The nuclear window to the extragalactic universe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erdmann, M.; Müller, G.; Urban, M.; Wirtz, M.

2016-12-01

We investigate two recent parameterizations of the galactic magnetic field with respect to their impact on cosmic nuclei traversing the field. We present a comprehensive study of the size of angular deflections, dispersion in the arrival probability distributions, multiplicity in the images of arrival on Earth, variance in field transparency, and influence of the turbulent field components. To remain restricted to ballistic deflections, a cosmic nucleus with energy E and charge Z should have a rigidity above E / Z = 6 EV. In view of the differences resulting from the two field parameterizations as a measure of current knowledge in the galactic field, this rigidity threshold may have to be increased. For a point source search with E/Z ≥ 60 EV, field uncertainties increase the required signal events for discovery moderately for sources in the northern and southern regions, but substantially for sources near the galactic disk.

Numerical Modeling of Ion Dynamics in a Carbon Nanotube Field-Ionized Thruster

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-12-01

30  Figure 13.  Equipotential plot, Ez as a function of z and r, Jreq=300 kA/m2, space charge off... Equipotential plots, Ez as a function of z and r, Jreq=300 kA/m2, space charge on. Plots are taken at time intervals of 0.05 ns...on the accelerating grids; under-perveance results in crossover, overlap of neighboring beamlets, and impingement on downstream surfaces . Optimum

EZ Pegasi - The last pieces of the puzzle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Howell, S. B.; Williams, W. M.; Barden, S. C.; Bopp, B. W.

1986-01-01

Based on UBV differential photometric observations carried out at the Braeside Observatory between October 19, 1984 and January 11, 1985, it is shown that EZ Peg is in synchronous rotation with a photometric period of 11.6626 days. The orbital solution of Griffin (1985) is in good agreement with the present results, and it is employed to analyze the emission properties of the Ca II and H-alpha emission in the system. It is suggested that the emission of the system is almost entirely associated with the primary component, and the two stars appear to be similar in size and luminosity.

Structure-Function Modeling of Optical Coherence Tomography and Standard Automated Perimetry in the Retina of Patients with Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa

PubMed Central

Smith, Travis B.; Parker, Maria; Steinkamp, Peter N.; Weleber, Richard G.; Smith, Ning; Wilson, David J.

2016-01-01

Purpose To assess relationships between structural and functional biomarkers, including new topographic measures of visual field sensitivity, in patients with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. Methods Spectral domain optical coherence tomography line scans and hill of vision (HOV) sensitivity surfaces from full-field standard automated perimetry were semi-automatically aligned for 60 eyes of 35 patients. Structural biomarkers were extracted from outer retina b-scans along horizontal and vertical midlines. Functional biomarkers were extracted from local sensitivity profiles along the b-scans and from the full visual field. These included topographic measures of functional transition such as the contour of most rapid sensitivity decline around the HOV, herein called HOV slope for convenience. Biomarker relationships were assessed pairwise by coefficients of determination (R2) from mixed-effects analysis with automatic model selection. Results Structure-function relationships were accurately modeled (conditional R2>0.8 in most cases). The best-fit relationship models and correlation patterns for horizontally oriented biomarkers were different than vertically oriented ones. The structural biomarker with the largest number of significant functional correlates was the ellipsoid zone (EZ) width, followed by the total photoreceptor layer thickness. The strongest correlation observed was between EZ width and HOV slope distance (marginal R2 = 0.85, p<10−10). The mean sensitivity defect at the EZ edge was 7.6 dB. Among all functional biomarkers, the HOV slope mean value, HOV slope mean distance, and maximum sensitivity along the b-scan had the largest number of significant structural correlates. Conclusions Topographic slope metrics show promise as functional biomarkers relevant to the transition zone. EZ width is strongly associated with the location of most rapid HOV decline. PMID:26845445

Structure-Function Modeling of Optical Coherence Tomography and Standard Automated Perimetry in the Retina of Patients with Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa.

PubMed

Smith, Travis B; Parker, Maria; Steinkamp, Peter N; Weleber, Richard G; Smith, Ning; Wilson, David J

2016-01-01

To assess relationships between structural and functional biomarkers, including new topographic measures of visual field sensitivity, in patients with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography line scans and hill of vision (HOV) sensitivity surfaces from full-field standard automated perimetry were semi-automatically aligned for 60 eyes of 35 patients. Structural biomarkers were extracted from outer retina b-scans along horizontal and vertical midlines. Functional biomarkers were extracted from local sensitivity profiles along the b-scans and from the full visual field. These included topographic measures of functional transition such as the contour of most rapid sensitivity decline around the HOV, herein called HOV slope for convenience. Biomarker relationships were assessed pairwise by coefficients of determination (R2) from mixed-effects analysis with automatic model selection. Structure-function relationships were accurately modeled (conditional R(2)>0.8 in most cases). The best-fit relationship models and correlation patterns for horizontally oriented biomarkers were different than vertically oriented ones. The structural biomarker with the largest number of significant functional correlates was the ellipsoid zone (EZ) width, followed by the total photoreceptor layer thickness. The strongest correlation observed was between EZ width and HOV slope distance (marginal R(2) = 0.85, p<10(-10)). The mean sensitivity defect at the EZ edge was 7.6 dB. Among all functional biomarkers, the HOV slope mean value, HOV slope mean distance, and maximum sensitivity along the b-scan had the largest number of significant structural correlates. Topographic slope metrics show promise as functional biomarkers relevant to the transition zone. EZ width is strongly associated with the location of most rapid HOV decline.

Influence of strike object grounding on close lightning electric fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baba, Yoshihiro; Rakov, Vladimir A.

2008-06-01

Using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method, we have calculated vertical electric field Ez, horizontal (radial) electric field Eh, and azimuthal magnetic field Hϕ produced on the ground surface by lightning strikes to 160-m- and a 553-m-high conical strike objects representing the Peissenberg tower (Germany) and the CN Tower (Canada), respectively. The fields were computed for a typical subsequent stroke at distances d' from the bottom of the object ranging from 5 to 100 m for the 160-m tower and from 10 to 300 m for the 553-m tower. Grounding of the 160-m object was assumed to be accomplished by its underground basement represented by a 10-m-radius and 8-m-long perfectly conducting cylinder with or without a reference ground plane located 2 m below. The reference ground plane simulates, to some extent, a higher-conducting ground layer that is expected to exist below the water table. The configuration without reference ground plane actually means that this plane is present, but is located at an infinitely large depth. Grounding of the 553-m object was modeled in a similar manner but in the absence of reference ground plane only. In all cases considered, waveforms of Eh and Hϕ are not much influenced by the presence of strike object, while waveforms of Ez are. Waveforms of Ez are essentially unipolar (as they are in the absence of strike object) when the ground conductivity σ is 10 mS/m (the equivalent transient grounding impedance is several ohms) or greater. Thus, for the CN Tower, for which σ ≥ 10 mS/m, the occurrence of Ez polarity change is highly unlikely. For the 160-m tower and for σ = 1 and 0.1 mS/m, waveforms of Ez become bipolar (exhibit polarity change) at d' ≤ 10 m and d' ≤ 50 m, respectively, regardless of the presence of the reference ground plane. The corresponding equivalent transient grounding impedances are about 30 and 50 Ω in the absence of the reference ground plane and smaller than 10 Ω in the presence of the reference ground plane. The source of opposite polarity Ez is the potential rise at the object base (at the air/ground interface) relative to the reference ground plane. For a given grounding electrode geometry, the strength of this source increases with decreasing σ, provided that the grounding impedance is linear. Potential rises at the strike object base for σ = 1 and 0.1 mS/m are some hundreds of kilovolts, which is sufficient to produce electrical breakdown from relatively sharp edges of the basement over a distance of several meters (or more) along the ground surface. The resultant ground surface arcs will serve to reduce the equivalent grounding impedance and, hence, potential rise. Therefore, the polarity change of Ez near the Peissenberg tower, for which σ is probably about 1 mS/m, should be a rare phenomenon, if it occurs at all. The equivalent transient grounding impedance of the cylindrical basement is similar to that of a hemispherical grounding electrode of the same radius. For the 160-m tower and for hemispherical grounding electrode, the transient grounding impedance is higher than its dc grounding resistance for σ = 10 and 1 mS/m, but lower for σ = 0.1 mS/m. For the 553-m tower, the transient grounding impedance of hemispherical electrode is equal to or larger than its dc resistance for all values of σ considered.

Electric field variations measured continuously in free air over a conductive thin zone in the tilted Lias-epsilon black shales near Osnabrück, Northwest Germany

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gurk, M.; Bosch, F. P.; Tougiannidis, N.

2013-04-01

Common studies on the static electric field distribution over a conductivity anomaly use the self-potential method. However, this method is time consuming and requires nonpolarizable electrodes to be placed in the ground. Moreover, the information gained by this method is restricted to the horizontal variations of the electric field. To overcome the limitation in the self-potential technique, we conducted a field experiment using a non conventional technique to assess the static electric field over a conductivity anomaly. We use two metallic potential probes arranged on an insulated boom with a separation of 126 cm. When placed into the electric field of the free air, a surface charge will be induced on each probe trying to equalize with the potential of the surrounding atmosphere. The use of a plasma source at both probes facilitated continuous and quicker measurement of the electric field in the air. The present study shows first experimental measurements with a modified potential probe technique (MPP) along a 600-meter-long transect to demonstrate the general feasibility of this method for studying the static electric field distribution over shallow conductivity anomalies. Field measurements were carried out on a test site on top of the Bramsche Massif near Osnabrück (Northwest Germany) to benefit from a variety of available near surface data over an almost vertical conductivity anomaly. High resolution self-potential data served in a numerical analysis to estimate the expected individual components of the electric field vector. During the experiment we found more anomalies in the vertical and horizontal components of the electric field than self-potential anomalies. These contrasting findings are successfully cross-validated with conventional near surface geophysical methods. Among these methods, we used self-potential, radiomagnetotelluric, electric resistivity tomography and induced polarization data to derive 2D conductivity models of the subsurface in order to infer the geometrical properties and the origin of the conductivity anomaly in the survey area. The presented study demonstrates the feasibility of electric field measurements in free air to detect and study near surface conductivity anomalies. Variations in Ez correlate well with the conductivity distribution obtained from resistivity methods. Compared to the self-potential technique, continuously free air measurements of the electric field are more rapid and of better lateral resolution combined with the unique ability to analyze vertical components of the electric field which are of particular importance to detect lateral conductivity contrasts. Mapping Ez in free air is a good tool to precisely map lateral changes of the electric field distribution in areas where SP generation fails. MPP offers interesting application in other geophysical techniques e.g. in time domain electromagnetics, DC and IP. With this method we were able to reveal a ca. 150 m broad zone of enhanced electric field strength.

Interaction of magnetized electrons with a boundary sheath: investigation of a specular reflection model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krüger, Dennis; Brinkmann, Ralf Peter

2017-11-01

This publication reports analytical and numerical results concerning the interaction of gyrating electrons with a plasma boundary sheath, with focus on partially magnetized technological plasmas. It is assumed that the electron Debye length {λ }{{D}} is much smaller than the electron gyroradius {r}{{L}}, and {r}{{L}} in turn much smaller than the mean free path λ and the gradient length L of the fields. Focusing on the scale of the gyroradius, the sheath is assumed as infinitesimally thin ({λ }{{D}}\\to 0), collisions are neglected (λ \\to ∞ ), the magnetic field is taken as homogeneous, and electric fields (=potential gradients) in the bulk are neglected (L\\to ∞ ). The interaction of an electron with the electric field of the plasma boundary sheath is represented by a specular reflection {v}\\to {v}-2{v}\\cdot {{e}}z {{e}}z of the velocity {v} at the plane z = 0 of a naturally oriented Cartesian coordinate system (x,y,z). The electron trajectory is then given as sequences of helical sections, with the kinetic energy ɛ and the canonical momenta p x and p y conserved, but not the position of the axis (base point {{R}}0), the slope (pitch angle χ), and the phase (gyrophase φ). A ‘virtual interaction’ which directly maps the incoming electrons to the outgoing ones is introduced and studied in dependence of the angle γ between the field and the sheath normal {{e}}z. The corresponding scattering operator is constructed, mathematically characterized, and given as an infinite matrix. An equivalent boundary condition for a transformed kinetic model is derived.

75 FR 28326 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 1040EZ-T

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-20

... 1040EZ-T AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice and request for comments... Form 1040EZ-T, Claim for Refund of Federal Telephone Excise Tax. DATES: Written comments should be...: 1545-2039. Form Number: 1040EZ-T. Abstract: Form 1040EZ-T was developed as a result of Notice 2006- 50...

Ground level gamma-ray and electric field enhancements during disturbed weather: Combined signatures from convective clouds, lightning and rain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reuveni, Yuval; Yair, Yoav; Price, Colin; Steinitz, Gideon

2017-11-01

We report coincidences of ground-level gamma-ray enhancements with precipitation events and strong electric fields typical of thunderstorms, measured at the Emilio Segre Cosmic Ray observatory located on the western slopes of Mt. Hermon in northern Israel. The observatory hosts 2 × 2″ Nal(TI) gamma ray scintillation detectors alongside a vertical atmospheric electric field (Ez) mill and conduction current (Jz) plates. During several active thunderstorms that occurred near the Mt. Hermon station in October and November 2015, we recorded prolonged periods of gamma ray enhancements, which lasted tens of minutes and coincided with peaks both in precipitation and the vertical electric field. Two types of events were detected: slow increase (up to 300 min) of atmospheric gamma ray radiation due to radon progeny washout (or rainout) along with minutes of Ez enhancement, which were not associated with the occurrences of nearby CG lightning discharges. The second type showed 30 min bursts of gamma rays, coinciding with minutes of Ez enhancement that closely matched the occurrences of nearby CG lightning discharges, and are superimposed on the radiation from radon daughters washed out to near surface levels by precipitation. We conclude that a superposition of accelerated high energy electrons by thunderstorm electric fields and radon progeny washout (or rainout) explains the relatively fast near surface gamma-ray increase, where the minutes-scale vertical electric field enhancement are presumably caused due to nearby convective clouds. Our results show that the mean exponential half-life depletion times of the residual nuclei produced during events without lightning occurrences were between 25-65 min, compared to 55-100 min when lightning was present, indicating that different types of nuclei were involved.

SEARCH FOR A MAGNETIC FIELD VIA CIRCULAR POLARIZATION IN THE WOLF-RAYET STAR EZ CMa

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

De la Chevrotiere, A.; St-Louis, N.; Moffat, A. F. J.

We report on the first deep, direct search for a magnetic field via the circular polarization of Zeeman splitting in a Wolf-Rayet (W-R) star. Using the highly efficient ESPaDOnS spectropolarimeter at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, we observed at three different epochs one of the best W-R candidates in the sky expected to harbor a magnetic field, the bright, highly variable WN4 star EZ CMa = WR6 = HD 50896. We looked for the characteristic circular polarization (Stokes V) pattern in strong emission lines that would arise as a consequence of a global, rotating magnetic field with a split monopole configuration. Wemore » also obtained nearly simultaneous linear polarization spectra (Stokes Q and U), which are dominated by electron scattering, most likely from a flattened wind with large-scale corotating structures. As the star rotates with a period of 3.766 days, our view of the wind changes, which in turn affects the value of the linear polarization in lines versus continuum at the {approx}0.2% level. Depending on the epoch of observation, our Stokes V data were affected by significant crosstalk from Stokes Q and U to V. We removed this spurious signal from the circular polarization data and experimented with various levels of spectral binning to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of our data. In the end, no magnetic field is unambiguously detected in EZ CMa. Assuming that the star is intrinsically magnetic and harbors a split monopole configuration, we find an upper limit of B {approx} 100 G for the intensity of its field in the line-forming regions of the stellar wind.« less

Ground measurements of the vertical E-field on mountains and the "Austausch" effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yaniv, Roy; Mkrtchyan, Hripsime; Yair, Yoav; Price, Colin; Reymers, Artur

2016-04-01

The global electric circuit (GEC) on earth is driven by electrified shower clouds and thunderstorms that act as current generators. The current flows up to the ionosphere and returns back to earth in areas known as fair weather regions. One of the GEC parameters that is routinely measured is the vertical electrical field (Ez) with a typical fair weather value between 100-300 V/m near ground. The Ez was found to correlate with the diurnal global thunderstorm activity in what is known as the Carnegie curve (Rycroft et al., 2012). Five ground based stations that measure the daily mean variations of the Ez during fair weather are currently operational in Israel and Armenia. The Israeli stations are located in the arid region of Mitzpe Ramon, Negev desert in southern Israel (30.6N, 34.76E, altitude 860 a.s.l) [Yaniv et al 2015] and at the Tel-Aviv University Cosmic Ray Observatory on Mount Hermon, in northern Israel (33.3N 35.78E, 2100 a.s.l). The Armenian stations are located in Yerevan, (40.205N, 44.486E, 1090m a.s.l.) and additional two on Mount Aragats: Nor Amberd (40.37N, 44.26E, 2000m a.s.l.) and Aragats (40.47N, 44.18E, 3200m a.s.l.). We present preliminary results of the mean daily variations of Ez recorded in these five stations, showing a strong mid-day effect in the mountainous stations (Hermon, Aragatz and Nor Amberd) that is absent from non-mountain stations (Yerevan and Mitzpe Ramon). This strong mid-day local effect in mountainous regions were previously observed by several authors and referred to as "Austausch" - The rising of the boundary layer and the accumulated charge within it due to solar morning heating of the ground. The transport of electrical charge results in an increase of the local Ez [Chalmers 1965, Cobb et al 1967, Israël 1970]. We used monthly averages of the time of increase of the electrical field and correlated these times with the local sun-rise times in the different geograpical locations. Positive correlations were found, indicating that morning solar heating results in the uplift of the charged layer to the mountain tops by anabatic (upslope) winds.

A Pilot Study to Understand the Variation in Indoor Air Quality in Different Economic Zones of Delhi University

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garg, Abhinav; Ghosh, Chirashree

Today, one of the most grave environmental health problems being faced by the urban population is the poor air quality one breathes in. To testify the above statement, the recent survey report, World health statistics (WHO, 2012) reflects the fact that childhood mortality ratio from acute respiratory infection is one of the top leading causes of death in developing countries like India. Urban areas have a complex social stratification which ultimately results in forming different urban economic zones. This research attempts to understand the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) by taking into consideration different lifestyle of occupants inhabiting these economic zones. The Study tries to evaluate the outdoor and indoor air quality by understanding the variation of selected pollutants (SPM, SOx, NOx) for the duration of four months - from October, 2012-January, 2013. For this, three economic zones (EZ) of Delhi University’s North Campus, were selected - Urban Slum (EZ I), Clerical (EZ II) and Faculty residence (EZ III). The statistical study indicates that Urban Slum (EZ I) was the most polluted site reporting maximum concentration of outdoor pollutants, whereas no significant difference in pollution load was observed in EZ II and EZ III. Further, the indoor air quality was evaluated by quantifying the indoor and outdoor pollution concentration ratios that shows EZ III have most inferior indoor air quality, followed by EZ I and EZ II. Moreover, it was also observed that ratio (phenomenon of infiltration) was dominant at the EZ II but was low for the EZ I and EZ III. With the evidence of high Indoor air pollution, the risk of pulmonary diseases and respiratory infections also increases, calling for an urgent requisite for making reforms to improve IAQ. Key words: Urban Area, Slum, IAQ, SOx, NOx, SPM

Improvement of strain Penicillium sp. EZ-ZH190 for tannase production by induced mutation.

PubMed

Zakipour-Molkabadi, E; Hamidi-Esfahani, Z; Sahari, M A; Azizi, M H

2013-11-01

In the search for an efficient producer of tannase, Penicillium sp. EZ-ZH190 was subjected to mutagenesis using heat treatment and strain EZ-ZH290 was isolated. The maximum tannase in this mutant strain was 4.32 U/mL with an incubation period of 84 h as compared to wild strain EZ-ZH190 where the incubation period was 96 h with a maximum enzyme activity of 4.33 U/mL. Also, the Penicillium sp. EZ-ZH290 tannase had a maximum activity at 40 °C and pH 5.5. Then, the spores of strain EZ-ZH290 were subjected to γ irradiation mutagenesis and strain EZ-ZH390 was isolated. Strain EZ-ZH390 exhibited higher tannase activity (7.66 U/mL) than the parent strain EZ-ZH290. It was also found that Penicillium sp. EZ-ZH390 tannase had an optimum activity at 35 °C and a broad pH profile with an optimum at pH 5.5. The tannase pH stability of Penicillium sp. EZ-ZH390 and its maximum production of tannase followed the same trend for five generations confirming the occurrence of stable mutant. This paper is shown that γ irradiation can mutate the Penicillium sp. leading to increase the tannase production.

The Synthesis of a Dipeptide from its Component Amino Acids: Protecting Groups in the Elementary Organic Laboratory.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Young, Paul E.; Campbell, Andrew

1982-01-01

A simple, three-step procedure for synthesizing a dipeptide from its component amino acids is described. The dipeptide synthesized uses inexpensive amino acids having hydrocarbon side-chains and can be observed in E/Z forms by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Each step in the synthesis produces white crystalline products using standard…

Visual cortical activity reflects faster accumulation of information from cortically blind fields

PubMed Central

Martin, Tim; Das, Anasuya; Huxlin, Krystel R.

2012-01-01

Brain responses (from functional magnetic resonance imaging) and components of information processing were investigated in nine cortically blind observers performing a global direction discrimination task. Three of these subjects had responses in perilesional cortex in response to blind field stimulation, whereas the others did not. We used the EZ-diffusion model of decision making to understand how cortically blind subjects make a perceptual decision on stimuli presented within their blind field. We found that these subjects had slower accumulation of information in their blind fields as compared with their good fields and to intact controls. Within cortically blind subjects, activity in perilesional tissue, V3A and hMT+ was associated with a faster accumulation of information for deciding direction of motion of stimuli presented in the blind field. This result suggests that the rate of information accumulation is a critical factor in the degree of impairment in cortical blindness and varies greatly among affected individuals. Retraining paradigms that seek to restore visual functions might benefit from focusing on increasing the rate of information accumulation. PMID:23169923

Near surface gamma-ray and electric field enhancements during disturbed weather: combined signatures from convective clouds, lightning and rain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reuveni, Yuval; Yair, Yoav; Price, Colin; Steinitz, Gideon

2017-04-01

We present correlations found between ground-level gamma-ray enhancements with precipitation and strong electric fields typical of thunderstorms. The data was obtained at the Cosmic Ray Observatory located on the western slopes of Mt. Hermon in northern Israel (altitude 2020 m ASL). During several thunderstorms in October and November 2015, we recorded extended periods of gamma ray enhancements, which lasted tens of minutes and coincided with peaks both in precipitation and the vertical electric field (Ez). We distinguish between two types of events based on the behavior of these parameters: (a) slow increase (up to 300 minutes) of atmospheric gamma ray radiation due to radon progeny washout along with minutes of Ez enhancement, which were not associated with the occurrences of near-by CG lightning discharges, and (b) rapid 30 minutes-long bursts of gamma rays, coinciding with much shorter Ez enhancements that were associated with the occurrences of near-by CG lightning discharges, and were superimposed on the radiation from radon daughters at ground level washed out by precipitation. We conclude that the superposition of accelerated high energy electrons by thunderstorm electric fields with the radon progeny washout explains the relatively fast gamma-ray increase observed at ground level, where the minutes-scale vertical electric field enhancement are presumably caused due to near-by convective clouds. Our results show that the mean half-life depletion times of the residual nuclei that were produced during events without lightning occurrences were between 25-65 minutes, compared to 55-100 minutes when lightning were present, indicating that different types of nuclei were involved.

Landau levels and magnetic oscillations in gapped Dirac materials with intrinsic Rashba interaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsaran, V. Yu.; Sharapov, S. G.

2014-11-01

A new family of the low-buckled Dirac materials which includes silicene, germanene, etc. is expected to possess a more complicated sequence of Landau levels than in pristine graphene. Their energies depend, among other factors, on the strength of the intrinsic spin-orbit (SO) and Rashba SO couplings and can be tuned by an applied electric field Ez. We studied the influence of the intrinsic Rashba SO term on the energies of Landau levels using both analytical and numerical methods. The quantum magnetic oscillations of the density of states are also investigated. A specific feature of the oscillations is the presence of the beats with the frequency proportional to the field Ez. The frequency of the beats becomes also dependent on the carrier concentration when Rashba interaction is present allowing experimental determination of its strength.

Fertility, mortality, milk output, and body thermoregulation of growing Hy-Plus rabbits fed on diets supplemented with multi-enzymes preparation.

PubMed

Gado, Hany M; Kholif, Ahmed E; Salem, Abdelfattah Z M; Elghandour, Mona M M; Olafadehan, Oluwarotimi A; Martinez, Maricela A; Al-Momani, Ahmed Q

2016-10-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the fertility status, milk output, mortality, and body thermoregulation of rabbit does as affected by different levels of multi-enzyme extracts (EZ) in their diets. A total of 120 Hy-Plus rabbit does were divided into four comparable experimental groups (n = 30 does per group). Animals of each group were divided in six pens (five animals per pen), and each pen was used as an experimental unit. The first group was kept untreated and fed a commercial diet alone without enzyme extracts (EZ0), while the other groups were fed the same diet but supplemented with 1 (EZ1), 3 (EZ3), and 5 (EZ5) kg/ton of enzyme extracts, respectively. Feeding EZ additive increased (P < 0.05) conception and kindling rates, litter size and weight at birth, and litter size and bunny weight at weaning, with decreasing (P < 0.05) abortion rate. Moreover, total milk yield increased (P < 0.05) with increasing level of enzyme supplementation. Pre-weaning mortality decreased (P < 0.05) with EZ inclusion. Signs of vitality (rectal temperature, skin temperature, earlobe temperature, respiration rate, and pulse rate) were improved with EZ inclusion. For all results, 5 kg EZ/ton of feed was more effective than 1 and 3 kg EZ/ton feed. It can be concluded that supplementation of EZ in rabbit diet decreased mortality rate and enhanced fertility status and milk output.

Reliability of a Manual Procedure for Marking the EZ Endpoint Location in Patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa

PubMed Central

Ramachandran, Rithambara; Cai, Cindy X.; Lee, Dongwon; Epstein, Benjamin C.; Locke, Kirsten G.; Birch, David G.; Hood, Donald C.

2016-01-01

Purpose We developed and evaluated a training procedure for marking the endpoints of the ellipsoid zone (EZ), also known as the inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) border, on frequency domain optical coherence tomography (fdOCT) scans from patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Methods A manual for marking EZ endpoints was developed and used to train 2 inexperienced graders. After training, an experienced grader and the 2 trained graders marked the endpoints on fdOCT horizontal line scans through the macula from 45 patients with RP. They marked the endpoints on these same scans again 1 month later. Results Intragrader agreement was excellent. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.99, the average difference of endpoint locations (19.6 μm) was close to 0 μm, and the 95% limits were between −284 and 323 μm, approximately ±1.1°. Intergrader agreement also was excellent. The ICC values were 0.98 (time 1) and 0.97 (time 2), the average difference among graders was close to zero, and the 95% limits of these differences was less than 350 μm, approximately 1.2°, for both test times. Conclusions While automated algorithms are becoming increasingly accurate, EZ endpoints still have to be verified manually and corrected when necessary. With training, the inter- and intragrader agreement of manually marked endpoints is excellent. Translational Relevance For clinical studies, the EZ endpoints can be marked by hand if a training procedure, including a manual, is used. The endpoint confidence intervals, well under ±2.0°, are considerably smaller than the 6° spacing for the typically used static visual field. PMID:27226930

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

Yusa, Kazuyuki; Yamamoto, Osamu; Fukuda, Masayuki

Highlights: {yields} We isolated the Zn{sup 2+} ions (eluted Zn{sup 2+} ion; EZ) from zinc-incorporated titanium implant. {yields} The EZ promoted the cell viability in hBMCs. {yields} The EZ stimulated preosteoblast and osteoblast marker gene expression in hBMCs. {yields} The hBMCs supplemented with EZ showed typically cell morphology when osteoblast maturing. {yields} It is revealed that the EZ also stimulates the calcium deposition of hBMCs. -- Abstract: Zinc is one of the trace elements which induce the proliferation and the differentiation of the osteoblast. In the previous study, we found that zinc ions (Zn{sup 2+} ion)-releasing titanium implants had excellentmore » bone fixation using a rabbit femurs model. In this study, we isolated the Zn{sup 2+} ions (eluted Zn{sup 2+} ion; EZ) released from the implant surface, and evaluated the effect of EZ on the osteogenesis of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells (hBMCs). In the result, it was found that the EZ stimulated cell viability, osteoblast marker gene (type I collagen, osteocalcin (OC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bone sialoprotein (BSP)) expressions and calcium deposition in hBMCs.« less

77 FR 71480 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 4506T-EZ, 4506-T-EZ (SP)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-30

... (SP), Formulario Abreviado para la Solicitud de un Trasunto de la Declaracion de Impuestos Personales... Request for Individual Tax Return Transcript (4506T-EZ); Formulario Abreviado para la Solicitud de un Trasunto de la Declaracion de Impuestos Personales (4506T-EZ (SP)). OMB Number: 1545-2154. Form Number...

76 FR 64369 - Notice of Submission of Proposed Information Collection to OMB Annual Progress Reports for...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-18

... based on the progress reported in implementing the EZs' strategic plans. Businesses located in the EZs... based on the progress reported in implementing the EZs' strategic plans. Businesses located in the EZs... primary purpose of this collection is to continue current data reporting for Rounds, I, II, and III...

EZ and GOSSIP, two new VO compliant tools for spectral analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franzetti, P.; Garill, B.; Fumana, M.; Paioro, L.; Scodeggio, M.; Paltani, S.; Scaramella, R.

2008-10-01

We present EZ and GOSSIP, two new VO compliant tools dedicated to spectral analysis. EZ is a tool to perform automatic redshift measurement; GOSSIP is a tool created to perform the SED fitting procedure in a simple, user friendly and efficient way. These two tools have been developed by the PANDORA Group at INAF-IASF (Milano); EZ has been developed in collaboration with Osservatorio Monte Porzio (Roma) and Integral Science Data Center (Geneve). EZ is released to the astronomical community; GOSSIP is currently in beta-testing.

A simple automated instrument for DNA extraction in forensic casework.

PubMed

Montpetit, Shawn A; Fitch, Ian T; O'Donnell, Patrick T

2005-05-01

The Qiagen BioRobot EZ1 is a small, rapid, and reliable automated DNA extraction instrument capable of extracting DNA from up to six samples in as few as 20 min using magnetic bead technology. The San Diego Police Department Crime Laboratory has validated the BioRobot EZ1 for the DNA extraction of evidence and reference samples in forensic casework. The BioRobot EZ1 was evaluated for use on a variety of different evidence sample types including blood, saliva, and semen evidence. The performance of the BioRobot EZ1 with regard to DNA recovery and potential cross-contamination was also assessed. DNA yields obtained with the BioRobot EZ1 were comparable to those from organic extraction. The BioRobot EZ1 was effective at removing PCR inhibitors, which often co-purify with DNA in organic extractions. The incorporation of the BioRobot EZ1 into forensic casework has streamlined the DNA analysis process by reducing the need for labor-intensive phenol-chloroform extractions.

Localizing value of electrical source imaging: Frontal lobe, malformations of cortical development and negative MRI related epilepsies are the best candidates.

PubMed

Abdallah, Chifaou; Maillard, Louis G; Rikir, Estelle; Jonas, Jacques; Thiriaux, Anne; Gavaret, Martine; Bartolomei, Fabrice; Colnat-Coulbois, Sophie; Vignal, Jean-Pierre; Koessler, Laurent

2017-01-01

We aimed to prospectively assess the anatomical concordance of electric source localizations of interictal discharges with the epileptogenic zone (EZ) estimated by stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) according to different subgroups: the type of epilepsy, the presence of a structural MRI lesion, the aetiology and the depth of the EZ. In a prospective multicentric observational study, we enrolled 85 consecutive patients undergoing pre-surgical SEEG investigation for focal drug-resistant epilepsy. Electric source imaging (ESI) was performed before SEEG. Source localizations were obtained from dipolar and distributed source methods. Anatomical concordance between ESI and EZ was defined according to 36 predefined sublobar regions. ESI was interpreted blinded to- and subsequently compared with SEEG estimated EZ. 74 patients were finally analyzed. 38 patients had temporal and 36 extra-temporal lobe epilepsy. MRI was positive in 52. 41 patients had malformation of cortical development (MCD), 33 had another or an unknown aetiology. EZ was medial in 27, lateral in 13, and medio-lateral in 34. In the overall cohort, ESI completely or partly localized the EZ in 85%: full concordance in 13 cases and partial concordance in 50 cases. The rate of ESI full concordance with EZ was significantly higher in (i) frontal lobe epilepsy (46%; p  = 0.05), (ii) cases of negative MRI (36%; p  = 0.01) and (iii) MCD (27%; p  = 0.03). The rate of ESI full concordance with EZ was not statistically different according to the depth of the EZ. We prospectively demonstrated that ESI more accurately estimated the EZ in subgroups of patients who are often the most difficult cases in epilepsy surgery: frontal lobe epilepsy, negative MRI and the presence of MCD.

Comparison of two intraosseous infusion systems for adult emergency medical use.

PubMed

Brenner, Thorsten; Bernhard, Michael; Helm, Matthias; Doll, Sara; Völkl, Alfred; Ganion, Nicole; Friedmann, Claudia; Sikinger, Marcus; Knapp, Jürgen; Martin, Eike; Gries, André

2008-09-01

The current guidelines of the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) stipulate that an intraosseous access should be placed if establishing a peripheral venous access for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) would involve delays. The aim of this study was therefore to compare a manual intraosseous infusion technique (MAN-IO) and a semi-automatic intraosseous infusion system (EZ-IO) using adult human cadavers as a model. After receiving verbal instruction and giving their written informed consent, the participants of the study were randomized into two groups (group I: MAN-IO, and group II: EZ-IO). In addition to the demographic data, the following were evaluated: (1) Number of attempts required to successfully place the infusion, (2) Insertion time, (3) Occurrence of technical complications and (4) User friendliness. Evaluation protocols from 84 study participants could be evaluated (MAN-IO: n=39 vs. EZ-IO: n=45). No significant differences were seen in the study participants' characteristics. Insertion times (MW+/-S.D.) of the respective successful attempts were comparable (MAN-IO: 33+/-28s vs. EZ-IO: 32+/-11s). When using the EZ-IO, the access was successfully established significantly more often on the first attempt (MAN-IO: 79.5% vs. EZ-IO: 97.8%; p<0.01). The EZ-IO was also found to have more advantages in terms of technical complications (MAN-IO: 15.4% vs. EZ-IO: 0.0%; p<0.01) and user friendliness (school grading system: MAN-IO: 1.9+/-0.7 vs. EZ-IO: 1.2+/-0.4; p<0.01). In an adult human cadaver model, the semi-automatic system was proven to be more effective. The EZ-IO gave more successful results, was associated with fewer technical complications, and is user friendlier.

EzArray: A web-based highly automated Affymetrix expression array data management and analysis system

PubMed Central

Zhu, Yuerong; Zhu, Yuelin; Xu, Wei

2008-01-01

Background Though microarray experiments are very popular in life science research, managing and analyzing microarray data are still challenging tasks for many biologists. Most microarray programs require users to have sophisticated knowledge of mathematics, statistics and computer skills for usage. With accumulating microarray data deposited in public databases, easy-to-use programs to re-analyze previously published microarray data are in high demand. Results EzArray is a web-based Affymetrix expression array data management and analysis system for researchers who need to organize microarray data efficiently and get data analyzed instantly. EzArray organizes microarray data into projects that can be analyzed online with predefined or custom procedures. EzArray performs data preprocessing and detection of differentially expressed genes with statistical methods. All analysis procedures are optimized and highly automated so that even novice users with limited pre-knowledge of microarray data analysis can complete initial analysis quickly. Since all input files, analysis parameters, and executed scripts can be downloaded, EzArray provides maximum reproducibility for each analysis. In addition, EzArray integrates with Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and allows instantaneous re-analysis of published array data. Conclusion EzArray is a novel Affymetrix expression array data analysis and sharing system. EzArray provides easy-to-use tools for re-analyzing published microarray data and will help both novice and experienced users perform initial analysis of their microarray data from the location of data storage. We believe EzArray will be a useful system for facilities with microarray services and laboratories with multiple members involved in microarray data analysis. EzArray is freely available from . PMID:18218103

Mars Surface Systems Common Capabilities and Challenges for Human Missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Toups, Larry; Hoffman, Stephen J.; Watts, Kevin

2016-01-01

This paper describes the current status of common systems and operations as they are applied to actual locations on Mars that are representative of Exploration Zones (EZ) - NASA's term for candidate locations where humans could land, live and work on the martian surface. Given NASA's current concepts for human missions to Mars, an EZ is a collection of Regions of Interest (ROIs) located within approximately 100 kilometers of a centralized landing site. ROIs are areas that are relevant for scientific investigation and/or development/maturation of capabilities and resources necessary for a sustainable human presence. An EZ also contains a habitation site that will be used by multiple human crews during missions to explore and utilize the ROIs within the EZ. The Evolvable Mars Campaign (EMC), a description of NASA's current approach to these human Mars missions, assumes that a single EZ will be identified within which NASA will establish a substantial and durable surface infrastructure that will be used by multiple human crews. The process of identifying and eventually selecting this single EZ will likely take many years to finalized. Because of this extended EZ selection process it becomes important to evaluate the current suite of surface systems and operations being evaluated for the EMC as they are likely to perform at a variety of proposed EZ locations and for the types of operations - both scientific and development - that are proposed for these candidate EZs. It is also important to evaluate proposed EZs for their suitability to be explored or developed given the range of capabilities and constraints for the types of surface systems and operations being considered within the EMC.

The Peculiar Electrical Properties of the 8-12th September, 2015 Massive Dust Outbreak Over the Levant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yair, Y.; Katz, S.; Price, C.; Ziv, B.; Yaniv, R.

2016-12-01

Dust storms over the Levant and Eastern Mediterranean region are common and occur several times a year, depending on synoptic systems and meteorological parameters. Such storms are often accompanied by large electrical charging, most likely due to triboelectric processes (Esposito et al., 2016). The effects of dust storms on atmospheric electricity parameters such as the fair weather electric field (Ez) and current density (Jz) are well documented, but have not been extensively studied for the Levant region. We report new measurements conducted during the massive dust outbreak that occurred over the region in September 08-12, 2015. That event was one of the strongest dust storms on record and engulfed the entire region for 5 consecutive days, from Iraq through Syria, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus and Egypt. Ground-based measurements of Ez and Jz were conducted at the Wise Observatory (WO) in Mizpe-Ramon (30035'N, 34045'E) and at Mt. Hermon (30024'N, 35051'E). The Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT) obtained from the AERONET station in Sde-Boker reached values up to 4.0. During the dust outbreak very large fluctuations in the electrical parameters were measured at both stations, however remarkable differences were noted. While at the Mt. Hermon station we registered strong positive values of the electric field and current density, the values registered at WO were significantly smaller and more negative. The Mt. Hermon site showed Ez and Jz values fluctuating between -460 and +570 V m-1 and -14.5 and +18 pA m-2 respectively. In contrast, Ez values registered at WO were between -430 and +10 V m-1, while the Jz fluctuated between -6 and +3 pA m-2 .When compared with the February 2015 electrified dust storm reported by Yair et al. (2016), we note substantial differences in the electric parameters variability, amplitude and polarity. The possible reasons for these differences will be discussed.

Human Mars Landing Site and Impacts on Mars Surface Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bussey, Ben; Hoffman, Stephen J.

2016-01-01

NASA has begun a process to identify and discuss candidate locations where humans could land, live and work on the Martian surface. These locations are referred to as Exploration Zones (EZs). Given current mission concepts, an EZ is a collection of Regions of Interest (ROIs) that are located within approximately 100 kilometers of a centralized landing site. ROIs are areas that are relevant for scientific investigation and/or development/maturation of capabilities and resources necessary for a sustainable human presence. The EZ also contains a landing site and a habitation site that will be used by multiple human crews during missions to explore and utilize the ROIs within the EZ. These candidate EZs will be used by NASA as part of a multi-year process of determining where and how humans could explore Mars. In the near term this process includes: (a) identifying locations that would maximize the potential science return from future human exploration missions, (b) identifying locations with the potential for resources required to support humans, (c) developing concepts and engineering systems needed by future human crews to conduct operations within an EZ, and (d) identifying key characteristics of the proposed candidate EZs that cannot be evaluated using existing data sets, thus helping to define precursor measurements needed in advance of human missions. Existing and future robotic spacecraft will be tasked to gather data from specific Mars surface sites within the representative EZs to support these NASA activities. The proposed paper will describe NASA's initial steps for identifying and evaluating candidate EZs and ROIs. This includes plans for the "First Landing Site/Exploration Zone Workshop for Human Missions to the Surface of Mars" to be held in October 2015 at which proposals for EZs and ROIs will be presented and discussed. It will also include a discussion of how these considerations are (or will be) taken into account as future robotic Mars missions are defined and developed. One or more representative EZs, drawn from similar previous studies involving Mars sites, will be used in the proposed paper to illustrate the process NASA envisions for gathering additional data from robotic precursor missions to assist in making a final selection of an EZ for human crews as well as the steps likely to occur during the buildup of a habitation site. Examples of the systems and operations likely to be used by human crews, assisted by robotic vehicles, to explore the scientific ROIs as well as developing the resource ROIs within the example EZs will be discussed.

Predictive value of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography features in assessment of visual prognosis in eyes with acute welding arc maculopathy.

PubMed

Zhang, Chunxia; Dang, Guangfu; Zhao, Tianmei; Wang, DongLin; Su, Yan; Qu, Yi

2018-04-12

To observe spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) features and to determine whether baseline OCT features can be used as predictors of visual acuity outcome in eyes with acute welding arc maculopathy. This retrospective study enrolled twenty-two eyes of eleven subjects with acute welding arc maculopathy. All subjects were evaluated by SD-OCT at baseline and final visit. The involved parameters included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), the length of ellipsoid zone (EZ) defects, the greatest linear dimension (GLD) of outer retinal lesions, EZ reflectivity and relative EZ reflectivity (defined as the ratio of EZ reflectivity to retinal pigment epithelium reflectivity on OCT). Acute welding arc maculopathy was presented as abnormal hyperreflectivity, hyporeflectivity and defects of outer retinal layer in fovea on OCT. Compared with baseline, BCVA improved significantly accompanied by decreased GLD of outer retinal lesions and the length of EZ defects at final visit (P = 0.0004, P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). No significant changes were shown on CMT (P = 0.248). In multivariate regression analysis, final BCVA was associated with baseline BCVA and the length of EZ defects (P = 0.012 and P = 0.045, respectively). However, EZ reflectivity and relative EZ reflectivity were not associated with final BCVA (P > 0.05). In conclusion, SD-OCT images clearly reveal morphological changes in outer retinal layer in acute welding arc maculopathy. The baseline BCVA and length of EZ defects are the strongest predictors of final BCVA.

The clinical effect and tolerability of ezetimibe in high-risk patients managed in a specialty cardiovascular risk reduction clinic

PubMed Central

Pearson, Glen J; Francis, Gordon A; Romney, Jacques S; Gilchrist, Dawna M; Opgenorth, Andrea; Gyenes, Gabor T

2006-01-01

INTRODUCTION Ezetimibe (EZ) is a selective cholesterol absorption inhibitor approved for use in Canada. The effect and tolerability of EZ among patients was evaluated in the clinical setting of a specialty cardiovascular risk reduction clinic at the University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta. PATIENTS AND METHODS All patients 18 years of age or older who were prescribed EZ were included, unless they failed to take EZ for a minimum of two weeks, did not have baseline and on-EZ low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, or had concomitant lipid-lowering drugs or dosages changed within one month of starting EZ. RESULTS Eighty-four patients (mean age 57.9 years) were included. By Framingham risk calculation, 71.4% were found to be high-risk patients, 13.1% moderate-risk patients and 15.5% low-risk patients; 66.7% of patients had prior cardiovascular events. On EZ, the mean reductions were: total cholesterol level 1.11 mmol/L (16.5%); LDL-C level 1.01 mmol/L (22.3%); high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level 0.06 mmol/L (4.6%); and ratio of total cholesterol level to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level 0.68 mmol/L (12.8%); all were statistically significant (P<0.001). Results were similar when stratified by primary (n=28) versus secondary (n=56) prevention. Patients on EZ monotherapy (n=34) had mean LDL-C reductions of 1.03 mmol/L (20.5%) compared with 1.19 mmol/L (30.1%) or 0.95 mmol/L (22.5%), where EZ was added to low-dose or high-dose statins (P<0.01 for all). On EZ, 30 patients (35.7%) achieved previously unattainable target LDL-C levels. Four patients discontinued the drug due to side effects. CONCLUSIONS EZ is safe and effective in high-risk patients treated in the clinical setting of a cardiovascular risk reduction clinic. A mean LDL-C reduction of 1 mmol/L (20% to 30%) in all patient subgroups is consistent with previous clinical trial results. The significant reduction in LDL-C (mean 22.5%) observed in the EZ plus high-dose statin subgroup provides clinical evidence for use of this medication beyond published studies. PMID:16971979

Comparison of the Fluid Resuscitation Rate with and without External Pressure Using Two Intraosseous Infusion Systems for Adult Emergencies, the CITRIN (Comparison of InTRaosseous infusion systems in emergency medicINe)-Study

PubMed Central

Gries, André; Hossfeld, Björn; Bechmann, Ingo; Bernhard, Michael

2015-01-01

Introduction Intraosseous infusion is recommended if peripheral venous access fails for cardiopulmonary resuscitation or other medical emergencies. The aim of this study, using body donors, was to compare a semi-automatic (EZ-IO®) device at two insertion sites and a sternal intraosseous infusion device (FASTR™). Methods Twenty-seven medical students being inexperienced first-time users were randomized into three groups using EZ-IO and FASTR. The following data were evaluated: attempts required for successful placement, insertion time and flow rates with and without external pressure to the infusion. Results The first-pass insertion success of the EZ-IO tibia, EZ-IO humerus and FASTR was 91%, 77%, and 95%, respectively. Insertion times (MW±SD) did not show significant differences with 17±7 (EZ-IO tibia) vs. 29±42 (EZ-IO humerus) vs. 33±21 (FASTR), respectively. One-minute flow rates using external pressures between 0 mmHg and 300 mmHg ranged between 27±5 to 69±54 ml/min (EZ-IO tibia), 16±3 to 60±44 ml/min (EZ-IO humerus) and 53±2 to 112±47 ml/min (FASTR), respectively. Concerning pressure-related increases in flow rates, negligible correlations were found for the EZ-IO tibia in all time frames (c = 0.107–0.366; p≤0.013), moderate positive correlations were found for the EZ-IO humerus after 5 minutes (c = 0.489; p = 0.021) and strong positive correlations were found for the FASTR in all time frames (c = 0.63–0.80; p≤0.007). Post-hoc statistical power was 0.62 with the given sample size. Conclusions The experiments with first-time users applying EZ-IO and FASTR in body donors indicate that both devices may be effective intraosseous infusion devices, likely suitable for fluid resuscitation using a pressure bag. Variations in flow rate may limit their reliability. Larger sample sizes will prospectively be required to substantiate our findings. PMID:26630579

Comparison of the Fluid Resuscitation Rate with and without External Pressure Using Two Intraosseous Infusion Systems for Adult Emergencies, the CITRIN (Comparison of InTRaosseous infusion systems in emergency medicINe)-Study.

PubMed

Hammer, Niels; Möbius, Robert; Gries, André; Hossfeld, Björn; Bechmann, Ingo; Bernhard, Michael

2015-01-01

Intraosseous infusion is recommended if peripheral venous access fails for cardiopulmonary resuscitation or other medical emergencies. The aim of this study, using body donors, was to compare a semi-automatic (EZ-IO®) device at two insertion sites and a sternal intraosseous infusion device (FASTR™). Twenty-seven medical students being inexperienced first-time users were randomized into three groups using EZ-IO and FASTR. The following data were evaluated: attempts required for successful placement, insertion time and flow rates with and without external pressure to the infusion. The first-pass insertion success of the EZ-IO tibia, EZ-IO humerus and FASTR was 91%, 77%, and 95%, respectively. Insertion times (MW ± SD) did not show significant differences with 17 ± 7 (EZ-IO tibia) vs. 29 ± 42 (EZ-IO humerus) vs. 33 ± 21 (FASTR), respectively. One-minute flow rates using external pressures between 0 mmHg and 300 mmHg ranged between 27 ± 5 to 69 ± 54 ml/min (EZ-IO tibia), 16 ± 3 to 60 ± 44 ml/min (EZ-IO humerus) and 53 ± 2 to 112 ± 47 ml/min (FASTR), respectively. Concerning pressure-related increases in flow rates, negligible correlations were found for the EZ-IO tibia in all time frames (c = 0.107-0.366; p ≤ 0.013), moderate positive correlations were found for the EZ-IO humerus after 5 minutes (c = 0.489; p = 0.021) and strong positive correlations were found for the FASTR in all time frames (c = 0.63-0.80; p ≤ 0.007). Post-hoc statistical power was 0.62 with the given sample size. The experiments with first-time users applying EZ-IO and FASTR in body donors indicate that both devices may be effective intraosseous infusion devices, likely suitable for fluid resuscitation using a pressure bag. Variations in flow rate may limit their reliability. Larger sample sizes will prospectively be required to substantiate our findings.

Human Mars Landing Site and Impacts on Mars Surface Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoffman, Stephen J.; Bussey, Ben

2016-01-01

This paper describes NASA's initial steps for identifying and evaluating candidate Exploration Zones (EZs) and Regions of Interests (ROIs) for the first human crews that will explore the surface of Mars. NASA's current effort to define the exploration of this planet by human crews, known as the Evolvable Mars Campaign (EMC), provides the context in which these EZs and ROIs are being considered. The EMC spans all aspects of a human Mars mission including launch from Earth, transit to and from Mars, and operations on the surface of Mars. An EZ is a collection of ROIs located within approximately 100 kilometers of a centralized landing site. ROIs are areas relevant for scientific investigation and/or development/maturation of capabilities and resources necessary for a sustainable human presence. The EZ also contains one or more landing sites and a habitation site that will be used by multiple human crews during missions to explore and utilize the ROIs within the EZ. With the EMC as a conceptual basis, the EZ model has been refined to a point where specific site selection criteria for scientific exploration and in situ resource utilization can be defined. In 2015 these criteria were distributed to the planetary sciences community and the in situ resource utilization and civil engineering communities as part of a call for EZ proposals. The resulting "First Landing Site/Exploration Zone Workshop for Human Missions to the Surface of Mars" was held in October 2015 during which 47 proposals for EZs and ROIs were presented and discussed. Proposed locations spanned all longitudes and all allowable latitudes (+/- 50 degrees). Proposed justification for selecting one of these EZs also spanned a significant portion of the scientific and resource criteria provided to the community. Several important findings resulted from this Workshop including: (a) a strong consensus that, at a scale of 100 km (radius), multiple places on Mars exist that have both sufficient scientific interest to sustain multiple crews of exploring astronauts, AND potential resource deposits for ISRU indicating the current EZ definition is viable and should be retained for now, (b) new data types (needed for more definitive analysis of EZs) argued strongly for a new orbiter mission, and possibly one or more surface missions, to obtain these data, (c) a general consensus that this Workshop was an excellent start to identifying a place where future human missions to Mars can productively explore this planet and learn to live and work there for the long term. Building on these findings, HEOMD and SMD are: (a) refining the EZ selection criteria and overall selection process to improve on lessons learned from the first EZ workshop, (b) using these proposed locations to develop "reference EZs" for assessment purposes (primarily engineering assessments), (c) gathering data and conducting analyses to better understanding the different potential sources for water, including the ease of extraction and purification, and (d) assessing trends in additional data that are needed to better characterize EZs proposed at the workshop and how these data needs impact the design and operation of future robotic Mars missions.

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

Liu, Yang; Li, Si-Yu; Li, Yong-Ping

The study of reionization history plays an important role in understanding the evolution of our universe. It is commonly believed that the intergalactic medium (IGM) in our universe are fully ionized today, however the reionizing process remains to be mysterious. A simple instantaneous reionization process is usually adopted in modern cosmology without direct observational evidence. However, the history of ionization fraction, x{sub e}(z) will influence CMB observables and constraints on optical depth τ. With the mocked future data sets based on featured reionization model, we find the bias on τ introduced by instantaneous model can not be neglected. In thismore » paper, we study the cosmic reionization history in a model independent way, the so called principle component analysis (PCA) method, and reconstruct x{sub e} (z) at different redshift z with the data sets of Planck, WMAP 9 years temperature and polarization power spectra, combining with the baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) from galaxy survey and type Ia supernovae (SN) Union 2.1 sample respectively. The results show that reconstructed x{sub e}(z) is consistent with instantaneous behavior, however, there exists slight deviation from this behavior at some epoch. With PCA method, after abandoning the noisy modes, we get stronger constraints, and the hints for featured x{sub e}(z) evolution could become a little more obvious.« less

Restoration of Outer Retinal Layers After Aflibercept Therapy in Exudative AMD: Prognostic Value.

PubMed

Coscas, Florence; Coscas, Gabriel; Lupidi, Marco; Dirani, Ali; Srour, Mayer; Semoun, Oudy; Français, Catherine; Souied, Eric H

2015-06-01

To evaluate the outer retinal layer (ellipsoid zone [EZ] and external limiting membrane [ELM]) changes following intravitreal aflibercept injections in eyes with treatment-naïve exudative age-related macular degeneration (eAMD) and to correlate these changes with fluid response and visual improvement. A retrospective case series of 50 treatment-naïve eAMD eyes followed-up for 18 months. All patients underwent regular comprehensive ophthalmic examinations. The presence of EZ disruption, ELM disruption, EZ swelling, subretinal hyper-reflective exudation (SHE), central macular thickness (CMT), cystoid spaces, subretinal fluid, and pigmented epithelium detachment were evaluated by two different retinal specialists at baseline and final visits, and correlated with best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improvement. At 18 months, BCVA, EZ disruption, ELM disruption, EZ swelling and SHE improved significantly (P = 0.001) at 18 months. Improvement of BCVA showed a statistically significant correlation with ELM restoration (P = 0.018), but not with EZ restoration (P = 0.581). Swelling of the EZ decreased from 72% of the cases at baseline to 30% in 18 months while SHE decreased from 52% to 6% in 18 months (P = 0.001). We observed a statistically significant (P = 0.001) reduction between the baseline and final value of CMT. Aflibercept is safe and effective in treating exudative AMD with the restoration of the outer retinal layers. Restoration of the EZ is not statistically correlated with the final BCVA, even though persistent EZ changes could be associated with irreversible decrease in vision. On the contrary, the final status of the ELM is directly correlated with final BCVA. Also, baseline changes in outer retinal layers, especially the ELM, appear to predict photoreceptor restoration and final BCVA, and must be comprehensively analyzed to enable and determine a future prognosis.

76 FR 2921 - In the Matter of Certain Inkjet Ink Supplies and Components Thereof; Notice of Commission...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-18

... (``Shanghai Angel''); SmartOne Services LLC d/b/a InkForSale.net of Hayward, California (``Smart One..., ABCInk, EZ Label, and CDR DVDR Media of City of Industry, California (``Comptree''); Zhuhai National..., Comptree, InkPlusToner, and SmartOne, reached settlement agreements with HP and were terminated from the...

Corrosion Susceptibilities of Magnesium Alloys AZ91, EZ33 and ZE41

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-06-01

as an official Department of the Army position, policy, or decision , unless so designated by other documentation. The citation in this report of the...60g/l) with an addition of 3g Nacconal 4 at about 300C (.860F). A reaction flask, eudiometer and auxillary components were arranged, as shown in

INCREASED SERUM LEVELS OF UREA AND CREATININE ARE SURROGATE MARKERS FOR DISRUPTION OF RETINAL PHOTORECEPTOR EXTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE AND INNER SEGMENT ELLIPSOID ZONE IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS.

PubMed

Saxena, Sandeep; Ruia, Surabhi; Prasad, Senthamizh; Jain, Astha; Mishra, Nibha; Natu, Shankar M; Meyer, Carsten H; Gilhotra, Jagjit S; Kruzliak, Peter; Akduman, Levent

2017-02-01

To evaluate the role of serum urea and creatinine as surrogate markers for disruption of retinal photoreceptor external limiting membrane (ELM) and inner segment ellipsoid zone (EZ) in Type 2 diabetic retinopathy (DR) using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, for the first time. One hundred and seventeen consecutive cases of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (diabetes without retinopathy [No DR; n = 39], nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy [NPDR; n = 39], proliferative diabetic retinopathy [PDR; n = 39]) and 40 healthy control subjects were included. Serum levels of urea and creatinine were assessed using standard protocol. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography was used to grade the disruption of ELM and EZ as follows: Grade 0, no disruption of ELM and EZ; Grade 1, ELM disrupted, EZ intact; Grade 2, ELM and EZ disrupted. Data were analyzed statistically. Increase in serum levels of urea (F = 22.93) and creatinine (F = 15.82) and increased grades of disruption of ELM and EZ (γ = 116.3) were observed with increased severity of DR (P < 0.001). Increase in serum levels of urea (F = 10.45) and creatinine (F = 6.89) was observed with increased grades of disruption of ELM and EZ (P = 0.001). Serum levels of urea and creatinine are surrogate markers for disruption of retinal photoreceptor ELM and EZ on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in DR.

EZ spheres: a stable and expandable culture system for the generation of pre-rosette multipotent stem cells from human ESCs and iPSCs.

PubMed

Ebert, Allison D; Shelley, Brandon C; Hurley, Amanda M; Onorati, Marco; Castiglioni, Valentina; Patitucci, Teresa N; Svendsen, Soshana P; Mattis, Virginia B; McGivern, Jered V; Schwab, Andrew J; Sareen, Dhruv; Kim, Ho Won; Cattaneo, Elena; Svendsen, Clive N

2013-05-01

We have developed a simple method to generate and expand multipotent, self-renewing pre-rosette neural stem cells from both human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) without utilizing embryoid body formation, manual selection techniques, or complex combinations of small molecules. Human ESC and iPSC colonies were lifted and placed in a neural stem cell medium containing high concentrations of EGF and FGF-2. Cell aggregates (termed EZ spheres) could be expanded for long periods using a chopping method that maintained cell-cell contact. Early passage EZ spheres rapidly down-regulated OCT4 and up-regulated SOX2 and nestin expression. They retained the potential to form neural rosettes and consistently differentiated into a range of central and peripheral neural lineages. Thus, they represent a very early neural stem cell with greater differentiation flexibility than other previously described methods. As such, they will be useful for the rapidly expanding field of neurological development and disease modeling, high-content screening, and regenerative therapies based on pluripotent stem cell technology. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Human Mars Landing Site and Impacts on Mars Surface Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bussey, Ben; Hoffman, Stephen J.

2016-01-01

This paper describes NASA's initial steps for identifying and evaluating candidate Exploration Zones (EZs) and Regions of Interests (ROIs) for the first human crews that will explore the surface of Mars. NASA's current effort to define the exploration of this planet by human crews, known as the Evolvable Mars Campaign (EMC), provides the context in which these EZs and ROIs are being considered. The EMC spans all aspects of a human Mars mission including launch from Earth, transit to and from Mars, and operations on the surface of Mars. Studies related to Mars surface operations and related system capabilities have led to the current definition of an EZ as well as ROIs. An EZ is a collection of ROIs that are located within approximately 100 kilometers of a centralized landing site. ROIs are areas that are relevant for scientific investigation and/or development/maturation of capabilities and resources necessary for a sustainable human presence. The EZ also contains one or more landing sites and a habitation site that will be used by multiple human crews during missions to explore and utilize the ROIs within the EZ. With the EMC as a conceptual basis, the EZ model has been refined to a point where specific site selection criteria for scientific exploration and in situ resource utilization can be defined. In 2015 these criteria were distributed to the planetary sciences community and the in situ resource utilization and civil engineering communities as part of a call for EZ proposals. The resulting "First Landing Site/Exploration Zone Workshop for Human Missions to the Surface of Mars" was held in October 2015 during which 47 proposals for EZs and ROIs were presented and discussed. Proposed locations spanned all longitudes and all allowable latitudes (+/- 50 degrees). Proposed justification for selecting one of these EZs also spanned a significant portion of the scientific and resource criteria provided to the community. Workshop results will be used to prepare for follow-on workshops to refine our understanding of proposed EZs and ultimately select a single location to be explored and utilized by human crews. Another significant workshop outcome was a recognition that new data will be needed to refine our understanding of the value of proposed EZs. These new data will come in part from existing spacecraft at Mars and may come from future robotic Mars missions as appropriate consideration is given to these new data needs during mission definition and development.

The Galactic Magnetic Field and its lensing of Ultrahigh Energy and Galactic Cosmic Rays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farrar, Glennys

2015-08-01

It has long been recognized that magnetic fields play an important role in many astrophysical environments, but the magnetic field strength and structure has only been quantitatively determined for relatively few systems beyond our solar system.Our understanding of the Galactic magnetic field (GMF) has improved tremendously in recent years. The Jansson-Farrar (2012) (JF12) GMF model is the most realistic and comprehensive model available. It was constrained by fitting all-sky Faraday Rotation Measures of ~40k extragalactic sources, simultaneously with WMAP polarized (Q,U) and total synchrotron emission maps - together providing a total of more than 10,000 independent datapoints, each with measured astrophysical variance. In addition to disk and toroidal halo components, a previously overlooked coherent poloidal halo field proves to be necessary to account for the RM, Q and U data. Moreover a “striated” random component is needed in addition to a fully random component, in both disk and halo.The talk will give a concise review of the JF12 model and its derivation, with emphasis on which features of the GMF are well or poorly established. I will show that the data unambiguously demand a large scale coherent component to the halo field which is a diverging-spiral centered on the Galactic center, with field lines running from Southern to Northern hemispheres. The puzzles posed by the large scale coherent halo and disk magnetic fields, and their possible origins, will be discussed.Having a good model of the Galactic magnetic field is crucial for determining the sources of UHECRs, for modeling the transport of Galactic CRs (the halo field provides a heretofore-overlooked escape route for by diffusion along its field lines), and for calculating the background to dark matter and CMB-cosmology studies. I will present new results on the lensing effect of the GMF on UHECRs, which produces multiple images and dramatic magnification and demagnification that varies with source direction and CR rigidity, E/Z, and show movies of VHECR propagation from a transient source at the Galactic Center or elsewhere in the Galaxy.

Stamping Die Making. 439-318/320.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yunke, P.; And Others

Each unit in this curriculum guide on stamping die making contains an introduction, objectives, materials required, lessons, space for notes, figures, and diagrams. There are 29 units in this guide, dealing with the following topics: EZ-MILL programming; EZ-MILL BATT; print of punch and EZ-MILL part programming; download to Computer Numerical…

77 FR 64380 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 13441 and 13441-EZ

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-19

... Form 13441, Health Coverage Tax Credit Registration Form, and Form 13441-EZ. DATES: Written [email protected] . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Health Coverage Tax Credit Registration Form. OMB Number: 1545-1842. Form Number: 13441 and 13441-EZ. Abstract: Coverage Tax Credit Registration Form will be...

Stimulating effects of two plant growth-promoting bacteria, Enterobacter ludwigii Ez-185-17 and Raoultella terrigena Ez-555-6, on flax culture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarron, Elodie; Clément, Nathalie; Pawlicki-Jullian, Nathalie; Gaillard, Isabelle; Boitel-Conti, Michèle

2018-04-01

Two bacteria, Enterobacter ludwigii Ez-185-17 and Raoultella terrigena Ez-555-6, isolated from root nodules of Medicago lupulina from the Chernobyl exclusion zone, were identified in a previous study and shown not to disturb plant growth. The main goal of this work is to elucidate the relationships between these bacteria and flax, in particular whether they display activities such as plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) properties or modulation hairy root development. In order to better understand their role in plants, some known PGPB properties were determined in comparison with several control bacteria. The influence of these bacteria on Linum usitatissimum growth under hydroponic conditions was also investigated. Our study shows that both bacteria belong to PGPB since they were able to increase considerably the root surface area of flax, especially Raoultella terrigena Ez-555-6. Significant IAA production and phosphate solubilization of Enterobacter ludwigii Ez-185-17 were highlighted, which enabled these biochemical PGPB properties to be correlated with their effects on flax growth. However, Raoultella terrigena Ez-555-6 did not express high biochemical activities, suggesting that other PGPB abilities should be studied in order to establish the link with flax growth improvement.

Analytical model for fast reconnection in large guide field plasma configurations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simakov, A. N.; Chacón, L.; Grasso, D.; Borgogno, D.; Zocco, A.

2009-11-01

Significant progress in understanding magnetic reconnection without a guide field was made recently by deriving quantitatively accurate analytical models for reconnection in electron [1] and Hall [2] MHD. However, no such analytical model is available for reconnection with a guide field. Here, we derive such an analytical model for the large-guide-field, low-β, cold-ion fluid model [3] with electron inertia, ion viscosity μ, and resistivity η. We find that the reconnection is Sweet-Parker-like when the Sweet-Parker layer thickness δSP> (ρs^4 + de^4)^1/4, with ρs and de the sound Larmor radius and electron inertial length. However, reconnection changes character otherwise, resulting in reconnection rates Ez/Bx^2 √2 η/μ (ρs^2 + de^2)/(ρsw) with Bx the upstream magnetic field and w the diffusion region length. Unlike the zero-guide-field case, μ plays crucial role in manifesting fast reconnection rates. If it represents the perpendicular viscosity [3], √η/μ ˜&-1circ;√(me/mi)(Ti/Te) and Ez becomes dissipation independent and therefore potentially fast.[0pt] [1] L. Chac'on, A. N. Simakov, and A. Zocco, PRL 99, 235001 (2007).[0pt] [2] A. N. Simakov and L. Chac'on, PRL 101, 105003 (2008).[0pt] [3] D. Biskamp, Magnetic reconnection in plasmas, Cambridge University Press, 2000.

76 FR 53168 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 990-EZ

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-25

... Form 990-EZ, Short Form Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax. DATES: Written comments should be received on or before October 24, 2011 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Direct all... From Income Tax. OMB Number: 1545-1150. Form Number: 990-EZ. Abstract: An annual return is required by...

Efficient mouse genome engineering by CRISPR-EZ technology.

PubMed

Modzelewski, Andrew J; Chen, Sean; Willis, Brandon J; Lloyd, K C Kent; Wood, Joshua A; He, Lin

2018-06-01

CRISPR/Cas9 technology has transformed mouse genome editing with unprecedented precision, efficiency, and ease; however, the current practice of microinjecting CRISPR reagents into pronuclear-stage embryos remains rate-limiting. We thus developed CRISPR ribonucleoprotein (RNP) electroporation of zygotes (CRISPR-EZ), an electroporation-based technology that outperforms pronuclear and cytoplasmic microinjection in efficiency, simplicity, cost, and throughput. In C57BL/6J and C57BL/6N mouse strains, CRISPR-EZ achieves 100% delivery of Cas9/single-guide RNA (sgRNA) RNPs, facilitating indel mutations (insertions or deletions), exon deletions, point mutations, and small insertions. In a side-by-side comparison in the high-throughput KnockOut Mouse Project (KOMP) pipeline, CRISPR-EZ consistently outperformed microinjection. Here, we provide an optimized protocol covering sgRNA synthesis, embryo collection, RNP electroporation, mouse generation, and genotyping strategies. Using CRISPR-EZ, a graduate-level researcher with basic embryo-manipulation skills can obtain genetically modified mice in 6 weeks. Altogether, CRISPR-EZ is a simple, economic, efficient, and high-throughput technology that is potentially applicable to other mammalian species.

Verification of a novel point-of-care HbA1c device in real world clinical practice by comparison to three high performance liquid chromatography instruments.

PubMed

Wang, Yufei; Peng, Wei; Tang, Junling; Dong, Lu; Gu, Chengchen; Zhang, Xin; Zhou, Jian; Jia, Weiping

2018-06-15

A real world clinical study was designed and conducted to evaluate the performance of a novel point-of-care device for determination of glycated haemoglobin A 1c (HbA 1c ), A1C EZ 2.0, in daily clinical practice. Five hundred and fourteen subjects were included in this study, and divided into three groups. HbA 1c was measured by A1C EZ 2.0 and three different high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) devices: Bio-Rad Variant II Turbo, Tosoh HLC-723 G8 and Premier Hb9210 separately. Precision of A1C EZ 2.0 was also evaluated. Results obtained from A1C EZ 2.0 and all HPLC devices are correlated. Passing-Bablok regression analysis shows the equation of A1C EZ 2.0 results against the mean of HPLC devices with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for the intercept and slope is y = 0.10 (- 0.17 to 0.10) + 1.00 (1.00 to 1.04) x. Bland-Altman difference plot shows that the mean relative difference between A1C EZ 2.0 and Variant II Turbo, G8, Hb9210 and all HPLC results is 2.5%, 0.6%, 0.4% and 1.1%, respectively. In addition, 121 pairs of results determined by using both venous and capillary blood prove that the difference of two kinds of blood sample causes no notable variation when measured by A1C EZ 2.0. Precision study gives 2.3% and 1.9% of total coefficient of variation for normal and abnormal HbA 1c sample in A1C EZ 2.0. HbA 1c values measured by A1C EZ 2.0 were in good accordance with the results obtained with the reference HPLC devices.

Electrical properties of the 8-12th September, 2015 massive dust outbreak over the Levant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Katz, Shai; Yair, Yoav; Price, Colin; Yaniv, Roy; Silber, Israel; Lynn, Barry; Ziv, Baruch

2018-03-01

We report new electrical measurements conducted during the massive dust outbreak that occurred over the Levant in September 08-12, 2015. That event was one of the strongest dust storms on record and engulfed the entire region for 5 consecutive days, over Iraq through Syria, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Cyprus and Egypt. At its peak, Aerosol Optical Thickness of 4.0 was measured in southern Israel. Ground-based measurements of the electrical field (Ez) and current density (J) were conducted at the Wise Observatory (WO) in Mizpe-Ramon (30°35‧N, 34°45‧E) and near the top of Mt. Hermon (30°24‧N, 35°51‧E). During the dust outbreak very large fluctuations in the electrical parameters were measured at both stations, with remarkable differences between the two locations. While at the Mt. Hermon station we registered positive values of the electric field and total current density, the values registered at the Wise Observatory were significantly smaller and more negative. The Mt. Hermon site showed Ez and J values fluctuating between - 460 and + 570 V m- 1 and - 14.5 and + 18 pA m- 2 respectively. In contrast, the Ez values registered at WO varied between - 430 and + 10 V m- 1, and the current density fluctuated between - 6 and + 3 pA m- 2. We show that the unique generation and evolution of this dust outbreak gave rise to a significantly different charge structure compared with that observed in short lived convective events, and suggest a tentative explanation for the obtained results.

The combination of ezetimibe and ursodiol promotes fecal sterol excretion and reveals a G5G8-independent pathway for cholesterol elimination[S

PubMed Central

Wang, Yuhuan; Liu, Xiaoxi; Pijut, Sonja S.; Li, Jianing; Horn, Jamie; Bradford, Emily M.; Leggas, Markos; Barrett, Terrence A.; Graf, Gregory A.

2015-01-01

Previous studies suggest an interdependent relationship between liver and intestine for cholesterol elimination from the body. We hypothesized that a combination of ursodiol (Urso) and ezetimibe (EZ) could increase biliary secretion and reduce cholesterol reabsorption, respectively, to promote cholesterol excretion. Treatment with Urso increased hepatic ABCG5 ABCG8 (G5G8) protein and both biliary and fecal sterols in a dose-dependent manner. To determine whether the drug combination (Urso-EZ) further increased cholesterol excretion, mice were treated with Urso alone or in combination with two doses of EZ. EZ produced an additive and dose-dependent increase in fecal neutral sterol (FNS) elimination in the presence of Urso. Finally, we sequentially treated wide-type and G5G8-deficient mice with Urso and Urso-EZ to determine the extent to which these effects were G5G8 dependent. Although biliary and FNS were invariably lower in G5G8 KO mice, the relative increase in FNS following treatment with Urso alone or the Urso-EZ combination was not affected by genotype. In conclusion, Urso increases G5G8, biliary cholesterol secretion, and FNS and acts additively with EZ to promote fecal sterol excretion. However, the stimulatory effect of these agents was not G5G8 dependent. PMID:25635125

Electrified atmospheric dust during disturbed weather conditions in the Negev desert

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Katz, Shai; Yair, Yoav; Price, Colin; Yaniv, Roy

2017-04-01

Dust storms over the Negev Desert in southern Israel are common and become frequent during the spring and autumn, depending on synoptic conditions and local effects. These storms are often accompanied by significant dust electrification, most likely due to saltation and triboelectric processes. We present new atmospheric electrical measurements conducted at the Wise Observatory (WO) in Mizpe-Ramon (30035'N, 34045'E) Israel, during two strong dust storms that occurred over the Negev desert on October 27-28th and December 1st, 2016. The first event generated a local gust front due to strong downdrafts from an active Cumulonimbus cloud (known as Haboob). In the second event, a Cyprus Low with strong synoptic-scale winds lifted the local sand particles at the Negev and lowered the visibility. During the passage of the dust storms above our instruments, very large fluctuations in the electric field (Ez) and current density (Jz) were measured. In the October Haboob event, the Ez data showed a superposition of signatures generated by lightning and by the dust aloft. The Ez values fluctuated between +123 to +2144 and -15336 to +19788 V m-1 for several hour-long episodes. The respective values of the vertical current density [Jz] were between -18 and +18 pA m-2. During the December dust storm we measured Ez values up to +4000 V m-1 lasting for 3.5 hours and another episode with values up to +668 V m-1 lasting for approximately 1.5 hours. These values were accompanied by changes in the Jz values between -16.5 and +17 pA m-2. The electric field and current density variability and amplitude are significantly different from the average fair-weather values measured at the Wise Observatory (Yaniv et al., 2016), which are 180 V m-1 and 2 pA m-1. We will show that these differences in the electrical behavior between these two dust storms may be related to the speed and direction of the wind near the surface.

76 FR 66946 - Notice of Submission of Proposed Information Collection to OMB Annual Progress Reports for...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-28

... to HUD based on the progress reported in implementing the EZs' strategic plans. Businesses located in... based on the progress reported in implementing the EZs' strategic plans. Businesses located in the EZs.... The primary purpose of this collection is to continue current data reporting for Rounds, I, II, and...

77 FR 34462 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Schedule C-EZ (Form 1040)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-11

... Schedule C-EZ (Form 1040) AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice and request for... 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning Schedule C-EZ (Form 1040), Net Profit From Business. DATES: Written comments should be received on or...

On the wind geometry of the Wolf-Rayet star EZ Canis Majoris

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schulte-Ladbeck, R. E.; Nordsieck, K. H.; Taylor, M.; Nook, M. A.; Bjorkman, K. S.; Magalhaes, A. M.; Anderson, C. M.

1991-01-01

Recent models of Wolf-Rayet star winds have been tailored to EZ CMa, and make predictions of the envelope structure and location of line-emitting regions. It is discussed how the wind structure of EZ CMa can be probed observationally through electron distribution integrals as measured by spectropolarimetry, and then present, analyze, and interpret a time-dependent spectropolarimetric data set of EZ CMa. The observations further the view of an electron-scattering wind that is axisymmetric, rotating, and expanding, with a variable mass-loss rate being responsible for the quasi-periodic polarimetric variability. It is demonstrated that the emission lines of EZ CMa are partially polarized, indicating that line photons are electron-scattered in the wind. The polarization in N V lambda 4945 and N IV lambda 4058 is observed to be larger than that of He II lambda 4686 and He I lambda 5876, as expected from ionization stratification.

Formation of Dawn-Dusk Asymmetry in Earth's Magnetotail Thin Current Sheet: A Three-Dimensional Particle-In-Cell Simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, San; Pritchett, P. L.; Angelopoulos, V.; Artemyev, A. V.

2018-04-01

Using a three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation, we investigate the formation of dawn-dusk asymmetry in Earth's magnetotail. The magnetotail current sheet is compressed by an external driving electric field down to a thickness on the order of ion kinetic scales. In the resultant thin current sheet (TCS) where the magnetic field line curvature radius is much smaller than ion gyroradius, a significant portion of the ions becomes unmagnetized and decoupled from the magnetized electrons, giving rise to a Hall electric field Ez and an additional cross-tail current jy caused by the unmagnetized ions being unable to comove with the electrons in the Hall electric field. The Hall electric field transports via E × B drift magnetic flux and magnetized plasma dawnward, causing a reduction of the current sheet thickness and the normal magnetic field Bz on the duskside. This leads to an even stronger Hall effect (stronger jy and Ez) in the duskside TCS. Thus, due to the internal kinetic effects in the TCS, namely, the Hall effect and the associated dawnward E × B drift, the magnetotail dawn-dusk asymmetry forms in a short time without any global, long-term effects. The duskside preference of reconnection and associated dynamic phenomena (such as substorm onsets, dipolarizing flux bundles, fast flows, energetic particle injections, and flux ropes), which has been pervasively observed by spacecraft in the past 20 years, can thus be explained as a consequence of this TCS asymmetry.

[EzPAP® therapy of postoperative hypoxemia in the recovery room : experiences with the new compact system of end-expiratory positive airway pressure].

PubMed

Rieg, A D; Stoppe, C; Rossaint, R; Coburn, M; Hein, M; Schälte, G

2012-10-01

Postoperative hypoxemia is a common complication in the anesthesia recovery room (ARR), which is predominantly based on the development of atelectasis, excessive intraoperative fluid shift and insufficient ventilation. The goal of this prospective observational study was to compare the effect of standard oxygen administration via a face mask with oxygen administration using the EzPAP® system, a device which additionally provides a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). This study included 210 patients with postoperative hypoxemia (S(p)O(2) < 93%) subdivided into the control group (105 patients) and the EzPAP group (105 patients). Postoperative residual paralysis was excluded using relaxometry and a train of four (TOF) ratio of 0.9 was assumed to ensure sufficient recovery of respiratory function from neuromuscular blockade. Patients who received a reversal of neuromuscular blockade were excluded. In cases of hypoxemia (S(p)O(2) < 93%) control patients were treated with oxygen (6 l/min) using a face mask, whereas the EzPAP group received oxygen using the EzPAP® system. In order to adjust the PEEP in the EzPAP group, the O(2) flow was verified and measured by a manometer. After 1 h of oxygen therapy, the oxygen supply was stopped. In cases of reoccurring hypoxemia (S(p)O(2) < 93%, persistence > 5 min), the oxygen therapy was restarted in both groups via a facemask. Both groups were compared using repeat measurement analysis of variance (ANOVA), the unpaired t-test, the Mann-Whitney U-test, Fisher's exact test and the χ(2)-test. The correlation of O(2) flow and PEEP was evaluated by regression analysis and p < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Apart from this a subgroup analysis was performed depending on body-mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, intraoperative airway management, the use of neuromuscular blocking agents and co-existing disorders, e.g. chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD), obesity and chronic heart failure. All patients were equally distributed between both groups with respect to demographic data, ASA classification, BMI, co-existing disorders and surgical procedures. The S(p)O(2) values did not differ between the EzPAP patients and the control group, except for 0.5 min after initiation of oxygen therapy: EzPAP group 96 ± 3.7% (mean ± standard deviation) versus the control group 93.8 ± 4.4% (p < 0.001). However, restarting oxygen therapy was less common in the EzPAP group (EzPAP group 25 versus control group 41, p = 0.03), as well as the occurrence of postoperative complications (EzPAP group 13 versus control group 25, p = 0.02), e.g. nosocomial pneumonia (0 versus 4) and wound infections (2 versus 3). Furthermore, patients with obesity and pulmonary disorders, such as COLD had a benefit from oxygen administration using the EzPAP device and showed higher postoperative than preoperative S(p)O(2) values. In contrast, the subgroup analysis of patients with heart failure did not reveal any differences between both groups and both groups did not differ in terms of time spent in the recovery room (EzPAP group 113 min versus control group 174.8 min, p = 0.2). In this observational study oxygen supply using the EzPAP® system appeared to be at least equally as effective in the therapy of postoperative hypoxemia compared to standard oxygen supply using a face mask. In patients with a high risk of postoperative hypoxemia, such as patients with obesity and/or pulmonary disorders, oxygen administration using the EzPAP® system possibly improves pulmonary oxygenation more effectively and is longer lasting compared to standard oxygen supply via a face mask. Hence, the EzPAP® system represents a well-tolerated, effective, cost-effective and easily operated tool to improve postoperative oxygenation. In order to investigate the possibilities of this promising tool more intensively, randomized clinical trials are warranted.

ENVIRONMENTAL RADIATION MONITORING IN THE CHERNOBYL EXCLUSION ZONE - HISTORY AND RESULTS 25 YEARS AFTER

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

Farfan, E.; Jannik, T.

2011-10-01

This article describes results of the radiation environmental monitoring performed in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (ChEZ) during the period following the 1986 Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident. This article presents a brief overview of five comprehensive reports generated under Contract No. DE-AC09-96SR18500 (Washington Savannah River Company LLC, Subcontract No. AC55559N, SOW No. ON8778) and summarizes characteristics of the ChEZ and its post-accident status and the history of development of the radiation monitoring research in the ChEZ is described. This article addresses characteristics of the radiation monitoring in the ChEZ, its major goals and objectives, and changes of these goals andmore » objectives in the course of time, depending on the tasks associated with the phase of mitigation of the ChNPP accident consequences. The results of the radiation monitoring in the ChEZ during the last 25 years are also provided.« less

Association of serum levels of anti-myeloperoxidase antibody with retinal photoreceptor ellipsoid zone disruption in diabetic retinopathy.

PubMed

Sinha, Shivani; Saxena, Sandeep; Prasad, Senthamizh; Mahdi, Abbas Ali; Bhasker, Shashi Kumar; Das, Siddharth; Krasnik, Vladimir; Caprnda, Martin; Opatrilova, Radka; Kruzliak, Peter

2017-05-01

To study the association of serum levels of anti-myeloperoxidase (MPO) antibody with retinal photoreceptor ellipsoid zone (EZ) disruption in diabetic retinopathy. Consecutive patients with type 2 DM [diabetes mellitus with no retinopathy (NODR; n=20); non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR; n=18); proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR; n=16)] and healthy controls (n=20) between the ages of 40 and 65years were included. Disruption of EZ was graded by spectral domain optical coherence tomography as no disruption of EZ and disrupted EZ. The serum levels of anti-MPO antibody was analyzed using standard protocol. Association between the variables was evaluated using multiple regression analysis. A significant difference was found between the serum levels of anti-MPO antibody in various study groups (p<0.001). A positive association was found between EZ disruption and levels of anti-MPO antibody [adjusted odd's ratio (AOR)=1.079, CI 1.010-1.124, p=0.04]. A significant positive correlation was found between logMAR visual acuity and grade of disruption (AOR=1.008, CI 1.006-5.688, p=0.04). An increased serum anti-MPO antibody levels is associated with retinal photoreceptor EZ disruption and decreased visual acuity in diabetic retinopathy. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Draft genome sequence of Paenibacillus sp. EZ-K15 isolated from wastewater systems.

PubMed

Mohammed, Waleed S; Ziganshina, Elvira E; Shagimardanova, Elena I; Gogoleva, Natalia E; Ziganshin, Ayrat M

2017-12-12

Paenibacillus species, belonging to the family Paenibacillaceae, are able to survive for long periods under adverse environmental conditions. Several Paenibacillus species produce antimicrobial compounds and are capable of biodegradation of various contaminants; therefore, more investigations at the genomic level are necessary to improve our understanding of their ecology, genetics, as well as potential biotechnological applications. In the present study, we describe the draft genome sequence of Paenibacillus sp. EZ-K15 that was isolated from nitrocellulose-contaminated wastewater samples. The genome comprises 7,258,662 bp, with a G+C content of 48.6%. This whole genome shotgun project has been deposited at DDBJ/ENA/GenBank under the accession PDHM00000000. Data demonstrated here can be used by other researchers working or studying in the field of whole genome analysis and application of Paenibacillus species in biotechnological processes.

Effect of d-wave pairing symmetry in transport properties of silicene-based superconductor junction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vosoughi-nia, S.; Rashedi, G.; hajati, Y.

2018-06-01

We theoretically study the tunneling conductance of a normal/d-wave superconductor silicene junction using Blonder-Tinkham-Klapwijk (BTK) formalism. We discuss how the conductance spectra are affected by changing the chemical potential (μN) in the normal silicene region. It is obtained that the amplitude of the spin/valley-dependent Andreev reflection (AR) and charge conductance (G) of the junction can be strongly modulated by the orientation angle of superconductive gap (β) and perpendicular electric field (Ez). We demonstrate that the charge conductance exhibits an oscillatory behavior as a function of β by a period of π/2. Remarkably, variation of μN strongly modifies the amplitude of the oscillations and periodically there are transport gaps in the G - β oscillations for a range of μN. These findings suggest that one may experimentally tune the transport properties of the junction through changing β, Ez and μN.

A Randomized Open-Label Trial to Assess the Effect of Plant Sterols Associated with Ezetimibe in Low-Density Lipoprotein Levels in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease on Statin Therapy.

PubMed

Gomes, Gisane Biacchi; Zazula, Ana Denise; Shigueoka, Leonardo Seidi; Fedato, Rosangela Alquieri; da Costa, Ana Beatriz Brenner Affonso; Guarita-Souza, Luiz Cesar; Baena, Cristina Pellegrino; Olandoski, Marcia; Faria-Neto, José Rocha

2017-01-01

Consumption of food products enriched with plant sterols and the use of ezetimibe reduce cholesterol absorption in the intestine and effectively reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) plasma levels. We evaluated the therapeutic effect of the ezetimibe+plant sterol association in patients with coronary artery disease still not reaching recommended lipid levels despite the use of statins. We performed a prospective open-label study with 41 patients with stable coronary disease and LDL >70 mg/dL. Patients were randomized into four groups for a 6-week treatment: the control (CT) group remained on the same statin therapy, the ezetimibe (EZ) group received 10 mg/day of ezetimibe, the plant sterol (PS) group received spread enriched with 2 g of plant sterols, and the ezetimibe+PS (EZ+PS) group received 10 mg/day EZ +2 g PS. Initial mean LDL level was 97.4 ± 31.1 mg/dL in control group, 105.1 ± 23.1 mg/dL in EZ group, 95.4 ± 27.7 mg/dL in PS group, and 97.0 ± 8.3 mg/dL in EZ+PS group (P > .05). After 6 weeks of treatment, LDL of patients slightly increased in the control group (+8.9%; P > .05) and dropped in EZ group (-19.1%; P = .06), PS group (-16.6%; P = .01), and EZ+PS group (-27.3%; P < .01). Mean LDL levels after treatment were 70.5 ± 17.9 mg/dL in EZ+PS group, lower than the other groups (control was 106.1 ± 34.9 mg/dL, EZ group was 85.0 ± 35.6 mg/dL, and PS was 79.6 ± 29.7 mg/dL) (P = .05 variance analysis factor [ANOVA]). Body weight, body-mass index, and glucose plasma levels did not change significantly after intervention. The combination of PS+ezetimibe was associated with lower LDL levels and suggests beneficial therapeutic effect against major cardiovascular events.

Comparative study and evaluation of further attenuated, live measles vaccines alone and in combination with mumps and rubella vaccines.

PubMed

Wegmann, A; Glück, R; Just, M; Mischler, R; Paroz, P; Germanier, R

1986-01-01

The further attenuated Enders (FAE) measles vaccine strain and the Edmonston B-Zagreb (EZ) measles vaccine strain were compared. In VERO-cells plaque sizes of FAE varied between 0.5 and 1 mm, those of EZ between 1 and 2 mm in diameter. The lots available in Switzerland during a 2 year period showed virus titers of 10(3.1) to 10(4.0) TCID50 per dose in the one vaccine (FAE) and of 10(3.1) to 10(4.5) TCID50 per dose in the other (EZ). Clinical investigations were performed with FAE and EZ monovalent and trivalent (measles + mumps + rubella) vaccine preparations. The virus titers of the vaccine lots used were 10(3.1) to 10(4.0) TCID50 per dose. The overall seroconversion rates of 96% to 100% indicate that both types of vaccine have comparable immunization properties. Stability tests demonstrated good stability of both the FAE and the EZ vaccines. Thus conservation at 37 degrees C was possible for 2 and 4 weeks, respectively, and at 41 degrees C for 6 and 6 days, respectively, without undue loss of live virus content (less than 1 log 10). Since the EZ vaccine is derived from human diploid cells, it is particularly suitable for the vaccination of persons with a history of allergy to avian proteins.

Evaluation of Measles Vaccine Virus as a Vector to Deliver Respiratory Syncytial Virus Fusion Protein or Epstein-Barr Virus Glycoprotein gp350

PubMed Central

Mok, Hoyin; Cheng, Xing; Xu, Qi; Zengel, James R; Parhy, Bandita; Zhao, Jackie; Wang, C. Kathy; Jin, Hong

2012-01-01

Live attenuated recombinant measles vaccine virus (MV) Edmonston-Zagreb (EZ) strain was evaluated as a viral vector to express the ectodomains of fusion protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV F) or glycoprotein 350 of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV gp350) as candidate vaccines for prophylaxis of RSV and EBV. The glycoprotein gene was inserted at the 1st or the 3rd position of the measles virus genome and the recombinant viruses were generated. Insertion of the foreign gene at the 3rd position had a minimal impact on viral replication in vitro. RSV F or EBV gp350 protein was secreted from infected cells. In cotton rats, EZ-RSV F and EZ-EBV gp350 induced MV- and insert-specific antibody responses. In addition, both vaccines also induced insert specific interferon gamma (IFN-γ) secreting T cell response. EZ-RSV F protected cotton rats from pulmonary replication of RSV A2 challenge infection. In rhesus macaques, although both EZ-RSV F and EZ-EBV gp350 induced MV specific neutralizing antibody responses, only RSV F specific antibody response was detected. Thus, the immunogenicity of the foreign antigens delivered by measles vaccine virus is dependent on the nature of the insert and the animal models used for vaccine evaluation. PMID:22383906

Eluted zinc ions stimulate osteoblast differentiation and mineralization in human dental pulp stem cells for bone tissue engineering.

PubMed

Yusa, Kazuyuki; Yamamoto, Osamu; Iino, Mitsuyoshi; Takano, Hiroshi; Fukuda, Masayuki; Qiao, Zhiwei; Sugiyama, Toshihiro

2016-11-01

Zinc is an essential element for proliferation, differentiation and survival in various cell types. In a previous study, we found that zinc ions released from zinc-modified titanium surfaces (eluted zinc ions; EZ) stimulate cell viability, osteoblast marker gene expression and calcium deposition in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells (hBMCs). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of EZ on osteoblast differentiation among dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in vitro. In this study, we evaluated the effects of EZ on osteogenesis in DPSCs. Osteoblast and osteoclast marker gene expression was evaluated by real-time PCR. We also evaluated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and calcium deposition. We found that EZ stimulated osteoblast marker gene (type I collagen, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OCN) and Runx2) expression, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), and TGF-beta signaling pathway-related gene expression after 7days of incubation. Osteoclastogenesis occurs in a receptor for activated nuclear-factor kappa B ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG)-independent manner. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that EZ did not affect RANKL or OPG mRNA expression. It was also revealed that EZ induced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and calcium deposition in DPSCs. Collectively, these results demonstrate the potential for clinical application to prospective treatment of bone diseases. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparison of the effects of fixed and removable functional appliances on the skeletal and dentoalveolar structures.

PubMed

Bilgiç, Fundagül; Hamamci, Orhan; Başaran, Güvenç

2011-11-01

To compare and analyse the effects of activator and Forsus FRD EZ appliances in the treatment of skeletal Class II division I malocclusion. Lateral cephalograms and hand-wrist radiographs were collected from 24 Class II division I growing patients (14 females, 10 males). The patients were randomly divided into two equal groups and either treated with an activator appliance (Mean age 12.67 +/- 1.24 years) or with a Forsus FRD EZ appliance (Mean age 12.31 +/- 1.09 years). Pretreatment and posttreatment cephalometric radiographs were obtained, traced, superimposed and data analysed using paired t-tests and the Wilcoxon signed rank test. The results demonstrated that the Forsus FRD EZ effectively corrected the Class II malocclusion, but the changes were mainly dentoalveolar. The Forsus FRD EZ appliance induced a clockwise rotation of the occlusal plane without significant alteration in the vertical facial dimension. Skeletally, maxillary growth was restricted and pogonion moved forward which improved the profile. The Forsus FRD EZ appliance may be an effective dentoalveolar treatment method to manage a skeletal imbalance and improve the profile in growing patients.

Diurnal, seasonal and inter-annual variations in the Schumann resonance parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Price, Colin; Melnikov, Alexander

2004-09-01

The Schumann resonances (SR) represent an electromagnetic phenomenon in the Earth's atmosphere related to global lightning activity. The spectral characteristics of the SR modes are defined by their resonant mode amplitude, center frequency and half-width (Q-factor). Long-term (4 years) diurnal and seasonal variations of these parameters are presented based on measurements at a field site in the Negev desert, Israel. Variations of the different modes (8, 14 and 20Hz) and the different electromagnetic components (Hns, Hew and Ez) are presented. The power variations of the various modes and components show three dominant maxima in the diurnal cycle related to lightning activity in south-east Asia (0800UT), Africa (1400UT) and South America (2000UT). The largest global lightning activity occurs during the northern hemisphere summer (JJA) with the southern hemisphere summer (DJF) having the least lightning around the globe. The frequency and half-width (Q-factor) variations of the different modes and SR components are fairly complicated in structure, and will need additional theoretical work to explain their variations. However, the frequency variations are in excellent agreement with previous studies, implying that the frequency variations are robust features of the SR. The inter-annual variability of global lightning activity is shown to vary differently for each of the three major source regions of global lightning.

ELF Scattering in the Earth-Ionosphere Waveguide

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-04-01

165506486442835 ez/ezu(deg)- 1.681470061692652 hy/ hyu (db)- -3.94426540952422E-002 * hy/ hyu (deg)- 2.882621844622661 * hr/hru(db)= - .583301884765237 hr/hru...1321.703655468501400 xO- 6S7.9992l0l73l44320y0= 927.111139424167960 scoord- -1100.0 ez/ezu(db)- - .252368993800051 ez/ezu(deg)- 2.274333107647623 hy/ hyu ...db)- -6.70531978625971E-002 23 fSW rF hy/ hyu (deg)- 3.439969724323339 hr/hru(db)- -.939223897961050 hr/hru(deg)- -3.454996754144538 nt- 17nr- 17 chi

Suppression of leopard moth (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) populations in olive trees in Egypt through mating disruption.

PubMed

Hegazi, E M; Khafagi, W E; Konstantopoulou, M A; Schlyter, F; Raptopoulos, D; Shweil, S; Abd El-Rahman, S; Atwa, A; Ali, S E; Tawfik, H

2010-10-01

The leopard moth, Zeuzera pyrina (L.) (Lepidoptera: Cossidae), is a damaging pest for many fruit trees (e.g., apple [Malus spp.], pear [Pyrus spp.] peach [Prunus spp.], and olive [Olea]). Recently, it caused serious yield losses in newly established olive orchards in Egypt, including the death of young trees. Chemical and biological control have shown limited efficiency against this pest. Field tests were conducted in 2005 and 2006 to evaluate mating disruption (MD) for the control of the leopard moth, on heavily infested, densely planted olive plots (336 trees per ha). The binary blend of the pheromone components (E,Z)-2,13-octadecenyl acetate and (E,Z)-3,13-octadecenyl acetate (95:5) was dispensed from polyethylene vials. Efficacy was measured considering reduction of catches in pheromone traps, reduction of active galleries of leopard moth per tree and fruit yield in the pheromone-treated plots (MD) compared with control plots (CO). Male captures in MD plots were reduced by 89.3% in 2005 and 82.9% in 2006, during a trapping period of 14 and 13 wk, respectively. Application of MD over two consecutive years progressively reduced the number of active galleries per tree in the third year where no sex pheromone was applied. In all years, larval galleries outnumbered moth captures. Fruit yield from trees where sex pheromone had been applied in 2005 and 2006 increased significantly in 2006 (98.8 +/- 2.9 kg per tree) and 2007 (23 +/- 1.3 kg per tree) compared with control ones (61.0 +/- 3.9 and 10.0 +/- 0.6 kg per tree, respectively). Mating disruption shows promising for suppressing leopard moth infestation in olives.

The first linear polarization spectra of Wolf-Rayet stars in the ultraviolet - EZ Canis Majoris and Theta Muscae

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schulte-Ladbeck, R. E.; Nordsieck, K. H.; Code, A. D.; Anderson, C. M.; Babler, B. L.; Bjorkman, K. S.; Clayton, G. C.; Magalhaes, A. M.; Meade, M. R.; Shepherd, D.

1992-01-01

During the 1990 December Astro-1 Space Shuttle mission, spectropolarimetry was conducted in the wavelength region from 1400 to 3200 A of the Wolf-Rayet stars EZ CMa (WN5) and Theta Mus (WC6 + O9.5I) with the Wisconsin Ultraviolet Photo-Polarimeter Experiment. The UV polarization of EZ CMa displays features which correspond to emission lines. This indicates a large, about 0.8 percent, intrinsic UV-continuum polarization, and provides further evidence that the wind of EZ CMa is highly distorted. The polarization of Theta Mus does not change across emission lines, or the strong interstellar 2200 A feature. The polarization decreases smoothly to shorter wavelengths, at constant position angle. The combined UV-optical polarization spectrum of Theta Mus can be described well with interstellar polarization following a Serkowski law.

Effects of cellulase supplementation to corn soybean meal-based diet on the performance of sows and their piglets.

PubMed

Upadhaya, Santi D; Lee, Sang In; Kim, In Ho

2016-07-01

A total of 15 primiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) and their litters were used in the current study to evaluate the efficacy of cellulase supplementation on the production performance of sows and piglets. Pigs were randomly allocated into one of three treatments with five replicates per treatment. The dietary treatments were as follows: (i) CON (corn-soybean meal-based control); (ii) EZ1 (CON + 0.05% cellulase); and (iii) EZ2 (CON + 0.10% cellulase). The supplementation of cellulase had no effect (P > 0.05) on body weight and feed intake of lactating sows. At weaning, back fat thickness loss decreased (P = 0.04) linearly in EZ1 and EZ2 treatments. The average daily gain (ADG) of piglets increased (linear P = 0.06, quadratic P = 0.04)) during days 14 to 21 as well as at days 21 to 25 (linear P = 0.03 and quadratic P = 0.01) with the increase in the level of supplemented enzyme. Dry matter and nitrogen digestibility increased (linear P = 0.01) in lactating sows fed EZ1 and EZ2 diet compared with CON. In conclusion, it is suggested that cellulase supplementation to corn-soybean meal based diet exerts beneficial effects to sows in reducing their back fat thickness loss at weaning and also helps to improve nutrient digestibility. It also helped to improve the ADG of piglets. © 2015 Japanese Society of Animal Science.

Hydrophilic guidewires: evaluation and comparison of their properties and safety.

PubMed

Torricelli, Fabio Cesar Miranda; De, Shubha; Sarkissian, Carl; Monga, Manoj

2013-11-01

To compare physical and mechanical properties of 10 commercially available hydrophilic guidewires. In vitro testing was performed to evaluate 10 different straight hydrophilic guidewires (5 regular and 5 stiff wires): Glidewire, NiCore, EZ Glider, Hiwire, and Zipwire. The forces required for tip perforation, tip bending, shaft bending, and friction during movement were measured for all 10 wires. The tip contour was measured using high power light microscopy. The Glidewire required the greatest force to perforate our model (P = .01). The EZ Glider, Zipwire, and Glidewire had the lowest tip bending forces (P <.001). The Glidewire had the stiffest shaft (P <.001). The EZ Glider and Glidewire required the greatest forces in the friction test (P <.001). Regarding the stiff guidewires, the GlidewireS required the greatest force in the perforation test (P ≤.05). The GlidewireS and EZ GliderS required the lowest tip bending force (P ≤.004). The ZipwireS and NiCoreS had the stiffest shafts (P ≤.01). The GlidewireS required the greatest force in the friction test (P <.001). Measurement of the tip contour showed the Zipwire, HiwireS, and EZ GliderS had the roundest tips. Each wire has unique properties with advantages and disadvantages. The Glidewires (both stiff and regular) have the lowest potential for perforation, although they are less slippery. The Glidewire and EZ Glider required the least tip force to bend around a point of obstruction. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Atmospheric Electricity Effects of Eastern Mediterranean Dust Storms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Katz, Shai; Yair, Yoav; Yaniv, Roy; Price, Colin

2016-04-01

We present atmospheric electrical measurements conducted at the Wise Observatory (WO) in Mizpe-Ramon (30035'N, 34045'E) and Mt. Hermon (30024'N, 35051'E), Israel, during two massive and unique dust storms that occurred over the Eastern Mediterranean region on February 10-11 and September 08-12, 2015. The first event transported Saharan dust from Egypt and the Sinai Peninsula in advance of a warm front of a Cyprus low pressure system. In the second event, dust particles were transported from the Syrian desert, which dominates the north-east border with Iraq, through flow associated with a shallow Persian trough system. In both events the concentrations of PM10 particles measured by the air-quality monitoring network of the Israeli Ministry of the Environment in Beer-Sheba reached values > 2200 μg m-3. Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT) obtained from the AERONET station in Sde-Boker reached values up to 4.0. The gradual intensification of the first event reached peak values on the February 11th > 1200 μg m-3 and an AOT ~ 1.8, while the second dust storm commenced on September 8th with a sharp increase reaching peak values of 2225 μg m-3 and AOT of 4.0. Measurements of the fair weather vertical electric field (Ez) and of the vertical current density (Jz) were conducted continuously with a 1 minute temporal resolution. During the February event, very large fluctuations in the electrical parameters were measured at the WO. The Ez values changed between +1000 and +8000 V m-1 while the Jz fluctuated between -10 and +20 pA m-2 (this is an order of magnitude larger compared to the fair weather current density of ~2 pA m-2. In contrast, during the September event, Ez values registered at WO were between -430 and +10 V m-1 while the Jz fluctuated between -6 and +3 pA m2. For the September event the Hermon site showed Ez and Jz values fluctuating between -460 and +570 V m-1 and -14.5 and +18 pA m-2 respectively. The electric field and current variability, amplitude and the comparison between the two events are very different from the mean fair-weather values measured at both sites. Dust storms with such intensities are often accompanied by large electrical charging, most likely due to triboelectric processes. The differences in the aerosol source region and meteorological conditions have a major influence on the amount of the electrical charge during such storms. One notable difference between the two events is the wind intensity: while during the February event the Ez and Jz fluctuations were well correlated with wind speeds in excess of 60 km h-1, the winds in the September event rarely exceeded 40 km h-1. Different estimates of the charge generation mechanisms will be discussed.

Development and evaluation of the quick anaero-system-a new disposable anaerobic culture system.

PubMed

Yang, Nam Woong; Kim, Jin Man; Choi, Gwang Ju; Jang, Sook Jin

2010-04-01

We developed a new disposable anaerobic culture system, namely, the Quick anaero-system, for easy culturing of obligate anaerobes. Our system consists of 3 components: 1) new disposable anaerobic gas pack, 2) disposable culture-envelope and sealer, and 3) reusable stainless plate rack with mesh containing 10 g of palladium catalyst pellets. To evaluate the efficiency of our system, we used 12 anaerobic bacteria. We prepared 2 sets of ten-fold serial dilutions of the 12 anaerobes, and inoculated these samples on Luria-Bertani (LB) broth and LB blood agar plate (LB-BAP) (BD Diagnostic Systems, USA). Each set was incubated in the Quick anaero-system (DAS Tech, Korea) and BBL GasPak jar with BD GasPak EZ Anaerobe Container System (BD Diagnostic Systems) at 35-37 degrees C for 48 hr. The minimal inoculum size showing visible growth of 12 anaerobes when incubated in both the systems was compared. The minimal inoculum size showing visible growth for 2 out of the 12 anaerobes in the LB broth and 9 out of the 12 anaerobes on LB-BAP was lower for the Quick anaero-system than in the BD GasPak EZ Anaerobe Container System. The mean time (+/-SD) required to achieve absolute anaerobic conditions of the Quick anaero-system was 17 min and 56 sec (+/-3 min and 25 sec). The Quick anaero-system is a simple and effective method of culturing obligate anaerobes, and its performance is superior to that of the BD GasPak EZ Anaerobe Container System.

Quantifying the Rate of Ellipsoid Zone Loss in Stargardt Disease.

PubMed

Cai, Cindy X; Light, Jacob G; Handa, James T

2018-02-01

To determine a reliable method of using the ellipsoid zone (EZ) on optical coherence tomography (OCT) to track disease progression in Stardgardt disease (STGD). Retrospective reliability study. STGD patients with genetically confirmed ABCA4 gene mutations seen at the Wilmer Eye Institute with follow-up visits separated by at least 12 months were identified. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) macula volume scans centered at the fovea and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) images were obtained. The area of EZ loss was calculated from the SD-OCT and the area of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) loss from the FAF. Scans were reanalyzed by the primary grader to assess intragrader reliability, and reanalyzed by a second grader to assess intergrader reliability. Sixteen STGD patients (total of 31 eyes) were followed for a mean of 2 years (range 1-4.7 years). The mean rate of EZ loss, 0.31 ± 0.31 mm 2 /year, was similar to the average rate of RPE loss, 0.33 ± 0.38 mm 2 /year. The average area of EZ loss at the initial examination, 4.18 ± 1.91 mm 2 , was larger than the initial area of RPE loss, 2.25 ± 1.66 mm 2 (P < .01). The absolute difference of the area of EZ loss on test-retest for the first grader was 0.12 ± 0.10 mm 2 , and between graders 0.21 ± 0.21 mm 2 . The intraclass correlation (ICC) of both intragrader and intergrader reliability for EZ loss was excellent at 0.99. Tracking the area of EZ loss on SD-OCT macular volume scans longitudinally is a reliable way of monitoring disease progression in STGD. This could be used as a sensitive anatomic outcome measure in clinical trials related to STGD. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Outer Retinal Changes Including the Ellipsoid Zone Band in Usher Syndrome 1B due to MYO7A Mutations.

PubMed

Sumaroka, Alexander; Matsui, Rodrigo; Cideciyan, Artur V; McGuigan, David B; Sheplock, Rebecca; Schwartz, Sharon B; Jacobson, Samuel G

2016-07-01

To study transition zones from normal to abnormal retina in Usher syndrome IB (USH1B) caused by myosin 7A (MYO7A) mutations. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scattering layers in outer retina were segmented in patients (n = 16, ages 2-42; eight patients had serial data, average interval 4.5 years) to quantify outer nuclear layer (ONL) and outer segments (OS) as well as the locus of EZ (ellipsoid zone) edge and its extent from the fovea. Static perimetry was measured under dark-adapted (DA) and light-adapted (LA) conditions. Ellipsoid zone edge in USH1B-MYO7A could be located up to 23° from the fovea. Ellipsoid zone extent constricted at a rate of 0.51°/year with slower rates at smaller eccentricities. A well-defined EZ line could be associated with normal or abnormal ONL and/or OS thickness; detectable ONL extended well beyond EZ edge. At the EZ edge, the local slope of LA sensitivity loss was 2.6 (±1.7) dB/deg for central transition zones. At greater eccentricities, the local slope of cone sensitivity loss was shallower (1.1 ± 0.4 dB/deg for LA) than that of rod sensitivity loss (2.8 ± 1.2 dB/deg for DA). In USH1B-MYO7A, constriction rate of EZ extent depends on the initial eccentricity of the transition. Ellipsoid zone edges in the macula correspond to large local changes in cone vision, but extramacular EZ edges show more pronounced losses on rod-based vision tests. It is advisable to use not only the EZ line but also other structural and functional parameters for estimating natural history of disease and possible therapeutic effects in future clinical trials of USH1B-MYO7A.

Retention behavior of long chain quaternary ammonium homologues and related nitroso-alkymethylamines

USGS Publications Warehouse

Abidi, S.L.

1985-01-01

Several chromatographic methods have been utilized to study the retentionbehavior of a homologous series of n-alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chlorides (ABDAC) and the corresponding nitroso-n-alkylmethylamines (NAMA). Linear correlation of the logarithmic capacity factor (k') with the number of carbons in the alkyl chain provides useful information on both gas chromatographic (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatographich (HPLC) retention parameters of unknown components. Under all conditions empolyed, GC methodology has proved effective in achieving complete resolution of the homologous mixture of NMA despite its obvious inadequacy in the separation of E-Z configurational isomers. Conversely, normal-phase HPLC on silica demonstrates that the selectivity (a) value for an E-Z pair is much higher than that for an adjacent homologous pair. In the reversed-phase HPLC study, three different silica-based column systems were examined under various mobile phase conditions. The extent of variation in k' was found to be a function of the organic modifier, counter-ion concentration, eluent pH, nature of counter-ion, and the polarity and type of stationary phase. The k'—[NaClO4] profiles showed similar trends between the ABDAC and the NAMA series, supporting the dipolar electronic structures of the latter compounds. Mobile phase and stationary phase effects on component separation are described. The methodology presented establishes the utility of HPLC separation techniques as versatile analytical tools for practical application.

FRS EZ Query

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This page is the starting point for EZ Query. This page describes how to select key data elements from EPA's Facility Information Database and Geospatial Reference Database to build a tabular report or a Comma Separated Value (CSV) files for downloading.

ezTag: tagging biomedical concepts via interactive learning.

PubMed

Kwon, Dongseop; Kim, Sun; Wei, Chih-Hsuan; Leaman, Robert; Lu, Zhiyong

2018-05-18

Recently, advanced text-mining techniques have been shown to speed up manual data curation by providing human annotators with automated pre-annotations generated by rules or machine learning models. Due to the limited training data available, however, current annotation systems primarily focus only on common concept types such as genes or diseases. To support annotating a wide variety of biological concepts with or without pre-existing training data, we developed ezTag, a web-based annotation tool that allows curators to perform annotation and provide training data with humans in the loop. ezTag supports both abstracts in PubMed and full-text articles in PubMed Central. It also provides lexicon-based concept tagging as well as the state-of-the-art pre-trained taggers such as TaggerOne, GNormPlus and tmVar. ezTag is freely available at http://eztag.bioqrator.org.

An alternative to the breeder's and Lande's equations.

PubMed

Houchmandzadeh, Bahram

2014-01-10

The breeder's equation is a cornerstone of quantitative genetics, widely used in evolutionary modeling. Noting the mean phenotype in parental, selected parents, and the progeny by E(Z0), E(ZW), and E(Z1), this equation relates response to selection R = E(Z1) - E(Z0) to the selection differential S = E(ZW) - E(Z0) through a simple proportionality relation R = h(2)S, where the heritability coefficient h(2) is a simple function of genotype and environment factors variance. The validity of this relation relies strongly on the normal (Gaussian) distribution of the parent genotype, which is an unobservable quantity and cannot be ascertained. In contrast, we show here that if the fitness (or selection) function is Gaussian with mean μ, an alternative, exact linear equation of the form R' = j(2)S' can be derived, regardless of the parental genotype distribution. Here R' = E(Z1) - μ and S' = E(ZW) - μ stand for the mean phenotypic lag with respect to the mean of the fitness function in the offspring and selected populations. The proportionality coefficient j(2) is a simple function of selection function and environment factors variance, but does not contain the genotype variance. To demonstrate this, we derive the exact functional relation between the mean phenotype in the selected and the offspring population and deduce all cases that lead to a linear relation between them. These results generalize naturally to the concept of G matrix and the multivariate Lande's equation Δ(z) = GP(-1)S. The linearity coefficient of the alternative equation are not changed by Gaussian selection.

Intraobserver Repeatability and Interobserver Reproducibility of Ellipsoid Zone Measurements in Retinitis Pigmentosa.

PubMed

Strampe, Margaret R; Huckenpahler, Alison L; Higgins, Brian P; Tarima, Sergey; Visotcky, Alexis; Stepien, Kimberly E; Kay, Christine N; Carroll, Joseph

2018-05-01

To examine repeatability and reproducibility of ellipsoid zone (EZ) width measurements in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) using a longitudinal reflectivity profile (LRP) analysis. We examined Bioptigen optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans from 48 subjects with RP or Usher syndrome. Nominal scan lengths were 6, 7, or 10 mm, and the lateral scale of each scan was calculated using axial length measurements. LRPs were generated from OCT line scans, and the peak corresponding to EZ was manually identified using ImageJ. The locations at which the EZ peak disappeared were used to calculate EZ width. Each scan was analyzed twice by each of two observers, who were masked to their previous measurements and those of the other observer. On average, horizontal width (HW) was significantly greater than vertical width (VW), and there was high interocular symmetry for both HW and VW. We observed excellent intraobserver repeatability with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) ranging from 0.996 to 0.998 for HW and VW measurements. Interobserver reproducibility was also excellent for both HW (ICC = 0.989; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.983-0.995) and VW (ICC = 0.991; 95% CI = 0.985-0.996), with no significant bias observed between observers. EZ width can be measured using LRPs with excellent repeatability and reproducibility. Our observation of greater HW than VW is consistent with previous observations in RP, though the reason for this anisotropy remains unclear. We describe repeatability and reproducibility of a method for measuring EZ width in patients with RP or Usher syndrome. This approach could facilitate measurement of retinal band thickness and/or intensity.

Meet EPA Chemist Ana Rivera-Lupiáñez

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Ana Rivera-Lupiáñez is a chemist with EPA's Office of Pesticides Program/Health Effects Division of the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington D.C., where she helps assess the registration and proper use of pesticides.

Transform Decoding of Reed-Solomon Codes. Volume II. Logical Design and Implementation.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-11-01

i A. nE aib’ = a(bJ) ; j=0, 1, ... , n-l (2-8) i=01 Similarly, the inverse transform is obtained by interpolation of the polynomial a(z) from its n...with the transform so that either a forward or an inverse transform may be used to encode. The only requirement is that tie reverse of the encoding... inverse transform of the received sequence is the polynomial sum r(z) = e(z) + a(z), where e(z) is the inverse transform of the error polynomial E(z), and a

Chemical Sanitation System for Pots and Pans in Field Operations

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-02-01

cleanup would be advantageous to the military. In an arid environment water is a scarce commodity and must be conserved; detergent/sanitizer that cleans...sanitation system was to evaluate ommercially available detergent/sanitizers having Environmental Protetion Agency (EPA) and Food and Drug...Iodophor 99.92 Iodine omplex Not Available Scrub/Brush EZ Hibiclens 94.27 Chlohexidine " " gluconate Cleaf 300 Soap Leaf 91.25 Triclosan Paraciem Corp

An Alternative to the Breeder’s and Lande’s Equations

PubMed Central

Houchmandzadeh, Bahram

2013-01-01

The breeder’s equation is a cornerstone of quantitative genetics, widely used in evolutionary modeling. Noting the mean phenotype in parental, selected parents, and the progeny by E(Z0), E(ZW), and E(Z1), this equation relates response to selection R = E(Z1) − E(Z0) to the selection differential S = E(ZW) − E(Z0) through a simple proportionality relation R = h2S, where the heritability coefficient h2 is a simple function of genotype and environment factors variance. The validity of this relation relies strongly on the normal (Gaussian) distribution of the parent genotype, which is an unobservable quantity and cannot be ascertained. In contrast, we show here that if the fitness (or selection) function is Gaussian with mean μ, an alternative, exact linear equation of the form R′ = j2S′ can be derived, regardless of the parental genotype distribution. Here R′ = E(Z1) − μ and S′ = E(ZW) − μ stand for the mean phenotypic lag with respect to the mean of the fitness function in the offspring and selected populations. The proportionality coefficient j2 is a simple function of selection function and environment factors variance, but does not contain the genotype variance. To demonstrate this, we derive the exact functional relation between the mean phenotype in the selected and the offspring population and deduce all cases that lead to a linear relation between them. These results generalize naturally to the concept of G matrix and the multivariate Lande’s equation Δz¯=GP−1S. The linearity coefficient of the alternative equation are not changed by Gaussian selection. PMID:24212080

Overview of the cooperation between the Chernobyl Center's International Radioecology Laboratory in Slavutych, Ukraine, and U.S. research centers between 2000 and 2010.

PubMed

Bondarkov, Mikhail D; Gaschak, Sergey P; Oskolkov, Boris Ya; Maksimenko, Andrey M; Farfán, Eduardo B; Jannik, G Timothy; Labone, Elizabeth D

2011-10-01

The International Radioecology Laboratory (IRL) located in Slavutych, Ukraine, was created in 1999 under the initiative of the United States Government and the Government of Ukraine in the framework of international cooperation on evaluation and minimization of consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (ChNPP) accident. Since the time the IRL was founded, it has participated in a large number of projects, including the following: 1) study of radionuclide accumulation, distribution, and migration in components of various ecological systems of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (ChEZ); 2) radiation dose assessments; 3) study of the effects of radiation influence on biological systems; 4) expert analysis of isotopic and quantitative composition of radioactive contaminants; 5) development of new methods and technologies intended for radioecological research; 6) evaluation of future developments and pathways for potential remediation of the ChEZ areas; 7) assistance in provision of physical protection systems for ionizing irradiation sources at Ukrainian enterprises; 8) reviews of open Russian language publications on issues associated with consequences of the ChNPP accident, radioactive waste management, radioecological monitoring, and ChNPP decommissioning; 9) conduct of training courses on problems of radioecology, radiation safety, radioecological characterization of test sites and environmental media, and research methods; 10) conduct of on-site scientific conferences and workshops on the ChEZ and radioecology problems; participation in off-site scientific conferences and meetings; and 11) preparation of scientific and popular science publications and interactions with mass media representatives. This article provides a brief overview of the major achievements resulting from this cooperation between the IRL and U.S. research centers.

OVERVIEW OF THE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE CHERNOBYL CENTER'S INTERNATIONAL RADIOECOLOGY LABORATORY IN SLAVUTYCH, UKRAINE AND U.S. RESEARCH CENTERS BETWEEN 2000-2010

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

Farfan, E.; Jannik, T.

2011-10-01

The International Radioecology Laboratory (IRL) located in Slavutych, Ukraine was created in 1999 under the initiative of the United States Government and the Government of Ukraine in the framework of international cooperation on evaluation and minimization of consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (ChNPP) accident. Since the time the IRL was founded, it has participated in a large number of projects, including the following: (1) study of radionuclide accumulation, distribution, and migration in components of various ecological systems of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (ChEZ); (2) radiation dose assessments; (3) study of the effects of radiation influence on biological systems;more » (4) expert analysis of isotopic and quantitative composition of radioactive contaminants; (5) development of new methods and technologies intended for radioecological research; (6) evaluation of future developments and pathways for potential remediation of the ChEZ areas; (7) assistance in provision of physical protection systems for ionizing irradiation sources at Ukrainian enterprises; (8) reviews of open Russian language publications on issues associated with consequences of the ChNPP accident, radioactive waste management, radioecological monitoring, and ChNPP decommissioning; (9) conduct of training courses on problems of radioecology, radiation safety, radioecological characterization of test sites and environmental media, and on research methods; (10) conduct of on-site scientific conferences and workshops on the ChEZ and radioecology problems; participation in off-site scientific conferences and meetings; and (11) preparation of scientific and popular science publications, and interactions with mass media representatives. This article provides a brief overview of the major achievements resulting from this cooperation between the IRL and U.S. research centers.« less

2D Electrostatic Potential Solver for Hall Thruster Simulation

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-07-12

µ(jrBz − jzBr)Br − jrBθ) + µneEz + µ∇zp jr = µ(jzBθ − µ(jrBz − jzBr)Bz) + µneEr + µ∇rp (5) This equation system can be solved to isolate the axial and...Simplification The following simplifications are used to more easily manipulate the equation system . jz = Z3Ez + Z4Er + Z5 jr = R3Ez +R4Er +R5 (10) where, Z5...j−1 ∆r (18) With appropriate boundary conditions, a pentadiagonal linear system of equations of the form Ax=b can be constructed (where x is the

Evolving Regional Security in the Andean Region

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-03-19

November 2003. 5 Joseph R. Nuñez, “Luchando en Contra de la Trinidad Hobbesiana en Colombia: Una Estrategia Para la Paz” Aerospace Power Journal . Tercer...December 2002. Nuñez, Joseph R. Luchando en Contra de la Trinidad Obesiana en Colombia: Una Estrategia Para la Paz. Aerospace Power Journal. Tercer

Equatorial E region electric fields at the dip equator: 2. Seasonal variabilities and effects over Brazil due to the secular variation of the magnetic equator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moro, J.; Denardini, C. M.; Resende, L. C. A.; Chen, S. S.; Schuch, N. J.

2016-10-01

In this work, the seasonal dependency of the E region electric field (EEF) at the dip equator is examined. The eastward zonal (Ey) and the daytime vertical (Ez) electric fields are responsible for the overall phenomenology of the equatorial and low-latitude ionosphere, including the equatorial electrojet (EEJ) and its plasma instability. The electric field components are studied based on long-term backscatter radars soundings (348 days for both systems) collected during geomagnetic quiet days (Kp ≤ 3+), from 2001 to 2010, at the São Luís Space Observatory (SLZ), Brazil (2.33°S, 44.20°W), and at the Jicamarca Radio Observatory (JRO), Peru (11.95°S, 76.87°W). Among the results, we observe, for the first time, a seasonal difference between the EEF in these two sectors in South America based on coherent radar measurements. The EEF is more intense in summer at SLZ, in equinox at JRO, and has been highly variable with season in the Brazilian sector compared to the Peruvian sector. In addition, the secular variation on the geomagnetic field and its effect on the EEJ over Brazil resulted that as much farther away is the magnetic equator from SLZ, later more the EEJ is observed (10 h LT) and sooner it ends (16 h LT). Moreover, the time interval of type II occurrence decreased significantly after the year 2004, which is a clear indication that SLZ is no longer an equatorial station due to the secular variation of the geomagnetic field.

A Generalized Equatorial Model for the Accelerating Solar Wind

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tasnim, S.; Cairns, Iver H.; Wheatland, M. S.

2018-02-01

A new theoretical model for the solar wind is developed that includes the wind's acceleration, conservation of angular momentum, deviations from corotation, and nonradial velocity and magnetic field components from an inner boundary (corresponding to the onset of the solar wind) to beyond 1 AU. The model uses a solution of the time-steady isothermal equation of motion to describe the acceleration and analytically predicts the Alfvénic critical radius. We fit the model to near-Earth observations of the Wind spacecraft during the solar rotation period of 1-27 August 2010. The resulting data-driven model demonstrates the existence of noncorotating, nonradial flows and fields from the inner boundary (r = rs) outward and predicts the magnetic field B = (Br,Bϕ), velocity v = (vr,vϕ), and density n(r,ϕ,t), which vary with heliocentric distance r, heliolatitude ϕ, and time t in a Sun-centered standard inertial plane. The description applies formally only in the equatorial plane. In a frame corotating with the Sun, the transformed velocity v' and a field B' are not parallel, resulting in an electric field with a component Ez' along the z axis. The resulting E'×B'=E'×B drift lies in the equatorial plane, while the ∇B and curvature drifts are out of the plane. Together these may lead to enhanced scattering/heating of sufficiently energetic particles. The model predicts that deviations δvϕ from corotation at the inner boundary are common, with δvϕ(rs,ϕs,ts) comparable to the transverse velocities due to granulation and supergranulation motions. Abrupt changes in δvϕ(rs,ϕs,ts) are interpreted in terms of converging and diverging flows at the cell boundaries and centers, respectively. Large-scale variations in the predicted angular momentum demonstrate that the solar wind can drive vorticity and turbulence from near the Sun to 1 AU and beyond.

Vitellogenin Production by Fishmeal-Containing Diets in Male Tilapia (Oreochromis Mossambicus)

EPA Science Inventory

In a number of fish species, male plasma has been shown to contain substantial levels of l7~estradiol (E z) and in certain cases, vitellogenin (Vg), an Ez-induced precursor of egg yolk protein that is specific to females. The presence ofEz and Vg in males raises questions about ...

The EZ diffusion model provides a powerful test of simple empirical effects.

PubMed

van Ravenzwaaij, Don; Donkin, Chris; Vandekerckhove, Joachim

2017-04-01

Over the last four decades, sequential accumulation models for choice response times have spread through cognitive psychology like wildfire. The most popular style of accumulator model is the diffusion model (Ratcliff Psychological Review, 85, 59-108, 1978), which has been shown to account for data from a wide range of paradigms, including perceptual discrimination, letter identification, lexical decision, recognition memory, and signal detection. Since its original inception, the model has become increasingly complex in order to account for subtle, but reliable, data patterns. The additional complexity of the diffusion model renders it a tool that is only for experts. In response, Wagenmakers et al. (Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 14, 3-22, 2007) proposed that researchers could use a more basic version of the diffusion model, the EZ diffusion. Here, we simulate experimental effects on data generated from the full diffusion model and compare the power of the full diffusion model and EZ diffusion to detect those effects. We show that the EZ diffusion model, by virtue of its relative simplicity, will be sometimes better able to detect experimental effects than the data-generating full diffusion model.

EzMol: A Web Server Wizard for the Rapid Visualization and Image Production of Protein and Nucleic Acid Structures.

PubMed

Reynolds, Christopher R; Islam, Suhail A; Sternberg, Michael J E

2018-01-31

EzMol is a molecular visualization Web server in the form of a software wizard, located at http://www.sbg.bio.ic.ac.uk/ezmol/. It is designed for easy and rapid image manipulation and display of protein molecules, and is intended for users who need to quickly produce high-resolution images of protein molecules but do not have the time or inclination to use a software molecular visualization system. EzMol allows the upload of molecular structure files in PDB format to generate a Web page including a representation of the structure that the user can manipulate. EzMol provides intuitive options for chain display, adjusting the color/transparency of residues, side chains and protein surfaces, and for adding labels to residues. The final adjusted protein image can then be downloaded as a high-resolution image. There are a range of applications for rapid protein display, including the illustration of specific areas of a protein structure and the rapid prototyping of images. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Auditory aura in nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy: a red flag to suspect an extra-frontal epileptogenic zone.

PubMed

Ferri, Lorenzo; Bisulli, Francesca; Nobili, Lino; Tassi, Laura; Licchetta, Laura; Mostacci, Barbara; Stipa, Carlotta; Mainieri, Greta; Bernabè, Giorgia; Provini, Federica; Tinuper, Paolo

2014-11-01

To describe the anatomo-electro-clinical findings of patients with nocturnal hypermotor seizures (NHS) preceded by auditory symptoms, to evaluate the localizing value of auditory aura. Our database of 165 patients with nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (NFLE) diagnosis confirmed by videopolysomnography (VPSG) was reviewed, selecting those who reported an auditory aura as the initial ictal symptom in at least two NHS during their lifetime. Eleven patients were selected (seven males, four females). According to the anatomo-electro-clinical data, three groups were identified. Group 1 [defined epileptogenic zone (EZ)]: three subjects were studied with stereo-EEG. The EZ lay in the left superior temporal gyrus in two cases, whereas in the third case seizures arose from a dysplastic lesion located in the left temporal lobe. One of these three patients underwent left Heschl's gyrus resection, and is currently seizure-free. Group 2 (presumed EZ): three cases in which a presumed EZ was identified; in the left temporal lobe in two cases and in the left temporal lobe extending to the insula in one subject. Group 3 (uncertain EZ): five cases had anatomo-electro-clinical correlations discordant. This work suggests that auditory aura may be a helpful anamnestic feature suggesting an extra-frontal seizure origin. This finding could guide secondary investigations to improve diagnostic definition and selection of candidates for surgical treatment. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparative evaluation of three commercial systems for nucleic acid extraction from urine specimens.

PubMed

Tang, Yi-Wei; Sefers, Susan E; Li, Haijing; Kohn, Debra J; Procop, Gary W

2005-09-01

A nucleic acid extraction system that can handle small numbers of specimens with a short test turnaround time and short hands-on time is desirable for emergent testing. We performed a comparative validation on three systems: the MagNA Pure compact system (Compact), the NucliSens miniMAG extraction instrument (miniMAG), and the BioRobot EZ1 system (EZ1). A total of 75 urine specimens submitted for polyomavirus BK virus detection were used. The human beta-actin gene was detected on 75 (100%), 75 (100%), and 72 (96%) nucleic acid extracts prepared by the miniMAG, EZ1, and Compact, respectively. The miniMAG produced the highest quantity of nucleic acids and the best precision among the three systems. The agreement rate was 100% for BKV detection on nucleic acid extracts prepared by the three extraction systems. When a full panel of specimens was run, the hands-on time and test turnaround time were 105.7 and 121.1 min for miniMAG, 6.1 and 22.6 min for EZ1, and 7.4 and 33.7 min for Compact, respectively. The EZ1 and Compact systems processed automatic nucleic acid extraction properly, providing a good solution to the need for sporadic but emergent specimen detection. The miniMAG yielded the highest quantity of nucleic acids, suggesting that this system would be the best for specimens containing a low number of microorganisms of interest.

77 FR 76588 - Request for Proposal Platform Pilot

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-28

...The Small Business Administration (SBA) is announcing a pilot where federal agencies will test a new request for proposal (RFP) platform (RFP-EZ) to streamline the process through which the government buys web design and related technology services from small businesses for acquisitions valued at or below the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT). RFP-EZ is one of five projects sponsored by the Office of Science and Technology Policy's Presidential Innovation Fellows Program, which leverages the ingenuity of leading problem solvers from across America together with federal innovators to tackle projects that aim to fuel job creation, save taxpayers money, and significantly improve how the federal government serves the American people. Under the RFP-EZ pilot, which will initially run from December 28, 2012 through May 1, 2013, agencies will identify individual procurements valued at or below the simplified acquisition threshold that can be set aside for small businesses to test a suite of functional tools for: (1) Simplifying the development of statements of work, (2) improving agency access to information about small businesses, (3) enabling small businesses to submit quotes, bids or proposals (collectively referred to as proposals) electronically in response to a solicitation posted on Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps); (4) enhancing efficiencies for evaluating proposals, and (5) improving how information (including prices paid by federal agencies) is captured and stored. The pilot will be conducted in accordance with existing laws and regulations. Interested parties are encouraged to review and comment on the functionality of RFP-EZ, as described at www.sba.gov/rfpez and highlighted in this notice. Responses to this notice will be considered for possible refinements to the RFP-EZ platform during the pilot and as part of the evaluation of the benefits and costs of making RFP-EZ a permanent platform fully integrated with FedBizOpps, the System for Award Management and agency contract writing systems.

A “Cookbook” Cost Analysis Procedure for Medical Information Systems*

PubMed Central

Torrance, Janice L.; Torrance, George W.; Covvey, H. Dominic

1983-01-01

A costing procedure for medical information systems is described. The procedure incorporates state-of-the-art costing methods in an easy to follow “cookbook” format. Application of the procedure consists of filling out a series of Mac-Tor EZ-Cost forms. The procedure and forms have been field tested by application to a cardiovascular database system. This article describes the major features of the costing procedure. The forms and other details are available upon request.

Use of Wind Profiler Data in Short-Range Forecasting

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-01-15

predicted in this case. 40 WxP orolys~s foZ A AU)G 92 \\~~5 6-6 2 8 )Bo $6 76 ez 7 -’~ .’~ 𔃻~ 639 tit~ 7 0 61 2 12 66 6 6123 6 f AUG 09 , 1 1O1I 4 21 map...derived from the profiler network to the NGM fields. The software can animate a time series of the analyses, both for horizontal and vertical cross sections

Restored Roots: "Muntu" as a Healing Agent in "Pelo bueno, Pelo malo" by Carmen Montañez

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Edison, Thomas Wayne

2017-01-01

Carmen Montañez's novel "Pelo bueno, pelo malo" acknowledges the struggle that some Caribbean individuals face in accepting their blackness. The novel integrates the union of ancestors with the living, thus reflecting the Bantu concept known as "Muntu". This Puerto Rican novel presents a deep social problem of internalized…

Mirta Yáñez's Dystopic Vision of Havana

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

González, Flora M.

2017-01-01

In her 2010 novel "Sangra por la herida," the Cuban novelist, poet, and essayist Mirta Yáñez constructs a panoramic view of metropolitan Havana, following the model of Latin American fiction starting in the 1980s based on a revised version of the detective novel. "Sangra por la herida" functions best as a narrative that…

Evaluation of a 'DIY' test for the detection of colorectal cancer.

PubMed Central

Tate, J J; Northway, J; Royle, G T; Taylor, I

1989-01-01

A new type of faecal occult blood test, EZ-Detect, has been evaluated in 404 patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of colorectal disease. The test avoids handling of stools and gives a result which patients can read themselves--factors which may increase patient compliance. In comparison with the Haemoccult test, EZ-Detect has the same sensitivity for blood in laboratory conditions. In clinical use 98% of patients expressed a preference for EZ-Detect but it detected significantly fewer patients with cancer than did Haemoccult (P = less than 0.05). In its present form, this type of test would be unsuitable for population screening for colorectal cancer even if improved compliance is achieved. Images Figure 1. PMID:2585421

2nd-Order CESE Results For C1.4: Vortex Transport by Uniform Flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Friedlander, David J.

2015-01-01

The Conservation Element and Solution Element (CESE) method was used as implemented in the NASA research code ez4d. The CESE method is a time accurate formulation with flux-conservation in both space and time. The method treats the discretized derivatives of space and time identically and while the 2nd-order accurate version was used, high-order versions exist, the 2nd-order accurate version was used. In regards to the ez4d code, it is an unstructured Navier-Stokes solver coded in C++ with serial and parallel versions available. As part of its architecture, ez4d has the capability to utilize multi-thread and Messaging Passage Interface (MPI) for parallel runs.

Accuracy Evaluation of Five Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems: The North American Comparator Trial

PubMed Central

Halldorsdottir, Solveig; Warchal-Windham, Mary Ellen; Wallace, Jane F.; Pardo, Scott; Parkes, Joan Lee; Simmons, David A.

2013-01-01

Background This study evaluated differences in accuracy between the CONTOUR® NEXT EZ (EZ) blood glucose monitoring system (BGMS) and four other BGMSs [ACCU-CHEK® Aviva (ACAP), FreeStyle Freedom Lite® (FFL), ONE TOUCH® Ultra®2 (OTU2), and TRUEtrack® (TT)]. Methods Up to three capillary blood samples (N = 393) were collected from 146 subjects with and without diabetes. One sample per subject was tested with fresh (natural) blood; the other samples were glycolyzed to lower blood glucose to <70 mg/dl. Meter results were compared with results from plasma from the same sample tested on a Yellow Springs Instruments (YSI) 2300 STAT Plus™ glucose analyzer. Blood glucose monitoring system accuracy was compared using mean absolute relative difference (MARD; from laboratory reference method results) and other analyses. Separate analyses on fresh (natural) samples only were conducted to determine potential effects of glycolysis on MARD values of systems utilizing glucose-oxidase-based test strip chemistry. Results Across the tested glucose range, the EZ had the lowest MARD of 4.7%; the ACAP, FFL, OTU2, and TT had MARD values of 6.3%, 18.3%, 23.4%, and 26.2%, respectively. For samples with glucose concentrations <70 mg/dl, the EZ had the lowest MARD (0.65%), compared with the ACAP (2.5%), FFL (18.3%), OTU2 (22.4%), and TT (33.2%) systems. Conclusions The EZ had the lowest MARD across the tested glucose ranges when compared with four other BGMSs when all samples were analyzed as well as when natural samples only were analyzed. PMID:24124957

A study protocol testing the implementation, efficacy, and cost effectiveness of the ezParent program in pediatric primary care

PubMed Central

Schoeny, Michael; Risser, Heather; Johnson, Tricia

2016-01-01

Introduction Up to 20% of children demonstrate behavior problems that interfere with relationship development and academic achievement. Parent participation in behavioral parent training programs has been shown to decrease child problem behaviors and promote positive parent-child relationships. However, attendance and parent involvement in face-to-face parent training remain low. Testing the implementation, efficacy, and cost of alternative delivery models is needed to (a) increase the reach and sustainability of parent training interventions and (b) address the barriers to parent participation and implementation of such programs, specifically in primary health care settings. The purpose of this paper is to describe the study protocol evaluating the implementation, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of delivering the tablet-based ezParent program in pediatric primary care sites. Methods The implementation of the ezParent in four pediatric primary care sites will be evaluated using a descriptive design and cost-effectiveness analysis. The efficacy of the ezParent will be tested using a randomized controlled trial design with 312 parents of 2 to 5 year old children from pediatric primary care settings. Data on parenting and child behavior outcomes will be obtained from all participants at baseline, and 3, 6, and 12 months post baseline. Discussion Integrating and evaluating the implementation of the ezParent in pediatric primary care is an innovative opportunity to promote positive parenting with potential for universal access to the preschool population and for low cost by building on existing infrastructure in pediatric primary care. PMID:27592122

Flow Visualization of Dynamic Stall on an Oscillating Airfoil

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-09-01

Dynamic Stall; Dynamic lift, ’Unsteady lift; Helicopter retreating blade stall; Oscillating airfoil ; Flow visualization,’Schlieren method ;k ez.S-,’ .0...the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING from the NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL September 1989 Author...and moment behavior is quite different from the static stall associated with fixed-wing airfoils . Helicopter retreating blade stall is a dynamic

Ezetimibe reduced hepatic steatosis induced by dietary oxysterols in nonhuman primates.

PubMed

Deushi, Michiyo; Osaka, Mizuko; Nakano, Kaku; Osada, Kyoichi; Egashira, Kensuke; Yoshida, Masayuki

2016-10-01

Oxidized cholesterol (oxysterols) plays an important and multifaceted role in lipid metabolism. Here we examined whether dietary oxysterols accelerate hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation in nonhuman primates. We also examined the effect of the Niemann-Pick C1-like1 inhibitor, ezetimibe (Ez). Macaca fascicularis (5-year-old males) were fed either regular cholesterol + high-fat diet (control-HFD) or oxysterols + high-fat diet (ox-HFD; with 0.015% of oxysterols cholesterol) for 24 weeks. Compared with control-HFD, ox-HFD did not affect plasma lipid levels, but it did affect hepatic lipid levels [total cholesterol, 40.9 mg·g -1 (ox-HFD) versus 3.2 (control-HFD) mg·g -1 ; triglycerides, 28.0 (ox-HFD) versus 5.7 (control-HFD) mg·g -1 ]. Ox-HFD increased lipid accumulation as well as recruitment of inflammatory cells when compared to control-HFD. We then examined the effects of Ez, 0.2 mg·kg -1 ·day -1 for 12 weeks. In addition to a significant reduction in dyslipidemia, Ez alleviated biochemical and pathological aspects of steatosis. Dietary oxysterols aggravate steatosis in nonhuman primates. Treatment with Ez may be a novel therapeutic approach to NAFLD by alleviating dyslipidemia.

Computations of Eisenstein series on Fuchsian groups

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Avelin, Helen

2008-09-01

We present numerical investigations of the value distribution and distribution of Fourier coefficients of the Eisenstein series E(z;s) on arithmetic and non-arithmetic Fuchsian groups. Our numerics indicate a Gaussian limit value distribution for a real-valued rotation of E(z;s) as operatorname{Re} sD1/2 , operatorname{Im} sto infty and also, on non-arithmetic groups, a complex Gaussian limit distribution for E(z;s) when operatorname{Re} s>1/2 near 1/2 and operatorname{Im} sto infty , at least if we allow operatorname{Re} sto 1/2 at some rate. Furthermore, on non-arithmetic groups and for fixed s with operatorname{Re} s ge 1/2 near 1/2 , our numerics indicate a Gaussian limit distribution for the appropriately normalized Fourier coefficients.

Toscana virus meningitis case in Switzerland: an example of the ezVIR bioinformatics pipeline utility for the identification of emerging viruses.

PubMed

Cordey, S; Bel, M; Petty, T J; Docquier, M; Sacco, L; Turin, L; Cherpillod, P; Emonet, S; Louis-Simonet, M; Zdobnov, E M; Ambrosioni, J; Kaiser, L

2015-04-01

Toscana virus (TOSV) represents a frequent cause of viral meningitis in the Mediterranean Basin that remains neglected in neighbouring countries. We report a documented TOSV meningitis case in a traveller returning from Tuscany to Switzerland. While routine serological and PCR assays could not discriminate between TOSV and Sandfly fever Naples virus infection, a high-throughput sequencing performed directly on the cerebrospinal fluid specimen and analysed with the ezVIR pipeline provided an unequivocal viral diagnostic. TOSV could be unequivocally considered as the aetiological agent, proving the potential of ezVIR to improve standard diagnostics in cases of infection with uncommon or emerging viruses. Copyright © 2014 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

EzGal: A Flexible Interface for Stellar Population Synthesis Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mancone, Conor L.; Gonzalez, Anthony H.

2012-06-01

We present EzGal, a flexible Python program designed to easily generate observable parameters (magnitudes, colors, and mass-to-light ratios) for arbitrary input stellar population synthesis (SPS) models. As has been demonstrated by various authors, for many applications the choice of input SPS models can be a significant source of systematic uncertainty. A key strength of EzGal is that it enables simple, direct comparison of different model sets so that the uncertainty introduced by choice of model set can be quantified. Its ability to work with new models will allow EzGal to remain useful as SPS modeling evolves to keep up with the latest research (such as varying IMFs). EzGal is also capable of generating composite stellar population models (CSPs) for arbitrary input star-formation histories and reddening laws, and it can be used to interpolate between metallicities for a given model set. To facilitate use, we have created an online interface to run EzGal and quickly generate magnitude and mass-to-light ratio predictions for a variety of star-formation histories and model sets. We make many commonly used SPS models available from the online interface, including the canonical Bruzual & Charlot models, an updated version of these models, the Maraston models, the BaSTI models, and the Flexible Stellar Population Synthesis (FSPS) models. We use EzGal to compare magnitude predictions for the model sets as a function of wavelength, age, metallicity, and star-formation history. From this comparison we quickly recover the well-known result that the models agree best in the optical for old solar-metallicity models, with differences at the level. Similarly, the most problematic regime for SPS modeling is for young ages (≲2 Gyr) and long wavelengths (λ ≳ 7500 Å), where thermally pulsating AGB stars are important and scatter between models can vary from 0.3 mag (Sloan i) to 0.7 mag (Ks). We find that these differences are not caused by one discrepant model set and should therefore be interpreted as general uncertainties in SPS modeling. Finally, we connect our results to a more physically motivated example by generating CSPs with a star-formation history matching the global star-formation history of the universe. We demonstrate that the wavelength and age dependence of SPS model uncertainty translates into a redshift-dependent model uncertainty, highlighting the importance of a quantitative understanding of model differences when comparing observations with models as a function of redshift.

Bianchi class A models in Sàez-Ballester's theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Socorro, J.; Espinoza-García, Abraham

2012-08-01

We apply the Sàez-Ballester (SB) theory to Bianchi class A models, with a barotropic perfect fluid in a stiff matter epoch. We obtain exact classical solutions à la Hamilton for Bianchi type I, II and VIh=-1 models. We also find exact quantum solutions to all Bianchi Class A models employing a particular ansatz for the wave function of the universe.

Tests of the E-Z Reader Model: Exploring the Interface between Cognition and Eye-Movement Control

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pollatsek, Alexander; Reichle, Erik D.; Rayner, Keith

2006-01-01

This paper is simultaneously a test and refinement of the E-Z Reader model and an exploration of the interrelationship between visual and language processing and eye-movements in reading. Our modeling indicates that the assumption that words in text are processed serially by skilled readers is a viable and attractive hypothesis, as it accounts not…

8 CFR 213a.2 - Use of affidavit of support.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act, in accordance with section 213A of the Act, this section, and the instructions on Form I-864. The sponsor may use the Form I-864EZ, EZ Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act, rather than the Form I-864, if the sponsor meets the...

Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata) Improves Insulin Sensitivity and Reduces Plasma and Hepatic Lipids in Hamsters Fed a High Fat and Cholesterol Diet

PubMed Central

Del Vecchyo-Tenorio, Georgina; Rodríguez-Cruz, Maricela; Andrade-Cetto, Adolfo; Cárdenas-Vázquez, René

2016-01-01

Creosote bush, Larrea tridentata (Sesse y Moc. Ex DC, Zygophyllaceae) is a shrub found in the deserts of Northern Mexico and Southwestern United States. In traditional medicine, it is used to treat a variety of illnesses including type 2 diabetes. The present study aims to investigate the effects of creosote bush ethanolic extract on plasma and liver parameters associated with the metabolic syndrome in hamsters fed a high fat and cholesterol diet (HFD), comparing them with those induced by ezetimibe (EZ). Seven groups of six hamsters each were formed. Six groups were fed HFD for 2 weeks. The following 2 weeks, the HFD groups received: (1) only HFD, (2) HFD + 3 mg% EZ, (3) HFD + 0.2% creosote bush ethanolic extract, (4) only standard diet (Std Diet), (5) Std Diet + 3 mg% EZ, (6) Std Diet + 0.2% creosote bush ethanolic extract. The beneficial effects of creosote bush ethanolic extract in the HFD hamster model were a reduction of insulin resistance, associated with lower serum insulin and leptin, lower hepatic lipid peroxidation and higher liver antioxidant capacity. Plasma and liver lipids tended or were reduced to values closer to those of animals fed standard diet. A similar effect on lipids was induced by EZ, although with even lower hepatic cholesterol and total lipids concentrations. In general, the change from HFD to standard diet plus ethanolic extract induced the same but deeper changes, including a reduction in plasma glucose and an increase in the percentage of HDL cholesterol. Unlike creosote bush extract, EZ increased food consumption and neutral fecal steroids, with no significant effect on body weight, epididymal fat pads, liver peroxidation or antioxidant capacity. Also EZ did not modify serum insulin and leptin. However, insulin sensitivity improved to values similar to those induced by the extract. This suggests that the mechanism of action of creosote bush ethanolic extract is different to inhibition of cholesterol absorption or increase excretion. The ethanolic extract of L. tridentata could be useful in the treatment of the metabolic syndrome. PMID:27445827

Performance evaluation of the QIAGEN EZ1 DSP Virus Kit with Abbott RealTime HIV-1, HBV and HCV assays.

PubMed

Schneider, George J; Kuper, Kevin G; Abravaya, Klara; Mullen, Carolyn R; Schmidt, Marion; Bunse-Grassmann, Astrid; Sprenger-Haussels, Markus

2009-04-01

Automated sample preparation systems must meet the demands of routine diagnostics laboratories with regard to performance characteristics and compatibility with downstream assays. In this study, the performance of QIAGEN EZ1 DSP Virus Kit on the BioRobot EZ1 DSP was evaluated in combination with the Abbott RealTime HIV-1, HCV, and HBV assays, followed by thermalcycling and detection on the Abbott m2000rt platform. The following performance characteristics were evaluated: linear range and precision, sensitivity, cross-contamination, effects of interfering substances and correlation. Linearity was observed within the tested ranges (for HIV-1: 2.0-6.0 log copies/ml, HCV: 1.3-6.9 log IU/ml, HBV: 1.6-7.6 log copies/ml). Excellent precision was obtained (inter-assay standard deviation for HIV-1: 0.06-0.17 log copies/ml (>2.17 log copies/ml), HCV: 0.05-0.11 log IU/ml (>2.09 log IU/ml), HBV: 0.03-0.07 log copies/ml (>2.55 log copies/ml)), with good sensitivity (95% hit rates for HIV-1: 50 copies/ml, HCV: 12.5 IU/ml, HBV: 10 IU/ml). No cross-contamination was observed, as well as no negative impact of elevated levels of various interfering substances. In addition, HCV and HBV viral load measurements after BioRobot EZ1 DSP extraction correlated well with those obtained after Abbott m2000sp extraction. This evaluation demonstrates that the QIAGEN EZ1 DSP Virus Kit provides an attractive solution for fully automated, low throughput sample preparation for use with the Abbott RealTime HIV-1, HCV, and HBV assays.

Impact on arsenic exposure of a growing proportion of untested wells in Bangladesh

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background In many areas of Bangladesh, it has been more than six years since a national campaign to test tubewells for arsenic (As) was conducted. Many households therefore draw their water for drinking and cooking from untested wells. Methods A household drinking water survey of 6646 households was conducted in Singair upazilla of Bangladesh. A subset of 795 untested wells used by 1000 randomly selected households was tested in the field by trained village workers with the Hach EZ kit, using an extended reaction time of 40 min, and in the laboratory by high-resolution inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (HR ICP-MS). Results The household survey shows that more than 80% of the wells installed since the national testing campaign in this area were untested. Less than 13% of the households with untested wells knew where a low-As well was located near their home. Village workers using the Hach EZ kit underestimated the As content of only 4 out of 795 wells relative to the Bangladesh standard. However, the As content of 168 wells was overestimated relative to the same threshold. Conclusion There is a growing need for testing tubewells in areas of Bangladesh where As concentrations in groundwater are elevated. This could be achieved by village workers trained to use a reliable field kit. Such an effort would result in a considerable drop in As exposure as it increases the opportunities for well switching by households. PMID:22353180

Evaluation of an arsenic test kit for rapid well screening in Bangladesh.

PubMed

George, Christine Marie; Zheng, Yan; Graziano, Joseph H; Rasul, Shahriar Bin; Hossain, Zakir; Mey, Jacob L; van Geen, Alexander

2012-10-16

Exposure to arsenic in groundwater via drinking remains unabated for millions of villagers in Bangladesh. Since a blanket testing campaign using test kits almost a decade ago, millions of new wells have been installed but not tested; thus affordable testing is needed. The performance of the Arsenic Econo-Quick (EQ) kit was evaluated by blindly testing 123 wells in Bangladesh and comparing with laboratory measurements; 65 wells were tested twice. A subset of the same 123 wells was also tested using the Hach EZ kit in the field and the Digital Arsenator in the laboratory in Bangladesh. The EQ kit correctly determined the status of 110 (89%) and 113 (92%) out of 123 wells relative to the WHO guideline (10 μg/L) and the Bangladesh standard (50 μg/L), respectively. Relative to the WHO guideline, all misclassifications were underestimates for wells containing between >10 and 27 μg/L As. Relative to the Bangladesh As standard, over- and underestimates were evenly distributed. Given its short reaction time of 10 min relative to the Hach EZ and its lower cost compared to the Arsenator, the EQ kit appears to have several advantages for well testing in Bangladesh and elsewhere.

Evaluation of an Arsenic Test Kit for Rapid Well Screening in Bangladesh

PubMed Central

George, Christine Marie; Zheng, Yan; Graziano, Joseph H; Rasul, Shahriar Bin; Hossain, Zakir; Mey, Jacob L; van Geen, Alexander

2013-01-01

Exposure to arsenic in groundwater via drinking remains unabated for millions of villagers in Bangladesh. Since a blanket testing campaign using test kits almost a decade ago, millions of new wells have been installed but not tested, thus affordable testing is needed. The performance of the Arsenic Econo-Quick (EQ) kit was evaluated by blindly testing 123 wells in Bangladesh and comparing with laboratory measurements; 65 wells were tested twice. A subset of the same 123 wells was also tested using the Hach EZ kit in the field and the Digital Arsenator in the laboratory in Bangladesh. The EQ kit correctly determined the status of 110 (89%) and 113 (92%) out of 123 wells relative to the WHO guideline (10 μg/L) and the Bangladesh standard (50 μg/L), respectively. Relative to the WHO guideline, all misclassifications were underestimates for wells containing between >10 and 27 μg/L As. Relative to the Bangladesh As standard, over- and under-estimates were evenly distributed. Given its short reaction time of 10 min relative to the Hach EZ and its lower cost compared to the Arsenator, the EQ kit appears to have several advantages for well testing in Bangladesh and elsewhere. PMID:22866936

Leaf Volatile Compounds and Associated Gene Expression during Short-Term Nitrogen Deficient Treatments in Cucumis Seedlings

PubMed Central

Deng, Jie; Yu, Hong-Jun; Li, Yun-Yun; Zhang, Xiao-Meng; Liu, Peng; Li, Qiang; Jiang, Wei-Jie

2016-01-01

Nitrogen (N) is an important macronutrient for plant growth and development, but the regulatory mechanism of volatile compounds in response to N deficiency is not well understood, especially in cucumber, which consumes excessive N during growth. In this study, the major volatile compounds from cucumber leaves subjected to N deficiency were analyzed by GC-MS. A total of 24 volatile components were identified including 15 aldehydes, two ketones, two alkenes, and five other volatile compounds in 9930 leaves. Principal component analysis using volatile compounds from cucumber leaves provided good separation between N-sufficient and N-deficient treatments. The main volatiles in cucumber leaves were found to be C6 and C9 aldehydes, especially (E)-2-hexanal and (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal. (E)-2-hexanal belonged to the C6 aldehyde and was the most abundant compound, whereas (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal was the chief component of C9 aldehydes. During N-deficient treatment, short-chain volatile content was significantly improved at 5 day, other volatiles displayed significant reduction or no significantly changes in all sampling points. Improvement of short-chain volatiles was confirmed in the six other inbred lines at 5 day after N-deficient treatments. The expression analysis of 12 cucumber LOX genes and two HPL genes revealed that CsLOX19, CsLOX20, and CsLOX22 had common up-regulated expression patterns in response to N-deficient stress in most inbred lines; meanwhile, most sample points of CsHPL1 also had significant up-regulated expression patterns. This research focused on the relationship between volatiles in cucumber and different nitrogen environments to provide valuable insight into the effect of cultivation and management of the quality of cucumber and contributes to further research on volatile metabolism in cucumber. PMID:27827841

Performance of the Directigen EZ Flu A+B rapid influenza diagnostic test to detect pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009.

PubMed

Boyanton, Bobby L; Almradi, Amro; Mehta, Tejal; Robinson-Dunn, Barbara

2014-04-01

The Directigen EZ Flu A+B rapid influenza diagnostic test, as compared to real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, demonstrated suboptimal performance to detect pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009. Age- and viral load-stratified test sensitivity ranged from 33.3 to 84.6% and 0 to 100%, respectively. © 2013.

Proceedings of the 2010 AFMS Medical Research Symposium. Volume 3. Enroute Track: Abstracts and Presentations

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-03-15

comparison of proximal tibia, proximal humerus and distal femur infusion rates under high pressure using the EZ-IO Intraosseous device on an adult...contaminated complex musculoskeletal wounds. METHODS: We adapted a previously characterized caprine model. Under anesthesia , complex musculoskeletal...of proximal tibia, proximal humerus and distal femur infusion rates under high pressure using the EZ-IO Intraosseous device on an adult swine model

In situ generation of N-Boc-protected alkenyl imines: controlling the E/Z geometry of alkenyl moieties in the Mukaiyama-Mannich reaction.

PubMed

Bai, Jian-Fei; Sasagawa, Hajime; Yurino, Taiga; Kano, Taichi; Maruoka, Keiji

2017-07-18

Readily available Boc-protected Z-alkenyl aminals could be used as Z-alkenyl and E-alkenyl imine precursors under acidic conditions. In the Mukaiyama-Mannich reaction of Z-alkenyl Boc-aminals, the E/Z geometry of the products was controlled by the catalyst used. The present method was also applied to asymmetric Mukaiyama-Mannich reactions.

Properties of large electric fields in the plasma sheet at 4-7RE measured with Polar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keiling, A.; Wygant, J. R.; Cattell, C.; Johnson, M.; Temerin, M.; Mozer, F. S.; Kletzing, C. A.; Scudder, J.; Russell, C. T.

2001-04-01

Measurements from the Polar satellite provide evidence for large electric field structures in the plasma sheet at geocentric distances of 4-7RE. These structures had amplitudes perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field that can exceed 100 mV m-1 (6 s averaged). Two years (from May 1, 1996, to April 30, 1998) of electric field data (EZ component, approximately along GSE z) were surveyed. The distribution in invariant latitude (ILAT) and magnetic local time (MLT) of large perpendicular electric field events (defined as >=20 mV m-1 for a 6-s average) delineates the statistical auroral oval with the majority of events occurring in the nightside centered around midnight and a smaller concentration around 1500 MLT. The magnitude-versus-altitude distribution of the electric fields between 4 and 7RE in the nightside could be explained by models which assume either shear Alfvén waves propagating into regions of larger background magnetic fields or electrostatic structures being mapped quasi-statically along equipotential magnetic field lines. In addition, this survey yielded 24 very large amplitude events with |E⊥|>=100mVm-1 (6 s averaged), all of which occurred in the nightside. In the spacecraft frame, the electric field structures occurred on timescales ranging from 10 to 60 s. About 85% of these events occurred in the vicinity of the outer boundary of the plasma sheet; the rest occurred in the central plasma sheet. The polarity of the electric fields was dominantly perpendicular to the nominal plasma sheet boundary. For a large fraction of events (<=50%) the ratios of electric and magnetic fields in the period range from 10 to 60 s were consistent with Alfvén waves. Large Poynting flux (up to 2.5 ergs cm-2s-1) dominantly directed downward along the background magnetic field was associated with 21 events. All 24 events occurred during geomagnetic disturbances such as magnetic substorms. A conjugate study with ground stations for 14 events (out of the 24 events) showed that these structures occurred during times of rapid changes in the H component (or X component) of magnetometer data. For most events this time corresponded to the expansion phase; two events occurred during a quick recovery of the negative H bay signature. Thus there is evidence that large electromagnetic energy transfer processes in the plasma sheet occur during the most dynamic phase of geomagnetic disturbances. From the statistical analysis it was found that Polar observed events larger than 100 mV m-1 (50 mV m-1) in the plasma sheet between 2100 and 0300 MLT with a 2-4% (15%) probability per crossing. These probabilities will be compared to the probability of substorm occurrence during Polar plasma sheet crossings.

Parent Use and Efficacy of a Self-Administered, Tablet-Based Parent Training Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PubMed Central

Fogg, Louis; Ocampo, Edith V; Acosta, Diana I

2016-01-01

Background Parent training programs are traditionally delivered in face-to-face formats and require trained facilitators and weekly parent attendance. Implementing face-to-face sessions is challenging in busy primary care settings and many barriers exist for parents to attend these sessions. Tablet-based delivery of parent training offers an alternative to face-to-face delivery to make parent training programs easier to deliver in primary care settings and more convenient and accessible to parents. We adapted the group-based Chicago Parent Program (CPP) to be delivered as a self-administered, tablet-based program called the ez Parentprogram. Objective The purpose of this study was to (1) assess the feasibility of the ez Parentprogram by examining parent satisfaction with the program and the percent of modules completed, (2) test the efficacy of the ez Parentprogram by examining the effects compared with a control condition for improving parenting and child behavior in a sample of low-income ethnic minority parents of young children recruited from a primary care setting, and (3) compare program completion and efficacy with prior studies of the group-based CPP. Methods The study used a two-group randomized controlled trial (RCT) design with repeated measures follow up. Subjects (n=79) were randomly assigned to an intervention or attention control condition. Data collection was at baseline and 12 and 24 weeks post baseline. Parents were recruited from a large, urban, primary care pediatric clinic. ez Parentmodule completion was calculated as the percentage of the six modules completed by the intervention group parents. Attendance in the group-based CPP was calculated as the percentage of attendance at sessions 1 through 10. Satisfaction data were summarized using item frequencies. Parent and child data were analyzed using a repeated measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) with simple contrasts to determine if there were significant intervention effects on the outcome measures. Effect sizes for between group comparisons were calculated for all outcome variables and compared with CPP group based archival data. Results ez Parentmodule completion rate was 85.4% (34.2/40; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 78.4%-93.7%) and was significantly greater ( P<.05) than face-to-face CPP group attendance (135.2/267, 50.6%) attendance of sessions; 95% CI = 46.8%-55.6%). ez Parentparticipants reported the program as very helpful (35/40, 88.0%) and they would highly recommend the program (33/40, 82.1%) to another parent. ez Parentparticipants showed greater improvements in parenting warmth (F1,77 = 4.82, P<.05) from time 1 to 3. No other significant differences were found. Cohen’s d effect sizes for intervention group improvements in parenting warmth, use of corporal punishment, follow through, parenting stress, and intensity of child behavior problems were comparable or greater than those of the group-based CPP. Conclusions Data from this study indicate the feasibility and acceptability of the ez Parentprogram in a low-income, ethnic minority population of parents and comparable effect sizes with face-to-face delivery for parents. PMID:27098111

Pedro Nuñez and the first printed treatise on twilight observation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gadsden, M.

Pedro Nuñez (the name is also written variously as Nunes, Nonius, Nonnius, and Nunnius) was born at Alcacer do Sol, Portugal, in 1502, and died in 1578. In that period and in that country, it was inevitable that his interests were in cosmography and navigation. His principal claim to fame is as author of the major treatise De Arte Atque Ratione Navigandi, which was published in 1546.

Deconstruction of the Maldacena Núñez compactification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andrews, R. P.; Dorey, N.

2006-09-01

We demonstrate a classical equivalence between the large- N limit of the higgsed N=1 SUSY U(N) Yang-Mills theory and the Maldacena-Núñez twisted compactification of a six-dimensional gauge theory on a two-sphere. A direct comparison of the actions and spectra of the two theories reveals them to be identical. We also propose a gauge theory limit which should describe the corresponding spherical compactification of little string theory.

Using E-Z Reader to Simulate Eye Movements in Nonreading Tasks: A Unified Framework for Understanding the Eye-Mind Link

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reichle, Erik D.; Pollatsek, Alexander; Rayner, Keith

2012-01-01

Nonreading tasks that share some (but not all) of the task demands of reading have often been used to make inferences about how cognition influences when the eyes move during reading. In this article, we use variants of the E-Z Reader model of eye-movement control in reading to simulate eye-movement behavior in several of these tasks, including…

Quantitative analysis of external limiting membrane, ellipsoid zone and interdigitation zone defects in patients with macular holes.

PubMed

Houly, Jacques Ramos; Veloso, Carlos Eduardo; Passos, Elke; Nehemy, Márcio Bittar

2017-07-01

To investigate the correlation between the length of external limiting membrane (ELM), ellipsoid zone (EZ) and interdigitation zone (IZ) defects and visual prognosis in patients undergoing macular hole (MH) surgery, using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). This is a retrospective, consecutive, observational case series study. Fifty-two eyes of 52 patients with primary MH were evaluated. A quantitative analysis of ELM, EZ and IZ defects was performed preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively using SD-OCT. The correlation between pre- and postoperative ELM, EZ and IZ defects and the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was investigated. The lengths of ELM, EZ and IZ defects correlated significantly with BCVA in each study period (P < 0.001). Preoperative measures of these band defects were also associated with visual outcomes 3 and 6 months after surgery (P < 0.05). Considering all preoperative parameters, the length of the ELM defect was the factor most strongly correlated with BCVA at 6 months (β = 0.643, P < 0.012). The integrity of the ELM was the only factor significantly associated with BCVA at 6 months (β = 0.427; P = 0.004). The preoperative length of the ELM defect is the strongest predictor of visual acuity after MH surgery. Postoperative integrity of the ELM is significantly associated with visual restoration after surgical treatment of MH.

Anatomical investigations on intraosseous access in stillborns - Comparison of different devices and techniques.

PubMed

Fuchs, Zeynep; Scaal, Martin; Haverkamp, Heinz; Koerber, Friederike; Persigehl, Thorsten; Eifinger, Frank

2018-06-01

Intraosseous (IO)-access plays an alternative route during resuscitation. Our study was performed to investigate the successful rate of IO-access in preterm and term stillborns using different devices and techniques. The cadavers used were legal donations. 16 stillborns, median: 29.2 weeks (IQR 27.2-38.4) were investigated. Two different needles (a: Butterfly needle, 21G, Venofix ® Fa.Braun; b: Arrow ® EZ-IO ® 15G, Teleflex, Dublin, Ireland) were used. Needles were inserted i: manually, using a Butterfly needle; ii: manually, using EZ-IO ® needle or iii: using a battery-powered semi-automatic drill (Arrow ® EZ-IO ® ). Spectral-CT's were performed. The diameter of the corticalis was determined from the CT-images. Successful hit rates with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and odds ratios between the three methods were estimated using a generalised linear mixed model (GLMM). Estimated success rate was 61.1% (95%CI:39.7%-78.9%) for the Butterfly needle, 43.0% (95%CI:23.4%-65.0%) for hand-twisted EZ-IO ® screwing and 39.7% (95%CI:24.1-57.7%) for the semi-automatic drill (Arrow ® EZ-IO ® ), all referring to an average diameter of the corticalis of 1.2 mm. The odds of a correct position were 2.4 times higher (95%CI:0.8-7.6) when using the Butterfly needle than with the drill. In contrast, the odds of correct positioning when inserting the needle by hand were not significantly different from using the drill (odds ratio 1.1, 95%CI: 0.4-3.3). Neither of these effects nor the diameter of the corticalis with an odds ratio near one were significant in the model. Median diameter of the bone marrow cavity was 4.0 mm [IQR 3.3-4.7]. Intraosseous access for premature and neonatal infants could be best achieved by using a manually twisted Butterfly needle. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Biosynthesis of 10,12-dienoic fatty acids by a bifunctional Delta11 desaturase in Spodoptera littoralis.

PubMed

Serra, Montserrat; Piña, Benjami; Bujons, Jordi; Camps, Francisco; Fabriàs, Gemma

2006-08-01

In the biosynthetic pathway of Spodoptera littoralis sex pheromone, (E,E)-10,12-tetradecadienoic acid is produced from (Z)-11-tetradecenoic acid by desaturation and concomitant migration of the precursor double bond. With the aim of identifying the enzyme involved in this biotransformation, yeast Deltaelo1/Deltaole mutants, which are both elongase 1 and Delta9 desaturase-deficient, were transformed with the S. littoralis Delta11 desaturase gene using a Cu+2 inducible expression vector. The transformants produced a recombinant polyhistidine-tagged Delta11 desaturase that could be detected by immunoblotting from cell lysates. Lipid analysis revealed that besides producing large quantities of C11-monounsaturated fatty acids, mainly (Z)-11-hexadecenoic acid, (E,E)-10,12-tetradecadienoic acid and minor amounts of (E,Z)-10,12-hexadecadienoic acid were also produced, as well as very low quantities of another tetradecadienoate, which was tentatively identified as the (E,Z)-10,12-tetradecadienoic isomer. None of these dienes was detected with the Delta11 desaturase gene of Trichoplusia ni, which does not produce conjugated dienes as pheromone components. We conclude that the Delta11 desaturase of S. littoralis is a bifunctional enzyme with both Delta11 and Delta10,12 desaturation activities. The relationship between the substrate structure and the stereochemical outcome of the reaction is discussed.

38 CFR 58.12 - VA Forms 10-10EZ and 10-10EZR-Application for Health Benefits and Renewal Form.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false VA Forms 10-10EZ and 10-10EZR-Application for Health Benefits and Renewal Form. 58.12 Section 58.12 Pensions, Bonuses, and...—Application for Health Benefits and Renewal Form. ER29AP09.145 ER29AP09.146 ER29AP09.147 ER29AP09.148 ER29AP09...

38 CFR 58.12 - VA Forms 10-10EZ and 10-10EZR-Application for Health Benefits and Renewal Form.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false VA Forms 10-10EZ and 10-10EZR-Application for Health Benefits and Renewal Form. 58.12 Section 58.12 Pensions, Bonuses, and...—Application for Health Benefits and Renewal Form. ER29AP09.145 ER29AP09.146 ER29AP09.147 ER29AP09.148 ER29AP09...

38 CFR 58.12 - VA Forms 10-10EZ and 10-10EZR-Application for Health Benefits and Renewal Form.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false VA Forms 10-10EZ and 10-10EZR-Application for Health Benefits and Renewal Form. 58.12 Section 58.12 Pensions, Bonuses, and...—Application for Health Benefits and Renewal Form. ER29AP09.145 ER29AP09.146 ER29AP09.147 ER29AP09.148 ER29AP09...

38 CFR 58.12 - VA Forms 10-10EZ and 10-10EZR-Application for Health Benefits and Renewal Form.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false VA Forms 10-10EZ and 10-10EZR-Application for Health Benefits and Renewal Form. 58.12 Section 58.12 Pensions, Bonuses, and...—Application for Health Benefits and Renewal Form. ER29AP09.145 ER29AP09.146 ER29AP09.147 ER29AP09.148 ER29AP09...

Two-dimensional problem of two Coulomb centers at small intercenter distances

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bondar, D. I.; Hnatich, M.; Lazur, V. Yu.

2006-08-01

We use analytic methods to analyze the discrete spectrum for the problem (Z1eZ2)2 in the united-atom limit ( R ≪ 1) and obtain asymptotic expansions for the quantum defect and energy terms of the system (Z1eZ2)2 at small intercenter distances R up to terms of the order O(R6). We investigate the effect of the dimensionality factor on the energy spectrum of the hydrogen molecular ion H{2/+}.

Structural analysis of retinal photoreceptor ellipsoid zone and postreceptor retinal layer associated with visual acuity in patients with retinitis pigmentosa by ganglion cell analysis combined with OCT imaging

PubMed Central

Liu, Guodong; Li, Hui; Liu, Xiaoqiang; Xu, Ding; Wang, Fang

2016-01-01

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine changes in photoreceptor ellipsoid zone (EZ) and postreceptor retinal layer in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients by ganglion cell analysis (GCA) combined with optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging to evaluate the structure–function relationships between retinal layer changes and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Sixty-eight eyes of 35 patients with RP and 65 eyes of 35 normal controls were analyzed in the study. The average length of EZ was 911.1 ± 208.8 μm in RP patients, which was shortened with the progression of the disease on the OCT images. The average ganglion cell–inner plexiform layer thickness (GCIPLT) was 54.7 ± 18.9 μm in RP patients, while in normal controls it was 85.6 ± 6.8 μm. The GCIPLT in all quarters became significantly thinner along with outer retinal thinning. There was a significantly positive correlation between BCVA and EZ (r = −0.7622, P < 0.001) and GCIPLT (r = −0.452, P < 0.001). Therefore, we assess the retinal layer changes from a new perspective in RP patients, which suggests that EZ and GCIPLT obtained by GCA combined with OCT imaging are the direct and valid indicators to diagnosis and predict the pathological process of RP. PMID:28033301

Paleosecular Type Curves for South America Based on Holocene-Pleistocene Lake Sediments Studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gogorza, C. S.

2007-05-01

Most of the high-resolution paleomagnetic secular variation (PSV) results were obtained from records on sediments from the Northern Hemisphere. Experimental results from South America are scarce. The first results were obtained by Creer et al. (1983) and have been continued since few years ago by the author and collaborators. This review deals with studies of PSV records from bottom sediments from three lakes: Escondido, Moreno and El Trébol (south-western Argentina, 41° S, 71° 30'W). Measurements of directions (declination D and inclination I) and intensity of natural remanent magnetization (NRM), magnetic susceptibility at low and high frequency (specific, X and volumetric, k), isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM), saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM), and back field were carried out. Stability of the NRM was investigated by alternating-field demagnetization. Rock magnetic studies suggest that the main carriers of magnetization are ferrimagnetic minerals, predominantly pseudo single domain magnetite. The correlation between cores was based on magnetic parameters as X and NRM. The tephra layers were identified from the lithologic profiles and also from the magnetic susceptibility logs. Due to their different chronological meaning and their rather bad behavior as magnetic recorder, these layers were removed from the sequence and the gaps that were produced along the profiles by the removal were closed, obtaining a "shortened depth". Radiocarbon age estimates from these cores and from earlier studies allow us to construct paleosecular variation records for the past 22,000 years. Inclination and declination curves (Gogorza et al., 2000a; Gogorza et al., 2002; Irurzun et al., 2006) show trends that are similar to a paleomagnetic secular variation curve for SW of Argentina (Gogorza et al., 2000b). References Creer, K.M., Tucholka, P. and Barton, C.E. 1983. Paleomagnetism of lake sediments, in Geomagnetism of Baked Clays and Recent Sediments, edited by K. M. Creer, P. Tucholka and C. E. Barton, pp 172-197, Elsevier, Amsterdam. Gogorza C.S.G., Sinito A.M., Di Tomasso I., Vilas J.F., Creer K.M., Nuñez, H., 2000a. Geomagnetic secular variations 0-12000 year as recorded by sediments from Moreno Lake (South Argentina). J. South Am. Earth Sci., 13(7), 627-645. Gogorza, C., Sinito, A. M., Vilas, J. F., Creer, K. M., Nuñez, H., 2000b. Geomagnetic Secular Variations 0-6500 Yr. As Recorded By Sediments from Lakes of South Argentina. Geophys. J. Int., 143(3), 787-798. Gogorza, C.S.G., Sinito, A. M., Lirio, J.M., Nuñez, H., Chaparro, M.,Vilas, J. F., 2002. Paleosecular variations 0-19,000 years recorded by sediments from Escondido Lake (Argentina). Phys. Earth Planet. Inter., 133, 35-55. Irurzun M.A. Gogorza C.S.G, Chaparro M.A.E., Lirio J.M., Nuñez H., Vilas J.F., Sinito A.M., 2006. Paleosecular variations recorded by Holocene-Pleistocene sediments from Lake El Trébol (Patagonia, Argentina). Phys. Earth and Planet. Inter., 154(1), 1-17.

Preliminary Airworthiness Evaluation of the Rutan Aircraft Factory (RAF), Inc. LONG-EZ Airplane with External Sight.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-05-01

nose mounted canard for pitch- control, and a mid-mounted, high aspect ratio, swept wing featur- ing an Eppler airfoil and tip mounted winglets. The...34 r (q 4;e n e La- (V~~ ~ cc) C) C C of 1325 lb was obtained during approaches made at 70 KIAS with a touchdown airspeed of 61 KIAS. At this condition...air brake. Principal dimensions and airfoil geometry of the CSATB configured LONG-EZ are identical to those of the unmodified aircraft and can be found

The enigmatic star EZ Pegasi - A mystery solved?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Howell, S. B.; Bopp, B. W.

1985-01-01

EZ Peg, a ninth-magnitude G star that has been classified by various authors as an irregular variable, a U Gem system, and a contact binary, is shown to have all the spectroscopic and photometric characteristics of an active-chromosphere RS CVn binary. It is suggested that the reported outburst of 1943, when the spectrum appeared to be that of a B star, never occurred. The strong Ca II H and K reversals, viewed with low spectral resolution, caused the photospheric Ca II absorption to appear abnormally weak, mimicking a much earlier spectral type.

Radiation-induced cytogenetic and hematologic effects on aquatic biota within the Chernobyl exclusion zone.

PubMed

Gudkov, D I; Shevtsova, N L; Pomortseva, N A; Dzyubenko, E V; Kaglyan, A E; Nazarov, A B

2016-01-01

During 1998-2014 the rate of chromosomal aberrations in embryo tissues of the pond snail (Lymnaea stagnalis) and root meristems of higher aquatic plants, and also hematologic indexes of mantle liquid of the adult snails and peripheral blood of fishes in water bodies within the Chernobyl exclusion zone (EZ) was studied. The absorbed dose rate for hydrobionts from water bodies of the EZ registered in a range from 0.25 to 420 μGy h(-1) and in the reference ones - up to 0.09 μGy h(-1). The level of chromosomal aberrations in the molluscs from the most contaminated water bodies of the EZ was registered within range of 18-27% and for the molluscs from the reference lakes this index was on the average 1.5% with the maximal values 2.3%. The rate of chromosomal aberrations in root meristematic cells of higher aquatic plants from the contaminated lakes of the EZ was in range of 7-17% and in the plants from reference water bodies was not exceed 2.1%. The positive correlation between chromosomal aberration rate and absorbed dose rate in the pond snail's embryos and root meristems of higher aquatic plants in water bodies of the EZ was registered. Analysis of hemolymph structure of snails from the most contaminated water bodies showed a high rate of dead and phagocytic cells as well as decrease of the young amoebocytes quantity. Hematologic research of fish allows to determine on the one hand an insignificant changes of leukogram structure, and from the other hand a high level of red cells with different abnormalities in the peripheral blood of fishes from the water bodies with high levels of radioactive contamination. It is suppose that qualitative indexes of red cells in peripheral blood of fish are more sensitive to long-term radiation impact in comparison with elements of white blood, which can be used for conducting of the hematologic monitoring of radioactive contaminated water bodies. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Current and Emerging Potential of Magnetoencephalography in the Detection and Localization of High-Frequency Oscillations in Epilepsy

PubMed Central

Tamilia, Eleonora; Madsen, Joseph R.; Grant, Patricia Ellen; Pearl, Phillip L.; Papadelis, Christos

2017-01-01

Up to one-third of patients with epilepsy are medically intractable and need resective surgery. To be successful, epilepsy surgery requires a comprehensive preoperative evaluation to define the epileptogenic zone (EZ), the brain area that should be resected to achieve seizure freedom. Due to lack of tools and methods that measure the EZ directly, this area is defined indirectly based on concordant data from a multitude of presurgical non-invasive tests and intracranial recordings. However, the results of these tests are often insufficiently concordant or inconclusive. Thus, the presurgical evaluation of surgical candidates is frequently challenging or unsuccessful. To improve the efficacy of the surgical treatment, there is an overriding need for reliable biomarkers that can delineate the EZ. High-frequency oscillations (HFOs) have emerged over the last decade as new potential biomarkers for the delineation of the EZ. Multiple studies have shown that HFOs are spatially associated with the EZ. Despite the encouraging findings, there are still significant challenges for the translation of HFOs as epileptogenic biomarkers to the clinical practice. One of the major barriers is the difficulty to detect and localize them with non-invasive techniques, such as magnetoencephalography (MEG) or scalp electroencephalography (EEG). Although most literature has studied HFOs using invasive recordings, recent studies have reported the detection and localization of HFOs using MEG or scalp EEG. MEG seems to be particularly advantageous compared to scalp EEG due to its inherent advantages of being less affected by skull conductivity and less susceptible to contamination from muscular activity. The detection and localization of HFOs with MEG would largely expand the clinical utility of these new promising biomarkers to an earlier stage in the diagnostic process and to a wider range of patients with epilepsy. Here, we conduct a thorough critical review of the recent MEG literature that investigates HFOs in patients with epilepsy, summarizing the different methodological approaches and the main findings. Our goal is to highlight the emerging potential of MEG in the non-invasive detection and localization of HFOs for the presurgical evaluation of patients with medically refractory epilepsy (MRE). PMID:28194133

Comparison of the EZ-Cap recapper with the Mayo recapper for the prevention of needlesticks.

PubMed

Dewhirst, Chad A; Hung, Joseph C

2008-09-01

The purpose of this project was the development of a device that improves the design of our current capping block, the Mayo recapper. The major challenges for design and improvement included creating a device that is simple to use and can be applied throughout our department. We wanted a recapper device that increased safety and minimized the potential for needlesticks. Simplicity was another important factor, along with versatility and low cost. A new recapper, called EZ-Cap, was developed, and a comparison study was conducted to evaluate the pros and cons of the EZ-Cap recapper and the Mayo recapper. Nuclear medicine technologists (n = 10) in our department used each device when administering patient injections. At the conclusion of their patient injection rotation, they recorded on a survey sheet the pros and cons of each device. The results of this survey were used to evaluate the effectiveness, comfort level during use, and safety of each recapping device. We used a 2-level scoring system to help determine which device was more favorable. The first level focused on comfort and convenience and was given a score of +1 or -1. The second level focused on safety and was given a score of +2 or -2. Because we believed that safety was a high priority for our capping blocks, this level received a higher score than the first level. The Mayo recapper was the device preferred by 9 of 10 technologists surveyed. The EZ-Cap recapper had several technical issues that made it difficult to use and that could potentially lead to safety concerns. According to our scoring system, the Mayo recapper received a score of +9 for its pros and -4 for its cons. By comparison, the EZ-Cap recapper received a score of +7 for its pros and -16 for its cons. Our results show that the Mayo recapper was the device of choice because its pros outweighed its cons. However, we will continually improve the effectiveness of the Mayo recapper to prevent needlesticks.

A cloud-evaporation parameterization for general ciculation models

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

Schlesinger, M.E.; Oh, J.H.

1993-04-01

An evaporation-zone (EZ) model for cloud evaporation is developed. In this model a cloud consists of I [open quotes]cloudlets,[close quotes] each comprising cloud droplets with radii from zero to r[sub max], the latter value depending on the drop size distribution (DSD). Evaporation occurs only within the EZ comprised of J[le]I cloudlets. When the cloudlet at cloud edge evaporates, the EZ progresses one cloudlet into the cloud's interior. This eventually results in evaporation of the cloud in time t[sub E] = K(H/h)r[sup 2][sub max](1[minus]S[sub e])[sup [minus]1] where H is the cloud thickness, h the EZ thickness, S[sub e] the environmental saturationmore » ratio, and K a constant. Values of t[sub E](1[minus]S[sub e]) versus h are presented for eight observed DSDs. For use in atmospheric general circulation models (GCMs), the cloud evaporation process is represented by dm/dt=[minus](1[minus]S[sub e])m/[tau], where m is the cloud-water mixing ratio and [tau]=K(H/h)r[sup 2][sub max]n[sup [minus]1]. With parameter n chosen sufficiently large, a GCM cloud will evaporate virtually entirely in time t[sub E], for example, 99.3% for n = 5. Values of [tau] for use in the multilayer atmospheric CRCM have been determined by performing ten perpetual-January simulations and ten perpetual-July simulations, each set of ten for prescribed pairs of [tau] values for stratiform ([tau][sub s]) and cumuloform ([tau][sub c]) clouds. An optimum choice of [tau][sub s] and [tau][sub c], based on minimizing the errors of the model's simulated cloudiness, planetary albedo, outgoing longwave radiation, and precipitation, is [tau][sub s]=[tau][sub c] = 3 min. This corresponds to t[sub E](1-S[sub e]) = 15 min for both stratiform and cumuloform clouds; hence, to an EZ thickness of about 0.6-0.8 m for stratus, stratocumulus, and altostratus clouds, 2-3 m for nimbostratus and cumulus clouds, and 17 m for cumulonimbus clouds. 18 refs., 6 figs.« less

Predictive Factors of Surgical Outcome in Frontal Lobe Epilepsy Explored with Stereoelectroencephalography.

PubMed

Bonini, Francesca; McGonigal, Aileen; Scavarda, Didier; Carron, Romain; Régis, Jean; Dufour, Henry; Péragut, Jean-Claude; Laguitton, Virginie; Villeneuve, Nathalie; Chauvel, Patrick; Giusiano, Bernard; Trébuchon, Agnès; Bartolomei, Fabrice

2017-06-29

Resective surgery established treatment for pharmacoresistant frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE), but seizure outcome and prognostic indicators are poorly characterized and vary between studies. To study long-term seizure outcome and identify prognostic factors. We retrospectively analyzed 42 FLE patients having undergone surgical resection, mostly preceded by invasive recordings with stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG). Postsurgical outcome up to 10-yr follow-up and prognostic indicators were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate and conditional inference procedures. At the time of last follow-up, 57.1% of patients were seizure-free. The estimated chance of seizure freedom was 67% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 54-83) at 6 mo, 59% (95% CI: 46-76) at 1 yr, 53% (95% CI: 40-71) at 2 yr, and 46% (95% CI: 32-66) at 5 yr. Most relapses (83%) occurred within the first 12 mo. Multivariate analysis showed that completeness of resection of the epileptogenic zone (EZ) as defined by SEEG was the main predictor of seizure outcome. According to conditional inference trees, in patients with complete resection of the EZ, focal cortical dysplasia as etiology and focal EZ were positive prognostic indicators. No difference in outcome was found in patients with positive vs negative magnetic resonance imaging. Surgical resection in drug-resistant FLE can be a successful therapeutic approach, even in the absence of neuroradiologically visible lesions. SEEG may be highly useful in both nonlesional and lesional FLE cases, because complete resection of the EZ as defined by SEEG is associated with better prognosis. Copyright © 2017 by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons

Accuracy of arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) perfusion in detecting the epileptogenic zone in patients with drug-resistant neocortical epilepsy: comparison with electrophysiological data, structural MRI, SISCOM and FDG-PET.

PubMed

Sierra-Marcos, A; Carreño, M; Setoain, X; López-Rueda, A; Aparicio, J; Donaire, A; Bargalló, N

2016-01-01

Locating the epileptogenic zone (EZ) in patients with neocortical epilepsy presents major challenges. Our aim was to assess the accuracy of arterial spin labeling (ASL), an emerging non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) perfusion technique, to locate the EZ in patients with drug-resistant neocortical epilepsy. Twenty-five consecutive patients with neocortical epilepsy referred to our epilepsy unit for pre-surgical evaluation underwent a standardized assessment including video-electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring, structural MRI, subtraction ictal single-photon emission computed tomography co-registered to MRI (SISCOM) and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) studies. An ASL sequence was included in the MRI studies. Areas of hypoperfusion or hyperperfusion on ASL were classified into 15 anatomic-functional cortical regions; these regional cerebral blood flow maps were compared with the EZ determined by the other tests and the strength of concordance was assessed with the kappa coefficient. Of the 25 patients [16 (64%) women; mean age 32.4 (±13.8) years], 18 (72%) had lesions on structural MRI. ASL abnormalities were seen in 15 (60%) patients (nine hypoperfusion, six hyperperfusion). ASL had a very good concordance with FDG-PET (k = 0.84), a good concordance with structural MRI (k = 0.76), a moderate concordance with video-EEG monitoring (k = 0.53) and a fair concordance with SISCOM (k = 0.28). Arterial spin labeling might help to confirm the location and extent of the EZ in the pre-surgical workup of patients with drug-resistant neocortical epilepsy. © 2015 EAN.

Using the EZ-Diffusion Model to Score a Single-Category Implicit Association Test of Physical Activity

PubMed Central

Rebar, Amanda L.; Ram, Nilam; Conroy, David E.

2014-01-01

Objective The Single-Category Implicit Association Test (SC-IAT) has been used as a method for assessing automatic evaluations of physical activity, but measurement artifact or consciously-held attitudes could be confounding the outcome scores of these measures. The objective of these two studies was to address these measurement concerns by testing the validity of a novel SC-IAT scoring technique. Design Study 1 was a cross-sectional study, and study 2 was a prospective study. Method In study 1, undergraduate students (N = 104) completed SC-IATs for physical activity, flowers, and sedentary behavior. In study 2, undergraduate students (N = 91) completed a SC-IAT for physical activity, self-reported affective and instrumental attitudes toward physical activity, physical activity intentions, and wore an accelerometer for two weeks. The EZ-diffusion model was used to decompose the SC-IAT into three process component scores including the information processing efficiency score. Results In study 1, a series of structural equation model comparisons revealed that the information processing score did not share variability across distinct SC-IATs, suggesting it does not represent systematic measurement artifact. In study 2, the information processing efficiency score was shown to be unrelated to self-reported affective and instrumental attitudes toward physical activity, and positively related to physical activity behavior, above and beyond the traditional D-score of the SC-IAT. Conclusions The information processing efficiency score is a valid measure of automatic evaluations of physical activity. PMID:25484621

A rotating, expanding disk in the Wolf-Rayet star EZ Canis Majoris?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schulte-Ladbeck, R. E.; Nordsieck, K. H.; Nook, M. A.; Magalhaes, A. M.; Taylor, M.

1990-01-01

The discovery of linear polarization changes across the extended wings of He II lines, mainly the strong 4-3 transition at 4686 A, in the WN5 star EZ CMa, is reported. When the polarization across the line profiles is plotted in the Stokes parameters plane, it traces loops clockwise from the blue wing through line center to the red, rather than straight lines. Such polarization loops are reminiscent of what is observed in the Balmer lines of Be stars. The continuum polarization in EZ CMa can be understood by an axisymmetric, electron-scattering envelope, with the decrease in polarization in He II being caused by an increase in absorptive opacity in the lines and dilution by unpolarized line emission, while the variations in position angle are due to the Doppler-shifted absorptive opacity and/or scattered line photons. As the sense of rotation in the loops is also independent of phase of this alleged Wolf-Rayet + compact binary, the polarized line profiles are the signature of a rotating, expanding wind geometry around a single star.

α-Conotoxin Decontamination Protocol Evaluation: What Works and What Doesn’t

PubMed Central

Turner, Matthew W.; Cort, John R.; McDougal, Owen M.

2017-01-01

Nine publically available biosafety protocols for safely handling conotoxin peptides were tested to evaluate their decontamination efficacy. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS) were used to assess the effect of each chemical treatment on the secondary and primary structure of α-CTx MII (L10V, E11A). Of the nine decontamination methods tested, treatment with 1% (m/v) solution of the enzymatic detergent Contrex™ EZ resulted in a 76.8% decrease in α-helical content as assessed by the mean residue ellipticity at 222 nm, and partial peptide digestion was demonstrated using high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Additionally, treatment with 6% sodium hypochlorite (m/v) resulted in 80.5% decrease in α-helical content and complete digestion of the peptide. The Contrex™ EZ treatment was repeated with three additional α-conotoxins (α-CTxs), α-CTxs LvIA, ImI and PeIA, which verified the decontamination method was reasonably robust. These results support the use of either 1% Contrex™ EZ solution or 6% sodium hypochlorite in biosafety protocols for the decontamination of α-CTxs in research laboratories. PMID:28906461

A quantitative, comprehensive analytical model for ``fast'' magnetic reconnection in Hall MHD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simakov, Andrei N.

2008-11-01

Magnetic reconnection in nature usually happens on fast (e.g. dissipation independent) time scales. While such scales have been observed computationally [1], a fundamental analytical model capable of explaining them has been lacking. Here, we propose such a quantitative model for 2D Hall MHD reconnection without a guide field. The model recovers the Sweet-Parker and the electron MHD [2] results in the appropriate limits of the ion inertial length, di, and is valid everywhere in between [3]. The model predicts the dissipation region aspect ratio and the reconnection rate Ez in terms of dissipation and inertial parameters, and has been found to be in excellent agreement with non-linear simulations. It confirms a number of long-standing empirical results and resolves several controversies. In particular, we find that both open X-point and elongated dissipation regions allow ``fast'' reconnection and that Ez depends on di. Moreover, when applied to electron-positron plasmas, the model demonstrates that fast dispersive waves are not instrumental for ``fast'' reconnection [4]. [1] J. Birn et al., J. Geophys. Res. 106, 3715 (2001). [2] L. Chac'on, A. N. Simakov, and A. Zocco, Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 235001 (2007). [3] A. N. Simakov and L. Chac'on, submitted to Phys. Rev. Lett. [4] L. Chac'on, A. N. Simakov, V. Lukin, and A. Zocco, Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 025003 (2008).

Theory and Applications of Optimal Control in Aerospace Systems,

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-07-01

obtained by minimizing a performance index 5-10 J ( Vdi - v)* Q ( Vdi - vi) (39) subject to (33) where v is the desired eigenvector. By this process...one can select arbitrarily the desired Vdi and the resulting v, which are attainable are the closest to those desired in the sense of (39). This can be...min J -2’E Q E2i- 1 2-* ET (0 (Z.i ET Zi QVdi the appropriate W. is found using (38) .. . x T E~) 1 _ TW i EZ i ti = EZ i(71i EQE i E Q Vdi (41

An X-Ray Source for Lithography Based on a Quasi-Optical Maser Undulator

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-05-09

an electron, c is the speed of light in vacuo, B is the peak magnetic induction and X is the period of the planar undulator or wiggler, the wavelength...relativistic motion is given 11 p = Le’ Y 6 [2 - X )2] (4) where = v/c is the particle velocity normalized to the speAd of light , and § /c, where v = -v is...k0 z + Wt),) (7) where E is the amplitude of the electric field, w is the radian frequency A and k a (0,0,k ) is the wave- vector . ez is a unit vector

Lorentz force in water: evidence that hydronium cyclotron resonance enhances polymorphism.

PubMed

D'Emilia, E; Giuliani, L; Lisi, A; Ledda, M; Grimaldi, S; Montagnier, L; Liboff, A R

2015-01-01

There is an ongoing question regarding the structure forming capabilities of water at ambient temperatures. To probe for different structures, we studied effects in pure water following magnetic field exposures corresponding to the ion cyclotron resonance of H3O(+). Included were measurements of conductivity and pH. We find that under ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) stimulation, water undergoes a transition to a form that is hydroxonium-like, with the subsequent emission of a transient 48.5 Hz magnetic signal, in the absence of any other measurable field. Our results indicate that hydronium resonance stimulation alters the structure of water, enhancing the concentration of EZ-water. These results are not only consistent with Del Giudice's model of electromagnetically coherent domains, but they can also be interpreted to show that these domains exist in quantized spin states.

Efficacy of the EZ-IO needle driver for out-of-hospital intraosseous access--a preliminary, observational, multicenter study.

PubMed

Schalk, Richard; Schweigkofler, Uwe; Lotz, Gösta; Zacharowski, Kai; Latasch, Leo; Byhahn, Christian

2011-10-26

Intraosseous (IO) access represents a reliable alternative to intravenous vascular access and is explicitly recommended in the current guidelines of the European Resuscitation Council when intravenous access is difficult or impossible. We therefore aimed to study the efficacy of the intraosseous needle driver EZ-IO in the prehospital setting. During a 24-month period, all cases of prehospital IO access using the EZ-IO needle driver within three operational areas of emergency medical services were prospectively recorded by a standardized questionnaire that needed to be filled out by the rescuer immediately after the mission and sent to the primary investigator. We determined the rate of successful insertion of the IO needle, the time required, immediate procedure-related complications, the level of previous experience with IO access, and operator's subjective satisfaction with the device. 77 IO needle insertions were performed in 69 adults and five infants and children by emergency physicians (n = 72 applications) and paramedics (n = 5 applications). Needle placement was successful at the first attempt in all but 2 adults (one patient with unrecognized total knee arthroplasty, one case of needle obstruction after placement). The majority of users (92%) were relative novices with less than five previous IO needle placements. Of 22 responsive patients, 18 reported pain upon fluid administration via the needle. The rescuers' subjective rating regarding handling of the device and ease of needle insertion, as described by means of an analogue scale (0 = entirely unsatisfied, 10 = most satisfied), provided a median score of 10 (range 1-10). The EZ-IO needle driver was an efficient alternative to establish immediate out-of-hospital vascular access. However, significant pain upon intramedullary infusion was observed in the majority of responsive patients.

Pharyngeal airway effects of Herbst and skeletal anchored Forsus FRD EZ appliances.

PubMed

Celikoglu, Mevlut; Buyuk, Suleyman Kutalmis; Ekizer, Abdullah; Unal, Tuba

2016-11-01

To evaluate the skeletal and pharyngeal airway effects of skeletal anchored Forsus FRD EZ appliance using bilateral miniplates inserted on mandibular symphyses and to compare the findings with a well matched control group treated using a Herbst appliance. Thirty patients with skeletal Class II malocclusion due to mandibular retrusion were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 15 patients (8 females and 7 males; mean age: 13.11 ± 1.29 years) treated using the Herbst appliance and Group 2 consisted of 15 patients (9 females and 7 males; 12.84 ± 1.27 years) treated using the skeletal anchored Forsus FRD EZ appliance. Treatment changes were assessed by means of linear, angular, and area measurements. The groups were well matched regarding to the chronological ages, gender distribution and initial cephalometric values (P > 0.05). In both groups, skeletal Class II malocclusion was corrected by decrease in SNA and increase in SNB, Co-Gn, VRL-B and VRL-Pog measurements. Those changes caused a significant correction in the maxillo-mandibular relationship. Upper and lower pharyngeal airway dimensions were increased in both group, while the increase in the lower pharyngeal dimension was found to be statistically significant in the skeletal anchored Forsus FRD EZ group (P < 0.05). Oropharyngeal area measurements significantly increased in both groups (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively). Comparison of the groups showed that both groups had similar changes with no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05). Skeletal changes produced by both appliances caused significant pharyngeal airway changes. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Localization of Epileptogenic Zone With the Correction of Pathological Networks.

PubMed

Yang, Chuanzuo; Luan, Guoming; Wang, Qian; Liu, Zhao; Zhai, Feng; Wang, Qingyun

2018-01-01

Patients with focal drug-resistant epilepsy are potential candidates for surgery. Stereo-electroencephalograph (SEEG) is often considered as the "gold standard" to identify the epileptogenic zone (EZ) that accounts for the onset and propagation of epileptiform discharges. However, visual analysis of SEEG still prevails in clinical practice. In addition, epilepsy is increasingly understood to be the result of network disorder, but the specific organization of the epileptic network is still unclear. Therefore, it is necessary to quantitatively localize the EZ and investigate the nature of epileptogenic networks. In this study, intracranial recordings from 10 patients were analyzed through adaptive directed transfer function, and the out-degree of effective network was selected as the principal indicator to localize the epileptogenic area. Furthermore, a coupled neuronal population model was used to qualitatively simulate electrical activity in the brain. By removing individual populations, virtual surgery adjusting the network organization could be performed. Results suggested that the accuracy and detection rate of the EZ localization were 82.86 and 85.29%, respectively. In addition, the same stage shared a relatively stable connectivity pattern, while the patterns changed with transition to different processes. Meanwhile, eight cases of simulations indicated that networks in the ictal stage were more likely to generate rhythmic spikes. This indicated the existence of epileptogenic networks, which could enhance local excitability and facilitate synchronization. The removal of the EZ could correct these pathological networks and reduce the amount of spikes by at least 75%. This might be one reason why accurate resection could reduce or even suppress seizures. This study provides novel insights into epilepsy and surgical treatments from the network perspective.

Comparison of Flow Impairment during Carotid Artery Stenting Using Two Types of Eccentric Filter Embolic Protection Devices.

PubMed

Nii, Kouhei; Tsutsumi, Masanori; Maeda, Hitoshi; Aikawa, Hiroshi; Inoue, Ritsuro; Eto, Ayumu; Sakamoto, Kimiya; Mitsutake, Takafumi; Hanada, Hayatsura; Kazekawa, Kiyoshi

2016-12-15

We investigated the angiographic findings and the clinical outcomes after carotid artery stenting (CAS) using two different, eccentric filter embolic protection devices (EPDs). Between July 2010 and August 2015, 175 CAS procedures were performed using a self-expandable closed-cell stent and a simple eccentric filter EPD (FilterWire EZ in 86 and Spider FX in 89 procedures). The angiographic findings (i.e., flow impairment and vasospasm) at the level of EPDs, neurologic events, and post-operative imaging results were compared between the FilterWire EZ and the Spider FX groups. The CAS was angiographically successful in all 175 procedures. However, the angiographs were obtained immediately after CAS-detected flow impairment in the distal internal carotid artery (ICA) in 11 (6.3%) and ICA spasms at the level of the EPD in 40 cases (22.9%). The incidence of these complications was higher with FilterWire EZ than Spider FX (ICA flow impairment of 10.5% vs. 2.2%, P = 0.03; vasospasm 30.2% vs. 15.7%, P = 0.03). There were nine neurologic events (5.1%); five patients were presented with transient ischemic attacks, three had minor strokes, and one had a major stroke. New MRI lesions were seen in 25 (29.1%) FilterWire-group and in 36 (40.4%) Spider-group patients. The neurologic events and new MRI lesions were not associated with the type of EPD used. Although the ICA flow impairment may result in neurologic events, there was no significant association between the FilterWire EZ and the Spider FX CAS with respect to the incidence of neurologic events by the prompt treatment such as catheter aspiration.

Correlations Among Near-Infrared and Short-Wavelength Autofluorescence and Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography in Recessive Stargardt Disease

PubMed Central

Duncker, Tobias; Marsiglia, Marcela; Lee, Winston; Zernant, Jana; Tsang, Stephen H.; Allikmets, Rando; Greenstein, Vivienne C.; Sparrow, Janet R.

2014-01-01

Purpose. Short-wavelength (SW) fundus autofluorescence (AF) is considered to originate from lipofuscin in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and near-infrared (NIR) AF from melanin. In patients with recessive Stargardt disease (STGD1), we correlated SW-AF and NIR-AF with structural information obtained by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Methods. Twenty-four STGD1 patients (45 eyes; age 8 to 61 years) carrying confirmed disease-associated ABCA4 mutations were studied prospectively. Short-wavelength AF, NIR-AF, and SD-OCT images were acquired. Results. Five phenotypes were identified according to features of the central lesion and extent of fundus change. Central zones of reduced NIR-AF were typically larger than areas of diminished SW-AF and reduced NIR-AF usually approximated areas of ellipsoid zone (EZ) loss identified by SD-OCT (group 1; r, 0.93, P < 0.0001). In patients having a central lesion with overlapping parafoveal rings of increased NIR-AF and SW-AF (group 3), the extent of EZ loss was strongly correlated with the inner diameter of the NIR-AF ring (r, 0.89, P < 0.0001) and the eccentricity of the outer border of the NIR-AF ring was greater than that of the SW-AF ring. Conclusions. Lesion areas were more completely delineated in NIR-AF images than with SW-AF. In most cases, EZ loss was observed only at locations where NIR-AF was reduced or absent, indicating that RPE cell atrophy occurs in advance of photoreceptor cell degeneration. Because SW-AF was often increased within the central area of EZ disruption, degenerating photoreceptor cells may produce lipofuscin at accelerated levels. Consideration is given to mechanisms underlying hyper–NIR-AF in conjunction with increased SW-AF. PMID:25342616

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Networks Induced by Intracranial Stimulation May Help Defining the Epileptogenic Zone

PubMed Central

Zhang, Myron; Avitsian, Rafi; Bhattacharyya, Pallab; Bulacio, Juan; Cendes, Fernando; Enatsu, Rei; Lowe, Mark; Najm, Imad; Nair, Dileep; Phillips, Michael; Gonzalez-Martinez, Jorge

2014-01-01

Abstract Patients with medically intractable epilepsy often undergo invasive evaluation and surgery, with a 50% success rate. The low success rate is likely due to poor identification of the epileptogenic zone (EZ), the brain area causing seizures. This work introduces a new method using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with simultaneous direct electrical stimulation of the brain that could help localize the EZ, performed in five patients with medically intractable epilepsy undergoing invasive evaluation with intracranial depth electrodes. Stimulation occurred in a location near the hypothesized EZ and a location away. Electrical recordings in response to stimulation were recorded and compared to fMRI. Multiple stimulation parameters were varied, like current and frequency. The brain areas showing fMRI response were compared with the areas resected and the success of surgery. Robust fMRI maps of activation networks were easily produced, which also showed a significant but weak positive correlation between quantitative measures of blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) activity and measures of electrical activity in response to direct electrical stimulation (mean correlation coefficient of 0.38 for all acquisitions that produced a strong BOLD response). For four patients with outcome data at 6 months, successful surgical outcome is consistent with the resection of brain areas containing high local fMRI activity. In conclusion, this method demonstrates the feasibility of simultaneous direct electrical stimulation and fMRI in humans, which allows the study of brain connectivity with high resolution and full spatial coverage. This innovative technique could be used to better define the localization and extension of the EZ in intractable epilepsies, as well as for other functional neurosurgical procedures. PMID:24735069

Simulation of Local Seismic Ground Motions from the FLASK Underground Nuclear Explosion near the Source Physics Experiment Dry Alluvium Geology Site

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodgers, A. J.; Pitarka, A.; Wagoner, J. L.; Helmberger, D. V.

2017-12-01

The FLASK underground nuclear explosion (UNE) was conducted in Area 2 of Yucca Flat at the Nevada Test Site on May 26, 1970. The yield was 105 kilotons (DOE/NV-209-Rev 16) and the working point was 529 m below the surface. This test was detonated in faulted Tertiary volcanic rocks of Yucca Flat. Coincidently, the FLASK UNE ground zero (GZ) is close (< 600 m) to the U2ez hole where the Source Physics Experiment will be conducting Phase II of its chemical high explosives test series in the so-called Dry Alluvium Geology (DAG) site. Ground motions from FLASK were recorded by twelve (12) three-component seismic stations in the near-field at ranges 3-4 km. We digitized the paper records and used available metadata on peak particle velocity measurements made at the time to adjust the amplitudes. These waveforms show great variability in amplitudes and waveform complexity with azimuth from the shot, likely due to along propagation path structure such as the geometry of the hard-rock/alluvium contact above the working point. Peak particle velocities at stations in the deeper alluvium to the north, east and south of GZ have larger amplitudes than those to the west where the basement rock is much shallower. Interestingly, the transverse components show a similar trend with azimuth. In fact, the transverse component amplitudes are similar to the other components for many stations overlying deeper basement. In this study, we simulated the seismic response at the available near-field stations using the SW4 three-dimensional (3D) finite difference code. SW4 can simulate seismic wave propagation in 3D inelastic earth structure, including surface topography. SW4 includes vertical mesh refinement which greatly reduces the computational resources needed to run a specific problem. Simulations are performed on high-performance computers with grid spacing as small as 10 meters and resolution to 6 Hz. We are testing various subsurface models to identify the role of 3D structure on path propagation effects from the source. We are also testing 3D models to constrain structure for the upcoming DAG experiments in 2018.

Draft genome sequence of Brevibacterium epidermidis EZ-K02 isolated from nitrocellulose-contaminated wastewater environments.

PubMed

Ziganshina, Elvira E; Mohammed, Waleed S; Doijad, Swapnil P; Shagimardanova, Elena I; Gogoleva, Natalia E; Ziganshin, Ayrat M

2018-04-01

Brevibacterium spp. are aerobic, nonbranched, asporogenous, gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria which may exhibit a rod-coccus cycle when cells get older and can be found in various environments. ​Several Brevibacterium species have industrial importance and are capable of biotransformation of various contaminants. Here we describe the draft genome sequence of Brevibacterium epidermidis EZ-K02 isolated from nitrocellulose-contaminated wastewater environments. The genome comprises 3,885,924 bp, with a G + C content of 64.2%. This whole genome shotgun project has been deposited at DDBJ/ENA/GenBank under the accession PDHL00000000.

Are the Medical Humanities for Sale? Lessons from a Historical Debate.

PubMed

Podolsky, Scott H; Greene, Jeremy A

2016-12-01

In November of 1959, William Bean published in the Archives of Internal Medicine a scathing review of Félix Martí-Ibañez's Centaur: Essays on the History of Medical Ideas. Martí-Ibañez and Bean were two of the leading exponents of the importance of medical humanism during a formative period from the 1950s through the 1970s. But the two physicians differed fundamentally in their views of the ideal relationships among the pharmaceutical industry, the medical profession, and the medical humanities. We situate Bean's review within its historical context, shedding light on the history and diverging uses of the medical humanities.

α-Conotoxin Decontamination Protocol Evaluation: What Works and What Doesn’t

DOE PAGES

Turner, Matthew; Cort, John; McDougal, Owen

2017-09-14

Nine publically available biosafety protocols for safely handling conotoxin peptides were tested to evaluate their decontamination efficacy. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS) were used to assess the effect of each chemical treatment on the secondary and primary structure of α-CTx MII [L10V, E11A]. Of the nine decontamination methods tested, treatment with 1% (m/v) solution of the enzymatic detergent Contrex™ EZ resulted in a 76.8% decrease in α-helical content as assessed by the mean residue ellipticity at 222 nm, and partial peptide digestion was demonstrated using high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Additionally, treatment with 6% sodiummore » hypochlorite (m/v) resulted in 80.5% decrease in α-helical content and complete digestion of the peptide. The Contrex™ EZ treatment was repeated with three additional α-conotoxins (α-CTxs), α-CTxs LvIA, ImI and PeIA, which verified the decontamination method was reasonably robust. These results support the use of either 1% Contrex™ EZ solution or 6% sodium hypochlorite in biosafety protocols for the decontamination of α- CTxs in research laboratories.« less

α-Conotoxin Decontamination Protocol Evaluation: What Works and What Doesn’t

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

Turner, Matthew; Cort, John; McDougal, Owen

Nine publically available biosafety protocols for safely handling conotoxin peptides were tested to evaluate their decontamination efficacy. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS) were used to assess the effect of each chemical treatment on the secondary and primary structure of α-CTx MII [L10V, E11A]. Of the nine decontamination methods tested, treatment with 1% (m/v) solution of the enzymatic detergent Contrex™ EZ resulted in a 76.8% decrease in α-helical content as assessed by the mean residue ellipticity at 222 nm, and partial peptide digestion was demonstrated using high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Additionally, treatment with 6% sodiummore » hypochlorite (m/v) resulted in 80.5% decrease in α-helical content and complete digestion of the peptide. The Contrex™ EZ treatment was repeated with three additional α-conotoxins (α-CTxs), α-CTxs LvIA, ImI and PeIA, which verified the decontamination method was reasonably robust. These results support the use of either 1% Contrex™ EZ solution or 6% sodium hypochlorite in biosafety protocols for the decontamination of α- CTxs in research laboratories.« less

EZ-IO(®) intraosseous device implementation in German Helicopter Emergency Medical Service.

PubMed

Helm, Matthias; Haunstein, Benedikt; Schlechtriemen, Thomas; Ruppert, Matthias; Lampl, Lorenz; Gäßler, Michael

2015-03-01

Intraosseous access (IO) is a rapid and safe alternative when peripheral venous access is difficult. Our aim was to summarize the first three years experience with the use of a semi-automatic IO device (EZ-IO(®)) in German Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS). Included were all patients during study period (January 2009-December 2011) requiring an IO access performed by HEMS team. Outcome variables were IO rate, IO insertion success rates, site of IO access, type of EZ-IO(®) needle set used, strategy of vascular access, procedure related problems and operator's satisfaction. IO rate was 0.3% (348/120.923). Overall success rate was 99.6% with a first attempt success rate of 85.9%; there was only one failure (0.4%). There were three insertion sites: proximal tibia (87.2%), distal tibia (7.5%) and proximal humerus (5.3%). Within total study group IO was predominantly the second-line strategy (39% vs. 61%, p<0.001), but in children<7 years, in trauma cases and in cardiac arrest IO was more often first-line strategy (64% vs. 28%, p<0.001; 48% vs. 34%, p<0.032; 50% vs. 29%, p<0.002 respectively). Patients with IO access were significantly younger (41.7±28.7 vs. 56.5±24.4 years; p<0.001), more often male (63.2% vs. 57.7%; p=0.037), included more trauma cases (37.3% vs. 30.0%; p=0.003) and more often patients with a NACA-Score≥5 rating (77.0% vs. 18.6%; p<0.001). Patients who required IO access generally presented with more severely compromised vital signs associated with the need for more invasive resuscitation actions such as intubation, chest drains, CPR and defibrillation. In 93% EZ-IO(®) needle set handling was rated "good". Problems were reported in 1.6% (needle dislocation 0.8%, needle bending 0.4% and parafusion 0.4%). The IO route was generally used in the most critically ill of patients. Our relatively low rate of usage would indicate that this would be compatible with the recommendations of established guidelines. The EZ-IO(®) intraosseous device proved feasible with a high success rate in adult and pediatric emergency patients in HEMS. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of an Automated Reader and Color Interpretation-Based Immunoassays for Multiplexed Drug-of-Abuse Testing in Urine.

PubMed

Kim, Seon Young; Kim, Hyunjin; Park, Yeongchun; Lim, Jinsook; Kim, Jimyung; Koo, Sun Hoe; Kwon, Gye Cheol

2017-06-01

On-site drugs of abuse testing devices have undergone continuous improvement. We evaluated three devices with different designs: an automated reader, the Multi-Drug Screen Test Device with DxLINK (DxLINK; Innovacon, Alere, San Diego, USA) and two colorimetric immunoassays, the One Step Multi-Line Screen Panel with Integrated E-Z Split Key Cup II (E-Z Cup; Innovacon, Alere) and the One Step Multi-Drug Screen Panel card (Multi4 card; Alere, Abon Biopharm, Hangzhou, China). Eleven drugs [amphetamine, secobarbital, oxazepam, buprenorphine, benzoylecgonine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), methamphetamine, methadone, morphine and nortriptyline] were tested using the DxLINK and E-Z Cup. Four drugs (benzoylecgonine, THC, methamphetamine and morphine) were tested using the Multi4 card using control materials (Detectabuse Stat-Skreen; Biochemical Diagnostics, Edgewood, NY, USA). The concentrations (-50%, -25%, +25%, +50% and 3× cut-off values) of the control materials were confirmed by mass spectrometry. Concordance rates were calculated around cut-offs. All devices showed high overall agreement rates of >90% with a few exceptions: the DxLINK exhibited lower sensitivity for benzoylecgonine, methadone and nortriptyline (60% and 30%, 92% and 40%, and 96% and 60% sensitivity at +50% and +25% cut-off levels, respectively). The E-Z Cup exhibited lower sensitivity for oxazepam and nortriptyline (97% and 50%, and 97% and 40% sensitivity at +50% and +25% cut-off levels, respectively). We additionally evaluated test-band color by visual inspection using a standard color-scale card. When detailed color criteria for determination of positivity were applied for the E-Z Cup, using slightly less stringent criteria, oxazepam, buprenorphine, MDMA and nortriptyline showed increases in sensitivity from 70-80% to 90-100%, all with a specificity above 98%. Overall, all devices exhibited satisfactory performance at ±50% cut-off levels for commonly used drugs, with the exception of lower sensitivity for cocaine testing for DxLINK. Careful evaluation of devices and elaborate calibration of visual interpretation for determining positivity may help improve the performance of these devices. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Non-linear processes in the Earth atmosphere boundary layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grunskaya, Lubov; Valery, Isakevich; Dmitry, Rubay

2013-04-01

The work is connected with studying electromagnetic fields in the resonator Earth-Ionosphere. There is studied the interconnection of tide processes of geophysical and astrophysical origin with the Earth electromagnetic fields. On account of non-linear property of the resonator Earth-Ionosphere the tides (moon and astrophysical tides) in the electromagnetic Earth fields are kinds of polyharmonic nature. It is impossible to detect such non-linear processes with the help of the classical spectral analysis. Therefore to extract tide processes in the electromagnetic fields, the method of covariance matrix eigen vectors is used. Experimental investigations of electromagnetic fields in the atmosphere boundary layer are done at the distance spaced stations, situated on Vladimir State University test ground, at Main Geophysical Observatory (St. Petersburg), on Kamchatka pen., on Lake Baikal. In 2012 there was continued to operate the multichannel synchronic monitoring system of electrical and geomagnetic fields at the spaced apart stations: VSU physical experimental proving ground; the station of the Institute of Solar and Terrestrial Physics of Russian Academy of Science (RAS) at Lake Baikal; the station of the Institute of volcanology and seismology of RAS in Paratunka; the station in Obninsk on the base of the scientific and production society "Typhoon". Such investigations turned out to be possible after developing the method of scanning experimental signal of electromagnetic field into non- correlated components. There was used a method of the analysis of the eigen vectors ofthe time series covariance matrix for exposing influence of the moon tides on Ez. The method allows to distribute an experimental signal into non-correlated periodicities. The present method is effective just in the situation when energetical deposit because of possible influence of moon tides upon the electromagnetic fields is little. There have been developed and realized in program components in the form of PAS instruments of processes of geophysical and man-triggered nature; to predict the presence of the features of geophysical nature in the electromagnetic field of the atmosphere boundary surface layer; to study dynamics the analyzed signals coming from the geophysical and man-triggered sources in the electrical and magnetic fields of the atmosphere boundary surface layer; to expose changes of the investigated time series in the periods preceding the appearance of the predicted phenomena; to form clusters of the time series being the features of the predicted events. On the base of the exposed clusters of the time series there have been built the predicting rules allowing to coordinate the probability of appearing the groups of the occurred events. The work is carried out with supporting of Program FPP #14.B37.210668, FPP #5.2071.2011, RFBR #11-05-97518.

Root gravitropism: an experimental tool to investigate basic cellular and molecular processes underlying mechanosensing and signal transmission in plants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boonsirichai, K.; Guan, C.; Chen, R.; Masson, P. H.

2002-01-01

The ability of plant organs to use gravity as a guide for growth, named gravitropism, has been recognized for over two centuries. This growth response to the environment contributes significantly to the upward growth of shoots and the downward growth of roots commonly observed throughout the plant kingdom. Root gravitropism has received a great deal of attention because there is a physical separation between the primary site for gravity sensing, located in the root cap, and the site of differential growth response, located in the elongation zones (EZs). Hence, this system allows identification and characterization of different phases of gravitropism, including gravity perception, signal transduction, signal transmission, and curvature response. Recent studies support some aspects of an old model for gravity sensing, which postulates that root-cap columellar amyloplasts constitute the susceptors for gravity perception. Such studies have also allowed the identification of several molecules that appear to function as second messengers in gravity signal transduction and of potential signal transducers. Auxin has been implicated as a probable component of the signal that carries the gravitropic information between the gravity-sensing cap and the gravity-responding EZs. This has allowed the identification and characterization of important molecular processes underlying auxin transport and response in plants. New molecular models can be elaborated to explain how the gravity signal transduction pathway might regulate the polarity of auxin transport in roots. Further studies are required to test these models, as well as to study the molecular mechanisms underlying a poorly characterized phase of gravitropism that is independent of an auxin gradient.

The Trophic Significance of the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin, Sousa chinensis, in Western Taiwan.

PubMed

Pan, Ching-Wen; Chen, Meng-Hsien; Chou, Lien-Siang; Lin, Hsing-Juh

2016-01-01

Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) have attracted considerable attention due to their critically endangered status and related conservation issues, but their trophic relationships and ecological significance in coastal ecosystems are poorly understood. For instance, this species is noticeably more abundant in the Xin-Huwei River Estuary (Ex) of Western Taiwan than in the nearby Zhuoshui River Estuary (Ez), though it is unclear why the distribution shows such partitioning. To explore this topic, we conducted field surveys seasonally for two years from 2012 to 2013 and constructed Ecopath models of Ex, Ez, and an offshore site (Dm) to compare energy flow within the food webs. Model comparisons showed that the availability of food resources was the main factor influencing the biomass of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins. Specifically, its more frequent occurrence in Ex can be attributed to greater phytoplankton production and greater biomasses of macroinvertebrates and prey fish than in the other two areas. An increase in fishing activity might decrease the food availability and, consequently, the biomass of the dolphins. Although the decline in the dolphin population would increase the biomass of some prey fish species, local fishermen might not necessarily benefit from the decline due to the concurrent decrease of highly valued crabs and shrimp. Collectively, our work suggests that the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin is a keystone species in tropical coastal waters of Taiwan, and thereby exhibit a disproportional large ecological impact given their relatively low abundance.

The Trophic Significance of the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin, Sousa chinensis, in Western Taiwan

PubMed Central

Pan, Ching-Wen; Chen, Meng-Hsien; Chou, Lien-Siang; Lin, Hsing-Juh

2016-01-01

Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) have attracted considerable attention due to their critically endangered status and related conservation issues, but their trophic relationships and ecological significance in coastal ecosystems are poorly understood. For instance, this species is noticeably more abundant in the Xin-Huwei River Estuary (Ex) of Western Taiwan than in the nearby Zhuoshui River Estuary (Ez), though it is unclear why the distribution shows such partitioning. To explore this topic, we conducted field surveys seasonally for two years from 2012 to 2013 and constructed Ecopath models of Ex, Ez, and an offshore site (Dm) to compare energy flow within the food webs. Model comparisons showed that the availability of food resources was the main factor influencing the biomass of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins. Specifically, its more frequent occurrence in Ex can be attributed to greater phytoplankton production and greater biomasses of macroinvertebrates and prey fish than in the other two areas. An increase in fishing activity might decrease the food availability and, consequently, the biomass of the dolphins. Although the decline in the dolphin population would increase the biomass of some prey fish species, local fishermen might not necessarily benefit from the decline due to the concurrent decrease of highly valued crabs and shrimp. Collectively, our work suggests that the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin is a keystone species in tropical coastal waters of Taiwan, and thereby exhibit a disproportional large ecological impact given their relatively low abundance. PMID:27780252

Integrated software for the detection of epileptogenic zones in refractory epilepsy.

PubMed

Mottini, Alejandro; Miceli, Franco; Albin, Germán; Nuñez, Margarita; Ferrándo, Rodolfo; Aguerrebere, Cecilia; Fernandez, Alicia

2010-01-01

In this paper we present an integrated software designed to help nuclear medicine physicians in the detection of epileptogenic zones (EZ) by means of ictal-interictal SPECT and MR images. This tool was designed to be flexible, friendly and efficient. A novel detection method was included (A-contrario) along with the classical detection method (Subtraction analysis). The software's performance was evaluated with two separate sets of validation studies: visual interpretation of 12 patient images by an experimented observer and objective analysis of virtual brain phantom experiments by proposed numerical observers. Our results support the potential use of the proposed software to help nuclear medicine physicians in the detection of EZ in clinical practice.

Evaluation of three automated nucleic acid extraction systems for identification of respiratory viruses in clinical specimens by multiplex real-time PCR.

PubMed

Kim, Yoonjung; Han, Mi-Soon; Kim, Juwon; Kwon, Aerin; Lee, Kyung-A

2014-01-01

A total of 84 nasopharyngeal swab specimens were collected from 84 patients. Viral nucleic acid was extracted by three automated extraction systems: QIAcube (Qiagen, Germany), EZ1 Advanced XL (Qiagen), and MICROLAB Nimbus IVD (Hamilton, USA). Fourteen RNA viruses and two DNA viruses were detected using the Anyplex II RV16 Detection kit (Seegene, Republic of Korea). The EZ1 Advanced XL system demonstrated the best analytical sensitivity for all the three viral strains. The nucleic acids extracted by EZ1 Advanced XL showed higher positive rates for virus detection than the others. Meanwhile, the MICROLAB Nimbus IVD system was comprised of fully automated steps from nucleic extraction to PCR setup function that could reduce human errors. For the nucleic acids recovered from nasopharyngeal swab specimens, the QIAcube system showed the fewest false negative results and the best concordance rate, and it may be more suitable for detecting various viruses including RNA and DNA virus strains. Each system showed different sensitivity and specificity for detection of certain viral pathogens and demonstrated different characteristics such as turnaround time and sample capacity. Therefore, these factors should be considered when new nucleic acid extraction systems are introduced to the laboratory.

Investigating the causes of wrap-up effects: evidence from eye movements and E-Z Reader.

PubMed

Warren, Tessa; White, Sarah J; Reichle, Erik D

2009-04-01

Wrap-up effects in reading have traditionally been thought to reflect increased processing associated with intra- and inter-clause integration (Just, M. A. & Carpenter, P. A. (1980). A theory of reading: From eye fixations to comprehension. Psychological Review,87(4), 329-354; Rayner, K., Kambe, G., & Duffy, S. A. (2000). The effect of clause wrap-up on eye movements during reading. The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology,53A(4), 1061-1080; cf. Hirotani, M., Frazier, L., & Rayner, K. (2006). Punctuation and intonation effects on clause and sentence wrap-up: Evidence from eye movements. Journal of Memory and Language,54, 425-443). We report an eye-tracking experiment with a strong manipulation of integrative complexity at a critical word that was either sentence-final, ended a comma-marked clause, or was not comma-marked. Although both complexity and punctuation had reliable effects, they did not interact in any eye-movement measure. These results as well as simulations using the E-Z Reader model of eye-movement control (Reichle, E. D., Warren, T., & McConnell, K. (2009). Using E-Z Reader to model the effects of higher-level language processing on eye movements during reading. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review,16(1), 1-20) suggest that traditional accounts of clause wrap-up are incomplete.

Imaging and Radiography with Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence and Effective-Z (EZ-3D) Determination; SNM Detection Using Prompt Neutrons from Photon Induced Fission

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

Bertozzi, William; Hasty, Richard; Klimenko, Alexei

Four new technologies have been developed for use in non-intrusive inspection systems to detect nuclear materials, explosives and contraband. Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence (NRF) provides a three dimensional image of the isotopic content of a container. NRF determines the isotopic composition of a region and specifies the isotopic structure of the neighboring regions, thus providing the detailed isotopic composition of any threat. In transmission mode, NRF provides a two dimensional projection of the isotopic content of a container, much as standard X-ray radiography provides for density. The effective-Z method (EZ-3D) uses electromagnetic scattering processes to yield a three-dimensional map of themore » effective-Z and the density in a container. The EZ-3D method allows for a rapid discrimination based on effective Z and mass of materials such as those with high Z, as well as specifying regions of interest for other contraband. The energy spectrum of prompt neutrons from photon induced fission (PNPF) provides a unique identification of the presence of actinides and SNM. These four new technologies can be used independently or together to automatically determine the presence of hazardous materials or contraband. They can also be combined with other technologies to provide added specificity.« less

Ground measurements in Israel of solar events and their effects on the electrical parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yaniv, Roy; Yair, Yoav; Price, Colin

2017-04-01

Solar events impact the Earth with fluxes of energetic particles or x-ray radiation and sometimes both together. The energetic particles induce pressure on the magnetosphere, generate enhanced and disruptive geomagnetic storms and deposit their energy to the Earth by altering the chemistry and changing the ionization in the upper atmosphere [Rycroft 2012]. Past measurements showed that in times of geomagnetic disturbances due to solar activity, an increase of the potential gradient (PG or Ez) and the conduction current (Jz) are observed on the day of the impact and on subsequent days [Cobb 1967, Reiter 1969, Nicoll and Harrison 2014, Elhalel et al., 2014, Mironova et al 2015]. We report on ground-based measurements of the Ez and Jz that were conducted continuously from two locations in Israel to measure the effect of solar events in low latitudes (30o35'N, 34o45'E 840m - Mitzpe Ramon and 33o18'N 35o47.2'E 2100m - Mt. Hermon) during days that were defined meteorologically as fair weather days. We present preliminary results of several case studies of solar events, that show a consistent increase of more than 50% in Ez during solar events compared to average fair weather values and to Kp and particles fluxes.

Combined electroencephalography-functional magnetic resonance imaging and electrical source imaging improves localization of pediatric focal epilepsy.

PubMed

Centeno, Maria; Tierney, Tim M; Perani, Suejen; Shamshiri, Elhum A; St Pier, Kelly; Wilkinson, Charlotte; Konn, Daniel; Vulliemoz, Serge; Grouiller, Frédéric; Lemieux, Louis; Pressler, Ronit M; Clark, Christopher A; Cross, J Helen; Carmichael, David W

2017-08-01

Surgical treatment in epilepsy is effective if the epileptogenic zone (EZ) can be correctly localized and characterized. Here we use simultaneous electroencephalography-functional magnetic resonance imaging (EEG-fMRI) data to derive EEG-fMRI and electrical source imaging (ESI) maps. Their yield and their individual and combined ability to (1) localize the EZ and (2) predict seizure outcome were then evaluated. Fifty-three children with drug-resistant epilepsy underwent EEG-fMRI. Interictal discharges were mapped using both EEG-fMRI hemodynamic responses and ESI. A single localization was derived from each individual test (EEG-fMRI global maxima [GM]/ESI maximum) and from the combination of both maps (EEG-fMRI/ESI spatial intersection). To determine the localization accuracy and its predictive performance, the individual and combined test localizations were compared to the presumed EZ and to the postsurgical outcome. Fifty-two of 53 patients had significant maps: 47 of 53 for EEG-fMRI, 44 of 53 for ESI, and 34 of 53 for both. The EZ was well characterized in 29 patients; 26 had an EEG-fMRI GM localization that was correct in 11, 22 patients had ESI localization that was correct in 17, and 12 patients had combined EEG-fMRI and ESI that was correct in 11. Seizure outcome following resection was correctly predicted by EEG-fMRI GM in 8 of 20 patients, and by the ESI maximum in 13 of 16. The combined EEG-fMRI/ESI region entirely predicted outcome in 9 of 9 patients, including 3 with no lesion visible on MRI. EEG-fMRI combined with ESI provides a simple unbiased localization that may predict surgery better than each individual test, including in MRI-negative patients. Ann Neurol 2017;82:278-287. © 2017 American Neurological Association.

Specific features of electric field in the atmosphere and Radon emanations in Tunkin Basin of Baikal rift zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soloviev, S.; Loktev, D.

2013-05-01

Development of methods for diagnosing local crust encourages finding new ways for preventing hazardous geologic phenomena. Using measurements of several geophysical fields in addition to seismic methods enables to improve the existing methods and increase their reliability. In summer of 2009 and 2010, complex geophysical acquisition company was organized in the Tunkin Basin of the Baikal rift zone in South-Eastern Siberia, that runs 200 km to East-West from the southern tip of Baikal. Stationary observations were carried out in the central part of the Tunkin Basin, at the Geophysical observatory "I" of Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics of Siberian Branch of RAS and "II" near the Arshan settlement. Along with observations of microseismic noise and electric field variations in soil, there were performed measurements of electric field strength (Ez) in lowest atmosphere and volumetric activity of natural Radon in subsoil. Meteorological parameters were monitored with the use of DavisVantagePro meteorological stations. The analysis of observations showed that characteristic features of electric field in near-surface atmosphere are majorly defined by complex orography of the place and, consequently, by quickly changing meteorological conditions: thunderstorm activity and other mesometeorological events (with characteristic scale of tens of km and few hours long) in nearby rocks. The results of Ez(t) measurements performed under "good" weather conditions showed that the character of field variations depended on the local time with their maximum in daylight hours and minimum in the night. The analysis of Radon volumetric activity evidenced that its variations are influenced by atmospheric pressure and tides, and such influence is different at points "I" and "II". In particular, the tidal and atmospheric influence on Radon variations is more pronounced at "II" if compared to "I", which can be explained by locations of the registration points. Registration Point "II" is located close to tectonic faults, while "I" is in the center of the basin with its quite thick layer of sediments. Axial section observations of spatial inhomogeneities of electric field and Radon emanation were set along and across the Tunkin Basin. Observation points were set 3 to 10 km apart depending on the local relief. Each point was registering for 60 min under the conditions of "good" weather. There were analysed changes in mean strength of electric field and Radon volumetric activity as a function of distance along the axial section. It was found out that volumetric activity and electric field strength change in phase opposition - radon volumetric activity increase results in more intense ionization in near-surface atmosphere and consequently to decrease in the electric field strength. The concentration of Radon in subsoil atmosphere increases, and electric field strength decreases when approaching to rift zones rimming the Tunkin Basin from North and South. The results of axial section observations can be successfully used when mapping geological inhomogeneities in the Earth's crust. The research was done with financial support of RFBR, project# 12-05-00578

Sex pheromone receptor proteins. Visualization using a radiolabeled photoaffinity analog

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

Vogt, R.G.; Prestwich, G.D.; Riddiford, L.M.

1988-03-15

A tritium-labeled photoaffinity analog of a moth pheromone was used to covalently modify pheromone-selective binding proteins in the antennal sensillum lymph and sensory dendritic membranes of the male silk moth, Antheraea polyphemus. This analog, (E,Z)-6,11-(/sup 3/H)hexadecadienyl diazoacetate, allowed visualization of a 15-kilodalton soluble protein and a 69-kilodalton membrane protein in fluorescence autoradiograms of electrophoretically separated antennal proteins. Covalent modification of these proteins was specifically reduced when incubation and UV irradiation were conducted in the presence of excess unlabeled pheromone, (E,Z)-6,11-hexadecadienyl acetate. These experiments constitute the first direct evidence for a membrane protein of a chemosensory neuron interacting in a specificmore » fashion with a biologically relevant odorant.« less

Defining regions of interest using cross-frequency coupling in extratemporal lobe epilepsy patients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guirgis, Mirna; Chinvarun, Yotin; del Campo, Martin; Carlen, Peter L.; Bardakjian, Berj L.

2015-04-01

Objective. Clinicians identify seizure onset zones (SOZs) for resection in an attempt to localize the epileptogenic zone (EZ), which is the cortical tissue that is indispensible for seizure generation. An automated system is proposed to objectively localize this EZ by identifying regions of interest (ROIs). Methods. Intracranial electroencephalogram recordings were obtained from seven patients presenting with extratemporal lobe epilepsy and the interaction between neuronal rhythms in the form of phase-amplitude coupling was investigated. Modulation of the amplitude of high frequency oscillations (HFOs) by the phase of low frequency oscillations was measured by computing the modulation index (MI). Delta- (0.5-4 Hz) and theta- (4-8 Hz) modulation of HFOs (30-450 Hz) were examined across the channels of a 64-electrode subdural grid. Surrogate analysis was performed and false discovery rates were computed to determine the significance of the modulation observed. Mean MI values were subjected to eigenvalue decomposition (EVD) and channels defining the ROIs were selected based on the components of the eigenvector corresponding to the largest eigenvalue. ROIs were compared to the SOZs identified by two independent neurologists. Global coherence values were also computed. Main results. MI was found to capture the seizure in time for six of seven patients and identified ROIs in all seven. Patients were found to have a poorer post-surgical outcome when the number of EVD-selected channels that were not resected increased. Moreover, in patients who experienced a seizure-free outcome (i.e., Engel Class I) all EVD-selected channels were found to be within the resected tissue or immediately adjacent to it. In these Engel Class I patients, delta-modulated HFOs were found to identify more of the channels in the resected tissue compared to theta-modulated HFOs. However, for the Engel Class IV patient, the delta-modulated HFOs did not identify any of the channels in the resected tissue suggesting that the resected tissue was not appropriate, which was also suggested by the Engel Class IV outcome. A sensitivity of 75.4% and a false positive rate of 15.6% were achieved using delta-modulated HFOs in an Engel Class I patient. Significance. LFO-modulated HFOs can be used to identify ROIs in extratemporal lobe patients. Moreover, delta-modulated HFOs may provide more accurate localization of the EZ. These ROIs may result in better surgical outcomes when used to compliment the SOZs identified by clinicians for resection.

Revision of the genus Turris Batsch, 1789 (Gastropoda: Conoidea: Turridae) with the description of six new species

PubMed Central

Kilburn, Richard N.; Fedosov, Alexander E.; Olivera, Baldomero M.

2012-01-01

The taxonomy of the genus Turris Batsch, 1789, type genus of the family Turridae, widespread in shallow-water habitats of tropic Indo-Pacific, is revised. A total of 31 species of Turris, are here recognized as valid. New species described: Turris chaldaea, Turris clausifossata, Turris guidopoppei, Turris intercancellata, Turris kantori, T. kathiewayae. Homonym renamed: Turris bipartita nom. nov. for Pleurotoma variegata Kiener, 1839 (non Philippi, 1836). New synonymies: Turris ankaramanyensis Bozzetti, 2006 = Turris tanyspira Kilburn, 1975; Turris imperfecti, T. nobilis, T. pulchra and T. tornatum Röding, 1798, and Turris assyria Olivera, Seronay & Fedosov, 2010 = T. babylonia; Turris dollyi Olivera, 2000 = Pleurotoma crispa Lamarck, 1816; Turris totiphyllis Olivera, 2000 = Turris hidalgoi Vera-Peláez, Vega-Luz & Lozano-Francisco, 2000; Turris kilburni Vera-Peláez, Vega-Luz & Lozano-Francisco, 2000 = Turris pagasa Olivera, 2000; Turris (Annulaturris) munizi Vera-Peláez, Vega-Luz & Lozano-Francisco, 2000 = Gemmula lululimi Olivera, 2000. Revised status: Turris intricata Powell, 1964, Pleurotoma variegata Kiener, 1839 (non Philippi, 1836) and Pleurotoma yeddoensis Jousseaume, 1883, are regarded as full species (not subspecies of Turris crispa). Neotype designated: For Pleurotoma garnonsii Reeve, 1843, to distinguish it from Turris garnonsii of recent authors, type locality emended to Zanzibar. New combination: Turris orthopleura Kilburn, 1983, is transferred to genus Makiyamaia, family Clavatulidae. PMID:23847408

Functional analysis of the Arabidopsis PLDZ2 promoter reveals an evolutionarily conserved low-Pi-responsive transcriptional enhancer element

PubMed Central

Oropeza-Aburto, Araceli; Cruz-Ramírez, Alfredo; Acevedo-Hernández, Gustavo J.; Pérez-Torres, Claudia-Anahí; Caballero-Pérez, Juan; Herrera-Estrella, Luis

2012-01-01

Plants have evolved a plethora of responses to cope with phosphate (Pi) deficiency, including the transcriptional activation of a large set of genes. Among Pi-responsive genes, the expression of the Arabidopsis phospholipase DZ2 (PLDZ2) is activated to participate in the degradation of phospholipids in roots in order to release Pi to support other cellular activities. A deletion analysis was performed to identify the regions determining the strength, tissue-specific expression, and Pi responsiveness of this regulatory region. This study also reports the identification and characterization of a transcriptional enhancer element that is present in the PLDZ2 promoter and able to confer Pi responsiveness to a minimal, inactive 35S promoter. This enhancer also shares the cytokinin and sucrose responsive properties observed for the intact PLDZ2 promoter. The EZ2 element contains two P1BS motifs, each of which is the DNA binding site of transcription factor PHR1. Mutation analysis showed that the P1BS motifs present in EZ2 are necessary but not sufficient for the enhancer function, revealing the importance of adjacent sequences. The structural organization of EZ2 is conserved in the orthologous genes of at least eight families of rosids, suggesting that architectural features such as the distance between the two P1BS motifs are also important for the regulatory properties of this enhancer element. PMID:22210906

Spatiotemporal Mapping of Interictal Spike Propagation: A Novel Methodology Applied to Pediatric Intracranial EEG Recordings

PubMed Central

Tomlinson, Samuel B.; Bermudez, Camilo; Conley, Chiara; Brown, Merritt W.; Porter, Brenda E.; Marsh, Eric D.

2016-01-01

Synchronized cortical activity is implicated in both normative cognitive functioning and many neurologic disorders. For epilepsy patients with intractable seizures, irregular synchronization within the epileptogenic zone (EZ) is believed to provide the network substrate through which seizures initiate and propagate. Mapping the EZ prior to epilepsy surgery is critical for detecting seizure networks in order to achieve postsurgical seizure control. However, automated techniques for characterizing epileptic networks have yet to gain traction in the clinical setting. Recent advances in signal processing and spike detection have made it possible to examine the spatiotemporal propagation of interictal spike discharges across the epileptic cortex. In this study, we present a novel methodology for detecting, extracting, and visualizing spike propagation and demonstrate its potential utility as a biomarker for the EZ. Eighteen presurgical intracranial EEG recordings were obtained from pediatric patients ultimately experiencing favorable (i.e., seizure-free, n = 9) or unfavorable (i.e., seizure-persistent, n = 9) surgical outcomes. Novel algorithms were applied to extract multichannel spike discharges and visualize their spatiotemporal propagation. Quantitative analysis of spike propagation was performed using trajectory clustering and spatial autocorrelation techniques. Comparison of interictal propagation patterns revealed an increase in trajectory organization (i.e., spatial autocorrelation) among Sz-Free patients compared with Sz-Persist patients. The pathophysiological basis and clinical implications of these findings are considered. PMID:28066315

What do patients with epilepsy tell us about language dynamics? A review of fMRI studies.

PubMed

Baciu, Monica; Perrone-Bertolotti, Marcela

2015-01-01

The objective of this review is to resume major neuroimaging findings on language organization and plasticity in patients with focal and refractory epilepsy, to discuss the effect of modulatory variables that should be considered alongside patterns of reorganization, and to propose possible models of language reorganization. The focal and refractory epilepsy provides a real opportunity to investigate various types of language reorganization in different conditions. The 'chronic' condition (induced by the epileptogenic zone or EZ) is associated with either recruitment of homologous regions of the opposite hemisphere or recruitment of intrahemispheric, nonlinguistic regions. In the 'acute' condition (neurosurgery and EZ resection), the initial interhemispheric shift (induced by the chronic EZ) could follow a reverse direction, back to the initial hemisphere. These different patterns depend on several modulatory factors and are associated with various levels of language performance. As a neuroimaging tool, functional magnetic resonance imaging enables the detailed investigation of both hemispheres simultaneously and allows for comparison with healthy controls, potentially creating a more comprehensive and more realistic picture of brain-language relations. Importantly, functional neuroimaging approaches demonstrate a good degree of concordance on a theoretical level, but also a considerable degree of individual variability, attesting to the clinical importance with these methods to establish, empirically, language localization in individual patients. Overall, the unique features of epilepsy, combined with ongoing advances in technology, promise further improvement in understanding of language substrate.

Decostar Settlement Information Sheet

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Decostar manufactures parts for automobile manufacturers, including, but not limited to, Nissan, BMW, Hyundai, and EZ Go. The facility is located in Carrollton, Georgia. Decostar has operated at this location since 2003.

24 CFR 598.405 - Environmental review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... (Continued) OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND...-Designation Requirements § 598.405 Environmental review. Where any EZ's strategic plan or any revision thereof...

24 CFR 598.405 - Environmental review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... (Continued) OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND...-Designation Requirements § 598.405 Environmental review. Where any EZ's strategic plan or any revision thereof...

7 CFR 2003.10 - Rural Development State Offices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... oversight and leadership on major program functions. Major program functions include: Single Family and... Cooperative, and the Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities (EZ/EC) programs. (c) The USDA Rural...

40 CFR 205.158 - Labeling requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

..., and four spaces for the advertised engine displacement respectively. (7) All motorcycle manufacturers... Califfo CAL Carabela CAR Cimatti CIM Columbia COL E-Z Rider EZR Flying Dutchman FLY Foxi FOI Gadabout GAD...

40 CFR 205.158 - Labeling requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

..., and four spaces for the advertised engine displacement respectively. (7) All motorcycle manufacturers... Califfo CAL Carabela CAR Cimatti CIM Columbia COL E-Z Rider EZR Flying Dutchman FLY Foxi FOI Gadabout GAD...

40 CFR 205.158 - Labeling requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

..., and four spaces for the advertised engine displacement respectively. (7) All motorcycle manufacturers... Califfo CAL Carabela CAR Cimatti CIM Columbia COL E-Z Rider EZR Flying Dutchman FLY Foxi FOI Gadabout GAD...

Head-to-head immunogenicity comparison of Edmonston-Zagreb vs. AIK-C measles vaccine strains in infants aged 8-12 months: A randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Izadi, Shahrokh; Zahraei, Seyed Mohsen; Salehi, Masoud; Mohammadi, Mahdi; Tabatabaei, Seyed Mehdi; Mokhtari-Azad, Talat

2018-01-29

A non-inferiority multi-centre parallel randomized double-blind trial was implemented in Zahedan district, Sistan-va-Baluchestan province, Iran, to compare the performance of the two measles vaccines which are in use in the National Immunization Programme of Iran and are of two different measles virus vaccine strains: Edmonston-Zagreb (EZ) strain vs. AIK-C strain. The main outcome measure was appearance of anti-measles antibody in sera. 200 infants, 8-12 months old, whose parents consented for their children to be included in the study, were randomized in permutation blocks of size 4-8 in four Urban Health Clinics. Having given a pre-vaccination blood sample, they received measles-rubella vaccine containing one of the vaccine strains mentioned before. After 60 days, the second blood sample was taken. The sera of the pre- and post-vaccination blood samples were tested for anti-measles antibodies in the National Reference Measles Laboratory. Parents, laboratory technicians and statistician were blind to groupings. Of the 200 children equally randomized in the two arms, 185 who were seronegative before vaccination (88 in the EZ arm and 97 in the AIK-C arm) were entered in the final analysis. The seroconversion rate in the EZ arm was 76.1% (95% CI: 60.2-85.2%), and that in the AIK-C arm was 58.7%; (95% CI: 48.8-68.7%). The absolute rate difference was 17. 4% (4.1-30.9%; P-value: .012), and the relative seroconversion rate of EZ to AIK-C was 1.3 (95% CI: 1.1-1.6; P-value: .012). No adverse events were reported during the study period. A considerable difference in the seropositivity of different measles containing vaccines could be demonstrated in the first year of life. Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials Registration Number: IRCT2016032827144N1; May 10, 2016 (www.who.int/ictrp/network/irct/en/). Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Measles antibody levels after vaccination with Edmonston-Zagreb and Schwarz measles vaccine at 9 months or at 9 and 18 months of age: a serological study within a randomised trial of different measles vaccines.

PubMed

Martins, Cesario; Garly, May-Lill; Bale, Carlitos; Rodrigues, Amabelia; Benn, Christine S; Whittle, Hilton; Aaby, Peter

2013-11-19

Standard-titre Schwarz (SW) and Edmonston-Zagreb (EZ) measles vaccines (MV) are both used in the routine immunisation programme. Within a trial of different strains of MV, we examined antibody responses in both one-dose and two-dose schedules when the first dose was administered at 9 months. The trial was conducted in an urban area in Guinea-Bissau where we have had a health and demographic surveillance system and studied strategies to prevent measles infection since 1978. In the present study, children were randomised to SW or EZ as the first MV and furthermore randomised to a second dose of the same MV or no vaccine at 18 months of age. We obtained blood samples from 996 children at baseline; post-vaccination blood samples were collected at 18 and 24 months of age to assess measles antibody levels after one or two doses of MV. At age 18 months all had responded to the first dose and only 1% (8/699) of the children had non-protective antibody levels irrespective of vaccine type. SW was associated with significantly higher levels of measles antibodies (geometric mean titre (GMT)=2114 mIU/mL (95%CI 1153-2412)) than EZ (GMT=807 mIU/mL (722-908)) (p=0.001). Antibody concentration was significantly higher in girls than in boys after EZ but not after SW. Antibody levels were higher in the rainy than the dry season. There was no clear indication that a booster dose at 18 months increased the antibody level at 24 months of age. Maternal antibody levels have declined significantly in recent years and 99% had protective levels of measles antibody following primary MV at 9 months of age. It is unlikely that measles prevention and child health will be improved by increasing the age of MV as currently recommended. Copyright © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Safety of externally stimulated intracranial electrodes during functional MRI at 1.5T.

PubMed

Bhattacharyya, Pallab K; Mullin, Jeffery; Lee, Bryan S; Gonzalez-Martinez, Jorge A; Jones, Stephen E

2017-05-01

Surgical resection of the epileptogenic zone (EZ) is a potential cure for medically refractory focal epilepsy. Proper identification of the EZ is essential for such resection. Synergistic application of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) simultaneously with stimulation of a single externalized intracranial stereotactic EEG (SEEG) electrode has the potential to improve identification of the EZ. While most EEG-fMRI studies use the electrodes passively to record electrical activity, it is possible to stimulate the brain using the electrodes by connecting them with conducting cables to the stimulation hardware. In this study, we investigated the effect of MRI-induced heating on a single SEEG electrode and its sensitivity to geometry, configuration, and associated connections required for the stimulation. The temperature increase of a single electrode embedded within a gel phantom and connected to an external stimulation system was measured during 1.5T MRI scans using adjacent fluoroptic temperature sensors. A receive-only split-array head coil and a transmit-receive head coil were used for testing. Sequences included a standard localizer, T1-weighted axial fast low-angle shot (FLASH), gradient echo-planar imaging (GE-EPI) axial fMRI, and a high specific absorption rate T2-weighted turbo spin-echo (TSE) axial scan. Variations of the electrode location and connecting cable configuration were tested. No unacceptable heating was observed with the standard sequences used for evaluation of the EZ. Considerable heating (up to 14°C) was observed with the TSE sequence, which is not used clinically. The temperature increase was insignificant (<0.05°C) for electrode contacts closest to the isocenter and connecting cables lying along the isocenter, and varied with configurations of the connecting cable assembly. Simultaneous intracranial electrode stimulation during fMRI using an externalized stimulation system may be safe with strict adherence to settings tested prior to the fMRI. Localizer, FLASH, and GE-EPI fMRI may be safely performed in patients with a single SEEG electrode following the configurations tested in this study, but high SAR TSE scans should not be performed in these patients. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

TH-CD-207B-06: Swank Factor of Segmented Scintillators in Multi-Slice CT Detectors: Pulse Height Spectra and Light Escape

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

Howansky, A; Peng, B; Lubinsky, A

Purpose: Pulse height spectra (PHS) have been used to determine the Swank factor of a scintillator by measuring fluctuations in its light output per x-ray interaction. The Swank factor and x-ray quantum efficiency of a scintillator define the upper limit to its imaging performance, i.e. DQE(0). The Swank factor below the K-edge is dominated by optical properties, i.e. variations in light escape efficiency from different depths of interaction, denoted e(z). These variations can be optimized to improve tradeoffs in x-ray absorption, light yield, and spatial resolution. This work develops a quantitative model for interpreting measured PHS, and estimating e(z) onmore » an absolute scale. The method is used to investigate segmented ceramic GOS scintillators used in multi-slice CT detectors. Methods: PHS of a ceramic GOS plate (1 mm thickness) and segmented GOS array (1.4 mm thick) were measured at 46 keV. Signal and noise propagation through x-ray conversion gain, light escape, detection by a photomultiplier tube and dynode amplification were modeled using a cascade of stochastic gain stages. PHS were calculated with these expressions and compared to measurements. Light escape parameters were varied until modeled PHS agreed with measurements. The resulting estimates of e(z) were used to calculate PHS without measurement noise to determine the inherent Swank factor. Results: The variation in e(z) was 67.2–89.7% in the plate and 40.2–70.8% in the segmented sample, corresponding to conversion gains of 28.6–38.1 keV{sup −1} and 17.1–30.1 keV{sup −1}, respectively. The inherent Swank factors of the plate and segmented sample were 0.99 and 0.95, respectively. Conclusion: The high light escape efficiency in the ceramic GOS samples yields high Swank factors and DQE(0) in CT applications. The PHS model allows the intrinsic optical properties of scintillators to be deduced from PHS measurements, thus it provides new insights for evaluating the imaging performance of segmented ceramic GOS scintillators.« less

TRANSMIT system evaluation : final report

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1998-06-30

This report presents the evaluation results of TRANSCOMs System for Managing Incidents and Traffic (TRANSMIT). The TRANSMIT system utilizes Electronic Toll and Traffic Management (ETTM) equipment, which is compatible with the E-Z Pass system, for ...

(E,Z)-3-(3',5'-Dimethoxy-4'-hydroxy-benzylidene)-2-indolinone blocks mast cell degranulation.

PubMed

Kiefer, S; Mertz, A C; Koryakina, A; Hamburger, M; Küenzi, P

2010-05-12

(E,Z)-3-(3',5'-Dimethoxy-4'-hydroxy-benzylidene)-2-indolinone (indolinone) is an alkaloid that has been identified as a pharmacologically active compound in extracts of the traditional anti-inflammatory herb Isatis tinctoria. Indolinone has been shown to inhibit compound 48/80-induced mast cell degranulation in vitro. Application of indolinone to bone marrow derived mast cells showed that it was uniformly distributed in the cytoplasm and that cellular uptake was terminated within minutes. Pre-treatment of IgE-sensitized mast cells with 100nM indolinone rendered them insensitive against FcvarepsilonRI-receptor dependent degranulation. However, upstream signalling induced by antigen such as activation of PI3-K and MAPK remained unaffected. We conclude that indolinone blocks mast cell degranulation at the level of granule exocitosis with an IC(50) of 54nm.

Treatment effects of skeletally anchored Forsus FRD EZ and Herbst appliances: A retrospective clinical study.

PubMed

Celikoglu, Mevlut; Buyuk, Suleyman Kutalmis; Ekizer, Abdullah; Unal, Tuba

2016-03-01

To evaluate the skeletal, dentoalveolar, and soft tissue effects of the Forsus FRD appliance with miniplate anchorage inserted in the mandibular symphyses and to compare the findings with a well-matched control group treated with a Herbst appliance for the correction of a skeletal Class II malocclusion due to mandibular retrusion. The sample consisted of 32 Class II subjects divided into two groups. Group I consisted of 16 patients (10 females and 6 males; mean age, 13.20 ± 1.33 years) treated using the Forsus FRD EZ appliance with miniplate anchorage inserted in the mandibular symphyses. Group II consisted of 16 patients (9 females and 7 males; mean age, 13.56 ± 1.27 years) treated using the Herbst appliance. Seventeen linear and 10 angular measurements were performed to evaluate and compare the skeletal, dentoalveolar, and soft tissue effects of the appliances using paired and Student's t-tests. Both appliances were effective in correcting skeletal class II malocclusion and showed similar skeletal and soft tissue changes. The maxillary incisor was statistically significantly more retruded in the skeletally anchored Forsus FRD group (P < .01). The mandibular incisor was retruded in the skeletally anchored Forsus FRD group (-4.09° ± 5.12°), while it was protruded in the Herbst group (7.50° ± 3.98°) (P < .001). Although both appliances were successful in correcting the skeletal Class II malocclusion, the skeletally anchored Forsus FRD EZ appliance did so without protruding the mandibular incisors.

Coupling between gamma-band power and cerebral blood volume during recurrent acute neocortical seizures.

PubMed

Harris, Sam; Ma, Hongtao; Zhao, Mingrui; Boorman, Luke; Zheng, Ying; Kennerley, Aneurin; Bruyns-Haylett, Michael; Overton, Paul G; Berwick, Jason; Schwartz, Theodore H

2014-08-15

Characterization of neural and hemodynamic biomarkers of epileptic activity that can be measured using non-invasive techniques is fundamental to the accurate identification of the epileptogenic zone (EZ) in the clinical setting. Recently, oscillations at gamma-band frequencies and above (>30 Hz) have been suggested to provide valuable localizing information of the EZ and track cortical activation associated with epileptogenic processes. Although a tight coupling between gamma-band activity and hemodynamic-based signals has been consistently demonstrated in non-pathological conditions, very little is known about whether such a relationship is maintained in epilepsy and the laminar etiology of these signals. Confirmation of this relationship may elucidate the underpinnings of perfusion-based signals in epilepsy and the potential value of localizing the EZ using hemodynamic correlates of pathological rhythms. Here, we use concurrent multi-depth electrophysiology and 2-dimensional optical imaging spectroscopy to examine the coupling between multi-band neural activity and cerebral blood volume (CBV) during recurrent acute focal neocortical seizures in the urethane-anesthetized rat. We show a powerful correlation between gamma-band power (25-90 Hz) and CBV across cortical laminae, in particular layer 5, and a close association between gamma measures and multi-unit activity (MUA). Our findings provide insights into the laminar electrophysiological basis of perfusion-based imaging signals in the epileptic state and may have implications for further research using non-invasive multi-modal techniques to localize epileptogenic tissue. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Anatomy-driven multiple trajectory planning (ADMTP) of intracranial electrodes for epilepsy surgery.

PubMed

Sparks, Rachel; Vakharia, Vejay; Rodionov, Roman; Vos, Sjoerd B; Diehl, Beate; Wehner, Tim; Miserocchi, Anna; McEvoy, Andrew W; Duncan, John S; Ourselin, Sebastien

2017-08-01

Epilepsy is potentially curable with resective surgery if the epileptogenic zone (EZ) can be identified. If non-invasive imaging is unable to elucidate the EZ, intracranial electrodes may be implanted to identify the EZ as well as map cortical function. In current clinical practice, each electrode trajectory is determined by time-consuming manual inspection of preoperative imaging to find a path that avoids blood vessels while traversing appropriate deep and superficial regions of interest (ROIs). We present anatomy-driven multiple trajectory planning (ADMTP) to find safe trajectories from a list of user-defined ROIs within minutes rather than the hours required for manual planning. Electrode trajectories are automatically computed in three steps: (1) Target Point Selection to identify appropriate target points within each ROI; (2) Trajectory Risk Scoring to quantify the cumulative distance to critical structures (blood vessels) along each trajectory, defined as the skull entry point to target point. (3) Implantation Plan Computation: to determine a feasible combination of low-risk trajectories for all electrodes. ADMTP was evaluated on 20 patients (190 electrodes). ADMTP lowered the quantitative risk score in 83% of electrodes. Qualitative results show ADMTP found suitable trajectories for 70% of electrodes; a similar portion of manual trajectories were considered suitable. Trajectory suitability for ADMTP was 95% if traversing sulci was not included in the safety criteria. ADMTP is computationally efficient, computing between 7 and 12 trajectories in 54.5 (17.3-191.9) s. ADMTP efficiently compute safe and surgically feasible electrode trajectories.

Additional sex combs interacts with enhancer of zeste and trithorax and modulates levels of trimethylation on histone H3K4 and H3K27 during transcription of hsp70.

PubMed

Li, Taosui; Hodgson, Jacob W; Petruk, Svetlana; Mazo, Alexander; Brock, Hugh W

2017-09-19

Maintenance of cell fate determination requires the Polycomb group for repression; the trithorax group for gene activation; and the enhancer of trithorax and Polycomb (ETP) group for both repression and activation. Additional sex combs (Asx) is a genetically identified ETP for the Hox loci, but the molecular basis of its dual function is unclear. We show that in vitro, Asx binds directly to the SET domains of the histone methyltransferases (HMT) enhancer of zeste [E(z)] (H3K27me3) and Trx (H3K4me3) through a bipartite interaction site separated by 846 amino acid residues. In Drosophila S2 cell nuclei, Asx interacts with E(z) and Trx in vivo. Drosophila Asx is required for repression of heat-shock gene hsp70 and is recruited downstream of the hsp70 promoter. Changes in the levels of H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 downstream of the hsp70 promoter in Asx mutants relative to wild type show that Asx regulates H3K4 and H3K27 trimethylation. We propose that during transcription Asx modulates the ratio of H3K4me3 to H3K27me3 by selectively recruiting the antagonistic HMTs, E(z) and Trx or other nucleosome-modifying enzymes to hsp70.

Anisotropy and chemical composition of ultra-high energy cosmic rays using arrival directions measured by the Pierre Auger Observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pierre Auger Collaboration; Abreu, P.; Aglietta, M.; Ahn, E. J.; Albuquerque, I. F. M.; Allard, D.; Allekotte, I.; Allen, J.; Allison, P.; Alvarez Castillo, J.; Alvarez-Muñiz, J.; Ambrosio, M.; Aminaei, A.; Anchordoqui, L.; Andringa, S.; Antičić, T.; Anzalone, A.; Aramo, C.; Arganda, E.; Arqueros, F.; Asorey, H.; Assis, P.; Aublin, J.; Ave, M.; Avenier, M.; Avila, G.; Bäcker, T.; Balzer, M.; Barber, K. B.; Barbosa, A. F.; Bardenet, R.; Barroso, S. L. C.; Baughman, B.; Bäuml, J.; Beatty, J. J.; Becker, B. R.; Becker, K. H.; Bellétoile, A.; Bellido, J. A.; BenZvi, S.; Berat, C.; Bertou, X.; Biermann, P. L.; Billoir, P.; Blanco, F.; Blanco, M.; Bleve, C.; Blümer, H.; Boháčová, M.; Boncioli, D.; Bonifazi, C.; Bonino, R.; Borodai, N.; Brack, J.; Brogueira, P.; Brown, W. C.; Bruijn, R.; Buchholz, P.; Bueno, A.; Burton, R. E.; Caballero-Mora, K. S.; Caramete, L.; Caruso, R.; Castellina, A.; Catalano, O.; Cataldi, G.; Cazon, L.; Cester, R.; Chauvin, J.; Cheng, S. H.; Chiavassa, A.; Chinellato, J. A.; Chou, A.; Chudoba, J.; Clay, R. W.; Coluccia, M. R.; Conceição, R.; Contreras, F.; Cook, H.; Cooper, M. J.; Coppens, J.; Cordier, A.; Cotti, U.; Coutu, S.; Covault, C. E.; Creusot, A.; Criss, A.; Cronin, J.; Curutiu, A.; Dagoret-Campagne, S.; Dallier, R.; Dasso, S.; Daumiller, K.; Dawson, B. R.; de Almeida, R. M.; De Domenico, M.; De Donato, C.; de Jong, S. J.; De La Vega, G.; de Mello Junior, W. J. M.; de Mello Neto, J. R. T.; De Mitri, I.; de Souza, V.; de Vries, K. D.; Decerprit, G.; del Peral, L.; Deligny, O.; Dembinski, H.; Dhital, N.; Di Giulio, C.; Diaz, J. C.; Díaz Castro, M. L.; Diep, P. N.; Dobrigkeit, C.; Docters, W.; D'Olivo, J. C.; Dong, P. N.; Dorofeev, A.; dos Anjos, J. C.; Dova, M. T.; D'Urso, D.; Dutan, I.; Ebr, J.; Engel, R.; Erdmann, M.; Escobar, C. O.; Etchegoyen, A.; Facal San Luis, P.; Fajardo Tapia, I.; Falcke, H.; Farrar, G.; Fauth, A. C.; Fazzini, N.; Ferguson, A. P.; Ferrero, A.; Fick, B.; Filevich, A.; Filipčič, A.; Fliescher, S.; Fracchiolla, C. E.; Fraenkel, E. D.; Fröhlich, U.; Fuchs, B.; Gaior, R.; Gamarra, R. F.; Gambetta, S.; García, B.; García Gámez, D.; Garcia-Pinto, D.; Gascon, A.; Gemmeke, H.; Gesterling, K.; Ghia, P. L.; Giaccari, U.; Giller, M.; Glass, H.; Gold, M. S.; Golup, G.; Gomez Albarracin, F.; Gómez Berisso, M.; Gonçalves, P.; Gonzalez, D.; Gonzalez, J. G.; Gookin, B.; Góra, D.; Gorgi, A.; Gouffon, P.; Gozzini, S. R.; Grashorn, E.; Grebe, S.; Griffith, N.; Grigat, M.; Grillo, A. F.; Guardincerri, Y.; Guarino, F.; Guedes, G. P.; Guzman, A.; Hague, J. D.; Hansen, P.; Harari, D.; Harmsma, S.; Harton, J. L.; Haungs, A.; Hebbeker, T.; Heck, D.; Herve, A. E.; Hojvat, C.; Hollon, N.; Holmes, V. C.; Homola, P.; Hörandel, J. R.; Horneffer, A.; Hrabovský, M.; Huege, T.; Insolia, A.; Ionita, F.; Italiano, A.; Jarne, C.; Jiraskova, S.; Kadija, K.; Kampert, K. H.; Karhan, P.; Kasper, P.; Kégl, B.; Keilhauer, B.; Keivani, A.; Kelley, J. L.; Kemp, E.; Kieckhafer, R. M.; Klages, H. O.; Kleifges, M.; Kleinfeller, J.; Knapp, J.; Koang, D.-H.; Kotera, K.; Krohm, N.; Krömer, O.; Kruppke-Hansen, D.; Kuehn, F.; Kuempel, D.; Kulbartz, J. K.; Kunka, N.; La Rosa, G.; Lachaud, C.; Lautridou, P.; Leão, M. S. A. B.; Lebrun, D.; Lebrun, P.; Leigui de Oliveira, M. A.; Lemiere, A.; Letessier-Selvon, A.; Lhenry-Yvon, I.; Link, K.; López, R.; Lopez Aüera, A.; Louedec, K.; Lozano Bahilo, J.; Lucero, A.; Ludwig, M.; Lyberis, H.; Maccarone, M. C.; Macolino, C.; Maldera, S.; Mandat, D.; Mantsch, P.; Mariazzi, A. G.; Marin, J.; Marin, V.; Maris, I. C.; Marquez Falcon, H. R.; Marsella, G.; Martello, D.; Martin, L.; Martinez, H.; Martínez Bravo, O.; Mathes, H. J.; Matthews, J.; Matthews, J. A. J.; Matthiae, G.; Maurizio, D.; Mazur, P. O.; Medina-Tanco, G.; Melissas, M.; Melo, D.; Menichetti, E.; Menshikov, A.; Mertsch, P.; Meurer, C.; Mićanović, S.; Micheletti, M. I.; Miller, W.; Miramonti, L.; Mollerach, S.; Monasor, M.; Monnier Ragaigne, D.; Montanet, F.; Morales, B.; Morello, C.; Moreno, E.; Moreno, J. C.; Morris, C.; Mostafá, M.; Moura, C. A.; Mueller, S.; Muller, M. A.; Müller, G.; Münchmeyer, M.; Mussa, R.; Navarra, G.; Navarro, J. L.; Navas, S.; Necesal, P.; Nellen, L.; Nelles, A.; Nhung, P. T.; Niemietz, L.; Nierstenhoefer, N.; Nitz, D.; Nosek, D.; Nožka, L.; Nyklicek, M.; Oehlschläger, J.; Olinto, A.; Oliva, P.; Olmos-Gilbaja, V. M.; Ortiz, M.; Pacheco, N.; Pakk Selmi-Dei, D.; Palatka, M.; Pallotta, J.; Palmieri, N.; Parente, G.; Parizot, E.; Parra, A.; Parsons, R. D.; Pastor, S.; Paul, T.; Pech, M.; Pȩkala, J.; Pelayo, R.; Pepe, I. M.; Perrone, L.; Pesce, R.; Petermann, E.; Petrera, S.; Petrinca, P.; Petrolini, A.; Petrov, Y.; Petrovic, J.; Pfendner, C.; Phan, N.; Piegaia, R.; Pierog, T.; Pieroni, P.; Pimenta, M.; Pirronello, V.; Platino, M.; Ponce, V. H.; Pontz, M.; Privitera, P.; Prouza, M.; Quel, E. J.; Querchfeld, S.; Rautenberg, J.; Ravel, O.; Ravignani, D.; Revenu, B.; Ridky, J.; Riggi, S.; Risse, M.; Ristori, P.; Rivera, H.; Rizi, V.; Roberts, J.; Robledo, C.; Rodrigues de Carvalho, W.; Rodriguez, G.; Rodriguez Martino, J.; Rodriguez Rojo, J.; Rodriguez-Cabo, I.; Rodríguez-Frías, M. D.; Ros, G.; Rosado, J.; Rossler, T.; Roth, M.; Rouillé-d'Orfeuil, B.; Roulet, E.; Rovero, A. C.; Rühle, C.; Salamida, F.; Salazar, H.; Salina, G.; Sánchez, F.; Santander, M.; Santo, C. E.; Santos, E.; Santos, E. M.; Sarazin, F.; Sarkar, B.; Sarkar, S.; Sato, R.; Scharf, N.; Scherini, V.; Schieler, H.; Schiffer, P.; Schmidt, A.; Schmidt, F.; Schmidt, T.; Scholten, O.; Schoorlemmer, H.; Schovancova, J.; Schovánek, P.; Schöder, F.; Schulte, S.; Schuster, D.; Sciutto, S. J.; Scuderi, M.; Segreto, A.; Settimo, M.; Shadkam, A.; Shellard, R. C.; Sidelnik, I.; Sigl, G.; Silva Lopez, H. H.; Śmiałkowski, A.; Šmída, R.; Snow, G. R.; Sommers, P.; Sorokin, J.; Spinka, H.; Squartini, R.; Stapleton, J.; Stasielak, J.; Stephan, M.; Strazzeri, E.; Stutz, A.; Suarez, F.; Suomijärvi, T.; Supanitsky, A. D.; Šuša, T.; Sutherland, M. S.; Swain, J.; Szadkowski, Z.; Szuba, M.; Tamashiro, A.; Tapia, A.; Tartare, M.; Taşcąu, O.; Tavera Ruiz, C. G.; Tcaciuc, R.; Tegolo, D.; Thao, N. T.; Thomas, D.; Tiffenberg, J.; Timmermans, C.; Tiwari, D. K.; Tkaczyk, W.; Todero Peixoto, C. J.; Tomé, B.; Tonachini, A.; Travnicek, P.; Tridapalli, D. B.; Tristram, G.; Trovato, E.; Tueros, M.; Ulrich, R.; Unger, M.; Urban, M.; Valdés Galicia, J. F.; Valiño, I.; Valore, L.; van den Berg, A. M.; Varela, E.; Vargas Cáardenas, B.; Vázquez, J. R.; Vázquez, R. A.; Veberič, D.; Verzi, V.; Vicha, J.; Videla, M.; Villaseñor, L.; Wahlberg, H.; Wahrlich, P.; Wainberg, O.; Warner, D.; Watson, A. A.; Weber, M.; Weidenhaupt, K.; Weindl, A.; Westerhoff, S.; Whelan, B. J.; Wieczorek, G.; Wiencke, L.; Wilczyńska, B.; Wilczyński, H.; Will, M.; Williams, C.; Winchen, T.; Winders, L.; Winnick, M. G.; Wommer, M.; Wundheiler, B.; Yamamoto, T.; Yapici, T.; Younk, P.; Yuan, G.; Yushkov, A.; Zamorano, B.; Zas, E.; Zavrtanik, D.; Zavrtanik, M.; Zaw, I.; Zepeda, A.; Ziolkowski, M.

2011-06-01

The Pierre Auger Collaboration has reported evidence for anisotropy in the distribution of arrival directions of the cosmic rays with energies E > Eth = 5.5 × 1019 eV. These show a correlation with the distribution of nearby extragalactic objects, including an apparent excess around the direction of Centaurus A. If the particles responsible for these excesses at E > Eth are heavy nuclei with charge Z, the proton component of the sources should lead to excesses in the same regions at energies E/Z. We here report the lack of anisotropies in these directions at energies above Eth/Z (for illustrative values of Z = 6,13,26). If the anisotropies above Eth are due to nuclei with charge Z, and under reasonable assumptions about the acceleration process, these observations imply stringent constraints on the allowed proton fraction at the lower energies.

75 FR 12188 - Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from Thailand: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-15

... to, whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannemei), banana prawn (Penaeus merguiensis), fleshy prawn (Penaeus... to account for the higher processing costs incurred by partially-peeling the shrimp to an ``EZ peel...

Cardiovascular fitness strengthening using portable device.

PubMed

Alqudah, Hamzah; Kai Cao; Tao Zhang; Haddad, Azzam; Su, Steven; Celler, Branko; Nguyen, Hung T

2016-08-01

The paper describes a reliable and valid Portable Exercise Monitoring system developed using TI eZ430-Chronos watch, which can control the exercise intensity through audio stimulation in order to increase the Cardiovascular fitness strengthening.

78 FR 56218 - Marine Mammals; File No. 18171

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-12

... Wessley Merten, Marine Sciences Department, University of Puerto Rico, Mayag[uuml]ez Campus, PO Box 9000... 2015. Footage would be used in a documentary of offshore sport fishing in Puerto Rico, endorsed by the...

Photometry, polarimetry, spectroscopy, and spectropolarimetry of the enigmatic Wolf-Rayet star EZ Canis Majoris

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Robert, Carmelle; Moffat, Anthony F. J.; Drissen, Laurent; Lamontagne, Robert; Seggewiss, Wilhelm; Niemela, Virpi S.; Cerruti, Miguel A.; Barrett, Paul; Bailey, Jeremy; Garcia, Jorge

1992-01-01

New observations of the peculiar Wolf-Rayet star EZ Canis Majoris collected since 1987 are presented, and photometric, polarimetric, spectroscopic, and spectropolarimetric data are discussed. Linear polarization data are well fitted with an eccentric binary model where an additional free parameter is included to allow for epoch-dependent changes of the geometrical electron distribution in the W-R envelope. This yields a set of basic parameters, including an eccentricity e = 0.39 +/- 0.02 and an orbital inclination i = 114 deg +/- 3 deg. The spectroscopic data show global profile variations for all three observed strong emission lines He II 5412 A, C IV 5807 A, and He I 5876 A. Radial velocities of the lines vary with the 3.766-day period. Radially expanding inhomogeneities are superposed on the line profiles and variable polarization in the lines is observed.

Native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the Yungas forests, Argentina.

PubMed

Becerra, Alejandra G; Cabello, Marta N; Bartoloni, Norberto J

2011-01-01

The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) communities from the Yungas forests of Argentina were studied. The AMF species present in the rhizosphere of some dominant native plants (one tree: Alnus acuminata; three herbaceous species: Duchesnea indica, Oxalis conorrhiza, Trifolium aff. repens; and one shrub: Sambucus peruviana) from two sites (Quebrada del Portugués and Narváez Range) of the Yungas forests were isolated, identified and quantified during the four seasons of the year. Twenty-two AMF morphotaxa were found. Spore density of some AMF species at each site varied among seasons. The genera that most contributed to the biodiversity index were Acaulospora for Quebrada del Portugués and Glomus for Narváez Range. High diversity values were observed in the Yungas forests, particularly in the spring (rainy season). We concluded AMF differed in species composition and seasonal sporulation dynamics in the Yungas forests.

Structure scalars and super-Poynting vector of tilted Szekeres geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharif, M.; Zaeem Ul Haq Bhatti, M.

2015-12-01

In this paper, we study a version of Szekeres spacetime which is radially moving with respect to the congruence of observers and is endowed with vorticity as pointed out by Herrera et al. [L. Herrera, A. Di Prisco and J. Ibáñez, Phys. Rev. D 86 (2012) 044003]. The dynamical variables as well as structure scalars associated with tilted and nontilted frames are explored. Moreover, an explicit expression for the super-Poynting vector has been investigated in this scenario. We confirm the fact that the vorticity in the tilted Szekeres spacetime is not linked with the circular flow of superenergy on the planes perpendicular to the vorticity vector indicating its kinematical nature [L. Herrera, A. Di Prisco and J. Ibáñez, Phys. Rev. D 87 (2011) 087503]. Finally, we explore the effect of cosmological constant on the structure scalars for nontilted geometry.

Linear and Non-linear Polarizabilities for P2(X1Σg+)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maroulis, George

1997-07-01

Electric polarizabilities and hyperpolarizabilities were calculated from accurate self-consistent field wavefunctions for P2. The following values are reported, using the experimental bond length of 1.8934 Å: dipole polarizability αzz = 69.83 and αxx = 41.20 e2 a02 Eh-1 , second dipole hyperpolarizability γzzzz = 17 040, γxxxx= 11 581 and γxxzz = 4724 e4a04Eh-3, quadrupole polarizability, Czz "zz = 276.14, Cxz,xz = 232.64 and Cxx,xx = 151.25 e2 a04Eh-1 , dipole-octopole polarizability, Ez,zzz, = 331.00 and Ex,xxx = -154.66 e2 a04Eh-1 and for the dipole-dipole-quadrupole hyperpolarizability, Bzz,zz = - 2441, Bxz,xz = - 1442, Bxx,zz = 866 and Bxx,xx = - 1411 e3a04Eh-2.

Differences in photoreceptor recovery among patients and between different parts of the posterior pole in Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease

PubMed Central

Zhou, M; Gu, R P; Sun, Z; Jiang, C H; Chang, Q; Xu, G Z

2018-01-01

Purpose To investigate the recovery of photoreceptors following the treatment in Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada (VKH) disease. Patients and methods This was a retrospective study. We enrolled 28 patients with VKH (56 eyes). The clinical and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings were recorded for 12 months after treatment. The patterns of photoreceptor recovery on OCT were defined: pattern F group=Foveal photoreceptor recovery visible first; pattern E group=Extrafoveal photoreceptor recovery visible first; and pattern S group=Simultaneous foveal and extrafoveal photoreceptor recovery. Results Photoreceptor recovery varied in different parts of the fundus among patients. Among the 56 eyes, the ellipsoid zone (EZ) recovery of 10 eyes and the interdigitation zone (IZ) recovery of 17 eyes belonged to pattern F group. In most eyes (46 eyes for EZ and 26 eyes for IZ), the recovery of these structures were pattern S. Only in 10 eyes, the recovery of IZ was pattern E. The different patterns of recovery correlated with how promptly the patients had been treated and with the anatomical and visual outcomes at 12 months. Patients in pattern F group were characterized by delayed treatment, delayed recovery of EZ or IZ, and a less favourable prognosis at 12 months relative to other patients, while those in pattern E group had the most prompt treatment and recovery as well as a more favourable outcome at 12 months. Conclusions In VKH patients with delayed treatment, foveal photoreceptors tended to recover more rapidly than photoreceptors in other regions. PMID:29148525

Bilirubin photoisomers in rhesus monkey serum.

PubMed

Okada, Hitoshi; Itoh, Susumu; Nii, Kohichiroh; Sugino, Masashiro; Fuke, Noriko; Koyano, Kosuke; Yasuda, Saneyuki; Kusaka, Takashi

2018-05-23

As rhesus monkeys exhibit physiological jaundice during the neonatal period, we used rhesus monkey serum to examine changes in bilirubin photoisomers. Bilirubin-rhesus monkey serum solution was irradiated with blue light-emitting diode, and changes in the absorbance and bilirubin fraction were compared with those in bilirubin- human serum albumin (HSA) and bilirubin-rat albumin solutions. The λ max decreased with light irradiation. The mean production rate of cyclobilirubin IXα was 1.98, 199 and 0.76 × 10 -2 /min in rhesus monkey serum, HSA and rat albumin, respectively. There was no significant difference between rhesus monkey serum and HSA. The (ZE)-bilirubin IXα/(ZZ)-bilirubin IXα ratio was 0.33, 0.45, and 0.10, respectively, differing significantly among the groups. The (EZ)-bilirubin IXα/(ZZ)-bilirubin IXα ratio was 0.020, 0.010, and 0.062, respectively, with no significant difference between rhesus monkey serum and HSA. The production rate of (EZ)-cyclobilirubin XIIIα(= (ZE)-cyclobilirubin XIIIα) was 0.73, 1.60, and 0.51 × 10 -2 /min, respectively, with differing significantly among the groups. The (EZ)-bilirubin IIIα/(ZZ)-bilirubin IIIα ratio was significantly different among the groups at 0.20, 0.38, and 0.15, respectively. This is the first report demonstrating the photoisomerization of bilirubin in rhesus monkey serum and the animal with the same cyclobilirubin production rate as HSA.Rhesus monkeys may be used as an animal model for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in humans to evaluate the efficacy of phototherapy. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The Hebrus Valles Exploration Zone: Access to the Martian Surface and Subsurface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davila, A.; Fairén, A. G.; Rodríguez, A. P.; Schulze-Makuch, D.; Rask, J.; Zavaleta, J.

2015-10-01

The Hebrus Valles EZ represents a diverse setting with multiple geological contacts and layers, possible remnant water ice and protected subsurface environments, which could be critical for the establishment of long-term human settlements.

RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE CHERNOBYL EXCLUSION ZONE - 25 YEARS SINCE THE CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR POWER PLANT ACCIDENT

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

Farfan, E.; Jannik, T.

2011-10-01

Radioactive waste management is an important component of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident mitigation and remediation activities of the so-called Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. This article describes the localization and characteristics of the radioactive waste present in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and summarizes the pathways and strategy for handling the radioactive waste related problems in Ukraine and the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, and in particular, the pathways and strategies stipulated by the National Radioactive Waste Management Program. The brief overview of the radioactive waste issues in the ChEZ presented in this article demonstrates that management of radioactive waste resulting from amore » beyond-designbasis accident at a nuclear power plant becomes the most challenging and the costliest effort during the mitigation and remediation activities. The costs of these activities are so high that the provision of radioactive waste final disposal facilities compliant with existing radiation safety requirements becomes an intolerable burden for the current generation of a single country, Ukraine. The nuclear accident at the Fukushima-1 NPP strongly indicates that accidents at nuclear sites may occur in any, even in a most technologically advanced country, and the Chernobyl experience shows that the scope of the radioactive waste management activities associated with the mitigation of such accidents may exceed the capabilities of a single country. Development of a special international program for broad international cooperation in accident related radioactive waste management activities is required to handle these issues. It would also be reasonable to consider establishment of a dedicated international fund for mitigation of accidents at nuclear sites, specifically, for handling radioactive waste problems in the ChEZ. The experience of handling Chernobyl radioactive waste management issues, including large volumes of radioactive soils and complex structures of fuel containing materials can be fairly useful for the entire world's nuclear community and can help make nuclear energy safer.« less

Kinetically E-selective macrocyclic ring-closing metathesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Xiao; Nguyen, Thach T.; Koh, Ming Joo; Xu, Dongmin; Speed, Alexander W. H.; Schrock, Richard R.; Hoveyda, Amir H.

2017-01-01

Macrocyclic compounds are central to the development of new drugs, but preparing them can be challenging because of the energy barrier that must be surmounted in order to bring together and fuse the two ends of an acyclic precursor such as an alkene (also known as an olefin). To this end, the catalytic process known as ring-closing metathesis (RCM) has allowed access to countless biologically active macrocyclic organic molecules, even for large-scale production. Stereoselectivity is often critical in such cases: the potency of a macrocyclic compound can depend on the stereochemistry of its alkene; alternatively, one isomer of the compound can be subjected to stereoselective modification (such as dihydroxylation). Kinetically controlled Z-selective RCM reactions have been reported, but the only available metathesis approach for accessing macrocyclic E-olefins entails selective removal of the Z-component of a stereoisomeric mixture by ethenolysis, sacrificing substantial quantities of material if E/Z ratios are near unity. Use of ethylene can also cause adventitious olefin isomerization—a particularly serious problem when the E-alkene is energetically less favoured. Here, we show that dienes containing an E-alkenyl-B(pinacolato) group, widely used in catalytic cross-coupling, possess the requisite electronic and steric attributes to allow them to be converted stereoselectively to E-macrocyclic alkenes. The reaction is promoted by a molybdenum monoaryloxide pyrrolide complex and affords products at a yield of up to 73 per cent and an E/Z ratio greater than 98/2. We highlight the utility of the approach by preparing recifeiolide (a 12-membered-ring antibiotic) and pacritinib (an 18-membered-ring enzyme inhibitor), the Z-isomer of which is less potent than the E-isomer. Notably, the 18-membered-ring moiety of pacritinib—a potent anti-cancer agent that is in advanced clinical trials for treating lymphoma and myelofibrosis—was prepared by RCM carried out at a substrate concentration 20 times greater than when a ruthenium carbene was used.

7 CFR 2812.4 - Procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE GUIDELINES FOR THE DONATION OF EXCESS RESEARCH EQUIPMENT UNDER 15 U.S.C. 3710(i... through twelfth grade educational institutions and community-based educational organizations in rural EZ/EC communities; (2) Educationally useful Federal equipment for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade...

7 CFR 2812.4 - Procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE GUIDELINES FOR THE DONATION OF EXCESS RESEARCH EQUIPMENT UNDER 15 U.S.C. 3710(i... through twelfth grade educational institutions and community-based educational organizations in rural EZ/EC communities; (2) Educationally useful Federal equipment for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade...

7 CFR 2812.4 - Procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE GUIDELINES FOR THE DONATION OF EXCESS RESEARCH EQUIPMENT UNDER 15 U.S.C. 3710(i... through twelfth grade educational institutions and community-based educational organizations in rural EZ/EC communities; (2) Educationally useful Federal equipment for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade...

7 CFR 2812.4 - Procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE GUIDELINES FOR THE DONATION OF EXCESS RESEARCH EQUIPMENT UNDER 15 U.S.C. 3710(i... through twelfth grade educational institutions and community-based educational organizations in rural EZ/EC communities; (2) Educationally useful Federal equipment for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade...

7 CFR 2812.4 - Procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE GUIDELINES FOR THE DONATION OF EXCESS RESEARCH EQUIPMENT UNDER 15 U.S.C. 3710(i... through twelfth grade educational institutions and community-based educational organizations in rural EZ/EC communities; (2) Educationally useful Federal equipment for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade...

Human Mars Mission Overview and Dust Storm Impacts on Site Selection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoffman, S. J.

2017-06-01

This presentation briefly reviews NASA's current approach to human exploration of Mars and key features placed on locations (referred to as Exploration Zones) for these activities. Impacts of dust and dust storms on selecting an EZ are discussed.

Genetics Home Reference: mosaic variegated aneuploidy syndrome

MedlinePlus

... Wilms tumor, and a cancer of the blood-forming tissue known as leukemia . Less commonly, people with ... syndrome 2 Sources for This Page García-Castillo H, Vásquez-Velásquez AI, Rivera H, Barros-Núñez P. ...

24 CFR 598.605 - Implementation plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY FACILITIES URBAN EMPOWERMENT ZONES: ROUND TWO AND THREE DESIGNATIONS Empowerment Zone Grants § 598.605 Implementation plan. (a) Implementation plan content. An EZ must submit an... requirements that the state and local governments, as Empowerment Zone designees, have agreed to meet as...

Variations of the Geomagnetic Field During the Holocene-Pleistocene: Relative Paleointensity Records From South-Western Argentina

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gogorza, C. S.

2008-05-01

I present a review of the research carried out by the Group of Geomagnetism at Universidad Nacional del Centro (Argentina) on paleointensity records from bottom sediments from three lakes: Escondido (Gogorza et al., 2004), Moreno (Gogorza et al., 2006) and El Trébol (Gogorza et al., 2007; Irurzun et al., 2008) (South-Western Argentina, 41° S, 71° 30'W). Based on these studies, we construct a first relative (RPI) stack for South-Western Argentina covering the last 21,000 14C years BP. The degree of down-core homogeneity of magnetic mineral content as well as magnetic mineral concentration and grain sizes vary between all lakes and are quantified by high-resolution rock magnetic measurements. Rock magnetic studies suggest that the main carriers of magnetization are ferrimagnetic minerals, predominantly pseudo-single domain magnetite The remanent magnetization at 20 mT (NRM20mT) was normalized using the anhysteric remanent magnetization at 20mT (ARM20mT), the saturation of the isothermal remanent at 20 mT (SIRM20mT) and the low field magnetic susceptibility {k}. Coherence function analysis indicates that the normalised records are free of environmental influences. Our paleointensity (NRM20mT/ ARM20mT) versus age curve shows a good agreement with published records from other parts of the world suggesting that, in suitable sediments, paleointensity of the geomagnetic field can give a globally coherent, dominantly dipolar signal. References Gogorza, C.S.G., Irurzun, M.A., Chaparro, M.A.E., Lirio, J.M., Nuñez, H., Bercoff, P.G., Sinito, A.M. Relative Paleointensity of the Geomagnetic Field over the last 21,000 years bp from Sediment Cores, Lake El Trébol, (Patagonia, Argentina). Earth, Planets and Space. V58(10), 1323-1332. 2006. Gogorza, C.S.G., Sinito, A.M., Lirio, J.M., Nuñez, H., Chaparro, M.A.E., Bertorello, H.R. Paleointensity Studies on Holocene-Pleistocene Sediments from Lake Escondido, Argentina. Physical of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, Elsevier, ISSN 0031-9201. V145, 219-238. 2004. Gogorza, C.S.G., Torcida, S., Irurzun, A., Chaparro, M.A.E., Sinito, A.M. A Pseudo-Thellier Relative Paleointensity Record in Sediments From Lake El Trébol, South Argentina. Geofísica Internacional. In Revision. 2007. Irurzun, M.A., Gogorza, C.S.G., Torcida, S., Lirio, J.M., Núnez, H., Bercoff, P., Chaparro, M.A.E., Sinito, A.M. Rock Magnetic Properties and Relative Paleointensity Stack Between 11 and 21 14C kyr B.P. from Sediment Cores, Lake Moreno (Patagonia, Argentina). In Preparation. 2008.

Characterization of photoreceptor degeneration in the rhodopsin P23H transgenic rat line 2 using optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Monai, Natsuki; Yamauchi, Kodai; Tanabu, Reiko; Gonome, Takayuki; Ishiguro, Sei-Ichi; Nakazawa, Mitsuru

2018-01-01

To characterize the optical coherence tomography (OCT) appearances of photoreceptor degeneration in the rhodopsin P23H transgenic rat (line 2) in relation to the histological, ultrastructural, and electroretinography (ERG) findings. Homozygous rhodopsin P23H transgenic albino rats (line 2, very-slow degeneration model) were employed. Using OCT (Micron IV®; Phoenix Research Labs, Pleasanton, CA, USA), the natural course of photoreceptor degeneration was recorded from postnatal day (P) 15 to P 287. The OCT images were qualitatively observed by comparing them to histological and ultrastructural findings at P 62 and P 169. In addition, each retinal layer was quantitatively analyzed longitudinally during degeneration, compared it to that observed in wild type Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The relationships between the ERG (full-field combined rod-cone response, 3.0 cds/m2 stimulation) findings and OCT images were also analyzed. In the qualitative study, the two layers presumably corresponding to the photoreceptor inner segment ellipsoid zone (EZ) and interdigitation zone (IZ) were identified in the P23H rat until PN day 32. However, the photoreceptor inner and outer segment (IS/OS) layer became diffusely hyperreflective on OCT after P 46, and the EZ and IZ zones could no longer be identified on OCT. In contrast, in the SD rats, the EZ and IZ were clearly distinguished until at least P 247. The ultrastructural study showed partial disarrangements of the photoreceptor outer segment discs in the P23H rats at P 62, although a light-microscopic histological study detected almost no abnormality in the outer segment. In the quantitative study, the outer retinal layer including the outer plexiform layer (OPL) and the outer nuclear layer (ONL) became significantly thinner in the P23H rats than in the SD rats after P 71. The thickness of the IS/OS layer was maintained in the P23H rats until P 130, and it became statistically thinner than in the SD rats at P 237. The longitudinal attenuation in the amplitude of the a- and b-waves of ERG was significantly correlated with the thickness of the combined OPL and ONL but not with that of the IS/OS layer. OCT showed the degenerated photoreceptor IS/OS layer in rhodopsin P23H transgenic rats (line 2) as a diffuse hyperreflective zone, even in the early stage, with the partially disarranged and destabilized OS discs recognizable by ultrastructural assessment but not by a histological study. The amplitude of the a- and b-waves mainly depends on the thickness of the OPL and ONL layer rather than the thickness of the photoreceptor IS/OS layer in P23H rats.

Origin of the polycomb repressive complex 2 and gene silencing by an E(z) homolog in the unicellular alga Chlamydomonas.

PubMed

Shaver, Scott; Casas-Mollano, J Armando; Cerny, Ronald L; Cerutti, Heriberto

2010-05-16

Polycomb group proteins play an essential role in the maintenance of cell identity and the regulation of development in both animals and plants. The Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) is involved in the establishment of transcriptionally silent chromatin states, in part through its ability to methylate lysine 27 of histone H3 by the Enhancer of zeste [E(z)] subunit. The absence of PRC2 in unicellular model fungi and its function in the repression of genes vital for the development of higher eukaryotes led to the proposal that this complex may have evolved together with the emergence of multicellularity. However, we report here on the widespread presence of PRC2 core subunits in unicellular eukaryotes from the Opisthokonta, Chromalveolata and Archaeplastida supergroups. To gain insight on the role of PRC2 in single celled organisms, we characterized an E(z) homolog, EZH, in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. RNAi-mediated suppression of EZH led to defects in the silencing of transgenes and retrotransposons as well as to a global increase in histone post-translational modifications associated with transcriptional activity, such as trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 4 and acetylation of histone H4. On the basis of the parsimony principle, our findings suggest that PRC2 appeared early in eukaryotic evolution, even perhaps in the last unicellular common ancestor of eukaryotes. One of the ancestral roles of PCR2 may have been in defense responses against intragenomic parasites such as transposable elements, prior to being co-opted for lineage specific functions like developmental regulation in multicellular eukaryotes.

Stereo-EEG: Diagnostic and therapeutic tool for periventricular nodular heterotopia epilepsies.

PubMed

Mirandola, Laura; Mai, Roberto F; Francione, Stefano; Pelliccia, Veronica; Gozzo, Francesca; Sartori, Ivana; Nobili, Lino; Cardinale, Francesco; Cossu, Massimo; Meletti, Stefano; Tassi, Laura

2017-11-01

Periventricular nodular heterotopias (PNHs) are malformations of cortical development related to neuronal migration disorders, frequently associated with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) is considered a very effective step of the presurgical evaluation, providing the recognition of the epileptogenic zone (EZ). At the same time, via the intracerebral electrodes it is possible to perform radiofrequency thermocoagulation (SEEG-guided RF-TC) with the aim of ablating and/or disrupting the EZ. The purpose of this study was to evaluate both the relationships between PNH and the EZ, and the efficacy of SEEG-guided RF-TC. Twenty patients with DRE related to PNHs were studied. Inclusion criteria were the following: (1) patients with epilepsy and PNHs (unilateral or bilateral, single or multiple nodules) diagnosed on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); (2) SEEG recordings available as part of the presurgical investigations, with at least one intracerebral electrode inside the heterotopia; (3) complete surgical workup with SEEG-guided RF-TC and/or with traditional neurosurgery, with a follow-up of at least 12 months. Complex and heterogenic epileptic networks were found in these patients. SEEG-guided RF-TC both into the nodules and/or the cortex was efficacious in the 76% of patients. Single or multiple, unilateral or bilateral PNHs are the most suitable for this procedure, whereas patients with PNHs associated with complex cortical malformations obtained excellent outcome only with traditional resective surgery. Each patient had a specific epileptogenic network, independent from the number, size, or location of nodules and from the cortical malformation associated with. SEEG-guided RF-TC appears as a new and very effective diagnostic and therapeutic approach for DRE related to PNHs. Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 International League Against Epilepsy.

EFFECT OF CARBONIC ANHYDRASE INHIBITORS ON THE INORGANIC CARBON UPTAKE BY PHYTOPLANKTON NATURAL ASSEMBLAGES(1).

PubMed

Mercado, Jesús M; Ramírez, Teodoro; Cortés, Dolores; Liger, Esperanza

2009-02-01

The role of carbonic anhydrase (CA) in inorganic carbon acquisition (dissolved inorganic carbon, DIC) was examined in Alboran Sea phytoplankton assemblages. The study area was characterized by a relatively high variability in nutrient concentration and in abundance and taxonomic composition of phytoplankton. Therefore, the relationship between environmental variability and capacity for using HCO3 (-) via external CA (eCA) was examined. Acetazolamide (AZ, an inhibitor of eCA) inhibited the primary productivity (PP) in 50% of the samples, with inhibition percentages ranging from 13% to 60%. The AZ effect was more prominent in the samples that exhibited PP >1 mg C · m(-3)  · h(-1) , indicating that the contribution of eCA to the DIC photosynthetic flux was irrelevant at low PP. The inhibition of primary productivity by AZ was significantly correlated to the abundance of diatoms. However, there was no a relationship between AZ effect and CO2 partial pressure (pCO2 ) or nutrient concentration, indicating that the variability in the PP percentage supported by eCA was mainly due to differences in taxonomic composition of the phytoplankton assemblages. Ethoxyzolamide (EZ, an inhibitor of both external and internal CA) affected 13 of 14 analyzed samples, with PP inhibition percentages varying from 50% to 95%. The effects of AZ and EZ were partially reversed by doubling DIC concentration. These results imply that CA activity (external and/or internal) was involved in inorganic carbon acquisition in most the samples. However, EZ effect was not correlated with pCO2 or taxonomic composition of the phytoplankton. © 2009 Phycological Society of America.

METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUS 90SR AND 137CS IN-VIVO MEASUREMENTS OF SMALL ANIMALS AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA DEVELOPED FOR THE CONDITIONS OF THE CHERNOBYL EXCLUSION ZONE

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

Farfan, E.; Jannik, T.

To perform in vivo simultaneous measurements of the {sup 90}Sr and {sup 137}Cs content in the bodies of animals living in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (ChEZ), an appropriate method and equipment were developed and installed in a mobile gamma beta spectrometry laboratory. This technique was designed for animals of relatively small sizes (up to 50 g). The {sup 90}Sr content is measured by a beta spectrometer with a 0.1 mm thick scintillation plastic detector. The spectrum processing takes into account the fact that the measured object is 'thick-layered' and contains a comparable quantity of {sup 137}Cs, which is a characteristicmore » condition of the ChEZ. The {sup 137}Cs content is measured by a NaI scintillation detector that is part of the combined gamma beta spectrometry system. For environmental research performed in the ChEZ, the advantages of this method and equipment (rapid measurements, capability to measure live animals directly in their habitat, and the capability of simultaneous {sup 90}Sr and {sup 137}Cs measurements) far outweigh the existing limitations (considerations must be made for background radiation and the animal size, skeletal shape and body mass). The accuracy of these in vivo measurements is shown to be consistent with standard spectrometric and radiochemical methods. Apart from the in vivo measurements, the proposed methodology, after a very simple upgrade that is also described in the article, works even more accurately with samples of other media, such as soil and plants.« less

Functional and Morphological Correlations before and after Video-Documented 23-Gauge Pars Plana Vitrectomy with Membrane and ILM Peeling in Patients with Macular Pucker.

PubMed

Mayer, Wolfgang J; Fazekas, Clara; Schumann, Ricarda; Wolf, Armin; Compera, Denise; Kampik, Anselm; Haritoglou, Christos

2015-01-01

Purpose. To assess functional and morphological alterations following video-documented surgery for epiretinal membranes. Methods. Forty-two patients underwent video-documented 23-gauge vitrectomy with peeling of epiretinal (ERM) and inner limiting membrane (ILM). Patient assessment was performed before and 3 and 6 months including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit lamp biomicroscopy, SD-OCT, and central 2° and 18° microperimetry. In addition, all video-documented areas of peeling on the retinal surface were evaluated postoperatively using an additional focal 2° microperimetry. Retinal sensitivity and BCVA were correlated with morphological changes (EZ and ELM) in the foveal region and in regions of membrane peeling. Results. Overall, BCVA increased from 0.6 (±0.2) to 0.2 (±0.2) logMAR after 6 months with an increase in retinal sensitivity (17.9 ± 2.7 dB to 26.8 ± 3.1 dB, p < 0.01). We observed a significant correlation between the integrity of the EZ but not of the ELM and the retinal sensitivity, overall and in peeling areas (p < 0.05). However, no significant correlation between alterations in the area of peeling and overall retinal sensitivity regarding visual acuity gain could be observed after 6 months (p > 0.05). In contrast, overall postoperative retinal sensitivity was significantly decreased in patients with a visual acuity gain lower than 2 lines (p < 0.05) correlating with EZ defects seen in OCT. Conclusions. Mechanical trauma of epiretinal membrane and ILM peeling due to the use of intraocular forceps may affect the outer retinal structure. Nevertheless, these changes seem to have no significant impact on postoperative functional outcome.

Frameless robot-assisted stereoelectroencephalography in children: technical aspects and comparison with Talairach frame technique.

PubMed

Abel, Taylor J; Varela Osorio, René; Amorim-Leite, Ricardo; Mathieu, Francois; Kahane, Philippe; Minotti, Lorella; Hoffmann, Dominique; Chabardes, Stephan

2018-04-20

OBJECTIVE Robot-assisted stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) is gaining popularity as a technique for localization of the epileptogenic zone (EZ) in children with pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Here, the authors describe their frameless robot-assisted SEEG technique and report preliminary outcomes and relative complications in children as compared to results with the Talairach frame-based SEEG technique. METHODS The authors retrospectively analyzed the results of 19 robot-assisted SEEG electrode implantations in 17 consecutive children (age < 17 years) with pharmacoresistant epilepsy, and compared these results to 19 preceding SEEG electrode implantations in 18 children who underwent the traditional Talairach frame-based SEEG electrode implantation. The primary end points were seizure-freedom rates, operating time, and complication rates. RESULTS Seventeen children (age < 17 years) underwent a total of 19 robot-assisted SEEG electrode implantations. In total, 265 electrodes were implanted. Twelve children went on to have EZ resection: 4 demonstrated Engel class I outcomes, whereas 2 had Engel class II outcomes, and 6 had Engel class III-IV outcomes. Of the 5 patients who did not have resection, 2 underwent thermocoagulation. One child reported transient paresthesia associated with 2 small subdural hematomas, and 3 other children had minor asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhages. There were no differences in complication rates, rates of resective epilepsy surgery, or seizure freedom rates between this cohort and the preceding 18 children who underwent Talairach frame-based SEEG. The frameless robot-assisted technique was associated with shorter operating time (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Frameless robot-assisted SEEG is a safe and effective means of identifying the EZ in children with pharmacoresistant partial epilepsy. Robot-assisted SEEG is faster than the Talairach frame-based method, and has equivalent safety and efficacy. The former, furthermore, facilitates more electrode trajectory possibilities, which may improve the localization of epileptic networks.

DeepIED: An epileptic discharge detector for EEG-fMRI based on deep learning.

PubMed

Hao, Yongfu; Khoo, Hui Ming; von Ellenrieder, Nicolas; Zazubovits, Natalja; Gotman, Jean

2018-01-01

Presurgical evaluation that can precisely delineate the epileptogenic zone (EZ) is one important step for successful surgical resection treatment of refractory epilepsy patients. The noninvasive EEG-fMRI recording technique combined with general linear model (GLM) analysis is considered an important tool for estimating the EZ. However, the manual marking of interictal epileptic discharges (IEDs) needed in this analysis is challenging and time-consuming because the quality of the EEG recorded inside the scanner is greatly deteriorated compared to the usual EEG obtained outside the scanner. This is one of main impediments to the widespread use of EEG-fMRI in epilepsy. We propose a deep learning based semi-automatic IED detector that can find the candidate IEDs in the EEG recorded inside the scanner which resemble sample IEDs marked in the EEG recorded outside the scanner. The manual marking burden is greatly reduced as the expert need only edit candidate IEDs. The model is trained on data from 30 patients. Validation of IEDs detection accuracy on another 37 consecutive patients shows our method can improve the median sensitivity from 50.0% for the previously proposed template-based method to 84.2%, with false positive rate as 5 events/min. Reproducibility validation on 15 patients is applied to evaluate if our method can produce similar hemodynamic response maps compared with the manual marking ground truth results. We explore the concordance between the maximum hemodynamic response and the intracerebral EEG defined EZ and find that both methods produce similar percentage of concordance (76.9%, 10 out of 13 patients, electrode was absent in the maximum hemodynamic response in two patients). This tool will make EEG-fMRI analysis more practical for clinical usage.

Environmental conditions and biological community of the Penzhina and Talovka hypertidal estuary (northwest Kamchatka) in the ice-free season

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koval, M. V.; Gorin, S. L.; Romanenko, F. A.; Lepskaya, E. V.; Polyakova, A. A.; Galyamov, R. A.; Esin, E. V.

2017-07-01

New data on the abiotic conditions; species composition; abundance, distribution, and migrations of fauna; and feeding interactions in an estuary ecosystem were obtained during expeditions in the mouths of Penzhina and Talovka rivers (northwest Kamchatka). It is revealed that in the ice-free season, the hydrological regime of the estuary is determined by seasonal fluctuations of river runoff, as well as fortnightly and daily variation of tides. The estuary is characterized by hypertidal fluctuations (up to 10-12 m); strong reverse flows (up to 1.0-1.5 m/s), considerable tidal variations in salinity (from 0 to 6-9‰ at the river boundary and from 6-8 to 14-16‰ at the offshore boundary), and high water turbidity (up to 1 000 NTU or more). Based on the spatial structure of the community, three ecological zones with mobile boundaries are distinguished: freshwater (salinity 0-0.1‰), estuarine (0-12.3‰), and neritic (11.2-18.9‰). High turbidity prevents the development of phytoplankton in the estuarine zone (EZ), and the local benthic community is significantly depleted due to the desalination and wide spread of aleuritic silts. Neritic copepods and nektobenthic brackish- water crustaceans generate the maximum abundance and biomass here. The species that have adapted to the local extreme hydrologic conditions dominate and form the basis of the estuarine food chain. Dominant among the EZ vertebrates are such groups as anadromous fishes (smelts, pacific salmons, charrs, and sticklebacks); waterfowl (terns, kittiwakes, cormorants, fulmars, puffins, guillemots, auklets, and wadepipers); and predatory marine mammals (larga, ringed seal, bearded seal, and white whale). The total abundance and biomass of these animals are much higher in the pelagic EZ in comparison to neighboring zones.

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

Schultz-Fellenz, Emily S.

A portion of LANL’s FY15 SPE objectives includes initial ground-based or ground-proximal investigations at the SPE Phase 2 site. The area of interest is the U2ez location in Yucca Flat. This collection serves as a baseline for discrimination of surface features and acquisition of topographic signatures prior to any development or pre-shot activities associated with SPE Phase 2. Our team originally intended to perform our field investigations using previously vetted ground-based (GB) LIDAR methodologies. However, the extended proposed time frame of the GB LIDAR data collection, and associated data processing time and delivery date, were unacceptable. After technical consultation andmore » careful literature research, LANL identified an alternative methodology to achieve our technical objectives and fully support critical model parameterization. Very-low-altitude unmanned aerial systems (UAS) photogrammetry appeared to satisfy our objectives in lieu of GB LIDAR. The SPE Phase 2 baseline collection was used as a test of this UAS photogrammetric methodology.« less

Vectorial diffraction properties of THz vortex Bessel beams.

PubMed

Wu, Zhen; Wang, Xinke; Sun, Wenfeng; Feng, Shengfei; Han, Peng; Ye, Jiasheng; Yu, Yue; Zhang, Yan

2018-01-22

A vortex Bessel beam combines the merits of an optical vortex and a Bessel beam, including a spiral wave front and a non-diffractive feature, which has immense application potentials in optical trapping, optical fabrication, optical communications, and so on. Here, linearly and circularly polarized vortex Bessel beams in the terahertz (THz) frequency range are generated by utilizing a THz quarter wave plate, a spiral phase plate, and Teflon axicons with different opening angles. Taking advantage of a THz focal-plane imaging system, vectorial diffraction properties of the THz vortex Bessel beams are comprehensively characterized and discussed, including the transverse (Ex, Ey) and longitudinal (Ez) polarization components. The experimental phenomena are accurately simulated by adopting the vectorial Rayleigh diffraction integral. By varying the opening angle of the axicon, the characteristic parameters of these THz vortex Bessel beams are exhibited and compared, including the light spot size, the diffraction-free range, and the phase evolution process. This work provides the precise experimental and theoretical bases for the comprehension and application of a THz vortex Bessel beam.

Anisotropy and chemical composition of ultra-high energy cosmic rays using arrival directions measured by the Pierre Auger Observatory

DOE PAGES

Abreu, P

2011-06-17

The Pierre Auger Collaboration has reported evidence for anisotropy in the distribution of arrival directions of the cosmic rays with energies E > E th = 5.5 x 10 19 eV. These show a correlation with the distribution of nearby extragalactic objects, including an apparent excess around the direction of Centaurus A. If the particles responsible for these excesses at E > E th are heavy nuclei with charge Z, the proton component of the sources should lead to excesses in the same regions at energies E/Z. We here report the lack of anisotropies in these directions at energies abovemore » E th/Z (for illustrative values of Z = 6,13,26). If the anisotropies above E th are due to nuclei with charge Z, and under reasonable assumptions about the acceleration process, these observations imply stringent constraints on the allowed proton fraction at the lower energies.« less

Flipping the HSI Narrative: An HSI Positionality

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Núñez, Anne-Marie

2017-01-01

Historically, the predominant narrative framing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) is that they are monolithic and underperforming, inscribed in a false dichotomy as "Hispanic-Serving" or merely "Hispanic-Enrolling" (Núñez, Hurtado, & Calderón Galdeano, 2015). Together, these narrative threads weave a deficit perspective…

24 CFR 598.405 - Environmental review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 3 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Environmental review. 598.405 Section 598.405 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development...-Designation Requirements § 598.405 Environmental review. Where any EZ's strategic plan or any revision thereof...

24 CFR 598.405 - Environmental review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 3 2014-04-01 2013-04-01 true Environmental review. 598.405 Section 598.405 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development...-Designation Requirements § 598.405 Environmental review. Where any EZ's strategic plan or any revision thereof...

24 CFR 598.605 - Implementation plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 3 2014-04-01 2013-04-01 true Implementation plan. 598.605 Section 598.605 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development (Continued... Grants § 598.605 Implementation plan. (a) Implementation plan content. An EZ must submit an...

24 CFR 598.405 - Environmental review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 3 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Environmental review. 598.405 Section 598.405 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development...-Designation Requirements § 598.405 Environmental review. Where any EZ's strategic plan or any revision thereof...

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

None

In an important step toward advancing intelligent, efficient, and autonomous electric vehicles, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) plans to partner on research and development efforts with EasyMile, a smart mobility solutions company. EasyMile provided a demo of its driverless EZ10 shuttle on the NREL campus in September 2017.

50 CFR 300.151 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... laws and regulations that concern fishing for fishery resources over which Russia exercises sovereign... Russia means the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas over which, consistent with international law, Russia exercises sovereign rights. Russian Economic Zone or Russian EZ means a zone of waters off the...

50 CFR 300.151 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... laws and regulations that concern fishing for fishery resources over which Russia exercises sovereign... Russia means the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas over which, consistent with international law, Russia exercises sovereign rights. Russian Economic Zone or Russian EZ means a zone of waters off the...

50 CFR 300.151 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... laws and regulations that concern fishing for fishery resources over which Russia exercises sovereign... Russia means the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas over which, consistent with international law, Russia exercises sovereign rights. Russian Economic Zone or Russian EZ means a zone of waters off the...

50 CFR 300.151 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... laws and regulations that concern fishing for fishery resources over which Russia exercises sovereign... Russia means the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas over which, consistent with international law, Russia exercises sovereign rights. Russian Economic Zone or Russian EZ means a zone of waters off the...

76 FR 41279 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Form I-864, Form I-864A, Form I-864EZ, and Form I-864W...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-13

... Immigrant's Affidavit of Support Exemption. The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and.... These forms are used by family-based and certain employment-based immigrants to have the petitioning...

76 FR 25364 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Form I-864, Form I-864A, Form I-864EZ, and From I-864W...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-04

... Immigrant's Affidavit of Support Exemption; OMB Control No. 1615-0075. The Department of Homeland Security... by family-based and certain employment-based immigrants to have the petitioning relative execute an...

76 FR 64364 - Redelegations of Authority to Directors and Deputy Directors of Community Planning and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-18

... Stat. 3084 (2009)). 12. The urban Empowerment Zones (EZ), as authorized under title 26, subtitle A... Law 93-383, 88 Stat. 633 (codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. 5316). b.Grants for urban Empowerment Zones...

Regret and Responsibility Resolved? Evaluating Ordóñez and Connolly's (2000) Conclusions.

PubMed

Zeelenberg; van Dijk WW; Manstead

2000-01-01

T. Connolly, L. D. Ordo;aan;atez, and R. Coughlan (1997, Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 70, 73-85) argued, on the basis of 5 experiments, that regret need not be related to a sense of responsibility for the regretted outcome. We (M. Zeelenberg, W. W. van Dijk, & A. S. R. Manstead, 1998, Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 74, 254-272) showed in 2 experiments that this conclusion was premature, because it was based on an indirect measure of regret (i.e., overall happiness with the decision outcome). When regret was directly measured, the predicted effects of responsibility were found. L. D. Ordo;aan;atez and T. Connolly (2000, Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 81, 132-142) replicated our findings in 2 experiments. Based on their findings they arrived at 4 conclusions. In this rejoinder we first discuss Ordóñez and Connolly's new studies and we then discuss the validity of their 4 conclusions. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Thin and thick layers of resin-based sealer cement bonded to root dentine compared: Adhesive behaviour.

PubMed

Pane, Epita S; Palamara, Joseph E A; Messer, Harold H

2015-12-01

This study aims to evaluate tensile and shear bond strengths of one epoxy (AH) and two methacrylate resin-based sealers (EZ and RS) in thin and thick layers bonded to root dentine. An alignment device was prepared for accurate positioning of 20 root dentine cylinders in a predefined gap of 0.1 or 1 mm. Sealer was placed in the interface. Bond strength tests were conducted. Mode of failures and representative surfaces were evaluated. Data were analysed using anova and post-hoc tests, with P < 0.05. The thick layer of sealer produced higher bond strength, except for the shear bond strength of EZ. Significant differences between thin and thick layers were found only in tensile bond strengths of AH and RS. Mixed type of failure was constantly found with all sealers. Bond strengths of thick layers of resin-based sealers to root dentine tended to be higher than with thin layers. © 2015 Australian Society of Endodontology.

50 CFR 300.152 - Procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

.... Nationals Fishing in Russian Fisheries § 300.152 Procedures. (a) Application for annual permits. U.S. vessel owners and operators must have a valid permit issued by the Russian Federation obtained pursuant to a complete application submitted through NMFS before fishing in the Russian EZ or for Russian fishery...

50 CFR 300.152 - Procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

.... Nationals Fishing in Russian Fisheries § 300.152 Procedures. (a) Application for annual permits. U.S. vessel owners and operators must have a valid permit issued by the Russian Federation obtained pursuant to a complete application submitted through NMFS before fishing in the Russian EZ or for Russian fishery...

50 CFR 300.152 - Procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

.... Nationals Fishing in Russian Fisheries § 300.152 Procedures. (a) Application for annual permits. U.S. vessel owners and operators must have a valid permit issued by the Russian Federation obtained pursuant to a complete application submitted through NMFS before fishing in the Russian EZ or for Russian fishery...

50 CFR 300.152 - Procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

.... Nationals Fishing in Russian Fisheries § 300.152 Procedures. (a) Application for annual permits. U.S. vessel owners and operators must have a valid permit issued by the Russian Federation obtained pursuant to a complete application submitted through NMFS before fishing in the Russian EZ or for Russian fishery...

50 CFR 300.152 - Procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

.... Nationals Fishing in Russian Fisheries § 300.152 Procedures. (a) Application for annual permits. U.S. vessel owners and operators must have a valid permit issued by the Russian Federation obtained pursuant to a complete application submitted through NMFS before fishing in the Russian EZ or for Russian fishery...

24 CFR 598.605 - Implementation plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 3 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Implementation plan. 598.605 Section 598.605 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development... Empowerment Zone Grants § 598.605 Implementation plan. (a) Implementation plan content. An EZ must submit an...

24 CFR 598.605 - Implementation plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 3 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Implementation plan. 598.605 Section 598.605 Housing and Urban Development Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban Development... Empowerment Zone Grants § 598.605 Implementation plan. (a) Implementation plan content. An EZ must submit an...

24 CFR 598.615 - Economic development standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Economic development standards. 598... DESIGNATIONS Empowerment Zone Grants § 598.615 Economic development standards. (a) Economic development... the planned use of HUD EZ Grant Funds must meet one of the following economic development standards...

24 CFR 598.615 - Economic development standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 3 2014-04-01 2013-04-01 true Economic development standards. 598... DESIGNATIONS Empowerment Zone Grants § 598.615 Economic development standards. (a) Economic development... the planned use of HUD EZ Grant Funds must meet one of the following economic development standards...

24 CFR 598.615 - Economic development standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 3 2011-04-01 2010-04-01 true Economic development standards. 598... DESIGNATIONS Empowerment Zone Grants § 598.615 Economic development standards. (a) Economic development... the planned use of HUD EZ Grant Funds must meet one of the following economic development standards...

24 CFR 598.615 - Economic development standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 3 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Economic development standards. 598... DESIGNATIONS Empowerment Zone Grants § 598.615 Economic development standards. (a) Economic development... the planned use of HUD EZ Grant Funds must meet one of the following economic development standards...

24 CFR 598.615 - Economic development standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 3 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Economic development standards. 598... DESIGNATIONS Empowerment Zone Grants § 598.615 Economic development standards. (a) Economic development... the planned use of HUD EZ Grant Funds must meet one of the following economic development standards...

75 FR 51093 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Form I-864, Form I-864A, Form I-864EZ, and Form I-864W...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-18

...-864W, Intending Immigrant's Affidavit of Support Exemption; OMB Control No. 1615-0075. The Department... immigrants to have the petitioning relative execute an Affidavit of Support on their behalf. (5) An estimate...

75 FR 26782 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Form I-864, Form I-864A, Form I-864EZ, and Form I-864W...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-12

... Immigrant's Affidavit of Support Exemption; OMB Control No. 1615-0075. The Department of Homeland Security... immigrants to have the petitioning relative execute an Affidavit of Support on their behalf. (5) An estimate...

Genetics Home Reference: lipoid proteinosis

MedlinePlus

... Problems National Alliance on Mental Illness Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance GeneReviews (1 link) Lipoid Proteinosis Scientific Articles on PubMed (1 link) PubMed OMIM (1 link) LIPOID PROTEINOSIS OF URBACH AND WIETHE MedGen (1 link) Lipid proteinosis Sources for This Page Callizo M, Ibáñez- ...

76 FR 61112 - Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Comment Request; Annual Progress Reports for...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-03

... Information Collection: Comment Request; Annual Progress Reports for Empowerment Zones AGENCY: Office of... lists the following information: Title of proposal: Annual Progress Reports for Empowerment Zones. OMB... information collection for reporting requirements of 30 Urban Empowerment Zones (EZs). HUD will regularly...

Reversible adaptation to photoinduced shape switching by oligomer-macrocycle interconversion with component selection in a three-state constitutional dynamic system.

PubMed

Vantomme, Ghislaine; Lehn, Jean-Marie

2014-12-01

Light irradiation of the molecular photoswitch 1-E causes isomerization into the 1-Z configuration stabilized by an internal hydrogen bond. 1-E bears aldehyde groups allowing for dynamic covalent reaction with linear diamines. On photoinduced E/Z shape switching of 1 in presence of diamines, the system undergoes interconversion between two states, a non-cyclic oligomeric one and a macrocyclic one, corresponding respectively to the E and Z configurations of 1. With a mixture of linear α,ω-diamines, 1-E yields non-selective dynamic oligomers by random incorporation of diamine components. Photoswitching to the 1-Z form leads to constitutional adaptation with preferential formation of the macrocycle incorporating the best suited diamine, H2 N(CH2 )7 NH2 . In presence of metal cations, the E form switches from its unbound W shape to its coordinated U shape and yields the macrocycle resulting from the selective incorporation of the diamine H2 NCH2 CH2 OCH2 CH2 NH2 that contains an additional O coordination site. Taken together, the results obtained describe constitutional adaptation in a triple state system: an oligomeric one and two different macrocyclic ones generated in response to two orthogonal agents, a physical stimulus, light, or a chemical effector, metal cations. These three states present, towards the incorporation of diamine components, respectively no selection, photoselection and metalloselection. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

An electrified dust storm over the Negev desert, Israel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yair, Y.; Price, C. G.; Yaniv, R.; Katz, S.

2015-12-01

We report on atmospheric electrical measurements conducted at the Wise Observatory in Mitzpe-Ramon, Israel (30035'N, 34045'E) during a massive dust storm that occurred over the Eastern Mediterranean region on 10-11 February 2015. The event transported Saharan dust from Egypt and the Sinai Peninsula in advance of the warm front of a Cyprus low pressure system. Satellite images show the dust plume covering the Negev desert and Southern Israel and moving north. The concentrations of PM10 particles measured by the air-quality monitoring network of the Israeli Ministry of the Environment in Beer-Sheba reached values > 450 μg m-3 and AOT from the AERONET station in Sde-Boker was 1.5 on the 10th. The gradual intensification of the event reached peak values on February 11th of over 1200 μg m-3 and AOT of 1.8. This was the most severe dust event in a decade. Continuous measurements of the fair weather vertical electric field (Ez) and vertical current density (Jz) were conducted with 1 minute temporal resolution. Meteorological data was also recorded at the site. As the dust was advected over the observation site, we noted very large fluctuations in the electrical parameters. Since the onset of the dust storm, the Ez values changed between +1000 and +8000 V m-1 while the Jz fluctuated between -10 pA m2 and +20 pA m2, both on time-scales of a few minutes. These values are a significant departures from the mean fair-weather values measured at the site, which are -~200 V m-1 and ~2 pA m2. The disturbed episodes lasted for several hours on the 10th and 11th and coincided with local meteorological conditions related to the wind direction, which carried large amounts of dust particles. We interpret the rapid changes as caused by the transport of electrically charged dust. Calculation of the total electrical charge during the dust storm will be presented.

An electrified dust storm over the Negev desert, Israel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yair, Yoav; Katz, Shai; Yaniv, Roy; Ziv, Baruch; Price, Colin

2016-11-01

We report on atmospheric electrical measurements conducted at the Wise Observatory in Mitzpe-Ramon, Israel (30°35‧N, 34°45‧E) during a large dust storm that occurred over the Eastern Mediterranean region on 10-11 February 2015. The dust was transported from the Sahara, Egypt and the Sinai Peninsula ahead of an approaching Cyprus low. Satellite images show the dust plume covering the Negev desert and Southern Israel and moving north. The concentrations of PM10 particles measured by the air-quality monitoring network of the Israeli Ministry of the Environment in Beer-Sheba reached values > 450 μg m- 3 and the AOT from the AERONET station in Sde-Boker was 1.5 on February 10th. The gradual intensification of the event reached peak concentrations on February 11th of over 1200 μg m- 3 and an AOT of 1.8. Continuous measurements of the fair weather vertical electric field (Ez) and vertical current density (Jz) were conducted at the Wise Observatory with 1 minute temporal resolution. Meteorological data was also recorded at the site. As the dust was advected over the observatory, very large fluctuations in the electrical parameters were registered. From the onset of the dust storm, the Ez values changed between + 1000 and + 8000 V m- 1 while the current density fluctuated between - 10 pA m2 and + 20 pA m2, both on time-scales of a few minutes. These values are significant departures from the average fair-weather values measured at the site, which are ~- 200 V m- 1 and ~ 2 pA m2. The disturbed episodes lasted for several hours on February 10th and the 11th and coincided with local meteorological conditions related to the wind speed and direction, which carried large amounts of dust particles over our observation station. We interpret the rapid changes as caused by the transport of electrically charged dust, carrying an excess of negative charge at lower altitudes.

Effects of maternal lines and mating systems on lamb carcass merit

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Objectives: The objective of this study was to analyze the carcass composition of lambs produced from different mating systems. Materials and Methods: Lambs (n = 1,237) were produced by a multi- sire mating of three maternal lines (Katahdin (KN), Polypay (PP), and Easycare (EZ)) in two mating system...

Synthesis and biological evaluation of vinylogous combretastatin A-4 derivatives.

PubMed

Kaffy, Julia; Pontikis, Renée; Florent, Jean-Claude; Monneret, Claude

2005-07-21

Stereospecific syntheses of the Z-E and E-Z vinylogues of combretastatin A-4, and two B-ring related analogues, were achieved through a Suzuki-Miyaura coupling. As compared to CA4, the derivative with a phenyl moiety has shown increased potency in its ability to inhibit tubulin polymerisation.

78 FR 6181 - Agency Information Collection (Fully Developed Claims) (Applications for Compensation...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-29

... DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS [OMB Control No. 2900-0747] Agency Information Collection (Fully Developed Claims) (Applications for Compensation; Applications for Pension; Applications for DIC, Death..., Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits, VA Form 21-534EZ. OMB Control Number: 2900-0747. Type of Review...

77 FR 64389 - Proposed Information Collection (Fully Developed Claims) (Applications for Compensation...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-19

... DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS [OMB Control No. 2900-0747] Proposed Information Collection (Fully Developed Claims) (Applications for Compensation; Applications for Pension; Applications for DIC, Death..., Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits, VA Form 21-534EZ. OMB Control Number: 2900-0747. Type of Review...

Targeted Business Incentives and Local Labor Markets

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Freedman, Matthew

2013-01-01

This paper uses a regression discontinuity design to examine the effects of geographically targeted business incentives on local labor markets. Unlike elsewhere in the United States, enterprise zone (EZ) designations in Texas are determined in part by a cutoff rule based on census block group poverty rates. Exploiting this discontinuity as a…

Mars Landing + 50 Years: Repurposing the First Viking Landing Site on Chryse Planitia as an Exploration Zone for Automated Infrastructure Construction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farrell, K. W.

2015-10-01

The proposed Chryse Planitia EZ centered near the VL-1 landing site has evidence for adequate water ice, silica, and load-bearing bedrock surface resources to utilize as infrastructure for long-term missions to support humans.

24 CFR 598.610 - Resident benefit standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 3 2014-04-01 2013-04-01 true Resident benefit standards. 598.610... Empowerment Zone Grants § 598.610 Resident benefit standards. The project or activity described in an... meet one of the following three standards of resident benefit for determining the amount of HUD EZ...

Movement Education Framework (MEF) Made EZ!

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weiller-Abels, Karen; Bridges, Jennifer

2011-01-01

All physical educators want to provide lessons that foster success. Particularly essential to the movement education framework is not only providing lessons that foster motor success, but also to develop knowledge about movement to help the learner develop skill in executing all different types of movement. The framework and examples provided in…

Advanced CNC Programming (EZ-CAM). 439-366.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Casey, Joe

This document contains two units for an advanced course in computer numerical control (CNC) for computer-aided manufacturing. It is intended to familiarize students with the principles and techniques necessary to create proper CNC programs using computer software. Each unit consists of an introduction, instructional objectives, learning materials,…

24 CFR 598.410 - Public access to materials and proceedings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... Development (Continued) OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF... designation, an area designated an EZ must make available to the public copies of the strategic plan and.... HUD may make the strategic plan and supporting documentation available to members of the public. ...

24 CFR 598.410 - Public access to materials and proceedings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... Development (Continued) OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF... designation, an area designated an EZ must make available to the public copies of the strategic plan and.... HUD may make the strategic plan and supporting documentation available to members of the public. ...

75 FR 52627 - Disenrollment Procedures

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-27

... program that has been discontinued. It also amends the regulation to reflect current VA practice and to... conform with current VA practice, which does not disenroll veterans based on their failure to file VA Form 10-10EZ. Current practice is reflected in current paragraph (d)(3)(iv). Removing paragraph (d)(5)(iii...

Searching for magnetic fields in 11 Wolf-Rayet stars: Analysis of circular polarization measurements from ESPaDOnS

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

De la Chevrotière, A.; St-Louis, N.; Moffat, A. F. J.

With recent detections of magnetic fields in some of their progenitor O stars, combined with known strong fields in their possible descendant neutron stars, it is natural to search for magnetic fields in Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars, despite the problems associated with the presence of winds enhanced by an order of magnitude over those of O stars. We continue our search among a sample of 11 bright WR stars following our introductory study in a previous paper of WR6 = EZ CMa using the spectropolarimeter ESPaDOnS at Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, most of them in all four Stokes parameters. This sample includes sixmore » WN stars and five WC stars encompassing a range of spectral subclasses. Six are medium/long-period binaries and three show corotating interaction regions. We report no definite detections of a magnetic field in the winds in which the lines form (which is about the same distance from the center of the star as it is from the surface of the progenitor O star) for any of the eleven stars. Possible reasons and their implications are discussed. Nonetheless, the data show evidence supporting marginal detections for WR134, WR137, and WR138. According to the Bayesian analysis, the most probable field intensities are B {sub wind} ∼ 200, 130, and 80 G, respectively, with a 95.4% probability that the magnetic fields present in the observable parts of their stellar wind, if stronger, does not exceed B{sub wind}{sup max}∼1900 G, ∼1500 G, and ∼1500 G, respectively. In the case of non-detections, we report an average field strength upper limit of B{sub wind}{sup max}∼500 G.« less

Dissecting a new connection between cytokinin and jasmonic acid in control of leaf growth

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Plant growth is mediated by two cellular processes: division and elongation. The maize leaf is an excellent model to study plant growth since these processes are spatially separated into discreet zones - a division zone (DZ), transition zone (TZ), and elongation zone (EZ) - at the base of the leaf. ...

77 FR 20123 - Fee Change for Paying Agents Redeeming Definitive Savings Bonds and Savings Notes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-03

... notes from the EZ CLEAR process to an existing image-based process through the Federal Reserve. This simple and modern process allows paying agents to electronically transmit images of redeemed definitive savings bonds and savings notes to a Federal Reserve Processing Site for payment. Because the new process...

Acoustic Investigations into the Later Acquisition of Syllabic "-es" Plurals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mealings, Kiri T.; Cox. Felicity; Demuth, Katherine

2013-01-01

Purpose: Children acquire /-ez/ syllabic plurals (e.g., buses) later than /-s, -z/ segmental plurals (e.g., cats,dogs). In this study, the authors explored whether increased syllable number or segmental factors best explains poorer performance with syllabic plurals. Method: An elicited imitation experiment was conducted with 14 two-year-olds…

N%-Superconvergence of Finite Element Approximations in the Interior of General Meshes of Triangles

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-12-01

RODiGuEz, On the asymptotic exactness of error estimators for linear triangular finite elements, Numer. Math., 59 (1991), pp. 107-127. 27. R. DURAN ...WAHLDIN, Interior maxmum norma estimates for finite element methods, Part H, unpublished manuscript. 38. I. BABUfKA, T. STROUBOULIS, A. MATHU. AND C.S

78 FR 63139 - Designee for Patient Personal Property

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-23

... Benefits. However, VA Form 10-10EZ does not include a space for a veteran to designate someone to receive... information on several key elements of the designation process. We propose to divide it into several smaller... that are derived from gratuitous benefits under laws administered by VA. It further states that the...

State Enterprise Zone Programs: Have They Worked?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peters, Alan H.; Fisher, Peter S.

The effectiveness of state enterprise zone programs was examined by using a hypothetical-firm model called the Tax and Incentives Model-Enterprise Zones (TAIM-ez) model to analyze the value of enterprise zone incentives to businesses across the United States and especially in the 13 states that had substantial enterprise zone programs by 1990. The…

Multilingual Education Policy in Practice: Classroom Literacy Instruction in Different Scripts in Eritrea

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Asfaha, Yonas Mesfun; Kroon, Sjaak

2011-01-01

This contribution compares literacy instruction in three different scripts in Eritrea. It uses data stemming from classroom observations of beginning readers of Tigrinya (Ge'ez script), Arabic (Arabic script) and Saho (Roman alphabet), the examination of teaching materials, and teacher interviews. Our analysis focuses on literacy events. We…

47 CFR 25.115 - Application for earth station authorizations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

..., except that such earth station applications must be filed electronically through the International Bureau... transmitting earth station facilities are required to file on Form 312EZ, to the extent that form is available, in the following cases: (i) The earth station will transmit in the 3700-4200 MHz and 5925-6425 MHz...

47 CFR 25.115 - Application for earth station authorizations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

..., except that such earth station applications must be filed electronically through the International Bureau... transmitting earth station facilities are required to file on Form 312EZ, to the extent that form is available, in the following cases: (i) The earth station will operate in the 3700-4200 MHz and 5925-6425 MHz...

47 CFR 25.115 - Application for earth station authorizations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... earth station applications must be filed electronically through the International Bureau Filing System... transmitting earth stations in the Fixed-Satellite Service may file on FCC Form 312EZ if all of the following... band; (ii) The earth station(s) will not be installed or operated on ships, aircraft, or other moving...

47 CFR 25.115 - Application for earth station authorizations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

..., except that such earth station applications must be filed electronically through the International Bureau... transmitting earth station facilities are required to file on Form 312EZ, to the extent that form is available, in the following cases: (i) The earth station will transmit in the 3700-4200 MHz and 5925-6425 MHz...

47 CFR 25.115 - Application for earth station authorizations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

..., except that such earth station applications must be filed electronically through the International Bureau... transmitting earth station facilities are required to file on Form 312EZ, to the extent that form is available, in the following cases: (i) The earth station will transmit in the 3700-4200 MHz and 5925-6425 MHz...

15 CFR 806.15 - Foreign direct investment in the United States.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... million (positive or negative). Form BE-15(EZ) must be filed every other year by each U.S. affiliate for... § 806.15 Foreign direct investment in the United States. (a) Specific definitions—(1) Foreign direct... parent of the affiliate. (6) Ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) is that person, proceeding up the ownership...

77 FR 63422 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Information Collection Tools

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-16

... of tax-exempt bonds to rebate arbitrage profits earned on nonpurpose investments acquired with the... by Qualified Retirement Plan After Annuity Starting Dates (Sec. 1.417(e)-1); REG-105946-00 (TD 8995... Specific Amount in Gross Income; Form 6118, Claim of Income Tax Return Preparer Penalties; Form 5500-EZ...

Uav-Based Detection of Unknown Radioactive Biomass Deposits in Chernobyl's Exclusion Zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Briechle, S.; Sizov, A.; Tretyak, O.; Antropov, V.; Molitor, N.; Krzystek, P.

2018-05-01

Shortly after the explosion of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (ChNPP) in 1986, radioactive fall-out and contaminated trees (socalled Red Forest) were buried in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (ChEZ). These days, exact locations of the buried contaminated material are needed. Moreover, 3D vegetation maps are necessary to simulate the impact of tornados and forest fire. After 30 years, some of the so-called trenches and clamps are visible. However, some of them are overgrown and have slightly settled in the centimeter and decimeter range. This paper presents a pipeline that comprises 3D vegetation mapping and machine learning methods to precisely map trenches and clamps from remote sensing data. The dataset for our experiments consists of UAV-based LiDAR data, multi-spectral data, and aerial gamma-spectrometry data. Depending on the study areas overall accuracies ranging from 95.6 % to 99.0 % were reached for the classification of radioactive deposits. Our first results demonstrate an accurate and reliable UAV-based detection of unknown radioactive biomass deposits in the ChEZ.

Modulation of spatial Stroop by object-based attention but not by space-based attention.

PubMed

Luo, Chunming; Lupiáñez, Juan; Funes, María Jesús; Fu, Xiaolan

2010-03-01

Earlier studies have shown that the spatial Stroop effect systematically decreases when a peripheral precue is presented at the same location as the target, compared to an uncued location condition. In this study, two experiments were conducted to explore whether the cueing modulation of spatial Stroop is object based and/or space based. In Experiment 1, we found evidence favouring the view that the cueing modulation of the spatial Stroop effect is entirely object based, as no differences were found in conflict reduction for the same-location and same-object conditions. In Experiment 2, the cue was predictive, and a similar object-based modulation of spatial Stroop was still observed. However, the direction of such modulation was affected by the rectangles' orientation. Overall, the pattern of results obtained favours the object-integration (Lupiáñez & Milliken, 1999; Lupiáñez, Milliken, Solano, Weaver, & Tipper, 2001) and referential-coding accounts (Danziger, Kingstone, & Ward, 2001) and seems to provide evidence against the attention-shift account (Rubichi, Nicoletti, Iani, & Umilta, 1997; Stoffer, 1991).

Secondary resonances and the boundary of effective stability of Trojan motions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Páez, Rocío Isabel; Efthymiopoulos, Christos

2018-02-01

One of the most interesting features in the libration domain of co-orbital motions is the existence of secondary resonances. For some combinations of physical parameters, these resonances occupy a large fraction of the domain of stability and rule the dynamics within the stable tadpole region. In this work, we present an application of a recently introduced `basic Hamiltonian model' H_b for Trojan dynamics (Páez and Efthymiopoulos in Celest Mech Dyn Astron 121(2):139, 2015; Páez et al. in Celest Mech Dyn Astron 126:519, 2016): we show that the inner border of the secondary resonance of lowermost order, as defined by H_b, provides a good estimation of the region in phase space for which the orbits remain regular regardless of the orbital parameters of the system. The computation of this boundary is straightforward by combining a resonant normal form calculation in conjunction with an `asymmetric expansion' of the Hamiltonian around the libration points, which speeds up convergence. Applications to the determination of the effective stability domain for exoplanetary Trojans (planet-sized objects or asteroids) which may accompany giant exoplanets are discussed.

Comparative evaluation of three automated systems for DNA extraction in conjunction with three commercially available real-time PCR assays for quantitation of plasma Cytomegalovirus DNAemia in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients.

PubMed

Bravo, Dayana; Clari, María Ángeles; Costa, Elisa; Muñoz-Cobo, Beatriz; Solano, Carlos; José Remigia, María; Navarro, David

2011-08-01

Limited data are available on the performance of different automated extraction platforms and commercially available quantitative real-time PCR (QRT-PCR) methods for the quantitation of cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA in plasma. We compared the performance characteristics of the Abbott mSample preparation system DNA kit on the m24 SP instrument (Abbott), the High Pure viral nucleic acid kit on the COBAS AmpliPrep system (Roche), and the EZ1 Virus 2.0 kit on the BioRobot EZ1 extraction platform (Qiagen) coupled with the Abbott CMV PCR kit, the LightCycler CMV Quant kit (Roche), and the Q-CMV complete kit (Nanogen), for both plasma specimens from allogeneic stem cell transplant (Allo-SCT) recipients (n = 42) and the OptiQuant CMV DNA panel (AcroMetrix). The EZ1 system displayed the highest extraction efficiency over a wide range of CMV plasma DNA loads, followed by the m24 and the AmpliPrep methods. The Nanogen PCR assay yielded higher mean CMV plasma DNA values than the Abbott and the Roche PCR assays, regardless of the platform used for DNA extraction. Overall, the effects of the extraction method and the QRT-PCR used on CMV plasma DNA load measurements were less pronounced for specimens with high CMV DNA content (>10,000 copies/ml). The performance characteristics of the extraction methods and QRT-PCR assays evaluated herein for clinical samples were extensible at cell-based standards from AcroMetrix. In conclusion, different automated systems are not equally efficient for CMV DNA extraction from plasma specimens, and the plasma CMV DNA loads measured by commercially available QRT-PCRs can differ significantly. The above findings should be taken into consideration for the establishment of cutoff values for the initiation or cessation of preemptive antiviral therapies and for the interpretation of data from clinical studies in the Allo-SCT setting.

Rapid and efficient localization of depth electrodes and cortical labeling using free and open source medical software in epilepsy surgery candidates

PubMed Central

Princich, Juan Pablo; Wassermann, Demian; Latini, Facundo; Oddo, Silvia; Blenkmann, Alejandro Omar; Seifer, Gustavo; Kochen, Silvia

2013-01-01

Depth intracranial electrodes (IEs) placement is one of the most used procedures to identify the epileptogenic zone (EZ) in surgical treatment of drug resistant epilepsy patients, about 20–30% of this population. IEs localization is therefore a critical issue defining the EZ and its relation with eloquent functional areas. That information is then used to target the resective surgery and has great potential to affect outcome. We designed a methodological procedure intended to avoid the need for highly specialized medical resources and reduce time to identify the anatomical location of IEs, during the first instances of intracranial EEG recordings. This workflow is based on established open source software; 3D Slicer and Freesurfer that uses MRI and Post-implant CT fusion for the localization of IEs and its relation with automatic labeled surrounding cortex. To test this hypothesis we assessed the time elapsed between the surgical implantation process and the final anatomical localization of IEs by means of our proposed method compared against traditional visual analysis of raw post-implant imaging in two groups of patients. All IEs were identified in the first 24 H (6–24 H) of implantation using our method in 4 patients of the first group. For the control group; all IEs were identified by experts with an overall time range of 36 h to 3 days using traditional visual analysis. It included (7 patients), 3 patients implanted with IEs and the same 4 patients from the first group. Time to localization was restrained in this group by the specialized personnel and the image quality available. To validate our method; we trained two inexperienced operators to assess the position of IEs contacts on four patients (5 IEs) using the proposed method. We quantified the discrepancies between operators and we also assessed the efficiency of our method to define the EZ comparing the findings against the results of traditional analysis. PMID:24427112

[The prevalence of war-related post-traumatic stress disorder in children from Cundinamarca, Colombia].

PubMed

Pérez-Olmos, Isabel; Fernández-Piñeres, Patricia E; Rodado-Fuentes, Sonia

2005-01-01

Determining the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to the type of war exposure and associated factors in school-aged children from three Colombian towns. Cross-sectional epidemiological study. Representative randomised sample of 493 children aged 5-14. The children were evaluated during 2002 using semi-structured psychiatric interviews and the clinician administered PTSD scale. 167 children were evaluated in La Palma who had been chronically exposed to war, 164 in Arbeláez who had had recent war-exposure and 162 in Sopó who had not been exposed to war. War-related PTSD prevalence was calculated in each municipality. Odds ratio (OR) and chi-square were used for evaluating the association between exposure to war and PTSD and the related risk. Multivariate analysis used the logistic regression model. The affected children required specialised mental health counselling. The prevalence of PTSD resulting from war was 16,8 % in La Palma, 23,2 % in Arbeláez and 1.2% in Sopó. A 19.9 OR (CI 4.7, 119.2), 30,5 Chi-square and p = 0.000 revealed war-related PTSD association and risk for children when comparing the exposed towns to Sopó. The logistic regression showed that geographical closeness to war zone and intense emotional reaction to war increased the probability of war-related PTSD. Vulnerability factors were predominant in war-exposed towns. Poverty, parents' low educational level and child abuse predominated in La Palma. Attention-deficit and psychosomatic disorders were more prevalent in Arbeláez. War affects children's mental health; the children from the exposed towns had 19 times greater probability of war-related PTSD than those from a non-exposed town. Early therapeutic intervention is a public health priority. The results are useful for countries suffering from war, internal conflict and/or terrorism.

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy

PubMed Central

Papadelis, Christos; Tamilia, Eleonora; Stufflebeam, Steven; Grant, Patricia E.; Madsen, Joseph R.; Pearl, Phillip L.; Tanaka, Naoaki

2016-01-01

Crucial to the success of epilepsy surgery is the availability of a robust biomarker that identifies the Epileptogenic Zone (EZ). High Frequency Oscillations (HFOs) have emerged as potential presurgical biomarkers for the identification of the EZ in addition to Interictal Epileptiform Discharges (IEDs) and ictal activity. Although they are promising to localize the EZ, they are not yet suited for the diagnosis or monitoring of epilepsy in clinical practice. Primary barriers remain: the lack of a formal and global definition for HFOs; the consequent heterogeneity of methodological approaches used for their study; and the practical difficulties to detect and localize them noninvasively from scalp recordings. Here, we present a methodology for the recording, detection, and localization of interictal HFOs from pediatric patients with refractory epilepsy. We report representative data of HFOs detected noninvasively from interictal scalp EEG and MEG from two children undergoing surgery. The underlying generators of HFOs were localized by solving the inverse problem and their localization was compared to the Seizure Onset Zone (SOZ) as this was defined by the epileptologists. For both patients, Interictal Epileptogenic Discharges (IEDs) and HFOs were localized with source imaging at concordant locations. For one patient, intracranial EEG (iEEG) data were also available. For this patient, we found that the HFOs localization was concordant between noninvasive and invasive methods. The comparison of iEEG with the results from scalp recordings served to validate these findings. To our best knowledge, this is the first study that presents the source localization of scalp HFOs from simultaneous EEG and MEG recordings comparing the results with invasive recordings. These findings suggest that HFOs can be reliably detected and localized noninvasively with scalp EEG and MEG. We conclude that the noninvasive localization of interictal HFOs could significantly improve the presurgical evaluation for pediatric patients with epilepsy. PMID:28060325

Promoting Climate Literacy and Conceptual Understanding among In-service Secondary Science Teachers requires an Epistemological Perspective

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhattacharya, D.; Forbes, C.; Roehrig, G.; Chandler, M. A.

2017-12-01

Promoting climate literacy among in-service science teachers necessitates an understanding of fundamental concepts about the Earth's climate System (USGCRP, 2009). Very few teachers report having any formal instruction in climate science (Plutzer et al., 2016), therefore, rather simple conceptions of climate systems and their variability exist, which has implications for students' science learning (Francies et al., 1993; Libarkin, 2005; Rebich, 2005). This study uses the inferences from a NASA Innovations in Climate Education (NICE) teacher professional development program (CYCLES) to establish the necessity for developing an epistemological perspective among teachers. In CYCLES, 19 middle and high school (male=8, female=11) teachers were assessed for their understanding of global climate change (GCC). A qualitative analysis of their concept maps and an alignment of their conceptions with the Essential Principles of Climate Literacy (NOAA, 2009) demonstrated that participants emphasized on EPCL 1, 3, 6, 7 focusing on the Earth system, atmospheric, social and ecological impacts of GCC. However, EPCL 4 (variability in climate) and 5 (data-based observations and modeling) were least represented and emphasized upon. Thus, participants' descriptions about global climatic patterns were often factual rather than incorporating causation (why the temperatures are increasing) and/or correlation (describing what other factors might influence global temperatures). Therefore, engaging with epistemic dimensions of climate science to understand the processes, tools, and norms through which climate scientists study the Earth's climate system (Huxter et al., 2013) is critical for developing an in-depth conceptual understanding of climate. CLiMES (Climate Modeling and Epistemology of Science), a NSF initiative proposes to use EzGCM (EzGlobal Climate Model) to engage students and teachers in designing and running simulations, performing data processing activities, and analyzing computational models to develop their own evidence-based claims about the Earth's climate system. We describe how epistemological investigations can be conducted using EzGCM to bring the scientific process and authentic climate science practice to middle and high school classrooms.

SEMI-BLIND EIGEN ANALYSES OF RECOMBINATION HISTORIES USING COSMIC MICROWAVE BACKGROUND DATA

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

Farhang, M.; Bond, J. R.; Chluba, J.

2012-06-20

Cosmological parameter measurements from cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiments, such as Planck, ACTPol, SPTPol, and other high-resolution follow-ons, fundamentally rely on the accuracy of the assumed recombination model or one with well-prescribed uncertainties. Deviations from the standard recombination history might suggest new particle physics or modified atomic physics. Here we treat possible perturbative fluctuations in the free electron fraction, X{sub e}(z), by a semi-blind expansion in densely packed modes in redshift. From these we construct parameter eigenmodes, which we rank order so that the lowest modes provide the most power to probe X{sub e}(z) with CMB measurements. Since the eigenmodesmore » are effectively weighed by the fiducial X{sub e} history, they are localized around the differential visibility peak, allowing for an excellent probe of hydrogen recombination but a weaker probe of the higher redshift helium recombination and the lower redshift highly neutral freezeout tail. We use an information-based criterion to truncate the mode hierarchy and show that with even a few modes the method goes a long way from the fiducial recombination model computed with RECFAST, X{sub e,i}(z), toward the precise underlying history given by the new and improved recombination calculations of COSMOREC or HYREC, X{sub e,f}(z), in the hydrogen recombination regime, though not well in the helium regime. Without such a correction, the derived cosmic parameters are biased. We discuss an iterative approach for updating the eigenmodes to further hone in on X{sub e,f}(z) if large deviations are indeed found. We also introduce control parameters that downweight the attention on the visibility peak structure, e.g., focusing the eigenmode probes more strongly on the X{sub e}(z) freezeout tail, as would be appropriate when looking for the X{sub e} signature of annihilating or decaying elementary particles.« less

Evaluation of SD BIOLINE H. pylori Ag rapid test against double ELISA with SD H. pylori Ag ELISA and EZ-STEP H. pylori Ag ELISA tests.

PubMed

Negash, Markos; Kassu, Afework; Amare, Bemnet; Yismaw, Gizachew; Moges, Beyene

2018-01-01

Helicobacter pylori antibody titters fall very slowly even after successful treatment. Therefore, tests detecting H. pylori antibody lack specificity and sensitivity. On the other hand, H. pylori stool antigen tests are reported as an alternative assay because of their reliability and simplicity. However, the comparative performance of H. pylori stool antigen tests for detecting the presence of the bacterium in clinical specimens in the study area is not assessed. Therefore, in this study we evaluated the performance of SD BIOLINE H. pylori Ag rapid test with reference to the commercially available EZ- STEP ELISA and SD BIOLINE H. pylori Ag ELISA tests. Stool samples were collected to analyse the diagnostic performance of SD BIOLINE H. pylori Ag rapid test kit using SD H. pylori Ag ELISA kit and EZ- STEP ELISA tests as a gold standard. Serum samples were also collected from each patient to test for the presence of H. pylori antibodies using dBest H. pylori Test Disk. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and kappa value are assessed. P values < 0.05 were taken statistically significant. Stool and serum samples were collected from 201 dyspeptic patients and analysed. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the SD BIOLINE H. pylori Ag rapid test were: 95.6% (95% CI, 88.8-98.8), 92.5% (95%CI, 89-94.1%), 86.7% (95% CI, 80.5-89.6), and 97.6% (95% CI, 993.9-99.3) respectively. The performance of SD BIOLINE H. pylori Ag rapid test was better than the currently available antibody test in study area. Therefore, the SD BIOLINE Ag rapid stool test could replace and be used to diagnose active H. pylori infection before the commencement of therapy among dyspeptic patients.

Making the EZ Choice

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. (AMA), of Hampton, Virginia, created the EZopt software application through Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding from NASA's Langley Research Center. The new software is a user-friendly tool kit that provides quick and logical solutions to complex optimal control problems. In its most basic form, EZopt converts process data into math equations and then proceeds to utilize those equations to solve problems within control systems. EZopt successfully proved its advantage when applied to short-term mission planning and onboard flight computer implementation. The technology has also solved multiple real-life engineering problems faced in numerous commercial operations. For instance, mechanical engineers use EZopt to solve control problems with robots, while chemical plants implement the application to overcome situations with batch reactors and temperature control. In the emerging field of commercial aerospace, EZopt is able to optimize trajectories for launch vehicles and perform potential space station- keeping tasks. Furthermore, the software also helps control electromagnetic devices in the automotive industry.

Quality classification of Spanish olive oils by untargeted gas chromatography coupled to hybrid quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and metabolomics-based statistical approach.

PubMed

Sales, C; Cervera, M I; Gil, R; Portolés, T; Pitarch, E; Beltran, J

2017-02-01

The novel atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source has been used in combination with gas chromatography (GC) coupled to hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) mass spectrometry (MS) for determination of volatile components of olive oil, enhancing its potential for classification of olive oil samples according to their quality using a metabolomics-based approach. The full-spectrum acquisition has allowed the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in olive oil samples, including Extra Virgin, Virgin and Lampante qualities. A dynamic headspace extraction with cartridge solvent elution was applied. The metabolomics strategy consisted of three different steps: a full mass spectral alignment of GC-MS data using MzMine 2.0, a multivariate analysis using Ez-Info and the creation of the statistical model with combinations of responses for molecular fragments. The model was finally validated using blind samples, obtaining an accuracy in oil classification of 70%, taking the official established method, "PANEL TEST", as reference. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparing mating disruption of codling moth with standard and meso dispensers loaded with pear ester and codlemone

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Studies were conducted with hand-applied combo dispensers loaded with the sex pheromone (E,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol (codlemone), and the pear volatile, (E,Z)-2,4-decadienoate (pear ester) for control of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) in apple, Malus domestica Bordkhausen during 2012. Two types of...

Using E-Z Reader to Examine the Concurrent Development of Eye-Movement Control and Reading Skill

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reichle, Erik D.; Liversedge, Simon P.; Drieghe, Denis; Blythe, Hazel I.; Joseph, Holly S. S. L.; White, Sarah J.; Rayner, Keith

2013-01-01

Compared to skilled adult readers, children typically make more fixations that are longer in duration, shorter saccades, and more regressions, thus reading more slowly (Blythe & Joseph, 2011). Recent attempts to understand the reasons for these differences have discovered some similarities (e.g., children and adults target their saccades…

78 FR 39832 - Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-02

... techniques or the use of other forms of information technology. Titles: a. Application for Health Benefits, VA Form 10-10EZ. b. Health Benefits Renewal Form, VA Form 10-10EZR. c. VA Form 10-10HS. OMB Control... determine the Veteran's eligibility for medical benefits. b. Veterans currently enrolled in VA health care...

pGLO Mutagenesis: A Laboratory Procedure in Molecular Biology for Biology Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bassiri, Eby A.

2011-01-01

A five-session laboratory project was designed to familiarize or increase the laboratory proficiency of biology students and others with techniques and instruments commonly used in molecular biology research laboratories and industries. In this project, the EZ-Tn5 transposon is used to generate and screen a large number of cells transformed with…

Combined approaches using sex pheromone and pear ester for behavioral disruption of codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Studies utilized the attractive properties of pear ester, ethyl (E,Z)-2,4-decadienoate, and codlemone, (E,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol, the sex pheromone of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L)., for behavioural disruption. Standard dispensers loaded with codlemone alone or in combination with pear ester (c...

Evaluating dispensers loaded with codlemone and pear ester for disruption of codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Polyvinyl chloride polymer (pvc) dispensers loaded with ethyl (E,Z)-2,4-decadienoate (pear ester) plus the sex pheromone, (E,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol (codlemone) of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), were compared with similar dispensers and a commercial dispenser (Isomate®-C Plus) loaded with codle...

Using E-Z Reader to Examine the Consequences of Fixation-Location Measurement Error

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reichle, Erik D.; Drieghe, Denis

2015-01-01

There is an ongoing debate about whether fixation durations during reading are only influenced by the processing difficulty of the words being fixated (i.e., the serial-attention hypothesis) or whether they are also influenced by the processing difficulty of the previous and/or upcoming words (i.e., the attention-gradient hypothesis). This article…

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Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-16

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Twenty-Four Tuba Harmonics Using a Single Pipe Length

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Holmes, Bud; Ruiz, Michael J.

2017-01-01

Harmonics arise naturally from the resonances in strings and pipes. A video demonstration (Ruiz 2016 "YouTube: Tuba Harmonics" (https://youtu.be/souhEzOP9c4)) is provided where a tubist (coauthor Holmes) produces a phenomenal 24 harmonics using a single tuba pipe length by controlling the buzz of his lips. The frequencies of the…

Is English a Language Barrier to Public Higher Education in Puerto Rico?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bischoff, Shannon

2017-01-01

The goal of this paper was to address the question, "Have the austerity measures enacted due to the global economic crisis impacted student enrollments at the University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez?" as Rodríguez (2011. "Social protest and the future of Higher Education in Puerto Rico." "Academe" 97(4).…

Straight or Curly? Hair and Race in Carmen Montañez's "Pelo bueno, pelo malo"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ortiz-Loyola, Brenda

2017-01-01

Historically, black women's hair has been a site where power and social relations are defined. In Puerto Rico, cultural production has been critical in perpetuating as well as in contesting the prevailing white European ideal of beauty and its impact on women's hairstyling practices. Nevertheless, the link between aesthetic preferences and the…

Unified approach to catechin hetero-oligomers: first total synthesis of trimer EZ-EG-CA isolated from Ziziphus jujuba.

PubMed

Yano, Takahisa; Ohmori, Ken; Takahashi, Haruko; Kusumi, Takenori; Suzuki, Keisuke

2012-10-14

A catechin hetero-trimer isolated from Ziziphus jujuba has been synthesized. Among three constituent monomers, (-)-epiafzelechin and (-)-epigallocatechin were prepared by de novo synthesis. Trimer formation relied on the unified approach to oligomers based on the bromo-capping and the orthogonal activation, reaching the reported structure of the natural product.

Null conformal Killing-Yano tensors and Birkhoff theorem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferrando, Joan Josep; Sáez, Juan Antonio

2016-04-01

We study the space-times admitting a null conformal Killing-Yano tensor whose divergence defines a Killing vector. We analyze the similarities and differences with the recently studied non null case (Ferrando and Sáez in Gen Relativ Gravit 47:1911, 2015). The results by Barnes concerning the Birkhoff theorem for the case of null orbits are analyzed and generalized.

Student Aid Simplification: Looking Back and Looking Ahead. NBER Working Paper No. 17834

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dynarski, Susan; Wiederspan, Mark

2012-01-01

Each year, fourteen million households seeking federal aid for college complete a detailed questionnaire about their finances, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). At 116 questions, the FAFSA is almost as long as IRS Form 1040 and substantially longer than Forms 1040EZ and 1040A. Aid for college is intended to increase college…

A More Realistic Approach to the Measurement of Occupational Interests in a Service Setting. Part 1. Form EZ.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-12-01

their engagement who use a specific outside job opportunity in support could have the reality of their plans evaluated by either previously recorded...programme. Factored data on this are now to hand 3 at the suggestion of P. J. Oswnld Nita Cherry, Linda Gatiss, John Urbano and will be discussed in

Experimental Evidence From Newborn Chicks Enriches Our Knowledge on Human Spatial-Numerical Associations.

PubMed

Rugani, Rosa; Vallortigara, Giorgio; Priftis, Konstantinos; Regolin, Lucia

2017-11-01

Núñez and Fias raised concerns on whether our results demonstrate a linear number-space mapping. Patro and Nuerk urge caution on the use of animal models to understand the origin (cultural vs. biological) of the orientation of spatial-numerical association. Here, we discuss why both objections are unfounded. Copyright © 2017 Cognitive Science Society, Inc.

Using a Technology-Supported Approach to Preservice Teachers' Multirepresentational Fluency: Unifying Mathematical Concepts and Their Representations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McGee, Daniel; Moore-Russo, Deborah

2015-01-01

A test project at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayagüez used GeoGebra applets to promote the concept of multirepresentational fluency among high school mathematics preservice teachers. For this study, this fluency was defined as simultaneous awareness of all representations associated with a mathematical concept, as measured by the ability to…

75 FR 22179 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 1040 and Schedules A, B, C, C-EZ, D, D-1, E, EIC, F...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-27

..., OMB assigns a control number to each ``collection of information'' that it reviews and approves for... displays a valid OMB Control Number. Books or records relating to a collection of information must be... DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Internal Revenue Service Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form...

76 FR 20453 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 1040 and Schedules A, B, C, C-EZ, D, D-1, E, EIC, F...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-12

... reported on the forms are correct, and also for general statistical use. Current Actions: Changes in... Disposition Bond. 8697 X Interest Computation Under the Look-Back Method for Completed Long-Term Contracts... Interests in a Foreign Partnership. 8866 X Interest Computation Under the Look-Back Method for Property...

Illinois Trauma Centers and Intimate Partner Violence: Are We Doing Our Share?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Crandall, Marie; Schwab, Jennifer; Sheehan, Karen; Esposito, Thomas

2009-01-01

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major source of morbidity and mortality nationally. Trauma Centers can be very helpful for victims of IPV but there may be variability in IPV resource provision. A survey was mailed to each of the 65 Trauma Centers in Illinois. Stata and EZ-Text statistical software were used for analysis. Eighty-three percent…

Investigating the Causes of Wrap-Up Effects: Evidence from Eye Movements and E-Z Reader

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Warren, Tessa; White, Sarah J.; Reichle, Erik D.

2009-01-01

Wrap-up effects in reading have traditionally been thought to reflect increased processing associated with intra- and inter-clause integration (Just, M. A. & Carpenter, P. A. (1980). A theory of reading: From eye fixations to comprehension. "Psychological Review, 87"(4), 329-354; Rayner, K., Kambe, G., & Duffy, S. A. (2000). The effect of clause…

Macrobenthic assemblages of the Changjiang River estuary (Yangtze River, China) and adjacent continental shelf relative to mild summer hypoxia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liao, Yibo; Shou, Lu; Tang, Yanbin; Zeng, Jiangning; Gao, Aigen; Chen, Quanzhen; Yan, Xiaojun

2017-05-01

To assess the effects of hypoxia, macrobenthic communities along an estuarine gradient of the Changjiang estuary and adjacent continental shelf were analyzed. This revealed spatial variations in the communities and relationships with environmental variables during periods of reduced dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration in summer. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in macrobenthic community composition among the three zones: estuarine zone (EZ), mildly hypoxic zone (MHZ) in the continental shelf, and normoxic zone (NZ) in the continental shelf (Global R =0.206, P =0.002). Pairwise tests showed that the macrobenthic community composition of the EZ was significantly different from the MHZ (pairwise test R =0.305, P =0.001) and the NZ (pairwise test R =0.259, P =0.001). There was no significant difference in macrobenthic communities between the MHZ and the NZ (pairwise test R =0.062, P =0.114). The taxa included small and typically opportunistic polychaetes, which made the greatest contribution to the dissimilarity between the zones. The effects of mild hypoxia on the macrobenthic communities are a result not only of reduced DO concentration but also of differences in environmental variables such as temperature, salinity, and nutrient concentrations caused by stratification.

Multimodal imaging findings in 'hyper-early' stage MEWDS.

PubMed

Cahuzac, Armelle; Wolff, Benjamin; Mathis, Thibaud; Errera, Marie-Hélène; Sahel, José-Alain; Mauget-Faÿsse, Martine

2017-10-01

To describe a new stage of multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS), occurring at a very early phase of the disease. Retrospective analysis of clinical, angiographic and tomographic findings in four patients with 'hyper-early' stage MEWDS. In four patients seen within 1 week of the onset of symptoms, fundus analysis revealed macular granity and the classic yellow-white dots, some having no corresponding hyperautofluorescent pattern. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) showed central foveal disruption of the ellipsoid zone (EZ) and interdigitation layer with a hyper-reflective dome-shaped lesion. In two patients, fluorescein angiography (FA) revealed an intermediate hypofluorescent perimacular halo, whereas late indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) showed a hyperfluorescent halo as well as the classic MEWDS features. After a few days, the EZ disruption appeared complete on OCT and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) in all patients. Visual acuity, OCT and FAF findings had fully recovered within 3 months. We have shown a new feature of MEWDS on FAF, OCT, FA and ICGA, corresponding to a very early stage of the disease. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Coherent scattering from semi-infinite non-Hermitian potentials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmed, Zafar; Ghosh, Dona; Kumar, Sachin

2018-02-01

When two identical (coherent) beams are injected at a semi-infinite non-Hermitian medium from left and right, we show that both reflection (rL,rR) and transmission (tL,tR) amplitudes are nonreciprocal. In a parametric domain, there exists spectral singularity (SS) at a real energy E =E*=k*2 and the determinant of the time-reversed two port scattering matrix, i.e., |det(S (-k ) ) |=| tL(-k ) tR(-k ) -rL(-k ) rR(-k ) | , vanishes sharply at k =k* , displaying the phenomenon of coherent perfect absorption (CPA). In the complementary parametric domain, the potential becomes either left or right reflectionless at E =Ez . We rule out the existence of invisibility despite rR(Ei) =0 and tR(Ei) =1 but T (Ei)≠1 , in this avenue. We present two simple exactly solvable models where expressions for E*, Ez, Ei, and parametric conditions on the potential have been obtained in explicit and simple forms. Earlier, the phenomena of SS and CPA have been found to occur only in the scattering complex potentials which are spatially localized (vanish asymptotically) and have tL=tR .

Effect of the substitution of F on the photoswitching behavior in single molecular device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bian, Baoan; Zheng, Yapeng; Yuan, Peipei; Liao, Bin; Chen, Wei; An, Xiuhua; Mo, Xiaotong; Ding, Yuqiang

2017-09-01

We carry out first-principles calculations based on density functional theory and non-equilibrium Green's function to investigate the electronic transport properties of a 5-arylidenehydantoin molecule sandwiched between two Au electrodes. A reversible switching behavior between E and Z isomerization can be observed in the device through light irradiation, and their currents display different characteristic. Furthermore, it is found that the substitution of F in the molecule enlarges the switching ratio of device. The different characteristics of currents for E/Z forms and E/Z with the substitution of F are discussed by the transmission spectra and the molecular projected self-consistent Hamiltonian states. We discuss the change of Fermi level alignment due to the substitution of F, and the polarization effect under bias. We find the negative differential resistance effect in the E form with the substitution of F, which is explained by change of molecule-electrode coupling with the varied bias. The results suggest that the 5-arylidenehydantoin molecule with the substitution of F that improves the performance of device, becoming one of the methods for improving single molecular photoswitching performance in the future.

Intramolecular interactions, isomerization and vibrational frequencies of two paracetamol analogues: A spectroscopic and a computational approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Viana, Rommel B.; Ribeiro, Gabriela L. O.; Santos, Sinara F. F.; Quintero, David E.; Viana, Anderson B.; da Silva, Albérico B. F.; Moreno-Fuquen, Rodolfo

2016-06-01

The aim of this investigation was to determine the molecular properties and provide an interpretation of the vibrational mode couplings of these two paracetamol analogues: 2-bromo-2-methyl-N-(4-nitrophenyl)-propanamide and 2-bromo-2-methyl-N-p-tolyl-propanamide. E/Z isomers, keto/enol unimolecular rearrangement and prediction of the transition state structures in each mechanism were also assessed using the Density Functional Theory (DFT). The DFT estimates a high energy gap between E and Z isomers (9-11 kcal·mol- 1), with barrier heights ranging from 16 to 19 kcal·mol- 1. In contrast, the barrier energies on the keto/enol isomerization are almost 10 kcal·mol- 1 higher than those estimated for the E/Z rearrangement. The kinetic rate constant was also determined for each reaction mechanism. Natural bond orbital analysis and the quantum theory of atoms in molecules were used to interpret the intramolecular hydrogen bonds and to understand the most important interactions that govern the stabilization of each isomer. Furthermore, an analysis of the atomic charge distribution using different population methodologies was also performed.

Comparative hazard analysis and toxicological modeling of diverse nanomaterials using the embryonic zebrafish (EZ) metric of toxicity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harper, Bryan; Thomas, Dennis; Chikkagoudar, Satish; Baker, Nathan; Tang, Kaizhi; Heredia-Langner, Alejandro; Lins, Roberto; Harper, Stacey

2015-06-01

The integration of rapid assays, large datasets, informatics, and modeling can overcome current barriers in understanding nanomaterial structure-toxicity relationships by providing a weight-of-the-evidence mechanism to generate hazard rankings for nanomaterials. Here, we present the use of a rapid, low-cost assay to perform screening-level toxicity evaluations of nanomaterials in vivo. Calculated EZ Metric scores, a combined measure of morbidity and mortality in developing embryonic zebrafish, were established at realistic exposure levels and used to develop a hazard ranking of diverse nanomaterial toxicity. Hazard ranking and clustering analysis of 68 diverse nanomaterials revealed distinct patterns of toxicity related to both the core composition and outermost surface chemistry of nanomaterials. The resulting clusters guided the development of a surface chemistry-based model of gold nanoparticle toxicity. Our findings suggest that risk assessments based on the size and core composition of nanomaterials alone may be wholly inappropriate, especially when considering complex engineered nanomaterials. Research should continue to focus on methodologies for determining nanomaterial hazard based on multiple sub-lethal responses following realistic, low-dose exposures, thus increasing the availability of quantitative measures of nanomaterial hazard to support the development of nanoparticle structure-activity relationships.

Intrinsic Dawn-Dusk Asymmetry of Magnetotail Thin Current Sheet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, S.; Pritchett, P. L.; Angelopoulos, V.; Artemyev, A.

2017-12-01

Magnetic reconnection and its related phenomena (flux ropes, dipolarization fronts, bursty bulk flows, particle injections, etc.) occur more frequently on the duskside in the Earth's magnetotail. Magnetohydrodynamic simulations attributed the asymmetry to the nonuniform ionospheric conductance through global scale magnetosphere-ionosphere interaction. Hybrid simulations, on the other hand, found an alternative responsible mechanism: the Hall effect in the magnetotail thin current sheet, but left an open question: What is the physical origin of the asymmetric Hall effect? The answer could be the temperature difference on the two sides and/or the dawn-dusk transportation of magnetic flux and plasmas. In this work, we use 3-D particle-in-cell simulations to further explore the magnetotail dawn-dusk asymmetry. The magnetotail equilibrium contains a dipole magnetic field and a current sheet region. The simulation is driven by a symmetric and localized (in the y direction) high-latitude electric field, under which the current sheet thins with a decrease of Bz. During the same time, a dawn-dusk asymmetry is formed intrinsically in the thin current sheet, with a smaller Bz, a stronger Hall effect (indicated by the Hall electric field Ez), and a stronger cross-tail current jy on the duskside. The deep origin of the asymmetry is also shown to be dominated by the dawnward E×B drift of magnetic flux and plasmas. A direct consequence of this intrinsic dawn-dusk asymmetry is that it favors magnetotail reconnection and related phenomena to preferentially occur on the duskside.

Supersymmetric Higgs and radiative electroweak breaking

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ibáñez, Luis E.; Ross, Graham G.

2007-11-01

We review the mechanism of radiative electroweak symmetry breaking taking place in SUSY versions of the Standard Model. We further discuss different proposals for the origin of SUSY-breaking and the corresponding induced SUSY-breaking soft terms. Several proposals for the understanding of the little hierarchy problem are critically discussed. To cite this article: L.E. Ibáñez, G.G. Ross, C. R. Physique 8 (2007).

In-Plant Reuse of Pollution Abated Waters.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-08-01

Carbon Treatment Facility Prefilters D-10 Spent Carbon Receiving Tank EZ D-11 Powdered Carbon Feeder System E. Process Chemical Assay/Monitoring...PBA manufacturing complex, several wastewater treatment facilities were built to treat wastewater from various plants . This task deals with...all of which discharge to the Central Treatment Facility (Appendix K-I). The plant is permitted (Appendix I-I) by EPA and consists of a lime/alum

77 FR 24561 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 1040 and Schedules A, B, C, C-EZ, D, D-1, E, EIC, F...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-24

... Individual Taxpayers Under the PRA, OMB assigns a control number to each ''collection of information'' that... for each collection of information. Burden estimates for each control number are displayed in (1) PRA... information displays a valid OMB Control Number. Books or records relating to a collection of information must...

Assessing the Use of Input Devices for Teachers and Children in Early Childhood Education Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wood, Eileen; Willoughby, Teena; Schmidt, Alice; Porter, Lisa; Specht, Jacqueline; Gilbert, Jessica

2004-01-01

The impact of four computer input devices (mouse, EZ ball, touch pad, touch screen) for 81 preschoolers (ranging from 34 to 78 months of age) and 43 early childhood educators (mean age was 29 years and 9 months) was examined. Participants played two computer games with 10 trials for each game followed by a survey assessing their preferences for…

Identification of the Genes Involved in the Biofilm-like Structures on Actinomyces oris K20, a Clinical Isolate from an Apical Lesion

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-01-01

protein conserved in Actinobacteria M206‡ AoriK_010100005764 ZP_08125978 Hypothetical protein AoriK_010100005769 ZP_08125979 TransRDD family protein M155...conserved in Actinobacteria . In mutant 4 (designated strain M206), we found that EZ-Tn5 was integrated into an intergenic region between 2 genes in divergent

Emergency intraosseous access in a helicopter emergency medical service: a retrospective study.

PubMed

Sunde, Geir A; Heradstveit, Bård E; Vikenes, Bjarne H; Heltne, Jon K

2010-10-07

Intraosseous access (IO) is a method for providing vascular access in out-of-hospital resuscitation of critically ill and injured patients when traditional intravenous access is difficult or impossible. Different intraosseous techniques have been used by our Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) since 2003. Few articles document IO use by HEMS physicians. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of intraosseous access in pre-hospital emergency situations handled by our HEMS. We reviewed all medical records from the period May 2003 to April 2010, and compared three different techniques: Bone Injection Gun (B.I.G® - Waismed), manual bone marrow aspiration needle (Inter V - Medical Device Technologies) and EZ-IO® (Vidacare), used on both adults and paediatric patients. During this seven-year period, 78 insertion attempts were made on 70 patients. Overall success rates were 50% using the manual needle, 55% using the Bone Injection Gun, and 96% using the EZ-IO®. Rates of success on first attempt were significantly higher using the EZ-IO® compared to the manual needle/Bone Injection Gun (p < 0.01/p < 0.001). Fifteen failures were due to insertion-related problems (19.2%), with four technical problems (5.1%) and three extravasations (3.8%) being the most frequent causes. Intraosseous access was primarily used in connection with 53 patients in cardiac arrest (75.7%), including traumatic arrest, drowning and SIDS. Other diagnoses were seven patients with multi-trauma (10.0%), five with seizures/epilepsy (7.1%), three with respiratory failure (4.3%) and two others (2.9%). Nearly one third of all insertions (n = 22) were made in patients younger than two years. No cases of osteomyelitis or other serious complications were documented on the follow-up. Newer intraosseous techniques may enable faster and more reliable vascular access, and this can lower the threshold for intraosseous access on both adult and paediatric patients in critical situations. We believe that all emergency services that handle critically ill or injured paediatric and adult patients should be familiar with intraosseous techniques.

Emergency intraosseous access in a helicopter emergency medical service: a retrospective study

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Intraosseous access (IO) is a method for providing vascular access in out-of-hospital resuscitation of critically ill and injured patients when traditional intravenous access is difficult or impossible. Different intraosseous techniques have been used by our Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) since 2003. Few articles document IO use by HEMS physicians. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of intraosseous access in pre-hospital emergency situations handled by our HEMS. Methods We reviewed all medical records from the period May 2003 to April 2010, and compared three different techniques: Bone Injection Gun (B.I.G® - Waismed), manual bone marrow aspiration needle (Inter V - Medical Device Technologies) and EZ-IO® (Vidacare), used on both adults and paediatric patients. Results During this seven-year period, 78 insertion attempts were made on 70 patients. Overall success rates were 50% using the manual needle, 55% using the Bone Injection Gun, and 96% using the EZ-IO®. Rates of success on first attempt were significantly higher using the EZ-IO® compared to the manual needle/Bone Injection Gun (p < 0.01/p < 0.001). Fifteen failures were due to insertion-related problems (19.2%), with four technical problems (5.1%) and three extravasations (3.8%) being the most frequent causes. Intraosseous access was primarily used in connection with 53 patients in cardiac arrest (75.7%), including traumatic arrest, drowning and SIDS. Other diagnoses were seven patients with multi-trauma (10.0%), five with seizures/epilepsy (7.1%), three with respiratory failure (4.3%) and two others (2.9%). Nearly one third of all insertions (n = 22) were made in patients younger than two years. No cases of osteomyelitis or other serious complications were documented on the follow-up. Conclusions Newer intraosseous techniques may enable faster and more reliable vascular access, and this can lower the threshold for intraosseous access on both adult and paediatric patients in critical situations. We believe that all emergency services that handle critically ill or injured paediatric and adult patients should be familiar with intraosseous techniques. PMID:20929544

Externally-Driven Onset of Localized Magnetic Reconnection in a Magnetotail Configuration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pritchett, P. L.; Lu, S.

2017-12-01

In observations of the nightside auroral arcs and ionospheric currents, the onset or breakup phase of a substorm is sharply defined in time and is highly localized in space. Attempts to understand this localization in terms of the onset of localized magnetic reconnection have generally been unsuccessful. Thus, a y-localized driving convection electric field Ey applied at the lobe boundaries spreads out before it reaches the equatorial plane and results only in 2-D reconnection. In this work, the response of a magnetotail equilibrium containing a dipole magnetic field and plasma sheet regions to the imposition of a longitudinally-limited, high-latitude driving electric field is investigated using 3-D particle-in-cell simulations. The initial response involves a reduction in the equatorial Bz field that is then followed by the development of a dawn-dusk asymmetric current sheet relative to the meridian plane of the driving field. The key feature is the presence of a dusk-side Hall electric field Ez that drives magnetic flux dawnward and thus further reduces the Bz field on the duskward side. The net result is that Bz is driven through zero in a localized region on the duskward side, leading to the onset of localized reconnection and the emergence of magnetic flux ropes. The cross-tail extent of the reconnection expands but remains limited to ˜30di, where di is the ion inertia length. The dissipation E' \\cdot J is peaked along the finite X line, with a load region (negative E' \\cdot J) forming tailward of this region. The particle energy spectra in the downtail region show shoulders for the ions in the energy range ˜3-8Eth (Eth is the initial thermal energy) and extended tails for the electrons in the range ˜10-20Eth. These results demonstrate the ability of a high-latitude disturbance that may be connected to dayside flow channels [Nishimura et al., 2014] to initiate localized magnetic reconnection in the magnetotail.

The Cardassian expansion revisited: constraints from updated Hubble parameter measurements and type Ia supernova data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Magaña, Juan; Amante, Mario H.; Garcia-Aspeitia, Miguel A.; Motta, V.

2018-05-01

Motivated by an updated compilation of observational Hubble data (OHD) that consist of 51 points in the redshift range of 0.07 < z < 2.36, we study an interesting model known as Cardassian that drives the late cosmic acceleration without a dark energy component. Our compilation contains 31 data points measured with the differential age method by Jimenez & Loeb (2002), and 20 data points obtained from clustering of galaxies. We focus on two modified Friedmann equations: the original Cardassian (OC) expansion and the modified polytropic Cardassian (MPC). The dimensionless Hubble, E(z), and the deceleration parameter, q(z), are revisited in order to constrain the OC and MPC free parameters, first with the OHD and then contrasted with recent observations of type Ia supernova (SN Ia) using the compressed and full joint-light-analysis (JLA) samples (Betoule et al.). We also perform a joint analysis using the combination OHD plus compressed JLA. Our results show that the OC and MPC models are in agreement with the standard cosmology and naturally introduce a cosmological-constant-like extra term in the canonical Friedmann equation with the capability of accelerating the Universe without dark energy.

Unlocking Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth. honey characterization through melissopalynological analysis, color determination and volatiles chemical profiling.

PubMed

Kuś, Piotr M; Jerković, Igor; Marijanović, Zvonimir; Kranjac, Marina; Tuberoso, Carlo I G

2018-04-01

Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth. honey (14 samples) collected in Poland was characterized by melissopalynological analysis, color determination (CIE L*a*b*C ab *h ab ° coordinates) and volatiles (VOCs) composition. VOCs were isolated by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME, two fibers) and ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction (USE, two solvents) and analyzed by GC-MS. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical-tree clustering (HTC) were applied to show trends and form groups and to indicate the most representative unifloral samples. Six samples were pointed out with average pollen 74.9% and color parameters (L=85.1; a*=-0.8; b*=27.9; C ab *=27.9; h ab *=91.9) that were significantly correlated. High abundance of trans-linalool oxide (27.3-45.9%) that was significantly correlated with the pollen percentages, hexan-1-ol (4.4-5.7%) and lavender lactone (0.8% - 1.5%) were characteristic for their headspace. C 13 -norisoprenoids, mainly (E)-/(Z)-3-oxo-retro-α-ionol (4.7-5.4%; 6.9-9.4%) and vomifoliol (9.0-13.0%) dominated in their USE extracts. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Spin-orbital model of stoichiometric LaMnO3 with tetragonal distortions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Snamina, Mateusz; Oleś, Andrzej M.

2018-03-01

The spin-orbital superexchange model is derived for the cubic (perovskite) symmetry of LaMnO3, whereas real crystal structure is strongly deformed. We identify and explain three a priori important physical effects arising from tetragonal deformation: (i) the splitting of eg orbitals ∝Ez , (ii) the directional renormalization of d -p hybridization tp d, and (iii) the directional renormalization of charge excitation energies. Using the example of LaMnO3 crystal we evaluate their magnitude. It is found that the major effects of deformation are an enhanced amplitude of x2-y2 orbitals induced in the orbital order by Ez≃300 meV and anisotropic tp d≃2.0 (2.35) eV along the a b (c ) cubic axis, in very good agreement with Harrison's law. We show that the improved tetragonal model analyzed within mean field approximation provides a surprisingly consistent picture of the ground state. Excellent agreement with the experimental data is obtained simultaneously for: (i) eg orbital mixing angle, (ii) spin exchange constants, and (iii) the temperatures of spin and orbital phase transition.

26 CFR 1.6107-1 - Tax return preparer must furnish copy of return or claim for refund to taxpayer and must retain a...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... tax return preparer. The electronic portion of the return or claim for refund may be contained on a replica of an official form or on an unofficial form. On an unofficial form, however, data entries must reference the line numbers or descriptions on an official form. (3) For electronically filed Forms 1040EZ...

Stemming Colorectal Cancer Growth and Metastasis: HOXA5 Forces Cancer Stem Cells to Differentiate.

PubMed

Tan, Si Hui; Barker, Nick

2015-12-14

Wnt signaling drives colorectal cancer stem cells, but effective therapeutics targeting these cells and their signaling pathways are lacking. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Ordóñez-Morán and colleagues describe a promising therapeutic intervention for colorectal cancers that selectively induces cancer stem cell differentiation through HOXA5 expression and Wnt signaling inhibition. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Control and monitoring of codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in walnut orchards treated with novel high-load, low-density “meso” dispensers of sex pheromone and pear ester

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Novel low-density per ha “meso” dispensers loaded with both pear ester, ethyl (E,Z)-2,4-decadienoate, kairomone and codlemone, (E,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol, the sex pheromone of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L)., were evaluated versus meso dispensers loaded with pheromone-alone for their mating disru...

"Txtn Is Ez F U No H2 Rd": The Relation between Reading Ability and Text-Messaging Behaviour

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coe, J. E. L.; Oakhill, J. V.

2011-01-01

A study was carried out to explore whether or not there is a relationship between children's reading ability and text-messaging behaviour. The aims of this study were to compare good and poor readers on their amount of usage of mobile phones, the frequency and type of text devices they used, and the speed at which they could read messages in…

76 FR 4423 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 1040 and Schedules A, B, C, C-EZ, D, D-1, E, EIC, F...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-25

... assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to The OMB Unit, SE:W:CAR:MP:T:T:SP... through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (e... Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File Individual U.S. Income Tax Return. 4868 SP Solicitud de Pr...

20 CFR 664.810 - How does a Local Board or other entity become eligible to receive a Youth Opportunity Grant?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... not have an EZ or an EC and that has been designated by its Governor as a high poverty area; or (3) Is... board may apply for a Youth Opportunity Grant, and that meets the poverty rate criteria in section 1392... WIA section 166; and (2) Serves a community that: (i) Meets the poverty rate criteria in section 1392...

20 CFR 664.810 - How does a Local Board or other entity become eligible to receive a Youth Opportunity Grant?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... not have an EZ or an EC and that has been designated by its Governor as a high poverty area; or (3) Is... board may apply for a Youth Opportunity Grant, and that meets the poverty rate criteria in section 1392... WIA section 166; and (2) Serves a community that: (i) Meets the poverty rate criteria in section 1392...

20 CFR 664.810 - How does a Local Board or other entity become eligible to receive a Youth Opportunity Grant?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... not have an EZ or an EC and that has been designated by its Governor as a high poverty area; or (3) Is... board may apply for a Youth Opportunity Grant, and that meets the poverty rate criteria in section 1392... WIA section 166; and (2) Serves a community that: (i) Meets the poverty rate criteria in section 1392...

The Land of Opportunity: Human Return to Meridiani Planum

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cohen, Barbara A.; Seibert, Michael A.

2015-01-01

Meridiani Planum is a broad expanse of Martian real estate possessing extremely safe landing characteristics and extensive areas with high trafficability, with compelling science motivations to decipher the climatic and hydrologic evolution of Mars and potential for resource extraction. We propose southwestern Meridiani Planum as a potential landing site for human exploration of Mars. Figure 1 shows our proposed exploration zone (EZ) and several potential science regions of interest (ROIs)

Comparison of Amount of Primary Tooth Reduction Required for Anterior and Posterior Zirconia and Stainless Steel Crowns.

PubMed

Clark, Larkin; Wells, Martha H; Harris, Edward F; Lou, Jennifer

2016-01-01

To determine if aggressiveness of primary tooth preparation varied among different brands of zirconia and stainless steel (SSC) crowns. One hundred primary typodont teeth were divided into five groups (10 posterior and 10 anterior) and assigned to: Cheng Crowns (CC); EZ Pedo (EZP); Kinder Krowns (KKZ); NuSmile (NSZ); and SSC. Teeth were prepared, and assigned crowns were fitted. Teeth were weighed prior to and after preparation. Weight changes served as a surrogate measure of tooth reduction. Analysis of variance showed a significant difference in tooth reduction among brand/type for both the anterior and posterior. Tukey's honest significant difference test (HSD), when applied to anterior data, revealed that SSCs required significantly less tooth removal compared to the composite of the four zirconia brands, which showed no significant difference among them. Tukey's HSD test, applied to posterior data, revealed that CC required significantly greater removal of crown structure, while EZP, KKZ, and NSZ were statistically equivalent, and SSCs required significantly less removal. Zirconia crowns required more tooth reduction than stainless steel crowns for primary anterior and posterior teeth. Tooth reduction for anterior zirconia crowns was equivalent among brands. For posterior teeth, reduction for three brands (EZ Pedo, Kinder Krowns, NuSmile) did not differ, while Cheng Crowns required more reduction.

On the specificity of sequential congruency effects in implicit learning of motor and perceptual sequences.

PubMed

D'Angelo, Maria C; Jiménez, Luis; Milliken, Bruce; Lupiáñez, Juan

2013-01-01

Individuals experience less interference from conflicting information following events that contain conflicting information. Recently, Jiménez, Lupiáñez, and Vaquero (2009) demonstrated that such adaptations to conflict occur even when the source of conflict arises from implicit knowledge of sequences. There is accumulating evidence that momentary changes in adaptations made in response to conflicting information are conflict-type specific (e.g., Funes, Lupiáñez, & Humphreys, 2010a), suggesting that there are multiple modes of control. The current study examined whether conflict-specific sequential congruency effects occur when the 2 sources of conflict are implicitly learned. Participants implicitly learned a motor sequence while simultaneously learning a perceptual sequence. In a first experiment, after learning the 2 orthogonal sequences, participants expressed knowledge of the 2 sequences independently of each other in a transfer phase. In Experiments 2 and 3, within each sequence, the presence of a single control trial disrupted the expression of this specific type of learning on the following trial. There was no evidence of cross-conflict modulations in the expression of sequence learning. The results suggest that the mechanisms involved in transient shifts in conflict-specific control, as reflected in sequential congruency effects, are also engaged when the source of conflict is implicit. (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved.

Evaluation of the key aroma compounds in beef and pork vegetable gravies a la chef by stable isotope dilution assays and aroma recombination experiments.

PubMed

Christlbauer, Monika; Schieberle, Peter

2011-12-28

Although the aroma compounds of meat processed as such have been studied previously, data on complete homemade dishes containing beef and pork meat were scarcely studied. Recently, 38 odor-active compounds were characterized in beef and pork vegetable gravies using GC-olfactometry. In the present investigation, the most odor-active compounds were quantitated in a freshly prepared stewed beef vegetable gravy (BVG) as well as a stewed pork vegetable gravy (PVG) by means of stable isotope dilution assays. Calculation of odor activity values (OAVs; ratio of concentration to odor threshold) revealed 3-mercapto-2-methylpentan-1-ol, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal, (E)-2-decenal, (E)-2-undecanal, and 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-2(5H)-furanone as the most potent odorants in both gravies. However, significantly different OAVs were found for 12-methyltridecanal, which was much higher in the BVG, whereas (E,Z)-2,4-decadienal showed a clearly higher OAV in the PVG. Aroma recombination experiments performed on the basis of the actual concentrations of the odorants in both gravies revealed a good similarity of the aromas of both model mixtures containing all odorants with OAVs > 1 with those of the original gravies.

Comparative hazard analysis and toxicological modeling of diverse nanomaterials using the embryonic zebrafish (EZ) metric of toxicity

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

Harper, Bryan; Thomas, Dennis G.; Chikkagoudar, Satish

The integration of rapid assays, large data sets, informatics and modeling can overcome current barriers in understanding nanomaterial structure-toxicity relationships by providing a weight-of-the-evidence mechanism to generate hazard rankings for nanomaterials. Here we present the use of a rapid, low-cost assay to perform screening-level toxicity evaluations of nanomaterials in vivo. Calculated EZ Metric scores, a combined measure of morbidity and mortality, were established at realistic exposure levels and used to develop a predictive model of nanomaterial toxicity. Hazard ranking and clustering analysis of 68 diverse nanomaterials revealed distinct patterns of toxicity related to both core composition and outermost surface chemistrymore » of nanomaterials. The resulting clusters guided the development of a predictive model of gold nanoparticle toxicity to embryonic zebrafish. In addition, our findings suggest that risk assessments based on the size and core composition of nanomaterials alone may be wholly inappropriate, especially when considering complex engineered nanomaterials. These findings reveal the need to expeditiously increase the availability of quantitative measures of nanomaterial hazard and broaden the sharing of that data and knowledge to support predictive modeling. In addition, research should continue to focus on methodologies for developing predictive models of nanomaterial hazard based on sub-lethal responses to low dose exposures.« less

Thermal degradation of the tensile properties of undirectionally reinforced FP-AI203/EZ 33 magnesium composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bhatt, R. T.; Grimes, H. H.

1982-01-01

The effects of isothermal and cyclic exposure on the room temperature axial and transverse tensile strength and dynamic flexural modulus of 35 volume percent and 55 volume percent FP-Al2O3/EZ 33 magnesium composites were studied. The composite specimens were continuously heated in a sand bath maintained at 350 C for up to 150 hours or thermally cycled between 50 and 250 C or 50 and 350 C for up to 3000 cycles. Each thermal cycle lasted for a total of six minutes with a hold time of two minutes at the maximum temperature. Results indicate to significant loss in the room temperature axial tensile strength and dynamic flexural modulus of composites thermally cycled between 50 and 250 C or of composites isothermally heated at 350 C for up to 150 hours from the strength and modulus data for the untreated, as fabricated composites. In contrast, thermal cycling between 50 and 350 C caused considerable loss in both room temperature strength and modulus. Fractographic analysis and measurement of composite transverse strength and matrix hardness of thermally cycled and isothermally heated composites indicated matrix softening and fiber/matrix debonding due to void growth at the interface and matrix cracking as the likely causes of the strength and modulus loss behavior.

Comparative hazard analysis and toxicological modeling of diverse nanomaterials using the embryonic zebrafish (EZ) metric of toxicity

DOE PAGES

Harper, Bryan; Thomas, Dennis G.; Chikkagoudar, Satish; ...

2015-06-04

The integration of rapid assays, large data sets, informatics and modeling can overcome current barriers in understanding nanomaterial structure-toxicity relationships by providing a weight-of-the-evidence mechanism to generate hazard rankings for nanomaterials. Here we present the use of a rapid, low-cost assay to perform screening-level toxicity evaluations of nanomaterials in vivo. Calculated EZ Metric scores, a combined measure of morbidity and mortality, were established at realistic exposure levels and used to develop a predictive model of nanomaterial toxicity. Hazard ranking and clustering analysis of 68 diverse nanomaterials revealed distinct patterns of toxicity related to both core composition and outermost surface chemistrymore » of nanomaterials. The resulting clusters guided the development of a predictive model of gold nanoparticle toxicity to embryonic zebrafish. In addition, our findings suggest that risk assessments based on the size and core composition of nanomaterials alone may be wholly inappropriate, especially when considering complex engineered nanomaterials. These findings reveal the need to expeditiously increase the availability of quantitative measures of nanomaterial hazard and broaden the sharing of that data and knowledge to support predictive modeling. In addition, research should continue to focus on methodologies for developing predictive models of nanomaterial hazard based on sub-lethal responses to low dose exposures.« less

3-methylcyclohexanone thiosemicarbazone: determination of E/Z isomerization barrier by dynamic high-performance liquid chromatography, configuration assignment and theoretical study of the mechanisms involved by the spontaneous, acid and base catalyzed processes.

PubMed

Carradori, Simone; Cirilli, Roberto; Dei Cicchi, Simona; Ferretti, Rosella; Menta, Sergio; Pierini, Marco; Secci, Daniela

2012-12-21

Here, we report on the simultaneous direct HPLC diastereo- and enantioseparation of 3-methylcyclohexanone thiosemicarbazone (3-MCET) on a polysaccharide-based chiral stationary phase under normal-phase conditions. The optimized chromatographic system was employed in dynamic HPLC experiments (DHPLC), as well as detection technique in a batch wise approach to determine the rate constants and the corresponding free energy activation barriers of the spontaneous, base- and acid-promoted E/Z diastereomerization of 3-MCET. The stereochemical characterization of four stereoisomers of 3-MCET was fully accomplished by integrating the results obtained by chemical correlation method with those derived by theoretical calculations and experimental investigations of circular dichroism (CD). As a final goal, a deepened analysis of the perturbing effect exercised by the stationary phase on rate constant values measured through DHPLC determinations as a function of the chromatographic separation factor α of the interconverting species was successfully accomplished. This revealed quite small deviations from the equivalent kinetic values obtained by off-column batch wise procedure, and suggested a possible effective correction of rate constants measured by DHPLC approach. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Elevational Patterns in Archaeal Diversity on Mt. Fuji

PubMed Central

Singh, Dharmesh; Takahashi, Koichi; Adams, Jonathan M.

2012-01-01

Little is known of how archaeal diversity and community ecology behaves along elevational gradients. We chose to study Mount Fuji of Japan as a geologically and topographically uniform mountain system, with a wide range of elevational zones. PCR-amplified soil DNA for the archaeal 16 S rRNA gene was pyrosequenced and taxonomically classified against EzTaxon-e archaeal database. At a bootstrap cut-off of 80%, most of the archaeal sequences were classified into phylum Thaumarchaeota (96%) and Euryarchaeota (3.9%), with no sequences classified into other phyla. Archaeal OTU richness and diversity on Fuji showed a pronounced ‘peak’ in the mid-elevations, around 1500 masl, within the boreal forest zone, compared to the temperate forest zone below and the alpine fell-field and desert zones above. Diversity decreased towards higher elevations followed by a subtle increase at the summit, mainly due to an increase in the relative abundance of the group I.1b of Thaumarchaeota. Archaeal diversity showed a strong positive correlation with soil NH4 +, K and NO3 − . Archaeal diversity does not parallel plant diversity, although it does roughly parallel bacterial diversity. Ecological hypotheses to explain the mid diversity bulge on Fuji include intermediate disturbance effects, and the result of mid elevations combining a mosaic of upper and lower slope environments. Our findings show clearly that archaeal soil communities are highly responsive to soil environmental gradients, in terms of both their diversity and community composition. Distinct communities of archaea specific to each elevational zone suggest that many archaea may be quite finely niche-adapted within the range of soil environments. A further interesting finding is the presence of a mesophilic component of archaea at high altitudes on a mountain that is not volcanically active. This emphasizes the importance of microclimate – in this case solar heating of the black volcanic ash surface – for the ecology of soil archaea. PMID:22970233

Observing BVOC Emissions, Oxidation, Deposition, and Interactions with Anthropogenic Pollutants to Form SOA in the Southeast United States

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goldstein, A. H.; Isaacman, G. A.; Misztal, P. K.; Yee, L.; Olson, K. F.; Moss, J.; Kreisberg, N. M.; Hering, S. V.; Park, J. H.; Kaser, L.; Seco, R.; Guenther, A. B.; Su, L.; Mak, J. E.; Holzinger, R.; Hu, W.; Campuzano Jost, P.; Palm, B. B.; Day, D. A.; Jimenez, J. L.; Koss, A.; De Gouw, J. A.

2014-12-01

Our overarching goals in the SOAS 2013 campaign were to 1) quantify biogenic VOC emission and VOC deposition to understand the processes controlling these bi-directional exchanges, 2) observe a broad suite of primary VOC and their oxidation products in the field and in controlled laboratory experiments, and 3) investigate their fate to understand how anthropogenic pollution alters oxidation pathways and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. We pursued these goals through measurement of atmospheric organics ranging from very volatile (using in-situ GC-MS and proton transfer reaction time-of-flight MS, PTR-ToF-MS) to semi-volatile gas and particle phase compounds (using the Semi-Volatile Thermal desorption Aerosol Gas chromatograph, SV-TAG). Measured concentrations and fluxes of VOCs at the top of the SEARCH tower were coordinated with concentration gradients and fluxes at the AABC flux tower site, and vertical profiles using the Long-EZ aircraft to provide equivalent observations across sites. These results are informed through measurements using the same instrument during the FIXIT controlled laboratory oxidation study at CalTech that investigated oxidation pathways of BVOC with varying levels of anthropogenic pollutants. Measurements by SV-TAG of particle-phase and total gas-plus-particle-phase compounds at the SEARCH tower provide hourly quantification of semi-volatile compounds, including the oxidation products of measured VOCs. Derivatization of hydroxyl groups prior to GC analysis allows analysis of highly oxidized chemicals, including most known tracers. Methyl tetrols, an oxidation product of isoprene, had a significant day-time gas-phase component, and their abundance was strongly correlated with particle-phase sulfate, indicative of anthropogenic influence on the formation or partitioning processes. Similar observations of pinic acid (monterpene oxidation product) and many other BVOC oxidation products were made in both the gas and particle phases. Through measurements of specific chemical tracers across a wide range of volatilities, we explore the chemical lifecycle of BVOCs to understand anthropogenic-biogenic interactions in aerosol formation.

Constraining Puerto Rico - Virgin Islands microplate internal deformation with two decades of GPS observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lopez, A. M.; Jansma, P. E.; Mattioli, G. S.; James, S. A.; Ihemedu, D.; Quintana, S. M.; Salazar, J. S.

2011-12-01

The Puerto Rico - Virgin Island microplate, a crustal block within the deformation region of the Northern Caribbean Plate Boundary Zone has been monitored with campaign and permanent Global Positioning System stations for almost 20 years. Within this time period a total of 37 sites have been used to describe and quantify internal deformation of the plate and estimate elastic strain accumulation along the key geological bounding features. In June 2011, 12 of the 20 sites that comprise the campaign GPS network in Puerto Rico were re-occupied and their results were merged with at least three years of continuous GPS data from the Puerto Rico - Virgin Islands cGPS network. The remaining 8 in PR sites will be reoccupied soon, while sites from the Virgin Islands were last reoccupied in 2007. All data were processed with v5 of GOAII using an APP strategy. Here we present the latest results of the newly computed velocity field of our mixed network in both North America and Caribbean fixed frames employing the latest IGS05 reference frame and updated satellite orbits, earth orientation, and xfiles from JPL. Of particular importance in this study are the results of a three station transect across the Lajas Valley, the most seismically active area on southwestern Puerto Rico. Relative to a fixed velocity for a campaign site on Isla Magueyes in La Parguera, the southernmost site in the Lajas Valley has a residual motion of -4.38±1.39 and 2.41±2.10 mm/yr in the north and east components, respectively. This suggests that there is SSE-directed shortening across a structure located between these two sites. In contrast, sites near Mayagüez are moving toward SW at ˜2 mm/yr relative to La Parguera. These results demonstrate the PRVI block shows small internal deformation in addition to its generally westward rigid block translation relative the stable interior of the Caribbean plate.

Ion energy distributions and densities in the plume of Enceladus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakai, Shotaro; Cravens, Thomas E.; Omidi, Nojan; Perry, Mark E.; Waite, J. Hunter

2016-10-01

Enceladus has a dynamic plume that is emitting gas, including water vapor, and dust. The gas is ionized by solar EUV radiation, charge exchange, and electron impact and extends throughout the inner magnetosphere of Saturn. The charge exchange collisions alter the plasma composition. Ice grains (dust) escape from the vicinity of Enceladus and form the E ring, including a portion that is negatively charged by the local plasma. The inner magnetosphere within 10 RS (Saturn radii) contains a complex mixture of plasma, neutral gas, and dust that links back to Enceladus. In this paper we investigate the energy distributions, ion species and densities of water group ions in the plume of Enceladus using test particle and Monte Carlo methods that include collisional processes such as charge exchange and ion-neutral chemical reactions. Ion observations from the Cassini Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS) for E07 are presented for the first time. We use the modeling results to interpret observations made by the Cassini Plasma Spectrometer (CAPS) and the INMS. The low energy ions, as observed by CAPS, appear to be affected by a vertical electric field (EZ=-10 μV/m) in the plume. The EZ field may be associated with the charged dust and/or the pressure gradient of plasma. The model results, along with the results of earlier models, show that H3O+ ions created by chemistry are predominant in the plume, which agrees with INMS and CAPS data, but the INMS count rate in the plume for the model is several times greater than the data, which we do not fully understand. This composition and the total ion count found in the plume agree with INMS and CAPS data. On the other hand, the Cassini Langmuir Probe measured a maximum plume ion density more than 30,000 cm-3, which is far larger than the maximum ion density from our model, 900 cm-3. The model results also demonstrate that most of the ions in the plume are from the external magnetospheric flow and are not generated by local ionization. The origin of the ions in the plume was investigated using two different velocity models. Most ions were created by the interaction with background magnetospheric plasma and by photoionization. INMS and CAPS also detected water cluster ions. We will interpret these observations as a result of ion collisions with neutral water clusters, (H2O)n, originating in the tiger stripe vents as suggested by Tokar et al. (2009). We also estimated the process of generating cluster ions based on the INMS observations. We suggest that the most likely source is reaction of H3O+ with neutral water clusters or dimers such as (H2O)2 formed in the plume vents.

Calculated and Observed Speeds of Cavitation About Two- and Three- Dimensional Bodies in Water

DTIC Science & Technology

1942-11-01

yE1l0.044po ellipse of - 36 (1 - Y) 6 0 .l.Olxx 0(y) L . 6.54 Porabolo Elipe em - Cicl Y ,11p f. 2 1 - fal: Figure 1 ScinofCylinders and Bodies of...Propellers,* by E.Z. Stowell and A.F. Deming , BACA Report 526, 1935. (2) "Flow about a Pair of Adjacent, Parallel Cylinders Normal to a Stream, Theoretical

The Influence of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor and Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 on Oligodendrocyte Development and Remyelination

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-01-01

OLIGODENDROCYTE DEVELOPMENT AND REMYELINATION 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e...Z39-18 ABSTRACT Title: THE INFLUENCE OF PLATELET-DERIVED GROWTH FACTOR AND FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR 2 ON OLIGODENDROCYTE DEVELOPMENT AND...GROWTH FACTOR 2 ON OLIGODENDROCYTE DEVELOPMENT AND REMYELINATION by Joshua C. Murtie Thesis/dissertation submitted to the

Kinetic and thermodynamic control in β-phenylethylamines reaction with isatin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vélez, Yormari; Díaz-Oviedo, Christian; Quevedo, Rodolfo

2017-04-01

In this work it was established that dopamine's reaction with isatin produces the respective spiroisoquinoline through a Pictet-Spengler reaction whilst phenylethylamines, having less activated aromatic rings (tyramine and phenylethylamine), produce the respective imine as a mixture of stereoisomers E and Z. This article analyses the spectroscopic and structural patterns of the stereoisomers (E/Z) obtained and proposes the experimental conditions necessary for obtaining each of them as major products.

Manual. According to the Calculation of Wires and Cables,

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-04-23

Tpezxaaaro TON. As, C Kay: (1). Designation. t2). Designation. (3). Current (permanent. Voltage constant. (4). Currant ivariable/ alternating . Voltage is the...variable/ alternating , general designatior. (5). Current variable/ alternating three-phase 5C Hz. (6). Ez. (7). Zero line (neutral). It is allcwed/assumed...diagrams of powsr supply iz is allowed/assumed high-voltage switch to dapict, as it is shown. (10). iinuings by relay, contactor and magnetic starter. It

Direct detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from blood cultures using an immunochromatographic immunoassay-based MRSA rapid kit for the detection of penicillin-binding protein 2a.

PubMed

Shin, Kyeong Seob; Song, Hyung Geun; Kim, Haejung; Yoon, Sangsun; Hong, Seung Bok; Koo, Sun Hoe; Kim, Jimyung; Kim, Jongwan; Roh, Kyoung Ho

2010-07-01

Using an EZ-Step MRSA rapid kit, a novel screening test for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that detects penicillin-binding protein 2a, 34 of 36 MRSA-positive clinical blood culture samples were positive on direct testing (sensitivity, 94.4%), whereas 21 of 21 methicillin-susceptible S. aureus-positive samples were negative (specificity, 100%).

Haemopoiesis in the Beagle Foetus after in utero Irradiation

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-01-01

i-4 I - Haemopoiesis in the beagle foetus after in utero irradiation S. R. Weinberg Q T. J. MacVittie R- A. C. Bakarich M. P. McGarry ’:’--""Cf E...Z All2 4. TITLE (and Subtitle) 5. TYPE OF REPORT & PERIOD COVERED HAEMOPOJESIS IN THE BEAGLE FOETUS AFTER IN UTERO IRRADIATION ___________ 6...York - .20. ABSTRACT (cortinued) Differences in haemopoietic progenitor cell activity between irradiated and normal foetuses were observed. In

Concise Syntheses of Insect Pheromones Using Z-Selective Cross Metathesis**

PubMed Central

Herbert, Myles B.; Marx, Vanessa M.; Pederson, Richard L.; Grubbs, Robert H.

2013-01-01

The shortest synthetic routes to nine cis-pheromones containing a variety of functionality, including an unconjugated (E,Z) diene, are reported. These lepidopteran pheromones are used extensively for pest control, and were easily prepared using ruthenium-based Z-selective cross metathesis, highlighting the advantages of this method over less efficient ways to form Z-olefins. Important insight into the mechanism of Z-selective metathesis was uncovered during experimentation and subsequently explored. PMID:23055437

Optimization of Easy Atomic Force Microscope (ezAFM) Controls for Semiconductor Nanostructure Profiling

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-09-01

in the vertical (z) directions. There are several instruments controls like proportional, integral , and derivative (PID) gain as well as tip force...the PID control, where P stands for proportional gain, I stands for integral gain, and D stands for derivative gain. An additional parameter that...contributes to the scanned image quality is set point. Proportional gain is multiplied by the error to adjust controller output and integral gain sums

Mixed-Integer Conic Linear Programming: Challenges and Perspectives

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-10-01

The novel DCCs for MISOCO may be used in branch- and-cut algorithms when solving MISOCO problems. The experimental software CICLO was developed to...perform limited, but rigorous computational experiments. The CICLO solver utilizes continuous SOCO solvers, MOSEK, CPLES or SeDuMi, builds on the open...submitted Fall 2013. Software: 1. CICLO : Integer conic linear optimization package. Authors: J.C. Góez, T.K. Ralphs, Y. Fu, and T. Terlaky

20 CFR 664.810 - How does a Local Board or other entity become eligible to receive a Youth Opportunity Grant?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... EZ or an EC and that has been designated by its Governor as a high poverty area; or (3) Is one of two... for a Youth Opportunity Grant, and that meets the poverty rate criteria in section 1392 (a)(4), (b... 166; and (2) Serves a community that: (i) Meets the poverty rate criteria in section 1392(a)(4), (b...

20 CFR 664.810 - How does a Local Board or other entity become eligible to receive a Youth Opportunity Grant?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... EZ or an EC and that has been designated by its Governor as a high poverty area; or (3) Is one of two... for a Youth Opportunity Grant, and that meets the poverty rate criteria in section 1392 (a)(4), (b... 166; and (2) Serves a community that: (i) Meets the poverty rate criteria in section 1392(a)(4), (b...

Isotope effects of trapped electron modes in the presence of impurities in tokamak plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Yong; Dong, J. Q.; Sun, A. P.; Qu, H. P.; Lu, G. M.; He, Z. X.; He, H. D.; Wang, L. F.

2016-04-01

The trapped electron modes (TEMs) are numerically investigated in toroidal magnetized hydrogen, deuterium and tritium plasmas, taking into account the effects of impurity ions such as carbon, oxygen, helium, tungsten and others with positive and negative density gradients with the rigorous integral eigenmode equation. The effects of impurity ions on TEMs are investigated in detail. It is shown that impurity ions have substantially-destabilizing (stabilizing) effects on TEMs in isotope plasmas for {{L}ez}\\equiv {{L}ne}/{{L}nz}>0 (<0 ), opposite to the case of ion temperature gradient (ITG) driven modes. Detailed analyses of the isotope mass dependence for TEM turbulences in hydrogenic isotope plasmas with and without impurities are performed. The relations between the maximum growth rate of the TEMs with respect to the poloidal wave number and the ion mass number are given in the presence of the impurity ions. The results demonstrate that the maximum growth rates scale as {γ\\max}\\propto Mi-0.5 in pure hydrogenic plasmas. The scale depends on the sign of its density gradient and charge number when there is a second species of (impurity) ions. When impurity ions have density profiles peaking inwardly (i.e. {{L}ez}\\equiv {{L}ne}/{{L}nz}>0 ), the scaling also depends on ITG parameter {ηi} . The maximum growth rates scale as {γ\\max}\\propto M\\text{eff}-0.5 for the case without ITG ({ηi}=0 ) or the ITG parameter is positive ({ηi}>0 ) but the impurity ion charge number is low (Z≤slant 5.0 ). However, when {ηi}>0 and the impurity ion charge number is moderate (Z=6.0-8.0 ), the scaling law is found as {γ\\max}\\propto M\\text{eff}-1.0 . Here, Z is impurity ion charge number, and the effective mass number, {{M}\\text{eff}}=≤ft(1-{{f}z}\\right){{M}i}+{{f}z}{{M}z} , with {{M}i} and {{M}Z} being the mass numbers of the hydrogenic and impurity ions, respectively, and {{f}z}=Z{{n}0z}/{{n}0e} being the charge concentration of impurity ions. In addition, with regard to the case of {{L}ez}<0 , the maximum growth rate scaling is {γ\\max}\\propto Mi-0.5 . The possible relations of the results with experimental observations are discussed.

Identifying the transition to the maturation zone in three ecotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana roots.

PubMed

Cajero Sánchez, Wendy; García-Ponce, Berenice; Sánchez, María de la Paz; Álvarez-Buylla, Elena R; Garay-Arroyo, Adriana

2018-01-01

The Arabidopsis thaliana (hereafter Arabidopsis) root has become a useful model for studying how organ morphogenesis emerge from the coordination and balance of cell proliferation and differentiation, as both processes may be observed and quantified in the root at different stages of development. Hence, being able to objectively identify and delimit the different stages of root development has been very important. Up to now, three different zones along the longitudinal axis of the primary root of Arabidopsis, have been identified: the root apical meristematic zone (RAM) with two domains [the proliferative (PD) and the transition domain (TD)], the elongation zone (EZ) and the maturation zone (MZ). We previously reported a method to quantify the length of the cells of the meristematic and the elongation zone, as well as the boundaries or transitions between the root domains along the growing part of the Arabidopsis root. In this study, we provide a more accurate criterion to identify the MZ. Traditionally, the transition between the EZ to the MZ has been established by the emergence of the first root-hair bulge in the epidermis, because this emergence coincides with cell maturation in this cell type. But we have found here that after the emergence of the first root-hair bulge some cells continue to elongate and we have confirmed this in three different Arabidopsis ecotypes. We established the limit between the EZ and the MZ by looking for the closest cortical cell with a longer length than the average cell length of 10 cells after the cortical cell closest to the epidermal cell with the first root-hair bulge in these three ecotypes. In Col-0 and Ws this cell is four cells above the one with the root hair bulge and, in the Ler ecotype, this cell is five cells above. To unambiguously identifying the site at which cells stop elongating and attain their final length and fate at the MZ, we propose to calculate the length of completely elongated cortical cells counting 10 cells starting from the sixth cell above the cortical cell closest to the epidermal cell with the first root-hair bulge. We validated this proposal in the three ecotypes analyzed and consider that this proposal may aid at having a more objective way to characterize root phenotypes and compare among them.

Identifying the transition to the maturation zone in three ecotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana roots

PubMed Central

Cajero Sánchez, Wendy; García-Ponce, Berenice; Sánchez, María de la Paz; Álvarez-Buylla, Elena R.; Garay-Arroyo, Adriana

2018-01-01

ABSTRACT The Arabidopsis thaliana (hereafter Arabidopsis) root has become a useful model for studying how organ morphogenesis emerge from the coordination and balance of cell proliferation and differentiation, as both processes may be observed and quantified in the root at different stages of development. Hence, being able to objectively identify and delimit the different stages of root development has been very important. Up to now, three different zones along the longitudinal axis of the primary root of Arabidopsis, have been identified: the root apical meristematic zone (RAM) with two domains [the proliferative (PD) and the transition domain (TD)], the elongation zone (EZ) and the maturation zone (MZ). We previously reported a method to quantify the length of the cells of the meristematic and the elongation zone, as well as the boundaries or transitions between the root domains along the growing part of the Arabidopsis root. In this study, we provide a more accurate criterion to identify the MZ. Traditionally, the transition between the EZ to the MZ has been established by the emergence of the first root-hair bulge in the epidermis, because this emergence coincides with cell maturation in this cell type. But we have found here that after the emergence of the first root-hair bulge some cells continue to elongate and we have confirmed this in three different Arabidopsis ecotypes. We established the limit between the EZ and the MZ by looking for the closest cortical cell with a longer length than the average cell length of 10 cells after the cortical cell closest to the epidermal cell with the first root-hair bulge in these three ecotypes. In Col-0 and Ws this cell is four cells above the one with the root hair bulge and, in the Ler ecotype, this cell is five cells above. To unambiguously identifying the site at which cells stop elongating and attain their final length and fate at the MZ, we propose to calculate the length of completely elongated cortical cells counting 10 cells starting from the sixth cell above the cortical cell closest to the epidermal cell with the first root-hair bulge. We validated this proposal in the three ecotypes analyzed and consider that this proposal may aid at having a more objective way to characterize root phenotypes and compare among them. PMID:29497470

Magnetoencephalography-guided surgery in frontal lobe epilepsy using neuronavigation and intraoperative MR imaging.

PubMed

Sommer, Björn; Roessler, Karl; Rampp, Stefan; Hamer, Hajo M; Blumcke, Ingmar; Stefan, Hermann; Buchfelder, Michael

2016-10-01

Especially in hidden lesions causing drug-resistant frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE), the localization of the epileptic zone EZ can be a challenge. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) can raise the chances for localization of the (EZ) in combination with electroencephalography (EEG). We investigated the impact of MEG-guided epilepsy surgery with the aid of neuronavigation and intraoperative MR imaging (iopMRI) on seizure outcome of FLE patients. Twenty-eight patients (15 females, 13 males; mean age 31.0±11.1 years) underwent surgery in our department. All patients underwent presurgical MEG monitoring (two-sensor Magnes II or whole head WH3600 MEG system; 4-D Neuroimaging, San Diego, CA, USA). Of those, six patients (group 1) with MRI-negative FLE were operated on before 2002 with intraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG) and invasive EEG mapping only. Eleven patients with MRI-negative FLE (group 2) and eleven with lesional FLE (group 3) underwent surgery using 1.5T-iopMRI and neuronavigation, including intraoperative visualization of the MEG localizations in 22 and functional MR imaging (for motor and speech areas) as well as DTI fiber tracking (for language and pyramidal tracts) in 13 patients. In the first group, complete resection of the defined EZ including the MEG localization according to the latest postoperative MRI was achieved in four out of six patients. Groups two and three had complete removal of the MEG localizations in 20/22 (91%, 10 of 11 each). Intraoperative MRI revealed incomplete resection of the MEG localizations of four patients (12%; two in both groups), leading to successful re-resection. Transient and permanent neurological deficits alike occurred in 7.1%, surgery-associated complications in 11% of all patients. In the first group, excellent seizure outcome (Engel Class IA) was achieved in three (50%), in the second in 7 patients (61%) and third group in 8 patients (64%, two iopMRI-based re-resections). Mean follow-up was 70.3 months (from 12 to 284 months). In our series, MEG-guided resection using neuronavigation and iopMR imaging led to promising seizure control rates. Even in non-lesional FLE, seizure control rates and the probability of complete resection of the MEG localizations was similar to lesional FLE using multimodal navigation. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Stereoselectivity of supported alkene metathesis catalysts: a goal and a tool to characterize active sites.

PubMed

Copéret, Christophe

2011-01-05

Stereoselectivity in alkene metathesis is a challenge and can be used as a tool to study active sites under working conditions. This review describes the stereochemical relevance and problems in alkene metathesis (kinetic vs. thermodynamic issues), the use of (E/Z) ratio at low conversions as a tool to characterize active sites of heterogeneous catalysts and finally to propose strategies to improve catalysts based on the current state of the art.

Monitoring codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in sex phermone-treated orchards with (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene or pear ester in combination with codlemone and acetic acid

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Traps baited with ethyl (E,Z)-2,4-decadienoate (pear ester) or (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT) in two- or three-way combinations with the sex pheromone (E,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol (codlemone) and acetic acid (AA) were evaluated for codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.). All studies were conduct...

Using Online Databases to Determine the Correlation between Ranked Lists of Journals.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-12-30

CLASSIFICATION UNCLASSIFIED/UNLIMITED EZ SAME AS RPT. 0 OTIC USERS 0l UNCLASSIFIED 22a. NAME OF RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL 22b. TELEPHONE NUMBER 22c. OFFICE SYMBOL...Communications Agency. The purpose of the study was to use citation analysis and statistical testing in journal selection. Bibliographic databases...sources to justify the cost of the journals selected. The research procedures used in this study included th compilation of a list of 157 technical

Population Based Assessment of MHC Class 1 Antigens Down Regulation as Marker in Increased Risk for Development and Progression of Breast Cancer From Benign Breast Lesions

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-01-01

isolated using a routine salting-out method (DNA E-Z Prepkit, Orchid Diagnostics Europe, St Katelijne Waver, Belgium). Sequence based typing In...electrophoresis using ethidiumbromide to show the single 2 KB band before sequencing. Next, sequencing reactions were performed separately for exons 2, 3...Multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for simultaneous screening of 29 translocations and chromosomal aberrations in acute

Intraosseous access in the military operational setting.

PubMed

Vassallo, J; Horne, S; Smith, J E

2014-01-01

In an operational military environment, circulatory access can prove difficult for a variety of reasons including profound hypovolaemia, and limited first responder experience. With many injuries that cause catastrophic haemorrhage, such as traumatic limb amputations, circulatory access is needed as quickly as possible. Since 2006, the Defence Medical Services have been using the EZ-IO and FAST1 devices as a means of obtaining circulatory access. A prospective observational study was conducted between March and July 2011 at the Emergency Department, Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. All patients with an intraosseous device had data recorded that included if the device successfully flushed (functionality) and if any problems were encountered. 117 patients presented with a total of 195 devices: 149 were EZ-IO (76%) and 46 were FAST1 (24%). Functionality was recorded for 111 (57%), with 17 failing to function, yielding an overall success rate of 84.7%. Device failure was observed to be more prevalent in the humerus; inability to flush the device was the leading cause, followed by mechanical failure. There were 2 complications, device breaking on removal being the reason for both. The devices in the study were tested for a period of time following insertion (median 32 minutes), and still the success rates mirror those found in the literature. Observed differences between sites were not found to be significant with confidence intervals overlapping. Further work is proposed to investigate the long-term complications of intraosseous devices.

Photoisomerization of alfa calcidol by a sensitized quantum chain reaction.

PubMed

Estruch, Gastón A; Aramendía, Pedro F

2012-01-01

The production of vitamin D3 is a pharmaceutically relevant process, producing high added-value products. Precursors are extracts from vegetal origin but bearing mainly an E geometry in the 5,6 double bond. The synthesis of vitamin D3 (5-E-α-calcidol) with the correct Z stereochemistry in the 5,6 double bond from the E isomer using anthracene and triethylamine (TEA) as the sensitizer system was studied from the kinetic and mechanistic point of view. The sensitized isomerization of E-calcidol by irradiation of anthracene takes place only in deoxygenated solution and yields the Z isomer in ca 5% yield in the photostationary state. When TEA is added to the system, the E-Z reaction is not inhibited by oxygen any more, the quantum yield of photoisomerization to the Z isomer grows linearly with the concentration of E-calcidol, while conversions higher than 95% to the Z isomer are reached in the photostationary state and E-Z quantum yields as high as 45 at [E-calcidol] = 25 mM are reached. If TEA is replaced by 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, the reaction rate drops to one-third at the same amine concentration. The observations can be explained by a quantum chain reaction mechanism. The high conversion achieved eliminates the need of isomer separation. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Photochemistry and Photobiology © 2011 The American Society of Photobiology.

The graviton luminosity of the sun and other stars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gould, R. J.

1985-01-01

Graviton production in electron-electron (e-e) and electron-ion (e-z) scattering is evaluated in the Born approximation. The calculation is compared with that for photon production, that is, Coulomb quadrupole bremsstrahlung, and a number of results are taken over from that problem. Application is made to the sun, and it is found that for the solar plasma the main contribution to the graviton luminosity comes from the central core at r/R approximately 0.1. The total luminosity (Lg) in gravitons is about 7.9 x 10 to the 14th ergs/s, close to an earlier estimate by Weinberg (1965, 1972); about 33 percent of the total results from e-e collisions with the rest from e-z collisions (mainly e-p and e-alpha). Approximate corrections to Born formulas are evaluated, and this Lg includes the associated (approximately + or - 10 percent, respectively) modification. The quantum-mechanical aspects of the solar Lg problem are discussed, and it is shown why a previous classical calculation overestimated Lg by about an order of magnitude. Production of gravitons in binary collisions in other types of stars is discussed briefly. It is found that Lg varies very little along the main sequence. White dwarfs have a typical graviton luminosity LWD approximately 10 to the 19th ergs/s, while neutron stars have LNS approximately 10 to the 25th ergs/s; these estimates are very rough.

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

McDonald, M.; Allen, S. W.; Bayliss, M.

We present the results of a Chandra X-ray survey of the 8 most massive galaxy clusters at z>1.2 in the South Pole Telescope 2500 deg^2 survey. We combine this sample with previously-published Chandra observations of 49 massive X-ray-selected clusters at 00.2R500 scaling like E(z)^2. In the centers of clusters (r<0.1R500), we find significant deviations from self similarity (n_e ~ E(z)^{0.1+/-0.5}), consistent with no redshift dependence. When we isolate clusters with over-dense cores (i.e., cool cores), we find that the average over-density profile has not evolved with redshift -- that is, cool cores have not changed in size, density, or totalmore » mass over the past ~9-10 Gyr. We show that the evolving "cuspiness" of clusters in the X-ray, reported by several previous studies, can be understood in the context of a cool core with fixed properties embedded in a self similarly-evolving cluster. We find no measurable evolution in the X-ray morphology of massive clusters, seemingly in tension with the rapidly-rising (with redshift) rate of major mergers predicted by cosmological simulations. We show that these two results can be brought into agreement if we assume that the relaxation time after a merger is proportional to the crossing time, since the latter is proportional to H(z)^(-1).« less

Cucumber Lure Trapping of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Hawaii and Taiwan: Longevity and Nontargets Captures.

PubMed

Jang, Eric B; Carvalho, Lori A F N; Chen, Chung-Chien; Siderhurst, Matthew S

2017-02-01

The melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett), is a serious pest of tropical horticulture, causing damage to cucurbits, tree fruits, and fruiting vegetables. Melon flies are especially attractive to freshly sliced cucumber, and this has led to the identification of a nine-compound kairomone lure that can be used to trap both female and male flies. In this study, a seven-compound lure, containing (Z)-6-nonenal, (Z)-6-nonen-1-ol, 1-octen-3-ol, (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal, (E)-2-nonenal, hexanal, and 1-hexanol, was formulated into PVC plugs (100 or 300 mg/plug) for field testing in wet traps. In Hawaii, 100 mg of the seven-compound cucumber lure, loaded in either plugs or glass capillaries, attracted more flies than traps containing Solulys protein over a 9-wk period. However, both cucumber lure formulations showed marked declines in the number of flies trapped after 3 wk. Similar results were obtained during a 6-wk field trial using 100 mg cucumber lure plugs in Taiwan. Increasing the cucumber lure loading rate to 300 mg/lure increased the effective trapping life of the attractant during a second 9-wk field trial conducted in Hawaii. The synthetic cucumber lure showed female-biased sex ratios in trap captures in the Taiwanese and second Hawaiian field trials. Protein lures captures were female-biased in all three field trials. Wet traps in Hawaii containing the cucumber lure were found to capture 25-30 nontarget insects/trap/week, less than half that captured with Solulys. Captured nontarget insects represented 37 families in 10 orders. The most common families caught were Ceratopogonidae (∼9 flies/trap) and Gryllidae (∼7 crickets/trap). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America 2016. This work is written by US Government employees and is in the public domain in the US.

Global Lithospheric Apparent Susceptibility Distribution Converted from Geomagnetic Models by CHAMP and Swarm Satellite Magnetic Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, Jinsong; Chen, Chao; Xiong, Xiong; Li, Yongdong; Liang, Qing

2016-04-01

Recently, because of continually accumulated magnetic measurements by CHAMP satellite and Swarm constellation of three satellites and well developed methodologies and techniques of data processing and geomagnetic field modeling etc., global lithospheric magnetic anomaly field models become more and more reliable. This makes the quantitative interpretation of lithospheric magnetic anomaly field possible for having an insight into large-scale magnetic structures in the crust and uppermost mantle. Many different approaches have been utilized to understand the magnetized sources, such as forward, inversion, statistics, correlation analysis, Euler deconvolution, signal transformations etc. Among all quantitative interpretation methods, the directly converting a magnetic anomaly map into a magnetic susceptibility anomaly map proposed by Arkani-Hamed & Strangway (1985) is, we think, the most fast quantitative interpretation tool for global studies. We just call this method AS85 hereinafter for short. Although Gubbins et al. (2011) provided a formula to directly calculate the apparent magnetic vector distribution, the AS85 method introduced constraints of magnetized direction and thus corresponding results are expected to be more robust especially in world-wide continents. Therefore, in this study, we first improved the AS85 method further considering non-axial dipolar inducing field using formulae by Nolte & Siebert (1987), initial model or priori information for starting coefficients in the apparent susceptibility conversion, hidden longest-wavelength components of lithospheric magnetic field and field contaminations from global oceanic remanent magnetization. Then, we used the vertically integrated susceptibility model by Hemant & Maus (2005) and vertically integrated remanent magnetization model by Masterton et al. (2013) to test the validity of our improved method. Subsequently, we applied the conversion method to geomagnetic field models by CHAMP and Swarm satellite magnetic measurements and obtained global lithospheric apparent susceptibility distribution models. Finally, we compared these deduced models with previous results in the literature and some other geophysical, geodetic and geologic datum. Both tests and applications suggest, indeed, that the improved AS85 method can be adopted as a fast and effective interpretation tool of global induced large-scale magnetic anomaly field models in form of spherical harmonics. Arkani-Hamed, J. & Srangway, D.W., 1985. Lateral variations of apparent magnetic susceptibility of lithosphere deduced from Magsat data, J. Geophys. Res., 90(B3), 2655-2664. Gubbins, D., Ivers, D., Masterton, S.M. & Winch, D.E., 2011. Analysis of lithospheric magnetization in vector spherical harmonics, Geophys. J. Int., 187(1), 99-117. Hemant, K. & Maus, S., 2005. Geological modeling of the new CHAMP magnetic anomaly maps using a geographical information system technique, J. Geophys. Res., 110, B12103, doi: 10.1029/2005JB003837. Masterton, S.M., Gubbins, D., Müller, R.D. & Singh, K.H., 2013. Forward modeling of oceanic lithospheric magnetization, Geophys. J. Int., 192(3), 951-962. Nolte, H.J. & Siebert, M., 1987. An analytical approach to the magnetic field of the Earth's crust, J. Geophys., 61, 69-76. This study is supported by State Key Laboratory of Geodesy and Earth's Dynamics (Institute of Geodesy and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences) (SKLGED2015-5-5-EZ), Natural Science Fund of Hubei Province (2015CFB361), International Cooperation Project in Science and Technology of China (2010DFA24580), China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2015M572217 and 2014T70753), Hubei Subsurface Multi-scale Imaging Key Laboratory (Institute of Geophysics and Geomatics, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan) (SMIL-2015-06) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (41574070, 41104048 and 41504065).

Flow in serpentine coolant passages with trip strips

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tse, D. G.-N.

1995-01-01

Under the subject contract, an effort is being conducted at Scientific Research Associates, Inc. (SRA) to obtain flow field measurements in the coolant passage of a rotating turbine blade with ribbed walls, both in the stationary and rotating frames. The data obtained will be used for validation of computational tools and assessment of turbine blade cooling strategies. The configuration of the turbine blade passage model is given, and the measuring plane locations are given. The model has a four-pass passage with three 180 turns. This geometry was chosen to allow analyses of the velocity measurements corresponding to the heat transfer results obtained by Wagner. Two passes of the passage have a rectangular cross-section of 1.0 in x 0.5 in. Another two passes have a square cross-section of 0.5 in x 0.5 in. Trips with a streamwise pitch to trip height (P/e) = 5 and trip height to coolant passage width (e/Z) = 0.1, were machined along the leading and trailing walls. These dimensions are typical of those used in turbine blade coolant passages. The trips on these walls are staggered by the half-pitch. The trips are skewed at +/- 45 deg, and this allows the effect of trip orientation to be examined. Experiments will be conducted with flow entering the model through the 1.0 in x 0.5 in rectangular passage (Configuration C) and the 0.5 in x 0. 5 in square passage (Configuration D) to examine the effect of passage aspect ratio. Velocity measurements were obtained with a Reynolds number (Re) of 25,000, based on the hydraulic diameter of and bulk mean velocity in the half inch square passage. The coordinate system used in presenting the results for configurations C and D, respectively, is shown. The first, second and third passes of the passage will be referred to as the first, second and third passages, respectively, in later discussion. Streamwise distance (x) from the entrance is normalized by the hydraulic diameter (D). Vertical (y) and tangential (z) distances are normalized by the half passage height (H) and width (Z), respectively. The x coordinate and U component are positive in the streamwise direction. The y coordinate and V component are positive against gravity. The z coordinate and W component are positive in the direction of rotation. The velocities are normalized by the bulk mean velocity (Ub) of 3.44 m/s based on the half-inch square passage. The contours of the 1.0 in x 0.5 in and 0.5 in x 0.5 in passages were evaluated from 11 x 30 and 9 x 30 measurement grids, respectively.

An atlas of Copernicus ultraviolet spectra of Wolf-Rayet stars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, H. M.

1978-01-01

An atlas of Copernicus UV scans is presented, and line identifications are tabulated, for the Wolf-Rayet stars Gamma-2 Vel (WC 8 + O7), HD 50896 (= EZ CMa; WN 5), and HD 92740 (WN 7). The atlas covers the wavelength ranges from 946.8 to 3182 A for Gamma-2 Vel, from 1012 to 1294 A for HD 50896, and from 1051 to 1243 A for HD 92740. The wavelengths include corrections for components of satellite velocity, earth velocity, and stellar heliocentric velocity; each spectral feature is classified as interstellar, photospheric, emission, UV-displaced P Cygni line absorption, or P Cygni line emission. UV-edge velocities of the P Cygni profiles are estimated, P Cygni profile types are discussed, and the results are compared with Copernicus scans of OB stars exhibiting UV P Cygni profiles. It is noted that: (1) the line-strength ratio of molecular hydrogen to atomic species appears to be substantially greater in the scans of the WN stars than in the Gamma-2 Vel scans; (2) some of the P Cygni profiles in Gamma-2 Vel differ significantly from the corresponding profiles in OB stars; and (3) there may be a slight inverse correlation between ejection velocities and excitation potentials in Gamma-2 Vel.

Hurricane Hortense: impact on surface water in Puerto Rico

USGS Publications Warehouse

Torres-Sierra, Heriberto

1997-01-01

Late Monday night, September 9, and into the early morning hours of Tuesday, September 10, 1996, Hurricane Hortense passed over the southwestern part of Puerto Rico (inset). Hurricane Hortense made landfall as a Category One Hurricane (74 to 95 miles per hour) on the Saffir-Simpson Scale, with maximum sustained winds of nearly 80 miles per hour. The eye of Hurricane Hortense moved over the towns of Guayanilla, Yauco, Guánica, Lajas, San Germán, Cabo Rojo, Hormigueros, and Mayagüez (fig. 1).

Effects of Early Bright, Late Bright and Dim Illumination upon Circadian Neuroendocrine, Electrophysiological and Behavioral Responses

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-07-29

ranging from about 50 lux for computer monitor display work to approximately 3500 lux for such tasks as reading # 4 pencil handwriting and machine repair...regulation of physiology, mood and behavior. In: Bggic Effects of Light (Holick & Kligman, Eds.) New York: Walter de Gruyter & Co. (in press) Gaddy...1991 meetings. i~ge,~c 8! pFP EZ-T9 C0 F OGHr BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF LIGHT IN HUMANS: THE REGULATION OF PHYSIOLOGY, MOOD AND BEHAVIOR George C

Refinement and Verification of Predictive Models of Suspended Sediment Dispersion and Desorption of Toxics from Dredged Sediments.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-07-01

C ~ DO 680 J=1,NSTEP FOREX =SQRT(ADELX(J+1) *4.* (EZ* ( +EXPCO*EXP( - ’ADELX(J+1)/100.)))) DO 680 IZ=1,21 AZ=(IZ-1) *DELZ TOP=(AZ+XL )/ FOREX - 166 ET...ERF(TOP) BOT= (AZ-XL )/ FOREX EB=ERF (BOT) Z( IZ,J+1)=0. 5*(ET-EB) 680 CONTINUE C C START FINITE DIFFERENCE SOLUTION IF(ISCE.EQ.3)GO TO 25 DO 100 I=IUP

Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral Cyclopent-2-enones by Nickel-Catalyzed Desymmetrization of Malonate Esters.

PubMed

Karad, Somnath Narayan; Panchal, Heena; Clarke, Christopher; Lewis, William; Lam, Hon Wai

2018-05-16

The enantioselective synthesis of highly functionalized chiral cyclopent-2-enones by the reaction of alkynyl malonate esters with arylboronic acids is described. These desymmetrizing arylative cyclizations are catalyzed by a chiral phosphinooxazoline-nickel complex, and cyclization is enabled by the reversible E/Z isomerization of alkenylnickel species. The general methodology is also applicable to the synthesis of 1,6-dihydropyridin-3(2H)-ones. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Analytical and Experimental Study to Improve Computer Models for Mixing and Dilution of Soluble Hazardous Chemicals.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-08-01

Trajectory and Concentration of Various Plumes 59 IV.2 Tank and Cargo Geometry Assumed for Discharge Rate Calculation Using HACS Venting Rate Model 61...Discharge Rate Calculation Using HACS Venting Rate Model 62 IV.4 Original Test Plan for Validation of the Continuous Spill Model 66 IV.5 Final Test Plan...at t= 0. exEyEz = turbulent diffusivities. p = water density. Pc = chemical density. Symbols Used Only in Continuous-Spill Models for a Steady River b

Preliminary Airworthiness Evaluation of the Rutan Aircraft Factory (RAF) , Inc. LONG-EZ Airplane

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-06-01

pounds. Unique features include composite construction, a nose mounted canard for pitch control, and a aid-wing high aspect ratio Eppler swept airfoil with...Rear 35 in. Height Front 36 in. Rear 35 in. 51 Table 2. Airfoil Geometry Ave rage Airfoil Measured Tolerance WING ( Eppler 1230) L 0.51: Incidence R 0.48...tests of the wings and control systems and determination of frequencies and modal damping of all airfoil surfaces. These tests were conducted by AVRADCOM

Regioselective Ni-Catalyzed Carboxylation of Allylic and Propargylic Alcohols with Carbon Dioxide.

PubMed

Chen, Yue-Gang; Shuai, Bin; Ma, Cong; Zhang, Xiu-Jie; Fang, Ping; Mei, Tian-Sheng

2017-06-02

An efficient Ni-catalyzed reductive carboxylation of allylic alcohols with CO 2 has been successfully developed, providing linear β,γ-unsaturated carboxylic acids as the sole regioisomer with generally high E/Z stereoselectivity. In addition, the carboxylic acids can be generated from propargylic alcohols via hydrogenation to give allylic alcohol intermediates, followed by carboxylation. A preliminary mechanistic investigation suggests that the hydrogenation step is made possible by a Ni hydride intermediate produced by a hydrogen atom transfer from water.

Security for Telecommuting and Broadband Communications: Recommendations of the National Institute of Standards and Technology

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-08-01

Aware http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ Adware, Alexa 1.0-5.0, Aureate 1.0-3.0, Comet Cursor 1.0-2.0, Cydoor, Doubleclick, DSSAgent, EverAd, EzUla...Internet. Known as “voice over IP” (VOIP), the services convert speech to Internet messages and transmit them to a facility that interfaces with the...reporting, handling, prevention, and recognition . National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) - http://www.niap.nist.gov/ NIAP is a U.S

AMS analysis and flow source relationship of lava flows and ignimbrites from the eastern Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caballero, C. I.; Alva-Valdivia, L. M.; Morales-Barrera, W.; Rodríguez, S. R.

2013-05-01

The results of an AMS analysis carried on 36 sites from a late Miocene - Holocene volcanic stratigraphic sequence from the eastern Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt is presented. 22 sites (450 samples) belong to lava flows, mainly of basaltic composition, from different emission centers from the Xalapa Monogenitc Volcanic Field, (Rodríguez et al 2010, González-Mercado, 2005), "Cofre de Perote Vent Cluster" (CPVC), "Naolinco Volcanic Field" (NVF), (Siebert and Carrasco-Núñez, 2002), and the Chiconquiaco-Palma Sola volcanic complex (López-Infanzón, 1991; Ferrari et al., 2005). 14 sites belong to the widely distributed El Castillo rhyolitic ignimbrite dated 2.44 to 2.21 Ma (Morales-Barrera, 2009) which is a non-welded to welded ignimbrite. AMS measurements were performed with a KLY2 Kappabridge and processed with Anisoft software using Jelinek statistics. Sometimes a density distribution analysis was also performed when magnetic fabric showed more dispersed distribution patterns. AMS ellipsoids from basalt sites show mostly prolate shapes, while those from ignimbrites show mostly oblate shapes, which may partly due to magnetic mineralogy and also to flow dynamics. Flow directions were mostly obtained from the imbrication angle of magnetic foliation (evaluated from kmin axis mean as corresponding to its pole) and considering the symmetry of the axes distribution. Flow direction inferences are discussed in relation with flow source when it is clearly evident from geologic field observations, as it is usually the case with basalt lava flows. While in ignimbrites, flow inferences from petrographic and facies distributions are compared with AMS flow inferences, showing agreement between them in some cases but not in others, may be due to local tilting occurring after ignimbrite emplacement.

Identification of genetic loci that contribute to Campylobacter resistance to fowlicidin-1, a chicken host defense peptide

PubMed Central

Hoang, Ky Van; Wang, Ying; Lin, Jun

2012-01-01

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are critical components of host defense limiting bacterial infections at the gastrointestinal mucosal surface. Bacterial pathogens have co-evolved with host innate immunity and developed means to counteract the effect of endogenous AMPs. However, molecular mechanisms of AMP resistance in Campylobacter, an important human food-borne pathogen with poultry as a major reservoir, are still largely unknown. In this study, random transposon mutagenesis and targeted site-directed mutagenesis approaches were used to identify genetic loci contributing Campylobacter resistance to fowlicidin-1, a chicken AMP belonging to cathelicidin family. An efficient transposon mutagenesis approach (EZ::TN™ Transposome) in conjunction with a microtiter plate screening identified three mutants whose susceptibilities to fowlicidin-1 were significantly increased. Backcrossing of the transposon mutations into parent strain confirmed that the AMP-sensitive phenotype in each mutant was linked to the specific transposon insertion. Direct sequencing showed that these mutants have transposon inserted in the genes encoding two-component regulator CbrR, transporter CjaB, and putative trigger factor Tig. Genomic analysis also revealed an operon (Cj1580c-1584c) that is homologous to sapABCDF, an operon conferring resistance to AMP in other pathogens. Insertional inactivation of Cj1583c (sapB) significantly increased susceptibility of Campylobacter to fowlicidin-1. The sapB as well as tig and cjaB mutants were significantly impaired in their ability to compete with their wild-type strain 81–176 to colonize the chicken cecum. Together, this study identified four genetic loci in Campylobacter that will be useful for characterizing molecular basis of Campylobacter resistance to AMPs, a significant knowledge gap in Campylobacter pathogenesis. PMID:22919624

Comparison of Forsus FRD EZ and Andresen activator in the treatment of class II, division 1 malocclusions.

PubMed

Bilgiç, Fundagül; Başaran, Güvenç; Hamamci, Orhan

2015-03-01

Purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Forsus Fatigue-Resistant Device (FRD) EZ and Andresen activator in terms of skeletal, dental, and soft tissue changes in actively growing patients presenting with class II, division 1 malocclusion. Study sample included 60 subjects. Inclusion criteria were as follows: class II division 1 malocclusion, retrognathic mandible, normal or low-angle growth pattern, and peak growth period. The first study group consisted of 20 patients who were treated with Forsus appliance, and the second group of 20 patients received treatment with Andresen activator. Control group received no treatment. Our results revealed that both appliances enhanced mandibular growth, helped increase the length of the mandible, and had a restraining growth effect on the maxilla. Anterior face height increased in both of treatment groups, whereas posterior face height had a significant increase in the activator group only. More mandibular incisors protrusion and intrusion were seen with the Forsus appliance. Moreover, occlusal plane and palatal plane rotated significantly in clockwise direction as a result of dentoalveolar changes only in the Forsus group. As well as the Forsus appliances corrected class II discrepancies mostly through dentoalveolar changes as compared to the activator group, both appliances proved effective in the treatment of growing individuals having class II malocclusions with mandibular retrognathia. By this investigation, two treatment methods, which are currently used in clinical practice, will be evaluated, and the results will be useful for clinicians.

The Remarkable Similarity of Massive Galaxy Clusters from z ~ 0 to z ~ 1.9

DOE PAGES

McDonald, M.; Allen, S. W.; Bayliss, M.; ...

2017-06-28

We present the results of a Chandra X-ray survey of the 8 most massive galaxy clusters at z>1.2 in the South Pole Telescope 2500 deg^2 survey. We combine this sample with previously-published Chandra observations of 49 massive X-ray-selected clusters at 00.2R500 scaling like E(z)^2. In the centers of clusters (r<0.1R500), we find significant deviations from self similarity (n_e ~ E(z)^{0.1+/-0.5}), consistent with no redshift dependence. When we isolate clusters with over-dense cores (i.e., cool cores), we find that the average over-density profile has not evolved with redshift -- that is, cool cores have not changed in size, density, or totalmore » mass over the past ~9-10 Gyr. We show that the evolving "cuspiness" of clusters in the X-ray, reported by several previous studies, can be understood in the context of a cool core with fixed properties embedded in a self similarly-evolving cluster. We find no measurable evolution in the X-ray morphology of massive clusters, seemingly in tension with the rapidly-rising (with redshift) rate of major mergers predicted by cosmological simulations. We show that these two results can be brought into agreement if we assume that the relaxation time after a merger is proportional to the crossing time, since the latter is proportional to H(z)^(-1).« less

On rates and mechanisms of OH and O3 reactions with isoprene-derived hydroxy nitrates.

PubMed

Lee, Lance; Teng, Alex P; Wennberg, Paul O; Crounse, John D; Cohen, Ronald C

2014-03-06

Eight distinct hydroxy nitrates are stable products of the first step in the atmospheric oxidation of isoprene by OH. The subsequent chemical fate of these molecules affects global and regional production of ozone and aerosol as well as the location of nitrogen deposition. We synthesized and purified 3 of the 8 isoprene hydroxy nitrate isomers: (E/Z)-2-methyl-4-nitrooxybut-2-ene-1-ol and 3-methyl-2-nitrooxybut-3-ene-1-ol. Oxidation of these molecules by OH and ozone was studied using both chemical ionization mass spectrometry and thermo-dissociation laser induced fluorescence. The OH reaction rate constants at 300 K measured relative to propene at 745 Torr are (1.1 ± 0.2) × 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) for both the E and Z isomers and (4.2 ± 0.7) × 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) for the third isomer. The ozone reaction rate constants for (E/Z)-2-methyl-4-nitrooxybut-2-ene-1-ol are (2.7 ± 0.5) × 10(-17) and (2.9 ± 0.5) × 10(-17) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), respectively. 3-Methyl-2-nitrooxybut-3-ene-1-ol reacts with ozone very slowly, within the range of (2.5-5) × 10(-19) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). Reaction pathways, product yields, and implications for atmospheric chemistry are discussed. A condensed mechanism suitable for use in atmospheric chemistry models is presented.

The effect of implant macro-thread design on implant stability in the early post-operative period: a randomized, controlled pilot study.

PubMed

McCullough, Jeffrey J; Klokkevold, Perry R

2017-10-01

Available literature suggests there is a transient drop in implant stability from approximately week 0 to week 3-4 as a result of peri-implant bone remodeling as it transitions from a primary, mechanical stability to a secondary, biological stability. Research investigating the influence of macro-thread design on this process is scant. The specific aim of this study was to evaluate the role of macro-thread design on implant stability in the early post-operative healing period using resonance frequency analysis (RFA). Seven patients, each missing at least two posterior teeth in the same arch, were included in the study. Three patients qualified for four implants resulting in a total of 10 matched pairs. All sites were healed (>6 months), non-grafted sites with sufficient bone to place implants. Each site in a matched pair was randomly assigned to receive either a control (Megagen EZ Plus Internal; EZ) or test (Megagen AnyRidge; AR) implant. The test implant incorporates a novel thread design with a wide thread depth and increased thread pitch. RFA was used to determine implant stability quotient (ISQ) values for each implant at the time of placement and weekly for the first 8 weeks. Implants consistently achieved a relatively high insertion torque (30-45 N/cm) and high initial ISQ value (79.8 ± 1.49). Baseline ISQ values for test (AR; 79.55 ± 1.61) and control (EZ; 80.05 ± 1.37) implants were similar. A general pattern of stability from baseline through all eight follow-up evaluations was observed for the test implants. A pattern of decreasing ISQ values was observed for the control implants across the early follow-up evaluations up to week four, where the value plateaued. There was a statistically significant main effect due to implant type (P < 0.01) and a statistically significant interaction between implant type and time (P < 0.01), indicating that the test and control implants performed differently at certain time points. Within the limitations of this study, macro-thread design appears to play a role in implant stability in the early post-operative healing period as assessed by RFA. These findings may have important implications related to immediate or early loading protocols. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Meet Cuban Ebola fighters: interview with Félix Báez and Jorge Pérez. A MEDICC Review exclusive.

PubMed

Báez, Félix; Pérez, Jorge; Reed, Gail

2015-01-01

Tramping through the Himalayan snows to treat patients after the 2005 Pakistan earthquake, internist Félix Báez could never have imagined he would be on the front lines of Ebola in Sierra Leone nine years later….much less that he would contract the deadly virus, live to tell the story and also to return to his team in Africa to continue the fight. At his side in the Geneva University Hospital, where he was airlifted, was Dr Jorge Pérez, today director of Cuba's Pedro Kourí Tropical Medicine Institute (IPK), but best known as "Cuba's AIDS doctor." Times have changed for both physicians, and Ebola is first on their minds as it rages on. At this writing, while there is cautious optimism in Liberia, the epidemic is not yet under control. Ebola has already infected nearly 22,000 people, taken over 8600 lives; Sierra Leone is one of the countries hardest hit. Among the sick and dying have been too many local health workers: 103 of the 138 infected, at last count. The first to sound the global alarm was Doctors Without Borders, which, like Cuba, already had health professionals on the ground in Africa; they were joined by many more, and Cuba was the country that offered the most assistance once WHO called for nations to step up with funds and, most importantly, human resources. Cuba sent 256 volunteers, all with significant international emergency experience: 38 to Guinea, 53 to Liberia and 165 to Sierra Leone. And more wait in the wings, specially-trained disaster medical workers who have already received their first round of Ebola courses at IPK. These Cuban and other international volunteers are bringing patients back from the brink of death, assisting national health workers and community educators. And people like Jorge Pérez are working to get to the bottom of Ebola to help prevent its spread throughout Africa and to other parts of the world. But to keep an epidemic like this from happening again, it will take more, much more. Not only could the global community have done a better job this time around. But as Jim Kim, President of the World Bank admonished, Ebola didn't start with disease, but rather with historic inequalities, the virus festering within health systems barely able to function. A lesson for us all. Hours before Dr Báez's return to Sierra Leone-where he is now-MEDICC Review interviewed him and Dr Pérez at IPK in Havana.

Evaluation of reversible interconversion in comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography using enantioselective columns in first and second dimensions.

PubMed

Kröger, Sabrina; Wong, Yong Foo; Chin, Sung-Tong; Grant, Jacob; Lupton, David; Marriott, Philip J

2015-07-24

The reversible molecular interconversion behaviour of a synthesised oxime (2-phenylpropanaldehyde oxime; (C6H5)CH(CH3)CHN(OH)) was investigated by both, single dimensional gas chromatography (1D GC) and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC). Previous studies on small molecular weight oximes were extended to this larger aromatic oxime (molar mass 149.19gmol(-1)) with interest in the extent of interconversion, enantioselective resolution, and retention time. On a polyethylene glycol (PEG; wax-type) column, a characteristic interconversion zone between two antipodes of E and Z isomers was formed by molecules which have undergone isomerisation on the column (E⇌Z). The extent of interconversion was investigated by varying chromatographic conditions (oven temperature and carrier flow rate) to understand the nature of the behaviour observed. The extent of interconversion was negligible in both enantioselective and methyl-phenylpolysiloxane phase-columns, correlating with the low polarity of the stationary phase. In order to obtain isomerisation along with enantio-resolution, a wax-type and an enantioselective column were coupled in either enantioselective-wax or wax-enantioselective order. The most appropriate column arrangement was selected for study by using a GC×GC experiment with either a wax-phase or phenyl-methylpolysiloxane phase as (2)D column. In addition to evaluation of these fast elution columns, a long narrow-bore enantioselective column (10m) was introduced as (2)D, providing an enantioselective-PEG (coupled-column ensemble: (1)D1+(1)D2)×enantioselective ((2)D) column combination. In this instance, the (1)D1 enantioselective column provides enantiomeric separation of the corresponding enantiomers ((R) and (S)) of (E)- and (Z)-2-phenylpropanaldehyde oxime, followed by E/Z isomerisation in the coupled (1)D2 PEG (reactor) column. The resulting chromatographic interconversion region was modulated and separated into either E/Z isomers (achiral (2)D column) or into the respective (R) and (S) enantiomers of the E/Z isomers when using a (2)D enantioselective column. With this arrangement, the isomers underneath the broad interconversion plateau in 1D elution profiles, including the enantiomers, could be resolved, illuminating salient features and understanding of the molecular reversible process of the interconverting molecules during the chromatographic elution. The two-dimensional patterns (contour plots), resulting from the combination of interconversion process and chiral separation, are discussed phenomenologically. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A simplified characterization of S-adenosyl-l-methionine-consuming enzymes with 1-Step EZ-MTase: a universal and straightforward coupled-assay for in vitro and in vivo setting† †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental materials and methods, characterization of all compounds (1H–1H COSY NMR, 1H–13C edited HSQC NMR, MS analysis), supplementary figures and tables, worksheets for the 1-Step EZ-MTase assay using both UV- and fluorescence-detection mode, a worksheet for the determination of glycine N-methyltransferase activity within biological samples. Samples of purified TM0936 will be distributed upon request. See DOI: 10.1039/c7sc02830j

PubMed Central

Walters, Ryan O.; Huffman, Derek M.

2017-01-01

Methyltransferases use S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) to deposit methyl marks. Many of these epigenetic ‘writers’ are associated with gene regulation. As cancer etiology is highly correlated with misregulated methylation patterns, methyltransferases are emerging therapeutic targets. Successful assignment of methyltransferases' roles within intricate biological networks relies on (1) the access to enzyme mechanistic insights and (2) the efficient screening of chemical probes against these targets. To characterize methyltransferases in vitro and in vivo, we report a highly-sensitive one-step deaminase-linked continuous assay where the S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine (SAH) enzyme-product is rapidly and quantitatively catabolized to S-inosyl-l-homocysteine (SIH). To highlight the broad capabilities of this assay, we established enzymatic characteristics of two protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMT5 and PRMT7), a histone-lysine N-methyltransferase (DIM-5) and a sarcosine/dimethylglycine N-methyltransferase (SDMT). Since the coupling deaminase TM0936 displays robust activity over a broad pH-range we determined the pH dependence of SDMT reaction rates. TM0936 reactions are monitored at 263 nm, so a drawback may arise when methyl acceptor substrates absorb within this UV-range. To overcome this limitation, we used an isosteric fluorescent SAM-analog: S-8-aza-adenosyl-l-methionine. Most enzymes tolerated this probe and sustained methyltransfers were efficiently monitored through loss of fluorescence at 360 nm. Unlike discontinuous radioactive- and antibody-based assays, our assay provides a simple, versatile and affordable approach towards the characterization of methyltransferases. Supported by three logs of linear dynamic range, the 1-Step EZ-MTase can detect methylation rates as low as 2 μM h–1, thus making it possible to quantify low nanomolar concentrations of glycine N-methyltransferase within crude biological samples. With Z′-factors above 0.75, this assay is well suited to high-throughput screening and may promote the identification of novel therapeutics. PMID:29449933

Threats to Democracy-Civil-Military Relations in America and Britain Present and Future.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-03-01

head. 3 In 1952 wnen Eisenhower was running for president there were reservations about whether a military man snould hold the nignest civiiidn office...arms fiasco, President Reagan’s security policy has helped to re.store American pri,:: and influence in world affairs. In Britain, the armed for-ezs...j1.if.st t and fused them in the person of the President . Pi-: L r i t s system of government is unitary rather tnan f-iorJl i, . There is no

Military Forces in Urban Antiterrorism

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-10-01

not constitule an official eodorýemtnt oi apprcvai of the use of’ s3ch commercial products. UNCLASSIFIED ýEUAITY CLAS .’A71ON; 01 - ~’PAGE J FIorm...Continue on reverse if necessary and identify by block number) ýIFLD GROUP SU1R- AU P urban wlrfare; MOUT, 15 6 ____ ,.rban terrorism LIC J terrorism (see...onclusions and address-ez their impl ic~ati ons for U.S. military forces in future urban aril itrror int operat2.on:?.k 20DiSTRiBUITION /AVAILABILTY OF j .,85

Twenty-four tuba harmonics using a single pipe length

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holmes, Bud; Ruiz, Michael J.

2017-03-01

Harmonics arise naturally from the resonances in strings and pipes. A video demonstration (Ruiz 2016 YouTube: Tuba Harmonics (https://youtu.be/souhEzOP9c4)) is provided where a tubist (coauthor Holmes) produces a phenomenal 24 harmonics using a single tuba pipe length by controlling the buzz of his lips. The frequencies of the harmonics, measured with the free software program Audacity, fall excellently on a linear fit using a spreadsheet. The skillful musical production of so many harmonics with a fixed pipe length is an extraordinary illustration of physics.

A Measurement-Free Approach to Conditioning.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-11-01

y) Iv TO) * (.S Is2DUEO LUNG CONGESTION Z2b 2Ez2] EQI(bZ)-fl.3...U where n0 is given in (2.7) and - :1:,0 vb12 ~ NOLGLIOF ISESESTAE 1 0, =%, 5M( i...uniquely determined : which can be further evaluated using the expansion1.32). Theorem 2.1 Characterization of Conditional Objects. I’ oolanFor the formal...naturalditional forms is to determine if there i - e mapping class sense to v:’. gm, W:X . fn,VKW;; l.. +n , re-from. these higher levels down to the sin

What are the correct ρ0(770 ) meson mass and width values?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bartoš, Erik; Dubnička, Stanislav; Liptaj, Andrej; Dubničková, Anna Zuzana; Kamiński, Robert

2017-12-01

The accuracy of the Gounaris-Sakurai pion electromagnetic form factor model at the elastic region, in which just the ρ0(770 ) resonance appears, is investigated by the particular analysis of the most accurate P-wave isovector π π scattering phase shift δ11(t ) data, obtained by the Garcia-Martin-Kamiński-Peláez-Yndurain approach, and by an application of the Unitary&Analytic pion electromagnetic structure model to a description of the newest precise data on the e+e-→π+π- process.

3D model of radionuclide dispersion in coastal areas with multifraction cohesive and non-cohesive sediments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brovchenko, Igor; Maderich, Vladimir; Jung, Kyung Tae

2015-04-01

We developed new radionuclide dispersion model that may be used in coastal areas, rivers and estuaries with non-uniform distribution of suspended and bed sediments both cohesive and non-cohesive types. Model describes radionuclides concentration in dissolved phase in water column, particulated phase on suspended sediments on each sediment class types, bed sediments and pore water. The transfer of activity between the water column and the pore water in the upper layer of the bottom sediment is governed by diffusion processes. The phase exchange between dissolved and particulate radionuclides is written in terms of desorption rate a12 (s-1) and distribution coefficient Kd,iw and Kd,ib (m3/kg) for water column and for bottom deposit, respectively. Following (Periáñez et al., 1996) the dependence of distribution coefficients is inversely proportional to the sediment particle size. For simulation of 3D circulation, turbulent diffusion and wave fields a hydrostatic model SELFE (Roland et. al. 2010) that solves Reynolds-stress averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations and Wave Action transport equation on the unstructured grids was used. Simulation of suspended sediment concentration and bed sediments composition is based on (L. Pinto et. al., 2012) approach that originally was developed for non-cohesive sediments. In present study we modified this approach to include possibility of simulating mixture of cohesive and non-cohesive sediments by implementing parameterizations for erosion and deposition fluxes for cohesive sediments and by implementing flocculation model for determining settling velocity of cohesive flocs. Model of sediment transport was calibrated on measurements in the Yellow Sea which is shallow tidal basin with strongly non-uniform distribution of suspended and bed sediments. Model of radionuclide dispersion was verified on measurements of 137Cs concentration in surface water and bed sediments after Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident. References Periáñez, R. Abril, J.M., Garcia-Leon, M. (1996). Modelling the dispersion of non-conservative radionuclides in tidal waters'Part 1: conceptual and mathematical model. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 31 (2), 127-141 Roland, A., Y. J. Zhang, H. V. Wang, Y. Meng, Y.-C. Teng, V. Maderich, I. Brovchenko, M. Dutour-Sikiric, and U. Zanke (2012), A fully coupled 3D wave-current interaction model on unstructured grids, J. Geophys. Res., 117, C00J33 Pinto L., Fortunato A.B., Zhang Y., Oliveira A., Sancho F.E.P. (2012) Development and validation of a three-dimensional morphodynamic modelling system for non-cohesive sediments, Ocean Modell., (57-58), 1-14

Nongyrotropic electron orbits in collisionless magnetic reconnection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zenitani, S.

2016-12-01

In order to study inner workings of magnetic reconnection, NASA has recently launched Magnetospheric MultiScale (MMS) spacecraft. It is expected to observe electron velocity distribution functions (VDFs) at high resolution in magnetotail reconnection sites in 2017. Since VDFs are outcomes of many particle orbits, it is important to understand the relation between electron orbits and VDFs. In this work, we study electron orbits and associated VDFs in the electron current layer in magnetic reconnection, by using a two-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation. By analyzing millions of electron orbits, we discover several new orbits: (1) Figure-eight-shaped regular orbits inside the super-Alfvenic electron jet, (2) noncrossing Speiser orbits that do not cross the midplane, (3) noncrossing regular orbits on the jet flanks, and (4) nongyrotropic electrons in the downstream of the jet termination region. Properties of these orbits are organized by a theory on particle orbits (Buchner & Zelenyi 1989 JGR). The noncrossing orbits are mediated by the polarization electric field (Hall electric field E_z) near the midplane. These orbits can be understood as electrostatic extensions of the conventional theory. Properties of the super-Alfvenic electron jet are attributed to the traditional Speiser-orbit electrons. On the other hand, the noncrossing electrons are the majority in number density in the jet flanks. This raise a serious question to our present understanding of physics of collisionless magnetic reconnection, which only assumes crossing populations. We will also discuss spatial distribution of energetic electrons and observational signatures of noncrossing electrons. Reference: Zenitani & Nagai (2016), submitted to Phys. Plasmas.

Directional analysis of cardiac motion field from gated fluorodeoxyglucose PET images using the Discrete Helmholtz Hodge Decomposition.

PubMed

Sims, J A; Giorgi, M C; Oliveira, M A; Meneghetti, J C; Gutierrez, M A

2018-04-01

Extract directional information related to left ventricular (LV) rotation and torsion from a 4D PET motion field using the Discrete Helmholtz Hodge Decomposition (DHHD). Synthetic motion fields were created using superposition of rotational and radial field components and cardiac fields produced using optical flow from a control and patient image. These were decomposed into curl-free (CF) and divergence-free (DF) components using the DHHD. Synthetic radial components were present in the CF field and synthetic rotational components in the DF field, with each retaining its center position, direction of motion and diameter after decomposition. Direction of rotation at apex and base for the control field were in opposite directions during systole, reversing during diastole. The patient DF field had little overall rotation with several small rotators. The decomposition of the LV motion field into directional components could assist quantification of LV torsion, but further processing stages seem necessary. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Method and apparatus for sensing a desired component of an incident magnetic field using magneto resistive elements biased in different directions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pant, Bharat B. (Inventor); Wan, Hong (Inventor)

1999-01-01

A method and apparatus for sensing a desired component of a magnetic field using an isotropic magnetoresistive material. This is preferably accomplished by providing a bias field that is parallel to the desired component of the applied magnetic field. The bias field is applied in a first direction relative to a first set of magnetoresistive sensor elements, and in an opposite direction relative to a second set of magnetoresistive sensor elements. In this configuration, the desired component of the incident magnetic field adds to the bias field incident on the first set of magnetoresistive sensor elements, and subtracts from the bias field incident on the second set of magnetoresistive sensor elements. The magnetic field sensor may then sense the desired component of the incident magnetic field by simply sensing the difference in resistance of the first set of magnetoresistive sensor elements and the second set of magnetoresistive sensor elements.

EDITORIAL HPJ SPECIAL ISSUE INTRODUCTION

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

Farfan, E.

2011-10-01

Radioecology is the study of the fate and transport and potential effects of radionuclides and associated contaminants in the environment. In short, it is the science that describes the fundamental connection between environmental health and human health risks. As such, radioecology can and has provided the credible, consistent and defensible basis for the successful and cost-effective environmental cleanup and closure of nuclear production and waste sites. In addition, radioecology also provides the technical basis for making timely and reliable decisions on cleanup in the aftermath of nuclear incidents such as Chernobyl and Fukushima. The 1986 Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP)more » accident resulted in catastrophic health, social, and economic consequences in many countries, predominantly, Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. The extent of radioactive contamination, levels and forms of contamination, and diversity of the ecosystems affected by the accident did not have any precedent and provided unique opportunities for environmental scientists around the world. Following the natural course of their development, populations of species and their communities found themselves in conditions of chronic radiation exposure that exceeded the natural background by factors of hundreds and thousands. Anything similar would have been extremely difficult if not impossible to recreate in a scientific laboratory. Consequently, since the first few years after the accident, many teams of scientists have visited the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (ChEZ). The knowledge gained by studying the consequences of this accident has tremendous importance. The concept of an international research and technical center to address the problems involving nuclear and radiological accidents became a reality with the establishment of the International Chernobyl Center (ICC). In May 1995, the US and Ukraine signed a Protocol of Intent on establishment of the ICC, and the government of Ukraine appealed to the international scientific community to support ICC and join its activities (Chernobyl Center 2006). In December 1995, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the ChNPP closure was signed by the government of Ukraine, all of the G7 governments, and the European Commission. The ICC foundation was considered critical to ensure the safe decommissioning of the ChNPP reactor units and improvement of the safety of the Chernobyl Containment Shelter. On the 10th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident (26 April 1996), Mr. Viktor Yushchenko, the President of Ukraine, issued a decree to establish the Chernobyl Center for Nuclear Safety, Radioactive Waste and Radioecology (Chernobyl Center). On the same day, a MOU involving the US participation in Chernobyl Center activities was signed by the US and Ukraine (Chernobyl Center 2006). In July 1998, the US and Ukraine signed an agreement to establish the International Radioecology Laboratory (IRL) as part of the Chernobyl Center. The creation of IRL was a logical continuation of previous programs to conduct scientific research in radioecology and provide Ukraine and the rest of the world with the necessary infrastructure and scientific basis to conduct research in radioecology, radiobiology, dosimetry, and environmental protection in the ChEZ (Chernobyl Center 2006). A recent collaborative effort with IRL has been implemented through a project titled 'Long-term impacts from radiation/contamination within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone' (Farfan et al. 2008; Gerdes et al. 2009; Marra et al. 2010). This collaboration had the following objectives: (1) Assess the long-term impacts to the environment from radiation exposure within the ChEZ; (2) Provide information on remediation guidelines and ecological risk assessment within radioactively contaminated territories based on the results of long-term field monitoring, analytical measurements, and numerical modeling of soils and groundwater radioactive contamination; and (3) Recommend the development and testing of effective cleanup technologies to reduce environmental and health risks. Based on this work, a large amount of data are now available for publication, some of which are presented in this Special Issue of the Health Physics Journal.« less

Predictors of seizure freedom after incomplete resection in children.

PubMed

Perry, M S; Dunoyer, C; Dean, P; Bhatia, S; Bavariya, A; Ragheb, J; Miller, I; Resnick, T; Jayakar, P; Duchowny, M

2010-10-19

Incomplete resection of the epileptogenic zone (EZ) is the most important predictor of poor outcome after resective surgery for intractable epilepsy. We analyzed the contribution of preoperative and perioperative variables including MRI and EEG data as predictors of seizure-free (SF) outcome after incomplete resection. We retrospectively reviewed patients <18 years of age with incomplete resection for epilepsy with 2 years of follow-up. Fourteen preoperative and perioperative variables were compared in SF and non-SF (NSF) patients. We compared lesional patients, categorized by reason for incompleteness, to lesional patients with complete resection. We analyzed for effect of complete EEG resection on SF outcome in patients with incompletely resected MRI lesions and vice versa. Eighty-three patients with incomplete resection were included with 41% becoming SF. Forty-eight lesional patients with complete resection were included. Thirty-eight percent (57/151) of patients with incomplete resection and 34% (47/138) with complete resection were excluded secondary to lack of follow-up or incomplete records. Contiguous MRI lesions were predictive of seizure freedom after incomplete resection. Fifty-seven percent of patients incomplete by MRI alone, 52% incomplete by EEG alone, and 24% incomplete by both became SF compared to 77% of patients with complete resection (p = 0.0005). Complete resection of the MRI- and EEG-defined EZ is the best predictor of seizure freedom, though patients incomplete by EEG or MRI alone have better outcome compared to patients incomplete by both. More than one-third of patients with incomplete resection become SF, with contiguous MRI lesions a predictor of SF outcome.

Identification of the epileptogenic zone of temporal lobe epilepsy from stereo-electroencephalography signals: A phase transfer entropy and graph theory approach.

PubMed

Wang, Meng-Yang; Wang, Jing; Zhou, Jian; Guan, Yu-Guang; Zhai, Feng; Liu, Chang-Qing; Xu, Fei-Fei; Han, Yi-Xian; Yan, Zhao-Fen; Luan, Guo-Ming

2017-01-01

The aim of this research is to apply an approach based on phase transfer entropy (PTE) and graph theory to study the interactions between the stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) activities recorded in multilobar origin, in order to evaluate their ability to detect the epileptogenic zone (EZ) of temporal lobe epilepsies (TLE). Forty-three patients were included in this retrospective study. Five to sixteen (median = 12) multilead electrodes were implanted per patient, and, for each patient, a sub-set of between 10 and 32 (median = 22) bipolar derivations was selected for analysis. The leads were classified into the onset leads (OLs), the early propagation leads (EPLs), and the rest of the leads (RLs). The results showed that a significantly different dynamic trend of the out/in ratio (more obvious in the gamma band) distinguishes the OLs from RLs in the 23 patients who were seizure-free not only during the ictal event (significant elevation), but also during the inter-,pre-, late-ictal periods, and especially in the post-ictal (sharp decline) state. However, in the 20 patients who were not-seizure-free, the differences between the OLs and RLs during the post-ictal period were not found in any frequency band. The dynamic trend was used to predict surgical outcome, and the results showed that the sensitivity was 91% and the specificity was 70%. In brief, this study indicates that our approach may add new and valuable information, providing efficient quantitative measures useful for localizing the EZ.

Identification and characterization of rhizospheric microbial diversity by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing.

PubMed

Naveed, Muhammad; Mubeen, Samavia; Khan, SamiUllah; Ahmed, Iftikhar; Khalid, Nauman; Suleria, Hafiz Ansar Rasul; Bano, Asghari; Mumtaz, Abdul Samad

2014-01-01

In the present study, samples of rhizosphere and root nodules were collected from different areas of Pakistan to isolate plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. Identification of bacterial isolates was made by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and taxonomical confirmation on EzTaxon Server. The identified bacterial strains were belonged to 5 genera i.e. Ensifer, Bacillus, Pseudomona, Leclercia and Rhizobium. Phylogenetic analysis inferred from 16S rRNA gene sequences showed the evolutionary relationship of bacterial strains with the respective genera. Based on phylogenetic analysis, some candidate novel species were also identified. The bacterial strains were also characterized for morphological, physiological, biochemical tests and glucose dehydrogenase (gdh) gene that involved in the phosphate solublization using cofactor pyrroloquinolone quinone (PQQ). Seven rhizoshperic and 3 root nodulating stains are positive for gdh gene. Furthermore, this study confirms a novel association between microbes and their hosts like field grown crops, leguminous and non-leguminous plants. It was concluded that a diverse group of bacterial population exist in the rhizosphere and root nodules that might be useful in evaluating the mechanisms behind plant microbial interactions and strains QAU-63 and QAU-68 have sequence similarity of 97 and 95% which might be declared as novel after further taxonomic characterization.

[Nutrition team. Units of nutritional support].

PubMed

Ordóñez, J; Rombeau, J L; Celaya, S; de Ulibarri, I; Gutiérrez Morlote, J

1991-01-01

During the VIII National Congress of the Spanish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (SENPE) held in Santander on 5th, 6th and 7th of June last, a subject was raised among several others, which for us was of great current interest and not often found in scientific affairs, related to the organizational affairs of the discipline of Artificial Nutrition, namely the Nutritional Teams or Nutritional Support Units. The aim was to respond to the many problems raised by this discipline: What does it consist of? Is it necessary? What is its purpose? Who is involved in it? What qualifications must these people have? Does it enter into competition with Nutritional, Clinical and Dietetic Services? To reply to these and many other questions, we invited a number of professionals with wide experience in nutritional and other fields, in an attempt to form a group of experts in different specialties with interests in the subject. We were also lucky enough to be able to invite Doctor Rombeau, an internationally-recognized expert, in whose country there exists great experience in the organization of these units. This summary of our Round Table was prepared by the organizer, Doctor Ordóñez, and an attempt was made to respect the spirit of each author's contribution.

Identification and characterization of rhizospheric microbial diversity by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing

PubMed Central

Naveed, Muhammad; Mubeen, Samavia; khan, SamiUllah; Ahmed, Iftikhar; Khalid, Nauman; Suleria, Hafiz Ansar Rasul; Bano, Asghari; Mumtaz, Abdul Samad

2014-01-01

In the present study, samples of rhizosphere and root nodules were collected from different areas of Pakistan to isolate plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. Identification of bacterial isolates was made by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and taxonomical confirmation on EzTaxon Server. The identified bacterial strains were belonged to 5 genera i.e. Ensifer, Bacillus, Pseudomona, Leclercia and Rhizobium. Phylogenetic analysis inferred from 16S rRNA gene sequences showed the evolutionary relationship of bacterial strains with the respective genera. Based on phylogenetic analysis, some candidate novel species were also identified. The bacterial strains were also characterized for morphological, physiological, biochemical tests and glucose dehydrogenase (gdh) gene that involved in the phosphate solublization using cofactor pyrroloquinolone quinone (PQQ). Seven rhizoshperic and 3 root nodulating stains are positive for gdh gene. Furthermore, this study confirms a novel association between microbes and their hosts like field grown crops, leguminous and non-leguminous plants. It was concluded that a diverse group of bacterial population exist in the rhizosphere and root nodules that might be useful in evaluating the mechanisms behind plant microbial interactions and strains QAU-63 and QAU-68 have sequence similarity of 97 and 95% which might be declared as novel after further taxonomic characterization. PMID:25477935

Magneto-optical visualization of three spatial components of inhomogeneous stray fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivanov, V. E.

2012-08-01

The article deals with the physical principles of magneto-optical visualization (MO) of three spatial components of inhomogeneous stray fields with the help of FeCo metal indicator films in the longitudinal Kerr effect geometry. The inhomogeneous field is created by permanent magnets. Both p- and s-polarization light is used for obtaining MO images with their subsequent summing, subtracting and digitizing. As a result, the MO images and corresponding intensity coordinate dependences reflecting the distributions of the horizontal and vertical magnetization components in pure form have been obtained. Modeling of both the magnetization distribution in the indicator film and the corresponding MO images shows that corresponding to polar sensitivity the intensity is proportional to the normal field component, which permits normal field component mapping. Corresponding to longitudinal sensitivity, the intensity of the MO images reflects the angular distribution of the planar field component. MO images have singular points in which the planar component is zero and their movement under an externally homogeneous planar field permits obtaining of additional information on the two planar components of the field under study. The intensity distribution character in the vicinity of sources and sinks (singular points) remains the same under different orientations of the light incidence plane. The change of incident plane orientation by π/2 alters the distribution pattern in the vicinity of the saddle points.

A component compensation method for magnetic interferential field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Qi; Wan, Chengbiao; Pan, Mengchun; Liu, Zhongyan; Sun, Xiaoyong

2017-04-01

A new component searching with scalar restriction method (CSSRM) is proposed for magnetometer to compensate magnetic interferential field caused by ferromagnetic material of platform and improve measurement performance. In CSSRM, the objection function for parameter estimation is to minimize magnetic field (components and magnitude) difference between its measurement value and reference value. Two scalar compensation method is compared with CSSRM and the simulation results indicate that CSSRM can estimate all interferential parameters and external magnetic field vector with high accuracy. The magnetic field magnitude and components, compensated with CSSRM, coincide with true value very well. Experiment is carried out for a tri-axial fluxgate magnetometer, mounted in a measurement system with inertial sensors together. After compensation, error standard deviation of both magnetic field components and magnitude are reduced from more than thousands nT to less than 20 nT. It suggests that CSSRM provides an effective way to improve performance of magnetic interferential field compensation.

The Soviet-West European Energy Relationship: Implications of the Shift from Oil to Gas,

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-06-01

Western oil majors, such as Shell and Jersey Standard, to market Soviet oil, as they had for a time after the revolution C3). ’.o S ...I’ rn ) ra " G 1 S V P marketing ano price 31sco-its 3%so cOnrrZten t, tnl s raoi ;growth. The U)SSR re-esta:;1.snec its na <ez, ina neCork i . es er...On the Other hand, the weak market conditions, as well as the con- straints on the supply side, inhibit Soviet abilities to pursue this old strategy

Daily Planet Redesign: eZ Publish Web Content Management Implementation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dutra, Jayne E.

2006-01-01

This viewgraph presentation reviews the process of the redesign of the Daily . Planet news letter as a content management implementation project. This is a site that is an internal news site that acts as a communication vehicle for a large volume of content. The Objectives for the site redesign was: (1) Clean visual design, (2) Facilitation of publication processes, (3) More efficient maintenance mode, (4) Automated publishing to internal portal, (5) Better navigation through improved site IA, (6) Archiving and retrieval functionality, (7) Back to basics on fundamental business goals. The CM is a process not a software package

Synthesis and Photochromic Properties of Configurationally Varied Azobenzene Glycosides

PubMed Central

Chandrasekaran, Vijayanand; Johannes, Eugen; Kobarg, Hauke; Sönnichsen, Frank D; Lindhorst, Thisbe K

2014-01-01

Spatial orientation of carbohydrates is a meaningful parameter in carbohydrate recognition processes. To vary orientation of sugars with temporal and spatial resolution, photosensitive glycoconjugates with favorable photochromic properties appear to be opportune. Here, a series of azobenzene glycosides were synthesized, employing glycoside synthesis and Mills reaction, to allow “switching” of carbohydrate orientation by reversible E/Z isomerization of the azobenzene N=N double bond. Their photochromic properties were tested and effects of azobenzene substitution as well as the effect of anomeric configuration and the orientation of the sugars 2-hydroxy group were evaluated. PMID:25050228

Economic Feasibility of DLA (Defense Logistics Agency) Materiel Maintenance Mission

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-10-01

the data was only available in aggregate for FY 87. Some of the data was not available at all. Because assumptions had to be made to match the daca ... actions . In the long run, all costs vary with the • See Ma4gn ad ,~ez’ K F==Irs (St P 4 h Ws aIudig QmM, Df) pix for a di=sskn Cf tte diffuro Lem firse...salary paid to a worker. As the current benefit costs were only about 14-15% of the total, it was assumed that the balance was deferred costs that were

Princeton VLSI Project.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-01-01

a rectilinear graph. iefnition 2.1: A rectiliwr graph G is a triple (V. E. X). where V is the vertex set, E is the edge set, and X:Vx V-E U le , where...G,(V, ,) as follows: . =e(z) I =z(a),a E Viand E., = (z, ) I Z1 >Z2E:I, V and E-V are similarly defined. It can be easily shown that C is consistent...width of the layout after the introduction the le .’gths of the drivers introduced on wn to u _-, If we of drivers, which is given by so,+m. is 0(m2

Department of the Navy Justification of Estimates for Fiscal Year 1988/1989 Submitted to Congress. Procurement. Other Procurement, Navy.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-01-01

7 7ZD- AISI 9721 PffARTMENT OF THE NAVY JUffjA~j HFC S A FO L/L U I (NAUil) WASHINC ON C JAN&LNCLASS IFI ED F/G 5/1 NL I M2 I12 5 coo~ LIFJ -I LII...0 4 4)-s.. -4 4J C: 00 + ,. LI0a 4)00&.4. 00a 4)CA.V f0 4- > 1 - 1 404- 4JLA. 0- =. i.- >, 0h0 a0 cn 4 (40 s.4 > 4 24*~ (-A *.eZ---. 0. .. ., tv 4140

Helicopter Blade Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

1947-01-01

9, 9^ + 9, ) • sin (*-©„)- 0 za ^ yf Neglecting the gravity forces and using the above assumptions, ( jt- 8o ) reduces to U-ßZ) i pcV2 C...ez ), by dropping subscript "f" and setting 0 = Q , d* = 0 , becomes (iC-84) Tg pcV2 C1 dx - mx (0 9^ + 9 ) dx + dS = 0 Subtracting {a-&4...from (ff-ɝ£ ): (x-a^-) | pcV2 (C, - C,) dx - mx Of (<t> - 8 ) dx f za y - mx (9 - 9 ) dx + dS„ - dS H- P do = 0 Integrating (z-83

The sequence of vaccinations and increased female mortality after high-titre measles vaccine: trials from rural Sudan and Kinshasa.

PubMed

Aaby, Peter; Ibrahim, Salah A; Libman, Michael D; Jensen, Henrik

2006-04-05

West African studies have hypothesized that increased female mortality after high-titre measles vaccine (HTMV) was due to subsequent diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) and inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) vaccinations. We tested two deductions from this hypothesis in HTMV studies from rural Sudan and Kinshasa; first, there should be no excess female mortality for HTMV recipients when DTP was not given after HTMV and second, excess female mortality should only be found among those children who received DTP after HTMV. The Sudanese trial randomised 510 children to Edmonston-Zagreb (EZ) HTMV, Connaught HTMV or a control vaccine (meningococcal). Both the Connaught HTMV and the control group received standard measles vaccine at 9 months. In the Kinshasa study 1023 children received one dose of HTMV at 6 months or two doses at 312 and 912 months of age. First, the Sudan trial is one of the few randomised studies of measles vaccine; the EZ HTMV group had lower mortality between 5 and 9 months of age than controls, the mortality ratio (MR) being 0.00 (p = 0.030). This effect was not due to prevention of measles infection. Second, both studies provided evidence that HTMV per se was associated with low mortality. In a combined analysis comparing both HTMV groups with controls, the HTMV groups had a MR of 0.09 (0.01-0.71) between 5 and 9 months of age. In Kinshasa, the HTMV recipients who did not receive simultaneous DTP had an annual mortality rate of only 1.0% between 6 months and 3 years of age. Third, the female-male MR was related to subsequent DTP vaccinations. In Kinshasa, the female-male MR was only 0.40 (0.13-1.27) among the HTMV recipients who did not receive further doses of DTP. In Sudan, the female-male mortality ratio in the EZ group was 3.89 (95% CI 1.02-14.83) and the female-male MR increased with number of doses of DTP likely to have been given during follow-up (trend, p = 0.043). Fourth, in Kinshasa, mortality was higher among children who had received HTMV and DTP simultaneously than among children who had received HTMV alone (MR = 5.38 (1.37-21.2)). Measles vaccine is associated with non-specific beneficial effects. When not given with DTP, HTMV per se was associated with low mortality. Increased female mortality was not found among children who did not receive DTP after HTMV. Hence, our deductions were supported and the sequence or combination of vaccinations may have an effect on sex-specific mortality patterns in low-income countries.

Estimation of the Lithospheric Component Share in the Earth Natural Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malyshkov, S. Y.; Gordeev, V. F.; Polyvach, V. I.; Shtalin, S. G.; Pustovalov, K. N.

2017-04-01

Article describes the results of the atmosphere and Earth’s crust climatic and ecological parameters integrated monitoring. The estimation is made for lithospheric component share in the Earth natural pulsed electromagnetic field structure. To estimate lithospheric component we performed a round-the-clock monitoring of the Earth natural pulsed electromagnetic field background variations at the experiment location and measured the Earth natural pulsed electromagnetic field under electric shields. Natural materials in a natural environment were used for shielding, specifically lakes with varying parameters of water conductivity. Skin effect was used in the experiment - it is the tendency of electromagnetic waves amplitude to decrease with greater depths in the conductor. Atmospheric and lithospheric component the Earth natural pulsed electromagnetic field data recorded on terrain was compared against the recorded data with atmosphere component decayed by an electric shield. In summary we have demonstrated in the experiment that thunderstorm discharge originating electromagnetic field decay corresponds to the decay calculated using Maxwell equations. In the absence of close lightning strikes the ratio of field intensity recorded on terrain to shielded field intensity is inconsistent with the ratio calculated for atmospheric sources, that confirms there is a lithospheric component present to the Earth natural pulsed electromagnetic field.

On the origin of vorticity in magnetic particle suspensions subjected to triaxial fields

DOE PAGES

Martin, James E.

2016-06-06

We have recently reported that two classes of time-dependent triaxial magnetic fields can induce vorticity in magnetic particle suspensions. The first class – symmetry-breaking fields – is comprised of two ac components and one dc component. The second class – rational triad fields – is comprised of three ac components. In both cases deterministic vorticity occurs when the ratios of the field frequencies form rational numbers. A strange aspect of these fields is that they produce fluid vorticity without generally having a circulating field vector, such as would occur in a rotating field. It has been shown, however, that themore » symmetry of the field trajectory, considered jointly with that of the converse field, allows vorticity to occur around one particular field axis. This axis might be any of the field components, and is determined by the relative frequencies of the field components. However, the symmetry theories give absolutely no insight into why vorticity should occur. In this paper we propose a particle-based model of vorticity in these driven fluids. This model proposes that particles form volatile chains that follow, but lag behind, the dynamic field vector. Furthermore, this model is consistent with the predictions of symmetry theory and gives reasonable agreement with previously reported torque density measurements for a variety of triaxial fields.« less

Downhole data transmission system

DOEpatents

Hall, David R.; Hall, Jr., H. Tracy; Pixton, David S; Dahlgren, Scott; Fox, Joe

2006-06-20

A system for transmitting data through a string of downhole components. In one aspect, the system includes first and second magnetically conductive, electrically insulating elements at both ends of the component. Each element includes a first U-shaped trough with a bottom, first and second sides and an opening between the two sides. Electrically conducting coils are located in each trough. An electrical conductor connects the coils in each component. In operation, a varying current applied to a first coil in one component generates a varying magnetic field in the first magnetically conductive, electrically insulating element, which varying magnetic field is conducted to and thereby produces a varying magnetic field in the second magnetically conductive, electrically insulating element of a connected component, which magnetic field thereby generates a varying electrical current in the second coil in the connected component.

Downhole Data Transmission System

DOEpatents

Hall, David R.; Hall, Jr., H. Tracy; Pixton, David; Dahlgren, Scott; Fox, Joe

2003-12-30

A system for transmitting data through a string of downhole components. In one aspect, the system includes first and second magnetically conductive, electrically insulating elements at both ends of the component. Each element includes a first U-shaped trough with a bottom, first and second sides and an opening between the two sides. Electrically conducting coils are located in each trough. An electrical conductor connects the coils in each component. In operation, a varying current applied to a first coil in one component generates a varying magnetic field in the first magnetically conductive, electrically insulating element, which varying magnetic field is conducted to and thereby produces a varying magnetic field in the second magnetically conductive, electrically insulating element of a connected component, which magnetic field thereby generates a varying electrical current in the second coil in the connected component.

14 CFR 1203a.105 - Implementation by field and component installations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 5 2011-01-01 2010-01-01 true Implementation by field and component installations. 1203a.105 Section 1203a.105 Aeronautics and Space NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION NASA SECURITY AREAS § 1203a.105 Implementation by field and component installations. If a Director of a...

Intraretinal Correlates of Reticular Pseudodrusen Revealed by Autofluorescence and En Face OCT.

PubMed

Paavo, Maarjaliis; Lee, Winston; Merriam, John; Bearelly, Srilaxmi; Tsang, Stephen; Chang, Stanley; Sparrow, Janet R

2017-09-01

We sought to determine whether information revealed from the reflectance, autofluorescence, and absorption properties of RPE cells situated posterior to reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) could provide insight into the origins and structure of RPD. RPD were studied qualitatively by near-infrared fundus autofluorescence (NIR-AF), short-wavelength fundus autofluorescence (SW-AF), and infrared reflectance (IR-R) images, and the presentation was compared to horizontal and en face spectral domain optical coherence tomographic (SD-OCT) images. Images were acquired from 23 patients (39 eyes) diagnosed with RPD (mean age 80.7 ± 7.1 [SD]; 16 female; 4 Hispanics, 19 non-Hispanic whites). In SW-AF, NIR-AF, and IR-R images, fundus RPD were recognized as interlacing networks of small scale variations in IR-R and fluorescence (SW-AF, NIR-AF) intensities. Darkened foci of RPD colocalized in SW-AF and NIR-AF images, and in SD-OCT images corresponded to disturbances of the interdigitation (IZ) and ellipsoid (EZ) zones and to more pronounced hyperreflective lesions traversing photoreceptor-attributable bands in SD-OCT images. Qualitative assessment of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) revealed thinning as RPD extended radially from the outer to inner retina. In en face OCT, hyperreflective areas in the EZ band correlated topographically with hyporeflective foci at the level of the RPE. The hyperreflective lesions corresponding to RPD in SD-OCT scans are likely indicative of degenerating photoreceptor cells. The darkened foci at positions of RPD in NIR-AF and en face OCT images indicate changes in the RPE monolayer with the reduced NIR-AF and en face OCT signal suggesting a reduction in melanin that could be accounted for by RPE thinning.

Hubble's Cosmic Bubbles

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-12-08

This entrancing image shows a few of the tenuous threads that comprise Sh2-308, a faint and wispy shell of gas located 5,200 light-years away in the constellation of Canis Major (The Great Dog). Sh2-308 is a large bubble-like structure wrapped around an extremely large, bright type of star known as a Wolf-Rayet Star — this particular star is called EZ Canis Majoris. These type of stars are among the brightest and most massive stars in the Universe, tens of times more massive than our own sun, and they represent the extremes of stellar evolution. Thick winds continually poured off the progenitors of such stars, flooding their surroundings and draining the outer layers of the Wolf-Rayet stars. The fast wind of a Wolf-Rayet star therefore sweeps up the surrounding material to form bubbles of gas. EZ Canis Majoris is responsible for creating the bubble of Sh2-308 — the star threw off its outer layers to create the strands visible here. The intense and ongoing radiation from the star pushes the bubble out farther and farther, blowing it bigger and bigger. Currently the edges of Sh2-308 are some 60 light-years apart! Beautiful as these cosmic bubbles are, they are fleeting. The same stars that form them will also cause their death, eclipsing and subsuming them in violent supernova explosions. Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

Novel absorptivity centering method utilizing normalized and factorized spectra for analysis of mixtures with overlapping spectra in different matrices using built-in spectrophotometer software

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lotfy, Hayam Mahmoud; Omran, Yasmin Rostom

2018-07-01

A novel, simple, rapid, accurate, and economical spectrophotometric method, namely absorptivity centering (a-Centering) has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of mixtures with partially and completely overlapping spectra in different matrices using either normalized or factorized spectrum using built-in spectrophotometer software without a need of special purchased program. Mixture I (Mix I) composed of Simvastatin (SM) and Ezetimibe (EZ) is the one with partial overlapping spectra formulated as tablets, while mixture II (Mix II) formed by Chloramphenicol (CPL) and Prednisolone acetate (PA) is that with complete overlapping spectra formulated as eye drops. These procedures do not require any separation steps. Resolution of spectrally overlapping binary mixtures has been achieved getting recovered zero-order (D0) spectrum of each drug, then absorbance was recorded at their maxima 238, 233.5, 273 and 242.5 nm for SM, EZ, CPL and PA, respectively. Calibration graphs were established with good correlation coefficients. The method shows significant advantages as simplicity, minimal data manipulation besides maximum reproducibility and robustness. Moreover, it was validated according to ICH guidelines. Selectivity was tested using laboratory-prepared mixtures. Accuracy, precision and repeatability were found to be within the acceptable limits. The proposed method is good enough to be applied to an assay of drugs in their combined formulations without any interference from excipients. The obtained results were statistically compared with those of the reported and official methods by applying t-test and F-test at 95% confidence level concluding that there is no significant difference with regard to accuracy and precision. Generally, this method could be used successfully for the routine quality control testing.

Effects of elevated pCO2 on physiological performance of marine microalgae Dunaliella salina (Chlorophyta, Chlorophyceae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Shunxin; Wang, You; Wang, Ying; Zhao, Yan; Zhang, Xinxin; Zhang, Yongsheng; Jiang, Ming; Tang, Xuexi

2018-03-01

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of elevated pCO2 on growth, photosynthesis, dark respiration and inorganic carbon acquisition in the marine microalga Dunaliella salina. To accomplish this, D. salina was incubated in semi-continuous cultures under present-day CO2 levels (390 μatm, pHNBS: 8.10), predicted year 2100 CO2 levels (1 000 μatm, pHNBS: 7.78) and predicted year 2300 CO2 levels (2 000 μatm, pHNBS: 7.49). Elevated pCO2 significantly enhanced photosynthesis (in terms of gross photosynthetic O2 evolution, effective quantum yield (Δ F/ F' m ), photosynthetic efficiency ( α), maximum relative electron transport rate (rETRmax) and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activity) and dark respiration of D. salina, but had insignificant effects on growth. The photosynthetic O2 evolution of D. salina was significantly inhibited by the inhibitors acetazolamide (AZ), ethoxyzolamide (EZ) and 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate (DIDS), indicating that D. salina is capable of acquiring HCOˉ 3 via extracellular carbonic anhydrase and anion-exchange proteins. Furthermore, the lower inhibition of the photosynthetic O2 evolution at high pCO2 levels by AZ, EZ and DIDS and the decreased carbonic anhydrase showed that carbon concentrating mechanisms were down-regulated at high pCO2. In conclusion, our results show that photosynthesis, dark respiration and CCMs will be affected by the increased pCO2/low pH conditions predicted for the future, but that the responses of D. salina to high pCO2/low pH might be modulated by other environmental factors such as light, nutrients and temperature. Therefore, further studies are needed to determine the interactive effects of pCO2, temperature, light and nutrients on marine microalgae.

Using Web 2.0 Techniques To Bring Global Climate Modeling To More Users

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chandler, M. A.; Sohl, L. E.; Tortorici, S.

2012-12-01

The Educational Global Climate Model has been used for many years in undergraduate courses and professional development settings to teach the fundamentals of global climate modeling and climate change simulation to students and teachers. While course participants have reported a high level of satisfaction in these courses and overwhelmingly claim that EdGCM projects are worth the effort, there is often a high level of frustration during the initial learning stages. Many of the problems stem from issues related to installation of the software suite and to the length of time it can take to run initial experiments. Two or more days of continuous run time may be required before enough data has been gathered to begin analyses. Asking users to download existing simulation data has not been a solution because the GCM data sets are several gigabytes in size, requiring substantial bandwidth and stable dedicated internet connections. As a means of getting around these problems we have been developing a Web 2.0 utility called EzGCM (Easy G-G-M) which emphasizes that participants learn the steps involved in climate modeling research: constructing a hypothesis, designing an experiment, running a computer model and assessing when an experiment has finished (reached equilibrium), using scientific visualization to support analysis, and finally communicating the results through social networking methods. We use classic climate experiments that can be "rediscovered" through exercises with EzGCM and are attempting to make this Web 2.0 tool an entry point into climate modeling for teachers with little time to cover the subject, users with limited computer skills, and for those who want an introduction to the process before tackling more complex projects with EdGCM.

The ammonia absorption behavior on Jupiter during 2005-2015

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tejfel, Victor G.; V.G.Tejfel, V.D.Vdovichenko, A.M.Karimov, P.G.Lysenko, , G.A.Kirienko, , V.A.Filippov, G.A.Kharitonova, A.S. Khozhenetz

2017-10-01

V.G.Tejfel, V.D.Vdovichenko, A.M.Karimov, P.G.Lysenko, , G.A.Kirienko, , V.A.Filippov, G.A.Kharitonova, A.S. KhozhenetzFessenkov Astrophysical Institute, Almaty, KazakhstanWe measured the intensity of the 645 and 787 nm NH3 absorption bands in five latitudinal belts of Jupiter (STrZ, SEB, EZ, NEB and NTrZ) during almost full period of its revolution around the Sun: from 2005 to 2015. The variations in the equivalent widths of the bands were investigated. The permanently lowered intensity of the 787 nm NH3 band in NEB is confirmed. There are also some systematic differences in latitudinal and temporal variations between the 645 and 787 nm ammonia bands. The equivalent width of the 787 nm NH3 band was averaged for all years of observations. Its maximum (W = 18.95 ± 0.75 A) corresponds to EZ, its minimum (W = 15.82 ± 0.68 A) corresponds to NEB. The 645 nm NH3 band shows the maximum in SEB (W = 6.78 ± 0.45 A), and the minimum in NTrZ (W = 5.38 ± 0.36 A). The weakened ammonia absorption is also observed in the Great Red Spot. However, this is due to the increased density of the clouds inside the Spot storm, but not to decreased gaseous ammonia abundance, in contrast to NEB. The brightness temperature of GRS in the infrared and millimeter ranges of thermal radiation is lower, in contrast to NEB, where an increased brightness temperature is observed. The enhanced cloud density may explain also a pretty high brightness of GRS observed in strong methane absorption bands such as the 887 nm CH4 band and more long waved ones.

The accuracy of home glucose meters in hypoglycemia.

PubMed

Sonmez, Alper; Yilmaz, Zeynep; Uckaya, Gokhan; Kilic, Selim; Tapan, Serkan; Taslipinar, Abdullah; Aydogdu, Aydogan; Yazici, Mahmut; Yilmaz, Mahmut Ilker; Serdar, Muhittin; Erbil, M Kemal; Kutlu, Mustafa

2010-08-01

Home glucose meters (HGMs) may not be accurate enough to sense hypoglycemia. We evaluated the accuracy and the capillary and venous comparability of five different HGMs (Optium Xceed [Abbott Diabetes Care, Alameda, CA, USA], Contour TS [Bayer Diabetes Care, Basel, Switzerland], Accu-Chek Go [Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland], OneTouch Select [Lifescan, Milpitas, CA, USA], and EZ Smart [Tyson Bioresearch Inc., Chu-Nan, Taiwan]) in an adult population. The insulin hypoglycemia test was performed to 59 subjects (56 males; 23.6 +/- 3.2 years old). Glucose was measured from forearm venous blood and finger capillary samples both before and after regular insulin (0.1 U/kg) was injected. Venous samples were analyzed in the reference laboratory by the hexokinase method. In vitro tests for method comparison and precision analyses were also performed by spiking the glucose-depleted venous blood. All HGMs failed to sense hypoglycemia to some extend. EZ Smart was significantly inferior in critical error Zone D, and OneTouch Select was significantly inferior in the clinically unimportant error Zone B. Accu-Chek Go, Optium Xceed, and Contour TS had similar performances and were significantly better than the other two HGMs according to error grid analysis or International Organization for Standardization criteria. The in vitro tests were consistent with the above clinical data. The capillary and venous consistencies of Accu-Chek Go and OneTouch Select were better than the other HGMs. The present results show that not all the HGMs are accurate enough in low blood glucose levels. The patients and the caregivers should be aware of these restrictions of the HGMs and give more credit to the symptoms of hypoglycemia than the values obtained by the HGMs. Finally, these results indicate that there is a need for the revision of the accuracy standards of HGMs in low blood glucose levels.

Effects of elevated pCO2 on physiological performance of marine microalgae Dunaliella salina (Chlorophyta, Chlorophyceae)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Shunxin; Wang, You; Wang, Ying; Zhao, Yan; Zhang, Xinxin; Zhang, Yongsheng; Jiang, Ming; Tang, Xuexi

2017-06-01

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of elevated pCO2 on growth, photosynthesis, dark respiration and inorganic carbon acquisition in the marine microalga Dunaliella salina. To accomplish this, D. salina was incubated in semi-continuous cultures under present-day CO2 levels (390 μatm, pHNBS: 8.10), predicted year 2100 CO2 levels (1 000 μatm, pHNBS: 7.78) and predicted year 2300 CO2 levels (2 000 μatm, pHNBS: 7.49). Elevated pCO2 significantly enhanced photosynthesis (in terms of gross photosynthetic O2 evolution, effective quantum yield (ΔF/F' m ), photosynthetic efficiency (α), maximum relative electron transport rate (rETRmax) and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activity) and dark respiration of D. salina, but had insignificant effects on growth. The photosynthetic O2 evolution of D. salina was significantly inhibited by the inhibitors acetazolamide (AZ), ethoxyzolamide (EZ) and 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate (DIDS), indicating that D. salina is capable of acquiring HCO3 - via extracellular carbonic anhydrase and anion-exchange proteins. Furthermore, the lower inhibition of the photosynthetic O2 evolution at high pCO2 levels by AZ, EZ and DIDS and the decreased carbonic anhydrase showed that carbon concentrating mechanisms were down-regulated at high pCO2. In conclusion, our results show that photosynthesis, dark respiration and CCMs will be affected by the increased pCO2/low pH conditions predicted for the future, but that the responses of D. salina to high pCO2/low pH might be modulated by other environmental factors such as light, nutrients and temperature. Therefore, further studies are needed to determine the interactive effects of pCO2, temperature, light and nutrients on marine microalgae.

Mitochondrial oxygen consumption is a unique indicator of stallion spermatozoal health and varies with cryopreservation media.

PubMed

Darr, Christa R; Cortopassi, Gino A; Datta, Sandipan; Varner, Dickson D; Meyers, Stuart A

2016-09-15

Mitochondrial oxygen consumption is a sensitive indicator of spermatozoal health in the context of cryopreservation. We investigated oxygen consumption of equine sperm mitochondria during incubation in four commercially available sperm cryopreservation extenders: modified INRA 96, BotuCrio, EZ Freezin-"LE" and "MFR5", in addition to several other parameters including motility, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and viability. All experimental endpoints, with the exception of average path velocity, were affected significantly by freezing extender type after freezing and thawing. Sperm in INRA 96 had the lowest average progressive motility after thawing (24 ± 4.8%, P < 0.05). Sperm in EZ Freezin-"LE" had the highest post thaw viability (79 ± 3.1%, P < 0.05) and lowest post thaw ROS production (13 ± 2.4%), but sperm in BotuCrio had the highest maximal oxygen consumption levels, while also demonstrating similar ROS production and viability. This difference would not have been detected using conventional sperm analytical methods. In addition, sperm in BotuCrio had the highest average total motility (49 ± 7.4%), progressive motility (41 ± 6.4%), and velocity (VAP, 90 ± 3.6 μm/s) indicating that this medium preserved mitochondrial function optimally after cryopreservation. Mitochondrial oxygen consumption was positively correlated with traditional measures of sperm function including motility and viability (r = 0.62 and r = 0.49, respectively, P < 0.05), thus making it a sensitive method for determining cryopreservation success and mitochondrial function in stallion sperm. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

EUS Needle Identification Comparison and Evaluation study (with videos).

PubMed

Tang, Shou-Jiang; Vilmann, Andreas S; Saftoiu, Adrian; Wang, Wanmei; Streba, Costin Teodor; Fink, Peter P; Griswold, Michael; Wu, Ruonan; Dietrich, Christoph F; Jenssen, Christian; Hocke, Michael; Kantowski, Marcus; Pohl, Jürgen; Fockens, Paul; Annema, Jouke T; van der Heijden, Erik H F M; Havre, Roald Flesland; Pham, Khanh Do-Cong; Kunda, Rastislav; Deprez, Pierre H; Mariana, Jinga; Vazquez-Sequeiros, Enrique; Larghi, Alberto; Buscarini, Elisabetta; Fusaroli, Pietro; Lahav, Maor; Puri, Rajesh; Garg, Pramod Kumar; Sharma, Malay; Maluf-Filho, Fauze; Sahai, Anand; Brugge, William R; Lee, Linda S; Aslanian, Harry R; Wang, Andrew Y; Shami, Vanessa M; Markowitz, Arnold; Siddiqui, Ali A; Mishra, Girish; Scheiman, James M; Isenberg, Gerard; Siddiqui, Uzma D; Shah, Raj J; Buxbaum, James; Watson, Rabindra R; Willingham, Field F; Bhutani, Manoop S; Levy, Michael J; Harris, Cynthia; Wallace, Michael B; Nolsøe, Christian Pállson; Lorentzen, Torben; Bang, Niels; Sørensen, Sten Mellerup; Gilja, Odd Helge; D'Onofrio, Mirko; Piscaglia, Fabio; Gritzmann, Norbert; Radzina, Maija; Sparchez, Zeno Adrian; Sidhu, Paul S; Freeman, Simon; McCowan, Timothy C; de Araujo, Cyrillo Rodrigues; Patel, Akash; Ali, Mohammad Adel; Campbell, Garth; Chen, Edward; Vilmann, Peter

2016-09-01

EUS-guided FNA or biopsy sampling is widely practiced. Optimal sonographic visualization of the needle is critical for image-guided interventions. Of the several commercially available needles, bench-top testing and direct comparison of these needles have not been done to reveal their inherent echogenicity. The aims are to provide bench-top data that can be used to guide clinical applications and to promote future device research and development. Descriptive bench-top testing and comparison of 8 commonly used EUS-FNA needles (all size 22 gauge): SonoTip Pro Control (Medi-Globe); Expect Slimline (Boston Scientific); EchoTip, EchoTip Ultra, EchoTip ProCore High Definition (Cook Medical); ClearView (Conmed); EZ Shot 2 (Olympus); and BNX (Beacon Endoscopic), and 2 new prototype needles, SonoCoat (Medi-Globe), coated by echogenic polymers made by Encapson. Blinded evaluation of standardized and unedited videos by 43 EUS endoscopists and 17 radiologists specialized in GI US examination who were unfamiliar with EUS needle devices. There was no significant difference in the ratings and rankings of these needles between endosonographers and radiologists. Overall, 1 prototype needle was rated as the best, ranking 10% to 40% higher than all other needles (P < .01). Among the commercially available needles, the EchoTip Ultra needle and the ClearView needle were top choices. The EZ Shot 2 needle was ranked statistically lower than other needles (30%-75% worse, P < .001). All FNA needles have their inherent and different echogenicities, and these differences are similarly recognized by EUS endoscopists and radiologists. Needles with polymeric coating from the entire shaft to the needle tip may offer better echogenicity. Copyright © 2016 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. All rights reserved.

Fireball data analysis: bridging the gap between small solar system bodies and meteorite studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gritsevich, Maria; Moreno-Ibáñez, Manuel; Kuznetsova, Daria; Bouquet, Alexis; Trigo-Rodríguez, Josep; Peltoniemi, Jouni; Koschny, Detlef

2015-08-01

One of the important steps in identification of meteorite-producing fireballs and prediction of impact threat to Earth raised by potentially hazardous asteroids is the understanding and modeling of processes accompanying the object’s entry into the terrestrial atmosphere (Gritsevich et al., 2012). Such knowledge enables characterization, simulation and classification of possible impact consequences with further reommendation for potential meteorite searches. Using dimensionless expressions, which involve the pre-atmospheric meteoroid parameters, we have built physically based parametrisation to describe changes in mass, height, velocity and luminosity of the object along its atmospheric path (Gritsevich and Koschny, 2011; Bouquet et al., 2014). The developed model is suitable to estimate a number of crucial unknown values including shape change coefficient, ablation rate, and surviving meteorite mass. It is also applicable to predict the terminal height of the luminous flight and therefore, duration of the fireball (Moreno-Ibáñez et al., 2015). Besides the model description, we demonstrate its application using the wide range of observational data from meteorite-producing fireballs appearing annually (such as Košice) to larger scale impacts (such as Chelyabinsk, Sikhote-Alin and Tunguska).REFERENCESBouquet A., Baratoux D., Vaubaillon J., Gritsevich M.I., Mimoun D., Mousis O., Bouley S. (2014): Planetary and Space Science, 103, 238-249, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2014.09.001Gritsevich M., Koschny D. (2011): Icarus, 212(2), 877-884, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2011.01.033Gritsevich M.I., Stulov V.P., Turchak L.I. (2012): Cosmic Research, 50(1), 56-64, http://dx.doi.org/10.1134/S0010952512010017Moreno-Ibáñez M., Gritsevich M., Trigo-Rodríguez J.M. (2015): Icarus, 250, 544-552, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2014.12.027

Characterization of Rod Function Phenotypes Across a Range of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Severities and Subretinal Drusenoid Deposits

PubMed Central

Flynn, Oliver J.; Cukras, Catherine A.; Jeffrey, Brett G.

2018-01-01

Purpose To examine spatial changes in rod-mediated function in relationship to local structural changes across the central retina in eyes with a spectrum of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) disease severity. Methods Participants were categorized into five AMD severity groups based on fundus features. Scotopic thresholds were measured at 14 loci spanning ±18° along the vertical meridian from one eye of each of 42 participants (mean = 71.7 ± 9.9 years). Following a 30% bleach, dark adaptation was measured at eight loci (±12°). Rod intercept time (RIT) was defined from the time to detect a −3.1 log cd/m2 stimulus. RITslope was defined from the linear fit of RIT with decreasing retinal eccentricity. The presence of subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDD), ellipsoid (EZ) band disruption, and drusen at the test loci was evaluated using optical coherence tomography. Results Scotopic thresholds indicated greater rod function loss in the macula, which correlated with increasing AMD group severity. RITslope, which captures the spatial change in the rate of dark adaptation, increased with AMD severity (P < 0.0001). Three rod function phenotypes emerged: RF1, normal rod function; RF2, normal scotopic thresholds but slowed dark adaptation; and RF3, elevated scotopic thresholds with slowed dark adaptation. Dark adaptation was slowed at all loci with SDD or EZ band disruption, and at 32% of loci with no local structural changes. Conclusions Three rod function phenotypes were defined from combined measurement of scotopic threshold and dark adaptation. Spatial changes in dark adaptation across the macula were captured with RITslope, which may be a useful outcome measure for functional studies of AMD. PMID:29847647

Characterization of Rod Function Phenotypes Across a Range of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Severities and Subretinal Drusenoid Deposits.

PubMed

Flynn, Oliver J; Cukras, Catherine A; Jeffrey, Brett G

2018-05-01

To examine spatial changes in rod-mediated function in relationship to local structural changes across the central retina in eyes with a spectrum of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) disease severity. Participants were categorized into five AMD severity groups based on fundus features. Scotopic thresholds were measured at 14 loci spanning ±18° along the vertical meridian from one eye of each of 42 participants (mean = 71.7 ± 9.9 years). Following a 30% bleach, dark adaptation was measured at eight loci (±12°). Rod intercept time (RIT) was defined from the time to detect a -3.1 log cd/m2 stimulus. RITslope was defined from the linear fit of RIT with decreasing retinal eccentricity. The presence of subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDD), ellipsoid (EZ) band disruption, and drusen at the test loci was evaluated using optical coherence tomography. Scotopic thresholds indicated greater rod function loss in the macula, which correlated with increasing AMD group severity. RITslope, which captures the spatial change in the rate of dark adaptation, increased with AMD severity (P < 0.0001). Three rod function phenotypes emerged: RF1, normal rod function; RF2, normal scotopic thresholds but slowed dark adaptation; and RF3, elevated scotopic thresholds with slowed dark adaptation. Dark adaptation was slowed at all loci with SDD or EZ band disruption, and at 32% of loci with no local structural changes. Three rod function phenotypes were defined from combined measurement of scotopic threshold and dark adaptation. Spatial changes in dark adaptation across the macula were captured with RITslope, which may be a useful outcome measure for functional studies of AMD.

Carotid Stenting with Distal Protection in High-Surgical-Risk Patients: One-Year Results of the ASTI Trial

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

Bosiers, Marc, E-mail: marc.bosiers@telenet.be; Scheinert, Dierk, E-mail: dierk.scheinert@gmx.de; Mathias, Klaus, E-mail: k.mathias@asklepios.com

2015-04-15

PurposeThis prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized study evaluated the periprocedural and 1-year outcomes in high-surgical-risk patients with carotid artery stenosis treated with the Adapt Carotid Stent plus FilterWire EZ distal protection catheter (Boston Scientific Corporation, Natick, MA).Materials and MethodsThe study enrolled 100 patients (32 symptomatic, 63 asymptomatic, 5 unknown) at high risk for carotid endarterectomy due to prespecified anatomical criteria and/or medical comorbidities. Thirty-day and 1-year follow-up included clinical evaluation, carotid duplex ultrasound, and independent neurologic and NIH stroke scale assessments. One-year endpoints included the composite rate of major adverse events (MAE), defined as death, stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI) and themore » rates of late ipsilateral stroke (31–365 days), target lesion revascularization, and in-stent restenosis.ResultsOf the 100 enrolled patients, technical success was achieved in 90.9 % (90/99). The 30-day MAE rate (5.1 %) consisted of major stroke (2.0 %) and minor stroke (3.1 %); no deaths or MIs occurred. The 1-year MAE rate (12.2 %) consisted of death, MI, and stroke rates of 4.4, 3.3, and 8.9 %, respectively. Late ipsilateral stroke (31–365 days) rate was 1.1 %. Symptomatic patients had higher rates of death (11.1 vs. 1.7 %) and MI (7.4 vs. 1.7 %), but lower rates of major (7.4 vs. 10.0 %) and minor stroke (0.0 vs. 6.7 %), compared with asymptomatic patients.ConclusionResults through 1 year postprocedure demonstrated that carotid artery stenting with Adapt Carotid Stent and FilterWire EZ is safe and effective in high-risk-surgical patients.« less

RefMoB, a Reflectivity Feature Model-Based Automated Method for Measuring Four Outer Retinal Hyperreflective Bands in Optical Coherence Tomography

PubMed Central

Ross, Douglas H.; Clark, Mark E.; Godara, Pooja; Huisingh, Carrie; McGwin, Gerald; Owsley, Cynthia; Litts, Katie M.; Spaide, Richard F.; Sloan, Kenneth R.; Curcio, Christine A.

2015-01-01

Purpose. To validate a model-driven method (RefMoB) of automatically describing the four outer retinal hyperreflective bands revealed by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT), for comparison with histology of normal macula; to report thickness and position of bands, particularly band 2 (ellipsoid zone [EZ], commonly called IS/OS). Methods. Foveal and superior perifoveal scans of seven SDOCT volumes of five individuals aged 28 to 69 years with healthy maculas were used (seven eyes for validation, five eyes for measurement). RefMoB determines band thickness and position by a multistage procedure that models reflectivities as a summation of Gaussians. Band thickness and positions were compared with those obtained by manual evaluators for the same scans, and compared with an independent published histological dataset. Results. Agreement among manual evaluators was moderate. Relative to manual evaluation, RefMoB reported reduced thickness and vertical shifts in band positions in a band-specific manner for both simulated and empirical data. In foveal and perifoveal scans, band 1 was thick relative to the anatomical external limiting membrane, band 2 aligned with the outer one-third of the anatomical IS ellipsoid, and band 3 (IZ, interdigitation of retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptors) was cleanly delineated. Conclusions. RefMoB is suitable for automatic description of the location and thickness of the four outer retinal hyperreflective bands. Initial results suggest that band 2 aligns with the outer ellipsoid, thus supporting its recent designation as EZ. Automated and objective delineation of band 3 will help investigations of structural biomarkers of dark-adaptation changes in aging. PMID:26132776

A new genus of pine-feeding Cochylina from the western United States and northern Mexico (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Euliini).

PubMed

Brown, John W

2013-01-01

Eupinivora, new genus, is described and illustrated from the montane regions of western United States (Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas) and Mexico (Nuevo León, Durango, and Estado de Mexico). As presently defined, the genus includes seven species: E. ponderosae, n. sp. (USA: Arizona) (type species); E angulicosta, n. sp. (Mexico: Nuevo León); E. albolineana, n. sp. (Mexico: Durango); E. thaumantias (Razowski, 1994), n. comb. (Mexico: Estado de Mexico); E. hamartopenis (Razowski, 1986), n. comb. (Mexico: Durango); E. unicolora, n. sp. (Mexico: Durango); and E. rufofascia, n. sp. (Mexico: Durango). The new genus is most closely related to Henricus Busck, 1943, from which it can be distinguished by the short upturned labial palpi, the presence of a variable cluster of long spine-like external setae from near the middle of the phallus in the male genitalia, the absence of cornuti in the vesica, the absence of the subgenital sex scales in the male, and a forewing pattern that in most of the included species is reminiscent of that of Argyrotaenia ponera Walsingham and its relatives. Four of the new species were reared from the cones of Pinus arizonica var. cooperi Blanco (Pinaceae) and one from Pinus ponderosa P. & C. Lawson; all of the species occur in habitats dominated by conifers at elevations between ca. 1700 and 2750 m. Two specimens from New Mexico were collected in traps baited with a synthetic pheromone for the bud worm Choristoneura lambertiana (Busck, 1915) (Archipini)-90% 92:8E:Z11-14AC, 10% 90:10E:Z11OH--which is consistent with that recorded for other Cochylina.

Monitoring 2-ethylhexyl-4-methoxycinnamate photoisomerization on skin using attenuated total reflection fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

PubMed

Pangnakorn, P; Nonthabenjawan, R; Ekgasit, S; Thammacharoen, C; Pattanaargson Wanichwecharungruang, S

2007-02-01

Photoisomerization and photodimerization of a widely used UVB filter, 2-ethylhexy-4-methoxycinnamate (EHMC) on a ZnSe surface and baby mouse (Mus musculus Linn.) skin were monitored using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FT-IR). Differentiation between the E- and the Z-EHMC could be achieved by examining the infrared (IR) peak at 981 cm(-1) (b peak), which corresponds to the CH rocking deformation vibration of Ph-CH=CH- detected only in the E configuration. By plotting the ratios of the peak area of the b peak and an internal standard peak (1060-998 cm(-1)) against mole percentage of Z-isomer in the E-Z mixtures, a linear calibration plot was obtained. Thus, a simple estimation of the mole percentage of each configuration in a sample was obtained. At the same UVB exposure, photostationary equilibrium of the E/Z isomerization on the surface varied with the applied amounts of EHMC. Photoisomerizations on ZnSe and on baby mouse skin were comparable. Less than 10% of E-EHMC changed configuration when the mouse skins applied with 1.0-4.0 mg/cm(2) E-EHMC were exposed to sunlight for 60 min (UVB radiant exposure of approximately 0.30 J/cm(2)). This corresponded to less than 5% loss in UV filtering efficiency. However, at a typical EHMC skin coverage ( approximately 0.2 mg/cm(2)), 0.30 J/cm(2) UVB exposure induced approximately 50% photoisomerization resulting in 25% loss of UV filtering efficiency. No photodimerization was detected even at the extreme EHMC coverage of 4.0 mg/cm(2) after a UVB exposure of 0.90 J/cm(2).

Seismic constraints and coulomb stress changes of a blind thrust fault system, 1: Coalinga and Kettleman hills, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lin, Jian; Stein, Ross S.

2006-01-01

This report reviews the seismicity and surface ruptures associated with the 1982-1985 earthquake sequence in the Coalinga region in California, and the role of Coulomb stress in triggering the mainshock sequence and aftershocks. The 1982-1985 New Idria, Coalinga, and Kettleman Hills earthquakes struck on a series of west-dipping, en echelon blind thrust faults. Each earthquake was accompanied by uplift of a Quaternary anticline atop the fault, and each was accompanied by a vigorous aftershock sequence. Aftershocks were widely dispersed, and are seen above and below the thrust fault, as well as along the up-dip and down-dip projection of the main thrust fault. For the Coalinga and Kettleman Hills earthquakes, high-angle reverse faults in the core of the anticlines are evident in seismic reflection profiles, and many of these faults are associated with small aftershocks. The shallowest aftershocks extended to within 3-4 km of the ground surface. There is no compelling evidence for aftershocks associated with flexural slip faulting. No secondary surface rupture was found on any of the anticlines. In contrast, the 1983 Nu?ez rupture struck on a high-angle reverse fault 10 km west of the Coalinga epicenter, and over a 40-80-day period, up to 1 m of oblique surface slip occurred. The slip on this Holocene fault likely extended from the ground surface to a depth of 8-10 km. We argue that both the Nu?ez and Kettleman earthquakes were triggered by stresses imparted by the Coalinga mainshock, which was the largest of the four events in the sequence.

Novel absorptivity centering method utilizing normalized and factorized spectra for analysis of mixtures with overlapping spectra in different matrices using built-in spectrophotometer software.

PubMed

Lotfy, Hayam Mahmoud; Omran, Yasmin Rostom

2018-07-05

A novel, simple, rapid, accurate, and economical spectrophotometric method, namely absorptivity centering (a-Centering) has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of mixtures with partially and completely overlapping spectra in different matrices using either normalized or factorized spectrum using built-in spectrophotometer software without a need of special purchased program. Mixture I (Mix I) composed of Simvastatin (SM) and Ezetimibe (EZ) is the one with partial overlapping spectra formulated as tablets, while mixture II (Mix II) formed by Chloramphenicol (CPL) and Prednisolone acetate (PA) is that with complete overlapping spectra formulated as eye drops. These procedures do not require any separation steps. Resolution of spectrally overlapping binary mixtures has been achieved getting recovered zero-order (D 0 ) spectrum of each drug, then absorbance was recorded at their maxima 238, 233.5, 273 and 242.5 nm for SM, EZ, CPL and PA, respectively. Calibration graphs were established with good correlation coefficients. The method shows significant advantages as simplicity, minimal data manipulation besides maximum reproducibility and robustness. Moreover, it was validated according to ICH guidelines. Selectivity was tested using laboratory-prepared mixtures. Accuracy, precision and repeatability were found to be within the acceptable limits. The proposed method is good enough to be applied to an assay of drugs in their combined formulations without any interference from excipients. The obtained results were statistically compared with those of the reported and official methods by applying t-test and F-test at 95% confidence level concluding that there is no significant difference with regard to accuracy and precision. Generally, this method could be used successfully for the routine quality control testing. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Reductive amination of glutaraldehyde 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone using 2-picoline borane and high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis.

PubMed

Uchiyama, Shigehisa; Sakamoto, Hironari; Ohno, Akiko; Inaba, Yohei; Nakagome, Hideki; Kunugita, Naoki

2012-09-21

A typical method for the measurement of glutaraldehyde (GLA) employs 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) to form GLA-DNPhydrazone derivatives. However, this method is subject to analytical errors because GLA-DNPhydrazone is a quaternary bis-derivative and forms three geometric isomers (E-E, E-Z and Z-Z) as a result of the two C[double bond, length as m-dash]N double bonds. To overcome this issue, a method for transforming the C[double bond, length as m-dash]N double bond into a C-N single bond, using reductive amination of DNPhydrazone derivatives, has been applied. The amination reaction of GLA-DNPhydrazones with 2-picoline borane is accelerated with catalytic amounts of acid and is completed within 10 minutes in the presence of 100 mmol L(-1) phosphoric acid. Reduction of GLA-DNPhydrazone by 2-picoline borane is unique and results in the formation of N-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-1-piperidinamine (DNPPA). NMR and LC-APCI-MS data confirmed the product identification. DNPPA is very stable and did not change when stored for at least four weeks at room temperature. DNPPA has excellent solubility of 14.6 g L(-1) at 20 °C in acetonitrile. The absorption maximum wavelength and the molar absorptivity of DNPPA were 351 nm and 4.2 × 10(4) L mol(-1) cm(-1) respectively. Complete separation between the reduced forms of C1-C10 aldehyde DNPhydrazones, including DNPPA, can be achieved by operating the reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatograph at 351 nm in gradient mode using a C18 amide column. The reductive amination method for GLA overcomes analytical errors caused by E-E, E-Z and Z-Z geometrical isomers.

A Search for X-Ray Evidence of a Compact Companion to the Unusual Wolf-Rayet Star HD 50896 (EZ CMa)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Skinner, Stephen L.; Itoh, Masayuki; Nagase, Fumiaki

1998-01-01

We analyze results of a approx.25 ksec ASCA X-ray observation of the unusual Wolf-Rayet star HD 50896 (= EZ CMa). This WN5 star shows optical and ultraviolet variability at a 3.766 day period, which has been interpreted as a possible signature of a compact companion. Our objective was to search for evidence of hard X-rays (greater than or equal to 5 keV) which could be present if the WN5 wind is accreting onto a compact object. The ASCA spectra are dominated by emission below 5 keV and show no significant emission in the harder 5-10 keV range. Weak emission lines are present, and the X-rays arise in an optically thin plasma which spans a range of temperatures from less than or equal to 0.4 keV up to at least approx. 2 keV. Excess X-ray absorption above the interstellar value is present, but the column density is no larger than N(sub H) approx. 10(exp 22)/sq cm. The absorption-corrected X-ray luminosity L(sub x)(0.5 - 10 keV) = 10(exp 32.85) erg/s gives L(sub x)/ L(sub bol) approx. 10(exp -6), a value that is typical of WN stars. No X-ray variability was detected. Our main conclusion is that the X-ray properties of HD 50896 are inconsistent with the behavior expected for wind accretion onto a neutron star or black hole companion. Alternative models based on wind shocks can explain most aspects of the X-ray behavior, and we argue that the hotter plasma near approx. 2 keV could be due to the WR wind shocking onto a normal (nondegenerate) companion.

Predictive modeling of nanomaterial exposure effects in biological systems

PubMed Central

Liu, Xiong; Tang, Kaizhi; Harper, Stacey; Harper, Bryan; Steevens, Jeffery A; Xu, Roger

2013-01-01

Background Predictive modeling of the biological effects of nanomaterials is critical for industry and policymakers to assess the potential hazards resulting from the application of engineered nanomaterials. Methods We generated an experimental dataset on the toxic effects experienced by embryonic zebrafish due to exposure to nanomaterials. Several nanomaterials were studied, such as metal nanoparticles, dendrimer, metal oxide, and polymeric materials. The embryonic zebrafish metric (EZ Metric) was used as a screening-level measurement representative of adverse effects. Using the dataset, we developed a data mining approach to model the toxic endpoints and the overall biological impact of nanomaterials. Data mining techniques, such as numerical prediction, can assist analysts in developing risk assessment models for nanomaterials. Results We found several important attributes that contribute to the 24 hours post-fertilization (hpf) mortality, such as dosage concentration, shell composition, and surface charge. These findings concur with previous studies on nanomaterial toxicity using embryonic zebrafish. We conducted case studies on modeling the overall effect/impact of nanomaterials and the specific toxic endpoints such as mortality, delayed development, and morphological malformations. The results show that we can achieve high prediction accuracy for certain biological effects, such as 24 hpf mortality, 120 hpf mortality, and 120 hpf heart malformation. The results also show that the weighting scheme for individual biological effects has a significant influence on modeling the overall impact of nanomaterials. Sample prediction models can be found at http://neiminer.i-a-i.com/nei_models. Conclusion The EZ Metric-based data mining approach has been shown to have predictive power. The results provide valuable insights into the modeling and understanding of nanomaterial exposure effects. PMID:24098077

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

McDonald, M.; Allen, S. W.; Bayliss, M.

Here, we present the results of a Chandra X-ray survey of the eight most massive galaxy clusters at z > 1.2 in the South Pole Telescope 2500 deg2 survey. We combine this sample with previously published Chandra observations of 49 massive X-ray-selected clusters at 0 < z < 0.1 and 90 Sunyaev–Zel'dovich–selected clusters at 0.25 < z < 1.2 to constrain the evolution of the intracluster medium (ICM) over the past ~10 Gyr. We find that the bulk of the ICM has evolved self-similarly over the full redshift range probed here, with the ICM density atmore » $$r\\gt 0.2{R}_{500}$$ scaling like $$E{(z)}^{2}$$. In the centers of clusters ($$r\\lesssim 0.01{R}_{500}$$), we find significant deviations from self-similarity ($${n}_{e}\\propto E{(z)}^{0.2\\pm 0.5}$$), consistent with no redshift dependence. When we isolate clusters with overdense cores (i.e., cool cores), we find that the average overdensity profile has not evolved with redshift—that is, cool cores have not changed in size, density, or total mass over the past ~9–10 Gyr. We show that the evolving "cuspiness" of clusters in the X-ray, reported by several previous studies, can be understood in the context of a cool core with fixed properties embedded in a self-similarly evolving cluster. We find no measurable evolution in the X-ray morphology of massive clusters, seemingly in tension with the rapidly rising (with redshift) rate of major mergers predicted by cosmological simulations. We show that these two results can be brought into agreement if we assume that the relaxation time after a merger is proportional to the crossing time, since the latter is proportional to $$H{(z)}^{-1}$$.« less

Response of the San Andreas fault to the 1983 Coalinga-Nuñez earthquakes: an application of interaction-based probabilities for Parkfield

USGS Publications Warehouse

Toda, Shinji; Stein, Ross S.

2002-01-01

The Parkfield-Cholame section of the San Andreas fault, site of an unfulfilled earthquake forecast in 1985, is the best monitored section of the world's most closely watched fault. In 1983, the M = 6.5 Coalinga and M = 6.0 Nuñez events struck 25 km northeast of Parkfield. Seismicity rates climbed for 18 months along the creeping section of the San Andreas north of Parkfield and dropped for 6 years along the locked section to the south. Right-lateral creep also slowed or reversed from Parkfield south. Here we calculate that the Coalinga sequence increased the shear and Coulomb stress on the creeping section, causing the rate of small shocks to rise until the added stress was shed by additional slip. However, the 1983 events decreased the shear and Coulomb stress on the Parkfield segment, causing surface creep and seismicity rates to drop. We use these observations to cast the likelihood of a Parkfield earthquake into an interaction-based probability, which includes both the renewal of stress following the 1966 Parkfield earthquake and the stress transfer from the 1983 Coalinga events. We calculate that the 1983 shocks dropped the 10-year probability of a M ∼ 6 Parkfield earthquake by 22% (from 54 ± 22% to 42 ± 23%) and that the probability did not recover until about 1991, when seismicity and creep resumed. Our analysis may thus explain why the Parkfield earthquake did not strike in the 1980s, but not why it was absent in the 1990s. We calculate a 58 ± 17% probability of a M ∼ 6 Parkfield earthquake during 2001–2011.

Foveal threshold and photoreceptor integrity for prediction of visual acuity after intravitreal aflibercept on age-related macular degeneration.

PubMed

Sakai, Tsutomu; Okude, Sachiyo; Tsuneoka, Hiroshi

2018-01-01

To determine whether baseline foveal threshold and photoreceptor integrity can predict best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 12 months after intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) therapy in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We evaluated 25 eyes of 25 patients with treatment-naïve neovascular AMD who received IVA once a month for 3 months, followed by once every 2 months for 8 months. BCVA, integrity of the external limiting membrane (ELM) or the ellipsoid zone (EZ) of the photoreceptors, and retinal sensitivity were determined before (baseline) and at 6 and 12 months after initial IVA. The average threshold foveal sensitivity and mean deviation within the central 10° were determined by Humphrey central 10-2 perimetry. Correlations between BCVA at 12 months and integrity of the ELM or EZ, foveal threshold, and mean deviation at each visit were determined. At 12 months, BCVA improved significantly from 0.20±0.23 to 0.10±0.22 logMAR (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) units, and foveal threshold and mean deviation improved significantly from 29.0±5.1 and -3.38±3.10 dB to 32.6±3.2 and -1.64±2.10 dB, respectively ( P =0.0009 and P =0.0021). At baseline, both foveal threshold and integrity of the ELM were significantly correlated with BCVA at 12 months ( P =0.0428 and P =0.0275). These results indicate that both integrity of the ELM and foveal threshold at baseline can predict BCVA after treatment for neovascular AMD. There is a possibility that these parameters can predict the efficacy of IVA in each case.

Refraction and the axial length of the eyeball in patients with the optic disc drusen.

PubMed

Obuchowska, Iwona; Mariak, Zofia

2009-01-01

The aim of the study was to demonstrate the relationship between the optic disc drusen (ODD) and the axial length of the eyeball as well as refractive error. We examined prospectively 40 patients with ODD, 18 men and 22 women, age range from 34 to 69 years. All subjects underwent full ophthalmic examination, visual field testing and color-coded duplex sonography of the ocular vessels. Refraction was determined with an autorefractometer (Topcon RM-8000B) and further refined subjectively. Spherical equivalent refraction was calculated as the spherical dioptre plus one half of the cylindrical dioptre. Axial lengths were measured with a Sonomed ultrasound scanner model E-Z Scan AB5500. Clinical signs were observed in 65% of the eyes with drusen, among them, 38% had symptoms of visual acuity loss and all had visual fields defects. There were 21 eyes (18 eyes with and 3 without drusen), with a recorded refractive error. Significant differences in hyperopia were observed between the eyes with and without drusen (p = 0.048). The rate of occurrence of myopia did not differ significantly between affected and unaffected eyes (p = 0.06). The mean spherical equivalent refraction and axial dimensions of the eye differed significantly among the groups of eyes with and without drusen (p < 0.05). Significant differences in mean values of peak-systolic and end-diastolic velocities (p < 0.001) as well as in the resistivity index (p = 0.047) were observed between eyes with and without drusen. The optic disc drusen are often associated with shorter and hyperopic eyes. This anatomical conditions and vascular factors may contribute to pathogenesis of drusen.

Integrating Enhanced STEM Themes in the UTEP CAREERS Weather Camp for Youth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Güereque, M.; Olgin, J. G.; Kier, M. W.; Winston, C. E.; Fitzgerald, R. M.; Morris, V. R.

2014-12-01

The NOAA Center for Atmospheric Science (NCAS) sponsors a network of high school and middle school summer camps entitled "Channeling Atmospheric Research into Educational Experiences Reaching Students program, CAREERS". These camps are conducted nationwide at NCAS academic partners; the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), Howard University (HU), University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM), and Jackson State University (JSU). The goals of these camps are to increase the interest of secondary school (HS) students in atmospheric and weather related sciences, target under-represented students, and to ultimately boost their college enrollment in STEM related fields. For 2014 at UTEP, the annual student-outreach weather camp program underwent a thematic overhaul that sought to incorporate more of the geological and environmental context of the region. Doctoral students were allowed to assume greater responsibility for the design, development and implementation of the camp activities. The prevailing assumption was that these Ph.D. students were better suited for peer mentoring, bridging the age and interest gap, and delivering the material through the modern technologies and modes of communication. The redesigned approach focused on the identification of climate drivers within the region and this concept formed a thread throughout the planning and design of the camp modules. The outcome resulted in the incorporation of project based learning (PBL) activities, field excursions, and deployment of weather instrumentation, for explaining regional climate processes and events. Standardized surveys were administered to camp participants to evaluate the efficacy, as well as student perceptions of the camp and its activities. Results will be presented that are based on qualitative and quantitative analysis of student responses.

Validation of Long Range Wind Lidar for Atmospheric Dynamics Studies during inter comparison campaign

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boquet, M.; Cariou, J. P.; Lolli, S.; Sauvage, L.; Parmentier, R.

2009-09-01

To fully understand atmospheric dynamics, climate studies, energy transfer and weather prediction, the wind field is one of the most important atmospheric state variables. Studies indicate that a global determination of the tropospheric wind field to an accuracy of 0.5 m/s is critical for improved numerical weather forecasting. LEOSPHERE recently developed a long range compact, eye safe and transportable wind Lidar capable to fully determine locally the wind field in real time in the planetary boundary layer (PBL). The WLS70 is a new generation wind Lidar developed for meteorological applications. The Lidar is derived from the commercial Windcube™ widely used by the wind industry and has been modified increasing the range up to 2 km. In this paper are presented results of the inter comparison measurement campaigns EUCAARI, LUAMI and WAVES in which the WLS70 participated together with both up-to-date active and passive ground-based remote-sensing systems for providing high-quality meteorological parameters reference or ground-truth e.g. to satellite sensors. In May 2008, the first WLS70 prototype started retrieving vertical wind speed profiles during the EUCAARI campaign at Cabauw, the Netherlands. First results were very promising with vertical profiles up to 2km showing high frequency updrafts and downdrafts in the boundary layer. From November 2008 to January 2009, a WLS70 was deployed in Germany, together with an EZ Lidar™ ALS450, in the frame of the Lindenberg Upper Air Methods Intercomparison (LUAMI) campaign. During 62 days, the WLS70 Lidar retrieved 24/24 hours vertical profiles of the 3 wind components, putting in evidence wind shears and veers, as well as gusts and high frequency convective effects with the raise of the mixing layer or with incoming rain fronts. In-cloud and multilayer measurements are also available allowing a large range of additional investigations such as cloud-aerosol interactions or cloud droplet activation. From March to May 2009, LEOSPHERE deployed a WLS70 prototype unit at the Howard University Research Campus in Beltsville, Maryland, for the Water Vapor Validation Experiments (WAVES) from the initiative of the NOAA. The presence of numerous wind profilers, lidars and radio soundings was a perfect opportunity to test and improve this new compact and autonomous long range wind Lidar. The WLS70 showed Low Level Jet phenomena which have strong impact on air quality. During these intensive inter comparison campaigns the WLS70 Wind Lidar was validated against Lidars, Radars, Sodars and anemometers. The results show mostly a very good agreement between the instruments. Moreover, the measurements put in evidence both horizontal and vertical wind speed and wind direction vertical profiles and atmosphere structure (PBL height , clouds base) derived from Lidar data with good time resolution (10s/profile), good range resolution (50m from 100m to 2000m), and good velocity resolution (0.2m/s). Enhanced measurement range is now expected through new optical device.

Exploration of solar photospheric magnetic field data sets using the UCSD tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jackson, B. V.; Yu, H.-S.; Buffington, A.; Hick, P. P.; Nishimura, N.; Nozaki, N.; Tokumaru, M.; Fujiki, K.; Hayashi, K.

2016-12-01

This article investigates the use of two different types of National Solar Observatory magnetograms and two different coronal field modeling techniques over 10 years. Both the "open-field" Current Sheet Source Surface (CSSS) and a "closed-field" technique using CSSS modeling are compared. The University of California, San Diego, tomographic modeling, using interplanetary scintillation data from Japan, provides the global velocities to extrapolate these fields outward, which are then compared with fields measured in situ near Earth. Although the open-field technique generally gives a better result for radial and tangential fields, we find that a portion of the closed extrapolated fields measured in situ near Earth comes from the direct outward mapping of these fields in the low solar corona. All three closed-field components are nonzero at 1 AU and are compared with the appropriate magnetometer values. A significant positive correlation exists between these closed-field components and the in situ measurements over the last 10 years. We determine that a small fraction of the static low-coronal component flux, which includes the Bn (north-south) component, regularly escapes from closed-field regions. The closed-field flux fraction varies by about a factor of 3 from a mean value during this period, relative to the magnitude of the field components measured in situ near Earth, and maximizes in 2014. This implies that a relatively more efficient process for closed-flux escape occurs near solar maximum. We also compare and find that the popular Potential Field Source Surface and CSSS model closed fields are nearly identical in sign and strength.

Remarks on the regularity criteria of three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics system in terms of two velocity field components

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

Yamazaki, Kazuo

2014-03-15

We study the three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics system and obtain its regularity criteria in terms of only two velocity vector field components eliminating the condition on the third component completely. The proof consists of a new decomposition of the four nonlinear terms of the system and estimating a component of the magnetic vector field in terms of the same component of the velocity vector field. This result may be seen as a component reduction result of many previous works [C. He and Z. Xin, “On the regularity of weak solutions to the magnetohydrodynamic equations,” J. Differ. Equ. 213(2), 234–254 (2005); Y. Zhou,more » “Remarks on regularities for the 3D MHD equations,” Discrete Contin. Dyn. Syst. 12(5), 881–886 (2005)].« less

Study of field-aligned current (FAC), interplanetary electric field component (Ey), interplanetary magnetic field component (Bz), and northward (x) and eastward (y) components of geomagnetic field during supersubstorm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adhikari, Binod; Dahal, Subodh; Chapagain, Narayan P.

2017-05-01

A dominant process by which energy and momentum are transported from the magnetosphere to the ionosphere is known as field-aligned current (FAC). It is enhanced during magnetic reconnection and explosive energy release at a substorm. In this paper, we studied FAC, interplanetary electric field component (Ey), interplanetary magnetic field component (Bz), and northward (x) and eastward (y) components of geomagnetic field during three events of supersubstorm occurred on 24 November 2001, 21 January 2005, and 24 August 2005. Large-scale FAC, supposed to be produced during supersubstorm (SSS), has potentiality to cause blackout on Earth. We examined temporal variations of the x and y components of high-latitude geomagnetic field during SSS, which is attributed to the FACs. We shall report the characteristics of high-latitude northward and eastward components of geomagnetic field variation during the growth phase of SSS by the implementation of discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and cross-correlation analysis. Among three examples of SSS events, the highest peak value of FAC was estimated to be 19 μAm-2. This is shore up with the prediction made by Parks (1991) and Stasiewicz et al. (1998) that the FACs may vary from a few tens to several hundred μAm-2. Although this peak value of FACs for SSS event is much higher than the average FACs associated with regular substorms or magnetic storms, it is expedient and can be expect for SSS events which might be due to very high density solar wind plasma parcels (PPs) triggering the SSS events. In all events, during growth phase, the FAC increases to extremely high level and the geomagnetic northward component decreases to extremely low level. This represents a strong positive correlation between FAC and geomagnetic northward component. The DWT analysis accounts that the highest amplitude of the wavelet coefficients indicates singularities present in FAC during SSS event. But the amplitude of squared wavelet coefficient is found to be different from each other, which might be due to the solar wind PPs of different density triggering the SSS events. The cross-correlation analysis suggests that the perturbation on geomagnetic northward component at high latitude during SSS strongly correlates with the fluctuation pattern of FAC density. Hence, the FAC is the primary sources for the eastward-westward magnetic field perturbations at high latitude.

One-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics of a cylindrical liner imploded by an azimuthal magnetic field and compressing an axial field

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

Hamann, F., E-mail: franck.hamann@cea.fr; Combis, P.; Videau, L.

The one-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics of a plasma cylindrical liner is addressed in the case of a two components magnetic field. The azimuthal component is responsible for the implosion of the liner and the axial field is compressed inside the liner. A complete set of analytical profiles for the magnetic field components, the density, and the local velocity are proposed at the scale of the liner thickness. Numerical simulations are also presented to test the validity of the analytical formulas.

Pseudogap in normal underdoped phase of Bi2212: LDA + DMFT + Σk

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nekrasov, I. A.; Kuchinskii, E. Z.; Pchelkina, Z. V.; Sadovskii, M. V.

2007-09-01

Pseudogap phenomena are observed for normal underdoped phase of different high- Tc cuprates. Among others Bi 2Sr 2CaCu 2O 8- δ (Bi2212) compound is one of the most studied experimentally [A. Damascelli, Z. Hussain, Z.-X. Shen, Rev. Mod. Phys. 75 (2003) 473; J.C. Campuzano, M.R. Norman, M. Randeria, in: K.H. Bennemann, J.B. Ketterson (Eds.), Physics of Superconductors, vol. 2, Springer, Berlin, 2004, p. 167; J. Fink et al., cond-mat/0512307; X.J. Zhou et al., cond-mat/0604284]. To describe pseudogap regime in Bi2212, we employ novel generalized DMFT + Σk approach [E.Z. Kuchinskii, I.A. Nekrasov, M.V. Sadovskii, JETP Lett. 82 (2005) 198; M.V. Sadovskii et al., Phys. Rev. B 72 (2005) 155105, and these proceedings, doi:10.1016/j.physc.2007.03.367]. This approach gives possibility to preserve conventional dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT) equations [A. Georges et al., Rev. Mod. Phys. 68 (1996) 13] and include an additional (momentum dependent) self-energy Σk. In the present case, Σk describes non-local dynamical correlations induced by short-ranged collective Heisenberg-like antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations [M.V. Sadovskii, Physics-Uspekhi 44 (2001) 515, cond-mat/0408489]. The effective single impurity problem in the DMFT + Σk is solved by numerical renormalization group (NRG) [R. Bulla, A.C. Hewson, Th. Pruschke, J. Phys. Cond. Mat. 10 (1998) 8365; R. Bulla, Phys. Rev. Lett. 83 (1999) 136]. To take into account material specific properties of two neighboring CuO 2 layers of Bi2212 we employ local density approximation (LDA) to calculate necessary model parameters, e.g. the values of intra- and interlayer hopping integrals between Cu-sites. Onsite Coulomb interaction U for x2- y2 orbital was calculated in constrained LDA method [O. Gunnarsson et al., Phys. Rev. B 39 (1989) 1708]. The value of pseudogap potential Δ was obtained within DMFT(NRG) [E.Z. Kuchinskii, I.A. Nekrasov, M.V. Sadovskii, JETP Lett. 82 (2005) 198; M.V. Sadovskii et al., Phys. Rev. B 72 (2005) 155105, and these proceedings, doi:10.1016/j.physc.2007.03.367]. Here, we report theoretical LDA + DMFT + Σk quasiparticle bands dispersion, Fermi surface (FS) and angular resolved photoemission (ARPES) spectra accounting for pseudogap and bilayer splitting effects for normal underdoped Bi2212 ( δ = 0.15). We show that LDA-calculated value of bilayer splitting (BS) is too small to describe experimentally observed peak-dip-hump structure. Fermi surface in presence of the pseudogap fluctuations is almost insensitive to the BS value. Results obtained are in good agreement with recent ARPES experiments.

[Investigations on the effect of an electrostatic field free of residual waves on the motility of the mouse (author's transl)].

PubMed

Fischer, G

1977-08-01

Comparative investigations were carried out concerning the influence on the motility of mice of different electrobioclimatic conditions (electrostatic field with a residual wave component of 1% and a field strength of 4.500 V/m; pure residual wave component: 32 Vs/s, field strength 120 V/m/ss; electrostatic field established by batteries: initial voltage 900 V, field strength 4.500 V/m; shielded from ambient atmospheric electrical fields: damping efficiency at 99%). The Faraday condition represented the control as absolutely objective physical magnitude. All experimental chambers were positioned under Faraday shields. Following a 20 day period of acclimatization to the unaccustomed surroundings for the animals (adaptation period), we established the previously described electrophysical conditions in the cages for a further period of 20 days (experimental period). The lowest values measured during the daily readings were found in the Faraday cage, resp. in the pure electrostatic field, the highest in the DC-field with residual wave component resp. in the residual wave component alone. We draw the following conclusion from the findings: the pure DC-field apparently does not possess those bioclimatologically decisive importance that has been and is being postulated from several sides. Many of the stimtng effects observed and attributed to the electrostatic field are most probably due to the residual wave component resulting from the high-voltage generators employed.

A New Approach to Isolating External Magnetic Field Components in Spacecraft Measurements of the Earth's Magnetic Field Using Global Positioning System observables

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Raymond, C.; Hajj, G.

1994-01-01

We review the problem of separating components of the magnetic field arising from sources in the Earth's core and lithosphere, from those contributions arising external to the Earth, namely ionospheric and magnetospheric fields, in spacecraft measurements of the Earth's magnetic field.

Giove 2003-2004: rapporto osservativo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adamoli, Gianluigi

2005-08-01

The planet was monitored from 2003 September 19 to 2004 August 7, with plenty of digital images and a few visual observations. Undulations in latitude were shown by many belts, with SSTB, STB and NNTB spiralling so as to overpose parallel to themselves after a turn. Bright SPH and an SPB were recorded in the SPR, with spots discernible to about 60°S. The SSTZ anti-cyclonic white ovals were prominent, so as oval BA, well visible amidst dark SSTB/STB features; it was reached by a prograding STB dark sector. A dark STZ spot surpassed the GRS and then became a diagonal streak. The GRS was pale red, with a darker S. edge and a central condensation, followed by the usual train of white spots in SEB. This belt had much structure, with white SEBZ, a central dark component and projections on both edges. EZ was 3/4 veiled and EB was systematically S. of the equator; NEBs activity consisted of the usual festoons, often distorted through the Zone by the wind speed shear, and prominent blue bars on the edge of the belt. The NEB N. edge underwent a new Northern expansion in April; its barges were few and faint, while Roger's Z bay decelerated. A continuous NTrB was present, with NTB very faint; they were blue, while NNTB had a warm hue and the NNTBs jetstream was very active. Many faint belt sectors were recorded N. of it, with spots to about 60°N.

Dielectric tensor elements for the description of waves in rotating inhomogeneous magnetized plasma spheroids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdoli-Arani, A.; Ramezani-Arani, R.

2012-11-01

The dielectric permittivity tensor elements of a rotating cold collisionless plasma spheroid in an external magnetic field with toroidal and axial components are obtained. The effects of inhomogeneity in the densities of charged particles and the initial toroidal velocity on the dielectric permittivity tensor and field equations are investigated. The field components in terms of their toroidal components are calculated and it is shown that the toroidal components of the electric and magnetic fields are coupled by two differential equations. The influence of thermal and collisional effects on the dielectric tensor and field equations in the rotating plasma spheroid are also investigated. In the limiting spherical case, the dielectric tensor of a stationary magnetized collisionless cold plasma sphere is presented.

Ambient Field Analysis at Groningen Gas Field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spica, Z.; Nakata, N.; Beroza, G. C.

2016-12-01

We analyze continuous ambient-field data at Groningen gas field (Netherlands) through cross-correlation processing. The Groningen array is composed of 75 shallow boreholes with 6 km spacing, which contain a 3C surface accelerometer and four 5-Hz 3C borehole geophones spaced at 50 m depth intervals. We successfully retrieve coherent waves from ambient seismic field on the 9 components between stations. Results show high SNR signal in the frequency range of 0.125-1 Hz, and the ZZ, ZR, RZ, RR and TT components show much stronger wave energy than other components as expected. This poster discuss the different type of waves retrieved, the utility of the combination of borehole and surface observations, future development as well as the importance to compute the 9 components of the Green's tensor to better understand the wave field propriety with ambient noise.

High-throughput sequencing of forensic genetic samples using punches of FTA cards with buccal swabs.

PubMed

Kampmann, Marie-Louise; Buchard, Anders; Børsting, Claus; Morling, Niels

2016-01-01

Here, we demonstrate that punches from buccal swab samples preserved on FTA cards can be used for high-throughput DNA sequencing, also known as massively parallel sequencing (MPS). We typed 44 reference samples with the HID-Ion AmpliSeq Identity Panel using washed 1.2 mm punches from FTA cards with buccal swabs and compared the results with those obtained with DNA extracted using the EZ1 DNA Investigator Kit. Concordant profiles were obtained for all samples. Our protocol includes simple punch, wash, and PCR steps, reducing cost and hands-on time in the laboratory. Furthermore, it facilitates automation of DNA sequencing.