diabetes mellitus, and urinary catheterization .40...burn treatment exposes patients to multiple other risks for fungal infection, including central venous lines, uri- nary catheters, prolonged...patients with central venous *See appendix for complete list of participants and institutions. This work was supported in part by a grant from Merck & Co

44. Photocopied August 1978. DREDGES WORKING AT POWER HOUSE LOCATION, ...

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

44. Photocopied August 1978. DREDGES WORKING AT POWER HOUSE LOCATION, DECEMBER 10, 1898. BY SPECIAL AGREEMENT, CONTRACTORS MASON & HODGE WERE PERMITTED TO BEGIN EXCAVATION OVER THE POWER HOUSE LOCATION WITH DREDGES, COMPLETING THE WORK LATER BEHIND THE COFFER DAM BEING CONSTRUCTED ON THE FAR RIGHT SIDE OF THE PICTURE. (21) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

76 FR 51044 - National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases; Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-17

... accordance with the provisions set forth in sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C., as amended... Research Activities, NIAMS/NIH, 6701 Democracy Blvd., Ste 800, Bethesda, MD 20892, 301-451-6515, [email protected] allowed on campus. Visitors will be asked to show one form of identification (for example, a government...

2. Wayne Chandler, Photographer, November 2000 Photographic copy of photograph ...

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

2. Wayne Chandler, Photographer, November 2000 Photographic copy of photograph (original print in possession of Heritage Research, Ltd. Menomonee Falls, WI) John N. Vogel, Photographer, July 2000 View to southeast. Aerial view of Soo Complex. From left to right, locks are Sabin, Davis, New Poe, and MacArthur - St. Mary's Falls Canal, Soo Locks, St. Mary's River at Falls, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

92. Photocopied August 1978. RHEOSTATS AND OIL SWITCHES, IN PENSTOCK ...

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

92. Photocopied August 1978. RHEOSTATS AND OIL SWITCHES, IN PENSTOCK 30 AREA, LOOKING WEST, AUGUST 11, 1914. THE RHEOSTATS AND OIL SWITCHES WERE REMOTELY CONTROLLED FROM THE SWITCHBOARD AND LOCATED AT CONVENIENT POINTS ALONG THE GENERATOR ROOM GALLERY SO THAT THE CONTROL PANELS COULD BE BUILT AS SLIMLY AS POSSIBLE. (916) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

A comparative evaluation of the GENE-up assay for the detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Introduction: Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 (STEC O157) remains one of the major food-borne public health threats since it was first identified as a pathogen in 1982. In the US, per year, the CDC estimates ca. 95,000 STEC O157 infections, among which ca. 3700 are lab confirmed cases. STE...

Effect of long-term and short-term progestagen treatment on follicular development and pregnancy rate in cyclic ewes.

PubMed

Viñoles, C; Forsberg, M; Banchero, G; Rubianes, E

2001-03-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the length of a progestagen treatment (12 d vs. 6 d) on follicular dynamics, estrus synchronization and pregnancy rate using medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) with or without an eCG dose at the end of MAP treatment. One hundred sixty Polwarth ewes were divided into four equal groups: long-term treated (LT, n=40); short-term treated (ST, n=40); long-term treated plus eCG (LTeCG, n=40); and short-term treated plus eCG (STeCG, n=40). Five ewes of each group were separated to undergo daily transrectal ultrasonography, and blood samples were taken for hormone determination. Until 96 h after sponge withdrawal the number of ewes in estrus was higher in both long-term-treated groups than in both short-term-treated groups but at the end of the observational period (144 h) no significant differences were found among groups. The pregnancy rate was higher in the ST group (87%) than in the other groups (LT, 63%; LTeCG, 67%; and STeCG, 58%; P< or =0.03). The ovulatory follicle emerged before sponge withdrawal in long-term-treated ewes (-3.8+/-0.4 d and -2.2+/-0.8 d for LT and LTeCG, respectively), whereas in short-term-treated ewes it emerges around sponge removal (0.4+/-1.1 d and 0.5+/-0.5 d for ST and STeCG, respectively; P< or =0.01). The ovulatory follicle in the LT group had a longer lifespan and attained a larger (P< or =0.05) maximum diameter than in the ST group. We conclude: a) that the lower pregnancy rate observed after long-term progestagen treatment was related to a slower follicular turnover that promoted the ovulation of persistent dominant follicles; (b) that short-term treatment resulted in a higher pregnancy rate probably due to the ovulation of newly recruited growing follicles; and (c) treatment with eCG had no advantage in association with long-term treatment and had a deleterious effect in combination with short-term treatment with MAP.

Observations of the UTLS: An analysis of the double tropopause and its relationship to Rossby waves and the tropopause inversion layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peevey, Tanya

The upper troposphere lower stratosphere (UTLS) is a region of minimum temperatures that contains the tropopause. As a transition region between the troposphere and the stratosphere, the UTLS contains various processes that facilitate stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE) which can redistribute radiatively important species such as water vapor or ozone. One potential marker for STE is the double tropopause (DT). Therefore this study seeks to further understand how DTs form and how they could enhance the current understanding of some STE processes in the UTLS. Using data from the High Resolution Dynamic Limb Sounder (HIRDLS), a data set with high vertical and horizontal resolution, newly discovered DT structures are found over the Pacific and Atlantic oceans that suggest a relationship between the DT and both storm tracks and Rossby waves. The association between DTs and storm tracks is examined by further analyzing the recently discovered and unexpected relationship between the DT and the tropopause inversion layer (TIL) in a developing baroclinic disturbance. Results show an increase in the number of DTs when the lapse rate of the extratropical TIL is less than -2°C/km, i.e. when the TIL is stronger and the local stability is higher. Composites of ERA-Interim DT profiles for three different TIL strengths shows that the vertical motion and relative vorticity both decrease as the TIL increases, which suggests the warm conveyor belt as a mechanism. This is investigated further with a case study analysis of a developing extratropical cyclone in the Pacific Ocean. Additionally, an analysis of DTs in relation to the large scale flow responsible for storm development shows a strong correlation between monthly Rossby wave activity, ozone laminae and DT variability. Further examination shows that if these waves break a DT will be found with a wave breaking event about 30% of the time in the eastern Pacific and eastern Atlantic oceans, both regions of poleward wave breaking. These results highlight a new and more complicated DT structure that is a product of both large scale dynamics and small scale vertical motions, thus adding new information to the current understanding of the UTLS.

Impact of diabatic processes on the tropopause inversion layer formation in baroclinic life cycles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kunkel, Daniel; Hoor, Peter; Wirth, Volkmar

2015-04-01

Observations of temperature profiles in the extratropical upper troposphere/lower stratosphere (UTLS) show the presence of an inversion layer just above the thermal tropopause, i.e., the tropopause inversion layer (TIL). In recent studies both diabatic and adiabatic processes have been identified to contribute to the formation of this layer. In particular, adiabatic simulations indicate a TIL formation without the explicit simulation of diabatic, i.e. radiative or humidity related, processes after wave breaking during baroclinic life cycles. One goal of this study is to assess the additional contribution of diabatic processes to the formation and strength of the TIL in such life cycles. Moreover, since irreversible stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE) is another inherent feature of baroclinic life cycles and a consequence of diabatic processes, we study whether there is a relationship between STE and TIL. We use the non-hydrostatic model COSMO in an idealized mid-latitude channel configuration to simulate baroclinic life cycles. In a first step contributions of individual diabatic processes from turbulence, radiation, and cloud microphysics to the formation of the TIL are analyzed. These results are compared to those from adiabatic simulations of baroclinic life cycles in which the TIL forms during the life cycle with the limitation of being less sharp than in observations. In a second step the combined effects of several diabatic processes are studied to further include interactions between these processes as well as to advance towards a more realistic model setup. The results suggest a much more vigorous development of the TIL due to microphysics and the release of latent heat. Moreover, radiative effects can foster an increase in static stability above the thermal tropopause when large gradients of either water vapor or cloud ice are present at the level of the tropopause. By additionally adding sub-grid scale turbulence, a co-location of high static stability and increased turbulent kinetic energy is found in the vicinity of cirrus clouds at the tropopause level. The potential relation between STE and high static stability is further discussed based on results from trajectory calculations and the distribution of passive tracers of tropospheric and stratospheric origin.

ECG Criteria to Differentiate Between Takotsubo (Stress) Cardiomyopathy and Myocardial Infarction.

PubMed

Frangieh, Antonio H; Obeid, Slayman; Ghadri, Jelena-Rima; Imori, Yoichi; D'Ascenzo, Fabrizio; Kovac, Marc; Ruschitzka, Frank; Lüscher, Thomas F; Duru, Firat; Templin, Christian

2016-06-13

ECG criteria differentiating Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) from mainly anterior myocardial infarction (MI) have been suggested; however, this was in small patient populations. Twelve-lead admission ECGs of consecutive 200 TTC and 200 MI patients were compared in dichotomized groups based on the presence or absence of ST-elevation MI (STEMI versus STE-TTC and non-ST elevation MI versus non ST-elevation-TTC). When comparing STEMI and STE-TTC, ST-elevation in -aVR was characteristic of STE-TTC with a sensitivity/specificity of 43% and 95%, positive predictive value (PPV) 91%, and a negative predictive value (NPV) 62% (P<0.001); when ST-elevation in -aVR is accompanied by ST-elevation in inferior leads, sensitivity/specificity were 14% and 98% (PPV was 89% and NPV 52%) (P=0.001), and 12% and 100% when associated with ST-elevation in anteroseptal leads (PPV 100%, NPV 52%) (P<0.001). On the other hand, STEMI was characterized by ST-elevation in aVR (sensitivity/specificity of 31% and 95% P<0.001, PPV 85% and NPV 59%) and ST-depression in V2-V3-V4 (sensitivity/specificity of 24% and 100% P<0.001, PPV 100% and NPV 76%). When comparing non-ST elevation MI and non ST-elevation-TTC, T-inversion in leads I-aVL-V5-V6 had a sensitivity/specificity of 17% and 97% for non ST-elevation-TTC (PPV 83% and NPV 55%) (P<0.001), and ST-elevation in -aVR with T-inversion in any lead was also specific for non ST-elevation-TTC (sensitivity/specificity of 8% and 100%, PPV 100% and NPV 53%) (P=0.006). In non-ST elevation MI patients, the presence of ST-depression in V2-V3 was specific (sensitivity/specificity of 11% and 99%, PPV 91% and NPV 51%) (P=0.01). ECG on admission can differentiate between TTC and acute MI, with high specificity and positive predictive value. URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/. Unique identifier: NCT01947621. © 2016 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley Blackwell.

The Ste20 kinase misshapen regulates both photoreceptor axon targeting and dorsal closure, acting downstream of distinct signals.

PubMed

Su, Y C; Maurel-Zaffran, C; Treisman, J E; Skolnik, E Y

2000-07-01

We have previously shown that the Ste20 kinase encoded by misshapen (msn) functions upstream of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) mitogen-activated protein kinase module in Drosophila. msn is required to activate the Drosophila JNK, Basket (Bsk), to promote dorsal closure of the embryo. A mammalian homolog of Msn, Nck interacting kinase, interacts with the SH3 domains of the SH2-SH3 adapter protein Nck. We now show that Msn likewise interacts with Dreadlocks (Dock), the Drosophila homolog of Nck. dock is required for the correct targeting of photoreceptor axons. We have performed a structure-function analysis of Msn in vivo in Drosophila in order to elucidate the mechanism whereby Msn regulates JNK and to determine whether msn, like dock, is required for the correct targeting of photoreceptor axons. We show that Msn requires both a functional kinase and a C-terminal regulatory domain to activate JNK in vivo in Drosophila. A mutation in a PXXP motif on Msn that prevents it from binding to the SH3 domains of Dock does not affect its ability to rescue the dorsal closure defect in msn embryos, suggesting that Dock is not an upstream regulator of msn in dorsal closure. Larvae with only this mutated form of Msn show a marked disruption in photoreceptor axon targeting, implicating an SH3 domain protein in this process; however, an activated form of Msn is not sufficient to rescue the dock mutant phenotype. Mosaic analysis reveals that msn expression is required in photoreceptors in order for their axons to project correctly. The data presented here genetically link msn to two distinct biological events, dorsal closure and photoreceptor axon pathfinding, and thus provide the first evidence that Ste20 kinases of the germinal center kinase family play a role in axonal pathfinding. The ability of Msn to interact with distinct classes of adapter molecules in dorsal closure and photoreceptor axon pathfinding may provide the flexibility that allows it to link to distinct upstream signaling systems.

The Ste20 Kinase Misshapen Regulates Both Photoreceptor Axon Targeting and Dorsal Closure, Acting Downstream of Distinct Signals

PubMed Central

Su, Yi-Chi; Maurel-Zaffran, Corinne; Treisman, Jessica E.; Skolnik, Edward Y.

2000-01-01

We have previously shown that the Ste20 kinase encoded by misshapen (msn) functions upstream of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) mitogen-activated protein kinase module in Drosophila. msn is required to activate the Drosophila JNK, Basket (Bsk), to promote dorsal closure of the embryo. A mammalian homolog of Msn, Nck interacting kinase, interacts with the SH3 domains of the SH2-SH3 adapter protein Nck. We now show that Msn likewise interacts with Dreadlocks (Dock), the Drosophila homolog of Nck. dock is required for the correct targeting of photoreceptor axons. We have performed a structure-function analysis of Msn in vivo in Drosophila in order to elucidate the mechanism whereby Msn regulates JNK and to determine whether msn, like dock, is required for the correct targeting of photoreceptor axons. We show that Msn requires both a functional kinase and a C-terminal regulatory domain to activate JNK in vivo in Drosophila. A mutation in a PXXP motif on Msn that prevents it from binding to the SH3 domains of Dock does not affect its ability to rescue the dorsal closure defect in msn embryos, suggesting that Dock is not an upstream regulator of msn in dorsal closure. Larvae with only this mutated form of Msn show a marked disruption in photoreceptor axon targeting, implicating an SH3 domain protein in this process; however, an activated form of Msn is not sufficient to rescue the dock mutant phenotype. Mosaic analysis reveals that msn expression is required in photoreceptors in order for their axons to project correctly. The data presented here genetically link msn to two distinct biological events, dorsal closure and photoreceptor axon pathfinding, and thus provide the first evidence that Ste20 kinases of the germinal center kinase family play a role in axonal pathfinding. The ability of Msn to interact with distinct classes of adapter molecules in dorsal closure and photoreceptor axon pathfinding may provide the flexibility that allows it to link to distinct upstream signaling systems. PMID:10848599

Impact of revascularization of coronary chronic total occlusion on left ventricular function and electrical stability: analysis by speckle tracking echocardiography and signal-averaged electrocardiogram.

PubMed

Sotomi, Yohei; Okamura, Atsunori; Iwakura, Katsuomi; Date, Motoo; Nagai, Hiroyuki; Yamasaki, Tomohiro; Koyama, Yasushi; Inoue, Koichi; Sakata, Yasushi; Fujii, Kenshi

2017-06-01

The present study aimed to assess the mechanisms of effects of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion (CTO) from two different aspects: left ventricular (LV) systolic function assessed by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) and electrical stability evaluated by late potential on signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG). We conducted a prospective observational study with consecutive CTO-PCI patients. 2D-STE and SAECG were performed before PCI, and after 1-day and 3-months of procedure. 2D-STE computed global longitudinal strain (GLS) and regional longitudinal strain (RLS) in CTO area, collateral blood-supplying donor artery area, and non-CTO/non-donor area. A total of 37 patients (66 ± 11 years, 78% male) were analyzed. RLS in CTO and donor areas and GLS were significantly improved 1-day after the procedure, but these improvements diminished during 3 months. The improvement of RLS in donor area remained significant after 3-months the index procedure (pre-PCI -13.4 ± 4.8% vs. post-3M -15.1 ± 4.5%, P = 0.034). RLS in non-CTO/non-donor area and LV ejection fraction were not influenced. Mitral annulus velocity was improved at 3-month follow-up (5.0 ± 1.4 vs. 5.6 ± 1.7 cm/s, P = 0.049). Before the procedure, 12 patients (35%) had a late potential. All components of the late potential (filtered QRS duration, root-mean-square voltage in the terminal 40 ms, and duration of the low amplitude signal <40 μV) were not improved. CTO-PCI improved RLS in the donor area at 3-month follow-up without changes of LV ejection fraction. Although higher prevalence of late potential in the current population compared to healthy population was observed, late potential as a surrogate of arrhythmogenic substrate was not influenced by CTO-PCI.

Nano Particle Control of Void Formation and Expansion in Polymeric and Composite Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-05-01

ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER Glocal Network Corporation 3131 Western Avenue Ste M-526 Seattle, WA 98121...Scientific Research Arlington, VA 22203-1954 Principal Investigator Dr. James C. Seferis Polymeric Composites Laboratory GloCal Network...F.R.E.E.D.O.M., with the flexibility of a profit research and development organization, GloCal Network Corporation, with both entities doing business as the

Superfund record of decision amendment (EPA Region 5): Cannelton Industries Inc. Site, Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa County, MI, September 27, 1996

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

NONE

This decision document amends the 1992 Record of Decision (ROD) for remedial action at the Cannelton Industries, Inc. site, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The final remedy addresses remediation of soil and sediment contamination by eliminating or reducing the principal threat posed by contaminated tannery waste, contaminated soil and sediment at the site, through containment and removal.

Intuitive Space Weather Displays to Improve Space Situational Awareness (SSA)

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-09-01

parsimonious offering. After engaging several mathematicians and space physicists to devise valid computational formulas for aggregating the four hazard... PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) Aptima, Inc.,12 Gill Street Ste 200,Woburn,MA... physicists , the operational users find little use in receiving particle fluxes or magnetometer readings collected by the scientific community. Fortunately

Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army, on Civil Works Activities 1959

DTIC Science & Technology

1959-01-01

822, 093 Port of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich-------------------------------- 330, 764 Presque Isle Harbor, Mich -------------------------------- 3, 176, 834... Pennsylvania and West Virginia in July and August 1958 took 11 lives. Estimates indicate that in the Ohio Basin from Illinois to New York, in January and...operation Isle Au Haut Thoroughfare, Maine_ Cape Cod Canal (Onset Bay), Mass_ Gloucester Harbor (Lobster Cove), Mass. Newburyport Harbor, Mass

Solar Thermal Propulsion for Microsatellite Manoeuvring

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-09-01

of 14-cm and 56-cm diameter solar concentrating mirrors has clearly validated initial optical ray trace modelling and suggests that there is...concentrating mirror’s focus, permitting multiple mirror inputs to heat a single receiver and allowing the receiver to be placed anywhere on the host...The STE is conceptually simple, relying on a mirror or lens assembly to collect and concentrate incident solar radiation. This energy is focused, by

Using Real-Time Weather Data from an Unmanned Aircraft System to Support the Advanced Research Version of the Weather Research and Forecast Model

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-04-01

east central region of the domain, the Rio Grande River and Rio Grande valley are captured by the lowest contoured elevation region running NW-to...ARMY CECRLCECRL GP ATTN DR DETSCH HANOVER NH 03755-1290 1 CD USAF ROME LAB TECH CORRIDOR W STE 262 RL SUL 26 ELECTR PKWY BLD 106 GRIFFISS

33 CFR 162.117 - St. Marys River, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

...”—downbound traffic only; (ii) Pipe Island Course from Sweets Point to Watson Reefs Light-downbound traffic... Island Passage to the east of Pipe Island Shoal and north of Pipe Island Twins from Watson Reefs Light to...: (i) Johnson Point from Buoy “18” to Buoy “22”; (ii) Mirre Point from Buoy “26” to Buoy “28”; or (iii...

33 CFR 162.117 - St. Marys River, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

...”—downbound traffic only; (ii) Pipe Island Course from Sweets Point to Watson Reefs Light-downbound traffic... Island Passage to the east of Pipe Island Shoal and north of Pipe Island Twins from Watson Reefs Light to...: (i) Johnson Point from Buoy “18” to Buoy “22”; (ii) Mirre Point from Buoy “26” to Buoy “28”; or (iii...

33 CFR 162.117 - St. Marys River, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

...”—downbound traffic only; (ii) Pipe Island Course from Sweets Point to Watson Reefs Light-downbound traffic... Island Passage to the east of Pipe Island Shoal and north of Pipe Island Twins from Watson Reefs Light to...: (i) Johnson Point from Buoy “18” to Buoy “22”; (ii) Mirre Point from Buoy “26” to Buoy “28”; or (iii...

33 CFR 162.117 - St. Marys River, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

...”—downbound traffic only; (ii) Pipe Island Course from Sweets Point to Watson Reefs Light-downbound traffic... Island Passage to the east of Pipe Island Shoal and north of Pipe Island Twins from Watson Reefs Light to...: (i) Johnson Point from Buoy “18” to Buoy “22”; (ii) Mirre Point from Buoy “26” to Buoy “28”; or (iii...

52. Photocopied August 1978. LAYING THE CORNER STONE (FIRST PREMOULDED ...

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

52. Photocopied August 1978. LAYING THE CORNER STONE (FIRST PRE-MOULDED CONCRETE BLOCK) OF THE POWER HOUSE, SEPTEMBER 10, 1900. THE BLOCK IS BEING PLACED ON ONE OF THE MONOLITHIC TAIL RACE (TAIL PIT) BASES. VON SCHON MAY BE THE THIRD PERSON FROM THE RIGHT IN THE CENTER OF THE PICTURE (IN THE GRAY SUIT). - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

JPRS Report, Soviet Union, International Affairs

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-06-06

STATOdENTT^ Approved for pobSte cmi+asmi Dbvizibattoa Unlimited DTIC QUALITY INJECTED « 7 I REPRODUCED i U.S. DEPAR ; NATIONAL TE...demanding accelerated political democratization and "undermined stability" are criti- cized. In general, the urgency and complexity of the problem of...secret for us; it was the ringing childish hubbub which broke the reverential museum silence. In an enormous hall almost the size of a soccer field, a

5. Photocopied August 1978. FRONT OF A HORRY ROTARY FURNACE, ...

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

5. Photocopied August 1978. FRONT OF A HORRY ROTARY FURNACE, SHOWING INTERIOR ELECTRODES. THE RAW MATERIALS FOR CALCIUM CARBIDE PRODUCTION--LIMESTONE AND COKE--WERE FED BY HOPPERS PLACED BETWEEN THESE ELECTRODES INTO THE ELECTRIC ARC. THE REMOVABLE PLATES ON THE EXTERNAL CIRCUMSTANCE OF THE HORRY FURNACE ARE SHOWN ON THE FIRST THREE FURNACES. (M) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

Reduced Order Modeling for Rapid Simulations of Blast and Rollover Events of a Ground Vehicle and its Occupants Using Rigid Body Dynamic Models

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-03-11

information is available. A 4-point harness system including lap and shoulder beltsand center buckle was positioned on the dummy, as shown in Figure 3.1... Lamb , STE/Analytics, US Army TARDEC  Dr. Tom McGrath, US Navy NSWC-IHD  Mr. Kirk Miller, OCP-TECD Standards and Specifications, TARDEC/GSS  Mr

Performance comparison of two commercial BGO-based PET/CT scanners using NEMA NU 2-2001.

PubMed

Bolard, Grégory; Prior, John O; Modolo, Luca; Delaloye, Angelika Bischof; Kosinski, Marek; Wastiel, Claude; Malterre, Jérôme; Bulling, Shelley; Bochud, François; Verdun, Francis R

2007-07-01

Combined positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) scanners play a major role in medicine for in vivo imaging in an increasing number of diseases in oncology, cardiology, neurology, and psychiatry. With the advent of short-lived radioisotopes other than 18F and newer scanners, there is a need to optimize radioisotope activity and acquisition protocols, as well as to compare scanner performances on an objective basis. The Discovery-LS (D-LS) was among the first clinical PET/CT scanners to be developed and has been extensively characterized with older National Electrical Manufacturer Association (NEMA) NU 2-1994 standards. At the time of publication of the latest version of the standards (NU 2-2001) that have been adapted for whole-body imaging under clinical conditions, more recent models from the same manufacturer, i.e., Discovery-ST (D-ST) and Discovery-STE (D-STE), were commercially available. We report on the full characterization both in the two- and three-dimensional acquisition mode of the D-LS according to latest NEMA NU 2-2001 standards (spatial resolution, sensitivity, count rate performance, accuracy of count losses, and random coincidence correction and image quality), as well as a detailed comparison with the newer D-ST widely used and whose characteristics are already published.

Genomewide mechanisms of chronological longevity by dietary restriction in budding yeast.

PubMed

Campos, Sergio E; Avelar-Rivas, J Abraham; Garay, Erika; Juárez-Reyes, Alejandro; DeLuna, Alexander

2018-06-01

Dietary restriction is arguably the most promising nonpharmacological intervention to extend human life and health span. Yet, only few genetic regulators mediating the cellular response to dietary restriction are known, and the question remains which other regulatory factors are involved. Here, we measured at the genomewide level the chronological lifespan of Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene deletion strains under two nitrogen source regimens, glutamine (nonrestricted) and γ-aminobutyric acid (restricted). We identified 473 mutants with diminished or enhanced extension of lifespan. Functional analysis of such dietary restriction genes revealed novel processes underlying longevity by the nitrogen source quality, which also allowed us to generate a prioritized catalogue of transcription factors orchestrating the dietary restriction response. Importantly, deletions of transcription factors Msn2, Msn4, Snf6, Tec1, and Ste12 resulted in diminished lifespan extension and defects in cell cycle arrest upon nutrient starvation, suggesting that regulation of the cell cycle is a major mechanism of chronological longevity. We further show that STE12 overexpression is enough to extend lifespan, linking the pheromone/invasive growth pathway with cell survivorship. Our global picture of the genetic players of longevity by dietary restriction highlights intricate regulatory cross-talks in aging cells. © 2018 The Authors. Aging Cell published by the Anatomical Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Long-term live-cell imaging reveals new roles for Salmonella effector proteins SseG and SteA.

PubMed

McQuate, Sarah E; Young, Alexandra M; Silva-Herzog, Eugenia; Bunker, Eric; Hernandez, Mateo; de Chaumont, Fabrice; Liu, Xuedong; Detweiler, Corrella S; Palmer, Amy E

2017-01-01

Salmonella Typhimurium is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that infects both epithelial cells and macrophages. Salmonella effector proteins, which are translocated into the host cell and manipulate host cell components, control the ability to replicate and/or survive in host cells. Due to the complexity and heterogeneity of Salmonella infections, there is growing recognition of the need for single-cell and live-cell imaging approaches to identify and characterize the diversity of cellular phenotypes and how they evolve over time. Here, we establish a pipeline for long-term (17 h) live-cell imaging of infected cells and subsequent image analysis methods. We apply this pipeline to track bacterial replication within the Salmonella-containing vacuole in epithelial cells, quantify vacuolar replication versus survival in macrophages and investigate the role of individual effector proteins in mediating these parameters. This approach revealed that dispersed bacteria can coalesce at later stages of infection, that the effector protein SseG influences the propensity for cytosolic hyper-replication in epithelial cells, and that while SteA only has a subtle effect on vacuolar replication in epithelial cells, it has a profound impact on infection parameters in immunocompetent macrophages, suggesting differential roles for effector proteins in different infection models. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Synergistic activity profile of carbosilane dendrimer G2-STE16 in combination with other dendrimers and antiretrovirals as topical anti-HIV-1 microbicide.

PubMed

Sepúlveda-Crespo, Daniel; Lorente, Raquel; Leal, Manuel; Gómez, Rafael; De la Mata, Francisco J; Jiménez, José Luis; Muñoz-Fernández, M Ángeles

2014-04-01

Polyanionic carbosilane dendrimers represent opportunities to develop new anti-HIV microbicides. Dendrimers and antiretrovirals (ARVs) acting at different stages of HIV replication have been proposed as compounds to decrease new HIV infections. Thus, we determined the potential use of our G2-STE16 carbosilane dendrimer in combination with other carbosilane dendrimers and ARVs for the use as topical microbicide against HIV-1. We showed that these combinations obtained 100% inhibition and displayed a synergistic profile against different HIV-1 isolates in our model of TZM.bl cells. Our results also showed their potent activity in the presence of an acidic vaginal or seminal fluid environment and did not activate an inflammatory response. This study is the first step toward exploring the use of different anionic carbosilane dendrimers in combination and toward making a safe microbicide. Therefore, our results support further studies on dendrimer/dendrimer or dendrimer/ARV combinations as topical anti-HIV-1 microbicide. This paper describes the first steps toward the use of anionic carbosilane dendrimers in combination with antivirals to address HIV-1, paving the way to further studies on dendrimer/dendrimer or dendrimer/ARV combinations as topical anti-HIV-1 microbicides. © 2014.

New materials for thermal energy storage in concentrated solar power plants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guerreiro, Luis; Collares-Pereira, Manuel

2016-05-01

Solar Thermal Electricity (STE) is an important alternative to PV electricity production, not only because it is getting more cost competitive with the continuous growth in installed capacity, engineering and associated innovations, but also, because of its unique dispatch ability advantage as a result of the already well established 2-tank energy storage using molten salts (MS). In recent years, research has been performed, on direct MS systems, to which features like modularity and combinations with other (solid) thermal storage materials are considered with the goal of achieving lower investment cost. Several alternative materials and systems have been studied. In this research, storage materials were identified with thermo-physical data being presented for different rocks (e.g. quartzite), super concrete, and other appropriate solid materials. Among the new materials being proposed like rocks from old quarries, an interesting option is the incorporation of solid waste material from old mines belonging to the Iberian Pyritic Belt. These are currently handled as byproducts of past mine activity, and can potentially constitute an environmental hazard due to their chemical (metal) content. This paper presents these materials, as part of a broad study to improve the current concept of solar energy storage for STE plants, and additionally presents a potentially valuable solution for environmental protection related to re-use of mining waste.

Redefinition of the Meramecian/Chesterian boundary (Mississippian)

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

Maples, C.G.; Waters, J.A.

1987-07-01

The Meramecian/Chesterian (Mississippi) boundary in the type area is currently defined as the highest occurrence of the crinoid Platycrinites penicillus and the lowest occurrence of the crinoid genera Agassizocrinus and Talarocrinus. Because these taxa have not been reported outside eastern North America, attempts have been made to use conodonts and Foraminifera to extend the Meramecian/Chesterian boundary outside the type area. Unfortunately, changes in conodont and foraminiferal assemblages do not coincide with the currently defined Meramecian/Chesterian boundary, and use of these fossil groups does not allow exact placement of the boundary outside of eastern North America. The authors suggest that themore » Meramecian/Chesterian boundary be redefined as the boundary between Foraminiferal Zones 15 and 16i of the Mamet scheme, irrespective of the occurrence of Platycrinites penicillus. This change in definition places the Ste. Genevieve Limestone (Genevievian Stage) in the lowermost part of the Chesterian Series, with which it is biotically and sedimentologically more allied than with the underlying St. Louis Limestone. This change provides a sound biostratigraphic base for correlating the Meramecian/Chesterian boundary outside of the type area. Foraminifera, conodonts, brachiopods, and corals all show significant changes at or slightly below the St. Louis/Ste. Genevieve contact rather than at the Genevievian/Chesterian contact. 52 references.« less

Performance comparison of two commercial BGO-based PET/CT scanners using NEMA NU 2-2001

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

Bolard, Gregory; Prior, John O.; Modolo, Luca

2007-07-15

Combined positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) scanners play a major role in medicine for in vivo imaging in an increasing number of diseases in oncology, cardiology, neurology, and psychiatry. With the advent of short-lived radioisotopes other than {sup 18}F and newer scanners, there is a need to optimize radioisotope activity and acquisition protocols, as well as to compare scanner performances on an objective basis. The Discovery-LS (D-LS) was among the first clinical PET/CT scanners to be developed and has been extensively characterized with older National Electrical Manufacturer Association (NEMA) NU 2-1994 standards. At the time of publication ofmore » the latest version of the standards (NU 2-2001) that have been adapted for whole-body imaging under clinical conditions, more recent models from the same manufacturer, i.e., Discovery-ST (D-ST) and Discovery-STE (D-STE), were commercially available. We report on the full characterization both in the two- and three-dimensional acquisition mode of the D-LS according to latest NEMA NU 2-2001 standards (spatial resolution, sensitivity, count rate performance, accuracy of count losses, and random coincidence correction and image quality), as well as a detailed comparison with the newer D-ST widely used and whose characteristics are already published.« less

Long-Term Live Cell Imaging Reveals New Roles For Salmonella Effector Proteins SseG and SteA

PubMed Central

McQuate, Sarah E.; Young, Alexandra M.; Silva-Herzog, Eugenia; Bunker, Eric; Hernandez, Mateo; de Chaumont, Fabrice; Liu, Xuedong; Detweiler, Corrella S.; Palmer, Amy E.

2016-01-01

Summary Salmonella Typhimurium is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that infects both epithelial cells and macrophages. Salmonella effector proteins, which are translocated into the host cell and manipulate host cell components, control the ability to replicate and/or survive in host cells. Due to the complexity and heterogeneity of Salmonella infections, there is growing recognition of the need for single cell and live-cell imaging approaches to identify and characterize the diversity of cellular phenotypes and how they evolve over time. Here we establish a pipeline for long-term (16 hours) live-cell imaging of infected cells and subsequent image analysis methods. We apply this pipeline to track bacterial replication within the Salmonella-containing vacuole in epithelial cells, quantify vacuolar replication versus survival in macrophages, and investigate the role of individual effector proteins in mediating these parameters. This approach revealed that dispersed bacteria can coalesce at later stages of infection, that the effector protein SseG influences the propensity for cytosolic hyperreplication in epithelial cells, and that while SteA only has a subtle effect on vacuolar replication in epithelial cells, it has a profound impact on infection parameters in immunocompetent macrophages, suggesting differential roles for effector proteins in different infection models. PMID:27376507

The tropopause inversion layer in baroclinic life cycles over the North Atlantic: a pre-WISE case study and climatology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaluza, Thorsten; Hoor, Peter; Kunkel, Daniel

2017-04-01

Studies of baroclinic life cycles recently revelead that the tropopause inversion layer (TIL) in the extratropics is significantly strengthened by diabatic processes related to moist tropospheric dynamics as well as by breaking of the baroclinic wave itself. However, these findings summarize the results from idealized model simulations and the contribution from processes related to baroclinic life cycles relative to other processes enhancing the lower stratospheric static stability (stratospheric dynamics, seasonal variation of radiative feedbacks) to the observed TIL at midlatitudes has yet to be assessed. Further the role of the TIL for stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE) is currently still under debate. In preparation of the up-coming field campaign WISE (Wave driven isentropic exchange) we explore the state and variability of the TIL over the North Atlantic between August and October in analysis model data. We use high resolution operational analysis from the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecast to study the mesoscale structure of the TIL. The main focus is on case studies of the TIL in real baroclinic life cycles, in particular on small scale enhancements within the baroclinic disturbances and the relation to STE. Moreover, a summary is presented about the quasi climatological state of the tropopause location and sharpness over the North Atlantic over recent years.

Helio-geomagnetic influence in cardiological cases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Katsavrias, Ch.; Preka-Papadema, P.; Moussas, X.; Apostolou, Th.; Theodoropoulou, A.; Papadima, Th.

2013-01-01

The effects of the energetic phenomena of the Sun, flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) on the Earth's ionosphere-magnetosphere, through the solar wind, are the sources of the geomagnetic disturbances and storms collectively known as Space Weather. The research on the influence of Space Weather on biological and physiological systems is open. In this work we study the Space Weather impact on Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS) distinguishing between ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (STE-ACS) and non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) cases. We compare detailed patient records from the 2nd Cardiologic Department of the General Hospital of Nicaea (Piraeus, Greece) with characteristics of geomagnetic storms (DST), solar wind speed and statistics of flares and CMEs which cover the entire solar cycle 23 (1997-2007). Our results indicate a relationship of ACS to helio-geomagnetic activity as the maximum of the ACS cases follows closely the maximum of the solar cycle. Furthermore, within very active periods, the ratio NSTE-ACS to STE-ACS, which is almost constant during periods of low to medium activity, changes favouring the NSTE-ACS. Most of the ACS cases exhibit a high degree of association with the recovery phase of the geomagnetic storms; a smaller, yet significant, part was found associated with periods of fast solar wind without a storm.

Sacubitril/Valsartan in an Elderly Patient with Heart Failure: A Case Report.

PubMed

Cameli, Matteo; Pastore, Maria Concetta; Pagliaro, Antonio; Di Tommaso, Cristina; Reccia, Rosanna; Curci, Valeria; Mandoli, Giulia Elena; Mondillo, Sergio

2017-01-01

Sacubitril/valsartan has recently been approved for the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Given its recent introduction in the armamentarium for the treatment of heart failure (HF), "field-practice" evidence is required to deepen the clinical management of sacubitril/valsartan therapy. We report a relevant case of an elderly patient who achieved major clinical benefits after only 3 months of sacubitril/valsartan therapy. Importantly, in our assessment, we employed speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), a recent echocardiography technique that is non-Doppler and not angle dependent, which analyzes deformations of heart chambers from standard images and allows a fast, reliable, and reproducible assessment of heart function. After 3 months of therapy, NHYA class decreased from III to I-II and hypertension was controlled. Echocardiography examination also showed a marked improvement, with a reduction of left ventricular diameter, improved diastolic function (E = 0.39 m/s; A 0.69 m/s; E/A 0.55), normalized diastolic function index (E/E' TDI = 6.93), normalized atrial volume (63 mL), and improved atrial strain (15.44%). This case report documents the fast clinical and symptom improvement with sacubitril/valsartan in an elderly patient with HF; comprehensive echocardiographic assessment, including STE, also revealed a marked functional improvement with this compound. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Molecular Fractionation of Dissolved Organic Matter in a Shallow Subterranean Estuary: The Role of the Iron Curtain

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Iron that precipitates under aerobic conditions in natural aquatic systems scavenges dissolved organic matter (DOM) from solution. Subterranean estuaries (STEs) are of major importance for land–ocean biogeochemical fluxes. Their specific redox boundaries, coined the “iron curtain” due to the abundance of precipitated iron(III) (oxy)hydroxides, are hot spots for the removal and redissolution of iron, associated nutrients, and DOM. We used ultra-high-resolution electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry to molecularly characterize the iron-coagulating fractions of 32 groundwater and seawater DOM samples along a salinity gradient from a shallow STE on Spiekeroog Island, North Sea, Germany, and linked our findings to trace metal and nutrient concentrations. We found systematic iron coagulation of large (>450 Da), oxygen-rich, and highly aromatic DOM molecules of terrestrial origin. The extent of coagulation increased with growing terrestrial influence along the salinity gradient. Our study is the first to show that the iron curtain may be capable of retaining terrigenous DOM fractions in marine sediments. We hypothesize that the iron curtain serves as an inorganic modulator for the supply of DOM from groundwaters to the sea, and that the STE has the potential to act as a temporal storage or even sink for terrigenous aromatic DOM compounds. PMID:27976873

Nepal Ambient Monitoring and Source Testing Experiment (NAMaSTE): Emissions of particulate matter from wood and dung cooking fires, brick kilns, generators, trash and crop residue burning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stone, Elizabeth; Jayarathne, Thilina; Stockwell, Chelsea; Christian, Ted; Bhave, Prakash; Siva Praveen, Puppala; Panday, Arnico; Adhikari, Sagar; Maharjan, Rashmi; Goetz, Doug; DeCarlo, Peter; Saikawa, Eri; Yokelson, Robert

2016-04-01

The Nepal Ambient Monitoring and Source Testing Experiment (NAMASTE) field campaign targeted the in situ characterization of widespread and under-sampled combustion sources. In Kathmandu and the Terai, southern Nepal's flat plains, samples of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were collected from wood and dung cooking fires (n = 22), generators (n = 2), groundwater pumps (n = 2), clamp kilns (n = 3), zig-zag kilns (n = 3), trash burning (n = 4), one heating fire, and one crop residue fire. Co-located measurements of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds allowed for the application of the carbon mass balance approach to estimate emission factors for PM2.5, elemental carbon, organic carbon, and water-soluble inorganic ions. Organic matter was chemically speciated using gas chromatography - mass spectrometry for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, sterols, n-alkanes, hopanes, steranes, and levoglucosan, which accounted for 2-8% of the measured organic carbon. These data were used to develop molecular-marker based profiles for use in source apportionment modeling. This study provides quantitative emission factors for particulate matter and its constituents for many important combustion sources in Nepal and South Asia.

Eliminating the mere exposure effect through changes in context between exposure and test.

PubMed

de Zilva, Daniel; Mitchell, Chris J; Newell, Ben R

2013-01-01

The present study examined the extent to which increased liking of exposed stimuli--the mere exposure effect--is dependent on experiencing the stimuli in the same context in exposure and on test. Participants were repeatedly exposed to pairs of cues (nonsense words) and target stimuli (faces and shapes), and were asked to rate the pleasantness of the target stimuli in a subsequent test phase. Familiar targets were preferred to novel targets-a mere exposure effect was obtained. This preference for familiar targets was disrupted, however, when the cue-target pairings were rearranged between exposure and test, or a novel cue was introduced at test. Overall, the study suggests that the context of exposure and test moderates the mere exposure effect. Liking of stimuli due to exposure is specific to the context of exposure and does not apply to new or familiar but different contexts.

Nonlinear Real-Time Optical Signal Processing.

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-07-01

Principal Investigator B. K. Jenkins Signal and Image Processing Institute University of Southern California Mail Code 0272 Los Angeles, California...ADDRESS (09% SteW. Mnd ZIP Code ) 10. SOURC OF FUNONG NUMBERS Bldg. 410, Bolling AFB PROGAM CT TASK WORK UNIT Washington, D.C. 20332 EEETP.aso o 11...TAB Unmnnncced Justification By Distribution/ I O’ Availablility Codes I - ’_ ji and/or 2 I Summary During the period 1 July 1987 - 30 June 1988, the

Seals, Concrete Anchors, and Connections

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-02-01

brick. Medium to heavy I.. loads cannot be safely fastened to soft masonry materials (stuc-. : - . co. grout. plaster or plasterboard ) since such...588C, Type 1. Class A. Style 1 Use in: All masonry material Use in: Block, wallboard , plaster , hollow tile Use with: Sheet metal, wood or lag screws... Wallboard . plaster , paneling Use in: Wallboard or solid masonry Use with: No (- oer fastener needed Use with: Sheet metal screw Made of: Ste( Made of

Development and Evaluation of Positioning Systems for Autonomous Vehicle Navigation

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-12-01

generation of autonomous vehicles to utilize NTV technology is built on a commercially-available vehicle built by ASV. The All-Purpose Remote Transport...larger scale, AFRL and CIMAR are involved in the development of a standard approach in the design and specification of autonomous vehicles being...1996. Shi92 Shin, D.H., Sanjiv, S., and Lee, J.J., “Explicit Path Tracking by Autonomous Vehicles ,” Robotica, 10, (1992), 69-87. Ste95

Computational Cognitive Neuroscience Modeling of Sequential Skill Learning

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-09-21

101 EAST 27TH STREET STE 4308 AUSTIN , TX 78712 09/21/2016 Final Report DISTRIBUTION A: Distribution approved for public release. Air Force Research ...5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) The University of Texas at Austin 108 E Dean Keeton Stop A8000 Austin , TX ...AFRL-AFOSR-VA-TR-2016-0320 Computational Cognitive Neuroscience Modeling of Sequential Skill Learning David Schnyer UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN

Manipulating the Interfacial Electrical and Optical Properties of Dissimilar Materials with Metallic Nanostructures

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-07-30

27TH STREET STE 4308 AUSTIN , TX 78712 08/03/2016 Final Report DISTRIBUTION A: Distribution approved for public release. Air Force Research ...4308 Austin , TX 78712-1500 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) Air Force Office of...AFRL-AFOSR-VA-TR-2016-0281 MANIPULATING THE INTERFACIAL ELECTRIAL & OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF DISSIMILA Seth Bank UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN 101 EAST

Tracking Energy Relaxation Within Plasmonic Metal Oxide Nanocrystals

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-11-30

27TH STREET STE 4308 AUSTIN , TX 78712 12/22/2016 Final Report DISTRIBUTION A: Distribution approved for public release. Air Force Research Laboratory...UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) University of Texas at Austin 105 E. 24th St. Stop A5300 Austin , TX 78712 8...Investigator: Sean T. Roberts, Assistant Professor University of Texas at Austin , Department of Chemistry 105 E. 24th St., Stop A5300, Austin , TX

38. Photocopied August 1978. THE POWER CANAL AT THE JUNCTION ...

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

38. Photocopied August 1978. THE POWER CANAL AT THE JUNCTION BETWEEN SECTIONS I AND II ON AUGUST 1, 1902. THE RECTANGULAR PRISM OF THE ROCK SECTION (I) AND THE TRAPEZOIDAL PRISM OF SECTION II BOTH SHOW UP VERY CLEARLY. COMPANY CREWS ON THE LEFT HAND WALL ARE COMPLETING SOME SMOOTHING-UP WORK ON THE ROCK SECTION WALL. (265) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

Mexico’s National Command and Control Center Challenges and Successes

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-06-01

Perales Pimentel Ing. Francisco Niembro Maribel Cervates Guerrero Genaro Garcia Luna Secretaría de Seguridad Pública Mexico , D.F. Point of...9841 Irvine Ctr Dr., Ste 200 Irvine, CA 92618 Alex Bonino and Fred Schellenberg Narcotics Affairs Section, US Embassy Mexico , D.F. Andres...Federal Rights License. 14. ABSTRACT Secretar?de Seguridad P?blica (The Secretariat of Public Security or SSP) has a work force of nearly 30,800 police

111. Photocopied August 1978. FOREBAY AND POWER HOUSE FROM WEST ...

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

111. Photocopied August 1978. FOREBAY AND POWER HOUSE FROM WEST FOREBAY EMBANKMENT, 1920 OR LATER, NOTICE THAT A GOOD PORTION OF THE GRATING OF THE ICE AND TRASH RACK HAS BEEN REMOVED FOR THE WINTER. ICE TENDED TO FORM ON THE RACK, CLOGGING IT UP AND INHIBITING THE FLOW, THE UNION CARBIDE PLANT IS VISIBLE ON THE FAR RIGHT. (881) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

10. Photocopied August 1978. CLOSEUP VIEW OF TURBINE SHAFT PENETRATING ...

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

10. Photocopied August 1978. CLOSE-UP VIEW OF TURBINE SHAFT PENETRATING THE STEEL PLATE BULKHEAD THROUGH A STUFFING BOX AND AND ALSO SHOWING THE CONTROL GATE SHAFT. THIS PARTICULAR UNIT WAS INSTALLED IN 1916. THE ADMISSION OF WATER TO ALL FOUR RUNNERS IN A PENSTOCK UNIT COULD SIMULTANEOUSLY BE CONTROLLED BY THE CONTROL SHAFT ON THE LEFT. (899) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

86. Photocopied August 1978. CLAY RAMMING EQUIPMENT IN OPERATION IN ...

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

86. Photocopied August 1978. CLAY RAMMING EQUIPMENT IN OPERATION IN THE POWER HOUSE IN 1910. A PILE OF CLAY USED TO FILL THE WASHED-OUT AREAS BENEATH THE FOUNDATIONS IS SHOWN IN THE CENTER OF THE ILLUSTRATION BESIDE THE FILLER PIPE. THE WEIGHT USED TO FORCE THE CLAY DOWN UNDER THE FOUNDATIONS IS SHOWN PRESSING ON THE PLUNGER PIPE. (542) - Michigan Lake Superior Power Company, Portage Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, MI

Defense AT and L. Volume 44, Number 2

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-04-01

tech- nological superiority of the United States and its allies, and this fact requires a new approach to research and engineering. Cyber Integrator...to: DEFENSE AT&L DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY ATTN DAU PRESS STE 3 9820 BELVOIR ROAD FT BELVOIR VA 22060-5565 Disclaimer Statements of fact or...trying to define best value in monetary terms. In fact , this decision can’t be avoided. I would like to explain why it is unavoidable, provide some

Examining the Convergent and Discriminant Validity of Visual and Mental Workload Using Ocular Activity Variables

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-01

Laboratory ATTN: RDRL- HRM -DI Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-5425 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER ARL-TR-5132 9. SPONSORING... Automobile drivers can successfully manage lateral movement and appropriate acceleration parameters, and listening to a radio does not appear to...JOHN J KINGMAN RD STE 0944 FT BELVOIR VA 22060-6218 1 ARL FIRES CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FIELD ELEMENT ATTN RDRL HRM AF C HERNANDEZ

Evaluation of RET Tyrosine Kinase as a Novel Driver of Prostatic Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-08-01

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Justin M. Drake, Ph.D. CONTRACTING ORGANIZATION : University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 90095 REPORT DATE...PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER E-Mail: jdrake@mednet.ucla.edu 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8...PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER University of California, Los Angeles 11000 Kinross Ave Ste 102 Los Angeles, CA 90095-2000 9. SPONSORING

Yap4 PKA- and GSK3-dependent phosphorylation affects its stability but not its nuclear localization.

PubMed

Pereira, Jorge; Pimentel, Catarina; Amaral, Catarina; Menezes, Regina A; Rodrigues-Pousada, Claudina

2009-12-01

Yap4 is a nuclear-resident transcription factor induced in Saccharomyces cerevisiae when exposed to several stress conditions, which include mild hyperosmotic and oxidative stress, temperature shift or metal exposure. This protein is also phosphorylated. Here we report that this modification is driven by PKA and GSK3. In order to ascertain whether Yap4 is directly or indirectly phosphorylated by PKA, we searched for stress and PKA-related kinases that could phosphorylate Yap4. We show that phosphorylation is independent of the kinases Rim15, Yak1, Sch9, Slt2, Ste20 and Ptk2. In addition, we showed that Yap4 phosphorylation is also abrogated in the triple GSK3 mutant mck1 rim11 yol128c. Furthermore, our data reveal that Yap4 nuclear localization is independent of its phosphorylation state. This protein has several putative phosphorylation sites, but only the mutation of residues T192 and S196 impairs its phosphorylation under different stress conditions. The ability of the non-phosphorylated forms of Yap4 to partially rescue the hog1 severe sensitivity phenotype is not affected, suggesting that Yap4 activity is maintained in the absence of phosphorylation. However, this modification seems to be required for stability of the protein, as the non-phosphorylated form has a shorter half-life than the phosphorylated one.

Aldosterone acutely stimulates NCC activity via a SPAK-mediated pathway

PubMed Central

Mistry, Abinash C.; Hanson, Lauren; Mallick, Rickta; Wynne, Brandi M.; Thai, Tiffany L.; Bailey, James L.; Klein, Janet D.; Hoover, Robert S.

2013-01-01

Hypertension is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and disordered sodium balance has long been implicated in its pathogenesis. Aldosterone is perhaps the key regulator of sodium balance and thus blood pressure. The sodium chloride cotransporter (NCC) in the distal convoluted tubule of the kidney is a major site of sodium reabsorption and plays a key role in blood pressure regulation. Chronic exposure to aldosterone increases NCC protein expression and function. However, more acute effects of aldosterone on NCC are unknown. In our salt-abundant modern society where chronic salt deprivation is rare, understanding the acute effects of aldosterone is critical. Here, we examined the acute effects (12–36 h) of aldosterone on NCC in the rodent kidney and in a mouse distal convoluted tubule cell line. Studies demonstrated that aldosterone acutely stimulated NCC activity and phosphorylation without affecting total NCC abundance or surface expression. This effect was dependent upon the presence of the mineralocorticoid receptor and serum- and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1). Furthermore, STE20/SPS-1-related proline/alanine-rich kinase (SPAK) phosphorylation also increased, and gene silencing of SPAK eliminated the effect of aldosterone on NCC activity. Aldosterone administration via a minipump in adrenalectomized rodents confirmed an increase in NCC phosphorylation without a change in NCC total protein. These data indicate that acute aldosterone-induced SPAK-dependent phosphorylation of NCC increases individual transporter activity. PMID:23739593

Aldosterone acutely stimulates NCC activity via a SPAK-mediated pathway.

PubMed

Ko, Benjamin; Mistry, Abinash C; Hanson, Lauren; Mallick, Rickta; Wynne, Brandi M; Thai, Tiffany L; Bailey, James L; Klein, Janet D; Hoover, Robert S

2013-09-01

Hypertension is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and disordered sodium balance has long been implicated in its pathogenesis. Aldosterone is perhaps the key regulator of sodium balance and thus blood pressure. The sodium chloride cotransporter (NCC) in the distal convoluted tubule of the kidney is a major site of sodium reabsorption and plays a key role in blood pressure regulation. Chronic exposure to aldosterone increases NCC protein expression and function. However, more acute effects of aldosterone on NCC are unknown. In our salt-abundant modern society where chronic salt deprivation is rare, understanding the acute effects of aldosterone is critical. Here, we examined the acute effects (12-36 h) of aldosterone on NCC in the rodent kidney and in a mouse distal convoluted tubule cell line. Studies demonstrated that aldosterone acutely stimulated NCC activity and phosphorylation without affecting total NCC abundance or surface expression. This effect was dependent upon the presence of the mineralocorticoid receptor and serum- and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1). Furthermore, STE20/SPS-1-related proline/alanine-rich kinase (SPAK) phosphorylation also increased, and gene silencing of SPAK eliminated the effect of aldosterone on NCC activity. Aldosterone administration via a minipump in adrenalectomized rodents confirmed an increase in NCC phosphorylation without a change in NCC total protein. These data indicate that acute aldosterone-induced SPAK-dependent phosphorylation of NCC increases individual transporter activity.

Rapid Transport of Stratospheric Ozone into the Planetary Boundary Layer over the Rocky Mountains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skerlak, B.; Sprenger, M.; Pfahl, S.; Wernli, H.

2013-12-01

Stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE) has important impacts on atmospheric chemistry: it changes the oxidative capacity of the troposphere and affects the climate system through the exchange of water vapor and ozone. Although a large part of tropospheric ozone is produced photochemically, significant amounts of stratospheric ozone can be brought into the troposphere during STE events. The relative importance of these two sources depends on the location of interest and transport characteristics. Of particular interest are so-called deep exchange events where ozone-rich stratospheric air reaches the planetary boundary layer (PBL) within a few days (deep STT). This rapid vertical transport can contribute to ozone concentrations at ground level which can impair plant and human physiology. It is therefore not only important to quantify the ozone flux across the tropopause but also to investigate the transport pathways after the crossing to identify affected areas at ground. Using a Lagrangian methodology and 33 years of ERA-Interim reanalysis data, we have compiled a global climatology of STE from which the mountainous areas in western North America can be identified as a 'hot spot' of deep STT, especially in boreal spring. To address the question of how the stratospheric air masses are transported into the PBL in more detail, we investigate case studies in this region with the mesoscale numerical weather prediction model COSMO. On this account, we initialize a passive tracer in the stratosphere using an elaborated 3D-labeling algorithm which applies the dynamical 2 pvu/380 K tropopause definition. This tracer is then advected by both resolved and parameterized processes and allows us to follow the stratospheric air masses along their journey into the mountainous PBL. Although this tracer does not directly represent a specific chemical species, its concentrations at the lowest model level can indicate when and where ozone levels at ground are likely to be influenced by the stratosphere. Concentration of a passive tracer (initialized in the stratosphere) at the lowest model level (10 m above ground) on May 3rd 00 UTC 2006. Around this time, increased levels of surface ozone (peaks up to 89 ppbv) were measured at Yellowstone National Park (YEL) in Wyoming. Contours indicate the geopotential at 500 hPa and show that the tracer is brought down from the stratosphere in the vicinity of a cyclone located to the northeast of YEL at this time.

Do Surrogate Endpoints Better Correlate with Overall Survival in Studies That Did Not Allow for Crossover or Reported Balanced Postprogression Treatments? An Application in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

PubMed

Hashim, Mahmoud; Pfeiffer, Boris M; Bartsch, Robert; Postma, Maarten; Heeg, Bart

2018-01-01

In previous studies, correlation between overall survival (OS) and surrogate endpoints like objective response rate (ORR) or progression-free survival (PFS) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was poor. This can be biased by crossover and postprogression treatments. To evaluate the relationship between these two surrogate endpoints and OS in advanced NSCLC studies that did not allow for crossover or reported balanced post-progression treatments. A systematic review in patients with advanced NSCLC receiving second- and further-line therapy was performed. The relationship between the absolute difference in ORR or median PFS (mPFS) and the absolute difference in median OS (mOS) was assessed using the correlation coefficient (R) and weighted regression models. The analysis was repeated in predefined data cuts based on crossover and balance of postprogression treatments. When the upper limit of R's 95% confidence interval (CI) was more than 0.7, the surrogate threshold effect (STE) was estimated. In total, 146 randomized clinical trials (43,061 patients) were included. The mean ORR, mPFS, and mOS were 12.2% ± 11.2%, 3.2 ± 1.3 months, and 9.6 ± 4.1 months, respectively. The correlation coefficients of ORR and mPFS were 0.181 (95% CI 0.016-0.337) and 0.254 (95% CI 0.074-0.418), respectively, with mOS. Nevertheless, in trials that did not allow crossover and reported balanced postprogression treatments, the correlation coefficients of ORR and mPFS were 0.528 (95% CI 0.081-0.798) and 0.778 (95% CI 0.475-0.916), respectively, with mOS. On the basis of STE estimation, in trials showing significant treatment effect size of 41.0% or more ORR or 4.15 or more mPFS months, OS benefit can be expected with sufficient certainty. Crossover and postprogression treatments may bias the relationship between surrogate endpoints and OS. Presented STE calculation can be used to interpret treatment effect on either ORR or PFS when used as primary endpoints. Copyright © 2018 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Stratospheric influence on the seasonal cycle of nitrous oxide in the troposphere as deduced from aircraft observations and model simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishijima, Kentaro; Patra, Prabir K.; Takigawa, Masayuki; Machida, Toshinobu; Matsueda, Hidekazu; Sawa, Yosuke; Steele, L. Paul; Krummel, Paul B.; Langenfelds, Ray L.; Aoki, Shuji; Nakazawa, Takakiyo

2010-10-01

The atmospheric N2O variations between the Earth's surface and the lower stratosphere, simulated by an atmospheric general circulation model-based chemistry transport model (ACTM), are compared with aircraft and satellite observations. We validate the newly developed ACTM simulations of N2O for loss rate and transport in the stratosphere using satellite observations from the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (Aura-MLS), with optimized surface fluxes for reproducing N2O trends observed at the surface stations. Observations in the upper troposphere/lower stratosphere (UT/LS) obtained by the Japan AirLines commercial flights commuting between Narita (36°N), Japan, and Sydney (34°S), Australia, have been used to study the role of stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE) on N2O variability near the tropopause. Low N2O concentration events in the UT region are shown to be captured statistically significantly by the ACTM simulation. This is attributed to successful reproduction of stratospheric air intrusion events and N2O vertical/horizontal gradients in the lower stratosphere. The meteorological fields and N2O concentrations reproduced in the ACTM are used to illustrate the mechanisms of STE and subsequent downward propagation of N2O-depleted stratospheric air in the troposphere. Aircraft observations of N2O vertical profile over Surgut (West Siberia, Russia; 61°N), Sendai-Fukuoka (Japan; 34°N-38°N), and Cape Grim (Tasmania, Australia; 41°S) have been used to estimate the relative contribution of surface fluxes, transport seasonality in the troposphere, and STE to N2O seasonal cycles at different altitude levels. Stratospheric N2O tracers are incorporated in the ACTM for quantitative estimation of the stratospheric influence on tropospheric N2O. The results suggest strong latitude dependency of the stratospheric contribution to the tropospheric N2O seasonal cycle. The periods of seasonal minimum in the upper troposphere, which are spring over Japan and summer over Surgut, are in good agreement between the ACTM and observation and indicate a different propagation path of the stratospheric signal between the two sites in the Northern Hemisphere. The stratospheric tracer simulations, when utilized with the observed seasonal cycle, also provide qualitative information on the seasonal variation in surface fluxes of N2O.

Free-breathing cine DENSE MRI using phase cycling with matchmaking and stimulated-echo image-based navigators.

PubMed

Cai, Xiaoying; Epstein, Frederick H

2018-04-01

This study aimed to develop a self-navigated method for free-breathing spiral cine displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE), a myocardial strain imaging technique that uses phase-cycling for artifact suppression. The method needed to address 2 consequences of motion for DENSE: striping artifacts from incomplete suppression of the T 1 -relaxation echo and blurring. The method identifies phase-cycled spiral interleaves at matched respiratory phases by minimizing the residual signal due to T 1 relaxation after phase-cycling subtraction. Next, the method reconstructs image-based navigators from matched phase-cycled interleaves that are comprised of the stimulated echo (ste-iNAVs). Ste-iNAVs are used for motion estimation and compensation of k-space data. The method was demonstrated in phantoms and compared to diaphragm-based navigator (dNAV) and conventional iNAV (c-iNAV) methods for the reconstruction of free-breathing volunteer data sets (N = 10). Phantom experiments demonstrated that the proposed method removes striping artifacts and blurring due to motion. Volunteer results showed that respiratory motion measured by ste-iNAVs was better correlated than c-iNAVs to dNAV data (R 2  = 0.82 ± 0.03 vs. 0.70 ± 0.05, P < 0.05). Match-making reconstructions of free-breathing data sets achieved lower residual T 1 -relaxation echo energy (1.04 ± 0.01 vs. 1.18 ± 0.04 for dNAV and 1.18 ± 0.03 for c-iNAV, P < 0.05), higher apparent SNR (11.93 ± 1.05 vs. 10.68 ± 1.06 for dNAV and 10.66 ± 0.99 for c-iNAV, P < 0.05), and better phase quality (0.147 ± 0.012 vs. 0.166 ± 0.017 for dNAV, P = 0.06, and 0.168 ± 0.015 for c-iNAV, P < 0.05) than dNAV and c-iNAV methods. For free-breathing cine DENSE, the proposed method addresses both types of breathing-induced artifacts and provides better quality images than conventional dNAV and iNAV methods. © 2018 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Acute insulin resistance in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in non-diabetic patients is associated with incomplete myocardial reperfusion and impaired coronary microcirculatory function

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Insulin resistance (IR) assessed by the Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA) index in the acute phase of myocardial infarction in non-diabetic patients was recently established as an independent predictor of intrahospital mortality. In this study we postulated that acute IR is a dynamic phenomenon associated with the development of myocardial and microvascular injury and larger final infarct size in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Methods In 104 consecutive patients with the first anterior STEMI without diabetes, the HOMA index was determined on the 2nd and 7th day after pPCI. Worst-lead residual ST-segment elevation (ST-E) on postprocedural ECG, coronary flow reserve (CFR) determined by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography on the 2nd day after pPCI and fixed perfusion defect on single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) determined six weeks after pPCI were analyzed according to HOMA indices. Results IR was present in 55 % and 58 % of patients on day 2 and day 7, respectively. Incomplete post-procedural ST-E resolution was more frequent in patients with IR compared to patients without IR, both on day 2 (p = 0.001) and day 7 (p < 0.001). The HOMA index on day 7 correlated with SPECT-MPI perfusion defect (r = 0.331), whereas both HOMA indices correlated well with CFR (r = -0.331 to -0.386) (p < 0.01 for all). In multivariable backward logistic regression analysis adjusted for significant univariate predictors and potential confounding variables, IR on day 2 was an independent predictor of residual ST-E ≥ 2 mm (OR 11.70, 95% CI 2.46-55.51, p = 0.002) and CFR < 2 (OR = 5.98, 95% CI 1.88-19.03, p = 0.002), whereas IR on day 7 was an independent predictor of SPECT-MPI perfusion defect > 20% (OR 11.37, 95% CI 1.34-96.21, p = 0.026). Conclusion IR assessed by the HOMA index during the acute phase of the first anterior STEMI in patients without diabetes treated by pPCI is independently associated with poorer myocardial reperfusion, impaired coronary microcirculatory function and potentially with larger final infarct size. PMID:24708817

Adsorption, sedimentation, and inactivation of E. coli within wastewater treatment wetlands.

PubMed

Boutilier, L; Jamieson, R; Gordon, R; Lake, C; Hart, W

2009-09-01

Bacteria fate and transport within constructed wetlands must be understood if engineered wetlands are to become a reliable form of wastewater treatment. This study investigated the relative importance of microbial treatment mechanisms in constructed wetlands treating both domestic and agricultural wastewater. Escherichia coli (E. coli) inactivation, adsorption, and settling rates were measured in the lab within two types of wastewater (dairy wastewater lagoon effluent and domestic septic tank effluent). In situ E. coli inactivation was also measured within a domestic wastewater treatment wetland and the adsorption of E. coli was also measured within the wetland effluent. Inactivation of E. coli appears to be the most significant contributor to E. coli removal within the wastewaters and wetland environments examined in this study. E. coli survived longer within the dairy wastewater (DW) compared to the domestic wastewater treatment wetland water (WW). First order rate constants for E. coli inactivation within the WW in the lab ranged from 0.09 day(-1) (d(-1)) at 7.6 degrees C to 0.18d(-1) at 22.8 degrees C. The average in situ rate constant observed within the domestic wetland ranged from 0.02 d(-1) to 0.03 d(-1) at an average water temperature of 17 degrees C. First order rate constants for E. coli inactivation within the DW ranged from 0.01 d(-1) at 7.7 degrees C to 0.04 d(-1) at 24.6 degrees C. Calculated distribution coefficients (K(d)) were 19,000 mL g(-1), 324,000 mL g(-1), and 293 mL g(-1) for E. coli with domestic septic tank effluent (STE), treated wetland effluent (WLE), and DW, respectively. Approximately 50%, 20%, and 90% of E. coli were "free floating" or associated with particles <5 microm in size within the STE, WLE, and DW respectively. Although 10-50% of E. coli were found to associate with particles >5 microm within both the STE and DW, settling did not appear to contribute to E. coli removal within sedimentation experiments, indicating that the particles the bacteria were associated with had very small settling velocities. The results of this study highlight the importance of wastewater characterization when designing a treatment wetland system for bacterial removal. This study illustrated the level of variability in E. coli removal processes that can be observed within different wastewater, and wetland environments.

A Synthetic Teammate for UAV Applications: A Prospective Look

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-08-01

was facilitated by the use of digital readouts for the flight instruments (other than the horizon line and reticle) in the STE, such that the model ...ACT-R returns a digital value for pitch and bank to the model (as reflected in the orientation of the horizon line with respect to the reticle), even...the development of a Situation Model (Zwann & Radvansky , 1998) to ground the n Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) research contract