Diet and caries-associated bacteria in severe early childhood caries.

PubMed

Palmer, C A; Kent, R; Loo, C Y; Hughes, C V; Stutius, E; Pradhan, N; Dahlan, M; Kanasi, E; Arevalo Vasquez, S S; Tanner, A C R

2010-11-01

Frequent consumption of cariogenic foods and bacterial infection are risk factors for early childhood caries (ECC). This study hypothesized that a short diet survey focused on frequency of foods, categorized by putative cariogenicity, would differentiate severe ECC (S-ECC) from caries-free children. Children's diets were obtained by survey and plaque bacteria detected by PCR from 72 S-ECC and 38 caries-free children. S-ECC children had higher scores for between-meal juice (p < 0.01), solid-retentive foods (p < 0.001), eating frequency (p < 0.005), and estimated food cariogenicity (p < 0.0001) than caries-free children. S-ECC children with lesion recurrence ate fewer putative caries-protective foods than children without new lesions. Streptococcus mutans (p < 0.005), Streptococcus sobrinus (p < 0.005), and Bifidobacteria (p < 0.0001) were associated with S-ECC, and S. mutans with S. sobrinus was associated with lesion recurrence (p < 0.05). S. mutans-positive children had higher food cariogenicity scores. Food frequency, putative cariogenicity, and S. mutans were associated with S-ECC individually and in combination.

Diet and Caries-associated Bacteria in Severe Early Childhood Caries

PubMed Central

Palmer, C.A.; Kent, R.; Loo, C.Y.; Hughes, C.V.; Stutius, E.; Pradhan, N.; Dahlan, M.; Kanasi, E.; Arevalo Vasquez, S.S.; Tanner, A.C.R.

2010-01-01

Frequent consumption of cariogenic foods and bacterial infection are risk factors for early childhood caries (ECC). This study hypothesized that a short diet survey focused on frequency of foods, categorized by putative cariogenicity, would differentiate severe ECC (S-ECC) from caries-free children. Children’s diets were obtained by survey and plaque bacteria detected by PCR from 72 S-ECC and 38 caries-free children. S-ECC children had higher scores for between-meal juice (p < 0.01), solid-retentive foods (p < 0.001), eating frequency (p < 0.005), and estimated food cariogenicity (p < 0.0001) than caries-free children. S-ECC children with lesion recurrence ate fewer putative caries-protective foods than children without new lesions. Streptococcus mutans (p < 0.005), Streptococcus sobrinus (p < 0.005), and Bifidobacteria (p < 0.0001) were associated with S-ECC, and S. mutans with S. sobrinus was associated with lesion recurrence (p < 0.05). S. mutans-positive children had higher food cariogenicity scores. Food frequency, putative cariogenicity, and S. mutans were associated with S-ECC individually and in combination. PMID:20858780

A novel minimal invasive mouse model of extracorporeal circulation.

PubMed

Luo, Shuhua; Tang, Menglin; Du, Lei; Gong, Lina; Xu, Jin; Chen, Youwen; Wang, Yabo; Lin, Ke; An, Qi

2015-01-01

Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) is necessary for conventional cardiac surgery and life support, but it often triggers systemic inflammation that can significantly damage tissue. Studies of ECC have been limited to large animals because of the complexity of the surgical procedures involved, which has hampered detailed understanding of ECC-induced injury. Here we describe a minimally invasive mouse model of ECC that may allow more extensive mechanistic studies. The right carotid artery and external jugular vein of anesthetized adult male C57BL/6 mice were cannulated to allow blood flow through a 1/32-inch external tube. All animals (n = 20) survived 30 min ECC and subsequent 60 min observation. Blood analysis after ECC showed significant increases in levels of tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-6, and neutrophil elastase in plasma, lung, and renal tissues, as well as increases in plasma creatinine and cystatin C and decreases in the oxygenation index. Histopathology showed that ECC induced the expected lung inflammation, which included alveolar congestion, hemorrhage, neutrophil infiltration, and alveolar wall thickening; in renal tissue, ECC induced intracytoplasmic vacuolization, acute tubular necrosis, and epithelial swelling. Our results suggest that this novel, minimally invasive mouse model can recapitulate many of the clinical features of ECC-induced systemic inflammatory response and organ injury.

A Novel Minimal Invasive Mouse Model of Extracorporeal Circulation

PubMed Central

Luo, Shuhua; Tang, Menglin; Du, Lei; Gong, Lina; Xu, Jin; Chen, Youwen; Wang, Yabo; Lin, Ke; An, Qi

2015-01-01

Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) is necessary for conventional cardiac surgery and life support, but it often triggers systemic inflammation that can significantly damage tissue. Studies of ECC have been limited to large animals because of the complexity of the surgical procedures involved, which has hampered detailed understanding of ECC-induced injury. Here we describe a minimally invasive mouse model of ECC that may allow more extensive mechanistic studies. The right carotid artery and external jugular vein of anesthetized adult male C57BL/6 mice were cannulated to allow blood flow through a 1/32-inch external tube. All animals (n = 20) survived 30 min ECC and subsequent 60 min observation. Blood analysis after ECC showed significant increases in levels of tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-6, and neutrophil elastase in plasma, lung, and renal tissues, as well as increases in plasma creatinine and cystatin C and decreases in the oxygenation index. Histopathology showed that ECC induced the expected lung inflammation, which included alveolar congestion, hemorrhage, neutrophil infiltration, and alveolar wall thickening; in renal tissue, ECC induced intracytoplasmic vacuolization, acute tubular necrosis, and epithelial swelling. Our results suggest that this novel, minimally invasive mouse model can recapitulate many of the clinical features of ECC-induced systemic inflammatory response and organ injury. PMID:25705092

Prevalence and Data Availability of Early Childhood Caries in 193 United Nations Countries, 2007-2017.

PubMed

El Tantawi, Maha; Folayan, Morenike O; Mehaina, Mohamed; Vukovic, Ana; Castillo, Jorge L; Gaffar, Balgis O; Arheiam, Arheiam; Al-Batayneh, Ola B; Kemoli, Arthur M; Schroth, Robert J; Lee, Gillian H M

2018-06-21

To assess the relationship between health care system and economic factors and early childhood caries (ECC) data availability and prevalence. We estimated ECC data for 193 United Nations countries from studies published between 2007 and 2017. We obtained other variables from the World Health Organization and the World Bank databases. We assessed association with ECC data availability by using logistic regression and with ECC prevalence by using linear regression. We included 190 publications from 88 (45.6%) countries. The mean ECC prevalence was 23.8% and 57.3% in children younger than 36 months and children aged 36 to 71 months, respectively. The odds of ECC data availability were significantly higher for countries with more physicians and more dentists. In children younger than 36 months, ECC prevalence was associated with universal health coverage (B = -6.56). In children aged 36 to 71 months, it was associated with growth of gross national income (B = 0.27). Countries with more physicians and more dentists were more likely to have ECC data. Among those with data, countries with higher economic growth had higher ECC prevalence. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print June 21, 2018: e1-e7. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2018.304466).

Aciduric Microbiota and Mutans Streptococci in Severe and Recurrent Severe Early Childhood Caries

PubMed Central

Hughes, Christopher V.; Dahlan, Mohammed; Papadopolou, Eleftheria; Kent, Ralph L.; Loo, Cheen Y.; Pradhan, Nooruddin S.; Lu, Shulin C.; Bravoco, Alexandra; Mathney, Jennifer M.J.; Tanner, Anne C.R.

2011-01-01

Purpose Severe early childhood caries (ECC) results from bacterial acid production in an acidic environment. The current study determined Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus and acid-tolerant counts in severe-ECC. Methods Children (2–6 years) with severe-ECC (n=77) or who were caries-free (n=40) were examined. Plaque samples from teeth and the tongue were cultured anaerobically on blood, acid and S. mutans selective agars. Severe-ECC children were monitored post-treatment for recurrent caries. Results Severe-ECC and caries-free children were balanced by household income and education level. Carious lesions were observed in 75% maxillary incisors and >80% molars in severe-ECC. At baseline, Streptococcus mutans, and Streptococcus sobrinus counts and proportions of S. mutans were higher in severe-ECC than caries-free children. Acid and blood counts were elevated only in anterior samples of severe-ECC children. Baseline counts of S. sobrinus, but not S. mutans, were higher in children with recurrent compared with no recurrent caries. S. mutans counts were lower post treatment than pre-treatment, particularly for children without caries recurrence. Other counts did not differ between before and after therapy. Conclusions We conclude that severe and recurrent ECC were better explained by mutans streptococci than the aciduric microbiota. S. mutans did not predict children with recurrent caries. PMID:22583872

The effects of a repeated bout of eccentric exercise on indices of muscle damage and delayed onset muscle soreness.

PubMed

Paddon-Jones, D; Muthalib, M; Jenkins, D

2000-03-01

This study examined markers of muscle damage following a repeated bout of maximal isokinetic eccentric exercise performed prior to full recovery from a previous bout. Twenty non-resistance trained volunteers were randomly assigned to a control (CON, n=10) or experimental (EXP, n=10) group. Both groups performed 36 maximal isokinetic eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors of the non-dominant arm (ECC1). The EXP group repeated the same eccentric exercise bout two days later (ECC2). Total work and peak eccentric torque were recorded during each set of ECC1 and ECC2. Isometric torque, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), flexed elbow angle and plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity were measured prior to and immediately following ECC1 and ECC2. at 24h intervals for 7 days following ECC1 and finally on day 11. In both groups, all dependent variables changed significantly during the 2 days following ECC1. A further acute post-exercise impairment in isometric torque (30 +/- 5%) and flexed elbow angle (20 +/- 4%) was observed following ECC2 (p<0.05), despite EXP subjects producing uniformly lower work and peak eccentric torque values during ECC2 (p<0.05). No other significant differences between the CON and EXP groups were observed throughout the study (p>0.05). These findings suggest that when maximal isokinetic eccentric exercise is repeated two days after experiencing of contraction-induced muscle damage, the recovery time course is not significantly altered.

Phosphate, urea and creatinine clearances: haemodialysis adequacy assessed by weekly monitoring.

PubMed

Debowska, Malgorzata; Wojcik-Zaluska, Alicja; Ksiazek, Andrzej; Zaluska, Wojciech; Waniewski, Jacek

2015-01-01

The specific distribution of phosphate and the control mechanisms for its plasma level makes phosphate kinetics during haemodialysis (HD) considerably different from those of urea and creatinine and makes the quantitative evaluation of adequacy of phosphate removal difficult. We propose the application of equivalent continuous clearance (ECC) as a phosphate adequacy parameter and compare it with ECC for creatinine and urea. Three consecutive dialysis sessions were evaluated for 25 patients on maintenance HD. Concentrations of phosphate, urea and creatinine in plasma were measured every 1h during the treatment and 45 min after, and every 30 min in dialysate. ECC was calculated using the removed solute mass assessed in dialysate and weekly solute profile in plasma. Similar calculations were performed also for the midweek dialysis session only. Different versions of the reference concentration for ECC were applied. ECC with peak average reference concentration was 5.4 ± 1.0 for phosphate, 7.0 ± 1.0 for urea and 4.7 ± 1.0 mL/min for creatinine. ECC for urea and creatinine were well correlated in contrast to the correlations of ECC for phosphate versus urea and creatinine. Midweek ECC were higher than weekly ECC, but they were well correlated for urea and creatinine, but only weakly for phosphate. HD adequacy monitoring for phosphate may be performed using ECC, but it is less predictable than similar indices for urea and creatinine. The values of ECC for phosphate are within the range expected for its molecular size compared with those for urea and creatinine. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of ERA-EDTA. All rights reserved.

Muscle fascicle behavior during eccentric cycling and its relation to muscle soreness.

PubMed

Peñailillo, Luis; Blazevich, Anthony J; Nosaka, Kazunori

2015-04-01

A single bout of eccentric exercise confers a protective effect against muscle damage and soreness in subsequent eccentric exercise bouts, but the mechanisms underpinning this effect are unclear. This study compared vastus lateralis (VL) muscle-tendon behavior between two eccentric cycling bouts to test the hypothesis that muscle-tendon behavior would be different between bouts and would be associated with the protective effect. Eleven untrained men (27.1 ± 7.0 yr) performed two bouts of eccentric cycling (ECC1 and ECC2) separated by 2 wk for 10 min at 65% of maximal concentric workload (191.9 ± 44.2 W) each. Muscle soreness (by visual analog scale) and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) torque of the knee extensors were assessed before and 1-2 d after exercise. Using ultrasonography, VL fascicle length and angle changes during cycling were assessed, and tendinous tissue (TT) length changes were estimated. VL EMG amplitude, crank torque, and knee joint angles were measured during cycling. Soreness was greater (P < 0.0001) after ECC1 than ECC2, although MVC changes were not different between bouts (P = 0.47). No significant differences in peak EMG amplitude (normalized to EMG during MVC), crank peak torque, or knee angles were evident between bouts. However, fascicle elongation was 16% less during ECC2 than ECC1 (P < 0.01), indicating less fascicle strain in ECC2. Maximum TT length occurred at a smaller knee joint angle during ECC2 than ECC1 (P = 0.055). These results suggest that a lesser fascicle elongation and earlier TT elongation were associated with reduced muscle soreness after ECC2 than ECC1; thus, changes in muscle-tendon behavior may be an important mechanism underpinning the protective effect.

Establishing the diagnosis of chronic colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa of cystic fibrosis patients: Comparison of the European consensus criteria with genotyping of P. aeruginosa isolates.

PubMed

Jonckheere, Leander; Schelstraete, Petra; Van Simaey, Leen; Van Braeckel, Eva; Willekens, Julie; Van Daele, Sabine; De Baets, Frans; Vaneechoutte, Mario

2018-04-11

After antibiotic eradication treatment for a first ever Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolation, the European consensus criteria (ECC) are widely used to assess colonization status with P. aeruginosa in CF-patients. We evaluated to what extent genotyping (GT) of subsequent P. aeruginosa isolates could predict/assess chronic colonization (CC), in comparison with the ECC. Over a 14-year period, sputa were cultured from 80 CF-patients (age range: 2-51 years), from a first ever isolation of P. aeruginosa onwards. Patients with a positive culture for P. aeruginosa received antibiotic eradication treatment. For the 40 patients for whom three or more P. aeruginosa isolates were available, these isolates were genotyped. According to the ECC, 27 out of the 40 patients (67.5%) became CC during the study period (ECC-positive patients). Genotyping confirmed persistence of the same genotype for 25 of these ECC-positive patients. Genotyping indicated persistence of the same genotype for at least two subsequent isolates for 5 out of 13 ECC-negative patients. Culture-positivity characteristics of the 27 ECC-positive patients corresponded well to those of the 30 GT-positive patients, with an overall higher number of positive cultures as well as a shorter interval in between first and second isolate compared to ECC-negative and GT-negative patients. Genotyping indicated persistence of the same genotype on average 9.3 months earlier than CC according to the ECC (P < 0.01). Genotyping of P. aeruginosa isolates confirmed CC for 25 out of 27 ECC-positive patients (92.6% specificity) and predicted CC 9.3 months earlier than the ECC. Copyright © 2018 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Combined deficiencies of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and anemia in preschool children with severe early childhood caries: A case-control study.

PubMed

Deane, Shannon; Schroth, Robert J; Sharma, Atul; Rodd, Celia

2018-05-01

Severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) is common and has adverse affects on children's health. Children with S-ECC have been shown to have anemia or vitamin D deficiency. No studies have assessed the presence of combined deficiencies with S-ECC. The purpose of our study was to examine whether those with S-ECC had a higher prevalence of combined anemia and low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) compared to controls. Covariates associated with elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH), previously noted in S-ECC, were examined. This is a re-analyses of a previously described cross-sectional case-control study; data were collected between 2009 and 2011. Children with S-ECC were recruited on the day of dental surgery and controls from the community. Blood was drawn for complete blood count, ferritin, 25(OH)D and PTH. Families completed a questionnaire. A total of 266 children participated (S-ECC n=144); the mean age was 40.8 ± 14.1 months. Children with S-ECC were more likely to have low 25(OH)D, hemoglobin, elevated PTH or iron-deficiency anemia compared to controls. Significant differences between groups were seen for a combined deficiency of low hemoglobin (<110 g/L) and 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L; controls 0/114 versus S-ECC 15/140 (P<0.001). In an adjusted regression model, PTH was negatively associated with 25(OH)D (P<0.001) and higher income (P<0.02); it was positively associated with less regular milk consumption (P=0.001). Combined deficiencies of vitamin D and anemia are more prevalent in children with S-ECC; the etiology remains unclear. A detailed diet history is key in those with S-ECC to assess risks for deficiencies.

Comparison between maximal lengthening and shortening contractions for biceps brachii muscle oxygenation and hemodynamics.

PubMed

Muthalib, Makii; Lee, Hoseong; Millet, Guillaume Y; Ferrari, Marco; Nosaka, Kazunori

2010-09-01

Eccentric contractions (ECC) require lower systemic oxygen (O2) and induce greater symptoms of muscle damage than concentric contractions (CON); however, it is not known if local muscle oxygenation is lower in ECC than CON during and following exercise. This study compared between ECC and CON for changes in biceps brachii muscle oxygenation [tissue oxygenation index (TOI)] and hemodynamics [total hemoglobin volume (tHb)=oxygenated-Hb+deoxygenated-Hb], determined by near-infrared spectroscopy over 10 sets of 6 maximal contractions of the elbow flexors of 10 healthy subjects. This study also compared between ECC and CON for changes in TOI and tHb during a 10-s sustained and 30-repeated maximal isometric contraction (MVC) task measured immediately before and after and 1-3 days following exercise. The torque integral during ECC was greater (P<0.05) than that during CON by approximately 30%, and the decrease in TOI was smaller (P<0.05) by approximately 50% during ECC than CON. Increases in tHb during the relaxation phases were smaller (P<0.05) by approximately 100% for ECC than CON; however, the decreases in tHb during the contraction phases were not significantly different between sessions. These results suggest that ECC utilizes a lower muscle O2 relative to O2 supply compared with CON. Following exercise, greater (P<0.05) decreases in MVC strength and increases in plasma creatine kinase activity and muscle soreness were evident 1-3 days after ECC than CON. Torque integral, TOI, and tHb during the sustained and repeated MVC tasks decreased (P<0.01) only after ECC, suggesting that muscle O2 demand relative to O2 supply during the isometric tasks was decreased after ECC. This could mainly be due to a lower maximal muscle mass activated as a consequence of muscle damage; however, an increase in O2 supply due to microcirculation dysfunction and/or inflammatory vasodilatory responses after ECC is recognized.

Post-manufacturing, 17-times acceptable raw bit error rate enhancement, dynamic codeword transition ECC scheme for highly reliable solid-state drives, SSDs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanakamaru, Shuhei; Fukuda, Mayumi; Higuchi, Kazuhide; Esumi, Atsushi; Ito, Mitsuyoshi; Li, Kai; Takeuchi, Ken

2011-04-01

A dynamic codeword transition ECC scheme is proposed for highly reliable solid-state drives, SSDs. By monitoring the error number or the write/erase cycles, the ECC codeword dynamically increases from 512 Byte (+parity) to 1 KByte, 2 KByte, 4 KByte…32 KByte. The proposed ECC with a larger codeword decreases the failure rate after ECC. As a result, the acceptable raw bit error rate, BER, before ECC is enhanced. Assuming a NAND Flash memory which requires 8-bit correction in 512 Byte codeword ECC, a 17-times higher acceptable raw BER than the conventional fixed 512 Byte codeword ECC is realized for the mobile phone application without an interleaving. For the MP3 player, digital-still camera and high-speed memory card applications with a dual channel interleaving, 15-times higher acceptable raw BER is achieved. Finally, for the SSD application with 8 channel interleaving, 13-times higher acceptable raw BER is realized. Because the ratio of the user data to the parity bits is the same in each ECC codeword, no additional memory area is required. Note that the reliability of SSD is improved after the manufacturing without cost penalty. Compared with the conventional ECC with the fixed large 32 KByte codeword, the proposed scheme achieves a lower power consumption by introducing the "best-effort" type operation. In the proposed scheme, during the most of the lifetime of SSD, a weak ECC with a shorter codeword such as 512 Byte (+parity), 1 KByte and 2 KByte is used and 98% lower power consumption is realized. At the life-end of SSD, a strong ECC with a 32 KByte codeword is used and the highly reliable operation is achieved. The random read performance is also discussed. The random read performance is estimated by the latency. The latency is below 1.5 ms for ECC codeword up to 32 KByte. This latency is below the average latency of 15,000 rpm HDD, 2 ms.

Sandia National Laboratories: Working with Sandia: Contract Audit

Science.gov Websites

Government Auditing Standards. Electronic Cost Claims Electronic Cost Claim (ECC) An Electronic Cost Claim is ) ECC-Cost Reimbursable Template and Instructions (MS Excel) ECC-University Template (MS Excel) ECC -Indirect Rates (Indirect Rate Cost Claim) (MS Excel) Electronic Cost Proposals Electronic Cost Proposal

Experimental characterization of 3-dimensional gravity-driven fingering in a porous medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dalbe, Marie-Julie; Juanes, Ruben

2017-11-01

When water infiltrates a dry porous media, a gravity-driven instability can be observed. Water will penetrate the porous media along preferential paths, called fingers. This gravity-driven unstable multiphase flow has important implications for natural phenomena such as rainwater infiltration in soil and secondary oil migration in reservoir rocks. While several experimental and numerical studies have described the instability in 2-dimensional (2D) settings, fundamental questions remain on the morphodynamics of gravity fingering in 3D. We developed a 3D experimental set-up based on planar laser-induced fluorescence of index-matched fluids that allows us to image this phenomenon dynamically. We study the impact of some crucial parameters such as rainfall rate or grain size on the finger size and velocity. In addition, experiments in stratified media reveal interesting dynamics of finger flow across material interfaces, an essential aspect towards the understanding of water infiltration in soils.

Relationship between the IgA antibody response against Streptococcus mutans GbpB and severity of dental caries in childhood.

PubMed

Colombo, Natália Helena; Pereira, Jesse Augusto; da Silva, Márjully Eduardo Rodrigues; Ribas, Laís Fernanda Fonseca; Parisotto, Thaís Manzano; Mattos-Graner, Renata de Oliveira; Smith, Daniel J; Duque, Cristiane

2016-07-01

Explore the associations between the severity of dental caries in childhood, mutans streptococci (MS) levels and IgA antibody response against Streptococcus mutans GbpB. Moreover, other caries-related etiological factors were also investigated. 36-60 month-old children were grouped into Caries-Free (CF, n=19), Early Childhood Caries (ECC, n=17) and Severe Early Childhood Caries (S-ECC, n=21). Data from socio-economic-cultural status, oral hygiene habits and dietary patterns were obtained from a questionnaire and a food-frequency diary filled out by parents. Saliva was collected from children for microbiological analysis and detection of salivary IgA antibody reactive with S. mutans GbpB in western blot. S-ECC children had reduced family income compared to those with ECC and CF. There was difference between CF and caries groups (ECC and S-ECC) in MS counts. Positive correlations between salivary IgA antibody response against GbpB and MS counts were found when the entire population was evaluated. When children with high MS counts were compared, S-ECC group showed significantly lower IgA antibody levels to GbpB compared to CF group. This finding was not observed for the ECC group. This study suggests that children with S-ECC have reduced salivary IgA immune responses to S. mutans GbpB, potentially compromising their ability to modify MS infection and its cariogenic potential. Furthermore, a reduced family income and high levels of MS were also associated with S-ECC. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Early Childhood Caries among a Bedouin community residing in the eastern outskirts of Jerusalem

PubMed Central

Livny, Alon; Assali, Rula; Sgan-Cohen, Harold D

2007-01-01

Background ECC is commonly prevalent among underprivileged populations. The Jahalin Bedouin are a severely deprived, previously nomadic tribe, dwelling on the eastern outskirts of Jerusalem. The aim of this study was to assess ECC prevalence and potentially associated variables. Methods 102 children aged 12–36 months were visually examined for caries, mothers' anterior dentition was visually subjectively appraised, demographic and health behavior data were collected by interview. Results Among children, 17.6% demonstrated ECC, among mothers, 37.3% revealed "fairly bad" anterior teeth. Among children drinking bottles there was about twice the level of ECC (20.3%) than those breast-fed (13.2%). ECC was found only among children aged more than one year (p < 0.001); more prevalent ECC (55.6%) was found among large (10–13 children) families than among smaller families (1–5 children: 13.5%, 6–9 children: 15.6%) (p = 0.009); ECC was more prevalent among children of less educated mothers (p = 0.037); ECC was more prevalent among mothers with "fairly poor" anterior dentition (p = 0.04). Oral hygiene practices were poor. Conclusion ECC levels in this community were not very high but neither low. This changing population might be on the verge of a wider dental disease "epidemic". Public health efforts clearly need to be invested towards the oral health and general welfare of this community. PMID:17650296

An in vitro model of a system of electrical potential compensation in extracorporeal circulation.

PubMed

Carletti, Umberto; Cattini, Stefano; Lodi, Renzo; Petralia, Antonio; Rovati, Luigi; Zaffe, Davide

2014-02-01

Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery induces systemic immune-inflammatory reaction that results in increased postoperative morbidity. Many factors are responsible for the adverse response after ECC. The present in vitro study aimed to investigate electric charges (ECs) generated during ECC, to set a device compensating the ECs, and checking its effect on red blood cells (RBC). The electrical signals of blood in ECC were collected by a custom developed low-noise electronic circuit, processed by a digital oscilloscope (DSO) and a dynamic signal analyzer (DSA). The compensation of ECs was performed using a compensation device, injecting a nulling charge into the blood circuit. The compensation effect of the ECs on RBCs was evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The electrical analysis performed using both the DSO and the DSA confirmed the EC formation during ECC. The notable electric signals recorded in standard ECC circuits substantially nulled once the compensation device was used, thus confirming efficient EC compensation. After two hours of ECC, the SEM non-blended test on human RBC samples highlighted morphological changes in acanthocytes of the normal biconcave-shaped RBC. The outcomes confirm the development of parasitic ECs during ECC and that a suppressor system may decrease the potential damage of ECs. Nevertheless, further studies are ongoing in order to investigate the complex mechanisms related to lymphocytes and platelet morphological and physiological chances during triboelectric charges in ECC.

Effects of Streptomycin Administration on Increases in Skeletal Muscle Fiber Permeability and Size Following Eccentric Muscle Contractions.

PubMed

Hayao, Keishi; Tamaki, Hiroyuki; Nakagawa, Kouki; Tamakoshi, Keigo; Takahashi, Hideaki; Yotani, Kengo; Ogita, Futoshi; Yamamoto, Noriaki; Onishi, Hideaki

2018-06-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the preventive effect of streptomycin (Str) administration on changes in membrane permeability and the histomorphological characteristics of damaged muscle fibers following eccentric contraction (ECC ). Eighteen 7-week-old male Fischer 344 rats were randomly assigned to three groups: control (Cont), ECC, and ECC with Str (ECC + Str). The tibialis anterior (TA) muscles in both ECC groups were stimulated electrically and exhibited ECC. Evans blue dye (EBD), a marker of muscle fiber damage associated with increased membrane permeability, was injected 24 hr before TA muscle sampling. The number of EBD-positive fibers, muscle fiber cross-sectional area (CSA), and roundness were determined via histomorphological analysis. The ECC intervention resulted in an increased fraction of EBD-positive fibers, a larger CSA, and decreased roundness. The fraction of EBD-positive fibers was 79% lower in the ECC + Str group than in the ECC group. However, there was no difference in the CSA and roundness of the EBD-positive fibers between the two ECC groups. These results suggest that Str administration can reduce the number of myofibers that increase membrane permeability following ECC, but does not ameliorate the extent of fiber swelling in extant EBD-positive fibers. Anat Rec, 301:1096-1102, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Development of selective medium for IMP-type carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in stool specimens.

PubMed

Yamamoto, Norihisa; Kawahara, Ryuji; Akeda, Yukihiro; Shanmugakani, Rathina Kumar; Yoshida, Hisao; Hagiya, Hideharu; Hara, Naohiro; Nishi, Isao; Yukawa, Satomi; Asada, Rumiko; Sasaki, Yumi; Maeda, Kazuhiro; Sakamoto, Noriko; Hamada, Shigeyuki; Tomono, Kazunori

2017-03-24

Identification of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in faecal specimens is challenging. This fact is particularly critical because low-level carbapenem-resistant organisms such as IMP-producing CPE are most prevalent in Japan. We developed a modified selective medium more suitable for IMP-type CPE. Fifteen reference CPE strains producing different types of β-lactamases were used to evaluate the commercially available CHROMagar KPC and chromID CARBA as well as the newly prepared MC-ECC medium (CHROMagar ECC supplemented with meropenem, cloxacillin, and ZnSO 4 ) and M-ECC medium (CHROMagar ECC supplemented with meropenem and ZnSO 4 ). A total of 1035 clinical samples were then examined to detect CPE using chromID CARBA and M-ECC medium. All tested strains producing NDM-, KPC-, and OXA-48-carbapenemases were successfully cultured in the media employed. Although most of the IMP-positive strains did not grow in CHROMagar KPC, chromID CARBA, or MC-ECC, all tested strains grew on M-ECC. When faecal samples were applied to the media, M-ECC medium allowed the best growth of IMP-type CPE with a significantly higher sensitivity (99.3%) than that of chromID CARBA (13.9%). M-ECC medium was determined as the most favourable selective medium for the detection of IMP-type CPE as well as other types of CPE.

Optimization of diffusion-weighted single-refocused spin-echo EPI by reducing eddy-current artifacts and shortening the echo time.

PubMed

Shrestha, Manoj; Hok, Pavel; Nöth, Ulrike; Lienerth, Bianca; Deichmann, Ralf

2018-03-30

The purpose of this work was to optimize the acquisition of diffusion-weighted (DW) single-refocused spin-echo (srSE) data without intrinsic eddy-current compensation (ECC) for an improved performance of ECC postprocessing. The rationale is that srSE sequences without ECC may yield shorter echo times (TE) and thus higher signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) than srSE or twice-refocused spin-echo (trSE) schemes with intrinsic ECC. The proposed method employs dummy scans with DW gradients to drive eddy currents into a steady state before data acquisition. Parameters of the ECC postprocessing algorithm were also optimized. Simulations were performed to obtain minimum TE values for the proposed sequence and sequences with intrinsic ECC. Experimentally, the proposed method was compared with standard DW-trSE imaging, both in vitro and in vivo. Simulations showed substantially shorter TE for the proposed method than for methods with intrinsic ECC when using shortened echo readouts. Data of the proposed method showed a marked increase in SNR. A dummy scan duration of at least 1.5 s improved performance of the ECC postprocessing algorithm. Changes proposed for the DW-srSE sequence and for the parameter setting of the postprocessing ECC algorithm considerably reduced eddy-current artifacts and provided a higher SNR.

On the detection and attribution of gravity waves generated by the 20 March 2015 solar eclipse

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Internal gravity waves are generated as adjustment radiation whenever a sudden change in forcing causes the atmosphere to depart from its large-scale balanced state. Such a forcing anomaly occurs during a solar eclipse, when the Moon’s shadow cools part of the Earth’s surface. The resulting atmospheric gravity waves are associated with pressure and temperature perturbations, which in principle are detectable both at the surface and aloft. In this study, surface pressure and temperature data from two UK sites at Reading and Lerwick are examined for eclipse-driven gravity wave perturbations during the 20 March 2015 solar eclipse over northwest Europe. Radiosonde wind data from the same two sites are also analysed using a moving parcel analysis method, to determine the periodicities of the waves aloft. On this occasion, the perturbations both at the surface and aloft are found not to be confidently attributable to eclipse-driven gravity waves. We conclude that the complex synoptic weather conditions over the UK at the time of this particular eclipse helped to mask any eclipse-driven gravity waves. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Atmospheric effects of solar eclipses stimulated by the 2015 UK eclipse’. PMID:27550763

On the detection and attribution of gravity waves generated by the 20 March 2015 solar eclipse.

PubMed

Marlton, G J; Williams, P D; Nicoll, K A

2016-09-28

Internal gravity waves are generated as adjustment radiation whenever a sudden change in forcing causes the atmosphere to depart from its large-scale balanced state. Such a forcing anomaly occurs during a solar eclipse, when the Moon's shadow cools part of the Earth's surface. The resulting atmospheric gravity waves are associated with pressure and temperature perturbations, which in principle are detectable both at the surface and aloft. In this study, surface pressure and temperature data from two UK sites at Reading and Lerwick are examined for eclipse-driven gravity wave perturbations during the 20 March 2015 solar eclipse over northwest Europe. Radiosonde wind data from the same two sites are also analysed using a moving parcel analysis method, to determine the periodicities of the waves aloft. On this occasion, the perturbations both at the surface and aloft are found not to be confidently attributable to eclipse-driven gravity waves. We conclude that the complex synoptic weather conditions over the UK at the time of this particular eclipse helped to mask any eclipse-driven gravity waves.This article is part of the themed issue 'Atmospheric effects of solar eclipses stimulated by the 2015 UK eclipse'. © 2016 The Authors.

Positive detection of exfoliated colon cancer cells on linear stapler cartridges was associated with depth of tumor invasion and preoperative bowel preparation in colon cancer.

PubMed

Ikehara, Kishiko; Endo, Shungo; Kumamoto, Kensuke; Hidaka, Eiji; Ishida, Fumio; Tanaka, Jun-Ichi; Kudo, Shin-Ei

2016-08-31

The aim of this study was to investigate exfoliated cancer cells (ECCs) on linear stapler cartridges used for anastomotic sites in colon cancer. We prospectively analyzed ECCs on linear stapler cartridges used for anastomosis in 100 colon cancer patients who underwent colectomy. Having completed the functional end-to-end anastomosis, the linear stapler cartridges were irrigated with saline, which was collected for cytological examination and cytological diagnoses were made by board-certified pathologists based on Papanicolaou staining. The detection rate of ECCs on the linear stapler cartridges was 20 %. Positive detection of ECCs was significantly associated with depth of tumor invasion (p = 0.012) and preoperative bowel preparation (p = 0.003). There were no marked differences between ECC-positive and ECC-negative groups in terms of the operation methods, tumor location, histopathological classification, and surgical margins. Since ECCs were identified on the cartridge of the linear stapler used for anastomosis, preoperative mechanical bowel preparation using polyethylene glycol solution and cleansing at anastomotic sites using tumoricidal agents before anastomosis may be necessary to decrease ECCs in advanced colon cancer.

LSD1 sustains estrogen-driven endometrial carcinoma cell proliferation through the PI3K/AKT pathway via di-demethylating H3K9 of cyclin D1.

PubMed

Chen, Chunqin; Wang, Yanan; Wang, Shiyu; Liu, Yuan; Zhang, Jiawen; Xu, Yuyao; Zhang, Zhenbo; Bao, Wei; Wu, Sufang

2017-03-01

A recent study reported that histone lysine specific demethylase 1 (LSD1, KDM1A) is overexpressed in endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (EEC) and associated with tumor progression as well as poor prognosis. However, the physiological function and mechanism of LSD1 in endometrial cancer (EC) remains largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that β-estradiol (E2) treatment increased LSD1 expression via the GPR30/PI3K/AKT pathway in endometrial cancer cells. Both siGPR30 and the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 block this effect. RNAi-mediated silencing of LSD1 abolished estrogen-driven endometrial cancer cell (ECC) proliferation, and induced G1 cell arrest and apoptosis. Mechanistically, we find that LSD1 silencing results in PI3K/AKT signal inactivation, but without the elevation of PTEN expression as expected. This is because the inhibition of LSD1 induces dimethylation of lysine 9 on histone H3 (H3K9m2) accumulation at the promoter region of cyclin D1. Interfering with cyclin D1 leads to PI3K/AKT signal suppression. Re-overexpression of cyclin D1 in LSD1-knockdown ECCs reverses the LSD1 inhibitory action. Our finding connects estrogen signaling with epigenetic regulation in EEC and provides novel experimental support for LSD1 as a potential target for endometrial cancer therapeutics.

Diffusive smoothing of surfzone bathymetry by gravity-driven sediment transport

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moulton, M. R.; Elgar, S.; Raubenheimer, B.

2012-12-01

Gravity-driven sediment transport often is assumed to have a small effect on the evolution of nearshore morphology. Here, it is shown that down-slope gravity-driven sediment transport is an important process acting to smooth steep bathymetric features in the surfzone. Gravity-driven transport can be modeled as a diffusive term in the sediment continuity equation governing temporal (t) changes in bed level (h): ∂h/∂t ≈ κ ▽2h, where κ is a sediment diffusion coefficient that is a function of the bed shear stress (τb) and sediment properties, such as the grain size and the angle of repose. Field observations of waves, currents, and the evolution of large excavated holes (initially 10-m wide and 2-m deep, with sides as steep as 35°) in an energetic surfzone are consistent with diffusive smoothing by gravity. Specifically, comparisons of κ estimated from the measured bed evolution with those estimated with numerical model results for several transport theories suggest that gravity-driven sediment transport dominates the bed evolution, with κ proportional to a power of τb. The models are initiated with observed bathymetry and forced with observed waves and currents. The diffusion coefficients from the measurements and from the model simulations were on average of order 10-5 m2/s, implying evolution time scales of days for features with length scales of 10 m. The dependence of κ on τb varies for different transport theories and for high and low shear stress regimes. The US Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility, Duck, NC provided excellent logistical support. Funded by a National Security Science and Engineering Faculty Fellowship, a National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship, and the Office of Naval Research.

[Clinical research of minimal extracorporeal circulation in perioperative blood conservation of coronary artery bypass graft].

PubMed

Liu, Yan; Cui, Hu-jun; Tao, Liang; Chen, Xu-fa

2011-04-01

To analyze the clinical effect of minimal extracorporeal circulation (MECC) in blood conservation perioperatively coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). The data of 120 cases received simple CABG since August 2006 to October 2009 was analyzed retrospectively. All the patients were divided to three groups according to the mode of circulation support in-operation: MECC, conventional extracorporeal circulation (cECC) or off-pump, 40 cases in each group. Jostra MECC system with normal temperature was used in MECC group, and common membrane oxygenator with moderate hypo-temperature was used in cECC group. Collect the data of coagulation and the blood cytological examination perioperatively, the draining volume during the first 24 h after operation, and consumption of blood products perioperatively. Standard and logistic EuroSCORE were higher in MECC group than the others (P < 0.01). The operative time and the number of distal anastomosis of off-pump group were less than MECC and cECC groups (P < 0.05), while no difference between MECC group and cECC group. Intrinsic coagulation (activated partial thromboplastin time) were much more prolonged early postoperatively in cECC group, and higher than in MECC group and off-pump group at 2 h, 6 h and 12 h postoperatively (P < 0.05), but no difference in extrinsic coagulation (prothrombin time) among three group. Adjusted by hematocrit of the same sample, free hemoglobin level rose up during the ECC procedure and reached the maximum at the end of ECC in cECC group and MECC group, but the levels were more higher in cECC group than in MECC group (P < 0.05). The draining volume during the first 24 h after operation of cECC group was larger than MECC group and off-pump group (P < 0.05). Although the decreased platelet count perioperatively and more consumed of the blood products in cECC group, but no difference among the three groups. MECC could reduce the ruin to blood cell and interfere to coagulation function during the conventional ECC procedure, decrease the postoperative draining volume and requirement of blood products.

Multiple electrode aggregometry for the assessment of acquired platelet dysfunctions during extracorporeal circulation.

PubMed

Mutlak, Haitham; Reyher, Christian; Meybohm, Patrick; Papadopoulos, Nestoras; Hanke, Alexander Alfons; Zacharowski, Kai; Weber, Christian Friedrich

2015-02-01

There have been many reports on how the usage of extracorporeal circulation (ECC) is independently associated with the induction of platelet dysfunctions. The aim of the present investigation was to study the capability of the multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA) using the Multiplate (Roche AG, Grenzach, Germany) device to reflect the extent of ECC-associated platelet dysfunctions. The study population consisted of patients who were treated with either hypothermic (cardiopulmonary bypass [CPB]) or normothermic (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) ECC. Hemostatic analyses included conventional laboratory coagulation tests and aggregometric measures following stimulation with different agonists using MEA. The area under the aggregation curve in the ADPtest (ex vivo adenosine diphosphate induced platelet aggregation) of the MEA was defined as the primary end point. The analyses were performed before the usage of ECC (baseline) and 90 minutes (T1), 120 minutes (T2), 150 minutes (T3), and 180 minutes (T4) after the usage of ECC. In the hypothermic ECC group, additional hemostatic analyses were performed after the patient's postoperative admission to the intensive care unit (T5). Periprocedural data and results of other hemostatic testing were defined as secondary end points. A total of n = 40 patients were assessed for eligibility and n = 25 patients were finally enrolled into the study (hypothermic ECC group: n = 20; normothermic ECC group: n = 5). The extent of ADP-induced platelet aggregation decreased significantly between baseline and consecutive measuring points during hypothermic ECC and remained unchanged between T4 and T5. In the normothermic ECC group, ADP-induced aggregability was significantly lower at T1 compared with baseline and remained unchanged from T1 onward. Data from the present study indicate that ex vivo ADP-induced platelet aggregation in MEA reflects the time-dependent extent of ECC-induced platelet dysfunction. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Analysis of the Use of Extracorporeal Circulation on the In-Hospital Outcomes of Dialytic Patients Who Underwent Myocardial Revascularization Surgery.

PubMed

Miranda, Matheus; Branco, João Nelson Rodrigues; Vargas, Guilherme Flora; Hossne, Nelson Americo; Yoshimoto, Michele Costa; Fonseca, José Honorio de Almeida Palma da; Pestana, José Osmar Medina de Abreu; Buffolo, Enio

2016-12-01

Myocardial revascularization surgery is the best treatment for dyalitic patients with multivessel coronary disease. However, the procedure still has high morbidity and mortality. The use of extracorporeal circulation (ECC) can have a negative impact on the in-hospital outcomes of these patients. To evaluate the differences between the techniques with ECC and without ECC during the in-hospital course of dialytic patients who underwent surgical myocardial revascularization. Unicentric study on 102 consecutive, unselected dialytic patients, who underwent myocardial revascularization surgery in a tertiary university hospital from 2007 to 2014. Sixty-three patients underwent surgery with ECC and 39 without ECC. A high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was found in both groups, without statistically significant difference between them. The group "without ECC" had greater number of revascularizations (2.4 vs. 1.7; p <0.0001) and increased need for blood components (77.7% vs. 25.6%; p <0.0001) and inotropic support (82.5% vs 35.8%; p <0.0001). In the postoperative course, the group "without ECC" required less vasoactive drugs, (61.5% vs. 82.5%; p = 0.0340) and shorter time of mechanical ventilation (13.0 hours vs. 36,3 hours, p = 0.0217), had higher extubation rates in the operating room (58.9% vs. 23.8%, p = 0.0006), lower infection rates (7.6% vs. 28.5%; p = 0.0120), and shorter ICU stay (5.2 days vs. 8.1 days; p = 0.0054) as compared with the group with ECC surgery. No difference in mortality was found between the groups. Myocardial revascularization with ECC in patients on dialysis resulted in higher morbidity in the perioperative period in comparison with the procedure without ECC, with no difference in mortality though.

Resource Utilization Associated with Extracardiac Co-morbid Conditions Following Congenital Heart Surgery in Infancy.

PubMed

Tuomela, Krista E; Gordon, John B; Cassidy, Laura D; Johaningsmeir, Sarah; Ghanayem, Nancy S

2017-06-01

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is often associated with chronic extracardiac co-morbid conditions (ECC). The presence of ECC has been associated with greater resource utilization during the operative period; however, the impact beyond hospital discharge has not been described. This study sought to understand the scope of chronic ECC in infants with CHD as well as to describe the impact of ECC on resource utilization after discharge from the index cardiac procedure. IRB approved this retrospective study of infants <1 year who had cardiac surgery from 2006 and 2011. Demographics, diagnoses, procedures, STAT score, and ECC were extracted from the medical record. Administrative data provided frequency of clinic and emergency room visits, admissions, cumulative hospital days, and hospital charges for 2 years after discharge from the index procedure. Data were compared using Mann-Whitney Rank Sum Test with p < 0.05 considered significant. ECC occurred in 55% (481/876) of infants. Median STAT score was higher in the group with ECC (3 vs. 2, p < 0.001). Resource utilization after discharge from the index procedure as defined by median hospital charges (78 vs. 10 K, p < 0.001 and unplanned hospital days 4 vs. 0, p < 0.001) was higher in those with ECC, and increased with the greater number of ECC, even after accounting for surgical complexity. STAT score and the presence of multiple ECC were associated with higher resource utilization following the index cardiac surgical procedure. These data may be helpful in deciding which children might benefit from a cardiac complex care program that partners families and providers to improve health and decrease healthcare costs.

Reprocessing the GRACE-derived gravity field time series based on data-driven method for ocean tide alias error mitigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Wei; Sneeuw, Nico; Jiang, Weiping

2017-04-01

GRACE mission has contributed greatly to the temporal gravity field monitoring in the past few years. However, ocean tides cause notable alias errors for single-pair spaceborne gravimetry missions like GRACE in two ways. First, undersampling from satellite orbit induces the aliasing of high-frequency tidal signals into the gravity signal. Second, ocean tide models used for de-aliasing in the gravity field retrieval carry errors, which will directly alias into the recovered gravity field. GRACE satellites are in non-repeat orbit, disabling the alias error spectral estimation based on the repeat period. Moreover, the gravity field recovery is conducted in non-strictly monthly interval and has occasional gaps, which result in an unevenly sampled time series. In view of the two aspects above, we investigate the data-driven method to mitigate the ocean tide alias error in a post-processing mode.

[Establishment and evaluation of extracorporeal circulation model in rats].

PubMed

Xie, Xiao-Jun; Tao, Kai-Yu; Tang, Meng-Lin; Du, Lei; An, Qi; Lin, Ke; Gan, Chang-Ping; Chen, You-Wen; Luo, Shu-Hua

2012-09-01

To establish an extracorporeal circulation (ECC) rat model, and evaluate the inflammatory response and organ injury induced in the model. SD rats were anesthetized and cannulated from right common carotid artery to left femoral vein to establish the bypass of extracorporeal circulation. Then the rats were randomly divided into ECC group and sham group. The rats in ECC group were subjected to extracorporeal circulation for 2 hours and then rest for 2 hours, while the rats in sham group were only observed for 4 hours without extracorporeal circulation. After that, blood routine examination, blood gas analysis, the measurement of pro-inflammatory factors in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue were performed to evaluate the lung injury induced by ECC. Circulating endothelial cells were also calculated by flow cytometry to assess the vascular endothelial injury. At 2 hours after ECC, red blood cell counts in both groups kept normal, while leukocyte and neutrophil counts, plasmatic tumor necrosis factor-a level and neutrophil elastase level, circulating endothelial cells in the rats of ECC group were significantly higher than those in sham group. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and water content in lung of the ECC rats were also significantly higher, while the oxygenation index was significantly lower. Neutrophil infiltration was also observed in lung tissues with increased thickness of alveolar membrane in ECC group. The ECC model established from right common carotid artery to left femoral vein in our study can successfully induce systemic inflammatory response, and acute lung injury associated with inflammation.

Counseling on Early Childhood Caries transmission by dentists.

PubMed

Milgrom, Peter; Huebner, Colleen E; Mancl, Lloyd; Garson, Gayle; Grembowski, David

2013-01-01

High levels of Streptococcus mutans on teeth of young children are predictive of Early Childhood Caries (ECC). Transmission from mother-to-child is common and studies have demonstrated treatment of the mother results in less ECC. The objective of this study was to determine how dentists have adopted the practice of counseling about ECC. In 2006 as part of a larger study on dental care for pregnant women, we surveyed 829 general dentists in Oregon. The questionnaire contained questions to capture the extent to which general dentists have adopted counseling pregnant women about ECC transmission, to describe personal and practice characteristics, and examine how dentists' views on the ease of adopting of new procedures related to ECC counseling. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify separate and additive effects of demographic and practice characteristics, attitudes, and beliefs. The adjusted odds of a dentist who strongly believed in the link between mothers and babies and provided ECC counseling were 1.60 (95% CI 1.3-2.0, P<0.01). The odds of a dentist who reported discussing ECC with staff members and provided counseling were 2.7 (95% CI 1.7-4.3, P<0.01). Male dentists were less likely to counsel patients than female dentists (Adjusted OR=0.5, 95% CI 0.3-1.0, p<0.05). The strongest predictors of counseling patients about ECC were dentists' belief in the evidence of caries transmission and dentists' discussion of ECC during staff meetings. © 2012 American Association of Public Health Dentistry.

Determining the prevalence and risk factors for early childhood caries in a community dental health clinic.

PubMed

Schroth, Robert J; Cheba, Vivek

2007-01-01

The purposes of this study were to: (1) determine the prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) among young children accessing dental services at a community dental clinic; (2) identify factors associated with the presence of ECC; and (3) determine the percentage of children who received treatment for ECC in this setting and the number who required referral to specialists. The study population comprised children younger than 72 months attending the clinic between 1991 and 2004. A chart review was conducted. Eight hundred thirty-four charts met inclusion criteria; 71% had ECC, while the mean deft was 3.7+/-3.9 (SD). The average age at the first visit was 50.0+/-12.7 (SD) months. Those with ECC were significantly older at the first visit (P<.001), and the prevalence increased with family size (P=.011) and number of siblings (P=.019). ECC children were significantly more likely to come from households with lower monthly incomes (P=.033). The prevalence of ECC did not vary according to specific areas in Winnipeg where children resided (P=.20). Key risk factors for ECC included: (1) the child's sex; (2) low monthly income; (3) whether the child resided with both parents; and (4) a history of foiled dental visits. These data may assist in identifying children at greatest risk for ECC and may help public health agencies develop appropriate prevention strategies, including promoting early dental visits for infants.

Less counseling on Early Childhood Caries transmission by dentists

PubMed Central

Milgrom, Peter; Huebner, Colleen E.; Mancl, Lloyd; Garson, Gayle; Grembowski, David

2013-01-01

Objective High levels of Streptococcus mutans on teeth of young children are predictive of Early Childhood Caries (ECC). Transmission from mother-to-child is common and studies have demonstrated treatment of the mother results in less ECC. The objective of this study was to determine how dentists have adopted the practice of counseling about ECC. Methods In 2006 as part of a larger study on dental care for pregnant women, we surveyed 829 general dentists in Oregon. The questionnaire contained questions to capture the extent to which general dentists have adopted counseling pregnant women about ECC transmission, to describe personal and practice characteristics, and examine how dentists' views on the ease of adopting of new procedures related to ECC counseling. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify separate and additive effects of demographic and practice characteristics, attitudes, and beliefs. Results The adjusted odds of a dentist who strongly believed in the link between mothers and babies and provided ECC counseling were 1.60 (95% CI 1.3-2.0, P<0.01). The odds of a dentist who reported discussing ECC with staff members and provided counseling were 2.7 (95% CI 1.7-4.3, P<0.01). Male dentists were less likely to counsel patients than female dentists (Adjusted OR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-1.0, p<0.05). Conclusions The strongest predictors of counseling patients about ECC were dentists' belief in the evidence of caries transmission and dentists' discussion of ECC during staff meetings. PMID:22970775

Different Muscle Action Training Protocols on Quadriceps-Hamstrings Neuromuscular Adaptations.

PubMed

Ruas, Cassio V; Brown, Lee E; Lima, Camila D; Gregory Haff, G; Pinto, Ronei S

2018-05-01

The aim of this study was to compare three specific concentric and eccentric muscle action training protocols on quadriceps-hamstrings neuromuscular adaptations. Forty male volunteers performed 6 weeks of training (two sessions/week) of their dominant and non-dominant legs on an isokinetic dynamometer. They were randomly assigned to one of four groups; concentric quadriceps and concentric hamstrings (CON/CON, n=10), eccentric quadriceps and eccentric hamstrings (ECC/ECC, n=10), concentric quadriceps and eccentric hamstrings (CON/ECC, n=10), or no training (CTRL, n=10). Intensity of training was increased every week by decreasing the angular velocity for concentric and increasing it for eccentric groups in 30°/s increments. Volume of training was increased by adding one set every week. Dominant leg quadriceps and hamstrings muscle thickness, muscle quality, muscle activation, muscle coactivation, and electromechanical delay were tested before and after training. Results revealed that all training groups similarly increased MT of quadriceps and hamstrings compared to control (p<0.05). However, CON/ECC and ECC/ECC training elicited a greater magnitude of change. There were no significant differences between groups for all other neuromuscular variables (p>0.05). These findings suggest that different short-term muscle action isokinetic training protocols elicit similar muscle size increases in hamstrings and quadriceps, but not for other neuromuscular variables. Nevertheless, effect sizes indicate that CON/ECC and ECC/ECC may elicit the greatest magnitude of change in muscle hypertrophy. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Early Childhood Caries: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Prevention

PubMed Central

Anil, Sukumaran; Anand, Pradeep S.

2017-01-01

Early childhood caries (ECC) is major oral health problem, mainly in socially disadvantaged populations. ECC affects infants and preschool children worldwide. The prevalence of ECC differs according to the group examined, and a prevalence of up to 85% has been reported for disadvantaged groups. ECC is the presence of one or more decayed, missing, or filled primary teeth in children aged 71 months (5 years) or younger. It begins with white-spot lesions in the upper primary incisors along the margin of the gingiva. If the disease continues, caries can progress, leading to complete destruction of the crown. The main risk factors in the development of ECC can be categorized as microbiological, dietary, and environmental risk factors. Even though it is largely a preventable condition, ECC remains one of the most common childhood diseases. The major contributing factors for the for the high prevalence of ECC are improper feeding practices, familial socioeconomic background, lack of parental education, and lack of access to dental care. Oral health plays an important role in children to maintain the oral functions and is required for eating, speech development, and a positive self-image. The review will focus on the prevalence, risk factors, and preventive strategies and the management of ECC. PMID:28770188

High volumes fly ash engineered cementitious composites with cost-effective PVA fiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Dianyou; Xu, Zhichao; Liu, Yingchun

2018-03-01

A feasibility study of engineered cementitous composites (ECC) using the cost-effective PVA fiber (CEPVA-ECC) was developed based on the micromechanical design theory in order to reduce the cost of ECC. Different amounts of fly ash replacement (up to 83% replacement of cement) was utilized in CEPVA-ECC. The CEPVA-ECC using much cheaper Chinese domestic PVA fiber (1/4˜1/6 price of the imported fiber) maintained the tensile ductility characteristics (4%˜5%) with a moderate compressive strength (30˜40MPa). Moreover, the crack width was reduced with an increase of the fly ash amount.

Core-power and decay-time limits for disabled automatic-actuation of LOFT ECCS

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

Hanson, G.H.

1978-06-05

The Emergency Core Cooling System (ECCS) for the LOFT reactor may need to be disabled for modifications or repairs of hardware or instrumentation or for component testing during periods when the reactor system is hot and pressurized, or it may be desirable to enable the ECCS to be disabled without the necessity of cooling down and depressurizing the reactor. LTR 113-47 has shown that the LOFT ECCS can be safely bypassed or disabled when the total core power does not exceed 25 kW. A modified policy involves disabling the automatic actuation of the LOFT ECCS, but still retaining the manualmore » activation capability. Disabling of the automatic actuation can be safely utilized, without subjecting the fuel cladding to unacceptable temperatures, when the LOFT power decays to 70 kW; this power level permits a maximum delay of 20 minutes following a LOCA for the manual actuation of ECCS.« less

Evaluating Early Case Capture of Pediatric Cancers in Seven Central Cancer Registries in the United States, 2013

PubMed Central

Neri, Antonio; Rohan, Elizabeth; Clerkin, Castine; Underwood, J. Michael; Ryerson, A. Blythe; Stewart, Sherri L.

2016-01-01

Objective Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in children, but incidence data are not available until two years after diagnosis, thereby delaying data dissemination and research. An early case capture (ECC) surveillance program was piloted in seven state cancer registries to register pediatric cancer cases within 30 days of diagnosis. We sought to determine the quality of ECC data and understand pilot implementation. Methods We used quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate ECC. We assessed data quality by comparing demographic and clinical characteristics from the initial ECC submission to a resubmission of ECC pilot data and to the most recent year of routinely collected cancer data for each state individually and in aggregate. We conducted telephone focus groups with registry staff to determine ECC practices and difficulties in August and September 2013. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded to identify themes. Results Comparing ECC initial submissions with submissions for all states, ECC data were nationally representative for age (9.7 vs. 9.9 years) and sex (673 of 1,324 [50.9%] vs. 42,609 of 80,547 [52.9%] male cases), but not for primary site (472 of 1,324 [35.7%] vs. 27,547 of 80,547 [34.2%] leukemia/lymphoma cases), behavior (1,219 of 1,324 [92.1%] vs. 71,525 of 80,547 [88.8%] malignant cases), race/ethnicity (781 of 1,324 [59.0%] vs. 64,518 of 80,547 [80.1%] white cases), or diagnostic confirmation (1,233 of 1,324 [93.2%] vs. 73,217 of 80,547 [90.9%] microscopically confirmed cases). When comparing initial ECC data with resubmission data, differences were seen in race/ethnicity (808 of 1,324 [61.1%] vs. 1,425 of 1,921 [74.2%] white cases), primary site (475 of 1,324 [35.9%] vs. 670 of 1,921 [34.9%] leukemia/lymphoma cases), and behavior (1,215 of 1,324 [91.8%] vs. 1,717 of 1,921 [89.4%] malignant cases). Common themes from focus group analysis included implementation challenges and facilitators, benefits of ECC, and utility of ECC data. Conclusions ECC provided data rapidly and reflected national data overall with differences in several data elements. ECC also expanded cancer reporting infrastructure and increased data completeness and timeliness. Although challenges related to timeliness and increased work burden remain, indications suggest that researchers may reliably use these data for pediatric cancer studies. PMID:26843678

Evaluating Early Case Capture of Pediatric Cancers in Seven Central Cancer Registries in the United States, 2013.

PubMed

Puckett, Mary; Neri, Antonio; Rohan, Elizabeth; Clerkin, Castine; Underwood, J Michael; Ryerson, A Blythe; Stewart, Sherri L

2016-01-01

Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in children, but incidence data are not available until two years after diagnosis, thereby delaying data dissemination and research. An early case capture (ECC) surveillance program was piloted in seven state cancer registries to register pediatric cancer cases within 30 days of diagnosis. We sought to determine the quality of ECC data and understand pilot implementation. We used quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate ECC. We assessed data quality by comparing demographic and clinical characteristics from the initial ECC submission to a resubmission of ECC pilot data and to the most recent year of routinely collected cancer data for each state individually and in aggregate. We conducted telephone focus groups with registry staff to determine ECC practices and difficulties in August and September 2013. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded to identify themes. Comparing ECC initial submissions with submissions for all states, ECC data were nationally representative for age (9.7 vs. 9.9 years) and sex (673 of 1,324 [50.9%] vs. 42,609 of 80,547 [52.9%] male cases), but not for primary site (472 of 1,324 [35.7%] vs. 27,547 of 80,547 [34.2%] leukemia/lymphoma cases), behavior (1,219 of 1,324 [92.1%] vs. 71,525 of 80,547 [88.8%] malignant cases), race/ethnicity (781 of 1,324 [59.0%] vs. 64,518 of 80,547 [80.1%] white cases), or diagnostic confirmation (1,233 of 1,324 [93.2%] vs. 73,217 of 80,547 [90.9%] microscopically confirmed cases). When comparing initial ECC data with resubmission data, differences were seen in race/ethnicity (808 of 1,324 [61.1%] vs. 1,425 of 1,921 [74.2%] white cases), primary site (475 of 1,324 [35.9%] vs. 670 of 1,921 [34.9%] leukemia/lymphoma cases), and behavior (1,215 of 1,324 [91.8%] vs. 1,717 of 1,921 [89.4%] malignant cases). Common themes from focus group analysis included implementation challenges and facilitators, benefits of ECC, and utility of ECC data. ECC provided data rapidly and reflected national data overall with differences in several data elements. ECC also expanded cancer reporting infrastructure and increased data completeness and timeliness. Although challenges related to timeliness and increased work burden remain, indications suggest that researchers may reliably use these data for pediatric cancer studies.

Diagnostic Abilities of Variable and Enhanced Corneal Compensation Algorithms of GDx in Different Severities of Glaucoma.

PubMed

Yadav, Ravi K; Begum, Viquar U; Addepalli, Uday K; Senthil, Sirisha; Garudadri, Chandra S; Rao, Harsha L

2016-02-01

To compare the abilities of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) parameters of variable corneal compensation (VCC) and enhanced corneal compensation (ECC) algorithms of scanning laser polarimetry (GDx) in detecting various severities of glaucoma. Two hundred and eighty-five eyes of 194 subjects from the Longitudinal Glaucoma Evaluation Study who underwent GDx VCC and ECC imaging were evaluated. Abilities of RNFL parameters of GDx VCC and ECC to diagnose glaucoma were compared using area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC), sensitivities at fixed specificities, and likelihood ratios. After excluding 5 eyes that failed to satisfy manufacturer-recommended quality parameters with ECC and 68 with VCC, 56 eyes of 41 normal subjects and 161 eyes of 121 glaucoma patients [36 eyes with preperimetric glaucoma, 52 eyes with early (MD>-6 dB), 34 with moderate (MD between -6 and -12 dB), and 39 with severe glaucoma (MD<-12 dB)] were included for the analysis. Inferior RNFL, average RNFL, and nerve fiber indicator parameters showed the best AUCs and sensitivities both with GDx VCC and ECC in diagnosing all severities of glaucoma. AUCs and sensitivities of all RNFL parameters were comparable between the VCC and ECC algorithms (P>0.20 for all comparisons). Likelihood ratios associated with the diagnostic categorization of RNFL parameters were comparable between the VCC and ECC algorithms. In scans satisfying the manufacturer-recommended quality parameters, which were significantly greater with ECC than VCC algorithm, diagnostic abilities of GDx ECC and VCC in glaucoma were similar.

Quorum sensing in the plant pathogen Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora: the role of expR(Ecc).

PubMed

Andersson, R A; Eriksson, A R; Heikinheimo, R; Mäe, A; Pirhonen, M; Kõiv, V; Hyytiäinen, H; Tuikkala, A; Palva, E T

2000-04-01

The production of the main virulence determinants of the plant pathogen Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora, the extracellular cell wall-degrading enzymes, is partly controlled by the diffusible signal molecule N-(3-oxohexanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (OHHL). OHHL is synthesized by the product of the expI/carI gene. Linked to expI we found a gene encoding a putative transcriptional regulator of the LuxR-family. This gene, expR(Ecc), is transcribed convergently to the expI gene and the two open reading frames are partially overlapping. The ExpR(Ecc) protein showed extensive amino acid sequence similarity to the repressor EsaR from Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii (formerly Erwinia stewartii subsp. stewartii) and to the ExpR(Ech) protein of Erwinia chrysanthemi. Inactivation of the E. carotovora subsp. carotovora expR(Ecc) gene caused no decrease in virulence or production of virulence determinants in vitro. In contrast, there was a slight increase in the maceration capacity of the mutant strain. The effects of ExpR(Ecc) were probably mediated by changes in OHHL levels. Inactivation of expR(Ecc) resulted in increased OHHL levels during early logarithmic growth. In addition, overexpression of expR(Ecc) caused a clear decrease in the production of virulence determinants and part of this effect was likely to be caused by OHHL binding to ExpR(Ecc). ExpR(Ecc) did not appear to exhibit transcriptional regulation of expI, but the effect on OHHL was apparently due to other mechanisms.

[Influence of social environment on caries prevalence in early childhood].

PubMed

Tusek, Ivan; Carević, Momir; Tusek, Jasmina

2011-01-01

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a special form of caries that affects decideous teeth with rapid progression and numerous complications. The aim of the study was to define the prevalence of ECC in children of the South Backa area, the importance of social environment for the prevalence and severity of ECC, and define the model for its prevention. The survey was the cross-sectional analytical study in the 10% sample of children, aged 13-64 months, different sex, social status and human environment. Severity and prevalence of ECC were assessed by dental check-ups. The epidemiological data were obtained by the interview of parents. The tests of significant statistical differences were performed by the analysis variance and chi2 (p < 0.05) test, as well as interdependence of ECC and single characteristics that could be a predictor of the disease by the logistic regression. The prevalence of ECC was 30.5%. The highest disease frequency was found in children of male sex (35.1%), out of kindergardens (54.2%), in the third and the next born child in the family (46.9%) and in part-time employed mothers (47.2%) who had only elementary education (59.3%) and were poorly informed about oral health. The highest prevalence (47.1%) of ECC was found in children whose parents had the lowest income per month. Type 1 of ECC was the most presented one (75.0%). The higher prevalence and more severe ECC were found in the third and the next born male child from rural environment.

The genetic landscape of endometrial clear cell carcinomas.

PubMed

DeLair, Deborah F; Burke, Kathleen A; Selenica, Pier; Lim, Raymond S; Scott, Sasinya N; Middha, Sumit; Mohanty, Abhinita S; Cheng, Donavan T; Berger, Michael F; Soslow, Robert A; Weigelt, Britta

2017-10-01

Clear cell carcinoma of the endometrium is a rare type of endometrial cancer that is generally associated with an aggressive clinical behaviour. Here, we sought to define the repertoire of somatic genetic alterations in endometrial clear cell carcinomas (ECCs), and whether ECCs could be classified into the molecular subtypes described for endometrial endometrioid and serous carcinomas. We performed a rigorous histopathological review, immunohistochemical analysis and massively parallel sequencing targeting 300 cancer-related genes of 32 pure ECCs. Eleven (34%), seven (22%) and six (19%) ECCs showed abnormal expression patterns for p53, ARID1A, and at least one DNA mismatch repair (MMR) protein, respectively. Targeted sequencing data were obtained from 30 of the 32 ECCs included in this study, and these revealed that two ECCs (7%) were ultramutated and harboured mutations affecting the exonuclease domain of POLE. In POLE wild-type ECCs, TP53 (46%), PIK3CA (36%), PPP2R1A (36%), FBXW7 (25%), ARID1A (21%), PIK3R1 (18%) and SPOP (18%) were the genes most commonly affected by mutations; 18% and 11% harboured CCNE1 and ERBB2 amplifications, respectively, and 11% showed DAXX homozygous deletions. ECCs less frequently harboured mutations affecting CTNNB1 and PTEN but more frequently harboured PPP2R1A and TP53 mutations than non-POLE endometrioid carcinomas from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Compared to endometrial serous carcinomas (TCGA), ECCs less frequently harboured TP53 mutations. When a surrogate model for the molecular-based TCGA classification was used, all molecular subtypes previously identified in endometrial endometrioid and serous carcinomas were present in the ECCs studied, including POLE, MMR-deficient, copy-number high (serous-like)/p53 abnormal, and copy-number low (endometrioid)/p53 wild-type, which were significantly associated with disease-free survival in univariate analysis. These findings demonstrate that ECCs constitute a histologically and genetically heterogeneous group of tumours with varying outcomes. Furthermore, our data suggest that the classification of ECCs as being generally 'high-grade' or 'type II' tumours may not be warranted. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Core-power and decay-time limits for disabled automatic-actuation of LOFT ECCS

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

Hanson, G.H.

1978-11-22

The Emergency Core Cooling System (ECCS) for the LOFT reactor may need to be disabled for modifications or repairs of hardware or instrumentation or for component testing during periods when the reactor system is hot and pressurized, or it may be desirable to enable the ECCS to be disabled without the necessity of cooling down and depressurizing the reactor. A policy involves disabling the automatic-actuation of the LOFT ECCS, but still retaining the manual actuation capability. Disabling of the automatic actuation can be safely utilized, without subjecting the fuel cladding to unacceptable temperatures, when the LOFT power decays to 33more » kW; this power level permits a maximum delay of 20 minutes following a LOCA for the manual actuation of ECCS. For the operating power of the L2-2 Experiment, the required decay-periods (with operating periods of 40 and 2000 hours) are about 21 and 389 hours, respectively. With operating periods of 40 and 2000 hours at Core-I full power, the required decay-periods are about 42 and 973 hours, respectively. After these decay periods the automatic actuation of the LOFT ECCS can be disabled assuming a maximum delay of 20 minutes following a LOCA for the manual actuation of ECCS. The automatic and manual lineup of the ECCS may be waived if decay power is less than 11 kW.« less

Unwrapping eddy current compensation: improved compensation of eddy current induced baseline shifts in high-resolution phase-contrast MRI at 9.4 Tesla.

PubMed

Espe, Emil K S; Zhang, Lili; Sjaastad, Ivar

2014-10-01

Phase-contrast MRI (PC-MRI) is a versatile tool allowing evaluation of in vivo motion, but is sensitive to eddy current induced phase offsets, causing errors in the measured velocities. In high-resolution PC-MRI, these offsets can be sufficiently large to cause wrapping in the baseline phase, rendering conventional eddy current compensation (ECC) inadequate. The purpose of this study was to develop an improved ECC technique (unwrapping ECC) able to handle baseline phase discontinuities. Baseline phase discontinuities are unwrapped by minimizing the spatiotemporal standard deviation of the static-tissue phase. Computer simulations were used for demonstrating the theoretical foundation of the proposed technique. The presence of baseline wrapping was confirmed in high-resolution myocardial PC-MRI of a normal rat heart at 9.4 Tesla (T), and the performance of unwrapping ECC was compared with conventional ECC. Areas of phase wrapping in static regions were clearly evident in high-resolution PC-MRI. The proposed technique successfully eliminated discontinuities in the baseline, and resulted in significantly better ECC than the conventional approach. We report the occurrence of baseline phase wrapping in PC-MRI, and provide an improved ECC technique capable of handling its presence. Unwrapping ECC offers improved correction of eddy current induced baseline shifts in high-resolution PC-MRI. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Cardio-pulmonary responses to incremental eccentric and concentric cycling tests to task failure.

PubMed

Lipski, Marcin; Abbiss, Chris R; Nosaka, Kazunori

2018-05-01

This study compared cardio-pulmonary responses between incremental concentric and eccentric cycling tests, and examined factors affecting the maximal eccentric cycling capacity. On separate days, nine men and two women (32.6 ± 9.4 years) performed an upright seated concentric (CON) and an eccentric (ECC) cycling test, which started at 75 W and increased 25 W min -1 until task failure. Gas exchange, heart rate (HR) and power output were continuously recorded during the tests. Participants also performed maximal voluntary contractions of the quadriceps (MVC), squat and countermovement jumps. Peak power output was 53% greater (P < 0.001, g = 1.77) for ECC (449 ± 115 W) than CON (294 ± 61 W), but peak oxygen consumption was 43% lower (P < 0.001, g = 2.18) for ECC (30.6 ± 5.6 ml kg min -1 ) than CON (43.9 ± 6.9 ml kg min -1 ). Maximal HR was not different between ECC (175 ± 20 bpm) and CON (182 ± 13 bpm), but the increase in HR relative to oxygen consumption was 33% greater (P = 0.01) during ECC than CON. Moderate to strong correlations (P < 0.05) were observed between ECC peak power output and CON peak power (r = 0.84), peak oxygen consumption (r = 0.54) and MVC (r = 0.53), while no significant relationships were observed between ECC peak power output and squat as well as countermovement jump heights. Unexpectedly, maximal HR was similar between CON and ECC. Although ECC power output can be predicted from CON peak power output, an incremental eccentric cycling test performed after 3-6 familiarisation sessions may be useful in programming ECC training with healthy and accustomed individuals.

Ischemic Preconditioning Blunts Muscle Damage Responses Induced by Eccentric Exercise.

PubMed

Franz, Alexander; Behringer, Michael; Harmsen, Jan-Frieder; Mayer, Constantin; Krauspe, Rüdiger; Zilkens, Christoph; Schumann, Moritz

2018-01-01

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) is known to reduce muscle damage induced by ischemia and reperfusion injury during surgery. Because of similarities between the pathophysiological formation of ischemia and reperfusion injury and eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), as characterized by an intracellular accumulation of Ca, an increased production of reactive oxygen species, and increased proinflammatory signaling, the purpose of the present study was to investigate whether IPC performed before eccentric exercise may also protect against EIMD. Nineteen healthy men were matched to an eccentric-only (ECC; n = 9) or eccentric proceeded by IPC group (IPC + ECC; n = 10). The exercise protocol consisted of bilateral biceps curls (3 × 10 repetitions at 80% of the concentric one-repetition maximum). In IPC + ECC, IPC was applied bilaterally at the upper arms by a tourniquet (200 mm Hg) immediately before the exercise (3 × 5 min of occlusion, separated by 5 min of reperfusion). Creatine kinase (CK), arm circumference, subjective pain (visual analog scale score), and radial displacement (tensiomyography, maximal radial displacement) were assessed before IPC, preexercise, postexercise, and 20 min, 2 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h postexercise. CK differed from baseline only in ECC at 48 h (P < 0.001) and 72 h (P < 0.001) postexercise. After 24, 48, and 72 h, CK was increased in ECC compared with IPC + ECC (between groups: 24 h, P = 0.004; 48 h, P < 0.001; 72 h, P < 0.001). The visual analog scale score was significantly higher in ECC at 24-72 h postexercise when compared with IPC + ECC (between groups: all P values < 0.001). The maximal radial displacement was decreased on all postexercise days in ECC (all P values < 0.001) but remained statistically unchanged in IPC + ECC (between groups: P < 0.01). These findings indicate that IPC performed before a bout of eccentric exercise of the elbow flexors blunts EIMD and exercise-induced pain while maintaining the contractile properties of the muscle.

Comparison of effects of calcium carbasalate and aspirin on gastroduodenal mucosal damage in human volunteers.

PubMed Central

Murray, F E; Hudson, N; Atherton, J C; Cole, A T; Scheck, F; Hawkey, C J

1996-01-01

Calcium carbasalate is a therapeutically active salicylate which seems to cause less gastroduodenal mucosal damage than aspirin in laboratory animals. This endoscopist-blinded, randomised, cross over trial aimed to compare acute gastric mucosal damage in 20 healthy volunteers treated with acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) (650 mg three times daily) and effervescent calcium carbasalate (ECC) (826.8 mg three times daily) bioequivalent to 650 mg ASA over a five day period. Endoscopy was performed immediately before treatment and on day 5 of each treatment. Serum salicylate, thromboxane B2, and gastric mucosal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentrations were measured after endoscopy. ECC caused fewer gastric mucosal erosions than ASA. The total number of gastric erosions was 23.8 (16.1) in the ASA treated subjects compared with 9.1 (8.7) in ECC treated subjects (p = 0.004). Differences between ASA and ECC were significant for both the gastric antrum and body, and for both haemorrhagic and non-haemorrhagic erosions. The mean gastric body Lanza score for mucosal damage was lower after ECC than ASA (p = 0.003). The visual analogue score for gastric body damage was lower for ECC (16.9 mm (15.9)) than for ASA (32.7 mm (20.8)), p = 0.008. Serum salicylate concentrations were similar after both preparations (ASA: 66 (23) mg/l, versus ECC: 58 (17) mg/l, NS). Serum thromboxane B2 was similarly reduced using both preparations-97.2 (3.5)% inhibition with ASA, 95.2 (5.5)% inhibition with calcium carbasalate (NS). Suppression of gastric mucosal PGE2 synthesis was similar with both preparations (ASA: 83.4 (17.1)%; ECC 84.3 (12.9)%; NS). It is concluded that ECC causes significantly less gastroduodenal mucosal damage than ASA administered at bioequivalent doses as judged by serum salicylate, serum thromboxane, and mucosal PGE2 values. ECC may therefore be a less harmful alternative treatment to plain ASA. PMID:8566836

Early Childhood Caries: A Review.

PubMed

Alazmah, Abdulfatah

2017-08-01

To review and update the current knowledge about early childhood caries (ECC) and its etiology, prevalence, risk factors, management, and preventive strategies. Early childhood caries is a disease affecting significantly both well-developed and industrial nations. The ECC can significantly affect the child's quality of life, as it may lead to infection, swelling, pain, and other symptoms. The ECC affects children after eruption of primary teeth until age of around 5 years. The ECC affects all parts of the tooth including the smooth surface. Upper anterior teeth and primary molars are usually affected. The lower anterior teeth are less likely affected. The risk factors for ECC are diet, bacteria, and host susceptibility. The additional factors, such as presence of enamel defect and the feeding practices also contribute to the initiation and progress of ECC. Dentists must focus on utilizing existing techniques to distinguish indications of right on time and propelled caries and give guidance on the best way to counteract and control caries in children. Approaches should be directed to preventive caries control strategies among children. Preventing and controlling the development of ECC among children is important to maintain effective eating, speech development, and formation of a positive self-image.

Early childhood caries: prevalence and risk factors in Seoul, Korea.

PubMed

Jin, Bo-Hyoung; Ma, Deuk-Sang; Moon, Hyock-Soo; Paik, Dai-Il; Hahn, Se-Hyun; Horowitz, Alice M

2003-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC), including noncavitated lesions (d1), in children 6-59 months of age in relation to socioeconomic factors, feeding practices, and oral health behaviors in Seoul, Korea. The children attended child care facilities and were selected from 32 primary sampling units. Two dentists examined 470 children. Parents of 383 of the subjects were interviewed by phone regarding caries risk factors. For children 6-59 months of age, the prevalence of ECC and severe ECC were 56.5 percent and 47.0 percent respectively. In bivariate analysis, the children whose nursing bottle contained sweetened solution had higher severe ECC prevalence (P=.035), and children whose parents reported a lower frequency of between-meal snacks showed lower ECC prevalence (P=.046). By logistic regression analysis, age and frequency of between-meal snacks were associated with the prevalence of ECC (P<.05). This study demonstrates that the prevalence of ECC was high among children in Seoul. Early educational intervention programs for pregnant women and mothers of young children should be developed based on the risk factors identified in this study.

Structures of EccB 1 and EccD 1 from the core complex of the mycobacterial ESX-1 type VII secretion system

DOE PAGES

Wagner, Jonathan M.; Chan, Sum; Evans, Timothy J.; ...

2016-02-27

The ESX-1 type VII secretion system is an important determinant of virulence in pathogenic mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This complicated molecular machine secretes folded proteins through the mycobacterial cell envelope to subvert the host immune response. Despite its important role in disease very little is known about the molecular architecture of the ESX-1 secretion system. This study characterizes the structures of the soluble domains of two conserved core ESX-1 components – EccB 1 and EccD 1. The periplasmic domain of EccB 1 consists of 4 repeat domains and a central domain, which together form a quasi 2-fold symmetrical structure. Themore » repeat domains of EccB 1 are structurally similar to a known peptidoglycan binding protein suggesting a role in anchoring the ESX-1 system within the periplasmic space. The cytoplasmic domain of EccD 1 has a ubiquitin-like fold and forms a dimer with a negatively charged groove. In conclusion, these structures represent a major step towards resolving the molecular architecture of the entire ESX-1 assembly and may contribute to ESX-1 targeted tuberculosis intervention strategies.« less

Structures of EccB 1 and EccD 1 from the core complex of the mycobacterial ESX-1 type VII secretion system

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

Wagner, Jonathan M.; Chan, Sum; Evans, Timothy J.

The ESX-1 type VII secretion system is an important determinant of virulence in pathogenic mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This complicated molecular machine secretes folded proteins through the mycobacterial cell envelope to subvert the host immune response. Despite its important role in disease very little is known about the molecular architecture of the ESX-1 secretion system. This study characterizes the structures of the soluble domains of two conserved core ESX-1 components – EccB 1 and EccD 1. The periplasmic domain of EccB 1 consists of 4 repeat domains and a central domain, which together form a quasi 2-fold symmetrical structure. Themore » repeat domains of EccB 1 are structurally similar to a known peptidoglycan binding protein suggesting a role in anchoring the ESX-1 system within the periplasmic space. The cytoplasmic domain of EccD 1 has a ubiquitin-like fold and forms a dimer with a negatively charged groove. In conclusion, these structures represent a major step towards resolving the molecular architecture of the entire ESX-1 assembly and may contribute to ESX-1 targeted tuberculosis intervention strategies.« less

Training early childcare providers in evidence-based nutrition strategies can help improve nutrition policies and practices of early childcare centres serving racially and ethnically diverse children from low-income families.

PubMed

Hollar, T Lucas; Cook, Nicole; Natale, Ruby; Quinn, David; Phillips, Teina; DeLucca, Michael

2018-05-01

We evaluated the extent to which providing training and technical assistance to early childcare centre (ECC) directors, faculty and staff in the implementation of evidence-based nutrition strategies improved the nutrition contexts, policies and practices of ECC serving racially and ethnically diverse, low-income children in Broward County, Florida, USA. The nutrition strategies targeted snack and beverage policies and practices, consistent with Caring for Our Children National Standards. We used the nutrition observation and document review portions of the Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation (EPAO) instrument to observe ECC as part of a one-group pre-test/post-test evaluation design. ECC located within areas of high rates of poverty, diabetes, minority representation and unhealthy food index in Broward County, Florida, USA. Eighteen ECC enrolled, mean 112·9 (sd 53·4) children aged 2-5 years; 12·3 (sd 7·2) staff members; and 10·2 (sd 4·6) children per staff member at each centre. We found significant improvements in centres' overall nutrition contexts, as measured by total EPAO nutrition scores (P=0·01). ECC made specific significant gains within written nutrition policies (P=0·03) and nutrition training and education (P=0·01). Our findings support training ECC directors, faculty and staff in evidence-based nutrition strategies to improve the nutrition policies and practices of ECC serving racially and ethnically diverse children from low-income families. The intervention resulted in improvements in some nutrition policies and practices, but not others. There remains a need to further develop the evaluation base involving the effectiveness of policy and practice interventions within ECC serving children in high-need areas.

A comparison between minimized extracorporeal circuits and conventional extracorporeal circuits in patients undergoing aortic valve surgery: is 'minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation' just low prime or closed loop perfusion ?

PubMed

Starinieri, Pascal; Declercq, Peter E; Robic, Boris; Yilmaz, Alaaddin; Van Tornout, Michiel; Dubois, Jasperina; Mees, Urbain; Hendrikx, Marc

2017-07-01

Even though results have been encouraging, an unequivocal conclusion on the beneficial effect of minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation (MiECC) in patients undergoing aortic valve surgery cannot be derived from previous publications. Long-term outcomes are rarely reported and a significant decrease in operative mortality has not been shown. Most studies have a limited number of patients and are underpowered. They merely report on short-term results of a heterogeneous intraoperative group using different types of ECC system in aortic valve surgery. The aim of the present study was to determine whether MiECC systems are more beneficial than conventional extracorporeal systems (CECC) with regard to mortality, hospital stay and inflammation and with only haemodilution and blood-air interface as differences. We retrospectively analysed data regarding mortality, hospital stay and inflammation in patients undergoing isolated aortic valve surgery. Forty patients were divided into two groups based on the type of extracorporeal system used; conventional (n=20) or MiECC (n=20). Perioperative blood product requirements were significantly lower in the MiECC group (MiECC: 0.2±0.5 units vs CECC: 0.9±1.2 units, p=0.004). No differences were seen postoperatively regarding mortality (5% vs 5%, p=0.99), total length of hospital stay (10.6±7.2 days (MiECC) vs 12.1±5.9 days (CECC), p=0.39) or inflammation markers (CRP: MiECC: 7.09±13.62 mg/L vs CECC: 3.4±3.2 mg/L, p=0.89). MiECC provides circulatory support that is equally safe and feasible as conventional extracorporeal circuits. No differences in mortality, hospital stay or inflammation markers were observed.

The acute response of pericytes to muscle-damaging eccentric contraction and protein supplementation in human skeletal muscle.

PubMed

De Lisio, Michael; Farup, Jean; Sukiennik, Richard A; Clevenger, Nicole; Nallabelli, Julian; Nelson, Brett; Ryan, Kelly; Rahbek, Stine K; de Paoli, Frank; Vissing, Kristian; Boppart, Marni D

2015-10-15

Skeletal muscle pericytes increase in quantity following eccentric exercise (ECC) and contribute to myofiber repair and adaptation in mice. The purpose of the present investigation was to examine pericyte quantity in response to muscle-damaging ECC and protein supplementation in human skeletal muscle. Male subjects were divided into protein supplement (WHY; n = 12) or isocaloric placebo (CHO; n = 12) groups and completed ECC using an isokinetic dynamometer. Supplements were consumed 3 times/day throughout the experimental time course. Biopsies were collected prior to (PRE) and 3, 24, 48, and 168 h following ECC. Reflective of the damaging protocol, integrin subunits, including α7, β1A, and β1D, increased (3.8-fold, 3.6-fold and 3.9-fold, respectively, P < 0.01) 24 h post-ECC with no difference between supplements. Pericyte quantity did not change post-ECC. WHY resulted in a small, but significant, decrease in ALP(+) pericytes when expressed as a percentage of myonuclei (CHO 6.8 ± 0.3% vs. WHY 5.8 ± 0.3%, P < 0.05) or per myofiber (CHO 0.119 ± 0.01 vs. WHY 0.098 ± 0.01, P < 0.05). The quantity of myonuclei expressing serum response factor and the number of pericytes expressing serum response factor, did not differ as a function of time post-ECC or supplement. These data demonstrate that acute muscle-damaging ECC increases α7β1 integrin content in human muscle, yet pericyte quantity is largely unaltered. Future studies should focus on the capacity for ECC to influence pericyte function, specifically paracrine factor release as a mechanism toward pericyte contribution to repair and adaptation postexercise. Copyright © 2015 the American Physiological Society.

Higher body mass index associated with severe early childhood caries.

PubMed

Davidson, Katherine; Schroth, Robert J; Levi, Jeremy A; Yaffe, Aaron B; Mittermuller, Betty-Anne; Sellers, Elizabeth A C

2016-08-20

Severe Early Childhood Caries (S-ECC) is an aggressive form of tooth decay in preschool children affecting quality of life and nutritional status. The purpose was to determine whether there is an association between Body Mass Index (BMI) and S-ECC. Children with S-ECC were recruited on the day of their slated dental surgery under general anesthesia. Age-matched, caries-free controls were recruited from the community. All children were participating in a larger study on nutrition and S-ECC. Analysis was restricted to children ≥ 24 months of age. Parents completed a questionnaire and heights and weights were recorded. BMI scores and age and gender adjusted BMI z-scores and percentiles were calculated. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was significant. Two hundred thirty-five children were included (141 with S-ECC and 94 caries-free). The mean age was 43.3 ± 12.8 months and 50.2 % were male. Overall, 34.4 % of participants were overweight or obese. Significantly more children with S-ECC were classified as overweight or obese when compared to caries-free children (p = 0.038) and had significantly higher mean BMI z-scores than caries-free children (0.78 ± 1.26 vs. 0.22 ± 1.36, p = 0.002). Those with S-ECC also had significantly higher BMI percentiles (69.0 % ± 29.2 vs. 56.8 % ± 31.7, p = 0.003). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that BMI z-scores were significantly and independently associated with S-ECC and annual household income as were BMI percentiles. Children with S-ECC in our sample had significantly higher BMI z-scores than caries-free peers.

Evaluation of anti-fatigue property of the extruded product of cereal grains mixed with Cordyceps militaris on mice.

PubMed

Zhong, Lei; Zhao, Liyan; Yang, Fangmei; Yang, Wenjian; Sun, Yong; Hu, Qiuhui

2017-01-01

Fatigue is a biological phenomenon that involves a feeling of extreme physical or mental tiredness that could potentially cause some severe chronic diseases. Recently, diet therapy has provided a new alternative to alleviate physical fatigue. In our previous study, addition of Cordyceps militaris ( C. militaris ) into an extruded product was shown to provide high nutrition and unique flavors; however, little is known whether this product has some scientific evidence regarding anti-fatigue property. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-fatigue effects of extruded products of cereal grains (EC) and EC mixed with C. militaris (ECC). The mice were divided into seven groups: one group received distilled water (Control group, n  = 20), and the other groups received different dosages of EC (5, 10 and 20 g/kg body weight, n  = 20 per group) or of ECC (5, 10 and 20 g/kg body weight, n  = 20 per group) solution in water. All of the mice were administered with distilled water, EC or ECC continuously for 30 days by gavage and the anti-fatigue activity was evaluated using a weight-loaded swimming test, along with assessments of fatigue-related indicators. The mode of fighting fatigue was investigated by determining changes in exercise endurance and biochemical markers, including exhaustive swimming time, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), blood lactic acid (BLA), creatine kinase (CK), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and hepatic and muscle glycogen levels. EC and ECC prolonged the swimming endurance time of mice compared to the control. The content of BLA at high dose of ECC group (20 g/kg) was significantly lower than that in the negative control group. CK, BUN and MDA levels were significantly reduced by treatment with EC and ECC compared to the negative control, while the low and middle dose of EC had no significant effect on MDA levels. Additionally, only the middle and high dose of EC (10, 20 g/kg) could significantly decrease the BUN level. EC and ECC treatments increased glycogen, LDH, SOD, CAT and GSH-Px levels. Low and middle dose of EC had no significant effects on muscle glycogen. Moreover, low dose of EC could increase the level of SOD but it was not statistically significant. Compared to the EC treatment groups, ECC demonstrated the efficacy of anti-fatigue potential, particularly at a high dose of ECC, the best performance in relieving fatigue. These results suggest that EC and ECC could prevent exercise-induced fatigue in mice and ECC provided a better effect. In addition, C. militaris in ECC might play a crucial role in the anti-fatigue activity of ECC.

The Effect of Pulsatile Versus Nonpulsatile Blood Flow on Viscoelasticity and Red Blood Cell Aggregation in Extracorporeal Circulation

PubMed Central

Ahn, Chi Bum; Kang, Yang Jun; Kim, Myoung Gon; Yang, Sung; Lim, Choon Hak; Son, Ho Sung; Kim, Ji Sung; Lee, So Young; Son, Kuk Hui; Sun, Kyung

2016-01-01

Background Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) can induce alterations in blood viscoelasticity and cause red blood cell (RBC) aggregation. In this study, the authors evaluated the effects of pump flow pulsatility on blood viscoelasticity and RBC aggregation. Methods Mongrel dogs were randomly assigned to two groups: a nonpulsatile pump group (n=6) or a pulsatile pump group (n=6). After ECC was started at a pump flow rate of 80 mL/kg/min, cardiac fibrillation was induced. Blood sampling was performed before and at 1, 2, and 3 hours after ECC commencement. To eliminate bias induced by hematocrit and plasma, all blood samples were adjusted to a hematocrit of 45% using baseline plasma. Blood viscoelasticity, plasma viscosity, hematocrit, arterial blood gas analysis, central venous O2 saturation, and lactate were measured. Results The blood viscosity and aggregation index decreased abruptly 1 hour after ECC and then remained low during ECC in both groups, but blood elasticity did not change during ECC. Blood viscosity, blood elasticity, plasma viscosity, and the aggregation index were not significantly different in the groups at any time. Hematocrit decreased abruptly 1 hour after ECC in both groups due to dilution by the priming solution used. Conclusion After ECC, blood viscoelasticity and RBC aggregation were not different in the pulsatile and nonpulsatile groups in the adult dog model. Furthermore, pulsatile flow did not have a more harmful effect on blood viscoelasticity or RBC aggregation than nonpulsatile flow. PMID:27298790

The Effect of Pulsatile Versus Nonpulsatile Blood Flow on Viscoelasticity and Red Blood Cell Aggregation in Extracorporeal Circulation.

PubMed

Ahn, Chi Bum; Kang, Yang Jun; Kim, Myoung Gon; Yang, Sung; Lim, Choon Hak; Son, Ho Sung; Kim, Ji Sung; Lee, So Young; Son, Kuk Hui; Sun, Kyung

2016-06-01

Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) can induce alterations in blood viscoelasticity and cause red blood cell (RBC) aggregation. In this study, the authors evaluated the effects of pump flow pulsatility on blood viscoelasticity and RBC aggregation. Mongrel dogs were randomly assigned to two groups: a nonpulsatile pump group (n=6) or a pulsatile pump group (n=6). After ECC was started at a pump flow rate of 80 mL/kg/min, cardiac fibrillation was induced. Blood sampling was performed before and at 1, 2, and 3 hours after ECC commencement. To eliminate bias induced by hematocrit and plasma, all blood samples were adjusted to a hematocrit of 45% using baseline plasma. Blood viscoelasticity, plasma viscosity, hematocrit, arterial blood gas analysis, central venous O2 saturation, and lactate were measured. The blood viscosity and aggregation index decreased abruptly 1 hour after ECC and then remained low during ECC in both groups, but blood elasticity did not change during ECC. Blood viscosity, blood elasticity, plasma viscosity, and the aggregation index were not significantly different in the groups at any time. Hematocrit decreased abruptly 1 hour after ECC in both groups due to dilution by the priming solution used. After ECC, blood viscoelasticity and RBC aggregation were not different in the pulsatile and nonpulsatile groups in the adult dog model. Furthermore, pulsatile flow did not have a more harmful effect on blood viscoelasticity or RBC aggregation than nonpulsatile flow.

Prevalence and care index of early childhood caries in mainland China: evidence from epidemiological surveys during 1987–2013

PubMed Central

Zhang, Xiaonan; Yang, Sheng; Liao, Zhaoying; Xu, Ling; Li, Conghua; Zeng, Huan; Song, Jinlin; Zhang, Lei

2016-01-01

Early childhood caries (ECC) is the most common chronic disease in young children. Its reported prevalence varies greatly across China. This systematic review aimed to explore the epidemiological characteristics of ECC in mainland China from 1987 to 2013. In total, 102 articles were included. The pooled national prevalence and care index (ft/dmft%) for ECC were 65.5% and 3.6%, respectively. The overall ECC prevalence declined from 77.9% during 1987–1994 to 56.4% during 2010–2013. The pooled ECC prevalence for children aged 1–6 years was 0.3%, 17.3%, 40.2%, 54.4%, 66.1%, and 70.7%, respectively. There was no significant difference in prevalence between boys (59.1%) and girls (58.9%); and the care index was also similar (8.1% versus 7.7%). Slightly higher ECC prevalence was observed in rural areas (63.5%) compared with urban areas (59.5%) (RR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02–1.14); but a much higher care index was reported in urban children (6.0%) than their rural counterparts (1.6%) (RR = 3.68, 95% CI: 2.54–5.35). The 2006–2013 map of ECC prevalence among 5-year-olds showed wide geographic variations across China. Four adjacent provinces, including Sichuan, Chongqing, Hubei, and Shaanxi, constituted the areas with the lowest ECC prevalence in mainland China. PMID:26758962

Chronic Disease Management Strategies of Early Childhood Caries: Support from the Medical and Dental Literature.

PubMed

Edelstein, Burton L; Ng, Man Wai

2015-01-01

An Institute of Medicine report places chronic disease management (CDM) as an intervention on a treatment spectrum between prevention and acute care. CDM commonly focuses on conditions in which patient self-care efforts are significant. Framing early childhood caries (ECC) as such a chronic condition invites dentistry to reconsider its approach to caries management and shift gears from a strictly surgical approach to one that also incorporates a medical approach. This paper's purpose was to explore the definition of and concepts inherent in CDM. An explanatory model is introduced to describe the multiple factors that influence ECC-CDM strategies. Reviewed literature suggests that early evidence from ECC-CDM interventions, along with results of pediatric asthma and diabetes CDM, supports CDM of ECC as a valid approach that is independent of both prevention and repair. Early results of ECC-CDM endeavors have demonstrated a reduction in rates of new cavitation, dental pain, and referral to the operating room compared to baseline rates. ECC-CDM strategies hold strong promise to curtail caries activity while complementing dental repair when needed, thereby reducing disease progression and cavity recurrence. Institutionalizing ECC-CDM will both require and benefit from evolving health care delivery and financing systems that reward positive health outcomes.

Hepatic dysfunction contributes to coagulation disturbances in patients undergoing whole body hyperthermia by use of extracorporeal circulation.

PubMed

Worel, Nina; Knöbl, Paul; Karanikas, Georgios; Fuchs, Eva-Maria; Bojic, Andja; Brodowicz, Thomas; Jilma, Petra; Zielinski, Christoph C; Köstler, Wolfgang J; Locker, Gottfried J

2014-09-01

This phase I study was performed to evaluate coagulation alterations during extracorporeal circulation (ECC) induced whole body hyperthermia (WBHT) in 12 patients with advanced soft tissue sarcomas. To distinguish between effects of normothermic ECC and ECC-WBHT, blood samples were drawn at different time points: at baseline, after 30 min on normothermic ECC, at the end of the heating period, and 24 h and 7 days thereafter. Standard coagulation tests, coagulation factors, thrombelastography,platelets and reticulated platelets, liver enzymes, and scintigraphic platelet imaging were performed. Normothermic ECC resulted in coagulation alterations most likely due to systemic anticoagulation. Induction of hyperthermia caused thrombocytopenia, increased fibrin degradation products,prolonged clotting times, alteration in coagulation factors, and increased liver enzymes. The majority of these effects was most pronounced 24 h after ECC-WBHT. In addition, late liver sequestration of platelets was demonstrated in scintigraphic imaging at that time point. Temporal correlation between hemostatic alterations and elevation in liver enzymes leads to the assumption that liver impairment might play a crucial role in coagulation disturbances observed during ECC-WBHT and thereafter, thus strongly supported by liver sequestration of platelets.Therefore a close monitoring of hepatic derived coagulation alterations in patients undergoing extracorporeal whole body hypothermia is warranted.

Model of excitation-contraction coupling of rat neonatal ventricular myocytes.

PubMed

Korhonen, Topi; Hänninen, Sandra L; Tavi, Pasi

2009-02-01

The neonatal rat ventricular myocyte culture is one of the most popular experimental cardiac cell models. To our knowledge, the excitation-contraction coupling (ECC) of these cells, i.e., the process linking the electrical activity to the cytosolic Ca2+ transient and contraction, has not been previously analyzed, nor has it been presented as a complete system in detail. Neonatal cardiomyocytes are in the postnatal developmental stage, and therefore, the features of their ECC differ vastly from those of adult ventricular myocytes. We present the first complete analysis of ECC in these cells by characterizing experimentally the action potential and calcium signaling and developing the first mathematical model of ECC in neonatal cardiomyocytes that we know of. We show that in comparison to adult cardiomyocytes, neonatal cardiomyocytes have long action potentials, heterogeneous cytosolic Ca2+ signals, weaker sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ handling, and stronger sarcolemmal Ca2+ handling, with a significant contribution by the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. The developed model reproduces faithfully the ECC of rat neonatal cardiomyocytes with a novel description of spatial cytosolic [Ca2+] signals. Simulations also demonstrate how an increase in the cell size (hypertrophy) affects the ECC in neonatal cardiomyocytes. This model of ECC in developing cardiomyocytes provides a platform for developing future models of cardiomyocytes at different developmental stages.

Self-Healing of Microcracks in Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) Under a Natural Environment

PubMed Central

Herbert, Emily N.; Li, Victor C.

2013-01-01

This paper builds on previous self-healing engineered cementitious composites (ECC) research by allowing ECC to heal outdoors, in the natural environment, under random and sometimes extreme environmental conditions. Development of an ECC material that can heal itself in the natural environment could lower infrastructure maintenance costs and allow for more sustainable development in the future by increasing service life and decreasing the amount of resources and energy needed for repairs. Determining to what extent current ECC materials self-heal in the natural environment is the first step in the development of an ECC that can completely heal itself when exposed to everyday environmental conditions. This study monitored outdoor ECC specimens for one year using resonant frequency (RF) and mechanical reloading to determine the rate and extent of self-healing in the natural environment. It was found that the level of RF, stiffness, and first cracking strength recovery increased as the duration of natural environment exposure increased. For specimens that underwent multiple damage cycles, it was found that the level of recovery was highly dependent on the average temperature and amount of precipitation between each damage event. However, RF, stiffness, and first cracking strength recovery data for specimens that underwent multiple loading cycles suggest that self-healing functionality can be maintained under multiple damage events. PMID:28811411

Intricate and Cell Type-Specific Populations of Endogenous Circular DNA (eccDNA) in Caenorhabditis elegans and Homo sapiens.

PubMed

Shoura, Massa J; Gabdank, Idan; Hansen, Loren; Merker, Jason; Gotlib, Jason; Levene, Stephen D; Fire, Andrew Z

2017-10-05

Investigations aimed at defining the 3D configuration of eukaryotic chromosomes have consistently encountered an endogenous population of chromosome-derived circular genomic DNA, referred to as extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA). While the production, distribution, and activities of eccDNAs remain understudied, eccDNA formation from specific regions of the linear genome has profound consequences on the regulatory and coding capabilities for these regions. Here, we define eccDNA distributions in Caenorhabditis elegans and in three human cell types, utilizing a set of DNA topology-dependent approaches for enrichment and characterization. The use of parallel biophysical, enzymatic, and informatic approaches provides a comprehensive profiling of eccDNA robust to isolation and analysis methodology. Results in human and nematode systems provide quantitative analysis of the eccDNA loci at both unique and repetitive regions. Our studies converge on and support a consistent picture, in which endogenous genomic DNA circles are present in normal physiological states, and in which the circles come from both coding and noncoding genomic regions. Prominent among the coding regions generating DNA circles are several genes known to produce a diversity of protein isoforms, with mucin proteins and titin as specific examples. Copyright © 2017 Shoura et al.

Nucleotide sequence, organization and expression of rdgA and rdgB genes that regulate pectin lyase production in the plant pathogenic bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora in response to DNA-damaging agents.

PubMed

Liu, Y; Chatterjee, A; Chatterjee, A K

1994-12-01

In most soft-rotting Erwinia spp., including E. carotovora subsp. carotovora strain 71 (Ecc71), production of the plant cell wall degrading enzyme pectin lyase (Pnl) is activated by DNA-damaging agents such as mitomycin C (MC). Induction of Pnl production in Ecc71 requires a functional recA gene and the rdg locus. DNA sequencing and RNA analyses revealed that the rdg locus contains two regulatory genes, rdgA and rdgB, in separate transcriptional units. There is high homology between RdgA and repressors of lambdoid phages, specially phi 80. RdgB, however, has significant homology with transcriptional activators of Mu phage. Both RdgA and RdgB are also predicted to possess helix-turn-helix motifs. By replacing the rdgB promoter with the IPTG-inducible tac promoter, we have determined that rdgB by itself can activate Pnl production in Escherichia coli. However, deletion analysis of rdg+ DNA indicated that, when driven by their native promoters, functions of both rdgA and rdgB are required for the induction of pnlA expression by MC treatment. While rdgB transcription occurs only after MC treatment, a substantial level of rdgA mRNA is detected in the absence of MC treatment. Moreover, upon induction with MC, a new rdgA mRNA species, initiated from a different start site, is produced at a high level. Thus, the two closely linked rdgA and rdgB genes, required for the regulation of Pnl production, are expressed differently in Ecc71.

Acute impact of conventional and eccentric cycling on platelet and vascular function in patients with chronic heart failure.

PubMed

Haynes, Andrew; Linden, Matthew D; Chasland, Lauren C; Nosaka, Kazunori; Maiorana, Andrew; Dawson, Ellen A; Dembo, Lawrence H; Naylor, Louise H; Green, Daniel J

2017-06-01

Evidence-based guidelines recommend exercise therapy for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Such patients have increased atherothrombotic risk. Exercise can transiently increase platelet activation and reactivity and decrease vascular function in healthy participants, although data in CHF are scant. Eccentric (ECC) cycling is a novel exercise modality that may be particularly suited to patients with CHF, but the acute impacts of ECC cycling on platelet and vascular function are currently unknown. Our null hypothesis was that ECC and concentric (CON) cycling, performed at matched external workloads, would not induce changes in platelet or vascular function in patients with CHF. Eleven patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) took part in discrete bouts of ECC and CON cycling. Before and immediately after exercise, vascular function was assessed by measuring diameter and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery. Platelet function was measured by the flow cytometric determination of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa activation and granule exocytosis in the presence and absence of platelet agonists. ECC cycling increased baseline artery diameter (pre: 4.0 ± 0.8 mm vs. post: 4.2 ± 0.7 mm; P = 0.04) and decreased FMD%. When changes in baseline artery diameter were accounted for, the decrease in FMD post-ECC cycling was no longer significant. No changes were apparent after CON. Neither ECC nor CON cycling resulted in changes to any platelet-function measures (all P > 0.05). These results suggest that both ECC and CON cycling, at a moderate intensity and short duration, can be performed by patients with HFrEF without detrimental impacts on vascular or platelet function. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first evidence to indicate that eccentric (ECC) cycling can be performed relatively safely by patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), as it did not result in impaired vascular or platelet function compared with conventional cycling. This is important, as acute exercise can transiently increase atherothrombotic risk, and ECC cycling is a novel exercise modality that may be particularly suited to patients with CHF. Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.

A retrospective comparative study of minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation versus conventional extracorporeal circulation in emergency coronary artery bypass surgery patients: a single surgeon analysis.

PubMed

Rufa, Magdalena; Schubel, Jens; Ulrich, Christian; Schaarschmidt, Jan; Tiliscan, Catalin; Bauer, Adrian; Hausmann, Harald

2015-07-01

At the moment, the main application of minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation (MiECC) is reserved for elective cardiac operations such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and/or aortic valve replacement. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome of emergency CABG operations using either MiECC or conventional extracorporeal circulation (CECC) in patients requiring emergency CABG with regard to the perioperative course and the occurrence of major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE). We analysed the emergency CABG operations performed by a single surgeon, between January 2007 and July 2013, in order to exclude the differences in surgical technique. During this period, 187 emergency CABG patients (113 MiECC vs 74 CECC) were investigated retrospectively with respect to the following parameters: in-hospital mortality, MACCE, postoperative hospital stay and perioperative transfusion rate. The mean logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation was higher in the CECC group (MiECC 12.1 ± 16 vs CECC 15.0 ± 20.8, P = 0.15) and the number of bypass grafts per patient was similar in both groups (MiECC 2.94 vs CECC 2.93). There was no significant difference in the postoperative hospital stay or in major postoperative complications. The in-hospital mortality was higher in the CECC group 6.8% versus MiECC 4.4% (P = 0.48). The perioperative transfusion rate was lower with MiECC compared with CECC (MiECC 2.6 ± 3.2 vs CECC 3.8 ± 4.2, P = 0.025 units of blood per patient). In our opinion, the use of MiECC in urgent CABG procedures is safe, feasible and shows no disadvantages compared with the use of CECC. Emergency operations using the MiECC system showed a significantly lower blood transfusion rate and better results concerning the unadjusted in-hospital mortality. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.

Shed-blood-separation and cell-saver: an integral Part of MiECC? Shed-blood-separation and its influence on the perioperative inflammatory response during coronary revascularization with minimal invasive extracorporeal circulation systems - a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Bauer, Adrian; Hausmann, Harald; Schaarschmidt, Jan; Scharpenberg, Martin; Troitzsch, Dirk; Johansen, Peter; Nygaard, Hans; Eberle, Thomas; Hasenkam, J Michael

2018-03-01

The postoperative systemic inflammatory response after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is still an undesirable side-effect after cardiac surgery. It is most likely caused by blood contact with foreign surfaces and by the surgical trauma itself. However, the recirculation of activated shed mediastinal blood is another main cause of blood cell activation and cytokine release. Minimal invasive extracorporeal circulation (MiECC) comprises a completely closed circuit, coated surfaces and the separation of suction blood. We hypothesized that MiECC, with separated cell saved blood, would induce less of a systemic inflammatory response than MiECC with no cell-saver. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate the impact of cell washing shed blood from the operating field versus direct return to the ECC on the biomarkers for systemic inflammation. In the study, patients with MiECC and cell-saver were compared with the control group, patients with MiECC and direct re-transfusion of the drawn blood shed from the surgical field. High amounts of TNF-α (+ 120% compared to serum blood) were found in the shed blood itself, but a significant reduction was demonstrated with the use of a cell-saver (TNF-α ng/l post-ECC 10 min: 9.5±3.5 vs. 19.7±14.5, p<0.0001). The values for procalcitonin were not significantly increased in the control group (6h: 1.07±3.4 vs. 2.15±9.55, p=0.19) and lower for C-reactive protein (CRP) (24h: 147.1±64.0 vs.134.4±52.4 p=0.28). The use of a cell-saver and the processing of shed blood as an integral part of MiECC significantly reduces the systemic cytokine load. We, therefore, recommend the integration of cell-saving devices in MiECC to reduce the perioperative inflammatory response.

The prevalence and risks of early childhood caries (ECC) in Toronto, Canada.

PubMed

Al-Jewair, Thikriat S; Leake, James L

2010-10-14

To determine the prevalence and risks of early childhood caries (ECC) among children less than 71 months of age in Toronto, Canada, and to evaluate the association between parental/caregiver depression and ECC. A secondary analysis of data previously collected by the Toronto Public Health as part of the 2003 Toronto Perinatal and Child Health Survey was performed. The 90-item survey was conducted over the telephone to 1,000 families with children from zero years (birth) to six years of age. Parents/caregivers were asked about factors related to the development and health of their children. For this study, only children younger than six years of age (less than 71 months) were included (n=833). The primary outcome of interest was self-reported and measured by the response to the question of whether a physician/dentist had ever told the parent/caregiver his/her child had ECC. The prevalence of ECC was 4.7 percent (37 of 791 children). The child's age, his/her history of dental visits, teeth brushing, the use of fluoridated toothpaste, the parent's/caregiver's depressive tendencies, the language spoken at home, and the household annual income were all significant in the bivariate analysis. Multiple logistic regression identified four factors associated with ECC: the child's age (being three years of age or older), having at least one parent/caregiver with depression, not speaking English at home, and having an annual household income less than $40,000 in Canadian dollars (CAD). While a child's age, home language, and household income are known risks for ECC, the finding that parental/caregiver depression may be related to ECC is new. Multiple risk factors are involved in the development of early childhood caries. Of particular importance are demographic (e.g., child's age), social (e.g., annual household income), and psychosocial factors (e.g., parental/caregiver depression) that are indirectly linked to ECC. More attention needs to be placed on understanding the role and process by which these factors influence the development of ECC.

Multi-location gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial protein subcellular localization using gene ontology and multi-label classifier ensemble.

PubMed

Wang, Xiao; Zhang, Jun; Li, Guo-Zheng

2015-01-01

It has become a very important and full of challenge task to predict bacterial protein subcellular locations using computational methods. Although there exist a lot of prediction methods for bacterial proteins, the majority of these methods can only deal with single-location proteins. But unfortunately many multi-location proteins are located in the bacterial cells. Moreover, multi-location proteins have special biological functions capable of helping the development of new drugs. So it is necessary to develop new computational methods for accurately predicting subcellular locations of multi-location bacterial proteins. In this article, two efficient multi-label predictors, Gpos-ECC-mPLoc and Gneg-ECC-mPLoc, are developed to predict the subcellular locations of multi-label gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial proteins respectively. The two multi-label predictors construct the GO vectors by using the GO terms of homologous proteins of query proteins and then adopt a powerful multi-label ensemble classifier to make the final multi-label prediction. The two multi-label predictors have the following advantages: (1) they improve the prediction performance of multi-label proteins by taking the correlations among different labels into account; (2) they ensemble multiple CC classifiers and further generate better prediction results by ensemble learning; and (3) they construct the GO vectors by using the frequency of occurrences of GO terms in the typical homologous set instead of using 0/1 values. Experimental results show that Gpos-ECC-mPLoc and Gneg-ECC-mPLoc can efficiently predict the subcellular locations of multi-label gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial proteins respectively. Gpos-ECC-mPLoc and Gneg-ECC-mPLoc can efficiently improve prediction accuracy of subcellular localization of multi-location gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial proteins respectively. The online web servers for Gpos-ECC-mPLoc and Gneg-ECC-mPLoc predictors are freely accessible at http://biomed.zzuli.edu.cn/bioinfo/gpos-ecc-mploc/ and http://biomed.zzuli.edu.cn/bioinfo/gneg-ecc-mploc/ respectively.

Prediction of gravity-driven fingering in porous media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beljadid, Abdelaziz; Cueto-Felgueroso, Luis; Juanes, Ruben

2017-11-01

Gravity-driven displacement of one fluid by another in porous media is often subject to a hydrodynamic instability, whereby fluid invasion takes the form of preferential flow paths-examples include secondary oil migration in reservoir rocks, and infiltration of rainfall water in dry soil. Here, we develop a continuum model of gravity-driven two-phase flow in porous media within the phase-field framework (Cueto-Felgueroso and Juanes, 2008). We employ pore-scale physics arguments to design the free energy of the system, which notably includes a nonlinear formulation of the high-order (square-gradient) term based on equilibrium considerations in the direction orthogonal to gravity. This nonlocal term plays the role of a macroscopic surface tension, which exhibits a strong link with capillary pressure. Our theoretical analysis shows that the proposed model enforces that fluid saturations are bounded between 0 and 1 by construction, therefore overcoming a serious limitation of previous models. Our numerical simulations show that the proposed model also resolves the pinning behavior at the base of the infiltration front, and the asymmetric behavior of the fingers at material interfaces observed experimentally.

Prevalence and socio-behavioral influence of early childhood caries, ECC, and feeding habits among 6 – 36 months old children in Uganda and Tanzania

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Early childhood caries (ECC) is a serious problem that has remained unexplored in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to identify possible socio-behavioral correlates of ECC focusing 6–36 months old children and their caretakers. Methods Cross sectional studies were conducted in a high fluoride rural area, Manyara, Tanzania and a low fluoride urban area, Kampala, Uganda. Totals of 1221 and 816 child - caretaker pairs attending health care facilities for growth monitoring were recruited in Manyara and Kampala, respectively. All caretakers completed face to face interviews at the health care facility. Children underwent oral clinical examination whereby ECC and Enamel hypoplasia were recorded using the dmft (WHO 1997) and the DDE index (FDI 1992). Results The prevalence of ECC was 3.7% in Manyara and 17.6% in Kampala. According to multiple logistic regression analyses, received oral health information from health worker was the strongest determinant of ECC in Manyara, adjusted OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.09 – 0.93. In Kampala, visible plaque, high sugar intake and presence of enamel hypoplasia associated with ECC, adjusted ORs 2.8 (95% CI 1.61- 4.95), 3.0 (95% CI 1.39 – 6.34) and 2.3 (95% CI 1.36 - 3.95). Conclusion Oral health education aimed at caretakers of 6–36 months, including health care workers’ information regarding the detrimental consequences for oral health of frequent sugar consumption and poor oral hygiene is important for prevention of ECC in Tanzania and Uganda. PMID:22834770

Comparative molecular analysis of early and late cancer cachexia-induced muscle wasting in mouse models.

PubMed

Sun, Rulin; Zhang, Santao; Lu, Xing; Hu, Wenjun; Lou, Ning; Zhao, Yan; Zhou, Jia; Zhang, Xiaoping; Yang, Hongmei

2016-12-01

Cancer-induced muscle wasting, which commonly occurs in cancer cachexia, is characterized by impaired quality of life and poor patient survival. To identify an appropriate treatment, research on the mechanism underlying muscle wasting is essential. Thus far, studies on muscle wasting using cancer cachectic models have generally focused on early cancer cachexia (ECC), before severe body weight loss occurs. In the present study, we established models of ECC and late cancer cachexia (LCC) and compared different stages of cancer cachexia using two cancer cachectic mouse models induced by colon-26 (C26) adenocarcinoma or Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC). In each model, tumor-bearing (TB) and control (CN) mice were injected with cancer cells and PBS, respectively. The TB and CN mice, which were euthanized on the 24th day or the 36th day after injection, were defined as the ECC and ECC-CN mice or the LCC and LCC-CN mice. In addition, the tissues were harvested and analyzed. We found that both the ECC and LCC mice developed cancer cachexia. The amounts of muscle loss differed between the ECC and LCC mice. Moreover, the expression of some molecules was altered in the muscles from the LCC mice but not in those from the ECC mice compared with their CN mice. In conclusion, the molecules with altered expression in the muscles from the ECC and LCC mice were not exactly the same. These findings may provide some clues for therapy which could prevent the muscle wasting in cancer cachexia from progression to the late stage.

A gravitational test of wave reinforcement versus fluid density models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Jacqueline Umstead

1990-01-01

Spermatozoa, protozoa, and algae form macroscopic patterns somewhat analogous to thermally driven convection cells. These bioconvective patterns have attracted interest in the fluid dynamics community, but whether in all cases these waves were gravity driven was unknown. There are two conflicting theories, one gravity dependent (fluid density model), the other gravity independent (wave reinforcement theory). The primary objectives of the summer faculty fellows were to: (1) assist in sample collection (spermatozoa) and preparation for the KC-135 research airplane experiment; and (2) to collaborate on ground testing of bioconvective variables such as motility, concentration, morphology, etc., in relation to their macroscopic patterns. Results are very briefly given.

The Status of ECCE Provision in Trinidad and Tobago.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Logie, Carol

This study examined the provision of early childhood care and education (ECCE) in Trinidad and Tobago, focusing on the educational environment and demographic factors within ECCE. A representative national sample of 2,370 children, 175 teachers, and 883 parents from 79 public and private centers across the country completed questionnaires or…

75 FR 14165 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-24

..., telephone interviews, and a Web-based indicator reporting system. Web-based surveys are intended to collect... Project: Evaluation of the State Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Grant (ECCS) Program: New HRSA's... Comprehensive Systems Grant (ECCS) Program. The purpose of the ECCS Program is to assist States and Territories...

Listening to the Voice of the Customer.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schauerman, Sam; And Others

One of the major tenets of Total Quality Management (TQM) is that organizations need to adopt a strong customer focus. At El Camino College (ECC) in Torrance, California, a matrix was developed to identify and describe ECC's direct and indirect internal and external customers. ECC then applied Quality Function Deployment (QFD), a strategic tool…

Parental Factors Influencing the Development of Early Childhood Caries in Developing Nations: A Systematic Review.

PubMed

Rai, Nayanjot Kaur; Tiwari, Tamanna

2018-01-01

Early childhood caries (ECC) is one of the most prevalent and chronic conditions of childhood. Various factors including biological and dietary factors along with an overlay of parental social factors have been found to be associated with the progression of ECC. The objective of this systematic review is to synthesize available literature and to identify parent-level proximal and distal risk factors associated with the development of ECC in developing nations. Studies conducted in developing nations, published between 2005 and 2017 in English, that included children younger than 6 years and examined ECC were included. The outcome of interest were parental risk factors, which included parental knowledge, behavior, attitudes, sense of coherence (SOC), stress, socioeconomic status (SES), education, and breastfeeding duration. The studies were retrieved from MEDLINE, Ovid Medline, and PubMed. The search yielded 325 studies, of which 18 were considered eligible for inclusion in this review. Ten studies found maternal education, and seven studies found parental education to be significantly associated with ECC. SES was significantly associated with ECC in 13 studies in the form of annual household income and occupation level. Four studies observed the significant association between oral health knowledge and attitudes with ECC, whereas only two studies found maternal attitude to be associated with ECC. Breastfeeding duration was a significant risk factor in four studies. One study each found significant associations of SOC, parental distress, and secondary smoke with ECC. To date, most of the researches done in developing countries have reported distal parental factors such as income and education being significant risk factors in caries development compared to proximal risk factors in low-income groups. Only a few studies analyzed the psychosocial and behavioral factors. Interventions could be designed to improve parental oral health knowledge and behaviors in these nations.

Microbiome Associated with Severe Caries in Canadian First Nations Children.

PubMed

Agnello, M; Marques, J; Cen, L; Mittermuller, B; Huang, A; Chaichanasakul Tran, N; Shi, W; He, X; Schroth, R J

2017-11-01

Young Indigenous children in North America suffer from a higher degree of severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) than the general population, leading to speculation that the etiology and characteristics of the disease may be distinct in this population. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted the first microbiome analysis of an Indigenous population using modern molecular techniques. We investigated the caries-associated microbiome among Canadian First Nations children with S-ECC. Thirty First Nations children <72 mo of age with S-ECC and 20 caries-free children were recruited in Winnipeg, Canada. Parents or caregivers completed a questionnaire on general and dental health, diet, and demographics. The plaque microbiome was investigated by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. Sequences were clustered into operational taxonomic units and taxonomy assigned via the Human Oral Microbiome Database, then analyzed at the community level with alpha and beta diversity measures. Compared with those who were caries free, children with S-ECC came from households with lower income; they were more likely to live in First Nations communities and were more likely to be bottle-fed; and they were weaned from the bottle at a later age. The microbial communities of the S-ECC and caries-free groups did not differ in terms of species richness or phylogenetic diversity. Beta diversity analysis showed that the samples significantly clustered into groups based on caries status. Twenty-eight species-level operational taxonomic units were significantly different between the groups, including Veillonella HOT 780 and Porphyromonas HOT 284, which were 4.6- and 9-fold higher, respectively, in the S-ECC group, and Streptococcus gordonii and Streptococcus sanguinis, which were 5- and 2-fold higher, respectively, in the caries-free group. Extremely high levels of Streptococcus mutans were detected in the S-ECC group. Overall, First Nations children with S-ECC have a significantly different plaque microbiome than their caries-free counterparts, with the S-ECC group containing higher levels of known cariogenic organisms.

Volcano seismicity and ground deformation unveil the gravity-driven magma discharge dynamics of a volcanic eruption.

PubMed

Ripepe, Maurizio; Donne, Dario Delle; Genco, Riccardo; Maggio, Giuseppe; Pistolesi, Marco; Marchetti, Emanuele; Lacanna, Giorgio; Ulivieri, Giacomo; Poggi, Pasquale

2015-05-18

Effusive eruptions are explained as the mechanism by which volcanoes restore the equilibrium perturbed by magma rising in a chamber deep in the crust. Seismic, ground deformation and topographic measurements are compared with effusion rate during the 2007 Stromboli eruption, drawing an eruptive scenario that shifts our attention from the interior of the crust to the surface. The eruption is modelled as a gravity-driven drainage of magma stored in the volcanic edifice with a minor contribution of magma supplied at a steady rate from a deep reservoir. Here we show that the discharge rate can be predicted by the contraction of the volcano edifice and that the very-long-period seismicity migrates downwards, tracking the residual volume of magma in the shallow reservoir. Gravity-driven magma discharge dynamics explain the initially high discharge rates observed during eruptive crises and greatly influence our ability to predict the evolution of effusive eruptions.

Parenting style and oral health practices in early childhood caries: a case-control study.

PubMed

Dabawala, Suhel; Suprabha, Baranya S; Shenoy, Ramya; Rao, Arathi; Shah, Nachiket

2017-03-01

There is a need to carry out controlled investigations regarding risk factors for early childhood caries (ECC). To study the type of parenting style and oral health practices as risk factors among children with ECC in an Indian preschool population. Two hundred and eleven children with ECC and equal number of controls participated in this case-control study. A questionnaire was answered by parents regarding oral health practices such as oral hygiene methods, feeding habits, daily sugar intake, and dental attendance pattern along with socioeconomic and demographic status. The parenting style was determined using Parenting Styles Dimension Questionnaire (PSDQ) index. Data were statistically analyzed using chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis. Risk factors associated with ECC were higher birth order, lower socioeconomic status, non-use of fluoridated toothpaste, breast/bottle feeding for more than one year, presence of formula milk or milk with sugar in the feeding bottle while falling asleep, higher sweet scores in the diet chart, and visiting dentist only when a problem was perceived. Majority of parents of children with and without ECC had authoritative parenting style. Improper oral health practices are the risk factors for ECC. The association of parenting style with ECC could not be confirmed. © 2016 BSPD, IAPD and John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Elements of NASA GSFC Wallops Island's ozone measurement program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmidlin, F. J.; Schauer, A. G.; Thompson, A. M.; Northam, E. T.; Brothers, G. B.; Beebe, A.

2003-04-01

Ozone observations from GSFC Wallops Flight Facility, Natal, Brazil, and Ascension Island involve instrument preparation, analyses, comparisons, archiving, and documentation. The complement of instrumentation enables reliable, accurate world-class information be made available to the scientific community. At Wallops Island, instruments in use include the electrochemical concentration cell ECC ozonesondes, Dobson spectrophotometer, Microtops Sun Photometer, Ground-based Ultraviolet Radiometer GUV, and the NILU-UV Irradiance meter. ECC's and a Dobson are used at Natal while ECC's and a handheld Microtops Sunphotometer are used at Ascension Island. ECC ozonesondes are released from Natal as part of an agreement between NASA and INPE and from Ascension Island with US Air Force cooperation. Both of these sites provide vertical ozone profiles to SHADOZ. All of the instruments mentioned are widely used and need not be described further. Unique ECC preparation procedures developed at Wallops Island over many years also are used at the three sites. Description of the ECC calibration against known standards is given. Emphasis is given to results of comparisons between ECC's of two manufacturers, to the affect of different KI solutions and possible adjustment to older measurements that used different KI solution strengths, and to laboratory tests conducted during JOSIE2000 and their relationship to in situ tests conducted at Wallops Island. If time permits, we will give a summary of the performance of the ground-based instruments.

Nonlinear behavior of solar gravity modes driven by He-3 in the core. I - Bifurcation analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Merryfield, William J.; Gough, Douglas; Toomre, Juri

1990-01-01

The nonlinear development of solar gravity modes driven by He-3 burning in the solar core is investigated by means of an idealized dynamical model. Possible outcomes that have been suggested in the literature include the triggering of subcritical direct convection, leading to core mixing, and the saturation of the excitation processes, leading to sustained finite-amplitude oscillations. The present simple model suggests that the latter is the more likely. The limiting amplitude of the oscillations is estimated, ignoring possible resonances with other gravity modes, to be of order 10 km/s at the solar surface. Such oscillations would be easily observable. That large-amplitude gravity modes have not been observed suggests either that these modes are not unstable in the present era or that they are limited to much smaller amplitudes by resonant coupling.

Comparison of concentric and eccentric bench press repetitions to failure.

PubMed

Kelly, Stephen B; Brown, Lee E; Hooker, Steven P; Swan, Pamela D; Buman, Matthew P; Alvar, Brent A; Black, Laurie E

2015-04-01

Eccentric muscle actions (ECC) are characterized by muscle lengthening, despite actin-myosin crossbridge formation. Muscles acting eccentrically are capable of producing higher levels of force compared with muscles acting concentrically. The purpose of this study was to determine whether ECC bench press yields greater strength than concentric (CON) as determined by 1 repetition maximum (1RM). Additionally, a comparison was made examining differences in the number of repetitions to failure at different relative intensities of 1RM. Thirty healthy men (age = 24.63 ± 5.6 years) were tested for 1RM in CON and ECC bench press and the number of repetitions completed at 60, 70, 80, and 90% 1RM. For CON repetitions, the weight was mechanically lowered to the chest, and the participant pressed it up until the elbows were fully extended. The ECC bench press consisted of lowering a barbell from a fully extended elbow position to the chest in a continuous controlled manner for 3 seconds as determined by electronic metronome. Paired t-tests showed that ECC 1RM (115.99 ± 31.08 kg) was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) greater than CON 1RM (93.56 ± 26.56 kg), and the number of repetitions completed at 90% 1RM was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) greater in ECC (7.67 ± 3.24) as compared with CON (4.57 ± 2.21). There were no significant differences in number of completed repetitions during CON and ECC bench press at 60, 70, and 80% 1RM. These data indicate that ECC actions yield increased force capabilities (∼120%) as compared with CON in the bench press and may be less prone to fatigue, especially at higher intensities. These differences suggest a need to develop unique strategies for training eccentrically.

Flexibility training and the repeated-bout effect: priming interventions prior to eccentric training of the knee flexors.

PubMed

Leslie, Andrew W; Lanovaz, Joel L; Andrushko, Justin W; Farthing, Jonathan P

2017-10-01

Both the repeated-bout effect and increased flexibility have been linked to reduced muscle damage, fatigue, and strength loss after intense eccentric exercise. Our purpose was to compare the eccentric-training (ECC) response after first priming the muscles with either static flexibility training or a single intense bout of eccentric exercise. Twenty-five participants were randomly assigned to flexibility training (n = 8; 3×/week; 30 min/day), a single bout of intense eccentric exercise (n = 9), or no intervention (control; n = 8) during a 4-week priming phase, prior to completing a subsequent 4-week period of eccentric training of the knee flexors. Testing was completed prior to the priming phase, before ECC, during acute ECC (0 h, 24 h, and 48 h after bouts 1 and 4), and after ECC. Measures included muscle thickness (MT; via ultrasound); isometric, concentric, and eccentric strength; muscle power (dynamometer); electromyography; range of motion; optimal angle of peak torque; and soreness (visual analog scale). Flexibility training and single-bout groups had 47% less soreness at 48 h after the first bout of ECC compared with control (p < 0.05). The flexibility training group had 10% less soreness at 48 h after the fourth ECC bout compared with both the single-bout and control groups (p < 0.05). Isometric strength loss was attenuated for the flexibility training group (-9%) after the fourth ECC bout compared with control (-19%; p < 0.05). All groups had similar increases in strength, MT, and power after ECC (p < 0.05). Prior flexibility training may be more effective than a single session of eccentric exercise in reducing adverse symptoms during the acute stages of eccentric training; however, these benefits did not translate into greater performance after training.

Energy-dissipating and self-repairing SMA-ECC composite material system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xiaopeng; Li, Mo; Song, Gangbing

2015-02-01

Structural component ductility and energy dissipation capacity are crucial factors for achieving reinforced concrete structures more resistant to dynamic loading such as earthquakes. Furthermore, limiting post-event residual damage and deformation allows for immediate re-operation or minimal repairs. These desirable characteristics for structural ‘resilience’, however, present significant challenges due to the brittle nature of concrete, its deformation incompatibility with ductile steel, and the plastic yielding of steel reinforcement. Here, we developed a new composite material system that integrates the unique ductile feature of engineered cementitious composites (ECC) with superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA). In contrast to steel reinforced concrete (RC) and SMA reinforced concrete (SMA-RC), the SMA-ECC beams studied in this research exhibited extraordinary energy dissipation capacity, minimal residual deformation, and full self-recovery of damage under cyclic flexural loading. We found that the tensile strain capacity of ECC, tailored up to 5.5% in this study, allows it to work compatibly with superelastic SMA. Furthermore, the distributed microcracking damage mechanism in ECC is critical for sufficient and reliable recovery of damage upon unloading. This research demonstrates the potential of SMA-ECC for improving resilience of concrete structures under extreme hazard events.

Managing Early Childhood Caries for Young Children in China.

PubMed

Chen, Kitty Jieyi; Gao, Sherry Shiqian; Duangthip, Duangporn; Lo, Edward Chin Man; Chu, Chun Hung

2018-01-30

The latest national survey found that 70% of 5-year-old children in China had dental caries. The prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) may not only be attributed to poor oral hygiene and unhealthy diet, but also to limited access to and availability of dental care. The prevailing preventive measures adopted by industrialised countries for ECC management are neither practical nor affordable in China. Hence, an alternative approach to ECC management is necessary. Atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) has been advocated because the simple and short operative time renders ART affordable. However, the success rate of ART in restoring anterior primary teeth is unfavourable. Although there is no water fluoridation in China, topical fluorides may be used to manage ECC. Tooth brushing with fluoride toothpaste is effective for caries control, but not all toothpastes in China are fluoridated. Professionally applied fluorides such as sodium fluoride varnish can be a cost-effective treatment for managing the high prevalence of ECC in China. Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) at 38% is suggested to be effective in arresting ECC in China. It can be a simple, non-invasive and low-cost treatment. However, it stains caries black. Children and their parents must be well informed before SDF treatment.

Managing Early Childhood Caries for Young Children in China

PubMed Central

Chen, Kitty Jieyi; Duangthip, Duangporn; Lo, Edward Chin Man

2018-01-01

The latest national survey found that 70% of 5-year-old children in China had dental caries. The prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) may not only be attributed to poor oral hygiene and unhealthy diet, but also to limited access to and availability of dental care. The prevailing preventive measures adopted by industrialised countries for ECC management are neither practical nor affordable in China. Hence, an alternative approach to ECC management is necessary. Atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) has been advocated because the simple and short operative time renders ART affordable. However, the success rate of ART in restoring anterior primary teeth is unfavourable. Although there is no water fluoridation in China, topical fluorides may be used to manage ECC. Tooth brushing with fluoride toothpaste is effective for caries control, but not all toothpastes in China are fluoridated. Professionally applied fluorides such as sodium fluoride varnish can be a cost-effective treatment for managing the high prevalence of ECC in China. Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) at 38% is suggested to be effective in arresting ECC in China. It can be a simple, non-invasive and low-cost treatment. However, it stains caries black. Children and their parents must be well informed before SDF treatment. PMID:29385684

Impact of physical fitness and biometric data on the quality of external chest compression: a randomised, crossover trial

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background During circulatory arrest, effective external chest compression (ECC) is a key element for patient survival. In 2005, international emergency medical organisations changed their recommended compression-ventilation ratio (CVR) from 15:2 to 30:2 to acknowledge the vital importance of ECC. We hypothesised that physical fitness, biometric data and gender can influence the quality of ECC. Furthermore, we aimed to determine objective parameters of physical fitness that can reliably predict the quality of ECC. Methods The physical fitness of 30 male and 10 female healthcare professionals was assessed by cycling and rowing ergometry (focussing on lower and upper body, respectively). During ergometry, continuous breath-by-breath ergospirometric measurements and heart rate (HR) were recorded. All participants performed two nine-minute sequences of ECC on a manikin using CVRs of 30:2 and 15:2. We measured the compression and decompression depths, compression rates and assessed the participants' perception of exhaustion and comfort. The median body mass index (BMI; male 25.4 kg/m2 and female 20.4 kg/m2) was used as the threshold for subgroup analyses of participants with higher and lower BMI. Results HR during rowing ergometry at 75 watts (HR75) correlated best with the quality of ECC (r = -0.57, p < 0.05). Participants with a higher BMI and better physical fitness performed better and showed less fatigue during ECC. These results are valid for the entire cohort, as well as for the gender-based subgroups. The compressions of female participants were too shallow and more rapid (mean compression depth was 32 mm and rate was 117/min with a CVR of 30:2). For participants with a lower BMI and higher HR75, the compression depth decreased over time, beginning after four minutes for the 15:2 CVR and after three minutes for the 30:2 CVR. Although found to be more exhausting, a CVR of 30:2 was rated as being more comfortable. Conclusion The quality of the ECC and fatigue can both be predicted by BMI and physical fitness. An evaluation focussing on the upper body may be a more valid predictor of ECC quality than cycling based tests. Our data strongly support the recommendation to relieve ECC providers after two minutes. PMID:22053981

Relationship between Scanning Laser Polarimetry with Enhanced Corneal Compensation and with Variable Corneal Compensation

PubMed Central

Kim, Kyung Hoon; Choi, Jaewan; Lee, Chang Hwan; Cho, Beom-Jin; Kook, Michael S.

2008-01-01

Purpose To evaluate the structure-function relationships between retinal sensitivity measured by Humphrey visual field analyzer (HVFA) and the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measured by scanning laser polarimetry (SLP) with variable corneal compensation (VCC) and enhanced corneal compensation (ECC) in glaucomatous and healthy eyes. Methods Fifty-three eyes with an atypical birefringence pattern (ABP) based on SLP-VCC (28 glaucomatous eyes and 25 normal healthy eyes) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. RNFL thickness was measured by both VCC and ECC techniques, and the visual field was examined by HVFA with 24-2 full-threshold program. The relationships between RNFL measurements in superior and inferior sectors and corresponding retinal mean sensitivity were sought globally and regionally with linear regression analysis in each group. Coefficients of the determination were calculated and compared between VCC and ECC techniques. Results In eyes with ABP, R2 values for the association between SLP parameters and retinal sensitivity were 0.06-0.16 with VCC, whereas they were 0.21-0.48 with ECC. The association of RNFL thickness with retinal sensitivity was significantly better with ECC than with VCC in 5 out of 8 regression models between SLP parameters and HVF parameters (P<0.05). Conclusions The strength of the structure-function association was higher with ECC than with VCC in eyes with ABP, which suggests that the ECC algorithm is a better approach for evaluating the structure-function relationship in eyes with ABP. PMID:18323701

Lung Transplantation in Cystic Fibrosis and the Impact of Extracorporeal Circulation.

PubMed

Jauregui, Alberto; Deu, Maria; Romero, Laura; Roman, Antonio; Moreno, Antonio; Armengol, Manuel; Solé, Juan

2018-03-10

Lung disease is the major cause of death among cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, affecting 80% of the population. The impact of extracorporeal circulation (ECC) during transplantation has not been fully clarified. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of lung transplantation for CF in a single center, and to assess the impact of ECC on survival. We performed a retrospective observational study of all trasplanted CF patients in a single center between 1992 and 2011. During this period, 64 lung transplantations for CF were performed. Five- and 10-year survival of trasplanted patients was 56.7% and 41.3%, respectively. Pre-transplantation supplemental oxygen requirements and non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) do not seem to affect survival (P=.44 and P=.63, respectively). Five- and 10-year survival among patients who did not undergo ECC during transplantation was 75.69% and 49.06%, respectively, while in those did undergo ECC during the procedure, 5- and 10-year survival was 34.14% and 29.87%, respectively (P=.001). PaCO 2 is an independent risk factor for the need for ECC. The survival rates of CF patients undergoing lung transplantation in our hospital are similar to those described in international registries. Survival is lower among patients receiving ECC during the procedure. PaCO 2 is a risk factor for the need for ECC during lung transplantation. Copyright © 2018 SEPAR. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Evaluating the impact of a community developed collaborative project for the prevention of early childhood caries: the Healthy Smile Happy Child project.

PubMed

Schroth, Robert J; Edwards, Jeanette M; Brothwell, Douglas J; Yakiwchuk, Carol A; Bertone, Mary F; Mellon, Bernadette; Ward, Jennifer; Ellis, Marion; Hai-Santiago, Khalida; Lawrence, Herenia P; Moffatt, Michael E

2015-01-01

To determine the effectiveness of the Healthy Smile Happy Child (HSHC) project, a community-developed initiative promoting early childhood oral health in Manitoba, Canada. Specific aims were to assess improvements in caregiver knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours relating to early childhood oral health, and the burden of early childhood caries (ECC) and severe ECC (S-ECC). A serial cross-sectional study design was selected to contrast findings following the Healthy Smile Happy Child (HSHC) campaign in four communities with the previous baseline data. One community was a remote First Nation in northern Manitoba and another was a rural First Nation in southern Manitoba. The other two communities were urban centres, one of which was located in northern Manitoba. A community-development approach was adopted for the project to foster community solutions to address ECC. Goals of the HSHC program were to promote the project in each community, use existing community-based programs and services to deliver the oral health promotion and ECC prevention activities, and recruit and train natural leaders to assist in program development and to deliver the ECC prevention program. The HSHC coordinator worked with communities to develop a comprehensive list of potential strategies to address ECC. Numerous activities occurred in each community to engage members and increase their knowledge of early childhood oral health and ultimately lead them to adopt preventive oral health practices for their young children. Children under 71 months of age and their primary caregivers participated in this follow-up study. A -value ≤0.05 was statistically significant. 319 children (mean age 38.2±18.6 months) and their primary caregivers participated. Significant improvements in caregiver knowledge and attitudes were observed following the HSHC campaign, including that baby teeth are important (98.8%), that decay involving primary teeth can impact on health (94.3%), and the importance of a dental visit by the first birthday (82.4%). Significantly more respondents indicated that their child had visited the dentist (50.2%) and had started brushing their child's teeth (86.7%) when compared to baseline. Overall, 52.0% had ECC, 38.6% had S-ECC. The mean deft score was 3.85±4.97 (range 0-20). There was no significant change is ECC prevalence between the follow-up and baseline investigations. However, age-adjusted logistic regression for S-ECC in this follow-up study revealed a significant reduction in prevalence compared with the baseline study (=0.021). Similarly, age-adjusted Poisson regression revealed that there were significant reductions in both the decayed teeth and decayed, extracted and filled teeth scores between follow-up and baseline study periods (0.016 and .0001, respectively). Follow-up study results suggest that the HSHC initiative may have contributed to improvements in caregiver knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours towards early childhood oral health and subsequently modest yet statistically significant reductions in caries scores and the prevalence of S-ECC.

Assessing the Potential for Sediment Gravity-Driven Underflows at the Currently Active Mouth of the Huanghe Delta

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mullane, M.; Kumpf, L. L.; Kineke, G. C.

2017-12-01

The Huanghe (Yellow River), once known for extremely high suspended-sediment concentrations (SSCs) that could produce hyperpycnal plumes (10s of g/l), has experienced a dramatic reduction in sediment load following the construction of several reservoirs, namely the Xiaolangdi reservoir completed in 1999. Except for managed flushing events, SSC in the lower river is now on the order of 1 g/l or less. Adaptations of the Chezy equation for gravity-driven transport show that dominant parameters driving hyperpycnal underflows include concentration (and therefore density), thickness of a sediment-laden layer and bed slope. The objectives of this research were to assess the potential for gravity-driven underflows given modern conditions at the active river mouth. Multiple shore-normal transects were conducted during research cruises in mid-July of 2016 and 2017 using a Knudsen dual-frequency echosounder to collect bathymetric data and to document the potential presence of fluid mud layers. An instrumented profiling tripod equipped with a CTD, optical backscatterance sensor and in-situ pump system were used to sample water column parameters. SSCs were determined from near-bottom and surface water samples. Echosounder data were analyzed for bed slopes at the delta-front and differences in depth of return for the two frequencies (50 and 200 kHz), which could indicate fluid muds. Bathymetric data analysis yielded bed slope measurements near or above threshold values to produce gravity-driven underflows (0.46°). The maximum observed thickness of a potential fluid mud layer was 0.7 m, and the highest sampled near-bed SSCs were nearly 14 g/l for both field campaigns. These results indicate that the modern delta maintains potential for sediment gravity-driven underflows, even during ambient conditions prior to maximum summer discharge. These results will inform future work quantitatively comparing the contributions of all sediment dispersal mechanisms near the active Huanghe delta environment, including advection of the buoyant river plume and wave resuspension and transport by tidal currents.

Gravity-driven pH adjustment for site-specific protein pKa measurement by solution-state NMR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Wei

2017-12-01

To automate pH adjustment in site-specific protein pKa measurement by solution-state NMR, I present a funnel with two caps for the standard 5 mm NMR tube. The novelty of this simple-to-build and inexpensive apparatus is that it allows automatic gravity-driven pH adjustment within the magnet, and consequently results in a fully automated NMR-monitored pH titration without any hardware modification on the NMR spectrometer.

Evaluation of upper body muscle activity during cardiopulmonary resuscitation performance in simulated microgravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waye, A. B.; Krygiel, R. G.; Susin, T. B.; Baptista, R.; Rehnberg, L.; Heidner, G. S.; de Campos, F.; Falcão, F. P.; Russomano, T.

2013-09-01

Performance of efficient single-person cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is vital to maintain cardiac and cerebral perfusion during the 2-4 min it takes for deployment of advanced life support during a space mission. The aim of the present study was to investigate potential differences in upper body muscle activity during CPR performance at terrestrial gravity (+1Gz) and in simulated microgravity (μG). Muscle activity of the triceps brachii, erector spinae, rectus abdominis and pectoralis major was measured via superficial electromyography in 20 healthy male volunteers. Four sets of 30 external chest compressions (ECCs) were performed on a mannequin. Microgravity was simulated using a body suspension device and harness; the Evetts-Russomano (ER) method was adopted for CPR performance in simulated microgravity. Heart rate and perceived exertion via Borg scores were also measured. While a significantly lower depth of ECCs was observed in simulated microgravity, compared with +1Gz, it was still within the target range of 40-50 mm. There was a 7.7% decrease of the mean (±SEM) ECC depth from 48 ± 0.3 mm at +1Gz, to 44.3 ± 0.5 mm during microgravity simulation (p < 0.001). No significant difference in number or rate of compressions was found between the two conditions. Heart rate displayed a significantly larger increase during CPR in simulated microgravity than at +1Gz, the former presenting a mean (±SEM) of 23.6 ± 2.91 bpm and the latter, 76.6 ± 3.8 bpm (p < 0.001). Borg scores were 70% higher post-microgravity compressions (17 ± 1) than post +1Gz compressions (10 ± 1) (p < 0.001). Intermuscular comparisons showed the triceps brachii to have significantly lower muscle activity than each of the other three tested muscles, in both +1Gz and microgravity. As shown by greater Borg scores and heart rate increases, CPR performance in simulated microgravity is more fatiguing than at +1Gz. Nevertheless, no significant difference in muscle activity between conditions was found, a result that is favourable for astronauts, given the inevitable muscular and cardiovascular deconditioning that occurs during space travel.

Review of evaluation on ecological carrying capacity: The progress and trend of methodology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, S. F.; Xu, Y.; Liu, T. J.; Ye, J. M.; Pan, B. L.; Chu, C.; Peng, Z. L.

2018-02-01

The ecological carrying capacity (ECC) has been regarded as an important reference to indicate the level of regional sustainable development since the very beginning of twenty-first century. By a brief review of the main progress in ECC evaluation methodologies in recent five years, this paper systematically discusses the features and differences of these methods and expounds the current states and future development trend of ECC methodology. The result shows that further exploration in terms of the dynamic, comprehensive and intelligent assessment technologies needs to be provided in order to form a unified and scientific ECC methodology system and to produce a reliable basis for environmental-economic decision-makings.

Breastfeeding, Dental Biofilm Acidogenicity, and Early Childhood Caries.

PubMed

Neves, Pierre A M; Ribeiro, Cecília Claudia Costa; Tenuta, Livia Maria Andaló; Leitão, Tarcísio J; Monteiro-Neto, Valério; Nunes, Ana Margarida M; Cury, Jaime Aparecido

2016-01-01

This study evaluated the acidogenicity of human milk by the dental biofilms of children with and without early childhood caries (ECC). Biofilms of 16 children (7 with ECC; 9 caries free) were exposed to human milk or 10% sucrose solution in the crossover design, and the biofilm pH was determined. Breastfeeding did not provoke a decrease in biofilm pH, irrespective of the children's caries status, whereas sucrose decreased the pH for both groups. In addition, higher x0394;pH5min (pH variation occurring at 5 min) was observed in the biofilms of ECC children (p < 0.05). The results suggest that breastfeeding may not contribute to ECC. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Analysis on applicable error-correcting code strength of storage class memory and NAND flash in hybrid storage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsui, Chihiro; Kinoshita, Reika; Takeuchi, Ken

2018-04-01

A hybrid of storage class memory (SCM) and NAND flash is a promising technology for high performance storage. Error correction is inevitable on SCM and NAND flash because their bit error rate (BER) increases with write/erase (W/E) cycles, data retention, and program/read disturb. In addition, scaling and multi-level cell technologies increase BER. However, error-correcting code (ECC) degrades storage performance because of extra memory reading and encoding/decoding time. Therefore, applicable ECC strength of SCM and NAND flash is evaluated independently by fixing ECC strength of one memory in the hybrid storage. As a result, weak BCH ECC with small correctable bit is recommended for the hybrid storage with large SCM capacity because SCM is accessed frequently. In contrast, strong and long-latency LDPC ECC can be applied to NAND flash in the hybrid storage with large SCM capacity because large-capacity SCM improves the storage performance.

Dermatoglyphics: a genetic marker of early childhood caries.

PubMed

Anitha, C; Konde, Sapna; Raj, N Sunil; Kumar, N C; Peethamber, Preetha

2014-01-01

It is an accepted fact that genetics plays an important role in determination of palmar dermatoglyphic patterns. Since caries is a multifactorial disease with the influence of genetic pattern, this study was undertaken to explore the possibility of dermatoglyphics as a noninvasive and early predictor of dental caries in children, so as to initiate preventive oral health measures at an early age. The study group comprised of 200 children aged between 4 and 5 years. The dmfs score was evaluated. The experimental group (Group 1), comprised of 100 children with early childhood caries (ECC) with dmfs >5. The control group (Group 2) comprised of 100 children with dmfs score of 0. An increased frequency of ulnar loops in caries-free children and whorls in children with ECC was observed. Low mean atd angle and low mean. Total ridge count was observed in the ECC group. There is definite variation in dermatoglyphics between the ECC and caries-free group, indicating that dermatoglyphic patterns can be used as a predictive tool for children with ECC.

Sex differences in oxidative stress after eccentric and concentric exercise.

PubMed

Wiecek, Magdalena; Maciejczyk, Marcin; Szymura, Jadwiga; Szygula, Zbigniew

2017-11-01

Comparison of redox balance changes in the blood of women and men as a result of submaximal eccentric (ECC) and concentric (CONC) efforts. 10 women and 10 men performed three 45-minute submaximal treadmill runs at constant velocities (downhill run - ECC, uphill run - CONC and level run). Prior to the 45-minute exercises, after their completion and following 24 hours of recovery, the concentration of lactate, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), 3-nitrotyrosine, uric acid (UA) and the white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil (NEUT), lymphocyte (LYMPH) and monocyte content in the blood were determined. In women, the ox-LDL increased significantly 10 minutes and 24 hours following ECC (P < 0.05). 10 minutes after ECC, in women, there was an increase in WBC, NEUT and LYMPH (P < 0.05). In the men, WBC and NEUT increased significantly 24 hours after CONC and ECC (P < 0.05). UA in each determination was higher in the men than the women (P < 0.05). ECC cause impaired redox balance only in women. Due to the increase in antioxidant capacity of the blood without accompanying oxidative damage to macromolecules, for both sexes, it is recommended to perform concentric running efforts at the highest possible subliminal intensity.

Hypoplasia-associated Severe Early Childhood Caries – A Proposed Definition

PubMed Central

Caufield, P.W.; Li, Y.; Bromage, T.G.

2012-01-01

We propose a new classification of severe early childhood caries (S-ECC): hypoplasia-associated severe early childhood caries (HAS-ECC). This form of caries affects mostly young children living at or below poverty, characterized by structurally damaged primary teeth that are particularly vulnerable to dental caries. These predisposing developmental dental defects are mainly permutations of enamel hypoplasia (EHP). Anthropologists and dental researchers consider EHP an indicator for infant and maternal stresses including malnutrition, a variety of illnesses, and adverse birthing conditions. Differentiation of HAS-ECC from other forms of early childhood caries is warranted because of its distinct etiology, clinical presentation, and eventual management. Defining HAS-ECC has important clinical implications: Therapies that control or prevent other types of caries are likely to be less effective with HAS-ECC because the structural integrity of the teeth is compromised prior to their emergence into the oral cavity. By the time these children present to the dentist, the treatment options often become limited to surgical management under general anesthesia. To prevent HAS-ECC, dentists must partner with other health providers to develop interventions that begin with pregnant mothers, with the aim of eliminating or ameliorating the covariates accompanying poverty, including better pre- and post-natal care and nutrition. PMID:22529242

Photonic crystal beads from gravity-driven microfluidics.

PubMed

Gu, Hongcheng; Rong, Fei; Tang, Baocheng; Zhao, Yuanjin; Fu, Degang; Gu, Zhongze

2013-06-25

This Letter reports a simple method for the mass production of 3D colloidal photonic crystal beads (PCBs) by using a gravity-driven microfluidic device and online droplet drying method. Compared to traditional methods, the droplet templates of the PCBs are generated by using the ultrastable gravity as the driving force for the microfluidics, thus the PCBs are formed with minimal polydispersity. Moreover, drying of the droplet templates is integrated into the production process, and the nanoparticles in the droplets self-assemble online. Overall, this process results in PCBs with good morphology, low polydispersity, brilliant structural colors, and narrow stop bands. PCBs could be bulk generated by this process for many practical applications, such as multiplex-encoded assays and the construction of novel optical materials.

Multiple independent autonomous hydraulic oscillators driven by a common gravity head.

PubMed

Kim, Sung-Jin; Yokokawa, Ryuji; Lesher-Perez, Sasha Cai; Takayama, Shuichi

2015-06-15

Self-switching microfluidic circuits that are able to perform biochemical experiments in a parallel and autonomous manner, similar to instruction-embedded electronics, are rarely implemented. Here, we present design principles and demonstrations for gravity-driven, integrated, microfluidic pulsatile flow circuits. With a common gravity head as the only driving force, these fluidic oscillator arrays realize a wide range of periods (0.4 s-2 h) and flow rates (0.10-63 μl min(-1)) with completely independent timing between the multiple oscillator sub-circuits connected in parallel. As a model application, we perform systematic, parallel analysis of endothelial cell elongation response to different fluidic shearing patterns generated by the autonomous microfluidic pulsed flow generation system.

Within and between Population Variation in Epidermal Club Cell Investment in a Freshwater Prey Fish: A Cautionary Tale for Evolutionary Ecologists

PubMed Central

Manek, Aditya K.; Ferrari, Maud C. O.; Pollock, Robyn J.; Vicente, Daniel; Weber, Lynn P.; Chivers, Douglas P.

2013-01-01

Many prey fishes possess large club cells in their epidermis. The role of these cells has garnered considerable attention from evolutionary ecologists. These cells likely form part of the innate immune system of fishes, however, they also have an alarm function, releasing chemical cues that serve to warn nearby conspecifics of danger. Experiments aimed at understanding the selection pressures leading to the evolution of these cells have been hampered by a surprisingly large intraspecific variation in epidermal club cell (ECC) investment. The goal of our current work was to explore the magnitude and nature of this variation in ECC investment. In a field survey, we documented large differences in ECC investment both within and between several populations of minnows. We then tested whether we could experimentally reduce variation in mean ECC number by raising fish under standard laboratory conditions for 4 weeks. Fish from different populations responded very differently to being held under standard laboratory conditions; some populations showed an increase in ECC investment while others remained unchanged. More importantly, we found some evidence that we could reduce within population variation in ECC investment through time, but could not reduce among-population variation in mean ECC investment. Given the large variation we observed in wild fish and our limited ability to converge mean cell number by holding the fish under standard conditions, we caution that future studies may be hard pressed to find subtle effects of various experimental manipulations; this will make elucidating the selection pressures leading to the evolution of the cells challenging. PMID:23469175

Early childhood caries in preschool children of Kosovo - a serious public health problem

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Even though it has been widely studied, early childhood caries (ECC) remains a serious public health problem, especially in countries where there is no national program of oral health assessment and no genuine primary oral health care, such as in Kosovo. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of ECC and analyze caries risk factors. Methods The subjects were 1,008 preschool children, selected by stratified random cluster sampling, in the municipality of Prishtina, capital of Kosovo. Data were collected through clinical examination and interviews. Dmft data were recorded according to WHO criteria. Bacterial examination (CRT bacteria test) and plaque test of Greene-Vermillion were used. Results The mean dmft of preschool children was found to be 5.8. The prevalence of ECC was 17.36%, with a mean dmft of 11 ± 3.6. Streptococcus mutans prevalence in ECC children was 98%. A significant correlation between dmft and S mutans counts (≥105 CFU/mL saliva) was demonstrated. A correlation was also found between daily sweets consumption and dmft in children with ECC (P < 0.001). Comparing the dmft of ECC children and duration of bottle feeding showed a statistical correlation (P < 0.001). The mean plaque test was 1.52. None of the examined children had ever used fluoride. Conclusion The prevalence of ECC was high among preschool children in the municipality of Kosovo. We recommend increasing parents' knowledge of proper feeding habits and oral health practices, and increasing preschool children's accessibility to dental services. PMID:21184679

Quantitative assessment of salivary oral bacteria according to the severity of dental caries in childhood.

PubMed

Colombo, Natália H; Kreling, Paula F; Ribas, Laís F F; Pereira, Jesse A; Kressirer, Christine A; Klein, Marlise I; Tanner, Anne C R; Duque, Cristiane

2017-11-01

This study aimed to assess differences in selected oral bacteria in children according to the severity of dental caries. One hundred and thirty-six children, 36-60 months old were divided into three groups according to caries status: caries-free (CF) (n=47), early childhood caries (ECC) (n=40) and severe-early childhood caries (S-ECC) (n=49). Saliva was collected for detection and quantification of selected oral streptococci, Actinomyces naeslundii, Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., and Scardovia wiggsiae by quantitative-polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that the detection and quantitative levels of S. mutans, S. sobrinus, Bifidobacterium spp. and S. wiggsiae were significantly higher in S-ECC children compared to CF and ECC children, while for S. salivarius were significantly higher in CF compared to ECC and S-ECC children. There was no statistical difference among the clinical groups for S. mitis, S. oralis, A. naeslundii and Lactobacillus spp. levels and detection. S-ECC children had a lower monthly family income, started tooth brushing later and were breastfeed for a longer duration compared to CF children. S. mutans levels were positively correlated with S. wiggsiae and Bifidobacterium spp. levels, lower mother's education and child bottle-feeding before sleeping and negatively correlated with S. salivarius. It was concluded that in addition to S. mutans, other bacterial species, including bifidobacteria, Scardovia wiggsiae and S. sobrinus, are associated with severity of early childhood caries, although their role in the progress of dental caries remains unclear. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Emergency presentation of colon cancer is most frequent during summer.

PubMed

Gunnarsson, H; Holm, T; Ekholm, A; Olsson, L I

2011-06-01

The frequency of emergency colon cancer (ECC) was determined using a reproducible definition of 'emergency' to analyse the impact of mode of presentation on long-term prognosis and to search for risk factors for an emergency presentation. All patients with colon cancer treated at one Swedish GDH between 1996 and 2005 (N = 604) were eligible. Patients admitted through the emergency room, operated on within three days and with an emergency condition confirmed at surgery were classified as ECC. Survival was analysed by Kaplan-Meier estimates and risk of death by Cox regression. The rate of ECC was 97/585 (17%). Patients with ECC were older (median 77 vs 74, P = 0.02), they had more stage III and IV cancers (65%vs 47%; χ(2) = 9.4, P < 0.001) and had a cancer located in the caecum less often (20%vs 33%, χ(2) = 4.3 P = 0.04). ECC were most frequent between June and August (36%), whereas elective cases were evenly distributed throughout the year (χ(2) = 7.8; P = 0.049), Crude 5-year survival was 18% in ECC and 38% in the elective group (P < 0.001). The hazard ratio for death within five years in ECC, with 30-day mortality excluded and adjusted for age and sex was 2.25 (95% CI; 1.42-3.55). Emergency presentation of colon cancer is an independent and adverse risk factor for long-term survival. The causes of a seasonal variation need to be clarified. © 2011 The Authors. Colorectal Disease © 2011 The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland.

Cultivable Anaerobic Microbiota of Severe Early Childhood Caries▿¶

PubMed Central

Tanner, A. C. R.; Mathney, J. M. J.; Kent, R. L.; Chalmers, N. I.; Hughes, C. V.; Loo, C. Y.; Pradhan, N.; Kanasi, E.; Hwang, J.; Dahlan, M. A.; Papadopolou, E.; Dewhirst, F. E.

2011-01-01

Severe early childhood caries (ECC), while strongly associated with Streptococcus mutans using selective detection (culture, PCR), has also been associated with a widely diverse microbiota using molecular cloning approaches. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbiota of severe ECC using anaerobic culture. The microbial composition of dental plaque from 42 severe ECC children was compared with that of 40 caries-free children. Bacterial samples were cultured anaerobically on blood and acid (pH 5) agars. Isolates were purified, and partial sequences for the 16S rRNA gene were obtained from 5,608 isolates. Sequence-based analysis of the 16S rRNA isolate libraries from blood and acid agars of severe ECC and caries-free children had >90% population coverage, with greater diversity occurring in the blood isolate library. Isolate sequences were compared with taxon sequences in the Human Oral Microbiome Database (HOMD), and 198 HOMD taxa were identified, including 45 previously uncultivated taxa, 29 extended HOMD taxa, and 45 potential novel groups. The major species associated with severe ECC included Streptococcus mutans, Scardovia wiggsiae, Veillonella parvula, Streptococcus cristatus, and Actinomyces gerensceriae. S. wiggsiae was significantly associated with severe ECC children in the presence and absence of S. mutans detection. We conclude that anaerobic culture detected as wide a diversity of species in ECC as that observed using cloning approaches. Culture coupled with 16S rRNA identification identified over 74 isolates for human oral taxa without previously cultivated representatives. The major caries-associated species were S. mutans and S. wiggsiae, the latter of which is a candidate as a newly recognized caries pathogen. PMID:21289150

Scanning Laser Polarimetry with Variable and Enhanced Corneal Compensation in Normal and Glaucomatous Eyes

PubMed Central

Sehi, Mitra; Guaqueta, Delia C.; Feuer, William J.; Greenfield, David S.

2007-01-01

Purpose To investigate whether correction for atypical birefringence pattern (ABP) using scanning laser polarimetry with enhanced corneal compensation (SLP-ECC) reduces the severity of ABP compared with variable corneal compensation (SLP-VCC), and improves the correlation with visual function. Design Prospective observational study. Methods Normal and glaucomatous eyes enrolled from 4 clinical sites underwent complete examination, automated perimetry, SLP-ECC and SLP-VCC. Eyes were characterized in 3 groups based upon the typical scan score (TSS): normal birefringence pattern (NBP) was defined as TSS 80, mild ABP as TSS 61–79, moderate-severe ABP as TSS 60. For each of 4 SLP parameters the area under the ROC curve (AUROC) was calculated to compare the ability of SLP-ECC and SLP-VCC to discriminate between normal and glaucomatous eyes. Results Eighty-four normal volunteers and 45 glaucoma patients were enrolled. Mean TSS was significantly (p<0.001) greater using SLP-ECC (98.0 ± 6.6) compared to SLP-VCC (83.4 ± 22.5). The frequency of moderate-severe ABP images was significantly (p<0.001, McNemar test) higher using SLP-VCC (18 of 129, 14%) compared to SLP-ECC (1 of 129, 0.8%). Two SLP-ECC parameters (TSNIT average and inferior average) had significantly (p=0.01, p<0.001) higher correlation (r=0.45, r=0.50 respectively) with MD compared to SLP-VCC (r=0.34, r=0.37). Among eyes with moderate-severe ABP (N = 18), inferior average obtained using SLP-ECC had significantly (p=0.03) greater AUROC (0.91 ± 0.07) compared with SLP-VCC (0.78 ± 0.11). Conclusions SLP-ECC significantly reduces the frequency and severity of ABP compared to SLP-VCC and improves the correlation between RNFL measures and visual function. PMID:17157800

WHO Global Consultation on Public Health Intervention against Early Childhood Caries.

PubMed

Phantumvanit, Prathip; Makino, Yuka; Ogawa, Hiroshi; Rugg-Gunn, Andrew; Moynihan, Paula; Petersen, Poul Erik; Evans, Wendell; Feldens, Carlos Alberto; Lo, Edward; Khoshnevisan, Mohammad H; Baez, Ramon; Varenne, Benoit; Vichayanrat, Tippanart; Songpaisan, Yupin; Woodward, Margaret; Nakornchai, Siriruk; Ungchusak, Chantana

2018-06-01

Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is prevalent around the world, but in particular the disease is growing rapidly in low- and middle-income countries in parallel with changing diet and lifestyles. In many countries, ECC is often left untreated, a condition which leads to pain and adversely affects general health, growth and development, and quality of life of children, their families and their communities. Importantly, ECC is also a global public health burden, medically, socially and economically. In many countries, a substantial number of children require general anaesthesia for the treatment of caries in their primary teeth (usually extractions), and this has considerable cost and social implications. A WHO Global Consultation with oral health experts on "Public Health Intervention against Early Childhood Caries" was held on 26-28 January 2016 in Bangkok (Thailand) to identify public health solutions and to highlight their applicability to low- and middle-income countries. After a 3-day consultation, participants agreed on specific recommendations for further action. National health authorities should develop strategies and implement interventions aimed at preventing and controlling ECC. These should align with existing international initiatives such as the Sixtieth World Health Assembly Resolution WHA 60.17 Oral health: action plan for promotion and integrated disease prevention, WHO Guideline on Sugars and WHO breastfeeding recommendation. ECC prevention and control interventions should be integrated into existing primary healthcare systems. WHO public health principles must be considered when tackling the effect of social determinants in ECC. Initiatives aimed at modifying behaviour should focus on families and communities. The involvement of communities in health promotion, and population-directed and individual fluoride administration for the prevention and control of ECC is essential. Surveillance and research, including cost-effectiveness studies, should be conducted to evaluate interventions aimed at preventing ECC in different population groups. © 2018 The World Health Organization.

Effects of a combined protein and antioxidant supplement on recovery of muscle function and soreness following eccentric exercise.

PubMed

Ives, Stephen J; Bloom, Samuel; Matias, Alexs; Morrow, Noelle; Martins, Natalya; Roh, Yookee; Ebenstein, Daniel; O'Brien, Gabriel; Escudero, Daniela; Brito, Kevin; Glickman, Leah; Connelly, Scott; Arciero, Paul J

2017-01-01

An acute bout of eccentric contractions (ECC) cause muscle fiber damage, inflammation, impaired muscle function (MF) and muscle soreness (MS). Individually, protein (PRO) and antioxidant (AO) supplementation may improve some aspects of recovery from ECC, though have yet to be combined. We sought to determine if combined PRO and AO supplementation (PRO + AO) improves MS and MF following damaging ECC over PRO alone. Sixty sedentary college-aged males participated in a randomized, single-blind, parallel design study of peak isometric torque (PIMT), peak isokinetic torque (PIKT), thigh circumference (TC), and muscle soreness (MS) of knee extensor muscles measured at baseline, immediately after and 1, 2, 6, and 24 h after completion of 100 maximal ECC. Immediately, 6 h, and 22 h post-ECC, participants consumed either: carbohydrate control (CHO; n  = 14), PRO ( n  = 16), or PRO + AO ( n  = 17). At baseline MS, TC, MF, macro- and micro-nutrient intakes, and total work during the ECC were not different between groups ( p  > 0.05). PIMT and PIKT (both -25%∆), TC (~1%∆) and MS (~35%∆) all changed with time ( p  < 0.05). We observed a group by time effect for PIKT (PRO + AO and PRO > CHO, p  < 0.05). At 24 h post ECC, there was a trend towards improved relative PIMT (~11%) and PIKT (~17%) for PRO + AO (~17%) and PRO (~11%) compared to CHO. An interaction indicated PRO + AO had lowest MS over time (PRO + AO > PRO & CHO, p  < 0.05). Our results suggest PRO facilitates recovery of muscle function within 24 h following ECC, and addition of AO ameliorates MS more than PRO or CHO alone.

Magnetic field detector consisting of magnetic and semiconducting nanoparticles co-assembled in a liquid crystalline matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amaral, Jose; Rodarte, Andrea; Wan, Jacky; Ferri, Christopher; Quint, Makiko; Pandolfi, Ron; Scheibner, Michael; Hirst, Linda; Ghosh, Sayantani

2015-03-01

An exciting area of research is using nano-constituents to create artificial materials that are multifunctional and allow for modification post-fabrication and in situ. We are investigating the ensemble behavior of iron-oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) when dispersed in an electro-optically active liquid crystalline (LC) matrix. The directed assembly of NPs in the matrix is driven by the temperature-induced transition of the LC from the isotropic to the nematic phase as the NPs are mostly expelled into the isotropic regions, finally ending up clustered around LC defect points when the transition is complete. Our results show a two-fold intensity increase of QD photoluminescence intensity with low magnetic fields (less than 100 mT). We speculate this increase is due to MNP rearrangement which produces a compaction of the clusters, resulting in the detection of increased QD emission. The individual components work together to act as a magnetic field detector and since they are direct assembled in a LC medium, they could potentially be used in a wide range of fluid-based applications. This work was funded by NSF grants DMR-1056860 and ECC-1227034. This work was funded by NSF Grants DMR-1056860 and ECC-1227034.

Electrically Controllable Microparticle Synthesis and Digital Microfluidic Manipulation by Electric-Field-Induced Droplet Dispensing into Immiscible Fluids

PubMed Central

Um, Taewoong; Hong, Jiwoo; Im, Do Jin; Lee, Sang Joon; Kang, In Seok

2016-01-01

The dispensing of tiny droplets is a basic and crucial process in a myriad of applications, such as DNA/protein microarray, cell cultures, chemical synthesis of microparticles, and digital microfluidics. This work systematically demonstrates droplet dispensing into immiscible fluids through electric charge concentration (ECC) method. It exhibits three main modes (i.e., attaching, uniform, and bursting modes) as a function of flow rates, applied voltages, and gap distances between the nozzle and the oil surface. Through a conventional nozzle with diameter of a few millimeters, charged droplets with volumes ranging from a few μL to a few tens of nL can be uniformly dispensed into the oil chamber without reduction in nozzle size. Based on the features of the proposed method (e.g., formation of droplets with controllable polarity and amount of electric charge in water and oil system), a simple and straightforward method is developed for microparticle synthesis, including preparation of colloidosomes and fabrication of Janus microparticles with anisotropic internal structures. Finally, a combined system consisting of ECC-induced droplet dispensing and electrophoresis of charged droplet (ECD)-driven manipulation systems is constructed. This integrated platform will provide increased utility and flexibility in microfluidic applications because a charged droplet can be delivered toward the intended position by programmable electric control. PMID:27534580

Electrically Driven Liquid Film Boiling Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Didion, Jeffrey R.

2016-01-01

This presentation presents the science background and ground based results that form the basis of the Electrically Driven Liquid Film Boiling Experiment. This is an ISS experiment that is manifested for 2021. Objective: Characterize the effects of gravity on the interaction of electric and flow fields in the presence of phase change specifically pertaining to: a) The effects of microgravity on the electrically generated two-phase flow. b) The effects of microgravity on electrically driven liquid film boiling (includes extreme heat fluxes). Electro-wetting of the boiling section will repel the bubbles away from the heated surface in microgravity environment. Relevance/Impact: Provides phenomenological foundation for the development of electric field based two-phase thermal management systems leveraging EHD, permitting optimization of heat transfer surface area to volume ratios as well as achievement of high heat transfer coefficients thus resulting in system mass and volume savings. EHD replaces buoyancy or flow driven bubble removal from heated surface. Development Approach: Conduct preliminary experiments in low gravity and ground-based facilities to refine technique and obtain preliminary data for model development. ISS environment required to characterize electro-wetting effect on nucleate boiling and CHF in the absence of gravity. Will operate in the FIR - designed for autonomous operation.

Phase-field modelling of β(Ti) solidification in Ti-45at.%Al: columnar dendrite growth at various gravity levels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Viardin, A.; Berger, R.; Sturz, L.; Apel, M.; Hecht, U.

2016-03-01

The effect of solutal convection on the solidification of γ titanium aluminides, specifically on β(Ti) dendrite growth, is not well known. With the aim of supporting directional solidification experiments under hyper-gravity using a large diameter centrifuge, 2D-phase field simulations of β(Ti) dendrite growth have been performed for the binary alloy Ti-45at.%Al and various gravity scenarios. Both, the direction and magnitude of the gravity vector were varied systematically in order to reveal the subtle interplay between the convective flow pattern and mushy zone characteristics. In this presentation, gravity effects are discussed for early dendrite growth. For selected cases the evolution on longer timescales is also analyse of and oscillatory modes leading to dynamically stable steady state growth are outlined. In a dedicated simulation series forced flow is superimposed, as to mimic thermally driven fluid flow expected to establish on the macroscopic scale (sample size) in the centrifugal experiments. Above a certain threshold this flow turns dominant and precludes solutally driven convective effects.

Biological patterns: Novel indicators for pharmacological assays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Jacqueline U.

1991-01-01

Variable gravity testing using the KC-135 demonstrated clearly that biological pattern formation was definitely shown to result from gravity alone, and not from oxygen gradients in solution. Motile pattern formation of spermatozoa are driven by alternate mechanisms, and apparently not affected by short-term changes in gravity. The chemical effects found appear to be secondary to the primary effect of gravity. Cryopreservation may be the remedy to the problem of 'spare' or 'standing order' biological samples for testing of space lab investigations, but further studies are necessary.

Power Transfer in Physical Systems.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kaeck, Jack A.

1990-01-01

Explores the power transfer using (1) a simple electric circuit consisting of a power source with internal resistance; (2) two different mechanical systems (gravity driven and constant force driven); (3) ecological examples; and (4) a linear motor. (YP)

The Association between Cariogenic Factors and the Occurrence of Early Childhood Caries in Children from Salem District of India.

PubMed

Stephen, Arokiaraj; Krishnan, Ramesh; Chalakkal, Paul

2017-07-01

Various aetiological factors for Early Childhood Caries (ECC) have been suggested in literature, but the role of each factor has been disputed in various studies. To evaluate the association between ECC and its related factors in children between three to six years of age, from rural, semi-urban and urban schools in the district of Salem (India). The study consisted of children between three to six years of age, selected randomly from schools in semi-urban, urban and rural schools at Salem. Questionnaire (comprising of the factors associated with ECC) and parental consent forms were sent to each of the parents of the school children. Filled questionnaires and parental consent forms were obtained from a total of 2771 children, out of which 1771 were boys and 1000 were girls. Clinical examination for ECC was carried out according to the WHO criteria, by a single examiner and an assistant to eliminate inter-examiner variability. Statistical analysis was carried out using the student's independent t-test and ANOVA (one way analysis of variance). Out of a total of 2771 children examined, only 443 (315 boys and 128 girls) children were found to have ECC (16 %). Significant correlations were found between the occurrence of ECC and various factors like age of parents, number of siblings, on-demand breast feeding and bottle feeding habits and sweetened pacifier use. However, factors such as age and gender of the child, type of birth and duration of pregnancy, had no significant correlation with the occurrence of ECC. The need for educating parents on the ill effects of improper breast feeding and bottle feeding habits is important.

Heavy Slow Resistance Versus Eccentric Training as Treatment for Achilles Tendinopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Beyer, Rikke; Kongsgaard, Mads; Hougs Kjær, Birgitte; Øhlenschlæger, Tommy; Kjær, Michael; Magnusson, S Peter

2015-07-01

Previous studies have shown that eccentric training has a positive effect on Achilles tendinopathy, but few randomized controlled trials have compared it with other loading-based treatment regimens. To evaluate the effectiveness of eccentric training (ECC) and heavy slow resistance training (HSR) among patients with midportion Achilles tendinopathy. Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. A total of 58 patients with chronic (>3 months) midportion Achilles tendinopathy were randomized to ECC or HSR for 12 weeks. Function and symptoms (Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles), tendon pain during activity (visual analog scale), tendon swelling, tendon neovascularization, and treatment satisfaction were assessed at 0 and 12 weeks and at the 52-week follow-up. Analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis. Both groups showed significant (P < .0001) improvements in Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles and visual analog scale from 0 to 12 weeks, and these improvements were maintained at the 52-week follow-up. Concomitant with the clinical improvement, there was a significant reduction in tendon thickness and neovascularization. None of these robust clinical and structural improvements differed between the ECC and HSR groups. However, patient satisfaction tended to be greater after 12 weeks with HSR (100%) than with ECC (80%; P = .052) but not after 52 weeks (HSR, 96%; ECC, 76%; P = .10), and the mean training session compliance rate was 78% in the ECC group and 92% in the HSR group, with a significant difference between groups (P < .005). The results of this study show that both traditional ECC and HSR yield positive, equally good, lasting clinical results in patients with Achilles tendinopathy and that the latter tends to be associated with greater patient satisfaction after 12 weeks but not after 52 weeks. © 2015 The Author(s).

Safety profile comparison between extemporaneous and a licensed preparation of caffeine citrate in preterm infants with apnea of prematurity.

PubMed

Vatlach, Scarlet; Arand, Joerg; Engel, Corinna; Poets, Christian F

2014-01-01

Given the lack of a licensed product (LP), extemporaneous caffeine citrate (ECC) has been used by many hospital pharmacies. Since July 2011, an LP has been available in Germany. We prospectively compared the safety profile of ECC and LP in preterm infants with apnea of prematurity. Between April 2010 and April 2013, selected side effects occurring with ECC or LP were documented in 6 German NICUs for infants ≤34 weeks' gestation using a longitudinal study design. The software developed for daily prescriptions in NICU residents requires entries if any of the following symptoms occurred during the last 24 h: tachycardia (resting heart rate >200/min), clinical or encephalographic seizures, gastric residuals, vomiting, or necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). ECC and LP were administered at identical doses (20 mg/kg/day loading, 5-10 mg/kg/day maintenance) and in similar formulations either orally or intravenously. 562 infants with 14,590 treatment days on ECC and 538 infants with 12,813 treatment days on LP were evaluated. The mean gestational age was similar (29.20 weeks for ECC vs. 29.14 weeks for LP). No relevant differences were seen concerning tachycardia, gastric residuals, or vomiting, but ECC was associated with a higher risk of NEC (risk ratio: 2.68, 95% CI: 1.01-7.23, p = 0.047) and, albeit not significantly so, seizures (risk ratio: 1.91, 95% CI: 0.53-6.96, p = 0.35). This survey demonstrates a similar safety profile for both forms of caffeine citrate. The lower NEC and seizure rate seen with the LP is intriguing, but requires confirmation in a controlled study design. © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Countermovement jump height: gender and sport-specific differences in the force-time variables.

PubMed

Laffaye, Guillaume; Wagner, Phillip P; Tombleson, Tom I L

2014-04-01

The goal of this study was to assess (a) the eccentric rate of force development, the concentric force, and selected time variables on vertical performance during countermovement jump, (b) the existence of gender differences in these variables, and (c) the sport-specific differences. The sample was composed of 189 males and 84 females, all elite athletes involved in college and professional sports (primarily football, basketball, baseball, and volleyball). The subjects performed a series of 6 countermovement jumps on a force plate (500 Hz). Average eccentric rate of force development (ECC-RFD), total time (TIME), eccentric time (ECC-T), Ratio between eccentric and total time (ECC-T:T) and average force (CON-F) were extracted from force-time curves and the vertical jumping performance, measured by impulse momentum. Results show that CON-F (r = 0.57; p < 0.001) and ECC-RFD (r = 0.52, p < 0.001) are strongly correlated with the jump height (JH), whereas the time variables are slightly and negatively correlated (r = -0.21-0.23, p < 0.01). Force variables differ between both sexes (p < 0.01), whereas time variables did not differ, showing a similar temporal structure. The best way to jump high is to increase CON-F and ECC-RFD thus minimizing the ECC-T. Principal component analysis (PCA) accounted for 76.8% of the JH variance and revealed that JH is predicted by a temporal and a force component. Furthermore, the PCA comparison made among athletes revealed sport-specific signatures: volleyball players revealed a temporal-prevailing profile, a weak-force with large ECC-T:T for basketball players and explosive and powerful profiles for football and baseball players.

Impact of early childhood caries and its treatment under general anesthesia on orofacial function and quality of life : A prospective comparative study.

PubMed

Collado, V; Pichot, H; Delfosse, C; Eschevins, C; Nicolas, E; Hennequin, M

2017-05-01

Early Childhood Caries (ECC) has become a major public health concern worldwide, mostly affecting children from disadvantaged families in increasingly severe forms. This condition has been frequently reported to alter children's nutrition, growth and general development. It negatively impacts their quality of life, through painful episodes and severe eating difficulties. While this period is crucial for oral praxes development, the impact of dental state on oro-facial functions is poorly documented. This study evaluated the impact of ECC and its treatment under general anesthesia on oro-facial functions and quality of life in pre-school children. The dysfunction and quality of life scores from 25 children with ECC were evaluated before treatment (T0), one month (T1) and three months after treatment (T2), using the Nordic Orofacial Test-Screening (NOT-S) and the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS), respectively, in comparison with 16 caries-free children. The number and extent of inter-arch dental contacts were also observed. The pre-operative higher NOT-S score observed in children with ECC decreased to reach the control level at T2. The mastication item was the most affected in the ECC group throughout the study. Their mean ECOHIS score also significantly decreased post-operatively and differences remaining between both groups were no longer clinically relevant. In addition, in children with ECC, values of functional inter-arch surfaces tended to increase over the follow-up period. Oro-facial functions and quality of life, altered by ECC, could be restored through a conservative treatment approach. Relations between dental state, orofacial functions and particularly chewing, and nutrition should be investigated further.

Magnetisation switching of ECC grains in microwave-assisted magnetic recording

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Greaves, Simon John; Muraoka, Hiroaki; Kanai, Yasushi

2018-05-01

Microwave-assisted magnetic recording was investigated using a planar write head and exchange-coupled composite (ECC) media. When recording on ECC media using a planar head field distribution and the high frequency field generated by a spin torque oscillator it was possible to switch the media magnetisation into the opposite direction to the head field, i.e. the media effectively had a negative coercive field. The conditions for this effect to occur are discussed.

[Reliability of endocervical curettage after conservative treatment of intraepithelial neoplasia of the cervix].

PubMed

Lecointre, L; Akladios, C-Y; Averous, G; Lefebvre, F; Baulon, E; Thoma, V; Fender, M; Baldauf, J-J

2015-02-01

To evaluate the reliability of endocervical curettage (ECC) in patients previously treated for CIN. Retrospective analysis of data from 85 patients between January 1985 and December 2011 who received an ECC during monitoring after treatment of CIN. The reliability of the ECC was evaluated by comparison with the final histological analysis of the surgical specimen or the data for subsequent cyto-colpo-histological follow-up. Patients were referred to colposcopy either within the immediate post-treatment monitoring (n=42), meanly 9.7±5.3 months after treatment, or if cytological abnormalities were detected during long-term monitoring, meanly 78.6±52.4 months after treatment. Colposcopy was unsatisfactory in 75.3% of patients and normal colposcopic findings were found in 80% of patients. A perfect agreement between the ECC and the endocervical final diagnosis was noted in 68 patients (80%). For the diagnosis of severe cervical lesions (CIN 2+) ECC had a sensitivity of 86.2% (68.3-96.1), a specificity of 94.6% (85.1-98.9) and positive and negative predictive values of 61.4% (47.6-74.0) and 93% (83.0-98.1), respectively. The high sensitivity and negative predictive value of ECC for the diagnosis of severe post-therapeutic endocervical lesions avoid iterative treatment without increasing the risk of progression of a lesion to cancer. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Protective effect of stilbenes containing extract-fraction from Cajanus cajan L. on Abeta(25-35)-induced cognitive deficits in mice.

PubMed

Ruan, Can-Jun; Si, Jian-Yong; Zhang, Li; Chen, Di-Hua; Du, Guan-Hua; Su, Lan

2009-12-25

Cajanus cajan (L.) is a traditional Chinese herb medicine which contains a lot of potential active components. In the present study, we identified the effects of the stilbenes containing extract-fraction from C. cajan L. (sECC) on Abeta(25-35)-induced cognitive deficits, oxidative stress and cholinergic dysfunction in mice. Mice were treated with sECC (100 and 200mg/kg/d) for 1-week, and then received a single intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of Abeta(25-35) (5mug/mice). Behavioral changes and neuron apoptosis in mice were evaluated using Morris water maze and TUNEL tests. Furthermore, superoxide dismutase (SOD), choline acetyl transferase (ChAT) and acetylcholine esterase (AchE) activity in hippocampus and cortex were analyzed by spectrophotometric method. The data showed that consumption of sECC (200mg/kg) significantly ameliorated the cognitive deficits and neuron apoptosis caused by i.c.v. injection of Abeta(25-35). At the same time, the decreased SOD and ChAT activity in hippocampus and cortex were markedly increased by sECC (200mg/kg). sECC has no effect on AchE activity in hippocampus and cortex. These findings suggest that sECC may be a potential candidate for the development of therapeutic agents to manage cognitive impairment associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) through increasing the activity of ChAT and anti-oxidative mechanism.

Extensible Computational Chemistry Environment

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

2012-08-09

ECCE provides a sophisticated graphical user interface, scientific visualization tools, and the underlying data management framework enabling scientists to efficiently set up calculations and store, retrieve, and analyze the rapidly growing volumes of data produced by computational chemistry studies. ECCE was conceived as part of the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory construction to solve the problem of researchers being able to effectively utilize complex computational chemistry codes and massively parallel high performance compute resources. Bringing the power of these codes and resources to the desktops of researcher and thus enabling world class research without users needing a detailed understanding of themore » inner workings of either the theoretical codes or the supercomputers needed to run them was a grand challenge problem in the original version of the EMSL. ECCE allows collaboration among researchers using a web-based data repository where the inputs and results for all calculations done within ECCE are organized. ECCE is a first of kind end-to-end problem solving environment for all phases of computational chemistry research: setting up calculations with sophisticated GUI and direct manipulation visualization tools, submitting and monitoring calculations on remote high performance supercomputers without having to be familiar with the details of using these compute resources, and performing results visualization and analysis including creating publication quality images. ECCE is a suite of tightly integrated applications that are employed as the user moves through the modeling process.« less

Study of Impact Damage in PVA-ECC Beam under Low-Velocity Impact Loading Using Piezoceramic Transducers and PVDF Thin-Film Transducers.

PubMed

Qi, Baoxin; Kong, Qingzhao; Qian, Hui; Patil, Devendra; Lim, Ing; Li, Mo; Liu, Dong; Song, Gangbing

2018-02-24

Compared to conventional concrete, polyvinyl alcohol fiber reinforced engineering cementitious composite (PVA-ECC) offers high-strength, ductility, formability, and excellent fatigue resistance. However, impact-induced structural damage is a major concern and has not been previously characterized in PVA-ECC structures. We investigate the damage of PVA-ECC beams under low-velocity impact loading. A series of ball-drop impact tests were performed at different drop weights and heights to simulate various impact energies. The impact results of PVA-ECC beams were compared with mortar beams. A combination of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) thin-film sensors and piezoceramic-based smart aggregate were used for impact monitoring, which included impact initiation and crack evolution. Short-time Fourier transform (STFT) of the signal received by PVDF thin-film sensors was performed to identify impact events, while active-sensing approach was utilized to detect impact-induced crack evolution by the attenuation of a propagated guided wave. Wavelet packet-based energy analysis was performed to quantify failure development under repeated impact tests.

Augmented lymphocyte expansion from solid tumors with engineered cells for costimulatory enhancement

PubMed Central

Friedman, Kevin M; DeVillier, Laura E; Feldman, Steven A; Rosenberg, Steven A; Dudley, Mark E

2011-01-01

Treatment of patients with adoptive T cell therapy requires expansion of unique tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) cultures from single cell suspensions processed from melanoma biopsies. Strategies which increase the expansion and reliability of TIL generation from tumor digests are necessary to improve access to TIL therapy. Prior work evaluated artificial antigen presenting cells (aAPCs) for their antigen-specific and costimulatory properties. We investigated engineered cells for co-stimulatory enhancement (ECCE) consisting of K562 cells which express 4-1BBL in the absence of artificial antigen stimulation. ECCE accelerated TIL expansion and significantly improved TIL numbers (p=0.001) from single cell melanoma suspensions. TIL generated with ECCE contain significantly more CD8+CD62L+ and CD8+CD27+ T cells then comparable IL-2-expanded TIL and maintained anti-tumor reactivity. Moreover, ECCE improved TIL expansion from non-melanoma cell suspensions similar to that seen with melanoma tumors. These data demonstrate that ECCE addition to TIL production will enable treatment of patients ineligible using current methods. PMID:21989413

Study of Impact Damage in PVA-ECC Beam under Low-Velocity Impact Loading Using Piezoceramic Transducers and PVDF Thin-Film Transducers

PubMed Central

Qian, Hui; Li, Mo; Liu, Dong; Song, Gangbing

2018-01-01

Compared to conventional concrete, polyvinyl alcohol fiber reinforced engineering cementitious composite (PVA-ECC) offers high-strength, ductility, formability, and excellent fatigue resistance. However, impact-induced structural damage is a major concern and has not been previously characterized in PVA-ECC structures. We investigate the damage of PVA-ECC beams under low-velocity impact loading. A series of ball-drop impact tests were performed at different drop weights and heights to simulate various impact energies. The impact results of PVA-ECC beams were compared with mortar beams. A combination of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) thin-film sensors and piezoceramic-based smart aggregate were used for impact monitoring, which included impact initiation and crack evolution. Short-time Fourier transform (STFT) of the signal received by PVDF thin-film sensors was performed to identify impact events, while active-sensing approach was utilized to detect impact-induced crack evolution by the attenuation of a propagated guided wave. Wavelet packet-based energy analysis was performed to quantify failure development under repeated impact tests. PMID:29495277

Novel Antihypertensive Prodrug from Grape Seed Proanthocyanidin Extract via Acid-Mediated Depolymerization in the Presence of Captopril: Synthesis, Process Optimization, and Metabolism in Rats.

PubMed

Cui, Can; Shi, Ailong; Bai, Shuang; Yan, Pengyu; Li, Qing; Bi, Kaishun

2018-04-11

Grape seed extract contains a high content of proanthocyanidins that can be depolymerized into C-4-substituted (epi)catechin derivatives in the presence of nucleophiles. However, the biological and medicinal values of depolymerization products have been rarely investigated. Recently, we developed a novel depolymerization product (-)-epicatechin-4β- S-captopril methyl ester (ECC) derived from the reaction of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract with captopril in the presence of acidified methanol. A central composite design was employed to select the most appropriate depolymerization temperature and time to obtain the target product ECC with a high yield. A total of 16 metabolites of ECC in rat urine, feces, and plasma were identified using liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry. The in vivo results suggested that ECC could release captopril methyl ester and epicatechin, followed by the generation of further metabolites captopril and epicatechin sulfate conjugates. Therefore, ECC may be used as a potential prodrug with synergistic or additive hypotensive effects.

Low-gravity fluid flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ostrach, S.

1982-01-01

The behavior of fluids in micro-gravity conditions is examined, with particular regard to applications in the growth of single crystals. The effects of gravity on fluid behavior are reviewed, and the advent of Shuttle flights are noted to offer extended time for experimentation and processing in a null-gravity environment, with accelerations resulting solely from maneuvering rockets. Buoyancy driven flows are considered for the cases stable-, unstable-, and mixed-mode convection. Further discussion is presented on g-jitter, surface-tension gradient, thermoacoustic, and phase-change convection. All the flows are present in both gravity and null gravity conditions, although the effects of buoyancy and g-jitter convection usually overshadow the other effects while in a gravity field. Further work is recommended on critical-state and sedimentation processes in microgravity conditions.

Children with severe early childhood caries: streptococci genetic strains within carious and white spot lesions.

PubMed

Gilbert, Kenneth; Joseph, Raphael; Vo, Alex; Patel, Trusha; Chaudhry, Samiya; Nguyen, Uyen; Trevor, Amy; Robinson, Erica; Campbell, Margaret; McLennan, John; Houran, Farielle; Wong, Tristan; Flann, Kendra; Wages, Melissa; Palmer, Elizabeth A; Peterson, John; Engle, John; Maier, Tom; Machida, Curtis A

2014-01-01

Mutans streptococci (MS) are one of the major microbiological determinants of dental caries. The objectives of this study are to identify distinct MS and non-MS streptococci strains that are located at carious sites and non-carious enamel surfaces in children with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC), and assess if cariogenic MS and non-cariogenic streptococci might independently exist as primary bacterial strains on distinct sites within the dentition of individual children. Dental plaque from children (N=20; aged 3-6) with S-ECC was collected from carious lesions (CLs), white spot lesions (WSLs) and non-carious enamel surfaces. Streptococcal isolates (N=10-20) from each site were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify MS, and arbitrarily primed-PCR for assignment of genetic strains. Primary strains were identified as ≥50% of the total isolates surveyed at any site. In several cases, strains were characterized for acidurity using ATP-driven bioluminescence and subjected to PCR-determination of potential MS virulence products. Identification of non-MS was determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Sixty-four independent MS or non-MS streptococcal strains were identified. All children contained 1-6 strains. In many patients (N=11), single primary MS strains were identified throughout the dentition. In other patients (N=4), primary MS strains were identified within CLs that were distinct from primary strains found on enamel. Streptococcus gordonii strains were identified as primary strains on enamel or WSLs in four children, and in general were less aciduric than MS strains. Many children with S-ECC contained only a single primary MS strain that was present in both carious and non-carious sites. In some cases, MS and non-cariogenic S. gordonii strains were found to independently exist as dominant strains at different locations within the dentition of individual children, and the aciduric potential of these strains may influence susceptibility in the development of CLs.

Importance of eccentric actions in performance adaptations to resistance training

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dudley, Gary A.; Miller, Bruce J.; Buchanan, Paul; Tesch, Per A.

1991-01-01

The importance of eccentric (ecc) muscle actions in resistance training for the maintenance of muscle strength and mass in hypogravity was investigated in experiments in which human subjects, divided into three groups, were asked to perform four-five sets of 6 to 12 repetitions (rep) per set of three leg press and leg extension exercises, 2 days each weeks for 19 weeks. One group, labeled 'con', performed each rep with only concentric (con) actions, while group con/ecc with performed each rep with only ecc actions; the third group, con/con, performed twice as many sets with only con actions. Control subjects did not train. It was found that resistance training wih both con and ecc actions induced greater increases in muscle strength than did training with only con actions.

Innovation in pediatric clinical education: application of the essential competencies.

PubMed

Kenyon, Lisa K; Birkmeier, Marisa; Anderson, Deborah K; Martin, Kathy

2015-01-01

At the Section on Pediatrics Education Summit in July 2012, consensus was achieved on 5 essential core competencies (ECCs) that represent a knowledge base essential to all graduates of professional physical therapist education programs. This article offers suggestions for how clinical instructors (CIs) might use the ECCs to identify student needs and guide student learning during a pediatric clinical education experience. Pediatric CIs potentially might choose to use the ECCs as a reference tool in clinical education to help (1) organize and develop general, clinic-specific clinical education objectives, (2) develop and plan individualized student learning experiences, (3) identify student needs, and (4) show progression of student learning from beginner to intermediate to entry level. The ECCs may offer CIs insights into the role of pediatric clinical education in professional physical therapist education.

A hybrid Rayleigh-Taylor-current-driven coupled instability in a magnetohydrodynamically collimated cylindrical plasma with lateral gravity

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

Zhai, Xiang, E-mail: xzhai@caltech.edu; Bellan, Paul M., E-mail: pbellan@caltech.edu

We present an MHD theory of Rayleigh-Taylor instability on the surface of a magnetically confined cylindrical plasma flux rope in a lateral external gravity field. The Rayleigh-Taylor instability is found to couple to the classic current-driven instability, resulting in a new type of hybrid instability that cannot be described by either of the two instabilities alone. The lateral gravity breaks the axisymmetry of the system and couples all azimuthal modes together. The coupled instability, produced by combination of helical magnetic field, curvature of the cylindrical geometry, and lateral gravity, is fundamentally different from the classic magnetic Rayleigh-Taylor instability occurring atmore » a two-dimensional planar interface. The theory successfully explains the lateral Rayleigh-Taylor instability observed in the Caltech plasma jet experiment [Moser and Bellan, Nature 482, 379 (2012)]. Potential applications of the theory include magnetic controlled fusion, solar emerging flux, solar prominences, coronal mass ejections, and other space and astrophysical plasma processes.« less

Prevalence and risk factors of caregiver reported Severe Early Childhood Caries in Manitoba First Nations children: results from the RHS Phase 2 (2008–2010)

PubMed Central

Schroth, Robert J.; Halchuk, Shelley; Star, Leona

2013-01-01

Objectives The high prevalence and severity of caries among Canadian First Nations children is a growing concern. Dental surgery in hospital is often necessary to treat the signs of decay but does not address the underlying factors contributing to its development. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of caregiver-reported Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (BBTD), or Severe Early Childhood Caries (S-ECC), among preschool children recruited in Phase 2 of the First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey (RHS). Study Design Cross-sectional study including interviews with caregivers. Methods This study was limited to data from Manitoba First Nations participating in the RHS Phase 2 (2008–10). Data were restricted to caregiver interviews for their child <72 months of age. The main variable of interest was caregiver-reported BBTD, an antecedent term for S-ECC. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses; p≤0.05 was significant. Results Overall, caregivers of 431 preschool children responded. According to caregiver reports, 102/410 (24.9%) children had S-ECC. Further, 65.0% responded that their child had already undergone treatment for caries. Children with S-ECC were significantly older than those without. S-ECC was also associated with paternal education levels and employment status, and maternal smoking during pregnancy. Breastfed children were less likely to have S-ECC, while consuming drink crystal beverages in bottles, and daily intake of soft drinks, juice, sweets and fast food were associated with increased risk. Those who reported that healthcare services were not available and were not culturally appropriate were significantly more likely to have children with S-ECC. Conclusions Caregiver reports suggest that nearly 1 in every 4 children has been affected by S-ECC. Identified risk factors for Manitoba First Nations children included age, education and employment, dietary practices, access to care, and disruption to family and culture. This local evidence can be used to help inform future caries prevention activities in these Manitoba communities. PMID:23984289

Prevalence and risk factors of caregiver reported Severe Early Childhood Caries in Manitoba First Nations children: results from the RHS Phase 2 (2008-2010).

PubMed

Schroth, Robert J; Halchuk, Shelley; Star, Leona

2013-01-01

The high prevalence and severity of caries among Canadian First Nations children is a growing concern. Dental surgery in hospital is often necessary to treat the signs of decay but does not address the underlying factors contributing to its development. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of caregiver-reported Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (BBTD), or Severe Early Childhood Caries (S-ECC), among preschool children recruited in Phase 2 of the First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey (RHS). Cross-sectional study including interviews with caregivers. This study was limited to data from Manitoba First Nations participating in the RHS Phase 2 (2008-10). Data were restricted to caregiver interviews for their child < 72 months of age. The main variable of interest was caregiver-reported BBTD, an antecedent term for S-ECC. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses; p ≤ 0.05 was significant. Overall, caregivers of 431 preschool children responded. According to caregiver reports, 102/410 (24.9%) children had S-ECC. Further, 65.0% responded that their child had already undergone treatment for caries. Children with S-ECC were significantly older than those without. S-ECC was also associated with paternal education levels and employment status, and maternal smoking during pregnancy. Breastfed children were less likely to have S-ECC, while consuming drink crystal beverages in bottles, and daily intake of soft drinks, juice, sweets and fast food were associated with increased risk. Those who reported that healthcare services were not available and were not culturally appropriate were significantly more likely to have children with S-ECC. Caregiver reports suggest that nearly 1 in every 4 children has been affected by S-ECC. Identified risk factors for Manitoba First Nations children included age, education and employment, dietary practices, access to care, and disruption to family and culture. This local evidence can be used to help inform future caries prevention activities in these Manitoba communities.

Comparison of STOIC 1989 ground-based lidar, microwave spectrometer, and Dobson spectrophotometer Umkehr ozone profiles with ozone profiles from balloon-borne elecrochemical concentration cell ozonesondes

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

Komhyr, W.D.; McDermid, I.S.; Margitan, J.J.

1995-05-20

Ground-based measurements of stratospheric ozone using a Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) lidar, a NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) lidar, a Millitech Corporation/NASA Langley Research Center (Millitech/LaRC) microwave spectrometer, and a NOAA Dobson ozone spectrophotometer were compared with in situ measurements made quasi-simultaneously with balloon-borne electrochemical concentration cell (ECC) ozonesondes during 10 days of the Stratospheric Ozone Intercomparison Campaign (STOIC). Within the altitude range of 20-32 km, ozone measurement precisions were estimated to be {+-}0.6 to {+-}1.2% for the JPL lidar, {+-}0.7% for the GSFC lidar, {+-}4% for the microwave spectrometer, and {+-}3% for the NOAA ECC ozonesonde instruments. Thesemore » precisions decreased in the 32 to 38.6-km altitude range to {+-}1.3, {+-}1.5 and {+-}3% to {+-}10% for the JPL lidar, GSFC lidar, and the ECC sondes, respectively, but remained at {+-}4% for the microwave radiometer, and {+-}5% for the ECC ozonesondes. The accuracies decreased in the 32 to 38.6-km altitude range to {+-}2.6, {+-}3.0, {+-}7, and 1{+-}4% to {minus}4{+-}10% for the JPL lidar, the GSFC lidar, the microwave spectrometer, and the ECC ozonesondes, respectively. While accuracy estimates for the ECC sondes were obtained by combining random and estimated bias errors, the accuracies for the lidar instruments were obtained by doubling the measurement precision figures, with the assumption that such doubling accounts for systematic errors. Within the altitude range of 20-36 km the mean ozone profiles produced by the JPL, GSFC, and the Millitech/LaRC groups did not differ from the mean ozone profiles produced by the mean ECC sonde ozone profile by more than about 2, 4, and 5% respectively. Six morning Dobson instrument Umkehr observations yielded mean ozone amounts in layers 3 and 5-7 that agreed with comparison ECC ozonesonde data to within {+-}4%. In layer 4 the difference was 7.8%. 24 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.« less

Microgravity Segregation in Binary Mixtures of Inelastic Spheres Driven by Velocity Fluctuation Gradients

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jenkins, James T.; Louge, Michel Y.

1996-01-01

We are interested in collisional granular flows of dry materials in reduced gravity. Because the particles interact through collisions, the energy of the particle velocity fluctuations plays an important role in the physics. Here we focus on the separation of grains by properties - size, for example - that is driven by spatial gradients in the fluctuation energy of the grains. The segregation of grains by size is commonly observed in geophysical flows and industrial processes. Segregation of flowing grains can also take place based on other properties, e.g. shape, mass, friction, and coefficient of restitution. Many mechanisms may be responsible for segregation; most of these are strongly influenced by gravity. Here, we outline a mechanism that is independent of gravity. This mechanism may be important but is often obscured in terrestrial grain flows. It is driven by gradients in fluctuation energy. In microgravity, the separation of grains by property will proceed slowly enough to permit flight observations to provide an unambiguous measurement of the transport coefficients associated with the segregation. In this context, we are planning a microgravity shear cell experiment that contains a mixture of two types of spherical grains. The grains will be driven to interact with two different types of boundaries on either sides of the cell. The resulting separation will be observed visually.

Theoretical regime diagrams for thermally driven flows in a beta-plane channel in the presence of variable gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Geisler, J. E.; Fowlis, W. W.

1980-01-01

The effect of a power law gravity field on baroclinic instability is examined, with a focus on the case of inverse fifth power gravity, since this is the power law produced when terrestrial gravity is simulated in spherical geometry by a dielectric force. Growth rates are obtained of unstable normal modes as a function of parameters of the problem by solving a second order differential equation numerically. It is concluded that over the range of parameter space explored, there is no significant change in the character of theoretical regime diagrams if the vertically averaged gravity is used as parameter.

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

1997-11-15

The Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment (IDGE), flown on three Space Shuttle missions, is yielding new insights into virtually all industrially relevant metal and alloy forming operations. IDGE used transparent organic liquids that form dendrites (treelike structures) similar to those inside metal alloys. Comparing Earth-based and space-based dendrite growth velocity, tip size and shape provides a better understanding of the fundamentals of dentritic growth, including gravity's effects. Shalowgraphic images of pivalic acid (PVA) dendrites forming from the melt show the subtle but distinct effects of gravity-driven heat convection on dentritic growth. In orbit, the dendrite grows as its latent heat is liberated by heat conduction. This yields a blunt dendrite tip. On Earth, heat is carried away by both conduction and gravity-driven convection. This yields a sharper dendrite tip. In addition, under terrestrial conditions, the sidebranches growing in the direction of gravity are augmented as gravity helps carry heat out of the way of the growing sidebranches as opposed to microgravity conditions where no augmentation takes place. IDGE was developed by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and NASA/Glenn Research Center. Advanced follow-on experiments are being developed for flight on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: NASA/Glenn Research Center

Gravity Driven Universe: Energy from a Unified Field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masters, Roy

2012-10-01

One way or another, whether push or pull, we know for sure that gravity is omnidirectional with identical mathematics. With PULL, gravity can be seen as as a property of matter. If so something is wrong. The Moon, lifting the tides twice-daily, should have fallen into orbital decay, with Earth having pulled it down eons ago. It is puzzling that physicists are not troubled by the fact that the Moon not only insists on forever lifting the tides, but, adding insult to injury, keeps moving it about 4 cm further away from Earth each year. Now if instead, we consider gravity as driven by an omnidirectional pressure--a PUSH force, another possibility arises. We can consider that it is mysteriously infusing energy into the Earth-Moon system, sustaining the Moon's orbit with the appearance of raising the tides and actually pushing it away from Earth. Here we can show push and pull, while being identical in their mathematics, have different outcomes. With push, gravity is a property of the universe. If this is true, then gravitation is flowing from an everlasting source, and the Earth/Moon system is one example of many other vacuum energy machines in the universe.

Hands-Only CPR

MedlinePlus

... Training CPR In Schools Training Kits RQI AHA Blended Learning & eLearning Guide AHA Instructors ECC Educational Conferences Programs ... Training CPR In Schools Training Kits RQI AHA Blended Learning & eLearning Guide AHA Instructors ECC Educational Conferences Programs ...

The effect of ethinylestradiol-containing contraceptives on the serum concentration of olanzapine and N-desmethyl olanzapine.

PubMed

Haslemo, Tore; Refsum, Helge; Molden, Espen

2011-04-01

To investigate the potential interaction between olanzapine, a CYP1A2 substrate, and ethinylestradiol-containing contraceptives (ECC). The study was carried out at a routine therapeutic drug monitoring service. To identify patients who were co-administered ECC or other contraceptives, a questionnaire was sent to the physician who ordered serum monitoring of olanzapine for women aged 18-40 years during an 18 month period. The physicians were asked to provide information about contraceptive use and smoking habits. When questionnaires were returned by the physicians, the respective serum concentration data were included in the analysis. Patients were stratified into users of ECC, progestogen-based contraceptives (PBC) or no contraceptives. Dose-adjusted serum concentrations of olanzapine and the metabolite N-desmethyl olanzapine were compared between the subgroups. A total of 149 patients were included in the study (10 ECC users and 10 PBC users). In users of ECC, we found no differences in serum concentrations of olanzapine, but significantly lower concentrations of the CYP1A2-mediated metabolite N-desmethyl olanzapine compared with users of PBC (P = 0.019) and non-contraceptive users (P = 0.012). The present study confirms that ECC exhibit CYP1A2-inhibitory properties in terms of significantly lower exposure of N-desmethyl olanzapine. However, the inhibition does not provide clinically relevant changes in serum concentrations of olanzapine. © 2011 The Authors. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology © 2011 The British Pharmacological Society.

Antimicrobial peptides in saliva of children with severe early childhood caries.

PubMed

Colombo, Natália H; Ribas, Laís F F; Pereira, Jesse A; Kreling, Paula F; Kressirer, Christine A; Tanner, Anne C R; Duque, Cristiane

2016-09-01

Controversies exist regarding the relationship between the concentrations of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and presence of dental caries in children. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine levels of AMPs in saliva of caries-free (CF), early childhood caries (ECC) and severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) children to determine if the levels of these salivary peptides individually or in combinations were related to caries severity and mutans streptococci levels. 36 to 60 month-old children were selected to participate in this study. Children were grouped into CF group (n=29), ECC group (n=25) and S-ECC group (n=29). Saliva was collected from children for microbiological analysis by culture. Salivary concentrations of cathelicidin LL-37, human β-defensin 2 (hBD-2), human β-defensin 3 (hBD-3) and histatin-5 (HTN-5) were determined by ELISA. Salivary concentrations of AMPs did not differ among CF, ECC and S-ECC groups. Data showed positive correlations between mutans streptococci levels and salivary hBD-2 or HTN-5. Positive correlations were found between hBD-2, hBD-3, LL-37 and HTN-5. Combinations among AMPs, mainly LL-37, were positively associated with caries levels. Salivary concentrations of AMPs individually were not associated with the severity of early childhood caries. The stimulus of caries appears to trigger a biological response, however, with a combination of these peptides. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Differences in carbon source usage by dental plaque in children with and without early childhood caries

PubMed Central

Zhao, Yan; Zhong, Wen-Jie; Xun, Zhe; Zhang, Qian; Song, Ye-Qing; Liu, Yun-Song; Chen, Feng

2017-01-01

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a considerable pediatric and public health problem worldwide. Preceding studies have focused primarily on bacterial diversity at the taxonomic level. Although these studies have provided significant information regarding the connection between dental caries and oral microbiomes, further comprehension of this microbial community’s ecological relevance is limited. This study identified the carbon source metabolic differences in dental plaque between children with and without ECC. We compared the microbial community functional diversity in 18 caries-free subjects with 18 severe ECC patients based on sole carbon source usage using a Biolog assay. The anaerobic microbial community in the ECC patients displayed greater metabolic activity than that of the control group. Specific carbon source metabolism differed significantly between the two groups. Subjects from the two groups were well distinguished by cluster and principal component analyses based on discriminative carbon sources. Our results implied that the microbial functional diversity between the ECC patients and healthy subjects differed significantly. In addition, the Biolog assay furthered our understanding of oral microbiomes as a composite of functional abilities, thus enabling us to identify the ecologically relevant functional differences among oral microbial communities.

CPR Facts and Stats

MedlinePlus

... Training CPR In Schools Training Kits RQI AHA Blended Learning & eLearning Guide AHA Instructors ECC Educational Conferences Programs ... Training CPR In Schools Training Kits RQI AHA Blended Learning & eLearning Guide AHA Instructors ECC Educational Conferences Programs ...

Tsunami-Generated Atmospheric Gravity Waves and Their Atmospheric and Ionospheric Effects: a Review and Some Recent Modeling Results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hickey, M. P.

2017-12-01

Tsunamis propagate on the ocean surface at the shallow water phase speed which coincides with the phase speed of fast atmospheric gravity waves. The forcing frequency also corresponds with those of internal atmospheric gravity waves. Hence, the coupling and effective forcing of gravity waves due to tsunamis is particularly effective. The fast horizontal phase speeds of the resulting gravity waves allows them to propagate well into the thermosphere before viscous dissipation becomes strong, and the waves can achieve nonlinear amplitudes at these heights resulting in large amplitude traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs). Additionally, because the tsunami represents a moving source able to traverse large distances across the globe, the gravity waves and associated TIDs can be detected at large distances from the original tsunami (earthquake) source. Although it was during the mid 1970s when the tsunami source of gravity waves was first postulated, only relatively recently (over the last ten to fifteen years) has there has been a surge of interest in this research arena, driven largely by significant improvements in measurement technologies and computational capabilities. For example, the use of GPS measurements to derive total electron content has been a particularly powerful technique used to monitor the propagation and evolution of TIDs. Monitoring airglow variations driven by atmospheric gravity waves has also been a useful technique. The modeling of specific events and comparison with the observed gravity waves and/or TIDs has been quite revealing. In this talk I will review some of the most interesting aspects of this research and also discuss some interesting and outstanding issues that need to be addressed. New modeling results relevant to the Tohoku tsunami event will also be presented.

Early childhood caries: risk-based disease prevention and management.

PubMed

Ng, Man Wai; Chase, Isabelle

2013-01-01

Early childhood caries (ECC), common in preschoolers, can lead to pain and infection if left untreated. Yet, ECC is largely preventable, and if it is identified early and the responsible risk factors are addressed, its progression can be halted or slowed. This article reviews the rationale for a first dental visit by age 1 year, caries risk assessment, and risk-based prevention and management of ECC and discusses strategies for providers to implement these contemporary evidence-based concepts into clinical practice. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Electrically Controllable Microparticle Synthesis and Digital Microfluidic Manipulation by Electric-Field-Induced Droplet Dispensing into Immiscible Fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Um, Taewoong; Hong, Jiwoo; Kang, In Seok

2016-11-01

The dispensing of tiny droplets is a basic and crucial process in a myriad of applications, such as DNA/protein microarray, cell cultures, chemical synthesis of microparticles, and digital microfluidics. This work demonstrates the droplet dispensing into immiscible fluids through electric charge concentration (ECC) method. Three main modes (i.e., attaching, uniform and bursting modes) are exhibited as a function of flow rates, applied voltage and gap distance between the nozzle and the oil surface. Through a conventional nozzle with diameter of a few millimeters, charged droplets with volumes ranging from a few μL to a few tens of nL can be uniformly dispensed into the oil chamber without reduction in nozzle size. Based on the features of the proposed method (e.g., formation of droplets with controllable polarity and amount of electric charge in water and oil system), a simple and straightforward method is developed for microparticle synthesis, including preparation for colloidosomes and fabrication of Janus microparticles with anisotropic internal structures. Finally, a combined system consisting of ECC-induced droplet dispensing and electrophoresis of charged droplet (ECD)-driven manipulation systems is constructed. This work was supported by the BK21Plus Program for advanced education of creative chemical engineers of the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) Grant funded by the Korea government (MSIP).

Early Childhood Caries and Body Mass Index in Young Children from Low Income Families

PubMed Central

Costa, Luciane Rezende; Daher, Anelise; Queiroz, Maria Goretti

2013-01-01

The relationship between early childhood caries (ECC) and obesity is controversial. This cross-sectional survey investigated this association in children from low-income families in Goiania, Goias, Brazil and considered the role of several social determinants. A questionnaire examining the characteristics of the children and their families was administered to the primary caregiver during home visits. In addition, children (approximately 6 years of age) had their height, weight, and tooth condition assessed. The primary ECC outcome was categorized as one of the following: caries experience (decayed, missing, filled tooth: “dmft” index > 0), active ECC (decayed teeth > 0), or active severe ECC (decayed teeth ≥ 6). Descriptive, bivariate and logistic regression analyses were conducted. The participants in the current study consisted of 269 caregiver-child dyads, 88.5% of whom were included in the Family Health Program. Caregivers were mostly mothers (67.7%), were 35.3 ± 10.0 years old on average and had 9.8 ± 3.1 years of formal education. The mean family income was 2.3 ± 1.5 times greater than the Brazilian minimum wage. On average, the children in the current study were 68.7 ± 3.8 months old. Of these, 51.7% were boys, 23.4% were overweight or obese, 45.0% had active ECC, and 17.1% had severe ECC. The average body mass index (BMI) of the children was 15.9 ± 2.2, and their dmft index was 2.5 ± 3.2. BMI was not associated with any of the three categories of dental caries (p > 0.05). In contrast, higher family incomes were significantly associated with the lack of caries experience in children (OR 1.22, 95%CI 1.01–1.50), but the mother’s level of education was not significantly associated with ECC. PMID:23462435

Core Muscle Activation During Unstable Bicep Curl Using a Water-Filled Instability Training Tube.

PubMed

Glass, Stephen C; Blanchette, Taylor W; Karwan, Lauren A; Pearson, Spencer S; OʼNeil, Allison P; Karlik, Dustin A

2016-11-01

Glass, SC, Blanchette, TW, Karwan, LA, Pearson, SS, O'Neil, AP, and Karlik, DA. Core muscle activation during unstable bicep curl using a water-filled instability training tube. J Strength Cond Res 30(11): 3212-3219, 2016-The purpose of this study was to assess compensatory muscle activation created during a bicep curl using a water-filled, unstable lifting tube. Ten men (age = 21 ± 1.6 years, height = 180.0 ± 3.3 cm, mass = 87.4 ± 15.0 kg) and 10 women (age = 19.6 ± 1.3 years, height = 161.4 ± 12.0 cm, mass = 61.2 ± 7.4 kg) completed bicep curls using an 11.4-kg tube partially filled with water during a 50% open-valve, 100% open, and control setting. Subjects completed 8 repetitions within each condition with integrated electromyographic signal (converted to percent maximal voluntary contraction) of the bicep, deltoid, rectus abdominus, and paraspinal muscles measured. Compensatory activation was determined using the natural log of coefficient of variation across concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) contractions. There were no differences between gender for any condition. Significant variability was seen across treatments for paraspinal muscles for CON and ECC at 50% (CON LnCV = 3.13 ± 0.56%, ECC LnCV = 3.34 ± 0.58%) and 100% (CON = 3.24 ± 0.34%, ECC = 3.46 ± 0.35%) compared with control (CON = 2.59 ± 0.47%, ECC = 2.80 ± 0.61%). Deltoid variability was greater at the 100% open setting (CON = 3.51 ± 0.53%, ECC = 3.56 ± 0.36%) compared with control (CON = 2.98 ± 0.35%, ECC = 2.97 ± 0.45%). The abdominal CON 100% showed variability (3.02 ± 0.47%) compared with control (2.65 ± 0.43%). Bicep activation remained unvaried. Compensatory activation of postural muscles contribute to postural stability. This device may be a useful tool for neuromuscular training leading to improved stability and control.

Control of postharvest soft rot caused by Erwinia carotovora of vegetables by a strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and its potential modes of action.

PubMed

Zhao, Yancun; Li, Pengxia; Huang, Kaihong; Wang, Yuning; Hu, Huali; Sun, Ya

2013-03-01

Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora (Ecc), the causal agent of bacterial soft rot, is one of the destructive pathogens of postharvest vegetables. In this study, a bacterial isolate (BGP20) from the vegetable farm soil showed strong antagonistic activity against Ecc in vitro, and its twofold cell-free culture filtrate showed excellent biocontrol effect in controlling the postharvest bacterial soft rot of potatoes at 25 °C. The anti-Ecc metabolites produced by the isolate BGP20 had a high resistance to high temperature, UV-light and protease K. Based on the colonial morphology, cellular morphology, sporulation, and partial nucleotide sequences of 16S rRNA and gyrB gene, the isolate BGP20 was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum. Further in vivo assays showed that the BGP20 cell culture was more effective in controlling the postharvest bacterial soft rot of green peppers and Chinese cabbages than its twofold cell-free culture filtrate. In contrast, the biocontrol effect and safety of the BGP20 cell culture were very poor on potatoes. In the wounds of potatoes treated with both the antagonist BGP20 and the pathogen Ecc, the viable count of Ecc was 31,746 times that of BGP20 at 48 h of incubation at 25 °C. But in the wounds of green peppers, the viable count of BGP20 increased 182.3 times within 48 h, and that of Ecc increased only 51.3 %. In addition, the treatment with both BGP20 and Ecc induced higher activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) than others in potatoes. But the same treatment did not induce an increase of PAL activity in green peppers. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that the isolate BGP20 is a promising candidate in biological control of postharvest bacterial soft rot of vegetables, but its main mode of action is different among various vegetables.

Hypocholesterolemic effect of stilbenes containing extract-fraction from Cajanus cajan L. on diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in mice.

PubMed

Luo, Qing-Feng; Sun, Lan; Si, Jian-Yong; Chen, Di-Hua

2008-11-01

Cajanus cajan (L) is a natural plant which contains a lot of potential active components. In the present study, we identified the effects of the stilbenes containing extract-fraction from Cajanus cajan L (sECC) on diet-induced (for 4 weeks) hypercholesterolemia in Kunming mice. All experimental mice were divided into 5 groups: control group, model group, sECC-treated with 200 or 100 mg/kg/day, and simvastatin group. The effects of sECC were investigated by monitoring serum and liver lipid profile (cholesterol homeostasis and triglyceride) as well as serum superoxide dismutase activity in those mice. To further explore the mechanism of sECC, hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase), cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), and low density lipoprotein receptor (LDL receptor) expressions in cholesterol homeostasis were analyzed by reverse transcription PCR. After 4 weeks pretreatment, compared with model group, the increased serum and hepatic total cholesterol were markedly attenuated by sECC (200 mg/kg) by 31.4% and 22.7% (p<0.01), respectively, the triglyceride levels of serum and liver were also lowered by 22.98% and 14.39%, respectively. At the same time, serum LDL cholesterol decreased by 52.8% (p<0.01) accompanied with the activities of serum superoxide dismutase increased by 20.98%. Atherogenic index and body weight were also reduced markedly. The mRNA expressions of HMG-CoA reductase, CYP7A1, and LDL-receptor were significantly enhanced in the mice administered with sECC (200 mg/kg/day), whereas those expressions were suppressed by the hypercholesterolemic diet. These data indicate that sECC reduces the atherogenic properties of dietary cholesterol in mice. Its hypocholesterolemic effect may involve enhancement of the hepatic LDL-receptor and cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase expression levels and bile acid synthesis.

Early Childhood Caries

PubMed Central

Kawashita, Yumiko; Kitamura, Masayasu; Saito, Toshiyuki

2011-01-01

Dental caries is one of the most common childhood diseases, and people continue to be susceptible to it throughout their lives. Although dental caries can be arrested and potentially even reversed in its early stages, it is often not self-limiting and progresses without proper care until the tooth is destroyed. Early childhood caries (ECC) is often complicated by inappropriate feeding practices and heavy infection with mutans streptococci. Such children should be targeted with a professional preventive program that includes oral hygiene instructions for mothers or caregivers, along with fluoride and diet counseling. However, these strategies alone are not sufficient to prevent dental caries in high-risk children; prevention of ECC also requires addressing the socioeconomic factors that face many families in which ECC is endemic. The aim of this paper is to systematically review information about ECC and to describe why many children are suffering from dental caries. PMID:22007218

Healthy Eating Index Is a Predictor of Early Childhood Caries

PubMed Central

Nunn, M.E.; Braunstein, N.S.; Krall Kaye, E.A.; Dietrich, T.; Garcia, R.I.; Henshaw, M.M.

2009-01-01

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a preventable form of dental caries that affects very young children, particularly among low-income families and certain racial/ethnic minorities. The current study examined the relationship of dietary quality, as measured by the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), to the prevalence of ECC in 2- to 5-year-old children. Data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) were used for the study. We used logistic regression to compute adjusted odds ratios (OR) for ECC and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Children with the best dietary practices (uppermost tertile of the HEI) were 44% less likely to exhibit severe ECC compared with children with the worst dietary practices (lowest tertile of the HEI). A healthy eating pattern geared for promotion of optimal child development and prevention of chronic disease in later life may also reduce the risk of early childhood caries, particularly severe early childhood caries. PMID:19407158

DNA-Cryptography-Based Obfuscated Systolic Finite Field Multiplier for Secure Cryptosystem in Smart Grid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Shaobo; Chen, Pingxiuqi; Shao, Qiliang; Basha Shaik, Nazeem; Xie, Jiafeng

2017-05-01

The elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) provides much stronger security per bits compared to the traditional cryptosystem, and hence it is an ideal role in secure communication in smart grid. On the other side, secure implementation of finite field multiplication over GF(2 m ) is considered as the bottle neck of ECC. In this paper, we present a novel obfuscation strategy for secure implementation of systolic field multiplier for ECC in smart grid. First, for the first time, we propose a novel obfuscation technique to derive a novel obfuscated systolic finite field multiplier for ECC implementation. Then, we employ the DNA cryptography coding strategy to obfuscate the field multiplier further. Finally, we obtain the area-time-power complexity of the proposed field multiplier to confirm the efficiency of the proposed design. The proposed design is highly obfuscated with low overhead, suitable for secure cryptosystem in smart grid.

Finite element beam flexural properties of cement composites of fiber reinforced PVA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Chengzhi; Pei, Changchun

2018-05-01

In this paper, the initial cracking state and the mid span bending moment and deflection of ECC beam under different PVA fiber and fly ash mixing rate are studied by finite element simulation analysis. The results show that the bending moment of the ECC beam increases with the increase of the PVA fiber content, and the deflection decreases. When the ratio of PVA fiber is 1.5%, the middle bending moment is the largest and the deflection is the least. With the increase of fly ash content, the mid span bending moment of ECC beam increases first and then decreases. When the fly ash ratio is 60%, the middle bending moment is the largest and the deflection is the least. Through the study, the formula for calculating the flexural capacity of the cross section suitable for ECC beams is derived.

Muscle fibre conduction and fatigue during dynamic actions on a flywheel exercise device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pozzo, Marco; Alkner, Bjorn; Norrbrand, Lena; Farina, Dario; Tesch, Per A.

2005-08-01

Exposure to microgravity has adverse effects on skeletal muscle size and function. Such effects can be counteracted by training using a Flywheel Exercise Device (FWED). Multichannel EMG signals were detected in nine males from vastus medialis and laterialis muscles during 30 coupled concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) actions on the FWED. Muscle fiber conduction velocity (CV) was assessed for each action. CV initial values depended on muscle action type (CON/ECC) and were higher in CON than ECC actions. CV decreased (P<0.05) over time during the task. Its slope was greater for VL than VM but was not different between CON and ECC. It was concluded that direct measure of CV is feasible during dynamic exercise, and that this technique may be used for objective assessment of the effect of resistance training in counteracting microgravity-induced muscle atrophy.

Lightweight ECC based RFID authentication integrated with an ID verifier transfer protocol.

PubMed

He, Debiao; Kumar, Neeraj; Chilamkurti, Naveen; Lee, Jong-Hyouk

2014-10-01

The radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has been widely adopted and being deployed as a dominant identification technology in a health care domain such as medical information authentication, patient tracking, blood transfusion medicine, etc. With more and more stringent security and privacy requirements to RFID based authentication schemes, elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) based RFID authentication schemes have been proposed to meet the requirements. However, many recently published ECC based RFID authentication schemes have serious security weaknesses. In this paper, we propose a new ECC based RFID authentication integrated with an ID verifier transfer protocol that overcomes the weaknesses of the existing schemes. A comprehensive security analysis has been conducted to show strong security properties that are provided from the proposed authentication scheme. Moreover, the performance of the proposed authentication scheme is analyzed in terms of computational cost, communicational cost, and storage requirement.

Prevention of early childhood caries: a public health perspective.

PubMed

Weintraub, J A

1998-01-01

This paper proposes strategies for preventing early childhood caries (ECC), preferably for the greatest number of children at the lowest cost. Population-based, public health approaches are more likely to reach the target population groups at risk of developing ECC than individual, private practice-based approaches. Different prevention and early intervention strategies are discussed and the following recommendations are made: 1) Continue to promote community water fluoridation. 2) Evaluate the effectiveness of other public health oriented measures to prevent ECC. 3) Develop a national ECC and rampant caries registry. 4) Link oral health screening and easily implemented, low-cost interventions with immunization schedules and public health nursing activities. 5) Increase opportunities for community-based interventions conducted by dental hygienists. 6) Change insurance reimbursement schedules to provide incentives for dentists to prevent disease. 7) Include dentistry in new child health insurance legislation for children as well as parents of infants and preschool children.

Influence of eccentric actions on the metabolic cost of resistance exercise

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dudley, Gary A.; Golden, Catherine L.; Tesch, Per A.; Harris, Robert T.; Buchanan, Paul

1991-01-01

The contributions of concentric (con) and eccentric (ecc) muscle actions are evaluated with respect to increasing the metabolic cost of resistance exercise. Male subjects perform leg exercise with either con and ecc actions or only con actions while the net energy cost of the exercise is measured by oxygen consumption data. In both groups, the con actions require 290 J/kg body weight of total work, with an energy cost of 0.003 cal/J. The energy costs for the con/ecc actions of the second group is increased by 14 percent. The metabolic cost of leg exercise is concluded to be primarily generated by the con leg actions, and ecc leg actions increase the resistance with only a slight increase in required energy. The findings are significant for practical applications that emphasize the conservation of energy expenditure during exercise in spacecraft environments.

First tsunami gravity wave detection in ionospheric radio occultation data

DOE PAGES

Coïsson, Pierdavide; Lognonné, Philippe; Walwer, Damian; ...

2015-05-09

After the 11 March 2011 earthquake and tsunami off the coast of Tohoku, the ionospheric signature of the displacements induced in the overlying atmosphere has been observed by ground stations in various regions of the Pacific Ocean. We analyze here the data of radio occultation satellites, detecting the tsunami-driven gravity wave for the first time using a fully space-based ionospheric observation system. One satellite of the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate (COSMIC) recorded an occultation in the region above the tsunami 2.5 h after the earthquake. The ionosphere was sounded from top to bottom, thus providing themore » vertical structure of the gravity wave excited by the tsunami propagation, observed as oscillations of the ionospheric Total Electron Content (TEC). The observed vertical wavelength was about 50 km, with maximum amplitude exceeding 1 total electron content unit when the occultation reached 200 km height. We compared the observations with synthetic data obtained by summation of the tsunami-coupled gravity normal modes of the Earth/Ocean/atmosphere system, which models the associated motion of the ionosphere plasma. These results provide experimental constraints on the attenuation of the gravity wave with altitude due to atmosphere viscosity, improving the understanding of the propagation of tsunami-driven gravity waves in the upper atmosphere. They demonstrate that the amplitude of the tsunami can be estimated to within 20% by the recorded ionospheric data.« less

Fault kinematics and active tectonics of the Sabah margin: Insights from the 2015, Mw 6.0, Mt. Kinabalu earthquake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Y.; Wei, S.; Tapponnier, P.; WANG, X.; Lindsey, E.; Sieh, K.

2016-12-01

A gravity-driven "Mega-Landslide" model has been evoked to explain the shortening seen offshore Sabah and Brunei in oil-company seismic data. Although this model is considered to account simultaneously for recent folding at the edge of the submarine NW Sabah trough and normal faulting on the Sabah shelf, such a gravity-driven model is not consistent with geodetic data or critical examination of extant structural restorations. The rupture that produced the 2015 Mw6.0 Mt. Kinabalu earthquake is also inconsistent with the gravity-driven model. Our teleseismic analysis shows that the centroid depth of that earthquake's mainshock was 13 to 14 km, and its favored fault-plane solution is a 60° NW-dipping normal fault. Our finite-rupture model exhibits major fault slip between 5 and 15 km depth, in keeping with our InSAR analysis, which shows no appreciable surface deformation. Both the hypocentral depth and the depth of principal slip are far too deep to be explained by gravity-driven failure, as such a model would predict a listric normal fault connecting at a much shallower depth with a very gentle detachment. Our regional mapping of tectonic landforms also suggests the recent rupture is part of a 200-km long system of narrowly distributed active extension in northern Sabah. Taken together, the nature of the 2015 rupture, the belt of active normal faults, and structural consideration indicate that active tectonic shortening plays the leading role in controlling the overall deformation of northern Sabah and that deep-seated, onland normal faulting likely results from an abrupt change in the dip-angle of the collision interface beneath the Sabah accretionary prism.

Distinguishing thrust sequences in gravity-driven fold and thrust belts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alsop, G. I.; Weinberger, R.; Marco, S.

2018-04-01

Piggyback or foreland-propagating thrust sequences, where younger thrusts develop in the footwalls of existing thrusts, are generally assumed to be the typical order of thrust development in most orogenic settings. However, overstep or 'break-back' sequences, where later thrusts develop above and in the hangingwalls of earlier thrusts, may potentially form during cessation of movement in gravity-driven mass transport deposits (MTDs). In this study, we provide a detailed outcrop-based analysis of such an overstep thrust sequence developed in an MTD in the southern Dead Sea Basin. Evidence that may be used to discriminate overstep thrusting from piggyback thrust sequences within the gravity-driven fold and thrust belt includes upright folds and forethrusts that are cut by younger overlying thrusts. Backthrusts form ideal markers that are also clearly offset and cut by overlying younger forethrusts. Portions of the basal detachment to the thrust system are folded and locally imbricated in footwall synclines below forethrust ramps, and these geometries also support an overstep sequence. However, new 'short-cut' basal detachments develop below these synclines, indicating that movement continued on the basal detachment rather than it being abandoned as in classic overstep sequences. Further evidence for 'synchronous thrusting', where movement on more than one thrust occurs at the same time, is provided by displacement patterns on sequences of thrust ramp imbricates that systematically increases downslope towards the toe of the MTD. Older thrusts that initiate downslope in the broadly overstep sequence continue to move and therefore accrue greater displacements during synchronous thrusting. Our study provides a template to help distinguish different thrust sequences in both orogenic settings and gravity-driven surficial systems, with displacement patterns potentially being imaged in seismic sections across offshore MTDs.

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus in dental plaque samples and its association with early childhood caries.

PubMed

Choi, Eun-Jung; Lee, Sung-Hoon; Kim, Young-Jae

2009-03-01

Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are closely associated with the development of early childhood caries (ECC). Recently, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) has been used for rapid and accurate quantification of these bacterial species. This study aims to detect quantitatively the levels of S. mutans and S. sobrinus in plaque samples by qRT-PCR, and to assess their association with the prevalence of ECC in Korean preschool children. One hundred and five children (71 months old or younger) were examined and classified into three groups (caries-free, ECC, severe ECC). Dental plaque samples were collected and qRT-PCR was conducted using oligonucleotide primers specific for glucosyltransferase gene (S. mutans-gtfB, S. sobrinus-gtfU) and universal primer. Pearson's correlation test was conducted to evaluate the relationship between the dmfs (decayed, missing, or filled surfaces primary teeth) scores and the microbiological findings. There was a significant difference between the levels of S. mutans and S. sobrinus in the plaque samples of the three groups (P < 0.05). The proportion of S. sobrinus to S. mutans showed strong correlation to the dmfs scores (r = 0.748, P < 0.05). The qRT-PCR results of this study showed that children with ECC had higher level of S. mutans and S. sobrinus in their dental plaque samples. The children with higher ratio of S. sobrinus to S. mutans in their dental plaque showed higher incidence of ECC.

The reliability of jump kinematics and kinetics in children of different maturity status.

PubMed

Meylan, Cesar M P; Cronin, John B; Oliver, Jon L; Hughes, Michael G; McMaster, D Travis

2012-04-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of eccentric (ECC) and concentric (CON) kinematic and kinetic variables thought to be critical to jump performance during bilateral vertical countermovement jump (VCMJ) and horizontal countermovement jump (HCMJ) across children of different maturity status. Forty-two athletic male and female participants between 9 and 16 years of age were divided into 3 maturity groups according to peak height velocity (PHV) offset (Post-PHV, At-PHV, and Pre-PHV) and percent of predicted adult stature. All the participants performed 3 VCMJ and HCMJ trials and the kinematics, and kinetics of these jumps were measured via a force plate over 3 testing sessions. In both jumps, vertical CON mean and peak power and jump height or distance were the most reliable measures across all groups (change in the mean [CM] = -5.4 to 6.2%; coefficient of variation [CV] = 2.1-9.4%; Intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.82-0.98), whereas vertical ECC mean power was the only ECC variable with acceptable reliability for both jumps (CM = -0.7 to 10.1%; CV = 5.2-15.6%; ICC = 0.74-0.97). A less mature state was "likely" to "very likely" to reduce the reliability of the HCMJ ECC kinetics and kinematics. These findings suggested that movement variability is associated with the ECC phase of CMJs, especially in Pre-PHV during the HCMJ. Vertical CON mean and peak power and ECC mean power were deemed reliable and appropriate to be used in children as indicators of jump and stretch-shortening cycle performance.

AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Programs: Questions and Answers

MedlinePlus

... Training CPR In Schools Training Kits RQI AHA Blended Learning & eLearning Guide AHA Instructors ECC Educational Conferences Programs ... Training CPR In Schools Training Kits RQI AHA Blended Learning & eLearning Guide AHA Instructors ECC Educational Conferences Programs ...

Inflation with a massive vector field nonminimally coupled to gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Páramos, J.

2018-01-01

The possibility that inflation is driven by a massive vector field with SO(3) global symmetry nonminimally coupled to gravity is presented. Through an appropriate Ansatz for the vector field, the behaviour of the equations of motion is studied through the ensuing dynamical system, focusing on the characterisation of the ensuing fixed points.

Casting And Solidification Technology (CAST): Directional solidification phenomena in a metal model at reduced gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mccay, M. H.

1988-01-01

The Casting and Solidification Technology (CAST) experiment will study the phenomena that occur during directional solidification of an alloy, e.g., constitutional supercooling, freckling, and dendrite coarsening. The reduced gravity environment of space will permit the individual phenomena to be examined with minimum complication from buoyancy driven flows.

Quantification of Operational Learning in Minimal Invasive Extracorporeal Circulation.

PubMed

Anastasiadis, Kyriakos; Antonitsis, Polychronis; Asteriou, Christos; Argiriadou, Helena; Deliopoulos, Apostolos; Konstantinou, Dimitrios; Grosomanidis, Vassilios; Tossios, Paschalis

2017-07-01

Minimal invasive extracorporeal circulation (MiECC) has initiated important new efforts within science and technology towards a more physiologic perfusion. In this study, we aim to investigate the learning curve of our center regarding MiECC. We studied a series of 150 consecutive patients who underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting by the same surgical team during the initial phase of MiECC application. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups. Group A (n = 75) included patients operated on MiECC, while group B (n = 75) included patients operated with conventional cardiopulmonary bypass (cCPB). The primary end-point of the study was to identify whether there is a learning curve when operating on MiECC. The following parameters were unrelated with increasing experience, even though the results favored MiECC use: reduced CPB duration (102.9 ± 25 vs. 122.2 ± 33 min, P <0.001), peak troponin release (0.07 ± 0.02 vs. 0.1 ± 0.04 ng/mL, P < 0.01), peak creatinine levels (0.97 ± 0.24 vs. 1.2 ± 0.3 mg/dL, P < 0.001), duration of mechanical ventilation (14.1 ± 7.2 vs. 36.9 ± 59.8 h, P < 0.01) and ICU stay (2.1 ± 0.7 vs. 4.4 ± 6.4 days, P < 0.01). However, need for intraoperative blood transfusion showed a trend towards a gradual decrease as experience with MiECC system was accumulating (R 2  = 0.094, P = 0.007). Subsequently, operational learning applied to postoperative hematocrit and hemoglobin levels (R 2  = 0.098, P = 0.006). We identified that advantages of MiECC technology in terms of reduced hemodilution and improved end-organ protection and clinical outcome are evident from the first patient. Optimal results are obtained with 50 cases; this refers mainly to significant reduction in the need for intraoperative blood transfusion. Teamwork from surgeons, anesthesiologists, and perfusionists is of paramount importance in order to maximize the clinical benefits from this technology. © 2016 International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Towards bedside washing of stored red blood cells: a prototype of a simple apparatus based on microscale sedimentation in normal gravity.

PubMed

Khanal, G; Huynh, R A; Torabian, K; Xia, H; Vörös, E; Shevkoplyas, S S

2018-01-01

Infusion of by-products of red blood cell (RBC) storage-induced degradation as well as of the residual plasma proteins and the anticoagulant-preservative solution contained in units of stored blood serve no therapeutic purpose and may be harmful to some patients. Here, we describe a prototype of a gravity-driven system for bedside washing of stored RBCs. Stored RBCs were diluted to 10% haematocrit (Hct) with normal saline, matching the conventional washing procedure. The dilute RBC suspensions were passed through a column of coiled tubing to allow RBC sedimentation in normal gravity, thus separating them from the washing solution. Washed RBCs were collected using bifurcations located along the tubing. Washing efficiency was quantified by measuring Hct, morphology, deformability, free haemoglobin and total-free protein. The gravity-driven washing system operating at 0·5 ml/min produced washed RBCs with final Hct of 36·7 ± 3·4% (32·3-41·2%, n = 10) and waste Hct of 3·4 ± 0·7% (2·4-4·3%, n = 10), while removing 80% of free haemoglobin and 90% of total-free protein. Washing improved the ability of stored RBCs to perfuse an artificial microvascular network by 20%. The efficiency of washing performed using the gravity-driven system was not significantly different than that of conventional centrifugation. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the feasibility of washing stored RBCs using a simple, disposable system with efficiency comparable to that of conventional centrifugation, and thus represents a significant first step towards enabling low-cost washing of stored blood at bedside. © 2017 International Society of Blood Transfusion.

Development of Specifications for Engineered Cementitious Composites for Use in Bridge Deck Overlays

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-02-01

Engineered cementitious composite (ECC) material is a high strength, fiber-reinforced, ductile mortar mixture that can exhibit tensile strains of up to 5%. ECC has a dense matrix, giving the material exceptional durability characteristics. The durabi...

Predictive Eco-Cruise Control (ECC) system : model development, modeling and potential benefits.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-02-01

The research develops a reference model of a predictive eco-cruise control (ECC) system that intelligently modulates vehicle speed within a pre-set speed range to minimize vehicle fuel consumption levels using roadway topographic information. The stu...

[The perfusion technologist: extracorporeal circulation and hemodialysis].

PubMed

Degani, Antonella

2013-01-01

In 1812, the French physiologist Le Gallois hypothesized a device for obtaining extracorporeal circulation (ECC), although it wasn't until 1939 that Gibbon described in detail a machine that could substitute both heart and lungs. In 1954, the US Cardiac Surgeon Lillhei invented 'cross circulation', and the era of open heart surgery began. The development of ECC has created a new profession in medicine, the 'Perfusion Technologist' who is not only responsible for ECC, but also for hemodialysis equipment when this is also required. The present review aims to summarize all issues related to this medical profession.

Core power and decay time limits for a disabled LOFT ECCS

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

Atkinson, S.A.

1978-01-09

An analysis was done to determine at what LOFT total core power (nuclear plus decay power) the ECCS could be inoperable. The criteria used for the analysis was that the maximum fuel clad temperature should not exceed 1650/sup 0/F given a loss of coolant. Calculations for natural convection cooling of the fuel by air with an inlet temperature of 580/sup 0/F determined that the limiting core power is 25 kW (discounted by 15 percent to 20 percent for potential uncertainties). Shutdown times are listed for when the LOFT ECCS can be safely bypassed or disabled.

ECC-based grouping-proof RFID for inpatient medication safety.

PubMed

Lin, Qiping; Zhang, Fangguo

2012-12-01

Several papers were proposed in which symmetric cryptography was used to design RFID grouping-proof for medication safety in the Journal of Medical Systems. However, if we want to ensure privacy, authentication and protection against the tracking of RFID-tags without losing system scalability, we must design an asymmetric cryptography-based RFID. This paper will propose a new ECC-based grouping-proof for RFID. Our ECC-based grouping-proof reduces the computation of tags and prevents timeout problems from occurring in n-party grouping-proof protocol. Based on asymmetric cryptography, the proposed scheme is practical, secure and efficient for medication applications.

Bridging education and training in ageing and disability: the European Care Certificate (ECC)

PubMed Central

Churchill, James; Gyorki, Eva

2009-01-01

Introduction There has been significant movement of workers between EU countries seeking work in the social care sector, causing problems for workers and employers who cannot easily evaluate the worth of qualifications gained abroad. The European Care Certificate (ECC) helps workers start work in the social care sector by defining basic knowledge and offering recognition for their learning. Development of product A LEONARDO project involving six countries (BE, UK, AT, DE, RO, PO) established a set of learning outcomes—the BESCLO (Basic European Social Care Learning Outcomes) covering eight key areas of knowledge (not competence). Existing awards and courses become ‘ECC compliant’ by demonstrating coverage of all the BESCLO. Students pass a multi-choice exam to gain the Certificate. There is a developing system of Lead and Delivery Partners spreading the ECC across Europe. Conclusion The BESCLO covers essential knowledge with a common set of values in social care. The ECC fits within existing training courses, is cheap and easy to operate, is at entry level, covers all client groups, can be made available in any language and is equally useful in recruitment, workplace induction training, or more formal college/university courses as an early achievement marker. Website: http://www.eclicence.eu

Prevalence of early childhood caries and its risk factors in 18-72 month old children in Salem, Tamil Nadu.

PubMed

Stephen, Arokiaraj; Krishnan, Ramesh; Ramesh, Maya; Kumar, Vasaviah Suresh

2015-01-01

Early childhood caries (ECC) is one of the most common dental diseases among the preschoolers, leading to suboptimal health. A study was planned to evaluate the prevalence of ECC in preschool children in the age group between 18 and 72 months and its relationship with parent's education and socioeconomic status of the family. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 2771 children selected randomly, in the age group 18-72 months and attending playschools and primary schools in urban, semi-urban, and rural areas of Salem, Tamil Nadu. A modified Winter et al. questionnaire and a proforma were used for collecting information on each child. The completed questionnaire and proformas were statistically analyzed and evaluated. The statistical analysis was done using Student's t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to obtain mean values. The prevalence of ECC in Salem was 16% with a mean dfs of 5.23 ± 1. Prevalence was high among the children of low socioeconomic status group and the children of working mothers, with a mean dfs of 10.47. The prevalence of ECC was 16% in Salem, Tamil Nadu. ECC was seen more in children of working mothers, lower parental education, and lower socioeconomic groups.

Early childhood caries update: A review of causes, diagnoses, and treatments

PubMed Central

Çolak, Hakan; Dülgergil, Çoruh T.; Dalli, Mehmet; Hamidi, Mehmet Mustafa

2013-01-01

Dental caries (decay) is an international public health challenge, especially amongst young children. Early childhood caries (ECC) is a serious public health problem in both developing and industrialized countries. ECC can begin early in life, progresses rapidly in those who are at high risk, and often goes untreated. Its consequences can affect the immediate and long-term quality of life of the child's family and can have significant social and economic consequences beyond the immediate family as well. ECC can be a particularly virulent form of caries, beginning soon after dental eruption, developing on smooth surfaces, progressing rapidly, and having a lasting detrimental impact on the dentition. Children experiencing caries as infants or toddlers have a much greater probability of subsequent caries in both the primary and permanent dentitions. The relationship between breastfeeding and ECC is likely to be complex and confounded by many biological variables, such as mutans streptococci, enamel hypoplasia, intake of sugars, as well as social variables, such as parental education and socioeconomic status, which may affect oral health. Unlike other infectious diseases, tooth decay is not self-limiting. Decayed teeth require professional treatment to remove infection and restore tooth function. In this review, we give detailed information about ECC, from its diagnosis to management. PMID:23633832

Cluster-randomized trial of infant nutrition training for caries prevention.

PubMed

Chaffee, B W; Feldens, C A; Vítolo, M R

2013-07-01

The objective of this study was to estimate the caries impact of providing training in infant feeding guidelines to workers at Brazilian public primary care clinics. In a cluster-randomized controlled trial (n = 20 clinics), health care workers either were trained in guidelines for infant nutrition, stressing healthful complementary feeding, or were assigned to a 'usual practices' control, which allowed for maternal counseling at practitioner discretion. Training occurred once; the amount of counseling provided to mothers was not assessed. Eligible pregnant women were enrolled to follow health outcomes in their children. Early childhood caries (ECC) was measured at age three years (n = 458 children). The overall reductions in ECC (relative risk, 0.92; 95%CI, 0.75, 1.12) and severe ECC (RR, 0.87; 95%CI, 0.64, 1.19) were not statistically significant. There was a protective effect among mothers who remained exclusively at the same health center (S-ECC RR, 0.68; 95%CI, 0.47, 0.99) and among those naming the health center as their principal source of feeding advice (S-ECC RR, 0.53; 95%CI, 0.29, 0.97). Health care worker training did not yield a statistically significant reduction in caries overall, although caries was reduced among children of mothers more connected to their health centers.

Early childhood caries-related visits to emergency departments and ambulatory surgery facilities and associated charges in New York state.

PubMed

Nagarkar, Sanket R; Kumar, Jayanth V; Moss, Mark E

2012-01-01

The authors assessed the extent of early childhood caries- (ECC-) related visits to emergency departments (EDs) and ambulatory surgery facilities (ASFs) in children younger than 6 years and associated treatment charges in New York state from 2004 through 2008. The authors obtained data from the New York state's Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (Albany) and calculated descriptive statistics and rates according to selected indicators, as well as total and average per-visit treatment charges. From 2004 through 2008, the number of ECC-related visits to EDs and ASFs increased by 349 and 1,039, respectively. Most ECC-related visits were to ASFs. The total annual treatment charges increased from $18.5 million to $31.3 million from 2004 to 2008, and average per-visit charges increased from $4,237 to $5,501 during the same period. ECC-related visits to EDs and ASFs by children younger than 6 years and the associated treatment charges increased substantially from 2004 through 2008 in New York state. Practice Implications. Dental professionals need to determine the reasons parents seek dental care for their children in EDs and ASFs and effective strategies for preventing ECC to avoid the subsequent need for seeking dental care in EDs and ASFs.

Salivary proteins and microbiota as biomarkers for early childhood caries risk assessment

PubMed Central

Hemadi, Abdullah S; Huang, Ruijie; Zhou, Yuan; Zou, Jing

2017-01-01

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a term used to describe dental caries in children aged 6 years or younger. Oral streptococci, such as Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sorbrinus, are considered to be the main etiological agents of tooth decay in children. Other bacteria, such as Prevotella spp. and Lactobacillus spp., and fungus, that is, Candida albicans, are related to the development and progression of ECC. Biomolecules in saliva, mainly proteins, affect the survival of oral microorganisms by multiple innate defensive mechanisms, thus modulating the oral microflora. Therefore, the protein composition of saliva can be a sensitive indicator for dental health. Resistance or susceptibility to caries may be significantly correlated with alterations in salivary protein components. Some oral microorganisms and saliva proteins may serve as useful biomarkers in predicting the risk and prognosis of caries. Current research has generated abundant information that contributes to a better understanding of the roles of microorganisms and salivary proteins in ECC occurrence and prevention. This review summarizes the microorganisms that cause caries and tooth-protective salivary proteins with their potential as functional biomarkers for ECC risk assessment. The identification of biomarkers for children at high risk of ECC is not only critical for early diagnosis but also important for preventing and treating the disease. PMID:29125139

The Extended Core Coax: A novel nanoarchitecture for lab-on-a-chip electrochemical diagnostics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valera, Amy E.; D'Imperio, Luke; Burns, Michael J.; Naughton, Michael J.; Chiles, Thomas C.

We report a novel nanoarchitecture, the Extended Core Coax (ECC) that has applicability for the detection of biomarkers in lab-on-a-chip diagnostic devices. ECC is capable of providing accessible, highly sensitive, and specific disease diagnosis at point-of-care. The architecture represents a vertically oriented nanocoax comprised of a gold inner metal core that extends 200nm above a chrome outer metal shield, separated by a dielectric annulus. Each ECC chip contains 7 discrete sensing arrays, 0.49 mm2 in size, containing 35,000 nanoscale coaxes wired in parallel. Previous non-extended nanocoaxial architectures have demonstrated a limit of detection (LOD) of 2 ng/mL of cholera toxin using an off-chip setup. This sensitivity compares favorably to the standard optical ELISA used in clinical settings. The ECC matches this LOD, and additionally offers the benefit of specific and reliable biofunctionalization on the extended gold core. Thus, the ECC is an attractive candidate for development as a full lab-on-a-chip biosensor for detection of infectious disease biomarkers, such as cholera toxin, through tethering of biomarker recognition proteins, such as antibodies, directly on the device. Support from the National Institutes of Health (National Cancer Institute award No. CA137681 and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases award No. AI100216).

Managing Early Childhood Caries with Atraumatic Restorative Treatment and Topical Silver and Fluoride Agents

PubMed Central

Duangthip, Duangporn; Chen, Kitty Jieyi; Gao, Sherry Shiqian

2017-01-01

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a significant global health problem affecting millions of preschool children worldwide. In general, preschool children from families with 20% of the lowest family incomes suffered about 80% of the ECC. Most, if not all, surveys indicated that the great majority of ECC was left untreated. Untreated caries progresses into the dental pulp, causing pain and infection. It can spread systemically, affecting a child’s growth, development and general health. Fundamental caries management is based on the conventional restorative approach. Because preschool children are too young to cope with lengthy dental treatment, they often receive dental treatment under general anaesthesia from a specialist dentist. However, treatment under general anaesthesia poses a life-threatening risk to young children. Moreover, there are few dentists in rural areas, where ECC is prevalent. Hence, conventional dental care is unaffordable, inaccessible or unavailable in many communities. However, studies showed that the atraumatic restorative treatment had a very good success rate in treating dentine caries in young children. Silver diamine fluoride is considered safe and effective in arresting dentine caries in primary teeth. The aim of this paper is to review and discuss updated evidence of these alternative approaches in order to manage cavitated ECC. PMID:28994739

Candida albicans Carriage in Children with Severe Early Childhood Caries (S-ECC) and Maternal Relatedness.

PubMed

Xiao, Jin; Moon, Yonghwi; Li, Lihua; Rustchenko, Elena; Wakabayashi, Hironao; Zhao, Xiaoyi; Feng, Changyong; Gill, Steven R; McLaren, Sean; Malmstrom, Hans; Ren, Yanfang; Quivey, Robert; Koo, Hyun; Kopycka-Kedzierawski, Dorota T

2016-01-01

Candida albicans has been detected together with Streptococcus mutans in high numbers in plaque-biofilm from children with early childhood caries (ECC). The goal of this study was to examine the C. albicans carriage in children with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) and the maternal relatedness. Subjects in this pilot cross-sectional study were recruited based on a convenient sample. DMFT(S)/dmft(s) caries and plaque scores were assessed during a comprehensive oral exam. Social-demographic and related background information was collected through a questionnaire. Saliva and plaque sample from all children and mother subjects were collected. C. albicans were isolated by BBL™ CHROMagar™ and also identified using germ tube test. S. mutans was isolated using Mitis Salivarius with Bacitracin selective medium and identified by colony morphology. Genetic relatedness was examined using restriction endonuclease analysis of the C. albicans genome using BssHII (REAG-B). Multilocus sequence typing was used to examine the clustering information of isolated C. albicans. Spot assay was performed to examine the C. albicans Caspofungin susceptibility between S-ECC children and their mothers. All statistical analyses (power analysis for sample size, Spearman's correlation coefficient and multiple regression analyses) were implemented with SAS 9.4. A total of 18 S-ECC child-mother pairs and 17 caries free child-mother pairs were enrolled in the study. Results indicated high C. albicans carriage rate in the oral cavity (saliva and plaque) of both S-ECC children and their mothers (>80%). Spearman's correlation coefficient also indicated a significant correlation between salivary and plaque C. albicans and S. mutans carriage (p<0.01) and caries severity (p<0.05). The levels of C. albicans in the prepared saliva and plaque sample (1ml resuspension) of S-ECC children were 1.3 ± 4.5 x104 cfu/ml and 1.2 ± 3.5 x104 cfu/ml (~3-log higher vs. caries-free children). Among 18 child-mother pairs, >60% of them demonstrated identical C. albicans REAG-B pattern. C. albicans isolated from >65% of child-mother pairs demonstrated similar susceptibility to caspofungin in spot assay, while no caspofungin resistant strains were seen when compared with C. albicans wild-type strain SC5314. Interestingly, the regression analysis showed that factors such as antibiotic usage, birth weight, inhaler use, brushing frequency, and daycare attendance had no significant effect on the oral carriage of C. albicans in the S-ECC children. Our results reveal that both the child with S-ECC and the mother were highly infected with C. albicans, while most of the strains were genetically related, suggesting that the mother might be a source for C. albicans acquisition in the oral cavity of children affected by the disease.

University of Utah, Energy Commercialization Center

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

Thompson, James

During the Energy Commercialization Center’s (ECC) three years in operation, the only thing constant was change. The world of commercialization and cleantech evolved significantly during the time the ECC was formed and operating, including: the availability of cleantech funding lessoned, the growth of incubators and accelerators skyrocketed, the State of Utah created an office dedicated to energy development, the University of Utah was both praised and criticized for its success in commercialization, and the Federal government temporarily shut down. During the three-year grant there were three principle investigators on the grant, as well as three directors for the University’s Commercializationmore » Office. Change can be hard for an organization,but as we instruct the companies we support, “Fail fast and fail often, because it is the fastest path to success.” Although there were some unanticipated challenges along the way, the local ecosystem is stronger because of the ECC’s efforts. Perhaps the greatest lesson learned was the importance of aligned incentives between key stakeholders in the commercialization process and the need for resources at the company and individual entrepreneur levels. The universities have systems and incentives to commercialize technologies, but creating value and companies generally rest with the individuals and entrepreneurs. Unfortunately the ECC was unable to create a viable mechanism to transfer the commercialization process that successfully aligned incentives and achieve a more effective ecosystem within the Rocky Mountain West. However, the ECC was successful in adding value to the individual ecosystems, and connecting national resources to regional and local needs. Regarding the ECC’s effectiveness in developing a cleantech commercialization ecosystem, initial inroads and relationships were established with key stakeholders. However, incentives, perceived or real competition, differences in commercialization processes, and culture all played a role in inhibiting the development and distribution of a regional ecosystem and commercialization process. Had the University and the ECC been able to develop a software platform, some of these challenges may have been overcome, but without the final development and release of the Western Innovation Network, the ECC realistically could not scale and distribute a commercialization platform. Further, cleantech startups need to engage in a more intensive customer validation process, and establish strong community connections if they are to succeed in commercializing their products. The university system incentivizes research and access to research funding and risk capital is competitive, so by nature collaboration on commercialization was difficult. Each of the local ecosystems within the Rocky Mountain West was unique. Utah did not, and does not, have a system outside of the universities to support entrepreneurs and cleantech commercialization. Through the ECC’s efforts developing a regional ecosystem, it became clear that successful ecosystems had a community and associated mechanisms that supported local entrepreneurs and startups. Most importantly the ECC aided in the creation of Utah’s cleantech ecosystem, one that supports entrepreneurs and startup companies that need help and support in their efforts to commercialize clean technologies. The absence of support for clean tech from state government and local organizations was a significant impediment to cleantech commercialization. To overcome this challenge, the ECC has formed Sustainable Startups. Sustainable Startups is a new non-profit organization designed to build a culture and community in Utah that supports and understands the importance of cleantech and sustainable development. While the ECC generated mixed success in building a regional commercialization ecosystem for cleantech, the organization did provide tremendous benefit to startups and the broader public. Over 60 companies were given direct business development support by the ECC, many of whom then generated direct economic development impacts. In addition, the ECC served an important role as community convener, educator and relationship builder through hosting numerous public and private events including: Energize 2013; Millennial Train whistle stop; business plan competition supporter; Clean Tech Open Accelerator organizer; Sustainable Startups Series developer, and much more. While the ECC did not fully apply, develop, and transmit the University of Utah’s TCO commercialization model to cleantech, it nevertheless assisted numerous inventors, entrepreneurs and institutions in furthering the growth of clean energy and energy efficiency technologies. The TCO’s commercialization model was not applied to regional clean tech initiatives for several main reasons. First, flaws with the commercialization model were realized after the ECC’s formation. Second, leadership changes within the TCO and ECC hampered early organizational development and implementation initiatives. Third, misaligned incentives between the ECC, regional universities, institutions, and the State of Utah resulted in a lack of collaboration and knowledge transfer regarding commercialization. In principle, everyone was aligned and willing to collaborate, but reality was much different and challenging.« less

ENANTIOSEPARATION OF MALATHION, CRUFORMATE, AND FENSULFOTHION ORGANOSPHOSPHORUS PESTICIDES BY MIXED-MODE ELECTROKINETIC CAPILLARY CHROMATOGRAPHY

EPA Science Inventory

Mixed-mode electrokinetic capillary chromatography (mixed-ECC) has been used for the enantioseparation of organophosphorus pesticides. In mixed-ECC, a combination of three pseudostationary phases including surfactants, neutral, and charged cyclodextrins, are used to resolve very ...

Rapid depressurization event analysis in BWR/6 using RELAP5 and contain

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

Mueftueoglu, A.K.; Feltus, M.A.

1995-09-01

Noncondensable gases may become dissolved in Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) water level instrumentation during normal operations. Any dissolved noncondensable gases inside these water columns may come out of solution during rapid depressurization events, and displace water from the reference leg piping resulting in a false high level. These water level errors may cause a delay or failure in actuation, or premature shutdown of the Emergency Core Cooling System. (ECCS). If a rapid depressurization causes an erroneously high water level, preventing automatic ECCS actuation, it becomes important to determine if there would be other adequate indications for operator response and othermore » signals for automatic actuation such as high drywell pressure. It is also important to determine the effect of the level signal on ECCS operation after it is being actuated. The objective of this study is to determine the detailed coupled containment/NSSS response during this rapid depressurization events in BWR/6. The selected scenarios involve: (a) inadvertent opening of all ADS valves, (b) design basis (DB) large break loss of coolant accident (LOCA), and (c) main steam line break (MSLB). The transient behaviors are evaluated in terms of: (a) vessel pressure and collapsed water level response, (b) specific transient boundary conditions, (e.g., scram, MSIV closure timing, feedwater flow, and break blowdown rates), (c) ECCS initiation timing, (d) impact of operator actions, (e) whether indications besides low-low water level were available. The results of the analysis had shown that there would be signals to actuate ECCS other than low reactor level, such as high drywell pressure, low vessel pressure, high suppression pool temperature, and that the plant operators would have significant indications to actuate ECCS.« less

Real-time measurement of free thrombin: evaluation of the usability of a new thrombin assay for coagulation monitoring during extracorporeal circulation.

PubMed

Krajewski, Stefanie; Krauss, Sabrina; Kurz, Julia; Neumann, Bernd; Schlensak, Christian; Wendel, Hans P

2014-03-01

In patients undergoing cardiac surgery with heart-lung machine support, adequate anticoagulation to mitigate blood clotting caused by the artificial surfaces of the extracorporeal circulation (ECC) system is essential. These patients routinely receive heparin, whose effectiveness is monitored by measurements of the activated clotting time (ACT). However, ACT values only poorly correlate with the actual hemostatic status. The aim of our study was to evaluate the detection of free thrombin in heparinized human blood as a monitor of anticoagulation during ECC. Human whole blood was anticoagulated with different concentrations of heparin (0.75, 1, 2 or 3 IU/ml) and circulated in the Chandler-loop model for up to 240 min at 37 °C. Next to ACT, ECC-mediated changes in free active thrombin, prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2) and thrombin-antithrombin-III (TAT) levels were measured before and during circulation. Platelet activation and cell count parameters were further investigated. Our study shows that detection of ECC-mediated changes in free thrombin is possible in blood anticoagulated with 0.75 or 1 IU/ml heparin, whereas no thrombin was detectable at higher heparin concentrations. Thrombin generation during 240 min of ECC is comparable to F 1+2 and TAT plasma levels during ECC. Thrombin is the key enzyme in the coagulation cascade and hence represents a promising marker for monitoring the coagulation status of patients. Although detection of free thrombin was not feasible at high heparin concentrations, the employed test represents an additional test to current laboratory methods investigating blood coagulation at low heparin concentrations. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Velocity-specific strength recovery after a second bout of eccentric exercise.

PubMed

Barss, Trevor S; Magnus, Charlene R A; Clarke, Nick; Lanovaz, Joel L; Chilibeck, Philip D; Kontulainen, Saija A; Arnold, Bart E; Farthing, Jonathan P

2014-02-01

A bout of eccentric exercise (ECC) has the protective effect of reducing muscle damage during a subsequent bout of ECC known as the "repeated bout effect" (RBE). The purpose of this study was to determine if the RBE is greater when both bouts of ECC are performed using the same vs. different velocity of contraction. Thirty-one right-handed participants were randomly assigned to perform an initial bout of either fast (3.14 rad·s [180°·s]) or slow (0.52 rad·s [30°·s]) maximal isokinetic ECCs of the elbow flexors. Three weeks later, the participants completed another bout of ECC at the same velocity (n = 16), or at a different velocity (n = 15). Indirect muscle damage markers were measured before, immediately after, and at 24, 48, and 72 hours postexercise. Measures included maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) strength (dynamometer), muscle thickness (MT; ultrasound), delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS; visual analog scale), biceps and triceps muscle activation amplitude (electromyography), voluntary activation (interpolated twitch), and twitch torque. After the repeated bout, MVC strength recovered faster compared with the same time points after the initial bout for only the same velocity group (p = 0.017), with no differences for all the other variables. Irrespective of velocity, MT and DOMS were reduced after the repeated bout compared with that of the initial bout at 24, 48, and 72 hours with a corresponding increase in TT at 72 hours (p < 0.05). Faster recovery of isometric strength associated with a repeated bout of ECC was evident when the velocity was matched between bouts, suggesting that specificity effects contribute to the RBE. The current findings support the idea of multiple mechanisms contributing to the RBE.

Torque, power and muscle activation of eccentric and concentric isokinetic cycling.

PubMed

Green, David J; Thomas, Kevin; Ross, Emma Z; Green, Steven C; Pringle, Jamie S M; Howatson, Glyn

2018-06-01

This study aimed to establish the effect of cycling mode and cadence on torque, external power output, and lower limb muscle activation during maximal, recumbent, isokinetic cycling. After familiarisation, twelve healthy males completed 6 × 10 s of maximal eccentric (ECC) and concentric (CON) cycling at 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 rpm with five minutes recovery. Vastus lateralis, medial gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris surface electromyography was recorded throughout. As cadence increased, peak torque linearly decreased during ECC (350-248 N·m) and CON (239-117 N·m) and peak power increased in a parabolic manner. Crank angle at peak torque increased with cadence in CON (+13°) and decreased in ECC (-9.0°). At all cadences, peak torque (mean +129 N·m, range 111-143 N·m), and power (mean +871 W, range 181-1406 W), were greater during ECC compared to CON. For all recorded muscles the crank angle at peak muscle activation was greater during ECC compared to CON. This difference increased with cadence in all muscles except the vastus lateralis. Additionally, peak vastus laterallis and biceps femoris activation was greater during CON compared to ECC. Eccentric cycling offers a greater mechanical stimulus compared to concentric cycling but the effect of cadence is similar between modalities. Markers of technique (muscle activation, crank angle at peak activation and torque) were different between eccentric and concentric cycling and respond differently to changes in cadence. Such data should be considered when comparing between, and selecting cadences for, recumbent, isokinetic, eccentric and concentric cycling. Crown Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Validation of an early childhood caries risk assessment tool in a low-income Hispanic population.

PubMed

Custodio-Lumsden, Christie L; Wolf, Randi L; Contento, Isobel R; Basch, Charles E; Zybert, Patricia A; Koch, Pamela A; Edelstein, Burton L

2016-03-01

There is a recognized need for valid risk assessment tools for use by both dental and nondental personnel to identify young children at risk for, or with, precavitated stages of early childhood caries (i.e., early stage decalcifications or white spot lesions).The aim of this study is to establish concurrent criterion validity of "MySmileBuddy" (MSB), a novel technology-assisted ECC risk assessment and behavioral intervention tool against four measures of ECC activity: semi-quantitative assays of salivary mutans streptococci levels, visible quantity of dental plaque, visual evidence of enamel decalcifications, and cavitation status (none, ECC, severe ECC). One hundred eight children 2-6 years of age presenting to a pediatric dental clinic were recruited from a predominantly Spanish-speaking, low-income, urban population. All children received a comprehensive oral examination and saliva culture for assessment of ECC indicators. Their caregivers completed the iPad-based MSB assessment in its entirety (15-20 minutes). MSB calculated both diet and comprehensive ECC risk scores. Associations between all variables were determined using ordinal logistic regression. MSB diet risk scores were significantly positively associated with salivary mutans (P < 0.05), and approached significance with visible plaque levels (P < 0.1). MSB comprehensive risk scores were significantly associated with both oral mutans and visible plaque (P < 0.05). Neither was associated with visually evident decalcifications or cavitations. Findings suggest that MSB may have clinical utility as a valid risk assessment tool for identifying children with early precursors of cavitations but does not add value in identifying children with extant lesions. © 2015 American Association of Public Health Dentistry.

Age-related maintenance of eccentric strength: a study of temperature dependence.

PubMed

Power, Geoffrey A; Flaaten, Nordan; Dalton, Brian H; Herzog, Walter

2016-04-01

With adult aging, eccentric strength is maintained better than isometric strength leading to a higher ratio of eccentric/isometric force production (ECC/ISO) in older than younger adults. The purpose was to investigate the ECC/ISO during electrical activation of the adductor pollicis during lengthening (20-320° s(-1)) contractions in 24 young (n = 12, ∼24 years) and old (n = 12, ∼72 years) males across muscle temperatures (cold ∼19 °C; normal ∼30 °C; warm ∼35 °C). For isometric force, the old were 20-30 % weaker in the normal and cold conditions (P < 0.05) with no difference for the warm condition compared to young (P > 0.05). Half-relaxation time (HRT) did not differ across age for the normal and warm temperatures (P > 0.05), but it slowed significantly for old in the cold condition compared with young (∼15 %; P < 0.05), as well, there was a 20 and 40 % increase in muscle stiffness for the young and old, respectively. ECC/ISO was 50-60 % greater for the cold condition than the normal and warm conditions. There was no age difference in ECC/ISO across ages for the normal and warm conditions (P > 0.05), but for the cold, the old exhibited a 20-35 % higher ECC/ISO than did the young for velocities above 60° s(-1) (P < 0.05). A contributing factor to the elevated ECC/ISO is an increased proportion of weakly compared to strongly bound crossbridges. These findings highlight the relationship (r = 0.70) between intrinsic muscle contractile speed (HRT) and eccentric strength in old age.

Using Lean-Six Sigma to reduce hemolysis in the emergency care center in a collaborative quality improvement project with the hospital laboratory.

PubMed

Damato, Charlotte; Rickard, Dana

2015-03-01

As part of a strategic quality improvement plan, laboratory management at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System (SMHCS) focused its efforts on improving preanalytical work flow and blood collection processes-both negatively affected by hemolyzed specimens. When hemolysis is detected in a blood specimen, blood may need to be re-collected, resulting in bottlenecks and rework all along the value stream. From July through December 2009, hemolysis averaged 9.8% in the Emergency Care Center (ECC) and 3.4% housewide. The goal was set to reduce hemolysis to 2%. The project team identified hemolysis as one of seven factors contributing to non-value-added activities and bottlenecks in blood collection and preanalytical processes. Observations and interviews helped to identify error-prone practices and process variation. To verify the root causes of hemolysis, the findings were compared against best practices. The team developed a housewide protocol, standardized collection processes, created competency-based training, and enhanced ECC hiring practices. During December 2010-March 2011, following initial housewide interventions and ECC self-sustaining solutions, ECC hemolysis decreased by 91%-from 9.8% (423 hemolyzed/4,295 collected) to 0.88% (58 hemolyzed/6,560 collected). Housewide hemolysis decreased by 59%-from 3.4% (2,046 hemolyzed/60,307 collected) to 1.39% (619 hemolyzed/44,528 collected). Since the project, hemolysis has continued to trend downward; the mean percentage has consistently been < .05% for the ECC and < 1% housewide. Lean-Six Sigma tools helped to pinpoint hemolysis as a key inefficiency in blood collection and preanalytical work flow. Although focused on the ECC, the project team standardized blood collection practices and instituted quality devices to achieve hemolysis reductions housewide.

Two types of squalor: findings from a factor analysis of the Environmental Cleanliness and Clutter Scale (ECCS).

PubMed

Snowdon, John; Halliday, Graeme; Hunt, Glenn E

2013-07-01

Most people who collect and hoard, and then have difficulty discarding items, do not live in squalor, even though accumulation of hoarded items can make cleaning very difficult. Commonly, people living in squalor accumulate garbage, but relatively few fulfill proposed criteria for "hoarding disorder." We examined the overlap between hoarding and squalor among people referred because of unacceptable living conditions. Ongoing collection of data by a Squalor Project team, including ratings on the Environmental Cleanliness and Clutter Scale (ECCS), allowed (1) description of characteristics of cases and (2) examination of ratings of uncleanliness, and of the effect of accumulation of items or material on access within dwellings. Principal component analysis was used to examine latent variables underlying the ECCS. The mean age of the referred occupants (108 male, 95 female) was 61.9 years. The mean ECCS score in 186 rated cases was 18.5. Factor analysis of ECCS data showed a two-factor solution as the most plausible. Factor 1, comprising seven squalor items, accounted for 33.7% of the variance. Factor 2 comprised reduced accessibility and accumulation of items of little value (variance 17.6%). Accumulation of garbage loaded equally on the two factors. High levels of squalor and/or accumulation were recorded in 105 (56%) of the 186 dwellings. One-third scored high on accumulation/hoarding, while 38% scored high on squalor; 15% scored high on both squalor and accumulation. A quarter of those scoring high on squalor scored low on hoarding/accumulation. The ECCS is useful when describing whether referred cases show high levels of squalor, hoarding, or both.

Steps toward Learning Mechanics Using Fan Cart Video Demonstrations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lattery, Mark

2011-01-01

The Newtonian force concept is very difficult for introductory students to learn. One obstacle to learning is a premature focus on gravity-driven motions, such as vertical free fall, rolling motion on an inclined plane, and the Atwood's machine. In each case, the main agent of motion ("gravity") cannot be seen, heard, or controlled by the student.…

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-06-06

Gravity or density-driven convection occurs as protein molecules incorporate into a crystal lattice from the surrounding solution. The layer bordering the crystal (the depletion zone) then contains a less-dense protein concentration, causing the layer to rise. The remaining, denser solution sinks because of gravity, creating eddies that make it difficult for more protein molecules to attach to the crystal in an ordered way.

Particle Image Velocimetry Study of Density Current Fronts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Martin, Juan Ezequiel

2009-01-01

Gravity currents are flows that occur when a horizontal density difference causes fluid to move under the action of gravity; density currents are a particular case, for which the scalar causing the density difference is conserved. Flows with a strong effect of the horizontal density difference, even if only partially driven by it--such as the…

76 FR 57989 - Privacy Act System of Records

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-19

... one new, consolidated system of records, FCC/PSHSB-1, ``FCC Emergency and Continuity Contacts System (ECCS).'' FCC/PSHSB-1, ``FCC Emergency and Continuity Contacts System (ECCS)'' will incorporate the..., FCC/EB-4, ``Crisis Management Contacts,'' and FCC/OMD-11, ``Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP...

Air contamination during hemodialysis should be minimized.

PubMed

Stegmayr, Bernd

2017-04-01

During preparation of the hemodialysis (HD) extracorporeal circuit (ECC) a priming solution is used to remove air from the tubes and dialyzer. Ultra sound techniques have verified micro embolic signals (MES) in the ECC that may derive from clots or gas embolies. In vitro studies could clarify that embolies of air develop within the ECC and also pass the safety systems such as air traps and enter the venous line that goes into the patient. Clinical studies have confirmed the presence of MES within the ECC that pass into the return-venous-line during conventional HD without inducing an alarm. In addition, studies confirmed that such MES were present within the AV fistula and subclavian vein, but also detected within the carotid artery. Autopsy studies revealed the presence of gas embolies surrounded by clots within the lung but also brain and myocardial tissue. This review will focus on how the MES develop and measures of how the exposure can be limited. © 2016 International Society for Hemodialysis.

Finite element analysis on flexural behavior of high ductility of fiber reinforced concrete beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Mohan; Chi, Cuiping; Pei, Changchun

2017-03-01

In this paper, finite element software is used to simulate and analyze ECC beams. With the ratio of water-binder, fiber content and the content of fly ash as variables, the initial cracking moments, the yield moments, the initial cracking deflections, and the yield deflections of the ECC beams are studied. The results show that the lower the water-binder ratio is, the better the beam performance is; When the fiber content is 13kg/m3, the mechanical properties of the ECC beams are the lowest, and then strengthen; When the content of fly ash increase, the bending moment of the specimen beam becomes smaller and the deflection tends to increase, however the deflection of the fly ash decreases when the content of fly ash is higher than 1300kg/m3 in the initial cracking. According to the formula of ordinary concrete ultimate load capacity, the formula of yield capacity of ECC beam is deduced.

Synthesis and characterization of electrical conducting porous carbon structures based on resorcinol-formaldehyde

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Najeh, I.; Ben Mansour, N.; Mbarki, M.; Houas, A.; Nogier, J. Ph.; El Mir, L.

2009-10-01

Electrical conducting carbon (ECC) porous structures were explored by changing the pyrolysis temperature of organic xerogel compounds prepared by sol-gel method from resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) mixtures in acetone using picric acid as catalyst. The effect of this preparation parameter on the structural and electrical properties of the obtained ECCs was studied. The analysis of the obtained results revealed that the polymeric insulating xerogel phase was transformed progressively with pyrolysis temperature into carbon conducting phase; this means the formation of long continuous conducting path for charge carriers to move inside the structure with thermal treatment and the samples exhibited tangible percolation behaviour where the percolation threshold can be determined by pyrolysis temperature. The temperature-dependent conductivity of the obtained ECC structures shows a semi-conducting behaviour and the I( V) characteristics present a negative differential resistance. The results obtained from STM micrographs revealed that the obtained ECC structures consist of porous electrical conducting carbon materials.

Prediction of Early Childhood Caries via Spatial-Temporal Variations of Oral Microbiota.

PubMed

Teng, Fei; Yang, Fang; Huang, Shi; Bo, Cunpei; Xu, Zhenjiang Zech; Amir, Amnon; Knight, Rob; Ling, Junqi; Xu, Jian

2015-09-09

Microbiota-based prediction of chronic infections is promising yet not well established. Early childhood caries (ECC) is the most common infection in children. Here we simultaneously tracked microbiota development at plaque and saliva in 50 4-year-old preschoolers for 2 years; children either stayed healthy, transitioned into cariogenesis, or experienced caries exacerbation. Caries onset delayed microbiota development, which is otherwise correlated with aging in healthy children. Both plaque and saliva microbiota are more correlated with changes in ECC severity (dmfs) during onset than progression. By distinguishing between aging- and disease-associated taxa and exploiting the distinct microbiota dynamics between onset and progression, we developed a model, Microbial Indicators of Caries, to diagnose ECC from healthy samples with 70% accuracy and predict, with 81% accuracy, future ECC onsets for samples clinically perceived as healthy. Thus, caries onset in apparently healthy teeth can be predicted using microbiota, when appropriately de-trended for age. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effects of the ACTN3 R577X Genotype on the Muscular Strength and Range of Motion Before and After Eccentric Contractions of the Elbow Flexors.

PubMed

Kikuchi, Naoki; Tsuchiya, Yosuke; Nakazato, Koichi; Ishii, Naokata; Ochi, Eisuke

2018-02-01

The purpose of present study was to examine the association between ACTN3 R577X genotype and functional characteristics of elbow flexors before and after isokinetic eccentric contractions (ECCs). Fifty-two men (age: 20.8±3.8 years, height: 172.5±5.9 cm, body mass: 64.7±6.5 kg, BMI: 21.7±1.7) who had not participated in any regular resistance training for at least 1 year prior to this study were recruited. ECCs consisted of five sets of six maximal voluntary isokinetic (30°/s) ECCs of the elbow flexors with a range of motion (ROM) from 90° flexion to 0° (full extension). Measurements of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) torque, ROM, and muscle soreness were taken before, immediately after, and 1, 2, 3, and 5 days after ECCs. Genotyping results were analyzed for identifying ACTN3 R577X polymorphism (rs1815739) using TaqMan approach. The genotype frequencies of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism were RR 26.9% (n=14), RX 50.0% (n=26), and XX 23.1% (n=12). There were no significant differences in MVC torque, ROM, and soreness between three genotype groups of ACTN3 R577X. However, MVC at baseline was greater in RR homozygotes than in X-allele carriers (combined XX and RX; p<0.05). ROM in RR homozygotes at baseline was lower than that of X-allele carriers. Although a significant decrease in ROM was observed in X-allele carriers until 3 days after ECCs, a significant ROM reduction in RR homozygotes was observed only immediately after ECCs. Our data indicated that ACTN3 RR genotype has higher MVC and lower flexibility than X-allele carriers at baseline, but the effect of ACTN3 R577X genotype on these two parameters is limited after ECCs. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Impact of Exercise Counseling on Physical Function in Chronic Kidney Disease: An Observational Study.

PubMed

Bohm, Clara J; Storsley, Leroy J; Hiebert, Brett M; Nelko, Serena; Tangri, Navdeep; Cheskin, Lawrence J; McAdams-DeMarco, Mara A; Rigatto, Claudio

2018-01-01

Individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have low levels of physical activity and physical function. Although guidelines endorse exercise counseling for individuals with CKD, it is not yet part of routine care. We investigated the effect of attending a real-life exercise counseling clinic (ECC) on physical function in individuals with CKD. Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected observational data with quasi-experimental design. Patients with all stages of CKD registered in a large provincial renal program were eligible. The exposed cohort who attended the ECC between January 1, 2011, and March 15, 2014, included 214 individuals. The control cohort included 292 individuals enrolled in an observational study investigating longitudinal change in frailty during the same time period. Attendance at an ECC. Change in physical function as measured by Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score, physical activity level (Human Activity Profile [HAP]/Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly [PASE]), and health-related quality of life (HRQOL; EQ5D/VAS) over 1 year. Eighty-seven individuals in the ECC cohort and 125 participants in the control cohort completed 1-year follow-up. Baseline median SPPB score was 10 (interquartile range [IQR]: 9-12) and 9 (IQR: 7-11) in the ECC and control cohorts, respectively ( P < .01). At 1 year, SPPB scores were 10 (IQR: 8-12) and 9 (IQR: 6-11) in the ECC and control cohorts, respectively ( P = .04). Mean change in SPPB over 1 year was not significantly different between groups: -0.33 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.81 to 0.15) in ECC and -0.22 (95% CI: -0.61 to 0.17) in control ( P = .72). There was no significant difference in the proportion of individuals in each cohort with an increase/decrease in SPPB score over time. There was no significant change in physical activity or HRQOL over time between groups. Quasi-experimental design, low rate of follow-up attendance. In this pragmatic study, exercise counseling had no significant effect on change in SPPB score, suggesting that a single exercise counseling session alone is inadequate to improve physical function in CKD.

Inter-study reproducibility of cardiovascular magnetic resonance tagging

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background The aim of this study is to determine the test-retest reliability of the measurement of regional myocardial function by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) tagging using spatial modulation of magnetization. Methods Twenty-five participants underwent CMR tagging twice over 12 ± 7 days. To assess the role of slice orientation on strain measurement, two healthy volunteers had a first exam, followed by image acquisition repeated with slices rotated ±15 degrees out of true short axis, followed by a second exam in the true short axis plane. To assess the role of slice location, two healthy volunteers had whole heart tagging. The harmonic phase (HARP) method was used to analyze the tagged images. Peak midwall circumferential strain (Ecc), radial strain (Err), Lambda 1, Lambda 2, and Angle α were determined in basal, mid and apical slices. LV torsion, systolic and early diastolic circumferential strain and torsion rates were also determined. Results LV Ecc and torsion had excellent intra-, interobserver, and inter-study intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC range, 0.7 to 0.9). Err, Lambda 1, Lambda 2 and angle had excellent intra- and interobserver ICC than inter-study ICC. Angle had least inter-study reproducibility. Torsion rates had superior intra-, interobserver, and inter-study reproducibility to strain rates. The measurements of LV Ecc were comparable in all three slices with different short axis orientations (standard deviation of mean Ecc was 0.09, 0.18 and 0.16 at basal, mid and apical slices, respectively). The mean difference in LV Ecc between slices was more pronounced in most of the basal slices compared to the rest of the heart. Conclusions Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of all strain and torsion parameters was excellent. Inter-study reproducibility of CMR tagging by SPAMM varied between different parameters as described in the results above and was superior for Ecc and LV torsion. The variation in LV Ecc measurement due to altered slice orientation is negligible compared to the variation due to slice location. Trial registration This trial is registered as NCT00005487 at National Heart, Lung and Blood institute. PMID:23663535

Sloshing of Cryogenic Helium Driven by Lateral Impulse/Gravity Gradient-Dominated/or g-Jitter-Dominated Accelerations and Orbital Dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hung, R. J.; Long, Y. T.; Zu, G. J.

1996-01-01

The coupling of slosh dynamics within a partially filled rotating dewar of superfluid helium 11 with spacecraft orbital dynamics is investigated in response to the environmental disturbances of (a) lateral impulses, (b) gravity gradients and (c) g-jitter forces. The purpose of this study is to investigate how the coupling of helium 11 fluid slosh dynamics driven by three cases of environmental force with spacecraft dynamics can affect the bubble deformations and their associated fluid and spacecraft mass centre fluctuations. The numerical computation of slosh dynamics is based on a rotational frame, while the spacecraft dynamics is associated with a non-rotational frame. Results show that the major contribution of orbital dynamics is driven by coupling with slosh dynamics. Neglecting the effect of slosh dynamics acting on the spacecraft may lead to the wrong results for the development of orbital and attitude control techniques.

A Prototype of CAD/CAM Education in the Community College.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kimmey, James R.

Drawing upon Elgin Community College's (ECC's) 7-year history of program development and operation, this paper demonstrates how ECC, in cooperation with Northern Illinois Industries, Computervision Corporation, Mazak Corporation, and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, established a Computer-Aided Design and Drafting/Computer-Aided Machining…

Noncircular Chainrings Do Not Influence Maximum Cycling Power.

PubMed

Leong, Chee-Hoi; Elmer, Steven J; Martin, James C

2017-12-01

Noncircular chainrings could increase cycling power by prolonging the powerful leg extension/flexion phases, and curtailing the low-power transition phases. We compared maximal cycling power-pedaling rate relationships, and joint-specific kinematics and powers across 3 chainring eccentricities (CON = 1.0; LOW ecc  = 1.13; HIGH ecc  = 1.24). Part I: Thirteen cyclists performed maximal inertial-load cycling under 3 chainring conditions. Maximum cycling power and optimal pedaling rate were determined. Part II: Ten cyclists performed maximal isokinetic cycling (120 rpm) under the same 3 chainring conditions. Pedal and joint-specific powers were determined using pedal forces and limb kinematics. Neither maximal cycling power nor optimal pedaling rate differed across chainring conditions (all p > .05). Peak ankle angular velocity for HIGH ecc was less than CON (p < .05), while knee and hip angular velocities were unaffected. Self-selected ankle joint-center trajectory was more eccentric than HIGH ecc with an opposite orientation that increased velocity during extension/flexion and reduced velocity during transitions. Joint-specific powers did not differ across chainring conditions, with a small increase in power absorbed during ankle dorsiflexion with HIGH ecc . Multiple degrees of freedom in the leg, crank, and pedal system allowed cyclists to manipulate ankle angular velocity to maintain their preferred knee and hip actions, suggesting maximizing extension/flexion and minimizing transition phases may be counterproductive for maximal power.

The Use of Trace Eyeblink Classical Conditioning to Assess Hippocampal Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

PubMed Central

Tran, Tuan D.; Amin, Aenia; Jones, Keith G.; Sheffer, Ellen M.; Ortega, Lidia; Dolman, Keith

2017-01-01

Neonatal rats were administered a relatively high concentration of ethyl alcohol (11.9% v/v) during postnatal days 4-9, a time when the fetal brain undergoes rapid organizational change and is similar to accelerated brain changes that occur during the third trimester in humans. This model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) produces severe brain damage, mimicking the amount and pattern of binge-drinking that occurs in some pregnant alcoholic mothers. We describe the use of trace eyeblink classical conditioning (ECC), a higher-order variant of associative learning, to assess long-term hippocampal dysfunction that is typically seen in alcohol-exposed adult offspring. At 90 days of age, rodents were surgically prepared with recording and stimulating electrodes, which measured electromyographic (EMG) blink activity from the left eyelid muscle and delivered mild shock posterior to the left eye, respectively. After a 5 day recovery period, they underwent 6 sessions of trace ECC to determine associative learning differences between alcohol-exposed and control rats. Trace ECC is one of many possible ECC procedures that can be easily modified using the same equipment and software, so that different neural systems can be assessed. ECC procedures in general, can be used as diagnostic tools for detecting neural pathology in different brain systems and different conditions that insult the brain. PMID:28809846

ABO blood grouping: A potential risk factor for early childhood caries - A cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Govindaraju, Lavanya; Jeevanandan, Ganesh; Subramanian, E M G

2018-01-01

The paradigm of etiology of early childhood caries (ECC) is shifting toward genetics. Of various inherited factors, blood group of an individual is genetically determined. The aim of the study is to determine if blood group of an individual will serve as a potential risk factor in the development of ECC. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Chennai. Blood samples were collected from a total of 500 children <71 months of age for determination of the blood group. Of which 96 children (24 per blood group) were randomly selected and were included in the study. Oral screening of the selected children was done by a pediatric dentist who was blinded to the blood group of the children. Decayed, extracted, and filling index was noted. Details on other associated factors for the development of ECC such as the socioeconomic status, oral hygiene measures, diet, and feeding practices were collected by directly interviewing the parents through a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis test and post hoc Tukey test with significance level set at 0.05. Intergroup analysis of the associated factors showed no significant differences between the children of different blood groups. A statistically significant relation was noted between the blood groups and development of ECC (P = 0.025). Blood group is a potential risk indicator for the development of ECC.

Isolation, characterization, and identification of biological control agent for potato soft rot in Bangladesh.

PubMed

Rahman, M M; Ali, M E; Khan, A A; Akanda, A M; Uddin, Md Kamal; Hashim, U; Abd Hamid, S B

2012-01-01

A total of 91 isolates of probable antagonistic bacteria of potato soft rot bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora (Ecc) were extracted from rhizospheres and endophytes of various crop plants, different soil varieties, and atmospheres in the potato farming areas of Bangladesh. Antibacterial activity of the isolated probable antagonistic bacteria was tested in vitro against the previously identified most common and most virulent soft rot causing bacterial strain Ecc P-138. Only two isolates E-45 and E-65 significantly inhibited the in vitro growth of Ecc P-138. Physiological, biochemical, and carbon source utilization tests identified isolate E-65 as a member of the genus Bacillus and the isolate E-45 as Lactobacillus sp. The stronger antagonistic activity against Ecc P-138 was found in E-65 in vitro screening and storage potatoes. E-65 reduced the soft rot infection to 22-week storage potatoes of different varieties by 32.5-62.5% in model experiment, demonstrating its strong potential to be used as an effective biological control agent for the major pectolytic bacteria Ecc. The highest (62.5%) antagonistic effect of E-65 was observed in the Granola and the lowest (32.7%) of that was found in the Cardinal varieties of the Bangladeshi potatoes. The findings suggest that isolate E-65 could be exploited as a biocontrol agent for potato tubers.

Isolation, Characterization, and Identification of Biological Control Agent for Potato Soft Rot in Bangladesh

PubMed Central

Rahman, M. M.; Ali, M. E.; Khan, A. A.; Akanda, A. M.; Uddin, Md. Kamal; Hashim, U.; Abd Hamid, S. B.

2012-01-01

A total of 91 isolates of probable antagonistic bacteria of potato soft rot bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora (Ecc) were extracted from rhizospheres and endophytes of various crop plants, different soil varieties, and atmospheres in the potato farming areas of Bangladesh. Antibacterial activity of the isolated probable antagonistic bacteria was tested in vitro against the previously identified most common and most virulent soft rot causing bacterial strain Ecc P-138. Only two isolates E-45 and E-65 significantly inhibited the in vitro growth of Ecc P-138. Physiological, biochemical, and carbon source utilization tests identified isolate E-65 as a member of the genus Bacillus and the isolate E-45 as Lactobacillus sp. The stronger antagonistic activity against Ecc P-138 was found in E-65 in vitro screening and storage potatoes. E-65 reduced the soft rot infection to 22-week storage potatoes of different varieties by 32.5–62.5% in model experiment, demonstrating its strong potential to be used as an effective biological control agent for the major pectolytic bacteria Ecc. The highest (62.5%) antagonistic effect of E-65 was observed in the Granola and the lowest (32.7%) of that was found in the Cardinal varieties of the Bangladeshi potatoes. The findings suggest that isolate E-65 could be exploited as a biocontrol agent for potato tubers. PMID:22645446

Thermocapillary effect on the dynamics of viscous beads on vertical fiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Rong; Liu, Qiu Sheng

2014-09-01

The gravity-driven flow of a thin liquid film down a uniformly heated vertical fiber is considered. This is an unstable open flow that exhibits rich dynamics including the formation of droplets, or beads, driven by a Rayleigh-Plateau mechanism modified by the presence of gravity as well as the variation of surface tension induced by temperature disturbance at the interface. A linear stability analysis and a nonlinear simulation are performed to investigate the dynamic of axisymmetric disturbances. The results showed that the Marangoni instability and the Rayleigh-Plateau instability reinforce each other. With the increase of the thermocapillary effect, the fiber flow has a tendency to break up into smaller droplets.

Experimental observation of the thermocapillary driven motion of bubbles in a molten glass under low gravity conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, H. D.; Mattox, D. M.; Wilcox, W. R.; Subramanian, R. S.; Meyyappan, M.

1982-01-01

An experiment was carried out on board a Space Processing Applications Rocket with the aim of demonstrating bubble migration in molten glass due to a temperature gradient under low gravity conditions. During the flight, a sample of a sodium borate melt with a specific bubble array, contained in a platinum/fused silica cell, was subjected to a well defined temperature gradient for more than 4 minutes. Photographs taken at one second intervals during the experiment clearly show that the bubbles move toward the hot spot on the platinum heater strip. This result is consistent with the predictions of the theory of thermocapillary driven bubble motion.

Projectiles, pendula, and special relativity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Price, Richard H.

2005-05-01

The kind of flat-earth gravity used in introductory physics appears in an accelerated reference system in special relativity. From this viewpoint, we work out the special relativistic description of a ballistic projectile and a simple pendulum, two examples of simple motion driven by earth-surface gravity. The analysis uses only the basic mathematical tools of special relativity typical of a first-year university course.

The Role of Testimony in Young Children's Solution of a Gravity-Driven Invisible Displacement Task

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bascandziev, Igor; Harris, Paul L.

2010-01-01

Previous research has shown that young children make a perseverative, gravity-oriented, error when asked to predict the final location of a ball dropped down an S-shaped opaque tube (Hood, 1995). We asked if providing children with verbal information concerning the role that the tubes play, in determining the ball's trajectory would improve their…

78 FR 18375 - Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards; Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-26

... Pike, Rockville, Maryland. Thursday, April 11, 2013, Conference Room T2-B1, 11545 Rockville Pike..., ``Westinghouse BWR ECCS Evaluation Model: Supplement 5--Application to the ABWR,'' Revision 0 (Open/Closed)--The...-17116-P, ``Westinghouse BWR Emergency Core Coolant System (ECCS) Evaluation Model: Supplement 5,'' and...

Ultrafine particle and fiber production in micro-gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Webb, George W.

1987-01-01

The technique of evaporation and condensation of material in an inert gas is investigated for the purpose of preparing ultrafine particles (of order 10 nm in diameter) with a narrow distribution of sizes. Gravity-driven convection increases the rate of coalescence of the particles, leading to larger sizes and a broader distribution. Analysis and experimental efforts to investigate coalescence of particles are presented. The possibility of reducing coalescence in microgravity is discussed. An experimental test in reduced gravity to be performed in a KC135 aircraft is described briefly.

Current-Driven Dynamics of Skyrmions Stabilized in MnSi Nanowires Revealed by Topological Hall Effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Dong; Degrave, John; Stolt, Matthew; Tokura, Yoshinori; Jin, Song

2015-03-01

Skyrmions, novel topologically stable spin vortices, hold promise for next-generation high-density magnetic storage technologies due to their nanoscale domains and ultralow energy consumption. One-dimensional (1D) nanowires are ideal hosts for skyrmions since they not only serve as a natural platform for magnetic racetrack memory devices but also can potentially stabilize skyrmions. We use the topological Hall effect (THE) to study the phase stability and current-driven dynamics of the skyrmions in MnSi nanowires. The THE was observed in an extended magnetic field-temperature window (15 to 30 K), suggesting stabilization of skyrmion phase in nanowires compared with the bulk (27 to 29.5 K). Furthermore, we study skyrmion dynamics in this extended skyrmion phase region and found that under the high current-density of 108-109Am-2 enabled by nanowire geometry, the THE decreases with increasing current densities, which demonstrates the current-driven motion of skyrmions generating the emergent electric field. These results open up the exploration of nanowires as an attractive platform for investigating skyrmion physics in 1D systems and exploiting skyrmions in magnetic storage concepts. This work is supported by US National Science Foundation (ECCS-1231916) and JSPS Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research No. 24224009.

Magnetic Control of Solutal Buoyancy Driven Convection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ramachandran, N.; Leslie, F. W.

2003-01-01

Volumetric forces resulting from local density variations and gravitational acceleration cause buoyancy induced convective motion in melts and solutions. Solutal buoyancy is a result of concentration differences in an otherwise isothermal fluid. If the fluid also exhibits variations in magnetic susceptibility with concentration then convection control by external magnetic fields can be hypothesized. Magnetic control of thermal buoyancy induced convection in ferrofluids (dispersions of ferromagnetic particles in a carrier fluid) and paramagnetic fluids have been demonstrated. Here we show the nature of magnetic control of solutal buoyancy driven convection of a paramagnetic fluid, an aqueous solution of Manganese Chloride hydrate. We predict the critical magnetic field required for balancing gravitational solutal buoyancy driven convection and validate it through a simple experiment. We demonstrate that gravity driven flow can be completely reversed by a magnetic field but the exact cancellation of the flow is not possible. This is because the phenomenon is unstable. The technique can be applied to crystal growth processes in order to reduce convection and to heat exchanger devices for enhancing convection. The method can also be applied to impose a desired g-level in reduced gravity applications.

Satellite Observations of Stratospheric Gravity Waves Associated With the Intensification of Tropical Cyclones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoffmann, Lars; Wu, Xue; Alexander, M. Joan

2018-02-01

Forecasting the intensity of tropical cyclones is a challenging problem. Rapid intensification is often preceded by the formation of "hot towers" near the eyewall. Driven by strong release of latent heat, hot towers are high-reaching tropical cumulonimbus clouds that penetrate the tropopause. Hot towers are a potentially important source of stratospheric gravity waves. Using 13.5 years (2002-2016) of Atmospheric Infrared Sounder observations of stratospheric gravity waves and tropical cyclone data from the International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship, we found empirical evidence that stratospheric gravity wave activity is associated with the intensification of tropical cyclones. The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder and International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship data showed that strong gravity wave events occurred about twice as often for tropical cyclone intensification compared to storm weakening. Observations of stratospheric gravity waves, which are not affected by obscuring tropospheric clouds, may become an important future indicator of storm intensification.

Effect of Different Cooling Regimes on the Mechanical Properties of Cementitious Composites Subjected to High Temperatures

PubMed Central

Yu, Jiangtao; Weng, Wenfang; Yu, Kequan

2014-01-01

The influence of different cooling regimes (quenching in water and cooling in air) on the residual mechanical properties of engineered cementitious composite (ECC) subjected to high temperature up to 800°C was discussed in this paper. The ECC specimens are exposed to 100, 200, 400, 600, and 800°C with the unheated specimens for reference. Different cooling regimens had a significant influence on the mechanical properties of postfire ECC specimens. The microstructural characterization was examined before and after exposure to fire deterioration by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results from the microtest well explained the mechanical properties variation of postfire specimens. PMID:25161392

Kinematic evolution of a regional-scale gravity-driven deepwater fold-and-thrust belt: The Lamu Basin case-history (East Africa)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cruciani, F.; Barchi, M. R.; Koyi, H. A.; Porreca, M.

2017-08-01

The deepwater fold-and-thrust belts (DWFTBs) are geological structures recently explored thanks to advances in offshore seismic imaging by oil industry. In this study we present a kinematic analysis based on three balanced cross-sections of depth-converted, 2-D seismic profiles along the offshore Lamu Basin (East African passive margin). This margin is characterized by a regional-scale DWFTB (> 450 km long), which is the product of gravity-driven contraction on the shelf that exhibits complex structural styles and differing amount of shortening along strike. Net shortening is up to 48 km in the northern wider part of the fold-and-thrust belt (≈ 180 km), diminishing to < 15 km toward the south, where the belt is markedly narrower (≈ 50 km). The three balanced profiles show a shortening percentage around 20% (comparable with the maximum values documented in other gravity-driven DWFTBs), with a significant variability along dip: higher values are achieved in the outer (i.e. down-dip) portion of the system, dominated by basinward-verging, imbricate thrust sheets. Fold wavelength increases landward, where doubly-verging structures and symmetric detachment folds accommodate a lower amount of shortening. Similar to other cases, a linear and systematic relationship between sedimentary thickness and fold wavelength is observed. Reconstruction of the rate of shortening through time within a fold-and-thrust belt shows that after an early phase of slow activation (Late Cretaceous), > 95% of net shortening was produced in < 10 Myr (during Paleocene). During this acme phase, which followed a period of high sedimentation rate, thrusts were largely synchronous and the shortening rate reached a maximum value of 5 mm/yr. The kinematic evolution reconstructed in this study suggests that the structural evolution of gravity-driven fold-and-thrust belts differs from the accretionary wedges and the collisional fold-and-thrust belts, where thrusts propagate in-sequence and shortening is uniformly accommodated along dip.

The Worldwide Expansion of Early Childhood Care and Education, 1985-2010

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wotipka, Christine Min; Rabling, Brenda Jarillo; Sugawara, Minako; Tongliemnak, Pumsaran

2017-01-01

Although early childhood care and education (ECCE) enrollments have expanded significantly around the world since the 1960s, little is known about the economic, social, and cultural drivers explaining this growth. Using country fixed effects and a sample of 117 countries, this study explores three predictors framing the growth of ECCE enrollments…

Strategies for Implementation: The El Camino TQM Story.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schauerman, Sam; Peachy, Burt

In spring 1989, a group of 33 administrators, supervisors, faculty, and staff from El Camino College (ECC) in Torrance, California, attended 10 days of training in Total Quality Management (TQM) tools and techniques. The subsequent implementation of TQM at ECC included the following six phases: (1) establishing a Campus Commitment to Excellence…

75 FR 76051 - Northern States Power Company-Minnesota, Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant, Units 1 and 2...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-07

..., 2010 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System Accession Nos. ML093280883 and ML101480083... systems for light-water nuclear power reactors,'' and appendix K to 10 CFR part 50, ``ECCS Evaluation... core cooling system (ECCS) for reactors fueled with zircaloy or ZIRLO\\TM\\ cladding. In addition...

Early Childhood Care and Education and School Readiness in Zambia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCoy, Dana Charles; Zuilkowski, Stephanie Simmons; Yoshikawa, Hirokazu; Fink, Günther

2017-01-01

Despite increased investment in early childhood care and education (ECCE) globally, little is known about its effectiveness in low-income countries. Using kernel exact matching within a national sample of 1,623 Zambian 6-year-olds, we test the associations between ECCE participation and seven domains of children's school readiness. We find ECCE…

Optimal Placement of Dynamic Var Sources by Using Empirical Controllability Covariance

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

Qi, Junjian; Huang, Weihong; Sun, Kai

In this paper, the empirical controllability covariance (ECC), which is calculated around the considered operating condition of a power system, is applied to quantify the degree of controllability of system voltages under specific dynamic var source locations. An optimal dynamic var source placement method addressing fault-induced delayed voltage recovery (FIDVR) issues is further formulated as an optimization problem that maximizes the determinant of ECC. The optimization problem is effectively solved by the NOMAD solver, which implements the mesh adaptive direct search algorithm. The proposed method is tested on an NPCC 140-bus system and the results show that the proposed methodmore » with fault specified ECC can solve the FIDVR issue caused by the most severe contingency with fewer dynamic var sources than the voltage sensitivity index (VSI)-based method. The proposed method with fault unspecified ECC does not depend on the settings of the contingency and can address more FIDVR issues than the VSI method when placing the same number of SVCs under different fault durations. It is also shown that the proposed method can help mitigate voltage collapse.« less

Raising Public Awareness: The Role of the Household Sector in Mitigating Climate Change

PubMed Central

Lin, Shis-Ping

2015-01-01

In addition to greenhouse gas emissions from the industrial, transportation and commercial sectors, emissions from the household sector also contribute to global warming. By examining residents of Taiwan (N = 236), this study aims to reveal the factors that influence households’ intention to purchase energy-efficient appliances. The assessment in this study is based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), and perceived benefit or cost (BOC) is introduced as an independent variable in the proposed efficiency action toward climate change (ECC) model. According to structural equation modeling, most of the indicators presented a good fit to the corresponding ECC model constructs. The analysis indicated that BOC is a good complementary variable to the TPB, as the ECC model explained 61.9% of the variation in intention to purchase energy-efficient appliances, which was higher than that explained by the TPB (58.4%). This result indicates that the ECC model is superior to the TPB. Thus, the strategy of promoting energy-efficient appliances in the household sector should emphasize global warming and include the concept of BOC. PMID:26492262

Mini-extracorporeal circulation minimizes coagulation abnormalities and ameliorates pulmonary outcome in coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

PubMed

Zeitani, J; Buccisano, F; Nardella, S; Flaminio, M; Prati, P; Chiariello, G; Venditti, A; Chiariello, L

2013-07-01

Hemostasis is impaired during CABG and coagulation abnormalities often result in clinically relevant organ dysfunctions, eventually increasing morbidity and mortality rates. Fifteen consecutive patients with coronary artery disease submitted to conventional extracorporeal circulation (cECC) have been compared with 15 matched patients, using mini-ECC (MECC). Postoperative lung function was evaluated according to gas exchange, intubation time and lung injury score. In the MECC group, thrombin-antithrombin complex levels (TaTc), prothrombin fragments (PF1+2) formation and thromboelastography (TEG) clotting times were lower compared to the cECC group (p=0.002 and p<0.001, respectively) whereas postoperative blood loss was higher in the cECC group (p=0.030) and more patients required blood transfusion (p=0.020). In the MECC group, postoperative gas exchange values were better, intubation time shorter and lung injury score lower (p<0.001 for all comparisons). Our study suggests that MECC induces less coagulation disorders, leading to lower postoperative blood loss and better postoperative lung function. This approach may be advantageous in high-risk patients.

Modular minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation systems; can they become the standard practice for performing cardiac surgery?

PubMed

Anastasiadis, K; Antonitsis, P; Argiriadou, H; Deliopoulos, A; Grosomanidis, V; Tossios, P

2015-04-01

Minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation (MiECC) has been developed in an attempt to integrate all advances in cardiopulmonary bypass technology in one closed circuit that shows improved biocompatibility and minimizes the systemic detrimental effects of CPB. Despite well-evidenced clinical advantages, penetration of MiECC technology into clinical practice is hampered by concerns raised by perfusionists and surgeons regarding air handling together with blood and volume management during CPB. We designed a modular MiECC circuit, bearing an accessory circuit for immediate transition to an open system that can be used in every adult cardiac surgical procedure, offering enhanced safety features. We challenged this modular circuit in a series of 50 consecutive patients. Our results showed that the modular AHEPA circuit design offers 100% technical success rate in a cohort of random, high-risk patients who underwent complex procedures, including reoperation and valve and aortic surgery, together with emergency cases. This pilot study applies to the real world and prompts for further evaluation of modular MiECC systems through multicentre trials. © The Author(s) 2015.

Raising Public Awareness: The Role of the Household Sector in Mitigating Climate Change.

PubMed

Lin, Shis-Ping

2015-10-20

In addition to greenhouse gas emissions from the industrial, transportation and commercial sectors, emissions from the household sector also contribute to global warming. By examining residents of Taiwan (N = 236), this study aims to reveal the factors that influence households' intention to purchase energy-efficient appliances. The assessment in this study is based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), and perceived benefit or cost (BOC) is introduced as an independent variable in the proposed efficiency action toward climate change (ECC) model. According to structural equation modeling, most of the indicators presented a good fit to the corresponding ECC model constructs. The analysis indicated that BOC is a good complementary variable to the TPB, as the ECC model explained 61.9% of the variation in intention to purchase energy-efficient appliances, which was higher than that explained by the TPB (58.4%). This result indicates that the ECC model is superior to the TPB. Thus, the strategy of promoting energy-efficient appliances in the household sector should emphasize global warming and include the concept of BOC.

A Secure-Enhanced Data Aggregation Based on ECC in Wireless Sensor Networks

PubMed Central

Zhou, Qiang; Yang, Geng; He, Liwen

2014-01-01

Data aggregation is an important technique for reducing the energy consumption of sensor nodes in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). However, compromised aggregators may forge false values as the aggregated results of their child nodes in order to conduct stealthy attacks or steal other nodes' privacy. This paper proposes a Secure-Enhanced Data Aggregation based on Elliptic Curve Cryptography (SEDA-ECC). The design of SEDA-ECC is based on the principles of privacy homomorphic encryption (PH) and divide-and-conquer. An aggregation tree disjoint method is first adopted to divide the tree into three subtrees of similar sizes, and a PH-based aggregation is performed in each subtree to generate an aggregated subtree result. Then the forged result can be identified by the base station (BS) by comparing the aggregated count value. Finally, the aggregated result can be calculated by the BS according to the remaining results that have not been forged. Extensive analysis and simulations show that SEDA-ECC can achieve the highest security level on the aggregated result with appropriate energy consumption compared with other asymmetric schemes. PMID:24732099

A New Ensemble Canonical Correlation Prediction Scheme for Seasonal Precipitation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, Kyu-Myong; Lau, William K. M.; Li, Guilong; Shen, Samuel S. P.; Lau, William K. M. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada This paper describes the fundamental theory of the ensemble canonical correlation (ECC) algorithm for the seasonal climate forecasting. The algorithm is a statistical regression sch eme based on maximal correlation between the predictor and predictand. The prediction error is estimated by a spectral method using the basis of empirical orthogonal functions. The ECC algorithm treats the predictors and predictands as continuous fields and is an improvement from the traditional canonical correlation prediction. The improvements include the use of area-factor, estimation of prediction error, and the optimal ensemble of multiple forecasts. The ECC is applied to the seasonal forecasting over various parts of the world. The example presented here is for the North America precipitation. The predictor is the sea surface temperature (SST) from different ocean basins. The Climate Prediction Center's reconstructed SST (1951-1999) is used as the predictor's historical data. The optimally interpolated global monthly precipitation is used as the predictand?s historical data. Our forecast experiments show that the ECC algorithm renders very high skill and the optimal ensemble is very important to the high value.

Oral rehabilitation of a 4-year-old child with early childhood caries under general anaesthesia: a case report on long-term outcome.

PubMed

Cuadros Fernández, C; Armengol Olivares, A; Guinot Jimeno, F; Lorente Rodríguez, A I

2014-07-01

Young patients with early childhood caries (ECC) commonly undergo oral rehabilitation under general anaesthesia (GA), often because of problems with behaviour management. Children with a history of ECC are highly susceptible to the development of new caries, even after comprehensive oral rehabilitation. The present paper reports the case of a female patient, aged 4.1 years, with ECC who was referred for treatment to the Department of Paediatric Dentistry of the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya. On account of the requirement for extensive dental treatment, and because of behaviour management problems, her dentition was restored under GA. A combination of restorative approaches and techniques was used, including the placement of composite resins, preformed metal crown restorations, extractions, and space maintainers. The patient was followed for 24 months, both clinically and radiographically. Conclusion This case reflects the need to provide adequate support to children at high risk for ECC, together with their families by developing more acceptable and effective biological and behavioural interventions in order to reduce caries relapse after oral rehabilitation under GA.

Stigmatized Biologies: Examining the Cumulative Effects of Oral Health Disparities for Mexican American Farmworker Children

PubMed Central

Horton, Sarah; Barker, Judith C.

2012-01-01

Severe early childhood caries (ECC) can leave lasting effects on children’s physical development, including malformed oral arches and crooked permanent dentition. This article examines the way that ECC sets up Mexican American farm worker children in the United States for lasting dental problems and social stigma as young adults. We examine the role of dietary and environmental factors in contributing to what we call “stigmatized biologies,” and that of market-based dental public health insurance systems in cementing their enduring effects. We adapt Margaret Lock’s term, local biology, to illustrate the way that biology differs not only because of culture, diet, and environment but also because of disparities in insurance coverage. By showing the long-term effects of ECC and disparate dental treatment on farmworker adults, we show how the interaction of immigrant caregiving practices and underinsurance can have lasting social effects. An examination of the long-term effects of farm worker children’s ECC illustrates the ways that market-based health care systems can create embodied differences that in turn reproduce a system of social inequality. PMID:20550093

Adaptive error correction codes for face identification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hussein, Wafaa R.; Sellahewa, Harin; Jassim, Sabah A.

2012-06-01

Face recognition in uncontrolled environments is greatly affected by fuzziness of face feature vectors as a result of extreme variation in recording conditions (e.g. illumination, poses or expressions) in different sessions. Many techniques have been developed to deal with these variations, resulting in improved performances. This paper aims to model template fuzziness as errors and investigate the use of error detection/correction techniques for face recognition in uncontrolled environments. Error correction codes (ECC) have recently been used for biometric key generation but not on biometric templates. We have investigated error patterns in binary face feature vectors extracted from different image windows of differing sizes and for different recording conditions. By estimating statistical parameters for the intra-class and inter-class distributions of Hamming distances in each window, we encode with appropriate ECC's. The proposed approached is tested for binarised wavelet templates using two face databases: Extended Yale-B and Yale. We shall demonstrate that using different combinations of BCH-based ECC's for different blocks and different recording conditions leads to in different accuracy rates, and that using ECC's results in significantly improved recognition results.

Factors predisposing to early childhood caries (ECC) in children of pre-school age in the city of Zagreb, Croatia.

PubMed

Lulić-Dukić, O; Jurić, H; Dukić, W; Glavina, D

2001-06-01

The aim of this study was to investigate factors predisposing to early childhood caries (ECC) in pre-school children in the city of Zagreb, Croatia. The investigation was carried out on the sample of 145 children (77 boys and 68 girls) aged between 2 and 5 years, including clinical examination of dental status and survey on the habits among the parents. The overall prevalence of ECC was 30%: in girls it was 25%, and in boys 48%. The study on the risk factors was designed as a classic case-control study. The mean value of dmfs index among the cases amounted to 8.6, in comparison to 5.2 in the control group (p<0.05). Bottle-feeding did not represent a significant risk, but night consumption of sweet beverages after first 24 months and the lack of introduction of teeth-brushing habit after first 24 months did (p < 0.001 for both predictors). The study revealed the importance of early introduction of teeth-brushing and giving up the nightly consumption of sweet beverages in prevention of ECC.

Medication and volume delivery by gravity-driven micro-drip intravenous infusion: potential variations during "wide-open" flow.

PubMed

Pierce, Eric T; Kumar, Vikram; Zheng, Hui; Peterfreund, Robert A

2013-03-01

Gravity-driven micro-drip infusion sets allow control of medication dose delivery by adjusting drops per minute. When the roller clamp is fully open, flow in the drip chamber can be a continuous fluid column rather than discrete, countable, drops. We hypothesized that during this "wide-open" state, drug delivery becomes dependent on factors extrinsic to the micro-drip set and is therefore difficult to predict. We conducted laboratory experiments to characterize volume delivery under various clinically relevant conditions of wide-open flow in an in vitro laboratory model. A micro-drip infusion set, plugged into a bag of normal saline, was connected to a high-flow stopcock at the distal end. Vertically oriented IV catheters (gauges 14-22) were connected to the stopcock. The fluid meniscus height in the bag was fixed (60-120 cm) above the outflow point. The roller clamp on the infusion set was in fully open position for all experiments resulting in a continuous column of fluid in the drip chamber. Fluid volume delivered in 1 minute was measured 4 times with each condition. To model resistive effects of carrier flow, volumetric infusion pumps were used to deliver various flow rates of normal saline through a carrier IV set into which a micro-drip infusion was "piggybacked." We also compared delivery by micro-drip infusion sets from 3 manufacturers. The volume of fluid delivered by gravity-driven infusion under wide-open conditions (continuous fluid column in drip chamber) varied 2.9-fold (95% confidence interval, 2.84-2.96) depending on catheter size and fluid column height. Total model resistance of the micro-drip with stopcock and catheter varied with flow rate. Volume delivered by the piggybacked micro-drip decreased up to 29.7% ± 0.8% (mean ± SE) as the carrier flow increased from 0 to 1998 mL/min. Delivery characteristics of the micro-drip infusion sets from 3 different manufacturers were similar. Laboratory simulation of clinical situations with gravity-driven micro-drip infusion sets under wide-open flow conditions revealed that infusion rate (drug and/or volume delivery) can vary widely depending on extrinsic factors including catheter size, fluid column height, and carrier flow. The variable resistance implies nonlaminar flow in the micro-drip model that cannot be easily predicted mathematically. These findings support the use of mechanical pumps instead of gravity-driven micro-drips to enhance the precision and safety of IV infusions, especially for vasoactive drugs.

Social and Behavioral Determinants for Early Childhood Caries among Preschool Children in India

PubMed Central

Jain, Mitali; Namdev, Ritu; Bodh, Meenakshi; Dutta, Samir; Singhal, Parul; Kumar, Arun

2015-01-01

Background and aims. Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a public health problem with biological, social and behavioural determinants and the notion that the principal etiology is inappropriate feeding modalities is no longer tenable. Hence this study was undertaken to assess the relationship between ECC and socio-demographic factors, dietary habits, oral hygiene habits and parental characteristics. Materials and methods. The study involved a dental examination of 1400 children aged 0-71 months, recording caries using Gruebbel’s deft index and a structured questionnaire to interview parents or caretakers. The tabulated data was statistically analyzed using t-test and ANOVA at 5% level of significance. Results. The variables significantly associated with ECC were age (P<0.001), geographical location (P<0.05), duration of breast/bottle feeding (P<0.001), use of sweetened pacifiers (P<0.001), frequency of snacking (P<0.05), frequency of tooth brushing (P<0.001), the person responsible for child’s oral health care (P<0.05) and education level of parents (P<0.05). However, other variables like child’s gender, number of siblings, types of snack the child preferred and age at which tooth brushing was instituted did not have statistically significant relationship with ECC (P>0.05). Conclusion. ECC is preventable and manageable with proper information and skills. It is important for healthcare professionals, family physicians and parents to be cognizant of the involved risk factors as their preventive efforts represent the first line of defense. PMID:26236439

Minimized extracorporeal circulation in coronary artery bypass surgery is equivalent to standard extracorporeal circulation in patients with reduced left ventricular function.

PubMed

Puehler, T; Haneya, A; Philipp, A; Camboni, D; Hirt, S; Zink, W; Lehle, K; Rupprecht, L; Kobuch, R; Diez, C; Schmid, C

2010-06-01

Minimized extracorporeal circulation (MECC) is a promising alternative to standard extracorporeal circulation (ECC) and its use is increasing in routine coronary bypass surgery. We analyzed the clinical outcome of patients with reduced left ventricular function who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery with MECC or with standard ECC. From January 2003 to September 2008, 238 patients with a left ventricular function < 30 % underwent bypass surgery with ECC or MECC. The primary end point of our retrospective observational study was 30-day mortality. Secondary endpoints were the transfusion requirements, as well as intensive care and the in-hospital course. Demographic data, comorbidities and left ventricular function were similar in the study groups. MECC patients had a tendency towards a lower 30-day mortality rate, a better postoperative renal function and reduced ventilation times. Extracorporeal circulation time and postoperative high-dose inotropic support were significantly lower in the MECC group, while the stays in the intensive care unit and in hospital were comparable between the two groups. In our study, age in the ECC group, and previous infarction and New York Heart Association grade IV in the MECC group were preoperative risk factors associated with a higher mortality. Coronary bypass surgery using MECC is feasible and safe for patients with severely impaired left ventricular function. It is a promising alternative to ECC with a low mortality rate and a more favorable postoperative course.

Association of Long-Duration Breastfeeding and Dental Caries Estimated with Marginal Structural Models

PubMed Central

Chaffee, Benjamin W.; Feldens, Carlos Alberto; Vítolo, Márcia Regina

2014-01-01

Purpose Estimate the association between breastfeeding ≥24 months and severe early childhood caries (ECC). Methods Within a birth cohort (n=715) from low-income families in Porto Alegre, Brazil, the age 38-month prevalence of severe-ECC (≥4 affected tooth surfaces or ≥1 affected maxillary anterior teeth) was compared over breastfeeding duration categories using marginal structural models to account for time-dependent confounding by other feeding habits and child growth. Additional analyses assessed whether daily breastfeeding frequency modified the association of breastfeeding duration and severe-ECC. Multiple imputation and censoring weights were used to address incomplete covariate information and missing outcomes, respectively. Confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using bootstrap re-sampling. Results Breastfeeding ≥24 months was associated with the highest adjusted population-average severe-ECC prevalence (0.45, 95% CI: 0.36, 0.54) compared with breastfeeding <6 months (0.22, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.28), 6–11 months (0.38, 95% CI: 0.25, 0.53), or 12–23 months (0.39, 95% CI: 0.20, 0.56). High frequency breastfeeding enhanced the association between long-duration breastfeeding and caries (excess prevalence due to interaction: 0.13, 80% CI: −0.03, 0.30). Conclusions In this population, breastfeeding ≥24 months, particularly if frequent, was associated with severe-ECC. Dental health should be one consideration, among many, in evaluating health outcomes associated with breastfeeding ≥24 months. PMID:24636616

The effects of estradiol and selective estrogen receptor modulators on gene expression and messenger RNA stability in immortalized sheep endometrial stromal cells and human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells.

PubMed

Farnell, Yuhua Z; Ing, Nancy H

2003-03-01

The purpose of this study was to identify an endometrial cell line that maintained the E2 up-regulation of estrogen receptor (ER) mRNA by enhanced message stability and to assess its dependence on ER protein. Estradiol (E2) effects on gene expression were measured in three cell lines: one immortalized from sheep endometrial stroma (ST) and two from human endometrial adenocarcinomas (Ishikawa and ECC-1). E2 up-regulated ER mRNA levels in ST and Ishikawa cells, but down-regulated ER mRNA levels in ECC-1 cells. E2 up-regulated progesterone receptor (PR), glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) in both Ishikawa and ECC-1 cells. The selective estrogen receptor modulator ICI 182,780 antagonized the E2-induced up-regulation of ER and/or PR mRNA levels in all three cells, while another, GW 5638, antagonized the up-regulation of PR mRNA in Ishikawa and ECC-1 cells. In mechanistic studies, E2 had no effect on ER mRNA stability in ST cells and it destabilized ER mRNA in ECC-1 cells. Thus, Ishikawa cells appear to be the most physiologically relevant cell line in which to study the up-regulation of ER mRNA levels by enhanced mRNA stability. Its antagonism by ICI 182,780 reveals that ER protein is involved in this E2 response.

Caregiver knowledge and attitudes of preschool oral health and early childhood caries (ECC).

PubMed

Schroth, Robert J; Brothwell, Douglas J; Moffatt, Michael E K

2007-04-01

Prevention strategies are integral to improving the oral health for young Aboriginal children. For such to be effective, it is important to understand the social value that parents and caregivers ascribe to primary teeth. The purpose of this paper is to report caregiver knowledge and attitudes toward preschool oral health and early childhood caries (ECC) from 4 communities in Manitoba. Cross-sectional study, including a retrospective interview with caregivers. Children and their main caregivers served as the sample. Preschoolers underwent a comprehensive dental screening while caregivers completed a questionnaire that explored knowledge and attitudes toward preschool dental health. Caregiver responses were matched with findings from each child's examination. A majority agreed that primary teeth were important, that dental disease could lead to health problems and that a first dental visit should be made by age 1. Caregivers of children with ECC were more likely to believe that caries could not affect a child's health while those who believed primary teeth are important had children with significantly less decay. Most caregivers believed that primary teeth are important and correctly responded to inquiries about knowledge and attitudes toward oral health. Attitudes on the importance of baby teeth and bottle feeding after one year of age, the effect of rotten teeth on childhood health and night-time nursing emerged as variables most associated with the absence/presence of ECC and deft rates. Incorporating such questioning into caries risk assessments may be a useful means to determine a child's risk for ECC.

Ensemble Canonical Correlation Prediction of Seasonal Precipitation Over the United States: Raising the Bar for Dynamical Model Forecasts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lau, William K. M.; Kim, Kyu-Myong; Shen, S. P.

2001-01-01

This paper presents preliminary results of an ensemble canonical correlation (ECC) prediction scheme developed at the Climate and Radiation Branch, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center for determining the potential predictability of regional precipitation, and for climate downscaling studies. The scheme is tested on seasonal hindcasts of anomalous precipitation over the continental United States using global sea surface temperature (SST) for 1951-2000. To maximize the forecast skill derived from SST, the world ocean is divided into non-overlapping sectors. The canonical SST modes for each sector are used as the predictor for the ensemble hindcasts. Results show that the ECC yields a substantial (10-25%) increase in prediction skills for all the regions of the US in every season compared to traditional CCA prediction schemes. For the boreal winter, the tropical Pacific contributes the largest potential predictability to precipitation in the southwestern and southeastern regions, while the North Pacific and the North Atlantic are responsible to the enhanced forecast skills in the Pacific Northwest, the northern Great Plains and Ohio Valley. Most importantly, the ECC increases skill for summertime precipitation prediction and substantially reduces the spring predictability barrier over all the regions of the US continent. Besides SST, the ECC is designed with the flexibility to include any number of predictor fields, such as soil moisture, snow cover and additional local observations. The enhanced ECC forecast skill provides a new benchmark for evaluating dynamical model forecasts.

Role of dominant versus non-dominant hand position during uninterrupted chest compression CPR by novice rescuers: a randomized double-blind crossover study.

PubMed

Nikandish, Reza; Shahbazi, Sharbanoo; Golabi, Sedigheh; Beygi, Najimeh

2008-02-01

Previous research has suggested improved quality of chest compressions when the dominant hand was in contact with the sternum. However, the study was in health care professionals and during conventional chest compression-ventilation CPR. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis, in null form, that the quality of external chest compressions (ECC) in novice rescuers during 5min of uninterrupted chest compression CPR (UCC-CPR) is independent of the hand in contact with the sternum. Confirmation of the hypothesis would allow the use of either hand by the novice rescuers during UCC-CPR. Fifty-nine first year public heath students participated in this randomised double-blind crossover study. After completion of a standard adult BLS course, they performed single rescuer adult UCC-CPR for 5 min on a recording Resusci Anne. One week later they changed the hand of contact with the sternum while performing ECC. The quality of ECC was recorded by the skill meter for the dominant and non-dominant hand during 5 min ECC. The total number of correct chest compressions in the dominant hand group (DH), mean 183+/-152, was not statistically different from the non-dominant hand group (NH), mean 152+/-135 (P=0.09). The number of ECC with inadequate depth in the DH group, mean 197+/-174 and NH group, mean 196+/-173 were comparable (P=0.1). The incidence of ECC exceeding the recommended depth in the DH group, mean 51+/-110 and NH group, mean 32+/-75 were comparable (P=0.1). Although there is a trend to increased incidence of correct chest compressions with positioning the dominant hand in contact with the sternum, it does not reach statistical significance during UCC-CPR by the novice rescuers for 5 min.

Early phase adaptations in muscle strength and hypertrophy as a result of low-intensity blood flow restriction resistance training.

PubMed

Hill, Ethan C; Housh, Terry J; Keller, Joshua L; Smith, Cory M; Schmidt, Richard J; Johnson, Glen O

2018-06-22

Low-intensity venous blood flow restriction (vBFR) resistance training has been shown to promote increases in muscle strength and size. Eccentric-only muscle actions are typically a more potent stimulus to increase muscle strength and size than concentric-only muscle actions performed at the same relative intensities. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to examine the time-course of changes in muscle strength, hypertrophy, and neuromuscular adaptations following 4 weeks of unilateral forearm flexion low-intensity eccentric vBFR (Ecc-vBFR) vs. low-intensity concentric vBFR (Con-vBFR) resistance training performed at the same relative intensity. Thirty-six women were randomly assigned to either Ecc-vBFR (n = 12), Con-vBFR (n = 12) or control (no intervention, n = 12) group. Ecc-vBFR trained at 30% of eccentric peak torque and Con-vBFR trained at 30% of concentric peak torque. All training and testing procedures were performed at an isokinetic velocity of 120° s - ¹. Muscle strength increased similarly from 0 to 2 and 4 weeks of training as a result of Ecc-vBFR (13.9 and 35.0%) and Con-vBFR (13.4 and 31.2%), but there were no changes in muscle strength for the control group. Muscle thickness increased similarly from 0 to 2 and 4 weeks of training as a result of Ecc-vBFR (11.4 and 12.8%) and Con-vBFR (9.1 and 9.9%), but there were no changes for the control group. In addition, there were no changes in any of the neuromuscular responses. The Ecc-vBFR and Con-vBFR low-intensity training induced comparable increases in muscle strength and size. The increases in muscle strength, however, were not associated with neuromuscular adaptations.

Strength After Bouts of Eccentric or Concentric Actions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Golden, Catherine L.; Dudley, Gary A.

1992-01-01

This study examined the influence of an initial bout of eccentric or concentric actions and a subsequent bout of eccentric actions on muscular strength. Twenty-four healthy males, 24-45 yr old, were placed in three groups that performed eccentric actions in bouts 1 and 2 (ECC/ECC, N = 8), concentric actions in bout 1, and eccentric actions in bout 2 (CON/ECC, N = 8) or served as controls (N = 8). Bouts involved unilateral actions with the left and right quadriceps femoris. Ten sets of 10 repetitions with an initial resistance equal to 85% of the eccentric or concentric one repetition maximum (1 RM) were performed for each bout. Three minutes of rest were given between sets and 3 wk between bouts. Two weeks before bout 1 and 1, 4, 7, and 10 d after bouts 1 and 2, eccentric and concentric 1 RM were measured for the right quadriceps femoris and a speed-torque relation established for the left quadriceps femoris. Eccentric and concentric 1 RM decreased (P less than 0.05) 32% 1 d after bout 1 for group ECC/ECC. The speed-torque relation was down-shifted (P less than 0.05) 38%. Eccentric 1 RM and eccentric and isometric torque returned to normal 6 d later. Concentric 1 RM and torque at 3.14 rad-s(exp -1) had not recovered on day 10 (-7% for both, P less than 0.05). Decreases in strength after bout 2 for group ECC/ECC only occurred on day 1 (-9% for concentric 1 RM and 16% downshift of the speed- torque relation). Group CONIECC showed the opposite responses; marked decreases in strength after bout 2 but not bout 1. The results indicate that the initial decrease in strength after performance of a novel bout of eccentric exercise is comparable for eccentric, concentric and isometric muscle actions. Recovery of strength, however, appears to occur more rapidly for eccentric and isometric actions. They suggest that performance of a prior bout of eccentric but not concentric actions, as done in this study, can essentially eradicate decreases in strength after a subsequent bout of eccentric exercise. It is suggested that neural factors are, in part, responsible for adaptations to eccentric exercise.

Impact of Exercise Counseling on Physical Function in Chronic Kidney Disease: An Observational Study

PubMed Central

Storsley, Leroy J.; Hiebert, Brett M.; Nelko, Serena; Cheskin, Lawrence J.; McAdams-DeMarco, Mara A.; Rigatto, Claudio

2018-01-01

Background: Individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have low levels of physical activity and physical function. Although guidelines endorse exercise counseling for individuals with CKD, it is not yet part of routine care. Objective: We investigated the effect of attending a real-life exercise counseling clinic (ECC) on physical function in individuals with CKD. Design: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected observational data with quasi-experimental design. Setting and Participants: Patients with all stages of CKD registered in a large provincial renal program were eligible. The exposed cohort who attended the ECC between January 1, 2011, and March 15, 2014, included 214 individuals. The control cohort included 292 individuals enrolled in an observational study investigating longitudinal change in frailty during the same time period. Predictor/Factor: Attendance at an ECC. Outcomes and Measurements: Change in physical function as measured by Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score, physical activity level (Human Activity Profile [HAP]/Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly [PASE]), and health-related quality of life (HRQOL; EQ5D/VAS) over 1 year. Results: Eighty-seven individuals in the ECC cohort and 125 participants in the control cohort completed 1-year follow-up. Baseline median SPPB score was 10 (interquartile range [IQR]: 9-12) and 9 (IQR: 7-11) in the ECC and control cohorts, respectively (P < .01). At 1 year, SPPB scores were 10 (IQR: 8-12) and 9 (IQR: 6-11) in the ECC and control cohorts, respectively (P = .04). Mean change in SPPB over 1 year was not significantly different between groups: −0.33 (95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.81 to 0.15) in ECC and −0.22 (95% CI: −0.61 to 0.17) in control (P = .72). There was no significant difference in the proportion of individuals in each cohort with an increase/decrease in SPPB score over time. There was no significant change in physical activity or HRQOL over time between groups. Limitations: Quasi-experimental design, low rate of follow-up attendance. Conclusions: In this pragmatic study, exercise counseling had no significant effect on change in SPPB score, suggesting that a single exercise counseling session alone is inadequate to improve physical function in CKD. PMID:29487746

The hemocompatibility of a nitric oxide generating polymer that catalyzes S-nitrosothiol decomposition in an extracorporeal circulation model

PubMed Central

Major, Terry C.; Brant, David O.; Burney, Charles P.; Amoako, Kagya A.; Annich, Gail M.; Meyerhoff, Mark E.; Handa, Hitesh; Bartlett, Robert H.

2011-01-01

Nitric oxide (NO) generating (NOGen) materials have been shown previously to create localized increases in NO concentration by the catalytic decomposition of blood S-nitrosothiols (RSNO) via copper (Cu)-containing polymer coatings and may improve extracorporeal circulation (ECC) hemocompatibility. In this work, a NOGen polymeric coating composed of a Cuo-nanoparticle (80 nm)-containing hydrophilic polyurethane (SP-60D-60) combined with the intravenous infusion of an RSNO, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), is evaluated in a 4 h rabbit thrombogenicity model and the anti-thrombotic mechanism is investigated. Polymer films containing 10 wt.% Cuo-nanoparticles coated on the inner walls of ECC circuits are employed concomitantly with systemic SNAP administration (0.1182 μmol/kg/min) to yield significantly reduced ECC thrombus formation compared to polymer control + systemic SNAP or 10 wt.% Cu NOGen + systemic saline after 4 h blood exposure (0.4 ± 0.2 NOGen/SNAP vs 4.9 ± 0.5 control/SNAP or 3.2 ± 0.2 pixels/cm2 NOGen/saline). Platelet count (3.9 ± 0.7 NOGen/SNAP vs 1.8 ± 0.1 control/SNAP or 3.0 ± 0.2 × 108/ml NOGen/saline) and plasma fibrinogen levels were preserved after 4 h blood exposure with the NOGen/SNAP combination vs either the control/SNAP or the NOGen/saline groups. Platelet function as measured by aggregometry (51 ± 9 NOGen/SNAP vs 49 ± 3% NOGen/saline) significantly decreased in both the NOGen/SNAP and NOGen/saline groups while platelet P-selectin mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) as measured by flow cytometry was not decreased after 4 h on ECC to ex vivo collagen stimulation (26 ± 2 NOGen/SNAP vs 29 ± 1 MFI baseline). Western blotting showed that fibrinogen activation as assessed by Aγ dimer expression was reduced after 4 h on ECC with NOGen/SNAP (68 ± 7 vs 83 ± 3% control/SNAP). These results suggest that the NOGen polymer coating combined with SNAP infusion preserves platelets in blood exposure to ECCs by attenuating activated fibrinogen and preventing platelet aggregation. These NO-mediated platelet changes were shown to improve thromboresistance of the NOGen polymer-coated ECCs when adequate levels of RSNOs are present. PMID:21696821

Crystal Growth of ZnSe and Related Ternary Compound Semiconductors by Vapor Transport

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2003-01-01

The objective of the project is to determine the relative contributions of gravity-driven fluid flows to the compositional distribution, incorporation of impurities and defects, and deviation from stoichiometry observed in the crystals grown by vapor transport as results of buoyancy-driven convection and growth interface fluctuations caused by irregular fluid-flows. ZnSe and related ternary compounds, such as ZnSeS and ZnSeTe, were grown by vapor transport technique with real time in situ non-invasive monitoring techniques. The grown crystals were characterized extensively to correlate the grown crystal properties with the growth conditions. Significant effects of gravity vector orientation on the growth crystal morphology and point defect distribution were observed.

Experiments on Thermal Convection in Rotating Spherical Shells With Radial Gravity: The Geophysical Fluid Flow Cell

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hart, John E.

1996-01-01

Experiments designed to study the fluid dynamics of buoyancy driven circulations in rotating spherical shells were conducted on the United States Microgravity Laboratory 2 spacelab mission. These experiments address several aspects of prototypical global convection relevant to large scale motions on the Sun, Earth, and on the giant planets. The key feature is the consistent modeling of radially directed gravity in spherical geometry by using dielectric polarization forces. Imagery of the planforms of thermally driven flows for rapidly-rotating regimes shows an initial separation and eventual merger of equatorial and polar convection as the heating (i.e. the Rayleigh number) is increased. At low rotation rates, multiple-states of motion for the same external parameters were observed.

New Wine in Old Bottles: Increasing the Coherence of Early Childhood Care and Education Policy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barnett, W. Steven

1993-01-01

Analyzes public interest in early childhood care and education (ECCE) policy. Chronicles federal policy in this area from the mid-1960s to the present, with particular attention to changes in the amount of funding and its allocation. Argues that ECCE policy is inadequately funded, fragmented, and internally inconsistent, and provides alternative…

Preparation and Retention of the Early Childhood Care and Education Workforce in Maryland

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Klein, Elisa L.; Zheng, Xiaying; Sunderman, Gail L.; Henneberger, Angela K.; Stapleton, Laura M.; Woolley, Michael E.

2016-01-01

Increasing awareness of the vital developmental implications of the care and education of young children has led to efforts in Maryland to advance early childhood care and education (ECCE). To that end, Maryland has consolidated ECCE services into one division of the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and developed a number of…

Knee Extensor and Flexor Torque Development with Concentric and Eccentric Isokinetic Training

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Larry E.; Pierson, Lee M.; Nickols-Richardson, Sharon M.; Wootten, David F.; Selmon, Serah E.; Ramp, Warren K.; Herbert, William G.

2006-01-01

This study assessed muscular torque and rate of torque development following concentric (CON) or eccentric (ECC) isokinetic training. Thirty-eight women were randomly assigned to either CON or ECC training groups. Training consisted of knee extension and flexion of the nondominant leg three times per week for 20 weeks (SD = 1). Eccentric training…

Watching Transitions Unfold: A Mixed-Method Study of Transitions within Early Childhood Care and Education Settings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

O'Farrelly, Christine; Hennessy, Eilis

2014-01-01

Unlike the transitions children make between settings, those they undertake between age groups within early childhood care and education (ECCE) settings are seldom studied. Accordingly, this exploratory study followed seven preschool children (three boys and four girls) as they moved to new rooms in five ECCE settings. Structured observations of…

High-Speed Large-Alphabet Quantum Key Distribution Using Photonic Integrated Circuits

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-01-28

polarizing beam splitter, TDC: time-to-digital converter. Extra&loss& photon/bin frame size QSER secure bpp ECC secure&key&rate& none& 0.0031 64 14...to-digital converter. photon/frame frame size QSER secure bpp ECC secure&key& rate& 1.3 16 9.5 % 2.9 layered LDPC 7.3&Mbps& Figure 24: Operating

Analytics of crystal growth in space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chang, C. E.; Lefever, R. A.; Wilcox, W. R.

1975-01-01

The variation of radial impurity distribution induced by surface tension driven flow increases as the zone length decreases in silicon crystals grown by floating zone melting. In combined buoyancy driven and surface tension driven convection at the gravity of earth, the buoyancy contribution becomes relatively smaller as the zone diameter decreases and eventually convection is dominated by the surface tension driven flow (in the case of silicon, for zones of less than about 0.8 cm in diameter). Preliminary calculations for sapphire suggest the presence of an oscillatory surface tension driven convection as a result of an unstable melt surface temperature that results when the zone is heated by a radiation heater.

The Effect of Gravity Axis Orientation on the Growth of Phthalocyanine Thin Films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pearson, Earl F.

1996-01-01

Experimentally, many of the functions of electrical circuits have been demonstrated using optical circuits and, in theory, all of these functions may be accomplished using optical devices made of nonlinear optical materials. Actual construction of nonlinear optical devices is one of the most active areas in all optical research being done at this time. Physical vapor transport (PVT) is a promising technique for production of thin films of a variety of organic and inorganic materials. Film optical quality, orientation of microcrystals, and thickness depends critically on type of material, pressure of buffer gas and temperature of deposition. An important but understudied influence on film characteristics is the effect of gravity-driven buoyancy. Frazier, Hung, Paley, Penn and Long have recently reported mathematical modelling of the vapor deposition process and tested the predictions of the model on the thickness of films grown by PVT of 6-(2-methyl-4-nitroanilino)-2,4-hexadiyn-l-ol (DAMNA). In an historic experiment, Debe, et. al. offered definitive proof that copper phthalocyanine films grown in a low gravity environment are denser and more ordered than those grown at 1 g. This work seeks to determine the influence on film quality of gravity driven buoyancy in the low pressure PVT film growth of metal-free phthalocyanine.

Biciliated ependymal cell proliferation contributes to spinal cord growth

PubMed Central

Alfaro-Cervello, Clara; Soriano-Navarro, Mario; Mirzadeh, Zaman; Alvarez-Buylla, Arturo; Garcia-Verdugo, Jose Manuel

2013-01-01

Two neurogenic regions have been described in the adult brain, the lateral ventricle subventricular zone and the dentate gyrus subgranular zone. It has been suggested that neural stem cells also line the central canal of the adult spinal cord. Using transmission and scanning electron microscopy and immunostaining, we describe here the organization and cell types of the central canal epithelium in adult mice. The identity of dividing cells was determined by three-dimensional ultrastructural reconstructions of [3H]thymidine-labeled cells and confocal analysis of bromodeoxyuridine labeling. The most common cell type lining the central canal had two long motile (9+2) cilia and was vimentin+, CD24+, FoxJ1+, Sox2+ and CD133+, but nestin- and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-. These biciliated ependymal cells of the central canal (Ecc) resembled E2 cells of the lateral ventricles, but their basal bodies were different from that of E2 or E1 cells. Interestingly, we frequently found Ecc cells with two nuclei and four cilia, suggesting they are formed by incomplete cytokinesis or cell fusion. GFAP+ astrocytes with a single cilium and an orthogonally oriented centriole were also observed. The majority of dividing cells corresponded to biciliated Ecc cells. Central canal proliferation was most common during the active period of spinal cord growth. Pairs of labeled Ecc cells were observed within the central canal in adult mice 2.5 weeks post-labeling. Our work suggests that the vast majority of postnatal dividing cells in the central canal are Ecc cells and their proliferation is associated with the growth of the spinal cord. PMID:22434575

Left Ventricular Function Across the Spectrum of Body Mass Index in African Americans: The Jackson Heart Study.

PubMed

Patel, Vivek G; Gupta, Deepak K; Terry, James G; Kabagambe, Edmond K; Wang, Thomas J; Correa, Aldolfo; Griswold, Michael; Taylor, Herman; Carr, John Jeffrey

2017-03-01

This study sought to assess whether body mass index (BMI) was associated with subclinical left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction in African-American individuals. Higher BMI is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including heart failure. Obesity disproportionately affects African Americans; however, the association between higher BMI and LV function in African Americans is not well understood. Peak systolic circumferential strain (ECC) was measured by tagged cardiac magnetic resonance in 1,652 adult African-American participants of the Jackson Heart Study between 2008 and 2012. We evaluated the association between BMI and ECC in multivariate linear regression and restricted cubic spline analyses adjusted for prevalent cardiovascular disease, conventional cardiovascular risk factors, LV mass, and ejection fraction. In exploratory analyses, we also examined whether inflammation, insulin resistance, or volume of visceral adipose tissue altered the association between BMI and ECC. The proportions of female, nonsmokers, diabetic, and hypertensive participants rose with increase in BMI. In multivariate-adjusted models, higher BMI was associated with worse ECC (β = 0.052; 95% confidence interval: 0.028 to 0.075), even in the setting of preserved LV ejection fraction. Higher BMI was also associated with worse ECC when accounting for markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein, E-selection, and P-selectin), insulin resistance, and volume of visceral adipose tissue. Higher BMI is significantly associated with subclinical LV dysfunction in African Americans, even in the setting of preserved LV ejection fraction. Copyright © 2017 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Genetic profiling of the oral microbiota associated with severe early-childhood caries.

PubMed

Li, Y; Ge, Y; Saxena, D; Caufield, P W

2007-01-01

The determination of the composition of the microbial community in the oral cavity is usually based on cultivation methods; however, nearly half of the bacteria in the saliva and the dental plaque are not cultivable. In this study, we evaluated the difference in oral microbial diversity between children with severe early-childhood caries (S-ECC) and caries-free (CF) controls by means of a cultivation-independent approach called denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Pooled dental plaque samples were collected from 20 children aged 2 to 8 years. Total microbial genomic DNA was isolated from those subjects, and a portion of the 16S rRNA gene locus was PCR amplified by using universal primers. We observed that the mean species richness of the bacterial population was greater in the CF children (n = 12) (42 +/- 3.7) than in the S-ECC children (n = 8) (35 +/- 4.3); the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.005). The overall diversity of plaque samples as measured by the Shannon index was 3.5 for the S-ECC group and 3.7 for the CF group (P = 0.004). Differences in DGGE profiles were distinguished on the basis of a cluster analysis. Sequence analysis of excised DGGE bands consisted of 2.7 phylotypes, on average. After adjusting for the number of observed bands, we estimated that the S-ECC group exhibited 94.5 total phylotypes and that the CF group exhibited 113.4. These results suggest that the microbial diversity and complexity of the microbial biota in dental plaque are significantly less in S-ECC children than in CF children.

Ensemble Cannonical Correlation Prediction of Seasonal Precipitation Over the US

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lau, William K. M.; Kim, Kyu-Myong; Shen, Samuel; Einaudi, Franco (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

This paper presents preliminary results of an ensemble cannonical correlation (ECC) prediction scheme developed at the Climate and Radiation Branch, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center for determining the potential predictability of regional precipitation, and for climate downscaling studies. The scheme is tested on seasonal hindcasts of anomalous precipitation over the continental United States using global sea surface temperature (SST) for 1951-2000. To maximize the forecast skill derived from SST, the world ocean is divided into nonoverlapping sectors. The cannonical SST modes for each sector are used as the predictor for the ensemble hindcasts. Results show that the ECC yields a substantial (10-25%) increase in prediction skills for all regions of the US and for all seasonal compared to traditional CCA prediction schemes. For the boreal winter, the tropical Pacific contributes the largest potential predictability to precipitation in the southwestern and southeastern regions, while the North Pacific and the North Atlantic are responsible for enhanced forecast skills in the Pacific Northwest, the northern Great Plains and Ohio Valley. Most importantly, the ECC increases skill for summertime precipitation prediction and substantially reduced the spring predictability barrier over all regions of the US continent. Besides SST, the ECC is designed with the flexibility to include any number of predictor fields, such as soil moisture, snow cover and regional regional data. Moreover, the ECC forecasts can be applied to other climate subsystems and, in conjunction with further diagnostic or model studies will enables a better understanding of the dynamic links between climate variations and precipitation, not only for the US, but also for other regions of the world.

Multi-scale research of time and space differences about ecological footprint and ecological carrying capacity of the water resources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jiahong; Lei, Xiaohui; Fu, Qiang; Li, Tianxiao; Qiao, Yu; Chen, Lei; Liao, Weihong

2018-03-01

A multi-scale assessment framework for assessing and comparing the water resource sustainability based on the ecological footprint (EF) is introduced. The study aims to manage the water resource from different views in Heilongjiang Province. First of all, from the scale of each city, the water ecological carrying capacity (ECC) was calculated from 2000 to 2011, and map the spatial distribution of the recent 3 years which show that, the water ecological carrying capacity (ECC) is uneven and has a downward trend year by year. Then, from the perspective of the five secondary partition basins in Heilongjiang Province, the paper calculated the ecological carrying capacity (ECC), the ecological footprint (EF) and ecological surplus and deficit (S&D) situation of water resources from 2000 to 2011, which show that the ecological deficit situation is more prominent in Nenjiang and Suifenhe basins which are in an unsustainable development state. Finally, from the perspective of the province, the paper calculated the ecological carrying capacity (ECC), the ecological footprint (EF) and ecological S&D of water resources from 2000 to 2011 in Heilongjiang Province, which show that the ecological footprint (EF) is in the rising trend, and the correlation coefficient between the ecological carrying capacity (ECC) and the precipitation is 0.8. There are 5 years of unsustainable development state in Heilongjiang. The proposed multi-scale assessment of WEF aims to evaluate the complex relationship between water resource supply and consumption in different spatial scales and time series. It also provides more reasonable assessment result which can be used by managers and regulators.

Performance of a vane driven-gear pump

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heald, R H

1921-01-01

Given here are the results of a test conducted in a wind tunnel on the performance of a vane-driven gear pump used to pump gasoline upward into a small tank located within the upper wing from which it flows by gravity to the engine carburetor. Information is given on the efficiency of the pump, the head resistance of the vanes, the performance and characteristics of the unit with and without housing about the vanes, the pump performance when motor driven, and resistance and power characteristics.

Incorporating Indigenous Knowledge and Practice into ECCE: A Comparison of Programs in The Gambia, Senegal and Mali

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Soudee, Alicia Ranck

2009-01-01

Early Childhood Development (ECD) has emerged as a theme in international and African dialogue on education in recent years. UNESCO's Division of Basic Education Early Childhood promotes an integrated approach to Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) policy development and review. The study examines how this is implemented in three West…

A Light at the End of the Tunnel: The Impact of Early Clinical Experiences on Medical Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mann, Mary Pat

This paper describes the impact of early clinical contact (ECC) on medical students. The concepts emerged from a grounded theory analysis of interviews with students and faculty in the ECC program at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, which places first-year and second-year students in a variety of clinical settings in ambulatory…

The Use of a Criterion Performance Checklist to Improve Efficiency and Effectiveness in a CPR Self-Teaching Program.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McSwain, Charlene; And Others

1979-01-01

Physicians need to be proficient in the administration of basic cardiac life support (BCLS) and emergency cardiac care (ECC). The introduction of a self-teaching CPR-ECC course for freshmen medical students at the University of Mississippi has greatly reduced the amount of faculty time needed to teach CPR. (Author/MLW)

General dental practitioners' views on early childhood caries and timing of the first dental visit in Selangor, Malaysia.

PubMed

Hussein, Alaa S; Schroth, Robert J; Abu-Hassan, Mohamed I

2015-03-01

This survey evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of general dental practitioners (GDPs) in Selangor regarding early childhood caries (ECC) prevention and the recommended timing of a child's first dental visit. A questionnaire was mailed to 521 licensed GDPs. Descriptive statistics were used, and bivariate and logistic regression analyses were performed. The response rate was 52.6%. Although 89.8% mentioned counseling parents and caregivers, only 44.2% were familiar with anticipatory guidance. Whereas 98.2% agreed that early examinations are important to prevent ECC, only 51.8% were aware of the recommendation for a first visit by 12 months of age. GDPs who recommended early dental visits were significantly more likely to be recent graduates, more familiar with professional guidelines, and less likely to be deterred by a child's crying or behavior. In conclusion, GDPs in Selangor are aware about the importance of early dental visits in ECC prevention. However, a considerable number of them are still not aware of the recommendation that children must first visit the dentist by 12 months of age. Furthermore, some of their current practices in ECC management and prevention do not match professional recommendations. © 2013 APJPH.

Effectiveness on Early Childhood Caries of an Oral Health Promotion Program for Medical Providers

PubMed Central

Widmer-Racich, Katina; Sevick, Carter; Starzyk, Erin J.; Mauritson, Katya; Hambidge, Simon J.

2017-01-01

Objectives. To assess an oral health promotion (OHP) intervention for medical providers’ impact on early childhood caries (ECC). Methods. We implemented a quasiexperimental OHP intervention in 8 federally qualified health centers that trained medical providers on ECC risk assessment, oral examination and instruction, dental referral, and fluoride varnish applications (FVAs). We measured OHP delivery by FVA count at medical visits. We measured the intervention’s impact on ECC in 3 unique cohorts of children aged 3 to 4 years in 2009 (preintervention; n = 202), 2011 (midintervention; n = 420), and 2015 (≥ 4 FVAs; n = 153). We compared numbers of decayed, missing, and filled tooth surfaces using adjusted zero-inflated negative binomial models. Results. Across 3 unique cohorts, the FVA mean (range) count was 0.0 (0), 1.1 (0–7), and 4.5 (4–7) in 2009, 2011, and 2015, respectively. In adjusted zero-inflated negative binomial models analyses, children in the 2015 cohort had significantly fewer decayed, missing, and filled tooth surfaces than did children in previous cohorts. Conclusions. An OHP intervention targeting medical providers reduced ECC when children received 4 or more FVAs at a medical visit by age 3 years. PMID:28661802

Simple predictive model for Early Childhood Caries of Chilean children.

PubMed

Fierro Monti, Claudia; Pérez Flores, M; Brunotto, M

2014-01-01

Early Childhood Caries (ECC), in both industrialized and developing countries, is the most prevalent chronic disease in childhood and it is still a health public problem, affecting mainly populations considered as vulnerable, despite being preventable. The purpose of this study was to obtain a simple predictive model based on risk factors for improving public health strategies for ECC prevention for 3-5 year-old children. Clinical, environmental and psycho-socio-cultural data of children (n=250) aged 3-5 years, of both genders, from the Health Centers, were recorded in a Clinical History and Behavioral Survey. 24% of children presented behavioral problems (bizarre behavior was the main feature observed as behavioral problems). The variables associated to dmf ?4 were: bad children temperament (OR=2.43 [1.34, 4.40]) and home stress (OR=3.14 [1.54, 6.41]). It was observed that the model for male gender has higher accuracy for ECC (AUC= 78%, p-value=0.000) than others. Based on the results, we proposed a model where oral hygiene, sugar intake, male gender, and difficult temperament are main factors for predicting ECC. This model could be a promising tool for cost-effective early childhood caries control.

The potential role of breast-feeding and other factors in helping to reduce early childhood caries.

PubMed

Caplan, Lee S; Erwin, Katherine; Lense, Elizabeth; Hicks, James

2008-01-01

Dental caries is the most common chronic disease in US children. Early childhood caries (ECC) is particularly virulent and can interfere with a child's ability to eat, grow, speak, and communicate. Studies on whether breast-feeding or bottle-feeding are more likely to reduce ECC have proven inconclusive. The study population included 175 children, aged 1 to 5, receiving dental care at the Hughes Spalding Children's Hospital in Atlanta, GA. Participation included a dental exam, chart data abstraction, and a personal interview with the mother. Too few exclusively breast-fed children prevented the adequate study of breast-feeding. However, children exclusively bottle-fed for at least 1.5 years had more decayed or filled tooth surfaces than children breast-fed part of that time but well short of a year. No bottle at night nor juice at irregular times, the mother's brushing of her child's teeth, and adequate dental care in the mother seemed to reduce ECC. Our results suggest measures that might reduce ECC risk. Medical providers must discuss oral health with new mothers and educate them on the important role they play in keeping their babies' teeth healthy

Advances in the microbial etiology and pathogenesis of early childhood caries

PubMed Central

Hajishengallis, Evlambia; Parsaei, Yassmin; Klein, Marlise I.; Koo, Hyun

2016-01-01

Early childhood caries (ECC) is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases affecting children worldwide. ECC is an aggressive form of dental caries, which left untreated, can result in rapid and extensive cavitation in teeth (rampant caries) that is painful and costly to treat. Furthermore, it affects mostly children from impoverished background, and thus constitutes a major challenge in public health. The disease is a prime example of the consequences arising from complex, dynamic interactions between microorganisms, host and diet, leading to the establishment of highly pathogenic (cariogenic) biofilms. To date, there are no effective methods to identify those at risk of developing ECC or control the disease in affected children. Recent advances in deep-sequencing technologies, novel imaging methods and (meta)proteomics-metabolomics approaches provide an unparalleled potential to reveal new insights to illuminate our current understanding about the etiology and pathogenesis of the disease. In this concise review, we provide a broader perspective about the etiology and pathogenesis of ECC based on previous and current knowledge on biofilm matrix, microbial diversity and host-microbe interactions which could have direct implications for developing new approaches for improved risk assessment and prevention of this devastating and costly childhood health condition. PMID:26714612

Muscle damage and repeated bout effect following blood flow restricted exercise.

PubMed

Sieljacks, Peter; Matzon, Andreas; Wernbom, Mathias; Ringgaard, Steffen; Vissing, Kristian; Overgaard, Kristian

2016-03-01

Blood-flow restricted resistance exercise training (BFRE) is suggested to be effective in rehabilitation training, but more knowledge is required about its potential muscle damaging effects. Therefore, we investigated muscle-damaging effects of BFRE performed to failure and possible protective effects of previous bouts of BFRE or maximal eccentric exercise (ECC). Seventeen healthy young men were allocated into two groups completing two exercise bouts separated by 14 days. One group performed BFRE in both exercise bouts (BB). The other group performed ECC in the first and BFRE in the second bout. BFRE was performed to failure. Indicators of muscle damage were evaluated before and after exercise. The first bout in the BB group led to decrements in maximum isometric torque, and increases in muscle soreness, muscle water retention, and serum muscle protein concentrations after exercise. These changes were comparable in magnitude and time course to what was observed after first bout ECC. An attenuated response was observed in the repeated exercise bout in both groups. We conclude that unaccustomed single-bout BFRE performed to failure induces significant muscle damage. Additionally, both ECC and BFRE can precondition against muscle damage induced by a subsequent bout of BFRE.

In-flight comparison of Brewer-Mast and electrochemical concentration cell ozonesondes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stübi, René; Levrat, Gilbert; Hoegger, Bruno; Viatte, Pierre; Staehelin, Johannes; Schmidlin, F. J.

2008-07-01

The analysis of 140 dual flights between two types of ozonesondes, namely, the Brewer-Mast (BM) and the electrochemical concentration cell (ECC), is presented in this study. These dual flights were performed before the transition from BM to ECC as the operational ozonesonde for the Payerne Aerological Station, Switzerland. The different factors of the ozonesonde data processing are considered and their influences on the profile of the difference are evaluated. The analysis of the ozone difference between the BM and the ECC ozonesonde data shows good agreement between the two sonde types. The profile of the ozone difference is limited to ±5% (±0.3 mPa) from the ground to 32 km. The analysis confirms the appropriateness of the standard BM data processing method and the usefulness of the normalization of the ozonesonde data. The conclusions of the extended dual flight campaigns are corroborated by the analysis of the time series of the Payerne soundings for the periods of 5 years before and after the change from BM to ECC which occurred in September 2002. No significant discontinuity can be identified in 2002 attributable to the change of sonde.

Review of end grain nail withdrawal research

Treesearch

Douglas R. Rammer; Samuel L. Zelinka

2004-01-01

This study reviewed the literature on static and impact withdrawal of nails driven into the end grain of wood members. From this, an empirical relationship was created relating the specific gravity of the wood, the diameter of the nail, and the depth of penetration of the nail to the static withdrawal capacity of nails driven into the wood and withdrawn immediately....

Preliminary research on flow rate and free surface of the accelerator driven subcritical system gravity-driven dense granular-flow target

PubMed Central

Li, Xiaodong; Wan, Jiangfeng; Zhang, Sheng; Lin, Ping; Zhang, Yanshi; Yang, Guanghui; Wang, Mengke; Duan, Wenshan; Sun, Jian’an

2017-01-01

A spallation target is one of the three core parts of the accelerator driven subcritical system (ADS), which has already been investigated for decades. Recently, a gravity-driven Dense Granular-flow Target (DGT) is proposed, which consists of a cylindrical hopper and an internal coaxial cylindrical beam pipe. The research on the flow rate and free surface are important for the design of the target whether in Heavy Liquid Metal (HLM) targets or the DGT. In this paper, the relations of flow rate and the geometry of the DGT are investigated. Simulations based on the discrete element method (DEM) implementing on Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and experiments are both performed. It is found that the existence of an internal pipe doesn’t influence the flow rate when the distance from the bottom of the pipe to orifice is large enough even in a larger system. Meanwhile, snapshots of the free surface formed just below the beam pipe are given. It is observed that the free surface is stable over time. The entire research is meaningful for the design of DGT. PMID:29095910

Transition wave in the collapse of the San Saba bridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brun, Michele; Giaccu, Gian Felice; Movchan, Alexander; Slepyan, Leonid

2014-09-01

A domino wave is a well-known illustration of a transition wave, which appears to reach a stable regime of propagation. Nature also provides spectacular cases of gravity driven transition waves at large scale, observed in snow avalanches and landslides. On a different scale, the micro-structure level interaction between different constituents of the macro-system may influence critical regimes leading to instabilities in avalanche-like flow systems. Most transition waves observed in systems such as bulletproof vests, racing helmets under impact, shock-wave driven fracture in solids, are transient. For some structured waveguides a transition wave may stabilize to achieve a steady regime. Here we show that the failure of a long bridge is also driven by a transition wave that may allow for steady-state regimes. The recent observation of a failure of the San Saba Bridge in Texas provides experimental evidence supporting an elegant theory based on the notion of transition failure wave. No one would think of an analogy between a snow avalanche and a collapsing bridge. Despite an apparent controversy of such a comparison, these two phenomena can both be described in the framework of a model of the dynamic gravity driven transition fault.

Preliminary research on flow rate and free surface of the accelerator driven subcritical system gravity-driven dense granular-flow target.

PubMed

Li, Xiaodong; Wan, Jiangfeng; Zhang, Sheng; Lin, Ping; Zhang, Yanshi; Yang, Guanghui; Wang, Mengke; Duan, Wenshan; Sun, Jian'an; Yang, Lei

2017-01-01

A spallation target is one of the three core parts of the accelerator driven subcritical system (ADS), which has already been investigated for decades. Recently, a gravity-driven Dense Granular-flow Target (DGT) is proposed, which consists of a cylindrical hopper and an internal coaxial cylindrical beam pipe. The research on the flow rate and free surface are important for the design of the target whether in Heavy Liquid Metal (HLM) targets or the DGT. In this paper, the relations of flow rate and the geometry of the DGT are investigated. Simulations based on the discrete element method (DEM) implementing on Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and experiments are both performed. It is found that the existence of an internal pipe doesn't influence the flow rate when the distance from the bottom of the pipe to orifice is large enough even in a larger system. Meanwhile, snapshots of the free surface formed just below the beam pipe are given. It is observed that the free surface is stable over time. The entire research is meaningful for the design of DGT.

River Inflows into Lakes: Basin Temperature Profiles Driven By Peeling Detrainment from Dense Underflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hogg, C. A. R.; Huppert, H. E.; Imberger, J.; Dalziel, S. B.

2014-12-01

Dense gravity currents from river inflows feed fluid into confined basins in lakes. Large inflows can influence temperature profiles in the basins. Existing parameterisations of the circulation and mixing of such inflows are often based on the entrainment of ambient fluid into the underflowing gravity currents. However, recent observations have suggested that uni-directional entrainment into a gravity current does not fully describe the transfer between such gravity currents and the ambient water. Laboratory experiments visualised peeling detrainment from the gravity current occurring when the ambient fluid was stratified. A theoretical model of the observed peeling detrainment was developed to predict the temperature profile in the basin. This new model gives a better approximation of the temperature profile observed in the experiments than the pre-existing entraining model. The model can now be developed such that it integrates into operational models of lake basins.

Helical flow couplets in submarine gravity underflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Imran, Jasim; Ashraful Islam, Mohammad; Huang, Heqing; Kassem, Ahmed; Dickerson, John; Pirmez, Carlos; Parker, Gary

2007-07-01

Active and relic meandering channels are common on the seafloor adjacent to continental margins. These channels and their associated submarine fan deposits are products of the density-driven gravity flows known as turbidity currents. The tie between channel curvature and its effects on these gravity flows has been an enigma. This paper records the results of both large-scale laboratory measurements and a numerical simulation that captures the three-dimensional flow field of a gravity underflow at a channel bend. These findings reveal that channel curvature drives two helical flow cells, one stacked upon the other. The lower cell forms near the channel bed surface and has a circulation pattern similar to that observed in fluvial channels, i.e., with a near-bed flow directed inward. The other circulation cell forms in the upper part of the gravity flow and has a streamwise vorticity with the opposite sense of the lower cell.

Partially Key Distribution with Public Key Cryptosystem Based on Error Control Codes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tavallaei, Saeed Ebadi; Falahati, Abolfazl

Due to the low level of security in public key cryptosystems based on number theory, fundamental difficulties such as "key escrow" in Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and a secure channel in ID-based cryptography, a new key distribution cryptosystem based on Error Control Codes (ECC) is proposed . This idea is done by some modification on McEliece cryptosystem. The security of ECC cryptosystem obtains from the NP-Completeness of block codes decoding. The capability of generating public keys with variable lengths which is suitable for different applications will be provided by using ECC. It seems that usage of these cryptosystems because of decreasing in the security of cryptosystems based on number theory and increasing the lengths of their keys would be unavoidable in future.

A one-dimensional model of the semiannual oscillation driven by convectively forced gravity waves

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sassi, Fabrizio; Garcia, Rolando R.

1994-01-01

A one-dimensional model that solves the time-dependent equations for the zonal mean wind and a wave of specified zonal wavenumber has been used to illustrate the ability of gravity waves forced by time-dependent tropospheric heating to produce a semiannual oscillation (SAO) in the middle atmosphere. When the heating has a strong diurnal cycle, as observed over tropical landmasses, gravity waves with zonal wavelengths of a few thousand kilometers and phase velocities in the range +/- 40-50 m/sec are excited efficiently by the maximum vertical projection criterion (vertical wavelength approximately equals 2 x forcing depth). Calculations show that these waves can account for large zonal mean wind accelerations in the middle atmosphere, resulting in realistic stratopause and mesopause oscillations. Calculations of the temporal evolution of a quasi-conserved tracer indicate strong down-welling in the upper stratosphere near the equinoxes, which is associated with the descent of the SAO westerlies. In the upper mesosphere, there is a semiannual oscillation in tracer mixing ratio driven by seasonal variability in eddy mixing, which increases at the solstices and decreases at the equinoxes.

Potentially improved glasses from space environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nichols, R.

1977-01-01

The benefits of processing glasses in a low-gravity space environment are examined. Containerless processing, the absence of gravity driven convection, and lack of sedimentation are seen as potential advantages. Potential applications include the formation of glass-ceramics with a high content of active elements for ferromagnetic devices, the production of ultrapure chalcogenide glasses for laser windows and IR fiber optics, and improved glass products for use in optical systems and laser fusion targets.

Long-term prospective longitudinal evaluation of emotional distress and quality of life in cervical cancer patients who remained disease-free 2-years from diagnosis.

PubMed

Mantegna, Giovanna; Petrillo, Marco; Fuoco, Gilda; Venditti, Laura; Terzano, Serena; Anchora, Luigi Pedone; Scambia, Giovanni; Ferrandina, Gabriella

2013-03-18

A long-term prospective assessment of QoL in cervical cancer patients is still lacking. Here, we provide the first 2-years prospective, longitudinal study evaluating emotional distress and QoL in early stage (ECC) and locally advanced (LACC) cervical cancer patients who remained disease-free 2-years from diagnosis. The questionnaires: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Global Health Status items of EORTC QLQ-C30 (GHS), and EORTC QLQ-CX24 (CX24) have been administered by a dedicated team of psycho-oncologists, administered at baseline, and after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months from surgery The Generalized Linear Model for repeated measure was used to analyze modifications of QoL measures over time. In both groups, an early reduction of the percentage of patients with anxiety levels ≥11 was observed at the 3-month evaluation (ECC: 25.7% at baseline Vs 14.7% after 3 months, p value=0.001; LACC: 22.2% at baseline Vs 15.4% after 3 months, p value=0.001). Despite this favorable trend, after 2 years from diagnosis, 11.9% of ECC and 15.6% of LACC patients still showed an anxiety score ≥11. No significant changes over time were observed in term of Depression levels. Focusing on QoL issues, mean GHS and Sexual Activity scores showed an improvement over time in both groups compared to baseline (GHS: 5.7% difference for ECC, p value=0.001, and 11.0% in LACC, p value=0.001; SXA: 13.9% difference for ECC, p value=0.001; and 6.1% in LACC, p value=0.008). On the other hand, Body Image mean scores were significantly impaired by chemoradiation administration in LACC patients, without long-term recovery (7.5% difference, p value=0.001). Finally, in both groups, lymphedema (LY) and menopausal symptoms (MS) showed an early worsening which persisted 2-year after surgery (LY: 19.5% difference for ECC, p value=0.014, and 27.3% in LACC, p value=0.001; MS: 14.4% difference for ECC, p value=0.004, and 16.0% in LACC, p value=0.002). Despite a significant improvement over time, elevated anxiety levels are still detectable at 24 months after surgery in approximately 10% of cervical cancer patients. Much more attention should be focused on surgical/medical approaches able to minimize the negative impact of lymphedema and menopausal symptoms on QoL.

In situ polymerized superhydrophobic and superoleophilic nanofibrous membranes for gravity driven oil-water separation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Xiaomin; Si, Yang; Ge, Jianlong; Ding, Bin; Liu, Lifang; Zheng, Gang; Luo, Wenjing; Yu, Jianyong

2013-11-01

Creating an efficient, cost-effective method that can provide simple, practical and high-throughput separation of oil-water mixtures has proved extremely challenging. This work responds to these challenges by designing, fabricating and evaluating a novel fluorinated polybenzoxazine (F-PBZ) modified nanofibrous membrane optimized to achieve gravity driven oil-water separation. The membrane design is then realized by a facile combination of electrospun poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) (PMIA) nanofibers and an in situ polymerized F-PBZ functional layer incorporating SiO2 nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs). By employing the F-PBZ/SiO2 NP modification, the pristine hydrophilic PMIA nanofibrous membranes are endowed with promising superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 161° and superoleophilicity with an oil contact angle of 0°. This new membrane shows high thermal stability (350 °C) and good repellency to hot water (80 °C), and achieves an excellent mechanical strength of 40.8 MPa. Furthermore, the as-prepared membranes exhibited fast and efficient separation of oil-water mixtures by a solely gravity driven process, which makes them good candidates for industrial oil-polluted water treatments and oil spill cleanup, and also provided new insights into the design and development of functional nanofibrous membranes through F-PBZ modification.Creating an efficient, cost-effective method that can provide simple, practical and high-throughput separation of oil-water mixtures has proved extremely challenging. This work responds to these challenges by designing, fabricating and evaluating a novel fluorinated polybenzoxazine (F-PBZ) modified nanofibrous membrane optimized to achieve gravity driven oil-water separation. The membrane design is then realized by a facile combination of electrospun poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) (PMIA) nanofibers and an in situ polymerized F-PBZ functional layer incorporating SiO2 nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs). By employing the F-PBZ/SiO2 NP modification, the pristine hydrophilic PMIA nanofibrous membranes are endowed with promising superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 161° and superoleophilicity with an oil contact angle of 0°. This new membrane shows high thermal stability (350 °C) and good repellency to hot water (80 °C), and achieves an excellent mechanical strength of 40.8 MPa. Furthermore, the as-prepared membranes exhibited fast and efficient separation of oil-water mixtures by a solely gravity driven process, which makes them good candidates for industrial oil-polluted water treatments and oil spill cleanup, and also provided new insights into the design and development of functional nanofibrous membranes through F-PBZ modification. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Detailed synthesis and structural confirmation of BAF-oda, OCA results, Raman spectrum and Movies S1 and S2. See DOI: 10.1039/c3nr03937d

Gravitational dynamics of biosystems - Some speculations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kessler, J. O.; Bier, M.

1976-01-01

The response of organisms to gravity is generally discussed in terms of hypotheses involving sedimentation and other static effects. This paper considers several complex, inhomogeneous fluid-containing systems that are intended to model some possible dynamic effects of gravity on biosystems. It is shown that the presence of gravity may result in modified long range transport, concentration oscillations, and broken symmetries. The magnitude of density-gradient-driven convective transport times, and their ratios to diffusive transport times, are calculated for cell dimensions of six different plant varieties. The results indicate that further investigation of gravitational convection effects may be realistic in some cases and is definitely not in others. The results of this paper should aid in the planning of 'zero-gravity' experiments concerning plant geotropism and bio-materials processing.

Nucleate pool boiling in subcooled liquid under microgravity: Results of TEXUS experimental investigations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zell, M.; Straub, J.; Weinzierl, A.

1984-12-01

Experiments on subcooled nucleate pool boiling in microgravity were carried out to separate gravity driven effects on heat transfer within the boiling process. A ballistic trajectory by sounding rocket flight (TEXUS 5 and 10) achieved a gravity level of a/g = 0.0001 for 360 sec. For determination of geometrical effects on heat transport two different experimental configurations (platinum wire and flat plate) were employed. Boiling curves and bubble dynamics recorded by cinematography lead to gravity independent modelling of the boiling phenomena. The results ensure the applicability and high efficiency of nucleate pool boiling for heat exchangers in space laboratories.

Flow-driven pattern formation in the calcium-oxalate system.

PubMed

Bohner, Bíborka; Endrődi, Balázs; Horváth, Dezső; Tóth, Ágota

2016-04-28

The precipitation reaction of calcium oxalate is studied experimentally in the presence of spatial gradients by controlled flow of calcium into oxalate solution. The density difference between the reactants leads to strong convection in the form of a gravity current that drives the spatiotemporal pattern formation. The phase diagram of the system is constructed, the evolving precipitate patterns are analyzed and quantitatively characterized by their diameters and the average height of the gravity flow. The compact structures of calcium oxalate monohydrate produced at low flow rates are replaced by the thermodynamically unstable calcium oxalate dihydrate favored in the presence of a strong gravity current.

Evolution of the Early Childhood Curriculum in China: The Impact of Social and Cultural Factors on Revolution and Innovation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Li, Hui; Chen, Jennifer J.

2017-01-01

During the last century, early childhood curriculum (ECC) in China has undergone a series of monumental transformations, shaped by the interaction between local cultural and global forces. In this case study, we critically analyse three major waves of ECC reform in China, with a particular emphasis on the social and cultural forces that have…

Socio-behavioural factors and early childhood caries: a cross-sectional study of preschool children in central Trinidad.

PubMed

Naidu, Rahul; Nunn, June; Kelly, Alan

2013-07-09

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a public health problem due to its impact on children's health, development and well being. Little is known about early childhood oral health in the West Indies or the influence of social and behavioural factors on the prevalence and severity of early childhood caries in this preschool population. The aims of this study were to describe the prevalence and severity of ECC in preschool children in a region of central Trinidad and to explore its relationship with social and behavioural factors. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken on children aged 3-5 years-old from a random sample of preschools in central Trinidad. Oral health examinations were conducted for children for whom parental consent was given, using WHO criteria (visual diagnosis / cavitation at d3). A self-reported questionnaire was distributed to all parents and caregivers. Variables included socio-demographics, oral health knowledge, attitudes and behaviours, visible caries experience and treatment need. 251 children were examined, 50.2% were male with a mean age of 3.7 years (SD 0.67) and 71% were of Indian ethnicity. The prevalence of ECC was 29.1% and the prevalence of severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) was 17.5%. 29.9% of children had some treatment need, with 12% in need of urgent care or referral. Poisson generalized linear mixed model analysis found a higher rate of visible caries experience for children who ate sweet snacks more than twice a day (p < 0.001), had poorer parental dental health ratings (p < 0.0001), a previous dental visit (p < 0.0001) and difficulty finding dental care (p < 0.001). The prevalence and severity of ECC in central Trinidad was related to oral health behaviours and access to dental care. Oral health promotion should include more supportive and practical advice for parents and caregivers of preschool children along with improved access to dental care to enable primary prevention and management of ECC.

An empirical evaluation of landscape energetic models: Mallard and American black duck space use during the non-breeding period

USGS Publications Warehouse

Beatty, William S.; Webb, Elisabeth B.; Kesler, Dylan C.; Naylor, Luke W.; Raedeke, Andrew H.; Humburg, Dale D.; Coluccy, John M.; Soulliere, G.

2015-01-01

Bird conservation Joint Ventures are collaborative partnerships between public agencies and private organizations that facilitate habitat management to support waterfowl and other bird populations. A subset of Joint Ventures has developed energetic carrying capacity models (ECCs) to translate regional waterfowl population goals into habitat objectives during the non-breeding period. Energetic carrying capacity models consider food biomass, metabolism, and available habitat to estimate waterfowl carrying capacity within an area. To evaluate Joint Venture ECCs in the context of waterfowl space use, we monitored 33 female mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and 55 female American black ducks (A. rubripes) using global positioning system satellite telemetry in the central and eastern United States. To quantify space use, we measured first-passage time (FPT: time required for an individual to transit across a circle of a given radius) at biologically relevant spatial scales for mallards (3.46 km) and American black ducks (2.30 km) during the non-breeding period, which included autumn migration, winter, and spring migration. We developed a series of models to predict FPT using Joint Venture ECCs and compared them to a biological null model that quantified habitat composition and a statistical null model, which included intercept and random terms. Energetic carrying capacity models predicted mallard space use more efficiently during autumn and spring migrations, but the statistical null was the top model for winter. For American black ducks, ECCs did not improve predictions of space use; the biological null was top ranked for winter and the statistical null was top ranked for spring migration. Thus, ECCs provided limited insight into predicting waterfowl space use during the non-breeding season. Refined estimates of spatial and temporal variation in food abundance, habitat conditions, and anthropogenic disturbance will likely improve ECCs and benefit conservation planners in linking non-breeding waterfowl habitat objectives with distribution and population parameters. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

UV water disinfector

DOEpatents

Gadgil, Ashok; Garud, Vikas

1998-07-14

A UV disinfector with a gravity driven feed water delivery system, and an air-suspended bare UV lamp. The disinfector is hydrodynamically optimized with a laminerizing, perforated baffle wall, beveled treatment chamber, and outlet weir.

Anterior cervical corpectomy for cervical spondylotic myelopathy: Reconstruction with expandable cylindrical cage versus iliac crest autograft. A retrospective study.

PubMed

Perrini, Paolo; Gambacciani, Carlo; Martini, Carlotta; Montemurro, Nicola; Lepori, Paolo

2015-12-01

To compare retrospectively the clinical and radiographic outcomes between cervical reconstruction with expandable cylindrical cage (ECC) and iliac crest autograft after one- or two-level anterior cervical corpectomy for spondylotic myelopathy. Forty-two patients underwent cervical reconstruction with either iliac crest autograft and plating (20 patients) or ECC and plating (22 patients). The average clinical and radiological follow-up period was 77.54 ± 44.28 months (range 14-155 months). The authors compared clinical parameters (Nurick Myelopathy Grade, modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) scores), perioperative parameters (hospital stays, complications) and radiological parameters (Cobb's angles of the fused segments and C2-C7 segments, cervical subsidence, fusion rate). Fusion was assessed on flexion-extension X-ray films. No significant differences between the two groups were found in demographics, neurological presentation, preoperative sagittal alignment, clinical improvement and length of hospitalization. Patients of the autograft group experienced more postoperative complications, although the difference between the two treatment groups was not statistically significant (15 versus 4.5%, p=0.232). The fusion rate was 100% in both groups. The average lordotic increase of the segmental angle was significantly greater in the ECC group (p<0.05). Other radiological parameters were not significantly different in the two groups. Cervical reconstruction either with iliac crest autograft and plating or ECC and plating provides good clinical results and similar fusion rates after one- or two-level corpectomy for spondylotic myelopathy. However, the use of ECC obviates donor site complications and provides a more significant increase of lordosis in segmental angle. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ventricular Fibrillation Waveform Changes during Controlled Coronary Perfusion Using Extracorporeal Circulation in a Swine Model.

PubMed

Gazmuri, Raúl J; Kaufman, Christopher L; Baetiong, Alvin; Radhakrishnan, Jeejabai

2016-01-01

Several characteristics of the ventricular fibrillation (VF) waveform have been found predictive of successful defibrillation and hypothesized to reflect the myocardial energy state. In an open-chest swine model of VF, we modeled "average CPR" using extracorporeal circulation (ECC) and assessed the time course of coronary blood flow, myocardial metabolism, and myocardial structure in relation to the amplitude spectral area (AMSA) of the VF waveform without artifacts related to chest compression. VF was induced and left untreated for 8 minutes in 16 swine. ECC was then started adjusting its flow to maintain a coronary perfusion pressure of 10 mmHg for 10 minutes. AMSA was calculated in the frequency domain and analyzed continuously with a 2.1 s timeframe and a Tukey window that moved ahead every 0.5 s. AMSA progressively declined during untreated VF. With ECC, AMSA increased from 7.0 ± 1.9 mV·Hz (at minute 8) to 12.8 ± 3.3 mV·Hz (at minute 14) (p < 0.05) without subsequent increase and showing a modest correlation with coronary blood flow of borderline statistical significance (r = 0.489, p = 0.0547). Myocardial energy measurements showed marked reduction in phosphocreatine and moderate reduction in ATP with increases in ADP, AMP, and adenosine along with myocardial lactate, all indicative of ischemia. Yet, ischemia did not resolve during ECC despite a coronary blood flow of ~ 30% of baseline. AMSA increased upon return of coronary blood flow during ECC. However, the maximal level was reached after ~ 6 minutes without further change. The significance of the findings for determining the optimal timing for delivering an electrical shock during resuscitation from VF remains to be further explored.

Prevalence and associated Risk Factors of Severe Early Childhood Caries in 12- to 36-month-old Children of Sirmaur District, Himachal Pradesh, India.

PubMed

G Mangla, Ritu; Kapur, Raman; Dhindsa, Abhishek; Madan, Manish

2017-01-01

To assess the prevalence, distribution, and associated risk factors of severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) among 12- to 36-month-old children of district Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh, India. The present study was conducted on a random sample of 510 children, both boys and girls, between 12 and 36 months of age randomly selected from various government-sponsored day-care centers, private day-care centers, and vaccination centers. Caries was recorded using World Health Organization criteria. Statistical analysis was done by using chi-square test and Mann-Whitney test. A two-sided p value was calculated for each statistical test. Multiple logistic regressions were done to calculate the risk of S-ECC from independent variables. In the present study, S-ECC was found in 21% of 510, 12 to 36 months old children of Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh. The S-ECC was found to be significantly higher in 25 to 36 months old children's age group and was 27.8% in them as compared with 8% in 12 to 24 months old children. Providing anticipatory guidance and education to parents is essential for the promotion of optimal oral health of their children. There is a need for moving upstream to propose and implement policies and programs to improve the oral health of the very young, especially in a developing country like India, which lacks much data on S-ECC. Mangla RG, Kapur R, Dhindsa A, Madan M. Prevalence and associated Risk Factors of Severe Early Childhood Caries in 12- to 36-month-old Children of Sirmaur District, Himachal Pradesh, India. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2017;10(2):183-187.

Effect of resistance exercise contraction mode and protein supplementation on members of the STARS signalling pathway.

PubMed

Vissing, Kristian; Rahbek, Stine K; Lamon, Severine; Farup, Jean; Stefanetti, Renae J; Wallace, Marita A; Vendelbo, Mikkel H; Russell, Aaron

2013-08-01

The striated muscle activator of Rho signalling (STARS) pathway is suggested to provide a link between external stress responses and transcriptional regulation in muscle. However, the sensitivity of STARS signalling to different mechanical stresses has not been investigated. In a comparative study, we examined the regulation of the STARS signalling pathway in response to unilateral resistance exercise performed as either eccentric (ECC) or concentric (CONC) contractions as well as prolonged training; with and without whey protein supplementation. Skeletal muscle STARS, myocardian-related transcription factor-A (MRTF-A) and serum response factor (SRF) mRNA and protein, as well as muscle cross-sectional area and maximal voluntary contraction, were measured. A single-bout of exercise produced increases in STARS and SRF mRNA and decreases in MRTF-A mRNA with both ECC and CONC exercise, but with an enhanced response occurring following ECC exercise. A 31% increase in STARS protein was observed exclusively after CONC exercise (P < 0.001), while pSRF protein levels increased similarly by 48% with both CONC and ECC exercise (P < 0.001). Prolonged ECC and CONC training equally stimulated muscle hypertrophy and produced increases in MRTF-A protein of 125% and 99%, respectively (P < 0.001). No changes occurred for total SRF protein. There was no effect of whey protein supplementation. These results show that resistance exercise provides an acute stimulation of the STARS pathway that is contraction mode dependent. The responses to acute exercise were more pronounced than responses to accumulated training, suggesting that STARS signalling is primarily involved in the initial phase of exercise-induced muscle adaptations.

No differential effects of divergent isocaloric supplements on signaling for muscle protein turnover during recovery from muscle-damaging eccentric exercise.

PubMed

Rahbek, Stine Klejs; Farup, Jean; de Paoli, Frank; Vissing, Kristian

2015-04-01

Unaccustomed high-intensity eccentric exercise (ECC) can provoke muscle damage including several days of muscle force loss. Post-exercise dietary supplementation may provide a strategy to accelerate rate of force regain by affecting mechanisms related to muscle protein turnover. The aim of the current study was to investigate if protein signaling mechanisms involved in muscle protein turnover would be differentially affected by supplementation with either whey protein hydrolysate and carbohydrate (WPH+CHO) versus isocaloric carbohydrate (CHO) after muscle-damaging ECC. Twenty-four young healthy participants received either WPH+CHO (n = 12) or CHO supplements (n = 12) during post-exercise recovery from 150 maximal unilateral eccentric contractions. Prior to, at 3 h and at 24, 48, 96 and/or 168 h post-exercise, muscle strength, muscle soreness, and Akt-mTOR and FOXO signaling proteins, were measured in an ECC exercising leg and in the contralateral non-exercise control leg (CON). After ECC, muscle force decreased by 23-27 % at 24 h post-exercise, which was followed by gradual, although not full recovery at 168 h post-exercise, with no differences between supplement groups. Phosphorylation of mTOR, p70S6K and rpS6 increased and phosphorylation of FOXO1 and FOXO3 decreased in the ECC leg, with no differences between supplement groups. Phosphorylation changes were also observed for rpS6, FOXO1 and FOXO3a in the CON leg, suggesting occurrence of remote tissue effects. In conclusion, divergent dietary supplementation types did not produce differences in signaling for muscle turnover during recovery from muscle-damaging exercise.

Developing an Acceptability Assessment of Preventive Dental Treatments

PubMed Central

Hyde, Susan; Gansky, Stuart A.; Gonzalez-Vargas, Maria J.; Husting, Sheila R.; Cheng, Nancy F.; Millstein, Susan G.; Adams, Sally H.

2012-01-01

Objectives Early childhood caries (ECC) is very prevalent among young Hispanic children. ECC is amenable to a variety of preventive procedures, yet many Hispanic families underutilize dental services. Acceptability research may assist in health care planning and resource allocation by identifying patient preferences among efficacious treatments with the goal of improving their utilization. The purposes of this study were (a) to develop a culturally competent acceptability assessment instrument, directed toward the caregivers of young Hispanic children, for five preventive dental treatments for ECC and (b) to test the instrument's reliability and validity. Methods An instrument of five standard treatments known to prevent ECC was developed, translated, reviewed by focus groups, and pilot tested, then tested for reliability. The instrument included illustrated cards, brief video clips, and samples of the treatments and was culturally appropriate for low-income Hispanic caregivers. In addition to determining the acceptability of the five treatments individually, the treatments were also presented as paired comparisons. Results Focus groups and debriefing interviews following the pilot tests established that the instrument has good face validity. The illustrated cards, product samples, and video demonstrations of the five treatments resulted in an instrument possessing good content validity. The instrument has good to excellent test–retest reliability, with identical time 1–time 2 responses for each of the five treatments 92 percent of the time (range 87 to 97 percent), and the same treatment of the paired comparisons preferred 75 percent of the time (range 61 to 90 percent). Conclusions The acceptability instrument described is reliable and valid and may be useful in program planning efforts to identify and increase the utilization of preferred ECC preventive treatments for target populations. PMID:18662256

Developing an acceptability assessment of preventive dental treatments.

PubMed

Hyde, Susan; Gansky, Stuart A; Gonzalez-Vargas, Maria J; Husting, Sheila R; Cheng, Nancy F; Millstein, Susan G; Adams, Sally H

2009-01-01

Early childhood caries (ECC) is very prevalent among young Hispanic children. ECC is amenable to a variety of preventive procedures, yet many Hispanic families underutilize dental services. Acceptability research may assist in health care planning and resource allocation by identifying patient preferences among efficacious treatments with the goal of improving their utilization. The purposes of this study were (a) to develop a culturally competent acceptability assessment instrument, directed toward the caregivers of young Hispanic children, for five preventive dental treatments for ECC and (b) to test the instrument's reliability and validity. An instrument of five standard treatments known to prevent ECC was developed, translated, reviewed by focus groups, and pilot tested, then tested for reliability The instrument included illustrated cards, brief video clips, and samples of the treatments and was culturally appropriate for low-income Hispanic caregivers. In addition to determining the acceptability of the five treatments individually, the treatments were also presented as paired comparisons. Focus groups and debriefing interviews following the pilot tests established that the instrument has good face validity. The illustrated cards, product samples, and video demonstrations of the five treatments resulted in an instrument possessing good content validity. The instrument has good to excellent test-retest reliability, with identical time 1-time 2 responses for each of the five treatments 92 percent of the time (range 87 to 97 percent), and the same treatment of the paired comparisons preferred 75 percent of the time (range 61 to 90 percent). The acceptability instrument described is reliable and valid and may be useful in program planning efforts to identify and increase the utilization of preferred ECC preventive treatments for target populations.

The AN69 ST haemodialysis membrane under conditions of two different extracorporeal circuit rinse protocols a comparison of thrombogenicity parameters.

PubMed

Richtrova, Pavlina; Opatrny, Karel; Vit, Ladislav; Sefrna, Frantisek; Perlik, Radek

2007-10-01

Thrombogenicity is an important parameter of haemodialysis (HD) membrane biocompatibility. The surface of the polyacrylonitrile AN69 ST membrane is coated with a polyethylenimine. This modification allows heparin adsorption. The binding of heparin to the membrane surface occurs during priming of the extracorporeal circuit (ECC) by rinsing it with saline and heparin. Our aims were to assess and compare the thrombogenicity of the AN69 ST membrane under conditions of two extracorporeal circuit (ECC) rinse protocols-with and without unfractionated heparin (UFH). In a prospective, crossover and randomized study, we examined 10 patients during HD after ECC preparation with either rinse protocols. Prior to HD and at 15, 60 and 240 min, we determined plasma levels of the thrombin-antithrombin complexes (TAT), platelet factor 4 (PF4), heparin concentration (antiXa) and thrombocyte count. Systemic anticoagulation was performed using UFH. During HD after ECC rinse without UFH, there was a significantly earlier and more marked increase in TAT compared with UFH-containing rinse (P <0.05). Using Spearman coefficient, we demonstrated a significant correlation between TAT and antiXa at 60 min (r = -0.534) and 240 min (r = -0.538). A comparison of the TAT/antiXa ratios between rinses at 60 min revealed a significantly higher increase in TAT following UFH-free rinse (P <0.05). There was no difference in PF4 between the rinses. Platelet count did not change significantly during HD using either rinse protocol. Based on plasma TAT levels, ECC priming with an UFH-containing solution reduces the thrombogenicity of the AN69 ST membrane. There is no significant difference between both types of priming concerning PF4 and thrombocyte count.

Prevalence of early childhood caries and associated risk factors in preschool children of urban Bangalore, India: A cross-sectional study

PubMed Central

Prakash, Prashanth; Subramaniam, Priya; Durgesh, B.H.; Konde, Sapna

2012-01-01

Objectives: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a devastating form of dental decay with multi-factorial origin. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to investigate the prevalence and related risk factors of ECC in preschool children of urban Bangalore (India). Methods: A random sample of 1,500 children aged between 8 and 48 months were selected from various parts of urban Bangalore. The status of dental caries was recorded according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Information regarding oral hygiene practices, feeding habits, socio-economic status, birth weight, and educational status of the mother was obtained through a structured questionnaire given to mothers of preschool children. The data was subjected to statistical analysis using the Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 12. Results: The prevalence of ECC in preschool children was 27.5%, while the mean deft was 0.854. ECC increased significantly with age. Children whose mothers had no schooling and those who belonged to low socioeconomic group showed higher caries prevalence. A significant increase in caries prevalence was found in children accustomed to the practice of on-demand breast feeding and bottle feeding at night. Caries also increased significantly when snacks were consumed between meals. However, increased frequency of tooth-brushing, parental supervision, use of a baby toothbrush, and fluoridated dentifrice significantly decreased caries prevalence. Conclusion: ECC is a serious public health problem in this population and measures to increase awareness should be undertaken. The target candidates for oral health promotion programs should include mothers, general dentists, pediatricians, nurses, primary care health workers, care-takers at day-care centers and gynecologists. PMID:22509116

The Mediation of Platelet Quiescence by NO-Releasing Polymers via cGMP-Induced Serine 239 Phosphorylation of Vasodilator-Stimulated Phosphoprotein

PubMed Central

Major, Terry C; Handa, Hitesh; Brisbois, Elizabeth J; Reynolds, Melissa M; Annich, Gail M; Meyerhoff, Mark E; Bartlett, Robert H

2013-01-01

Nitric oxide (NO) releasing (NORel) materials have been shown to create localized increases in NO concentration by the release of NO from a diazeniumdiaolate-containing or S-nitrosothiol-containing polymer coating and the improvement of extracorporeal circulation (ECC) hemocompatibility. However, the mechanism and, in particular, the platelet upregulation of the NO/cGMP signaling protein, vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylated at serine 239 (P-VASP (ser 239), for the improved ECC hemocompatibility via NO release still needs elucidation. In this work, two NORel polymeric coatings were evaluated in a 4 h rabbit thrombogenicity (RT) model and the anti-thrombotic mechanism investigated for rabbit platelet P-VASP upregulation. Polymer films containing 25 wt% diazeniumdiolated dibutylhexansdiamine (DBHD) or 5 wt% S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) coated on the inner walls of ECC circuits yielded significantly reduced ECC thrombus formation and maintained normal platelet aggregation compared to polymer controls after 4 h of blood exposure. Platelet P-VASP (ser 239), a useful tool to monitor NO/cGMP signaling, was upregulated after 4 h on ECC and markedly increased after ex vivo sodium nitroprusside (SNP) stimulation. Interestingly, in the rabbit platelet, NO did not upregulate the cAMP P-VASP phosphoprotein P-VASP (ser 157) as previously shown in human platelets. These results suggest that NORel polymers preserve rabbit platelet quiescence by sustainng a level of cGMP signaling as monitored by P-VASP (ser 239) upregulation. The upregulation of this NO-mediated platelet signaling mechanism in this RT model indicates the potential for improved thromboresistance of any NORel-coated medical device. PMID:23906514

Evaluation of a novel basic life support method in simulated microgravity.

PubMed

Rehnberg, Lucas; Russomano, Thaws; Falcão, Felipe; Campos, Fabio; Everts, Simon N

2011-02-01

If a cardiac arrest occurs in microgravity, current emergency protocols aim to treat patients via a medical restraint system within 2-4 min. It is vital that crewmembers have the ability to perform single-person cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during this period, allowing time for advanced life support to be deployed. The efficacy of the Evetts-Russomano (ER) method has been tested in 22 s of microgravity in a parabolic flight and has shown that external chest compressions (ECC) and mouth-to-mouth ventilation are possible. There were 21 male subjects who performed both the ER method in simulated microgravity via full body suspension and at +1 Gz. The CPR mannequin was modified to provide accurate readings for ECC depth and a metronome to set the rate at 100 bpm. Heart rate, rate of perceived exertion, and angle of arm flexion were measured with an ECG, elbow electrogoniometers, and Borg scale, respectively. The mean (+/- SD) depth of ECC in simulated microgravity was lower in each of the 3 min compared to +1 G2. The ECC depth (45.7 +/- 2.7 mm, 42.3 +/- 5.5 mm, and 41.4 +/- 5.9 mm) and rate (104.5 +/- 5.2, 105.2 +/- 4.5, and 102.4 +/- 6.6 compressions/min), however, remained within CPR guidelines during simulated microgravity over the 3-min period. Heart rate, perceived exertion, and elbow flexion of both arms increased using the ER method. The ER method can provide adequate depth and rate of ECC in simulated microgravity for 3 min to allow time to deploy a medical restraint system. There is, however, a physiological cost associated with it and a need to use the flexion of the arms to compensate for the lack of weight.

"Outer-sphere to inner-sphere" redox cycling for ultrasensitive immunosensors.

PubMed

Akanda, Md Rajibul; Choe, Yu-Lim; Yang, Haesik

2012-01-17

This paper reports chemical-chemical (CC) and electrochemical-chemical-chemical (ECC) redox cycling, for use in ultrasensitive biosensor applications. A triple chemical amplification approach using an enzymatic reaction, CC redox cycling, and ECC redox cycling is applied toward electrochemical immunosensors of cardiac troponin I. An enzymatic reaction, in which alkaline phosphatase converts 4-aminophenyl phosphate to 4-aminophenol (AP), triggers CC redox cycling in the presence of an oxidant and a reductant, and electrochemical signals are measured with ECC redox cycling after an incubation period of time in an air-saturated solution. To obtain high, selective, and reproducible redox cycling without using redox enzymes, two redox reactions [the reaction between AP and the oxidant and the reaction between the oxidized form of AP (4-quinone imine, QI) and the reductant] should be fast, but an unwanted reaction between the oxidant and reductant should be very slow. Because species that undergo outer-sphere reactions (OSR-philic species) react slowly with species that undergo inner-sphere reactions (ISR-philic species), highly OSR-philic Ru(NH(3))(6)(3+) and highly ISR-philic tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP) are chosen as the oxidant and reductant, respectively. The OSR- and ISR-philic QI/AP couple allows fast redox reactions with both the OSR-philic Ru(NH(3))(6)(3+) and the ISR-philic TCEP. Highly OSR-philic indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrodes minimize unwanted electrochemical reactions with highly ISR-philic species. Although the formal potential of the Ru(NH(3))(6)(3+)/Ru(NH(3))(6)(2+) couple is lower than that of the QI/AP couple, the endergonic reaction between Ru(NH(3))(6)(3+) and AP is driven by the highly exergonic reaction between TCEP and QI (via a coupled reaction mechanism). Overall, the "outer-sphere to inner-sphere" redox cycling in the order of highly OSR-philic ITO, highly OSR-philic Ru(NH(3))(6)(3+)/Ru(NH(3))(6)(2+) couple, OSR- and ISR-philic QI/AP couple, and highly ISR-philic TCEP allows high, selective, and reproducible signal amplification. The electrochemical data obtained by chronocoulometry permit a lower detection limits than those obtained by cyclic voltammetry. The detection limit of an immunosensor for troponin I in serum, calculated from the anodic charges in chronocoulometry, is ca. 10 fg/mL.

Magnetic resonance imaging and electromyography as indexes of muscle function

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adams, Gregory R.; Duvoisin, Marc R.; Dudley, Gary A.

1992-01-01

A hypothesis is tested that exercise-induced magnetic resonance (MR) contrast shifts would relate to electromyography (EMG) amplitude if both measures reflect muscle use during exercise. Both magnetic resonance images (MRI) and EMG data were obtained for separate eccentric (ECC) and cocentric (CON) exercise of increasing intensity for seven subjects 30-32 yr old. CON and ECC actions caused increased integrated EMG (IEMG) and T2 values which were strongly related with relative resistance. The rate of increase and absolute value of both T2 and IEMG were found to be greater for CON than for ECC actions. For both actions IEMG and T2 were correlated. Data obtained suggest that surface IEMG accurately reflects the contractile behavior of muscle and exercise-induced increases in MRI T2 values reflect certain processes that scale with muscle use.

Where to Now for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Graduates? A Study of the Experiences of Irish BA ECCE Degree Graduates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moloney, Mary; Pope, Jennifer

2015-01-01

International definitions of early childhood locate the field with the care and education of children between birth and six years. In Ireland, this definition applies to both pre-school and the infant classes of primary school. While primary school teachers in Ireland must hold a Bachelor of Education degree, there is no minimum training…

Capillary electrophoresis for drug analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lurie, Ira S.

1999-02-01

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is a high resolution separation technique which is amenable to a wide variety of solutes, including compounds which are thermally degradable, non-volatile and highly polar, and is therefore well suited for drug analysis. Techniques which have been used in our laboratory include electrokinetic chromatography (ECC), free zone electrophoresis (CZE) and capillary electrochromatography (CEC). ECC, which uses a charged run buffer additive which migrates counter to osmotic flow, is excellent for many applications, including, drug screening and analyses of heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine samples. ECC approaches include the use of micelles and charged cyclodextrins, which allow for the separation of complex mixtures. Simultaneous separation of acidic, neutral and basic solutes and the resolution of optical isomers and positional isomers are possible. CZE has been used for the analysis of small ions (cations and anions) in heroin exhibits. For the ECC and CZE experiments performed in our laboratory, uncoated capillaries were used. In contrast, CEC uses capillaries packed with high performance liquid chromatography stationary phases, and offers both high peak capacities and unique selectivities. Applications include the analysis of cannabinoids and drug screening. Although CE suffers from limited concentration sensitivity, it is still applicable to trace analysis of drug samples, especially when using injection techniques such as stacking, or detection schemes such as laser induced fluorescence and extended pathlength UV.

Reducing early childhood caries in a Medicaid population: a systems model analysis.

PubMed

Edelstein, Burton L; Hirsch, Gary; Frosh, Marcy; Kumar, Jayanth

2015-04-01

Despite early childhood caries (ECC) being largely preventable, its repair accounts for a disproportionate share of Medicaid expenditures. In this study, the authors model disease reductions and cost savings from ECC management alternatives. The authors apply system dynamics modeling to the New York State Medicaid population of young children to compare potential outcomes of 9 preventive interventions (water fluoridation, fluoride varnish, fluoride toothpaste, medical screening and fluoride varnish application, bacterial transmission reduction, motivational interviewing, dental prevention visits, secondary prevention, and combinations) and the effect of defluoridating New York City. Model simulations help project 10-year disease reductions and net savings from water fluoridation, motivational interviewing, and fluoride toothpaste. Interventions requiring health professionals cost more than they save. Interventions that target children at high risk, begin early, and combine multiple strategies hold greatest potential. Defluoridating New York City would increase disease and costs dramatically. The variety of population-level and individual-level interventions available to control ECC differ substantially in their capacity to improve children's oral health and reduce state Medicaid expenditures. Using Medicaid and health department dollars to deliver ECC preventive and management interventions holds strong promise to improve children's oral health while reducing state dental expenditures in Medicaid. Copyright © 2015 American Dental Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of Antimicrobial Interventions on the Oral Microbiota Associated with Early Childhood Caries.

PubMed

Li, Yihong; Tanner, Anne

2015-01-01

The purposes of this systematic literature review were to identify research-based evidence for an effect of antimicrobial therapeutic approaches on the cariogenic microbiota and early childhood caries (ECC) outcomes; and to review methods used to perform microbial assessments in clinical studies of ECC. Multiple databases were searched; only clinical cohort studies and randomized controlled trials published from 1998 to 2014 were selected. A total of 471 titles and abstracts were identified; 114 studies met the inclusion criteria for a full review, from which 41 studies were included in the meta-analyses. In most of the reviewed studies, moderate reductions in cariogenic bacterial levels, mainly in mutans streptococci (MS), were demonstrated following the use of antimicrobial agents, but bacterial regrowth occurred and new carious lesions developed once the treatment had ceased, particularly in high-risk children. Relatively consistent findings suggested that anti-cariogenic microbial interventions in mothers significantly reduced MS acquisition by children. However, studies of the long-term benefits of ECC prevention are lacking. Based on the meta-analyses, antimicrobial interventions and treatments show temporary reductions in MS colonization levels. However, there is insufficient evidence to indicate that the approaches used produced sustainable effects on cariogenic microbial colonization or ECC reduction and prevention.

Gravity Functions of Circumnutation by Hypocotyls of Helianthus annuus in Simulated Hypogravity 12

PubMed Central

Chapman, David K.; Venditti, Allen L.; Brown, Allan H.

1980-01-01

For more than a decade research on the botanical mechanism responsible for circumnutation has centered on whether or not these nearly ubiquitous oscillations can be attributed to a hunting process whereby the plant organ continuously responds to the gravity force and, by overshooting each stimulus, initiates a sustained oscillation or, driven by a not yet defined autogenic mechanism, performs oscillatory activities that require no external reinforcement to maintain the observed rhythms of differential growth. We explore here the effects of altered gravity force on parameters of circumnutation. Following our earlier publication on circumnutation in hypergravity we report here an exploration of circumnutation in hypogravity. Parameters of circumnutation are recorded as functions of the axially imposed gravity force. The same method was used (two-axes clinostat rotation) to produce sustained gravity forces referred to as hypergravity (1 < g), hypogravity (0 [unk] g < 1), and negative gravity (−1 < g < 0). In these three regions of the g-parameter nutational frequency and nutational amplitude were influenced in different ways. The results of our tests describe the gravity dependence of circumnutation over the full range of real or simulated gravity levels that are available in an earth laboratory. Our results demonstrated that nutational parameters are indeed gravity-dependent but are not inconsistent with the postulate that circumnutation can proceed in the absence of a significant gravity force. PMID:16661229

Steady Capillary Driven Flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weislogel, Mark M.

1996-01-01

A steady capillary driven flow is developed for a liquid index in a circular tube which is partially coated with a surface modifier to produce a discontinuous wetting condition from one side of the tube to the other. The bulk flow is novel in that it is truly steady, and controlled solely by the physics associated with dynamic wetting. The influence of gravity on the flow is minimized through the use of small diameter tubes approximately O(1 mm) tested horizontally in a laboratory and larger tubes approximately O(10 mm) tested in the low gravity environment of a drop tower. Average steady velocities are predicted and compared against a large experimental data set which includes the effects of tube dimensions and fluid properties. The sensitivity of the velocity to surface cleanliness is dramatic and the advantages of experimentation in a microgravity environment are discussed.

New Instability Mode in A Driven Granular Gas: Athermal and Thermal Convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shukla, Priyanka; Alam, Meheboob

2017-11-01

For a thermally-driven granular gas confined between two plates under gravity, we report a new instability mode which is found to be active at very small values of the heat-loss parameter. We show that the origin of this new mode is tied to the ``thermal'' mode of the well-studied Rayleigh-Benard convection. This is dubbed purely elastic instability since it survives even for perfectly elastic collisions (en = 1). The distinction of this new instability mode from its dissipative/athermal counterpart is clarified for the first time. Furthermore, a weakly nonlinear analysis using Stuart-Landau equation has been carried out for both instability modes, and the underlying bifurcation scenario (supercritical/subcritical) from each mode is elucidated. The resulting linear and nonlinear patterns with respect to inelasticity and gravity are compared.

Simulation of sloshing dynamics induced forces and torques actuated on dewar container driven by gravity gradient and jitter accelerations in microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hung, R. J.; Pan, H. L.

1993-01-01

Some experimental spacecraft use superconducting sensors for gyro read-out and so must be maintained at a very low temperature. The boil-off from the cryogenic liquid used to cool the sensors can also be used, as the Gravity Probe B (GP-B) spacecraft does, as propellant to maintain attitude control and drag-free operation of the spacecraft. The cryogenic liquid for such spacecraft is, however, susceptible to both slosh-like motion and non-axisymmetric configurations under the influence of various kinds of gravity jitter and gravity gradient accelerations. Hence, it is important to quantify the magnitude of the liquid-induced perturbations on the spacecraft. We use the example of the GP-B to investigate such perturbations by numerical simulations. For this spacecraft disturbances can be imposed on the liquid by atmospheric drag, spacecraft attitude control maneuvers, and the earth's gravity gradient. More generally, onboard machinery vibrations and crew motion can also create disturbances. Recent studies suggest that high frequency disturbances are relatively unimportant in causing liquid motions in comparison to low frequency ones. The results presented here confirm this conclusion. After an initial calibration period, the GP-B spacecraft rotates in orbit at 0.1 rpm about the tank symmetry axis. For this rotation rate, the equilibrium liquid free surface shape is a 'doughnut' configuration for all residual gravity levels of 10(exp -6) g(sub 0) or less, as shown by experiments and by numerical simulations; furthermore, the superfluid behavior of the 1.8 K liquid helium used in GP-B eliminates temperature gradients and therefore such effects as Marangoni convection do not have to be considered. Classical fluid dynamics theory is used as the basis of the numerical simulations here, since Mason's experiments show that the theory is applicable for cryogenic liquid helium in large containers. To study liquid responses to various disturbances, we investigate and simulate three levels of gravity jitter (10(exp -6), 10(exp -7), and 10(exp -8) g(sub 0)) each at three predominant frequencies (0.1, 1.0, and 10 Hz), combined with a gravity gradient appropriate for the GP-B orbit. Dynamical evolution of sloshing dynamics excited fluid forces and torque fluctuations exerted on the dewar container driven by the combined gravity gradient and jitter accelerations are also investigated and simulated.

Scientific management and implementation of the geophysical fluid flow cell for Spacelab missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hart, J.; Toomre, J.

1980-01-01

Scientific support for the spherical convection experiment to be flown on Spacelab 3 was developed. This experiment takes advantage of the zero gravity environment of the orbiting space laboratory to conduct fundamental fluid flow studies concerned with thermally driven motions inside a rotating spherical shell with radial gravity. Such a system is a laboratory analog of large scale atmospheric and solar circulations. The radial body force necessary to model gravity correctly is obtained by using dielectric polarization forces in a radially varying electric field to produce radial accelerations proportional to temperature. This experiment will answer fundamental questions concerned with establishing the preferred modes of large scale motion in planetary and stellar atmospheres.

Identification of early childhood caries in primary care settings.

PubMed

Nicolae, Alexandra; Levin, Leo; Wong, Peter D; Dave, Malini G; Taras, Jillian; Mistry, Chetna; Ford-Jones, Elizabeth L; Wong, Michele; Schroth, Robert J

2018-04-01

Early childhood caries (ECC) is the most common chronic disease affecting young children in Canada. ECC may lead to pain and infection, compromised general health, decreased quality of life and increased risk for dental caries in primary and permanent teeth. A multidisciplinary approach to prevent and identify dental disease is recommended by dental and medical national organizations. Young children visit primary care providers at regular intervals from an early age. These encounters provide an ideal opportunity for primary care providers to educate clients about their children's oral health and its importance for general health. We designed an office-based oral health screening guide to help primary care providers identify ECC, a dental referral form to facilitate dental care access and an oral health education resource to raise parental awareness. These resources were reviewed and trialled with a small number of primary care providers.

Utilization of calcium carbonate particles from eggshell waste as coating pigments for ink-jet printing paper.

PubMed

Yoo, Sukjoon; Hsieh, Jeffery S; Zou, Peter; Kokoszka, John

2009-12-01

The effective treatment and utilization of biowaste have been emphasized in our society for environmental and economic concerns. Recently, the eggshell waste in the poultry industry has been highlighted because of its reclamation potential. This study presents an economical treatment process to recover useful bioproducts from eggshell waste and their utilization in commercial products. We developed the dissolved air floatation (DAF) separation unit, which successfully recovered 96% of eggshell membrane and 99% of eggshell calcium carbonate (ECC) particles from eggshell waste within 2 h of operation. The recovered ECC particles were utilized as coating pigments for ink-jet printing paper and their impact on the ink density and paper gloss were investigated. The addition of the ECC particles as coating pigments enhances the optical density of cyan, magenta and yellow inks while decreasing the black ink density and the gloss of the coated paper.

Performance evaluation of electrochemical concentration cell ozonesondes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Torres, A. L.; Bandy, A. R.

1977-01-01

Laboratory calibrations of more than a hundred electrochemical concentration cell (ECC) ozonesondes were determined relative to UV-photometry. The average intercept and slope, 0 plus or minus 5 nb and 0.96 plus or minus 0.06, respectively, indicate reasonable agreement with UV photometry, but with considerable variation from one ECC ozonesonde to another. The time required to reach 85% of the final reaction to a step-change in ozone concentration was found to average 51 seconds. Application of the individual calibrations to 20 sets of 1976 flight data reduced the average of the differences between ozonesonde and Dobson spectrophotometric measurements of total ozone from 3.9 to 1.3%. A similar treatment of a set of 10 1977 flight records improved the average ECC-Dobson agreement from -8.5 to -1.4%. Although systematic differences were reduced, no significant effect on the random variations was evident.

Screening of antagonistic bacteria isolated from Amorphophallus konjac rhizosphere soil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Tianxing; Gong, Mingfu; Guan, Qinlan; Huang, Ying; Qin, Fang

2018-04-01

Bacteria lived in Amorphaphallus konjac rhizosphere soil have the potential ability of antagonistic bacterial pathogen activity against to Erwinia carotovora subsp carotovora (Ecc). The paper was to study and analyze all strains of 18 bacteria isolated from A. konjac rhizosphere soil with strong antagonistic effect against to Ecc and to identify antagonistic bacteria with morphology, physiology and biochemistry characteristic. The antagonistic bacterial pathogen activity of different bacterial strains were significantly different. Five of 18 strains isolated from A. konjac rhizosphere soil, including AKSB03, AKSB05, AKSB08, AKSB13 and AKSB16 was screened with antagonistic wider more than 15 mm in first screening test. Strain AKSB08 and strain AKSB16 had a strong antagonism activity for Ecc with antagonistic wider more than 20 mm in second screening test. Strain AKSB08 and strain AKSB16 belonged to Bacillus with morphology, physiology and biochemistry characteristic.

Modifying the ECC-based grouping-proof RFID system to increase inpatient medication safety.

PubMed

Ko, Wen-Tsai; Chiou, Shin-Yan; Lu, Erl-Huei; Chang, Henry Ker-Chang

2014-09-01

RFID technology is increasingly used in applications that require tracking, identification, and authentication. It attaches RFID-readable tags to objects for identification and execution of specific RFID-enabled applications. Recently, research has focused on the use of grouping-proofs for preserving privacy in RFID applications, wherein a proof of two or more tags must be simultaneously scanned. In 2010, a privacy-preserving grouping proof protocol for RFID based on ECC in public-key cryptosystem was proposed but was shown to be vulnerable to tracking attacks. A proposed enhancement protocol was also shown to have defects which prevented proper execution. In 2012, Lin et al. proposed a more efficient RFID ECC-based grouping proof protocol to promote inpatient medication safety. However, we found this protocol is also vulnerable to tracking and impersonation attacks. We then propose a secure privacy-preserving RFID grouping proof protocol for inpatient medication safety and demonstrate its resistance to such attacks.

Applying elliptic curve cryptography to a chaotic synchronisation system: neural-network-based approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsiao, Feng-Hsiag

2017-10-01

In order to obtain double encryption via elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) and chaotic synchronisation, this study presents a design methodology for neural-network (NN)-based secure communications in multiple time-delay chaotic systems. ECC is an asymmetric encryption and its strength is based on the difficulty of solving the elliptic curve discrete logarithm problem which is a much harder problem than factoring integers. Because it is much harder, we can get away with fewer bits to provide the same level of security. To enhance the strength of the cryptosystem, we conduct double encryption that combines chaotic synchronisation with ECC. According to the improved genetic algorithm, a fuzzy controller is synthesised to realise the exponential synchronisation and achieves optimal H∞ performance by minimising the disturbances attenuation level. Finally, a numerical example with simulations is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Early childhood caries in Indigenous communities

PubMed Central

Irvine, JD; Holve, S; Krol, D; Schroth, R

2011-01-01

The oral health of Indigenous children of Canada (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) and the United States (American Indian and Alaska Native) is a major child health issue. This is exemplified by the high prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) with resulting adverse health effects, as well as high rates and costs of restorative and surgical treatments under general anesthesia. ECC is an infectious disease that is influenced by multiple factors, including socioeconomic determinants, and requires a combination of approaches for improvement. The present statement includes recommendations for oral health preventive and clinical care for young infants and pregnant women by primary health care providers, community-based health promotion initiatives, oral health workforce and access issues, and advocacy for community water fluoridation and fluoride varnish program access. Further community-based research on the epidemiology, prevention, management and microbiology of ECC in Indigenous communities would be beneficial. PMID:22654547

Early childhood caries in indigenous communities.

PubMed

2011-06-01

The oral health of Indigenous children of Canada (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) and the United States (American Indian, Alaska Native) is a major child health issue: there is a high prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) and resulting adverse health effects in this community, as well as high rates and costs of restorative and surgical treatments under general anesthesia. ECC is an infectious disease that is influenced by multiple factors, including socioeconomic determinants, and requires a combination of approaches for improvement. This statement includes recommendations for preventive oral health and clinical care for young infants and pregnant women by primary health care providers, community-based health-promotion initiatives, oral health workforce and access issues, and advocacy for community water fluoridation and fluoride-varnish program access. Further community-based research on the epidemiology, prevention, management, and microbiology of ECC in Indigenous communities would be beneficial.

Early childhood caries in Indigenous communities: A joint statement with the American Academy of Pediatrics.

PubMed

Irvine, Jd; Holve, S; Krol, D; Schroth, R

2011-06-01

The oral health of Indigenous children of Canada (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) and the United States (American Indian and Alaska Native) is a major child health issue. This is exemplified by the high prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) with resulting adverse health effects, as well as high rates and costs of restorative and surgical treatments under general anesthesia. ECC is an infectious disease that is influenced by multiple factors, including socioeconomic determinants, and requires a combination of approaches for improvement. The present statement includes recommendations for oral health preventive and clinical care for young infants and pregnant women by primary health care providers, community-based health promotion initiatives, oral health workforce and access issues, and advocacy for community water fluoridation and fluoride varnish program access. Further community-based research on the epidemiology, prevention, management and microbiology of ECC in Indigenous communities would be beneficial.

Microgravity processing of particulate reinforced metal matrix composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morel, Donald E.; Stefanescu, Doru M.; Curreri, Peter A.

1989-01-01

The elimination of such gravity-related effects as buoyancy-driven sedimentation can yield more homogeneous microstructures in composite materials whose individual constituents have widely differing densities. A comparison of composite samples consisting of particulate ceramics in a nickel aluminide matrix solidified under gravity levels ranging from 0.01 to 1.8 G indicates that the G force normal to the growth direction plays a fundamental role in determining the distribution of the reinforcement in the matrix. Composites with extremely uniform microstructures can be produced by these methods.

Explicit solutions of a gravity-induced film flow along a convectively heated vertical wall.

PubMed

Raees, Ammarah; Xu, Hang

2013-01-01

The gravity-driven film flow has been analyzed along a vertical wall subjected to a convective boundary condition. The Boussinesq approximation is applied to simplify the buoyancy term, and similarity transformations are used on the mathematical model of the problem under consideration, to obtain a set of coupled ordinary differential equations. Then the reduced equations are solved explicitly by using homotopy analysis method (HAM). The resulting solutions are investigated for heat transfer effects on velocity and temperature profiles.

UV water disinfector

DOEpatents

Gadgil, A.; Garud, V.

1998-07-14

A UV disinfector with a gravity driven feed water delivery system and an air-suspended bare UV lamp are disclosed. The disinfector is hydrodynamically optimized with a laminerizing, perforated baffle wall, beveled treatment chamber, and outlet weir. 7 figs.

Marangoni Effects in the Boiling of Binary Fluid Mixtures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ahmed, Sayeed; Carey, Van P.; Motil, Brian

1996-01-01

Results of very recent experimental studies indicate that during nucleate boiling in some binary mixture, Marangoni effects augment the gravity driven flow of liquid towards the heated surface. With gravity present, it is impossible to separate the two effects. The reduced gravity environment gives an unique opportunity to explore th role of Marangoni effects on the boiling mechanisms free of gravitational body forces that obscure the role of such effects. However, recent experimental results suggest that under reduced gravity conditions, Marangoni effects is the dominant mechanism of vapor-liquid exchange at the surface for some binary mixture. To further explore such effects, experiments have been conducted with water/2-propanol mixtures at three different concentrations under normal gravity with different orientations of the heater surface and under reduce gravity aboard the DC-9 aircraft at NASA Lewis Research Center. The system pressure was sub atmospheric (approx. 8 kP at 1g(n)) and the bulk liquid temperature varied from low subcooling to near saturation. The molar concentrations of 2-propanol tested were 0.015, 0.025, and 0.1. Boiling curves were obtained both for high gravity (approx. 2g(n)) and reduce gravity (approx. 0.01g(n)). For each concentration of 2-propanol, the critical heat flux has been determined in the flight experiments only for reduced gravity conditions. Comparison of boiling curves and CHF obtained under l-g(n) an reduced gravity indicates that boiling mechanism in this mixtures is nearly independent of gravity. The results also indicate that the Marangoni mechanism is strong enough in these mixtures to sustain the boiling under reduced gravity conditions.

Early Child Care and Education: HHS and Education Are Taking Steps to Improve Workforce Data and Enhance Worker Quality. Report to the Chairman, Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate. GAO-12-248

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Kay E.

2012-01-01

Research shows that well trained and educated early child care and education (ECCE) workers are key to helping children in care reach their full developmental potential. Federal and state governments spend billions of dollars each year to improve ECCE programs, including the quality of its caregivers and teachers. Because of the importance of this…

[Effects of low doses of aprotinin in heart surgery].

PubMed

Blanco, E; Blanco, J; Bóveda, S; Sierra, J; Rubio, J; Durán, D; Alvarez, J

1994-01-01

To study the effect of aprotinin (Trasylol) administration on bleeding after surgery and on the need for blood transfusion in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass with extracorporeal circulation (ECC). One hundred ten patients were studied prospectively, divided into two groups. In the aprotinin group (n = 80), the ECC pump was primed with 140 mg of aprotinin and followed with continuous intravenous perfusion at 70 mg/h from the start of ECC until the patient left the operating theater. The control group (n = 30) served as reference. The parameters compared were the hematocrit, number of platelets, prothrombin time and activated coagulation time, as well as drainage of blood through thoracic tubes at 3 and 24 h after surgery and the amount of blood transfused both during and after the procedure. Blood loss was significantly lower in the aprotinin group as compared with the control group, both at 3 h (227 +/- 193 vs 380 +/- 169 ml; p < 0.05) and at 24 h (422 +/- 322 ml vs 736 +/- 342 ml; p < 0.05) after surgery. There was also a significant decrease in blood requirements in the aprotinin group (550 +/- 450 ml vs 872 +/- 747 ml; p < 0.05). There were no differences between the two groups for the other parameters studied. Administration of aprotinin at low doses during surgery in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with ECC significantly reduces postoperative bleeding and the amount of blood transfused.

Minimal intervention dentistry for early childhood caries and child dental anxiety: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Arrow, P; Klobas, E

2017-06-01

To compare changes in child dental anxiety after treatment for early childhood caries (ECC) using two treatment approaches. Children with ECC were randomized to test (atraumatic restorative treatment (ART)-based approach) or control (standard care approach) groups. Children aged 3 years or older completed a dental anxiety scale at baseline and follow up. Changes in child dental anxiety from baseline to follow up were tested using the chi-squared statistic, Wilcoxon rank sum test, McNemar's test and multinomial logistic regression. Two hundred and fifty-four children were randomized (N = 127 test, N = 127 control). At baseline, 193 children completed the dental anxiety scale, 211 at follow up and 170 completed the scale on both occasions. Children who were anxious at baseline (11%) were no longer anxious at follow up, and 11% non-anxious children became anxious. Multinomial logistic regression found each increment in the number of visits increased the odds of worsening dental anxiety (odds ratio (OR), 2.2; P < 0.05), whereas each increment in the number of treatments lowered the odds of worsening anxiety (OR, 0.50; P = 0.05). The ART-based approach to managing ECC resulted in similar levels of dental anxiety to the standard treatment approach and provides a valuable alternative approach to the management of ECC in a primary dental care setting. © 2016 Australian Dental Association.

Extrachromosomal circular DNA-based amplification and transmission of herbicide resistance in crop weed Amaranthus palmeri

PubMed Central

Koo, Dal-Hoe; Molin, William T.; Saski, Christopher A.; Jiang, Jiming; Putta, Karthik; Friebe, Bernd; Gill, Bikram S.

2018-01-01

Gene amplification has been observed in many bacteria and eukaryotes as a response to various selective pressures, such as antibiotics, cytotoxic drugs, pesticides, herbicides, and other stressful environmental conditions. An increase in gene copy number is often found as extrachromosomal elements that usually contain autonomously replicating extrachromosomal circular DNA molecules (eccDNAs). Amaranthus palmeri, a crop weed, can develop herbicide resistance to glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine] by amplification of the 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene, the molecular target of glyphosate. However, biological questions regarding the source of the amplified EPSPS, the nature of the amplified DNA structures, and mechanisms responsible for maintaining this gene amplification in cells and their inheritance remain unknown. Here, we report that amplified EPSPS copies in glyphosate-resistant (GR) A. palmeri are present in the form of eccDNAs with various conformations. The eccDNAs are transmitted during cell division in mitosis and meiosis to the soma and germ cells and the progeny by an as yet unknown mechanism of tethering to mitotic and meiotic chromosomes. We propose that eccDNAs are one of the components of McClintock’s postulated innate systems [McClintock B (1978) Stadler Genetics Symposium] that can rapidly produce soma variation, amplify EPSPS genes in the sporophyte that are transmitted to germ cells, and modulate rapid glyphosate resistance through genome plasticity and adaptive evolution. PMID:29531028

Long-term outcome of oral health in patients with early childhood caries treated under general anaesthesia.

PubMed

EzEldeen, M; Gizani, S; Declerck, D

2015-08-01

Reports on the long-term outcome of oral health in children with early childhood caries (ECC) treated under general anaesthesia (GA) are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess oral health in adolescents with history of ECC treated under GA at young age. A total of 98 children treated under GA because of ECC at the University Hospitals of Leuven (Belgium) (1995-1996) were included in a follow-up study. Information was collected at baseline (GA) and 1 and 12 years after treatment. The children were examined clinically [oral hygiene, caries experience (CE)] and oral health behaviour was recorded using a questionnaire. At second recall, 46 (48 %) adolescents could be contacted; 21 of these attended the dental clinic. Their mean age was 17.5 years (SD 1.4) with mean time span since GA of 13.1 years (SD 0.8); 91 % presented with CE. Mean D3MFT was 8.2 (SD 5.6) (median 7; range 0-18); 71 % showed untreated decay. A considerable gap between knowledge of content and actual use of fluoride in toothpaste was evident. Individuals with a history of ECC remained at high risk for caries in their permanent dentition. There is a need for well-designed long-term studies to explore associated factors.

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

Goven, A.J.; Fitzpatrick, L.C.; Eyambe, G.S.

Acute toxicity in earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris) was assayed immediately after 5-d filter paper exposure to the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) Aroclor 1254, using coelomocyte viability, total extruded cell counts (ECC), differential cell counts (DCC), and formation of erythrocyte (ER) and secretory rosettes (SR) with, and phagocytosis of, antigenic rabbit red blood cells (RRBC). Chronic toxicity was assayed using rates by which earthworms replaced viable immunoactive coelomocytes, removed noninvasively immediately after exposure, over an 18-week depuration period. All cytological parameters, except ECC, were acutely affected immediately after exposure, when tissue concentrations were ([anti X] [plus minus] SE) 91.2 [plus minus] 8.19 [mu]gmore » PCB per gram dry mass. Replacement of viable immunoactive coelomocytes occurred within six weeks in unexposed control earthworms. Exposed earthworms showed significant alteration in viability, ECC, DCC, ER, and SR formation, and phagocytosis at 6 and 12 weeks when PCB tissue concentrations were 41 [plus minus] 0.31 and 30.2 [plus minus] 0.88 [mu]g/g dry mass, respectively. Replacement of extruded coelomocytes with normal DCC of viable immunocompetent cells was not observed until week 18, when PCB had decreased to 15.7 [plus minus] 0.83 [mu]g/g dry mass. Low inherent natural variability in coelomocyte viability, ECC, DCC, rosette formation, and phagocytosis, and their sensitivity to sublethal PCB body burdens, indicated that earthworm coelomocytes have potential as nonmammalian biomarkers for assaying acute and chronic sublethal toxicity of xenobiotics.« less

Effect of Antimicrobial Intervention on Oral Microbiota Associated with Early Childhood Caries

PubMed Central

Li, Yihong; Tanner, Anne

2015-01-01

Purpose The aim of this systematic literature review was to identify research-based evidence for an effect of antimicrobial therapeutic approaches on the cariogenic microbiota and early childhood caries (ECC) outcomes. Additionally, we reviewed methods used to perform microbial assessments in clinical studies of ECC. Methods Multiple database searches were conducted; only clinical cohort studies and randomized controlled trials published from 1998 to 2014 were selected for the review. A total of 471 titles and abstracts were identified; 114 studies met the inclusion criteria for a full review, and finally 41 studies were selected for the meta-analyses. Results Moderate reductions in cariogenic bacterial levels, mainly in mutans streptococci (MS), were demonstrated following the use of antimicrobial agents. The results varied depending on the different approaches used. In most of the reviewed studies MS levels were reduced after treatment, but the bacterial regrowth occurred once the treatment had ceased, and new caries lesions developed, particularly in high-risk children. Relatively consistent findings suggested that anti-cariogenic-microbial interventions in mothers significantly reduced MS acquisition by children. However, studies of the long-term benefits of ECC prevention are lacking. Conclusion Based on the meta-analyses, antimicrobial interventions and treatments show temporary reductions in MS colonization levels. However, insufficient evidence suggest that the approaches used produced sustainable effects on cariogenic microbial colonization, caries reduction, and ECC prevention. PMID:26063552

Cryobot: an ice penetrating robotic vehicle for Mars and Europa

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zimmerman, W. F.; Bonitz, R.; Feldman, J.

2001-01-01

This paper describes the science driven requirements for a robotic vehicle, which utilizes gravity, and both passive and active heating systems to drive ice to a liquid phase change state, in order to facilitate mobility.

A discontinuous Galerkin method for gravity-driven viscous fingering instabilities in porous media

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

Scovazzi, G.; Gerstenberger, A.; Collis, S. S.

2013-01-01

We present a new approach to the simulation of gravity-driven viscous fingering instabilities in porous media flow. These instabilities play a very important role during carbon sequestration processes in brine aquifers. Our approach is based on a nonlinear implementation of the discontinuous Galerkin method, and possesses a number of key features. First, the method developed is inherently high order, and is therefore well suited to study unstable flow mechanisms. Secondly, it maintains high-order accuracy on completely unstructured meshes. The combination of these two features makes it a very appealing strategy in simulating the challenging flow patterns and very complex geometriesmore » of actual reservoirs and aquifers. This article includes an extensive set of verification studies on the stability and accuracy of the method, and also features a number of computations with unstructured grids and non-standard geometries.« less

Scaled Jump in Gravity-Reduced Virtual Environments.

PubMed

Kim, MyoungGon; Cho, Sunglk; Tran, Tanh Quang; Kim, Seong-Pil; Kwon, Ohung; Han, JungHyun

2017-04-01

The reduced gravity experienced in lunar or Martian surfaces can be simulated on the earth using a cable-driven system, where the cable lifts a person to reduce his or her weight. This paper presents a novel cable-driven system designed for the purpose. It is integrated with a head-mounted display and a motion capture system. Focusing on jump motion within the system, this paper proposes to scale the jump and reports the experiments made for quantifying the extent to which a jump can be scaled without the discrepancy between physical and virtual jumps being noticed by the user. With the tolerable range of scaling computed from these experiments, an application named retargeted jump is developed, where a user can jump up onto virtual objects while physically jumping in the real-world flat floor. The core techniques presented in this paper can be extended to develop extreme-sport simulators such as parasailing and skydiving.

Intermittent gravity-driven flow of grains through narrow pipes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alvarez, Carlos A.; de Moraes Franklin, Erick

2017-01-01

Grain flows through pipes are frequently found in various settings, such as in pharmaceutical, chemical, petroleum, mining and food industries. In the case of size-constrained gravitational flows, density waves consisting of alternating high- and low-compactness regions may appear. This study investigates experimentally the dynamics of density waves that appear in gravitational flows of fine grains through vertical and slightly inclined pipes. The experimental device consisted of a transparent glass pipe through which different populations of glass spheres flowed driven by gravity. Our experiments were performed under controlled ambient temperature and relative humidity, and the granular flow was filmed with a high-speed camera. Experimental results concerning the length scales and celerities of density waves are presented, together with a one-dimensional model and a linear stability analysis. The analysis exhibits the presence of a long-wavelength instability, with the most unstable mode and a cut-off wavenumber whose values are in agreement with the experimental results.

Estuarine sediment transport by gravity-driven movement of the nepheloid layer, Long Island Sound

USGS Publications Warehouse

Poppe, L.J.; McMullen, K.Y.; Williams, S.J.; Crocker, J.M.; Doran, E.F.

2008-01-01

Interpretation of sidescan-sonar imagery provides evidence that down-slope gravity-driven movement of the nepheloid layer constitutes an important mode of transporting sediment into the basins of north-central Long Island Sound, a major US East Coast estuary. In the Western Basin, this transport mechanism has formed dendritic drainage systems characterized by branching patterns of low backscatter on the seafloor that exceed 7.4 km in length and progressively widen down-slope, reaching widths of over 0.6 km at their southern distal ends. Although much smaller, dendritic patterns of similar morphology are also present in the northwestern part of the Central Basin. Because many contaminants display affinities for adsorption onto fine-grained sediments, and because the Sound is affected by seasonal hypoxia, mechanisms and dispersal pathways by which inorganic and organic sediments are remobilized and transported impact the eventual fate of the contaminants and environmental health of the estuary. 

Results in orbital evolution of objects in the geosynchronous region

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Friesen, Larry Jay; Jackson, Albert A., IV; Zook, Herbert A.; Kessler, Donald J.

1990-01-01

The orbital evolution of objects at or near geosynchronous orbit (GEO) has been simulated to investigate possible hazards to working geosynchronous satellites. Orbits of both large satellites and small particles have been simulated, subject to perturbations by nonspherical geopotential terms, lunar and solar gravity, and solar radiation pressure. Large satellites in initially circular orbits show an expected cycle of inclination change driven by lunar and solar gravity, but very little altitude change. They thus have little chance of colliding with objects at other altitudes. However, if such a satellite is disrupted, debris can reach thousands of kilometers above or below the initial satellite altitude. Small particles in GEO experience two cycles driven by solar radiation: an expected eccentricity cycle and an inclination cycle not expected. Particles generated by GEO insertion stage solid rocket motors typically hit the earth or escape promptly; a small fraction appear to remain in persistent orbits.

Empathy in boys with gender identity disorder: a comparison to externalizing clinical control boys and community control boys and girls.

PubMed

Owen-Anderson, Allison F H; Jenkins, Jennifer M; Bradley, Susan J; Zucker, Kenneth J

2008-03-01

The construct of empathy was examined in 20 boys with gender identity disorder (GID), 20 clinical control boys with externalizing disorders (ECC), 20 community control boys (NCB), and 20 community control girls (NCG). The mean age of the children was 6.86 years (range = 4-8 years). It was hypothesized that boys with GID would show similar levels of empathy to those shown by NC girls and higher levels of empathy than the NC and ECC boys. Three measures of empathy were administered: a maternal-report questionnaire, a self-report questionnaire, and an in vivo evaluation in which children's reactions to pain simulations to two adult actors (mother, experimenter) were coded for empathy levels. On the maternal report and in-vivo measures, the NC girls had significantly higher empathy levels than the NC boys, but not on the self-report measure. By maternal report, the NC girls were rated as significantly more empathic than were the GID boys, with a "large" effect size. There were no significant differences between the GID boys and the NC girls on the self-report and in-vivo measures and the effect size differences were "small." No significant differences were observed between the GID and NC boys; however, there were "medium" and "small" effect size differences with boys with GID showing more empathy on the in-vivo and self-report measures, respectively. On the maternal-report measure, the GID boys were rated as significantly more empathic than the ECC boys and there was a trend for the GID boys to show greater levels of empathy than the ECC boys on both the self-report and in-vivo measures. The effect size differences on all three empathy measures were "medium" to "large," with GID boys showing more empathy than ECC boys. Empathy as a dispositional characteristic in the genesis and perpetuation of GID in boys is discussed.

Extracapsular cataract extraction training: junior ophthalmology residents' self-reported satisfaction level with their proficiency and initial learning barrier.

PubMed

Ting, Daniel Shu Wei; Tan, Sarah; Lee, Shu Yen; Rosman, Mohamad; Aw, Ai Tee; Yeo, Ian Yew San

2015-07-01

To investigate residents' self-reported satisfaction level with their proficiency in extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) surgery and the initial barriers to learning the procedure. This is a single-centre prospective descriptive case series involving eight first-year ophthalmology residents in Singapore National Eye Center. We recorded the demographics, frequency of review by the residents of their own surgical videos and their satisfaction level with their proficiency at each of the ECCE steps using a 5-point Likert scale. All ECCE surgical videos between October 2013 and May 2014 were collected and analysed for the overall time taken for the surgery and the time taken to perform the individual steps of the procedure. The mean age of the residents was 27.6 ± 1.5 years and 62.5% (5/8) were women. More than half (62.5%, 5/8) reviewed their own surgical videos while 37.5% (3/8) discussed the surgical videos with their peers or supervisors. Of the ECCE steps, the residents were most dissatisfied with their proficiency in performing irrigation and aspiration (87.5%, 7/8), followed by suturing (62.5%, 5/8), intraocular lens insertion (62.5%, 5/8) and tin can capsulotomy (62.5%, 5/8). The average time taken for each ECCE case was 55.0 ± 12.2 min and, of all the steps, most time was spent on suturing (20.5 ± 6.8 min), followed by irrigation and aspiration (5.5 ± 3.6 min) and tin can capsulotomy (3.3 ± 1.8 min). The first-year ophthalmology residents were most dissatisfied with their proficiency in irrigation/aspiration, suturing and tin can capsulotomy. More training needs to be directed to these areas during teaching sessions in the operating room, wet laboratory or cataract simulation training sessions. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Early childhood caries and associated risk factors among preschool children in Ras Al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.

PubMed

Kowash, M B; Alkhabuli, J O; Dafaalla, S A; Shah, A; Khamis, A H

2017-04-01

To investigate the prevalence and contributing factors of early childhood caries (ECC) in preschool children of Ras Al-Khaimah (RAK), United Arab Emirates (UAE). Cross-sectional. The sample consisted of 540 healthy preschool children between four and six years of age attending 10 nursery schools in RAK, UAE. A structured questionnaire was distributed to the mothers of children who gave consent for their children to be included in the study. The questionnaire was used to collect information regarding child and mother's demographic data, children's feeding and dietary habits, oral hygiene practices and frequency of dental visits. The dental examination of children was conducted by one investigator using a mouth mirror and a torch light source. Five hundred and forty children with a mean age of 5.1 (SD = 0.71) years were included in the study. The prevalence of ECC was 74.1%, the mean dmft was 3.07 ± 0.135. The significant caries index (SiC) was very high (13.3) and the care index was very low (3.8%). A high proportion of caries-free children and those with ECC were either never or only visited dentists when in pain. However, the difference in frequency of dental visits was statistically highly significant (p < 0.001). There was also a statistically significant difference in frequency of tooth brushing between children with and without caries and more than two-thirds of children with ECC spent less than two minutes when brushing their teeth. The difference in sweet consumption was not statistically significant. The prevalence of dental decay and the mean dmft were high and the care index was extremely low. There is a great need for prospective studies and community preventive programs to solve the problem of ECC and set plans to treat open cavities in RAK preschool children.

The Impact of Retardance Pattern Variability on Nerve Fiber Layer Measurements over Time Using GDx with Variable and Enhanced Corneal Compensation

PubMed Central

Grewal, Dilraj S.; Sehi, Mitra; Cook, Richard J.

2011-01-01

Purpose. To examine the impact of retardance pattern variability on retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) measurements over time using scanning laser polarimetry with variable (GDxVCC) and enhanced corneal compensation (GDxECC; both by Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Dublin, CA). Methods. Glaucoma suspect and glaucomatous eyes with 4 years of follow-up participating in the Advanced Imaging in Glaucoma Study were prospectively enrolled. All eyes underwent standard automated perimetry (SAP), GDxVCC, and GDxECC imaging every 6 months. SAP progression was determined with point-wise linear regression analysis of SAP sensitivity values. Typical scan score (TSS) values were extracted as a measure of retardance image quality; an atypical retardation pattern (ARP) was defined as TSS < 80. TSS fluctuation over time was measured using three parameters: change in TSS from baseline, absolute difference (maximum minus minimum TSS value), and TSS variance. Linear mixed-effects models that accommodated the association between the two eyes were constructed to evaluate the relationship between change in TSS and RNFL thickness over time. Results. Eighty-six eyes (51 suspected glaucoma, 35 glaucomatous) of 45 patients were enrolled. Twenty (23.3%) eyes demonstrated SAP progression. There was significantly greater fluctuation in TSS over time with GDxVCC compared with GDxECC as measured by absolute difference (18.40 ± 15.35 units vs. 2.50 ± 4.69 units; P < 0.001), TSS variance (59.63 ± 87.27 units vs. 3.82 ± 9.63 units, P < 0.001), and change in TSS from baseline (−0.83 ± 11.2 vs. 0.25 ± 2.9, P = 0.01). The change in TSS over time significantly (P = 0.006) influenced the TSNIT average RNFL thickness when measured by GDxVCC but not by GDxECC. Conclusions. Longitudinal images obtained with GDxECC have significantly less variability in TSS and retardance patterns and have reduced bias produced by ARP on RNFL progression assessment. PMID:21296821

The Effect of Surface Tension on the Gravity-driven Thin Film Flow of Newtonian and Power-law Fluids.

PubMed

Hu, Bin; Kieweg, Sarah L

2012-07-15

Gravity-driven thin film flow is of importance in many fields, as well as for the design of polymeric drug delivery vehicles, such as anti-HIV topical microbicides. There have been many prior works on gravity-driven thin films. However, the incorporation of surface tension effect has not been well studied for non-Newtonian fluids. After surface tension effect was incorporated into our 2D (i.e. 1D spreading) power-law model, we found that surface tension effect not only impacted the spreading speed of the microbicide gel, but also had an influence on the shape of the 2D spreading profile. We observed a capillary ridge at the front of the fluid bolus. Previous literature shows that the emergence of a capillary ridge is strongly related to the contact line fingering instability. Fingering instabilities during epithelial coating may change the microbicide gel distribution and therefore impact how well it can protect the epithelium. In this study, we focused on the capillary ridge in 2D flow and performed a series of simulations and showed how the capillary ridge height varies with other parameters, such as surface tension coefficient, inclination angle, initial thickness, and power-law parameters. As shown in our results, we found that capillary ridge height increased with higher surface tension, steeper inclination angle, bigger initial thickness, and more Newtonian fluids. This study provides the initial insights of how to optimize the flow and prevent the appearance of a capillary ridge and fingering instability.

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Buoyancy Driven Convection During PDAMNA Thin Film Growth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Antar, Basil N.; Witherow, William K.; Paley, Mark S.; Curreri, Peter A. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

This paper presents results from numerical simulations as well as laboratory experiments of buoyancy driven convection in an ampoule under varying heating and gravitational acceleration loadings. The modeling effort in this work resolves the large scale natural convective motion that occurs in the fluid during photodeposition of polydiacetelene films which is due to energy absorbed by the growth solution from a UV source. Consequently, the growth kinetics of the film are ignored in the model discussed here, and also a much simplified ampoule geometry is considered. The objective of this work is to validate the numerical prediction on the strength and structure of buoyancy driven convection that could occur under terrestrial conditions during nonlinear optical film growth. The validation is used to enable a reliable predictive capability on the nature and strength of the convective motion under low gravity conditions. The ampoule geometry is in the form of a parallelepiped with rectangular faces. The numerical results obtained from the solution to the Boussinesq equations show that natural convection will occur regardless of the orientation of the UV source with respect to the gravity vector. The least strong convective motion occurred with the UV beam directed at the top face of the parallelepiped. The strength of the convective motion was found to be almost linearly proportional to the total power of the UV source. Also, it was found that the strength of the convective motion decreased linearly with the gravity due to acceleration. The pattern of the convective flow on the other hand, depended on the source location.

Can a road-driven car outrace a free-falling car?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Castaño, Diego J.

2011-11-01

Motivated by an advertising scenario in which a luxury sports sedan races against a similar car falling under the influence of gravity, a calculation using undergraduate physics and calculus is performed to theoretically predict the outcome.

Development of Uniform Microstructures in Immiscible Alloys by Processing in a Low-Gravity Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grugel, R. N.; Brush, L. N.

1996-01-01

Highly segregated macrostructures tend to develop during processing of hypermonotectic alloys because of the density difference existing between the two liquid phases. The approximately 4.6 seconds of low-gravity provided by Marshall Space Flight Center's 105 meter drop tube was utilized to minimize density-driven separation and promote uniform microstructures in hypermonotectic Ag-Ni and Ag-Mn alloys. For the Ag-Ni alloys a numerical model was developed to track heat flow and solidification of the bi-metal drop configuration. Results, potential applications, and future work are presented.

Results from a U.S. absolute gravity survey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zumberge, M. A.; Faller, J. E.; Gschwind, J.

Using the recently completed JILA absolute gravity meter, we made a survey of twelve sites in the United States. Over a period of eight weeks, the instrument was driven a total distance of nearly 20,000 km to sites in California, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Maryland and Massachusetts. The time spent in carrying out a measurement at a single location was typically one day. We report the results of the measurements in this survey along with earlier measurements made with the instrument, discuss the measurement accuracy and compare our results with other measurements.

Buoyancy-Driven Instabilities in Single-Bubble Sonoluminescence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Matula, Thomas J.

2003-01-01

The principal objectives of this study are to determine how gravity affects the emission of light from single-bubble sonoluminescence (SBSL), and whether or not the bubble extinction is directly related to gravity. Our experimental task involves designing glass or quartz spherical levitation cells that generate very stable SL bubbles. The cells must have minimized vibration, and some temperature control. The experimental system will reside in a light-tight enclosure. Aside from acceleration, the frequency, pressure amplitude, and light intensity must be measured. A computer program will be constructed to perform all aspects of the experiment.

MEA/A-1 experiment 81F01 conducted on STS-7 flight, June 1983. Containerless processing of glass forming melts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Day, D. E.; Ray, C. S.

1983-01-01

The space processing of containerless, glassforming melts on board the space shuttle flight STS-7 is investigated. Objectives include; (1) obtain quantitative evidence for the supression of heterogeneous nucleation/crystallization, (2) study melt homogenization without gravity driven convection, (3) procedural development for bubble free, high purity homogeneous melts inmicro-g, (4) comparative analysis of melts on Earth and in micro g, and (5) assess the apparatus for processing multicomponent, glass forming melts in a low gravity environment.

Using association rule mining to identify risk factors for early childhood caries.

PubMed

Ivančević, Vladimir; Tušek, Ivan; Tušek, Jasmina; Knežević, Marko; Elheshk, Salaheddin; Luković, Ivan

2015-11-01

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a potentially severe disease affecting children all over the world. The available findings are mostly based on a logistic regression model, but data mining, in particular association rule mining, could be used to extract more information from the same data set. ECC data was collected in a cross-sectional analytical study of the 10% sample of preschool children in the South Bačka area (Vojvodina, Serbia). Association rules were extracted from the data by association rule mining. Risk factors were extracted from the highly ranked association rules. Discovered dominant risk factors include male gender, frequent breastfeeding (with other risk factors), high birth order, language, and low body weight at birth. Low health awareness of parents was significantly associated to ECC only in male children. The discovered risk factors are mostly confirmed by the literature, which corroborates the value of the methods. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

An Interoperability Consideration in Selecting Domain Parameters for Elliptic Curve Cryptography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ivancic, Will (Technical Monitor); Eddy, Wesley M.

2005-01-01

Elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) will be an important technology for electronic privacy and authentication in the near future. There are many published specifications for elliptic curve cryptosystems, most of which contain detailed descriptions of the process for the selection of domain parameters. Selecting strong domain parameters ensures that the cryptosystem is robust to attacks. Due to a limitation in several published algorithms for doubling points on elliptic curves, some ECC implementations may produce incorrect, inconsistent, and incompatible results if domain parameters are not carefully chosen under a criterion that we describe. Few documents specify the addition or doubling of points in such a manner as to avoid this problematic situation. The safety criterion we present is not listed in any ECC specification we are aware of, although several other guidelines for domain selection are discussed in the literature. We provide a simple example of how a set of domain parameters not meeting this criterion can produce catastrophic results, and outline a simple means of testing curve parameters for interoperable safety over doubling.

A secured authentication protocol for wireless sensor networks using elliptic curves cryptography.

PubMed

Yeh, Hsiu-Lien; Chen, Tien-Ho; Liu, Pin-Chuan; Kim, Tai-Hoo; Wei, Hsin-Wen

2011-01-01

User authentication is a crucial service in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) that is becoming increasingly common in WSNs because wireless sensor nodes are typically deployed in an unattended environment, leaving them open to possible hostile network attack. Because wireless sensor nodes are limited in computing power, data storage and communication capabilities, any user authentication protocol must be designed to operate efficiently in a resource constrained environment. In this paper, we review several proposed WSN user authentication protocols, with a detailed review of the M.L Das protocol and a cryptanalysis of Das' protocol that shows several security weaknesses. Furthermore, this paper proposes an ECC-based user authentication protocol that resolves these weaknesses. According to our analysis of security of the ECC-based protocol, it is suitable for applications with higher security requirements. Finally, we present a comparison of security, computation, and communication costs and performances for the proposed protocols. The ECC-based protocol is shown to be suitable for higher security WSNs.

Systematics of capture and fusion dynamics in heavy-ion collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Bing; Wen, Kai; Zhao, Wei-Juan; Zhao, En-Guang; Zhou, Shan-Gui

2017-03-01

We perform a systematic study of capture excitation functions by using an empirical coupled-channel (ECC) model. In this model, a barrier distribution is used to take effectively into account the effects of couplings between the relative motion and intrinsic degrees of freedom. The shape of the barrier distribution is of an asymmetric Gaussian form. The effect of neutron transfer channels is also included in the barrier distribution. Based on the interaction potential between the projectile and the target, empirical formulas are proposed to determine the parameters of the barrier distribution. Theoretical estimates for barrier distributions and calculated capture cross sections together with experimental cross sections of 220 reaction systems with 182 ⩽ZPZT ⩽ 1640 are tabulated. The results show that the ECC model together with the empirical formulas for parameters of the barrier distribution work quite well in the energy region around the Coulomb barrier. This ECC model can provide prediction of capture cross sections for the synthesis of superheavy nuclei as well as valuable information on capture and fusion dynamics.

Effect of cementitious permanent formwork on moisture field of internal-cured concrete under drying

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jiahe; Zhang, Jun; Ding, Xiaoping; Zhang, Jiajia

2018-02-01

Drying shrinkage of concrete may still be the main source of cracking in concrete structures, even though the autogenous shrinkage of concrete can be effectively reduced by using internal curing. In the present paper, the effect of internal curing with pre-soaked lightweight aggregate and engineered cementitious composite permanent formwork (ECC-PF) on a moisture distribution in three kinds of concrete in a drying environment are investigated from both aspects of experiments and theoretical modeling. The test results show that the combination use of ECC-PF and internal curing can well maintain the humidity at a relatively high level not only at a place far from drying surface, but also at a place close to the drying surfaces. The developed model can well catch the characteristics of the moisture distribution in concrete under drying and the impacts of internal curing and ECC-PF can well be reflected as well. The model can be used for the design of concrete structures with combination use of internal curing and permanent formwork.

Industry Application ECCS / LOCA Integrated Cladding/Emergency Core Cooling System Performance: Demonstration of LOTUS-Baseline Coupled Analysis of the South Texas Plant Model

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

Zhang, Hongbin; Szilard, Ronaldo; Epiney, Aaron

Under the auspices of the DOE LWRS Program RISMC Industry Application ECCS/LOCA, INL has engaged staff from both South Texas Project (STP) and the Texas A&M University (TAMU) to produce a generic pressurized water reactor (PWR) model including reactor core, clad/fuel design and systems thermal hydraulics based on the South Texas Project (STP) nuclear power plant, a 4-Loop Westinghouse PWR. A RISMC toolkit, named LOCA Toolkit for the U.S. (LOTUS), has been developed for use in this generic PWR plant model to assess safety margins for the proposed NRC 10 CFR 50.46c rule, Emergency Core Cooling System (ECCS) performance duringmore » LOCA. This demonstration includes coupled analysis of core design, fuel design, thermalhydraulics and systems analysis, using advanced risk analysis tools and methods to investigate a wide range of results. Within this context, a multi-physics best estimate plus uncertainty (MPBEPU) methodology framework is proposed.« less

Disease management of early childhood caries: results of a pilot quality improvement project.

PubMed

Ng, Man Wai; Torresyap, Gay; White, Alex; Melvin, Patrice; Graham, Dionne; Kane, Daniel; Scoville, Richard; Ohiomoba, Henry

2012-08-01

The purpose is to report findings of a quality improvement (QI) project implemented at two hospital-based dental clinics that care for children with early childhood caries (ECC). We tested a disease management (DM) approach in children younger than age 60 months with ECC. After 30 months, for the 403 and 234 DM patients at Children's Hospital Boston (CHB) and Saint Joseph Hospital (SJH) who returned for at least two visits, rates of new cavitation, pain, and referrals to the OR were 26.1, 13.4 and 10.9% for CHB and 41.0, 7.3 and 14.9% for SJH. Rates of new cavitation, pain, and referrals to the OR for historical controls were 75.2, 21.7, and 20.9% for CHB and 71.3, 31.3, and 25.0% for SJH. A risk-based DM approach utilizing QI strategies to address ECC can be implemented into practice and has the potential to improve care and health outcomes.

Nano-modification to improve the ductility of cementitious composites

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

Yeşilmen, Seda; Al-Najjar, Yazin; Balav, Mohammad Hatam

2015-10-15

Effect of nano-sized mineral additions on ductility of engineered cementitious composites (ECC) containing high volumes of fly ash was investigated at different hydration degrees. Various properties of ECC mixtures with different mineral additions were compared in terms of microstructural properties of matrix, fiber-matrix interface, and fiber surface to assess improvements in ductility. Microstructural characterization was made by measuring pore size distributions through mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). Hydration characteristics were assessed using thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), and fiber-matrix interface and fiber surface characteristics were assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) through a period of 90 days. Moreover, compressive and flexuralmore » strength developments were monitored for the same period. Test results confirmed that mineral additions could significantly improve both flexural strength and ductility of ECC, especially at early ages. Cheaper Nano-CaCO{sub 3} was more effective compared to nano-silica. However, the crystal structure of CaCO{sub 3} played a very important role in the range of expected improvements.« less

A Secured Authentication Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks Using Elliptic Curves Cryptography

PubMed Central

Yeh, Hsiu-Lien; Chen, Tien-Ho; Liu, Pin-Chuan; Kim, Tai-Hoo; Wei, Hsin-Wen

2011-01-01

User authentication is a crucial service in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) that is becoming increasingly common in WSNs because wireless sensor nodes are typically deployed in an unattended environment, leaving them open to possible hostile network attack. Because wireless sensor nodes are limited in computing power, data storage and communication capabilities, any user authentication protocol must be designed to operate efficiently in a resource constrained environment. In this paper, we review several proposed WSN user authentication protocols, with a detailed review of the M.L Das protocol and a cryptanalysis of Das’ protocol that shows several security weaknesses. Furthermore, this paper proposes an ECC-based user authentication protocol that resolves these weaknesses. According to our analysis of security of the ECC-based protocol, it is suitable for applications with higher security requirements. Finally, we present a comparison of security, computation, and communication costs and performances for the proposed protocols. The ECC-based protocol is shown to be suitable for higher security WSNs. PMID:22163874

Study of the Dynamics of Transcephalic Cerebral Impedance Data during Cardio-Vascular Surgery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Atefi, S. R.; Seoane, F.; Lindecrantz, K.

2013-04-01

Postoperative neurological deficits are one of the risks associated with cardio vascular surgery, necessitating development of new techniques for cerebral monitoring. In this study an experimental observation regarding the dynamics of transcephalic Electrical Bioimpedance (EBI) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with and without extracorporeal circulation (ECC) was conducted to investigate the potential use of electrical Bioimpedance for cerebral monitoring in cardio vascular surgery. Tetrapolar transcephalic EBI measurements at single frequency of 50 kHz were recorded prior to and during cardio vascular surgery. The obtained results show that the transcephalic impedance decreases in both groups of patients as operation starts, however slight differences in these two groups were also observed with the cerebral impedance reduction in patients having no ECC being less common and not as pronounced as in the ECC group. Changes in the cerebral impedance were in agreement with changes of haematocrit and temperature. The origin of EBI changes is still unexplained however these results encourage us to continue investigating the application of electrical bioimpedance cerebral monitoring clinically.

Prosthetic Oral Rehabilitation of a Child With S-ECC: A Case Report with Histopathologic Analysis.

PubMed

Tannure, P N; Moraes, G G; Borba, McU; Abrahão, A; Andrade, Mtrc; Fidalgo, Tks

2015-01-01

The aim of this case report is to describe the treatment planning of a young child with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) as well as the prosthetic rehabilitation technique. A 3-year-old female child was referred to the pediatric dentistry clinic with the chief complaint of tooth pain, difficulty in eating and recurrent hospitalizations caused by dental infections. The mother reported intermittent episodes of fever and recurrent swelling of child's face. The girl presented angular cheilitis and was referred to a dietitian. The treatment plain consisted on a behavior changes in oral hygiene habits, exodontias of all primary teeth and oral rehabilitation with a prosthesis. The extracted teeth with periapical lesions were submitted to histopathologic analysis (hematoxilin and eosin staining) and revealed an inflammatory infiltrate. The aesthetic requirement of children with S-ECC has been a challenge to pediatric dentists. In the present case, the oral rehabilitation provided for the children better aesthetic, nutrition, phonation, and functional conditions.

Liquid phase sintered compacts in space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mookherji, T. K.; Mcanelly, W. B.

1974-01-01

A model that will explain the effect of gravity on liquid phase sintering was developed. Wetting characteristics and density segregation which are the two important phenomena in liquid phase sintering are considered in the model development. Experiments were conducted on some selected material combinations to study the gravity effects on liquid phase sintering, and to verify the validity of the model. It is concluded that: (1) The surface tension forces acting on solid particles in a one-g environment are not appreciably different from those anticipated in a 0.00001g/g sub 0 (or lower) environment. (2) The capillary forces are dependent on the contact angle, the quantity of the liquid phase, and the distance between solid particles. (3) The pores (i.e., bubbles) do not appear to be driven to the surface by gravity-produced buoyancy forces. (4) The length of time to produce the same degree of settling in a low-gravity environment will be increased significantly. (5) A low gravity environment would appear to offer a unique means of satisfactorily infiltrating a larger and/or complex shaped compact.

[Induction of polygalacturonases important in pathogenicity of Pseudomonas solanacearum

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

Not Available

1992-01-01

Recent studies on the importance of hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins (HPRG's) in the nature and function of plant cell walls have led to the question as to whether proteolytic enzymes are also involved in tissue maceration and act in concert with other cell wall degrading enzymes in the process. The primary objective of this research was to determine whether proteolytic enzymes, in combination with other enzymes, are involved in the degradation of plant cell walls and thus may be essential for pathogenesis by certain soft rot bacteria. The proteolytic enzymes of Erwinia carotovora subsp.carotovora (Ecc) grown on various media were examined bymore » isoelectrofocusing in polyacrylamide gels over a pH range of 3-10. In addition to the main protease present in culture filtrates, low concentrations of several other proteases were present in extracts from potato tubers infected by Ecc. These enzymes degraded gelatin, soluble collagen, and Hide Powder Azure, and showed weak activity on casein, but did not degrade insoluble collagen or elastin. Ecc proteases appear capable of degrading at least one type of cell wall protein in vitro, but we were unable to obtain evidence that these proteases can attack cell wall proteins in muro. The results indicate that some glycosidic alkali- labile bonds have to be broken befor Ecc proteases can degrade cell wall proteins. Thus, these proteases may play a role in cell wall degradation only when acting in concert with other enzymes that split glycosidic bonds.« less

[Induction of polygalacturonases important in pathogenicity of Pseudomonas solanacearum

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

Not Available

1992-12-31

Recent studies on the importance of hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins (HPRG`s) in the nature and function of plant cell walls have led to the question as to whether proteolytic enzymes are also involved in tissue maceration and act in concert with other cell wall degrading enzymes in the process. The primary objective of this research was to determine whether proteolytic enzymes, in combination with other enzymes, are involved in the degradation of plant cell walls and thus may be essential for pathogenesis by certain soft rot bacteria. The proteolytic enzymes of Erwinia carotovora subsp.carotovora (Ecc) grown on various media were examined bymore » isoelectrofocusing in polyacrylamide gels over a pH range of 3-10. In addition to the main protease present in culture filtrates, low concentrations of several other proteases were present in extracts from potato tubers infected by Ecc. These enzymes degraded gelatin, soluble collagen, and Hide Powder Azure, and showed weak activity on casein, but did not degrade insoluble collagen or elastin. Ecc proteases appear capable of degrading at least one type of cell wall protein in vitro, but we were unable to obtain evidence that these proteases can attack cell wall proteins in muro. The results indicate that some glycosidic alkali- labile bonds have to be broken befor Ecc proteases can degrade cell wall proteins. Thus, these proteases may play a role in cell wall degradation only when acting in concert with other enzymes that split glycosidic bonds.« less

Pioneering and Interprofessional Pediatric Dentistry Programs Aimed at Reducing Oral Health Disparities.

PubMed

Ramos-Gomez, Francisco; Askaryar, Hamida; Garell, Cambria; Ogren, Jennifer

2017-01-01

Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is the most chronic childhood disease and more predominant in low-income and underserved children. Although easily transmitted, ECC is entirely preventable. Dr. Ramos-Gomez and his team at the University of California, Los Angeles put together an interprofessional curriculum where both medical and dental knowledge and practice is integrated to prepare dentists and primary care providers to more cost effectively address ECC and thereby reduce disparities in oral health. The curriculum, known as the Strategic Partnership for Interprofessional Collaborative Education in Pediatric Dentistry (SPICE-PD), consists of nine evidence-based training modules: applied statistics and research, community partners, interprofessional education/training, quality improvement, policy and advocacy, disease management/risk assessment, ethics/professionalism, cultural competency and children with special heath-care needs. SPICE aims to prepare pediatric dental residents and primary care providers to provide preventive, culturally competent, and minimally invasive oral care for underserved, low income, and special needs children. Additionally, the Infant Oral Care Program (IOCP), located at a local community health clinic, provides culturally sensitive preventive oral health care for children aged 0-5 years. The medical-dental integration model utilized at IOCP helps reduce oral health disparities by providing a systems-based and cost-effective approach to combat the burden of ECC. To track the progress of SPICE, a comprehensive evaluation framework has been designed, which aligns goals and objectives with program activities, desired outcomes, and measured indicators.

Tropospheric ozone long term trend observed by lidar and ECC ozonesondes at Observatoire de Haute Provence, Southern France.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ancellet, G.; Gaudel, A.; Godin-Beekmann, S.

2016-12-01

Tropospheric ozone vertical profile measurements have been carried out at OHP (Observatoire de Haute Provence, 44°N, 6.7°E, 690 m) since 1991 using both UV DIAL (DIfferential Absorption Lidar) and ECC (Electrochemical Concentration Cell) ozonesondes. For the first time, ECC and lidar data measured at the same site, have been compared over a 24 year period. The comparison conducted reveals a bias between both measurement types (ECC - lidar) of the order of 0.6 ppbv. The measurements of both instruments have been however combined to decrease the impact of short-term atmospheric variability on the trend estimate. Air mass trajectories have been calculated for all the ozone observations available at OHP including ECMWF potential vorticity (PV) and humidity chnage along the trajectories. The interannual ozone variability shows a negligible trend in the mid troposphere, but a 0.36 ppbv/year significant positive ozone trend in the upper troposphere. The trends will be discussed using the variability of the meteorological parameters. Data clustering using PV and air mass trajectories is useful to identify the role of Stratosphere-Tropopshere Exchanges and long range transport of pollutants in the observed long term trends. In the lower troposphere, the interannual variability shows contrasted trends with an ozone decrease between 1998 and 2008, consistent with the NOx emission decrease, but a new period of ozone increase since 2008 which is not very well understood.

Visualising landscape evolution: the effects of resolution on soil redistribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schoorl, Jeroen M.; Claessens, Lieven; (A) Veldkamp, Tom

2017-04-01

Landscape forming processes such as erosion by water, land sliding by water and gravity or ploughing by gravity, are closely related to resolution and land use changes. These processes may be controlled and influenced by multiple bio-physical and socio-economic driving factors, resulting in a complex multi-scale system. Consequently, land use changes should not be analysed in isolation without accounting for both on-site and off-site effects of these landscape processes in landscapes where water driven and or gravity driven processes are very active,. Especially the visualisation of these on- and off-site effects as a movie of evolving time series and changes is a potential valuable possibility in DEM modelling approaches. To investigate the interactions between land use, land use change, resolution of DEMs and landscape processes, a case study for the Álora region in southern Spain will presented, mainly as movies of modelling time-series, Starting from a baseline scenario of land use change, different levels of resolutions, interactions and feedbacks are added to the coupled LAPSUS model framework: Quantities and spatial patterns of both land use change and soil redistribution are compared between the baseline scenario without interactions and with each of the interaction mechanisms implemented consecutively. All as a function of spatial resolution. Keywords: LAPSUS; land use change; soil erosion, movie;

[Monitoring the oxygen supply of skeletal muscle and total oxygen uptake in coronary surgery interventions].

PubMed

Boekstegers, P; Fleckenstein, W; Rosport, A; Ruschewsky, W; Braun, U

1988-05-01

In patients undergoing aortocoronary bypass operations, extensive monitoring is used for early recognition of complications that may decrease the oxygen supply of body organs. However, none of the parameters usually monitored during open-heart surgery yield information on the state of oxygen supply to a certain organ. Particularly during and after extracorporeal circulation (ECC), undetected organ hypoxia may occur and lead to an increase in postoperative complications. In order to study whether functionally significant changes in oxygen supply to skeletal muscle occur during extracorporeal circulation, in 14 patients undergoing aortocoronary bypass operations pO2 histograms from local pO2 values in resting skeletal muscle were monitored. Intra- and postoperatively, whole-body oxygen uptake (VO2) and pO2 histograms of skeletal muscle were simultaneously measured to determine whether the observed decrease in VO2 during cooling of the patient or the increase in VO2 during rewarming was reflected in the distribution of tissue pO2 in skeletal muscle. PATIENTS AND METHODS. Fourteen patients (aged 42 to 68; 12 male, 2 female) scheduled for 2-4 aortocoronary venous bypass grafts were studied. Measuring periods of 6 min were undertaken after induction of anesthesia (1), after thoracotomy (2), during ECC (3), after ECC (2), and every hour postoperatively up to 5 h. The following data were measured during each period: pO2 histograms of the biceps brachii muscle using a pO2 histograph VO2 using open indirect calorimetry; arterial (a. radialis) and venous (v. cava superior) blood gases, acid-base balances, and blood pressures; venous lactate (v. cava superior); muscle and rectal temperatures. RESULTS. During ECC mean muscle pO2 in all 14 patients decreased from 25 to 14 mmHg. In 7 of 14 patients pO2 values between 0 and 5 mmHg had the highest incidence (left-shifted pO2 histograms). After ECC mean muscle pO2 increased to the same value observed before ECC (25 mmHg). During the first 3 h postoperatively an intermediate decrease in mean muscle pO2 (range 23%-46%) occurred in each patient. Stable values above 20 mmHg were reattained 4 h postoperatively. The postoperative increase in individual VO2 was correlated to the increase in body temperature (r = 0.84); in 5 patients with severe shivering, VO2 was markedly increased (up to 130% compared to the last intraoperative value).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

A soft decoding algorithm and hardware implementation for the visual prosthesis based on high order soft demodulation.

PubMed

Yang, Yuan; Quan, Nannan; Bu, Jingjing; Li, Xueping; Yu, Ningmei

2016-09-26

High order modulation and demodulation technology can solve the frequency requirement between the wireless energy transmission and data communication. In order to achieve reliable wireless data communication based on high order modulation technology for visual prosthesis, this work proposed a Reed-Solomon (RS) error correcting code (ECC) circuit on the basis of differential amplitude and phase shift keying (DAPSK) soft demodulation. Firstly, recognizing the weakness of the traditional DAPSK soft demodulation algorithm based on division that is complex for hardware implementation, an improved phase soft demodulation algorithm for visual prosthesis to reduce the hardware complexity is put forward. Based on this new algorithm, an improved RS soft decoding method is hence proposed. In this new decoding method, the combination of Chase algorithm and hard decoding algorithms is used to achieve soft decoding. In order to meet the requirements of implantable visual prosthesis, the method to calculate reliability of symbol-level based on multiplication of bit reliability is derived, which reduces the testing vectors number of Chase algorithm. The proposed algorithms are verified by MATLAB simulation and FPGA experimental results. During MATLAB simulation, the biological channel attenuation property model is added into the ECC circuit. The data rate is 8 Mbps in the MATLAB simulation and FPGA experiments. MATLAB simulation results show that the improved phase soft demodulation algorithm proposed in this paper saves hardware resources without losing bit error rate (BER) performance. Compared with the traditional demodulation circuit, the coding gain of the ECC circuit has been improved by about 3 dB under the same BER of [Formula: see text]. The FPGA experimental results show that under the condition of data demodulation error with wireless coils 3 cm away, the system can correct it. The greater the distance, the higher the BER. Then we use a bit error rate analyzer to measure BER of the demodulation circuit and the RS ECC circuit with different distance of two coils. And the experimental results show that the RS ECC circuit has about an order of magnitude lower BER than the demodulation circuit when under the same coils distance. Therefore, the RS ECC circuit has more higher reliability of the communication in the system. The improved phase soft demodulation algorithm and soft decoding algorithm proposed in this paper enables data communication that is more reliable than other demodulation system, which also provide a significant reference for further study to the visual prosthesis system.

Smoldering Combustion Experiments in Microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walther, David C.; Fernandez-Pello, A. Carlos; Urban, David L.

1997-01-01

The Microgravity Smoldering Combustion (MSC) experiment is part of a study of the smolder characteristics of porous combustible materials in a microgravity environment. Smoldering is a non-flaming form of combustion that takes place in the interior of porous materials and takes place in a number of processes ranging from smoldering of porous insulation materials to high temperature synthesis of metals. The objective of the study is to provide a better understanding of the controlling mechanisms of smolder, both in microgravity and normal-gravity. As with many forms of combustion, gravity affects the availability of oxidizer and transport of heat, and therefore the rate of combustion. Microgravity smolder experiments, in both a quiescent oxidizing environment, and in a forced oxidizing flow have been conducted aboard the NASA Space Shuttle (STS-69 and STS-77 missions) to determine the effect of the ambient oxygen concentration and oxidizer forced flow velocity on smolder combustion in microgravity. The experimental apparatus is contained within the NASA Get Away Special Canister (GAS-CAN) Payload. These two sets of experiments investigate the propagation of smolder along the polyurethane foam sample under both diffusion driven and forced flow driven smoldering. The results of the microgravity experiments are compared with identical ones carried out in normal gravity, and are used to verify present theories of smolder combustion. The results of this study will provide new insights into the smoldering combustion process. Thermocouple histories show that the microgravity smolder reaction temperatures (Ts) and propagation velocities (Us) lie between those of identical normal-gravity upward and downward tests. These observations indicate the effect of buoyancy on the transport of oxidizer to the reaction front.

Effects of capillary heterogeneity on vapor-liquid counterflow in porous media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stubos, A. K.; Satik, C.; Yortsos, Y. C.

1992-06-01

Based on a continuum description, the effect of capillary heterogeneity, induced by variation in permeability, on the steady state, countercurrent, vapor-liquid flow in porous media is analyzed. It is shown that the heterogeneity acts as a body force that may enhance or diminish gravity effects on heat pipes. Selection rules that determine the steady states reached in homogeneous, gravity-driven heat pipes are also formulated. It is shown that the 'infinite' two-phase zone may terminate by a substantial change in the permeability somewhere in the medium. The two possible sequences, liquid-liquid dominated-dry, or liquid-vapor dominated-dry find applications in geothermal systems. Finally, it is shown that although weak heterogeneity affects only gravity controlled flows, stronger variations in permeability can give rise to significant capillary effects.

Density Relaxation of Liquid-Vapor Critical Fluids Examined in Earth's Gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilkinson, R. Allen

2000-01-01

This work shows quantitatively the pronounced differences between the density equilibration of very compressible dense fluids in Earth's gravity and those in microgravity. The work was performed onsite at the NASA Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field and is complete. Full details are given in references 1 and 2. Liquid-vapor critical fluids (e.g., water) at their critical temperature and pressure, are very compressible. They collapse under their own weight in Earth's gravity, allowing only a thin meniscus-like layer with the critical pressure to survive. This critical layer, however, greatly slows down the equilibration process of the entire sample. A complicating feature is the buoyancy-driven slow flows of layers of heavier and lighter fluid. This work highlights the incomplete understanding of the hydrodynamics involved in these fluids.

Does ecohydrological connectivity affect sensitivity to environmental change?

EPA Science Inventory

Our goal is to understand the influences of complex terrain on the sensitivity of carbon and water cycle processes to environmental drivers at different scales. Gravity-driven flowpaths of air and water transport material and energy across and through landscapes, creating connec...

[The impact of 2010 international consensus on CPR and ECC science with treatment recommendations on Japan].

PubMed

Miyake, Yasufumi

2011-04-01

New guidelines on cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR) and emergency cardiovascular care (ECC) were published in October 2010 from International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). Changes of these guidelines will have dramatic effects on Japan. Starting with chest compressions first will increase by-stander CPR. Cases of recovery of spontaneous heartbeat could increase as a result. Intensive care and radical treatments for cardiovascular emergency and brain damage after cardiopulmonary arrest would be essential. Education, implementation and teams (EIT) will be the third subject.

Nonstationary Gravity Wave Forcing of the Stratospheric Zonal Mean Wind

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alexander, M. J.; Rosenlof, K. H.

1996-01-01

The role of gravity wave forcing in the zonal mean circulation of the stratosphere is discussed. Starting from some very simple assumptions about the momentum flux spectrum of nonstationary (non-zero phase speed) waves at forcing levels in the troposphere, a linear model is used to calculate wave propagation through climatological zonal mean winds at solstice seasons. As the wave amplitudes exceed their stable limits, a saturation criterion is imposed to account for nonlinear wave breakdown effects, and the resulting vertical gradient in the wave momentum flux is then used to estimate the mean flow forcing per unit mass. Evidence from global, assimilated data sets are used to constrain these forcing estimates. The results suggest the gravity-wave-driven force is accelerative (has the same sign as the mean wind) throughout most of the stratosphere above 20 km. The sense of the gravity wave forcing in the stratosphere is thus opposite to that in the mesosphere, where gravity wave drag is widely believed to play a principal role in decelerating the mesospheric jets. The forcing estimates are further compared to existing gravity wave parameterizations for the same climatological zonal mean conditions. Substantial disagreement is evident in the stratosphere, and we discuss the reasons for the disagreement. The results suggest limits on typical gravity wave amplitudes near source levels in the troposphere at solstice seasons. The gravity wave forcing in the stratosphere appears to have a substantial effect on lower stratospheric temperatures during southern hemisphere summer and thus may be relevant to climate.

Gravity-induced anomalies in interphase spacing reported for binary eutectics.

PubMed

Smith, Reginald W

2002-10-01

It has been reasoned that desirable microstructural refinement in binary eutectics could result from freezing in reduced-gravity. It is recognized that the interphase spacing in a binary eutectic is controlled by solute transport and that, on Earth, buoyancy-driven convection may enhance this. Hence, it has been presumed that the interphase spacing ought to decrease when a eutectic alloy is frozen under conditions of much-reduced gravity, where such buoyancy effects would be largely absent. The result of such speculation has been that many workers have frozen various eutectics under reduced gravity and have reported that, although some eutectics became finer, others showed no change, and some even became coarser. This reported varied behavior will be reviewed in the light of long term studies by the author at Queen's University, including recent microgravity studies in which samples of two eutectic alloy systems, MnBi-Bi and MnSb-Sb, were frozen under very stable conditions and showed no change in interphase spacing.

Statistical properties of gravity-driven granular discharge flow under the influence of an obstacle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Endo, Keita; Katsuragi, Hiroaki

2017-06-01

Two-dimensional granular discharge flow driven by gravity under the influence of an obstacle is experimentally investigated. A horizontal exit of width W is opened at the bottom of vertical Hele-Shaw cell filled with stainless-steel particles to start the discharge flow. In this experiment, a circular obstacle is placed in front of the exit. Thus, the distance between the exit and obstacle L is also an important parameter. During the discharge, granular-flow state is acquired by a high-speed camera. The bulk discharge-flow rate is also measured by load cell sensors. The obtained high-speed-image data are analyzed to clarify the particle-level granular-flow dynamics. Using the measured data, we find that the obstacle above the exit affects the granular- flow field. Specifically, the existence of obstacle results in large horizontal granular temperature and small packing fraction. This tendency becomes significant when L is smaller than approximately 6Dg when W ≃ 4Dg, where Dg is diameter of particles.

Mixed convection in gravity-driven thin film non-Newtonian nanofluids flow with gyrotactic microorganisms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khan, Noor Saeed; Gul, Taza; Khan, Muhammad Altaf; Bonyah, Ebenezer; Islam, Saeed

Mixed convection in gravity-driven non-Newtonian nanofluid films (Casson and Williamson) flow containing both nanoparticles and gyrotactic microorganisms along a convectively heated vertical surface is investigated. The actively controlled nanofluid model boundary conditions are used to explore the liquid films flow. The study exhibits an analytical approach for the non-Newtonian thin film nanofluids bioconvection based on physical mechanisms responsible for the nanoparticles and the base fluid, such as Brownian motion and thermophoresis. Both the fluids have almost the same behaviors for the effects of all the pertinent parameters except the effect of Schmidt number on the microorganism density function where the effect is opposite. Ordinary differential equations together with the boundary conditions are obtained through similarity variables from the governing equations of the problem, which are solved by HAM (Homotopy Analysis Method). The solution is expressed through graphs and illustrated which show the influences of all the parameters. The study is relevant to novel microbial fuel cell technologies combining the nanofluid with bioconvection phenomena.

Granular avalanches down inclined and vibrated planes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaudel, Naïma; Kiesgen de Richter, Sébastien; Louvet, Nicolas; Jenny, Mathieu; Skali-Lami, Salaheddine

2016-09-01

In this article, we study granular avalanches when external mechanical vibrations are applied. We identify conditions of flow arrest and compare with the ones classically observed for nonvibrating granular flows down inclines [Phys. Fluids 11, 542 (1999), 10.1063/1.869928]. We propose an empirical law to describe the thickness of the deposits with the inclination angle and the vibration intensity. The link between the surface velocity and the depth of the flow highlights a competition between gravity and vibrations induced flows. We identify two distinct regimes: (a) gravity-driven flows at large angles where vibrations do not modify dynamical properties but the deposits (scaling laws in this regime are in agreement with the literature for nonvibrating granular flows) and (b) vibrations-driven flows at small angles where no flow is possible without applied vibrations (in this last regime, the flow behavior can be properly described by a vibration induced activated process). We show, in this study, that granular flows down inclined planes can be finely tuned by external mechanical vibrations.

Thin Film Mediated Phase Change Phenomena: Crystallization, Evaporation and Wetting

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wettlaufer, John S.

1998-01-01

We focus on two distinct materials science problems that arise in two distinct microgravity environments: In space and within the space of a polymeric network. In the former environment, we consider a near eutectic alloy film in contact with its vapor which, when evaporating on earth, will experience compositionally induced buoyancy driven convection. The latter will significantly influence the morphology of the crystallized end member. In the absence of gravity, the morphology will be dominated by molecular diffusion and Marangoni driven viscous flow, and we study these phenomena theoretically and experimentally. The second microgravity environment exists in liquids, gels, and other soft materials where the small mass of individual molecules makes the effect of gravity negligible next to the relatively strong forces of intermolecular collisions. In such materials, an essential question concerns how to relate the molecular dynamics to the bulk rheological behavior. Here, we observe experimentally the diffusive motion of a single molecule in a single polymer filament, embedded within a polymer network and find anomalous diffusive behavior.

Integrated approach to characterize fouling on a flat sheet membrane gravity driven submerged membrane bioreactor.

PubMed

Fortunato, Luca; Jeong, Sanghyun; Wang, Yiran; Behzad, Ali R; Leiknes, TorOve

2016-12-01

Fouling in membrane bioreactors (MBR) is acknowledged to be complex and unclear. An integrated characterization methodology was employed in this study to understand the fouling on a gravity-driven submerged MBR (GD-SMBR). It involved the use of different analytical tools, including optical coherence tomography (OCT), liquid chromatography with organic carbon detection (LC-OCD), total organic carbon (TOC), flow cytometer (FCM), adenosine triphosphate analysis (ATP) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The three-dimensional (3D) biomass morphology was acquired in a real-time through non-destructive and in situ OCT scanning of 75% of the total membrane surface directly in the tank. Results showed that the biomass layer was homogeneously distributed on the membrane surface. The amount of biomass was selectively linked with final destructive autopsy techniques. The LC-OCD analysis indicated the abundance of low molecular weight (LMW) organics in the fouling composition. Three different SEM techniques were applied to investigate the detailed fouling morphology on the membrane. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of nuclear stars gravity on quasar radiation feedback on the parsec-scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Xiao-Hong; Bu, De-Fu

2018-05-01

It is often suggested that a super massive black hole is embedded in a nuclear bulge of size of a few 102 parsec . The nuclear stars gravity is not negligible near ˜10parsec. In order to study the effect of nuclear stars gravity on quasar radiation feedback on the parsec scale, we have simulated the parsec scale flows irradiated by a quasar by taking into account the gravitational potential of both the black hole and the nuclear star cluster. We find that the effect of nuclear stars gravity on the parsec-scale flows is related to the fraction of X-ray photons in quasar radiation. For the models in which the fraction of X-ray photons is not small (e.g. the X-ray photons contribute to 20% of the quasar radiation), the nuclear stars gravity is very helpful to collimate the outflows driven by UV photons, significantly weakens the outflow power at the outer boundary and significantly enhances the net accretion rate onto the black hole. For the models in which X-ray photons are significantly decreased (e.g. the X-ray photons contribute to 5% of the quasar radiation), the nuclear stars gravity can just slightly change properties of outflow and slightly enhance the net accretion rate onto the black hole.

The ANGWIN Antarctic Research Program: First Results on Coordinated Trans-Antarctic Gravity Wave Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taylor, M. J.; Pautet, P. D.; Zhao, Y.; Nakamura, T.; Ejiri, M. K.; Murphy, D. J.; Moffat-Griffin, T.; Kavanagh, A. J.; Takahashi, H.; Wrasse, C. M.

2014-12-01

ANGWIN (ANrctic Gravity Wave Instrument Network) is a new "scientist driven" research program designed to develop and utilize a network of Antarctic atmospheric gravity wave observatories, operated by different nations working together in a spirit of close scientific collaboration. Our research plan has brought together colleagues from several international institutions, all with a common goal to better understand the large "continental-scale" characteristics and impacts of gravity waves on the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere (MLT) environment over Antarctica. ANGWIN combines complementary measurements obtained using new and existing aeronomy instrumentation with new modeling capabilities. To date, our activities have focused on developing coordinated airglow image data of gravity waves in the MLT region at the following sites: McMurdo (US), Syowa (Japan), Davis (Australia), Halley (UK), Rothera (UK), and Comandante Ferraz (Brazil). These are all well-established international research stations that are uniformly distributed around the continental perimeter, and together with ongoing measurements at South Pole Station they provide unprecedented coverage of the Antarctic gravity wave field and its variability during the extended polar winter season. This presentation introduces the ANGWIN program and research goals, and presents first results on trans-Antarctic wave propagation using coordinated measurements during the winter season 2011. We also discuss future plans for the development of this exciting program for Antarctic research.

Alterations of Vertical Jump Mechanics after a Half-Marathon Mountain Running Race

PubMed Central

Rousanoglou, Elissavet N.; Noutsos, Konstantinos; Pappas, Achilleas; Bogdanis, Gregory; Vagenas, Georgios; Bayios, Ioannis A.; Boudolos, Konstantinos D.

2016-01-01

The fatiguing effect of long-distance running has been examined in the context of a variety of parameters. However, there is scarcity of data regarding its effect on the vertical jump mechanics. The purpose of this study was to investigate the alterations of countermovement jump (CMJ) mechanics after a half-marathon mountain race. Twenty-seven runners performed CMJs before the race (Pre), immediately after the race (Post 1) and five minutes after Post 1 (Post 2). Instantaneous and ensemble-average analysis focused on jump height and, the maximum peaks and time-to-maximum peaks of: Displacement, vertical force (Fz), anterior-posterior force (Fx), Velocity and Power, in the eccentric (tECC) and concentric (tCON) phase of the jump, respectively. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used for statistical analysis (p ≤ 0.05). The jump height decrease was significant in Post 2 (-7.9%) but not in Post 1 (-4.1%). Fx and Velocity decreased significantly in both Post 1 (only in tECC) and Post 2 (both tECC and tCON). Α timing shift of the Fz peaks (earlier during tECC and later during tCON) and altered relative peak times (only in tECC) were also observed. Ensemble-average analysis revealed several time intervals of significant post-race alterations and a timing shift in the Fz-Velocity loop. An overall trend of lowered post-race jump output and mechanics was characterised by altered jump timing, restricted anterior-posterior movement and altered force-velocity relations. The specificity of mountain running fatigue to eccentric muscle work, appears to be reflected in the different time order of the post-race reductions, with the eccentric phase reductions preceding those of the concentric one. Thus, those who engage in mountain running should particularly consider downhill training to optimise eccentric muscular action. Key points The 4.1% reduction of jump height immediately after the race is not statistically significant The eccentric phase alterations of jump mechanics precede those of the concentric ones. Force-velocity alterations present a timing shift rather than a change in force or velocity magnitude. PMID:27274665

Retinal nerve fiber layer analysis with scanning laser polarimetry and RTVue-OCT in patients of retinitis pigmentosa.

PubMed

Xue, Kang; Wang, Min; Chen, Junyi; Huang, Xin; Xu, Gezhi

2013-01-01

To measure the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) of patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and that of normal controls by scanning laser polarimetry with enhanced corneal compensation (GDxECC) and RTVue-optical coherence tomography (OCT). Fifty-two eyes of 26 patients were included. All patients underwent complete ophthalmological examinations and testing with GDxECC. Twenty-eight of 52 eyes of RP patients underwent RTVue-OCT measurements. A group of 50 eyes of 25 normal subjects (controls) was also included. GDxECC measured RNFL thickness in the peripapillary area in all subjects as well as temporal-superior-nasal-inferior-temporal (TSNIT) parameters, including TSNIT means, superior and inferior region means, TSNIT standard deviation (SD), inter-eye symmetry and nerve fiber indicator (NFI). RTVue-OCT measured the mean, superior, inferior, temporal and nasal quadrant RNFL thickness. In RP patients and controls, TSNIT means by GDxECC were, respectively, 65.00 ± 7.35 and 55.32 ± 5.20. Mean superior quadrant thicknesses were 80.56 ± 10.93 and 69.54 ± 7.45. Mean inferior thicknesses were 80.58 ± 9.34 and 69.12 ± 7.78. SDs were 27.92 ± 5.21 and 28.23 ± 4.01. Inter-eye symmetries were 0.82 ± 0.17 and 0.87 ± 0.09. NFIs were 9.74 ± 8.73 and 16.81 ± 8.13. The differences between mean TSNIT, mean superior and mean inferior quadrant thicknesses and NFIs were statistically significant (p < 0.001). In RTVue-OCT measurements, the differences between mean, superior, inferior and temporal quadrant RNFL thicknesses were statistically significant (p = 0.0322, 0.0213, 0.0387, 0.0005). The RNFL measured by GDxECC was significantly thicker in RP patients than in controls. RNFL thickness measured by RTVue-OCT was significantly greater in RP patients than in controls in the superior, inferior and temporal regions. This contribution provides information on RNFL thickness and discusses the mechanism underlying this phenomenon. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Tropospheric ozone observations - How well can we assess tropospheric ozone changes?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tarasick, D. W.; Galbally, I. E.; Ancellet, G.; Leblanc, T.; Wallington, T. J.; Ziemke, J. R.; Steinbacher, M.; Stähelin, J.; Vigouroux, C.; Hannigan, J. W.; García, O. E.; Foret, G.; Zanis, P.; Liu, X.; Weatherhead, E. C.; Petropavlovskikh, I. V.; Worden, H. M.; Osman, M.; Liu, J.; Lin, M.; Cooper, O. R.; Schultz, M. G.; Granados-Muñoz, M. J.; Thompson, A. M.; Cuesta, J.; Dufour, G.; Thouret, V.; Hassler, B.; Trickl, T.

2017-12-01

Since the early 20th century, measurements of ozone in the free troposphere have evolved and changed. Data records have different uncertainties and biases, and differ with respect to coverage, information content, and representativeness. Almost all validation studies employ ECC ozonesondes. These have been compared to UV-absorption measurements in a number of intercomparison studies, and show a modest ( 1-5%) high bias in the troposphere, with an uncertainty of 5%, but no evidence of a change over time. Umkehr, lidar, FTIR, and commercial aircraft all show modest low biases relative to the ECCs, and so -- if the ECC biases are transferable -- all agree within 1σ with the modern UV standard. Relative to the UV standard, Brewer-Mast sondes show a 20% increase in sensitivity from 1970-1995, while Japanese KC sondes show an increase of 5-10%. Combined with the shift of the global ozonesonde network to ECCs, this can induce a false positive trend, in analyses based on sonde data. Passive sounding methods -- Umkehr, FTIR and satellites -- have much lower vertical resolution than active methods, and this can limit the attribution of trends. Satellite biases are larger than those of other measurement systems, ranging between -10% and +20%, and standard deviations are large: about 10-30%, versus 5-10% for sondes, aircraft, lidar and ground-based FTIR. There is currently little information on measurement drift for satellite measurements of tropospheric ozone. This is an evident area of concern if satellite retrievals are used for trend studies. The importance of ECC sondes as a transfer standard for satellite validation means that efforts to homogenize existing records, by correcting for known changes and by adopting strict standard operating procedures, should continue, and additional research effort should be put into understanding and reducing sonde uncertainties. Representativeness is also a potential source of large errors, which are difficult to quantify. The global observation network is unevenly distributed, and so additional sites (or airports), would be of benefit. Objective methods of quantifying spatial representativeness can optimize future network design. International cooperation and data sharing will be of paramount importance, as the TOAR project has demonstrated.

Alterations of Vertical Jump Mechanics after a Half-Marathon Mountain Running Race.

PubMed

Rousanoglou, Elissavet N; Noutsos, Konstantinos; Pappas, Achilleas; Bogdanis, Gregory; Vagenas, Georgios; Bayios, Ioannis A; Boudolos, Konstantinos D

2016-06-01

The fatiguing effect of long-distance running has been examined in the context of a variety of parameters. However, there is scarcity of data regarding its effect on the vertical jump mechanics. The purpose of this study was to investigate the alterations of countermovement jump (CMJ) mechanics after a half-marathon mountain race. Twenty-seven runners performed CMJs before the race (Pre), immediately after the race (Post 1) and five minutes after Post 1 (Post 2). Instantaneous and ensemble-average analysis focused on jump height and, the maximum peaks and time-to-maximum peaks of: Displacement, vertical force (Fz), anterior-posterior force (Fx), Velocity and Power, in the eccentric (tECC) and concentric (tCON) phase of the jump, respectively. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used for statistical analysis (p ≤ 0.05). The jump height decrease was significant in Post 2 (-7.9%) but not in Post 1 (-4.1%). Fx and Velocity decreased significantly in both Post 1 (only in tECC) and Post 2 (both tECC and tCON). Α timing shift of the Fz peaks (earlier during tECC and later during tCON) and altered relative peak times (only in tECC) were also observed. Ensemble-average analysis revealed several time intervals of significant post-race alterations and a timing shift in the Fz-Velocity loop. An overall trend of lowered post-race jump output and mechanics was characterised by altered jump timing, restricted anterior-posterior movement and altered force-velocity relations. The specificity of mountain running fatigue to eccentric muscle work, appears to be reflected in the different time order of the post-race reductions, with the eccentric phase reductions preceding those of the concentric one. Thus, those who engage in mountain running should particularly consider downhill training to optimise eccentric muscular action. Key pointsThe 4.1% reduction of jump height immediately after the race is not statistically significantThe eccentric phase alterations of jump mechanics precede those of the concentric ones.Force-velocity alterations present a timing shift rather than a change in force or velocity magnitude.

Gravity-Driven Hydraulic Fractures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Germanovich, L. N.; Garagash, D.; Murdoch, L. C.; Robinowitz, M.

2014-12-01

This study is motived by a new method for disposing of nuclear waste by injecting it as a dense slurry into a hydraulic fracture that grows downward to great enough depth to permanently isolate the waste. Disposing of nuclear waste using gravity-driven hydraulic fractures is mechanically similar to the upward growth of dikes filled with low density magma. A fundamental question in both applications is how the injected fluid controls the propagation dynamics and fracture geometry (depth and breadth) in three dimensions. Analog experiments in gelatin [e.g., Heimpel and Olson, 1994; Taisne and Tait, 2009] show that fracture breadth (the short horizontal dimension) remains nearly stationary when the process in the fracture "head" (where breadth is controlled) is dominated by solid toughness, whereas viscous fluid dissipation is dominant in the fracture tail. We model propagation of the resulting gravity-driven (buoyant or sinking), finger-like fracture of stationary breadth with slowly varying opening along the crack length. The elastic response to fluid loading in a horizontal cross-section is local and can be treated similar to the classical Perkins-Kern-Nordgren (PKN) model of hydraulic fracturing. The propagation condition for a finger-like crack is based on balancing the global energy release rate due to a unit crack extension with the rock fracture toughness. It allows us to relate the net fluid pressure at the tip to the fracture breadth and rock toughness. Unlike the PKN fracture, where breadth is known a priori, the final breadth of a finger-like fracture is a result of processes in the fracture head. Because the head is much more open than the tail, viscous pressure drop in the head can be neglected leading to a 3D analog of Weertman's hydrostatic pulse. This requires relaxing the local elasticity assumption of the PKN model in the fracture head. As a result, we resolve the breadth, and then match the viscosity-dominated tail with the 3-D, toughness-dominated head to obtain a complete closed-form solution. We then analyze the gravity fracture propagation in conditions of either continuous injection or finite volume release for sets of parameters representative of dense waste injection technique and low viscosity magma diking.

Transport of heat and mass in near-critical fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garrabos, Yves; Leneindre, B.; Guenoun, P.; Perrot, F.; Beysens, Daniel

1992-08-01

In order to investigate some aspects of heat and mass transport in fluids in the absence of gravity, thermal cycles were performed near the liquid-phase critical point of CO2 and SF6 in the TEXUS 25 rocket and during the International Microgravity Laboratory (IML-1) Spacelab mission. In the absence of gravity driven convection, the heat transport is expected to be diffusive and very slow. Experimentally, although the local density and temperature gradients indeed relax by a diffusive process, clear evidence is found of fast and uniform thermal equilibration. This new mechanism is a 'piston effect'.

Glass fining experiments in zero gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, H. D.

1977-01-01

Ground based experiments were conducted to demonstrate that thermal migration actually operated in glass melts. Thermal migration consistent with the theory was found in one experiment on a borax melt, i.e., there was an approximately linear relation between the bubble diameter and bubble velocity for a given temperature and temperature gradient. It also appeared that nearby bubbles were attracted to one another, which could greatly aid fining. Interpretation of these results was not possible because of complications arising from gravity, i.e., floating of the bubbles, circulation currents due to buoyancy-driven natural connection, and flow of the melt out from the cell.

Momentum flux measurements: Techniques and needs, part 4.5A

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fritts, D. C.

1984-01-01

The vertical flux of horizontal momentum by internal gravity waves is now recognized to play a significant role in the large-scale circulation and thermal structure of the middle atmosphere. This is because a divergence of momentum flux due to wave dissipation results in an acceleration of the local mean flow towards the phase speed of the gravity wave. Such mean flow acceleration are required to offset the large zonal accelerations driven by Coriolis torques acting on the diabatic meridional circulation. Techniques and observations regarding the momentum flux distribution in the middle atmosphere are discussed.

Results from an absolute gravity survey in the United States

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zumberge, M. A.; Faller, J. E.; Gschwind, J.

1983-01-01

Using the recently completed JTLA absolute gravity meter, we made a survey of twelve sites in the United States. Over a period of eight weeks, the instrument was driven a total distance of nearly 20,000 km to sites in California, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Maryland and Massachusetts. The time spent in carrying out a measurement at a single location was typically one day. We report the results of the measurements in this survey along with earlier measurements made with the instrument, discuss the measurement accuracy and compare our results with other measurements. Previously announced in STAR as N83-20480

Geoid, topography, and convection-driven crustal deformation on Venus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simons, Mark; Hager, Bradford H.; Solomon, Sean C.

1992-01-01

High-resolution Magellan images and altimetry of Venus reveal a wide range of styles and scales of surface deformation that cannot readily be explained within the classical terrestrial plate tectonic paradigm. The high correlation of long-wavelength topography and gravity and the large apparent depths of compensation suggest that Venus lacks an upper-mantle low-viscosity zone. A key difference between Earth and Venus may be the degree of coupling between the convecting mantle and the overlying lithosphere. Mantle flow should then have recognizable signatures in the relationships between surface topography, crustal deformation, and the observed gravity field.

Results from an absolute gravity survey in the United States

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zumberge, M. A.; Faller, J. E.; Gschwind, J.

1983-09-01

Using the recently completed JTLA absolute gravity meter, we made a survey of twelve sites in the United States. Over a period of eight weeks, the instrument was driven a total distance of nearly 20,000 km to sites in California, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Maryland and Massachusetts. The time spent in carrying out a measurement at a single location was typically one day. We report the results of the measurements in this survey along with earlier measurements made with the instrument, discuss the measurement accuracy and compare our results with other measurements. Previously announced in STAR as N83-20480

Glacier mass balance in high-arctic areas with anomalous gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharov, A.; Rieser, D.; Nikolskiy, D.

2012-04-01

All known glaciological models describing the evolution of Arctic land- and sea-ice masses in changing climate treat the Earth's gravity as horizontally constant, but it isn't. In the High Arctic, the strength of the gravitational field varies considerably across even short distances under the influence of a density gradient, and the magnitude of free air gravity anomalies attains 100 mGal and more. On long-term base, instantaneous deviations of gravity can have a noticeable effect on the regime and mass budget of glaciological objects. At best, the gravity-induced component of ice mass variations can be determined on topographically smooth, open and steady surfaces, like those of arctic planes, regular ice caps and landfast sea ice. The present research is devoted to studying gravity-driven impacts on glacier mass balance in the outer periphery of four Eurasian shelf seas with a very cold, dry climate and rather episodic character of winter precipitation. As main study objects we had chosen a dozen Russia's northernmost insular ice caps, tens to hundreds of square kilometres in extent, situated in a close vicinity of strong gravity anomalies and surrounded with extensive fields of fast and/or drift ice for most of the year. The supposition about gravitational forcing on glacioclimatic settings in the study region is based on the results of quantitative comparison and joint interpretation of existing glacier change maps and available data on the Arctic gravity field and solid precipitation. The overall mapping of medium-term (from decadal to half-centennial) changes in glacier volumes and quantification of mass balance characteristics in the study region was performed by comparing reference elevation models of study glaciers derived from Russian topographic maps 1:200,000 (CI = 20 or 40 m) representing the glacier state as in the 1950s-1980s with modern elevation data obtained from satellite radar interferometry and lidar altimetry. Free-air gravity anomalies were graphically represented in the reference model geometry using Russian gravimetric maps 1:1000000 (1980s), ArcGP grid (2008) and GOCE gravity field data (Release 3, 2009-2011). 25-year long records of daily precipitation obtained from 38 coastal stations were involved in the causality analysis. Strong positive distance-weighted correlation was discovered between the magnitude of geopotential and gravity gradient on one hand and the precipitation amount, annual number of precipitation "events" and glacier elevation changes on the other, while it was noted that the correlation decreases in humid and mountainous areas. Relevant analytical and geophysical explanations were provided and tested using the basic concepts of hydrostatic stress, lapse rate and non-orographic gradient precipitation. It was concluded that the gravitational impact on the mass balance of arctic maritime ice caps is threefold. 1) Lateral variations of gravity influence directly the ambient lapse rate thereby modulating the atmospheric stability and leading to the increased intensity and frequency of heavy snowfalls over the areas with positive gravity anomalies. 2) Glacier ice deformation, flow, calving and meltwater runoff are gravity-driven phenomena, and the removal of glacier ice is closely interrelated with geopotential variations nearby. 3) Gravity anomalies affect processes of sea ice grow, drift and consolidation resulting in generally lower concentration and lesser thickness of the sea ice found in the aquatories with positive gravity. The advection of moist air to insular ice caps facilitates sea-effect snow events and makes glacier mass balance more positive. The effect is enhanced when the air mass advects toward the centre of positive anomaly. The idea about gradient (deviatoric) precipitation and related cryogravic processes does not contradict to the concept of gravity waves and has some analogy with the hypothesis on "ice lichens" devised by E.Gernet 80 years ago. Further analogies can be learned from another industry, e.g. technical chemistry. Several questions associated with the variability of evaporation, ice nucleation, aerosol deposition and snow redistribution in the heterogeneous field of gravity remain open.

A Gravity-Driven Microfluidic Particle Sorting Device with Hydrodynamic Separation Amplification

PubMed Central

Huh, Dongeun; Bahng, Joong Hwan; Ling, Yibo; Wei, Hsien-Hung; Kripfgans, Oliver D.; Fowlkes, J. Brian; Grotberg, James B.; Takayama, Shuichi

2008-01-01

This paper describes a simple microfluidic sorting system that can perform size-profiling and continuous mass-dependent separation of particles through combined use of gravity (1g) and hydrodynamic flows capable of rapidly amplifying sedimentation-based separation between particles. Operation of the device relies on two microfluidic transport processes: i) initial hydrodynamic focusing of particles in a microchannel oriented parallel to gravity, ii) subsequent sample separation where positional difference between particles with different mass generated by sedimentation is further amplified by hydrodynamic flows whose streamlines gradually widen out due to the geometry of a widening microchannel oriented perpendicular to gravity. The microfluidic sorting device was fabricated in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), and hydrodynamic flows in microchannels were driven by gravity without using external pumps. We conducted theoretical and experimental studies on fluid dynamic characteristics of laminar flows in widening microchannels and hydrodynamic amplification of particle separation. Direct trajectory monitoring, collection, and post-analysis of separated particles were performed using polystyrene microbeads with different sizes to demonstrate rapid (< 1 min) and high-purity (> 99.9 %) separation. Finally, we demonstrated biomedical applications of our system by isolating small-sized (diameter < 6 μm) perfluorocarbon liquid droplets from polydisperse droplet emulsions, which is crucial in preparing contrast agents for safe, reliable ultrasound medical imaging, tracers for magnetic resonance imaging, or transpulmonary droplets used in ultrasound-based occlusion therapy for cancer treatment. Our method enables straightforward, rapid real-time size-monitoring and continuous separation of particles in simple stand-alone microfabricated devices without the need for bulky and complex external power sources. We believe that this system will provide a useful tool o separate colloids and particles for various analytical and preparative applications, and may hold 3 potential for separation of cells or development of diagnostic tools requiring point-of-care sample preparation or testing. PMID:17297936

Ductile crustal flow in Europe's lithosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tesauro, Magdala; Burov, Evgene B.; Kaban, Mikhail K.; Cloetingh, Sierd A. P. L.

2011-12-01

Potential gravity theory (PGT) predicts the presence of significant gravity-induced horizontal stresses in the lithosphere associated with lateral variations in plate thickness and composition. New high resolution crustal thickness and density data provided by the EuCRUST-07 model are used to compute the associated lateral pressure gradients (LPG), which can drive horizontal ductile flow in the crust. Incorporation of these data in channel flow models allows us to use potential gravity theory to assess horizontal mass transfer and stress transmission within the European crust. We explore implications of the channel flow concept for a possible range of crustal strength, using end-member 'hard' and 'soft' crustal rheologies to estimate strain rates at the bottom of the ductile crustal layers. The models show that the effects of channel flow superimposed on the direct effects of plate tectonic forces might result in additional significant horizontal and vertical movements associated with zones of compression or extension. To investigate relationships between crustal and mantle lithospheric movements, we compare these results with the observed directions of mantle lithospheric anisotropy and GPS velocity vectors. We identify areas whose evolution could have been significantly affected by gravity-driven ductile crustal flow. Large values of the LPG are predicted perpendicular to the axes of European mountain belts, such as the Alps, Pyrenees-Cantabrian Mountains, Dinarides-Hellenic arc and Carpathians. In general, the crustal flow is directed away from orogens towards adjacent weaker areas. Gravitational forces directed from areas of high gravitational potential energy to subsiding basin areas can strongly reduce lithospheric extension in the latter, leading to a gradual late stage inversion of the entire system. Predicted pressure and strain rate gradients suggest that gravity driven flow may play an essential role in European intraplate tectonics. In particular, in a number of regions the predicted strain rates are comparable to tectonically induced strain rates. These results are also important for quantifying the thickness of the low viscosity zones in the lowermost part of the crustal layers.

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

Abdelaziz, Omar; Qu, Ming; Sun, Xiao-Guang

Separate sensible and latent cooling systems offer superior energy efficiency performance compared to conventional vapor compression air conditioning systems. In this paper we describe an innovative non-vapor compression system that uses electrochemical compressor (ECC) to pump hydrogen between 2-metal hydride reservoirs to provide the sensible cooling effect. The heat rejected during this process is used to regenerate the ionic liquid (IL) used for desiccant dehumidification. The overall system design is illustrated. The Xergy version 4C electrochemical compressor, while not designed as a high pressure system, develops in excess of 2 MPa (300 psia) and pressure ratios > 30. The projectedmore » base efficiency improvement of the electrochemical compressor is expected to be ~ 20% with higher efficiency when in low capacity mode due to being throttleable to lower capacity with improved efficiency. The IL was tailored to maximize the absorption/desorption rate of water vapor at moderate regeneration temperature. This IL, namely, [EMIm].OAc, is a hydrophilic IL with a working concentration range of 28.98% when operating between 25 75 C. The ECC metal hydride system is expected to show superior performance to typical vapor compression systems. As such, the combined efficiency gains from the use of ECC and separate and sensible cooling would offer significant potential savings to existing vapor compression cooling technology. A high efficiency Window Air Conditioner system is described based on this novel configuration. The system s schematic is provided. Models compared well with actual operating data obtained by running the prototype system. Finally, a model of an LiCl desiccant system in conjunction with the ECC-based metal hydride heat exchangers is provided.« less

Diagnostic capability of scanning laser polarimetry with and without enhanced corneal compensation and optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Benítez-del-Castillo, Javier; Martinez, Antonio; Regi, Teresa

2011-01-01

To compare the abilities of the current commercially available versions of scanning laser polarimetry (SLP) and optical coherence tomography (OCT), SLP-variable corneal compensation (VCC), SLP-enhanced corneal compensation (ECC), and high-definition (HD) OCT, in discriminating between healthy eyes and those with early-to-moderate glaucomatous visual field loss. Healthy volunteers and patients with glaucoma who met the eligibility criteria were consecutively enrolled in this prospective, cross-sectional, observational study. Subjects underwent complete eye examination, automated perimetry, SLP-ECC, SLP-VCC, and HD-OCT. Scanning laser polarimetry parameters were recalculated in 90-degree segments (quadrants) in the calculation circle to be compared. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCs) were calculated for every parameter in order to compare the ability of each imaging modality to differentiate between normal and glaucomatous eyes. Fifty-five normal volunteers (mean age 59.1 years) and 33 patients with glaucoma (mean age 63.8 years) were enrolled. Average visual field mean deviation was -6.69 dB (95% confidence interval -8.07 to -5.31) in the glaucoma group. The largest AUROCs were associated with nerve fiber indicator (0.880 and 0.888) for the SLP-VCC and SLP-ECC, respectively, and with the average thickness in the HD-OCT (0.897). The best performing indices for the SLP-VCC, SLP-ECC, and HD OCT gave similar AUROCs, showing moderate diagnostic accuracy in patients with early to moderate glaucoma. Further studies are needed to evaluate the ability of these technologies to discriminate between normal and glaucomatous eyes.

Kinetics of C-reactive protein in children with congenital heart diseases in the early period after cardiosurgical treatment with extracorporeal circulation.

PubMed

Jaworski, Radoslaw; Haponiuk, Ireneusz; Irga-Jaworska, Ninela; Chojnicki, Maciej; Steffens, Mariusz; Szofer-Sendrowska, Aneta; Zielinski, Jacek; Juscinski, Jacek

2014-03-01

The aim of the study was to assess postoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) serum kinetics in children without clinical signs of infection after atrial and ventricular septal defects closure in terms of extracorporeal circulation (ECC). Fifty-two patients met inclusion criteria and were divided into 2 groups: group A (antibiotic prophylaxis with cefazolin given up to 48 h postoperatively) and group B (antibiotic prophylaxis with amoxicillin and clavunic acid given more than 48 h postoperatively). The CRP was measured perioperatively in both groups. The CRP evaluation was the part of routine lab-tests during perioperative period, without any modification of the typical perioperative strategy. In the postoperative period CRP was measured after 24h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h in both groups. There were no differences between CRP levels between both groups of patients. The peak CRP values were observed after 48 h after the operation in ECC in both groups and decreased in the next postoperative days. In children with congenital heart defects undergoing cardiosurgical treatment with the use of ECC the assessing CRP values in the first postoperative day remains questionable. The maximum peak CRP value after operation with ECC can be much higher than the reference values without infection complications. Single CRP assessment in early postoperative period in these groups of children can lead to over-diagnosis of infections and antibiotics abuse. Copyright © 2014 Medical University of Bialystok. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.

Safety of recombinant human factor XIII in a cynomolgus monkey model of extracorporeal blood circulation.

PubMed

Ponce, R; Armstrong, K; Andrews, K; Hensler, J; Waggie, K; Heffernan, J; Reynolds, T; Rogge, M

2005-01-01

Factor XIII (FXIII) is a thrombin-activated plasma coagulation factor critical for blood clot stabilization and longevity. Administration of exogenous FXIII to replenish depleted stores after major surgery, including cardiopulmonary bypass, may reduce bleeding complications and transfusion requirements. Thus, a model of extracorporeal circulation (ECC) was developed in adult male cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) to evaluate the nonclinical safety of recombinant human FXIII (rFXIII). The hematological and coagulation profile in study animals during and after 2 h of ECC was similar to that reported for humans during and after cardiopulmonary bypass, including observations of anemia, thrombocytopenia, and activation of coagulation and platelets. Intravenous slow bolus injection of 300 U/kg (2.1 mg/kg) or 1000 U/kg (7 mg/kg) rFXIII after 2 h of ECC was well tolerated in study animals, and was associated with a dose-dependent increase in FXIII activity. No clinically significant effects in respiration, ECG, heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, clinical chemistry, hematology (including platelet counts), or indicators of thrombosis (thrombin:anti-thrombin complex and D-Dimer) or platelet activation (platelet factor 4 and beta-thromboglobulin) were related to rFXIII administration. Specific examination of brain, heart, lung, liver, and kidney from rFXIII-treated animals provided no evidence of histopathological alterations suggestive of subclinical hemorrhage or thrombosis. Taken as a whole, the results demonstrate the ECC model suitably replicated the clinical presentation reported for humans during and after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, and do not suggest significant concerns regarding use of rFXIII in replacement therapy after extracorporeal circulation.

Child oral health in migrant families: A cross-sectional study of caries in 1-4 year old children from migrant backgrounds residing in Melbourne, Australia.

PubMed

Gibbs, L; de Silva, A M; Christian, B; Gold, L; Gussy, M; Moore, L; Calache, H; Young, D; Riggs, E; Tadic, M; Watt, R; Gondal, I; Waters, E

2016-06-01

Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is the most common, preventable disease of childhood. It can affect children's health and wellbeing and children from migrant families may be at greater risk of developing ECC. To describe ECC in children from migrant families, and explore possible influences. Cross-sectional analysis of caries data collected as baseline data for an oral health promotion study. The analysis sample included 630 1-4 year-old children clustered within 481 Iraqi, Lebanese and Pakistani families in Melbourne, Australia. Child participants received a community-based visual dental examination. Parents completed a self-administered questionnaire on demographics, ethnicity, and oral health knowledge, behaviour and attitudes. Child caries experience. Bivariate associations between oral health behaviours and ethnicity were tested for significance using chi-square. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify associations with ECC, adjusting for demographic variables and accounting for clustering by family. Overall, 34% of children in the sample experienced caries (both non-cavitated and cavitated). For all caries lesions, parent' length of residence in Australia, consumption of sweet drinks and parental education remained as independent predictors of child caries experience. Adding sugar to drinks was an additional risk factor for cavitation. Ethnicity was associated with some individual oral health behaviours suggesting cultural influences on health, however the relationship was not independent of other predictors. Culturally competent oral health promotion interventions should aim to support migrant families with young children, and focus on reducing sweet drink consumption.

Problematic eating and its association with early childhood caries among 46-71-month-old children using Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ): a cross sectional study.

PubMed

Anandakrishna, Latha; Bhargav, Neha; Hegde, Amitha; Chandra, Prakash; Gaviappa, Dhananjaya; Shetty, Ashmitha Kishan

2014-01-01

Problematic eating behavior in children presents a wide spectrum from anorexia, selective eating, and fussy eating to neophobia. Pouching of food and slow eating represents eating behavioral problems that may be relevant to pediatric dentist as far as early childhood caries (ECC) is concerned. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of problematic eating and its association with ECC among 46-71-month-old children in Bengaluru city, India. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 250 children aged 46-71 months old in various schools of Bengaluru city. All the selected children were clinically examined for dental caries using decayed, missing, filled surfaces index. Children's eating behavior was assessed using Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) which was filled by the parents. Both descriptive statistics as well as Chi-square test was used with SPSS 16.00. The prevalence of dental caries was found to be 34%. It was observed that 81.6% of the children did not have a tendency to keep food in their mouth all the time and ECC was found to be significantly less. Furthermore, approximately 90% of the children did not have a tendency to eat too much and in those, 68% of them were caries free which was statistically significant. Prevalence of ECC was highest (52.6%) in children who ate more when they had nothing else to do. Problematic eating behavior is prevalent in the preschooler group and needs to be considered by the pediatric dentist.

Does an electronic continuum correction improve effective short-range ion-ion interactions in aqueous solution?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bruce, Ellen E.; van der Vegt, Nico F. A.

2018-06-01

Non-polarizable force fields for hydrated ions not always accurately describe short-range ion-ion interactions, frequently leading to artificial ion clustering in bulk aqueous solutions. This can be avoided by adjusting the nonbonded anion-cation or cation-water Lennard-Jones parameters. This approach has been successfully applied to different systems, but the parameterization is demanding owing to the necessity of separate investigations of each ion pair. Alternatively, polarization effects may effectively be accounted for using the electronic continuum correction (ECC) of Leontyev et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 119, 8024 (2003)], which involves scaling the ionic charges with the inverse square-root of the water high-frequency dielectric permittivity. ECC has proven to perform well for monovalent salts as well as for divalent salts in water. Its performance, however, for multivalent salts with higher valency remains unexplored. The present work illustrates the applicability of the ECC model to trivalent K3PO4 and divalent K2HPO4 in water. We demonstrate that the ECC models, without additional tuning of force field parameters, provide an accurate description of water-mediated interactions between salt ions. This results in predictions of the osmotic coefficients of aqueous K3PO4 and K2HPO4 solutions in good agreement with experimental data. Analysis of ion pairing thermodynamics in terms of contact ion pair (CIP), solvent-separated ion pair, and double solvent-separated ion pair contributions shows that potassium-phosphate CIP formation is stronger with trivalent than with divalent phosphate ions.

7 Methyl indole ethyl isothiocyanate causes ROS mediated apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in endometrial cancer cells.

PubMed

Kristjansdottir, Katrin; Kim, Kyukwang; Choi, Joong Sub; Horan, Timothy C; Brard, Laurent; Moore, Richard G; Singh, Rakesh K

2012-08-01

Chemotherapy options for advanced endometrial cancer are limited and newer therapeutic agents are urgently needed. This study describes the therapeutic potential of 7 Methyl-indole ethyl isothiocyanate (7Me-IEITC) in endometrial cancer cell lines. 7Me-IEITC was synthesized in our laboratory. The cell viability of 7Me-IEITC treated ECC-1 and KLE endometrial cancer cell was determined by MTS assay. Morphology and apoptosis were further confirmed by DAPI-staining and TUNEL assay. The measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial transmembrane depolarization potential (ΔΨm) and cell cycle phase was determined by FACS analysis. Expression of proteins involved in apoptosis, survival and cell-cycle progression was analyzed by Western blotting. 7Me-IEITC reduced the viability of the ECC-1 and KLE cancer cell-lines (IC(50)~2.5-10 μM) in a dose dependent fashion. 7Me-IEITC treatment caused mitochondrial transmembrane potential reduction, elevated the production of ROS, leading to activation of apoptosis in endometrial cancer KLE and ECC-1 cells. 7Me-IEITC treatment activated Bad, suppressed Bcl2 phosphorylation followed by PARP-1 deactivation and caspase 3 and 7 activation. 7Me-IEITC treatment arrested the progression of KLE cells in S-phase and caused CDC25 and cyclin-D1 downregulation. Pre-treatment with ascorbic acid abrogated 7Me-IEITC induced apoptosis in ECC-1 and KLE cells, suggesting that 7Me-IEITC mediated cytotoxicity is primarily through ROS production. 7Me-IEITC demonstrated promising cytotoxic effects in endometrial cancer cell line model. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Validity and reliability of the Early Childhood Caries Perceptions Scale (ECCPS) to assess health beliefs related to early childhood caries prevention among primary caregivers of children under 5 years of age.

PubMed

Pisarnturakit, Pagaporn P; Shaw, Bret R; Tanasukarn, Chanuantong; Vatanasomboon, Paranee

2012-09-01

Primary caregivers' child oral health care beliefs and practices are major factors in the prevention of Early Childhood Caries (ECC). This study assessed the validity and reliability of a newly-developed scale--the Early Childhood Caries Perceptions Scale (ECCPS)--used to measure beliefs regarding ECC preventive practices among primary caregivers of young children. The ECCPS was developed based on the Health Belief Model. The construct validity and reliability of the ECCPS were examined among 254 low-socioeconomic status primary caregivers with children under five years old, recruifed from 4 Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Health Centers and a kindergarten school. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed a four-factor structure. The four factors were labeled as Perceived Susceptibility, Perceived Severity, Perceived Benefits and Perceived Barriers. Internal consistency measured by the Cronbach's coefficient alpha for those four factors were 0.897, 0.971, 0.975 and 0.789, respectively. The ECCPS demonstrated satisfactory levels of reliability and validity for assessing the health beliefs related to ECC prevention among low-socioeconomic primary caregivers.

Long-Term Leukocyte Filtration Should Be Avoided during Extracorporeal Circulation

PubMed Central

Tang, Jiali; Tao, Kaiyu; Zhou, Jing; Zhang, Chongwei; Gong, Lina; Luo, Nanfu

2013-01-01

Filtration during extracorporeal circulation (ECC) not only removes but also activates leukocytes; therefore, long-term leukocyte filtration may cause adverse effects. In the present study, we tested this hypothesis by priming ECC with 300 mL of canine blood and examining filtration effects in 3 groups (n = 6 each) during 60 min ECC. In the control group (Group C) blood was filtrated with an arterial filter for 60 min; in long-term (Group L) and short-term (Group S) groups, blood was filtrated with a leukocyte filter for 60 and 5 min. We found that about 90% of leukocytes were removed after 5 min of filtration in both Groups L and S. Although leukocyte count continued to reduce, mean fluorescent intensities of CD11/CD18, free hemoglobin, and neutrophil elastase increased in Group L and were higher than those in Groups C and S at 60 min. Leukocyte rupture, cytoplasmic leakage, and circulating naked nuclei were also found in Group L. The data support our hypothesis that long-term filtration can induce inflammation and lead to leukocyte destruction. PMID:24453424

A secure RFID authentication protocol for healthcare environments using elliptic curve cryptosystem.

PubMed

Zhao, Zhenguo

2014-05-01

With the fast advancement of the wireless communication technology and the widespread use of medical systems, the radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has been widely used in healthcare environments. As the first important protocol for ensuring secure communication in healthcare environment, the RFID authentication protocols derive more and more attentions. Most of RFID authentication protocols are based on hash function or symmetric cryptography. To get more security properties, elliptic curve cryptosystem (ECC) has been used in the design of RFID authentication protocol. Recently, Liao and Hsiao proposed a new RFID authentication protocol using ECC and claimed their protocol could withstand various attacks. In this paper, we will show that their protocol suffers from the key compromise problem, i.e. an adversary could get the private key stored in the tag. To enhance the security, we propose a new RFID authentication protocol using ECC. Detailed analysis shows the proposed protocol not only could overcome weaknesses in Liao and Hsiao's protocol but also has the same performance. Therefore, it is more suitable for healthcare environments.

Substrates Control Multimerization and Activation of the Multi-Domain ATPase Motor of Type VII Secretion

DOE PAGES

Rosenberg, Oren S.; Dovala, Dustin; Li, Xueming; ...

2015-04-09

We report that Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Staphylococcus aureus secrete virulence factors via type VII protein secretion (T7S), a system that intriguingly requires all of its secretion substrates for activity. To gain insights into T7S function, we used structural approaches to guide studies of the putative translocase EccC, a unique enzyme with three ATPase domains, and its secretion substrate EsxB. The crystal structure of EccC revealed that the ATPase domains are joined by linker/pocket interactions that modulate its enzymatic activity. EsxB binds via its signal sequence to an empty pocket on the C-terminal ATPase domain, which is accompanied by an increasemore » in ATPase activity. Surprisingly, substrate binding does not activate EccC allosterically but, rather, by stimulating its multimerization. Thus, the EsxB substrate is also an integral T7S component, illuminating a mechanism that helps to explain interdependence of substrates, and suggests a model in which binding of substrates modulates their coordinate release from the bacterium.« less

Association between prolonged breast-feeding and early childhood caries: a hierarchical approach.

PubMed

Nunes, Ana Margarida Melo; Alves, Claudia Maria Coelho; Borba de Araújo, Fernando; Ortiz, Tânia Mara Lopes; Ribeiro, Marizélia Rodrigues Costa; Silva, Antônio Augusto Moura da; Ribeiro, Cecília Claudia Costa

2012-12-01

This study was conducted to investigate the association between prolonged breastfeeding and early childhood caries(ECC) with adjustment for important confounders, using hieraschical approach. This retrospective cohort study involved 260 low-income children (18-42 months). The number of decayed teeth was used as a measure of caries. Following a theoretical framework, the hierarchical model was built in a forward fashion, by adding the following levels in succession: level 1: age; level 2: social variables; level 3: health variables; level 4: behavioral variables; level 5: oral hygiene-related variables; level 6: oral hygiene quality measured by visible plaque; and level 7: contamination by mutans streptococci. Sequential forward multiple Poisson regression analysis was employed. Breast-feeding was not a risk factor for ECC after adjustment for some confounders (incidence density ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 0.84-1.59, P = 0.363). Prolonged breast-feeding was not a risk factor for ECC while age, high sucrose comption between main meals and the quality of oral higiene were associated with disease in children. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Dental caries prevalence in children up to 36 months of age attending daycare centers in municipalities with different water fluoride content.

PubMed

Tiano, Ana Valéria Pagliari; Moimaz, Suzely Adas Saliba; Saliba, Orlando; Saliba, Nemre Adas

2009-01-01

This study determined the prevalence of cavitated caries lesions (CCL) and early childhood caries (ECC), and the contribution of some variables in children up to 36 months of age attending daycare centers in municipalities with different fluoride levels in the water supply: AFC (adequate fluoride content) and LFC (low fluoride content). After approval of the Ethics Committee, the parents were interviewed. The children were clinically examined using the same codes and criteria established by the WHO (World Health Organization) and the ADA (American Dental Association). Fisher's exact test (p<0.05) was applied for statistical analysis of data. The dmft indices calculated in the LFC and AFC municipalities were 0.57 and 0.68, respectively. Considering all children examined, 17.6% presented CCL and 33.8% ECC. The economic classification, mother's education level and duration of breastfeeding were considered statistically significant with regards to CCL prevalence. The age group, duration of the habit of drinking milk before bedtime and age at which oral hygiene started were considered statistically significant with regards to ECC prevalence.

Dynamics of oral microbial community profiling during severe early childhood caries development monitored by PCR-DGGE.

PubMed

Tao, Ye; Zhou, Yan; Ouyang, Yong; Lin, HuanCai

2013-09-01

To monitor the longitudinal changes in oral microbial diversity of children with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) compared to caries free (CF) controls. Dental plaque samples of 12 children in each group at 8, 14, 20, 26 and 32 months of age were analysed. Total microbial genomic DNA was isolated from each sample, and PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analyses were carried out. The number of bands was significantly higher in the CF group (18.17±4.91 bands) than in the S-ECC group (14.54±5.56 bands) at 32 months of age (P<0.05). A total of 21 genera were identified in all subjects, and there were no significant differences between the two groups at genus level. DGGE profiles showed that most of the clusters were constructed from one individual over time in the both groups. The onset of S-ECC is accompanied by a decrease in microbial diversity. The overall composition of the microbiota is highly similar within an individual over time. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fluctuation-dissipation relations for motions of center of mass in driven granular fluids under gravity.

PubMed

Wakou, Jun'ichi; Isobe, Masaharu

2012-06-01

We investigated the validity of fluctuation-dissipation relations in the nonequilibrium stationary state of fluidized granular media under gravity by two independent approaches, based on theory and numerical simulations. A phenomenological Langevin-type theory describing the fluctuation of center of mass height, which was originally constructed for a one-dimensional granular gas on a vibrating bottom plate, was generalized to any dimensionality, even for the case in which the vibrating bottom plate is replaced by a thermal wall. The theory predicts a fluctuation-dissipation relation known to be satisfied at equilibrium, with a modification that replaces the equilibrium temperature by an effective temperature defined by the center of mass kinetic energy. To test the validity of the fluctuation-dissipation relation, we performed extensive and accurate event-driven molecular dynamics simulations for the model system with a thermal wall at the bottom. The power spectrum and response function of the center of mass height were measured and closely compared with theoretical predictions. It is shown that the fluctuation-dissipation relation for the granular system is satisfied, especially in the high-frequency (short time) region, for a wide range of system parameters. Finally, we describe the relationship between systematic deviations in the low-frequency (long time) region and the time scales of the driven granular system.

Gravity Waves Generated by Convection: A New Idealized Model Tool and Direct Validation with Satellite Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexander, M. Joan; Stephan, Claudia

2015-04-01

In climate models, gravity waves remain too poorly resolved to be directly modelled. Instead, simplified parameterizations are used to include gravity wave effects on model winds. A few climate models link some of the parameterized waves to convective sources, providing a mechanism for feedback between changes in convection and gravity wave-driven changes in circulation in the tropics and above high-latitude storms. These convective wave parameterizations are based on limited case studies with cloud-resolving models, but they are poorly constrained by observational validation, and tuning parameters have large uncertainties. Our new work distills results from complex, full-physics cloud-resolving model studies to essential variables for gravity wave generation. We use the Weather Research Forecast (WRF) model to study relationships between precipitation, latent heating/cooling and other cloud properties to the spectrum of gravity wave momentum flux above midlatitude storm systems. Results show the gravity wave spectrum is surprisingly insensitive to the representation of microphysics in WRF. This is good news for use of these models for gravity wave parameterization development since microphysical properties are a key uncertainty. We further use the full-physics cloud-resolving model as a tool to directly link observed precipitation variability to gravity wave generation. We show that waves in an idealized model forced with radar-observed precipitation can quantitatively reproduce instantaneous satellite-observed features of the gravity wave field above storms, which is a powerful validation of our understanding of waves generated by convection. The idealized model directly links observations of surface precipitation to observed waves in the stratosphere, and the simplicity of the model permits deep/large-area domains for studies of wave-mean flow interactions. This unique validated model tool permits quantitative studies of gravity wave driving of regional circulation and provides a new method for future development of realistic convective gravity wave parameterizations.

Topographic metric predictions of soil organic carbon in Iowa fields

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Topography is one of the key factors affecting soil organic carbon (SOC) redistribution (erosion or deposition) because it influences the gravity-driven movement of soil by water flow and tillage operations. In this study, we examined impacts of sixteen topographic metrics derived from Light Detecti...

Can neutrino decay-driven mock gravity save hot dark matter?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Splinter, Randall J.; Melott, Adrian L.

1992-01-01

The radiative decay of a 30 eV neutrino with a lifetime of order 10 exp 23-24 s has recently been shown to yield a satisfactory explanation of a wide range of problems in astrophysics. In this paper, it is investigated whether the photon flux generated by the radiative decay of a massive neutrino is capable of generating sufficient radiation pressure to cause a 'mock gravitational' collapse of primordial hydrogen clouds. It is shown that when using neutral hydrogen as a source of opacity for mock gravity the time scale for mock gravitational collapse is significantly larger than the expansion time scale. Thus, the model fails as a source of galactic seed perturbations. Furthermore, it is argued that nonlinear feedback mechanisms will be unable to increase the collapse rate of the cloud under mock gravity.

Mass wasting on the Orange Cone of the Atlantic Margin, South Africa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fielies, Anthony; Murphy, Alain; Johnson, Sean; Thovhogi, Tshifhiwa

2017-04-01

The South African Atlantic Margin represents the rift-drift passive volcanic margin sequence which records the break-up of Gondwana around 155 Ma and the subsequent opening of the South Atlantic Ocean. The Orange Cone - the morphological expression of the sediment buildout and modification of the continental margin along the southwest African continental margin - has undergone extensive mass failure and slope modification over a protracted period. This failure extends all the way to the present-day toe of the Orange Cone. This paper outlines the data and analysis by South Arica in support of its Submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. South Africa has, in its submission, identified and mapped a considerable number of gravity-driven failure features and deposits as evidence of the Orange Cone being classified as a slope in the sense of Article 76 of UNCLOS. Sediment mass failure, which includes slumping, sliding, mass transport deposits, etc., are known to be continental slope phenomena because they are gravity-driven and thus require a free slope upon which gravitational forces can cause kinetic action. Upper slope failure is ubiquitous on the Orange Cone and has been well documented. The most striking example of slope modification and downslope movement in the upper slope of the Orange Cone/Basin is the paired, gravity-driven deformation system, over 100 km across, with extension high on the submarine slope and contraction toward the toe of slope. The lower slope of the Orange Cone has experienced multiple episodes of failure in the form of glides, slides and debris flows. Failure on the lower slope is highly relevant for the purposes of delineating the foot of the continental slope as the deposition location represents the terminus of the slope processes. These gravity-driven failures are inherently linked to upper slope failure processes although their expression is markedly different. The change in gradients between the upper and lower slope corresponds to a change in the style of mass wasting where the failure regime changes from one of faulting and mass wasting to one of detachment and debris flows. Much of the material that is redeposited at the base of the upper slope is in turn remobilised and transported downslope on the lower slope. Some MTDs are likely disaggregated extensions of more coherent slides that have their origin in the upper slope. The lower slope is characterised by bathymetric scarps and translation of material along distinct glide planes. Seismic interpretation suggests that these relatively coherent units disaggregate further downslope resulting in debrites.

Tsunami-driven gravity waves in the presence of vertically varying background and tidal wind structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laughman, B.; Fritts, D. C.; Lund, T. S.

2017-05-01

Many characteristics of tsunami-driven gravity waves (TDGWs) enable them to easily propagate into the thermosphere and ionosphere with appreciable amplitudes capable of producing detectable perturbations in electron densities and total electron content. The impact of vertically varying background and tidal wind structures on TDGW propagation is investigated with a series of idealized background wind profiles to assess the relative importance of wave reflection, critical-level approach, and dissipation. These numerical simulations employ a 2-D nonlinear anelastic finite-volume neutral atmosphere model which accounts for effects accompanying vertical gravity wave (GW) propagation such as amplitude growth with altitude. The GWs are excited by an idealized tsunami forcing with a 50 cm sea surface displacement, a 400 km horizontal wavelength, and a phase speed of 200 ms-1 consistent with previous studies of the tsunami generated by the 26 December 2004 Sumatra earthquake. Results indicate that rather than partial reflection and trapping, the dominant process governing TDGW propagation to thermospheric altitudes is refraction to larger and smaller vertical scales, resulting in respectively larger and smaller vertical group velocities and respectively reduced and increased viscous dissipation. Under all considered background wind profiles, TDGWs were able to attain ionospheric altitudes with appreciable amplitudes. Finally, evidence of nonlinear effects is observed and the conditions leading to their formation is discussed.

Crystal Growth of ZnSe and Related Ternary Compound Semiconductors by Vapor Transport in Low Gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Su, Ching-Hua; Ramachandran, N.

2013-01-01

Crystals of ZnSe and related ternary compounds, such as ZnSeS and ZnSeTe, will be grown by physical vapor transport in the Material Science Research Rack (MSRR) on International Space Station (ISS). The objective of the project is to determine the relative contributions of gravity-driven fluid flows to the compositional distribution, incorporation of impurities and defects, and deviation from stoichiometry observed in the crystals grown by vapor transport as results of buoyance-driven convection and growth interface fluctuations caused by irregular fluid-flows on Earth. The investigation consists of extensive ground-based experimental and theoretical research efforts and concurrent flight experimentation. The objectives of the ground-based studies are (1) obtain the experimental data and conduct the analyses required to define the optimum growth parameters for the flight experiments, (2) perfect various characterization techniques to establish the standard procedure for material characterization, (3) quantitatively establish the characteristics of the crystals grown on Earth as a basis for subsequent comparative evaluations of the crystals grown in a low-gravity environment and (4) develop theoretical and analytical methods required for such evaluations. ZnSe and related ternary compounds have been grown by vapor transport technique with real time in-situ non-invasive monitoring techniques. The grown crystals have been characterized extensively by various techniques to correlate the grown crystal properties with the growth conditions.

Flight Experiments of Physical Vapor Transport of ZnSe: Growth of Crystals in Various Convective Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Su, Ching-Hua

2015-01-01

A low gravity material experiment will be performed in the Material Science Research Rack (MSRR) on International Space Station (ISS). The flight experiment will conduct crystal growths of ZnSe and related ternary compounds, such as ZnSeS and ZnSeTe, by physical vapor transport (PVT). The main objective of the project is to determine the relative contributions of gravity-driven fluid flows to the compositional distribution, incorporation of impurities and defects, and deviation from stoichiometry observed in the grown crystals as results of buoyancy-driven convection and growth interface fluctuations caused by irregular fluid-flows on Earth. The investigation consists of extensive ground-based experimental and theoretical research efforts and concurrent flight experimentation. The objectives of the ground-based studies are (1) obtain the experimental data and conduct the analyses required to define the optimum growth parameters for the flight experiments, (2) perfect various characterization techniques to establish the standard procedure for material characterization, (3) quantitatively establish the characteristics of the crystals grown on Earth as a basis for subsequent comparative evaluations of the crystals grown in a low-gravity environment and (4) develop theoretical and analytical methods required for such evaluations. ZnSe and related ternary compounds have been grown by vapor transport technique with real time in-situ non-invasive monitoring techniques. The grown crystals have been characterized extensively by various techniques to correlate the grown crystal properties with the growth conditions. This talk will focus on the ground-based studies on the PVT crystal growth of ZnSe and related ternary compounds, especially the effects of different growth orientations related to gravity direction on the grown crystals.

Crystal Growth of Ternary Compound Semiconductors in Low Gravity Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Su, Ching-Hua

2014-01-01

A low gravity material experiment will be performed in the Material Science Research Rack (MSRR) on International Space Station (ISS). There are two sections of the flight experiment: (I) crystal growth of ZnSe and related ternary compounds, such as ZnSeS and ZnSeTe, by physical vapor transport (PVT) and (II) melt growth of CdZnTe by directional solidification. The main objective of the project is to determine the relative contributions of gravity-driven fluid flows to the compositional distribution, incorporation of impurities and defects, and deviation from stoichiometry observed in the grown crystals as results of buoyancy-driven convection and growth interface fluctuations caused by irregular fluid-flows on Earth. The investigation consists of extensive ground-based experimental and theoretical research efforts and concurrent flight experimentation. This talk will focus on the ground-based studies on the PVT crystal growth of ZnSe and related ternary compounds. The objectives of the ground-based studies are (1) obtain the experimental data and conduct the analyses required to define the optimum growth parameters for the flight experiments, (2) perfect various characterization techniques to establish the standard procedure for material characterization, (3) quantitatively establish the characteristics of the crystals grown on Earth as a basis for subsequent comparative evaluations of the crystals grown in a low-gravity environment and (4) develop theoretical and analytical methods required for such evaluations. ZnSe and related ternary compounds have been grown by vapor transport technique with real time in-situ non-invasive monitoring techniques. The grown crystals have been characterized extensively by various techniques to correlate the grown crystal properties with the growth conditions.

Analysis of Hydrodynamic Stability of Solar Tachocline Latitudinal Differential Rotation using a Shallow-Water Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dikpati, Mausumi; Gilman, Peter A.

2001-04-01

We examine the global, hydrodynamic stability of solar latitudinal differential rotation in a ``shallow-water'' model of the tachocline. Charbonneau, Dikpati, & Gilman have recently shown that two-dimensional disturbances are stable in the tachocline (which contains a pole-to-equator differential rotation s<18%). In our model, the upper boundary of the thin shell is allowed to deform in latitude, longitude, and time, thus including simplified three-dimensional effects. We examine the stability of differential rotation as a function of the effective gravity of the stratification in the tachocline. High effective gravity corresponds to the radiative part of the tachocline; for this case, the instability is similar to the strictly two-dimensional case (appearing only for s>=18%), driven primarily by the kinetic energy of differential rotation extracted through the work of the Reynolds stress. For low effective gravity, which corresponds to the overshoot part of the tachocline, a second mode of instability occurs, fed again by the kinetic energy of differential rotation, which is primarily extracted by additional stresses and correlations of perturbations arising in the deformed shell. In this case, instability occurs for differential rotation as low as about 11% between equator and pole. If this mode occurs in the Sun, it should destabilize the latitudinal differential rotation in the overshoot part of the tachocline, even without a toroidal field. For the full range of effective gravity, the vorticity associated with the perturbations, coupled with radial motion due to horizontal divergence/convergence of the fluid, gives rise to a longitude-averaged, net kinetic helicity pattern, and hence a source of α-effect in the tachocline. Thus there could be a dynamo in the tachocline, driven by this α-effect and the latitudinal and radial gradients of rotation.

Rapid deceleration-driven wetting transition during pendant drop deposition on superhydrophobic surfaces.

PubMed

Kwon, Hyuk-Min; Paxson, Adam T; Varanasi, Kripa K; Patankar, Neelesh A

2011-01-21

A hitherto unknown mechanism for wetting transition is reported. When a pendant drop settles upon deposition, there is a virtual "collision" where its center of gravity undergoes rapid deceleration. This induces a high water hammer-type pressure that causes wetting transition. A new phase diagram shows that both large and small droplets can transition to wetted states due to the new deceleration driven and the previously known Laplace mechanisms, respectively. It is explained how the attainment of a nonwetted Cassie-Baxter state is more restrictive than previously known.

Rapid Deceleration-Driven Wetting Transition during Pendant Drop Deposition on Superhydrophobic Surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwon, Hyuk-Min; Paxson, Adam T.; Varanasi, Kripa K.; Patankar, Neelesh A.

2011-01-01

A hitherto unknown mechanism for wetting transition is reported. When a pendant drop settles upon deposition, there is a virtual “collision” where its center of gravity undergoes rapid deceleration. This induces a high water hammer-type pressure that causes wetting transition. A new phase diagram shows that both large and small droplets can transition to wetted states due to the new deceleration driven and the previously known Laplace mechanisms, respectively. It is explained how the attainment of a nonwetted Cassie-Baxter state is more restrictive than previously known.

Reactor pressure vessel with forged nozzles

DOEpatents

Desai, Dilip R.

1993-01-01

Inlet nozzles for a gravity-driven cooling system (GDCS) are forged with a cylindrical reactor pressure vessel (RPV) section to which a support skirt for the RPV is attached. The forging provides enhanced RPV integrity around the nozzle and substantial reduction of in-service inspection costs by eliminating GDCS nozzle-to-RPV welds.

Tension Stiffened and Tendon Actuated Manipulator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dorsey, John T. (Inventor); Mercer, Charles D. (Inventor); Ganoe, George G. (Inventor); Doggett, William R. (Inventor); King, Bruce D. (Inventor); Jones, Thomas C. (Inventor); Corbin, Cole K. (Inventor)

2015-01-01

A tension stiffened and tendon actuated manipulator is provided performing robotic-like movements when acquiring a payload. The manipulator design can be adapted for use in-space, lunar or other planetary installations as it is readily configurable for acquiring and precisely manipulating a payload in both a zero-g environment and in an environment with a gravity field. The manipulator includes a plurality of link arms, a hinge connecting adjacent link arms together to allow the adjacent link arms to rotate relative to each other and a cable actuation and tensioning system provided between adjacent link arms. The cable actuation and tensioning system includes a spreader arm and a plurality of driven and non-driven elements attached to the link arms and the spreader arm. At least one cable is routed around the driven and non-driven elements for actuating the hinge.

[Shifting path of industrial pollution gravity centers and its driving mechanism in Pan-Yangtze River Delta].

PubMed

Zhao, Hai-Xia; Jiang, Xiao-Wei; Cui, Jian-Xin

2014-11-01

Shifting path of industrial pollution gravity centers is the response of environmental special formation during the industry transfer process, in order to prove the responding of industrial pollution gravity centers to industry transfer in economically developed areas, this paper calculates the gravity centers of industrial wastewater, gas and solid patterns and reveals the shifting path and its driving mechanism, using the data of industrial pollution in the Pan-Yangtze River Delta from 2000 to 2010. The results show that the gravity center of the industrial waste in Pan-Yangtze River Delta shifts for sure in the last 10 years, and gravity center of solid waste shifts the maximum distance within the three wastes, which was 180.18 km, and shifting distances for waste gas and waste water were 109.51 km and 85.92 km respectively. Moreover, the gravity center of the industrial waste in Pan-Yangtze River Delta shifts westwards, and gravity centers of waste water, gas and solid shift for 0.40 degrees, 0.17 degrees and 0.03 degrees respectively. The shifting of industrial pollution gravity centers is driven by many factors. The rapid development of the heavy industry in Anhui and Jiangxi provinces results in the westward shifting of the pollutions. The optimization and adjustment of industrial structures in Yangtze River Delta region benefit to alleviating industrial pollution, and high-polluting industries shifted to Anhui and Jiangxi provinces promotes pollution gravity center shifting to west. While the development of massive clean enterprise, strong environmental management efforts and better environmental monitoring system slow the shifting trend of industrial pollution to the east in Yangtze River Delta. The study of industrial pollution gravity shift and its driving mechanism provides a new angle of view to analyze the relationship between economic development and environmental pollution, and also provides academic basis for synthetical management and control of environmental pollution in Pan-Yangtze River Delta, especially in the transition period.

Oxidant Status following Cardiac Surgery with Phosphorylcholine-Coated Extracorporeal Circulation Systems

PubMed Central

Kaya, Ayşem

2016-01-01

Introduction. Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) related systemic oxidative stress is a well-known entity but the underlying mechanisms are not clearly described. Our aim was to investigate the relation between the oxidative stress indices, inflammatory markers, and phosphorylcholine-coated (PCC) ECC systems. Patients and Methods. Thirty-two consecutive coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) cases were randomly assigned to Group I (PCC, n = 18) and Group II (noncoated, n = 14) ECC circuits. Total Antioxidant Status (TAS), Total Oxidant Status (TOS), Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-1β (IL-β), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-8 (IL-8), Interleukin-10 (IL-10), and Procalcitonin (PCT) levels were measured at 5 different time points. The association between the oxidative indices levels and PCC system used was analyzed. Results. In Group I TOS and TAS statuses were increased at T1, T2, T3, and T4, while IL-10 and TNF-α levels accompanied those raises only at T2 (Group I-Group II, 4.73 ± 2.04 versus 2.79 ± 0.63, p = 0.002, and 30.56 ± 8.11 versus 23.97 ± 7.8, p = 0.031, resp.). In contrast, mean TAS and TOS levels were similar to baseline at all time points in Group II but IL-6 and IL-8 levels were increased at T2 (Group I-Group II, 16.84 ± 5.63 versus 44.81 ± 17.0, p = 0.001, and 38.88 ± 9.8 versus 46.14 ± 9.25, p = 0.038, resp.). Conclusion. Even coated ECC systems are still incapable of attenuating the inflammatory response to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). PMID:27994711

Structure-function relationship between the octopus perimeter cluster mean sensitivity and sector retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measured with the RTVue optical coherence tomography and scanning laser polarimetry.

PubMed

Naghizadeh, Farzaneh; Garas, Anita; Vargha, Péter; Holló, Gábor

2014-01-01

To determine structure-function relationship between each of 16 Octopus perimeter G2 program clusters and the corresponding 16 peripapillary sector retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) values measured with the RTVue-100 Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (RTVue OCT) and scanning laser polarimetry with variable corneal compensation (GDx-VCC) and enhanced corneal compensation (GDx-ECC) corneal compensation. One eye of 110 white patients (15 healthy, 20 ocular hypertensive, and 75 glaucoma eyes) were investigated. The Akaike information criterion and the F test were used to identify the best fitting model. Parabolic relationship with logarithmic cluster mean sensitivity and linear sector RNFLT values provided the best fit. For RTVue OCT, significant (P<0.0001) coefficients of determination (R) were found for all 16 RNFLT sectors. The R values were highest for the temporal, superotemporal, and inferotemporal RNFLT sectors (0.4483 to 0.5186). For GDx-VCC/ECC, significant (P<0.01) parabolic relationship was seen for all but the temporal and nasal RNFLT sectors. The overall highest R value (0.6943) was found for a superotemporal RNFLT sector with GDx-ECC. For some RNFLT sectors, the goodness of fit differed significantly between the imaging methods. Structure-function relationship was similar for the total population and the glaucoma subgroup, whereas no relationship (P>0.05) was found for the control eyes. Mean sensitivity of the Octopus visual field clusters showed significant parabolic relationship with the corresponding peripapillary RNFLT sectors. The relationship was more general with the RTVue OCT than GDx-VCC or GDx-ECC. The results show that visual field clusters of the Octopus G program can be applied for detailed structure-function research.

Oxidant Status following Cardiac Surgery with Phosphorylcholine-Coated Extracorporeal Circulation Systems.

PubMed

Hatemi, Ali Can; Çeviker, Kadir; Tongut, Aybala; Özgöl, İlhan; Mert, Murat; Kaya, Ayşem

2016-01-01

Introduction . Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) related systemic oxidative stress is a well-known entity but the underlying mechanisms are not clearly described. Our aim was to investigate the relation between the oxidative stress indices, inflammatory markers, and phosphorylcholine-coated (PCC) ECC systems. Patients and Methods . Thirty-two consecutive coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) cases were randomly assigned to Group I (PCC, n = 18) and Group II (noncoated, n = 14) ECC circuits. Total Antioxidant Status (TAS), Total Oxidant Status (TOS), Tumor Necrosis Factor- α (TNF- α ), Interleukin-1 β (IL- β ), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-8 (IL-8), Interleukin-10 (IL-10), and Procalcitonin (PCT) levels were measured at 5 different time points. The association between the oxidative indices levels and PCC system used was analyzed. Results . In Group I TOS and TAS statuses were increased at T 1, T 2, T 3, and T 4, while IL-10 and TNF- α levels accompanied those raises only at T 2 (Group I-Group II, 4.73 ± 2.04 versus 2.79 ± 0.63, p = 0.002, and 30.56 ± 8.11 versus 23.97 ± 7.8, p = 0.031, resp.). In contrast, mean TAS and TOS levels were similar to baseline at all time points in Group II but IL-6 and IL-8 levels were increased at T 2 (Group I-Group II, 16.84 ± 5.63 versus 44.81 ± 17.0, p = 0.001, and 38.88 ± 9.8 versus 46.14 ± 9.25, p = 0.038, resp.). Conclusion . Even coated ECC systems are still incapable of attenuating the inflammatory response to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

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

Walker, Johnnie A.; Takasuka, Taichi E.; Deng, Kai

Carbohydrate binding modules (CBMs) bind polysaccharides and help target glycoside hydrolases catalytic domains to their appropriate carbohydrate substrates. To better understand how CBMs can improve cellulolytic enzyme reactivity, representatives from each of the 18 families of CBM found in Ruminoclostridium thermocellum were fused to the multifunctional GH5 catalytic domain of CelE (Cthe_0797, CelEcc), which can hydrolyze numerous types of polysaccharides including cellulose, mannan, and xylan. Since CelE is a cellulosomal enzyme, none of these fusions to a CBM previously existed. CelEcc_CBM fusions were assayed for their ability to hydrolyze cellulose, lichenan, xylan, and mannan. Several CelEcc_CBM fusions showed enhanced hydrolyticmore » activity with different substrates relative to the fusion to CBM3a from the cellulosome scaffoldin, which has high affinity for binding to crystalline cellulose. Additional binding studies and quantitative catalysis studies using nanostructure-initiator mass spectrometry (NIMS) were carried out with the CBM3a, CBM6, CBM30, and CBM44 fusion enzymes. In general, and consistent with observations of others, enhanced enzyme reactivity was correlated with moderate binding affinity of the CBM. Numerical analysis of reaction time courses showed that CelEcc_CBM44, a combination of a multifunctional enzyme domain with a CBM having broad binding specificity, gave the fastest rates for hydrolysis of both the hexose and pentose fractions of ionic-liquid pretreated switchgrass. In conclusion, we have shown that fusions of different CBMs to a single multifunctional GH5 catalytic domain can increase its rate of reaction with different pure polysaccharides and with pretreated biomass. This fusion approach, incorporating domains with broad specificity for binding and catalysis, provides a new avenue to improve reactivity of simple combinations of enzymes within the complexity of plant biomass.« less

Microvascular Permeability of Skeletal Muscle After Eccentric Contraction-Induced Muscle Injury: In Vivo Imaging Using Two-Photon Laser Scanning Microscopy.

PubMed

Hotta, Kazuki; Behnke, Bradley Jon; Masamoto, Kazuto; Shimotsu, Rie; Onodera, Naoya; Yamaguchi, Akihiko; Poole, David C; Kano, Yutaka

2018-05-03

Via modulation of endothelial integrity and vascular permeability in response to damage skeletal muscle microvessels play a crucial permissive role in tissue leukocyte invasion. However, direct visual evidence of altered microvascular permeability of skeletal muscle has not been technically feasible impairing mechanistic understanding of these responses. Two-photon laser scanning microscopy (TPLSM) allows three-dimensional in vivo imaging of skeletal muscle microcirculation. We hypothesized that the regulation of microvessels permeability in vivo is temporally related to acute inflammatory and regenerative processes following muscle injury. To test our hypothesis, tibialis anterior muscle of anesthetized male Wistar rats were subjected to eccentric contractions (ECC) via electrical stimulation. The skeletal muscle microcirculation was imaged by an intravenously infused fluorescent dye (rhodamine b isothiocyanate dextran) to assess microvascular permeability via TPLSM 1, 3 and 7 days after ECC. Immunohistochemistry on muscle sections was performed to determine the proportion of VEGF-A positive fibers in the damaged muscle. Compared with control rats, the volumetrically-determined interstitial leakage of fluorescent dye (5.1 {plus minus} 1.4, 5.3 {plus minus} 1.2 vs. 0.51 {plus minus} 0.14 μm 3 x 10 6 , P < 0.05 respectively days 1 and 3 vs. control) and percentage of VEGF-A positive fibers in the damaged muscle (10 {plus minus} 0.4, 22 {plus minus} 1.1 vs. 0%; days 1 and 3 vs. control) were significantly higher on days 1 and 3 after ECC. The interstitial leakage volume returned to control by day 7. These results suggest that microvascular hyperpermeability assessed by in vivo TPLSM imaging is associated with ECC-induced muscle damage and increased VEGF expression.

Salivary proteins and early childhood caries: A gel electrophoretic analysis

PubMed Central

Bhalla, Sumati; Tandon, Shobha; Satyamoorthy, K.

2010-01-01

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a common disease process that afflicts a large proportion of the child population worldwide. Extensive research in past indicates that it is the result of bacterial infection, also influenced by host and dietary factors. Current caries research seeks to identify risk factors as well as natural oral defenses that may protect against or prevent caries development. Saliva, in spite of being the strongest defense system, still has a wide array of properties and proteins whose role is yet not clearly known. Aim: To compare the resting human whole salivary characteristics in children with ECC and those who are caries free. Settings and Design: The study was conducted over a period of 9 months in 4- to 6-year-old 100 children comprising two groups – 50 with ECC and 50 caries free. Materials and Methods: The whole salivary flow rate, pH, mean protein concentration, and the electrophoretic profile of salivary proteins by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) were compared among both groups. Statistical Analysis: The SPSS (version 11.0) software package was used to conduct the chi-square, Fisher's exact and Pearson's chi-square tests to compare the data. Results: On gel electrophoresis, there was a significant difference among both groups with caries-free subjects having a higher number of proline-rich protein bands, substantiating the protective role of this protein. A significantly higher number of glycoprotein bands were observed in the whole saliva of subjects with ECC. A significant inverse correlation between the mean protein concentration and the whole salivary flow rate was observed in both groups. PMID:22114372

Impact of di-ethylhexylphthalate exposure on metabolic programming in P19 ECC-derived cardiomyocytes.

PubMed

Schaedlich, Kristina; Schmidt, Juliane-Susanne; Kwong, Wing Yee; Sinclair, Kevin D; Kurz, Randy; Jahnke, Heinz-Georg; Fischer, Bernd

2015-07-01

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) is the most common plasticizer in plastic devices of everyday use. It is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant and primarily known to impair male gonadal development and fertility. Studies concerning the long-term effects of prenatal DEHP exposure on certain diseases [The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease paradigm (DOHaD) hypothesis] are scarce although it is proven that DEHP crosses the placenta. Rising environmental pollution during the last centuries coincides with an increasing prevalence of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. We have investigated the effects of an early embryonic DEHP exposure at different developmental stages on cardiomyogenesis. We used an in-vitro model, the murine P19 embryonic carcinoma cell line (P19 ECC), mimicking early embryonic stages up to differentiated beating cardiomyocytes. P19 ECC were exposed to DEHP (5, 50, 100 µg ml(-1)) at the undifferentiated stage for 5 days and subsequently differentiated to beating cardiomyocytes. We analyzed the expression of metabolic (Pparg1, Fabp4 and Glut4), cardiac (Myh6, Gja1) and methylation (Dnmt1, Dnmt3a) marker genes by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), beating rate and the differentiation velocity of the cells. The methylation status of Pparg1, Ppara and Glut4 was investigated by pyrosequencing. DEHP significantly altered the expression of all investigated genes. The beating rate and differentiation velocity were accelerated. Exposure to DEHP led to small but statistically significant increases in methylation of specific CpGs within Ppara and Pparg1, which otherwise were generally hypomethylated, but methylation of Glut4 was unaltered. Early DEHP exposure of P19 ECC alters the expression of genes associated with cellular metabolism and the functional features of cardiomyocytes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Muscle, functional and cognitive adaptations after flywheel resistance training in stroke patients: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Fernandez-Gonzalo, Rodrigo; Fernandez-Gonzalo, Sol; Turon, Marc; Prieto, Cristina; Tesch, Per A; García-Carreira, Maria del Carmen

2016-04-06

Resistance exercise (RE) improves neuromuscular function and physical performance after stroke. Yet, the effects of RE emphasizing eccentric (ECC; lengthening) actions on muscle hypertrophy and cognitive function in stroke patients are currently unknown. Thus, this study explored the effects of ECC-overload RE training on skeletal muscle size and function, and cognitive performance in individuals with stroke. Thirty-two individuals with chronic stroke (≥6 months post-stroke) were randomly assigned into a training group (TG; n = 16) performing ECC-overload flywheel RE of the more-affected lower limb (12 weeks, 2 times/week; 4 sets of 7 maximal closed-chain knee extensions; <2 min of contractile activity per session) or a control group (CG; n = 16), maintaining daily routines. Before and after the intervention, quadriceps femoris volume, maximal force and power for each leg were assessed, and functional and dual task performance, and cognitive functions were measured. Quadriceps femoris volume of the more-affected leg increased by 9.4 % in TG. Muscle power of the more-affected, trained (48.2 %), and the less-affected, untrained limb (28.1 %) increased after training. TG showed enhanced balance (8.9 %), gait performance (10.6 %), dual-task performance, executive functions (working memory, verbal fluency tasks), attention, and speed of information processing. CG showed no changes. ECC-overload flywheel resistance exercise comprising 4 min of contractile activity per week offers a powerful aid to regain muscle mass and function, and functional performance in individuals with stroke. While the current intervention improved cognitive functions, the cause-effect relationship, if any, with the concomitant neuromuscular adaptations remains to be explored. Clinical Trials NCT02120846.

A simulation model for designing effective interventions in early childhood caries.

PubMed

Hirsch, Gary B; Edelstein, Burton L; Frosh, Marcy; Anselmo, Theresa

2012-01-01

Early childhood caries (ECC)--tooth decay among children younger than 6 years--is prevalent and consequential, affecting nearly half of US 5-year-olds, despite being highly preventable. Various interventions have been explored to limit caries activity leading to cavities, but little is known about the long-term effects and costs of these interventions. We developed a system dynamics model to determine which interventions, singly and in combination, could have the greatest effect in reducing caries experience and cost in a population of children aged birth to 5 years. System dynamics is a computer simulation technique useful to policy makers in choosing the most appropriate interventions for their populations. This study of Colorado preschool children models 6 categories of ECC intervention--applying fluorides, limiting cariogenic bacterial transmission from mothers to children, using xylitol directly with children, clinical treatment, motivational interviewing, and combinations of these--to compare their relative effect and cost. The model projects 10-year intervention costs ranging from $6 million to $245 million and relative reductions in cavity prevalence ranging from none to 79.1% from the baseline. Interventions targeting the youngest children take 2 to 4 years longer to affect the entire population of preschool-age children but ultimately exert a greater benefit in reducing ECC; interventions targeting the highest-risk children provide the greatest return on investment, and combined interventions that target ECC at several stages of its natural history have the greatest potential for cavity reduction. Some interventions save more in dental repair than their cost; all produce substantial reductions in repair cost. By using data relevant to any geographic area, this system model can provide policy makers with information to maximize the return on public health and clinical care investments.

Impact of Prolonged Breastfeeding on Dental Caries: A Population-Based Birth Cohort Study.

PubMed

Peres, Karen Glazer; Nascimento, Gustavo G; Peres, Marco Aurelio; Mittinty, Murthy N; Demarco, Flavio Fernando; Santos, Ina Silva; Matijasevich, Alicia; Barros, Aluisio J D

2017-07-01

Few studies have assessed the effect of breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and sugar consumption on children's dental caries. We investigated whether the duration of breastfeeding is a risk factor for dental caries in the primary dentition, independently of sugar consumption. An oral health study ( n = 1303) nested in a birth cohort study was carried out in southern Brazil. The average number of decayed, missing, and filled primary tooth surfaces (dmfs) and severe early childhood caries (S-ECC: dmfs ≥6) were investigated at age 5 years. Breastfeeding was the main exposure collected at birth and at 3, 12, and 24 months of age. Data on sugar consumption were collected at 24, 48, and 60 months of age. Marginal structural modeling was used to estimate the controlled direct effect of breastfeeding (0-12, 13-23, and ≥24 months) on dmfs and on S-ECC. The prevalence of S-ECC was 23.9%. The mean number of dmfs was 4.05. Children who were breastfed for ≥24 months had a higher number of dmfs (mean ratio: 1.9; 95% confidence interval: 1.5-2.4) and a 2.4 times higher risk of having S-ECC (risk ratio: 2.4; 95% confidence interval: 1.7-3.3) than those who were breastfed up to 12 months of age. Breastfeeding between 13 and 23 months had no effect on dental caries. Prolonged breastfeeding increases the risk of having dental caries. Preventive interventions for dental caries should be established as early as possible because breastfeeding is beneficial for children's health. Mechanisms underlying this process should be investigated more deeply. Copyright © 2017 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Compensatory Muscle Activation During Unstable Overhead Squat Using a Water-filled Training Tube.

PubMed

Glass, Stephen C; Albert, Robert W

2018-05-01

Glass, SC, and Albert, RW. Compensatory muscle activation during unstable overhead squat using a water-filled training tube. J Strength Cond Res 32(5): 1230-1237, 2018-The purpose of this study was to assess compensatory muscle activation of core and support muscle during an overhead squat using a water-filled training tube. Eleven experienced weightlifting (age = 20.10 ± 0.99, mass 89.17 ± 6.88 kg) men completed 3, 30-second trials of an overhead squat using an 11.4 kg tube that was partially filled with water. A central valve allowed 3 conditions of water movement: 50% open, 100% open, and a stable(S), closed valve condition. Subjects completed 8-10 repetitions within each condition. Electromyographic (EMG) electrodes were placed over the belly of the vastus lateralis, deltoid, rectus abdominus, and paraspinal muscles and recorded during concentric and eccentric (ECC) phases. Integrated EMG were computed and converted to percent maximal voluntary contraction (%MVC). Compensatory activation was assessed using the natural log of the coefficient of variation of %MVC across repetitions. A 1-way repeated-measures analysis of variance across (phase, condition) was used. Significant compensatory muscle activation was seen in the deltoid muscle during ECC (100% open = 3.60 ± 0.50 > stable LogCV = 3.06 ± 0.45). In addition, paraspinal muscle activity was also more variable during the ECC phase (50% open LogCv = 3.28 ± 0.26 > stable = 2.77 ± 0.67). We conclude that the water-filled training tube induces compensatory muscle activation in the deltoid and paraspinal muscles during the ECC phase of the overhead squat.

Comprehensive Oral Health Care to Reduce the Incidence of Severe Early Childhood Caries (s-ECC) in Urban China.

PubMed

Si, Yan; Guo, Yan; Yuan, Chao; Xu, Tao; Zheng, Shu Guo

2016-03-01

To explore the effectiveness of comprehensive oral health care to reduce the caries incidence for children with severe early childhood caries (s-ECC) in an urban area in China. A total of 357 children aged 3 to 4 years old and diagnosed with s-ECC were recruited in this randomised controlled, single-blinded clinical trial for 1 year. Children of two different kindergarten classes were enrolled in this study and randomly divided into a test group (205 children) and a control group (152 children). The test group received comprehensive oral health care, which included: oral health examination, oral health education, topical fluoride application and dental treatment, and the children in the control group only received the oral health examination. The evaluation of the oral health questionnaire for parents was also performed. An evaluation was carried out at the time of recruitment and 1 year later to explore the effectiveness of the comprehensive oral health care model. The differences in decayed teeth (dt), decayed tooth surfaces (ds), filled teeth (ft), filled tooth surfaces (fs) and the ratio of ft /(dt + ft) between the two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.001) at 1 year. The incidence of caries in the control group was higher than that of the test group (P = 0.02). The rate of awareness of oral health knowledge (P = 0.01) and the practice of good diet habits (P = 0.02) by parents in the test group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The present study demonstrated that the comprehensive oral health care program reduces and prevents caries amongst children with s-ECC.

Multifunctional cellulase catalysis targeted by fusion to different carbohydrate-binding modules

DOE PAGES

Walker, Johnnie A.; Takasuka, Taichi E.; Deng, Kai; ...

2015-12-21

Carbohydrate binding modules (CBMs) bind polysaccharides and help target glycoside hydrolases catalytic domains to their appropriate carbohydrate substrates. To better understand how CBMs can improve cellulolytic enzyme reactivity, representatives from each of the 18 families of CBM found in Ruminoclostridium thermocellum were fused to the multifunctional GH5 catalytic domain of CelE (Cthe_0797, CelEcc), which can hydrolyze numerous types of polysaccharides including cellulose, mannan, and xylan. Since CelE is a cellulosomal enzyme, none of these fusions to a CBM previously existed. CelEcc_CBM fusions were assayed for their ability to hydrolyze cellulose, lichenan, xylan, and mannan. Several CelEcc_CBM fusions showed enhanced hydrolyticmore » activity with different substrates relative to the fusion to CBM3a from the cellulosome scaffoldin, which has high affinity for binding to crystalline cellulose. Additional binding studies and quantitative catalysis studies using nanostructure-initiator mass spectrometry (NIMS) were carried out with the CBM3a, CBM6, CBM30, and CBM44 fusion enzymes. In general, and consistent with observations of others, enhanced enzyme reactivity was correlated with moderate binding affinity of the CBM. Numerical analysis of reaction time courses showed that CelEcc_CBM44, a combination of a multifunctional enzyme domain with a CBM having broad binding specificity, gave the fastest rates for hydrolysis of both the hexose and pentose fractions of ionic-liquid pretreated switchgrass. In conclusion, we have shown that fusions of different CBMs to a single multifunctional GH5 catalytic domain can increase its rate of reaction with different pure polysaccharides and with pretreated biomass. This fusion approach, incorporating domains with broad specificity for binding and catalysis, provides a new avenue to improve reactivity of simple combinations of enzymes within the complexity of plant biomass.« less

Recognition and processing of randomly fluctuating electric signals by Na,K-ATPase.

PubMed Central

Xie, T. D.; Marszalek, P.; Chen, Y. D.; Tsong, T. Y.

1994-01-01

Previous work has shown that Na,K-ATPase of human erythrocytes can extract free energy from sinusoidal electric fields to pump cations up their respective concentration gradients. Because regularly oscillating waveform is not a feature of the transmembrane electric potential of cells, questions have been raised whether these observed effects are biologically relevant. Here we show that a random-telegraph fluctuating electric field (RTF) consisting of alternating square electric pulses with random lifetimes can also stimulate the Rb(+)-pumping mode of the Na,K-ATPase. The net RTF-stimulated, ouabain-sensitive Rb+ pumping was monitored with 86Rb+. The tracer-measured, Rb+ influx exhibited frequency and amplitude dependencies that peaked at the mean frequency of 1.0 kHz and amplitude of 20 V/cm. At 4 degrees C, the maximal pumping activity under these optimal conditions was 28 Rb+/RBC-hr, which is approximately 50% higher than that obtained with the sinusoidal electric field. These findings indicate that Na,K-ATPase can recognize an electric signal, either regularly oscillatory or randomly fluctuating, for energy coupling, with high fidelity. The use of RTF for activation also allowed a quantitative theoretical analysis of kinetics of a membrane transport model of any complexity according to the theory of electroconformational coupling (ECC) by the diagram methods. A four-state ECC model was shown to produce the amplitude and the frequency windows of the Rb(+)-pumping if the free energy of interaction of the transporter with the membrane potential was to include a nonlinear quadratic term. Kinetic constants for the ECC model have been derived. These results indicate that the ECC is a plausible mechanism for the recognition and processing of electric signals by proteins of the cell membrane. PMID:7811939

Elliptic Curve Cryptography with Security System in Wireless Sensor Networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Xu; Sharma, Dharmendra

2010-10-01

The rapid progress of wireless communications and embedded micro-electro-system technologies has made wireless sensor networks (WSN) very popular and even become part of our daily life. WSNs design are generally application driven, namely a particular application's requirements will determine how the network behaves. However, the natures of WSN have attracted increasing attention in recent years due to its linear scalability, a small software footprint, low hardware implementation cost, low bandwidth requirement, and high device performance. It is noted that today's software applications are mainly characterized by their component-based structures which are usually heterogeneous and distributed, including the WSNs. But WSNs typically need to configure themselves automatically and support as hoc routing. Agent technology provides a method for handling increasing software complexity and supporting rapid and accurate decision making. This paper based on our previous works [1, 2], three contributions have made, namely (a) fuzzy controller for dynamic slide window size to improve the performance of running ECC (b) first presented a hidden generation point for protection from man-in-the middle attack and (c) we first investigates multi-agent applying for key exchange together. Security systems have been drawing great attentions as cryptographic algorithms have gained popularity due to the natures that make them suitable for use in constrained environment such as mobile sensor information applications, where computing resources and power availability are limited. Elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) is one of high potential candidates for WSNs, which requires less computational power, communication bandwidth, and memory in comparison with other cryptosystem. For saving pre-computing storages recently there is a trend for the sensor networks that the sensor group leaders rather than sensors communicate to the end database, which highlighted the needs to prevent from the man-in-the middle attack. A designed a hidden generator point that offer a good protection from the man-in-the middle (MinM) attack which becomes one of major worries for the sensor's networks with multiagent system is also discussed.

Microvibration and Centre-of-Gravity Shift Measurements on Thermally Stressed Thermal-Control Blankets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Magg, Manfred; Grillenbeck, Anton, , Dr.

2004-08-01

Several samples of thermal control blankets were subjected to transient thermal loads in a thermal vacuum chamber in order to study their ability to excite micro- vibrations on a carrier structure and to cause tiny centre- of-gravity shifts. The reason for this investigation was driven by the GOCE project in order to minimize micro- vibrations on-board of the spacecraft while on-orbit. The objectives of this investigation were to better understand the mechanism which may produce micro- vibrations induced by the thermal control blankets, and to identify thermal control blanket lay-ups with minimum micro-vibration activity.

Getting the Swing of Surface Gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomas, Brian C.; Quick, Matthew

2012-04-01

Sports are a popular and effective way to illustrate physics principles. Baseball in particular presents a number of opportunities to motivate student interest and teach concepts. Several articles have appeared in this journal on this topic,1 illustrating a wide variety of areas of physics. In addition, several websites2 and an entire book3 are available. In this paper we describe a student-designed project that illustrates the relative surface gravity on the Earth, Sun, and other solar system bodies using baseball. We describe the project and its results here as an example of a simple, fun, and student-driven use of baseball to illustrate an important physics principle.

Internal gravity waves in Titan's atmosphere observed by Voyager radio occultation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hinson, D. P.; Tyler, G. L.

1983-01-01

The radio scintillations caused by scattering from small-scale irregularities in Titan's neutral atmosphere during a radio occultation of Voyager 1 by Titan are investigated. Intensity and frequency fluctuations occurred on time scales from about 0.1 to 1.0 sec at 3.6 and 13 cm wavelengths whenever the radio path passed within 90 km of the surface, indicating the presence of variations in refractivity on length scales from a few hundred meters to a few kilometers. Above 25 km, the altitude profile of intensity scintillations closely agrees with the predictions of a simple theory based on the characteristics of internal gravity waves propagating with little or no attenuation through the vertical stratification in Titan's atmosphere. These observations support a hypothesis of stratospheric gravity waves, possibly driven by a cloud-free convective region in the lowest few kilometers of the stratosphere.

Diffusive-convective physical vapor transport of PbTe from a Te-rich solid source

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zoutendyk, J.; Akutagawa, W.

1982-01-01

Crystal growth of PbTe by physical vapor transport (sublimation) in a closed ampoule is governed by the vapor species in thermal equilibrium with the solid compound. Deviations from stoichiometry in the source material cause diffusion limitation of the transport rate, which can be modified by natural (gravity-driven) convection. Mass-transport experiments have been performed using Te-rich material wherein sublimation rates have been measured in order to study the effects of natural convection in diffusion-limited vapor transport. Linear velocities for both crystal growth and evaporation (back sublimation) have been measured for transport in the direction of gravity, horizontally, and opposite to gravity. The experimental results are discussed in terms of both the one-dimensional diffusive-advective model and current, more sophisticated theory which includes natural convection. There is some evidence that convection effects from radial temperature gradients and solutal density gradients have been observed.

Gravitropism of basidiomycetous fungi — On Earth and in microgravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kern, V. D.

1999-01-01

In order to achieve perfect positioning of their lamellae for spore dispersal, fruiting bodies of higher fungi rely on the omnipresent force gravity. Only accurate negatively gravitropic orientation of the fruiting body cap will guarantee successful reproduction. A spaceflight experiment during the STS-55 Spacelab mission in 1993 confirmed that the factor gravity is employed for spatial orientation. Most likely every hypha in the transition zone between the stipe and the cap region is capable of sensing gravity. Sensing presumably involves slight sedimentation of nuclei which subsequently causes deformation of the net-like arrangement of F-actin filament strands. Hyphal elongation is probably driven by hormone-controlled activation and redistribution of vesicle traffic and vesicle incorporation into the vacuoles and cell walls to subsequently cause increased water uptake and turgor pressure. Stipe bending is achieved by way of differential growth of the flanks of the upper-most stipe region. After reorientation to a horizontal position, elongation of the upper flank hyphae decreases 40% while elongation of the lower flank slightly increases. On the cellular level gravity-stimulated vesicle accumulation was observed in hyphae of the lower flank.

Statistical Mining of Predictability of Seasonal Precipitation over the United States

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lau, William K. M.; Kim, Kyu-Myong; Shen, S. P.

2001-01-01

Results from a new ensemble canonical correlation (ECC) prediction model yield a remarkable (10-20%) increases in baseline prediction skills for seasonal precipitation over the US for all seasons, compared to traditional statistical predictions. While the tropical Pacific, i.e., El Nino, contributes to the largest share of potential predictability in the southern tier States during boreal winter, the North Pacific and the North Atlantic are responsible for enhanced predictability in the northern Great Plains, Midwest and the southwest US during boreal summer. Most importantly, ECC significantly reduces the spring predictability barrier over the conterminous US, thereby raising the skill bar for dynamical predictions.

A provably-secure ECC-based authentication scheme for wireless sensor networks.

PubMed

Nam, Junghyun; Kim, Moonseong; Paik, Juryon; Lee, Youngsook; Won, Dongho

2014-11-06

A smart-card-based user authentication scheme for wireless sensor networks (in short, a SUA-WSN scheme) is designed to restrict access to the sensor data only to users who are in possession of both a smart card and the corresponding password. While a significant number of SUA-WSN schemes have been suggested in recent years, their intended security properties lack formal definitions and proofs in a widely-accepted model. One consequence is that SUA-WSN schemes insecure against various attacks have proliferated. In this paper, we devise a security model for the analysis of SUA-WSN schemes by extending the widely-accepted model of Bellare, Pointcheval and Rogaway (2000). Our model provides formal definitions of authenticated key exchange and user anonymity while capturing side-channel attacks, as well as other common attacks. We also propose a new SUA-WSN scheme based on elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), and prove its security properties in our extended model. To the best of our knowledge, our proposed scheme is the first SUA-WSN scheme that provably achieves both authenticated key exchange and user anonymity. Our scheme is also computationally competitive with other ECC-based (non-provably secure) schemes.

Disease Management of Early Childhood Caries: ECC Collaborative Project

PubMed Central

Lee, Jessica Y.

2014-01-01

Until recently, the standard of care for early childhood caries (ECC) has been primarily surgical and restorative treatment with little emphasis on preventing and managing the disease itself. It is now recognized that surgical treatment alone does not address the underlying etiology of the disease. Despite costly surgeries and reparative treatment, the onset and progression of caries are likely to continue. A successful rebalance of risk and protective factors may prevent, slow down, or even arrest dental caries and its progression. An 18-month risk-based chronic disease management (DM) approach to address ECC in preschool children was implemented as a quality improvement (QI) collaborative by seven teams of oral health care providers across the United States. In the aggregate, fewer DM children experienced new cavitation, pain, and referrals to the operating room (OR) for restorative treatment compared to baseline historical controls. The teams found that QI methods facilitated adoption of the DM approach and resulted in improved care to patients and better outcomes overall. Despite these successes, the wide scale adoption and spread of the DM approach may be limited unless health policy and payment reforms are enacted to compensate providers for implementing DM protocols in their practice. PMID:24723953

Empathic communication and gender in the physician-patient encounter.

PubMed

Bylund, Carma L; Makoul, Gregory

2002-12-01

Although empathy in the physician-patient relationship is often advocated, a theoretically based and empirically derived measure of a physician's empathic communication to a patient has been missing. This paper describes the development and initial validation of such a measure, the Empathic Communication Coding System (ECCS), which includes a method for identifying patient-created empathic opportunities. To determine the extent to which empathic communication varies with physician and patient gender, we used the ECCS to code 100 videotaped office visits between patients and general internists. While male and female patients created a comparable number of empathic opportunities, those created by females tended to exhibit more emotional intensity than those created by males. However, female patients were no more likely than male patients to name an emotion in their empathic opportunities. Physician communication behavior was consistent with the literature on gender differences: female physicians tended to communicate higher degrees of empathy in response to the empathic opportunities created by patients. The ECCS appears to be a viable and sensitive tool for better understanding empathy in medical encounters, and for detecting modest gender differences in patients' creation of empathic opportunities and in physicians' empathic communication.

A Provably-Secure ECC-Based Authentication Scheme for Wireless Sensor Networks

PubMed Central

Nam, Junghyun; Kim, Moonseong; Paik, Juryon; Lee, Youngsook; Won, Dongho

2014-01-01

A smart-card-based user authentication scheme for wireless sensor networks (in short, a SUA-WSN scheme) is designed to restrict access to the sensor data only to users who are in possession of both a smart card and the corresponding password. While a significant number of SUA-WSN schemes have been suggested in recent years, their intended security properties lack formal definitions and proofs in a widely-accepted model. One consequence is that SUA-WSN schemes insecure against various attacks have proliferated. In this paper, we devise a security model for the analysis of SUA-WSN schemes by extending the widely-accepted model of Bellare, Pointcheval and Rogaway (2000). Our model provides formal definitions of authenticated key exchange and user anonymity while capturing side-channel attacks, as well as other common attacks. We also propose a new SUA-WSN scheme based on elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), and prove its security properties in our extended model. To the best of our knowledge, our proposed scheme is the first SUA-WSN scheme that provably achieves both authenticated key exchange and user anonymity. Our scheme is also computationally competitive with other ECC-based (non-provably secure) schemes. PMID:25384009

Fixed-Base Comb with Window-Non-Adjacent Form (NAF) Method for Scalar Multiplication

PubMed Central

Seo, Hwajeong; Kim, Hyunjin; Park, Taehwan; Lee, Yeoncheol; Liu, Zhe; Kim, Howon

2013-01-01

Elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) is one of the most promising public-key techniques in terms of short key size and various crypto protocols. For this reason, many studies on the implementation of ECC on resource-constrained devices within a practical execution time have been conducted. To this end, we must focus on scalar multiplication, which is the most expensive operation in ECC. A number of studies have proposed pre-computation and advanced scalar multiplication using a non-adjacent form (NAF) representation, and more sophisticated approaches have employed a width-w NAF representation and a modified pre-computation table. In this paper, we propose a new pre-computation method in which zero occurrences are much more frequent than in previous methods. This method can be applied to ordinary group scalar multiplication, but it requires large pre-computation table, so we combined the previous method with ours for practical purposes. This novel structure establishes a new feature that adjusts speed performance and table size finely, so we can customize the pre-computation table for our own purposes. Finally, we can establish a customized look-up table for embedded microprocessors. PMID:23881143

Salivary pH and Buffering Capacity as Risk Markers for Early Childhood Caries: A Clinical Study.

PubMed

Jayaraj, D; Ganesan, S

2015-01-01

The diagnostic utility of saliva is currently being explored in various branches of dentistry, remarkably in the field of caries research. This study was aimed to determine if assessment of salivary pH and buffering capacity would serve as reliable tools in risk prediction of early childhood caries (ECC). Paraffin-stimulated salivary samples were collected from 50 children with ECC (group I) and 50 caries free children (group II). Salivary pH and buffering capacity (by titration with 0.1 N hydrochloric acid) were assessed using a handheld digital pH meter in both groups. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. Statistically, no significant difference was observed between both the groups for all salivary parameters assessed, except for the buffering capacity level at 150 μl titration of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid (p = 0.73; significant at 1% level). Salivary pH and buffering capacity may not serve as reliable markers for risk prediction of ECC. How to cite this article: Jayaraj D, Ganesan S. Salivary pH and Buffering Capacity as Risk Markers for Early Childhood Caries: A Clinical Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2015;8(3):167-171.

Disease Management of Early Childhood Caries: ECC Collaborative Project.

PubMed

Ng, Man Wai; Ramos-Gomez, Francisco; Lieberman, Martin; Lee, Jessica Y; Scoville, Richard; Hannon, Cindy; Maramaldi, Peter

2014-01-01

Until recently, the standard of care for early childhood caries (ECC) has been primarily surgical and restorative treatment with little emphasis on preventing and managing the disease itself. It is now recognized that surgical treatment alone does not address the underlying etiology of the disease. Despite costly surgeries and reparative treatment, the onset and progression of caries are likely to continue. A successful rebalance of risk and protective factors may prevent, slow down, or even arrest dental caries and its progression. An 18-month risk-based chronic disease management (DM) approach to address ECC in preschool children was implemented as a quality improvement (QI) collaborative by seven teams of oral health care providers across the United States. In the aggregate, fewer DM children experienced new cavitation, pain, and referrals to the operating room (OR) for restorative treatment compared to baseline historical controls. The teams found that QI methods facilitated adoption of the DM approach and resulted in improved care to patients and better outcomes overall. Despite these successes, the wide scale adoption and spread of the DM approach may be limited unless health policy and payment reforms are enacted to compensate providers for implementing DM protocols in their practice.

Dental Caries: A Disease Which Needs Attention.

PubMed

Mathur, Vijay Prakash; Dhillon, Jatinder Kaur

2018-03-01

Dental caries is one of the most prevalent disease (about 50%) in children across the globe. If not treated in time, it can affect not only the mastication function but also the speech, smile and psychosocial environment and the quality of life of the child and the family. The treatment of dental diseases is very expensive in all countries and prevention is very simple and effective. The caries in children below 6 y is called early childhood caries (ECC). It is most commonly caused by milk bottle or mother's feed during night. The ECC spreads very fast and can cause severe pain, abscess, swelling, fever and psychological disturbances in children. The treatment of ECC requires multiple appointments and still the prognosis is not very promising in mutilated dentitions. A physician or pediatrician can easily identify early caries and habits of parents leading to caries and can counsel them for prevention and refer them to the specialist. Good oral hygiene, dietary modification with respect to use of sugar and sticky food and healthy diet can help in preventing this disease in children. The need of the time is to appraise all on the methods of dental caries prevention.

Application of Cross-Correlation Greens Function Along With FDTD for Fast Computation of Envelope Correlation Coefficient Over Wideband for MIMO Antennas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarkar, Debdeep; Srivastava, Kumar Vaibhav

2017-02-01

In this paper, the concept of cross-correlation Green's functions (CGF) is used in conjunction with the finite difference time domain (FDTD) technique for calculation of envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) of any arbitrary MIMO antenna system over wide frequency band. Both frequency-domain (FD) and time-domain (TD) post-processing techniques are proposed for possible application with this FDTD-CGF scheme. The FDTD-CGF time-domain (FDTD-CGF-TD) scheme utilizes time-domain signal processing methods and exhibits significant reduction in ECC computation time as compared to the FDTD-CGF frequency domain (FDTD-CGF-FD) scheme, for high frequency-resolution requirements. The proposed FDTD-CGF based schemes can be applied for accurate and fast prediction of wideband ECC response, instead of the conventional scattering parameter based techniques which have several limitations. Numerical examples of the proposed FDTD-CGF techniques are provided for two-element MIMO systems involving thin-wire half-wavelength dipoles in parallel side-by-side as well as orthogonal arrangements. The results obtained from the FDTD-CGF techniques are compared with results from commercial electromagnetic solver Ansys HFSS, to verify the validity of proposed approach.

Thermally activated switching at long time scales in exchange-coupled magnetic grains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Almudallal, Ahmad M.; Mercer, J. I.; Whitehead, J. P.; Plumer, M. L.; van Ek, J.; Fal, T. J.

2015-10-01

Rate coefficients of the Arrhenius-Néel form are calculated for thermally activated magnetic moment reversal for dual layer exchange-coupled composite (ECC) media based on the Langer formalism and are applied to study the sweep rate dependence of M H hysteresis loops as a function of the exchange coupling I between the layers. The individual grains are modeled as two exchange-coupled Stoner-Wohlfarth particles from which the minimum energy paths connecting the minimum energy states are calculated using a variant of the string method and the energy barriers and attempt frequencies calculated as a function of the applied field. The resultant rate equations describing the evolution of an ensemble of noninteracting ECC grains are then integrated numerically in an applied field with constant sweep rate R =-d H /d t and the magnetization calculated as a function of the applied field H . M H hysteresis loops are presented for a range of values I for sweep rates 105Oe /s ≤R ≤1010Oe /s and a figure of merit that quantifies the advantages of ECC media is proposed. M H hysteresis loops are also calculated based on the stochastic Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equations for 108Oe /s ≤R ≤1010Oe /s and are shown to be in good agreement with those obtained from the direct integration of rate equations. The results are also used to examine the accuracy of certain approximate models that reduce the complexity associated with the Langer-based formalism and which provide some useful insight into the reversal process and its dependence on the coupling strength and sweep rate. Of particular interest is the clustering of minimum energy states that are separated by relatively low-energy barriers into "metastates." It is shown that while approximating the reversal process in terms of "metastates" results in little loss of accuracy, it can reduce the run time of a kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulation of the magnetic decay of an ensemble of dual layer ECC media by 2 -3 orders of magnitude. The essentially exact results presented in this work for two coupled grains are analogous to the Stoner-Wohlfarth model of a single grain and serve as an important precursor to KMC-based simulation studies on systems of interacting dual layer ECC media.

The Effects of Magnetic-field Geometry on Longitudinal Oscillaitons of Solar Prominences

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Luna, M.; Diaz, A. J.; Karpen, J.

2013-01-01

We investigate the influence of the geometry of the solar filament magnetic structure on the large-amplitude longitudinal oscillations. A representative filament flux tube is modeled as composed of a cool thread centered in a dipped part with hot coronal regions on either side.We have found the normal modes of the system and establish that the observed longitudinal oscillations are well described with the fundamental mode. For small and intermediate curvature radii and moderate to large density contrast between the prominence and the corona, the main restoring force is the solar gravity. In this full wave description of the oscillation a simple expression for the oscillation frequencies is derived in which the pressure-driven term introduces a small correction. We have also found that the normal modes are almost independent of the geometry of the hot regions of the tube. We conclude that observed large-amplitude longitudinal oscillations are driven by the projected gravity along the flux tubes and are strongly influenced by the curvature of the dips of the magnetic field in which the threads reside.

Comparative study of disinfectants for use in low-cost gravity driven household water purifiers.

PubMed

Patil, Rajshree A; Kausley, Shankar B; Balkunde, Pradeep L; Malhotra, Chetan P

2013-09-01

Point-of-use (POU) gravity-driven household water purifiers have been proven to be a simple, low-cost and effective intervention for reducing the impact of waterborne diseases in developing countries. The goal of this study was to compare commonly used water disinfectants for their feasibility of adoption in low-cost POU water purifiers. The potency of each candidate disinfectant was evaluated by conducting a batch disinfection study for estimating the concentration of disinfectant needed to inactivate a given concentration of the bacterial strain Escherichia coli ATCC 11229. Based on the concentration of disinfectant required, the size, weight and cost of a model purifier employing that disinfectant were estimated. Model purifiers based on different disinfectants were compared and disinfectants which resulted in the most safe, compact and inexpensive purifiers were identified. Purifiers based on bromine, tincture iodine, calcium hypochlorite and sodium dichloroisocyanurate were found to be most efficient, cost effective and compact with replacement parts costing US$3.60-6.00 for every 3,000 L of water purified and are thus expected to present the most attractive value proposition to end users.

Effects of Mean Flow Profiles on the Instability of a Low-Density Gas Jet Injected into a High-Density Gas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vedantam, NandaKishore; Parthasarathy, Ramkumar N.

2004-01-01

The effects of the mean velocity profiles on the instability characteristics in the near-injector region of axisymmetric low density gas jets injected vertically upwards into a high-density gas medium were investigated using linear inviscid stability analysis. The flow was assumed to be isothermal and locally parallel. Three velocity profiles, signifying different changes in the mean velocity in the shear layer, were used in the analysis. The effects of the inhomogeneous shear layer and the Froude number (signifying the effects of gravity) on the instability for each set of mean profiles were delineated. At a large Froude number (negligible gravity), a critical density ratio was found for the three profiles at which the jet became absolutely unstable. The critical density ratio for each velocity profile was increased as the Froude number was reduced. A critical Froude number was found for the three sets of profiles, below which the jet was absolutely unstable for all the density ratios less than unity, which demarcated the jet flow into the momentum-driven regime and the buoyancy-driven regime.

Circulation-based Modeling of Gravity Currents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meiburg, E. H.; Borden, Z.

2013-05-01

Atmospheric and oceanic flows driven by predominantly horizontal density differences, such as sea breezes, thunderstorm outflows, powder snow avalanches, and turbidity currents, are frequently modeled as gravity currents. Efforts to develop simplified models of such currents date back to von Karman (1940), who considered a two-dimensional gravity current in an inviscid, irrotational and infinitely deep ambient. Benjamin (1968) presented an alternative model, focusing on the inviscid, irrotational flow past a gravity current in a finite-depth channel. More recently, Shin et al. (2004) proposed a model for gravity currents generated by partial-depth lock releases, considering a control volume that encompasses both fronts. All of the above models, in addition to the conservation of mass and horizontal momentum, invoke Bernoulli's law along some specific streamline in the flow field, in order to obtain a closed system of equations that can be solved for the front velocity as function of the current height. More recent computational investigations based on the Navier-Stokes equations, on the other hand, reproduce the dynamics of gravity currents based on the conservation of mass and momentum alone. We propose that it should therefore be possible to formulate a fundamental gravity current model without invoking Bernoulli's law. The talk will show that the front velocity of gravity currents can indeed be predicted as a function of their height from mass and momentum considerations alone, by considering the evolution of interfacial vorticity. This approach does not require information on the pressure field and therefore avoids the need for an energy closure argument such as those invoked by the earlier models. Predictions by the new theory are shown to be in close agreement with direct numerical simulation results. References Von Karman, T. 1940 The engineer grapples with nonlinear problems, Bull. Am. Math Soc. 46, 615-683. Benjamin, T.B. 1968 Gravity currents and related phenomena, J. Fluid Mech. 31, 209-248. Shin, J.O., Dalziel, S.B. and Linden, P.F. 2004 Gravity currents produced by lock exchange, J. Fluid Mech. 521, 1-34.

Long-wave-instability-induced pattern formation in an evaporating sessile or pendent liquid layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Tao; Duan, Fei

2018-03-01

We investigate the nonlinear dynamics and stability of an evaporating liquid layer subject to vapor recoil, capillarity, thermocapillarity, ambient cooling, viscosity, and negative or positive gravity combined with buoyancy effects in the lubrication approximation. Using linear theory, we identify the mechanisms of finite-time rupture, independent of thermocapillarity and direction of gravity, and predict the effective growth rate of an interfacial perturbation which reveals competition among the mechanisms. A stability diagram is predicted for the onset of long-wave (LW) evaporative convection. In the two-dimensional simulation, we observe well-defined capillary ridges on both sides of the valley under positive gravity and main and secondary droplets under negative gravity, while a ridge can be trapped in a large-scale drained region in both cases. Neglecting the other non-Boussinesq effects, buoyancy does not have a significant influence on interfacial evolution and rupture time but makes contributions to the evaporation-driven convection and heat transfer. The average Nusselt number is found to increase with a stronger buoyancy effect. The flow field and interface profile jointly manifest the LW Marangoni-Rayleigh-Bénard convection under positive gravity and the LW Marangoni convection under negative gravity. In the three-dimensional simulation of moderate evaporation with a random perturbation, the rupture patterns are characterized by irregular ridge networks with distinct height scales for positive and negative gravity. A variety of interfacial and internal dynamics are displayed, depending on evaporation conditions, gravity, Marangoni effect, and ambient cooling. Reasonable agreement is found between the present results and the reported experiments and simulations. The concept of dissipative compacton also sheds light on the properties of interfacial fractalization.

On the classification of buoyancy-driven chemo-hydrodynamic instabilities of chemical fronts.

PubMed

D'Hernoncourt, J; Zebib, A; De Wit, A

2007-03-01

Exothermic autocatalytic fronts traveling in the gravity field can be deformed by buoyancy-driven convection due to solutal and thermal contributions to changes in the density of the product versus the reactant solutions. We classify the possible instability mechanisms, such as Rayleigh-Benard, Rayleigh-Taylor, and double-diffusive mechanisms known to operate in such conditions in a parameter space spanned by the corresponding solutal and thermal Rayleigh numbers. We also discuss a counterintuitive instability leading to buoyancy-driven deformation of statically stable fronts across which a solute-light and hot solution lies on top of a solute-heavy and colder one. The mechanism of this chemically driven instability lies in the coupling of a localized reaction zone and of differential diffusion of heat and mass. Dispersion curves of the various cases are analyzed. A discussion of the possible candidates of autocatalytic reactions and experimental conditions necessary to observe the various instability scenarios is presented.

The Effect of the Presence of Ozone on the Lower Flammability Limit (LFL) of Hydrogen in Vessels Containing Savannah River Site High Level Waste - 12387

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

Sherburne, Carol; Osterberg, Paul

The Enhanced Chemical Cleaning (ECC) process uses ozone to effect the oxidation of metal oxalates produced during the dissolution of sludge in the Savannah River Site (SRS) waste tanks. The ozone reacts with the metal oxalates to form metal oxide and hydroxide precipitants, and the CO{sub 2}, O{sub 2}, H{sub 2}O and any unreacted O{sub 3} gases are discharged into the vapor space. In addition to the non-radioactive metals in the waste, however, the SRS radioactive waste also contains a variety of radionuclides, hence, hydrogen gas is also present in the vapor space of the ECC system. Because hydrogen ismore » flammable, the impact of this resultant gas stream on the Lower Flammability Limit (LFL) of hydrogen must be understood for all possible operating scenarios of both normal and off-normal situations, with particular emphasis at the elevated temperatures and pressures of the typical ECC operating conditions. Oxygen is a known accelerant in combustion reactions, but while there are data associated with the behavior of hydrogen/oxygen environments, recent, relevant studies addressing the effect of ozone on the flammability limit of hydrogen proved scarce. Further, discussions with industry experts verified the absence of data in this area and indicated that laboratory testing, specific to defined operating parameters, was needed to comprehensively address the issue. Testing was thus designed and commissioned to provide the data necessary to support safety related considerations for the ECC process. A test matrix was developed to envelope the bounding conditions considered credible during ECC processing. Each test consists of combining a gas stream of high purity hydrogen with a gas stream comprised of a specified mixture of ozone and oxygen in a temperature and pressure regulated chamber such that the relative compositions of the two streams are controlled. The gases are then stirred to obtain a homogeneous mixture and ignition attempted by applying 10J of energy to a fuse wire. A gas combination is considered flammable when a pressure rise of 7% of the initial absolute pressure is observed. The specified testing methodology is consistent with guidelines established in ASTM E-918-83 (2005) 'Standard Practices for Determining Limits of Flammability of Chemicals at Elevated Temperature and Pressure'. The LFL of hydrogen in air was determined and is in good agreement with the literature data. Ozone-oxygen mixtures were found to be flammable at concentrations above 8.3 vol.% based on the ASTM E918 7% pressure rise criteria for flame propagation. This result is lower than previously reported values which can be explained through the variations in the test setup and procedure. It is believed that the lower values obtained in this work are a result of improvements of the test methodology. Tests performed with hydrogen in various concentrations of ozone in oxygen have shown that the LFL of hydrogen decreases as the concentration of ozone in the mixture increases. This testing was designed to provide data under the conditions considered most optimal to produce deflagration. The geometry and materials of construction of the testing vessel; the location of the fuse wire; the magnitude of the supplied energy; the careful minimization of diluents and other contaminants; and meticulous procedural detail to maintain integrity of the ozone to the maximum extent practical, result in data that reflect not the expected process conditions, but those that enhance the possibility of flame propagation. For this reason, there is believed to be considerable conservatism in the indicated results. Per the vendor, the maximum possible ozone concentration producible by the planned ECC Ozone generator is 8 volume percent (the typical maximum operating setpoint concentration is 6.8 vol%), less than the 8.3 minimum volume % concentration shown to be flammable in a 99.999% pure O{sub 2} environment at the optimally conservative conditions established in this testing. Further, the feed to the ECC ozone generator is only 87% oxygen, the remainder, water vapor and nitrogen, both powerful diluents. It is, thus, believed not credible that deflagration can occur at this maximum feed concentration condition. In addition, once the ozone stream contacts the waste stream, the many simultaneous oxidizing reactions will rapidly decompose available ozone to well below flammable levels. Further, because the radiolytically generated hydrogen quantity is negligible compared to the supplied ozone/oxygen stream (0.0004 moles per minute H{sub 2} vs 76 moles per minute ozone/oxygen), even the total H{sub 2}/O{sub 3} mixture, without crediting decomposition reactions, does not approach flammable concentrations. Finally, even at the 'end' of the ECC batch cycle, when most of the metal oxalates have been decomposed, testing has indicated that the ozone concentration in the vapor space of the ECC process vessel reaches a concentration of no more than 3 vol%, remaining well below concentrations of concern. The major issue for the ECC operation established by this testing is the impact of the data when applied to off normal conditions. While it is possible to discontinue ozone addition to the reaction vessel at any time, the radiolytic hydrogen generation rate continues, varying slightly as ambient pressures and temperatures change. Relative to the data generated and analyzed in this testing, the ECC hazards analysis team will re-evaluate off normal conditions (e.g. those during which process exhaust ventilation is lost) such that issues involving mixtures of hydrogen and ozone in the vapor space can be appropriately controlled. (authors)« less

Radiation-driven winds of hot stars. V - Wind models for central stars of planetary nebulae

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pauldrach, A.; Puls, J.; Kudritzki, R. P.; Mendez, R. H.; Heap, S. R.

1988-01-01

Wind models using the recent improvements of radiation driven wind theory by Pauldrach et al. (1986) and Pauldrach (1987) are presented for central stars of planetary nebulae. The models are computed along evolutionary tracks evolving with different stellar mass from the Asymptotic Giant Branch. We show that the calculated terminal wind velocities are in agreement with the observations and allow in principle an independent determination of stellar masses and radii. The computed mass-loss rates are in qualitative agreement with the occurrence of spectroscopic stellar wind features as a function of stellar effective temperature and gravity.

Crystal Growth of ZnSe and Related Ternary Compound Semiconductors by Vapor Transport

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Su, Ching-Hua; Brebrick, R. F.; Burger, A.; Dudley, M.; Ramachandran, N.

2003-01-01

The objective of the project is to determine the relative contributions of gravity-driven fluid flows to the compositional distribution, incorporation of impurities and defects, and deviation from stoichiometry observed in the crystals grown by vapor transport as results of buoyance-driven convection and growth interface fluctuations caused by irregular fluid-flows. ZnSe and related ternary compounds, such as ZnSeS and ZnSeTe, were grown by vapor transport technique with real time in-situ non-invasive monitoring techniques. The grown crystals were characterized extensively to correlate the grown crystal properties with the growth conditions.

Liposome formation in microgravity.

PubMed

Claassen, D E; Spooner, B S

1996-01-01

Liposomes are artificial vesicles with a phospholipid bilayer membrane. The formation of liposomes is a self-assembly process that is driven by the amphipathic nature of phospholipid molecules and can be observed during the removal of detergent from phospholipids dissolved in detergent micelles. As detergent concentration in the mixed micelles decreases, the non-polar tail regions of phospholipids produce a hydrophobic effect that drives the micelles to fuse and form planar bilayers in which phospholipids orient with tail regions to the center of the bilayer and polar head regions to the external surface. Remaining detergent molecules shield exposed edges of the bilayer sheet from the aqueous environment. Further removal of detergent leads to intramembrane folding and membrane folding and membrane vesiculation, forming liposomes. We have observed that the formation of liposomes is altered in microgravity. Liposomes that were formed at 1-g did not exceed 150 nm in diameter, whereas liposomes that were formed during spaceflight exhibited diameters up to 2000 nm. Using detergent-stabilized planar bilayers, we determined that the stage of liposome formation most influenced by gravity is membrane vesiculation. In addition, we found that small, equipment-induced fluid disturbances increased vesiculation and negated the size-enhancing effects of microgravity. However, these small disturbances had no effect on liposome size at 1-g, likely due to the presence of gravity-induced buoyancy-driven fluid flows (e.g., convection currents). Our results indicate that fluid disturbances, induced by gravity, influence the vesiculation of membranes and limit the diameter of forming liposomes.

Liposome formation in microgravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Claassen, D. E.; Spooner, B. S.

Liposomes are artificial vesicles with a phospholipid bilayer membrane. The formation of liposomes is a self-assembly process that is driven by the amphipathic nature of phospholipid molecules and can be observed during the removal of detergent from phospholipids dissolved in detergent micelles. As detergent concentration in the mixed micelles decreases, the non-polar tail regions of phospholipids produce a hydrophobic effect that drives the micelles to fuse and form planar bilayers in which phospholipids orient with tail regions to the center of the bilayer and polar head regions to the external surface. Remaining detergent molecules shield exposed edges of the bilayer sheet from the aqueous environment. Further removal of detergent leads to intramembrane folding and membrane vesiculation, forming liposomes. We have observed that the formation of liposomes is altered in microgravity. Liposomes that were formed at 1-g did not exceed 150 nm in diameter, whereas liposomes that were formed during spaceflight exhibited diameters up to 2000 nm. Using detergent-stabilized planar bilayers, we determined that the stage of liposome formation most influenced by gravity is membrane vesiculation. In addition, we found that small, equipment-induced fluid disturbances increased vesiculation and negated the size-enhancing effects of microgravity. However, these small disturbances had no effect on liposome size at 1-g, likely due to the presence of gravity-induced buoyancy-driven fluid flows (e.g., convection currents). Our results indicate that fluid disturbances, induced by gravity, influence the vesiculation of membranes and limit the diameter of forming liposomes.

Tsunamigenic Gravity Waves in the Thermosphere-Ionosphere System: Challenges and Opportunities (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hickey, M. P.

2010-12-01

There has been a recent resurgence of interest in the association between tsunamis and traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs), fueled in part by the use of GPS satellite technologies to remotely monitor the ionosphere. The TID observations have also triggered a renewed interest in the modeling of such events. Up to this point in time the various model simulations have incorporated various simplifications, some of which are briefly described. A future challenge is to bring together suites of models that each realistically describes one of the subsystems. In this talk I will describe the results of using a linear spectral full-wave model to simulate the propagation of a gravity wave disturbance from the sea surface to the thermosphere. In the model this disturbance is driven by a lower boundary perturbation that mimics a tsunami. A linear model describing the response of the ionosphere to neutral atmosphere perturbations, and airglow perturbations driven by ionosphere and neutral atmosphere fluctuations are also described. Additionally, the gravity wave disturbances carries wave momentum, which will be deposited in the thermosphere accompanying the viscous dissipation of wave energy and lead to accelerations of the mean state. In spite of the simplicity of these models, much can be learned from them. It is suggested that these rare events offer a fairly unique opportunity to test models describing such processes. Model predictions of total electron content (TEC) fluctuations are also briefly compared with TEC measurements obtained following some recent major tsunamis.

Reconnection-Driven Coronal-Hole Jets with Gravity and Solar Wind

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Karpen, J. T.; Devore, C. R.; Antiochos, S. K.; Pariat, E.

2017-01-01

Coronal-hole jets occur ubiquitously in the Sun's coronal holes, at EUV and X-ray bright points associated with intrusions of minority magnetic polarity. The embedded-bipole model for these jets posits that they are driven by explosive, fast reconnection between the stressed closed field of the embedded bipole and the open field of the surrounding coronal hole. Previous numerical studies in Cartesian geometry, assuming uniform ambient magnetic field and plasma while neglecting gravity and solar wind, demonstrated that the model is robust and can produce jet-like events in simple configurations. We have extended these investigations by including spherical geometry,gravity, and solar wind in a nonuniform, coronal hole-like ambient atmosphere. Our simulations confirm that the jet is initiated by the onset of a kink-like instability of the internal closed field, which induces a burst of reconnection between the closed and external open field, launching a helical jet. Our new results demonstrate that the jet propagation is sustained through the outer corona, in the form of a traveling nonlinear Alfven wave front trailed by slower-moving plasma density enhancements that are compressed and accelerated by the wave. This finding agrees well with observations of white-light coronal-hole jets, and can explain microstreams and torsional Alfven waves detected in situ in the solar wind. We also use our numerical results to deduce scaling relationships between properties of the coronal source region and the characteristics of the resulting jet, which can be tested against observations.

Constraints on Wave Drag Parameterization Schemes for Simulating the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation. Part I: Gravity Wave Forcing.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campbell, Lucy J.; Shepherd, Theodore G.

2005-12-01

Parameterization schemes for the drag due to atmospheric gravity waves are discussed and compared in the context of a simple one-dimensional model of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO). A number of fundamental issues are examined in detail, with the goal of providing a better understanding of the mechanism by which gravity wave drag can produce an equatorial zonal wind oscillation. The gravity wave driven QBOs are compared with those obtained from a parameterization of equatorial planetary waves. In all gravity wave cases, it is seen that the inclusion of vertical diffusion is crucial for the descent of the shear zones and the development of the QBO. An important difference between the schemes for the two types of waves is that in the case of equatorial planetary waves, vertical diffusion is needed only at the lowest levels, while for the gravity wave drag schemes it must be included at all levels. The question of whether there is downward propagation of influence in the simulated QBOs is addressed. In the gravity wave drag schemes, the evolution of the wind at a given level depends on the wind above, as well as on the wind below. This is in contrast to the parameterization for the equatorial planetary waves in which there is downward propagation of phase only. The stability of a zero-wind initial state is examined, and it is determined that a small perturbation to such a state will amplify with time to the extent that a zonal wind oscillation is permitted.

Stratified flows in complex terrain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Retallack, Charles

The focus of this dissertation is the study of stratified atmospheric flows in the presence of complex terrain. Two large-scale field study campaigns were carried out, each with a focus on a specific archetypal terrain. Each field study involved the utilization of remote and in-situ atmospheric monitoring devices to collect experimental data. The first of the two field studies focused on pollution transport mechanisms near an escarpment. The analysis aimed to determine the combined effect of the escarpment and ambient density stratification on the flow and aerosol pollution transport. It was found that under specific atmospheric conditions, the escarpment prompted the channeling, down-mixing, and trapping of aerosol pollutant plumes. The objective of the second field campaign was the study of stratified flows in a mountain valley. Analysis revealed that buoyancy driven katabatic currents originating on the surrounding valley slopes created a scenario in which a down-slope gravity current transitioned into an intrusive gravity current. The intrusive gravity current propagated near the interface of a density stratified lower ambient layer and a non-stratified upper ambient layer. A combination of shallow water theory and energy arguments is used to produce a model for the propagation of a gravity current moving along the interface of a homogeneous ambient layer and a linearly stratified layer. It is found that the gravity current propagating entirely within the homogeneous layer travels at the greatest speed. As the relative density of the gravity current is increased, the gravity current begins to slump below the interface of the two layers and the propagation speed decreases.