Martensitic transformation in as-grown and annealed near-stoichiometric epitaxial Ni2MnGa thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Machain, P.; Condó, A. M.; Domenichini, P.; Pozo López, G.; Sirena, M.; Correa, V. F.; Haberkorn, N.

2015-08-01

Magnetic shape memory nanostructures have a great potential in the field of the nanoactuators. The relationship between dimensionality, microstructure and magnetism characterizes the materials performance. Here, we study the martensitic transformation in supported and free-standing epitaxial Ni47Mn24Ga29 films grown by sputtering on (0 0 1) MgO using a stoichiometric Ni2MnGa target. The films have a Curie temperature of ~390 K and a martensitic transition temperature of ~120 K. Similar transition temperatures have been observed in films with thicknesses of 1, 3 and 4 μm. Thicker films (with longer deposition time) present a wider martensitic transformation range that can be associated with small gradients in their chemical concentration due to the high vapour pressure of Mn and Ga. The magnetic anisotropy of the films shows a strong change below the martensitic transformation temperature. No features associated with variant reorientation induced by magnetic field have been observed. Annealed films in the presence of a Ni2MnGa bulk reference change their chemical composition to Ni49Mn26Ga25. The change in the chemical composition increases the martensitic transformation temperature, being closer to the stoichiometric compound, and reduces the transformation hysteresis. In addition, sharper transformations are obtained, which indicate that chemical inhomogeneities and defects are removed. Our results indicate that the properties of Ni-Mn-Ga thin films grown by sputtering can be optimized (fixing the chemical concentration and removing crystalline defects) by the annealing process, which is promising for the development of micromagnetic shape memory devices.

In-situ X-ray diffraction studies of the phase transformations and structural states of B2, R and B19′ phases in Ti{sub 49.5}Ni{sub 50.5} alloy

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

Ostapenko, Marina G., E-mail: artifakt@ispms.tsc.ru; National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, 634050; Meisner, Ludmila L., E-mail: llm@ispms.tsc.ru

2015-10-27

The martensitic transformation, Debye–Waller factor, mean-square atomic displacements and the coefficient of thermal expansion on cooling of the Ti{sub 49.5}Ni{sub 50.5} shape memory alloy were examined using in-situ X-ray diffraction. It was revealed B2→R (T{sub R} ≡ T = 273 ± 10 K) along with B2→B19’ (M{sub s} ≡ T = 273 ± 10 K) transitions occur. It was found that Debye–Waller factor and mean-square displacement of B2 phase undergo significant increase as functions of temperature when phase transition B2→R and B2→B19’ take place. The analysis of the thermal expansion coefficient of the B2 phase indicates that the value of a increasesmore » almost linearly while cooling.« less

Strike-slip earthquakes in the oceanic lithosphere: Observations of exceptionally high apparent stress

USGS Publications Warehouse

Choy, George; McGarr, A.

2002-01-01

The radiated energies, ES, and seismic moments, M0, for 942 globally distributed earthquakes that occurred between 1987 to 1998 are examined to find the earthquakes with the highest apparent stresses (τa=μES/M0, where μ is the modulus of rigidity). The globally averaged τa for shallow earthquakes in all tectonic environments and seismic regions is 0.3 MPa. However, the subset of 49 earthquakes with the highest apparent stresses (τa greater than about 5.0 MPa) is dominated almost exclusively by strike-slip earthquakes that occur in oceanic environments. These earthquakes are all located in the depth range 7–29 km in the upper mantle of the young oceanic lithosphere. Many of these events occur near plate-boundary triple junctions where there appear to be high rates of intraplate deformation. Indeed, the small rapidly deforming Gorda Plate accounts for 10 of the 49 high-τa events. The depth distribution of τa, which shows peak values somewhat greater than 25 MPa in the depth range 20–25 km, suggests that upper bounds on this parameter are a result of the strength of the oceanic lithosphere. A recently proposed envelope for apparent stress, derived by taking 6 per cent of the strength inferred from laboratory experiments for young (less than 30 Ma) deforming oceanic lithosphere, agrees well with the upper-bound envelope of apparent stresses over the depth range 5–30 km. The corresponding depth-dependent shear strength for young oceanic lithosphere attains a peak value of about 575 MPa at a depth of 21 km and then diminishes rapidly as the depth increases. In addition to their high apparent stresses, which suggest that the strength of the young oceanic lithosphere is highest in the depth range 10–30 km, our set of high-τa earthquakes show other features that constrain the nature of the forces that cause interplate motion. First, our set of events is divided roughly equally between intraplate and transform faulting with similar depth distributions of τa for the two types. Secondly, many of the intraplate events have focal mechanisms with the T-axes that are normal to the nearest ridge crest or subduction zone and P-axes that are normal to the proximate transform fault. These observations suggest that forces associated with the reorganization of plate boundaries play an important role in causing high-τa earthquakes inside oceanic plates. Extant transform boundaries may be misaligned with current plate motion. To accommodate current plate motion, the pre-existing plate boundaries would have to be subjected to large horizontal transform push forces. A notable example of this is the triple junction near which the second large aftershock of the 1992 April Cape Mendocino, California, sequence occurred. Alternatively, subduction zone resistance may be enhanced by the collision of a buoyant lithosphere, a process that also markedly increases the horizontal stress. A notable example of this is the Aleutian Trench near which large events occurred in the Gulf of Alaska in late 1987 and the 1998 March Balleny Sea M= 8.2 earthquake within the Antarctic Plate.

Alkalic Basalt in Ridge Axis of 53˚E Amagmatic Segment Center, Southwest Indian Ridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, H.; Wang, J.; Liu, Y.; Ji, F.; Dick, H. J.

2014-12-01

Mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) is key tracer of composition and process in the mantle. It is interesting to notice that some alkalic basalts occur in amagmatic spreading center of ultraslow spreading ridges, for examples, 9-16˚E of the Southwest Indian ridge (Standish et al., 2008) and Lena Trough of Arctic Ocean (Snow et al., 2011). The latter is interpreted as the result of the pre-existence of continental transform fault or the especially cold thermal structure of ancient continental lithosphere. 53˚E segment, east of the Gallieni transform fault, was discovered as an amagmatic segment (Zhou and Dick, 2013). On both sides of the ridge axis, peridotites with a little gabbro are exposed in an area more than 3200 km2. Basalts exist in the southern portion of 53˚E segment, indicating the transformation from magmatic to amagmatic spreading about 9.4 million years ago. In April of 2014, Leg 4 of the RV Dayang Yihao cruise 30, basaltic glasses was dredged at one location (3500 m water depth) in the ridge axis of 53˚E segment center. It is shown by electric probe analysis that the samples have extremely high sodium content (4.0-4.49 wt% Na­2O ), relative higher potassium content (0.27-0.32 wt% K2O) and silica (50.67-51.87 wt% SiO2), and lower MgO content (5.9-6.4 wt% MgO). Mg-number is 0.55-0.59. It is distinctly different from the N-MORB (2.42-2.68 wt% Na2O, 0.03-0.06 wt% K2O, 48.6-49.6 wt% Si2O, 8.8-9.0 wt% MgO, Mg-numbers 0.63) distributed in the 560-km-long supersegment, west of the Gallieni transform fault, where the active Dragon Flag hydrothermal field was discovered at 49.6˚E in 2007. The reasons for the alkalic basalt in the ridge axis of 53˚E amagmatic segment center, either by low melting degree of garnet stability field, by melting from an ancient subcontinental lithospheric mantle, or by sodium-metasomatism or even other mantle processes or their combination in the deep mantle, are under further studies.

Molten salt synthesis and characterization of Li4Ti5-xMnxO12 (x = 0.0, 0.05 and 0.1) as anodes for Li-ion batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nithya, V. D.; Kalai Selvan, R.; Vediappan, Kumaran; Sharmila, S.; Lee, Chang Woo

2012-11-01

Sub-micrometer sized Li4Ti5-xMnxO12 (x = 0.0, 0.05 and 0.1) particles were synthesized by a single step molten salt method using LiCl-KCl as a flux. The synthesized material was structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. The XRD analysis revealed the particles to be highly crystalline and have a face-centered cubic spinel structure. The presence of possible functional group was confirmed through FTIR analysis. The FE-SEM images showed the particles to be polyhedral in shape with uniform size distribution. It was also revealed that there was a particle size reduction with the effect of Mn4+ dopant ions. The electrochemical studies performed using cyclic voltammogram (CV), charge-discharge, and electrochemical impedance analysis (EIS) indicate that Li4Ti4.9Mn0.1O4 possesses a better discharge capacity (305 mAh/g), cycling stability, and charge carrier conductivity than both Li4Ti4.95Mn0.05O12 (265 mAh/g) and Li4Ti5O12 (240 mAh/g). The cycling stability reveals that the acceptable capacity fading was observed even after 20th cycle. The results of electrochemical studies infer that Li4Ti4.9Mn0.1O4 could be utilized as a suitable anode material for Li-ion batteries.

Direct evidence for stress-induced transformation between coexisting multiple martensites in a Ni-Mn-Ga multifunctional alloy

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

Huang, L.; Cong, D. Y.; Wang, Z. L.

2015-07-08

The structural response of coexisting multiple martensites to stress field in a Ni-Mn-Ga multifunctional alloy was investigated by the in situ high-energy x-ray diffraction technique. Stress-induced transformation between coexisting multiple martensites was observed at 110 K, at which five-layered modulated (5M), seven-layered modulated (7M) and non-modulated (NM) martensites coexist. We found that a tiny stress of as low as 0.5 MPa could trigger the transformation from 5M and 7M martensites to NM martensite and this transformation is partly reversible. Besides the transformation between coexisting multiple martensites, rearrangement of martensite variants also occurs during loading, at least at high stress levels.more » The present study is instructive for designing advanced multifunctional alloys with easy actuation.« less

Direct evidence for stress-induced transformation between coexisting multiple martensites in a Ni-Mn-Ga multifunctional alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, L.; Cong, D. Y.; Wang, Z. L.; Nie, Z. H.; Dong, Y. H.; Zhang, Y.; Ren, Y.; Wang, Y. D.

2015-07-01

The structural response of coexisting multiple martensites to stress field in a Ni-Mn-Ga multifunctional alloy was investigated by the in situ high-energy x-ray diffraction technique. Stress-induced transformation between coexisting multiple martensites was observed at 110 K, at which five-layered modulated (5M), seven-layered modulated (7M) and non-modulated (NM) martensites coexist. We found that a tiny stress of as low as 0.5 MPa could trigger the transformation from 5M and 7M martensites to NM martensite and this transformation is partly reversible. Besides the transformation between coexisting multiple martensites, rearrangement of martensite variants also occurs during loading, at least at high stress levels. The present study is instructive for designing advanced multifunctional alloys with easy actuation.

Direct evidence for stress-induced transformation between coexisting multiple martensites in a Ni-Mn-Ga multifunctional alloy

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

Huang, L.; Cong, D. Y.; Wang, Z. L.

2015-06-03

The structural response of coexisting multiple martensites to stress field in a Ni-Mn-Ga multifunctional alloy was investigated by the in situ high-energy x-ray diffraction technique. Stress-induced transformation between coexisting multiple martensites was observed at 110 K, at which five-layered modulated (5M), seven-layered modulated (7M) and non-modulated (NM) martensites coexist. We found that a tiny stress of as low as 0.5 MPa could trigger the transformation from 5M and 7M martensites to NM martensite and this transformation is partly reversible. Besides the transformation between coexisting multiple martensites, rearrangement of martensite variants also occurs during loading, at least at high stress levels.more » The present study is instructive for designing advanced multifunctional alloys with easy actuation.« less

Highly efficient transformation system for Malassezia furfur and Malassezia pachydermatis using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation.

PubMed

Celis, A M; Vos, A M; Triana, S; Medina, C A; Escobar, N; Restrepo, S; Wösten, H A B; de Cock, H

2017-03-01

Malassezia spp. are part of the normal human and animal mycobiota but are also associated with a variety of dermatological diseases. The absence of a transformation system hampered studies to reveal mechanisms underlying the switch from the non-pathogenic to pathogenic life style. Here we describe, a highly efficient Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation system for Malassezia furfur and M. pachydermatis. A binary T-DNA vector with the hygromycin B phosphotransferase (hpt) selection marker and the green fluorescent protein gene (gfp) was introduced in M. furfur and M. pachydermatis by combining the transformation protocols of Agaricus bisporus and Cryptococcus neoformans. Optimal temperature and co-cultivation time for transformation were 5 and 7days at 19°C and 24°C, respectively. Transformation efficiency was 0.75-1.5% for M. furfur and 0.6-7.5% for M. pachydermatis. Integration of the hpt resistance cassette and gfp was verified using PCR and fluorescence microscopy, respectively. The T-DNA was mitotically stable in approximately 80% of the transformants after 10 times sub-culturing in the absence of hygromycin. Improving transformation protocols contribute to study the biology and pathophysiology of Malassezia. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of thermal hydrolysis pretreatment on organic transformation characteristics of high solid anaerobic digestion.

PubMed

Han, Yun; Zhuo, Yang; Peng, Dangcong; Yao, Qian; Li, Huijuan; Qu, Qiliang

2017-11-01

The study evaluated the influence of thermal hydrolysis pretreatment (THP) on anaerobic digestion (AD) ability of high solid sludge. The transformation characteristics of organics during the THP+AD process of dewatering sludge from wastewater treatment plant was investigated using a lab-scale THP reactor and four anaerobic digesters. The reduction efficiency of volatile suspended solids using THP+AD exceeded 49%. The acceleration of biogas production during AD was due to the enhancement of protein hydrolysis and acidogenesis by THP. THP had only minimal influence on the improvement of carbohydrate acidogenesis. The hydrolysis of poly phosphates was likely the main reaction of phosphorus transformation. Biochemical generation of sulfide and ammonia nitrogen occurred during the acidogenesis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Large tensile superelasticity from intermartensitic transformations in Ni49Mn28Ga23 single crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chernenko, V. A.; Villa, E.; Salazar, D.; Barandiaran, J. M.

2016-02-01

A multistep superelastic behavior, with up to a 12% strain, is reported in a <001>P-oriented Ni49Mn28Ga23 single crystal. The observed behavior is produced by intermartensitic transformations during the tensile stress-strain measurements at temperatures between -140 °C and +60 °C. The tensile stress-temperature phase diagram and the stress dependence of the intermartensitic transformation entropies have been obtained. These results provide important input for theoretical modeling of the phase transformations in these alloys and show promising mechanical properties of the classical Ni-Mn-Ga ferromagnetic shape memory alloys.

Continuous cooling transformation behavior and impact toughness in heat-affected zone of Nb-containing fire-resistant steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hong Hong; Qin, Zhan Peng; Wan, Xiang Liang; Wei, Ran; Wu, Kai Ming; Misra, Devesh

2017-09-01

Simulated heat-affected zone continuous cooling transformation diagram was developed for advanced fireresistant steel. Over a wide range of cooling rates, corresponding to t8/5 from 6 s to 150 s, granular bainite was the dominant transformation constituent, while the morphology of less dominant martensite-austenite (M-A) constituent changed from film-like to block-type constituent; but the hardness remained similar to the average value of 190-205 HV (0.2). The start and finish transformation temperature was high at 700 °C and 500 °C, and is different from the conventional high strength low alloy steels. It is believed that the high-content (0.09 wt%) of Nb may promote bainite transformation at relatively high temperatures. Martenistic matrix was not observed at high cooling rate and the film-like M-A constituent and blocky M-A constituent with thin film of retained austenite and lath martensite were observed on slow cooling. Excellent impact toughness was obtained in the heat-affected zone with 15-75 kJ/cm welding heat input.

A New Continuous Cooling Transformation Diagram for AISI M4 High-Speed Tool Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Briki, Jalel; Ben Slima, Souad

2008-12-01

The increasing evolution of dilatometric techniques now allows for the identification of structural transformations with very low signal. The use of dilatometric techniques coupled with more common techniques, such as metallographic, hardness testing, and x-ray diffraction allows to plot a new CCT diagram for AISI M4 high-speed tool steel. This diagram is useful for a better selection of alternate solutions, hardening, and tempering heat treatments. More accurate determination of the various fields of transformation of austenite during its cooling was made. The precipitation of carbides highlighted at high temperature is at the origin of the martrensitic transformation into two stages (splitting phenomena). For slow cooling rates, it was possible to highlight the ferritic, pearlitic, and bainitic transformation.

Effect of Prior Athermal Martensite on the Isothermal Transformation Kinetics Below M s in a Low-C High-Si Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Navarro-López, A.; Sietsma, J.; Santofimia, M. J.

2016-03-01

Thermomechanical processing of Advanced Multiphase High Strength Steels often includes isothermal treatments around the martensite start temperature ( M s). It has been reported that the presence of martensite formed prior to these isothermal treatments accelerates the kinetics of the subsequent transformation. This kinetic effect is commonly attributed to the creation of potential nucleation sites at martensite-austenite interfaces. The aim of this study is to determine qualitatively and quantitatively the effect of a small volume fraction of martensite on the nucleation kinetics of the subsequent transformation. For this purpose, dilatometry experiments were performed at different temperatures above and below the M s temperature for athermal martensite in a low-carbon high-silicon steel. Microstructural analysis led to the identification of the isothermal decomposition product formed above and below M s as bainitic ferrite. The analysis of the transformation processes demonstrated that the initial stage of formation of bainitic ferrite at heat treatments below M s is at least two orders of magnitude faster than above M s due to the presence of martensite.

Transformational mentoring: Leadership behaviors of spinal cord injury peer mentors.

PubMed

Shaw, Robert B; McBride, Christopher B; Casemore, Sheila; Martin Ginis, Kathleen A

2018-02-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the leadership behaviors of spinal cord injury (SCI) peer mentors and examine whether behaviors of peer mentors align with the tenets of transformational leadership theory. A total of 12 SCI peer mentors aged 28-75 (M = 49.4) who had between 3 and 56 years (M = 13.9) of mentoring experience were recruited for the study. Utilizing a qualitative methodology (informed by a social constructionist approach), each mentor engaged in a semistructured interview about their experiences as a peer mentor. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and subjected to a directed content analysis. SCI peer mentors reported using mentorship behaviors and engaging with mentees in a manner that closely aligns with the core components of transformational leadership theory: idealized influence, inspirational motivation, individualized consideration, and intellectual stimulation. A new subcomponent of inspirational motivation described as 'active promotion of achievement' was also identified and may be unique to the context of peer mentorship. SCI peer mentors inherently use behaviors associated with transformational leadership theory when interacting with mentees. The results from this study have the potential to inform SCI peer mentor training programs about specific leadership behaviors that mentors could be taught to use and could lead to more effective mentoring practices for people with SCI. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Effectiveness of a School-Based Yoga Program on Adolescent Mental Health, Stress Coping Strategies, and Attitudes toward Violence: Findings from a High-Risk Sample

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Frank, Jennifer L.; Bose, Bidyut; Schrobenhauser-Clonan, Alex

2014-01-01

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a universal yoga-based social-emotional wellness promotion program, Transformative Life Skills, on indicators of adolescent emotional distress, prosocial behavior, and attitudes toward violence in a high-risk sample. Participants included 49 students attending an alternative education school in an…

X-ray photoemission spectromicroscopy of titanium silicide formation in patterned microstructures

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

Singh, S.; Solak, H.; Cerrina, F.

1997-04-01

Titanium silicide has the lowest resistivity of all the refractory metal silicides and has good thermal stability as well as excellent compatibility with Al metallization. It is used as an intermediate buffer layer between W vias and the Si substrate to provide good electrical contact in ULSI technology, whose submicron patterned features form the basis of the integrated circuits of today and tomorrow, in the self aligned silicide (salicide) formation process. TiSi{sub 2} exists in two phases: a metastable C49 base-centered orthorhombic phase with specific resistivity of 60-90 {mu}{Omega}-cm that is formed at a lower temperature (formation anneal) and themore » stable 12-15 {mu}{Omega}-cm resistivity face-centered orthorhombic C54 phase into which C49 is transformed with a higher temperature (conversion anneal) step. C54 is clearly the target for low resistivity VLSI interconnects. However, it has been observed that when dimensions shrink below 1/mic (or when the Ti thickness drops below several hundred angstroms), the transformation of C49 into C54 is inhibited and agglomeration often occurs in fine lines at high temperatures. This results in a rise in resistivity due to incomplete transformation to C54 and because of discontinuities in the interconnect line resulting from agglomeration. Spectromicroscopy is an appropriate tool to study the evolution of the TiSi2 formation process because of its high resolution chemical imaging ability which can detect bonding changes even in the absence of changes in the relative amounts of species and because of the capability of studying thick {open_quotes}as is{close_quotes} industrial samples.« less

Growth responses of male broilers subjected to increasing air velocities at high ambient temperatures and a high dew point.

PubMed

Dozier, W A; Lott, B D; Branton, S L

2005-06-01

This study examined live performance responses of male broilers to increasing air velocity of 120 and 180 m/min reared under high cyclic temperatures (25-35-25 degrees C) with a 23 degrees C dew point from 21 to 49 d. Birds were reared in an environmental facility containing 2 wind tunnels (4 pens/tunnel) and 6 floor pens (control). At 21 d, 53 birds were placed in each pen of the wind tunnels and control group, respectively, and growth performance was determined weekly. Increasing air velocity from 120 to 180 m/min improved BW and BW gain from 29 to 35, 36 to 42, and 43 to 49 d of age leading to a cumulative advantage of 287 g in BW gain and a 10-point difference in feed conversion from 21 to 49 d of age. Subjecting birds to air velocity improved growth rate, feed consumption, and feed conversion at each weekly interval from 28 to 49 d over the control birds. These results indicate that male broilers approximating 2.0 to 3.0 kg respond to an air velocity of 180 m/min when exposed to high cyclic temperatures.

Compound 49b Prevents Diabetes-Induced Apoptosis through Increased IGFBP-3 Levels

PubMed Central

Zhang, Qiuhua; Guy, Kimberly; Pagadala, Jayaprakash; Jiang, Youde; Walker, Robert J; Liu, Luhong; Soderland, Carl; Kern, Timothy S; Ferry, Robert; He, Hui; Yates, C. Ryan; Miller, Duane D; Steinle, Jena J

2012-01-01

Purpose. To determine whether Compound 49b, a novel PKA-activating drug, can prevent diabetic-like changes in the rat retina through increased insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels. Methods. For the cell culture studies, we used both human retinal endothelial cells (REC) and retinal Müller cells in either 5 mM (normal) or 25 mM (high) glucose. Cells were treated with 50 nM Compound 49b alone of following treatment with protein kinase A (PKA) siRNA or IGFBP-3 siRNA. Western blotting and ELISA analyses were done to verify PKA and IGFBP-3 knockdown, as well as to measure apoptotic markers. For animal studies, we used streptozotocin-treated rats after 2 and 8 months of diabetes. Some rats were treated topically with 1 mM Compound 49b. Analyses were done for retinal thickness, cell numbers in the ganglion cell layer, pericyte ghosts, and numbers of degenerate capillaries, as well as electroretinogram and heart morphology. Results. Compound 49b requires active PKA and IGFBP-3 to prevent apoptosis of REC. Compound 49b significantly reduced the numbers of degenerate capillaries and pericyte ghosts, while preventing the decreased retinal thickness and loss of cells in the ganglion cell layer. Compound 49b maintained a normal electroretinogram, with no changes in blood pressure, intraocular pressure, or heart morphological changes. Conclusions. Topical Compound 49b is able to prevent diabetic-like changes in the rat retina, without producing systemic changes. Compound 49b is able to prevent REC apoptosis through increasing IGFBP-3 levels, which are reduced in response to hyperglycemia. PMID:22467575

Comparison of Biochemical Activities between High and Low Lipid-Producing Strains of Mucor circinelloides: An Explanation for the High Oleaginicity of Strain WJ11.

PubMed

Tang, Xin; Chen, Haiqin; Chen, Yong Q; Chen, Wei; Garre, Victoriano; Song, Yuanda; Ratledge, Colin

2015-01-01

The oleaginous fungus, Mucor circinelloides, is one of few fungi that produce high amounts of γ-linolenic acid (GLA); however, it usually only produces <25% lipid. Nevertheless, a new strain (WJ11) isolated in this laboratory can produce lipid up to 36% (w/w) cell dry weight (CDW). We have investigated the potential mechanism of high lipid accumulation in M. circinelloides WJ11 by comparative biochemical analysis with a low lipid-producing strain, M. circinelloides CBS 277.49, which accumulates less than 15% (w/w) lipid. M. circinelloides WJ11 produced more cell mass than that of strain CBS 277.49, although with slower glucose consumption. In the lipid accumulation phase, activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase in strain WJ11 were greater than in CBS 277.49 by 46% and 17%, respectively, and therefore may provide more NADPH for fatty acid biosynthesis. The activities of NAD+:isocitrate dehydrogenase and NADP+:isocitrate dehydrogenase, however, were 43% and 54%, respectively, lower in WJ11 than in CBS 277.49 and may retard the tricarboxylic acid cycle and thereby provide more substrate for ATP:citrate lyase (ACL) to produce acetyl-CoA. Also, the activities of ACL and fatty acid synthase in the high lipid-producing strain, WJ11, were 25% and 56%, respectively, greater than in strain CBS 277.49. These enzymes may therefore cooperatively regulate the fatty acid biosynthesis in these two strains.

Effects of Fine Particle Peening Conditions on the Rotational Bending Fatigue Strength of a Vacuum-Carburized Transformation-Induced Plasticity-Aided Martensitic Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sugimoto, Koh-ichi; Hojo, Tomohiko; Mizuno, Yuta

2018-02-01

The effects of fine particle peening conditions on the rotational bending fatigue strength of a vacuum-carburized transformation-induced plasticity-aided martensitic steel with a chemical composition of 0.20 pct C, 1.49 pct Si, 1.50 pct Mn, 0.99 pct Cr, 0.02 pct Mo, and 0.05 pct Nb were investigated for the fabrication of automotive drivetrain parts. The maximum fatigue limit, resulting from high hardness and compressive residual stress in the surface-hardened layer caused by the severe plastic deformation and the strain-induced martensite transformation of the retained austenite during fine particle peening, was obtained by fine particle peening at an arc height of 0.21 mm (N). The high fatigue limit was also a result of the increased martensite fraction and the active plastic relaxation via the strain-induced martensite transformation during fatigue deformation, as well as preferential crack initiation on the surface or at the subsurface.

Karyotyping of Chromosomes in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells Transformed by High Energy Fe Ions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yeshitla, Samrawit; Zhang, Ye; Park, Seongmi; Story, Michael D.; Wilson, Bobby; Wu, Honglu

2015-01-01

Lung cancer induced from exposures to space radiation is one of the most significant health risks for long-term space travels. Evidences show that low- and high- Linear energy transfer (LET)-induced transformation of normal human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC) that are immortalized through the expression of Cdk4 and hTERT. The cells were exposed to gamma rays and high-energy Fe ions for the selection of transformed clones. Transformed HBEC are identified and analyzed chromosome aberrations (i.e. genomic instability) using the multi-color fluorescent in situ hybridization (mFISH), as well as the multi-banding in situ hybridization (mBAND) techniques. Our results show chromosomal translocations between different chromosomes and several of the breaks occurred in the q-arm of chromosome 3. We also identified copy number variations between the transformed and the parental HBEC regardless of the exposure conditions. We observed chromosomal aberrations in the lowand high-LET radiation-induced transformed clones and they are imperfectly different from clones obtain in spontaneous soft agar growth.

Active site architecture of a sugar N-oxygenase.

PubMed

Thoden, James B; Branch, Megan C; Zimmer, Alex L; Bruender, Nathan A; Holden, Hazel M

2013-05-14

KijD3 is a flavin-dependent N-oxygenase implicated in the formation of the nitro-containing sugar d-kijanose, found attached to the antibiotic kijanimicin. For this investigation, the structure of KijD3 in complex with FMN and its dTDP-sugar substrate was solved to 2.1 Å resolution. In contrast to the apoenzyme structure, the C-terminus of the protein becomes ordered and projects into the active site cleft [Bruender, N. A., Thoden, J. B., and Holden, H. M. (2010) Biochemistry 49, 3517-3524]. The amino group of the dTDP-aminosugar that is oxidized is located 4.9 Å from C4a of the flavin ring. The model provides a molecular basis for understanding the manner in which KijD3 catalyzes its unusual chemical transformation.

Aging is associated with an expansion of CD49fhi mammary stem cells that show a decline in function and increased transformation potential

PubMed Central

Dong, Qiaoxiang; Gao, Hui; Shi, Yuanshuo; Zhang, Fuchuang; Gu, Xiang; Wu, Anqi; Wang, Danhan; Chen, Yuanhong; Bandyopadhyay, Abhik; Yeh, I-Tien; Daniel, Benjamin J.; Chen, Yidong; Zou, Yi; Rebel, Vivienne L.; Walter, Christi A.; Lu, Jianxin; Huang, Changjiang; Sun, Lu-Zhe

2016-01-01

Breast cancer incidence increases during aging, yet the mechanism of age-associated mammary tumorigenesis is unclear. Mammary stem cells are believed to play an important role in breast tumorigenesis, but how their function changes with age is unknown. We compared mammary epithelial cells isolated from young and old mammary glands of different cohorts of C57BL6/J and BALB/c mice, and our findings revealed that old mammary glands were characterized by increased basal cell pool comprised of mostly CD49fhi cells, altered luminal-to-basal cell ratio, and irregular ductal morphology. More interestingly, basal stem cells in old mice were increased in frequency, but showed a functional decline of differentiation and increased neoplastic transformation potential. Gene signature enrichment analysis revealed a significant enrichment of a luminal cell gene expression signature in the basal stem cell-enriched population from old mice, suggesting some luminal cells were expressing basal markers. Immunofluorescence staining confirmed the presence of luminal cells with high CD49f expression in hyperplastic lesions implicating these cells as undergoing luminal to basal phenotypic changes during aging. Whole transcriptome analysis showed elevated immune and inflammatory responses in old basal stem cells and stromal cells, which may be the underlying cause for increased CD49fhi basal-like cells in aged glands. PMID:27852980

Aging is associated with an expansion of CD49fhi mammary stem cells that show a decline in function and increased transformation potential.

PubMed

Dong, Qiaoxiang; Gao, Hui; Shi, Yuanshuo; Zhang, Fuchuang; Gu, Xiang; Wu, Anqi; Wang, Danhan; Chen, Yuanhong; Bandyopadhyay, Abhik; Yeh, I-Tien; Daniel, Benjamin J; Chen, Yidong; Zou, Yi; Rebel, Vivienne L; Walter, Christi A; Lu, Jianxin; Huang, Changjiang; Sun, Lu-Zhe

2016-11-15

Breast cancer incidence increases during aging, yet the mechanism of age-associated mammary tumorigenesis is unclear. Mammary stem cells are believed to play an important role in breast tumorigenesis, but how their function changes with age is unknown. We compared mammary epithelial cells isolated from young and old mammary glands of different cohorts of C57BL6/J and BALB/c mice, and our findings revealed that old mammary glands were characterized by increased basal cell pool comprised of mostly CD49f hi cells, altered luminal-to-basal cell ratio, and irregular ductal morphology. More interestingly, basal stem cells in old mice were increased in frequency, but showed a functional decline of differentiation and increased neoplastic transformation potential. Gene signature enrichment analysis revealed a significant enrichment of a luminal cell gene expression signature in the basal stem cell-enriched population from old mice, suggesting some luminal cells were expressing basal markers. Immunofluorescence staining confirmed the presence of luminal cells with high CD49f expression in hyperplastic lesions implicating these cells as undergoing luminal to basal phenotypic changes during aging. Whole transcriptome analysis showed elevated immune and inflammatory responses in old basal stem cells and stromal cells, which may be the underlying cause for increased CD49f hi basal-like cells in aged glands.

Generating high-peak-power structured lights in selectively pumped passively Q-switched lasers with astigmatic mode transformations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, C. C.; Hsieh, Y. H.; Lee, C. Y.; Sung, C. L.; Tuan, P. H.; Tung, J. C.; Liang, H. C.; Chen, Y. F.

2017-12-01

Various high-order Hermite-Gaussian (HG) modes with high repetition rates and high peak powers are systematically generated by designing the cavity configuration to satisfy the criterion of the passive Q-switching. For the HG m,0 modes with the order m  =  1-9, the pulse repetition rate can exceed 100 kHz with peak power higher than 0.3 kW. For the HG m,m modes with the order m  =  1-10, the pulse repetition rate can be up to 37 kHz with peak power higher than 0.35 kW. Furthermore, the high-order HG beams is transformed by using an astigmatic mode converter to generate various structured lights with optical vortices. Experimental patterns of the transformed high-order HG beams in the propagation are theoretically analyzed and the phase structures are numerically manifested.

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

Bakach, G. P.; Dudarev, E. F., E-mail: dudarev@spti.tsu.ru; Skosyrskii, A. B.

The results are presented of an experimental investigation into the regularities and mechanisms of the development of thermoelastic martensitic transformation in submicrocrystalline alloy Ti{sub 49.4}Ni{sub 50.6} with different ways of thermo-power actions using the methods of optical microscopy in situ and X-ray diffraction. The peculiarities of localization of martensite transformation at the meso- and macroscale levels in this alloy with submicrocrystalline structure are considered. Experimental data on the relay mechanism of propagation of the martensitic transformation are presented. The interrelation between the localization of the martensitic transformation on the meso-and macroscale levels and deformation behavior under isothermal loading alloy Ti{submore » 49.4}Ni5{sub 0.6} in submicrocrystalline condition are shown and discussed.« less

Transformation and fate of nitrate near the sediment-water interface of Copano Bay

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hou, Lijun; Liu, Min; Carini, Stephen A.; Gardner, Wayne S.

2012-03-01

This study investigated potential transformation processes and fates of nitrate at the sediment-water interface of Copano Bay during a period of drought by conducting continuous-flow and slurry experiments combined with a 15NO3- addition technique. Rates of 15NO3--based denitrification, anaerobic ammonium oxidation (ANAMMOX) and potential dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) were in the range of 27.7-40.1, 0.26-1.6 and 1.4-3.8 μmol 15N m-2 h-1, respectively. Compared with the total 15NO3-fluxes into sediments, dissimilatory processes contributed 29-49% to loss of the spiked 15NO3-. Based on the mass balance of 15NO3-, microbial assimilation was estimated to consume about 50-70% of the added 15NO3-, indicating that most of nitrate was incorporated by microorganisms in this N-limiting system. In addition, significant correlations of nitrate transformation rates with sediment characteristics reflect that the depth related behaviors of nitrate transformations in core sediments were coupled strongly to organic matter, iron (Fe) and sulfur (S) cycles.

The whole number axis integer linear transformation reversible information hiding algorithm on wavelet domain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Zhuo; Xie, Chengjun

2013-12-01

This paper improved the algorithm of reversible integer linear transform on finite interval [0,255], which can realize reversible integer linear transform in whole number axis shielding data LSB (least significant bit). Firstly, this method use integer wavelet transformation based on lifting scheme to transform the original image, and select the transformed high frequency areas as information hiding area, meanwhile transform the high frequency coefficients blocks in integer linear way and embed the secret information in LSB of each coefficient, then information hiding by embedding the opposite steps. To extract data bits and recover the host image, a similar reverse procedure can be conducted, and the original host image can be lossless recovered. The simulation experimental results show that this method has good secrecy and concealment, after conducted the CDF (m, n) and DD (m, n) series of wavelet transformed. This method can be applied to information security domain, such as medicine, law and military.

Composite polymer electrolytes based on MG49 and carboxymethyl cellulose from kenaf

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jafirin, Serawati; Ahmad, Ishak; Ahmad, Azizan

2013-11-01

The development of 49% poly(methyl methacrylate)-grafted natural rubber (MG49) and carboxymethyl cellulose as a composite polymer electrolyte film incorporating LiCF3SO3 were explored. Carboxymethyl cellulose was synthesized from kenaf bast fibres via carboxymethylation process by alkali catalyzed reaction of cellulose with sodium chloroacetate. Reflection fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy showed the presence of carboxyl peak after modification of cellulose with sodium chloroacetate. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the crystallinity of cellulose was decrease after synthesis. High performance composite polymer electrolytes were prepared with various composition of carboxymethyl cellulose (2-10 wt%) via solution-casting method. The conductivity was increased with carboxymethyl cellulose loading. The highest conductivity value achieved was 3.3 × 10-7 Scm-1 upon addition of 6% wt carboxymethyl cellulose. 6% wt carboxymethyl cellulose composition showed the highest tensile strength value of 7.9 MPa and 273 MPa of modulus value which demonstrated high mechanical performance with accepatable level of ionic conductivity.

Thermal Cycling and Isothermal Deformation Response of Polycrystalline NiTi: Simulations vs. Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Manchiraju, Sivom; Gaydosh, Darrell; Benafan, Othmane; Noebe, Ronald; Vaidyanathan, Raj; Anderson, Peter M.

2011-01-01

A recent microstructure-based FEM model that couples crystal-based plasticity, the B2<-> MB190 phase transformation and anisotropic elasticity at the grain scale is calibrated to recent data for polycrystalline NiTi (49.9 at.% Ni). Inputs include anisotropic elastic properties, texture and differential scanning calorimetry data, as well as a subset of recent isothermal deformation and load-biased thermal cycling data. The model is assessed against additional experimental data. Several experimental trends are captured - in particular, the transformation strain during thermal cycling monotonically increases and reaches a peak with increasing bias stress. This is achieved, in part, by modifying the martensite hardening matrix proposed by Patoor et al. [Patoor E, Eberhardt A, Berveiller M. J Phys IV 1996;6:277]. Some experimental trends are underestimated - in particular, the ratcheting of macrostrain during thermal cycling. This may reflect a model limitation that transformation-plasticity coupling is captured on a coarse (grain) scale but not on a fine (martensitic plate) scale.

Hydrothermal solid-gas route to TiO2 nanoparticles/nanotube arrays for high-performance supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Haowen; Zhang, He; Luo, Xiaolei; Liao, Maoying; Zhu, Xufei; Ma, Jing; Song, Ye

2017-07-01

Although TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNTAs) have shown great promise as supercapacitor materials, their specific capacitances are still not comparable with some typical materials. Here, TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs)/TNTAs hybrid structure has been derived from the anodized TNTAs by a facile hydrothermal solid-gas method (HSGM), which can avoid cracking or curling of the TNTAs from Ti substrate. The obtained NPs/TNTAs hybrid structure can exhibit a ∼4.90 times increase in surface area and a ∼5.49 times increase in areal specific capacitance compared to the TNTAs without HSGM treatment. Besides, the argon-atmosphere annealing can offer improved areal capacitance and cycling stability relative to the air-atmosphere annealing. The hydrothermal vapor pressure is a key factor for controlling microscopic morphologies of TNTAs, the morphology transformations of TNTAs during the HSGM treatment can be accelerated under enhanced vapor pressures. The highest areal capacitance of HSGM-treated TNTAs is up to 76.12 mF cm-2 at 0.5 mA cm-2, well above that of any TiO2 materials reported to date.

Premethylation of Foreign DNA Improves Integrative Transformation Efficiency in Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803

PubMed Central

Wang, Bo; Yu, Jianping

2015-01-01

Restriction digestion of foreign DNA is one of the key biological barriers against genetic transformation in microorganisms. To establish a high-efficiency transformation protocol in the model cyanobacterium, Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 (Synechocystis 6803), we investigated the effects of premethylation of foreign DNA on the integrative transformation of this strain. In this study, two type II methyltransferase-encoding genes, i.e., sll0729 (gene M) and slr0214 (gene C), were cloned from the chromosome of Synechocystis 6803 and expressed in Escherichia coli harboring an integration plasmid. After premethylation treatment in E. coli, the integration plasmid was extracted and used for transformation of Synechocystis 6803. The results showed that although expression of methyltransferase M had little impact on the transformation of Synechocystis 6803, expression of methyltransferase C resulted in 11- to 161-fold-higher efficiency in the subsequent integrative transformation of Synechocystis 6803. Effective expression of methyltransferase C, which could be achieved by optimizing the 5′ untranslated region, was critical to efficient premethylation of the donor DNA and thus high transformation efficiency in Synechocystis 6803. Since premethylating foreign DNA prior to transforming Synechocystis avoids changing the host genetic background, the study thus provides an improved method for high-efficiency integrative transformation of Synechocystis 6803. PMID:26452551

Validating data analysis of broadband laser ranging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rhodes, M.; Catenacci, J.; Howard, M.; La Lone, B.; Kostinski, N.; Perry, D.; Bennett, C.; Patterson, J.

2018-03-01

Broadband laser ranging combines spectral interferometry and a dispersive Fourier transform to achieve high-repetition-rate measurements of the position of a moving surface. Telecommunications fiber is a convenient tool for generating the large linear dispersions required for a dispersive Fourier transform, but standard fiber also has higher-order dispersion that distorts the Fourier transform. Imperfections in the dispersive Fourier transform significantly complicate the ranging signal and must be dealt with to make high-precision measurements. We describe in detail an analysis process for interpreting ranging data when standard telecommunications fiber is used to perform an imperfect dispersive Fourier transform. This analysis process is experimentally validated over a 27-cm scan of static positions, showing an accuracy of 50 μm and a root-mean-square precision of 4.7 μm.

Transforming Pristine Carbon Fiber Tows into High Performance Solid-State Fiber Supercapacitors.

PubMed

Yu, Dingshan; Zhai, Shengli; Jiang, Wenchao; Goh, Kunli; Wei, Li; Chen, Xudong; Jiang, Rongrong; Chen, Yuan

2015-09-02

A facile activation strategy can transform pristine carbon fiber tows into high-performance fiber electrodes with a specific capacitance of 14.2 F cm(-3) . The knottable fiber supercapacitor shows an energy density of 0.35 mW h cm(-3) , an ultrahigh power density of 3000 mW cm(-3) , and a remarkable capacitance retention of 68%, when the scan rate increases from 10 to 1000 mV s(-1) . © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Improved electroporation procedure for genetic transformation of Dekkera/Brettanomyces bruxellensis.

PubMed

Miklenić, Marina; Žunar, Bojan; Štafa, Anamarija; Svetec, Ivan-Krešimir

2015-12-01

Yeast Dekkera/Brettanomyces bruxellensis is one of the most common contaminants in wine industry, but also one of the most promising candidates for large-scale bioethanol production. Brettanomyces bruxellensis not only produces and tolerates high ethanol concentrations, but can also ferment cellobiose and adapt to lignocellulose hydrolasate. Furthermore, genome sequences of several B. bruxellensis strains are available, and efforts have been made to develop tools for genetic transformation of this yeast. Previously, we reported a successful transformation using lithium acetate/PEG method and electroporation, however, with very low transformation efficiency (10-20 transformants μg(-1)). Here we describe an optimization of electroporation procedure which resulted in a significant increase of transformation efficiency (2.8 × 10(3) transformants μg(-1)). Several key transformation parameters were optimized including cell growth phase, density of cells in the transformation sample and electroporation settings. We determined that treating the cells with both lithium acetate (100 mM) and dithiothreitol (35 mM) synergistically improves transformation efficiency. Using the described procedure around 500 transformants can be obtained per transformation sample with 180 ng of non-homologous linear transforming fragment. Additionally, several transformants were obtained with less than 1 ng of DNA demonstrating that this procedure is adequate even when very limited amount of DNA is available. © FEMS 2015. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

A High Resolution Fourier-Transform Spectrometer for the Measurement of Atmospheric Column Abundances

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cageao, R.; Sander, S.; Blavier, J.; Jiang, Y.; Nemtchinov, V.

2000-01-01

A compact, high resolution Fourier-transform spectrometer for atmospheric near ultraviolet spectroscopy has been installed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Table Mountain Facility (34.4N, 117.7 W, elevation 2290m).

Methylation-dependent DNA discrimination in natural transformation of Campylobacter jejuni

PubMed Central

Leveque, Rhiannon M.; Dawid, Suzanne; DiRita, Victor J.

2017-01-01

Campylobacter jejuni, a leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis, is naturally competent. Like many competent organisms, C. jejuni restricts the DNA that can be used for transformation to minimize undesirable changes in the chromosome. Although C. jejuni can be transformed by C. jejuni-derived DNA, it is poorly transformed by the same DNA propagated in Escherichia coli or produced with PCR. Our work indicates that methylation plays an important role in marking DNA for transformation. We have identified a highly conserved DNA methyltransferase, which we term Campylobacter transformation system methyltransferase (ctsM), which methylates an overrepresented 6-bp sequence in the chromosome. DNA derived from a ctsM mutant transforms C. jejuni significantly less well than DNA derived from ctsM+ (parental) cells. The ctsM mutation itself does not affect transformation efficiency when parental DNA is used, suggesting that CtsM is important for marking transforming DNA, but not for transformation itself. The mutant has no growth defect, arguing against ongoing restriction of its own DNA. We further show that E. coli plasmid and PCR-derived DNA can efficiently transform C. jejuni when only a subset of the CtsM sites are methylated in vitro. A single methylation event 1 kb upstream of the DNA involved in homologous recombination is sufficient to transform C. jejuni, whereas otherwise identical unmethylated DNA is not. Methylation influences DNA uptake, with a slight effect also seen on DNA binding. This mechanism of DNA discrimination in C. jejuni is distinct from the DNA discrimination described in other competent bacteria. PMID:28855338

Factors predicting transformation of asymptomatic IgM monoclonal gammopathy.

PubMed

Greco, Antonino; Tedeschi, Alessandra; Varettoni, Marzia; Nichelatti, Michele; Paris, Laura; Ricci, Francesca; Vismara, Eleonora; Morra, Enrica

2011-02-01

We evaluated the risk of transformation of asymptomatic immunoglobulin (Ig) M monoclonal gammopathy (aIgM MG) into symptomatic lymphoproliferative disease in 287 patients all analyzed for bone marrow histopathology and immunophenotyping. This series included 201 patients with IgM MG of undetermined significance (IgM MGUS) and 86 with smoldering Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (sWM). After a median of 50 months (range, 12-322 months), 32 cases of aIgM-MG (11.1%) evolved into symptomatic malignant lymphoproliferative disease, as follows: symptomatic WM (n=26), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n=6). The cumulative transformation percentage at 5 and 10 years was 8% and 19.5%, respectively. The parameters significantly correlated with evolution were, at univariate analysis, BM lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, high erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum MC, serum IgM size, and serum IgA size. Among patients with aIgM-MG, those at high risk of evolution were patients with sWM, a distinct entity with serum IgM monoclonal protein≥3 g/dL and/or ≥10% bone marrow lymphoplasmacytic infiltration.

Study of stone composition changes in melamine-related urinary calculi and its clinical significance.

PubMed

Li, Yuan; Chen, YiRong; Zhang, Wei; Huang, XiaoGang; Li, WenHui; Ru, XiaoRui; Meng, Min; Xi, Xinsheng; Huang, Gang; Shi, BaoGuang; Liu, Gang; Li, WeiHua; Xu, Hui

2011-08-01

To investigate the composition changes in melamine-related urinary calculi and their clinical significance. A total of 49 melamine-related urinary calculi were included from 49 children (age 4-82 months, mean 22). The qualitative analysis of stone composition was determined using Fourier transform infrared. The quantitative analysis of the stone computed tomography (CT) attenuation value, stone uric acid level, and stone calcium level were measured using spiral CT, high-performance liquid chromatography, and flame atomic absorption spectrum, respectively. Fourier transform infrared showed that 41 (84%) of the 49 stones contained uric acid and 25 (51%) contained calcium compounds. The data from the qualitative and quantitative analysis were available for 15 stones because of sample consumption in the detection process (Fourier transform infrared, atomic absorption spectrum, and high-performance liquid chromatography). A negative correlation was observed between stone uric acid level and stone calcium level (n = 15, r = -0.629, P = .009). A positive correlation was observed between the stone calcium level and stone CT attenuation value (n = 25, r = 0.855, P = .000). Compared with the ≤1-year-age group and the 1-2-year-age group, the stone calcium level in the >2-year-age group was significantly greater (27.51% ± 12.65% vs 1.60% ± 1.68% or 10.12% ± 8.69%, P = .000 and P = .003, respectively). Compared with the alkalization-alone group, the stone calcium level in the nonalkalization-alone group was significant greater (19.83% ± 7.48% vs 1.25% ± 1.43%, n = 19, P = .000). The stones from children >2 years old were not amenable to medical treatment because they contained greater levels of calcium, which can be demonstrated by the radiologic "positive stone image" or stone CT attenuation value. We believe that surgical invention will be the best choice for such patients if extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy has failed. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Efficient Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha using regenerating thalli.

PubMed

Kubota, Akane; Ishizaki, Kimitsune; Hosaka, Masashi; Kohchi, Takayuki

2013-01-01

The thallus, the gametophyte body of the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha, develops clonal progenies called gemmae that are useful in the isolation and propagation of isogenic plants. Developmental timing is critical to Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, and high transformation efficiency has been achieved only with sporelings. Here we report an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system for M. polymorpha using regenerating thalli. Thallus regeneration was induced by cutting the mature thallus across the apical-basal axis and incubating the basal portion of the thallus for 3 d. Regenerating thalli were infected with Agrobacterium carrying binary vector that contained a selection marker, the hygromycin phosphotransferase gene, and hygromycin-resistant transformants were obtained with an efficiency of over 60%. Southern blot analysis verified random integration of 1 to 4 copies of the T-DNA into the M. polymorpha genome. This Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system for M. polymorpha should provide opportunities to perform genetic transformation without preparing spores and to generate a sufficient number of transformants with isogenic background.

The case for expanding the definition of 'key populations' to include high-risk groups in the general population to improve targeted HIV prevention efforts.

PubMed

Shisana, Olive; Zungu, N; Evans, M; Risher, K; Rehle, T; Clementano, D

2015-09-22

Two additional key populations within the general population in South Africa (SA) that are at risk of HIV infection are black African women aged 20 - 34 years and black African men aged 25 - 49 years. To investigate the social determinants of HIV serostatus for these two high-risk populations. Data from the 2012 South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, and Behaviour Survey were analysed for black African women aged 20 - 34 years and black African men aged 25 - 49 years. Of the 6.4 million people living with HIV in SA in 2012, 1.8 million (28%) were black women aged 20 - 34 years and 1.9 million (30%) black men aged 25 - 49 years. In 2012, they constituted 58% of the total HIV-positive population and 48% of the newly infected population. Low socioeconomic status (SES) was strongly associated (p<0.001) with being HIV-positive among black women aged 20 - 34 years, and was marginally significant among black men aged 25 - 49 years (p<0.1). Low SES is a critical social determinant for HIV infection among the high-risk groups of black African women aged 20 - 34 years and black African men aged 25 - 49 years. Targeted interventions for these key populations should prioritise socioeconomic empowerment, access to formal housing and services, access to higher education, and broad economic transformation.

Application value of different transformation zone types and its genetic relationship with high-risk HPV type in diagnosis and therapy of cervical disease.

PubMed

Chen, Yan; Zhou, Jia-De

2015-01-01

This study aims to discuss the influence of different types of transformation zone (TZ) on positive surgical margin of loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) and the significance of infection of different genetic high-risk HPV for cervical intraepithelial neoplasm. The clinical data of patients who had CIN2+ and received LEEP during January to December 2013 was investigated. The conditions of positive surgical margin of patients of different transformation zone (type I, II, III) were analyzed. The clinical high-risk types of HPV were divided into three groups, including A5/6, A7 and A9, compared with the pathological conditions of pre-operation and post-operation of the patients in respective group. The results indicated that type III transformation zone is more likely to cause positive cutting margin. For CIN2+ patients, sensitivity and specificity are 0.89% and 79.56% in group A5/6, and negative and positive predicted value (NPV, PPV) are 40% and 5%. The sensitivity, specificity, NPV, PPV in group A7 is 12.5%, 44.08%, 29.49% and 21.21%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, NPV, PPV in group A9 is 88.99%, 87.09%, 85.26%, 81.51%, respectively. Transformation zone type was correlated positively with positive cutting margin percentage (r = 0.8732, P < 0.05). Compared with type I, type II and III transformation zone is more likely to cause pathological upgrades. In conclusion, different types of transformation zone and high-risk HPV have clinical significance in causing positive cutting margin of surgery and disease extent.

Phase transformations in the hematite-metal system during mechanical alloying

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kozlov, K. A.; Shabashov, V. A.; Litvinov, A. V.; Sagaradze, V. V.

2009-04-01

Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction are used to show that the phase transformations in hematite α-Fe2O3-metal ( M = Fe, Ni, Ti, Zr) powder mixtures induced by severe cold plastic deformation in ball mills occur via the formation of M-Fe-O solid solutions, redox reactions with the reduction of metallic iron, and the formation of secondary M x O y oxides and M x Fe y intermetallics. Mechanical activation in a ball mill is compared to that under high-pressure shear in Bridgman anvils. The transformations that take place in a ball mill are found to have several stages and to be accelerated.

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

Wiengmoon, A., E-mail: ampornw@nu.ac.th

The effects of Si on microstructure and phase transformation at elevated temperature of ferritic 31wt.%Cr-1.1wt.%C white cast irons with up to 3wt.%Si have been studied. Applications of these irons include parts requiring heat resistance at elevated temperature. The irons were produced by sand casting. The microstructure in as-cast condition and after being subjected to high temperature (700 to 1000 °C) was investigated by light microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and electron microscopy. The results revealed that the as-cast microstructure consisted mainly of primary ferrite dendrites and eutectic (ferrite + M{sub 7}C{sub 3}). Si promotes M{sub 7}C{sub 3}-to-M{sub 23}C{sub 6} transformation in themore » irons subjected to transformation at elevated temperature, but no sigma phase was found. The extent of M{sub 7}C{sub 3}-to-M{sub 23}C{sub 6} transformation increases proportional to the increasing transformation temperature, holding time and Si content in the irons. For the iron with 1.0wt.%Si content after holding at elevated temperatures, martensite was also found, which could be attributed to carbon accretion effects in eutectic ferrite. Si was incorporated in M{sub 23}C{sub 6} such that M{sub 23}C{sub 6} containing Si can show darker contrast under SEM-BEI as compared to M{sub 7}C{sub 3}; this is the opposite to what has been observed for the cases of typical M{sub 23}C{sub 6} and M{sub 23}C{sub 6} containing Mo or W. The results obtained are important to understand the change in properties of ferritic, high chromium irons containing Si subjected to elevated temperature.« less

Simultaneous anaerobic transformation of carbon tetrachloride to carbon dioxide and tetrachloroethene to ethene in a continuous flow column.

PubMed

Azizian, Mohammad F; Semprini, Lewis

2017-08-01

The simultaneous anaerobic transformation of tetrachloroethene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CT) was evaluated in a continuous flow column. The column was packed with quartz sand and bioaugmented with the Evanite culture (EV) that is capable of transforming PCE to ethene. Azizian and Semprini (2016) reported that PCE and CT could be simultaneously transformed in the column, with PCE (0.1mM) transformed mainly to ethene and CT (0.015mM) to chloroform (CF) (20%) and an unknown transformation product, likely carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). The fermentation of propionate, formed from lactate fermentation, was inhibited after the transformation of CT, likely from the exposure to CF. Reported here is the second phase of that study where a second bioaugmentation of the EV culture was made to reintroduce a lactate and propionate fermenting population to the column. Effective lactate and propionate fermentation were restored with a H 2 concentration of ~25nM maintained in the column effluent. PCE (0.1mM) was effectively transformed to ethene (~98%) and vinyl chloride (VC) (~2%). Unlabeled CT (0.015 to 0.03mM) was completely transformed with a transient build-up of CF and chloromethane (CM), which were subsequently removed below their detection limits. A series of transient tests were initiated through the addition of carbon-13 labeled CT ( 13 CT), with concentrations gradually increased from 0.03 to 0.10mM. GC-MS analysis of the column effluent showed that 13 C labeled CO 2 ( 13 CO 2 ) was formed, ranging from 82 to 93% of the 13 CT transformed, with the transient increases in 13 CO 2 associated with the increased concentration of 13 CT. A modified COD analysis indicated a lesser amount of 13 CT (18%) was transformed to soluble products, while 13 CO 2 represented 82% the 13 CT transformed. In a final transient test, the influent lactate concentration was decreased from 1.1 to 0.67mM. The transformation of both CT and PCE changed dramatically. Only 59% of the 13 CT was transformed, primarily to CF. 13 CO 2 concentrations gradually decreased to background levels, indicating CO 2 was no longer a transformation product. PCE transformation resulted in the following percentage of products formed: cDCE (60%), VC (36%), and ethene (4%). Incomplete propionate fermentation was also observed, consistent with the build-up of CF and the decrease in H 2 concentrations to approximately 2nM. The results clearly demonstrate that high concentrations of CT were transformed to CO 2 , and effective PCE dehalogenation to ethene was maintained when excess lactate was fed and propionate was effectively fermented. However, when the lactate concentration was reduced, both PCE and CT transformation and propionate fermentation were negatively impacted. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Simultaneous anaerobic transformation of carbon tetrachloride to carbon dioxide and tetrachloroethene to ethene in a continuous flow column

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Azizian, Mohammad F.; Semprini, Lewis

2017-08-01

The simultaneous anaerobic transformation of tetrachloroethene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CT) was evaluated in a continuous flow column. The column was packed with quartz sand and bioaugmented with the Evanite culture (EV) that is capable of transforming PCE to ethene. Azizian and Semprini (2016) reported that PCE and CT could be simultaneously transformed in the column, with PCE (0.1 mM) transformed mainly to ethene and CT (0.015 mM) to chloroform (CF) (20%) and an unknown transformation product, likely carbon dioxide (CO2). The fermentation of propionate, formed from lactate fermentation, was inhibited after the transformation of CT, likely from the exposure to CF. Reported here is the second phase of that study where a second bioaugmentation of the EV culture was made to reintroduce a lactate and propionate fermenting population to the column. Effective lactate and propionate fermentation were restored with a H2 concentration of 25 nM maintained in the column effluent. PCE (0.1 mM) was effectively transformed to ethene ( 98%) and vinyl chloride (VC) ( 2%). Unlabeled CT (0.015 to 0.03 mM) was completely transformed with a transient build-up of CF and chloromethane (CM), which were subsequently removed below their detection limits. A series of transient tests were initiated through the addition of carbon-13 labeled CT (13CT), with concentrations gradually increased from 0.03 to 0.10 mM. GC-MS analysis of the column effluent showed that 13C labeled CO2 (13CO2) was formed, ranging from 82 to 93% of the 13CT transformed, with the transient increases in 13CO2 associated with the increased concentration of 13CT. A modified COD analysis indicated a lesser amount of 13CT (18%) was transformed to soluble products, while 13CO2 represented 82% the 13CT transformed. In a final transient test, the influent lactate concentration was decreased from 1.1 to 0.67 mM. The transformation of both CT and PCE changed dramatically. Only 59% of the 13CT was transformed, primarily to CF. 13CO2 concentrations gradually decreased to background levels, indicating CO2 was no longer a transformation product. PCE transformation resulted in the following percentage of products formed: cDCE (60%), VC (36%), and ethene (4%). Incomplete propionate fermentation was also observed, consistent with the build-up of CF and the decrease in H2 concentrations to approximately 2 nM. The results clearly demonstrate that high concentrations of CT were transformed to CO2, and effective PCE dehalogenation to ethene was maintained when excess lactate was fed and propionate was effectively fermented. However, when the lactate concentration was reduced, both PCE and CT transformation and propionate fermentation were negatively impacted.

FeP@C Nanotube Arrays Grown on Carbon Fabric as a Low Potential and Freestanding Anode for High-Performance Li-Ion Batteries.

PubMed

Xu, Xijun; Liu, Jun; Liu, Zhengbo; Wang, Zhuosen; Hu, Renzong; Liu, Jiangwen; Ouyang, Liuzhang; Zhu, Min

2018-06-26

An anode of self-supported FeP@C nanotube arrays on carbon fabric (CF) is successfully fabricated via a facile template-based deposition and phosphorization route: first, well-aligned FeOOH nanotube arrays are simply obtained via a solution deposition and in situ etching route with hydrothermally crystallized (Co,Ni)(CO 3 ) 0.5 OH nanowire arrays as the template; subsequently, these uniform FeOOH nanotube arrays are transformed into robust carbon-coated Fe 3 O 4 (Fe 3 O 4 @C) nanotube arrays via glucose adsorption and annealing treatments; and finally FeP@C nanotube arrays on CF are achieved through the facile phosphorization of the oxide-based arrays. As an anode for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), these FeP@C nanotube arrays exhibit superior rate capability (reversible capacities of 945, 871, 815, 762, 717, and 657 mA h g -1 at 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.3, and 2.2 A g -1 , respectively, corresponding to area specific capacities of 1.73, 1.59, 1.49, 1.39, 1.31, 1.20 mA h cm -2 at 0.18, 0.37, 0.732, 1.46, 2.38, and 4.03 mA cm -2 , respectively) and a stable long-cycling performance (a high specific capacity of 718 mA h g -1 after 670 cycles at 0.5 A g -1 , corresponding to an area capacity of 1.31 mA h cm -2 at 0.92 mA cm -2 ). © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Crystallographic and magnetic structure of HAVAR under high-pressure using diamond anvil cell (DAC)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Halevy, Itzhak; Haroush, Shlomo; Eisen, Yosef; Silberman, Ido; Moreno, Dany; Hen, Amir; Winterrose, Mike L.; Ghose, Sanjit; Chen, Zhiqiang

2010-04-01

Annealed (H1) and cold-rolled (H2) HAVAR has been studied using high-pressure synchrotron X-ray diffraction. A structural phase transformation was discovered at ˜13 GPa at ambient temperature, transforming from m - 3 m (S.G. 225) to P 63/m m c (S.G. 194) symmetry. The transition was not reversible on pressure release. The low-pressure cubic phase was found to be more compressible than the high-pressure hexagonal phase. Conventional Mössbauer and NFS shows that the HAVAR is not magnetic at room temperature and no splitting is observed. The SQUID indicates a huge difference in the temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility between the cold Rolled HAVAR compared to the annealed HAVAR.

Use of 13C Labeled Carbon Tetrachloride to Demonstrate the Transformation to Carbon Dioxide under Anaerobic Conditions in a Continuous Flow Column

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Semprini, L.; Azizian, M.

2012-12-01

The demonstration of transformation of chlorinated aliphatic compounds (CAHs) in the subsurface is a challenge, especially when the products are carbon dioxide (CO2) and chloride ion. The groundwater contaminant carbon tetrachloride (CT) is of particular interest since a broad range of transformation products can be potentially formed under anaerobic conditions. The ability to demonstrate the transformation of CT to CO2 as a non toxic endproduct, is also of great interest. Results will be presented from a continuous flow column study where 13C labeled CT was used to demonstrate its transformation to CO2. The column was packed with a quartz sand and bioaugmented the Evanite Culture (EV) that is capable of transforming tetrachloroethene (PCE) to ethene. The column was continously fed a synthetic groundwater that was amended with PCE (0.10 mM) and either formate (1.5 mM) or lactate (1.1 mM), which ferments to produce hydrogen (H2) as the ultimate electron donor. Earlier CT transformation studies with the column, in the absence of sulfate reduction, and with formate added as a donor found CT (0.015 mM) was over 98% transformed with about 20% converted to chloroform (CF) (0.003 mM) and with a transient detection of chloromethane (CM). Methane and carbon disulfide, as potential products, were not detected. Neither CT nor CF inhibited the reductive dehalogenation of PCE to ethene. A series of transient studies conducted after these initial CT transformation tests, but in the absence of CT, showed formate remained an effective substrate for maintaining sulfate reduction and PCE transformation. Lactate, which was effectively fermented prior to CT addition, was not effectively fermented, with propionate accumulating as a fermentation product. When lactate was added, PCE was mainly transformed to cis-dichloroethene (cis-DCE) and VC, and sulfate reduction did not occur. In order to restore effective lactate fermentation the column was then bioaugmented with an EV culture that was capable of lactate fermentation. After bioaugmentation, effective lactate fermentation, sulfate reduction and PCE transformation to ethene was achieved. Unlabeled CT (0.015 mM) addition was then started and complete transformation was achieved with a transient build-up of CF and chloromethane, which were subsequently removed below their detection limits. CT continued to be completely transformed after the influent concentration was increased to 0.03 mM. 13C labeled CT (0.03 mM) was then added to the column. GC-MS analysis showed that 13C labeled CO2 was formed at near stoichiometric levels to the CT that was transformed. The results clearly demonstrate that CT can being transformed to CO2 at high CT concentrations, while maintaining effective PCE dehalogenation, sulfate reduction and lactate fermentation. The results also illustrate the great potential of using 13C labeled compounds in subsurface investigations.

Monoclinic tridymite in clast-rich impact melt rock from the Chesapeake Bay impact structure

USGS Publications Warehouse

Jackson, John C.; Horton, J. Wright; Chou, I-Ming; Belkin, Harvey E.

2011-01-01

X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy confirm a rare terrestrial occurrence of monoclinic tridymite in clast-rich impact melt rock from the Eyreville B drill core in the Chesapeake Bay impact structure. The monoclinic tridymite occurs with quartz paramorphs after tridymite and K-feldspar in a microcrystalline groundmass of devitrified glass and Fe-rich smectite. Electron-microprobe analyses revealed that the tridymite and quartz paramorphs after tridymite contain different amounts of chemical impurities. Inspection by SEM showed that the tridymite crystal surfaces are smooth, whereas the quartz paramorphs contain irregular tabular voids. These voids may represent microporosity formed by volume decrease in the presence of fluid during transformation from tridymite to quartz, or skeletal growth in the original tridymite. Cristobalite locally rims spherulites within the same drill core interval. The occurrences of tridymite and cristobalite appear to be restricted to the thickest clast-rich impact melt body in the core at 1402.02–1407.49 m depth. Their formation and preservation in an alkali-rich, high-silica melt rock suggest initially high temperatures followed by rapid cooling.

Virtual Team Communication and Collaboration in Army and Corporate Applications

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-06-12

Sharmila Pixy Ferri , 49-75. Hershey, PA: Idea Group Inc. Brown, Frederic J. 2006. Building high-performing commander leader teams: Intensive collaboration...Process, Technologies and Practice eds. Susan Hayes Godar and Sharmila Pixy Ferri , 49- 75. Hershey, Pennsylvania: Idea Group Inc. DeMarie, Samuel M. 2000

Pretreatment of shale gas drilling flowback fluid (SGDF) by the microscale Fe0/persulfate/O3 process (mFe0/PS/O3).

PubMed

Zhang, Heng; Xiong, Zhaokun; Ji, Fangzhou; Lai, Bo; Yang, Ping

2017-06-01

Shale gas drilling flowback fluid (SGDF) generated during shale gas extraction is of great concern due to its high total dissolved solid, radioactive elements and organic matter. To remove the toxic and refractory pollutants in SGDF and improve its biodegradability, a microsacle Fe 0 /Persulfate/O 3 process (mFe 0 /PS/O 3 ) was developed to pretreat this wastewater obtained from a shale gas well in southwestern China. First, effects of mFe 0 dosage, O 3 flow rate, PS dosage, pH values on the treatment efficiency of mFe 0 /PS/O 3 process were investigated through single-factor experiments. Afterward, the optimal conditions (i.e., pH = 6.7, mFe 0 dosage = 6.74 g/L, PS = 16.89 mmol/L, O 3 flow rate = 0.73 L/min) were obtained by using response surface methodology (RSM). Under the optimal conditions, high COD removal (75.3%) and BOD 5 /COD ratio (0.49) were obtained after 120 min treatment. Moreover, compared with control experiments (i.e., mFe 0 , O 3 , PS, mFe 0 /O 3 , mFe 0 /PS, O 3 /PS), mFe 0 /PS/O 3 system exerted better performance for pollutants removal in SGDF due to strong synergistic effect between mFe 0 , PS and O 3 . In addition, the decomposition or transformation of the organic pollutants in SGDF was analyzed by using GC-MS. Finally, the reaction mechanism of the mFe 0 /PS/O 3 process was proposed according to the analysis results of SEM-EDS and XRD. It can be concluded that high-efficient mFe 0 /PS/O 3 process was mainly resulted from the combination effect of direct oxidation by ozone and persulfate, heterogeneous and homogeneous catalytic oxidation, Fenton-like reaction and adsorption. Therefore, mFe 0 /PS/O 3 process was proven to be an effective method for pretreatment of SGDF prior to biological treatment. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A novel glucagon-like peptide 1/glucagon receptor dual agonist improves steatohepatitis and liver regeneration in mice.

PubMed

Valdecantos, M Pilar; Pardo, Virginia; Ruiz, Laura; Castro-Sánchez, Luis; Lanzón, Borja; Fernández-Millán, Elisa; García-Monzón, Carmelo; Arroba, Ana I; González-Rodríguez, Águeda; Escrivá, Fernando; Álvarez, Carmen; Rupérez, Francisco J; Barbas, Coral; Konkar, Anish; Naylor, Jacqui; Hornigold, David; Santos, Ana Dos; Bednarek, Maria; Grimsby, Joseph; Rondinone, Cristina M; Valverde, Ángela M

2017-03-01

Because nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is associated with impaired liver regeneration, we investigated the effects of G49, a dual glucagon-like peptide-1/glucagon receptor agonist, on NASH and hepatic regeneration. C57Bl/6 mice fed chow or a methionine and choline-deficient (MCD) diet for 1 week were divided into 4 groups: control (chow diet), MCD diet, chow diet plus G49, and M+G49 (MCD diet plus G49). Mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 10 weeks were divided into groups: HFD and H+G49 (HFD plus G49). Following 2 (MCD groups) or 3 (HFD groups) weeks of treatment with G49, partial hepatectomy (PH) was performed, and all mice were maintained on the same treatment schedule for 2 additional weeks. Analysis of liver function, hepatic regeneration, and comprehensive genomic and metabolic profiling were conducted. NASH was ameliorated in the M+G49 group, manifested by reduced inflammation, steatosis, oxidative stress, and apoptosis and increased mitochondrial biogenesis. G49 treatment was also associated with replenishment of intrahepatic glucose due to enhanced gluconeogenesis and reduced glucose use through the pentose phosphate cycle and oxidative metabolism. Following PH, G49 treatment increased survival, restored the cytokine-mediated priming phase, and enhanced the proliferative capacity and hepatic regeneration ratio in mice on the MCD diet. NASH markers remained decreased in M+G49 mice after PH, and glucose use was shifted to the pentose phosphate cycle and oxidative metabolism. G49 administered immediately after PH was also effective at alleviating the pathological changes induced by the MCD diet. Benefits in terms of liver regeneration were also found in mice fed HFD and treated with G49. Dual-acting glucagon-like peptide-1/glucagon receptor agonists such as G49 represent a novel therapeutic approach for patients with NASH and particularly those requiring PH. (Hepatology 2017;65:950-968). © 2016 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

Novel route to WOx nanorods and WS2 nanotubes from WS2 inorganic fullerenes.

PubMed

Li, Yan-Hui; Zhao, Yi Min; Ma, Ren Zhi; Zhu, Yan Qiu; Fisher, Niles; Jin, Yi Zheng; Zhang, Xin Ping

2006-09-21

WO(x) (2 < x < 3) and WS(2) nanostructures have been widely praised due to applications as catalysts, solid lubricants, field emitters, and optical components. Many methods have been developed to fabricate these nanomaterials; however, most attention was focused on the same dimensional transformation from WO(x) nanoparticles or nanorods to WS(2) nanoparticles or nanotubes. In a solid-vapor reaction, by simply controlling the quantity of water vapor and reaction temperature, we have realized the transformation from quasi-zero-dimensional WS(2) nanoparticles to one-dimensional W(18)O(49) nanorods, and subsequent sulfuration reactions have further converted these W(18)O(49) nanorods into WS(2) nanotubes. The reaction temperature, quantity of water vapor, and pretreatment of the WS(2) nanoparticle precursors are important process parameters for long, thin, and homogeneous W(18)O(49) nanorods growth. The morphologies, crystal structures, and circling transformation mechanisms of sulfide-oxide-sulfide are discussed, and the photoluminescence properties of the resulting nanorods are investigated using a Xe lamp under an excitation of 270 nm.

Karyotyping of Chromosomes in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells Transformed by High Energy Fe Ions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yeshitla, Samrawit; Zhang, Ye; Park, Seongmi; Story, Michael T.; Wilson, Bobby; Wu, Honglu

2014-01-01

Lung cancer induced from exposure to space radiation is believed to be one of the most significant health risks for long-term space travels. In a previous study, normal human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs), immortalized through the expression of Cdk4 and hTERT, were exposed to gamma rays and high energy Fe ions for the selection of transformed clones induced by low- and high-LET radiation. In this research, we analyzed chromosome aberrations in these selected clones for genomic instability using the multi-color fluorescent in situ hybridization (mFISH), as well as the multi-banding in situ hybridization (mBAND) techniques. In most of the clones, we found chromosomal aberrations involving translocations between different chromosomes, with several of the breaks occurred in the q-arm of chromosome 3. We also identified copy number variations between the transformed clones and the parental HBEC cells regardless of the exposure condition. Our results indicated that the chromosomal aberrations in low- and high radiation-induced transformed clones are inadequately different from spontaneous soft agar growth. Further analysis is underway to reveal the genomic instability in more transformed clones

First Spectroscopic Identification of Pyrocarbonate for High CO2 Flux Membranes Containing Highly Interconnected Three Dimensional Ionic Channels

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-01-01

Koura, S. Kohara , K. Takeuchi, S. Takahashi, L. A. Curtiss, M. Grimsditch and M.-L. Saboungi, J. Mol. Struct., 1996, 382, 163–169. 49 L.-J. Chen, X...Cheng, C.-J. Lin and C.-M. Huang, Electrochim. Acta, 2002, 47, 1475–1480. 50 S. Kohara , N. Koura, Y. Idemoto, S. Takahashi, M.-L. Saboungi and L. A

Hot Exoplanet Atmospheres Resolved with Transit Spectroscopy (HEARTS). I. Detection of hot neutral sodium at high altitudes on WASP-49b

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wyttenbach, A.; Lovis, C.; Ehrenreich, D.; Bourrier, V.; Pino, L.; Allart, R.; Astudillo-Defru, N.; Cegla, H. M.; Heng, K.; Lavie, B.; Melo, C.; Murgas, F.; Santerne, A.; Ségransan, D.; Udry, S.; Pepe, F.

2017-06-01

High-resolution optical spectroscopy during the transit of HD 189733b, a prototypical hot Jupiter, allowed the resolution of the Na I D sodium lines in the planet, giving access to the extreme conditions of the planet upper atmosphere. We have undertaken HEARTS, a spectroscopic survey of exoplanet upper atmospheres, to perform a comparative study of hot gas giants and determine how stellar irradiation affect them. Here, we report on the first HEARTS observations of the hot Saturn-mass planet WASP-49b. We observed the planet with the HARPS high-resolution spectrograph at ESO 3.6 m telescope. We collected 126 spectra of WASP-49, covering three transits of WASP-49b. We analyzed and modeled the planet transit spectrum, while paying particular attention to the treatment of potentially spurious signals of stellar origin. We spectrally resolve the Na I D lines in the planet atmosphere and show that these signatures are unlikely to arise from stellar contamination. The large contrasts of 2.0 ± 0.5% (D2) and 1.8 ± 0.7% (D1) require the presence of hot neutral sodium ( K) at high altitudes ( 1.5 planet radius or 45 000 km). From estimating the cloudiness index of WASP-49b, we determine its atmosphere to be cloud free at the altitudes probed by the sodium lines. WASP-49b is close to the border of the evaporation desert and exhibits an enhanced thermospheric signature with respect to a farther-away planet such as HD 189733b. Based on observations made at ESO 3.6 m telescope at the La Silla Observatory under ESO program 096.C-0331.

Development and validation of an high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector method for the simultaneous determination of six phenolic compounds in abnormal savda munziq decoction

PubMed Central

Tian, Shuge; Liu, Wenxian; Liu, Feng; Zhang, Xuejia; Upur, Halmuart

2015-01-01

Aims: Given the high-effectiveness and low-toxicity of abnormal savda munziq (ASMQ), its herbal formulation has long been used in traditional Uyghur medicine to treat complex diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Settings and Design: ASMQ decoction by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector was successfully developed for the simultaneous quality assessment of gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, rutin, rosmarinic acid, and luteolin. The six phenolic compounds were separated on an Agilent TC-C18 reversed-phase analytical column (4.6 × 250 mm, 5 μm) by gradient elution using 0.3% aqueous formic acid (v/v) and 0.3% methanol formic acid (v/v) at 1.0 mL/min. Materials and Methods: The plant material was separately ground and mixed at the following ratios (10): Cordia dichotoma (10.6), Anchusa italic (10.6), Euphorbia humifusa (4.9), Adiantum capillus-veneris (4.9), Ziziphus jujube (4.9), Glycyrrhiza uralensis (7.1), Foeniculum vulgare (4.9), Lavandula angustifolia (4.9), Dracocephalum moldavica L. (4.9), and Alhagi pseudoalhagi (42.3). Statistical Analysis Used: The precisions of all six compounds were <0.60%, and the average recoveries ranged from 99.39% to 104.85%. Highly significant linear correlations were found between component concentrations and specific chromatographic peak areas (R2 > 0.999). Results: The proposed method was successfully applied to determine the levels of six active components in ASMQ. Conclusions: Given the simplicity, precision, specificity, and sensitivity of the method, it can be utilized as a quality control approach to simultaneously determining the six phenolic compounds in AMSQ. PMID:25709227

Reaction process of {alpha} {yields} {gamma} massive transformation in Ti-rich TiAl alloy

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

Kumagai, T.; Abe, E.; Nakamura, M.

1995-08-01

Reaction sequence of the massive transformation from the high-temperature {alpha}-Ti phase to the {gamma}-TiAl phase ({gamma}{sub m}) in a Ti-48at.% Al alloy has been examined in terms of optical and transmission electron microscopes. Both transformed and untransformed regions were macroscopically observed in the sample quenched from the high-temperature {alpha} phase field, when the sample was held there for a extended period of time prior to quenching. The transformed region consists of randomly oriented fine {gamma} single phase grains, in which many thermal anti-phase domains (TAPDs), together with a number of stacking faults were observed. In contrast, the untransformed region comprisesmore » extremely fine lamellae of the {gamma} and {alpha}{sub 2}-Ti{sub 3}Al phases, and the {gamma} plates were found to run through the TAPDs caused by {alpha} {yields} {alpha}{sub 2} ordering. Subsequent aging at 1,273 K causes the microstructure change in the untransformed region from {alpha}{sub 2}/{gamma} lamellae to {gamma}/{gamma} lamellae spontaneously and expands the {gamma}{sub m} region. These observations suggest that the {alpha} {yields} {gamma}{sub m} transformation proceeds through formation of fine {gamma} plates.« less

Transformation of eutectic emulsion to nanosuspension fabricating with solvent evaporation and ultrasonication technique

PubMed Central

Phaechamud, Thawatchai; Tuntarawongsa, Sarun

2016-01-01

Eutectic solvent can solubilize high amount of some therapeutic compounds. Volatile eutectic solvent is interesting to be used as solvent in the preparation of nanosuspension with emulsion solvent evaporation technique. The mechanism of transformation from the eutectic emulsion to nanosuspension was investigated in this study. The 30% w/w ibuprofen eutectic solution was used as the internal phase, and the external phase is composed of Tween 80 as emulsifier. Ibuprofen nanosuspension was prepared by eutectic emulsion solvent evaporating method followed with ultrasonication. During evaporation process, the ibuprofen concentration in emulsion droplets was increased leading to a drug supersaturation but did not immediately recrystallize because of low glass transition temperature (Tg) of ibuprofen. The contact angle of the internal phase on ibuprofen was apparently lower than that of the external phase at all times of evaporation, indicating that the ibuprofen crystals were preferentially wetted by the internal phase than the external phase. From calculated dewetting value ibuprofen crystallization occurred in the droplet. Crystallization of the drug was initiated with external mechanical force, and the particle size of the drug was larger due to Ostwald ripening. Cavitation force from ultrasonication minimized the ibuprofen crystals to the nanoscale. Particle size and zeta potential of formulated ibuprofen nanosuspension were 330.87±51.49 nm and −31.1±1.6 mV, respectively, and exhibited a fast dissolution. Therefore, the combination of eutectic emulsion solvent evaporation method with ultrasonication was favorable for fabricating an ibuprofen nanosuspension, and the transformation mechanism was attained successfully. PMID:27366064

Transformation of eutectic emulsion to nanosuspension fabricating with solvent evaporation and ultrasonication technique.

PubMed

Phaechamud, Thawatchai; Tuntarawongsa, Sarun

2016-01-01

Eutectic solvent can solubilize high amount of some therapeutic compounds. Volatile eutectic solvent is interesting to be used as solvent in the preparation of nanosuspension with emulsion solvent evaporation technique. The mechanism of transformation from the eutectic emulsion to nanosuspension was investigated in this study. The 30% w/w ibuprofen eutectic solution was used as the internal phase, and the external phase is composed of Tween 80 as emulsifier. Ibuprofen nanosuspension was prepared by eutectic emulsion solvent evaporating method followed with ultrasonication. During evaporation process, the ibuprofen concentration in emulsion droplets was increased leading to a drug supersaturation but did not immediately recrystallize because of low glass transition temperature (T g) of ibuprofen. The contact angle of the internal phase on ibuprofen was apparently lower than that of the external phase at all times of evaporation, indicating that the ibuprofen crystals were preferentially wetted by the internal phase than the external phase. From calculated dewetting value ibuprofen crystallization occurred in the droplet. Crystallization of the drug was initiated with external mechanical force, and the particle size of the drug was larger due to Ostwald ripening. Cavitation force from ultrasonication minimized the ibuprofen crystals to the nanoscale. Particle size and zeta potential of formulated ibuprofen nanosuspension were 330.87±51.49 nm and -31.1±1.6 mV, respectively, and exhibited a fast dissolution. Therefore, the combination of eutectic emulsion solvent evaporation method with ultrasonication was favorable for fabricating an ibuprofen nanosuspension, and the transformation mechanism was attained successfully.

Microplastic pollution in the marine waters and sediments of Hong Kong.

PubMed

Tsang, Y Y; Mak, C W; Liebich, C; Lam, S W; Sze, E T-P; Chan, K M

2017-02-15

The presence of plastic waste with a diameter of less than 5mm ("microplastics") in marine environments has prompted increasing concern in recent years, both locally and globally. We conducted seasonal surveys of microplastic pollution in the surface waters and sediments from Deep Bay, Tolo Harbor, Tsing Yi, and Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong between June 2015 and March 2016. The average concentrations of microplastics in local coastal waters and sediments respectively ranged from 51 to 27,909particles per 100m 3 and 49 to 279particles per kilogram. Microplastics of different shapes (mainly fragments, lines, fibers, and pellets) were identified as polypropylene, low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, a blend of polypropylene and ethylene propylene, and styrene acrylonitrile by means of Attenuated Total Reflectance - Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. This is the first comprehensive study to assess the spatial and temporal variations of microplastic pollution in Hong Kong coastal regions. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Prevalence of Human Papilloma Virus in Sinonasal Papilloma in Southern Iranian Population

PubMed Central

Valibeigi, Behnaz; Ashraf, Mohamad Javad; Kerdegari, Narges; Safai, Akbar; Abedi, Elham; Khademi, Bijan; Azarpira, Negar

2017-01-01

Statement of the Problem: Sinonasal papilloma (SNP) is a rare benign lesion characterized by high recurrence rate and malignant transformation. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection in these lesions in South of Iran. Materials and Method: In this cross sectional retrospective study, a total of 41 patients, 38 SNP and 3 SNP/Squamous cell carcinoma cases, from 2007 to 2014 were studied. Human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA detection was performed by nested PCR method and positive cases were analyzed for high risk HPV-16 and HPV-18. Results: HPV was detected in 31.7%; HPV- 16 in 4.9% and HPV 18 was not detected at all. Dysplastic epithelium was detected in 53% that was not associated with HPV. Three cases were accompanied with malignant transformation that HPV genome was detected in only one case and none of them were positive for HPV16 /18 genomic DNA. Conclusion: Current research suggests that HPV may be involved in the development of SNP. But the high risk HPV is not important in malignant transformation. More studies are needed to elucidate the possible etiologic mechanism between HPV, inverted papilloma, and squamous cell carcinoma. PMID:28620639

Prevalence of Human Papilloma Virus in Sinonasal Papilloma in Southern Iranian Population.

PubMed

Valibeigi, Behnaz; Ashraf, Mohamad Javad; Kerdegari, Narges; Safai, Akbar; Abedi, Elham; Khademi, Bijan; Azarpira, Negar

2017-06-01

Sinonasal papilloma (SNP) is a rare benign lesion characterized by high recurrence rate and malignant transformation. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection in these lesions in South of Iran. In this cross sectional retrospective study, a total of 41 patients, 38 SNP and 3 SNP/Squamous cell carcinoma cases, from 2007 to 2014 were studied. Human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA detection was performed by nested PCR method and positive cases were analyzed for high risk HPV-16 and HPV-18. HPV was detected in 31.7%; HPV- 16 in 4.9% and HPV 18 was not detected at all. Dysplastic epithelium was detected in 53% that was not associated with HPV. Three cases were accompanied with malignant transformation that HPV genome was detected in only one case and none of them were positive for HPV16 /18 genomic DNA. Current research suggests that HPV may be involved in the development of SNP. But the high risk HPV is not important in malignant transformation. More studies are needed to elucidate the possible etiologic mechanism between HPV, inverted papilloma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

Phase Transformation and Shape Memory Effect of Ti-Pd-Pt-Zr High-Temperature Shape Memory Alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamabe-Mitarai, Yoko; Takebe, Wataru; Shimojo, Masayuki

2017-12-01

To understand the potential of high-temperature shape memory alloys, we have investigated the phase transformation and shape memory effect of Ti-(50 - x)Pt- xPd-5Zr alloys ( x = 0, 5, and 15 at.%), which present the B2 structure in the austenite phase and B19 structure in the martensite phase. Their phase transformation temperatures are very high; A f and M f of Ti-50Pt are 1066 and 1012 °C, respectively. By adding Zr and Pd, the phase transition temperatures decrease, ranging between 804 and 994 °C for A f and 590 and 865 °C for M f. Even at the high phase transformation temperature, a maximum recovery ratio of 70% was obtained for one cycle in a thermal cyclic test. A work output of 1.2 J/cm3 was also obtained. The recovery ratio obtained by the thermal cyclic test was less than 70% because the recovery strain was < 1% and a large irrecoverable strain was obtained. The shape recovery was explained by the austenite strength. The training effect was also investigated.

Structure evolution upon chemical and physical pressure in (Sr{sub 1−x}Ba{sub x}){sub 2}FeSbO{sub 6}

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

Tiittanen, T.; Karppinen, M., E-mail: maarit.karppinen@aalto.fi

Here we demonstrate the gradual structural transformation from the monoclinic I2/m to tetragonal I4/m, cubic Fm-3m and hexagonal P6{sub 3}/mmc structure upon the isovalent larger-for-smaller A-site cation substitution in the B-site ordered double-perovskite system (Sr{sub 1−x}Ba{sub x}){sub 2}FeSbO{sub 6}. This is the same transformation sequence previously observed up to Fm-3m upon heating the parent Sr{sub 2}FeSbO{sub 6} phase to high temperatures. High-pressure treatment, on the other hand, transforms the hexagonal P6{sub 3}/mmc structure of the other end member Ba{sub 2}FeSbO{sub 6} back to the cubic Fm-3m structure. Hence we may conclude that chemical pressure, physical pressure and decreasing temperature allmore » work towards the same direction in the (Sr{sub 1−x}Ba{sub x}){sub 2}FeSbO{sub 6} system. Also shown is that with increasing Ba-for-Sr substitution level, i.e. with decreasing chemical pressure effect, the degree-of-order among the B-site cations, Fe and Sb, decreases. - Graphical abstract: In the (Sr{sub 1−x}Ba{sub x}){sub 2}FeSbO{sub 6} double-perovskite system the gradual structural transformation from the monoclinic I2/m to tetragonal I4/m, cubic Fm-3m and hexagonal P6{sub 3}/mmc structure is seen upon the isovalent larger-for-smaller A-site cation substitution. High-pressure treatment under 4 GPa extends stability of the cubic Fm-3m structure within a wider substitution range of x. - Highlights: • Gradual structural transitions upon A-cation substitution in (Sr{sub 1−x}Ba{sub x}){sub 2}FeSbO{sub 6.} • With increasing x structure changes from I2/m to I4/m, Fm-3m and P6{sub 3}/mmc. • Degree of B-site order decreases with increasing x and A-site cation radius. • High-pressure treatment extends cubic Fm-3m phase stability for wider x range. • High-pressure treatment affects bond lengths mostly around the A-cation.« less

Characterization of Ternary NiTiPd High-Temperature Shape-Memory Alloys under Load-Biased Thermal Cycling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bigelow, Glen S.; Padula, Santo A.; Noebe, Ronald D.; Garg, Anita; Gaydosh, Darrell

2010-01-01

While NiTiPd alloys have been extensively studied for proposed use in high-temperature shape-memory applications, little is known about the shape-memory response of these materials under stress. Consequently, the isobaric thermal cyclic responses of five (Ni,Pd)49.5Ti50.5 alloys with constant stoichiometry and Pd contents ranging from 15 to 46 at. pct were investigated. From these tests, transformation temperatures, transformation strain (which is proportional to work output), and unrecovered strain per cycle (a measure of dimensional instability) were determined as a function of stress for each alloy. It was found that increasing the Pd content over this range resulted in a linear increase in transformation temperature, as expected. At a given stress level, work output decreased while the amount of unrecovered strain produced during each load-biased thermal cycle increased with increasing Pd content, during the initial thermal cycles. However, continued thermal cycling at constant stress resulted in a saturation of the work output and nearly eliminated further unrecovered strain under certain conditions, resulting in stable behavior amenable to many actuator applications.

Positive regulation of plasmacytoid dendritic cell function via Ly49Q recognition of class I MHC

PubMed Central

Tai, Lee-Hwa; Goulet, Marie-Line; Belanger, Simon; Toyama-Sorimachi, Noriko; Fodil-Cornu, Nassima; Vidal, Silvia M.; Troke, Angela D.; McVicar, Daniel W.; Makrigiannis, Andrew P.

2008-01-01

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are an important source of type I interferon (IFN) during initial immune responses to viral infections. In mice, pDCs are uniquely characterized by high-level expression of Ly49Q, a C-type lectin-like receptor specific for class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Despite having a cytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif, Ly49Q was found to enhance pDC function in vitro, as pDC cytokine production in response to the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 9 agonist CpG-oligonucleotide (ODN) could be blocked using soluble monoclonal antibody (mAb) to Ly49Q or H-2Kb. Conversely, CpG-ODN–dependent IFN-α production by pDCs was greatly augmented upon receptor cross-linking using immobilized anti-Ly49Q mAb or recombinant H-2Kb ligand. Accordingly, Ly49Q-deficient pDCs displayed a severely reduced capacity to produce cytokines in response to TLR7 and TLR9 stimulation both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, TLR9-dependent antiviral responses were compromised in Ly49Q-null mice infected with mouse cytomegalovirus. Thus, class I MHC recognition by Ly49Q on pDCs is necessary for optimal activation of innate immune responses in vivo. PMID:19075287

Detection of Oil Palm Root Penetration by Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformed Ganoderma boninense, Expressing Green Fluorescent Protein.

PubMed

Govender, Nisha; Wong, Mui-Yun

2017-04-01

A highly efficient and reproducible Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocol for Ganoderma boninense was developed to facilitate observation of the early stage infection of basal stem rot (BSR). The method was proven amenable to different explants (basidiospore, protoplast, and mycelium) of G. boninense. The transformation efficiency was highest (62%) under a treatment combination of protoplast explant and Agrobacterium strain LBA4404, with successful expression of an hyg marker gene and gus-gfp fusion gene under the control of heterologous p416 glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase promoter. Optimal transformation conditions included a 1:100 Agrobacterium/explant ratio, induction of Agrobacterium virulence genes in the presence of 250 μm acetosyringone, co-cultivation at 22°C for 2 days on nitrocellulose membrane overlaid on an induction medium, and regeneration of transformants on potato glucose agar prepared with 0.6 M sucrose and 20 mM phosphate buffer. Evaluated transformants were able to infect root tissues of oil palm plantlets with needle-like microhyphae during the penetration event. The availability of this model pathogen system for BSR may lead to a better understanding of the pathogenicity factors associated with G. boninense penetration into oil palm roots.

Effect of the cancer specific shorter form of human 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase on the metabolism of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

PubMed

Andrejc, Darjan; Možir, Alenka; Legiša, Matic

2017-05-08

At first glance, there appears to be a high degree of similarity between the metabolism of yeast (the Crabtree effect) and human cancer cells (the Warburg effect). At the root of both effects is accelerated metabolic flow through glycolysis which leads to overflows of ethanol and lactic acid, respectively. It has been proposed that enhanced glycolytic flow in cancer cells is triggered by the altered kinetic characteristics of the key glycolytic regulatory enzyme 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase (Pfk). Through a posttranslational modification, highly active shorter Pfk-M fragments, which are resistant to feedback inhibition, are formed after the proteolytic cleavage of the C-terminus of the native human Pfk-M. Alternatively, enhanced glycolysis is triggered by optimal growth conditions in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To assess the deregulation of glycolysis in yeast cells, the sfPFKM gene encoding highly active human shorter Pfk-M fragments was introduced into pfk-null S. cerevisiae. No growth of the transformants with the sfPFKM gene was observed on glucose and fructose. Glucose even induced rapid deactivation of Pfk1 activities in such transformants. However, Pfk1 activities of the sfPFKM transformants were detected in maltose medium, but the growth in maltose was possible only after the addition of 10 mM of ethanol to the medium. Ethanol seemed to alleviate the severely unbalanced NADH/NADPH ratio in the sfPFKM cells. However, the transformants carrying modified Pfk-M enzymes grew faster than the transformants with the human native human Pfk-M enzyme in a narrow ecological niche with a low maltose concentration medium that was further improved by additional modifications. Interestingly, periodic extracellular accumulation of phenylacetaldehyde was detected during the growth of the strain with modified Pfk-M but not with the strain encoding the human native enzyme. Highly active cancer-specific shorter Pfk-M fragments appear to trigger several controlling mechanisms in the primary metabolism of yeast S. cerevisiae cells. These results suggest more complex metabolic regulation is present in S. cerevisiae as free living unicellular eukaryotic organisms in comparison to metazoan human cells. However, increased productivity under broader growth conditions may be achieved if more gene engineering is performed to reduce or omit several controlling mechanisms.

Amorphous nickel-cobalt complexes hybridized with 1T-phase molybdenum disulfide via hydrazine-induced phase transformation for water splitting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Haoyi; Chen, Shuangming; Jia, Xiaofan; Xu, Biao; Lin, Haifeng; Yang, Haozhou; Song, Li; Wang, Xun

2017-05-01

Highly active and robust eletcrocatalysts based on earth-abundant elements are desirable to generate hydrogen and oxygen as fuels from water sustainably to replace noble metal materials. Here we report an approach to synthesize porous hybrid nanostructures combining amorphous nickel-cobalt complexes with 1T phase molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) via hydrazine-induced phase transformation for water splitting. The hybrid nanostructures exhibit overpotentials of 70 mV for hydrogen evolution and 235 mV for oxygen evolution at 10 mA cm-2 with long-term stability, which have superior kinetics for hydrogen- and oxygen-evolution with Tafel slope values of 38.1 and 45.7 mV dec-1. Moreover, we achieve 10 mA cm-2 at a low voltage of 1.44 V for 48 h in basic media for overall water splitting. We propose that such performance is likely due to the complete transformation of MoS2 to metallic 1T phase, high porosity and stabilization effect of nickel-cobalt complexes on 1T phase MoS2.

The Role of Transforms in Gulf of Mexico Opening

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lundin, E.; Doré, A. G.

2017-12-01

The curious pie-shaped Gulf of Mexico (GoM) may be considered a high-angle back-arc basin to the Pacific Ocean. Opening was strongly facilitated by transforms, including a terminal transform on its Pacific side. GoM also formed synchronously with the nearby Central Atlantic when Gondwanaland pulled away from Laurasia in the Jurassic. Notably, GoM's oceanic crust never connected with that of the Atlantic, and the isolated nature of this small ocean led to periodically confined conditions that influenced the petroleum system. Of particular importance are the deposition of Callovian age salt and Tithonian age source rocks. The central part of GoM is generally accepted as underlain by oceanic crust, but the position of the continent-ocean boundaries (COB) is debated, as well as the nature of intervening crust. We favor an interpretation of the COBs marked by the regional scale, large-amplitude Houston, Florida, and Campeche magnetic anomalies, in turn probably reflecting seaward dipping reflectors of magma-rich margins. GoM's unusual shape may indirectly represent utilization of pre-existing transforms during the break-up of Pangea. Transforms represent long, linear weaknesses where the crust and lithosphere is already broken. Transforms seem to have governed the break-up of several oceanic segments in the North Atlantic and Arctic. The Suwanne suture of the Rheic Ocean is a pronounced magnetic anomaly that crosses Georgia-Florida and becomes aligned with the Houston magnetic anomaly, which here is interpreted as the northern COB to GoM. The Suwanne suture is oriented at high angle to the rest of the Rheic suture along the Appalachians and probably experienced lateral motion during the transpressional closure of the Rheic Ocean. This transform arguably represents a weak element in the Ouachita-Marathon orogen that allowed the Yucatan microcontinent to easily be plucked from the North American margin during the dispersal of Pangea, forming the GoM in the process. This opening mode is analogous to that of the pie-shaped Iceland Basin and the Jan Mayen microcontinent in the Northeast Atlantic.

Theoretical study of anisotropic mobility in ladder-type molecule organic semiconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Hui-Ling; Liu, Yu-Fang

2014-09-01

The properties of two ladder-type semiconductors {M1: 2,2'-(2,7-dihexy1-4,9-dihydro- s-indaceno[1,2- b:5,6- b']dithiophene-4,9-diylidene) dimalononitrile and M2: 2,7-dihexy1-4,9-dihydro- s-indaceno[1,2- b:5,6- b']dithiophene-4,9-dione} as the n-type and ambipolar organic materials are systematically investigated using the first-principle density functional theory combined with the Marcus-Hush electron transfer theory. It is found that the substitution of M1 induces large changes in its electron-transfer mobility of 1.370 cm2 V-1 s-1. M2 has both large electron- and hole-transfer mobility of 0.420 and 0.288 cm2 V-1 s-1, respectively, which indicates that M2 is potentially a high efficient ambipolar organic semiconducting material. Both the M1 and M2 crystals show remarkable anisotropic behavior. A proper design of the n-type and ambipolar organic electronic materials, which may have high mobility performance, is suggested based on the investigated two molecules.

Application of Diffuse Reflectance FT-IR Spectroscopy for the Surface Study of Kevlar Fibers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chatzi, E. G.; Ishida, H.; Koenig, J. L.

1985-12-01

The surfaces of Kevlar-49 aramid fibers, being used in high-performance composite materials, have been characterized by diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Enhancement of the surface selectivity of the technique has been achieved using KBr overlayers. The water absorbed by both the skin and the core of the fibers has been characterized by using this technique and the accessibility of the fiber functional groups has been evaluated.

Functional Properties of Porous Ti-48.0 at.% Ni Shape Memory Alloy Produced by Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Resnina, Natalia; Belyaev, Sergey; Voronkov, Andrew

2018-03-01

The functional behavior of the porous shape memory alloy produced by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis from the Ti-48.0 at.% Ni powder mixture was studied. It was found that a large unelastic strain recovered on unloading and it was not attributed to the pseudoelasticity effect. A decrease in deformation temperatures did not influence the value of strain that recovered on unloading, while the effective modulus decreased from 1.9 to 1.44 GPa. It was found that the porous Ti-48.0 at.% Ni alloy revealed the one-way shape memory effect, where the maximum recoverable strain was 5%. The porous Ti-48.0 at.% Ni alloy demonstrated the transformation plasticity and the shape memory effects on cooling and heating under a stress. An increase in stress did not influence the shape memory effect value, which was equal to 1%. It was shown that the functional properties of the porous alloy were determined by the TiNi phase consisted of the two volumes Ti49.3Ni50.7 and Ti50Ni50 where the martensitic transformation occurred at different temperatures. The results of the study showed that the existence of the Ti49.3Ni50.7 volumes in the porous Ti-48.0 at.% Ni alloy improved the functional properties of the alloy.

Tracing Acetylene Dissolved in Transformer Oil by Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectrum.

PubMed

Ma, Guo-Ming; Zhao, Shu-Jing; Jiang, Jun; Song, Hong-Tu; Li, Cheng-Rong; Luo, Ying-Ting; Wu, Hao

2017-11-02

Dissolved gas analysis (DGA) is widely used in monitoring and diagnosing of power transformer, since the insulation material in the power transformer decomposes gases under abnormal operation condition. Among the gases, acetylene, as a symbol of low energy spark discharge and high energy electrical faults (arc discharge) of power transformer, is an important monitoring parameter. The current gas detection method used by the online DGA equipment suffers from problems such as cross sensitivity, electromagnetic compatibility and reliability. In this paper, an optical gas detection system based on TDLAS technology is proposed to detect acetylene dissolved in transformer oil. We selected a 1530.370 nm laser in the near infrared wavelength range to correspond to the absorption peak of acetylene, while using the wavelength modulation strategy and Herriott cell to improve the detection precision. Results show that the limit of detection reaches 0.49 ppm. The detection system responds quickly to changes of gas concentration and is easily to maintenance while has no electromagnetic interference, cross-sensitivity, or carrier gas. In addition, a complete detection process of the system takes only 8 minutes, implying a practical prospect of online monitoring technology.

Clostridium species strain BOH3 tolerates and transforms inhibitors from horticulture waste hydrolysates.

PubMed

Yan, Yu; He, Jianzhong

2017-08-01

Conversion of lignocellulosic hydrolysate to biofuels is impeded by the toxic effects of inhibitors that are generated during pretreatment and hydrolysis processes. Here we describe a wild-type Clostridium sp. strain BOH3 with high tolerance to the lignocellulose-derived inhibitors and its capability to transform these inhibitors. Strain BOH3 is capable of tolerating over 60 mM furfural, 60 mM hydroxymethylfurfural, and 6.6 mM vanillin, respectively, and is able to convert 53.74 ± 0.37 mM furfural into furfuryl alcohol within 90 h. The high furfural tolerance and its biotransformation by strain BOH3, which is correlated to the high transcription levels of two short-chain dehydrogenase/reductases, enable strain BOH3 to produce 5.15 ± 0.52 g/L butanol from dilute sulfuric acid pretreated horticultural waste hydrolysate (HWH) that bypassed the detoxification step. The capability of strain BOH3 to produce butanol from un-detoxified HWH lays the foundation of cost-effective biofuel production from lignocellulosic materials.

250 kV 6 mA compact Cockcroft-Walton high-voltage power supply.

PubMed

Ma, Zhan-Wen; Su, Xiao-Dong; Lu, Xiao-Long; Wei, Zhen; Wang, Jun-Run; Huang, Zhi-Wu; Miao, Tian-You; Su, Tong-Ling; Yao, Ze-En

2016-08-01

A compact power supply system for a compact neutron generator has been developed. A 4-stage symmetrical Cockcroft-Walton circuit is adopted to produce 250 kV direct current high-voltage. A 2-stage 280 kV isolation transformer system is used to drive the ion source power supply. For a compact structure, safety, and reliability during the operation, the Cockcroft-Walton circuit and the isolation transformer system are enclosed in an epoxy vessel containing the transformer oil whose size is about ∅350 mm × 766 mm. Test results indicate that the maximum output voltage of the power supply is 282 kV, and the stability of the output voltage is better than 0.63% when the high voltage power supply is operated at 250 kV, 6.9 mA with the input voltage varying ±10%.

250 kV 6 mA compact Cockcroft-Walton high-voltage power supply

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

Ma, Zhan-Wen; Su, Xiao-Dong; Wei, Zhen

A compact power supply system for a compact neutron generator has been developed. A 4-stage symmetrical Cockcroft-Walton circuit is adopted to produce 250 kV direct current high-voltage. A 2-stage 280 kV isolation transformer system is used to drive the ion source power supply. For a compact structure, safety, and reliability during the operation, the Cockcroft-Walton circuit and the isolation transformer system are enclosed in an epoxy vessel containing the transformer oil whose size is about ∅350 mm × 766 mm. Test results indicate that the maximum output voltage of the power supply is 282 kV, and the stability of themore » output voltage is better than 0.63% when the high voltage power supply is operated at 250 kV, 6.9 mA with the input voltage varying ±10%.« less

Structure and magnetic properties of iron-based soft magnetic composite with Ni-Cu-Zn ferrite-silicone insulation coating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Wangchang; Wang, Wei; Lv, Junjun; Ying, Yao; Yu, Jing; Zheng, Jingwu; Qiao, Liang; Che, Shenglei

2018-06-01

This paper investigates the structure and magnetic properties of Ni-Cu-Zn ferrite-silicone coated iron-based soft magnetic composites (SMCs). Scanning electron microscopy coupled with a energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis revealed that the Ni-Cu-Zn ferrite and silicone resin were uniformly coated on the surface of iron powders. By controlling the composition of the coating layer, low total core loss of 97.7 mW/cm3 (eddy current loss of 48 mW/cm3, hysteresis loss of 49.7 mW/cm3, measured at 100 kHz and 0.02 T) and relatively high effective permeability of 72.5 (measured at 100 kHz) were achieved. In addition, the as-prepared SMCs displayed higher electrical resistivity, good magnetic characteristics over a wide range of frequencies (20-200 kHz) and ideal the D-C bias properties (more than 75% at H = 50 Oe). Furthermore, higher elastic modulus and hardness of SMCs, which means that the coating layer has good mechanical properties and is not easily damaged during the pressing process, were obtained in this paper. The results of this work indicate that the Ni-Cu-Zn ferrite-silicone coated SMCs have desirable properties which would make them suitable for application in the fields of the electric-magnetic switching devices, such as inductance coils, transformer cores, synchronous electric motors and resonant inductors.

Energy Levels, wavelengths and hyperfine structure measurements of Sc II

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hala, Fnu; Nave, Gillian

2018-01-01

Lines of singly ionized Scandium (Sc II) along with other Iron group elements have been observed [1] in the region surrounding the massive star Eta Carinae [2,3] called the strontium filament (SrF). The last extensive analysis of Sc II was the four-decade old work of Johansson & Litzen [4], using low-resolution grating spectroscopy. To update and extend the Sc II spectra, we have made observation of Sc/Ar, Sc/Ne and Sc/Ge/Ar hollow cathode emission spectrum on the NIST high resolution FT700 UV/Vis and 2 m UV/Vis/IR Fourier transform spectrometers (FTS). More than 850 Sc II lines have been measured in the wavelength range of 187 nm to 3.2 μm. connecting a total of 152 energy levels. The present work also focuses to resolve hyperfine structure (HFS) in Sc II lines. We aim to obtain accurate transition wavelengths, improved energy levels and HFS constants of Sc II. The latest results from work in progress will be presented.Reference[1] Hartman H, Gull T, Johansson S and Smith N 2004 Astron. Astrophys. 419 215[2] Smith N, Morse J A and Gull T R 2004 Astrophys. J. 605 405[3] Davidson K and Humphreys R M 1997 Annu. Rev. Astron. Astrophys. 35[4] Johansson S and Litzén U 1980 Phys. Scr. 22 49

Heat flow in western Virginia and a model for the origin of thermal springs in the folded Appalachians

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

Perry, L.D.; Costain, J.K.; Geiser, P.A.

1979-11-10

Five new heat flow values in the Blue Ridge (37/sup 0/02'N, 80/sup 0/12'W), Valley and Ridge (38/sup 0/00'N, 79/sup 0/50'W; 37/sup 0/54'N, 79/sup 0/54'W; 38/sup 0/14'N, 79/sup 0/49'W), and Alleghany Plateau (37/sup 0/12'N, 82/sup 0/06'W) provinces of Virginia are 36.3 +- 1.3mW/m/sup 2/, 317 +- 20mW/m/sup 2/, 48.2 +- 0.3mW/m/sup 2/, 49.5 +- 1.5mW/m/sup 2/, and 55.8 +- 1.7mW/m/sup 2/, respectively. The value of 36.3mW/m/sup 2/ in the Blue Ridge agrees with values predicted by the contour map of Sass et al. (1976) for this part of the eastern United States; the values of 49.5 and 48.3mW/m/sup 2/ in themore » Valley and Ridge province do not. The high value of 317 +- 20mW/m/sup 2/ at Hot Springs, Virginia, is the result of convection along a fault zone and is not regionally representative. The value of 48.3mW/m/sup 2/ determined at a site about 8 km southwest of Hot Springs, Virginia, is regionally representative of the heat flux. New data support a model of moderately deep circulation of meteoric water entering near-vertical sedimentary beds at relatively high topographic elevations and circulating downward via bedding plane permeability and fractures within Silurian quartzites and/or adjacent carbonate units. The moderately deep circulation is then intersected by vertical transverse linear fracture zones along which the water rises. All of the warm springs are located adjacent to topographic gaps which have developed along zones of weakness associated with the transverse fracture zones.« less

Live performance of male broilers subjected to constant or increasing air velocities at moderate temperatures with a high dew point.

PubMed

Dozier, W A; Lott, B D; Branton, S L

2005-08-01

This study examined the effects of varying air velocities vs. a constant air velocity with a cyclic temperature curve of 25-30-25 degrees C and a dew point of 23 degrees C on broilers from 28 to 49 d of age. Four replicate trials were conducted. In each trial, 742 male broilers were randomly allocated to 6 floor pens or 2 air velocity tunnels, with each tunnel consisting of 4 pens. Bird density, feeder, and waterer space were similar across all pens (53 birds/ pen; 0.07 m2/bird). The treatments were control (still air), constant air velocity of 120 m/min, and increasing air velocity (90 m/min from 28 to 35 d, 120 m/min from 36 to 42 d, and 180 m/min from 43 to 49 d). Birds grown in a still air environment gained less weight, consumed less feed, and converted feed less efficiently between 28 and 49 d than birds subjected to moving air (constant or increasing). Growth responses between the air velocity treatments were similar from 28 to 35 and 36 to 42 d of age. Increasing air velocity to 180 m/min improved (P < or = 0.02) the growth rate of broilers from 43 to 49 d of age over birds receiving an air velocity of 120 m/min, but the incidence of mortality was not affected. These results provide evidence that increasing air velocity from 120 to 180 m/min is beneficial to broilers weighing 2.5 kg or greater when exposed to moderate temperatures.

Determination of water depth with high-resolution satellite imagery over variable bottom types

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stumpf, Richard P.; Holderied, Kristine; Sinclair, Mark

2003-01-01

A standard algorithm for determining depth in clear water from passive sensors exists; but it requires tuning of five parameters and does not retrieve depths where the bottom has an extremely low albedo. To address these issues, we developed an empirical solution using a ratio of reflectances that has only two tunable parameters and can be applied to low-albedo features. The two algorithms--the standard linear transform and the new ratio transform--were compared through analysis of IKONOS satellite imagery against lidar bathymetry. The coefficients for the ratio algorithm were tuned manually to a few depths from a nautical chart, yet performed as well as the linear algorithm tuned using multiple linear regression against the lidar. Both algorithms compensate for variable bottom type and albedo (sand, pavement, algae, coral) and retrieve bathymetry in water depths of less than 10-15 m. However, the linear transform does not distinguish depths >15 m and is more subject to variability across the studied atolls. The ratio transform can, in clear water, retrieve depths in >25 m of water and shows greater stability between different areas. It also performs slightly better in scattering turbidity than the linear transform. The ratio algorithm is somewhat noisier and cannot always adequately resolve fine morphology (structures smaller than 4-5 pixels) in water depths >15-20 m. In general, the ratio transform is more robust than the linear transform.

A Continuous Flow Column Study of the Anaerobic Transformation of a CAH Mixture of Tetrachloroethene and Carbon Tetrachloride Using Formate as an Electron Donor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Semprini, L.; Azizian, M. F.; Kim, Y.

2011-12-01

Many groundwater sites are contaminated with mixtures of chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs) that represent a challenge when biological remediation processes are being considered. This is especially challenging when high concentrations of CAHs are present.Trichloromethane (CF), for example, has been observed to inhibit and potentially exert toxicity on reductive dehalogenation of tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE). Results will be presented from a continuous flow column study where the simultaneous transformation of PCE and carbon tetrachloride (CT) was achieved. The column was packed with a quartz sand and bioaugmented with the Evanite Culture (EV) that is capable of transforming PCE to ethene. The column was fed a synthetic groundwater that was amended with PCE to achieve an influent concentration near its solubility limit (0.10 mM) and formate (1.5 mM) that reacts to produce hydrogen as the ultimate electron donor. The column was operated for over 1600 days prior to the addition of CT. During this period PCE was transformed mainly to vinyl chloride (VC) and ethene (ETH) and minor amounts of cis-dichloroethene (cis-DCE) and TCE. The transformation extent achieved based on the column effluent concentrations ranged from about 50% ETH, 30% VC, and 20 cis-DCE up to 80% ETH and 20% VC. When the column was fed sulfate, it was completely transformed via sulfate reduction. Ferrous iron production from ferric iron reduction was observed early in the study. Acetate was also formed as a result of homoacetogenesis from hydrogen utilization. CT addition (0.015 mM) was started at 1600 days while PCE addition was continued. During the first 25 days of CT addition, CT concentrations gradually increased to 50% of the injection concentration and chloromethane (CM) and CF were observed as transformation products. CT concentrations then decreased with over 98% transformation achieved.CM was removed to below the detection limit and CF concentration decreases to about 0.003 mM, representing 20% of the CT transformed. Other transformation products have not been identified. Neither methane nor carbon monoxide have been detected as transformation products. The transformation of PCE to ethene actually improved after the addition of CT. Thus, neither CT nor CF are inhibiting the reductive dehalogenation of PCE. The improvement in PCE transformation extent coincided with an increase in the aqueous hydrogen concentration from 5 nM, prior to CT addition, to 150 nM after CT addition. This increase in hydrogen was associated with the inhibition in acetate production and the increase in formate concentrations from below detection to 1.0 mM after CT addition. The results indicate that there are likely benefits in adding formate to produce hydrogen when contaminants are present that can inhibit fermentation. The results from the column study are consistent with our observations in batch reactors using the EV culture.

Chromian spinels in highly altered ultramafic rocks from the Sartohay ophiolitic mélange, Xinjiang, NW China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiu, Tian; Zhu, Yongfeng

2018-06-01

The Sartohay ophiolitic mélange is located in western Junggar (Xinjiang province, NW China), which is a major component of the core part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Chromian spinels in serpentinite, talc schist, carbonate-talc schist and listwaenite in Sartohay ophiolitic mélange retain primary compositions with Cr# of 0.39-0.65, Mg# = 0.48-0.67, and Fe3+# < 0.08. Chromian spinels in deformed listwaenite were initially transformed into Fe2+-rich chromite during shearing deformation followed by Fe3+-rich chromite at shallow levels. The Cr# and Fe3+# of Fe2+-rich chromite (Cr# = 0.59-0.86, Fe3+# = 0.01-0.12, Mg# = 0.35-0.61) and Fe3+-rich chromite (Cr# = 0.85-1.00, Fe3+# = 0.17-0.38, Mg# < 0.29) increase with decrease of Mg#. We propose a model to illustrate the evolution of chromian spinels in highly altered ultramafic rocks from the Sartohay ophiolitic mélange. Chromian spinels in serpentinite and talc schist were rimmed by Cr-magnetite, which was dissolved completely during transformation from serpentinite/talc schist to listwaenite. Chromian spinels were then transformed into Fe2+-rich chromite in shear zones, which characterized by high fluid/rock ratios. This Fe2+-rich chromite and/or chromian spinels could then be transformed into Fe3+-rich chromite in oxidizing conditions at shallow levels.

High Voltage Design Guide. Volume V. Spacecraft

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-01-01

written at Boeing). 57. Langmuir , I., and Blodgett , K. B., "Currents Limited by Space Charge Between Concentric Spheres", Physical Review 23, p. 49...Transformers 66 6.3.3 Pulse Circuits 68 6.4 Packaging 68 6.4.1 Liquids 69 6.4.2 Gases 69 6.4.3 Shielding 69 6.5 Insulation 70 6.5.1 Open Construction 71 6.5.2...percent reactive liquid insulating material used to fill all intersfices within electrical parts and assemblies such as the spaces between very small

Amorphous nickel-cobalt complexes hybridized with 1T-phase molybdenum disulfide via hydrazine-induced phase transformation for water splitting

PubMed Central

Li, Haoyi; Chen, Shuangming; Jia, Xiaofan; Xu, Biao; Lin, Haifeng; Yang, Haozhou; Song, Li; Wang, Xun

2017-01-01

Highly active and robust eletcrocatalysts based on earth-abundant elements are desirable to generate hydrogen and oxygen as fuels from water sustainably to replace noble metal materials. Here we report an approach to synthesize porous hybrid nanostructures combining amorphous nickel-cobalt complexes with 1T phase molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) via hydrazine-induced phase transformation for water splitting. The hybrid nanostructures exhibit overpotentials of 70 mV for hydrogen evolution and 235 mV for oxygen evolution at 10 mA cm−2 with long-term stability, which have superior kinetics for hydrogen- and oxygen-evolution with Tafel slope values of 38.1 and 45.7 mV dec−1. Moreover, we achieve 10 mA cm−2 at a low voltage of 1.44 V for 48 h in basic media for overall water splitting. We propose that such performance is likely due to the complete transformation of MoS2 to metallic 1T phase, high porosity and stabilization effect of nickel-cobalt complexes on 1T phase MoS2. PMID:28485395

Cumulus cloud base height estimation from high spatial resolution Landsat data - A Hough transform approach

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Berendes, Todd; Sengupta, Sailes K.; Welch, Ron M.; Wielicki, Bruce A.; Navar, Murgesh

1992-01-01

A semiautomated methodology is developed for estimating cumulus cloud base heights on the basis of high spatial resolution Landsat MSS data, using various image-processing techniques to match cloud edges with their corresponding shadow edges. The cloud base height is then estimated by computing the separation distance between the corresponding generalized Hough transform reference points. The differences between the cloud base heights computed by these means and a manual verification technique are of the order of 100 m or less; accuracies of 50-70 m may soon be possible via EOS instruments.

Modification of the magnetic mineralogy in basalts due to fluid-rock interactions in a high-temperature geothermal system (Krafla, Iceland)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oliva-Urcia, Belén; Kontny, Agnes; Vahle, Carsten; Schleicher, Anja M.

2011-07-01

Active high-temperature (>150 °C) geothermal areas like the Krafla caldera, NE-Iceland, often show distinct magnetic lows in aeromagnetic anomaly maps suggesting a destruction of magnetic minerals by hydrothermal activity. The main alteration processes in such an environment are low-temperature oxidation (<350 °C, maghemitization) and fluid-rock interactions. We investigated the rock magnetic properties [natural remanent magnetization (NRM) magnetic susceptibility and their temperature and field variation] and the mineralogy, using X-ray diffraction, microscopic methods and electron microprobe analyses, of two drill cores (KH1 and KH3) from the rim of the Krafla caldera. The drill cores have distinctly lower NRM values (average <3 A m-1) compared to younger surface basalts (average 20 A m-1) along with a large variation in magnetic susceptibility (1.3 × 10-7- 4.9 × 10-5 m3 kg-1). The secondary mineral assemblage (sulphides, sphene, rutile and chlorite) indicates an alteration within the chlorite-smectite zone for both cores without depth zoning. Optical miscroscopy in combination with the Bitter technique and backscatter electron microscopy along with the thermomagnetic analyses allow distinguishing two different magnetomineralogical groups of titanomaghemite: (1) titanomaghemite with intermediate titanium concentration and probably high vacancy concentration, and (2) titanomaghemite with low titanium concentration and low vacancy concentration. The mineral assemblages, textures and magnetic properties deduced from the mentioned magnetic measurements indicate two-stage transformation mechanism: (1) Dissolution of titanium at low pH under oxidizing conditions. The ulvöspinel component of titanomagnetite and ilmenite forms rutile or sphene, and Fe2 + migrates out of the spinel lattice forming titanomaghemite. (2) Formation of pyrite and dissolution of remaining titanomaghemite under reducing and acidic conditions. The latter mechanism produces ghost textures (all titanomaghemite is transformed and only their former grain shapes are preserved), with only paramagnetic minerals left and ferrimagnetic minerals nearly dissolved. This mechanism could explain the significant magnetization loss, which is seen in many local magnetic anomaly lows within the oceanic crust and volcanic islands like Iceland or Hawaii. The production of nanoporous textures in titanomaghemites is suggested as a mechanism for the enhancement of the magnetic susceptibility values related to the hydrothermal alteration of Krafla.

Suppression of alkylating agent induced cell transformation and gastric ulceration by low-dose alkylating agent pretreatment

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

Onodera, Akira, E-mail: onodera@pharm.kobegakuin.ac.jp; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kobegakuin University, 1-1-3 Minatojima, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-8586; Kawai, Yuichi

2013-06-14

Highlights: •Low-dose MNNG pretreatment suppresses high-dose MNNG induced in vitro transformation. •Gastric ulcers induced by high-dose MNNG decreased after low-dose MNNG pretreatment. •Efficacy of low-dose MNNG related to resistance of mutation and oxidative stress. -- Abstract: Exposure to mild stress by chemicals and radiation causes DNA damage and leads to acquired stress resistance. Although the linear no-threshold (LNT) model of safety assessment assumes risk from any dose, evidence from radiological research demonstrates a conflicting hormetic phenomenon known as the hormesis effect. However, the mechanisms underlying radiation hormesis have not yet been clarified, and little is known about the effects ofmore » low doses of chemical carcinogens. We analyzed the efficacy of pretreatment with low doses of the alkylating agent N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) on the subsequent induction of cell transformation and gastric ulceration by high-dose MNNG. We used an in vitro Balb/3T3 A31-1-1 cell transformation test and monitored the formation of gastric ulcers in 5-week-old male ICR mice that were administered MNNG in drinking water. The treatment concentrations of MNNG were determined by the cell survival rate and past reports. For low-dose in vitro and in vivo experiments, MNNG was used at 0.028 μM, and 2.8 μg/mL, respectively. The frequency of cell transformation induced by 10 μm MNNG was decreased by low-dose MNNG pretreatment to levels similar to that of spontaneous transformation. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mutation frequencies induced by 10 μm MNNG were decreased by low-dose MNNG pretreatment. Importantly, low-dose MNNG pretreatment had no effect on cell proliferation. In vivo studies showed that the number of gastric ulcers induced by 1 mg/mL MNNG decreased after low-dose MNNG pretreatment. These data indicate that low-dose pretreatment with carcinogens may play a beneficial role in the prevention of chemical toxicity under specified conditions.« less

E-Selective Semi-Hydrogenation of Alkynes by Heterobimetallic Catalysis.

PubMed

Karunananda, Malkanthi K; Mankad, Neal P

2015-11-25

A unique cooperative H2 activation reaction by heterobimetallic (NHC)M'-MCp(CO)2 complexes (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene, M' = Cu or Ag, M = Fe or Ru) has been leveraged to develop a catalytic alkyne semi-hydrogenation transformation. The optimal Ag-Ru catalyst gives high selectivity for converting alkynes to E-alkenes, a rare selectivity mode for reduction reactions with H2. The transformation is tolerant of many reducible functional groups. Computational analysis of H2 activation thermodynamics guided rational catalyst development. Bimetallic alkyne hydrogenation and alkene isomerization mechanisms are proposed.

Effect of Liquid-Crystalline Epoxy Backbone Structure on Thermal Conductivity of Epoxy-Alumina Composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giang, Thanhkieu; Kim, Jinhwan

2017-01-01

In a series of papers published recently, we clearly demonstrated that the most important factor governing the thermal conductivity of epoxy-Al2O3 composites is the backbone structure of the epoxy. In this study, three more epoxies based on diglycidyl ester-terminated liquid-crystalline epoxy (LCE) have been synthesized to draw conclusions regarding the effect of the epoxy backbone structure on the thermal conductivity of epoxy-alumina composites. The synthesized structures were characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and optical microscopy were also employed to examine the thermal and optical properties of the synthesized LCEs and the cured composites. All three LCE resins exhibited typical liquid-crystalline behaviors: clear solid crystalline state below the melting temperature ( T m), sharp crystalline melting at T m, and transition to nematic phase above T m with consequent isotropic phase above the isotropic temperature ( T i). The LCE resins displayed distinct nematic liquid-crystalline phase over a wide temperature range and retained liquid-crystalline phase after curing, with high thermal conductivity of the resulting composite. The thermal conductivity values ranged from 3.09 W/m-K to 3.89 W/m-K for LCE-Al2O3 composites with 50 vol.% filler loading. The steric effect played a governing role in the difference. The neat epoxy resin thermal conductivity was obtained as 0.35 W/m-K to 0.49 W/m-K based on analysis using the Agari-Uno model. The results clearly support the objective of this study in that the thermal conductivity of the LCE-containing networks strongly depended on the epoxy backbone structure and the degree of ordering in the cured network.

Characterization of a Diamond Ground Y-TZP and Reversion of the Tetragonal to Monoclinic Transformation.

PubMed

Candido, L M; Fais, Lmg; Ferreira, E B; Antonio, S G; Pinelli, Lap

To characterize the surface of an yttria-stabilized zirconia (Y-TZP) ceramic after diamond grinding in terms of its crystalline phase, morphology, mean roughness (Ra), and wettability as well as to determine a thermal treatment to reverse the resulting tetragonal to monoclinic (t-m) transformation. Y-TZP specimens were distributed into different groups according to the actions (or no action) of grinding and irrigation. Grinding was accomplished using a diamond stone at a low speed. The samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, goniometry, and profilometry. In situ high-temperature XRD was used to determine an annealing temperature to reverse the t-m transformation. Ra was submitted to the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by the Dunn test (α=0.05). The volume fraction of the monoclinic phase and contact angle were submitted to one-way analysis of variance, followed by the Tukey test (α=0.05). Monoclinic zirconia was observed on the surface of samples after dry and wet grinding with a diamond stone. The volume fraction of the monoclinic phase was smaller on the dry ground samples (3.6%±0.3%) than on the wet ground samples (5.6%±0.3%). High-temperature XRD showed reversion of the t-m phase transformation, which started at 700°C and completed at 800°C in a conventional oven. Grinding with a diamond stone partially transformed the crystalline phase on the surface of a Y-TZP ceramic from tetragonal to monoclinic zirconia while simultaneously increasing the surface roughness and wettability. The t-m transformation could be reversed by heat treatment at 800°C or 900°C for 60 minutes or 1000°C for 30 minutes.

Reference Ultraviolet Wavelengths of Cr III Measured by Fourier Transform Spectrometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smillie, D.G.; Pickering, J.C.; Smith, P.L.

2008-01-01

We report Cr III ultraviolet (UV) transition wavelengths measured using a high-resolution Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS), for the first time, available for use as wavelength standards. The doubly ionized iron group element spectra dominate the observed opacity of hot B stars in the UV, and improved, accurate, wavelengths are required for the analysis of astronomical spectra. The spectrum was excited using a chromium-neon Penning discharge lamp and measured with the Imperial College vacuum ultraviolet FTS. 140 classified 3d(exp 3)4s- 3d(exp 3)4p Cr III transition lines, in the spectral range 38,000 to 49,000 cm(exp -1) (2632 to 2041 A), the strongest having wavelength uncertainties less than one part in 10(exp 7), are presented.

A Mechanism of Unidirectional Transformation, Leading to Antibiotic Resistance, Occurs within Nasopharyngeal Pneumococcal Biofilm Consortia

PubMed Central

2018-01-01

ABSTRACT Streptococcus pneumoniae acquires genes for resistance to antibiotics such as streptomycin (Str) or trimethoprim (Tmp) by recombination via transformation of DNA released by other pneumococci and closely related species. Using naturally transformable pneumococci, including strain D39 serotype 2 (S2) and TIGR4 (S4), we studied whether pneumococcal nasopharyngeal transformation was symmetrical, asymmetrical, or unidirectional. Incubation of S2Tet and S4Str in a bioreactor simulating the human nasopharynx led to the generation of SpnTet/Str recombinants. Double-resistant pneumococci emerged soon after 4 h postinoculation at a recombination frequency (rF) of 2.5 × 10−4 while peaking after 8 h at a rF of 1.1 × 10−3. Acquisition of antibiotic resistance genes by transformation was confirmed by treatment with DNase I. A high-throughput serotyping method demonstrated that all double-resistant pneumococci belonged to one serotype lineage (S2Tet/Str) and therefore that unidirectional transformation had occurred. Neither heterolysis nor availability of DNA for transformation was a factor for unidirectional transformation given that the density of each strain and extracellular DNA (eDNA) released from both strains were similar. Unidirectional transformation occurred regardless of the antibiotic-resistant gene carried by donors or acquired by recipients and regardless of whether competence-stimulating peptide-receptor cross talk was allowed. Moreover, unidirectional transformation occurred when two donor strains (e.g., S4Str and S19FTmp) were incubated together, leading to S19FStr/Tmp but at a rF 3 orders of magnitude lower (4.9 × 10−6). We finally demonstrated that the mechanism leading to unidirectional transformation was due to inhibition of transformation of the donor by the recipient. PMID:29764945

40 CFR Appendix to Subpart M of... - Alphabetical Listing of Tribes and Corresponding Sections

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Corresponding Sections Appendix to Subpart M of Part 49 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION...-Region X Pt. 49, Subpt. M, App. Appendix to Subpart M of Part 49—Alphabetical Listing of Tribes and Corresponding Sections Indian Tribe Refer to the following sections in subpart M Burns Paiute Tribe of the Burns...

40 CFR Appendix to Subpart M of... - Alphabetical Listing of Tribes and Corresponding Sections

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Corresponding Sections Appendix to Subpart M of Part 49 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION... Implementation Plans for Tribes-Region X Pt. 49, Subpt. M, App. Appendix to Subpart M of Part 49—Alphabetical Listing of Tribes and Corresponding Sections Indian Tribe Refer to the following sections in subpart M...

Study of structural phase transitions in quinary TiNi(MoFeAg)-based alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gunther, Victor; Marchenko, Ekaterina; Chekalkin, Timofey; Baigonakova, Gulsharat; Kang, Ji-hoon; Kim, Ji-soon; Klopotov, Anatoliy

2017-10-01

The structural phase transitions of quinary Ti50Ni49.5-X Mo0.3Fe0.2Ag X (X  =  0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 at%) alloys prepared by vacuum-induction melting were studied by means of the four-point-probe, x-ray diffraction (XRD), and optical microscopy methods after thermal cycling. The two-stage B2 ↔ R ↔ B19‧ reversible martensitic transformation (MT) took place in all the investigated samples. It is found that the substitution of Ag for Ni in the studied alloy when C Ag  =  0-0.5 at%, reduces the T R, M s, and M f characteristic points by 20-30 K, whereas they increase by 15-35 K when the Ag content was varied from 1.0 to 1.5 at% and the B2 ↔ R ↔ B19‧ MT was realized in the high-temperature area. XRD patterns of the studied alloys recorded at the ambient temperature detected the pure Ag phase as well as Ti2Ni precipitate with a small volume fraction (up to 5%) alongside with structural lines of B2, R, and B19‧ phases.

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

Jafirin, Serawati; Ahmad, Ishak; Ahmad, Azizan

The development of 49% poly(methyl methacrylate)-grafted natural rubber (MG49) and carboxymethyl cellulose as a composite polymer electrolyte film incorporating LiCF{sub 3}SO{sub 3} were explored. Carboxymethyl cellulose was synthesized from kenaf bast fibres via carboxymethylation process by alkali catalyzed reaction of cellulose with sodium chloroacetate. Reflection fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy showed the presence of carboxyl peak after modification of cellulose with sodium chloroacetate. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the crystallinity of cellulose was decrease after synthesis. High performance composite polymer electrolytes were prepared with various composition of carboxymethyl cellulose (2–10 wt%) via solution-casting method. The conductivity was increased withmore » carboxymethyl cellulose loading. The highest conductivity value achieved was 3.3 × 10{sup −7} Scm{sup −1} upon addition of 6% wt carboxymethyl cellulose. 6% wt carboxymethyl cellulose composition showed the highest tensile strength value of 7.9 MPa and 273 MPa of modulus value which demonstrated high mechanical performance with accepatable level of ionic conductivity.« less

A novel nitrite biosensor based on gold dendrites with egg white as template.

PubMed

He, Yaping; Zhang, Dawei; Dong, Sheying; Zheng, Jianbin

2012-01-01

Gold dendrites (AuD) were synthesized with egg white as the soft template and a novel nitrite (NO(2)(-)) biosensor was fabricated by assembly of a myoglobin (Mb)-L-cysteamine (Cys)-AuD biological hybrid. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectra and UV-visible spectra indicated that Mb retained its original structure in the resulting Mb-Cys-AuD. Electrochemical investigation of the biosensor showed a pair of well-defined, quasi-reversible redox peaks with E(pa) = -0.314 V and E(pc) = -0.344 V (vs. SCE) in 0.1 M, pH 7.0 sodium phosphate buffered saline at the scan rate of 200 mV/s. The transfer rate constant (k(s)) was 1.49 s(-1). The Mb-Cys-AuD showed a good electrochemical catalytic response for the reduction of NO(2)(-), with the linear range from 0.5 to 400 µM and the detection limit of 0.3 µM (S/N = 3). The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (K(M)(app)) was estimated to be 0.2 mM. Therefore, the assembled bio-hybrid as a novel matrix opened up a further possibility for study on the design of enzymatic biosensors with potential applications.

The experimental study of the DC dielectric breakdown strength in magnetic fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kopčanský, P.; Tomčo, L.; Marton, K.; Koneracká, M.; Potočová, I.; Timko, M.

2004-05-01

Magnetic fluids have been studied for use as a high-voltage insulation. High-voltage measurements on magnetic fluids based on transformer oil, as a function of volume concentrations of magnetite particles and applied magnetic field, showed the increase of the DC dielectric breakdown strength opposite transformer oil, if the saturation magnetization of magnetic fluid is up to 4 mT approximately.

TEM characterization of planar defects in massively transformed TiAl alloy

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

Zhang, X.D.; Wiezorek, J.M.K.; Fraser, H.L.

1997-12-31

The microstructure of a massively transformed Ti-49at.%Al alloy has been studied by conventional transmission electron microscopy (CTEM) and high resolution TEM (HREM). A high density of planar defects, namely complex anti-phase domain boundaries (CAPDB) and thermal micro-twins (TMT) have been observed. CTEM images and diffraction patterns showed that two anti-phase related {gamma}-matrix domains were generally separated by a thin layer of a 90{degree}-domain, for which the c-axis is rotated 90{degree} over a common cube axis with respect to those of the {gamma}-matrix domains. HREM confirmed the presence of two crystallographically different types of 90{degree}-domains being associated with the CAPDB. Furthermore,more » interactions between the CAPDB and TMT have been observed. Local faceting of the generally wavy, non-crystallographic CAPDB parallel to the {l_brace}111{r_brace}-twinning planes occurred due to interaction with the TMT. The relaxation of the CAPDB onto {l_brace}111{r_brace} required diffusion which is proposed to be enhanced locally in the presence of the dislocations associated with the formation of TMT during the massive transformation.« less

Size-fractionated PM10 monitoring in relation to the contribution of endotoxins in different polluted areas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Traversi, D.; Alessandria, L.; Schilirò, T.; Gilli, G.

2011-07-01

Particulate pollution is an environmental concern that is widespread and difficult to resolve. Recently various regulatory improvements around the world have been agreed upon to tackle this problem, especially as related to the fine fraction of particulates, which more closely correlates to human health effects than other fractions. The size-fractionation of inhalable particles and their organic composition represent a new area of research that has been poorly explored thus far. Endotoxins are a type of natural organic compound that can be found in particulate matter. They are correlated with Gram-negative bacterial contamination. Health outcomes associated with exposure to these toxins are not specific and often overlap with the health effects of PM (Particulate Matter) exposure, including asthma, bronchitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome and organic dust toxic syndrome. Very little information is available on the endotoxin distribution in different PM10 size fractions. This study examined PM10 size fractions and their endotoxin content. Sampling was conducted at five different locations: one urban, two rural and two rural sites that were highly influenced by large-scale farm animal production facilities. For each location, six different PM10 fractions were evaluated. PM10 sub-fractions were categorised as follows: PM 10-7.2 (1.15-31.30 μg m -3); PM 7.2-3.0 (1.86-30.73 μg m -3); PM 3.0-1.5 (1.74-13.90 μg m -3); PM 1.5-0.95 (0.24-10.57 μg m -3); PM 0.95-0.49 (1.22-14.33 μg m -3) and PM <0.49 (13.15-85.49 μg m -3). The ranges of endotoxin levels determined were: PM 10-7.2 (0.051-5.401 endotoxin units (EU) m -3); PM 7.2-3.0 (0.123-7.801 EU m -3); PM 3.0-1.5 (0.057-1.635 EU m -3); PM 1.5-0.95 (0.040-2.477 EU m -3); PM 0.95-0.49 (0.007-3.159 EU m -3) and PM <0.49 (0.039-3.975 EU m -3). Our results indicated consistency of the PM1 fraction at all of the sites and the predominant presence of endotoxins in the coarse fraction. The observed abatement of the PM10 and endotoxin levels was very high (above 1:10) as little as 50 m from the pollution source. This kind of model is useful to both improve our knowledge about PM10 endotoxin distribution and to evaluate the potential risks for the health of neighbouring populations.

[High-level expression of heterologous protein based on increased copy number in Saccharomyces cerevisiae].

PubMed

Zhang, Xinjie; He, Peng; Tao, Yong; Yang, Yi

2013-11-04

High-level expression system of heterologous protein mediated by internal ribosome entry site (IRES) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was constructed, which could be used for other applications of S. cerevisiae in metabolic engineering. We constructed co-expression cassette (promoter-mCherry-TIF4631 IRES-URA3) containing promoters Pilv5, Padh2 and Ptdh3 and recombined the co-expression cassette into the genome of W303-1B-A. The URA3+ transformants were selected. By comparing the difference in the mean florescence value of mCherry in transformants, the effect of three promoters was detected in the co-expression cassette. The copy numbers of the interested genes in the genome were determined by Real-Time PCR. We analyzed genetic stability by continuous subculturing transformants in the absence of selection pressure. To verify the application of co-expression cassette, the ORF of mCherry was replaced by beta-galactosidase (LACZ) and xylose reductase (XYL1). The enzyme activities and production of beta-galactosidase and xylose reductase were detected. mCherry has been expressed in the highest-level in transformants with co-expression cassette containing Pilv5 promoter. The highest copy number of DNA fragment integrating in the genome was 47 in transformants containing Pilv5. The engineering strains showed good genetic stability. Xylose reductase was successfully expressed in the co-expression cassette containing Pilv5 promoter and TIF4631 IRES. The highest enzyme activity was 0. 209 U/mg crude protein in the transformants WIX-10. Beta-galactosidase was also expressed successfully. The transformants that had the highest enzyme activity was WIL-1 and the enzyme activity was 12.58 U/mg crude protein. The system mediated by Pilv5 promoter and TIF4631 IRES could express heterologous protein efficiently in S. cerevisiae. This study offered a new strategy for expression of heterologous protein in S. cerevisiae and provided sufficient experimental evidence for metabolic engineering application of this system in yeast.

Microbial biodegradation of aromatic alkanoic naphthenic acids is affected by the degree of alkyl side chain branching

PubMed Central

Johnson, Richard J; Smith, Ben E; Sutton, Paul A; McGenity, Terry J; Rowland, Steven J; Whitby, Corinne

2011-01-01

Naphthenic acids (NAs) occur naturally in oil sands and enter the environment through natural and anthropogenic processes. NAs comprise toxic carboxylic acids that are difficult to degrade. Information on NA biodegradation mechanisms is limited, and there are no studies on alkyl branched aromatic alkanoic acid biodegradation, despite their contribution to NA toxicity and recalcitrance. Increased alkyl side chain branching has been proposed to explain NA recalcitrance. Using soil enrichments, we examined the biodegradation of four aromatic alkanoic acid isomers that differed in alkyl side chain branching: (4′-n-butylphenyl)-4-butanoic acid (n-BPBA, least branched); (4′-iso-butylphenyl)-4-butanoic acid (iso-BPBA); (4′-sec-butylphenyl)-4-butanoic acid (sec-BPBA) and (4′-tert-butylphenyl)-4-butanoic acid (tert-BPBA, most branched). n-BPBA was completely metabolized within 49 days. Mass spectral analysis confirmed that the more branched isomers iso-, sec- and tert-BPBA were transformed to their butylphenylethanoic acid (BPEA) counterparts at 14 days. The BPEA metabolites were generally less toxic than BPBAs as determined by Microtox assay. n-BPEA was further transformed to a diacid, showing that carboxylation of the alkyl side chain occurred. In each case, biodegradation of the carboxyl side chain proceeded through beta-oxidation, which depended on the degree of alkyl side chain branching, and a BPBA degradation pathway is proposed. Comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences at days 0 and 49 showed an increase and high abundance at day 49 of Pseudomonas (sec-BPBA), Burkholderia (n-, iso-, tert-BPBA) and Sphingomonas (n-, sec-BPBA). PMID:20962873

Post-breakup faulting of the outer Vøring Margin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Planke, S.; Millett, J.; Jerram, D. A.; Maharjan, D.; Hafeez, A.; Abdelmalak, M. M.; Zastrozhnov, D.; Faleide, J. I.

2017-12-01

Tectonic activity on passive margins may continue for a long time after the main phase of continental breakup. On the southern Vøring Margin, offshore Norway, new high-quality 3D seismic data reveal the presence of extensive normal faults offsetting the Top basalt horizon, along with overlying lower Eocene age sediments. We have completed a detailed seismic interpretation of the new data using a combination of conventional seismic horizon interpretation and igneous seismic geomorphological techniques. The seismic data have been tied to scientific and industry wells to constrain the age of the interpreted horizons and the age and duration of the faulting. The Top basalt horizon displays a dominantly subaerial lava field, on the Vøring Marginal High, with well-defined lava flow morphologies including inflated flow lobes and surface pressure ridges. The prominent kilometer-high Vøring Escarpment was developed when landward flowing lava met the ocean, developing an extensive foreset bedded hyaloclastite delta. Later, a pitted surface was developed in the west during lava emplacement in a wet environment during subsidence of the central rift valley. Earliest Eocene sediments were subsequently deposited on the marginal high. Well-defined northeast trending faults are imaged on the marginal high, cutting across the escarpment. Spacing of the faults is ca. 400-500 m, and offsets are typically of ca. 30-50 m, often defining graben structures. The faults further offset the overlying earliest Eocene sequences in a number of examples. Based on the well ties, faulting mainly took place 5-10 m.y. after continental breakup near the Paleocene-Eocene boundary. Our hypothesis is that the faulting is related to strain partitioning across the developing Vøring Transform Margin. Plate tectonic constraints show that there was an active continent-continent transform in this region also for 10-15 m.y. after breakup. The transform margin is a linear, northwest trending structure, with a well-developed transform marginal high, the Mimir High, along its central part. The transform margin extends into the southwestern segment of the Jan Mayen Fracture Zone to the northwest. We speculate that the ocean basin separating the Vøring Spur from the Vøring Marginal High was formed by a rift propagation event during the same time period.

Intracranial solitary fibrous tumors/hemangiopericytomas: first report of malignant progression.

PubMed

Apra, Caroline; Mokhtari, Karima; Cornu, Philippe; Peyre, Matthieu; Kalamarides, Michel

2018-06-01

OBJECTIVE Meningeal solitary fibrous tumors/hemangiopericytomas (MSFTs/HPCs) are rare intracranial tumors resembling meningiomas. Their classification was redefined in 2016 by the World Health Organization (WHO) as benign Grade I fibrohyaline type, intermediate Grade II hypercellular type, and malignant highly mitotic Grade III. This grouping is based on common histological features and identification of a common NAB2-STAT6 fusion. METHODS The authors retrospectively identified 49 cases of MSFT/HPC. Clinical data were obtained from the medical records, and all cases were analyzed according to this new 2016 WHO grading classification in order to identify malignant transformations. RESULTS Recurrent surgery was performed in 18 (37%) of 49 patients. Malignant progression was identified in 5 (28%) of these 18 cases, with 3 Grade I and 2 Grade II tumors progressing to Grade III, 3-13 years after the initial surgery. Of 31 Grade III tumors treated in this case series, 16% (5/31) were proved to be malignant progressions from lower-grade tumors. CONCLUSIONS Low-grade MSFTs/HPCs can transform into higher grades as shown in this first report of such progression. This is a decisive argument in favor of a common identity for MSFT and meningeal HPC. High-grade MSFTs/HPCs tend to recur more often and be associated with reduced overall survival. Malignant progression could be one mechanism explaining some recurrences or metastases, and justifying long-term follow-up, even for patients with Grade I tumors.

Adventures in transformations: TG, TA, oh my! (Poster abstract)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ciocca, M.

2015-12-01

(Abstract only) AAVSO made available, through the great volunteer work of Gordon Myers and George Silvis, two very useful tools, Transform Generator and Transform Applier (TG and TA) for transforming instrumental magnitudes to the standard system. I will juxtapose the steps necessary to obtain transformation parameters "the old fashion way" and how can the same result be achieved with these two tools. I will present transformation parameters for the Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) telescope and obtained with the standard field M67. These parameters were applied to photometric results for AE Uma, a short-period, high-amplitude delta Scuti star (Period ~ 0.086 d).

Cyclic stability of superelasticity in the aged [ {bar{1}}23 ]-oriented Ni49Fe18Ga27Co6 single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panchenko, E. Yu.; Chumlyakov, Yu. I.; Timofeeva, E. E.; Vetoshkina, N. G.; Maier, H.

2013-02-01

The results of investigation of the effect of precipitates of different sizes, from 5 to 300 nm, on the character of stress-induced martensitic transformations, the value of stress hysteresis and cyclic stability of superelasticity in Ni49Fe18Ga27Со6 (at.%) ferromagnetic single crystals oriented along the [ {bar{1}}23 ] axis are presented. It is shown that a martensitic transformation in single crystals of Ni49Fe18Ga27Со6 containing dispersed particles of the γ- and γ'-phases measuring up to 30 nm (ageing at 673 K for 1 and 4 hours) is characterized by storing considerable elastic energy. It is revealed that these single crystals exhibit higher cyclic stability of superelasticity and a narrower stress hysteresis compared to those in the initial state and aged at 823 K for 0.5 hour, the latter containing much larger (150-300 nm) particles.

49 CFR 195.3 - Incorporation by reference.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

....106(e). (2) ASTM A106/A106M-08, “Standard Specification for Seamless Carbon Steel Pipe for High... 2005), “Standard Specification for Metal-Arc-Welded Steel Pipe for Use With High-Pressure Transmission..., “Standard Specification for Electric-Fusion-Welded Steel Pipe for High-Pressure Service at Moderate...

49 CFR 195.3 - Incorporation by reference.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

....106(e). (2) ASTM A106/A106M-08, “Standard Specification for Seamless Carbon Steel Pipe for High... 2005), “Standard Specification for Metal-Arc-Welded Steel Pipe for Use With High-Pressure Transmission..., “Standard Specification for Electric-Fusion-Welded Steel Pipe for High-Pressure Service at Moderate...

49 CFR 195.3 - Incorporation by reference.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

....106(e). (2) ASTM A106/A106M-08, “Standard Specification for Seamless Carbon Steel Pipe for High... 2005), “Standard Specification for Metal-Arc-Welded Steel Pipe for Use With High-Pressure Transmission..., “Standard Specification for Electric-Fusion-Welded Steel Pipe for High-Pressure Service at Moderate...

49 CFR 195.3 - Incorporation by reference.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

....106(e). (2) ASTM A106/A106M-08, “Standard Specification for Seamless Carbon Steel Pipe for High... 2005), “Standard Specification for Metal-Arc-Welded Steel Pipe for Use With High-Pressure Transmission..., “Standard Specification for Electric-Fusion-Welded Steel Pipe for High-Pressure Service at Moderate...

2-(3-Fluoro-4-methylsulfonylaminophenyl) Propanamides as Potent Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) Antagonists: Structure Activity Relationships of 2-Amino Derivatives in the N-(6-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl) C-region

PubMed Central

Kim, Myeong Seop; Ryu, HyungChul; Kang, Dong Wook; Cho, Seong-Hee; Seo, Sejin; Park, Young Soo; Kim, Mi-Yeon; Kwak, Eun Joo; Kim, Yong Soo; Bhondwe, Rahul S.; Kim, Ho Shin; Park, Seul-gi; Son, Karam; Choi, Sun; DeAndrea-Lazarus, Ian; Pearce, Larry V.; Blumberg, Peter M.; Frank, Robert; Bahrenberg, Gregor; Stockhausen, Hannelore; Kögel, Babette Y.; Schiene, Klaus; Christoph, Thomas; Lee, Jeewoo

2012-01-01

A series of N-(2-amino-6-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl) 2-(3-fluoro-4-methylsulfonylaminophenyl) propanamides were designed combining previously identified pharmacophoric elements and evaluated as hTRPV1 antagonists. The SAR analysis indicated that specific hydrophobic interactions of the 2-amino substituents in the C-region of the ligand were critical for high hTRPV1binding potency. In particular, compound 49S was an excellent TRPV1 antagonist (Ki(CAP) = 0.2 nM; IC50(pH) = 6.3 nM) and was thus ca. 100- and 20-fold more potent, respectively, than the parent compounds 2 and 3 for capsaicin antagonism. Furthermore, it demonstrated strong analgesic activity in the rat neuropathic model superior to 2 with almost no side effects. Compound 49S antagonized capsaicin induced hypothermia in mice, but showed TRPV1-related hyperthermia. The basis for the high potency of 49S compared to 2 is suggested by docking analysis with our hTRPV1 homology model in which the 4-methylpiperidinyl group in the C-region of 49S made additional hydrophobic interactions with the hydrophobic region. PMID:22957803

Tailored electron bunches with smooth current profiles for enhanced transformer ratios in beam-driven acceleration

DOE PAGES

Lemery, F.; Piot, P.

2015-08-03

Collinear high-gradient O(GV/m) beam-driven wakefield methods for charged-particle acceleration could be critical to the realization of compact, cost-efficient, accelerators, e.g., in support of TeV-scale lepton colliders or multiple-user free-electron laser facilities. To make these options viable, the high accelerating fields need to be complemented with large transformer ratios >2, a parameter characterizing the efficiency of the energy transfer between a wakefield-exciting “drive” bunch to an accelerated “witness” bunch. While several potential current distributions have been discussed, their practical realization appears challenging due to their often discontinuous nature. In this paper we propose several alternative continuously differentiable (smooth) current profiles whichmore » support enhanced transformer ratios. We especially demonstrate that one of the devised shapes can be implemented in a photo-emission electron source by properly shaping the photocathode-laser pulse. We finally discuss a possible superconducting linear-accelerator concept that could produce shaped drive bunches at high-repetition rates to drive a dielectric-wakefield accelerator with accelerating fields on the order of ~60 MV/m and a transformer ratio ~5 consistent with a recently proposed multiuser free-electron laser facility.« less

Tailored electron bunches with smooth current profiles for enhanced transformer ratios in beam-driven acceleration

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

Lemery, F.; Piot, P.

Collinear high-gradient O(GV/m) beam-driven wakefield methods for charged-particle acceleration could be critical to the realization of compact, cost-efficient, accelerators, e.g., in support of TeV-scale lepton colliders or multiple-user free-electron laser facilities. To make these options viable, the high accelerating fields need to be complemented with large transformer ratios >2, a parameter characterizing the efficiency of the energy transfer between a wakefield-exciting “drive” bunch to an accelerated “witness” bunch. While several potential current distributions have been discussed, their practical realization appears challenging due to their often discontinuous nature. In this paper we propose several alternative continuously differentiable (smooth) current profiles whichmore » support enhanced transformer ratios. We especially demonstrate that one of the devised shapes can be implemented in a photo-emission electron source by properly shaping the photocathode-laser pulse. We finally discuss a possible superconducting linear-accelerator concept that could produce shaped drive bunches at high-repetition rates to drive a dielectric-wakefield accelerator with accelerating fields on the order of ~60 MV/m and a transformer ratio ~5 consistent with a recently proposed multiuser free-electron laser facility.« less

High-sensitivity detection of biological amines using fast Hadamard transform CE coupled with photolytic optical gating.

PubMed

Braun, Kevin L; Hapuarachchi, Suminda; Fernandez, Facundo M; Aspinwall, Craig A

2007-08-01

Here, we report the first utilization of Hadamard transform CE (HTCE), a high-sensitivity, multiplexed CE technique, with photolytic optical gating sample injection of caged fluorescent labels for the detection of biologically important amines. Previous implementations of HTCE have relied upon photobleaching optical gating sample injection of fluorescent dyes. Photolysis of caged fluorescent labels reduces the fluorescence background, providing marked enhancements in sensitivity compared to photobleaching. Application of fast Hadamard transform CE (fHTCE) for fluorescein-based dyes yields a ten-fold higher sensitivity for photolytic injections compared to photobleaching injections, due primarily to the reduced fluorescent background provided by caged fluorescent dyes. Detection limits as low as 5 pM (ca. 18 molecules per injection event) were obtained with on-column LIF detection using fHTCE in less than 25 s, with the capacity for continuous, online separations. Detection limits for glutamate and aspartate below 150 pM (1-2 amol/injection event) were obtained using photolytic sample injection, with separation efficiencies exceeding 1 x 10(6) plates/m and total multiplexed separation times as low as 8 s. These results strongly support the feasibility of this approach for high-sensitivity dynamic chemical monitoring applications.

Effects of medium and trace metals on kinetics of carbon tetrachloride transformation by Pseudomonas sp. strain KC.

PubMed Central

Tatara, G M; Dybas, M J; Criddle, C S

1993-01-01

Under denitrifying conditions, Pseudomonas sp. strain KC transforms carbon tetrachloride (CT) to carbon dioxide via a complex but as yet undetermined mechanism. Transformation rates were first order with respect to CT concentration over the CT concentration range examined (0 to 100 micrograms/liter) and proportional to protein concentration, giving pseudo-second-order kinetics overall. Addition of ferric iron (1 to 20 microM) to an actively transforming culture inhibited CT transformation, and the degree of inhibition increased with increasing iron concentration. By removing iron from the trace metals solution or by removing iron-containing precipitate from the growth medium, higher second-order rate coefficients were obtained. Copper also plays a role in CT transformation. Copper was toxic at neutral pH. By adjusting the medium pH to 8.2, soluble iron and copper levels decreased as a precipitate formed, and CT transformation rates increased. However, cultures grown at high pH without any added trace copper (1 microM) exhibited slower growth rates and greatly reduced rates of CT transformation, indicating that copper is required for CT transformation. The use of pH adjustment to decrease iron solubility, to avoid copper toxicity, and to provide a selective advantage for strain KC was evaluated by using soil slurries and groundwater containing high levels of iron. In samples adjusted to pH 8.2 and inoculated with strain KC, CT disappeared rapidly in the absence or presence of acetate or nitrate supplements. CT did not disappear in pH-adjusted controls that were not inoculated with strain KC. PMID:8357248

Comparative study on microstructure and martensitic transformation of aged Ni-rich NiTi and NiTiCo shape memory alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Bagoury, Nader

2016-05-01

In this article the influence of aging heat treatment conditions of 250, 350, 450 and 550 °C for 3 h on the microstructure, martensitic transformation temperatures and mechanical properties of Ni51Ti49Co0 and Ni47 Ti49Co4 shape memory alloys was investigated. This comparative study was carried out using X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrometer, differential scanning calorimeter and Vickers hardness tester. The results show that the microstructure of both aged alloys contains martensite phase and Ti2Ni in addition to some other precipitates. The martensitic transformation temperature was increased steadily by increasing the ageing temperature and lowering the value of valence electron number (ev/a) and concentration. Moreover, the hardness measurements were gradually increased at first by increasing the aging temperature from 250 to 350 °C. Further elevating in aging temperature to 450 and 550 °C decreases the hardness value.

In Situ Neutron Diffraction Analyzing Stress-Induced Phase Transformation and Martensite Elasticity in [001]-Oriented Co49Ni21Ga30 Shape Memory Alloy Single Crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reul, A.; Lauhoff, C.; Krooß, P.; Gutmann, M. J.; Kadletz, P. M.; Chumlyakov, Y. I.; Niendorf, T.; Schmahl, W. W.

2018-02-01

Recent studies demonstrated excellent pseudoelastic behavior and cyclic stability under compressive loads in [001]-oriented Co-Ni-Ga high-temperature shape memory alloys (HT-SMAs). A narrow stress hysteresis was related to suppression of detwinning at RT and low defect formation during phase transformation due to the absence of a favorable slip system. Eventually, this behavior makes Co-Ni-Ga HT-SMAs promising candidates for several industrial applications. However, deformation behavior of Co-Ni-Ga has only been studied in the range of theoretical transformation strain in depth so far. Thus, the current study focuses not only on the activity of elementary deformation mechanisms in the pseudoelastic regime up to maximum theoretical transformation strains but far beyond. It is shown that the martensite phase is able to withstand about 5% elastic strain, which significantly increases the overall deformation capability of this alloy system. In situ neutron diffraction experiments were carried out using a newly installed testing setup on Co-Ni-Ga single crystals in order to reveal the nature of the stress-strain response seen in the deformation curves up to 10% macroscopic strain.

Dielectric properties of transformer paper impregnated by mineral oil based magnetic fluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Timko, M.; Kopčanský, P.; Marton, K.; Tomčo, L.; Koneracká, M.

2010-01-01

The influence of combined magnetic and electric field on permittivity of transformer paper used in power transformers was observed. Transformer paper was impregnated by pure transformer oil ITO 100 and magnetic fluids based on transformer oil ITO 100 with different concentrations of magnetite nanoparticles. The measurements were carried out with help of high precision capacitance bridge. The electric intensity between circular planar electrodes was in the region of weak electric field (E > 106 V/m). The increase of electric permittivity of transformer paper impregnated by magnetic fluid opposite pure transformer paper was observed. The experiments showed that permittivity of insulator system consisting of pure transformer paper and impregnated transformer paper naturally depends on number of paper layers. The magnetodielectric effect was found to be dependent on magnetite nanoparticles concentration in magnetic fluids.

Radiation-induced disorder in compressed lanthanide zirconates.

PubMed

Park, Sulgiye; Tracy, Cameron L; Zhang, Fuxiang; Park, Changyong; Trautmann, Christina; Tkachev, Sergey N; Lang, Maik; Mao, Wendy L; Ewing, Rodney C

2018-02-28

The effects of swift heavy ion irradiation-induced disordering on the behavior of lanthanide zirconate compounds (Ln 2 Zr 2 O 7 where Ln = Sm, Er, or Nd) at high pressures are investigated. After irradiation with 2.2 GeV 197 Au ions, the initial ordered pyrochlore structure (Fd3[combining macron]m) transformed to a defect-fluorite structure (Fm3[combining macron]m) in Sm 2 Zr 2 O 7 and Nd 2 Zr 2 O 7 . For irradiated Er 2 Zr 2 O 7 , which has a defect-fluorite structure, ion irradiation induces local disordering by introducing Frenkel defects despite retention of the initial structure. When subjected to high pressures (>29 GPa) in the absence of irradiation, all of these compounds transform to a cotunnite-like (Pnma) phase, followed by sluggish amorphization with further compression. However, if these compounds are irradiated prior to compression, the high pressure cotunnite-like phase is not formed. Rather, they transform directly from their post-irradiation defect-fluorite structure to an amorphous structure upon compression (>25 GPa). Defects and disordering induced by swift heavy ion irradiation alter the transformation pathways by raising the energetic barriers for the transformation to the high pressure cotunnite-like phase, rendering it inaccessible. As a result, the high pressure stability field of the amorphous phase is expanded to lower pressures when irradiation is coupled with compression. The responses of materials in the lanthanide zirconate system to irradiation and compression, both individually and in tandem, are strongly influenced by the specific lanthanide composition, which governs the defect energetics at extreme conditions.

Watching Conformations of Biomolecules: a Microwave Spectroscopy Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lopez, J. C.

2011-06-01

The combination of laser ablation with Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy in supersonic jets (LA-MB-FTMW) has made possible the gas-phase study of solid biomolecules with high melting points. In the experiment, solids are efficiently vaporized by a high-energy laser pulse, supersonically expanded into a evacuated Fabry-Perot cavity and characterised by their rotational spectra. Recent improvements such as the use of picosecond pulse lasers, new ablation nozzles and the extension of the range of the spectrometers to low frequecy have notably increased the sensitivity of our experimental setup. To date different α-, β- and γ-amino acids have been studied using this technique, making possible the characterization of their preferred conformations and gaining insight in the role of intramolecular interactions. Even in conformationally challenging systems the different rotamers of such biomolecules can be identified by rotational spectroscopy as can be illustrated by the assignment of six low-energy conformers in cysteine and aspartic acid, seven in serine and threonine,^a and nine in γ-amino butyric acid (GABA). In all cases the low-energy conformers have been conclusive identified from their experimental rotational and 14N quadrupole coupling constants. The spectra of neurotransmitters and of the nucleic acid bases uracil, thymine, cytosine and guanine have also been studied and their preferred conformers or tautomeric forms determined. The complexes between amino acids and nucleic acid bases with water have also been investigated to obtain information on the possible changes induced in the conformational or tautomeric preferences by the addition of solvent molecules. J. L. Alonso, C. Pérez, M. E. Sanz, J. C. López, S. Blanco, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 11, 617-627 (2009) and references therein M. E. Sanz, J. C. López, J. L. Alonso, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 12, 3573-3578 (2010) S. Blanco, J. C. López, S. Mata and J. L. Alonso, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 49, 9187 (2010) J. L. Alonso, M. E. Sanz, J. C. López, V. Cortijo, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 131, 4320 (2009) J. L. Alonso, I. Peña, J. C. López, V. Vaquero, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 49, 6141 (2009) J. C. López, J. L. Alonso, I. Peña, V. Vaquero, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 12, 3573-3578 (2010)

Rapid compression transforms interfacial monolayers of pulmonary surfactant.

PubMed

Crane, J M; Hall, S B

2001-04-01

Films of pulmonary surfactant in the lung are metastable at surface pressures well above the equilibrium spreading pressure of 45 mN/m but commonly collapse at that pressure when compressed in vitro. The studies reported here determined the effect of compression rate on the ability of monolayers containing extracted calf surfactant at 37 degrees C to maintain very high surface pressures on the continuous interface of a captive bubble. Increasing the rate from 2 A(2)/phospholipid/min (i.e., 3% of (initial area at 40 mN/m)/min) to 23%/s produced only transient increases to 48 mN/m. Above a threshold rate of 32%/s, however, surface pressures reached > 68 mN/m. After the rapid compression, static films maintained surface pressures within +/- 1 mN/m both at these maximum values and at lower pressures following expansion at < 5%/min to > or = 45 mN/m. Experiments with dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine at 37 degrees C produced similar results. These findings indicate that compression at rates comparable to values in the lungs can transform at least some phospholipid monolayers from a form that collapses readily at the equilibrium spreading pressure to one that is metastable for prolonged periods at higher pressures. Our results also suggest that transformation of surfactant films can occur without refinement of their composition.

Degradation of 3-phenoxybenzoic acid by a filamentous fungus Aspergillus oryzae M-4 strain with self-protection transformation.

PubMed

Zhu, Yuanting; Li, Jianlong; Yao, Kai; Zhao, Nan; Zhou, Kang; Hu, Xinjie; Zou, Likou; Han, Xinfeng; Liu, Aiping; Liu, Shuliang

2016-11-01

A novel filamentous fungus M-4 strain was isolated from soy sauce koji and identified as Aspergillus oryzae (Collection number: CGMCC 11645) on the basis of morphological characteristics and internal transcribed spacer sequence. M-4 could degrade 80.62 % of 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA; 100 mg L -1 ) within 5 days. 3-PBA degradation occurred in accordance with first-order kinetics. The degradation metabolites of 3-PBA were identified through high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Relevant enzymatic activities and substrate utilization were also investigated, which indicated that M-4 could effectively degrade the intermediates of 3-PBA. Base on analysis of these metabolites, a novel biochemical pathway for the degradation of 3-PBA was proposed. There exists a mutual transformation between 3-phenoxy-benzyl alcohol and 3-PBA, which was firstly reported about the degradation of 3-PBA and may be attributed to self-protection transformation of M-4; subsequently, 3-PBA was gradually transformed into phenol, 3-hydroxy-5-phenoxy benzoic acid, protocatechuic acid and gallic acid. The safety of M-4 was evaluated via an acute toxicity test in vivo. The biodegradation ability of M-4 without toxic effects reveals that this fungus may be likely to be used for eliminating 3-PBA from contaminated environment or fermented foods.

High resolution wavenumber analysis for investigation of arterial pulse wave propagation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hasegawa, Hideyuki; Sato, Masakazu; Irie, Takasuke

2016-07-01

The propagation of the pulse wave along the artery is relatively fast (several m/s), and a high-temporal resolution is required to measure pulse wave velocity (PWV) in a regional segment of the artery. High-frame-rate ultrasound enables the measurement of the regional PWV. In analyses of wave propagation phenomena, the direction and propagation speed are generally identified in the frequency-wavenumber space using the two-dimensional Fourier transform. However, the wavelength of the pulse wave is very long (1 m at a propagation velocity of 10 m/s and a temporal frequency of 10 Hz) compared with a typical lateral field of view of 40 mm in ultrasound imaging. Therefore, PWV cannot be identified in the frequency-wavenumber space owing to the low resolution of the two-dimensional Fourier transform. In the present study, PWV was visualized in the wavenumber domain using phases of arterial wall acceleration waveforms measured by high-frame-rate ultrasound.

Goal Setting and Task Performance: 1969-1980

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-06-01

self - esteem showed greater performance improvement than individuals with low self - esteem ...There was no self - esteem effect when instrumentality was high. When self - esteem was low , typists who perceived high goal instrumentality showed greater...performance improvement than M. 49 those with low goal instrumentality; when self - esteem was high, there was no instrumentality effect.

Characterization of arsenite-oxidizing bacteria to decipher their role in arsenic bioremediation.

PubMed

Biswas, Rimi; Sarkar, Angana

2018-06-11

High arsenic groundwater contamination causes serious health risks in many developing countries, particularly in India and Bangladesh. The arsenic fluxes in aquifers are primarily controlled by bacterial populations through biogeochemical cycle. In this present study, two gram-positive rod-shaped bacteria were isolated from shallow aquifers of Bhojpur district in Bihar during the early winter season, able to withstand arsenite (As 3+ ) concentration upto 70 mM and 1000 mM of arsenate (As 5+ ) concentration. They showed high resistance to heavy metals up to 30 mM and utilized some complex sugars along with different carbon sources. Growth at wide range of temperature, pH and salinity were observed. Both these isolates showed high efficiency in converting As 3+ into less toxic concentrations of As 5+ respectively from arsenic enriched culture media. Along with superior arsenic transformation and arsenic resistance abilities, the isolates showed a wide variety of metabolic capacity in terms of utilizing a variety of carbon sources under aerobic conditions, respectively. This study reports the potential As 3+ -oxidizing bacteria that can play an important role in subsurface arsenic transformation that will aid in designing future bioremediation strategy for the arsenic affected areas.

Experimental investigation of in-situ transformations of the M 7C3 carbide in the cast Fe-Cr-Ni alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kraposhin, V. S.; Kondrat'ev, S. Yu.; Talis, A. L.; Anastasiadi, G. P.

2017-03-01

The microstructure and the phase composition of a heat-resistant Fe-Cr-Ni alloy (0. 45C-25Cr-35Ni) has been investigated in the cast state and after annealing at 1150°C for 2-100 h. After a 2-h high-temperature annealing, the fragmentation of the crystal structure of the eutectic M 7C3 carbides into domains of 500 nm in size with a partial transition into M 23C6 carbides is observed. After a 100-h holding, the complete transition of the hexagonal M 7C3 carbides into M 23C6 with a face-centered cubic structure occurs. The carbide transition M 7C3 → M 23 can be considered to be an in situ transformation.

A 75 GHz regenerative dynamic frequency divider with active transformer using InGaAs/InP HBT technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xi; Zhang, Bichan; Zhao, Hua; Su, Yongbo; Muhammad, Asif; Guo, Dong; Jin, Zhi

2017-08-01

This letter presents a high speed 2:1 regenerative dynamic frequency divider with an active transformer fabricated in 0.7 μm InP DHBT technology with {f}{{T}} of 165 GHz and {f}\\max of 230 GHz. The circuit includes a two-stage active transformer, input buffer, divider core and output buffer. The core part of the frequency divider is composed of a double-balanced active mixer (widely known as the Gilbert cell) and a regenerative feedback loop. The active transformer with two stages can contribute to positive gain and greatly improve phase difference. Instead of the passive transformer, the active one occupies a much smaller chip area. The area of the chip is only 469× 414 μ {{{m}}}2 and it entirely consumes a total DC power of only 94.6 mW from a single -4.8 V DC supply. The measured results present that the divider achieves an operating frequency bandwidth from 75 to 80 GHz, and performs a -23 dBm maximum output power at 37.5 GHz with a 0 dBm input signal of 75 GHz.

Monoclinic phase transformation and mechanical durability of zirconia ceramic after fatigue and autoclave aging.

PubMed

Mota, Yasmine A; Cotes, Caroline; Carvalho, Rodrigo F; Machado, João P B; Leite, Fabíola P P; Souza, Rodrigo O A; Özcan, Mutlu

2017-10-01

This study evaluated the influence of two aging procedures on the biaxial flexural strength of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia ceramics. Disc-shaped zirconia specimens and (ZE: E.max ZirCAD, Ivoclar; ZT: Zirkon Translucent, Zirkonzahn) (N = 80) (∅:12 mm; thickness:1.2 mm, ISO 6872) were prepared and randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 per group) according to the aging procedures: C: Control, no aging; M: mechanical cycling (2 × 10 6 cycles/3.8 Hz/200 N); AUT: Aging in autoclave at 134°C, 2 bar for 24 h; AUT + M: Autoclave aging followed by mechanical cycling. After aging, the transformed monoclinic zirconia (%) were evaluated using X-ray diffraction and surface roughness was measured using atomic force microscopy. The average grain size was measured by scanning electron microscopy and the specimens were submitted to biaxial flexural strength testing (1 mm/min, 1000 kgf in water). Data (MPa) were statistically analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). Aging procedures significantly affected (p = 0.000) the flexural strength data but the effect of zirconia type was not significant (p = 0.657). AUT ZT (936.4 ± 120.9 b ) and AUT + M ZE (867.2 ± 49.3 b ) groups presented significantly higher values (p < 0.05) of flexural strength than those of the control groups (C ZT : 716.5 ± 185.7 a ; C ZE : 779.9 ± 114 a ) (Tukey's test). The monoclinic phase percentage (%) was higher for AUT ZE (71), AUT ZT (66), AUT + M ZE (71), and AUT + M ZM (66) compared to the C groups (ZE:0; ZT:0). Surface roughness (µm) was higher for AUT ZE (0.09), AUT ZT (0.08), AUT + M ZE (0.09 µm), and AUT + M ZT (0.09 µm) than those of other groups. Regardless of the zirconia type, autoclave aging alone or with mechanical aging increased the flexure strength but also induced higher transformation from tetragonal to monoclinic phase in both zirconia materials tested. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 1972-1977, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Conditions affecting transformation of a group H streptococcus.

PubMed

Schlissel, H J; Sword, C P

1966-11-01

Schlissel, Harvey J. (The University of Kansas, Lawrence), and C. P. Sword. Conditions affecting transformation of a group H streptococcus. J. Bacteriol. 92:1357-1363. 1966.-A defined transforming medium (DTM) containing buffer and 5 to 10 mug per ml of deoxyribonucleic acid was developed to study the physical and chemical requirements for optimal transformation in streptococcal strain SBE. Optimal transformation in DTM occurred at pH 7.5 and 7.0 in 0.07 m sodium phosphate buffer and 0.05 m tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane buffer, respectively. In the presence of either a monovalent or a divalent cation, transformation was stimulated maximally by Mn(+2) (10(-3)m) and K(+) (0.05 m). Other cations tested (Na(+), Mg(+2), Ca(+2)) were less stimulatory. A mixture of K(+) and Mn(+2) stimulated transformation to a level higher than either cation alone. Kinetic studies showed that the stimulating effect of cations was greatest during the early part of the transformation reaction and decreased with time. Transformation was inhibited by Cu(+2) (10(-5)m) and Mn(+2) (10(-2)m). Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) inhibited transformation at 10(-5)m. The inhibition by EDTA could be overcome by Mn(+2) during the early part of the transformation reaction.

Neoplastic transformation of hamster embryo cells by heavy ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Z.; Suzuki, H.; Suzuki, F.; Suzuki, M.; Furusawa, Y.; Kato, T.; Ikenaga, M.

1998-11-01

We have studied the induction of morphological transformation of Syrian hamster embryo cells by low doses of heavy ions with different linear energy transfer (LET), ranging from 13 to 400 keV/μm. Exponentially growing cells were irradiated with 12C or 28Si ion beams generated by the Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba (HIMAC), inoculated to culture dishes, and transformed colonies were identified when the cells were densely stacked and showed a crisscross pattern. Over the LET range examined, the frequency of transformation induced by the heavy ions increased sharply at very low doses no greater than 5 cGy. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of the heavy ions relative to 250 kVp X-rays showed an initial increase with LET, reaching a maximum value of about 7 at 100 keV/μm, and then decreased with the further increase in LET. Thus, we confirmed that high LET heavy ions are significantly more effective than X-rays for the induction of in vitro cell transformation.

High Flux Heat Exchanger

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-01-01

maximum jet velocity (6.36 m/s), and maximum number of jets (nine). Wadsworth and Mudawar [49] describe the use of a single slotted nozzle to provide...H00503 (ASME), pp. 121-128, 1989. 40 49. D. C. Wadsworth and I. Mudawar , "Cooling of a Multichip Electronic Module by Means of Confined Two-Dimensional...Jets of Dielectric Liquid," HTD-Vol. 111, Heat Transfer in Electrglif, Book No. H00503 (ASME), pp. 79-87, 1989. 50. D.C. Wadsworth and I. Mudawar

Specific high-affinity binding sites for a synthetic gliadin heptapeptide of human peripheral blood lymphocytes

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

Payan, D.G.; Horvath, K.; Graf, L.

1987-03-23

The synthetic peptide containing residues 43-49 of ..cap alpha..-gliadin, the major protein component of gluten, has previously been shown to inhibit the production of lymphokine activities by mononuclear leukocytes. The authors demonstrate using radiolabeled ..cap alpha..-gliadin(43-49) that human peripheral blood lymphocytes express approximately 20,000-25,000 surface receptors for this peptide, with a dissociation constant (K/sub D/) of 20 nM. In addition, binding is inhibited by naloxone and an enkephalin analog, thus confirming the functional correlate which demonstrates inhibition by these agents of ..cap alpha..-gliadin(43-49) functional effects. Furthermore, B-lymphocytes bind specifically a greater amount of (/sup 125/I)..cap alpha..-gliadin(43-49) than T-lymphocytes. The lymphocytemore » ..cap alpha..-gliadin(43-49) receptor may play an important role in mediating the immunological response to ..cap alpha..-gliadin. 16 references, 4 figures.« less

Deformation and Phase Transformation Processes in Polycrystalline NiTi and NiTiHf High Temperature Shape Memory Alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Benafan, Othmane

2012-01-01

The deformation and transformation mechanisms of polycrystalline Ni49.9Ti50.1 and Ni50.3Ti29.7Hf20 (in at.%) shape memory alloys were investigated by combined experimental and modeling efforts aided by an in situ neutron diffraction technique at stress and temperature. The thermomechanical response of the low temperature martensite, the high temperature austenite phases, and changes between these two states during thermomechanical cycling were probed and reported. In the cubic austenite phase, stress-induced martensite, deformation twinning and slip processes were observed which helped in constructing a deformation map that contained the limits over which each of the identified mechanisms was dominant. Deformation of the monoclinic martensitic phase was also investigated where the microstructural changes (texture, lattice strains, and phase fractions) during room-temperature deformation and subsequent thermal cycling were compared to the bulk macroscopic response. When cycling between these two phases, the evolution of inelastic strains, along with the shape setting procedures were examined and used for the optimization of the transformation properties as a function of deformation levels and temperatures. Finally, this work was extended to the development of multiaxial capabilities at elevated temperatures for the in situ neutron diffraction measurements of shape memory alloys on the VULCAN Diffractometer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Effect of Fluoride on Arsenic Uptake from Arsenic-Contaminated Groundwater using Pteris vittata L.

PubMed

Zhao, Junying; Guo, Huaming; Ma, Jie; Shen, Zhaoli

2015-01-01

High-arsenic groundwater in inland basins usually contains high concentrations of fluoride. In the present study, the effects of fluoride on arsenic uptake by Pteris vittata and on arsenic transformation in growth media were investigated under greenhouse conditions. After P. vittata was hydroponically exposed to 66.8 μM As (V) in the presence of 1.05 mM F- in the form of NaF, KF, or NaF+KF for 10 d, no visible toxicity symptoms were observed, and there were not significant differences in the dry biomass among the four treatments. The results showed that P. vittata tolerated F- concentrations as high as 1.05 mM but did not accumulate fluoride in their own tissues. Arsenic uptake was inhibited in the presence of 1.05 mM F-. However, in hydroponic batches with 60 μM As (III) or 65 μM As (V), it was found that 210.6 and 316.0 μM F(-) promoted arsenic uptake. As(III) was oxidized to As(V) in the growth media in the presence and absence of plants, and F- had no effect on the rate of As(III) transformation. These experiments demonstrated that P. vittata was a good candidate to remediate arsenic-contaminated groundwater in the presence of fluoride. Our results can be used to develop strategies to remediate As-F-contaminated water using P. vittata.

A Study of the Applicability of Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (AES), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy, Direct Reading and Analytical Ferrography on High Performance Aircraft Engine Lubricating Oils

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-01-01

Ferrography on High Performance Aircraft Engine Lubricating Oils Allison M. Toms, Sharon 0. Hem, Tim Yarborough Joint Oil Analysis Program Technical...turbine engines by spectroscopy (AES and FT-IR) and direct reading and analytical ferrography . A statistical analysis of the data collected is...presented. Key Words: Analytical ferrography ; atomic emission spectroscopy; condition monitoring; direct reading ferrography ; Fourier transform infrared

Thermoelastic martensitic transformations in ternary Ni50Mn50- z Ga z alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belosludtseva, E. S.; Kuranova, N. N.; Marchenkova, E. B.; Popov, A. G.; Pushin, V. G.

2016-01-01

We have studied the effect of gallium alloying on the structure, phase composition, and physical properties of ternary alloys of the Ni50Mn50- z Ga z (0 ≤ z ≤ 25 at %) quasi-binary section in a broad temperature range. Dependences of the type of crystalline structure of the high-temperature austenite phase and martensite, as well as the critical temperatures of martensitic transformations on the alloy composition, are determined. A phase diagram of the structural and magnetic transformations is constructed. Concentration boundaries of the existence of tetragonal L10 (2 M) martensite and martensitic phases (10 M and 14 M) with complex multilayer crystalline lattices are found. It is established that the predominant martensite morphology is determined by the hierarchy of packets of thin coherent nano- and submicrocrystalline plates with habit planes close to {011} B2, pairwise twinned along one of 24 equivalent {011}<011> B2 twinning shear systems.

Reductive transformation of V(iii) precursors into vanadium(ii) oxide nanowires.

PubMed

Ojelere, Olusola; Graf, David; Ludwig, Tim; Vogt, Nicholas; Klein, Axel; Mathur, Sanjay

2018-05-15

Vanadium(ii) oxide nanostructures are promising materials for supercapacitors and electrocatalysis because of their excellent electrochemical properties and high surface area. In this study, new homoleptic vanadium(iii) complexes with bi-dentate O,N-chelating heteroarylalkenol ligands (DmoxCH[double bond, length as m-dash]COCF3, PyCH[double bond, length as m-dash]COCF3 and PyN[double bond, length as m-dash]COCF3) were synthesized and successfully transformed by reductive conversion into VO nanowires. The chemical identity of V(iii) complexes and their redox behaviour were unambiguously established by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies, cyclic voltammetry, spectrometric studies and DFT calculations. Transformation into the metastable VO phase was verified by powder X-ray diffraction and thermo-gravimetry. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data confirmed the morphology and chemical composition of VO nanostructures, respectively.

Superplastic behavior of two ultrahigh boron steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiménez, J. A.; González-Doncel, G.; Acosta, P.; Ruano, O. A.

1994-06-01

The high-temperature deformation behavior of two ultrahigh boron steels containing 2.2 pct and 4.9 pct B was investigated. Both alloys were processed via powder metallurgy involving gas atomization and hot isostatic pressing (hipping) at various temperatures. After hipping at 700 °C, the Fe-2.2 pct B alloy showed a fine microstructure consisting of l- µm grains and small elongated borides (less than 1 µm) . At 1100 °C, a coarser microstructure with rounded borides was formed. This alloy was superplastic at 850 °C with stress exponents of about two and tensile elongations as high as 435 pct. The microstructure of the Fe-4.9 pct B alloy was similar to that of the Fe-2.2 pct B alloy showing, in addition, coarse borides. This alloy also showed low stress exponent values but lacked high tensile elongation (less than 65 pct), which was attributed to the presence of stress accumulation at the interface between the matrix and the large borides. A change in the activation energy value at the α-γ transformation temperature was seen in the Fe-2.2 pct B alloy. The plastic flow data were in agreement with grain boundary sliding and slip creep models.

30-100-GHz inductors and transformers for millimeter-wave (Bi)CMOS integrated circuits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dickson, T. O.; Lacroix, M.-A.; Boret, S.; Gloria, D.; Beerkens, R.; Voinigescu, S. P.

2005-01-01

Silicon planar and three-dimensional inductors and transformers were designed and characterized on-wafer up to 100 GHz. Self-resonance frequencies (SRFs) beyond 100 GHz were obtained, demonstrating for the first time that spiral structures are suitable for applications such as 60-GHz wireless local area network and 77-GHz automotive RADAR. Minimizing area over substrate is critical to achieving high SRF. A stacked transformer is reported with S21 of -2.5 dB at 50 GHz, and which offers improved performance and less area (30 μm × 30 μm) than planar transformers or microstrip couplers. A compact inductor model is described, along with a methodology for extracting model parameters from simulated or measured y-parameters. Millimeter-wave SiGe BiCMOS mixer and voltage-controlled-oscillator circuits employing spiral inductors are presented with better or comparable performance to previously reported transmission-line-based circuits.

Regulator and enzyme specificities of the TOL plasmid-encoded upper pathway for degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons and expansion of the substrate range of the pathway.

PubMed Central

Abril, M A; Michan, C; Timmis, K N; Ramos, J L

1989-01-01

The TOL plasmid upper pathway operon encodes enzymes involved in the catabolism of aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene and xylenes. The regulator of the gene pathway, the XylR protein, exhibits a very broad effector specificity, being able to recognize as effectors not only pathway substrates but also a wide variety of mono- and disubstituted methyl-, ethyl-, and chlorotoluenes, benzyl alcohols, and p-chlorobenzaldehyde. Benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase and benzaldehyde dehydrogenase, two upper pathway enzymes, exhibit very broad substrate specificities and transform unsubstituted substrates and m- and p-methyl-, m- and p-ethyl-, and m- and p-chloro-substituted benzyl alcohols and benzaldehydes, respectively, at a high rate. In contrast, toluene oxidase only oxidizes toluene, m- and p-xylene, m-ethyltoluene, and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene [corrected], also at a high rate. A biological test showed that toluene oxidase attacks m- and p-chlorotoluene, albeit at a low rate. No evidence for the transformation of p-ethyltoluene by toluene oxidase has been found. Hence, toluene oxidase acts as the bottleneck step for the catabolism of p-ethyl- and m- and p-chlorotoluene through the TOL upper pathway. A mutant toluene oxidase able to transform p-ethyltoluene was isolated, and a mutant strain capable of fully degrading p-ethyltoluene was constructed with a modified TOL plasmid meta-cleavage pathway able to mineralize p-ethylbenzoate. By transfer of a TOL plasmid into Pseudomonas sp. strain B13, a clone able to slowly degrade m-chlorotoluene was also obtained. PMID:2687253

Genetic changes in mammalian cells transformed by helium ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Durante, M.; Grossi, G.; Yang, T. C.; Roots, R.

Midterm Syrian Hamster embryo (SHE) cells were employed to study high LET-radiation induced tumorigenesis. Normal SHE cells (secondary passage) were irradiated with accelerated helium ions at an incident energy of 22 MeV/u (9-10 keV/μm). Transformed clones were isolated after growth in soft agar of cells obtained from the foci of the initial monolayer plated postirradiation. To study the progression process of malignant transformation, the transformed clones were followed by monolayer subculturing for prolonged periods of time. Subsequently, neoplasia tests in nude mice were done. In this work, however, we have focused on karyotypic changes in the banding patterns of the chromosomes during the early part of the progressive process of cell transformation for helium ion-induced transformed cells.

Official Guard and Reserve Manpower Strengths and Statistics, FY 1985 Summary

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-01-01

0 4% 40 4 .M 40 N M 4 41 4j 4 19i0 p 0M .49 1 41 4 0 4 M N 0 4Z4 O 4 4 " N4-4 49 4yo 41 1 4 4 49-4n l (Y 0 p 0 Mi i0 404U4in aV% 10 wi0 . 41 OD m 144...AM M - o 0v i 4K 41 4 4yo * 41 4 4 49- 4o . 4 S04 4 4t on4 4 1-0 140q 𔃺 0-I t- fmW 60q-I n 9 4K4 4 U 0Al 410-41 4u I" 4 4. 4j "M0 4LU4 f q 404 4K

In vitro/in vivo evaluation of an optimized fast dissolving oral film containing olanzapine co-amorphous dispersion with selected carboxylic acids.

PubMed

Maher, Eman Magdy; Ali, Ahmed Mahmoud Abdelhaleem; Salem, Heba Farouk; Abdelrahman, Ahmed Abdelbary

2016-10-01

Improvement of water solubility, dissolution rate, oral bioavailability, and reduction of first pass metabolism of OL (OL), were the aims of this research. Co-amorphization of OL carboxylic acid dispersions at various molar ratios was carried out using rapid solvent evaporation. Characterization of the dispersions was performed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Dispersions with highest equilibrium solubility were formulated as fast dissolving oral films. Modeling and optimization of film formation were undertaken using artificial neural networks (ANNs). The results indicated co-amorphization of OL-ascorbic acid through H-bonding. The co-amorphous dispersions at 1:2 molar ratio showed more than 600-fold increase in solubility of OL. The model optimized fast dissolving film prepared from the dispersion was physically and chemically stable, demonstrated short disintegration time (8.5 s), fast dissolution (97% in 10 min) and optimum tensile strength (4.9 N/cm 2 ). The results of in vivo data indicated high bioavailability (144 ng h/mL) and maximum plasma concentration (14.2 ng/mL) compared with the marketed references. Therefore, the optimized co-amorphous OL-ascorbic acid fast dissolving film could be a valuable solution for enhancing the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of OL.

Combined genetic transformation and nutritional assay for identification of Moraxella nonliquefaciens.

PubMed Central

Juni, E; Heym, G A; Maurer, M J; Miller, M L

1987-01-01

A combined genetic transformation and nutritional assay is described that permits definitive identification of clinically isolated strains of Moraxella nonliquefaciens. Crude DNA preparations of strains of various Moraxella species were used to transform nutritional mutants of a stably competent strain of M. nonliquefaciens for ability to grow on a defined medium (Mn-B). DNA samples from 24 independently isolated strains of M. nonliquefaciens all resulted in massive (4+) transformation of each of two mutant assay strains. DNA samples from strains of M. bovis and M. lacunata frequently gave weak (1+) transformation of one of the mutant assay strains (Mn64) but almost always failed to transform another assay strain (Mn136). DNA samples from eight other Moraxella species failed completely to transform either of the mutant assay strains. When streaked on the defined medium used for the transformation assay (Mn-B), 23 of the 24 strains of M. nonliquefaciens grew well, but all strains of M. bovis and M. lacunata failed to grow on this medium. Images PMID:3654942

Arsenite-oxidizing and arsenate-reducing bacteria associated with arsenic-rich groundwater in Taiwan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liao, Vivian Hsiu-Chuan; Chu, Yu-Ju; Su, Yu-Chen; Hsiao, Sung-Yun; Wei, Chia-Cheng; Liu, Chen-Wuing; Liao, Chung-Min; Shen, Wei-Chiang; Chang, Fi-John

2011-04-01

Drinking highly arsenic-contaminated groundwater is a likely cause of blackfoot disease in Taiwan, but microorganisms that potentially control arsenic mobility in the subsurface remain unstudied. The objective of this study was to investigate the relevant arsenite-oxidizing and arsenate-reducing microbial community that exists in highly arsenic-contaminated groundwater in Taiwan. We cultured and identified arsenic-transforming bacteria, analyzed arsenic resistance and transformation, and determined the presence of genetic markers for arsenic transformation. In total, 11 arsenic-transforming bacterial strains with different colony morphologies and varying arsenic transformation abilities were isolated, including 10 facultative anaerobic arsenate-reducing bacteria and one strictly aerobic arsenite-oxidizing bacterium. All of the isolates exhibited high levels of arsenic resistance with minimum inhibitory concentrations of arsenic ranging from 2 to 200 mM. Strain AR-11 was able to rapidly oxidize arsenite to arsenate at concentrations relevant to environmental groundwater samples without the addition of any electron donors or acceptors. We provide evidence that arsenic-reduction activity may be conferred by the ars operon(s) that were not amplified by the designed primers currently in use. The 16S rRNA sequence analysis grouped the isolates into the following genera: Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Psychrobacter, Vibrio, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, and Bosea. Among these genera, we present the first report of the genus Psychrobacter being involved in arsenic reduction. Our results further support the hypothesis that bacteria capable of either oxidizing arsenite or reducing arsenate coexist and are ubiquitous in arsenic-contaminated groundwater.

Kinetic characterization of arginine deiminase and carbamate kinase from Streptococcus pyogenes M49.

PubMed

Hering, Silvio; Sieg, Antje; Kreikemeyer, Bernd; Fiedler, Tomas

2013-09-01

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus, GAS) is an important human pathogen causing mild superficial infections of skin and mucous membranes, but also life-threatening systemic diseases. S. pyogenes and other prokaryotic organisms use the arginine deiminase system (ADS) for survival in acidic environments. In this study, the arginine deiminase (AD), and carbamate kinase (CK) from S. pyogenes M49 strain 591 were heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli DH5α, purified, and kinetically characterized. AD and CK from S. pyogenes M49 share high amino acid sequence similarity with the respective enzymes from Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis IL1403 (45.6% and 53.5% identical amino acids) and Enterococcus faecalis V583 (66.8% and 66.8% identical amino acids). We found that the arginine deiminase of S. pyogenes is not allosterically regulated by the intermediates and products of the arginine degradation (e.g., ATP, citrulline, carbamoyl phosphate). The Km and Vmax values for arginine were 1.13±0.12mM (mean±SD) and 1.51±0.07μmol/min/mg protein. The carbamate kinase is inhibited by ATP but unaffected by arginine and citrulline. The Km and Vmax values for ADP were 0.72±0.08mM and 1.10±0.10μmol/min/mg protein and the Km for carbamoyl phosphate was 0.65±0.07mM. The optimum pH and temperature for both enzymes were 6.5 and 37°C, respectively. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Profiling and multivariate statistical analysis of Panax ginseng based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Wu, Wei; Sun, Le; Zhang, Zhe; Guo, Yingying; Liu, Shuying

2015-03-25

An ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS) method was developed for the detection and structural analysis of ginsenosides in white ginseng and related processed products (red ginseng). Original neutral, malonyl, and chemically transformed ginsenosides were identified in white and red ginseng samples. The aglycone types of ginsenosides were determined by MS/MS as PPD (m/z 459), PPT (m/z 475), C-24, -25 hydrated-PPD or PPT (m/z 477 or m/z 493), and Δ20(21)-or Δ20(22)-dehydrated-PPD or PPT (m/z 441 or m/z 457). Following the structural determination, the UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS-based chemical profiling coupled with multivariate statistical analysis method was applied for global analysis of white and processed ginseng samples. The chemical markers present between the processed products red ginseng and white ginseng could be assigned. Process-mediated chemical changes were recognized as the hydrolysis of ginsenosides with large molecular weight, chemical transformations of ginsenosides, changes in malonyl-ginsenosides, and generation of 20-(R)-ginsenoside enantiomers. The relative contents of compounds classified as PPD, PPT, malonyl, and transformed ginsenosides were calculated based on peak areas in ginseng before and after processing. This study provides possibility to monitor multiple components for the quality control and global evaluation of ginseng products during processing. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

ESO 243-49 HLX-1: scaling of X-ray spectral properties and black hole mass determination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Titarchuk, Lev; Seifina, Elena

2016-11-01

We report the results of Swift/XRT observations (2008-2015) of a hyper-luminous X-ray source, ESO 243-49 HLX-1. We demonstrate a strong observational evidence that ESO 243-49 HLX-1 undergoes spectral transitions from the low/hard state to the high/soft state during these observations. The spectra of ESO 243-49 HLX-1 are well fitted by the so-called bulk motion Comptonization model for all spectral states. We have established the photon index (Γ) saturation level, Γsat = 3.0 ± 0.1, in the Γ versus mass accretion rate (Ṁ) correlation. This Γ-Ṁ correlation allows us to estimate black hole (BH) mass in ESO 243-49 HLX-1 to be MBH 7 × 104 M⊙ assuming the distance to ESO 243-49 of 95 Mpc. For the BH mass estimate we use the scaling method taking Galactic BHs XTE J1550-564, H 1743-322 and 4U 1630-472, and an extragalactic BH source, M101 ULX-1 as reference sources. The Γ versus Ṁ correlation revealed in ESO 243-49 HLX-1 is similar to those in a number of Galactic and extragalactic BHs and it clearly shows the correlation along with the strong Γ saturation at ≈3. This is a robust observational evidence for the presence of a BH in ESO 243-49 HLX-1. We also find that the seed (disk) photon temperatures are quite low, of order of 50-140 eV which are consistent with high BH mass in ESO 243-49 HLX-1.

Biotransformation of dianabol with the filamentous fungi and β-glucuronidase inhibitory activity of resulting metabolites.

PubMed

Khan, Naik T; Zafar, Salman; Noreen, Shagufta; Al Majid, Abdullah M; Al Othman, Zeid A; Al-Resayes, Saud Ibrahim; Atta-ur-Rahman; Choudhary, M Iqbal

2014-07-01

Biotransformation of the anabolic steroid dianabol (1) by suspended-cell cultures of the filamentous fungi Cunninghamella elegans and Macrophomina phaseolina was studied. Incubation of 1 with C. elegans yielded five hydroxylated metabolites 2-6, while M. phaseolina transformed compound 1 into polar metabolites 7-11. These metabolites were identified as 6β,17β-dihydroxy-17α-methylandrost-1,4-dien-3-one (2), 15α,17β-dihydroxy-17α-methylandrost-1,4-dien-3-one (3), 11α,17β-dihydroxy-17α-methylandrost-1,4-dien-3-one (4), 6β,12β,17β-trihydroxy-17α-methylandrost-1,4-dien-3-one (5), 6β,15α,17β-trihydroxy-17α-methylandrost-1,4-dien-3-one (6), 17β-hydroxy-17α-methylandrost-1,4-dien-3,6-dione (7), 7β,17β,-dihydroxy-17α-methylandrost-1,4-dien-3-one (8), 15β,17β-dihydroxy-17α-methylandrost-1,4-dien-3-one (9), 17β-hydroxy-17α-methylandrost-1,4-dien-3,11-dione (10), and 11β,17β-dihydroxy-17α-methylandrost-1,4-dien-3-one (11). Metabolite 3 was also transformed chemically into diketone 12 and oximes 13, and 14. Compounds 6 and 12-14 were identified as new derivatives of dianabol (1). The structures of all transformed products were deduced on the basis of spectral analyses. Compounds 1-14 were evaluated for β-glucuronidase enzyme inhibitory activity. Compounds 7, 13, and 14 showed a strong inhibition of β-glucuronidase enzyme, with IC50 values between 49.0 and 84.9 μM. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

77 FR 23803 - Office of Hazardous Materials Safety; Actions on Special Permit Applications

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-20

... MODIFICATION SPECIAL PERMIT GRANTED 8826-M Phoenix Air 49 CFR 172.101; To modify the Group, Inc. 172.204(c)(3...-M......... Conference of 49 CFR To modify the Radiation 172.203(d); special permit add Control Part............ Conference of 49 CFR Part To modify the Radiation 172, Subparts, special permit add Control C, D, E, F, G, 49...

Lean thinking transformation of the unsedated upper gastrointestinal endoscopy pathway improves efficiency and is associated with high levels of patient satisfaction.

PubMed

Hydes, Theresa; Hansi, Navjyot; Trebble, Timothy M

2012-01-01

Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy is a routine healthcare procedure with a defined patient pathway. The objective of this study was to redesign this pathway for unsedated patients using lean thinking transformation to focus on patient-derived value-adding steps, remove waste and create a more efficient process. This was to form the basis of a pathway template that was transferrable to other endoscopy units. A literature search of patient expectations for UGI endoscopy identified patient-derived value. A value stream map was created of the current pathway. The minimum and maximum time per step, bottlenecks and staff-staff interactions were recorded. This information was used for service transformation using lean thinking. A patient pathway template was created and implemented into a secondary unit. Questionnaire studies were performed to assess patient satisfaction. In the primary unit the patient pathway reduced from 19 to 11 steps with a reduction in the maximum lead time from 375 to 80 min following lean thinking transformation. The minimum value/lead time ratio increased from 24% to 49%. The patient pathway was redesigned as a 'cellular' system with minimised patient and staff travelling distances, waiting times, paperwork and handoffs. Nursing staff requirements reduced by 25%. Patient-prioritised aspects of care were emphasised with increased patient-endoscopist interaction time. The template was successfully introduced into a second unit with an overall positive patient satisfaction rating of 95%. Lean thinking transformation of the unsedated UGI endoscopy pathway results in reduced waiting times, reduced staffing requirements and improved patient flow and can form the basis of a pathway template which may be successfully transferred into alternative endoscopy environments with high levels of patient satisfaction.

Transformation of carbon tetrachloride and chloroform by trichloroethene respiring anaerobic mixed cultures and supernatant.

PubMed

Vickstrom, Kyle E; Azizian, Mohammad F; Semprini, Lewis

2017-09-01

Carbon tetrachloride (CT) and chloroform (CF) were transformed in batch reactor experiments conducted with anaerobic dechlorinating cultures and supernatant (ADC + S) harvested from continuous flow reactors. The Evanite (EV) and Victoria/Stanford (VS) cultures, capable of respiring trichloroethene (TCE), 1,2-cis-dichloroethene (cDCE), and vinyl chloride (VC) to ethene (ETH), were grown in continuous flow reactors receiving an influent feed of saturated TCE (10 mM; 60 mEq) and formate (45 mM; 90 mEq) but no CT or CF. Cells and supernatant were harvested from the chemostats and inoculated into batch reactors at the onset of each experiment. CT transformation was complete following first order kinetics with CF, DCM and CS 2 as the measurable transformation products, representing 20-40% of the original mass of CT, with CO 2 likely the unknown transformation product. CF was transformed to DCM and likely CO 2 at an order of magnitude rate lower than CT, while DCM was not further transformed. An analytical first order model including multiple key reactions effectively simulated CT transformation, product formation and transformation, and provided reasonable estimates of transformation rate coefficients. Biotic and abiotic treatments indicated that CT was mainly transformed via abiotic processes. However, the presence of live cells was associated with the transformation of CF to DCM. In biotic tests both TCE and CT were simultaneously transformed, with TCE transformed to ETH and approximately 15-53% less CF formed via CT transformation. A 14-day exposure to CF (CF max  = 1.4 μM) reduced all rates of chlorinated ethene respiration by a factor of 10 or greater. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Trusted Care In The Air Force Medical Service: Practical Recommendations For Transformation

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-02-16

Organizing for High Reliability: Processes of Collective Mindfulness,” in Research in Organizational Behavior, ed. R.S. Sutton and B.M. Staw...Karl E.Weick, Kathleen M. Sutcliffe, and David Obstfeld, “ Organizing for High Reliability: Processes of Collective Mindfulness,” in Research in...La Porte, “High Reliability Organizations : Unlikely, Demanding and At Risk.” Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management 4, no. 2 (June 1996): 60

Thermomechanical behavior and microstructural evolution of a Ni(Pd)-rich Ni 24.3Ti 49.7Pd 26 high temperature shape memory alloy

DOE PAGES

Benafan, O.; Garg, A.; Noebe, R. D.; ...

2015-04-20

We investigated the effect of thermomechanical cycling on a slightly Ni(Pd)-rich Ni 24.3Ti 49.7Pd 26 (near stochiometric Ni–Ti basis with Pd replacing Ni) high temperature shape memory alloy. Furthermore, aged tensile specimens (400 °C/24 h/furnace cooled) were subjected to constant-stress thermal cycling in conjunction with microstructural assessment via in situ neutron diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), before and after testing. It was shown that in spite of the slightly Ni(Pd)-rich composition and heat treatment used to precipitation harden the alloy, the material exhibited dimensional instabilities with residual strain accumulation reaching 1.5% over 10 thermomechanical cycles. This was attributed tomore » insufficient strengthening of the material (insufficient volume fraction of precipitate phase) to prevent plasticity from occurring concomitant with the martensitic transformation. In situ neutron diffraction revealed the presence of retained martensite while cycling under 300 MPa stress, which was also confirmed by transmission electron microscopy of post-cycled samples. Neutron diffraction analysis of the post-thermally-cycled samples under no-load revealed residual lattice strains in the martensite and austenite phases, remnant texture in the martensite phase, and peak broadening of the austenite phase. The texture we developed in the martensite phase was composed mainly of those martensitic tensile variants observed during thermomechanical cycling. Presence of a high density of dislocations, deformation twins, and retained martensite was revealed in the austenite state via in-situ TEM in the post-cycled material, providing an explanation for the observed peak broadening in the neutron diffraction spectra. Despite the dimensional instabilities, this alloy exhibited a biased transformation strain on the order of 3% and a two-way shape memory effect (TWSME) strain of ~2%, at relatively high actuation temperatures.« less

New Equation for Prediction of Martensite Start Temperature in High Carbon Ferrous Alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Jihye; Shim, Jae-Hyeok; Lee, Seok-Jae

2018-02-01

Since previous equations fail to predict M S temperature of high carbon ferrous alloys, we first propose an equation for prediction of M S temperature of ferrous alloys containing > 2 wt pct C. The presence of carbides (Fe3C and Cr-rich M 7C3) is thermodynamically considered to estimate the C concentration in austenite. Especially, equations individually specialized for lean and high Cr alloys very accurately reproduce experimental results. The chemical driving force for martensitic transformation is quantitatively analyzed based on the calculation of T 0 temperature.

Establishment of two new scirrhous gastric cancer cell lines: analysis of factors associated with disseminated metastasis.

PubMed Central

Yashiro, M.; Chung, Y. S.; Nishimura, S.; Inoue, T.; Sowa, M.

1995-01-01

Determination of the differences between cell lines which are derived from a primary tumour and a disseminated metastatic lesion from the same patient may aid in elucidating the factors associated with disseminated metastases. We report on the establishment and characterisation of two new scirrhous gastric cancer cell lines, designated OCUM-2M and OCUM-2D, derived from a 49-year-old female. OCUM-2M was derived from a primary gastric tumour, and OCUM-2D was derived from a sample of disseminated metastasis. The two cell lines were derived from the same patient. We investigated biological differences between the two cell lines to study mechanisms involved in disseminated metastasis. The growth activity of OCUM-2D cells as determined by doubling time and tumorigenicity was greater than that of OCUM-2M cells. The level of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in OCUM-2D cells was about twice that of OCUM-2M cells and the growth of OCUM-2D cells was stimulated more by epidermal growth factor (EGF) than that of OCUM-2M cells. The invasive activity of OCUM-2D cells was higher than that of OCUM-2M cells and was increased after addition of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1). An increase in the number of attached and spreading cells was found following the addition of 10 ng ml-1 TGF-beta 1. These findings suggest that high growth and invasive activity may play an important role in disseminated metastasis and that EGF and TGF-beta 1, which affect the growth and invasive activity of OCUM-2D cells, might be factors associated with metastasis in scirrhous gastric carcinoma. The two cell lines OCUM-2M and OCUM-2D should be beneficial for analysing mechanisms of tumour progression. Images Figure 1 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 10 PMID:7577468

Shape Memory Micro- and Nanowire Libraries for the High-Throughput Investigation of Scaling Effects.

PubMed

Oellers, Tobias; König, Dennis; Kostka, Aleksander; Xie, Shenqie; Brugger, Jürgen; Ludwig, Alfred

2017-09-11

The scaling behavior of Ti-Ni-Cu shape memory thin-film micro- and nanowires of different geometry is investigated with respect to its influence on the martensitic transformation properties. Two processes for the high-throughput fabrication of Ti-Ni-Cu micro- to nanoscale thin film wire libraries and the subsequent investigation of the transformation properties are reported. The libraries are fabricated with compositional and geometrical (wire width) variations to investigate the influence of these parameters on the transformation properties. Interesting behaviors were observed: Phase transformation temperatures change in the range from 1 to 72 °C (austenite finish, (A f ), 13 to 66 °C (martensite start, M s ) and the thermal hysteresis from -3.5 to 20 K. It is shown that a vanishing hysteresis can be achieved for special combinations of sample geometry and composition.

Recent Developments of the Local Effect Model (LEM) - Implications of clustered damage on cell transformation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elsässer, Thilo

Exposure to radiation of high-energy and highly charged ions (HZE) causes a major risk to human beings, since in long term space explorations about 10 protons per month and about one HZE particle per month hit each cell nucleus (1). Despite the larger number of light ions, the high ionisation power of HZE particles and its corresponding more complex damage represents a major hazard for astronauts. Therefore, in order to get a reasonable risk estimate, it is necessary to take into account the entire mixed radiation field. Frequently, neoplastic cell transformation serves as an indicator for the oncogenic potential of radiation exposure. It can be measured for a small number of ion and energy combinations. However, due to the complexity of the radiation field it is necessary to know the contribution to the radiation damage of each ion species for the entire range of energies. Therefore, a model is required which transfers the few experimental data to other particles with different LETs. We use the Local Effect Model (LEM) (2) with its cluster extension (3) to calculate the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of neoplastic transformation. It was originally developed in the framework of hadrontherapy and is applicable for a large range of ions and energies. The input parameters for the model include the linear-quadratic parameters for the induction of lethal events as well as for the induction of transformation events per surviving cell. Both processes of cell inactivation and neoplastic transformation per viable cell are combined to eventually yield the RBE for cell transformation. We show that the Local Effect Model is capable of predicting the RBE of neoplastic cell transformation for a broad range of ions and energies. The comparison of experimental data (4) with model calculations shows a reasonable agreement. We find that the cluster extension results in a better representation of the measured RBE values. With this model it should be possible to better predict the risk of the complex mixed radiation field occurring in deep space. 1. F. A. Cucinotta and M. Durante, Lancet Oncol. 7, 431-435 (2006). 2. M. Scholz and G. Kraft, Radiat. Prot. Dosim. 52, 29-33 (1994). 3. Th. Els¨sser and M. Scholz, Radiat. Res. 167, 319-329 (2007). a 4. R. C. Miller, S. A. Marino, D. J. Brenner, S. G. Martin, M. Richards, G. Randers-Pehrson, and E. J. Hall, Radiat. Res. 142, 54-60 (1995).

Microstructural evolution associated with martensitic transformation in Ni-Mn-Ga alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Z.; Zhang, Y.; Esling, C.; Zhao, X.; Zuo, L.

2015-04-01

Based on the spatially resolved electron backscatter diffraction technique, the microstructural evolution accompanying the martensitic transformation (austenite to 7M martensite) and the intermartensitic transformation (7M martensite to NM martensite) was studied on a polycrystalline Ni53Mn22Ga25 alloy. Results show that the 7M martensite plate groups transformed from initial austenite have a diamond-shape with four twin-related variants. The 7M to NM intermartensitic transformation was accompanied by the thickening of martensite plates. With the experimental results, the characteristics of microstructural evolution during the phase transformations were further analyzed.

The effects of piracetam and its novel peptide analogue GVS-111 on neuronal voltage-gated calcium and potassium channels.

PubMed

Solntseva, E I; Bukanova, J V; Ostrovskaya, R U; Gudasheva, T A; Voronina, T A; Skrebitsky, V G

1997-07-01

1. With the use of the two-microelectrode voltage-clamp method, three types of voltage-activated ionic currents were examined in isolated neurons of the snail Helix pomatia: high-threshold Ca2+ current (ICa), high-threshold Ca(2+)-dependent K+ current (IK(Ca)) and high-threshold K+ current independent of Ca2+ (IK(V)). 2. The effect of bath application of the nootropics piracetam and a novel piracetam peptide analog, ethyl ester of N-phenyl-acetyl-L-prolyl-glycine (GVS-111), on these three types of voltage-activated ionic currents was studied. 3. In more than half of the tested cells, ICa was resistant to both piracetam and GVS-111. In the rest of the cells, ICa decreased 19 +/- 7% with 2 mM of piracetam and 39 +/- 14% with 2 microM of GVS-111. 4. IK(V) in almost all cells tested was resistant to piracetam at concentrations up to 2 mM. However, IK(V) in two-thirds of the cells was sensitive to GVS-111, being suppressed 49 +/- 18% with 1 microM GVS-111. 5. IK(Ca) appeared to be the most sensitive current of those studied to both piracetam and GVS-111. Piracetam at 1 mM and GVS-111 at 0.1 microM decreased the amplitude of IK(Ca) in most of the cells examined by 49 +/- 19% and 69 +/- 24%, respectively. 6. The results suggest that piracetam and GVS-111 suppression of voltage-activated calcium and potassium currents of the neuronal membrane may regulate (both up and down) Ca2+ influx into neurons.

Time-Frequency Characterization of Cerebral Hemodynamics of Migraine Sufferers as Assessed by NIRS Signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Molinari, Filippo; Rosati, Samanta; Liboni, William; Negri, Emanuela; Mana, Ornella; Allais, Gianni; Benedetto, Chiara

2010-12-01

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive system for the real-time monitoring of the concentration of oxygenated ([InlineEquation not available: see fulltext.]) and reduced (HHb) hemoglobin in the brain cortex. [InlineEquation not available: see fulltext.] and HHb concentrations vary in response to cerebral autoregulation. Sixty-eight women (14 migraineurs without aura, 49 migraineurs with aura, and 5 controls) performed breath-holding and hyperventilation during NIRS recordings. Signals were processed using the Choi-Williams time-frequency transform in order to measure the power variation of the very-low frequencies (VLF: 20-40 mHz) and of the low frequencies (LF: 40-140 mHz). Results showed that migraineurs without aura present different LF and VLF power levels than controls and migraineurs with aura. The accurate power measurement of the time-frequency analysis allowed for the discrimination of the subjects' hemodynamic patterns. The time-frequency analysis of NIRS signals can be used in clinical practice to assess cerebral hemodynamics.

Cloning, expression, and purification of the virulence-associated protein D from Xylella fastidiosa.

PubMed

Catani, Cleide Ferreira; Azzoni, Adriano Rodrigues; Paula, Débora Pires; Tada, Susely Ferraz Siqueira; Rosselli, Luciana Kauer; de Souza, Anete Pereira; Yano, Tomomasa

2004-10-01

In this study, an efficient expression system, based on the pET32Xa/LIC vector, for producing a Xylella fastidiosa virulence-associated protein D, found to have a strong similarity to Riemerella anatipestifer and Actinobacillus actinomycetencomitans VapD protein, is presented. The protein has a molecular mass of 17.637 Da and a calculated pI of 5.49. The selected XFa0052 gene was cloned in the pET32Xa/LIC vector and the plasmid was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) strain at 37 degrees C, with an induction time of 2 h and 1 mM IPTG concentration. The protein present in the soluble fraction was purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC), and had its identity determined by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) and N-terminal sequencing. The purified protein was found as a single band on SDS-PAGE and its correct folding was verified by circular dichroism spectroscopy.

Discovering Structure in High-Dimensional Data Through Correlation Explanation

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-12-08

transforming complex data into simpler, more meaningful forms goes under the rubric of representation learning [2] which shares many goals with...Zhivotovsky, and M.W. Feldman. Genetic structure of human populations. Science, 298(5602):2381–2385, 2002. [14] K. Bache and M. Lichman. UCI machine

Transformations structurales d'un acier AU Cr(9%) Mo(2%) (type ZlOCDNbV 09-02) utilisable dans les generateurs de vapeur des reacteurs a neutrons rapides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vilar, Rui M.; Cizeron, Georges; Pelletier, Michel

1981-12-01

Transformations undergone by a 9 Cr-2 Mo-Nb-V steel on heating depend on the structure previously developped by quenching or tempering and on the heating rate. TTT and CCT diagrams, plotted after austenizing at 1000 and 1100°C, show only one diffusional transformation at high temperature producing equiaxed ferrite which contains a precipitate of M 23C 6 carbide; the activation energy of the process involved is 123.3 kJ/mol. At low temperatures a martensitic transformation is observed; the martensite is lath-type and autotempered.

Randomized Trial of Machine Perfusion Versus Cold Storage in Recipients of Deceased Donor Kidney Transplants With High Incidence of Delayed Graft Function.

PubMed

Tedesco-Silva, Helio; Mello Offerni, Juliano Chrystian; Ayres Carneiro, Vanessa; Ivani de Paula, Mayara; Neto, Elias David; Brambate Carvalhinho Lemos, Francine; Requião Moura, Lúcio Roberto; Pacheco E Silva Filho, Alvaro; de Morais Cunha, Mirian de Fátima; Francisco da Silva, Erica; Miorin, Luiz Antonio; Demetrio, Daniela Priscila; Luconi, Paulo Sérgio; da Silva Luconi, Waldere Tania; Bobbio, Savina Adriana; Kuschnaroff, Liz Milstein; Noronha, Irene Lourdes; Braga, Sibele Lessa; Barsante, Renata Cristina; Mendes Moreira, João Cezar; Fernandes-Charpiot, Ida Maria Maximina; Abbud-Filho, Mario; Modelli de Andrade, Luis Gustavo; Dalsoglio Garcia, Paula; Tanajura Santamaria Saber, Luciana; Fernandes Laurindo, Alan; Chocair, Pedro Renato; Cuvello Neto, Américo Lourenço; Zanocco, Juliana Aparecida; Duboc de Almeida Soares Filho, Antonio Jose; Ferreira Aguiar, Wilson; Medina Pestana, Jose

2017-05-01

This study compared the use of static cold storage versus continuous hypothermic machine perfusion in a cohort of kidney transplant recipients at high risk for delayed graft function (DGF). In this national, multicenter, and controlled trial, 80 pairs of kidneys recovered from brain-dead deceased donors were randomized to cold storage or machine perfusion, transplanted, and followed up for 12 months. The primary endpoint was the incidence of DGF. Secondary endpoints included the duration of DGF, hospital stay, primary nonfunction, estimated glomerular filtration rate, acute rejection, and allograft and patient survivals. Mean cold ischemia time was high but not different between the 2 groups (25.6 ± 6.6 hours vs 25.05 ± 6.3 hours, 0.937). The incidence of DGF was lower in the machine perfusion compared with cold storage group (61% vs. 45%, P = 0.031). Machine perfusion was independently associated with a reduced risk of DGF (odds ratio, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.26-0.95). Mean estimated glomerular filtration rate tended to be higher at day 28 (40.6 ± 19.9 mL/min per 1.73 m 2 vs 49.0 ± 26.9 mL/min per 1.73 m 2 ; P = 0.262) and 1 year (48.3 ± 19.8 mL/min per 1.73 m 2 vs 54.4 ± 28.6 mL/min per 1.73 m 2 ; P = 0.201) in the machine perfusion group. No differences in the incidence of acute rejection, primary nonfunction (0% vs 2.5%), graft loss (7.5% vs 10%), or death (8.8% vs 6.3%) were observed. In this cohort of recipients of deceased donor kidneys with high mean cold ischemia time and high incidence of DGF, the use of continuous machine perfusion was associated with a reduced risk of DGF compared with the traditional cold storage preservation method.

Fluorine doping: a feasible solution to enhancing the conductivity of high-resistance wide bandgap Mg0.51Zn0.49O active components

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Lishu; Mei, Zengxia; Hou, Yaonan; Liang, Huili; Azarov, Alexander; Venkatachalapathy, Vishnukanthan; Kuznetsov, Andrej; Du, Xiaolong

2015-10-01

N-type doping of high-resistance wide bandgap semiconductors, wurtzite high-Mg-content MgxZn1-xO for instance, has always been a fundamental application-motivated research issue. Herein, we report a solution to enhancing the conductivity of high-resistance Mg0.51Zn0.49O active components, which has been reliably achieved by fluorine doping via radio-frequency plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxial growth. Fluorine dopants were demonstrated to be effective donors in Mg0.51Zn0.49O single crystal film having a solar-blind 4.43 eV bandgap, with an average concentration of 1.0 × 1019 F/cm3.The dramatically increased carrier concentration (2.85 × 1017 cm-3 vs ~1014 cm-3) and decreased resistivity (129 Ω · cm vs ~106 Ω cm) indicate that the electrical properties of semi-insulating Mg0.51Zn0.49O film can be delicately regulated by F doping. Interestingly, two donor levels (17 meV and 74 meV) associated with F were revealed by temperature-dependent Hall measurements. A Schottky type metal-semiconductor-metal ultraviolet photodetector manifests a remarkably enhanced photocurrent, two orders of magnitude higher than that of the undoped counterpart. The responsivity is greatly enhanced from 0.34 mA/W to 52 mA/W under 10 V bias. The detectivity increases from 1.89 × 109 cm Hz1/2/W to 3.58 × 1010 cm Hz1/2/W under 10 V bias at room temperature.These results exhibit F doping serves as a promising pathway for improving the performance of high-Mg-content MgxZn1-xO-based devices.

Transformational leadership and team innovation: integrating team climate principles.

PubMed

Eisenbeiss, Silke A; van Knippenberg, Daan; Boerner, Sabine

2008-11-01

Fostering team innovation is increasingly an important leadership function. However, the empirical evidence for the role of transformational leadership in engendering team innovation is scarce and mixed. To address this issue, the authors link transformational leadership theory to principles of M. A. West's (1990) team climate theory and propose an integrated model for the relationship between transformational leadership and team innovation. This model involves support for innovation as a mediating process and climate for excellence as a moderator. Results from a study of 33 research and development teams confirmed that transformational leadership works through support for innovation, which in turn interacts with climate for excellence such that support for innovation enhances team innovation only when climate for excellence is high.

Searching for H2 emission from protoplanetary disks using near- and mid-infrared high-resolution spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carmona, A.; van den Ancker, M. E.; Henning, Th.; Pavlyuchenkov, Ya.; Dullemond, C. P.; Goto, M.; Fedele, D.; Stecklum, B.; Thi, W.-F.; Bouwman, J.; Waters, L. B. F. M.

2008-05-01

The mass and dynamics of protoplanetary disks are dominated by molecular hydrogen (H2). However, observationally very little is known about the H2. In this paper, we discuss two projects aimed to constrain the properties of H2 in the disk's planet forming region (R<50AU). First, we present a sensitive survey for pure-rotational H2 emission at 12.278 and 17.035 μm in a sample of nearby Herbig Ae/Be and T Tauri stars using VISIR, ESO's VLT high-resolution mid-infrared spectrograph. Second, we report on a search for H2 ro-vibrational emission at 2.1228, 2.2233 and 2.2477 μm in the classical T Tauri star LkHα 264 and the debris disk 49 Cet employing CRIRES, ESO's VLT high-resolution near-infrared spectrograph. VISIR project: none of the sources show H2 mid-IR emission. The observed disks contain less than a few tenths of MJupiter of optically thin H2 at 150 K, and less than a few MEarth at T>300 K. % and higher T. Our non-detections are consistent with the low flux levels expected from the small amount of H2 gas in the surface layer of a Chiang and Goldreich (1997) Herbig Ae two-layer disk model. In our sources the H2 and dust in the surface layer have not significantly departed from thermal coupling (Tgas/Tdust<2) and the gas-to-dust ratio in the surface layer is very likely <1000. CRIRES project: The H2 lines at 2.1218 μm and 2.2233 μm are detected in LkHα 264. An upper limit on the 2.2477 μm H2 line flux in LkHα 264 is derived. 49 Cet does not exhibit H2 emission in any of observed lines. There are a few MMoon of optically thin hot H2 in the inner disk (0.1 AU) of LkHα 264, and less than a tenth of a MMoon of hot H2 in the inner disk of 49 Cet. The shape of the 1 0 S(0) line indicates that LkHα disk is close to face-on (i<35o). The measured 1 0 S(0)/1 0 S(1) and 2 1 S(1)/1 0 S(1) line ratios in LkHα 264 indicate that the H2 is thermally excited at T<1500 K. The lack of H2 emission in the NIR spectra of 49 Cet and the absence of Hα emission suggest that the gas in the inner disk of 49 Cet has dissipated.

Transformation of methylparaben during water chlorination: Effects of bromide and dissolved organic matter on reaction kinetics and transformation pathways.

PubMed

Yoom, Hoonsik; Shin, Jaedon; Ra, Jiwoon; Son, Heejong; Ryu, Dongchoon; Kim, Changwon; Lee, Yunho

2018-09-01

The reaction kinetics, products, and pathways of methylparaben (MeP) during water chlorination with and without bromide (Br - ) were investigated to better understand the fate of parabens in chlorinated waters. During the chlorination of MeP-spiked waters without Br - , MeP was transformed into mono-Cl-MeP and di-Cl-MeP with apparent second-order rate constants (k app ) of 64M -1 s -1 and 243M -1 s -1 at pH7, respectively, while further chlorination of di-Cl-MeP was relatively slower (k app =1.3M -1 s -1 at pH7). With increasing Br - concentration, brominated MePs, such as mono-Br-MeP, Br-Cl-MeP, and di-Br-MeP, became major transformation products. The di-halogenated MePs (di-Cl-MeP, Br,Cl-MeP, and di-Br-MeP) showed relatively low reactivity to chlorine at pH7 (k app =1.3-4.6M -1 s -1 ) and bromine (k app =32-71M -1 s -1 ), which explains the observed high stability of di-halogenated MePs in chlorinated waters. With increasing pH from 7 to 8.5, the transformation of di-halogenated MePs was further slowed due to the decreasing reactivity of di-MePs to chlorine. The formation of the di-halogenated MePs and their further transformation become considerably faster at Br - concentrations higher than 0.5μM (40μg/L). Nonetheless, the accelerating effect of Br - diminishes in the presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM) extract (Suwannee River humic acid (SRHA)) due to a more rapid consumption of bromine by DOM than chlorine. The effect of Br - on the fate of MeP was less in the tested real water matrices, possibly due to a more rapid bromine consumption by the real water DOM compared to SRHA. A kinetic model was developed based on the determined species-specific second-order rate constants for chlorination/bromination of MeP and its chlorinated and brominated MePs and the transformation pathway information, which could reasonably simulate the transformation of MePs during the chlorination of water in the presence of Br - and selected DOM. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

1W frequency-doubled VCSEL-pumped blue laser with high pulse energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Van Leeuwen, Robert; Chen, Tong; Watkins, Laurence; Xu, Guoyang; Seurin, Jean-Francois; Wang, Qing; Zhou, Delai; Ghosh, Chuni

2015-02-01

We report on a Q-switched VCSEL side-pumped 946 nm Nd:YAG laser that produces high average power blue light with high pulse energy after frequency doubling in BBO. The gain medium was water cooled and symmetrically pumped by three 1 kW 808 nm VCSEL pump modules. More than 1 W blue output was achieved at 210 Hz with 4.9 mJ pulse energy and at 340 Hz with 3.2 mJ pulse energy, with 42% and 36% second harmonic conversion efficiency respectively. Higher pulse energy was obtained at lower repetition frequencies, up to 9.3 mJ at 70 Hz with 52% conversion efficiency.

Multi-Functional Surface Engineering for Li-Excess Layered Cathode Material Targeting Excellent Electrochemical and Thermal Safety Properties.

PubMed

Bian, Xiaofei; Fu, Qiang; Pang, Qiang; Gao, Yu; Wei, Yingjin; Zou, Bo; Du, Fei; Chen, Gang

2016-02-10

The Li(Li(0.18)Ni(0.15)Co(0.15)Mn(0.52))O2 cathode material is modified by a Li4M5O12-like heterostructure and a BiOF surface layer. The interfacial heterostructure triggers the layered-to-Li4M5O12 transformation of the material which is different from the layered-to-LiMn2O4 transformation of the pristine Li(Li(0.18)Ni(0.15)Co(0.15)Mn(0.52))O2. This Li4M5O12-like transformation helps the material to keep high working voltage, long cycle life and excellent rate capability. Mass spectrometry, in situ X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope show that the Li4M5O12-like phase prohibits oxygen release from the material bulk at elevated temperatures. In addition, the BiOF coating layer protects the material from harmful side reactions with the electrolyte. These advantages significantly improve the electrochemical performance of Li(Li(0.18)Ni(0.15)Co(0.15)Mn(0.52))O2. The material shows a discharge capacity of 292 mAh g(-1) at 0.2 C with capacity retention of 92% after 100 cycles. Moreover, a high discharge capacity of 78 mAh g(-1) could be obtained at 25 C. The exothermic temperature of the fully charged electrode is elevated from 203 to 261 °C with 50% reduction of the total thermal release, highlighting excellent thermal safety of the material.

Cultural Effects on the Expression of Some Fears by Chinese and British Female Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Higgins, Louise T.

2004-01-01

To compare the culturally acquired aspects of fears in two different cultures, the author gave an augmented version of the I. M. Marks and A. M. Mathews Fear Scale (1979) to 50 female students in China and 49 female students in England. When the rank ordering of the fears measured in both groups was compared, the author found a high positive…

Effect of gallium alloying on the structure, the phase composition, and the thermoelastic martensitic transformations in ternary Ni-Mn-Ga alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belosludtseva, E. S.; Kuranova, N. N.; Marchenkova, E. B.; Popov, A. G.; Pushin, V. G.

2016-04-01

The effect of gallium alloying on the structure, the phase composition, and the properties of quasibinary Ni50Mn50- z Ga z (0 ⩽ z ⩽ 25 at %) alloys is studied over a wide temperature range. The influence of the alloy composition on the type of crystal structure in high-temperature austenite and martensite and the critical martensitic transformation temperatures is analyzed. A general phase diagram of the magnetic and structural transformations in the alloys is plotted. The temperature-concentration boundaries of the B2 and L21 superstructures in the austenite field, the tetragonal L10 (2 M) martensite, and the 10 M and 14 M martensite phases with complex multilayer crystal lattices are found. The predominant morphology of martensite is shown to be determined by the hierarchy of the packets of thin coherent lamellae of nano- and submicrocrystalline crystals with planar habit plane boundaries close to {011} B2. Martensite crystals are twinned along one of the 24 24{ {011} }{< {01bar 1} rangle _{B2}} "soft" twinning shear systems, which provides coherent accommodation of the martensitic transformation-induced elastic stresses.

Hydroxyapatite formation from cuttlefish bones: kinetics.

PubMed

Ivankovic, H; Tkalcec, E; Orlic, S; Ferrer, G Gallego; Schauperl, Z

2010-10-01

Highly porous hydroxyapatite (Ca(10)(PO(4))(6)·(OH)(2), HA) was prepared through hydrothermal transformation of aragonitic cuttlefish bones (Sepia officinalis L. Adriatic Sea) in the temperature range from 140 to 220°C for 20 min to 48 h. The phase composition of converted hydroxyapatite was examined by quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD) using Rietveld structure refinement and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Johnson-Mehl-Avrami (JMA) approach was used to follow the kinetics and mechanism of transformation. Diffusion controlled one dimensional growth of HA, predominantly along the a-axis, could be defined. FTIR spectroscopy determined B-type substitutions of CO(3) (2-) groups. The morphology and microstructure of converted HA was examined by scanning electron microscopy. The general architecture of cuttlefish bones was preserved after hydrothermal treatment and the cuttlefish bones retained its form with the same channel size (~80 × 300 μm). The formation of dandelion-like HA spheres with diameter from 3 to 8 μm were observed on the surface of lamellae, which further transformed into various radially oriented nanoplates and nanorods with an average diameter of about 200-300 nm and an average length of about 8-10 μm.

Multiplexed wavelet transform technique for detection of microcalcification in digitized mammograms.

PubMed

Mini, M G; Devassia, V P; Thomas, Tessamma

2004-12-01

Wavelet transform (WT) is a potential tool for the detection of microcalcifications, an early sign of breast cancer. This article describes the implementation and evaluates the performance of two novel WT-based schemes for the automatic detection of clustered microcalcifications in digitized mammograms. Employing a one-dimensional WT technique that utilizes the pseudo-periodicity property of image sequences, the proposed algorithms achieve high detection efficiency and low processing memory requirements. The detection is achieved from the parent-child relationship between the zero-crossings [Marr-Hildreth (M-H) detector] /local extrema (Canny detector) of the WT coefficients at different levels of decomposition. The detected pixels are weighted before the inverse transform is computed, and they are segmented by simple global gray level thresholding. Both detectors produce 95% detection sensitivity, even though there are more false positives for the M-H detector. The M-H detector preserves the shape information and provides better detection sensitivity for mammograms containing widely distributed calcifications.

Transformation of a Water Slug in Free Fall Under the Conditions of Exposure to an Air Flow Orthogonal to the Direction of the Slug Motion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Volkov, R. S.; Zabelin, M. V.; Kuznetsov, G. V.; Strizhak, P. A.

2016-07-01

An experimental study has been made of the influence of an orthogonal (side) air flow propagating with a velocity to 5 m/s on the phases of transformation of a water slug with an initial volume of 0.05-0.5 liter in free fall from a height of 3 m. Use was made of Phantom V411 and Phantom Miro M310 high-speed video cameras and a Tema Automotive software system with the function of continuous tracking. The laws of retardation of the phases of transformation of the water slug from the instant of formation to that of formation of a droplet cloud under the action of the air flow orthogonal to the direction of the slug motion, and also of the deceleration, removal, and destruction of the droplets and fragments of water separating from the slug surface, have been established.

MSX-1 gene expression and regulation in embryonic palatal tissue.

PubMed

Nugent, P; Greene, R M

1998-01-01

The palatal cleft seen in Msx-1 knock-out mice suggests a role for this gene in normal palate development. The cleft is presumed secondary to tooth and jaw malformations, since in situ hybridization suggests that Msx-1 mRNA is not highly expressed in developing palatal tissue. In this study we demonstrate, by Northern blot analysis, the expression of Msx-1, but not Msx-2, in the developing palate and in primary cultures of murine embryonic palate mesenchymal cells. Furthermore, we propose a role for Msx-1 in retinoic acid-induced cleft palate, since retinoic acid inhibits Msx-1 mRNA expression in palate mesenchymal cells. We also demonstrate that transforming growth factor beta inhibits Msx-1 mRNA expression in palate mesenchymal cells, with retinoic acid and transforming growth factor beta acting synergistically when added simultaneously to these cells. These data suggest a mechanistic interaction between retinoic acid, transforming growth factor beta, and Msx-1 in the etiology of retinoic acid-induced cleft palate.

Downregulation of peptide transporter genes in cell lines transformed with the highly oncogenic adenovirus 12

PubMed Central

1994-01-01

The expression of class I major histocompatibility complex antigens on the surface of cells transformed by adenovirus 12 (Ad12) is generally very low, and correlates with the high oncogenicity of this virus. In primary embryonal fibroblasts from transgenic mice that express both endogenous H-2 genes and a miniature swine class I gene (PD1), Ad12- mediated transformation results in suppression of cell surface expression of all class I antigens. Although class I mRNA levels of PD1 and H-2Db are similar to those in nonvirally transformed cells, recognition of newly synthesized class I molecules by a panel of monoclonal antibodies is impaired, presumably as a result of inefficient assembly and transport of the class I molecules. Class I expression can be partially induced by culturing cells at 26 degrees C, or by coculture of cells with class I binding peptides at 37 degrees C. Analysis of steady state mRNA levels of the TAP1 and TAP2 transporter genes for Ad12-transformed cell lines revealed that they both are significantly reduced, TAP2 by about 100-fold and TAP1 by 5-10-fold. Reconstitution of PD1 and H-2Db, but not H-2Kb, expression is achieved in an Ad12-transformed cell line by stable transfection with a TAP2, but not a TAP1, expression construct. From these data it may be concluded that suppressed expression of peptide transporter genes, especially TAP2, in Ad12-transformed cells inhibits cell surface expression of class I molecules. The failure to fully reconstitute H- 2Db and H-2Kb expression indicates that additional factors are involved in controlling class I gene expression in Ad12-transformed cells. Nevertheless, these results suggest that suppression of peptide transporter genes might be an important mechanism whereby virus- transformed cells escape immune recognition in vivo. PMID:7519239

Korean Ginseng Berry Fermented by Mycotoxin Non-producing Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae: Ginsenoside Analyses and Anti-proliferative Activities.

PubMed

Li, Zhipeng; Ahn, Hyung Jin; Kim, Nam Yeon; Lee, Yu Na; Ji, Geun Eog

2016-01-01

To transform ginsenosides, Korean ginseng berry (KGB) was fermented by mycotoxin non-producing Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae. Changes of ginsenoside profile and anti-proliferative activities were observed. Results showed that A. niger tended to efficiently transform protopanaxadiol (PPD) type ginsenosides such as Rb1, Rb2, Rd to compound K while A. oryzae tended to efficiently transform protopanaxatriol (PPT) type ginsenoside Re to Rh1 via Rg1. Butanol extracts of fermented KGB showed high cytotoxicity on human adenocarcinoma HT-29 cell line and hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell line while that of unfermented KGB showed little. The minimum effective concentration of niger-fermented KGB was less than 2.5 µg/mL while that of oryzae-fermented KGB was about 5 µg/mL. As A. niger is more inclined to transform PPD type ginsenosides, niger-fermented KGB showed stronger anti-proliferative activity than oryzae-fermented KGB.

Downstream movement of recently transformed sea lampreys, Petromyzon marinus, in Carp Lake River, Michigan

USGS Publications Warehouse

Applegate, Vernon C.; Brynildson, Clifford L.

1951-01-01

A total of 7,969 downstream migrants were taken in the 1948–49 season; 16,235 in 1949–50, and 15,103 in 1950–51. Measurements of representative samples from the total catch of sea lamprey migrants of the 1948–49 and 1949–50 seasons revealed a range in length of 95 to 190 millimeters and an average length of 145 millimeters (3.7 to 7.5 inches; mean –5.7 inches).

Advanced automobile steels subjected to plate rolling at 773 K or 1373 K

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Torganchuk, Vladimir; Belyakov, Andrey; Kaibyshev, Rustam

2017-12-01

The high manganese steels exhibiting the effects of twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) and transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) demonstrate an excellent combination of enhanced formability, strength and ductility. Such unique mechanical properties make high-manganese steel the most attractive material for various applications, including the segment of advanced automobile steels. The strain hardening in such steels can be achieved through martensitic transformation, when the stacking fault energy (SFE) is about 10 mJ m-2, and/or twinning, when SFE is about 20 to 50 mJ m-2. The actual mechanical properties of high-Mn steels could vary, depending on the conditions of thermo-mechanical processing. In the present study, the effect of rolling temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 18% Mn steels was clarified. The steels hot rolled at 1373 K were characterized by uniform almost equiaxed grains with near random crystallographic orientations that resulted in relatively low yield strengths of 300-360 MPa, followed by pronounced strain hardening that led to the total elongation above 60%. In contrast, the steels warm rolled at 773 K were characterized by flattened grains with a strong rolling texture and high yield strengths of 850-950 MPa combined with a total elongation of about 30%.

Antagonistic potential of Pseudomonas graminis 49M against Erwinia amylovora, the causal agent of fire blight.

PubMed

Mikiciński, Artur; Sobiczewski, Piotr; Puławska, Joanna; Malusa, Eligio

2016-08-01

In a previous study (Mikiciński et al. in Eur J Plant Pathol, doi: 10.1007/s10658-015-0837-y , 2015), we described the characterization of novel strain 49M of Pseudomonas graminis, isolated from the phyllosphere of apple trees in Poland showing a good protective activity against fire blight on different organs of host plants. We now report investigations to clarify the basis for this activity. Strain 49M was found to produce siderophores on a medium containing complex CAS-Fe(3+) and HDTMA, but was not able to produce N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs). Moreover, it formed a biofilm on polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) surfaces. Strain 49M gave a positive reaction in PCR with primers complementary to gacA, the regulatory gene influencing the production of several secondary metabolites including antibiotics. The genes prnD (encoding pyrrolnitrin), pltC, pltB (pyoluteorin), phlD (2,4-diacetyl-phloroglucinol) and phzC as well as phzD (and their homologs phzF and phzA encoding phenazine), described for antagonistic fluorescent pseudomonads, however, were not detected. Research into the biotic relationship between strain 49M and Erwinia amylovora strain Ea659 on five microbiological media showed that this strain clearly inhibited the growth of the pathogen on King's B and nutrient agar with glycerol media, to a very small extent on nutrient agar with sucrose, and not at all on Luria-Bertani agar. On medium 925, strain 49M even stimulated E. amylovora growth. The addition of ferric chloride to King's B resulted in the loss of its inhibitory ability. Testing the survival of 49M in vitro showed its resistance to drought, greater than that of E. amylovora.

Integrated In Silico-In Vitro Identification and Characterization of the SH3-Mediated Interaction between Human PTTG and its Cognate Partners in Medulloblastoma.

PubMed

Liu, Jiangang; Wang, Dapeng; Li, Yanyan; Yao, Hui; Zhang, Nan; Zhang, Xuewen; Zhong, Fangping; Huang, Yulun

2018-06-01

The human pituitary tumor-transforming gene is an oncogenic protein which serves as a central hub in the cellular signaling network of medulloblastoma. The protein contains two vicinal PxxP motifs at its C terminus that are potential binding sites of peptide-recognition SH3 domains. Here, a synthetic protocol that integrated in silico analysis and in vitro assay was described to identify the SH3-binding partners of pituitary tumor-transforming gene in the gene expression profile of medulloblastoma. In the procedure, a variety of structurally diverse, non-redundant SH3 domains with high gene expression in medulloblastoma were compiled, and their three-dimensional structures were either manually retrieved from the protein data bank database or computationally modeled through bioinformatics technique. The binding capability of these domains towards the two PxxP-containing peptides m1p: 161 LGPPSPVK 168 and m2p: 168 KMPSPPWE 175 of pituitary tumor-transforming gene were ranked by structure-based scoring and fluorescence-based assay. Consequently, a number of SH3 domains, including MAP3K and PI3K, were found to have moderate or high affinity for m1p and/or m2p. Interestingly, the two overlapping peptides exhibits a distinct binding profile to these identified domain partners, suggesting that the binding selectivity of m1p and m2p is optimized across the medulloblastoma expression spectrum by competing for domain candidates. In addition, two redesigned versions of m1p peptide ware obtained via a structure-based rational mutation approach, which exhibited an increased affinity for the domain as compared to native peptide.

(99m)Tc-amitrole as a novel selective imaging probe for solid tumor: In silico and preclinical pharmacological study.

PubMed

Essa, B M; Sakr, T M; Khedr, Mohammed A; El-Essawy, F A; El-Mohty, A A

2015-08-30

Lactoperoxidase (LPO) inhibitors are very selective for solid tumor due to their high binding affinity to the LPO enzyme. A computational study was used to select top-ranked LPO inhibitor (alone and in complex with (99m)Tc) with high in silico affinity. The novel prepared (99m)Tc-amitrole complex demonstrated both in silico and in vivo high affinity toward solid tumors.(99m)Tc-amitrole was radio-synthesized with a high radiochemical yield (89.7±3.25). It showed in vitro stability for up to 6h. Its preclinical evaluation in solid tumor-bearing mice showed high retention and biological accumulation in solid tumor cells with a high Target/Non-Target (T/NT) ratio equal to 4.9 at 60min post-injection. The data described previously could recommend (99m)Tc-amitrole as potential targeting scintigraphic probe for solid tumor imaging. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Improved production of transgenic Dioscorea zingiberensis (Dioscoreaceae) by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation.

PubMed

Shi, L; Fan, J Q; Hu, C G; Luo, J; Yao, J L

2012-02-03

The establishment of high-efficiency Agrobacterium-mediated transformation techniques could improve the production of Dioscorea zingiberensis, a medicinal species with a high diosgenin content. We co-cultivated embryogenic calli induced from mature seeds with A. tumefaciens strain EHA105. A binary vector, pCAMBIA1381, which contains the gfp and hpt genes under the control of the ubiquitin promoter and the CaMV 35S promoter, respectively, was used for transformation. Pre-culture, basic medium, acetosyringone, and bacterial density were evaluated to establish the most efficient protocol. The optimal conditions consisted of MS medium without CaCl(2) for pre- and co-cultivation, three days for pre-culture, addition of 200 μM AS, and an OD(600) of 0.5. The transgenic plants grown under selection were confirmed by PCR analysis and Southern blot analysis. This protocol produced transgenic D. zingiberensis plants in seven months, with a transformation efficiency of 6%.

Contact Formation (Hg, CD)Te

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-12-01

Davis, W.A. Beck, D.G. Kilday, J.T. McKinley, and G. Margaritondo, J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A 7, 870 (1989). 312 J.M. Pawlikowski, Acta Physica Polonica A49...139 (1976). J.M. Pawlikowski, Acta Physica Polonica A49, 563 (1976). J.M. Pawlikowski, Acta Physica Polonica A51, 95 (1977). SJ.M. Pawlikowski, Phys

Continuous cooling transformations and microstructures in a low-carbon, high-strength low-alloy plate steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thompson, S. W.; Vin, D. J., Col; Krauss, G.

1990-06-01

A continuous-cooling-transformation (CCT) diagram was determined for a high-strength low-alloy plate steel containing (in weight percent) 0.06 C, 1.45 Mn, 1.25 Cu, 0.97 Ni, 0.72 Cr, and 0.42 Mo. Dilatometric measurements were supplemented by microhardness testing, light microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The CCT diagram showed significant suppression of polygonal ferrite formation and a prominent transformation region, normally attributed to bainite formation, at temperatures intermediate to those of polygonal ferrite and martensite formation. In the intermediate region, ferrite formation in groups of similarly oriented crystals about 1 μm in size and containing a high density of dislocations dominated the transformation of austenite during continuous cooling. The ferrite grains assumed two morphologies, elongated or acicular and equiaxed or granular, leading to the terms “acicular ferrite” and “granular ferrite,” respectively, to describe these structures. Austenite regions, some transformed to martensite, were enriched in carbon and retained at interfaces between ferrite grains. Coarse interfacial ledges and the nonacicular morphology of the granular ferrite grains provided evidence for a phase transformation mechanism involving reconstructive diffusion of substitutional atoms. At slow cooling rates, polygonal ferrite and Widmanstätten ferrite formed. These latter structures contained low dislocation densities and e-copper precipitates formed by an interphase transformation mechanism.

Rockfall Milepoint 49 Monitoring Plan for Check Dams on Mt. Hood Highway (US 26) (M.P. 49.10 to M.P. 49.23)

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2003-07-31

This Stormwater BMP Monitoring Plan details the approach to be used for monitoring : roadside ditch sediment traps located on Highway 26 in the Mt. Hood National Forest. : These sediment traps were designed and installed by ODOT for the capture of se...

Effect of different surface treatments on the hydrothermal degradation of a 3Y-TZP ceramic for dental implants.

PubMed

Cattani-Lorente, M; Scherrer, S S; Durual, S; Sanon, C; Douillard, T; Gremillard, L; Chevalier, J; Wiskott, A

2014-10-01

Implant surface modifications are intended to enhance bone integration. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of different surface treatments on the resistance to hydrothermal degradation, hardness and elastic modulus of a 3Y-TZP ceramic used for dental implants. Samples grouped according to their surface morphologies (AS, as-sintered; C, coated; P, dry-polished; R, roughened; PA, polished and annealed; RA, roughened and annealed) were subjected to accelerated hydrothermal degradation (LTD) by exposure to water steam (134°C, 2bars) for 100h. The t-m phase transformation was quantified by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXDR) and by combined focused ion beam and scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM). Elastic modulus and hardness before- and after prolonged aging (100h) were assessed by nanoindentation. AS and C specimens presented a better resistance to hydrothermal degradation than P and R samples. After prolonged aging, the depth of the monoclinic transformed layer ranged from 11μm to 14μm. Hydrothermal degradation led to a significant decrease of elastic modulus and hardness. Surface treatments affected the resistance to hydrothermal degradation of the 3Y-TZP ceramic. Dry mechanical surface modifications should be avoided since a high t-m transformation rate associated to the initial monoclinic content was observed. Annealing was useful to reverse the initial t-m transformation, but did not improve the resistance to hydrothermal degradation. Copyright © 2014 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Shape memory characteristics and mechanical properties of powder metallurgy processed Ti50Ni40Cu10 alloy.

PubMed

Kim, Yeon-Wook

2014-10-01

Ti-Ni-Cu alloy powders were prepared by gas atomization and porous bulk specimens were fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The microstructure of as-solidified powders exhibited a cellular structure and they contained a high density of nano-sized porosities which were located in the intercellular regions. XRD analysis showed that one-step martensitic transformation of B2-B19 occurred in all alloy powders and SPS specimens. When the martensitic transformation start temperature (M(s)) and austenite transformation finish temperature (A(f)) were determined in order to analyze the dependence of powder size on transformation temperatures, the M(s) increased slightly from -17.5 degrees C to - 14.6 degrees C as increasing the powder size ranging from between 25 and 50 μm to ranging between 100 and 150 μm. However, the M(s) and A(f) of the as-atomized powders is much smaller than those of SPS specimens and the M(s) of porous specimen was about 10.9 degrees C. Loading-unloading compressive tests were carried out to investigate the mechanical properties of porous Ti-Ni-Cu specimen. The specimen was compressed to the strain of 6% at a temperature higher than A,. After unloading, the residual strain was 2.1%. After the compressed specimen was heated to 60 degrees C and held for 30 minutes and then cooled to room temperature, the changes in the length of the specimens were measured. Then it was found that the recovered strain ascribed to shape memory effect was 1.5%.

An Improved Syringe Agroinfiltration Protocol to Enhance Transformation Efficiency by Combinative Use of 5-Azacytidine, Ascorbate Acid and Tween-20.

PubMed

Zhao, Huimin; Tan, Zilong; Wen, Xuejing; Wang, Yucheng

2017-02-14

Syringe infiltration is an important transient transformation method that is widely used in many molecular studies. Owing to the wide use of syringe agroinfiltration, it is important and necessary to improve its transformation efficiency. Here, we studied the factors influencing the transformation efficiency of syringe agroinfiltration. The pCAMBIA1301 was transformed into Nicotiana benthamiana leaves for investigation. The effects of 5-azacytidine (AzaC), Ascorbate acid (ASC) and Tween-20 on transformation were studied. The β-glucuronidase ( GUS ) expression and GUS activity were respectively measured to determine the transformation efficiency. AzaC, ASC and Tween-20 all significantly affected the transformation efficiency of agroinfiltration, and the optimal concentrations of AzaC, ASC and Tween-20 for the transgene expression were identified. Our results showed that 20 μM AzaC, 0.56 mM ASC and 0.03% ( v / v ) Tween-20 is the optimal concentration that could significantly improve the transformation efficiency of agroinfiltration. Furthermore, a combined supplement of 20 μM AzaC, 0.56 mM ASC and 0.03% Tween-20 improves the expression of transgene better than any one factor alone, increasing the transgene expression by more than 6-fold. Thus, an optimized syringe agroinfiltration was developed here, which might be a powerful method in transient transformation analysis.

Analysis of the GPS Observations of the Site Survey at Sheshan 25-m Radio Telescope in August 2008

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, L.; Cheng, Z. Y.; Li, J. L.

2010-01-01

The processing of the GPS observations of the site survey at Sheshan 25-m radio telescope in August 2008 is reported. Because each session in this survey is only about six hours, not allowing the subdaily high frequency variations in the station coordinates to be reasonably smoothed, and because there are serious cycle slips in the observations and a large volume of data would be rejected during the software automatic adjustment of slips, the ordinary solution settings of GAMIT needed to be adjusted by loosening the constraints in the a priori coordinates to 10 m, adopting the "quick" mode in the solution iteration, and combining Cview manual operation with GAMIT automatic fixing of cycle slips. The resulting coordinates of the local control polygon in ITRF2005 are then compared with conventional geodetic results. Due to large rotations and translations in the two sets of coordinates (geocentric versus quasi-topocentric), the seven transformation parameters cannot be solved for directly. With various trial solutions it is shown that with a partial pre-removal of the large parameters, high precision transformation parameters can be obtained with post-fit residuals at the millimeter level. This analysis is necessary to prepare the follow-on site and transformation survey of the VLBI and SLR telescopes at Sheshan

Fourier transform spectroscopy of the CO-stretching band of O-18 methanol

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lees, R. M.; Murphy, Reba-Jean; Moruzzi, Giovanni; Predoi-Cross, Adriana; Xu, Li-Hong; Appadoo, D. R. T.; Billinghurst, B.; Goulding, R. R. J.; Zhao, Saibei

2009-07-01

The high-resolution Fourier transform spectrum of the ν8 CO-stretching band of CH 318OH between 900 and 1100 cm -1 has been recorded at the Canadian Light Source (CLS) synchrotron facility in Saskatoon, and the majority of the torsion-rotation structure has been analyzed. For the ν t = 0 torsional ground state, subbands have been identified for K values from 0 to 11 for A and E torsional symmetries up to J values typically well over 30. For ν t = 1, A and E subbands have been assigned up to K = 7, and several ν t = 2 subbands have also been identified. Upper-state term values determined from the assigned transitions using the Ritz program have been fitted to J( J + 1) power-series expansions to obtain substate origins and sets of state-specific parameters giving a compact representation of the substate J-dependence. The ν t = 0 subband origins have been fitted to effective molecular constants for the excited CO-stretching state and a torsional barrier of 377.49(32) cm -1 is found, representing a 0.89% increase over the ground-state value. The vibrational energy for the CO-stretch state was found to be 1007.49(7) cm -1. A number of subband-wide and J-localized perturbations have been seen in the spectrum, arising both from anharmonic and Coriolis interactions, and several of the interacting states have been identified.

Cladribine combined with high doses of arabinoside cytosine, mitoxantrone, and G-CSF (CLAG-M) is a highly effective salvage regimen in patients with refractory and relapsed acute myeloid leukemia of the poor risk: a final report of the Polish Adult Leukemia Group.

PubMed

Wierzbowska, Agnieszka; Robak, Tadeusz; Pluta, Agnieszka; Wawrzyniak, Ewa; Cebula, Barbara; Hołowiecki, Jerzy; Kyrcz-Krzemień, Sławomira; Grosicki, Sebastian; Giebel, Sebastian; Skotnicki, Aleksander B; Piatkowska-Jakubas, Beata; Kuliczkowski, Kazimierz; Kiełbiński, Marek; Zawilska, Krystyna; Kłoczko, Janusz; Wrzesień-Kuś, Agata

2008-02-01

Patients with primary refractory AML and with early relapses have unfavorable prognoses and require innovative therapeutic approaches. Purine analogs fludarabine (FA) and cladribine (2-CdA) increase cytotoxic effect of Ara-C in leukemic blasts and inhibit DNA repair mechanisms; therefore its association with Ara-C and mitoxantrone (MIT) results in a synergistic effect. In the current report, we present the final results of multi-center phase II study evaluating the efficacy and toxicity of CLAG-M salvage regimen in poor risk refractory/relapsed AML patients. The induction chemotherapy consisted of 2-CdA 5 mg/m2, Ara-C 2 g/m2, MIT 10 mg/m2, and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor. In the case of PR, a second CLAG-M was administered. Patients in CR received consolidation courses based on high doses of Ara-C and MIT with or without 2-CdA. One hundred and eighteen patients from 11 centers were registered; 78 primary resistant and 40 relapsed. Sixty-six patients (58%) achieved CR after one or two courses of CLAG-M, 49 (35%) were refractory, and 8 (7%) died early. WBC >10 g/L and age >34 yr were factors associated with increased risk of treatment failure. Hematological toxicity was the most prominent toxicity of this regimen. The probability of OS at 4 yr was 14% (95% CI 4-23%). OS was influenced by age, WBC >10 g/L and poor karyotype in both univariate and multivariate analyses. The probability of 4 yr DFS was 30% for all 66 patients in CR (95% CI 11-49%). Poor karyotype was the only factor associated with decreased probability of DFS. We conclude that CLAG-M is a well-tolerated and highly effective salvage regimen in poor risk refractory/relapsed AML.

Thermochromic VO2 thin films: solution-based processing, improved optical properties, and lowered phase transformation temperature.

PubMed

Zhang, Zongtao; Gao, Yanfeng; Chen, Zhang; Du, Jing; Cao, Chuanxiang; Kang, Litao; Luo, Hongjie

2010-07-06

This paper describes a solution-phase synthesis of high-quality vanadium dioxide thermochromic thin films. The films obtained showed excellent visible transparency and a large change in transmittance at near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths before and after the metal-insulator phase transition (MIPT). For a 59 nm thick single-layer VO(2) thin film, the integral values of visible transmittance (T(int)) for metallic (M) and semiconductive (S) states were 54.1% and 49.1%, respectively, while the NIR switching efficiencies (DeltaT) were as high as 50% at 2000 nm. Thinner films can provide much higher transmittance of visible light, but they suffer from an attenuation of the switching efficiency in the near-infrared region. By varying the film thickness, ultrahigh T(int) values of 75.2% and 75.7% for the M and S states, respectively, were obtained, while the DeltaT at 2000 nm remained high. These results represent the best data for VO(2) to date. Thicker films in an optimized range can give enhanced NIR switching efficiencies and excellent NIR blocking abilities; in a particularly impressive experiment, one film provided near-zero NIR transmittance in the switched state. The thickness-dependent performance suggests that VO(2) will be of great use in the objective-specific applications. The reflectance and emissivity at the wavelength range of 2.5-25 microm before and after the MIPT were dependent on the film thickness; large contrasts were observed for relatively thick films. This work also showed that the MIPT temperature can be reduced simply by selecting the annealing temperature that induces local nonstoichiometry; a MIPT temperature as low as 42.7 degrees C was obtained by annealing the film at 440 degrees C. These properties (the high visible transmittance, the large change in infrared transmittance, and the near room-temperature MIPT) suggest that the current method is a landmark in the development of this interesting material toward applications in energy-saving smart windows.

High strength W/TiNi micro-laminated composite with transformation-mediated ductility

DOE PAGES

Shao, Yang; Yu, Kaiyuan; Jiang, Daqiang; ...

2016-06-06

A laminated W/TiNi composite is fabricated by hot pressing under vacuum and subsequent forging. The W and TiNi constituents are about 250 μm and 80 μm respectively in thicknesses and their interfaces are chemically sharp with negligible intermixing. The material exhibits two yielding plateaus and excellent strength-ductility combination during compression tests. In situ X-ray technique is employed to demonstrate that the unusual yielding phenomenon is related to the reversible thermoelastic phase transformation of TiNi layers. Furthermore, such mechanisms also contribute to the damage tolerance of the materials by inhibiting crack propagation in W.

Opposing Intermolecular Tuning of Ca2+ Affinity for Calmodulin by Neurogranin and CaMKII Peptides.

PubMed

Zhang, Pengzhi; Tripathi, Swarnendu; Trinh, Hoa; Cheung, Margaret S

2017-03-28

We investigated the impact of bound calmodulin (CaM)-target compound structure on the affinity of calcium (Ca 2+ ) by integrating coarse-grained models and all-atomistic simulations with nonequilibrium physics. We focused on binding between CaM and two specific targets, Ca 2+ /CaM-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and neurogranin (Ng), as they both regulate CaM-dependent Ca 2+ signaling pathways in neurons. It was shown experimentally that Ca 2+ /CaM (holoCaM) binds to the CaMKII peptide with overwhelmingly higher affinity than Ca 2+ -free CaM (apoCaM); the binding of CaMKII peptide to CaM in return increases the Ca 2+ affinity for CaM. However, this reciprocal relation was not observed in the Ng peptide (Ng 13-49 ), which binds to apoCaM or holoCaM with binding affinities of the same order of magnitude. Unlike the holoCaM-CaMKII peptide, whose structure can be determined by crystallography, the structural description of the apoCaM-Ng 13-49 is unknown due to low binding affinity, therefore we computationally generated an ensemble of apoCaM-Ng 13-49 structures by matching the changes in the chemical shifts of CaM upon Ng 13-49 binding from nuclear magnetic resonance experiments. Next, we computed the changes in Ca 2+ affinity for CaM with and without binding targets in atomistic models using Jarzynski's equality. We discovered the molecular underpinnings of lowered affinity of Ca 2+ for CaM in the presence of Ng 13-49 by showing that the N-terminal acidic region of Ng peptide pries open the β-sheet structure between the Ca 2+ binding loops particularly at C-domain of CaM, enabling Ca 2+ release. In contrast, CaMKII peptide increases Ca 2+ affinity for the C-domain of CaM by stabilizing the two Ca 2+ binding loops. We speculate that the distinctive structural difference in the bound complexes of apoCaM-Ng 13-49 and holoCaM-CaMKII delineates the importance of CaM's progressive mechanism of target binding on its Ca 2+ binding affinities. Copyright © 2017 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

High-pressure deformation of calcite marble and its transformation to aragonite under non-hydrostatic conditions

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hacker, B.R.; Kirby, S.H.

1993-01-01

We conducted deformation experiments on Carrara marble in the aragonite and calcite stability fields to observe the synkinematic transformation of calcite to aragonite, and to identify any relationships between transformation and deformation or sample strength. Deformation-induced microstructures in calcite crystals varied most significantly with temperature, ranging from limited slip and twinning at 400??C, limited recrystallization at 500??C, widespread recrystallization at 600 and 700??C, to grain growth at 800-900??C. Variations in confining pressure from 0.3 to 2.0 GPa have no apparent effect on calcite deformation microstructures. Aragonite grew in 10-6-10-7 s-1strain rate tests conducted for 18-524 h at confining pressures of 1.7-2.0 GPa and temperatures of 500-600??C. As in our previously reported hydrostatic experiments on this same transformation, the aragonite nucleated on calcite grain boundaries. The extent of transformation varied from a few percent conversion near pistons at 400??C, 2.0 GPa and 10-4 s-1 strain rate in a 0.8 h long experiment, to 98% transformation in a 21-day test at a strain rate of 10-7 s-7, a temperature of 600??C and a pressure of 2.0 GPa. At 500??C, porphyroblastic 100-200 ??m aragonite crystals grew at a rate faster than 8 ?? 10-1m s-1. At 600??C, the growth of aragonite neoblasts was slower, ???6 ?? 10-1 m s -1, and formed 'glove-and-finger' cellularprecipitation-like textures identical to those observed in hydrostatic experiments. The transformation to aragonite is not accompanied by a shear instability or anisotropic aragonite growth, consistent with its relatively small volume change and latent heat in comparison with compounds that do display those features. ?? 1993.

Microstructure of warm rolling and pearlitic transformation of ultrafine-grained GCr15 steel

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

Sun, Jun-Jie; Lian, Fu-Liang; Liu, Hong-Ji

2014-09-15

Pearlitic transformation mechanisms have been investigated in ultra-fine grained GCr15 steel. The ultrafine-grained steel, whose grain size was less than 1 μm, was prepared by thermo-mechanical treatment at 873 K and then annealing at 923 K for 2 h. Pearlitic transformation was conducted by reheating the ultra-fine grained samples at 1073 K and 1123 K for different periods of time and then cooling in air. Scanning electron microscope observation shows that normal lamellar pearlite, instead of granular cementite and ferrite, cannot be formed when the grain size is approximately less than 4(± 0.6) μm, which yields a critical grain sizemore » for normal lamellar pearlitic transformations in this chromium alloyed steel. The result confirms that grain size has a great influence on pearlitic transformation by increasing the diffusion rate of carbon atoms in the ultra-fine grained steel, and the addition of chromium element doesn't change this pearlitic phase transformation rule. Meanwhile, the grain growth rate is reduced by chromium alloying, which is beneficial to form fine grains during austenitizing, thus it facilitating pearlitic transformation by divorced eutectoid transformation. Moreover, chromium element can form a relatively high gradient in the frontier of the undissolved carbide, which promotes carbide formation in the frontier of the undissolved carbide, i.e., chromium promotes divorced eutectoid transformation. - Highlights: • Ultrafine-grained GCr15 steel was obtained by warm rolling and annealing technology. • Reduction of grain size makes pearlite morphology from lamellar to granular. • Adding Cr does not change normal pearlitic phase transformation rule in UFG steel. • Cr carbide resists grain growth and facilitates pearlitic transformation by DET.« less

Two-wavelength Lidar inversion algorithm for determining planetary boundary layer height

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Boming; Ma, Yingying; Gong, Wei; Jian, Yang; Ming, Zhang

2018-02-01

This study proposes a two-wavelength Lidar inversion algorithm to determine the boundary layer height (BLH) based on the particles clustering. Color ratio and depolarization ratio are used to analyze the particle distribution, based on which the proposed algorithm can overcome the effects of complex aerosol layers to calculate the BLH. The algorithm is used to determine the top of the boundary layer under different mixing state. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can determine the top of the boundary layer even in a complex case. Moreover, it can better deal with the weak convection conditions. Finally, experimental data from June 2015 to December 2015 were used to verify the reliability of the proposed algorithm. The correlation between the results of the proposed algorithm and the manual method is R2 = 0.89 with a RMSE of 131 m and mean bias of 49 m; the correlation between the results of the ideal profile fitting method and the manual method is R2 = 0.64 with a RMSE of 270 m and a mean bias of 165 m; and the correlation between the results of the wavelet covariance transform method and manual method is R2 = 0.76, with a RMSE of 196 m and mean bias of 23 m. These findings indicate that the proposed algorithm has better reliability and stability than traditional algorithms.

Genetic Pathway of HIV-1 Resistance to Novel Fusion Inhibitors Targeting the Gp41 Pocket

PubMed Central

Su, Yang; Chong, Huihiui; Xiong, Shengwen; Qiao, Yuanyuan; Qiu, Zonglin

2015-01-01

ABSTRACT The peptide drug enfuvirtide (T20) is the only HIV-1 fusion inhibitor in clinical use, but it easily induces drug resistance, calling for new strategies for developing effective drugs. On the basis of the M-T hook structure, we recently developed highly potent short-peptide HIV-1 fusion inhibitors (MTSC22 and HP23), which mainly target the conserved gp41 pocket and possess high genetic barriers to resistance. Here, we focused on the selection and characterization of HIV-1 escape mutants of MTSC22, which revealed new resistance pathways and mechanisms. Two mutations (E49K and L57R) located at the inhibitor-binding site and two mutations (N126K and E136G) located at the C-terminal heptad repeat region of gp41 were identified as conferring high resistance either singly or in combination. While E49K reduced the C-terminal binding of inhibitors via an electrostatic repulsion, L57R dramatically disrupted the N-terminal binding of M-T hook structure and pocket-binding domain. Unlike E49K and N126K, which enhanced the stability of the endogenous viral six-helical bundle core (6-HB), L57R and E136G conversely destabilized the 6-HB structure. We also demonstrated that both primary and secondary mutations caused the structural changes in 6-HB and severely impaired the capability for HIV-1 entry. Collectively, our data provide novel insights into the mechanisms of short-peptide fusion inhibitors targeting the gp41 pocket site and help increase our understanding of the structure and function of gp41 and HIV-1 evolution. IMPORTANCE The deep pocket on the N-trimer of HIV-1 gp41 has been considered an ideal drug target because of its high degree of conservation and essential role in viral entry. Short-peptide fusion inhibitors, which contain an M-T hook structure and mainly target the pocket site, show extremely high binding and inhibitory activities as well as high genetic barriers to resistance. In this study, the HIV-1 mutants resistant to MTSC22 were selected and characterized, which revealed that the E49K and L57R substitutions at the inhibitor-binding site and the N126K and E136G substitutions at the C-terminal heptad repeat region of gp41 critically determine the resistance phenotype. The data provide novel insights into the mechanisms of action of the M-T hook structure-based fusion inhibitors which will help further our understanding of the structure-function relationship of gp41 and molecular pathways of HIV-1 evolution and eventually facilitate the development of new anti-HIV drugs. PMID:26446597

Exploration of phase transition in ThS under pressure: An ab-initio investigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sahoo, B. D.; Mukherjee, D.; Joshi, K. D.; Kaushik, T. C.

2018-04-01

The ab-initio total energy calculations have been performed in thorium sulphide (ThS) to explore its high pressure phase stability. Our calculations predict a phase transformation from ambient rocksalt type structure (B1 phase) to a rhombohedral structure (R-3m phase) at ˜ 15 GPa and subsequently R-3m phase transforms to CsCl type structure (B2 phase) at ˜ 45 GPa. The first phase transition has been identified as second order type; whereas, the second transition is of first order type with volume discontinuity of 6.5%. The predicted high pressure R-3m phase is analogous to the experimentally observed hexagonal (distorted fcc) phase (Benedict et al., J. Less-Common Met., 1984) above 20 GPa. Further, using these calculations we have derived the equation of state which has been utilized to determine various physical quantities such as zero pressure equilibrium volume, bulk modulus, and pressure derivative of bulk modulus at ambient conditions.

Monitoring trace gases in downtown Toronto using open-path Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Byrne, B.; Strong, K.; Colebatch, O.; Fogal, P.; Mittermeier, R. L.; Wunch, D.; Jones, D. B. A.

2017-12-01

Emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in urban environments can be highly heterogeneous. For example, vehicles produce point source emissions which can result in heterogeneous GHG concentrations on scales <10 m. The highly localized scale of these emissions can make it difficult to measure mean GHG concentrations on scales of 100-1000 m. Open-Path Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (OP-FTIR) measurements offer spatial averaging and continuous measurements of several trace gases simultaneously in the same airmass. We have set up an open-path system in downtown Toronto to monitor trace gases in the urban boundary layer. Concentrations of CO2, CO, CH4, and N2O are derived from atmospheric absorption spectra recorded over a two-way atmospheric open path of 320 m using non-linear least squares fitting. Using a simple box model and co-located boundary layer height measurements, we estimate surface fluxes of these gases in downtown Toronto from our OP-FTIR observations.

40 CFR Appendix to Subpart M of... - Alphabetical Listing of Tribes and Corresponding Sections

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Alphabetical Listing of Tribes and... Implementation Plans for Tribes-Region X Pt. 49, Subpt. M, App. Appendix to Subpart M of Part 49—Alphabetical Listing of Tribes and Corresponding Sections Indian Tribe Refer to the following sections in subpart M...

40 CFR Appendix to Subpart M of... - Alphabetical Listing of Tribes and Corresponding Sections

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Alphabetical Listing of Tribes and... Implementation Plans for Tribes-Region X Pt. 49, Subpt. M, App. Appendix to Subpart M of Part 49—Alphabetical Listing of Tribes and Corresponding Sections Indian Tribe Refer to the following sections in subpart M...

40 CFR Appendix to Subpart M of... - Alphabetical Listing of Tribes and Corresponding Sections

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Alphabetical Listing of Tribes and... Implementation Plans for Tribes-Region X Pt. 49, Subpt. M, App. Appendix to Subpart M of Part 49—Alphabetical Listing of Tribes and Corresponding Sections Indian Tribe Refer to the following sections in subpart M...

Improved FFT-based numerical inversion of Laplace transforms via fast Hartley transform algorithm

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hwang, Chyi; Lu, Ming-Jeng; Shieh, Leang S.

1991-01-01

The disadvantages of numerical inversion of the Laplace transform via the conventional fast Fourier transform (FFT) are identified and an improved method is presented to remedy them. The improved method is based on introducing a new integration step length Delta(omega) = pi/mT for trapezoidal-rule approximation of the Bromwich integral, in which a new parameter, m, is introduced for controlling the accuracy of the numerical integration. Naturally, this method leads to multiple sets of complex FFT computations. A new inversion formula is derived such that N equally spaced samples of the inverse Laplace transform function can be obtained by (m/2) + 1 sets of N-point complex FFT computations or by m sets of real fast Hartley transform (FHT) computations.

Twin and habit plane microstructures due to the tetragonal to monoclinic transformation of zirconia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simha, N. K.

1997-02-01

We first construct Bain strains for the tetragonal to monoclinic ( t → m) transformation of zirconia (ZrO 2), and then examine the resulting twin and habit plane microstructures. The ( t → m) transformation in zirconia occurs via two paths; transformation along path I has two Bain strains that involve shearing of a rectangular face of the tetragonal unit cell, and shearing of the square base corresponds to path II. The monoclinic variants resulting from each of the three Bain strains can form 12 twins, and four of the twins corresponding to path II are neither of type I nor of type II. Habit planes do not exist for the transformation along path I, whereas transformation along path II has: (± 0.8139, ± 0.3898, - 0.4309) t, (± 0.6489, ± 0.6271, - 0.4309) t, (± 0.7804, ± 0.4530, - 0.4309) t. We predict the exact twin planes observed by Bailey [(1964) Phase transformation at high temperatures in hafnia and zirconia. Proc. Roy. Soc.279A, 395-412], Bansal and Heuer [(1972) On a martensitic phase transformation in Zirconia ZrO 2—I. Metallographic evidence. Acta Metall.20, 1281-1289] and Buljan et al. [(1976) Optical and X-ray single crystal studies of the monoclinic ↔ tetragonal transition in ZrO 2. J. Am. Ceram. Soc.59, 351-354]; additional twins and habit planes that we predict have not yet been observed.

Identification of Moraxella bovis by qualitative genetic transformation and nutritional assays.

PubMed Central

Juni, E; Heym, G A; Newcomb, R D

1988-01-01

Strains of Moraxella bovis were identified definitively through the combined use of a qualitative genetic transformation assay and determination of the ability of the organism under examination to grow in a defined medium (medium MB). Except for weak transformation by DNA from strains of M. lacunata, M. nonliquefaciens, and M. (Branhamella) ovis, DNA samples from all other members of the genus Moraxella failed to transform either of the two M. bovis auxotrophs used in this study. Images PMID:3389822

Distinction of cervical cancer biopsies by use of infrared microspectroscopy and probabilistic neural networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Podshyvalov, A.; Sahu, R. K.; Mark, S.; Kantarovich, K.; Guterman, H.; Goldstein, J.; Jagannathan, R.; Argov, S.; Mordechai, S.

2005-06-01

Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy has shown alterations of spectral characteristics of cells and tissues as a result of carcinogenesis. The research reported here focuses on the diagnosis of cancer in formalin-fixed biopsied tissue for which immunochemistry is not possible and when PAP-smear results are to be confirmed. The data from two groups of patients (a control group and a group of patients diagnosed with cervical cancer) were analyzed. It was found that the glucose/phosphate ratio decreases (by 23-49%) and the RNA/DNA ratio increases (by 38-150%) in carcinogenic compared with normal tissue. Fourier-transform microspectroscopy was used to examine these tissues. This type of study in larger populations may help to set standards or classes with which to use treated biopsied tissue to predict the possibility of cancer. Probabilistic neural networks and statistical tests as parts of these biopsies predict the possibility of cancer with a high degree of accuracy (>95%).

Enrichment of cardiac pacemaker-like cells: neuregulin-1 and cyclic AMP increase I(f)-current density and connexin 40 mRNA levels in fetal cardiomyocytes.

PubMed

Ruhparwar, Arjang; Er, Fikret; Martin, Ulrich; Radke, Kristin; Gruh, Ina; Niehaus, Michael; Karck, Matthias; Haverich, Axel; Hoppe, Uta C

2007-02-01

Generation of a large number of cells belonging to the cardiac pacemaker system would constitute an important step towards their utilization as a biological cardiac pacemaker system. The aim of the present study was to identify factors, which might induce transformation of a heterogenous population of fetal cardiomyocytes into cells with a pacemaker-like phenotype. Neuregulin-1 (alpha- and beta-isoform) or the cAMP was added to fresh cell cultures of murine embryonic cardiomyocytes. Quantitative northern blot analysis and flowcytometry were performed to detect the expression of connexins 40, 43 and 45. Patch clamp recordings in the whole cell configuration were performed to determine current density of I (f), a characteristic ion current of pacemaker cells. Fetal cardiomyocytes without supplement of neuregulin or cAMP served as control group. Neuregulin and cAMP significantly increased mRNA levels of connexin 40 (Cx-40), a marker of the early differentiating conduction system in mice. On the protein level, flowcytometry revealed no significant differences between treated and untreated groups with regard to the expression of connexins 40, 43 and 45. Treatment with cAMP (11.2 +/- 2.24 pA/pF; P < 0.001) and neuregulin-1-beta (6.23 +/- 1.07 pA/pF; P < 0.001) significantly increased the pacemaker current density compared to control cardiomyocytes (1.76 +/- 0.49 pA/pF). Our results indicate that neuregulin-1 and cAMP possess the capacity to cause significant transformation of a mixed population of fetal cardiomyocytes into cardiac pacemaker-like cells as shown by electrophysiology and increase of Cx-40 mRNA. This method may allow the development of a biological cardiac pacemaker system when applied to adult or embryonic stem cells.

Shock metamorphism of Elephant Moraine A79001: Implications for olivine-ringwoodite transformation and the complex thermal history of heavily shocked Martian meteorites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walton, Erin L.

2013-04-01

Lithology A of Martian meteorite Elephant Moraine (EET) A79001 contains fragments entrained within a 100 μm-thick shear-induced shock vein. These fragments, the shock vein matrix and walls of olivine along the vein, as well as shock deformation and transformation in rock-forming minerals in the bulk rock, were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, the electron microprobe and Raman spectroscopy. The presence of ringwoodite, the spinel-structured high-pressure (Mg,Fe)2SiO4 polymorph, has been confirmed in EETA79001 for the first time. Ringwoodite occurs within and around the shock vein, exhibiting granular and lamellar textures. In both textures ringwoodite consists of ˜500 nm size distinct grains. Ringwoodite lamellae are 115 nm to 1.3 μm wide. Planar fractures in olivine provided sites for heterogeneous nucleation of ringwoodite. Analyses performed on the largest grains (⩾1 μm) show that ringwoodite is consistently higher in iron (Fa27.4-32.4) relative to surrounding olivine (Fa25.1-267.7), implying that there was Fe-Mg exchange during their transformation, and therefore their growth was diffusion-controlled. In the shock environment, diffusion takes place dynamically, i.e., with concurrent deformation and grain size reduction. This results in enhanced diffusion rates (⩾10-8 m2/s) over nm - μm distances. Shock deformation in host rock minerals including strong mosaicism, pervasive fracturing, polysynthetic twinning (pyroxene only), extensive shock melting, local transformation of olivine to ringwoodite, and complete transformation of plagioclase to maskelynite in the bulk rock, indicate that EETA79001 was strongly shocked. The short shock duration (0.01 s) combined with a complex thermal history, resulted in crystallization of the 100 μm thick shock vein in EETA79001 during the pressure release, and partial back-transformation of ringwoodite to olivine. Based on the pressure stabilities of clinopyroxene + ringwoodite, crystallization at the shock vein margin began at ˜18 GPa. Olivine and clinopyroxene crystallized at <14 GPa closer to the shock vein center. These represent a minimum limit to the shock pressure loading experienced by EETA79001.

Use of iodine 131I-tositumomab radioimmunotherapy in a patient with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia.

PubMed

Tsai, Donald E; Maillard, Ivan; Downs, Lisa H; Alavi, Abass; Nasta, Sunita D; Glatstein, Eli; Schuster, Stephen J

2004-03-01

Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia is an indolent B-cell malignancy that is characterized by high levels of IgM paraprotein production and is incurable with standard chemotherapy. Iodine 131I-Tositumomab (iodine-131-labeled murine anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody; Bexxar) is a novel radioimmunotherapeutic agent that has a high response rate in relapsed or chemotherapy refractory, CD20-positive, low grade or transformed B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. There are no data on the use of radioimmunotherapy in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. We report a patient with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia with transformation to a large B-cell lymphoma, who was treated successfully with iodine 131I-tositumomab. The patient had a complete response to the treatment, including disappearance of any detectable IgM paraprotein. This case report demonstrates the potential for radioimmunotherapy in CD20 positive B-cell malignancies.

Integration of airborne Thematic Mapper Simulator (TMS) data and digitized aerial photography via an ISH transformation. [Intensity Saturation Hue

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ambrosia, Vincent G.; Myers, Jeffrey S.; Ekstrand, Robert E.; Fitzgerald, Michael T.

1991-01-01

A simple method for enhancing the spatial and spectral resolution of disparate data sets is presented. Two data sets, digitized aerial photography at a nominal spatial resolution 3,7 meters and TMS digital data at 24.6 meters, were coregistered through a bilinear interpolation to solve the problem of blocky pixel groups resulting from rectification expansion. The two data sets were then subjected to intensity-saturation-hue (ISH) transformations in order to 'blend' the high-spatial-resolution (3.7 m) digitized RC-10 photography with the high spectral (12-bands) and lower spatial (24.6 m) resolution TMS digital data. The resultant merged products make it possible to perform large-scale mapping, ease photointerpretation, and can be derived for any of the 12 available TMS spectral bands.

Green Bay: Spatial patterns in water quality and landscape correlations

EPA Science Inventory

We conducted a high-resolution survey along the nearshore (369 km) in Green Bay using towed electronic instrumentation at approximately the 15 m depth contour, with additional transects of the bay that were oriented cross-contour (49 km). Electronic sensor data provided an effic...

High power tapered lasers with optimized photonic crystal structure for low divergence and high efficiency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Xiaolong; Qu, Hongwei; Qi, Aiyi; Zhou, Xuyan; Ma, Pijie; Liu, Anjin; Zheng, Wanhua

2018-04-01

High power tapered lasers are designed and fabricated. A one-dimensional photonic crystal structure in the vertical direction is adopted to narrow the far field divergence. The thickness of the defect layer and the photonic crystal layers are optimized by analyzing the optical field theoretically. For tapered lasers, the continuous-wave power is 7.3 W and the pulsed power is 17 W. A maximum wall-plug efficiency of 46% under continuous-wave operation and 49.3% in pulsed mode are obtained. The beam divergences are around 11° and 6° for the vertical and lateral directions, respectively. High beam qualities are also obtained with a vertical M2 value of 1.78 and a lateral M2 value of 1.62. As the current increases, the lateral M2 value increases gradually while the vertical M2 value remains around 2.

Solidification Dynamics of Metal Drops in a Free Fall Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grugel, R. N.; Brush, L. N.; Curreri, Peter A. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Comparison of experimental observations were made with numerical solutions to a model of the heat transfer and solidification kinetics associated with the cooling of a molten drop during free fall, particularly with regard to the fraction of liquid transformed. Experimentally, silver drops (99.9%, 4-9 mm diameter) were levitated, melted, and released to fall through Marshall Space Flight Center's 105m drop tube in helium - 6% hydrogen and argon atmospheres. By systematically varying the drops initial superheat the extent of solidification prior to impact ranged from complete to none during the approximately 4.6s of free fall time. Analysis reveals the relative importance of the initial parameters affecting the cooling and solidification rates within the drop. A discussion of the conditions under which the actual observations deviate from the assumptions used in the model is presented.

History of Migraine Predicts Headache at High Altitude.

PubMed

Davis, Christopher; Reno, Elaine; Maa, Edward; Roach, Robert

2016-12-01

Davis, Christopher, Elaine Reno, Edward Maa, and Robert Roach. History of Migraine Predicts Headache at High Altitude. High Alt Med Biol. 17:300-304, 2016.-Objective: To characterize the spectrum of headaches and their association with migraine history within a population of recreational hikers above 4300 m. Using a cross-sectional survey design, a convenience sample of 667 hikers participated in a written survey after descent from Mount Gray/Torreys (4349 m). Headaches were characterized as migraine, high altitude headache (HAH), and/or acute mountain sickness (AMS) using International Headache Society Lake Louise AMS scoring criteria. A univariate odds ratio was calculated to determine whether a history of migraine increased the risk of migrainous headache. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess whether a priori identified risk factors such as age, sex, recent alcohol consumption, home elevation, and self-reported fluid intake and whether summit success increased the risk of any headache at altitude. Sixty percent of hikers were male with an age range of 17-62 years. Eighty percent reached the summit of Mount Grays/Torreys (4349 m). Seventy-nine percent of participants resided in Colorado; the median elevation of residence for subjects was 1697 m (interquartile range 1557-1765 m). HAH occurred in 39% of hikers, while AMS occurred in 26% of hikers. A history of migraine was associated with increased risk of any headache at altitude (OR: 2.49, 95% CI: 1.62-3.65) and was strongly associated with the development of migrainous headache while at altitude (OR: 14.05, 95% CI: 5.49-35.93). A history of migraine is a risk factor for the development of headache at altitude and is strongly associated with the development of migrainous headache.

Wavelet Transforms using VTK-m

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

Li, Shaomeng; Sewell, Christopher Meyer

2016-09-27

These are a set of slides that deal with the topics of wavelet transforms using VTK-m. First, wavelets are discussed and detailed, then VTK-m is discussed and detailed, then wavelets and VTK-m are looked at from a performance comparison, then from an accuracy comparison, and finally lessons learned, conclusion, and what is next. Lessons learned are the following: Launching worklets is expensive; Natural logic of performing 2D wavelet transform: Repeat the same 1D wavelet transform on every row, repeat the same 1D wavelet transform on every column, invoke the 1D wavelet worklet every time: num_rows x num_columns; VTK-m approach ofmore » performing 2D wavelet transform: Create a worklet for 2D that handles both rows and columns, invoke this new worklet only one time; Fast calculation, but cannot reuse 1D implementations.« less

Paleo-Environment and C-14 Dating: The Key to the Depositional Age of the Tha Chang and Related Sand Pits, Northeastern Thailand

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Putthapiban, P.; Zolensky, M.; Jull, T.; Demartino, M.; Salyapongse, S.

2012-01-01

Tha Chang sand pits, Nakhon Ratchasima Province and many other sand pits in the area adjacent to the Mun River are characterized by their fluviatile environment in association with mass wasting deposits, along the paleo-river channel and the flood plain of the Mun River. Sediments of these deposits are characterized by clasts of various rock types especially the resistant ones with frequent big tree trunks, logs and wood fragments in different sizes and various stages of transformation from moldering stage to lignification and petrification. Widespread pyritization of the lower horizon suggests strongly reducing environment during burial. The Tha Chang deposits have been received much attention from geoscientists especially paleontologist communities, as they contain fragments of some distinct vertebrate species such as Stegadon sp., hominoid primate, rhinoceros Aceratherium and others. Based on the associated mammal fauna and hominoid fossils, the late Miocene ( 9 - 6 Ma) was given for the time of deposition of this sand and gravel unit. Some other reports believed that sediments and materials of these sand and gravel quarries (pits) were deposited by high-energy flood pulses contemporaneous with the tektites forming event during mid-Pleistocene at c. 0.8 Ma. Interpretation from Palynostratigraphical study suggested that the lower horizon of Tha Chang sand pit was deposited during Pliocene/Pleistocene period and the upper horizons are Pleistoncene/Holocene. It is crystal clear that all the fluviatile sediments including tektites and almost all fossil fragments being deposited in these sand pits were, likely a multiple times reworked materials. Only some old bamboo trees, some old crowling trees and fossils grasses observed on the old river bank are considered in situ. C-14 dating of 5 old wood specimens from Tha Chang Sand Pits, 15 old wood specimens from Chumpuang Sand Pits and one sample of old pottery from a Chumpuang Sand Pit were carried out in the NSF- Arizona AMS Laboratory. Although, there is no sharp boundary between the unconsolidated sedimentary horizons in the pits, C-14 ages obtained from the Tha Chang vary from 34,340 BP at the middle horizon (approx 10 m below ground zero) to >49,900 BP at the lower horizon with unknown basal formation (highly pyritized zone approx 20 - 25 m below ground zero). The ages for the Chumpuang vary from 41,700 BP, >45,900 BP and >49,900 BP from the upper most to the lower most of a broad horizon (approx 8 m to approx 12 m below ground zero). The C-14 age of the pottery collected from layer approximately 5 m below ground zero is 2,514 BP. The nature of fluviatile together with occasional mass wasting characteristics of all sand pits studies suggest the relatively faster depositional rate of the lower horizon which involved more flooding and mass wasting deposits than those of the upper horizons. The apparent of some mixing of the wood ages may indicate reworking and lag deposits nature of the area. The depositional rate of the upper most sand and soil horizon (5 m thick) is approximately 1 m per 500 years which mean both erosion and deposition had played a significant role during that time period. In term of the true age of the formation, we argue that since most of the materials deposited are reworked materials, all ages obtained from fossil fragments could not be the age of sand and gravel formation. Furthermore, the maximum age of all the tektite bearing horizons cannot be older than 0.8 Ma. The oldest C-14 age of 49,900 BP is interpreted as the minimum age of the Tha Chang and related sand pits formation when geomorphology of the area was a lot more hilly and much higher gradient than that of the present day.

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in Alpinia galanga (Linn.) Willd. for enhanced acetoxychavicol acetate production.

PubMed

Rao, Kiranmayee; Chodisetti, Bhuvaneswari; Mangamoori, Lakshmi Narasu; Giri, Archana

2012-09-01

Agrobacterium-mediated transformations ensure elevated amounts of secondary metabolite accumulation with genetic and biosynthetic stability. In the present study, Alpinia galanga rich in bioactive compounds was genetically transformed using different strains of Agrobacterium rhizogenes viz. LBA 9402, A(4), 532, 2364 and PRTGus. Even though a higher growth rate was obtained with the LBA 9402 strain, maximum acetoxychavicol acetate accumulation (ACA) was seen in the PRTGus transformant. PRTGus root line has shown 10.1 fold higher ACA content in comparison to the control roots. The lowest ACA production was shown by the A(4) transformant (4.9 fold). The quantification of ACA in the transformed roots was carried out by using HPLC, which was found to be in the order of PRTGus > LBA 9402 > 2364 > 532 > A(4). The fast growth rate of hairy roots, genetic stability and their ability to synthesize more than one metabolite offer a promising system for the production of valuable secondary metabolites.

Shifts in vegetation affect organic carbon quality in a coastal marsh along the Hudson River Estuary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, A. H.; Corbett, J. E.; Tfaily, M. M.; Martin, I.; Ho, L.; Sun, E.; Sevilla, L.; Vincent, S.; Newton, R.; Peteet, D. M.

2015-12-01

To better understand carbon storage in coastal salt marshes, samples were collected from Piermont Marsh, NY (40 ̊00' N, 73 ̊55'W) located within the Hudson River Estuary. Porewater from three different vegetation sites was analyzed to compare the quality of the dissolved organic carbon. Sites contained either native or invasive vegetation with variations in live plant root depth. Porewater was taken from 0-3m in 50cm intervals, and sites were dominated either by invasive Phragmites australis, native Eleocharis , or native mixed vegetation (Spartina patens, Scirpus, and Typha angustifolia). Sites dominated by invasive Phragmites australis were found to have lower dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations, lower cDOM absorption values, and more labile organic carbon compounds. The molecular composition of the DOC was determined with Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Mass Spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS). Labile DOC components were defined as proteins, carbohydrates, and amino sugars while recalcitrant DOC components were defined as lipids, unsaturated hydrocarbons, lignins, tannins, and condensed hydrocarbons. For the Phragmites, Eleocharis, and mixed vegetation sites, average DOC concentrations with depth were found to be 1.71 ± 1.06, 4.64 ± 1.73, and 4.62 ± 3.5 (mM), respectively and cDOM absorption values with depth were found to be 13.22 ± 4.81, 49.42 ± 10.8, and 35.74 ± 17.49 (m-1). Additionally, DOC concentrations increased with depth in the mixed vegetation and Eleocharis sites, but remained relatively constant in the Phragmites site. The percent of labile compounds in the surface samples were found to be 19.02, 14.64, and 14.07% for the Phragmites, Eleocharis, and mixed vegetation sites, respectively. These findings suggest that sites dominated by Phragmites may have more reactive DOC substrates than sites dominated by native vegetation. These results indicate that the carbon storage in marshes invaded by Phragmites would be expected to decrease over time.

Development of a High-Throughput Microwave Imaging System for Concealed Weapons Detection

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-07-15

hardware. Index Terms—Microwave imaging, multistatic radar, Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). I. INTRODUCTION Near-field microwave imaging is a non-ionizing...configuration, but its computational demands are extreme. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) imaging has long been used to efficiently construct images sampled with...Simulated image of 25 point scatterers imaged at range 1.5m, with array layout depicted in Fig. 3. Left: image formed with Equation (5) ( Fourier

The crucial role of selenium for sulphur substitution in the structural transitions and thermoelectric properties of Cu5FeS4 bornite.

PubMed

Pavan Kumar, V; Barbier, T; Lemoine, P; Raveau, B; Nassif, V; Guilmeau, E

2017-02-14

Bornite Cu 5 FeS 4-x Se x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.6) compounds have been synthesized, using mechanical alloying, combined with spark plasma sintering (SPS). High temperature in situ neutron powder diffraction data collected on pristine Cu 5 FeS 4 from room temperature up to 673 K show that SPS enables the stabilization of the intermediate cubic (IC) semi-ordered form (Fm3[combining macron]m, a IC ∼ 10.98 Å) at the expense of the ordered orthorhombic form (Pbca, a O ∼ 10.95 Å, b O ∼ 21.86 Å, c O ∼ 10.95 Å) in the 300-475 K temperature range, whereas above 475 K the IC form coexists with the high temperature cubic (C) form (Fm3[combining macron]m, a C ∼ 5.50 Å). The ability of Se for S substitution to induce disorder and consequently to enhance the IC phase formation is also emphasized. This disordering effect is explained by the high quenching efficiency of the SPS method compared to conventional heating. The existence of topotactic phase transformations, as well as Se for S substitution is shown to have a significant effect on the transport properties. As expected, electrical transport properties indicate a change towards a more metallic behaviour with increasing Se content. The electrical resistivity reduces from ∼21.4 mΩ cm for the pristine Cu 5 FeS 4 to ∼3.95 mΩ cm for Cu 5 FeS 3.4 Se 0.6 at room temperature. A maximum power factor of 4.9 × 10 -4 W m -1 K -2 is attained at 540 K for x = 0.4 composition. The influence of selenium substitution on the carrier effective mass and mobility is discussed based on single parabolic band approximation. Furthermore, a detailed investigation of the thermal conductivity by this isovalent anion substitution reveals a significant reduction of the lattice thermal conductivity due to the alloying effect. Finally, the important role of structural transitions in the thermoelectric properties is addressed. A maximum ZT of 0.5 is attained at 540 K for Cu 5 FeS 3.8 Se 0.2 composition.

A Glycine Riboswitch in Streptococcus pyogenes Controls Expression of a Sodium:Alanine Symporter Family Protein Gene.

PubMed

Khani, Afsaneh; Popp, Nicole; Kreikemeyer, Bernd; Patenge, Nadja

2018-01-01

Regulatory RNAs play important roles in the control of bacterial gene expression. In this study, we investigated gene expression regulation by a putative glycine riboswitch located in the 5'-untranslated region of a sodium:alanine symporter family (SAF) protein gene in the group A Streptococcus pyogenes serotype M49 strain 591. Glycine-dependent gene expression mediated by riboswitch activity was studied using a luciferase reporter gene system. Maximal reporter gene expression was observed in the absence of glycine and in the presence of low glycine concentrations. Differences in glycine-dependent gene expression were not based on differential promoter activity. Expression of the SAF protein gene and the downstream putative cation efflux protein gene was investigated in wild-type bacteria by RT-qPCR transcript analyses. During growth in the presence of glycine (≥1 mM), expression of the genes were downregulated. Northern blot analyses revealed premature transcription termination in the presence of high glycine concentrations. Growth in the presence of 0.1 mM glycine led to the production of a full-length transcript. Furthermore, stability of the SAF protein gene transcript was drastically reduced in the presence of glycine. We conclude that the putative glycine riboswitch in S. pyogenes serotype M49 strain 591 represses expression of the SAF protein gene and the downstream putative cation efflux protein gene in the presence of high glycine concentrations. Sequence and secondary structure comparisons indicated that the streptococcal riboswitch belongs to the class of tandem aptamer glycine riboswitches.

Bipyridine- and phenanthroline-based metal-organic frameworks for highly efficient and tandem catalytic organic transformations via directed C-H activation

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

Manna, Kuntal; Zhang, Teng; Greene, Francis X.

2015-02-16

We report here the synthesis of a series of robust and porous bipyridyl- and phenanthryl-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) of UiO topology (BPV-MOF, mBPV-MOF, and mPT-MOF) and their postsynthetic metalation to afford highly active single-site solid catalysts. While BPV-MOF was constructed from only bipyridyl-functionalized dicarboxylate linker, both mBPV- and mPT-MOF were built with a mixture of bipyridyl- or phenanthryl-functionalized and unfunctionalized dicarboxylate linkers. The postsynthetic metalation of these MOFs with [Ir(COD)(OMe)] 2 provided Ir-functionalized MOFs (BPV-MOF-Ir, mBPV-MOF-Ir, and mPT-MOF-Ir), which are highly active catalysts for tandem hydrosilylation of aryl ketones and aldehydes followed by dehydrogenative ortho-silylation of benzylicsilyl ethers as wellmore » as C–H borylation of arenes using B₂pin₂. Both mBPV-MOF-Ir and mPT-MOF-Ir catalysts displayed superior activities compared to BPV-MOF-Ir due to the presence of larger open channels in the mixed-linker MOFs. Impressively, mBPV-MOF-Ir exhibited high TONs of up to 17000 for C–H borylation reactions and was recycled more than 15 times. The mPT-MOF-Ir system is also active in catalyzing tandem dehydrosilylation/dehydrogenative cyclization of N-methylbenzyl amines to azasilolanes in the absence of a hydrogen acceptor. Importantly, MOF-Ir catalysts are significantly more active (up to 95 times) and stable than their homogeneous counterparts for all three reactions, strongly supporting the beneficial effects of active site isolation within MOFs. This work illustrates the ability to increase MOF open channel sizes by using the mixed linker approach and shows the enormous potential of developing highly active and robust single-site solid catalysts based on MOFs containing nitrogen-donor ligands for important organic transformations.« less

Protocol for in vitro somatic embryogenesis and regeneration of rice (Oryza sativa L.).

PubMed

Verma, Dipti; Joshi, Rohit; Shukla, Alok; Kumar, Pramod

2011-12-01

Development of highly efficient and reproducible plant regeneration system has tremendous potential to provide improved technology to assist in genetic transformation of indica rice cultivars for their further exploitation in selection. For the development of a highly reproducible regeneration system through somatic embryogenesis, mature embryos of highly popular rice cultivars i.e., Govind (for rainfed areas), Pusa Basmati-1 (aromatic basmati) and Jaya (for irrigated areas) were used. Optimum callus formation (%) to MS medium supplemented with 2, 4-D was obtained at 12.0 microM in Govind, 14.0 microM in Jaya and 15.0 microM in Pusa Basmati-1. All the cultivars showed good proliferation on MS medium without hormone. In Govind, highest embryogenic response was observed in MS medium supplemented with 2, 4-D (0.4 microM) + kinetin (0.4 microM), while in Pusa Basmati-1 with 2, 4-D (0.4 microM) + kinetin (2.0 microM) and in Jaya on hormone-free MS medium. Excellent embryo regeneration in Govind was observed on MS medium supplemented with low concentrations (1.1 microM) of BAP or hormone-free MS medium, while in Pusa Basmati-1 and Jaya embryogenesis was observed on MS medium supplemented with higher concentration of BAP (2.2 microM). Similarly, maximum plantlets with proliferated roots were observed in Govind on hormone-free MS medium, while in Pusa Basmati-1 and Jaya on MS medium supplemented with high concentration of NAA (4.0 microM). Developed plantlets were further successfully acclimatized and grown under pot culture up to maturity. Further the yield potential of in vitro developed plants was accessed at par to the direct seeded one under pot culture. Present, protocol standardizes somatic embryogenesis and efficient regeneration of agronomically important, high yielding and diverse indica rice cultivars which can be utilized as an efficient tool for molecular studies and genetic transformation in future.

Simultaneous anaerobic transformation of tetrachloroethene and carbon tetrachloride in a continuous flow column

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Azizian, Mohammad F.; Semprini, Lewis

2016-07-01

Tetrachloroethene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CT) were simultaneously transformed in a packed column that was bioaugmented with the Evanite culture (EV). The data presented here have been obtained over a period of 1930 days. Initially the column was continuously fed synthetic groundwater with PCE (0.1 mM), sulfate (SO42 -) (0.2 mM) and formate (2.1 mM) or lactate (1.1 mM), but not CT. In these early stages of the study the effluent H2 concentrations ranged from 7 to 19 nM, and PCE was transformed to ethene (ETH) (81 to 85%) and vinyl chloride (VC) (11 to 17%), and SO42 - was completely reduced when using either lactate or formate as electron donors. SO42 - reduction occurred concurrently with cis-DCE and VC dehalogenation. Formate was a more effective substrate for promoting dehalogenation based on electron donor utilization efficiency. Simultaneous PCE and CT tests found CT (0.015 mM) was completely transformed with 20% observed as chloroform (CF) and trace amounts of chloromethane (CM) and dichloromethane (DCM), but no methane (CH4) or carbon disulfide (CS2). PCE transformation to ETH improved with CT addition in response to increases in H2 concentrations to 160 nM that resulted from acetate formation being inhibited by either CT or CF. Lactate fermentation was negatively impacted after CT transformation tests, with propionate accumulating, and H2 concentrations being reduced to below 1 nM. Under these conditions both SO42 - reduction and dehalogenation were negatively impacted, with sulfate reduction not occurring and PCE being transformed to cis-dichloroethene (c-DCE) (52%) and VC (41%). Upon switching to formate, H2 concentrations increased to 40 nM, and complete SO42 - reduction was achieved, while PCE was transformed to ETH (98%) and VC (1%), with no acetate detected. Throughout the study PCE dehalogenation to ethene was positively correlated with the effluent H2 concentrations.

High Intensity High Volume Interval Training Improves Endurance Performance and Induces a Nearly Complete Slow-to-Fast Fiber Transformation on the mRNA Level.

PubMed

Eigendorf, Julian; May, Marcus; Friedrich, Jan; Engeli, Stefan; Maassen, Norbert; Gros, Gerolf; Meissner, Joachim D

2018-01-01

We present here a longitudinal study determining the effects of two 3 week-periods of high intensity high volume interval training (HIHVT) (90 intervals of 6 s cycling at 250% maximum power, P max /24 s) on a cycle ergometer. HIHVT was evaluated by comparing performance tests before and after the entire training (baseline, BSL, and endpoint, END) and between the two training sets (intermediate, INT). The mRNA expression levels of myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms and markers of energy metabolism were analyzed in M. vastus lateralis biopsies by quantitative real-time PCR. In incremental tests peak power (P peak ) was increased, whereas V ˙ O 2peak was unaltered. Prolonged time-to-exhaustion was found in endurance tests with 65 and 80% P max at INT and END. No changes in blood levels of lipid metabolites were detected. Training-induced decreases of hematocrit indicate hypervolemia. A shift from slow MHCI/β to fast MHCIIa mRNA expression occurred after the first and second training set. The mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), a master regulator of oxidative energy metabolism, decreased after the second training set. In agreement, a significant decrease was also found for citrate synthase mRNA after the second training set, indicating reduced oxidative capacity. However, mRNA expression levels of glycolytic marker enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase did not change after the first and second training set. HIHVT induced a nearly complete slow-to-fast fiber type transformation on the mRNA level, which, however, cannot account for the improvements of performance parameters. The latter might be explained by the well-known effects of hypervolemia on exercise performance.

Functional characterization, localization, and inhibitor sensitivity of the TPR-FGFR1 fusion in 8p11 myeloproliferative syndrome.

PubMed

Malli, Theodora; Buxhofer-Ausch, Veronika; Rammer, Melanie; Erdel, Martin; Kranewitter, Wolfgang; Rumpold, Holger; Marschon, Renate; Deutschbauer, Sabine; Simonitsch-Klupp, Ingrid; Valent, Peter; Muellner-Ammer, Kirsten; Sebesta, Christian; Birkner, Thomas; Webersinke, Gerald

2016-01-01

Myeloid and lymphoid neoplasms with fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) abnormalities, also known as 8p11 myeloproliferative syndrome (EMS), represent rare and aggressive disorders, associated with chromosomal aberrations that lead to the fusion of FGFR1 to different partner genes. We report on a third patient with a fusion of the translocated promoter region (TPR) gene, a component of the nuclear pore complex, to FGFR1 due to a novel ins(1;8)(q25;p11p23). The fact that this fusion is a rare but recurrent event in EMS prompted us to examine the localization and transforming potential of the chimeric protein. TPR-FGFR1 localizes in the cytoplasm, although the nuclear pore localization signal of TPR is retained in the fusion protein. Furthermore, TPR-FGFR1 enables cytokine-independent survival, proliferation, and granulocytic differentiation of the interleukin-3 dependent myeloid progenitor cell line 32Dcl3, reflecting the chronic phase of EMS characterized by myeloid hyperplasia. 32Dcl3 cells transformed with the TPR-FGFR1 fusion and treated with increasing concentrations of the tyrosine kinase inhibitors ponatinib (AP24534) and infigratinib (NVP-BGJ398) displayed reduced survival and proliferation with IC50 values of 49.8 and 7.7 nM, respectively. Ponatinib, a multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is already shown to be effective against several FGFR1-fusion kinases. Infigratinib, tested only against FGFR1OP2-FGFR1 to date, is also efficient against TPR-FGFR1. Taking its high specificity for FGFRs into account, infigratinib could be beneficial for EMS patients and should be further investigated for the treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms with FGFR1 abnormalities. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Disposition of smoked cannabis with high {Delta}{sup 9}-tetrahydrocannabinol content: A kinetic model

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

Hunault, Claudine C., E-mail: claudine.hunault@rivm.n; Eijkeren, Jan C.H. van; Mensinga, Tjeert T.

Introduction: No model exists to describe the disposition and kinetics of inhaled cannabis containing a high THC dose. We aimed to develop a kinetic model providing estimates of the THC serum concentrations after smoking cannabis cigarettes containing high THC doses (up to 69 mg THC). Methods: Twenty-four male non-daily cannabis users smoked cannabis cigarettes containing 29.3 mg, 49.1 mg, and 69.4 mg THC. Blood samples were collected over a period of 0-8 h and serum THC concentrations were measured. A two-compartment open model was fitted on the individual observed data. Results: Large inter-individual variability was observed in the pharmacokinetic parameters.more » The median pharmacokinetic parameters generated by the model were C{sub max} = 175 ng/mL, T{sub max} = 14 min, and AUC{sub 0-8h} = 8150 ng x min/mL for the 69.4 mg THC dose. Median model results show an almost linear dose response relation for C{sub max}/Dose = 2.8 x 10{sup -6}/mL and AUC{sub 0-8h}/Dose = 136 x 10{sup -6} min/mL. However, for increasing dose level, there was a clear decreasing trend: C{sub max}/Dose = 3.4, 2.6 and 2.5 x 10{sup -6}/mL and AUC{sub 0-8h}/Dose = 157, 133 and 117 x 10{sup -6} min/mL for the 29.3, 49.1 and 69.4 mg dose, respectively. Within the restriction of 8 h of observation, the apparent terminal half life of THC was 150 min. Conclusion: The model offers insight into the pharmacokinetics of THC in recreational cannabis users smoking cannabis containing high doses of THC mixed with tobacco. The model is an objective method for providing serum THC concentrations up to 8 h after smoking cannabis with a high THC content (up to 23%).« less

Disposition of smoked cannabis with high Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol content: a kinetic model.

PubMed

Hunault, Claudine C; van Eijkeren, Jan C H; Mensinga, Tjeert T; de Vries, Irma; Leenders, Marianne E C; Meulenbelt, Jan

2010-08-01

No model exists to describe the disposition and kinetics of inhaled cannabis containing a high THC dose. We aimed to develop a kinetic model providing estimates of the THC serum concentrations after smoking cannabis cigarettes containing high THC doses (up to 69mg THC). Twenty-four male non-daily cannabis users smoked cannabis cigarettes containing 29.3mg, 49.1mg, and 69.4mg THC. Blood samples were collected over a period of 0-8h and serum THC concentrations were measured. A two-compartment open model was fitted on the individual observed data. Large inter-individual variability was observed in the pharmacokinetic parameters. The median pharmacokinetic parameters generated by the model were Cmax=175ng/mL, Tmax=14min, and AUC0-8h=8150ng×min/mL for the 69.4mg THC dose. Median model results show an almost linear dose response relation for Cmax/Dose=2.8×10(-6)/mL and AUC0-8h/Dose=136×10(-6)min/mL. However, for increasing dose level, there was a clear decreasing trend: Cmax/Dose=3.4, 2.6 and 2.5×10(-6)/mL and AUC0-8h/Dose=157, 133 and 117×10(-6)min/mL for the 29.3, 49.1 and 69.4mg dose, respectively. Within the restriction of 8h of observation, the apparent terminal half life of THC was 150min. The model offers insight into the pharmacokinetics of THC in recreational cannabis users smoking cannabis containing high doses of THC mixed with tobacco. The model is an objective method for providing serum THC concentrations up to 8h after smoking cannabis with a high THC content (up to 23%). Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Phase Transformations of an Fe-0.85 C-17.9 Mn-7.1 Al Austenitic Steel After Quenching and Annealing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Wei-Chun

2014-09-01

Low-density Mn-Al steels could potentially be substitutes for commercial Ni-Cr stainless steels. However, the development of the Mn-Al stainless steels requires knowledge of the phase transformations that occur during the steel making processes. Phase transformations of an Fe-0.85 C-17.9 Mn-7.1 Al (wt.%) austenitic steel, which include spinodal decomposition, precipitation transformations, and cellular transformations, have been studied after quenching and annealing. The results show that spinodal decomposition occurs prior to the precipitation transformation in the steel after quenching and annealing at temperatures below 1023 K and that coherent fine particles of L12-type carbide precipitate homogeneously in the austenite. The cellular transformation occurs during the transformation of high-temperature austenite into lamellae of austenite, ferrite, and kappa carbide at temperatures below 1048 K. During annealing at temperatures below 923 K, the austenite decomposes into lamellar austenite, ferrite, κ-carbide, and M23C6 carbide grains for another cellular transformation. Last, when annealing at temperatures below 873 K, lamellae of ferrite and κ-carbide appear in the austenite.

Oceanic broad multifault transform plate boundaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ligi, Marco; Bonatti, Enrico; Gasperini, Luca; Poliakov, Alexei N. B.

2002-01-01

Oceanic transform plate boundaries consist of a single, narrow (a few kilometers wide) strike-slip seismic zone offsetting two mid-ocean ridge segments. However, we define here a new class of oceanic transform boundaries, with broad complex multifault zones of deformation, similar to some continental strike-slip systems. Examples are the 750-km- long, 120-km-wide Andrew Bain transform on the Southwest Indian Ridge, and the Romanche transform, where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is offset by a lens-shaped, ˜900-km- long, ˜100-km-wide sliver of deformed lithosphere bound by two major transform valleys. One of the valleys is seismically highly active and constitutes the present-day principal transform boundary. However, strike-slip seismic events also occur in the second valley and elsewhere in the deformed zone. Some of these events may be triggered by earthquakes from the principal boundary. Numerical modeling predicts the development of wide multiple transform boundaries when the age offset is above a threshold value of ˜30 m.y., i.e., in extra-long (>500 km) slow-slip transforms. Multiple boundaries develop so that strike-slip ruptures avoid very thick and strong lithosphere.

In-Situ Studies of Structure Transformation and Al Coordination of KAl(MoO₄)₂ during Heating by High Temperature Raman and 27Al NMR Spectroscopies.

PubMed

Wang, Min; You, Jinglin; Sobol, Alexander; Lu, Liming; Wang, Jian; Xie, Yingfang

2017-03-17

Recent interest in optimizing composition and synthesis conditions of functional crystals, and the further exploration of new possible candidates for tunable solid-state lasers, has led to significant research on compounds in this family M I M III (M VI O₄)₂ (M I = alkali metal, M III = Al, In, Sc, Fe, Bi, lanthanide; M VI = Mo, W). The vibrational modes, structure transformation, and Al coordination of crystalline, glassy, and molten states of KAl(MoO₄)₂ have been investigated by in-situ high temperature Raman scattering and 27 Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) spectroscopy, together with first principles density functional simulation of room temperature Raman spectrum. The results showed that, under the present fast quenching conditions, Al is present predominantly in [AlO₆] octahedra in both KAl(MoO₄)₂ glass and melt, with the tetrahedrally coordinated Al being minor at approximately 2.7%. The effect of K⁺, from ordered arrangement in the crystal to random distribution in the melt, on the local chemical environment of Al, was also revealed. The distribution and quantitative analysis of different Al coordination subspecies are final discussed and found to be dependent on the thermal history of the glass samples.

Establishment of a genetic transformation system for the marine pennate diatom Fistulifera sp. strain JPCC DA0580--a high triglyceride producer.

PubMed

Muto, Masaki; Fukuda, Yorikane; Nemoto, Michiko; Yoshino, Tomoko; Matsunaga, Tadashi; Tanaka, Tsuyoshi

2013-02-01

A genetic transformation system for the marine pennate diatom, Fistulifera sp. JPCC DA0580, was established using microparticle bombardment methods. Strain JPCC DA0580 has been recently identified as the highest triglyceride (60 % w/w) producer from a culture collection of 1,393 strains of marine microalgae, and it is expected to be a feasible source of biodiesel fuel. The transformation conditions for strain JPCC DA0580 were optimised using the green fluorescent protein gene (gfp) and the gene encoding neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII). The most efficient rate of transformation was attained when tungsten particles (0.6 μm in diameter) were used for microparticle bombardment. The effect of endogenous and exogenous promoters on the expression of nptII was examined. Endogenous promoters were more efficient for obtaining transformants compared with exogenous promoters. Southern hybridisation analysis suggested that nptII integrated into the nuclear genome. This genetic manipulation technique should allow us to understand the mechanisms of high triglyceride accumulation in this strain, thereby contributing to improving BDF production.

Treatment and Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Teratoma with Somatic-Type Malignant Transformation: An International Collaboration.

PubMed

Giannatempo, Patrizia; Pond, Gregory R; Sonpavde, Guru; Albany, Costantine; Loriot, Yohann; Sweeney, Christopher J; Salvioni, Roberto; Colecchia, Maurizio; Nicolai, Nicola; Raggi, Daniele; Rice, Kevin R; Flack, Chandra K; El Mouallem, Nemer R; Feldman, Hope; Fizazi, Karim; Einhorn, Lawrence H; Foster, Richard S; Necchi, Andrea; Cary, Clint

2016-07-01

We assessed prognostic factors, treatments and outcomes in patients with teratoma with malignant transformation, a rare occurrence among germ cell tumors. Data on patients diagnosed with teratoma with malignant transformation between June 1981 and August 2014 were collected across 5 referral centers. Chemotherapy was dichotomized as based on germ cell tumor or teratoma with malignant transformation. Cox analyses were done to evaluate prognostic factors of overall survival, the primary end point. Each factor was evaluated in a univariable model. Forward stepwise selection was used to construct an optimal model. Among 320 patients the tumor primary site was gonadal in 287 (89.7%), retroperitoneal in 17 (5.3%) and mediastinal in 16 (5%). Teratoma with malignant transformation and germ cell tumor were diagnosed concurrently in 130 patients (40.6%). A total of 49 patients (16.8%) initially presented with clinical stage I. The remaining patients were at good (123 or 42.3%), intermediate (42 or 14.4%) and poor (77 or 26.5%) risk for metastasis according to IGCCCG (International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group). First line chemotherapy was given for germ cell tumor in 159 patients (49.7%), chemotherapy for teratoma with malignant transformation was performed in 14 (4.4%) and only surgery was done in 147 (45.9%). Median followup was 25.1 months (IQR 5.4-63.8). Five-year overall survival was 83.4% (95% CI 61.3 to 93.5) in patients with clinical stage I and it was also worse than expected in those with metastasis. On multivariable analyses nonprimitive neuroectodermal tumor histology (overall p = 0.004), gonadal primary tumor (p = 0.005) and fewer prior chemotherapy regimens (p <0.001) were independent predictors of better overall survival. Chemotherapy was not independently prognostic. Less heavily pretreated teratoma with malignant transformation with a gonadal primary tumor and nonprimitive neuroectodermal tumor histology appears to be associated with longer overall survival. Generally, teratoma with malignant transformation had a worse prognosis than germ cell tumor. Uncertainties persist regarding optimal chemotherapy. Copyright © 2016 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Studies on the coupling transformer to improve the performance of microwave ion source.

PubMed

Misra, Anuraag; Pandit, V S

2014-06-01

A 2.45 GHz microwave ion source has been developed and installed at the Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre to produce high intensity proton beam. It is operational and has already produced more than 12 mA of proton beam with just 350 W of microwave power. In order to optimize the coupling of microwave power to the plasma, a maximally flat matching transformer has been used. In this paper, we first describe an analytical method to design the matching transformer and then present the results of rigorous simulation performed using ANSYS HFSS code to understand the effect of different parameters on the transformed impedance and reflection and transmission coefficients. Based on the simulation results, we have chosen two different coupling transformers which are double ridged waveguides with ridge widths of 24 mm and 48 mm. We have fabricated these transformers and performed experiments to study the influence of these transformers on the coupling of microwave to plasma and extracted beam current from the ion source.

Studies on the coupling transformer to improve the performance of microwave ion source

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

Misra, Anuraag, E-mail: pandit@vecc.gov.in, E-mail: vspandit12@gmail.com, E-mail: anuraag@vecc.gov.in; Pandit, V. S., E-mail: pandit@vecc.gov.in, E-mail: vspandit12@gmail.com, E-mail: anuraag@vecc.gov.in

A 2.45 GHz microwave ion source has been developed and installed at the Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre to produce high intensity proton beam. It is operational and has already produced more than 12 mA of proton beam with just 350 W of microwave power. In order to optimize the coupling of microwave power to the plasma, a maximally flat matching transformer has been used. In this paper, we first describe an analytical method to design the matching transformer and then present the results of rigorous simulation performed using ANSYS HFSS code to understand the effect of different parameters on themore » transformed impedance and reflection and transmission coefficients. Based on the simulation results, we have chosen two different coupling transformers which are double ridged waveguides with ridge widths of 24 mm and 48 mm. We have fabricated these transformers and performed experiments to study the influence of these transformers on the coupling of microwave to plasma and extracted beam current from the ion source.« less

Natural attenuation potential of phenylarsenicals in anoxic groundwaters.

PubMed

Hempel, Michael; Daus, Birgit; Vogt, Carsten; Weiss, Holger

2009-09-15

The extensive production of chemical warfare agents in the 20th century has led to serious contamination of soil and groundwater with phenyl arsenicals at former ammunition depots or warfare agent production sites worldwide. Most phenyl arsenicals are highly toxic for humans. The microbial degradation of phenylarsonic acid (PAA) and diphenylarsinic acid (DPAA) was investigated in microcosms made of anoxic groundwater/sediment mixtures taken from different depths of an anoxic, phenyl arsenical contaminated aquifer in Central Germany. DPAA was not transformed within 91 days incubation time in any of the microcosms. The removal of PAA can be described by a first order kinetics without a lag-phase (rate: 0.037 d(-1)). In sterilized microcosms, PAA concentrations always remained stable, demonstrating that PAA transformation was a biologically mediated process. PAA transformation occurred under sulfate-reducing conditions due to sulfate consumption and production of sulfide. The addition of lactate (1 mM), a typical substrate of sulfate-reducing bacteria, increased the transformation rate of PAA significantly up to 0.134 d(-1). The content of total arsenic was considerably reduced (> 75%). Intermediates of PAA transformation were detected by high performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS). Experiments with a pure strain and sterile controls of Desulfovibrio gigas spiked with PAA showed that the elimination process is linked to the presence of sulfide formed through bacterial activity. Phenyl arsenicals were likely immobilized in the sedimentthrough sulfur substitution and a subsequent sulfur bond under the prevailing sulfate reducing condition. The results of this study indicate that PAA can undergo microbiologically mediated transformation in anoxic aquifers, leading to reduced concentrations in groundwater, which indicate a (enhancend) natural attenuation potential.

Experimental observations on uniaxial whole-life transformation ratchetting and low-cycle stress fatigue of super-elastic NiTi shape memory alloy micro-tubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Di; Kang, Guozheng; Kan, Qianhua; Yu, Chao; Zhang, Chuanzeng

2015-07-01

In this work, the low-cycle fatigue failure of super-elastic NiTi shape memory alloy micro-tubes with a wall thickness of 150 μm is investigated by uniaxial stress-controlled cyclic tests at human body temperature 310 K. The effects of mean stress, peak stress, and stress amplitude on the uniaxial whole-life transformation ratchetting and fatigue failure of the NiTi alloy are observed. It is concluded that the fatigue life depends significantly on the stress levels, and the extent of martensite transformation and its reverse play an important role in determining the fatigue life. High peak stress or complete martensite transformation shortens the fatigue life.

Isolation of three hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine-degrading species of the family Enterobacteriaceae from nitramine explosive-contaminated soil.

PubMed Central

Kitts, C L; Cunningham, D P; Unkefer, P J

1994-01-01

Three species of the family Enterobacteriaceae that biochemically reduced hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) were isolated from nitramine explosive-contaminated soil. Two isolates, identified as Morganella morganii and Providencia rettgeri, completely transformed both RDX and the nitroso-RDX reduction intermediates. The third isolate, identified as Citrobacter freundii, partially transformed RDX and generated high concentrations of nitroso-RDX intermediates. All three isolates produced 14CO2 from labeled RDX under O2-depleted culture conditions. While all three isolates transformed HMX, only M. morganii transformed HMX in the presence of RDX. PMID:7811097

Structural transformations and disordering in zirconolite (CaZrTi2O7) at high pressure.

PubMed

Salamat, Ashkan; McMillan, Paul F; Firth, Steven; Woodhead, Katherine; Hector, Andrew L; Garbarino, Gaston; Stennett, Martin C; Hyatt, Neil C

2013-02-04

There is interest in identifying novel materials for use in radioactive waste applications and studying their behavior under high pressure conditions. The mineral zirconolite (CaZrTi(2)O(7)) exists naturally in trace amounts in diamond-bearing deep-seated metamorphic/igneous environments, and it is also identified as a potential ceramic phase for radionuclide sequestration. However, it has been shown to undergo radiation-induced metamictization resulting in amorphous forms. In this study we probed the high pressure structural properties of this pyrochlore-like structure to study its phase transformations and possible amorphization behavior. Combined synchrotron X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy studies reveal a series of high pressure phase transformations. Starting from the ambient pressure monoclinic structure, an intermediate phase with P2(1)/m symmetry is produced above 15.6 GPa via a first order transformation resulting in a wide coexistence range. Upon compression to above 56 GPa a disordered metastable phase III with a cotunnite-related structure appears that is recoverable to ambient conditions. We examine the similarity between the zirconolite behavior and the structural evolution of analogous pyrochlore systems under pressure.

One-Step Catalytic Synthesis of CuO/Cu2O in a Graphitized Porous C Matrix Derived from the Cu-Based Metal-Organic Framework for Li- and Na-Ion Batteries.

PubMed

Kim, A-Young; Kim, Min Kyu; Cho, Keumnam; Woo, Jae-Young; Lee, Yongho; Han, Sung-Hwan; Byun, Dongjin; Choi, Wonchang; Lee, Joong Kee

2016-08-03

The hybrid composite electrode comprising CuO and Cu2O micronanoparticles in a highly graphitized porous C matrix (CuO/Cu2O-GPC) has a rational design and is a favorable approach to increasing the rate capability and reversible capacity of metal oxide negative materials for Li- and Na-ion batteries. CuO/Cu2O-GPC is synthesized through a Cu-based metal-organic framework via a one-step thermal transformation process. The electrochemical performances of the CuO/Cu2O-GPC negative electrode in Li- and Na-ion batteries are systematically studied and exhibit excellent capacities of 887.3 mAh g(-1) at 60 mA g(-1) after 200 cycles in a Li-ion battery and 302.9 mAh g(-1) at 50 mA g(-1) after 200 cycles in a Na-ion battery. The high electrochemical stability was obtained via the rational strategy, mainly owing to the synergy effect of the CuO and Cu2O micronanoparticles and highly graphitized porous C formed by catalytic graphitization of Cu nanoparticles. Owing to the simple one-step thermal transformation process and resulting high electrochemical performance, CuO/Cu2O-GPC is one of the prospective negative active materials for rechargeable Li- and Na-ion batteries.

Effects of Mg substitution on the structural and magnetic properties of Co0.5Ni0.5-x Mg x Fe2O4 nanoparticle ferrites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

R, M. Rosnan; Z, Othaman; R, Hussin; Ali, A. Ati; Alireza, Samavati; Shadab, Dabagh; Samad, Zare

2016-04-01

In this study, nanocrystalline Co-Ni-Mg ferrite powders with composition Co0.5Ni0.5-x Mg x Fe2O4 are successfully synthesized by the co-precipitation method. A systematic investigation on the structural, morphological and magnetic properties of un-doped and Mg-doped Co-Ni ferrite nanoparticles is carried out. The prepared samples are characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The XRD analyses of the synthesized samples confirm the formation of single-phase cubic spinel structures with crystallite sizes in a range of ˜ 32 nm to ˜ 36 nm. The lattice constant increases with increasing Mg content. FESEM images show that the synthesized samples are homogeneous with a uniformly distributed grain. The results of IR spectroscopy analysis indicate the formation of functional groups of spinel ferrite in the co-precipitation process. By increasing Mg2+ substitution, room temperature magnetic measurement shows that maximum magnetization and coercivity increase from ˜ 57.35 emu/g to ˜ 61.49 emu/g and ˜ 603.26 Oe to ˜ 684.11 Oe (1 Oe = 79.5775 A·m-1), respectively. The higher values of magnetization M s and M r suggest that the optimum composition is Co0.5Ni0.4Mg0.1Fe2O4 that can be applied to high-density recording media and microwave devices. Project supported by the Ibnu Sina Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research, Physics Department of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and the Ministry of Education Malaysia (Grant Nos. Q.J130000.2526.04H65).

Study of low insertion loss and miniaturization wavelet transform and inverse transform processor using SAW devices.

PubMed

Jiang, Hua; Lu, Wenke; Zhang, Guoan

2013-07-01

In this paper, we propose a low insertion loss and miniaturization wavelet transform and inverse transform processor using surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices. The new SAW wavelet transform devices (WTDs) use the structure with two electrode-widths-controlled (EWC) single phase unidirectional transducers (SPUDT-SPUDT). This structure consists of the input withdrawal weighting interdigital transducer (IDT) and the output overlap weighting IDT. Three experimental devices for different scales 2(-1), 2(-2), and 2(-3) are designed and measured. The minimum insertion loss of the three devices reaches 5.49dB, 4.81dB, and 5.38dB respectively which are lower than the early results. Both the electrode width and the number of electrode pairs are reduced, thus making the three devices much smaller than the early devices. Therefore, the method described in this paper is suitable for implementing an arbitrary multi-scale low insertion loss and miniaturization wavelet transform and inverse transform processor using SAW devices. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

gp49B-mediated negative regulation of antibody production by memory and marginal zone B cells.

PubMed

Fukao, Saori; Haniuda, Kei; Nojima, Takuya; Takai, Toshiyuki; Kitamura, Daisuke

2014-07-15

The rapid Ab responses observed after primary and secondary immunizations are mainly derived from marginal zone (MZ) and memory B cells, respectively, but it is largely unknown how these responses are negatively regulated. Several inhibitory receptors have been identified and their roles have been studied, but mainly on follicular B cells and much less so on MZ B, and never on memory B cells. gp49B is an Ig superfamily member that contains two ITIMs in its cytoplasmic tail, and it has been shown to negatively regulate mast cell, macrophage, and NK cell responses. In this study, we demonstrate that gp49B is preferentially expressed on memory and MZ B cells. We show that gp49B(-/-) mice produce more IgM after a primary immunization and more IgM and IgG1 after a secondary immunization than gp49B(+/+) mice in T cell-dependent immune responses. Memory and MZ B cells from gp49B(-/-) mice also produce more Abs upon in vitro stimulation with CD40 than those from gp49B(+/+) mice. The in vitro IgM production by MZ B cells from gp49B(+/+), but not gp49B(-/-), mice is suppressed by interaction with a putative gp49B ligand, the integrin αvβ3 heterodimer. In addition, gp49B(-/-) mice exhibited exaggerated IgE production in the memory recall response. These results suggest that plasma cell development from memory and MZ B cells, as well as subsequent Ab production, are suppressed via gp49B. In memory B cells, this suppression also prevents excessive IgE production, thus curtailing allergic diseases. Copyright © 2014 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.

Melatonin Protects Human Cells from Clustered DNA Damages, Killing and Acquisition of Soft Agar Growth Induced by X-rays or 970 MeV/n Fe ions

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

Das, B.; Sutherland, B.; Bennett, P. V.

We tested the ability of melatonin (N-acetyl-5 methoxytryptamine), a highly effective radical scavenger and human hormone, to protect DNA in solution and in human cells against induction of complex DNA clusters and biological damage induced by low or high linear energy transfer radiation (100 kVp X-rays, 970 MeV/nucleon Fe ions). Plasmid DNA in solution was treated with increasing concentrations of melatonin (0.0-3.5 mM) and were irradiated with X-rays. Human cells (28SC monocytes) were also irradiated with X-rays and Fe ions with and without 2 mM melatonin. Agarose plugs containing genomic DNA were subjected to Contour Clamped Homogeneous Electrophoretic Field (CHEF)more » followed by imaging and clustered DNA damages were measured by using Number Average length analysis. Transformation experiments on human primary fibroblast cells using soft agar colony assay were carried out which were irradiated with Fe ions with or without 2 mM melatonin. In plasmid DNA in solution, melatonin reduced the induction of single- and double-strand breaks. Pretreatment of human 28SC cells for 24 h before irradiation with 2 mM melatonin reduced the level of X-ray induced double-strand breaks by {approx}50%, of abasic clustered damages about 40%, and of Fe ion-induced double-strand breaks (41% reduction) and abasic clusters (34% reduction). It decreased transformation to soft agar growth of human primary cells by a factor of 10, but reduced killing by Fe ions only by 20-40%. Melatonin's effective reduction of radiation-induced critical DNA damages, cell killing, and striking decrease of transformation suggest that it is an excellent candidate as a countermeasure against radiation exposure, including radiation exposure to astronaut crews in space travel.« less

Evolution of size-segregated aerosol mass concentration during the Antarctic summer at Northern Foothills, Victoria Land

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Illuminati, Silvia; Bau, Sébastien; Annibaldi, Anna; Mantini, Caterina; Libani, Giulia; Truzzi, Cristina; Scarponi, Giuseppe

2016-01-01

Within the framework of the Italian National Programm for Antarctic Research (PNRA), the first direct gravimetric measurements of size-segregated aerosol fractions were carried out at Faraglione Camp, ˜3-km far from the Italian station "M. Zucchelli" (Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea), during the 2014-2015 austral summer. A six-stage high-volume cascade impactor with size classes between 10 μm and 0.49 μm, and, in parallel, for comparison purposes, a PM10 high-volume sampler (50% cut-off aerodynamic diameter of 10 μm) were used. A 10-day sampling strategy was adopted. Aerosol mass measurements were carried out before and after exposure by using a microbalance specifically designed for the filter weight and placed inside a glove bag in order to maintain stable temperature and humidity conditions during weighing sessions. Measured atmospheric concentrations (referred to the "actual air conditions" of mean temperature of 268 K and mean pressure of 975 hPa) of size-segregated aerosol fractions showed the following values, given as size range, means (interquartile range): Dp < 0.49 μm, 0.33 (0.26-0.34) μg m-3; 0.49-0.95 μm, 0.20 (0.19-0.24) μg m-3; 0.95-1.5 μm, 0.16 (0.13-0.21) μg m-3; 1.5-3.0 μm 0.075 (0.05-0.11) μg m-3; 3.0-7.2 μm 0.12 (0.02-0.19) μg m-3; 7.2-10 μm 0.06 (0.01-0.03) μg m-3. The average mass concentration of the total PM10 at Faraglione Camp for the entire sampling period was 0.92 (0.67-1.1) μg m-3. Although a great variability, the aerosol mass concentration showed a tri-modal distribution, with an accumulation mode (in the range 0.1-1.0 μm) and two coarse modes (CM1 in the range 1.0-3.0 μm, and CM2 in the range 3.0-10 μm). From 50% to 90% of the PM10 mass comes from particles of a size smaller than 1.0 μm. The two coarse modes represented from ˜5% to ˜35% of the PM10, showing opposite seasonal trends (CM1 decreased while CM2 increased). During summer, PM10 mass concentration increased to a maximum of ˜1.6 μg m-3 at mid-December, while in January it decreased to values that are typical of November. Both accumulation and upper super-micron fractions showed a maximum in the same period contributing to the PM10 peak of mid-summer.

Natural killer cell receptor genes in the family Equidae: not only Ly49.

PubMed

Futas, Jan; Horin, Petr

2013-01-01

Natural killer (NK) cells have important functions in immunity. NK recognition in mammals can be mediated through killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) and/or killer cell lectin-like Ly49 receptors. Genes encoding highly variable NK cell receptors (NKR) represent rapidly evolving genomic regions. No single conservative model of NKR genes was observed in mammals. Single-copy low polymorphic NKR genes present in one mammalian species may expand into highly polymorphic multigene families in other species. In contrast to other non-rodent mammals, multiple Ly49-like genes appear to exist in the horse, while no functional KIR genes were observed in this species. In this study, Ly49 and KIR were sought and their evolution was characterized in the entire family Equidae. Genomic sequences retrieved showed the presence of at least five highly conserved polymorphic Ly49 genes in horses, asses and zebras. These findings confirmed that the expansion of Ly49 occurred in the entire family. Several KIR-like sequences were also identified in the genome of Equids. Besides a previously identified non-functional KIR-Immunoglobulin-like transcript fusion gene (KIR-ILTA) and two putative pseudogenes, a KIR3DL-like sequence was analyzed. In contrast to previous observations made in the horse, the KIR3DL sequence, genomic organization and mRNA expression suggest that all Equids might produce a functional KIR receptor protein molecule with a single non-mutated immune tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM) domain. No evidence for positive selection in the KIR3DL gene was found. Phylogenetic analysis including rhinoceros and tapir genomic DNA and deduced amino acid KIR-related sequences showed differences between families and even between species within the order Perissodactyla. The results suggest that the order Perissodactyla and its family Equidae with expanded Ly49 genes and with a potentially functional KIR gene may represent an interesting model for evolutionary biology of NKR genes.

Natural Killer Cell Receptor Genes in the Family Equidae: Not only Ly49

PubMed Central

Futas, Jan; Horin, Petr

2013-01-01

Natural killer (NK) cells have important functions in immunity. NK recognition in mammals can be mediated through killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) and/or killer cell lectin-like Ly49 receptors. Genes encoding highly variable NK cell receptors (NKR) represent rapidly evolving genomic regions. No single conservative model of NKR genes was observed in mammals. Single-copy low polymorphic NKR genes present in one mammalian species may expand into highly polymorphic multigene families in other species. In contrast to other non-rodent mammals, multiple Ly49-like genes appear to exist in the horse, while no functional KIR genes were observed in this species. In this study, Ly49 and KIR were sought and their evolution was characterized in the entire family Equidae. Genomic sequences retrieved showed the presence of at least five highly conserved polymorphic Ly49 genes in horses, asses and zebras. These findings confirmed that the expansion of Ly49 occurred in the entire family. Several KIR-like sequences were also identified in the genome of Equids. Besides a previously identified non-functional KIR-Immunoglobulin-like transcript fusion gene (KIR-ILTA) and two putative pseudogenes, a KIR3DL-like sequence was analyzed. In contrast to previous observations made in the horse, the KIR3DL sequence, genomic organization and mRNA expression suggest that all Equids might produce a functional KIR receptor protein molecule with a single non-mutated immune tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM) domain. No evidence for positive selection in the KIR3DL gene was found. Phylogenetic analysis including rhinoceros and tapir genomic DNA and deduced amino acid KIR-related sequences showed differences between families and even between species within the order Perissodactyla. The results suggest that the order Perissodactyla and its family Equidae with expanded Ly49 genes and with a potentially functional KIR gene may represent an interesting model for evolutionary biology of NKR genes. PMID:23724088

Synthesis of benzo-fused 1-azabicyclo[m.n.0]alkanes via the Schmidt reaction: a formal synthesis of gephyrotoxin.

PubMed

Pearson, W H; Fang, W

2000-10-20

The intramolecular capture of benzocyclobutyl, benzocyclopentyl, and benzocyclohexyl carbocations 7 by azides produces spirocyclic aminodiazonium ions 8, which undergo 1,2-C-to-N rearrangement with loss of dinitrogen to produce benzo-fused iminium ions resulting from either aryl (9) or alkyl (10) migration to the electron-deficient nitrogen atom. Reduction of the iminium ions affords regioisomeric benzo-fused 1-azabicyclo[m.n.0]alkanes, e.g., benzopyrrolizidines, benzoindolizidines, benzoquinolizidines, or perhydrobenzo[f]pyrrolo[1,2-a]azepines in two regioisomeric versions, anilines (e.g., 11-14) and benzylic amines (e.g., 15-18), the result of aryl and alkyl migrations, respectively. Generally, aryl migration is preferred, despite modeling that shows that the lowest energy aminodiazonium ions are those where the departing dinitrogen is preferentially antiperiplanar to the migrating alkyl group rather than the aryl group. The utility of this methodology was illustrated by a formal synthesis of the alkaloid gephyrotoxin 4. A dependence on the efficiency and regioselectivity of the Schmidt reaction upon subtle changes in the structure of the cation precursor was observed, necessitating the exploration of a variety of substrates. Fortunately, these materials were easily made. Ultimately, the azido-alkene 81 bearing a 2-bromoethyl side-chain was useful for the Schmidt reaction, producing the known benzo-fused indolizidine 49, which had been transformed by Ito et al. into gephyrotoxin 4. The synthesis of 49 required nine steps (five purifications) from commercially available 4-methoxy-1-indanone 60 and proceeded in 22% overall yield.

33 CFR 117.215 - Niantic River.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... October 31 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. and from November 1 through March 31 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., the draw... draw shall open only for the passage of commercial vessels. From December 1 through March 31, from 8 p... number posted at the bridge. [CGD 82-025, 49 FR 17452, Apr. 24, 1984; 49 FR 37381, Sept. 24, 1984; CGD01...

High-energy infrared femtosecond pulses generated by dual-chirped optical parametric amplification.

PubMed

Fu, Yuxi; Takahashi, Eiji J; Midorikawa, Katsumi

2015-11-01

We demonstrate high-energy infrared femtosecond pulse generation by a dual-chirped optical parametric amplification (DC-OPA) scheme [Opt. Express19, 7190 (2011)]. By employing a 100 mJ pump laser, a signal pulse energy exceeding 20 mJ at a wavelength of 1.4 μm was achieved before dispersion compensation. A total output energy of 33 mJ was recorded. Under a further energy scaling condition, the signal pulse was compressed to an almost transform-limited duration of 27 fs using a fused silica prism compressor. Since the DC-OPA scheme is efficient and energy scalable, design parameters for obtaining 100 mJ level infrared pulses are presented, which are suitable as driver lasers for the energy scaling of high-order harmonic generation with sub-keV photon energy.

Saucer Shoal: LDSD Recovery off Kauai

NASA Image and Video Library

2015-06-11

Two members of the U.S. Navy's Mobile Diving Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1 Explosive Ordnance Detachment work on recovering the test vehicle for NASA's Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) project. The saucer-shaped LDSD craft splashed down at 11:49 a.m. HST (2:49 PDT/5:49 p.m. EDT) Monday, June 8, 2015, in the Pacific Ocean off the west coast of the Kauai, Hawaii, after a four-hour experimental flight test that investigated new technologies for landing future robotic and human Mars missions. During the flight test, a Supersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (SIAD) and a supersonic parachute were deployed. The SIAD operated as expected, dramatically slowing the test vehicle's velocity. When the parachute was deployed into the supersonic slipstream, it appeared to blossom to full inflation prior to the emergence of a tear which then propagated and destroyed the parachute's canopy. As a result, the saucer's splashdown in the Pacific Ocean was hard, resulting in fracturing parts of the structure. Memory cards containing comprehensive test data -- including high-speed, high-resolution imagery recorded during the flight -- were successfully recovered. Also recovered were the test vehicle and its components, the supersonic parachute, the ballute used to deploy the parachute, and a large weather balloon that initially carried the saucer to an altitude of 120,000 feet. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA19684

Stellar Astrophysics with a Dispersed Fourier Transform Spectrograph. II. Orbits of Double-lined Spectroscopic Binaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Behr, Bradford B.; Cenko, Andrew T.; Hajian, Arsen R.; McMillan, Robert S.; Murison, Marc; Meade, Jeff; Hindsley, Robert

2011-07-01

We present orbital parameters for six double-lined spectroscopic binaries (ι Pegasi, ω Draconis, 12 Boötis, V1143 Cygni, β Aurigae, and Mizar A) and two double-lined triple star systems (κ Pegasi and η Virginis). The orbital fits are based upon high-precision radial velocity (RV) observations made with a dispersed Fourier Transform Spectrograph, or dFTS, a new instrument that combines interferometric and dispersive elements. For some of the double-lined binaries with known inclination angles, the quality of our RV data permits us to determine the masses M 1 and M 2 of the stellar components with relative errors as small as 0.2%.

Development of a compact generator for gigawatt, nanosecond high-voltage pulses

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

Zhou, Lin, E-mail: zhoulin-2003@163.com; Jiang, Zhanxing; Liang, Chuan

2016-03-15

A compact generator producing 2.2-ns 1.5 GW high-voltage pulses was developed. The generator employed a 27.6 Ω, 0.9 ns pulse-forming-line (PFL), which was charged by an iron core transformer with a turn ratio of 2:33.5 and a coefficient of 0.94. A 1.2 μF, 20 kV capacitor and a hydrogen thyratron were used in the primary circuit. When the thyratron closed at 14.5 kV, 3.4% of the energy stored in the capacitor was delivered to the PFL in 850 ns, producing a peak voltage of up to ∼500 kV. In addition, the principle of triple resonance transformation was employed by addingmore » a 50 pF tuning capacitor and a 1.15 mH inductor between the transformer and the PFL, which led to a significant reduction of the duration and peak value of the transformer voltage without reducing that in the PFL. Meanwhile, an adjustable self-break oil switch was applied. By using transmission lines with impedance overmatched to that of the PFL, the generator delivered a 512 kV pulse across an electron beam diode, generating radiation with a dose of 20 mR/pulse at 20 cm ahead of the diode. The generator provides an excellent ultra-short radiation pulse source for the studies on radiation physics.« less

Development of a compact generator for gigawatt, nanosecond high-voltage pulses.

PubMed

Zhou, Lin; Jiang, Zhanxing; Liang, Chuan; Li, Mingjia; Wang, Wenchuan; Li, Zhenghong

2016-03-01

A compact generator producing 2.2-ns 1.5 GW high-voltage pulses was developed. The generator employed a 27.6 Ω, 0.9 ns pulse-forming-line (PFL), which was charged by an iron core transformer with a turn ratio of 2:33.5 and a coefficient of 0.94. A 1.2 μF, 20 kV capacitor and a hydrogen thyratron were used in the primary circuit. When the thyratron closed at 14.5 kV, 3.4% of the energy stored in the capacitor was delivered to the PFL in 850 ns, producing a peak voltage of up to ∼500 kV. In addition, the principle of triple resonance transformation was employed by adding a 50 pF tuning capacitor and a 1.15 mH inductor between the transformer and the PFL, which led to a significant reduction of the duration and peak value of the transformer voltage without reducing that in the PFL. Meanwhile, an adjustable self-break oil switch was applied. By using transmission lines with impedance overmatched to that of the PFL, the generator delivered a 512 kV pulse across an electron beam diode, generating radiation with a dose of 20 mR/pulse at 20 cm ahead of the diode. The generator provides an excellent ultra-short radiation pulse source for the studies on radiation physics.

A 0.7 V 6.66-9.36 GHz wide tuning range CMOS LC VCO with small chip size

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jun-Da; Zhang, Jie

2017-10-01

The circuit designs are based on TSMC 0.18 μm CMOS standard technology model. The designed circuit uses transformer coupling technology in order to decrease chip area and increase the Q value. The switched-capacitor topology array enables the voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) to be tuned between 6.66 and 9.36 GHz with 4.9 mW power consumption at supply voltage of 0.7 V, and the tuning range of the circuit can reach 33.7%. The measured phase noise is -110.5 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset from the carrier frequency of 7.113 GHz. The output power level is about -1.22 dBm. The figure-of-merit and figure-of-merit-with-tuning range of the VCO are about -180.7 and -191.25 dBc/Hz, respectively. The chip area is 0.429 mm2 excluding the pads. The presented ultra-wideband VCO leads to a better performance in terms of power consumption, tuning range, chip size and output power level for low supply voltage.

Sustained release biodegradable solid lipid microparticles: Formulation, evaluation and statistical optimization by response surface methodology.

PubMed

Hanif, Muhammad; Khan, Hafeez Ullah; Afzal, Samina; Mahmood, Asif; Maheen, Safirah; Afzal, Khurram; Iqbal, Nabila; Andleeb, Mehwish; Abbas, Nazar

2017-12-20

For preparing nebivolol loaded solid lipid microparticles (SLMs) by the solvent evaporation microencapsulation process from carnauba wax and glyceryl monostearate, central composite design was used to study the impact of independent variables on yield (Y1), entrapment efficiency (Y2) and drug release (Y3). SLMs having a 10-40 μm size range, with good rheological behavior and spherical smooth surfaces, were produced. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffractometry pointed to compatibility between formulation components and the zeta-potential study confirmed better stability due to the presence of negative charge (-20 to -40 mV). The obtained outcomes for Y1 (29-86 %), Y2 (45-83 %) and Y3 (49-86 %) were analyzed by polynomial equations and the suggested quadratic model were validated. Nebivolol release from SLMs at pH 1.2 and 6.8 was significantly (p < 0.05) affected by lipid concentration. The release mechanism followed Higuchi and zero order models, while n > 0.85 value (Korsmeyer- Peppas) suggested slow erosion along with diffusion. The optimized SLMs have the potential to improve nebivolol oral bioavailability.

Macroscopic and Microstructural Aspects of the Transformation Behavior in a Polycrystalline NiTi Shape Memory Alloy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Benafan, Othmane; Noebe, Ronald D.; Padula, Santo A., II; Lerch, Bradley A.; Bigelow, Glen S.; Gaydosh, Darrell J.; Garg, Anita; An, Ke; Vaidyanathan, Raj

2013-01-01

The mechanical and microstructural behavior of a polycrystalline Ni(49.9)Ti(50.1) (at.%) shape memory alloy was investigated as a function of temperature around the transformation regime. The bulk macroscopic responses, measured using ex situ tensile deformation and impulse excitation tests, were compared to the microstructural evolution captured using in situ neutron diffraction. The onset stress for inelastic deformation and dynamic Young's modulus were found to decrease with temperature, in the martensite regime, reaching a significant minimum at approximately 80 C followed by an increase in both properties, attributed to the martensite to austenite transformation. The initial decrease in material compliance during heating affected the ease with which martensite reorientation and detwinning could occur, ultimately impacting the stress for inelastic deformation prior to the start of the reverse transformation.

Black Carbon Facilitated Dechlorination of DDT and its Metabolites by Sulfide.

PubMed

Ding, Kai; Xu, Wenqing

2016-12-06

1,1-trichloro-2,2-di(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) and its metabolites 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDD) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE), are often detected in soils and sediments containing high concentrations of black carbon. Sulfide (∼5 mM) from biological sulfate reduction often coexists with black carbon and serves as both a strong reductant and a nucleophile for the abiotic transformation of contaminants. In this study, we found that the abiotic transformation of DDT, DDD, and DDE (collectively referred to as DDX) require both sulfide and black carbon. 89.3 ± 1.8% of DDT, 63.2 ± 1.9% of DDD, and 50.9 ± 1.6% of DDE were degraded by sulfide (5 mM) in the presence of graphite powder (21 g/L) after 28 days at pH 7. Chloride was a product of DDX degradation. To better understand the reaction pathways, electrochemical cells and batch reactor experiments with sulfide-pretreated graphite powder were used to differentiate the involvement of black carbon materials in DDX transformation by sulfide. Our results suggest that DDT and DDD are transformed by surface intermediates formed from the reaction between sulfide and black carbon, while DDE degradation involves reductive dechlorination. This research lays the groundwork for developing an alternative in situ remediation technique for rapidly decontaminating soils and sediments to lower toxic products under environmentally relevant conditions.

Zebrafish embryo toxicity of anaerobic biotransformation products from the insensitive munitions compound 2,4-dinitroanisole.

PubMed

Olivares, Christopher I; Sierra-Alvarez, Reyes; Abrell, Leif; Chorover, Jon; Simonich, Michael; Tanguay, Robert L; Field, Jim A

2016-11-01

2,4-Dinitroanisole (DNAN) is an emerging insensitive munitions compound that readily undergoes anaerobic nitro-group reduction to 2-methoxy-5-nitroaniline (MENA) and 2,4-diaminoanisole (DAAN), followed by formation of unique azo dimers. Currently there is little knowledge on the ecotoxicity of DNAN (bio)transformation products. In the present study, mortality, development, and behavioral effects of DNAN (bio)transformation products were assessed using zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. The authors tested individual products, MENA and DAAN, as well as dimer and trimer surrogates. As pure compounds, 3-nitro-4-methoxyaniline and 2,2'-dimethoxy-4,4'-azodianiline caused statistically significant effects, with lowest-observable-adverse effect levels (LOAEL) at 6.4 μM on 1 or 2 developmental endpoints, respectively. The latter had 6 additional statistically significant developmental endpoints with LOAELs of 64 μM. Based on light-to-dark swimming behavioral tests, DAAN (640 μM) caused reduction in swimming, suggestive of neurotoxicity. No statistically significant mortality occurred (≤64 μM) for any of the individual compounds. However, metabolite mixtures formed during different stages of MENA (bio)transformation in soil were characterized using high-resolution mass spectrometry in parallel with zebrafish embryo toxicity assays, which demonstrated statistically significant mortality during the onset of azo-dimer formation. Overall the results indicate that several DNAN (bio)transformation products cause different types of toxicity to zebrafish embryos. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2774-2781. © 2016 SETAC. © 2016 SETAC.

Whole-Blood Nested-PCR Amplification of M. leprae-Specific DNA for Early Diagnosis of Leprosy

PubMed Central

Wen, Yan; Xing, Yan; Yuan, Lian-Chao; Liu, Jian; Zhang, Ying; Li, Huan-Ying

2013-01-01

We evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of a nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for detection of Mycobacterium leprae DNA from whole blood. Whole-blood specimens were subjected to nested-PCR amplification of M. leprae repeat DNA sequences in 49 multibacillary (MB) and 30 paucibacillary (PB) leprosy patients, 96 household contacts (HHCs), 18 tuberculosis (TB) patients, and 35 normal healthy individuals. M. leprae DNA was detected in 95.92% (47/49) of MB, 70% (21/30) of PB, and 6.25% (6/96) of HHC, but it was not detected in 18 TB or 35 normal controls. The sensitivities of the anti-bovine serum albumin (ND-O-BSA) immunoglobulin M (IgM) and antifusion protein of ML0405-ML2331 IgG for MB were 97.96% and 89.8%, and these values for PB were 70% and 53.33%. However, the ND-O-BSA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) had lower specificity, with relatively high false-positive results for TB patients (16.67%) and normal healthy controls (10%). Based on these promising findings, we propose the use of nested PCR of whole-blood samples along with ELISA test for early detection of leprosy cases. PMID:23478578

Large and reversible inverse magnetocaloric effect in Ni48.1Co2.9Mn35.0In14.0 metamagnetic shape memory microwire

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qu, Y. H.; Cong, D. Y.; Chen, Z.; Gui, W. Y.; Sun, X. M.; Li, S. H.; Ma, L.; Wang, Y. D.

2017-11-01

High-performance magnetocaloric materials should have a large reversible magnetocaloric effect and good heat exchange capability. Here, we developed a Ni48.1Co2.9Mn35.0In14.0 metamagnetic shape memory microwire with a large and reversible inverse magnetocaloric effect. As compared to the bulk counterpart, the microwire shows a better combination of magnetostructural transformation parameters (magnetization difference across transformation ΔM, transformation entropy change ΔStr, thermal hysteresis ΔThys, and transformation interval ΔTint) and thus greatly reduced critical field required for complete and reversible magnetic-field-induced transformation. A strong and reversible metamagnetic transition occurred in the microwire, which facilitates the achievement of large reversible magnetoresponsive effects. Consequently, a large and reversible magnetic-field-induced entropy change ΔSm of 12.8 J kg-1 K-1 under 5 T was achieved in the microwire, which is the highest value reported heretofore in Ni-Mn-based magnetic shape memory wires. Furthermore, since microwires have a high surface/volume ratio, they exhibit very good heat exchange capability. The present Ni48.1Co2.9Mn35.0In14.0 microwire shows great potential for magnetic refrigeration. This study may stimulate further development of high-performance magnetocaloric wires for high-efficiency and environmentally friendly solid-state cooling.

The Kinetics of Phase Transformations During Tempering in Laser Melted High Chromium Cast Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, M. Y.; Wang, Y.; Han, B.

2012-06-01

The precipitation of secondary carbides in the laser melted high chromium cast steels during tempering at 300-650 °C for 2 h in air furnace was characterized and the present phases was identified, by using transmission electron microscopy. Laser melted high chromium cast steel consists of austenitic dendrites and interdendritic M23C6 carbides. The austenite has such a strong tempering stability that it remains unchanged at temperature below 400 °C and the secondary hardening phenomenon starts from 450 °C to the maximum value of 672 HV at 560 °C. After tempering at 450 °C fine M23C6 carbides precipitate from the supersaturated austenite preferentially. In addition, the dislocation lines and slip bands still exist inside the austenite. While tempering at temperature below 560 °C, the secondary hardening simultaneously results from the martensite phase transformation and the precipitation of carbides as well as dislocation strengthening within a refined microstructure. Moreover, the formation of the ferrite matrix and large quality of coarse lamellar M3C carbides when the samples were tempered at 650 °C contributes to the decrease of hardness.

High Resolution Near-IR Imaging of VY Canis Majoris with LBT / LMIRCam (2 - 5 μm)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shenoy, Dinesh; Jones, T. J.; Humphreys, R. M.; LMIRCam Instrument Team

2013-06-01

HST imaging of the famous red hypergiant VY Canis Majoris shows a complex circumstellar reflection nebula indicative of multiple asymmetric ejection episodes. Constructing a more complete picture of the mass loss mechanism compels extending high resolution imaging of massive stars such as VY CMa into the near-infrared, where the mechanism for emission from circumstellar ejecta transitions from scattering to thermal. We present LBT/LMIRCam observations of VY CMa at Ks (2.2 μm), L' (3.8 μm) and M (4.9 μm) at sub-arcsecond resolution, comparable to the HST in the optical. The peculiar Southwest (SW) Clump, first identified as a highly reddened feature seen only at the longest wavelength (1 μm) in the HST images, appears bright in the three LMIRCam filters. The SW Clump is found to be optically thick at all three wavelengths. A silicate grain model yields a lower limit mass on the order of 7E-4 M⊙

Transformative Pulsed Power Science and Technology

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-12-16

Lin, D. Singleton, J. Sanders, A. Kuthi and M.A. Gundersen, “Experimental study of pulsed corona discharge in air at high pressures”, 65th Annual...Kastner, E. Gutmark, and M. A. Gundersen. “Surface Streamer Discharge for Plasma Flow Control Using Nanosecond Pulsed Power.” Plasma Sciences, IEEE... discharge in atmospheric pressure fuel/air mixtures”, J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 45 495401 (2012). 28. S. J. Pendleton, S. Bowman, C. Carter, M. A. Gundersen

Liquid-phase exfoliated graphene as highly-sensitive sensor for simultaneous determination of endocrine disruptors: diethylstilbestrol and estradiol.

PubMed

Hu, Lintong; Cheng, Qin; Chen, Danchao; Ma, Ming; Wu, Kangbing

2015-01-01

It is quite important to develop convenient and rapid analytical methods for trace levels of endocrine disruptors because they heavily affect health and reproduction of humans and animals. Herein, graphene was easily prepared via one-step exfoliation using N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone as solvent, and then used to construct an electrochemical sensor for highly-sensitive detection of diethylstilbestrol (DES) and estradiol (E2). On the surface of prepared graphene film, two independent and greatly-increased oxidation waves were observed at 0.28V and 0.49V for DES and E2. The remarkable signal enlargements indicated that the detection sensitivity was improved significantly. The influences of pH value, amount of graphene and accumulation time on the oxidation signals of DES and E2 were discussed. As a result, a highly-sensitive and rapid electrochemical method was newly developed for simultaneous detection of DES and E2. The values of detection limit were evaluated to be 10.87 nM and 4.9 nM for DES and E2. Additionally, this new method was successfully used in lake water samples and the accuracy was satisfactory. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Using radio astronomical receivers for molecular spectroscopic characterization in astrochemical laboratory simulations: A proof of concept.

PubMed

Tanarro, I; Alemán, B; de Vicente, P; Gallego, J D; Pardo, J R; Santoro, G; Lauwaet, K; Tercero, F; Díaz-Pulido, A; Moreno, E; Agúndez, M; Goicoechea, J R; Sobrado, J M; López, J A; Martínez, L; Doménech, J L; Herrero, V J; Hernández, J M; Peláez, R J; López-Pérez, J A; Gómez-González, J; Alonso, J L; Jiménez, E; Teyssier, D; Makasheva, K; Castellanos, M; Joblin, C; Martín-Gago, J A; Cernicharo, J

2018-01-01

We present a proof of concept on the coupling of radio astronomical receivers and spectrometers with chemical reactors and the performances of the resulting setup for spectroscopy and chemical simulations in laboratory astrophysics. Several experiments including cold plasma generation and UV photochemistry were performed in a 40 cm long gas cell placed in the beam path of the Aries 40 m radio telescope receivers operating in the 41-49 GHz frequency range interfaced with fast Fourier transform spectrometers providing 2 GHz bandwidth and 38 kHz resolution. The impedance matching of the cell windows has been studied using different materials. The choice of the material and its thickness was critical to obtain a sensitivity identical to that of standard radio astronomical observations. Spectroscopic signals arising from very low partial pressures of CH 3 OH, CH 3 CH 2 OH, HCOOH, OCS, CS, SO 2 (<10 -3 mbar) were detected in a few seconds. Fast data acquisition was achieved allowing for kinetic measurements in fragmentation experiments using electron impact or UV irradiation. Time evolution of chemical reactions involving OCS, O 2 and CS 2 was also observed demonstrating that reactive species, such as CS, can be maintained with high abundance in the gas phase during these experiments.

Using radio astronomical receivers for molecular spectroscopic characterization in astrochemical laboratory simulations: A proof of concept

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanarro, I.; Alemán, B.; de Vicente, P.; Gallego, J. D.; Pardo, J. R.; Santoro, G.; Lauwaet, K.; Tercero, F.; Díaz-Pulido, A.; Moreno, E.; Agúndez, M.; Goicoechea, J. R.; Sobrado, J. M.; López, J. A.; Martínez, L.; Doménech, J. L.; Herrero, V. J.; Hernández, J. M.; Peláez, R. J.; López-Pérez, J. A.; Gómez-González, J.; Alonso, J. L.; Jiménez, E.; Teyssier, D.; Makasheva, K.; Castellanos, M.; Joblin, C.; Martín-Gago, J. A.; Cernicharo, J.

2018-01-01

We present a proof of concept on the coupling of radio astronomical receivers and spectrometers with chemical reactors and the performances of the resulting setup for spectroscopy and chemical simulations in laboratory astrophysics. Several experiments including cold plasma generation and UV photochemistry were performed in a 40 cm long gas cell placed in the beam path of the Aries 40 m radio telescope receivers operating in the 41-49 GHz frequency range interfaced with fast Fourier transform spectrometers providing 2 GHz bandwidth and 38 kHz resolution. The impedance matching of the cell windows has been studied using different materials. The choice of the material and its thickness was critical to obtain a sensitivity identical to that of standard radio astronomical observations. Spectroscopic signals arising from very low partial pressures of CH3OH, CH3CH2OH, HCOOH, OCS, CS, SO2 (<10-3 mbar) were detected in a few seconds. Fast data acquisition was achieved allowing for kinetic measurements in fragmentation experiments using electron impact or UV irradiation. Time evolution of chemical reactions involving OCS, O2 and CS2 was also observed demonstrating that reactive species, such as CS, can be maintained with high abundance in the gas phase during these experiments. Movies are available at http://www.aanda.org

Using radio astronomical receivers for molecular spectroscopic characterization in astrochemical laboratory simulations: A proof of concept

PubMed Central

Tanarro, I.; Alemán, B.; de Vicente, P.; Gallego, J.D.; Pardo, J.R.; Santoro, G.; Lauwaet, K.; Tercero, F.; Díaz-Pulido, A.; Moreno, E.; Agúndez, M.; Goicoechea, J.R.; Sobrado, J.M.; López, J.A.; Martínez, L.; Doménech, J.L.; Herrero, V.J.; Hernández, J.M.; Peláez, R.J.; López-Pérez, J.A.; Gómez-González, J.; Alonso, J.L.; Jiménez, E.; Teyssier, D.; Makasheva, K.; Castellanos, M.; Joblin, C.; Martín-Gago, J.A.; Cernicharo, J.

2017-01-01

We present a proof of concept on the coupling of radio astronomical receivers and spectrometers with chemical reactors and the performances of the resulting setup for spectroscopy and chemical simulations in laboratory astrophysics. Several experiments including cold plasma generation and UV photochemistry were performed in a 40 cm long gas cell placed in the beam path of the Aries 40 m radio telescope receivers operating in the 41-49 GHz frequency range interfaced with fast Fourier transform spectrometers providing 2 GHz bandwidth and 38 kHz resolution. The impedance matching of the cell windows has been studied using different materials. The choice of the material and its thickness was critical to obtain a sensitivity identical to that of standard radio astronomical observations. Spectroscopic signals arising from very low partial pressures of CH3OH, CH3CH2OH, HCOOH, OCS, CS, SO2 (<10−3 mbar) were detected in a few seconds. Fast data acquisition was achieved allowing for kinetic measurements in fragmentation experiments using electron impact or UV irradiation. Time evolution of chemical reactions involving OCS, O2 and CS2 was also observed demonstrating that reactive species, such as CS, can be maintained with high abundance in the gas phase during these experiments. PMID:29277841

Knitting aromatic polymers for efficient solid-phase microextraction of trace organic pollutants.

PubMed

Liu, Shuqin; Hu, Qingkun; Zheng, Juan; Xie, Lijun; Wei, Songbo; Jiang, Ruifen; Zhu, Fang; Liu, Yuan; Ouyang, Gangfeng

2016-06-10

A series of knitting aromatic polymers (KAPs) were successfully synthesized using a simple one-step Friedel-Crafts alkylation of aromatic monomers and were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Then, as-synthesized KAPs with large surface areas, unique pore structures and high thermal stability were prepared as solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coatings that exhibited good extraction abilities for a series of benzene compounds (i.e., benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and m-xylene, which are referred to as BTEX) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Under the optimized conditions, the methodologies established for the determination of BTEX and PAHs using the KAPs-triPB and KAPs-B coatings, respectively, possessed wide linear ranges, low limits of detection (LODs, 0.10-1.13ngL(-1) for BTEX and 0.05-0.49ngL(-1) for PAHs) and good reproducibility. Finally, the proposed methods were successfully applied to the determination of BTEX and PAHs in environmental water samples, and satisfactory recoveries (93.6-124.2% for BTEX and 77.2-113.3% for PAHs) were achieved. This study provides a benchmark for exploiting novel microporous organic polymers (MOPs) for SPME applications. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of Temperature on Fatigue-Induced Martensitic Phase Transformation in a Metastable CrMnNi-Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biermann, Horst; Glage, Alexander; Droste, Matthias

2016-01-01

Metastable austenitic steels can exhibit a fatigue-induced martensitic phase transformation during cyclic loading. It is generally agreed that a certain strain amplitude and a threshold of the cumulated plastic strain must be exceeded to trigger martensitic phase transformation under cyclic loading. With respect to monotonic loading, the martensitic phase transformation takes place up to a critical temperature—the so-called M d temperature. The goal of the present investigation is to determine an M d,c temperature which would be the highest temperature at which a fatigue-induced martensitic phase transformation can take place. For this purpose, fatigue tests controlled by the total strain were performed at different temperatures. The material investigated was a high-alloy metastable austenitic steel X3CrMnNi16.7.7 (16.3Cr-7.2Mn-6.6Ni-0.03C-0.09N-1.0Si) produced using the hot pressing technique. The temperatures were set in the range of 283 K (10 °C) ≤ T ≤ 473 K (200 °C). Depending on the temperature and strain amplitude, the onset of the martensitic phase transformation shifted to different values of the cumulated plastic strain, or was inhibited completely. Moreover, it is known that metastable austenitic CrMnNi steels with higher nickel contents can exhibit the deformation-induced twinning effect. Thus, at higher temperatures and strain amplitudes, a transition from the deformation-induced martensitic transformation to deformation-induced twinning takes place. The fatigue-induced martensitic phase transformation was monitored during cyclic loading using a ferrite sensor. The microstructure after the fatigue tests was examined using the back-scattered electrons, the electron channeling contrast imaging and the electron backscatter diffraction techniques to study the temperature-dependent dislocation structures and phase transformations.

Production of radionuclide molybdenum 99 in a distributed and in situ fashion

DOEpatents

Gentile, Charles A.; Cohen, Adam B.; Ascione, George

2016-04-19

A method and apparatus for producing Mo-99 from Mo-100 for the use of the produced Mo-99 in a Tc-99m generator without the use of uranium is presented. Both the method and apparatus employ high energy gamma rays for the transformation of Mo-100 to Mo-99. The high energy gamma rays are produced by exposing a metal target to a moderated neutron output of between 6 MeV and 14 MeV. The resulting Mo-99 spontaneously decays into Tc-99m and can therefore be used in a Tc-99m generator.

33 CFR 117.835 - Perquimans River.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... through September 30 and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. from October 1 through March 31. The draw need not be opened at all other times. [CGD 82-025, 49 FR 17452, Apr. 24, 1984; 49 FR 37382, Sept. 24, 1984] ...

IDENTIFICATION OF MICROCYSTIN TOXINS FROM A STRAIN OF MICROCYSTIS AERUGINOSA BY LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY INTRODUCTION INTO A HYBRID LINEAR ION TRAP-FOURIER TRANSFORM ION CYCLOTRON RESONANCE MASS SPECTROMETER

EPA Science Inventory

The cyclic heptapeptide microcystin toxins produced by a strain of Microcystis aeruginosa that has not been investigated previously were separated by liquid chromatography and identified by high-accuracy m/z measurements of their [M + H]+ ions and the fragment i...

BODIPY-Au(I): A Photosensitizer for Singlet Oxygen Generation and Photodynamic Therapy.

PubMed

Üçüncü, Muhammed; Karakuş, Erman; Kurulgan Demirci, Eylem; Sayar, Melike; Dartar, Suay; Emrullahoğlu, Mustafa

2017-05-19

Upon complexation with Au(I), a photoinactive BODIPY derivative was transformed into a highly photoactive triplet sensitizer. Along with high efficiency in singlet oxygen generation (Φ Δ = 0.84), the new BODIPY-Au(I) skeleton showed excellent photocytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines (EC 50 = 2.5 nM).

Structural characterization of arginine-vasopressin and lysine-vasopressin by Fourier- transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry and infrared multiphoton dissociation.

PubMed

Bianco, Giuliana; Battista, Fabio; Buchicchio, Alessandro; Amarena, Concetta G; Schmitt-Kopplin, Philippe; Guerrieri, Antonio

2015-01-01

Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) and lysine-vasopressin (LVP) were analyzed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS) using Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry (MS) electrospray ionization (ESI) in the positive ion mode. LVP and AVP exhibited the protonated adduct [M+H](+) as the predominant ion at m/z 1056.43965 and at m/z 1084.44561, respectively. Infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD), using a CO(2) laser source at a wavelength of 10.6 μm, was applied to protonated vasopressin molecules. The IRMPD mass spectra presented abundant mass fragments essential for a complete structural information. Several fragment ions, shared between two target molecules, are discussed in detail. Some previously unpublished fragments were identified unambiguously utilizing the high resolution and accurate mass information provided by the FT-ICR mass spectrometer. The opening of the disulfide loop and the cleavage of the peptide bonds within the ring were observed even under low-energy fragmentation conditions. Coupling the high-performance FT-ICR mass spectrometer with IRMPD as a contemporary fragmentation technique proved to be very promising for the structural characterization of vasopressin.

Ly49H signaling through DAP10 is essential for optimal natural killer cell responses to mouse cytomegalovirus infection

PubMed Central

Orr, Mark T.; Sun, Joseph C.; Hesslein, David G.T.; Arase, Hisashi; Phillips, Joseph H.; Takai, Toshiyuki

2009-01-01

The activating natural killer (NK) cell receptor Ly49H recognizes the mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) m157 glycoprotein expressed on the surface of infected cells and is required for protection against MCMV. Although Ly49H has previously been shown to signal via DAP12, we now show that Ly49H must also associate with and signal via DAP10 for optimal function. In the absence of DAP12, DAP10 enables Ly49H-mediated killing of m157-bearing target cells, proliferation in response to MCMV infection, and partial protection against MCMV. DAP10-deficient Ly49H+ NK cells, expressing only Ly49H–DAP12 receptor complexes, are partially impaired in their ability to proliferate during MCMV infection, display diminished ERK1/2 activation, produce less IFN-γ upon Ly49H engagement, and demonstrate reduced control of MCMV infection. Deletion of both DAP10 and DAP12 completely abrogates Ly49H surface expression and control of MCMV infection. Thus, optimal NK cell–mediated immunity to MCMV depends on Ly49H signaling through both DAP10 and DAP12. PMID:19332875

49 CFR 172.310 - Class 7 (radioactive) materials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... packaging, in letters at least 13 mm (0.5 in) high, with the words “TYPE IP-1,” “TYPE IP-2,” “TYPE IP-3,” “TYPE A,” “TYPE B(U)” or “TYPE B(M),” as appropriate. A package which does not conform to Type IP-1, Type IP-2, Type IP-3, Type A, Type B(U) or Type B(M) requirements may not be so marked. (c) Each...

49 CFR 172.310 - Class 7 (radioactive) materials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... packaging, in letters at least 13 mm (0.5 in) high, with the words “TYPE IP-1,” “TYPE IP-2,” “TYPE IP-3,” “TYPE A,” “TYPE B(U)” or “TYPE B(M),” as appropriate. A package which does not conform to Type IP-1, Type IP-2, Type IP-3, Type A, Type B(U) or Type B(M) requirements may not be so marked. (c) Each...

40 CFR 49.9956 - Contents of implementation plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... detrimental to public health or welfare. (k) Section 49.137Rule for air pollution episodes. (l) Section 49.138Rule for the registration of air pollution sources and the reporting of emissions. (m) Section 49... ASSISTANCE INDIAN COUNTRY: AIR QUALITY PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT Implementation Plans for Tribes-Region X...

40 CFR 49.11016 - Contents of implementation plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

.... (k) Section 49.135Rule for emissions detrimental to public health or welfare. (l) Section 49.137Rule for air pollution episodes. (m) Section 49.138Rule for the registration of air pollution sources and... FEDERAL ASSISTANCE INDIAN COUNTRY: AIR QUALITY PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT Implementation Plans for Tribes...

40 CFR 49.11016 - Contents of implementation plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

.... (k) Section 49.135Rule for emissions detrimental to public health or welfare. (l) Section 49.137Rule for air pollution episodes. (m) Section 49.138Rule for the registration of air pollution sources and... FEDERAL ASSISTANCE INDIAN COUNTRY: AIR QUALITY PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT Implementation Plans for Tribes...

40 CFR 49.10406 - Contents of implementation plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... permits. (m) Section 49.135Rule for emissions detrimental to public health or welfare. (n) Section 49.137Rule for air pollution episodes. (o) Section 49.138Rule for the registration of air pollution sources... FEDERAL ASSISTANCE TRIBAL CLEAN AIR ACT AUTHORITY Implementation Plans for Tribes-Region X Implementation...

40 CFR 49.9956 - Contents of implementation plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... detrimental to public health or welfare. (k) Section 49.137Rule for air pollution episodes. (l) Section 49.138Rule for the registration of air pollution sources and the reporting of emissions. (m) Section 49... ASSISTANCE INDIAN COUNTRY: AIR QUALITY PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT Implementation Plans for Tribes-Region X...

40 CFR 49.9956 - Contents of implementation plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... detrimental to public health or welfare. (k) Section 49.137Rule for air pollution episodes. (l) Section 49.138Rule for the registration of air pollution sources and the reporting of emissions. (m) Section 49... ASSISTANCE INDIAN COUNTRY: AIR QUALITY PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT Implementation Plans for Tribes-Region X...

40 CFR 49.9956 - Contents of implementation plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... detrimental to public health or welfare. (k) Section 49.137Rule for air pollution episodes. (l) Section 49.138Rule for the registration of air pollution sources and the reporting of emissions. (m) Section 49... ASSISTANCE TRIBAL CLEAN AIR ACT AUTHORITY Implementation Plans for Tribes-Region X Implementation Plan for...

40 CFR 49.9956 - Contents of implementation plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... detrimental to public health or welfare. (k) Section 49.137Rule for air pollution episodes. (l) Section 49.138Rule for the registration of air pollution sources and the reporting of emissions. (m) Section 49... ASSISTANCE INDIAN COUNTRY: AIR QUALITY PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT Implementation Plans for Tribes-Region X...

40 CFR 49.11016 - Contents of implementation plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

...) Section 49.135Rule for emissions detrimental to public health or welfare. (l) Section 49.137Rule for air pollution episodes. (m) Section 49.138Rule for the registration of air pollution sources and the reporting... FEDERAL ASSISTANCE TRIBAL CLEAN AIR ACT AUTHORITY Implementation Plans for Tribes-Region X Implementation...

40 CFR 49.11016 - Contents of implementation plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

.... (k) Section 49.135Rule for emissions detrimental to public health or welfare. (l) Section 49.137Rule for air pollution episodes. (m) Section 49.138Rule for the registration of air pollution sources and... FEDERAL ASSISTANCE INDIAN COUNTRY: AIR QUALITY PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT Implementation Plans for Tribes...

Source parameters of microearthquakes on an interplate asperity off Kamaishi, NE Japan over two earthquake cycles

USGS Publications Warehouse

Uchida, Naoki; Matsuzawa, Toru; Ellsworth, William L.; Imanishi, Kazutoshi; Shimamura, Kouhei; Hasegawa, Akira

2012-01-01

We have estimated the source parameters of interplate earthquakes in an earthquake cluster off Kamaishi, NE Japan over two cycles of M~ 4.9 repeating earthquakes. The M~ 4.9 earthquake sequence is composed of nine events that occurred since 1957 which have a strong periodicity (5.5 ± 0.7 yr) and constant size (M4.9 ± 0.2), probably due to stable sliding around the source area (asperity). Using P- and S-wave traveltime differentials estimated from waveform cross-spectra, three M~ 4.9 main shocks and 50 accompanying microearthquakes (M1.5–3.6) from 1995 to 2008 were precisely relocated. The source sizes, stress drops and slip amounts for earthquakes of M2.4 or larger were also estimated from corner frequencies and seismic moments using simultaneous inversion of stacked spectral ratios. Relocation using the double-difference method shows that the slip area of the 2008 M~ 4.9 main shock is co-located with those of the 1995 and 2001 M~ 4.9 main shocks. Four groups of microearthquake clusters are located in and around the mainshock slip areas. Of these, two clusters are located at the deeper and shallower edge of the slip areas and most of these microearthquakes occurred repeatedly in the interseismic period. Two other clusters located near the centre of the mainshock source areas are not as active as the clusters near the edge. The occurrence of these earthquakes is limited to the latter half of the earthquake cycles of the M~ 4.9 main shock. Similar spatial and temporal features of microearthquake occurrence were seen for two other cycles before the 1995 M5.0 and 1990 M5.0 main shocks based on group identification by waveform similarities. Stress drops of microearthquakes are 3–11 MPa and are relatively constant within each group during the two earthquake cycles. The 2001 and 2008 M~ 4.9 earthquakes have larger stress drops of 41 and 27 MPa, respectively. These results show that the stress drop is probably determined by the fault properties and does not change much for earthquakes rupturing in the same area. The occurrence of microearthquakes in the interseismic period suggests the intrusion of aseismic slip, causing a loading of these patches. We also found that some earthquakes near the centre of the mainshock source area occurred just after the earthquakes at the deeper edge of the mainshock source area. These seismic activities probably indicate episodic aseismic slip migrating from the deeper regions in the mainshock asperity to its centre during interseismic periods. Comparison of the source parameters for the 2001 and 2008 main shocks shows that the seismic moments (1.04 x 1016 Nm and 1.12 x 1016 Nm for the 2008 and 2001 earthquakes, respectively) and source sizes (radius = 570 m and 540 m for the 2008 and 2001 earthquakes, respectively) are comparable. Based on careful phase identification and hypocentre relocation by constraining the hypocentres of other small earthquakes to their precisely located centroids, we found that the hypocentres of the 2001 and 2008 M~ 4.9 events are located in the southeastern part of the mainshock source area. This location does not correspond to either episodic slip area or hypocentres of small earthquakes that occurred during the earthquake cycle.

A 2 TiO 5 (A = Dy, Gd, Er, Yb) at High Pressure

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

Park, Sulgiye; Rittman, Dylan R.; Tracy, Cameron L.

The structural evolution of lanthanide A2TiO5 (A = Dy, Gd, Yb, and Er) at high pressure is investigated using synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The effects of A-site cation size and of the initial structure are systematically examined by varying the composition of the isostructural lanthanide titanates, and the structure of dysprosium titanate polymorphs (orthorhombic, hexagonal and cubic), respectively. All samples undergo irreversible high pressure phase transformations, but with different onset pressures depending on the initial structure. While individual phase exhibits different phase transformation histories, all samples commonly experience a sluggish transformation to a defect cotunnite-like (Pnma) phase for a certain pressuremore » range. Orthorhombic Dy2TiO5 and Gd2TiO5 form P21am at pressures below 9 GPa and Pnma above 13 GPa. Pyrochlore-type Dy2TiO5 and Er2TiO5 as well as defect-fluorite-type Yb2TiO5 form Pnma at ~ 21 GPa, followed by Im-3m. Hexagonal Dy2TiO5 forms Pnma directly, although a small amount of remnants of hexagonal Dy2TiO5 is observed even at the highest pressure (~ 55 GPa) reached, indicating a kinetic limitations in the hexagonal Dy2TiO5 phase transformations at high pressure. Decompression of these materials leads to different metastable phases. Most interestingly, a high pressure cubic X-type phase (Im-3m) is confirmed using highresolution transmission electron microscopy on recovered pyrochlore-type Er2TiO5. The kinetic constraints on this metastable phase yield a mixture of both the X-type phase and amorphous domains upon pressure release. This is the first observation of an X-type phase for an A2BO5 composition at high pressure.« less

Ly49Q, a member of the Ly49 family that is selectively expressed on myeloid lineage cells and involved in regulation of cytoskeletal architecture

PubMed Central

Toyama-Sorimachi, Noriko; Tsujimura, Yusuke; Maruya, Mikako; Onoda, Atsuko; Kubota, Toshiyuki; Koyasu, Shigeo; Inaba, Kayo; Karasuyama, Hajime

2004-01-01

Here, we identified and characterized a Ly49 family member, designated as Ly49Q. The Ly49q gene encodes a 273-aa protein with an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM) at the N terminus of its cytoplasmic domain. We show that the ITIM of Ly49Q can recruit SHP-2 and SHP-1 in a tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent manner. In contrast to other known members of the Ly49 family, Ly49Q was found not to be expressed on NK1.1+ cells, but instead was detectable on virtually all Gr-1+ cells, such as myeloid precursors in bone marrow. Monocytes/macrophages also expressed low levels of Ly49Q, and the expression was enhanced by the treatment of cells with IFN-γ. Treatment of activated macrophages with anti-Ly49Q mAb induced rapid formation of polarized actin structures, showing filopodia-like structure on one side and lamellipodial-like structure on the other side. A panel of proteins became tyrosine-phosphorylated in myeloid cells when treated with the mAb. Induction of the phosphorylation depends on the ITIM of Ly49Q. Thus, Ly49Q has unique features different from other known Ly49 family members and appears to be involved in regulation of cytoskeletal architecture of macrophages through ITIM-mediated signaling. PMID:14732700

Co-transforming bar and CsALDH Genes Enhanced Resistance to Herbicide and Drought and Salt Stress in Transgenic Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

PubMed Central

Duan, Zhen; Zhang, Daiyu; Zhang, Jianquan; Di, Hongyan; Wu, Fan; Hu, Xiaowen; Meng, Xuanchen; Luo, Kai; Zhang, Jiyu; Wang, Yanrong

2015-01-01

Drought and high salinity are two major abiotic factors that restrict the productivity of alfalfa. By application of the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method, an oxidative responsive gene, CsALDH12A1, from the desert grass Cleistogenes songorica together with the bar gene associated with herbicide resistance, were co-transformed into alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). From the all 90 transformants, 16 were positive as screened by spraying 1 mL L-1 10% Basta solution and molecularly diagnosis using PCR. Real-time PCR analysis indicated that drought and salt stress induced high CsALDH expression in the leaves of the transgenic plants. The CsALDH expression levels under drought (15 d) and salt stress (200 mM NaCl) were 6.11 and 6.87 times higher than in the control plants, respectively. In comparison to the WT plants, no abnormal phenotypes were observed among the transgenic plants, which showed significant enhancement of tolerance to 15 d of drought and 10 d of salinity treatment. Evaluation of the physiological and biochemical indices during drought and salt stress of the transgenic plants revealed relatively lower Na+ content and higher K+ content in the leaves relative to the WT plants, a reduction of toxic on effects and maintenance of osmotic adjustment. In addition, the transgenic plants could maintain a higher relative water content level, higher shoot biomass, fewer changes in the photosystem, decreased membrane injury, and a lower level of osmotic stress. These results indicate that the co-expression of the introduced bar and CsALDH genes enhanced the herbicide, drought and salt tolerance of alfalfa and therefore can potentially be used as a novel genetic resource for the future breeding programs to develop new cultivars. PMID:26734025

A New Instantaneous Frequency Measure Based on The Stockwell Transform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

yedlin, M. J.; Ben-Horrin, Y.; Fraser, J. D.

2011-12-01

We propose the use of a new transform, the Stockwell transform[1], as a means of creating time-frequency maps and applying them to distinguish blasts from earthquakes. This new transform, the Stockwell transform can be considered as a variant of the continuous wavelet transform, that preserves the absolute phase.The Stockwell transform employs a complex Morlet mother wavelet. The novelty of this transform lies in its resolution properties. High frequencies in the candidate signal are well-resolved in time but poorly resolved in frequency, while the converse is true for low frequency signal components. The goal of this research is to obtain the instantaneous frequency as a function of time for both the earthquakes and the blasts. Two methods will be compared. In the first method, we will compute the analytic signal, the envelope and the instantaneous phase as a function of time[2]. The instantaneous phase derivative will yield the instantaneous angular frequency. The second method will be based on time-frequency analysis using the Stockwell transform. The Stockwell transform will be computed in non-redundant fashion using a dyadic representation[3]. For each time-point, the frequency centroid will be computed -- a representation for the most likely frequency at that time. A detailed comparison will be presented for both approaches to the computation of the instantaneous frequency. An advantage of the Stockwell approach is that no differentiation is applied. The Hilbert transform method can be less sensitive to edge effects. The goal of this research is to see if the new Stockwell-based method could be used as a discriminant between earthquakes and blasts. References [1] Stockwell, R.G., Mansinha, L. and Lowe, R.P. "Localization of the complex spectrum: the S transform", IEEE Trans. Signal Processing, vol.44, no.4, pp.998-1001, (1996). [2]Taner, M.T., Koehler, F. "Complex seismic trace analysis", Geophysics, vol. 44, Issue 6, pp. 1041-1063 (1979). [3] Brown, R.A., Lauzon, M.L. and Frayne, R. "General Description of Linear Time-Frequency Transforms and Formulation of a Fast, Invertible Transform That Samples the Continuous S-Transform Spectrum Nonredundantly", IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing, 1:281-90 (2010).

Estimating leaf nitrogen accumulation in maize based on canopy hyperspectrum data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Xiaohe; Wang, Lizhi; Song, Xiaoyu; Xu, Xingang

2016-10-01

Leaf nitrogen accumulation (LNA) has important influence on the formation of crop yield and grain protein. Monitoring leaf nitrogen accumulation of crop canopy quantitively and real-timely is helpful for mastering crop nutrition status, diagnosing group growth and managing fertilization precisely. The study aimed to develop a universal method to monitor LNA of maize by hyperspectrum data, which could provide mechanism support for mapping LNA of maize at county scale. The correlations between LNA and hyperspectrum reflectivity and its mathematical transformations were analyzed. Then the feature bands and its transformations were screened to develop the optimal model of estimating LNA based on multiple linear regression method. The in-situ samples were used to evaluate the accuracy of the estimating model. Results showed that the estimating model with one differential logarithmic transformation (lgP') of reflectivity could reach highest correlation coefficient (0.889) with lowest RMSE (0.646 g·m-2), which was considered as the optimal model for estimating LNA in maize. The determination coefficient (R2) of testing samples was 0.831, while the RMSE was 1.901 g·m-2. It indicated that the one differential logarithmic transformation of hyperspectrum had good response with LNA of maize. Based on this transformation, the optimal estimating model of LNA could reach good accuracy with high stability.

78 FR 30391 - Notice of Applications for Modification of Special Permits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-22

... diameter of 1-\\1/ 2\\ inches maximum for 4131 seamless steel tubing cylinder. 10704-M Air Liquide America 49... with CGA Pamphlet C-23. 12122-M ARC Automotive, Inc., 49 CFR 173.301(h), To modify the and special...

Underground UXO: Are They a Significant Source of Explosives in Soil Compared to Low- and High-Order Detonations

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-12-01

steel in marine environments. Biofouling, 15(1– 3): 37–47. Videla, H.A. (2002) Prevention and control of biocorrosion . International Bio- deterioration...Prevention and control of biocorrosion . International Bio- deterioration and Biodegradation, 49(4): 259–270. Virtanen, S., and M. Buchler (2003

MASH test nos. 3-17 and 3-11 on a non-proprietary cable median barrier.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-11-01

The Midwest States Pooled Fund has been developing a new design for a non-proprietary high-tension cable median barrier. This new system incorporates four evenly spaced cables, Midwest Weak Posts (MWPs) spaced at 8 to 16 ft (2.4 to 4.9 m) intervals, ...

High-Yield Expression of M2e Peptide of Avian Influenza Virus H5N1 in Transgenic Duckweed Plants.

PubMed

Firsov, Aleksey; Tarasenko, Irina; Mitiouchkina, Tatiana; Ismailova, Natalya; Shaloiko, Lyubov; Vainstein, Alexander; Dolgov, Sergey

2015-07-01

Avian influenza is a major viral disease in poultry. Antigenic variation of this virus hinders vaccine development. However, the extracellular domain of the virus-encoded M2 protein (peptide M2e) is nearly invariant in all influenza A strains, enabling the development of a broad-range vaccine against them. Antigen expression in transgenic plants is becoming a popular alternative to classical expression methods. Here we expressed M2e from avian influenza virus A/chicken/Kurgan/5/2005(H5N1) in nuclear-transformed duckweed plants for further development of avian influenza vaccine. The N-terminal fragment of M2, including M2e, was selected for expression. The M2e DNA sequence fused in-frame to the 5' end of β-glucuronidase was cloned into pBI121 under the control of CaMV 35S promoter. The resulting plasmid was successfully used for duckweed transformation, and western analysis with anti-β-glucuronidase and anti-M2e antibodies confirmed accumulation of the target protein (M130) in 17 independent transgenic lines. Quantitative ELISA of crude protein extracts from these lines showed M130-β-glucuronidase accumulation ranging from 0.09-0.97 mg/g FW (0.12-1.96 % of total soluble protein), equivalent to yields of up to 40 μg M2e/g plant FW. This relatively high yield holds promise for the development of a duckweed-based expression system to produce an edible vaccine against avian influenza.

Microstructural Evolution During Cold Rolling and Subsequent Annealing in Low-Carbon Steel with Different Initial Microstructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ogawa, Toshio; Dannoshita, Hiroyuki; Maruoka, Kuniaki; Ushioda, Kohsaku

2017-08-01

Microstructural evolution during cold rolling and subsequent annealing of low-carbon steel with different initial microstructures was investigated from the perspective of the competitive phenomenon between recrystallization of ferrite and reverse phase transformation from ferrite to austenite. Three kinds of hot-rolled sheet specimens were prepared. Specimen P consisted of ferrite and pearlite, specimen B consisted of bainite, and specimen M consisted of martensite. The progress of recovery and recrystallization of ferrite during annealing was more rapid in specimen M than that in specimens P and B. In particular, the recrystallized ferrite grains in specimen M were fine and equiaxed. The progress of ferrite-to-austenite phase transformation during intercritical annealing was more rapid in specimen M than in specimens P and B. In all specimens, the austenite nucleation sites were mainly at high-angle grain boundaries, such as those between recrystallized ferrite grains. The austenite distribution was the most uniform in specimen M. Thus, we concluded that fine equiaxed recrystallized ferrite grains were formed in specimen M, leading to a uniform distribution of austenite.

How Does Abundance Affect the Strength of UV Emission in Elliptical Galaxies?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sonneborn, George (Technical Monitor); Brown, Thomas

2005-01-01

This program used the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) to observe elliptical galaxies with the intention of measuring the chemical abundances in their hot stellar populations. It was designed to complement an earlier FUSE program that observed elliptical galaxies with strong UV emission. The current program originally planned observations of two ellipticals with weak UV emission (M32 and M49). Once FUSE encountered pointing control problems in certain regions of the sky (particularly Virgo, which is very unfortunate for the study of ellipticals in general), M49 was replaced with the bulge of M31, which has a similar UV-to-optical flux ratio as the center of M49. As the closest elliptical galaxy and the one with the weakest UV-to-optical flux ratio, M32 was an obvious choice of target, but M49 was the ideal complementary target, because it has a very low reddening (unlike M32). With the inability of FUSE to point at Virgo, nearly all of the best elliptical galaxies (bright galaxies with low foreground extinction) were also lost, and this severely hampered three FUSE programs of the PI, all focused on the hot stellar populations of ellipticals. M31 was the best replacement for M49, but like M32, it suffers from significant foreground reddening. Strong Galactic ISM lines heavily contaminate the FUSE spectra of M31 and M32. These ISM lines are coincident with the photospheric lines from the stellar populations (whereas M49, with little foreground ISM and significant redshift, would not have suffered from this problem). We have reduced the faint (and thus difficult) data for M31 and M32, producing final co-added spectra representing all of the exposures, but we have not yet finished our analysis, due to the complication of the contaminating ISM. The silver lining here is the set of CHI lines at 1175 Angstroms, which are not significantly contaminated by the ISM. A comparison of the M31 spectrum with other galaxies observed by FEE showed a surprising result: the hot stars in M31 seem to have a similar carbon abundance to those stars in galaxies with much brighter UV emission. The fraction of these hot stars in a population should be a strong function of chemical abundances, so this finding warrants further exploration, and we are proceeding with our analysis. Because the UV emission in these galaxies comes from a population of extreme horizontal branch stars, the PI (Brown) presented this result at a June 2003 conference on such stars.

Ferrite grain refinement in low carbon Cu–P–Cr–Ni–Mo weathering steel at various temperatures in the (α + γ) region

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

Zhang, Chunling, E-mail: zhangchl@ysu.edu.cn; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401; Zhang, Mengmeng

2016-03-15

Self-designed Cu–P–Cr–Ni–Mo weathering steel was subjected to compression test to determine the mechanism of ferrite grain refinement from 750 °C to 925 °C. Optical microscopic images showed that ferrite grain size declined, whereas the ferrite volume fraction increased with increasing compression temperature. Electron backscatter diffraction patterns revealed that several low-angle boundaries shifted to high-angle boundaries, thereby generating fine ferrite grains surrounded by high-angle boundaries. Numerous low-angle boundaries were observed within ferrite grains at 750 °C, which indicated the existence of pre-eutectoid ferrite. Results showed that ferrite grain refinement could be due to continuous dynamic recrystallization at 750 °C and 775more » °C, and deformation-induced ferrite transformation could be the main mechanism at 800 °C and 850 °C. Fine equiaxed ferrite grains with size ranging from 1.77 μm to 2.69 μm were produced in the (α + γ) dual-phase region. - Graphical abstract: There is a close relationship between the microstructure evolution and flow curves during deformation. Fine equiaxed ferrite grains with size ranging from 1.77 μm to 2.69 μm were achieved in the (α + γ) dual-phase region. Ferrite grain refinement could be due to continuous dynamic recrystallization at 750 °C and 775 °C, and deformation-induced ferrite transformation at 800 °C and 850 °C. The occurrence of deformation-induced ferrite transformation and continuous dynamic recrystallization can be monitored by analysis of flow curves and microstructures. Deformation-induced ferrite transformation leads to the dynamic softening in flow curve when temperature just below A{sub r3}, while the dynamic softening in flow curve is ferrite continuous dynamic recrystallization (Special Fig. 5b). - Highlights: • Compression deformation was operated at temperatures from 750 °C to 925 °C at a strain rate of 0.1 s–1, and a strain of 1.2. • Fine equiaxed ferrite grains of ~1.77–2.19 μm were obtained at 750 °C and 775 °C via continuous dynamic recrystallization. • Ferrite grain size of ~2.31–2.69 μm at 800 °C and 850 °C can be obtained by deformation-induced ferrite transformation. • With decreasing deformation temperature the average grain size of ferrite decreased while volume fraction increased. • Ferrite refinement was from deformation-induced ferrite to continuous dynamic recrystallization as temperature reduced.« less

Effective shielding to measure beam current from an ion source

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

Bayle, H., E-mail: bayle@bergoz.com; Delferrière, O.; Gobin, R.

To avoid saturation, beam current transformers must be shielded from solenoid, quad, and RFQ high stray fields. Good understanding of field distribution, shielding materials, and techniques is required. Space availability imposes compact shields along the beam pipe. This paper describes compact effective concatenated magnetic shields for IFMIF-EVEDA LIPAc LEBT and MEBT and for FAIR Proton Linac injector. They protect the ACCT Current Transformers beyond 37 mT radial external fields. Measurements made at Saclay on the SILHI source are presented.

Transformation of the Surface Structure of Marble under the Action of a Shock Wave

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shcherbakov, I. P.; Vettegren, V. I.; Bashkarev, A. Ya.; Mamalimov, R. I.

2018-01-01

The structure of marble fracture fragments formed after the destruction under the action of a shock wave have been analyzed by Raman, infrared, and luminescence spectroscopic techniques. It has been found that calcite I in the surface layer of fragments with thicknesses of about 2 μm is transformed into high-pressure phase calcite III. At the same time, concentrations of Mn2+, Eu3+, and other ions decrease to about onefourth of their initial values.

Comparison of an oscillometric method with cardiac magnetic resonance for the analysis of aortic pulse wave velocity.

PubMed

Feistritzer, Hans-Josef; Reinstadler, Sebastian J; Klug, Gert; Kremser, Christian; Seidner, Benjamin; Esterhammer, Regina; Schocke, Michael F; Franz, Wolfgang-Michael; Metzler, Bernhard

2015-01-01

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is the proposed gold-standard for the assessment of aortic elastic properties. The aim of this study was to compare aortic PWV determined by a recently developed oscillometric device with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). PWV was assessed in 40 volunteers with two different methods. The oscillometric method (PWVOSC) is based on a transfer function from the brachial pressure waves determined by oscillometric blood pressure measurements with a common cuff (Mobil-O-Graph, I.E.M. Stolberg, Germany). CMR was used to determine aortic PWVCMR with the use of the transit time method based on phase-contrast imaging at the level of the ascending and abdominal aorta on a clinical 1.5 Tesla scanner (Siemens, Erlangen, Germany). The median age of the study population was 34 years (IQR: 24-55 years, 11 females). A very strong correlation was found between PWVOSC and PWVCMR (r = 0.859, p < 0.001). Mean PWVOSC was 6.7 ± 1.8 m/s and mean PWVCMR was 6.1 ± 1.8 m/s (p < 0.001). Analysis of agreement between the two measurements using Bland-Altman method showed a bias of 0.57 m/s (upper and lower limit of agreement: 2.49 m/s and -1.34 m/s). The corresponding coefficient of variation between both measurements was 15%. Aortic pulse wave velocity assessed by transformation of the brachial pressure waveform showed an acceptable agreement with the CMR-derived transit time method.

Preliminary analysis of the Nocturnal Atmospheric Boundary Layer during the experimental campaign CIBA 2008

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yagüe, C.; Maqueda, G.; Ramos, D.; Sastre, M.; Viana, S.; Serrano, E.; Morales, G.; Ayarzagüena, B.; Viñas, C.; Sánchez, E.

2009-04-01

An Atmospheric Boundary Layer campaign was developed in Spain along June 2008 at the CIBA (Research Centre for the Lower Atmosphere) site which is placed on a fairly homogeneous terrain in the centre of an extensive plateau (41°49' N, 4°56' W). Different instrumentation at several levels was available on a new 10m meteorological mast, including temperature and humidity sensors, wind vanes and cup anemometers, as well as one sonic anemometer. Besides, two quartz-based microbarometers were installed at 50 and 100m on the main permanent 100m tower placed at CIBA. Three additional microbarometers were deployed on the surface on a triangular array of approximately 200 m side, and a tethered balloon was used in order to record vertical profiles of temperature, wind and humidity up to 1000m. Finally, a GRIMM particle monitor (MODEL 365), which can be used to continuously measure each six seconds simultaneously the PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 values, was deployed at 1.5m. This work will show some preliminary results from the campaign CIBA 2008, analysing the main physical processes present in the atmospheric Nocturnal Boundary Layer (NBL), the different stability periods observed and the corresponding turbulent parameters, as well as the coherent structures detected. The pressure perturbations measured from the surface and tower levels make possible to study the main wave parameters from wavelet transform, and compared the structures detected by the microbarometers with those detected in the wind and particles records.

Phenotypic and molecular characterization of 5 novel CTX-M enzymes carried by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli.

PubMed

Cheng, Jun; Ye, Ying; Wang, Ying-ying; Li, Hui; Li, Xu; Li, Jia-bin

2008-02-01

The aim of the present study was to study the phenotypic and molecular characterization of 5 novel CTX-M-beta-1actamases carried by 5 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates and 3 Escherichia coli isolates collected from 4 hospitals in Hefei, China. The purified PCR products were ligated with pGEM-Teasy vectors, expressed, and sequenced. The complete genes of the CTX-M-beta-lactamases were ligated with the pHSG398 vector to express prokaryotic recombinant proteins. Plasmids were extracted by rapid alkaline lysis protocol, and the PCR method was performed to determine whether the prokaryotic expression was successful or not. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested and the phenotypes of transformants were determined according to criteria recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. The kinetic parameters of enzymes were confirmed. The isoelectric points (pI) were determined by isoelectric focusing assay. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and plasmid profiling were performed. The PCR products had 1101 nucleotides and were determined as CTX-M-46, CTX-M-47, CTX-M-48, CTX-M-49, and CTX-M-50. All strains were resistant to cefotaxime, but most of them were susceptible or intermediate to ceftazidime. The phenotypes of novel enzymes were determined as extended-spectrum-beta-lactamases (ESBL). Penicillin G, cephalothin, cefuroxime, and cefotaxime were determined to good substrates, whereas ceftazidime hydrolysis was not detected. The pI of the 5 novel CTX-M-beta-lactamases were 8.0. CTX-M-derivatives could be the multiplex genesis in our area. This is the first report of these 5 novel plasmid-mediated CTX-M ESBL produced from China in the world. Molecular typing reveals notably different origin in genes encoding different CTX-M variants of 8 strains.

The evaluation of physical properties of injection molded systems based on poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO).

PubMed

Pajander, Jari; Rensonnet, Alexia; Hietala, Sami; Rantanen, Jukka; Baldursdottir, Stefania

2017-02-25

The effect of product design parameters on the formation and properties of an injection molded solid dosage form consisting of poly(ethylene oxide)s (PEO) and two different active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) was studied. The product design parameters explored were melting temperature and the duration of melting, API loading degree and the molecular weight (M w ) of PEO. The solid form composition of the model APIs, theophylline and carbamazepine, was of specific interest, and its possible impact on the in vitro drug release behavior. M w of PEO had the greatest impact on the release rate of both APIs. High M w resulted in slower API release rate. Process temperature had two-fold effect with PEO 300,000g/mol. Firstly, higher process temperature transformed the crystalline part of the polymer into metastable folded form (more folded crystalline regions) and less into the more stable extended form (more extended crystalline regions), which lead to enhanced theophylline release rate. Secondly, the higher process temperature seemed to induce carbamazepine polymorphic transformation from p-monoclinic form III (carbamazepine (M)) into trigonal form II (carbamazepine (T)). The results indicated that the actual content of carbamazepine (T) affected drug release behavior more than the magnitude of transformation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Enhanced salt tolerance of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) by rstB gene transformation.

PubMed

Zhang, Wan-Jun; Wang, Tao

2015-05-01

Generating salt tolerance forage plant is essential for use of the land affected by high salinity. A salt tolerance gene rstB was used as a selectable marker gene in Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of tobacco under a selective regime of 170mM NaCl. The transgenic plants showed clear improvement in salt tolerance. To improve salt tolerance of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), rstB gene was introduced into alfalfa genome by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. No abnormal phenotype was observed among the transgenic plants when compared with wild type (wt) plants. Significant enhancement of resistance to salt-shock treatment was noted on the rstB transgenic (T0) plants. Transgenic second-generation (T1) seeds showed improved germination rate and seedling growth under salt-stress condition. Hindered Na(+) accumulation, but enhanced Ca(2+) accumulation was observed on the rstB T1 plants when subjected to salt-stresses. Enhanced calcium accumulation in transgenic plants was also verified by cytohistochemical localization of calcium. Under salt-stress of 50mM NaCl, about 15% of the transgenic plants finished their life-cycle but the wt plants had no flower formation. The results demonstrated that the expression of rstB gene improved salt tolerance in transgenic alfalfa. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Metabolic engineering of Pseudomonas putida for the utilization of parathion as a carbon and energy source.

PubMed

Walker, Andy W; Keasling, Jay D

2002-06-30

Pseudomonas putida KT2442 was engineered to use the organophosphate pesticide parathion, a compound similar to other organophosphate pesticides and chemical warfare agents, as a source of carbon and energy. The initial step in the engineered degradation pathway was parathion hydrolysis by organophosphate hydrolase (OPH) to p-nitrophenol (PNP) and diethyl thiophosphate, compounds that cannot be metabolized by P. putida KT2442. The gene encoding the native OPH (opd), with and without the secretory leader sequence, was cloned into broad-host-range plasmids under the control of tac and taclac promoters. Expression of opd from the tac promoter resulted in high OPH activity, whereas expression from the taclac promoter resulted in low activity. A plasmid-harboring operons encoding enzymes for p-nitrophenol transformation to beta-ketoadipate was transformed into P. putida allowing the organism to use 0.5 mM PNP as a carbon and energy source. Transformation of P. putida with the plasmids harboring opd and the PNP operons allowed the organism to utilize 0.8 mM parathion as a source of carbon and energy. Degradation studies showed that parathion formed a separate dense, non-aqueous phase liquid phase but was still bioavailable. Copyright 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Biosorption of lead phosphates by lead-tolerant bacteria as a mechanism for lead immobilization.

PubMed

Rodríguez-Sánchez, Viridiana; Guzmán-Moreno, Jesús; Rodríguez-González, Vicente; Flores-de la Torre, Juan Armando; Ramírez-Santoyo, Rosa María; Vidales-Rodríguez, Luz Elena

2017-08-01

The study of metal-tolerant bacteria is important for bioremediation of contaminated environments and development of green technologies for material synthesis due to their potential to transform toxic metal ions into less toxic compounds by mechanisms such as reduction, oxidation and/or sequestration. In this study, we report the isolation of seven lead-tolerant bacteria from a metal-contaminated site at Zacatecas, México. The bacteria were identified as members of the Staphylococcus and Bacillus genera by microscopic, biochemical and 16S rDNA analyses. Minimal inhibitory concentration of these isolates was established between 4.5 and 7.0 mM of Pb(NO 3 ) 2 in solid and 1.0-4.0 mM of Pb(NO 3 ) 2 in liquid media. A quantitative analysis of the lead associated to bacterial biomass in growing cultures, revealed that the percentage of lead associated to biomass was between 1 and 37% in the PbT isolates. A mechanism of complexation/biosorption of lead ions as inorganic phosphates (lead hydroxyapatite and pyromorphite) in bacterial biomass, was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses. Thus, the ability of the lead-tolerant isolates to transform lead ions into stable and highly insoluble lead minerals make them potentially useful for immobilization of lead in mining waste.

4-O-(1-carboxyethyl)-D-galactose. A new acidic sugar from the extracellular polysaccharide produced by Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens strain 49.

PubMed Central

Stack, R J; Stein, T M; Plattner, R D

1988-01-01

The structure of a new acidic sugar from the extracellular polysaccharide of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens strain 49 was determined as 4-O-(1-carboxyethyl)-D-galactose on the basis of 13C-n.m.r. and 1H-n.m.r. spectroscopy, m.s. and chemical degradation studies. PMID:3223950

Effect of Composition and Deformation on Coarse-Grained Austenite Transformation in Nb-Mo Microalloyed Steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Isasti, N.; Jorge-Badiola, D.; Taheri, M. L.; López, B.; Uranga, P.

2011-12-01

Thermomechanical processing of microalloyed steels containing niobium can be performed to obtain deformed austenite prior to transformation. Accelerated cooling can be employed to refine the final microstructure and, consequently, to improve both strength and toughness. This general rule is fulfilled if the transformation occurs on a quite homogeneous austenite microstructure. Nevertheless, the presence of coarse austenite grains before transformation in different industrial processes is a usual source of concern, and regarding toughness, the coarsest high-angle boundary units would determine its final value. Sets of deformation dilatometry tests were carried out using three 0.06 pct Nb microalloyed steels to evaluate the effect of Mo alloying additions (0, 0.16, and 0.31 pct Mo) on final transformation from both recrystallized and unrecrystallized coarse-grained austenite. Continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagrams were created, and detailed microstructural characterization was achieved through the use of optical microscopy (OM), field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEGSEM), and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). The resultant microstructures ranged from polygonal ferrite (PF) and pearlite (P) at slow cooling ranges to bainitic ferrite (BF) accompanied by martensite (M) for fast cooling rates. Plastic deformation of the parent austenite accelerated both ferrite and bainite transformation, moving the CCT curves to higher temperatures and shorter times. However, an increase in the final heterogeneity was observed when BF packets were formed, creating coarse high-angle grain boundary units.

Electrochemical transformation of trichloroethylene in aqueous solution by electrode polarity reversal.

PubMed

Rajic, Ljiljana; Fallahpour, Noushin; Yuan, Songhu; Alshawabkeh, Akram N

2014-12-15

Electrode polarity reversal is evaluated for electrochemical transformation of trichloroethylene (TCE) in aqueous solution using flow-through reactors with mixed metal oxide electrodes and Pd catalyst. The study tests the hypothesis that optimizing electrode polarity reversal will generate H2O2 in Pd presence in the system. The effect of polarity reversal frequency, duration of the polarity reversal intervals, current intensity and TCE concentration on TCE removal rate and removal mechanism were evaluated. TCE removal efficiencies under 6 cycles h(-1) were similar in the presence of Pd catalyst (50.3%) and without Pd catalyst (49.8%), indicating that Pd has limited impact on TCE degradation under these conditions. The overall removal efficacies after 60 min treatment under polarity reversal frequencies of 6, 10, 15, 30 and 90 cycles h(-1) were 50.3%, 56.3%, 69.3%, 34.7% and 23.4%, respectively. Increasing the frequency of polarity reversal increases TCE removal as long as sufficient charge is produced during each cycle for the reaction at the electrode. Electrode polarity reversal shifts oxidation/reduction and reduction/oxidation sequences in the system. The optimized polarity reversal frequency (15 cycles h(-1) at 60 mA) enables two reaction zones formation where reduction/oxidation occurs at each electrode surface. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Electrochemical transformation of trichloroethylene in aqueous solution by electrode polarity reversal

PubMed Central

Rajic, Ljiljana; Fallahpour, Noushin; Yuan, Songhu; Alshawabkeh, Akram N.

2014-01-01

Electrode polarity reversal is evaluated for electrochemical transformation of trichloroethylene (TCE) in aqueous solution using flow-through reactors with mixed metal oxide electrodes and Pd catalyst. The study tests the hypothesis that optimizing electrode polarity reversal will generate H2O2 in Pd presence in the system. The effect of polarity reversal frequency, duration of the polarity reversal intervals, current intensity and TCE concentration on TCE removal rate and removal mechanism were evaluated. TCE removal efficiencies under 6 cycles h−1 were similar in the presence of Pd catalyst (50.3%) and without Pd catalyst (49.8%), indicating that Pd has limited impact on TCE degradation under these conditions. The overall removal efficacies after 60 min treatment under polarity reversal frequencies of 6, 10, 15, 30 and 90 cycles h−1 were 50.3%, 56.3%, 69.3%, 34.7% and 23.4%, respectively. Increasing the frequency of polarity reversal increases TCE removal as long as sufficient charge is produced during each cycle for the reaction at the electrode. Electrode polarity reversal shifts oxidation/reduction and reduction/oxidation sequences in the system. The optimized polarity reversal frequency (15 cycles h−1 at 60 mA) enables two reaction zones formation where reduction/oxidation occurs at each electrode surface. PMID:25282093

40 CFR 49.9960 - Federally-promulgated regulations and Federal implementation plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... health or welfare. (k) Section 49.137Rule for air pollution episodes. (l) Section 49.138Rule for the registration of air pollution sources and the reporting of emissions. (m) Section 49.139Rule for non-Title V... AGENCY GRANTS AND OTHER FEDERAL ASSISTANCE INDIAN COUNTRY: AIR QUALITY PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT...

40 CFR 49.9960 - Federally-promulgated regulations and Federal implementation plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... health or welfare. (k) Section 49.137Rule for air pollution episodes. (l) Section 49.138Rule for the registration of air pollution sources and the reporting of emissions. (m) Section 49.139Rule for non-Title V... AGENCY GRANTS AND OTHER FEDERAL ASSISTANCE INDIAN COUNTRY: AIR QUALITY PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT...

40 CFR 49.9960 - Federally-promulgated regulations and Federal implementation plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... health or welfare. (k) Section 49.137Rule for air pollution episodes. (l) Section 49.138Rule for the registration of air pollution sources and the reporting of emissions. (m) Section 49.139Rule for non-Title V... AGENCY GRANTS AND OTHER FEDERAL ASSISTANCE INDIAN COUNTRY: AIR QUALITY PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT...

40 CFR 49.9960 - Federally-promulgated regulations and Federal implementation plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... health or welfare. (k) Section 49.137Rule for air pollution episodes. (l) Section 49.138Rule for the registration of air pollution sources and the reporting of emissions. (m) Section 49.139Rule for non-Title V... AGENCY GRANTS AND OTHER FEDERAL ASSISTANCE INDIAN COUNTRY: AIR QUALITY PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT...

Simple genetic transformation assay for rapid diagnosis of Moraxella osloensis.

PubMed

Juni, E

1974-01-01

A genetic transformation assay for unequivocal identification of strains of Moraxella osloensis is described. In this assay a stable tryptophan auxotroph is transformed to prototrophy by deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples from other strains of M. osloensis but not by DNA samples from unrelated bacteria. The test is simple to perform and definitive results can be obtained in less than 24 h. The procedure, which is suitable for routine diagnosis in a clinical laboratory, involves a rapid method for preparation of crude transforming DNA from small quantities of bacterial cells and permits simultaneous examination of large numbers of isolated cultures. The assay was shown to correctly identify 27 strains previously classified as M. osloensis. Forty-five other gram-negative, oxidase-positive, nonmotile coccobacilli, which might be confused with M. osloensis unless subject to more extensive testing, were shown to be unrelated genetically to M. osloensis. The transformation assay clearly distinguishes M. osloensis from Acinetobacter. Although most strains of M. osloensis are nonfastidious, being able to grow in a mineral medium supplemented with a single organic carbon source, one of the strains tested was only able to grow on fairly complex media and could not be transformed to grow on simple media. Inability to alkalize Simmons citrate agar was shown not to be characteristic of all strains of M. osloensis.

Simple Genetic Transformation Assay for Rapid Diagnosis of Moraxella osloensis

PubMed Central

Juni, Elliot

1974-01-01

A genetic transformation assay for unequivocal identification of strains of Moraxella osloensis is described. In this assay a stable tryptophan auxotroph is transformed to prototrophy by deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples from other strains of M. osloensis but not by DNA samples from unrelated bacteria. The test is simple to perform and definitive results can be obtained in less than 24 h. The procedure, which is suitable for routine diagnosis in a clinical laboratory, involves a rapid method for preparation of crude transforming DNA from small quantities of bacterial cells and permits simultaneous examination of large numbers of isolated cultures. The assay was shown to correctly identify 27 strains previously classified as M. osloensis. Forty-five other gram-negative, oxidase-positive, nonmotile coccobacilli, which might be confused with M. osloensis unless subject to more extensive testing, were shown to be unrelated genetically to M. osloensis. The transformation assay clearly distinguishes M. osloensis from Acinetobacter. Although most strains of M. osloensis are nonfastidious, being able to grow in a mineral medium supplemented with a single organic carbon source, one of the strains tested was only able to grow on fairly complex media and could not be transformed to grow on simple media. Inability to alkalize Simmons citrate agar was shown not to be characteristic of all strains of M. osloensis. Images PMID:4589126

Effect of Bromouracil-containing Deoxyribonucleic Acid on Bacillus subtilis

PubMed Central

Gimlin, Dixie M.; Hardman, Sue D.; Kelley, Betty N.; Butler, Grace C.; Leach, Franklin R.

1966-01-01

Gimlin, Dixie M. (Oklahoma State University, Stillwater), Sue D. Hardman, Betty N. Kelley, Grace C. Butler, and Franklin R. Leach. Effect of bromouracil-containing deoxyribonucleic acid on Bacillus subtilis. J. Bacteriol. 92:366–374. 1966.—Replacement of one-half of the thymine with bromouracil in Bacillus subtilis transforming deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) resulted in a slight decrease in transforming activity, but, when used at high concentrations, this DNA preparation inhibited cell growth. Acid-hydrolyzed DNA, or addition of equivalent concentrations of the free base bromouracil in a transforming mixture, was without effect on cell growth. Treatment of the DNA preparation with deoxyribonuclease completely destroyed transforming activity and killing effect, whereas treatments with ribonuclease and trypsin were without effect on either transformation or killing activity. Growth of competent B. subtilis cells in test tubes was inhibited by high concentrations of both normal and bromouracil-containing DNA, with the bromouracil-containing DNA being significantly more inhibitory. This type of inhibition was also reflected in the time of division of the cells. The inhibitory effect was not due to viscosity, or to mutagenicity. The time course of killing paralleled transformation, and competency was required. These results can be interpreted as being due to uptake of homologous but imperfect DNA (containing bromouracil instead of thymine) by means of the systems involved in transformation, followed by either integration (resulting in lethal transformation, activation of a defective, nonlytic but lethal prophage) or interference with the recombination mechanism. PMID:16562122

Transformation of aminopyrine in the presence of free available chlorine: Kinetics, products, and reaction pathways.

PubMed

Cai, Mei-Quan; Feng, Li; Zhang, Li-Qiu

2017-03-01

Aminopyrine (AMP) has been frequently detected in the aquatic environment. In this study, the transformation mechanism of AMP by free available chlorine (FAC) oxidation was investigated. The results showed that FAC reacted with AMP rapidly, and a 74% elimination was achieved for 1.30 μM AMP after 2 min at 14.08 μM FAC dose. AMP chlorination was strongly pH-dependent, and its reaction included second- and third-order kinetic processes. Three active FAC species, including chlorine monoxide (Cl 2 O), molecular chlorine (Cl 2 ), and hypochlorous acid (HOCl), were observed to contribute to AMP degradation. The intrinsic rate constants of each FAC species with neutral (AMP 0 ) and cation (AMP + ) species were obtained by kinetic fitting. Cl 2 O exhibited the highest reactivity with AMP 0 (k AMP0, Cl2O  = (4.33 ± 1.4) × 10 9  M -1 s -1 ). In addition, Cl 2 showed high reactivity (10 6 -10 7  M -1 s -1 ) in the presence of chloride, compared with HOCl (k AMP+, HOCl  = (5.73 ± 0.23) × 10 2  M -1 s -1 , k AMP0, HOCl  = (9.68 ± 0.96) × 10 2  M -1 s -1 ). At pH 6.15 and 14.08 μM FAC dose without chloride addition, the contribution of Cl 2 O reached to the maximum (33.3%), but in the whole pH range, HOCl was the main contributor (>66.6%) for AMP degradation. The significance of Cl 2 was noticeable in water containing chloride. Moreover, 11 transformation products were identified, and the main transformation pathways included pyrazole ring breakage, hydroxylation, dehydrogenation, and halogenation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Symmetry analysis of the behavior of the family R6M23 compounds upon hydrogenation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuna, Agnieszka; Sikora, Wiesława

2011-06-01

Symmetry analysis was applied in this work to discuss the behavior of the family R6M23 compounds upon hydrogenation (deuteration), where different structural transformations and magnetic properties, depending on the type of R and M atoms and hydrogen (deuterium) concentrations, have been found. The crystallographic structure of these compounds is described by the Fm3m space group and contain 116 atoms per unit cell occupying the positions 24e(R), 4b, 24d, 32f1 and 32f2(M). Additionally in the elementary cell, there could be up to 100 atoms of hydrogen (or deuterium) occupying the interstitial positions 4a, 32f3, 96j1 and 96k1. The symmetry analysis in the frame of the theory of space groups and their representation gives the opportunity to find all possible transformations from high symmetry parent structure to the structures with symmetry belonging to one of its subgroups. For a given transformation it indicates possible displacements of atoms from initial positions in the parent structure, ordering of hydrogen over interstitial sites and also ordering of magnetic moments, described by the smallest possible number of free parameters. The analysis was carried out by means of the MODY computer program for vectors k = (0; 0; 0) and k = (0; 0; 1) describing the changes of translational symmetry and all positions occupied by the R, M and D atoms.

Determination of Spectroscopic Properties of Atmospheric Molecules from High Resolution Vacuum Ultraviolet Cross Section and Wavelength Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parkinson, W. H.; Yoshino, K.

1997-01-01

An account is given of progress during the period 8/l/96-7/31/97 on work on (a) cross section measurements of O2 S-R using a Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) at the Photon Factory in Japan; (b) the determination of the predissociation linewidths of the Schumann-Runge bands (S-R) of 02; (c) cross section measurements of 02 Herzberg bands using a Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) at Imperial College; and (d) cross section measurements of H2O in the wavelength region 120-188 nm. The experimental investigations are effected at high resolution with a 6.65 m scanning spectrometer and with the Fourier transform spectrometer. Below 175 nm, synchrotron radiation is most suitable for cross section measurements in combination with spectrometers at the Photon Factory Japan. Cross section measurements of the Doppler limited bands depend on using the very high resolution, available with the Fourier transform spectrometer, (0.025/cm resolution). All of these spectroscopic measurements are needed for accurate calculations of the production of atomic oxygen, the penetration of solar radiation into the Earth's atmosphere, and photochemistry of minor molecules.

Supernova Remnant W49B and Its Environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, H.; Tian, W. W.; Zuo, P.

2014-10-01

We study gamma-ray supernova remnant (SNR) W49B and its environment using recent radio and infrared data. Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph low resolution data of W49B shows shocked excitation lines of H2 (0,0) S(0)-S(7) from the SNR-molecular cloud interaction. The H2 gas is composed of two components with temperatures of ~260 K and ~1060 K, respectively. Various spectral lines from atomic and ionic particles are detected toward W49B. We suggest that the ionic phase has an electron density of ~500 cm-3 and a temperature of ~104 K by the spectral line diagnoses. The mid- and far-infrared data from MSX, Spitzer, and Herschel reveal a 151 ± 20 K hot dust component with a mass of 7.5 ± 6.6 × 10-4 M ⊙ and a 45 ± 4 K warm dust component with a mass of 6.4 ± 3.2 M ⊙. The hot dust is likely from materials swept up by the shock of W49B. The warm dust may possibly originate from the evaporation of clouds interacting with W49B. We build the H I absorption spectra of W49B and four nearby H II regions (W49A, G42.90+0.58, G42.43-0.26, and G43.19-0.53) and study the relation between W49B and the surrounding molecular clouds by employing the 2.12 μm infrared and CO data. We therefore obtain a kinematic distance of ~10 kpc for W49B and suggest that the remnant is likely associated with the CO cloud at about 40 km s-1.

Dynamics of Transformation from Platinum Icosahedral Nanoparticles to Larger FCC Crystal at Millisecond Time Resolution

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

Gao, Wenpei; Wu, Jianbo; Yoon, Aram

Atomic motion at grain boundaries is essential to microstructure development, growth and stability of catalysts and other nanostructured materials. However, boundary atomic motion is often too fast to observe in a conventional transmission electron microscope (TEM) and too slow for ultrafast electron microscopy. We report on the entire transformation process of strained Pt icosahedral nanoparticles (ICNPs) into larger FCC crystals, captured at 2.5 ms time resolution using a fast electron camera. Results show slow diffusive dislocation motion at nm/s inside ICNPs and fast surface transformation at μm/s. By characterizing nanoparticle strain, we show that the fast transformation is driven bymore » inhomogeneous surface stress. And interaction with pre-existing defects led to the slowdown of the transformation front inside the nanoparticles. Particle coalescence, assisted by oxygen-induced surface migration at T ≥ 300°C, also played a critical role. Thus by studying transformation in the Pt ICNPs at high time and spatial resolution, we obtain critical insights into the transformation mechanisms in strained Pt nanoparticles.« less

Factors determining extreme brain natriuretic peptide elevation.

PubMed

Guglin, Maya; Hourani, Rayan; Pitta, Sridevi

2007-01-01

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level is elevated in heart failure and reflects its severity. It is unknown why some patients have extremely high BNP levels. The authors retrospectively reviewed data on 179 consecutive patients whose BNP levels fell within one of several predetermined ranges: mild elevation, 500 to 1000 pg/mL (n=82); moderate elevation, 2000 to 3000 pg/mL (n=48); and high elevation, 4000 to 20,000 pg/mL (n=49). The statistical analysis was conducted with the unpaired t test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Adjustments were made for age, sex, and serum creatinine level. Patients with moderate BNP elevation were more symptomatic and had more advanced structural and hemodynamic changes than did patients with lower BNP elevation. Characteristics of the high BNP level group did not differ from those of the moderate BNP level group. Serum creatinine level correlated with BNP level, but neither age nor sex did. High BNP level (4000-20,000 pg/mL) is determined more by renal dysfunction than by the severity of heart failure.

Human papillomavirus types detected in skin warts and cancer differ in their transforming properties but commonly counteract UVB induced protective responses in human keratinocytes

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

Shterzer, Naama; Heyman, Dariya; Shapiro, Beny

In the present study, E6E7 and E6 proteins of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) associated with skin warts and cancer were compared for their transforming and carcinogenic abilities in primary human keratinocytes (PHKs). We show that E6E7 of cancer associated beta HPV types, notably 49 and 24, were able to extend the life span and enhance the clonogenic efficiency of PHKs when maintained in serum free/low calcium medium. Activities of the beta HPV E6E7 were lower than those of HPV16 E6E7. In contrast, E6 proteins from HPV types detected in skin warts or cancer, notably 10, 49 and 38, attenuated UVB inducedmore » protective responses in PHKs including cell death, proliferation arrest and accumulation of the proapoptotic proteins, p53, bax or bak. Together, this investigation revealed functional differences and commonalities between HPVs associated with skin warts and cancer, and allowed the identification of specific properties of beta HPVs supporting their involvement in skin carcinogenesis. - Highlights: • Primary keratinocytes were used to evaluate transforming and carcinogenic abilities of cutaneous HPVs. • E6E7 of cancer associated β HPV types transform primary human keratinocytes. • E6 proteins of cancer and wart associated HPVs inhibit UVB induced cell death. • E6s of cancer and wart associated HPVs attenuate UVB induced proliferation arrest. • E6s of cancer and wart associated HPVs attenuate UVB induced apoptosis signaling.« less

Hydroxyapatite synthesis using EDTA

PubMed Central

Kang, Nak Heon; Kim, Soon Je; Song, Seung Han; Choi, Sang mun; Choi, Sik Young; Kim, Youn Jung

2013-01-01

Bone comprises structure of body and is consisted of inorganic substances. It exists in an organic structure in the body. Even though it is firm and has self healing mechanism, it can be damaged by trauma, cancer, or bone diseases. Allograft can be an alternative solution for autologous bone graft. Hydroxyapatite(Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2), an excellent candidate for allograft, can be applied to bone defect area. There are several methods to produce hydroxyapatite, however economical cost and time consuming make the production difficult. In this study we synthesized the hydroxyapatite with Ethyenediamine tetraacetic acid. Freeze Dried Bone Allograft(Hans Biomed) was used to be a control group. Synthesized hydroxyapatite was a rod shape, white powdery type substance with 2 ~ 5 μm length and 0.5 ~ 1 μm width. X-ray diffraction showed the highest sharp peak at 32° and high peaks at 25.8°, 39.8°, 46.8°, 49.5°, and 64.0° indicating a similar substance to the freeze Dried Bone Allograft. 3 days after the cell growth of synthesized hydroxyapatite showed 1.5 fold more than the Bone Allograft. Cellular and media alkaline phosphate activity increased similar to the bone alloagraft. In this study we came up with a new method to produce the hydroxyapatite. It is a convenient method that can be held in room temperature and low pressure. Also the the product can be manufactured in large quantity. It can be also transformed into scaffold structure which will perform a stronger configuration. The manufacturing method will help the bony defect patients and make future medical products. PMID:23714942

A Miniature Fiber-Optic Sensor for High-Resolution and High-Speed Temperature Sensing in Ocean Environment

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-11-05

the SMF is superior when it comes to remote sensing in far and deep ocean. As an initial test , the real-time temperature structure within the water...4 ℃. The high resolution guarantees the visualization of subtle variation in the local water. To test the response time of the proposed sensor, the... Honey , "Optical trubulence in the sea," in Underwater Photo-optical Instrumentation Applications SPIE, 49-55 (1972). [6] J. D. Nash, D. R. Caldwell, M

Modeling and Optimization of Shaped Charge Liner Collapse and Jet Formation

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-01-01

Properties of Chemical Explosives and Explosive Simulants," Technical Report UCRL -52997, University of California, CA, 1981. 22. Mader, C. L., "FORTRAN...Numerical Modeling of Detonations, University of California Press, CA, 19,9. 49. Wilkens, M. L., "The Equation of State of PBX 9404 and LX04-01 ," Report UCRL ...of High Explosive Detonation Products, Report UCRL -50422, University of Califor- nia, CA, 1968. 51. Green, L. G.; Traver, C. M.; and Erskine, D. J

Nozzle Modifications for High-Reynolds-Number Quiet Flow in the Boeing/AFOSR Mach-6 Quiet Tunnel

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-12-01

n (% ) y = 0.0 cm y ...results of turbulent bursts. 49 60 70 80 90 100 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 Contraction pressure (psia) P ito t p re ss ur e rm s/ m ea n (% ) y ...rough- ness height T Temperature t time y radial location ( y = 0 along centerline) z axial location (z = 0 at throat and 2.590 m at end of Section 8)

Arsenite induces cell transformation by reactive oxygen species, AKT, ERK1/2, and p70S6K1

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

Carpenter, Richard L.; Jiang, Yue; Jing, Yi

2011-10-28

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Chronic exposure to arsenite induces cell proliferation and transformation. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Arsenite-induced transformation increases ROS production and downstream signalings. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Inhibition of ROS levels via catalase reduces arsenite-induced cell transformation. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Interruption of AKT, ERK, or p70S6K1 inhibits arsenite-induced cell transformation. -- Abstract: Arsenic is naturally occurring element that exists in both organic and inorganic formulations. The inorganic form arsenite has a positive association with development of multiple cancer types. There are significant populations throughout the world with high exposure to arsenite via drinking water. Thus, human exposure to arsenic has become a significant public health problem. Recent evidencemore » suggests that reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediate multiple changes to cell behavior after acute arsenic exposure, including activation of proliferative signaling and angiogenesis. However, the role of ROS in mediating cell transformation by chronic arsenic exposure is unknown. We found that cells chronically exposed to sodium arsenite increased proliferation and gained anchorage-independent growth. This cell transformation phenotype required constitutive activation of AKT, ERK1/2, mTOR, and p70S6K1. We also observed these cells constitutively produce ROS, which was required for the constitutive activation of AKT, ERK1/2, mTOR, and p70S6K1. Suppression of ROS levels by forced expression of catalase also reduced cell proliferation and anchorage-independent growth. These results indicate cell transformation induced by chronic arsenic exposure is mediated by increased cellular levels of ROS, which mediates activation of AKT, ERK1/2, and p70S6K1.« less

Differential DNA methylation profile of key genes in malignant prostate epithelial cells transformed by inorganic arsenic or cadmium.

PubMed

Pelch, Katherine E; Tokar, Erik J; Merrick, B Alex; Waalkes, Michael P

2015-08-01

Previous work shows altered methylation patterns in inorganic arsenic (iAs)- or cadmium (Cd)-transformed epithelial cells. Here, the methylation status near the transcriptional start site was assessed in the normal human prostate epithelial cell line (RWPE-1) that was malignantly transformed by 10μM Cd for 11weeks (CTPE) or 5μM iAs for 29weeks (CAsE-PE), at which time cells showed multiple markers of acquired cancer phenotype. Next generation sequencing of the transcriptome of CAsE-PE cells identified multiple dysregulated genes. Of the most highly dysregulated genes, five genes that can be relevant to the carcinogenic process (S100P, HYAL1, NTM, NES, ALDH1A1) were chosen for an in-depth analysis of the DNA methylation profile. DNA was isolated, bisulfite converted, and combined bisulfite restriction analysis was used to identify differentially methylated CpG sites, which was confirmed with bisulfite sequencing. Four of the five genes showed differential methylation in transformants relative to control cells that was inversely related to altered gene expression. Increased expression of HYAL1 (>25-fold) and S100P (>40-fold) in transformants was correlated with hypomethylation near the transcriptional start site. Decreased expression of NES (>15-fold) and NTM (>1000-fold) in transformants was correlated with hypermethylation near the transcriptional start site. ALDH1A1 expression was differentially expressed in transformed cells but was not differentially methylated relative to control. In conclusion, altered gene expression observed in Cd and iAs transformed cells may result from altered DNA methylation status. Published by Elsevier Inc.

The growth mechanism of grain boundary carbide in Alloy 690

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

Li, Hui, E-mail: huili@shu.edu.cn; Institute of Materials, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072; Xia, Shuang

2013-07-15

The growth mechanism of grain boundary M{sub 23}C{sub 6} carbides in nickel base Alloy 690 after aging at 715 °C was investigated by high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The grain boundary carbides have coherent orientation relationship with only one side of the matrix. The incoherent phase interface between M{sub 23}C{sub 6} and matrix was curved, and did not lie on any specific crystal plane. The M{sub 23}C{sub 6} carbide transforms from the matrix phase directly at the incoherent interface. The flat coherent phase interface generally lies on low index crystal planes, such as (011) and (111) planes. The M{sub 23}C{submore » 6} carbide transforms from a transition phase found at curved coherent phase interface. The transition phase has a complex hexagonal crystal structure, and has coherent orientation relationship with matrix and M{sub 23}C{sub 6}: (111){sub matrix}//(0001){sub transition}//(111){sub carbide}, <112{sup ¯}>{sub matrix}//<21{sup ¯}10>{sub transition}//<112{sup ¯}>{sub carbide}. The crystal lattice constants of transition phase are c{sub transition}=√(3)×a{sub matrix} and a{sub transition}=√(6)/2×a{sub matrix}. Based on the experimental results, the growth mechanism of M{sub 23}C{sub 6} and the formation mechanism of transition phase are discussed. - Highlights: • A transition phase was observed at the coherent interfaces of M{sub 23}C{sub 6} and matrix. • The transition phase has hexagonal structure, and is coherent with matrix and M{sub 23}C{sub 6}. • The M{sub 23}C{sub 6} transforms from the matrix directly at the incoherent phase interface.« less

Diverse Electron and Ion Acceleration Characteristics Observed Over Jupiter's Main Aurora

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mauk, B. H.; Haggerty, D. K.; Paranicas, C.; Clark, G.; Kollmann, P.; Rymer, A. M.; Peachey, J. M.; Bolton, S. J.; Levin, S. M.; Adriani, A.; Allegrini, F.; Bagenal, F.; Bonfond, B.; Connerney, J. E. P.; Ebert, R. W.; Gladstone, G. R.; Kurth, W. S.; McComas, D. J.; Ranquist, D.; Valek, P.

2018-02-01

Two new Juno-observed particle features of Jupiter's main aurora demonstrate substantial diversity of processes generating Jupiter's mysterious auroral emissions. It was previously speculated that sometimes-observed potential-driven aurora (up to 400 kV) can turn into broadband stochastic acceleration (dominating at Jupiter) by means of instability. Here direct evidence for such a process is revealed with a "mono-energetic" electron inverted-V rising in energy to 200 keV, transforming into a region of broadband acceleration with downward energy fluxes tripling to 3,000 mW/m2, and then transforming back into a mono-energetic structure ramping down from 200 keV. But a second feature of interest observed nearby is unlikely to have operated in the same way. Here a downward accelerated proton inverted-V, with inferred potentials to 300-400 kV, occurred simultaneously with downward accelerated broadband electrons with downward energy fluxes as high as any observed ( 3,000 mW/m2). This latter feature has no known precedent with Earth auroral observations.

Quantification of Epstein-Barr virus DNA load, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, transforming growth factor-beta1 and stem cell factor in plasma of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

PubMed

Tan, Eng-lai; Selvaratnam, G; Kananathan, R; Sam, Choon-kook

2006-09-24

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common epithelial neoplasm among the Chinese populations in Southern China and South East Asia. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is known to be an important etiologic agent of NPC and the viral gene products are frequently detected in NPC tissues along with elevated antibody titres to the viral proteins (VCA and EA) in a majority of patients. Elevated plasma EBV DNA load is regarded as an important marker for the presence of the disease and for the monitoring of disease progression. However, other serum/plasma parameters such as the levels of certain interleukins and growth factors have also been implicated in NPC. The objectives of the present study are, 1) to investigate the correlations between plasma EBV DNA load and the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, TGF-beta1 and SCF (steel factor) and 2) to relate these parameters to the stages of NPC and the effect of treatment. A total of 78 untreated NPC patients were enrolled in this study. Of these, 51 were followed-up after treatment. The remaining patients had irregular or were lost to follow-up. Plasma EBV DNA was quantified using real-time quantitative PCR. The levels of plasma interleukins and growth factors were quantified using ELISA. A significant decrease in EBV DNA load was detected in plasma of untreated NPC patients (1669 +/- 637 copies/mL; n = 51) following treatment (57 +/- 37 copies/mL, p < 0.05); n = 51). Plasma EBV DNA load was shown to be a good prognosticator for disease progression and clinical outcome in five of the follow-up patients. A significant difference in IL-6 levels was noted between the untreated patients (164 +/- 37 pg/mL; n = 51) and following treatment (58 +/- 16 pg/mL, p < 0.05; n = 51). Positive correlations between EBV DNA load and IL-10 (r(49) = 0.535, p < 0.01), between IL6 and IL-10 (r(49) = 0.474, p < 0.01) and between TGF and SCF (r(49) = 0.464, p < 0.01) were observed in patients following treatment. None of the parameters tested including IgA-VCA were associated with tumour stages. We conclude that among the parameters investigated, EBV DNA load and IL-6 levels were promising markers for the presence of NPC and for the assessment of treatment outcome.

Bibliography of Soviet Laser Developments, Number 75, January - February 1985.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-05-01

Tezisy dokladov. GKNT, MNTSPLT, NITsTLAN. Moskva, Nauka, 1985, 53. 168. Belyy, M.U.; Baran, V.M.; Kononchuk, G.L.; Yakunov , A.V. (KGU). Transfer of...YAKUNIN V P 95 UZDENSKIY A B 49 VITKUS K 49 YAKUNOV A V 22 UZHINOV B M 5 VITYUKOV V V 103 YAKUSHEV A A 7 tZUNBADZNAISOV A S 5,89 VIZEV F L 40 YANSHCHIKOV

49 CFR 325.73 - Microphone distance correction factors. 1

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... the observed sound level reading is— 31 feet (9.5 m) or more but less than 35 feet (10.7 m) −4 35 feet... more but less than 83 feet (25.3 m) +2 [40 FR 42437, Sept. 12, 1975, as amended at 54 FR 50385, Dec. 6... 49 Transportation 5 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Microphone distance correction factors. 1 325.73...

49 CFR 325.73 - Microphone distance correction factors. 1

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... the observed sound level reading is— 31 feet (9.5 m) or more but less than 35 feet (10.7 m) −4 35 feet... more but less than 83 feet (25.3 m) +2 [40 FR 42437, Sept. 12, 1975, as amended at 54 FR 50385, Dec. 6... 49 Transportation 5 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Microphone distance correction factors. 1 325.73...

49 CFR 325.73 - Microphone distance correction factors. 1

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... the observed sound level reading is— 31 feet (9.5 m) or more but less than 35 feet (10.7 m) −4 35 feet... more but less than 83 feet (25.3 m) +2 [40 FR 42437, Sept. 12, 1975, as amended at 54 FR 50385, Dec. 6... 49 Transportation 5 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Microphone distance correction factors. 1 325.73...

Analysis of the Cost of Late Contractor Delivery

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-09-01

9.99 10.99 90.91 O.OO 19.M 0.00 •459.90 TM9.99 •030.14 ■909.49 9949.99 9M1.09 •931.90 B0O4.97 103M .71 49M.T9 O.119399 o.oooooo...UAWUSDNC FMPMCUOO SYSIQIMPUT ■fmum ttCONOUMtN RSFNO10 OLY RH KX£Wt RtQUESI ADOHNTO KSPOND 11 Center, little effort is expended working a late

Electrically driven hybrid Si/III-V Fabry-Pérot lasers based on adiabatic mode transformers.

PubMed

Ben Bakir, B; Descos, A; Olivier, N; Bordel, D; Grosse, P; Augendre, E; Fulbert, L; Fedeli, J M

2011-05-23

We report the first demonstration of an electrically driven hybrid silicon/III-V laser based on adiabatic mode transformers. The hybrid structure is formed by two vertically superimposed waveguides separated by a 100-nm-thick SiO2 layer. The top waveguide, fabricated in an InP/InGaAsP-based heterostructure, serves to provide optical gain. The bottom Si-waveguides system, which supports all optical functions, is constituted by two tapered rib-waveguides (mode transformers), two distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) and a surface-grating coupler. The supermodes of this hybrid structure are controlled by an appropriate design of the tapers located at the edges of the gain region. In the middle part of the device almost all the field resides in the III-V waveguide so that the optical mode experiences maximal gain, while in regions near the III-V facets, mode transformers ensure an efficient transfer of the power flow towards Si-waveguides. The investigated device operates under quasi-continuous wave regime. The room temperature threshold current is 100 mA, the side-mode suppression ratio is as high as 20 dB, and the fiber-coupled output power is ~7 mW.

A Mechanism of Unidirectional Transformation, Leading to Antibiotic Resistance, Occurs within Nasopharyngeal Pneumococcal Biofilm Consortia.

PubMed

Lattar, Santiago M; Wu, Xueqing; Brophy, Jennifer; Sakai, Fuminori; Klugman, Keith P; Vidal, Jorge E

2018-05-15

Streptococcus pneumoniae acquires genes for resistance to antibiotics such as streptomycin (Str) or trimethoprim (Tmp) by recombination via transformation of DNA released by other pneumococci and closely related species. Using naturally transformable pneumococci, including strain D39 serotype 2 (S2) and TIGR4 (S4), we studied whether pneumococcal nasopharyngeal transformation was symmetrical, asymmetrical, or unidirectional. Incubation of S2 Tet and S4 Str in a bioreactor simulating the human nasopharynx led to the generation of Spn Tet/Str recombinants. Double-resistant pneumococci emerged soon after 4 h postinoculation at a recombination frequency (rF) of 2.5 × 10 -4 while peaking after 8 h at a rF of 1.1 × 10 -3 Acquisition of antibiotic resistance genes by transformation was confirmed by treatment with DNase I. A high-throughput serotyping method demonstrated that all double-resistant pneumococci belonged to one serotype lineage (S2 Tet/Str ) and therefore that unidirectional transformation had occurred. Neither heterolysis nor availability of DNA for transformation was a factor for unidirectional transformation given that the density of each strain and extracellular DNA (eDNA) released from both strains were similar. Unidirectional transformation occurred regardless of the antibiotic-resistant gene carried by donors or acquired by recipients and regardless of whether competence-stimulating peptide-receptor cross talk was allowed. Moreover, unidirectional transformation occurred when two donor strains (e.g., S4 Str and S19F Tmp ) were incubated together, leading to S19F Str/Tmp but at a rF 3 orders of magnitude lower (4.9 × 10 -6 ). We finally demonstrated that the mechanism leading to unidirectional transformation was due to inhibition of transformation of the donor by the recipient. IMPORTANCE Pneumococcal transformation in the human nasopharynx may lead to the acquisition of antibiotic resistance genes or genes encoding new capsular variants. Antibiotics and vaccines are currently putting pressure on a number of strains, leading to an increase in antibiotic resistance and serotype replacement. These pneumococcal strains are also acquiring virulence traits from vaccine types via transformation. In this study, we recapitulated multiple-strain colonization with strains carrying a resistance marker and selected for those acquiring resistance to two or three antibiotics, such as would occur in the human nasopharynx. Strains acquiring dual and triple resistance originated from one progenitor, demonstrating that transformation was unidirectional. Unidirectional transformation was the result of inhibition of transformation of donor strains. Unidirectional transformation has implications for the understanding of acquisition patterns of resistance determinants or capsule-switching events. Copyright © 2018 Lattar et al.

Summaries of Papers presented at the Picosecond Electronics and Optoelectronics Topical Meeting Held in Incline Village, Nevada on January 14-16, 1987. Conference Edition.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-10-10

Invted Paper) Yen, Hughes Research Laboratories. Design and fabrica- FA1 Hgh-Spmd Phenomena In GaAs Quantum Wells, A. tion of wideband and high-speed...App!. Phys., 49 1119�). 5. A.M. Johnson, D.I. Auston, P.R. Smith, J.C. Dean, i.P. Harbison, and D. Kaplan ,r "Picosecond Photoconductivity in...JANUARY 16, 1987 PROSPECTOR! RUBICON ROOM 8:00 A.M.-9:30 A.M. FA1 -4 QUANTUM-WELL PHYSICS AND DEVICES C. Weisbuch, Thomson CSF, Presider .4

Large-Scale Deformation and Uplift Associated with Serpentinization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Germanovich, L. N.; Lowell, R. P.; Smith, J. E.

2014-12-01

Geologic and geophysical data suggest that partially serpentinized peridotites and serpentinites are a significant part of the oceanic lithosphere. All serpentinization reactions are exothermic and result in volume expansion as high as 40%. Volume expansion beneath the seafloor will lead to surface uplift and elevated stresses in the neighborhood of the region undergoing serpentinization. The serpentinization-induced stresses are likely to result in faulting or tensile fracturing that promote the serpentinization process by creating new permeability and allowing fluid access to fresh peridotite. To explore these issues, we developed a first-order model of crustal deformation by considering an inclusion undergoing transformation strain in an elastic half-space. Using solutions for inclusions of different shapes, orientations, and depths, we calculate the surface uplift and mechanical stresses generated by the serpentinization processes. We discuss the topographic features at the TAG hydrothermal field (Mid-Atlantic Ridge, 26°N), uplift of the Miyazaki Plain (Southwestern Japan), and tectonic history of the Atlantic Massif (inside corner high of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, 30°N, and the Atlantis Transform Fault). Our analysis suggests that an anomalous salient of 3 km in diameter and 100 m high at TAG may have resulted from approximately 20% transformational strain in a region beneath the footwall of the TAG detachment fault. This serpentinization process tends to promote slip along some overlying normal faults, which may then enhance fluid pathways to the deeper crust to continue the serpentinization process. The serpentinization also favors slip and seismicity along the antithetic faults identified below the TAG detachment fault. Our solution for the Miyazaki Plain above the Kyushu-Palau subduction zone explains the observed uplift of 120 m, but the transformational strain needs only be 3%. Transformational strains associated with serpentinization in this region may promote thrust-type events in the aseismic slip zone near the upper boundary of the subducting Philippine Sea Plate. Thermal effects of serpentinization in both regions are small.

Discriminating the biophysical impacts of coastal upwelling and mud banks along the southwest coast of India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karnan, C.; Jyothibabu, R.; Arunpandi, N.; Jagadeesan, L.; Muraleedharan, K. R.; Pratihari, A. K.; Balachandran, K. K.; Naqvi, S. W. A.

2017-08-01

Coastal upwelling and mud banks are two oceanographic processes concurrently operating along certain stretches of the southwest (Kerala) coast of India during the Southwest Monsoon period (June-September), facilitating significant enhancement in plankton biomass. Mud banks have scientific and societal attention from time immemorial, predominantly due to the large fisheries associated with them. In this paper, for the first time, the specific biophysical roles of these oceanographic processes have been discriminated, based on a focused 18 weekly/fortnightly time-series study (April to September 2014) in a mud bank-upwelling area (off Alappuzha, southwest coast of India). In conjunction with standard hydrographical and satellite remote sensing data, we utilised a FlowCAM to track the biophysical linkage in terms of plankton composition abundance and size structure at three locations (M1, M2 and M3) in the study area. During the Pre-Southwest Monsoon (April-May), the entire study area was warmer with low nitrate concentration in the surface waters, which caused lower biomass of autotrophs compared to the Southwest Monsoon (June-September). By the onset of the Southwest Monsoon (June), drastic hydrographical transformations took place in the study domain due to the Coastal upwelling, reflected as the surfacing of significantly cool, high nutrient and hypoxic waters. Concurrently, mud bank formed at location M2 due to the presence of relatively high-suspended sediments in the region, creating a localised calm environment conducive for fishing activities. In response to the hydrographical transformations in the entire study area during the Southwest Monsoon, the autotrophic plankton biomass and size structure experienced significant change. The micro-autotrophs biomass that was low during the Pre-Southwest Monsoon (av. 0.33 ± 0.2 mgC L- 1 at surface and av. 0.07 ± 0.04 mgC L- 1 at subsurface) noticeably increased during the Southwest Monsoon (av. 1.6 ± 0.4 mgC L- 1 at surface and av. 1.3 ± 0.2 mgC L- 1 at subsurface). The seasonal mean bio-volume of micro-autotrophs followed the same pattern in all three locations with the dominance of smaller individuals during the Pre-Southwest Monsoon (av. 55 ± 4.4 × 103 μm3 individual- 1 at surface and av. 67.1 ± 38.4 × 103 μm3 individual- 1 at subsurface). Relatively large phytoplankton dominated during the Southwest Monsoon (av. 77.3 ± 5.5 × 103 μm3 individual- 1 at surface and av. 90.3 ± 4.9 × 103 μm3 individual- 1 at subsurface). Similar spatial change in the plankton composition, biomass and size structure in all three locations suggested the dominant role of coastal upwelling, and not the mud bank, in shaping the dominant autotrophic plankton in the study domain. The nutrient enrichment in the region associated with the coastal upwelling facilitated the predominance of a classical short food chain capable of supporting large fish stocks. In addition to relatively calm mud bank, the hypoxic, cool upwelled waters that existed in the subsurface induce the fish stock to concentrate in the surface waters, making the relatively calm mud bank and adjoining areas a rich fishing ground for the native fishers.

49 CFR 572.193 - Neck assembly.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... or V2-B in appendix A to this subpart, to the 49 CFR Part 572 pendulum test fixture (Figure 22, 49... motion of the pendulum longitudinal centerline; (3) Release the pendulum from a height sufficient to achieve a velocity of 5.57 ±0.06 m/s measured at the center of the pendulum accelerometer, as shown in 49...

49 CFR 572.193 - Neck assembly.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... or V2-B in appendix A to this subpart, to the 49 CFR Part 572 pendulum test fixture (Figure 22, 49... motion of the pendulum longitudinal centerline; (3) Release the pendulum from a height sufficient to achieve a velocity of 5.57 ±0.06 m/s measured at the center of the pendulum accelerometer, as shown in 49...

49 CFR 572.193 - Neck assembly.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... or V2-B in appendix A to this subpart, to the 49 CFR Part 572 pendulum test fixture (Figure 22, 49... motion of the pendulum longitudinal centerline; (3) Release the pendulum from a height sufficient to achieve a velocity of 5.57 ±0.06 m/s measured at the center of the pendulum accelerometer, as shown in 49...

Canthaxanthin production with modified Mucor circinelloides strains.

PubMed

Papp, Tamás; Csernetics, Arpád; Nagy, Gábor; Bencsik, Ottó; Iturriaga, Enrique A; Eslava, Arturo P; Vágvölgyi, Csaba

2013-06-01

Canthaxanthin is a natural diketo derivative of β-carotene primarily used by the food and feed industries. Mucor circinelloides is a β-carotene-accumulating zygomycete fungus and one of the model organisms to study the carotenoid biosynthesis in fungi. In this study, the β-carotene ketolase gene (crtW) of the marine bacterium Paracoccus sp. N81106 fused with fungal promoter and terminator regions was integrated into the M. circinelloides genome to construct stable canthaxanthin-producing strains. Different transformation methods including polyethylene glycol-mediated transformation with linear DNA fragments, restriction enzyme-mediated integration and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation were tested to integrate the crtW gene into the Mucor genome. Mitotic stability, site of integration and copy number of the transferred genes were analysed in the transformants, and several stable strains containing the crtW gene in high copy number were isolated. Carotenoid composition of selected transformants and effect of culturing conditions, such as temperature, carbon sources and application of certain additives in the culturing media, on their carotenoid content were analysed. Canthaxanthin-producing transformants were able to survive at higher growth temperature than the untransformed strain, maybe due to the effect of canthaxanthin on the membrane fluidity and integrity. With the application of glucose, trehalose, dihydroxyacetone and L-aspartic acid as sole carbon sources in minimal medium, the crtW-expressing M. circinelloides strain, MS12+pCA8lf/1, produced more than 200 μg/g (dry mass) of canthaxanthin.

piggybac- and PhiC31-Mediated Genetic Transformation of the Asian Tiger Mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse)

PubMed Central

Labbé, Geneviève M. C.; Nimmo, Derric D.; Alphey, Luke

2010-01-01

Background The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse), is a vector of several arboviruses including dengue and chikungunya. This highly invasive species originating from Southeast Asia has travelled the world in the last 30 years and is now established in Europe, North and South America, Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean. In the absence of vaccine or antiviral drugs, efficient mosquito control strategies are crucial. Conventional control methods have so far failed to control Ae. albopictus adequately. Methodology/Principal Findings Germline transformation of Aedes albopictus was achieved by micro-injection of embryos with a piggyBac-based transgene carrying a 3xP3-ECFP marker and an attP site, combined with piggyBac transposase mRNA and piggyBac helper plasmid. Five independent transgenic lines were established, corresponding to an estimated transformation efficiency of 2–3%. Three lines were re-injected with a second-phase plasmid carrying an attB site and a 3xP3-DsRed2 marker, combined with PhiC31 integrase mRNA. Successful site-specific integration was observed in all three lines with an estimated transformation efficiency of 2–6%. Conclusions/Significance Both piggybac- and site-specific PhiC31-mediated germline transformation of Aedes albopictus were successfully achieved. This is the first report of Ae. albopictus germline transformation and engineering, a key step towards studying and controlling this species using novel molecular techniques and genetic control strategies. PMID:20808959

Multidimensional, mapping-based complex wavelet transforms.

PubMed

Fernandes, Felix C A; van Spaendonck, Rutger L C; Burrus, C Sidney

2005-01-01

Although the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) is a powerful tool for signal and image processing, it has three serious disadvantages: shift sensitivity, poor directionality, and lack of phase information. To overcome these disadvantages, we introduce multidimensional, mapping-based, complex wavelet transforms that consist of a mapping onto a complex function space followed by a DWT of the complex mapping. Unlike other popular transforms that also mitigate DWT shortcomings, the decoupled implementation of our transforms has two important advantages. First, the controllable redundancy of the mapping stage offers a balance between degree of shift sensitivity and transform redundancy. This allows us to create a directional, nonredundant, complex wavelet transform with potential benefits for image coding systems. To the best of our knowledge, no other complex wavelet transform is simultaneously directional and nonredundant. The second advantage of our approach is the flexibility to use any DWT in the transform implementation. As an example, we exploit this flexibility to create the complex double-density DWT: a shift-insensitive, directional, complex wavelet transform with a low redundancy of (3M - 1)/(2M - 1) in M dimensions. No other transform achieves all these properties at a lower redundancy, to the best of our knowledge. By exploiting the advantages of our multidimensional, mapping-based complex wavelet transforms in seismic signal-processing applications, we have demonstrated state-of-the-art results.

Maturing Weapon Systems for Improved Availability at Lower Costs

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-01-01

development of new measures of R&M performance and improved data collection and analysis capabilities . Innovations in automated data collection, including the...45 Capabilities Required to Implement Maturation Development ...... 45 Assess R&M Performance Accurately ....................... 46 Identify...Requirements Determination ...................................... 49 Capabilities of the Best Existing Databases ..................... 49 Data Elements Needed

Selective inhibition of CTCF binding by iAs directs TET-mediated reprogramming of 5-hydroxymethylation patterns in iAs-transformed cells

PubMed Central

Rea, Matthew; Gripshover, Tyler; Fondufe-Mittendorf, Yvonne

2017-01-01

Methylation at cytosine (5mC) is a fundamental epigenetic DNA modification recently associated with iAs-mediated carcinogenesis. In contrast, the role of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), the oxidation product of 5mC in iAs-mediated carcinogenesis is unknown. Here we assess the hydroxymethylome in iAs-transformed cells, showing that dynamic modulation of hydroxymethylated DNA is associated with specific transcriptional networks. Moreover, this pathologic iAs-mediated carcinogenesis is characterized by a shift toward a higher hydroxymethylation pattern genome-wide. At specific promoters, hydroxymethylation correlated with increased gene expression. Furthermore, this increase in hydroxymethylation occurs concurrently with an upregulation of ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes that oxidize 5-methylcytosine (5mC) in DNA. To gain an understanding into how iAs might impact TET expression, we found that iAs inhibits the binding of CTCF at the proximal, weak CTCF binding sites of the TET1 and TET2 gene promoters and enhances CTCF binding at the stronger distal binding site. Further analyses suggest that this distal site acts as an enhancer, thus high CTCF occupancy at the enhancer region of TET1 and TET2 possibly drives their high expression in iAs-transformed cells. These results have major implications in understanding the impact of differential CTCF binding, genome architecture and its consequences in iAs-mediated pathogenesis. PMID:29175454

Toxicity of dimethylmonothioarsinic acid toward human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells.

PubMed

Naranmandura, Hua; Ibata, Kenji; Suzuki, Kazuo T

2007-08-01

Chronic ingestion of arsenic-contaminated drinking water induces skin lesions and urinary bladder cancer in humans. It is now recognized that thioarsenicals such as dimethylmonothioarsinic acid (DMMTA (V)) are commonly excreted in the urine of humans and animals and that the production of DMMTA (V) may be a risk factor for the development of the diseases caused by arsenic. The toxicity of DMMTA (V) was compared with that of related nonthiolated arsenicals with respect to cell viability, uptake ability, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cell cycle progression of human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells, arsenate (iAs (V)), arsenite (iAs (III)), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA (V)), and dimethylarsinous acid (DMA (III)) being used as reference nonthiolated arsenicals. DMMTA (V) (LC 50 = 10.7 microM) was shown to be much more cytotoxic than iAs (V) (LC 50 = 571 microM) and DMA (V) (LC 50 = 843 microM), and its potency was shown to be close to that of trivalent arsenicals iAs (III) (LC 50 = 5.49 microM) and DMA (III) (LC 50 = 2.16 microM). The greater cytotoxicity of DMMTA (V) was associated with greater cellular uptake and distribution, and the level of intracellular ROS remarkably increased in A431 cells upon exposure to DMMTA (V) compared to that after exposure to other trivalent arsenicals at the respective LC 50. Exposure of DMMTA (V) to cells for 24 h induced cell cycle perturbation. Namely, the percentage of cells residing in S and G2/M phases increased from 10.2 and 15.6% to 46.5 and 20.8%, respectively. These results suggest that although DMMTA (V) is a pentavalent arsenical, it is taken up efficiently by cells and causes various levels of toxicity, in a manner different from that of nonthiolated pentavalent arsenicals, demonstrating that DMMTA (V) is one of the most toxic arsenic metabolites. The high cytotoxicity of DMMTA (V) was explained and/or proposed by (1) efficient uptake by cells followed by (2) its transformation to DMA (V), (3) producing ROS in the redox equilibrium between DMA (V) and DMA (III) in the presence of glutathione.

Ferroelasticity in the LnNbO/sub 4/-type rare earth niobates

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

Brixner, L.H.; Whitney, J.F.; Zumsteg, F.C.

1977-01-01

The previously reported phase transitions for the isostructural rare earth niobates between 500/sup 0/C and 850/sup 0/C correspond to a point group transformation 4/mF2/m, which is purely ferroelastic. The correct room temperature point group for all LnNbO/sub 4/ compounds is 2/m. Crystal growth and domain wall behavior is discussed for LaNbO/sub 4/. The high temperature phase transition is described for YbNbO/sub 4/.

The gene transformer-2 of Sciara (Diptera, Nematocera) and its effect on Drosophila sexual development.

PubMed

Martín, Iker; Ruiz, María F; Sánchez, Lucas

2011-03-15

The gene transformer-2, which is involved in sex determination, has been studied in Drosophila, Musca, Ceratitis, Anastrepha and Lucilia. All these members of Diptera belong to the suborder Brachycera. In this work, it is reported the isolation and characterisation of genes transformer-2 of the dipterans Sciara ocellaris and Bradysia coprophila (formerly Sciara coprophila), which belong to the much less extensively analysed Sciaridae Family of the Suborder Nematocera, which is paraphyletic with respect to Suborder Brachycera. The transformer-2 genes of the studied Sciara species were found to be transcribed in both sexes during development and adult life, in both the soma and germ lines. They produced a single primary transcript, which follows the same alternative splicing in both sexes, giving rise to different mRNAs isoforms. In S. ocellaris the most abundant mRNA isoform encoded a full-length protein of 251 amino acids, while that of B. coprophila encoded a protein of 246 amino acids. Both showed the features of the SR protein family. The less significant mRNA isoforms of both species encoded truncated, presumably non-functional Transformer-2 proteins. The comparison of the functional Sciara Transformer-2 proteins among themselves and those of other insects revealed the greatest degree of conservation in the RRM domain and linker region. In contrast, the RS1 and RS2 domains showed extensive variation with respect to their number of amino acids and their arginine-serine (RS) dipeptide content. The expression of S. ocellaris Transformer-2 protein in Drosophila XX pseudomales lacking the endogenous transformer-2 function caused their partial feminisation. The transformer-2 genes of both Sciaridae species encode a single protein in both sexes that shares the characteristics of the Transformer-2 proteins of other insects. These proteins showed conserved sex-determination function in Drosophila; i.e., they were able to form a complex with the endogenous Drosophila Transformer protein that controls the female-specific splicing of the Drosophila doublesex pre-mRNA. However, it appears that the complex formed between the Drosophila Transformer protein and the Sciara Transformer-2 protein is less effective at inducing the female-specific splicing of the endogenous Drosophila doublesex pre-mRNA than the DrosophilaTransformer-Transformer2 complex. This suggests the existence of species-specific co-evolution of the Transformer and Transformer-2 proteins.

The gene transformer-2 of Sciara (Diptera, Nematocera) and its effect on Drosophila sexual development

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background The gene transformer-2, which is involved in sex determination, has been studied in Drosophila, Musca, Ceratitis, Anastrepha and Lucilia. All these members of Diptera belong to the suborder Brachycera. In this work, it is reported the isolation and characterisation of genes transformer-2 of the dipterans Sciara ocellaris and Bradysia coprophila (formerly Sciara coprophila), which belong to the much less extensively analysed Sciaridae Family of the Suborder Nematocera, which is paraphyletic with respect to Suborder Brachycera. Results The transformer-2 genes of the studied Sciara species were found to be transcribed in both sexes during development and adult life, in both the soma and germ lines. They produced a single primary transcript, which follows the same alternative splicing in both sexes, giving rise to different mRNAs isoforms. In S. ocellaris the most abundant mRNA isoform encoded a full-length protein of 251 amino acids, while that of B. coprophila encoded a protein of 246 amino acids. Both showed the features of the SR protein family. The less significant mRNA isoforms of both species encoded truncated, presumably non-functional Transformer-2 proteins. The comparison of the functional Sciara Transformer-2 proteins among themselves and those of other insects revealed the greatest degree of conservation in the RRM domain and linker region. In contrast, the RS1 and RS2 domains showed extensive variation with respect to their number of amino acids and their arginine-serine (RS) dipeptide content. The expression of S. ocellaris Transformer-2 protein in Drosophila XX pseudomales lacking the endogenous transformer-2 function caused their partial feminisation. Conclusions The transformer-2 genes of both Sciaridae species encode a single protein in both sexes that shares the characteristics of the Transformer-2 proteins of other insects. These proteins showed conserved sex-determination function in Drosophila; i.e., they were able to form a complex with the endogenous Drosophila Transformer protein that controls the female-specific splicing of the Drosophila doublesex pre-mRNA. However, it appears that the complex formed between the Drosophila Transformer protein and the Sciara Transformer-2 protein is less effective at inducing the female-specific splicing of the endogenous Drosophila doublesex pre-mRNA than the DrosophilaTransformer-Transformer2 complex. This suggests the existence of species-specific co-evolution of the Transformer and Transformer-2 proteins. PMID:21406087

High efficiency transformation of banana [Musa acuminata L. cv. Matti (AA)] for enhanced tolerance to salt and drought stress through overexpression of a peanut salinity-induced pathogenesis-related class 10 protein.

PubMed

Rustagi, Anjana; Jain, Shalu; Kumar, Deepak; Shekhar, Shashi; Jain, Mukesh; Bhat, Vishnu; Sarin, Neera Bhalla

2015-01-01

Bananas and plantains (Musa spp. L.) are important subsistence crops and premium export commodity in several countries, and susceptible to a wide range of environmental and biotic stress conditions. Here, we report efficient, rapid, and reproducible Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and regeneration of an Indian niche cultivar of banana [M. acuminata cv. Matti (AA)]. Apical meristem-derived highly proliferative multiple shoot clump (MSC) explants were transformed with the Agrobacterium strain EHA105 harboring a binary vector pCAMBIA-1301 carrying hptII and uidA. Sequential agro-infiltration (10 min, 400 mmHg), infection (additional 35 min, Agrobacterium density A 600 = 0.8) and co-cultivation (18 h) regimen in 100 µM acetosyringone containing liquid medium were critical factors yielding high transformation efficiency (~81 %) corroborated by transient GUS expression assay. Stable transgenic events were recovered following two cycles of meristem initiation and selection on hygromycin containing medium. Histochemical GUS assay in several tissues of transgenic plants and molecular analyses confirmed stable integration and expression of transgene. The protocol described here allowed recovery of well-established putative transgenic plantlets in as little as 5 months. The transgenic banana plants could be readily acclimatized under greenhouse conditions, and were phenotypically similar to the wild-type untransformed control plants (WT). Transgenic plants overexpressing Salinity-Induced Pathogenesis-Related class 10 protein gene from Arachis hypogaea (AhSIPR10) in banana cv. Matti (AA) showed better photosynthetic efficiency and less membrane damage (P < 0.05) in the presence of NaCl and mannitol in comparison to WT plants suggesting the role of AhSIPR10 in better tolerance of salt stress and drought conditions.

Transmission and Distribution Efficiency Improvement Rearch and Development Survey.

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

Brooks, C.L.; Westinghouse Electric Corporation. Advanced Systems Technology.

Purpose of this study was to identify and quantify those technologies for improving transmission and distribution (T and D) system efficiency that could provide the greatest benefits for utility customers in the Pacific Northwest. Improving the efficiency of transmission and distribution systems offers a potential source of conservation within the utility sector. An extensive review of this field resulted in a list of 49 state-of-the-art technologies and 39 future technologies. Of these, 15 from the former list and 7 from the latter were chosen as the most promising and then submitted to an evaluative test - a modeled sample systemmore » for Benton County PUD, a utility with characteristics typical of a BPA customer system. Reducing end-use voltage on secondary distribution systems to decrease the energy consumption of electrical users when possible, called ''Conservation Voltage Reduction,'' was found to be the most cost effective state-of-the-art technology. Voltampere reactive (var) optimization is a similarly cost effective alternative. The most significant reduction in losses on the transmission and distribution system would be achieved through the replacement of standard transformers with high efficiency transformers, such as amorphous steel transformers. Of the future technologies assessed, the ''Distribution Static VAR Generator'' appears to have the greatest potential for technological breakthroughs and, therefore in time, commercialization. ''Improved Dielectric Materials,'' with a relatively low cost and high potential for efficiency improvement, warrant R and D consideration. ''Extruded Three-Conductor Cable'' and ''Six- and Twelve-Phase Transmission'' programs provide only limited gains in efficiency and applicability and are therefore the least cost effective.« less

M2 polarization of macrophages facilitates arsenic-induced cell transformation of lung epithelial cells

PubMed Central

Li, Hui; Dai, Lu; Frank, Jacqueline A.; Peng, Shaojun; Wang, Siying; Chen, Gang

2017-01-01

The alterations in microenvironment upon chronic arsenic exposure may contribute to arsenic-induced lung carcinogenesis. Immune cells, such as macrophages, play an important role in mediating the microenvironment in the lungs. Macrophages carry out their functions after activation. There are two activation status for macrophages: classical (M1) or alternative (M2); the latter is associated with tumorigenesis. Our previous work showed that long-term arsenic exposure induces transformation of lung epithelial cells. However, the crosstalk between epithelial cells and macrophages upon arsenic exposure has not been investigated. In this study, using a co-culture system in which human lung epithelial cells are cultured with macrophages, we determined that long-term arsenic exposure polarizes macrophages towards M2 status through ROS generation. Co-culture with epithelial cells further enhanced the polarization of macrophages as well as transformation of epithelial cells, while blocking macrophage M2 polarization decreased the transformation. In addition, macrophage M2 polarization decreased autophagy activity, which may account for increased cell transformation of epithelial cells with co-culture of macrophages. PMID:28423485

Continuous alkaline pretreatment of Miscanthus sacchariflorus using a bench-scale single screw reactor.

PubMed

Cha, Young-Lok; Yang, Jungwoo; Park, Yuri; An, Gi Hong; Ahn, Jong-Woong; Moon, Youn-Ho; Yoon, Young-Mi; Yu, Gyeong-Dan; Choi, In-Hu

2015-04-01

Miscanthus sacchariflorus 'Goedae-Uksae 1' (GU) was developed as an energy crop of high productivity in Korea. For the practical use of GU for bioethanol production, a bench-scale continuous pretreatment system was developed. The reactor performed screw extrusion, soaking and thermochemical pretreatment at the following operating conditions: 3 mm particle size, 22% moisture content, 140 °C reaction temperature, 8 min residence time, 15 g/min biomass feeding and 120 mL/min NaOH input. As a result of minimizing NaOH concentration and enzyme dosage, 90.8±0.49% glucose yield was obtained from 0.5 M NaOH-pretreated GU containing 3% glucan with 10 FPU cellulase/g cellulose at 50 °C for 72 h. The separate hydrolysis and fermentation of 0.5 M NaOH-pretreated GU containing 10% glucan with 10-30 FPU for 102 h produced 43.0-49.6 g/L bioethanol (theoretical yield, 75.8-87.6%). Thus, this study demonstrated that continuous pretreatment using a single screw reactor is effective for bioethanol production from Miscanthus biomass. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Genetic transformation of the yeast Dekkera/Brettanomyces bruxellensis with non-homologous DNA.

PubMed

Miklenić, Marina; Štafa, Anamarija; Bajić, Ana; Žunar, Bojan; Lisnić, Berislav; Svetec, Ivan-Krešimir

2013-05-01

Yeast Dekkera/Brettanomyces bruxellensis is probably the most common contaminant in wineries and ethanol production processes. The considerable economic losses caused by this yeast, but also its ability to produce and tolerate high ethanol concentrations, make it an attractive subject for research with potential for industrial applications. Unfortunately, efforts to understand the biology of D. bruxellensis and facilitate its broader use in industry are hampered by the lack of adequate procedures for delivery of exogenous DNA into this organism. Here we describe the development of transformation protocols (spheroplast transformation, LiAc/PEG method, and electroporation) and report the first genetic transformation of yeast D. bruxellensis. A linear heterologous DNA fragment carrying the kanMX4 sequence was used for transformation, which allowed transformants to be selected on plates containing geneticin. We found the spheroplast transformation method using 1M sorbitol as osmotic stabilizer to be inappropriate because sorbitol strikingly decreases the plating efficiency of both D. bruxellensis spheroplast and intact cells. However, we managed to modify the LiAc/ PEG transformation method and electroporation to accommodate D. bruxellensis transformation, achieving efficiencies of 0.6-16 and 10-20 transformants/microg DNA, respectively. The stability of the transformants ranged from 93.6% to 100%. All putative transformants were analyzed by Southern blot using the kanMX4 sequence as a hybridization probe, which confirmed that the transforming DNA fragment had integrated into the genome. The results of the molecular analysis were consistent with the expected illegitimate integration of a heterologous transforming fragment.

Immune Deficiency State in a Girl with Eczema and Low Serum IgM

PubMed Central

Evans, D. I. K.; Holzel, A.

1970-01-01

This report concerns an immune deficiency disorder in a girl with eczema. She has had recurrent infections including three severe attacks of herpes simplex and five attacks of pneumococcal meningitis. There is a moderate lymphopenia, dysgammaglobulinaemia with high IgG, high IgA, and low IgM; lymphocyte transformation with phytohaemagglutinin is impaired. Production of circulating antibody is abnormal, as are delayed hypersensitivity reactions. Although there is no thrombocytopenia, the resemblance to the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome is discussed. ImagesFIG. 1.FIG. 2.FIG. 3 PMID:5506938

High-performance sodium–organic battery by realizing four-sodium storage in disodium rhodizonate

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

Lee, Minah; Hong, Jihyun; Lopez, Jeffrey

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) for grid-scale applications need active materials that combine a high energy density with sustainability. Given the high theoretical specific capacity 501 mAh g -1, and Earth abundance of disodium rhodizonate (Na 2C 6O 6), it is one of the most promising cathodes for SIBs. However, substantially lower reversible capacities have been obtained compared with the theoretical value and the understanding of this discrepancy has been limited. In this paper, we reveal that irreversible phase transformation of Na 2C 6O 6 during cycling is the origin of the deteriorating redox activity of Na 2C 6O 6. The active-particlemore » size and electrolyte conditions were identified as key factors to decrease the activation barrier of the phase transformation during desodiation. Finally, on the basis of this understanding, we achieved four-sodium storage in a Na 2C 6O 6 electrode with a reversible capacity of 484 mAh g -1, an energy density of 726 Wh kg -1 cathode, an energy efficiency above 87% and a good cycle retention.« less

High-performance sodium–organic battery by realizing four-sodium storage in disodium rhodizonate

DOE PAGES

Lee, Minah; Hong, Jihyun; Lopez, Jeffrey; ...

2017-10-09

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) for grid-scale applications need active materials that combine a high energy density with sustainability. Given the high theoretical specific capacity 501 mAh g -1, and Earth abundance of disodium rhodizonate (Na 2C 6O 6), it is one of the most promising cathodes for SIBs. However, substantially lower reversible capacities have been obtained compared with the theoretical value and the understanding of this discrepancy has been limited. In this paper, we reveal that irreversible phase transformation of Na 2C 6O 6 during cycling is the origin of the deteriorating redox activity of Na 2C 6O 6. The active-particlemore » size and electrolyte conditions were identified as key factors to decrease the activation barrier of the phase transformation during desodiation. Finally, on the basis of this understanding, we achieved four-sodium storage in a Na 2C 6O 6 electrode with a reversible capacity of 484 mAh g -1, an energy density of 726 Wh kg -1 cathode, an energy efficiency above 87% and a good cycle retention.« less

High-performance sodium-organic battery by realizing four-sodium storage in disodium rhodizonate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Minah; Hong, Jihyun; Lopez, Jeffrey; Sun, Yongming; Feng, Dawei; Lim, Kipil; Chueh, William C.; Toney, Michael F.; Cui, Yi; Bao, Zhenan

2017-11-01

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) for grid-scale applications need active materials that combine a high energy density with sustainability. Given the high theoretical specific capacity 501 mAh g-1, and Earth abundance of disodium rhodizonate (Na2C6O6), it is one of the most promising cathodes for SIBs. However, substantially lower reversible capacities have been obtained compared with the theoretical value and the understanding of this discrepancy has been limited. Here, we reveal that irreversible phase transformation of Na2C6O6 during cycling is the origin of the deteriorating redox activity of Na2C6O6. The active-particle size and electrolyte conditions were identified as key factors to decrease the activation barrier of the phase transformation during desodiation. On the basis of this understanding, we achieved four-sodium storage in a Na2C6O6 electrode with a reversible capacity of 484 mAh g-1, an energy density of 726 Wh kg-1cathode, an energy efficiency above 87% and a good cycle retention.

Is there a correlation between maternal serum TGF-β1 levels and fetal hydronephrosis?

PubMed

Seven, Ali; Savran, Bircan; Koçak, Emel; Tok, Sermin; Yüksel, Kadriye Beril; Gözükara, İlay; Kabil Kucur, Suna

2016-01-01

We aimed to identify a noninvasive marker for clinically significant fetal uropathies. To achieve this aim, we detected TGF (transforming growth factor)-β1 serum level which rises in neonatal hydronephrosis, in pregnant patients with fetal hydronephrosis. We evaluated 44 patients, all of whom were pregnant and had a gestational age between 20 and 30 weeks. Twenty-two patients had normal maternal renal ultrasound imaging and had a fetus with fetal hydronephrosis (Group A). The remaining twenty-two patients had normal maternal and fetal renal ultrasound imaging (Group B). The maternal serum levels of TGF-β1 were measured with a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a commercially available kit. The median value for the study group was 55.90 pg/mL (9.67 ± 574.45) and for the control group was 59.49 pg/mL (12.49 ± 402.04). There was no statistical difference in serum TGF-β1 levels between the groups (p = 0.769 - Mann-Whitney U test). In the study group, the diameter of the right renal pelvis was 5.7 mm (5.1-8.9 mm), while the diameter of left renal pelvis was 5.75 mm (5.3-10.04 mm). In our study, the circulating TGF-β1 levels were not statistically different in the fetal hydronephrosis group when compared to the controls. According to our study, TGF-β1 is not useful in the detection and follow-up of fetal hydronephrosis. We therefore require further studies involving larger groups with moderate or severe fetal hydronephrosis to detect the usefulness of the serum levels of TGF-β1 in pregnant women with fetal hydronephrosis.

Energy and nutrient consumption in Mexican women 12-49 years of age: analysis of the National Nutrition Survey 1999.

PubMed

Barquera, Simón; Rivera, Juan A; Espinosa-Montero, Juan; Safdie, Margarita; Campirano, Fabricio; Monterrubio, Eric A

2003-01-01

To describe the reported energy and nutrient intake and adequacies in Mexican women. A 24-hour dietary recall was used to obtain nutrient intake in a representative sub-sample of 2,630 women from 12 to 49 years of age from the National Nutrition Survey 1999. Nutrient adequacies were estimated using the Dietary Reference Intakes and stratified according to region, area (urban or rural), socioeconomic status and obesity status (non-obese: BMI < 30 kg/m2, obese: > or = 30 kg/m2). Differences were analyzed using linear regression for complex surveys of log-transformed intake and adequacy, adjusting for multiple comparisons with the Bonferroni test. The median national energy intake was 1,471 kcal. The Risk of Inadequacy (RI) (prevalence of adequacy < 50%) was: vitamin A: 38.3%, vitamin C: 45.5%, and folate: 34.3%. Carbohydrates, folate, iron and calcium intake was significantly higher in rural than in urban areas. The RI was higher in women of the lowest socioeconomic status tertile for all nutrients with the exception of carbohydrates and calcium. Macro-nutrient adequacies were significantly higher in non-obese women. Differences within the country among regions, rural and urban areas, and socioeconomic status tertile reflect an increasing availability of inexpensive calorie-dense foods in marginal groups. However, total energy, cholesterol, saturated and total fat were consumed in greater quantities by women from the higher socioeconomic status tertile and from urban areas. These patterns could be a contributing factor to the rise of obesity and other non-communicable nutrition-related chronic diseases in Mexico. The English version of this paper is available at: http://www.insp.mx/salud/index.html.

Characterization of Conventional and High-Translucency Y-TZP Dental Ceramics Submitted to Air Abrasion.

PubMed

Tostes, Bhenya Ottoni; Guimarães, Renato Bastos; Noronha-Filho, Jaime Dutra; Botelho, Glauco Dos Santos; Guimarães, José Guilherme Antunes; Silva, Eduardo Moreira da

2017-01-01

This study evaluated the effect of air-abrasion on t®m phase transformation, roughness, topography and the elemental composition of three Y-TZP (Yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal) dental ceramics: two conventional (Lava Frame and IPS ZirCad) and one with high-translucency (Lava Plus). Plates obtained from sintered blocks of each ceramic were divided into four groups: AS (as-sintered); 30 (air-abrasion with 30 mm Si-coated Al2O3 particles); 50 (air-abrasion with 50 mm Al2O3 particles) and 150 (air-abrasion with 150 mm Al2O3 particles). After the treatments, the plates were submitted to X-ray diffractometry; 3-D profilometry and SEM/EDS. The AS surfaces were composed of Zr and t phases. All treatments produced t®m phase transformation in the ceramics. The diameter of air-abrasion particles influenced the roughness (150>50>30>AS) and the topography. SEM analysis showed that the three treatments produced groove-shaped microretentions on the ceramic surfaces, which increased with the diameter of air-abrasion particles. EDS showed a decrease in Zr content along with the emergence of O and Al elements after air-abrasion. Presence of Si was also detected on the plates air-abraded with 30 mm Si-coated Al2O3 particles. It was concluded that irrespective of the type and diameter of the particles, air-abrasion produced t®m phase transformation, increased the roughness and changed the elemental composition of the three Y-TZP dental ceramics. Lava Plus also behaved similarly to the conventional Y-TZP ceramics, indicating that this high translucency ceramic could be more suitable to build monolithic ceramic restorations in the aesthetic restorative dentistry field.

Multiples of Median-Transformed, Normalized Reference Ranges of Steroid Profiling Data Independent of Age, Sex, and Units.

PubMed

Zalas, Dominika; Reinehr, Thomas; Niedziela, Marek; Borzikowsky, Christoph; Flader, Maciej; Simic-Schleicher, Gunter; Akkurt, Halit Ilker; Heger, Sabine; Hornig, Nadine; Holterhus, Paul-Martin; Kulle, Alexandra E

2018-01-01

The high complexity of pediatric reference ranges across age, sex, and units impairs clinical application and comparability of steroid hormone data, e.g., in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). We developed a multiples-of-median (MoM) normalization tool to overcome this major drawback in pediatric endocrinology. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry data comprising 10 steroid hormones representing 905 controls (555 males, 350 females, 0 to > 16 years) from 2 previous datasets were MoM transformed across age and sex. Twenty-three genetically proven CAH patients were included (21-hydroxylase deficiency [21OHD], n = 19; 11β-hydroxylase deficiency [11OHD], n = 4). MoM cutoffs for single steroids predicting 21OHD and 11OHD were computed and validated through new, independent patients (21OHD, n = 8; adrenal cortical carcinoma, n = 6; obesity, n = 40). 21OHD and 11OHD patients showed disease-typical, easily recognizable MoM patterns independent of age, sex, and concentration units. Two single-steroid cutoffs indicated 21OHD: 3.87 MoM for 17-hydroxyprogesterone (100% sensitivity and 98.83% specificity) and 12.28 MoM for 21-deoxycortisol (94.74% sensitivity and 100% specificity). A cutoff of 13.18 MoM for 11-deoxycortisol indicated 11OHD (100% sensitivity and 100% specificity). Age- and sex-independent MoMs are straightforward for a clinically relevant display of multi-steroid patterns. In addition, defined single-steroid MoMs can serve alone as predictors of 21OHD and 11OHD. Finally, MoM transformation offers substantial enhancement of routine and scientific steroid hormone data exchange due to improved comparability. © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Tracks detection from high-orbit space objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shumilov, Yu. P.; Vygon, V. G.; Grishin, E. A.; Konoplev, A. O.; Semichev, O. P.; Shargorodskii, V. D.

2017-05-01

The paper presents studies results of a complex algorithm for the detection of highly orbital space objects. Before the implementation of the algorithm, a series of frames with weak tracks of space objects, which can be discrete, is recorded. The algorithm includes pre-processing, classical for astronomy, consistent filtering of each frame and its threshold processing, shear transformation, median filtering of the transformed series of frames, repeated threshold processing and detection decision making. Modeling of space objects weak tracks on of the night starry sky real frames obtained in the regime of a stationary telescope was carried out. It is shown that the permeability of an optoelectronic device has increased by almost 2m.

Transformation of Morinda citrifolia via simple mature seed imbibition method.

PubMed

Lee, J J; Ahmad, S; Roslan, H A

2013-12-15

Morinda citrifolia, is a valuable medicinal plant with a wide range of therapeutic properties and extensive transformation study on this plant has yet been known. Present study was conducted to establish a simple and reliable transformation protocol for M. citrifolia utilising Agrobacterium tumefaciens via direct seed exposure. In this study, the seeds were processed by tips clipping and dried and subsequently incubated in inoculation medium. Four different parameters during the incubation such as incubation period, bacterial density, temperature and binary vectors harbouring beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene (pBI121 and pGSA1131), were tested to examine its effect on transformation efficiency. The leaves from the treated and germinated seedlings were analysed via Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), histochemical assay of the GUS gene and reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). Results of the study showed that Agrobacterium strain LBA4404 with optical density of 1.0 and 2 h incubation period were optimum for M. citrifolia transformation. It was found that various co-cultivation temperatures tested and type of vector used did not affect the transformation efficiency. The highest transformation efficiency for M. citrifolia direct seed transformation harbouring pBI121 and pGSA1131 was determined to be 96.8% with 2 h co-cultivation treatment and 80.4% when using bacterial density of 1.0, respectively. The transformation method can be applied for future characterization study of M. citrifolia.

A restricted signature normal form for Hermitian matrices, quasi-spectral decompositions, and applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Freund, Roland W.; Huckle, Thomas

1989-01-01

In recent years, a number of results on the relationships between the inertias of Hermitian matrices and the inertias of their principal submatrices appeared in the literature. We study restricted congruence transformation of Hermitian matrices M which, at the same time, induce a congruence transformation of a given principal submatrix A of M. Such transformations lead to concept of the restricted signature normal form of M. In particular, by means of this normal form, we obtain short proofs of most of the known inertia theorems and also derive some new results of this type. For some applications, a special class of almost unitary restricted congruence transformations turns out to be useful. We show that, with such transformations, M can be reduced to a quasi-diagonal form which, in particular, displays the eigenvalues of A. Finally, applications of this quasi-spectral decomposition to generalize inverses and Hermitian matrix pencils are discussed.

Shape Memory Behavior of Dense and Porous NiTi Alloys Fabricated by Selective Laser Melting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saedi, Soheil

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) of Additive Manufacturing is an attractive fabrication method that employs CAD data to selectively melt the metal powder layer by layer via a laser beam and produce a 3D part. This method not only opens a new window in overcoming traditional NiTi fabrication problems but also for producing porous or complex shaped structures. The combination of SLM fabrication advantages with the unique properties of NiTi alloys, such as shape memory effect, superelasticity, high ductility, work output, corrosion, biocompatibility, etc. makes SLM NiTi alloys extremely promising for numerous applications. The SLM process parameters such as laser power, scanning speed, spacing, and strategy used during the fabrication are determinant factors in composition, microstructural features and functional properties of the SLM NiTi alloy. Therefore, a comprehensive and systematic study has been conducted over Ni 50.8 Ti49.2 (at%) alloy to understand the influence of each parameter individually. It was found that a sharp [001] texture is formed as a result of SLM fabrication which leads to improvements in the superelastic response of the alloy. It was perceived that transformation temperatures, microstructure, hardness, the intensity of formed texture and the correlated thermo-mechanical response are changed substantially with alteration of each parameter. The provided knowledge will allow choosing optimized parameters for tailoring the functional features of SLM fabricated NiTi alloys. Without going through any heat treatments, 5.77% superelasticity with more than 95% recovery ratio was obtained in as-fabricated condition only with the selection of right process parameters. Additionally, thermal treatments can be utilized to form precipitates in Ni-rich SLM NiTi alloys fabricated by low energy density. Precipitation could significantly alter the matrix composition, transformation temperatures and strain, critical stress for transformation, and shape memory response of the alloy. Therefore, a systematic aging study has been performed to reveal the effects of aging time and temperature. It was found that although SLM fabricated samples show lower strength than the initial ingot, heat treatments can be employed to make significant improvements in shape memory response of SLM NiTi. Up to 5.5% superelastic response and perfect shape memory effect at stress levels up to 500 MPa was observed in solutionized Ni-rich SLM NiTi after 18h aging at 350°C. For practical application, transformation temperatures were even adjusted without solution annealing and superelastic response of 5.5% was achieved at room temperature for 600C-1.5hr aged Ni-rich SLM NiTi. The effect of porosity on strength and cyclic response of porous SLM Ni50.1 Ti49.9 (at%) were investigated for potential bone implant applications. It is shown that mechanical properties of samples such as elastic modulus, yield strength, and ductility of samples are highly porosity level and pore structure dependent. It is shown that it is feasible to decrease Young's modulus of SLM NiTi up to 86% by adding porosity to reduce the mismatch with that of a bone and still retain the shape memory response of SLM fabricated NiTi. The shape memory effect, as well as superelastic response of porous SLM Ni50.8Ti49.2, were also investigated at body temperature. 32 and 45% porous samples with similar behaviors, recovered 3.5% of 4% deformation at first cycle. The stabilized superelastic response was obtained after clicking experiments.

Genetic transformation of the fungal pathogen responsible for rice blast disease

PubMed Central

Parsons, Kenneth A.; Chumley, Forrest G.; Valent, Barbara

1987-01-01

The analysis of complex genetic determinants that control the ability of a fungus to colonize its host has been impaired by the lack of sophisticated genetic tools for characterizing important pathogens. We have developed a system for the genetic transformation of Magnaporthe grisea, the causal agent of rice blast disease, to overcome this limitation. A M. grisea arginine auxotroph was shown to contain a mutation (arg3-12) that abolishes ornithine carbamoyltransferase activity. M. grisea strains that contain arg3-12 were used as recipients in transformation experiments with plasmid pMA2, which carries the ArgB+ gene from Aspergillus nidulans. Stable prototrophic transformants arose at a frequency of about 35 per microgram of plasmid DNA. Integration of single or multiple plasmid copies occurred at a single site in the genome of each transformant; rearrangements were often created during integration. When M. grisea genomic segments were incorporated into pMA2, the presence of any one of five different M. grisea segments did not greatly affect the efficiency of transformation. Integration via homologous recombination occurred when the donor plasmid was linearized by cleaving at a unique restriction site within the M. grisea segment. Images PMID:16593854

Study on accumulated crystallization characteristics of amorphous Ge2Sb2Te5 induced by multi-pulsed laser irradiations with different fluences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, T.; Liu, F. R.; Li, W. Q.; Guo, J. C.; Wang, Y. H.; Sun, N. X.; Liu, F.

2018-07-01

Accumulated crystallization characteristics of amorphous Ge2Sb2Te5 (a-GST) films induced by multi-pulsed laser irradiations with different fluences were investigated by x-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and spectrophotometer. Solid-state transformation was performed at low fluence (LF, 30.5 mJ cm‑2), whereas melting-cooling transformation dominated at medium and high fluence (MF, 45.7 and HF, 61 mJ cm‑2). Solid-state transformation induced by subsequent LF pulses promoted the growth and coalescence of grains, linearly increasing the average grain size, accordingly causing blue-shifts of the Raman spectral peaks. For MF/HF pulse irradiated films, the relatively high laser fluence increased the melting depth and reduced the volume fraction of the crystalline state induced by individual pulses, thereby increasing the threshold of laser pulse numbers for XRD detectable crystallization. However, the remelting depth induced by subsequent MF/HF laser pulse progressively decreased. The remelting-recrystallization process refined grain sizes, which improved the red-shifts of Raman spectral peaks. Moreover, optical contrast increased dramatically compared to single laser irradiation and five-level storage could be realized for a linear increase of optical contrast. The present study is fundamental for realizing the potential of multi-level devices.

Lipid emulsions enhance the norepinephrine-mediated reversal of local anesthetic-induced vasodilation at toxic doses.

PubMed

Lee, Soo Hee; Sung, Hui-Jin; Ok, Seong-Ho; Yu, Jongsun; Choi, Mun-Jeoung; Lim, Jin Soo; Sohn, Ju-Tae

2013-11-01

Intravenous lipid emulsions have been used to treat the systemic toxicity of local anesthetics. The goal of this in vitro study was to examine the effects of lipid emulsions on the norepinephrine-mediated reversal of vasodilation induced by high doses of levobupivacaine, ropivacaine, and mepivacaine in isolated endothelium-denuded rat aorta, and to determine whether such effects are associated with the lipid solubility of local anesthetics. The effects of lipid emulsions (0.30, 0.49, 1.40, and 2.61%) on norepinephrine concentration-responses in high-dose local anesthetic (6×10(-4) M levobupivacaine, 2×10(-3) M ropivacaine, and 7×10(-3) M mepivacaine)-induced vasodilation of isolated aorta precontracted with 60 mM KCl were assessed. The effects of lipid emulsions on local anesthetic- and diltiazem-induced vasodilation in isolated aorta precontracted with phenylephrine were also assessed. Lipid emulsions (0.30%) enhanced norepinephrine-induced contraction in levobupivacaine-induced vasodilation, whereas 1.40 and 2.61% lipid emulsions enhanced norepinephrine-induced contraction in both ropivacaine- and mepivacaine-induced vasodilation, respectively. Lipid emulsions (0.20, 0.49 and 1.40%) inhibited vasodilation induced by levobupivacaine and ropivacaine, whereas 1.40 and 2.61% lipid emulsions slightly attenuated mepivacaine (3×10(-3) M)-induced vasodilation. In addition, lipid emulsions attenuated diltiazem-induced vasodilation. Lipid emulsions enhanced norepinephrine-induced contraction in endothelium-denuded aorta without pretreatment with local anesthetics. Taken together, these results suggest that lipid emulsions enhance the norepinephrine-mediated reversal of local anesthetic-induced vasodilation at toxic anesthetic doses and inhibit local anesthetic-induced vasodilation in a manner correlated with the lipid solubility of a particular local anesthetic.

Ignoring History: The Flawed Effort to Divorce Reconnaissance From Security in Modern Cavalry Transformation

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-06-16

Weapons of the Waffen -SS: From Small Arms to Tanks (Wellingsborough: Patrick Stephens, Limited, 1988), 106. 47 McCarthy, 29. 48 Schnieder,193-197. 49...book of the German army in the twentieth century). Freiburg, Germany: Podzun- Pallas, 1990. Quarrie, Bruce, Weapons of the Waffen -SS: From Small Arms

Determination of Spectroscopic Properties of Atmospheric Molecules from High Resolution Vacuum Ultraviolet Cross Section and Wavelength Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parkinson, W. H.; Yoshino, K.

1999-01-01

We have studied the spectroscopy and the cross sections of the simple molecules of atmospheric interest such as oxygen, nitric oxide, carbon dioxide, and water. We have made cross section measurements on an absolute base without the effects from the limited instrumental resolution. We have used the following different instruments- the grating spectrometer (6.65-m at CfA, 3-m at Photon Factory), VUV Fourier transform spectrometer at Imperial College, and then moved the same one to the Photon Factory. Selection of the instruments depend on the appearance of molecular bands, and their wavelength region. For example, the cross section measurements of Doppler limited bands can been done with the Fourier transform spectrometer at the very high resolution (0.025/ cm resolution). All of these spectroscopic measurements are needed for accurate calculations of the production of atomic oxygen penetration of solar radiation into the Earth's atmosphere, and photochemistry of minor molecules.

Calcineurin-NFAT Signaling and Neurotrophins Control Transformation of Myosin Heavy Chain Isoforms in Rat Soleus Muscle in Response to Aerobic Treadmill Training.

PubMed

Liu, Wenfeng; Chen, Gan; Li, Fanling; Tang, Changfa; Yin, Dazhong

2014-12-01

This study elucidated the role of CaN-NFAT signaling and neurotrophins on the transformation of myosin heavy chain isoforms in the rat soleus muscle fiber following aerobic exercise training. To do so, we examined the content and distribution of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms in the rat soleus muscle fiber, the activity of CaN and expression of NFATc1 in these fibers, and changes in the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neutrophin-3 (NT-3) in the soleus and striatum following high-and medium-intensity aerobic treadmill training. Specific pathogen-free 2 month old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups: Control group (Con, n = 8), moderate-intensity aerobic exercise group (M-Ex, n = 8) and high-intensity aerobic exercise group (H-Ex, n = 8). We used ATPase staining to identify the muscle fiber type I and II, SDS-PAGE to separate and analyze the isoforms MyHCI, MyHCIIA, MyHCIIB and MyHCIIx, and performed western blots to determine the expression of NFATc1, NGF, BDNF and NT-3. CaN activity was measured using a colorimetric assay. In the soleus muscle, 8 weeks of moderate-intensity exercise can induce transformation of MyHC IIA and MyHC IIB to MyHC IIX and MyHC I (p < 0.01), while high-intensity treadmill exercise can induce transform MyHC IIx to MyHC IIB, MyHC IIA and MyHC I (p < 0.01). In comparison to the control group, CaN activity and NFATcl protein level were significantly increased in both the M-Ex and H-Ex groups (p < 0.05, p < 0.01), with a more pronounced upregulation in the M-Ex group (p < 0.05). Eight weeks of moderate- and high-intensity aerobic exercise induced the expression of NGF, BDNF and NT-3 in the soleus muscle and the striatum (p < 0.01), with the most significant increase in the H-Ex group (p < 0.01). In the rat soleus muscle, (1) CaN-NFATcl signaling contributes to the conversion of MyHC I isoform in response to moderate-intensity exercise; (2) Neurotrophins NGF, BDNF and NT-3 might play a role in the conversion of MyHC II isoform in response to high-intensity treadmill exercise. Key pointsEight weeks of moderate-intensity treadmill training induces the transformation MyHC IIA and MyHC IIB to MyHC IIX and MyHC I in the soleus muscles, while high-intensity exercise leads to transformation of MyHC IIX to MyHC IIA, MyHC IIB and MyHC I.MyHC I conversion in response to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise is mediated by calcineurin-NFATcl signaling.Eight weeks of moderate- and high-ntensity aerobic exercise induces the expression of NGF, BDNF and NT-3 in expression noted in rats subjected to high-intensity training. NGF and NT-3 expression in the striatum is lower than in the soleus muscle, while BDNF levels are similar. Neurotrophins may be involved in mediating MyHC II conversion in response to high-intensity aerobic exercise.

Determination of the equation parameters of carbon flow curves and estimated carbon flow and CO2 emissions from broiler production.

PubMed

Henn, J D; Bockor, L; Borille, R; Coldebella, A; Ribeiro, A M L; Kessler, A M

2015-09-01

The objective of this study was to determine the equation parameters of carbon (i.e., C) flow curves and to estimate C flow and carbon dioxide (i.e., CO2) emissions from the production of 1- to 49-day-old broilers from different genetic strains. In total, 384 1-day-old chicks were used, distributed into 4 groups: high-performance males (Cobb-M) and females (Cobb-F), and intermediate-performance males (C44-M) and females (C44-F), with 6 replicates/treatment according to a completely randomized study design. Carbon intake and retention were calculated based on diet and body C composition, and expired C was stoichiometrically estimated as digestible C intake-C retention-C in the urine. Litter C emission was estimated as initial litter C+C in the excreta-final litter C. Carbon flow curves were determined fitting data by nonlinear regression using the Gompertz function. Expired CO2 was calculated based on expired C. The applied nonlinear model presented goodness-of-fit for all responses (R2>0.99). Carbon dioxide production was highly correlated with growth rate. At 42 d age, CO2 expiration (g/bird) was 3,384.4 for Cobb-M, 2,947.9 for Cobb-F, 2,512.5 for C44-M, and 2185.1 for C44-F. Age also significantly affected CO2 production: to achieve 2.0 kg BW, CO2 expiration (g/bird) was 1,794.3 for Cobb-M, 2,016.5 for Cobb-F, 2617.7 for C44-M, and 3,092.3 for C44-F. The obtained equations present high predictability to estimate individual CO2 emissions in strains of Cobb and C44 broilers of any weight, or age, reared between 1 and 49 d age. © 2015 Poultry Science Association Inc.

Activation of RNA Polymerase III Transcription in Cells Transformed by Simian Virus 40

PubMed Central

Larminie, Christopher G. C.; Sutcliffe, Josephine E.; Tosh, Kerrie; Winter, Andrew G.; Felton-Edkins, Zoe A.; White, Robert J.

1999-01-01

RNA polymerase (Pol) III transcription is abnormally active in fibroblasts that have been transformed by simian virus 40 (SV40). This report presents evidence that two separate components of the general Pol III transcription apparatus, TFIIIB and TFIIIC2, are deregulated following SV40 transformation. TFIIIC2 subunits are expressed at abnormally high levels in SV40-transformed cells, an effect which is observed at both protein and mRNA levels. In untransformed fibroblasts, TFIIIB is subject to repression through association with the retinoblastoma protein RB. The interaction between RB and TFIIIB is compromised following SV40 transformation. Furthermore, the large T antigen of SV40 is shown to relieve repression by RB. The E7 oncoprotein of human papillomavirus can also activate Pol III transcription, an effect that is dependent on its ability to bind to RB. The data provide evidence that both TFIIIB and TFIIIC2 are targets for activation by DNA tumor viruses. PMID:10373542

Levofloxacin oxidation by ozone and hydroxyl radicals: kinetic study, transformation products and toxicity.

PubMed

Hamdi El Najjar, Nasma; Touffet, Arnaud; Deborde, Marie; Journel, Romain; Leitner, Nathalie Karpel Vel

2013-10-01

This work was carried out to investigate the fate of the antibiotic levofloxacin upon oxidation with ozone and hydroxyl radicals. A kinetic study was conducted at 20 °C for each oxidant. Ozonation experiments were performed using a competitive kinetic method with carbamazepin as competitor. Significant levofloxacin removal was observed during ozonation and a rate constant value of 6.0×10(4) M(-1) s(-1) was obtained at pH 7.2. An H2O2/UV system was used for the formation of hydroxyl radicals HO. The rate constant of HO was determined in the presence of a high H2O2 concentration. The kinetic expressions yielded a [Formula: see text] value of 4.5×10(9) M(-1) s(-1) at pH 6.0 and 5.2×10(9) M(-1) s(-1) at pH 7.2. These results were used to develop a model to predict the efficacy of the ozonation process and pharmaceutical removal was estimated under different ozonation conditions (i.e. oxidant concentrations and contact times). The results showed that levofloxacin was completely degraded by molecular ozone during ozonation of water and that hydroxyl radicals had no effect in real waters conditions. Moreover, LC/MS/MS and toxicity assays using Lumistox test were performed to identify ozonation transformation products. Under these conditions, four transformation products were observed and their chemical structures were proposed. The results showed an increase in toxicity during ozonation, even after degradation of all of the observed transformation products. The formation of other transformation products not identified under our experimental conditions could be responsible for the observed toxicity. These products might be ozone-resistant and more toxic to Vibrio fisheri than levofloxacin. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

On a phase transformation produced by mechanical activation in iron pyrite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eymery, J.-P.

1999-02-01

The behaviour of pyrite in the process of mechanical milling in air has been examined. Milled powders were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Mössbauer spectroscopy working in transmission geometry and X-ray diffraction. In the presence of oxygen, pyrite can readily be transformed to ferrous sulphate monohydrate, which indicates that the Fe(II) goes from a low-spin state to to a high-spin state. The transformation mechanism is saturated after about 60hours milling, but however it can be markedly prolonged by further ageing at room temperature. The results also indicate that mechanical milling is a useful room temperature process of material production. On a étudié le comportement de la pyrite au cours de broyages mécaniques réalisés à l'air. Les poudres broyées ont été analysées par microscopie électronique à balayage, spectroscopie Mössbauer fonctionnant en géométrie de transmission et diffraction des rayonsX. En présence d'oxygène, la pyrite se transforme immédiatement en sulfate de fer monohydraté, ce qui correspond pour Fe(II) au passage de l'état bas spin à l'état haut spin. Le mécanisme de la transformation est saturé après 60heures de broyage environ, mais cependant il peut être notablement prolongé par un vieillissement ultérieur à la température ambiante. Les résultats montrent aussi que le broyage mécanique constitue un processus utile de fabrication des matériaux à l'ambiante.

Overexpression of variant PNPLA3 gene at I148M position causes malignant transformation of hepatocytes via IL-6-JAK2/STAT3 pathway in low dose free fatty acid exposure: a laboratory investigation in vitro and in vivo

PubMed Central

Liu, Zhengtao; Chen, Tianchi; Lu, Xiaoxiao; Xie, Haiyang; Zhou, Lin; Zheng, Shusen

2016-01-01

Epidemiological survey identified that the variant patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3) gene at I148M position exerts direct effect in promoting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) under extraneous oxidative stress by interaction with obesity. However, the mechanism is still unknown. HepG2 cells were overexpressed by transinfection of PNPLA3 with wild-type 148I (PNPLA3WT) and mutant 148M (PNPLA3I148M), respectively. Variation in metabolic indicators, hepatic steatosis, biological behaviors and signaling molecules related to cancer promotion was measured in hepatocytes using low-dose free fatty acid (FFA) exposure. Effect of PNPLA3I148M on xenograft biology and its interaction with dietary obesity were also evaluated in animal study. Cells overexpresssing PNPLA3I148M in low-dose FFA incubation showed more proliferation, migration, invasion, and less apoptosis (P<0.05). Low-dose FFA specifically activated JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation of PNPLA3I148M cells via upregulation of interleukin-6. Animal study showed high-fat diet accelerated growth of xenografts derived from PNPLA3I148M cells incubated in low-dose FFA. In low oxidative stress, PNPLA3I148M initiated the hepatocyte malignant transformation through the activation of inflammation-mediated JAK/STAT pathway. Dietary obesity amplified the growth of tumor from PNPLA3I148M cells by interaction with local FFA incubation. Anti-inflammation and weight loss might be potential approaches for preventing HCC in high-risk population carrying PNPLA3 variant. PMID:27186262

Overexpression of variant PNPLA3 gene at I148M position causes malignant transformation of hepatocytes via IL-6-JAK2/STAT3 pathway in low dose free fatty acid exposure: a laboratory investigation in vitro and in vivo.

PubMed

Liu, Zhengtao; Chen, Tianchi; Lu, Xiaoxiao; Xie, Haiyang; Zhou, Lin; Zheng, Shusen

2016-01-01

Epidemiological survey identified that the variant patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3) gene at I148M position exerts direct effect in promoting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) under extraneous oxidative stress by interaction with obesity. However, the mechanism is still unknown. HepG2 cells were overexpressed by transinfection of PNPLA3 with wild-type 148I (PNPLA3(WT)) and mutant 148M (PNPLA3(I148M)), respectively. Variation in metabolic indicators, hepatic steatosis, biological behaviors and signaling molecules related to cancer promotion was measured in hepatocytes using low-dose free fatty acid (FFA) exposure. Effect of PNPLA3(I148M) on xenograft biology and its interaction with dietary obesity were also evaluated in animal study. Cells overexpresssing PNPLA3(I148M) in low-dose FFA incubation showed more proliferation, migration, invasion, and less apoptosis (P<0.05). Low-dose FFA specifically activated JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation of PNPLA3(I148M) cells via upregulation of interleukin-6. Animal study showed high-fat diet accelerated growth of xenografts derived from PNPLA3(I148M) cells incubated in low-dose FFA. In low oxidative stress, PNPLA3(I148M) initiated the hepatocyte malignant transformation through the activation of inflammation-mediated JAK/STAT pathway. Dietary obesity amplified the growth of tumor from PNPLA3(I148M) cells by interaction with local FFA incubation. Anti-inflammation and weight loss might be potential approaches for preventing HCC in high-risk population carrying PNPLA3 variant.

Compound specific isotope analysis to investigate pesticide degradation in lysimeter experiments at field conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ryabenko, Evgenia; Elsner, Martin; Bakkour, Rani; Hofstetter, Thomas; Torrento, Clara; Hunkeler, Daniel

2015-04-01

The frequent detection of organic micropollutants such as pesticides, consumer care products or pharmaceuticals in water is an increasing concern for human and ecosystem health. Degradation analysis of these compounds can be challenging in complex systems due to the fact that metabolites are not always found and mass balances frequently cannot be closed. Many abiotic and biotic degradation pathways cause, however, distinct isotope fractionation, where light isotopes are transferred preferentially from the reactant to the product pool (normal isotope fractionation). Compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) of multiple elements is a particularly powerful method to evaluate organic micropollutant transformation, because it can even give pathway-specific isotope fractionation (1,2). Available CSIA field studies, however, have focused almost exclusively on volatile petroleum and chlorinated hydrocarbons, which are present in high concentrations in the environment and can be extracted easily from water for GC-IRMS analysis. In the case of micropollutants, such as pesticides, CSIA in more challenging since it needs to be conducted at lower concentrations and requires pre-concentration, purification and high chromatographic performance (3). In this study we used lysimeters experiments to analyze transformation of atrazine, acetochlor, metolachlor and chloridazone by studying associated isotope fractionation. The project combines a) analytical method development for CSIA, b) identification of pathways of micropollutant degradation and c) quantification of transformation processes under field condition. The pesticides were applied both, at the soil surface and below the top soil under field-relevant concentrations in May 2014. After typical irrigation of the lysimeters, seepage water was collected in 50L bottles and stored for further SPE and CSIA. Here we present the very first result of a) analytical method development, b) improvement of SPE methods for complex pesticide mixtures and c) transformation of pesticides in lysimeters during the year 2014. 1 Elsner, M. Stable isotope fractionation to investigate natural transformation mechanisms of organic contaminants: principles, prospects and limitations. J. Environ. Monit. 12, 2005-2031 (2010). 2 Hofstetter, T. B. & Berg, M. Assessing transformation processes of organic contaminants by compound-specific stable isotope analysis. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry 30, 618-627 (2011). 3 Elsner, M. et al. Current challenges in compound-specific stable isotope analysis of environmental organic contaminants. Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 403, 2471-2491, doi:10.1007/s00216-011-5683-y (2012).

Damage Tolerant Design Handbook. A Compilation of Fracture and Crack- Growth Data for High-Strength Alloys. Volume 2

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-12-01

54.5 49.4 70.00 : 95.3 80.3 80.00 : 165. 131 . 90.00 : 285. 213. 100 . 00 : 490. 350. 130.00 :1599. A: 120. 15 1437. DELTA K B: 153. 57 5368. MAX C...CONTENTS ~, CHAPTER 5 NICKEL BASE ALLOYS Astroloy P/M-H Inconel 600 IN 100 P/M-GAstroloy P/M-W Inconel 625 NASA IIB-7 P/MAstroloy 901 Inconel 718 P/M Rene...95Incoloy 901 IN 100 Waspaloy CHAPTER 6 ALLOY STEELS AF 1410 H11 300M (VM) AF 1410 (VIM-VAR) lONi Steel 4140A 286 12-9-2 (MAR) 4330V (MOD)D6 AC l2Ni

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

Pelch, Katherine E.; Tokar, Erik J.; Merrick, B. Alex

Previous work shows altered methylation patterns in inorganic arsenic (iAs)- or cadmium (Cd)-transformed epithelial cells. Here, the methylation status near the transcriptional start site was assessed in the normal human prostate epithelial cell line (RWPE-1) that was malignantly transformed by 10 μM Cd for 11 weeks (CTPE) or 5 μM iAs for 29 weeks (CAsE-PE), at which time cells showed multiple markers of acquired cancer phenotype. Next generation sequencing of the transcriptome of CAsE-PE cells identified multiple dysregulated genes. Of the most highly dysregulated genes, five genes that can be relevant to the carcinogenic process (S100P, HYAL1, NTM, NES, ALDH1A1)more » were chosen for an in-depth analysis of the DNA methylation profile. DNA was isolated, bisulfite converted, and combined bisulfite restriction analysis was used to identify differentially methylated CpG sites, which was confirmed with bisulfite sequencing. Four of the five genes showed differential methylation in transformants relative to control cells that was inversely related to altered gene expression. Increased expression of HYAL1 (> 25-fold) and S100P (> 40-fold) in transformants was correlated with hypomethylation near the transcriptional start site. Decreased expression of NES (> 15-fold) and NTM (> 1000-fold) in transformants was correlated with hypermethylation near the transcriptional start site. ALDH1A1 expression was differentially expressed in transformed cells but was not differentially methylated relative to control. In conclusion, altered gene expression observed in Cd and iAs transformed cells may result from altered DNA methylation status. - Highlights: • Cd and iAs are known human carcinogens, yet neither appears directly mutagenic. • Prior data suggest epigenetic modification plays a role in Cd or iAs induced cancer. • Altered methylation of four misregulated genes was found in Cd or iAs transformants. • The resulting altered gene expression may be relevant to cellular transformation.« less

Evaluating the fate of chlorinated ethenes in streambed sediments by combining stable isotope, geochemical and microbial methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abe, Yumiko; Aravena, Ramon; Zopfi, Jakob; Parker, Beth; Hunkeler, Daniel

2009-06-01

The occurrence of chlorinated ethene transformation in a streambed was investigated using concentration and carbon isotope data from water samples taken at different locations and depths within a 15 × 25 m study area across which a tetrachloroethene (PCE) plume discharges. Furthermore, it was evaluated how the degree of transformation is related to groundwater discharge rates, redox conditions, solid organic matter content (SOM) and microbial factors. Groundwater discharge rates were quantified based on streambed temperatures, and redox conditions using concentrations of dissolved redox-sensitive species. The degree of chlorinated ethene transformation was highly variable in space from no transformation to transformation beyond ethene. Complete reductive dechlorination to ethane and ethene occurred at locations with at least sulfate-reducing conditions and with a residence time in the samples streambed zone (80 cm depth) of at least 10 days. Among these locations, Dehalococcoides was detected using a PCR method where SOM contents were > 2% w/w and where transformation proceeded beyond ethene. However, it was not detected at locations with low SOM, which may cause an insufficient H 2 supply to sustain a detectably dense Dehalococcoides population. Additionally, it is possible that other organisms are responsible for the biodegradation. A microcosm study with streambed sediments demonstrated the potential of VC oxidation throughout the site even at locations without a pre-exposure to VC, consistent with the detection of the epoxyalkane:coenzyme M transferase (EaCoMT) gene involved in the degradation of chlorinated ethenes via epoxidation. In contrast, no aerobic transformation of cDCE in microcosms over a period of 1.5 years was observed. In summary, the study demonstrated that carbon isotope analysis is a sensitive tool to identify the degree of chlorinated ethene transformation even in hydrologically and geochemically complex streambed systems. In addition, it was observed that the degree of transformation is related to redox conditions, which in turn depend on groundwater discharge rates.

Complex Tectono-Magmatic Interaction along the George V Transform Fault, South-East Indian Ridge, 140°E, and Implications for Mantle Dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Briais, A.; Ruellan, E.; Ceuleneer, G.; Maia, M.

2017-12-01

The 300 km-offset George V Transform Fault (TF) is the westernmost of the major, right-stepping transform faults that offset the South-East Indian Ridge between 140°E and 155°E. All these TFs have multiple shear zones with intra-transform ridge segments (ITRS), mostly unmapped yet. We present the results of the analysis of geophysical and petrological data collected during the STORM cruise (South Tasmania Ocean Ridge and Mantle). The data cover the western shear zone and part of two ITRSs. They reveal a complex interaction between tectonic processes at the plate boundary and near-axis volcanic activity along and across the transform fault. The western TF shear zone consists of two segments offset by a 50 km-long, 15 km-wide, up to 2000 m-high serpentinite massif. We infer that the massif is a push-up resulting from transpression along the transform, due to the lengthening of the western ITRS, with a mechanism similar to the processes currently uplifting the mylonitic massif along the St. Paul TF in the Equatorial Atlantic (1). The western ITRS is relatively shallow and magmatically robust, which is unexpected in a TF system. The bathymetric and backscatter maps also reveal a series of recent off-axis oblique volcanic ridges. Rocks dredged on one of these ridges consist of picrites (i.e. basalts rich in olivine phenocrysts). These observations suggest that the TF there is not magma starved like many mid-ocean ridge transforms, but is the locus of significant primitive melt supply. Such an unexpected production of high-Mg melt might be related to the presence of a mantle thermal anomaly beneath the easternmost SEIR, and/or to a western flow of mantle across the TF. *STORM cruise scientific party: A. Briais, F. Barrere, C. Boulart, D. Brunelli, G. Ceuleneer, N. Ferreira, B. Hanan, C. Hémond, S. Macleod, M. Maia, A. Maillard, S. Merkuryev, S.H. Park, S. Révillon, E. Ruellan, A. Schohn, S. Watson, and Y.S. Yang. (1) Maia et al. 2016 Nature Geo. doi:10.1038/ngeo2759

Fast downscaled inverses for images compressed with M-channel lapped transforms.

PubMed

de Queiroz, R L; Eschbach, R

1997-01-01

Compressed images may be decompressed and displayed or printed using different devices at different resolutions. Full decompression and rescaling in space domain is a very expensive method. We studied downscaled inverses where the image is decompressed partially, and a reduced inverse transform is used to recover the image. In this fashion, fewer transform coefficients are used and the synthesis process is simplified. We studied the design of fast inverses, for a given forward transform. General solutions are presented for M-channel finite impulse response (FIR) filterbanks, of which block and lapped transforms are a subset. Designs of faster inverses are presented for popular block and lapped transforms.

Acidifier application rate impacts on ammonia emissions from US roaster chicken houses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shah, Sanjay B.; Grimes, Jesse L.; Oviedo-Rondón, Edgar O.; Westerman, Philip W.

2014-08-01

Due to its potential environmental and public health impacts, emissions of ammonia (NH3) as well as several other gases from US livestock farms may be regulated. Broiler houses are important sources of NH3 emissions. However, there are no emissions data from roaster (8-12 wk old broilers, ˜4 kg ea.) houses. Producers treat the litter in broiler houses with acidifiers, such as sodium bisulfate (SBS, NaHSO4) to reduce ammonia production and protect bird health. However, there is very little data on the effect of acidifiers, particularly at high application rates on ammonia emissions. The impact of different SBS application rates [High (0.95-1.46 kg m-2, whole house), Medium (0.73 kg m-2, whole house), Low (0.37-0.49 kg m-2, whole house), and Control (0.37-0.49 kg m-2, brood chamber)] on ammonia emissions was evaluated in commercial roaster houses over 22 months spanning eight flocks. Ammonia emission from each fan was measured with an acid scrubber that operated only when the fan operated. Emissions were calculated using >95% measured data with the rest being estimated using robust methods. Exhaust ammonia-N concentrations were inversely correlated with the SBS application rates. Emission rates on animal unit (AU, where 1 AU = 500 kg live-mass) basis (ER, g d-1 AU-1) were reduced by 27, 13, and 5%, respectively, in the High, Medium, and Low treatments vs. the Control treatment (mean: 100 g d-1 AU-1, range: 86-114 g d-1 AU-1). Emission rates for the Control treatment measured in this study on roasters were mostly higher than ERs in the literature. Differences in ERs are not only due to diet, environmental and management conditions, but also due to measurement methods.

Development of an Agrobacterium-Mediated Stable Transformation Method for the Sensitive Plant Mimosa pudica

PubMed Central

Mano, Hiroaki; Fujii, Tomomi; Sumikawa, Naomi; Hiwatashi, Yuji; Hasebe, Mitsuyasu

2014-01-01

The sensitive plant Mimosa pudica has long attracted the interest of researchers due to its spectacular leaf movements in response to touch or other external stimuli. Although various aspects of this seismonastic movement have been elucidated by histological, physiological, biochemical, and behavioral approaches, the lack of reverse genetic tools has hampered the investigation of molecular mechanisms involved in these processes. To overcome this obstacle, we developed an efficient genetic transformation method for M. pudica mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens (Agrobacterium). We found that the cotyledonary node explant is suitable for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation because of its high frequency of shoot formation, which was most efficiently induced on medium containing 0.5 µg/ml of a synthetic cytokinin, 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Transformation efficiency of cotyledonary node cells was improved from almost 0 to 30.8 positive signals arising from the intron-sGFP reporter gene by using Agrobacterium carrying a super-binary vector pSB111 and stabilizing the pH of the co-cultivation medium with 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (MES) buffer. Furthermore, treatment of the explants with the detergent Silwet L-77 prior to co-cultivation led to a two-fold increase in the number of transformed shoot buds. Rooting of the regenerated shoots was efficiently induced by cultivation on irrigated vermiculite. The entire procedure for generating transgenic plants achieved a transformation frequency of 18.8%, which is comparable to frequencies obtained for other recalcitrant legumes, such as soybean (Glycine max) and pea (Pisum sativum). The transgene was stably integrated into the host genome and was inherited across generations, without affecting the seismonastic or nyctinastic movements of the plants. This transformation method thus provides an effective genetic tool for studying genes involved in M. pudica movements. PMID:24533121

Development of an Agrobacterium-mediated stable transformation method for the sensitive plant Mimosa pudica.

PubMed

Mano, Hiroaki; Fujii, Tomomi; Sumikawa, Naomi; Hiwatashi, Yuji; Hasebe, Mitsuyasu

2014-01-01

The sensitive plant Mimosa pudica has long attracted the interest of researchers due to its spectacular leaf movements in response to touch or other external stimuli. Although various aspects of this seismonastic movement have been elucidated by histological, physiological, biochemical, and behavioral approaches, the lack of reverse genetic tools has hampered the investigation of molecular mechanisms involved in these processes. To overcome this obstacle, we developed an efficient genetic transformation method for M. pudica mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens (Agrobacterium). We found that the cotyledonary node explant is suitable for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation because of its high frequency of shoot formation, which was most efficiently induced on medium containing 0.5 µg/ml of a synthetic cytokinin, 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Transformation efficiency of cotyledonary node cells was improved from almost 0 to 30.8 positive signals arising from the intron-sGFP reporter gene by using Agrobacterium carrying a super-binary vector pSB111 and stabilizing the pH of the co-cultivation medium with 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (MES) buffer. Furthermore, treatment of the explants with the detergent Silwet L-77 prior to co-cultivation led to a two-fold increase in the number of transformed shoot buds. Rooting of the regenerated shoots was efficiently induced by cultivation on irrigated vermiculite. The entire procedure for generating transgenic plants achieved a transformation frequency of 18.8%, which is comparable to frequencies obtained for other recalcitrant legumes, such as soybean (Glycine max) and pea (Pisum sativum). The transgene was stably integrated into the host genome and was inherited across generations, without affecting the seismonastic or nyctinastic movements of the plants. This transformation method thus provides an effective genetic tool for studying genes involved in M. pudica movements.

Upregulation of SQSTM1/p62 contributes to nickel-induced malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells.

PubMed

Huang, Haishan; Zhu, Junlan; Li, Yang; Zhang, Liping; Gu, Jiayan; Xie, Qipeng; Jin, Honglei; Che, Xun; Li, Jingxia; Huang, Chao; Chen, Lung-Chi; Lyu, Jianxin; Gao, Jimin; Huang, Chuanshu

2016-10-02

Chronic lung inflammation is accepted as being associated with the development of lung cancer caused by nickel exposure. Therefore, identifying the molecular mechanisms that lead to a nickel-induced sustained inflammatory microenvironment that causes transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells is of high significance. In the current studies, we identified SQSTM1/p62 as a novel nickel-upregulated protein that is important for nickel-induced inflammatory TNF expression, subsequently resulting in transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells. We found that nickel exposure induced SQSTM1 protein upregulation in human lung epithelial cells in vitro and in mouse lung tissues in vivo. The SQSTM1 upregulation was also observed in human lung squamous cell carcinoma. Further studies revealed that the knockdown of SQSTM1 expression dramatically inhibited transformation of human lung epithelial cells upon chronic nickel exposure, whereas ectopic expression of SQSTM1 promoted such transformation. Mechanistic studies showed that the SQSTM1 upregulation by nickel was the compromised result of upregulating SQSTM1 mRNA transcription and promoting SQSTM1 protein degradation. We demonstrated that nickel-initiated SQSTM1 protein degradation is mediated by macroautophagy/autophagy via an MTOR-ULK1-BECN1 axis, whereas RELA is important for SQSTM1 transcriptional upregulation following nickel exposure. Furthermore, SQSTM1 upregulation exhibited its promotion of nickel-induced cell transformation through exerting an impetus for nickel-induced inflammatory TNF mRNA stability. Consistently, the MTOR-ULK1-BECN1 autophagic cascade acted as an inhibitory effect on nickel-induced TNF expression and cell transformation. Collectively, our results demonstrate a novel SQSTM1 regulatory network that promotes a nickel-induced tumorigenic effect in human bronchial epithelial cells, which is negatively controlled by an autophagic cascade following nickel exposure.

Upregulation of SQSTM1/p62 contributes to nickel-induced malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells

PubMed Central

Huang, Haishan; Zhu, Junlan; Li, Yang; Zhang, Liping; Gu, Jiayan; Xie, Qipeng; Jin, Honglei; Che, Xun; Li, Jingxia; Huang, Chao; Chen, Lung-Chi; Lyu, Jianxin; Gao, Jimin; Huang, Chuanshu

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Chronic lung inflammation is accepted as being associated with the development of lung cancer caused by nickel exposure. Therefore, identifying the molecular mechanisms that lead to a nickel-induced sustained inflammatory microenvironment that causes transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells is of high significance. In the current studies, we identified SQSTM1/p62 as a novel nickel-upregulated protein that is important for nickel-induced inflammatory TNF expression, subsequently resulting in transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells. We found that nickel exposure induced SQSTM1 protein upregulation in human lung epithelial cells in vitro and in mouse lung tissues in vivo. The SQSTM1 upregulation was also observed in human lung squamous cell carcinoma. Further studies revealed that the knockdown of SQSTM1 expression dramatically inhibited transformation of human lung epithelial cells upon chronic nickel exposure, whereas ectopic expression of SQSTM1 promoted such transformation. Mechanistic studies showed that the SQSTM1 upregulation by nickel was the compromised result of upregulating SQSTM1 mRNA transcription and promoting SQSTM1 protein degradation. We demonstrated that nickel-initiated SQSTM1 protein degradation is mediated by macroautophagy/autophagy via an MTOR-ULK1-BECN1 axis, whereas RELA is important for SQSTM1 transcriptional upregulation following nickel exposure. Furthermore, SQSTM1 upregulation exhibited its promotion of nickel-induced cell transformation through exerting an impetus for nickel-induced inflammatory TNF mRNA stability. Consistently, the MTOR-ULK1-BECN1 autophagic cascade acted as an inhibitory effect on nickel-induced TNF expression and cell transformation. Collectively, our results demonstrate a novel SQSTM1 regulatory network that promotes a nickel-induced tumorigenic effect in human bronchial epithelial cells, which is negatively controlled by an autophagic cascade following nickel exposure. PMID:27467530

Crystallization and Martensitic Transformation Behavior of Ti-Ni-Si Alloy Ribbons Prepared via Melt Spinning.

PubMed

Park, Ju-Wan; Kim, Yeon-Wook; Nam, Tae-Hyun

2018-09-01

Ti-(50-x)Ni-xSi (at%) (x = 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0) alloy ribbons were prepared via melt spinning and their crystallization procedure and transformation behavior were investigated using differential scanning calorimtry, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. Ti-Ni-Si alloy ribbons with Si content less than 1.0 at% were crystalline, whereas those with Si content more than 3.0 at% were amorphous. Crystallization occurred in the sequence of amorphous →B2 → B2 → Ti5Si4 + TiNi3 → B2 + Ti5Si4 + TiNi3 + TiSi in the Ti-47.0Ni-3.0Si alloy and amorphous →R → R + Ti5Si4 + TiNi3 → R + Ti5Si4 + TiNi3 + TiSi in the Ti-45.0Ni-5.0Si alloy. The activation energy for crystallization was 189 ±8.6 kJ/mol for the Ti-47Ni-3Si alloy and 212±8.6 kJ/mol for the Ti-45Ni-5Si alloy. One-stage B2-R transformation behavior was observed in Ti-49.5Ni-0.5Si, Ti-49.0Ni-1.0Si, and Ti-47.0Ni- 3.0Si alloy ribbons after heating to various temperatures in the range of 873 K to 1073 K. In the Ti-45.0Ni-5.0Si alloy, one-stage B2-R transformation occurred after heating to 893 K, two-stage B2-R-B19' occurred after heating to 973 K, and two-stage B2-R-B19' occurred on cooling and one-stage B19'-B2 occurred on heating, after heating to 1073 K.

Strain rate sensitivity of a TRIP-assisted dual-phase high-entropy alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basu, Silva; Li, Zhiming; Pradeep, K. G.; Raabe, Dierk

2018-05-01

Dual-phase high-entropy alloys (DP-HEAs) with transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) have an excellent strength-ductility combination. To reveal their strain-rate sensitivity and hence further understand the corresponding deformation mechanisms, we investigated the tensile behavior and microstructural evolution of a typical TRIP-DP-HEA (Fe50Mn30Co10Cr10, at. %) under different strain rates (i.e., 5 × 10-3 s-1, 1 × 10-3 s-1, 5 × 10-4 s-1 and 1 × 10-4 s-1) at room temperature. The strain rate range was confined to this regime in order to apply the digital image correlation technique for probing the local strain evolution during tensile deformation at high resolution and to correlate it to the microstructure evolution. Grain size effects of the face-centered cubic (FCC) matrix and the volume fractions of the hexagonal-close packed (HCP) phase prior to deformation were also considered. The results show that within the explored strain rate regime the TRIP-DP-HEA has a fairly low strain rate sensitivity parameter within the range from 0.004 to 0.04, which is significantly lower than that of DP and TRIP steels. Samples with varying grain sizes (e.g., 2.8 μm and 38 μm) and starting HCP phase fractions (e.g., 25% and 72%) at different strain rates show similar deformation mechanisms, i.e., dislocation plasticity and strain-induced transformation from the FCC matrix to the HCP phase. The low strain rate sensitivity is attributed to the observed dominant displacive transformation mechanism. Also, the coarse-grained alloy samples with a very high starting HCP phase fraction ( 72%) prior to deformation show very good ductility with a total elongation of 60%, suggesting that both, the initial and the transformed HCP phase in the TRIP-DP-HEA are ductile and deform further via dislocation slip at the different strain rates which were probed.

Optimized satellite image compression and reconstruction via evolution strategies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Babb, Brendan; Moore, Frank; Peterson, Michael

2009-05-01

This paper describes the automatic discovery, via an Evolution Strategy with Covariance Matrix Adaptation (CMA-ES), of vectors of real-valued coefficients representing matched forward and inverse transforms that outperform the 9/7 Cohen-Daubechies-Feauveau (CDF) discrete wavelet transform (DWT) for satellite image compression and reconstruction under conditions subject to quantization error. The best transform evolved during this study reduces the mean squared error (MSE) present in reconstructed satellite images by an average of 33.78% (1.79 dB), while maintaining the average information entropy (IE) of compressed images at 99.57% in comparison to the wavelet. In addition, this evolved transform achieves 49.88% (3.00 dB) average MSE reduction when tested on 80 images from the FBI fingerprint test set, and 42.35% (2.39 dB) average MSE reduction when tested on a set of 18 digital photographs, while achieving average IE of 104.36% and 100.08%, respectively. These results indicate that our evolved transform greatly improves the quality of reconstructed images without substantial loss of compression capability over a broad range of image classes.

Transformer oils as a potential source of environmental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): an assessment in three central provinces of Iran.

PubMed

Saeedi, Reza; Khakzad, Saeed; Koolivand, Ali; Dobaradaran, Sina; Khaloo, Shokooh Sadat; Jorfi, Sahand; Abtahi, Mehrnoosh

2017-08-01

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination of oils from all transformers of the national electrical grid in Tehran, Qom, and Alborz, three central provinces of Iran, was assessed. The concentration of PCBs in transformer oils was determined by gas chromatography. At the national level, the proportions of transformers with oil PCB contents of <5, 5-49, 50-499, 500-4999, and >5000 ppm were determined to be 85.7, 12.4, 1.6, 0.1, and 0.1%, respectively. About 0.5% of transformer oils (66,000 kg out of 13,342,000 kg) exhibited PCB levels higher than 50 ppm that based on the Stockholm Convention should be phased out before 2025. The contaminated oils contained 91.4% of detected PCBs (132 kg PCBs out of 144 kg PCBs) and were located in 1.9% of transformers (27 transformers out of 1449 transformers). Statistical analysis indicated that the year of manufacture and manufacturing company provided significant effects on PCB contamination (p value <0.001). PCB contamination of transformer oils in Tehran was higher than that of the other provinces that could be mainly caused by the older average year of manufacture. PCB levels higher than 499 ppm were also observed only in Tehran. This study provided valuable information for future studies on identification of PCB-contaminated transformers as well as planning and design of waste management facilities for PCB-contaminated oils at the national level.

Trace-transform invariants of tracks of high-velocity jets from the surface of tungsten droplets in the plasma flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gulyaev, P.; Jordan, V.; Gulyaev, I.; Dolmatov, A.

2017-05-01

The paper presents the analysis of the recorded tracks of high-velocity emission in the air-argon plasma flow during breaking up of tungsten microdroplets. This new physical effect of optical emission involves two stages. The first one includes thermionic emission of electrons from the surface of the melted tungsten droplet of 100-200 μm size and formation of the charged sphere of 3-5 mm diameter. After it reaches the breakdown electric potential, it collapses and produces a spherical shock wave and luminous radiation. The second stage includes previously unknown physical phenomenon of narrowly directed energy jet with velocity exceeding 4000 m/s from the surface of the tungsten droplet. The luminous spherical collapse and high-velocity jets were recorded using CMOS photo-array operating in a global shutter charge storage mode. Special features of the CMOS array scanning algorithm affect formation of distinctive signs of the recorded tracks, which stay invariant to trace transform (TT) with specific functional. The series of concentric circles were adopted as primitive object models (patterns) used in TT at the spherical collapse stage and linear segment of fixed thickness - at the high-velocity emission stage. The two invariants of the physical object, motion velocity and optical brightness distribution in the motion front, were adopted as desired identification features of tracks. The analytical expressions of the relation of 2D TT parameters and physical object motion invariants were obtained. The equations for spherical collapse stage correspond to Radon-Nikodym transform.

Baseline PSA in a Spanish male population aged 40-49 years anticipates detection of prostate cancer.

PubMed

Angulo, J C; Viñas, M A; Gimbernat, H; Fata, F Ramón de; Granados, R; Luján, M

2015-12-01

We researched the usefulness of optimizing prostate cancer (PC) screening in our community using baseline PSA readings in men between 40-49 years of age. A retrospective study was performed that analyzed baseline PSA in the fifth decade of life and its ability to predict the development of PC in a population of Madrid (Spain). An ROC curve was created and a cutoff was proposed. We compared the evolution of PSA from baseline in patients with consecutive readings using the Friedman test. We established baseline PSA ranges with different risks of developing cancer and assessed the diagnostic utility of the annual PSA velocity (PSAV) in this population. Some 4,304 men aged 40-49 years underwent opportunistic screening over the course of 17 years, with at least one serum PSA reading (6,001 readings) and a mean follow-up of 57.1±36.8 months. Of these, 768 underwent biopsy of some organ, and 104 underwent prostate biopsy. Fourteen patients (.33%) were diagnosed with prostate cancer. The median baseline PSA was .74 (.01-58.5) ng/mL for patients without PC and 4.21 (.76-47.4) ng/mL for those with PC. The median time from the reading to diagnosis was 26.8 (1.5-143.8) months. The optimal cutoff for detecting PC was 1.9ng/mL (sensitivity, 92.86%; specificity, 92.54%; PPV, 3.9%; NPV, 99.97%), and the area under the curve was 92.8%. In terms of the repeated reading, the evolution of the PSA showed no statistically significant differences between the patients without cancer (p=.56) and those with cancer (P=.64). However, a PSAV value >.3ng/mL/year revealed high specificity for detecting cancer in this population. A baseline PSA level ≥1.9ng/mL in Spanish men aged 40-49 years predicted the development of PC. This value could therefore be of use for opportunistic screening at an early age. An appropriate follow-up adapted to the risk of this population needs to be defined, but an annual PSAV ≥.3ng/mL/year appears of use for reaching an early diagnosis. Copyright © 2015 AEU. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.).

PubMed

Petri, César; Alburquerque, Nuria; Burgos, Lorenzo

2015-01-01

A protocol for Agrobacterium-mediated stable transformation of whole leaf explants of the apricot (Prunus armeniaca) cultivars 'Helena' and 'Canino' is described. Regenerated buds were selected using a two-step selection strategy with paromomycin sulfate and transferred to bud multiplication medium 1 week after they were detected for optimal survival. After buds were transferred to bud multiplication medium, antibiotic was changed to kanamycin and concentration increased gradually at each transfer to fresh medium in order to eliminate possible escapes and chimeras. Transformation efficiency, based on PCR analysis of individual putative transformed shoots from independent lines, was 5.6%. Green and healthy buds, surviving high kanamycin concentration, were transferred to shoot multiplication medium where they elongated in shoots and proliferated. Elongated transgenic shoots were rooted in a medium containing 70 μM kanamycin. Rooted plants were acclimatized following standard procedures. This constitutes the only transformation protocol described for apricot clonal tissues and one of the few of Prunus.

Optimization of Production Conditions for Protoplasts and Polyethylene Glycol-Mediated Transformation of Gaeumannomyces tritici.

PubMed

Wang, Mei; Zhang, Jie; Wang, Lanying; Han, Lirong; Zhang, Xing; Feng, Juntao

2018-05-24

Take-all, caused by Gaeumannomyces tritici , is one of the most important wheat root diseases worldwide, as it results in serious yield losses. In this study, G. tritici was transformed to express the hygromycin B phosphotransferase using a combined protoplast and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated transformation technique. Based on a series of single-factor experimental results, three major factors-temperature, enzyme lysis time, and concentration of the lysing enzyme-were selected as the independent variables, which were optimized using the response surface methodology. A higher protoplast yield of 9.83 × 10⁷ protoplasts/mL was observed, and the protoplast vitality was also high, reaching 96.27% after optimization. Protoplasts were isolated under the optimal conditions, with the highest transformation frequency (46⁻54 transformants/μg DNA). Polymerase chain reaction and Southern blotting detection indicated that the genes of hygromycin phosphotransferase were successfully inserted into the genome of G. tritici . An optimised PEG-mediated protoplast transformation system for G. tritici was established. The techniques and procedures described will lay the foundation for establishing a good mutation library of G. tritici and could be used to transform other fungi.

Aqueous chlorination of mefenamic acid: kinetics, transformation by-products and ecotoxicity assessment.

PubMed

Adira Wan Khalit, Wan Nor; Tay, Kheng Soo

2016-05-18

Mefenamic acid (Mfe) is one of the most frequently detected nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the environment. This study investigated the kinetics and the transformation by-products of Mfe during aqueous chlorination. The potential ecotoxicity of the transformation by-products was also evaluated. In the kinetic study, the second-order rate constant (kapp) for the reaction between Mfe and free available chlorine (FAC) was determined at 25 ± 0.1 °C. The result indicated that the degradation of Mfe by FAC is highly pH-dependent. When the pH was increased from 6 to 8, it was found that the kapp for the reaction between Mfe and FAC was decreased from 16.44 to 4.4 M(-1) s(-1). Characterization of the transformation by-products formed during the chlorination of Mfe was carried out using liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight accurate mass spectrometry. Four major transformation by-products were identified. These transformation by-products were mainly formed through hydroxylation, chlorination and oxidation reactions. Ecotoxicity assessment revealed that transformation by-products, particularly monohydroxylated Mfe which is more toxic than Mfe, can be formed during aqueous chlorination.

Microplastic fragments and microbeads in digestive tracts of planktivorous fish from urban coastal waters.

PubMed

Tanaka, Kosuke; Takada, Hideshige

2016-09-30

We investigated microplastics in the digestive tracts of 64 Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonicus) sampled in Tokyo Bay. Plastic was detected in 49 out of 64 fish (77%), with 2.3 pieces on average and up to 15 pieces per individual. All of the plastics were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Most were polyethylene (52.0%) or polypropylene (43.3%). Most of the plastics were fragments (86.0%), but 7.3% were beads, some of which were microbeads, similar to those found in facial cleansers. Eighty percent of the plastics ranged in size from 150 μm to 1000 μm, smaller than the reported size range of floating microplastics on the sea surface, possibly because the subsurface foraging behavior of the anchovy reflected the different size distribution of plastics between surface waters and subsurface waters. Engraulis spp. are important food for many humans and other organisms around the world. Our observations further confirm that microplastics have infiltrated the marine ecosystem, and that humans may be exposed to them. Because microplastics retain hazardous chemicals, increase in fish chemical exposure by the ingested plastics is of concern. Such exposure should be studied and compared with that in the natural diet.

Microplastic fragments and microbeads in digestive tracts of planktivorous fish from urban coastal waters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanaka, Kosuke; Takada, Hideshige

2016-09-01

We investigated microplastics in the digestive tracts of 64 Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonicus) sampled in Tokyo Bay. Plastic was detected in 49 out of 64 fish (77%), with 2.3 pieces on average and up to 15 pieces per individual. All of the plastics were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Most were polyethylene (52.0%) or polypropylene (43.3%). Most of the plastics were fragments (86.0%), but 7.3% were beads, some of which were microbeads, similar to those found in facial cleansers. Eighty percent of the plastics ranged in size from 150 μm to 1000 μm, smaller than the reported size range of floating microplastics on the sea surface, possibly because the subsurface foraging behavior of the anchovy reflected the different size distribution of plastics between surface waters and subsurface waters. Engraulis spp. are important food for many humans and other organisms around the world. Our observations further confirm that microplastics have infiltrated the marine ecosystem, and that humans may be exposed to them. Because microplastics retain hazardous chemicals, increase in fish chemical exposure by the ingested plastics is of concern. Such exposure should be studied and compared with that in the natural diet.

Simultaneous Reduction and Functionalization of Graphene Oxide by 4-Hydrazinobenzenesulfonic Acid for Polymer Nanocomposites

PubMed Central

Qiao, Song-Jie; Xu, Xiang-Nan; Qiu, Yang; Xiao, He-Chong; Zhu, Yue-Feng

2016-01-01

Graphene oxide (GO) was functionalized and reduced simultaneously by a new reductant, 4-hydrazinobenzenesulfonic acid (HBS), with a one-step and environmentally friendly process. The hydrophilic sulfonic acid group in HBS was grafted onto the surface of GO through a covalent bond. The successful preparation of HBS reduced GO (HBS-rGO) was testified by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The interlayer space of HBS-rGO was increased to 1.478 nm from 0.751 nm for GO, resulting in a subdued Van der Waals’ force between layers and less possibility to form aggregations. The aqueous dispersibility of graphene was improved to 13.49 mg/mL from 0.58 mg/mL after the functionalization. The viscosity of the epoxy resin based HBS-rGO composite could be regulated by an adjustment of the content of HBS-rGO. This study provides a new and applicable approach for the preparation of hydrophilic functionalized graphene, and makes it possible for the application of graphene in some functional polymer nanocomposites, such as specialty water-based coatings. PMID:28344286

Ultrasonic-assisted extraction, structure and antitumor activity of polysaccharide from Polygonum multiflorum.

PubMed

Zhu, Weili; Xue, Xiaoping; Zhang, Zhanjun

2016-10-01

Polygonum multiflorum is a popular Chinese herbal medicine with various pharmacological functions. In this study, the ultrasonic-assisted extraction condition, structural characterization and antitumor activity of a polysaccharide from roots of P. multiflorum were investigated. The ultrasonic-assisted extraction condition was optimized by single-factor experiments and response surface methodology. Results showed that the maximum extraction yield (5.49%) was obtained at ultrasonic power 158W, extraction temperature 62°C, extraction time 80min and ratio of water to material 20mL/g. The obtained crude polysaccharides were further purified to afford a neutral and an acidic fraction. The structure of the main neutral polysaccharide (named PPS with molecular weight of 3.26×10(5)Da) was characterized as a linear (1→6)-α-d-glucan by gas chromatography, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, methylation analysis, 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance. At the concentration of 400μg/mL, the inhibitory ratios of PPS on HepG-2 and BGC-823 cells were 53.35% and 38.58%, respectively. Results suggested this polysaccharide could be a potential natural antitumor agent. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Functionalisation of mesoporous silica gel with 2-[(phosphonomethyl)-amino]acetic acid functional groups. Characterisation and application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caldarola, Dario; Mitev, Dimitar P.; Marlin, Lucile; Nesterenko, Ekaterina P.; Paull, Brett; Onida, Barbara; Bruzzoniti, Maria Concetta; Carlo, Rosa Maria De; Sarzanini, Corrado; Nesterenko, Pavel N.

2014-01-01

A new complexing adsorbent was prepared by chemical modification of mesoporous silica Kieselgel 60 (dp = 37-63 μm, average pore size 6 nm, specific surface area 425 m2 g-1) with 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane and 2-[(phosphonomethyl)amino]acetic acid (PMA), commonly known as glyphosate. The prepared adsorbent was fully characterised using elemental analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), acid-base potentiometric titration, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), nitrogen adsorption isotherms at 77 K (BET), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The concentration of bonded PMA groups calculated from the nitrogen content was 0.38 mmol per gram. The adsorption of transition metal ions on PMA functionalised silica (HEPMAS) was studied from aqueous solutions having different pH and the following selectivity was established, Zn(II) < Co(II) < Cd(II) < Mn(II) < Ni(II) < Cu(II). The calculated values of distribution coefficients D for the adsorption of ecotoxic metal ions on HEPMAS are 5.0 × 104, 4.9 × 105 and 2.6 × 104 for Zn(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II), respectively.

Comprehensive analysis of titin protein isoform and alternative splicing in normal and mutant rats.

PubMed

Li, Shijun; Guo, Wei; Schmitt, Benjamin M; Greaser, Marion L

2012-04-01

Titin is a giant protein with multiple functions in cardiac and skeletal muscles. Rat cardiac titin undergoes developmental isoform transition from the neonatal 3.7 MDa N2BA isoform to primarily the adult 2.97 MDa N2B isoform. An autosomal dominant mutation dramatically altered this transformation. Titins from eight skeletal muscles: Tibialis Anterior (TA), Longissimus Dorsi (LD) and Gastrocnemius (GA), Extensor Digitorum Longus (ED), Soleus (SO), Psoas (PS), Extensor Oblique (EO), and Diaphram (DI) were characterized in wild type and in homozygous mutant (Hm) rats with a titin splicing defect. Results showed that the developmental reduction in titin size is eliminated in the mutant rat so that the titins in all investigated skeletal muscles remain large in the adult. The alternative splicing of titin mRNA was found repressed by this mutation, a result consistent with the large titin isoform in the mutant. The developmental pattern of titin mRNA alternative splicing differs between heart and skeletal muscles. The retention of intron 49 reveals a possible mechanism for the absence of the N2B unique region in the expressed titin protein of skeletal muscle. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Timescale of silver nanoparticle transformation in neural cell cultures impacts measured cell response

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hume, Stephanie L.; Chiaramonti, Ann N.; Rice, Katherine P.; Schwindt, Rani K.; MacCuspie, Robert I.; Jeerage, Kavita M.

2015-07-01

Both serum protein concentration and ionic strength are important factors in nanoparticle transformation within cell culture environments. However, silver nanoparticles are not routinely tracked at their working concentration in the specific medium used for in vitro toxicology studies. Here we evaluated the transformation of electrostatically stabilized citrate nanoparticles (C-AgNPs) and sterically stabilized polyvinylpyrrolidone nanoparticles (PVP-AgNPs) in a low-serum ( 0.2 mg/mL bovine serum albumin) culture medium, while measuring the response of rat cortex neural progenitor cells, which differentiate in this culture environment. After 24 h, silver nanoparticles at concentrations up to 10 µg/mL did not affect adenosine triphosphate levels, whereas silver ions decreased adenosine triphosphate levels at concentrations of 1.1 µg/mL or higher. After 240 h, both silver nanoparticles, as well as silver ion, unambiguously decreased adenosine triphosphate levels at concentrations of 1 and 1.1 µg/mL, respectively, suggesting particle dissolution. Particle transformation was investigated in 1:10 diluted, 1:2 diluted, or undiluted differentiation medium, all having an identical protein concentration, to separate the effect of serum protein stabilization from ionic strength destabilization. Transmission electron microscopy images indicated that particles in 1:10 medium were not surrounded by proteins, whereas particles became clustered within a non-crystalline protein matrix after 24 h in 1:2 medium and at 0 h in undiluted medium. Despite evidence for a protein corona, particles were rapidly destabilized by high ionic strength media. Polyvinylpyrrolidone increased the stability of singly dispersed particles compared to citrate ligands; however, differences were negligible after 4 h in 1:2 medium or after 1 h in undiluted medium. Thus low-serum culture environments do not provide sufficient colloidal stability for long-term toxicology studies with citrate- or polyvinylpyrrolidone-stabilized silver nanoparticles.

Comparison of an Oscillometric Method with Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Analysis of Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity

PubMed Central

Feistritzer, Hans-Josef; Reinstadler, Sebastian J.; Klug, Gert; Kremser, Christian; Seidner, Benjamin; Esterhammer, Regina; Schocke, Michael F.; Franz, Wolfgang-Michael; Metzler, Bernhard

2015-01-01

Objectives Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is the proposed gold-standard for the assessment of aortic elastic properties. The aim of this study was to compare aortic PWV determined by a recently developed oscillometric device with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). Methods PWV was assessed in 40 volunteers with two different methods. The oscillometric method (PWVOSC) is based on a transfer function from the brachial pressure waves determined by oscillometric blood pressure measurements with a common cuff (Mobil-O-Graph, I.E.M. Stolberg, Germany). CMR was used to determine aortic PWVCMR with the use of the transit time method based on phase-contrast imaging at the level of the ascending and abdominal aorta on a clinical 1.5 Tesla scanner (Siemens, Erlangen, Germany). Results The median age of the study population was 34 years (IQR: 24–55 years, 11 females). A very strong correlation was found between PWVOSC and PWVCMR (r = 0.859, p < 0.001). Mean PWVOSC was 6.7 ± 1.8 m/s and mean PWVCMR was 6.1 ± 1.8 m/s (p < 0.001). Analysis of agreement between the two measurements using Bland-Altman method showed a bias of 0.57 m/s (upper and lower limit of agreement: 2.49 m/s and -1.34 m/s). The corresponding coefficient of variation between both measurements was 15%. Conclusion Aortic pulse wave velocity assessed by transformation of the brachial pressure waveform showed an acceptable agreement with the CMR-derived transit time method. PMID:25612307

Lakes without Landsat? An alternative approach to remote lake monitoring with MODIS 250 m imagery

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ian M. McCullough,; Loftin, Cynthia S.; Steven A. Sader,

2013-01-01

We evaluated use of MODIS 250 m imagery for remote lake monitoring in Maine. Despite limited spectral resolution (visible red and near infrared bands), the twice daily image capture has a potential advantage over conventionally used, often cloudy Landsat imagery (16 day interval) when short time windows are of interest. We analyzed 364 eligible (≥100 ha) Maine lakes during late summer (Aug–early Sep) 2000–2011. The red band was strongly correlated with natural log-transformed Secchi depth (SD), and the addition of ancillary lake and watershed variables explained some variability in ln(SD) (R2= 0.68–0.85; 9 models). Weak spectral resolution and variable lake conditions limited accurate lake monitoring to relatively productive periods in late summer, as indicated by inconsistent, sometimes weak regressions during June and July when lakes were clearer and less stable (R2 = 0.19–0.74; 8 models). Additionally, SD estimates derived from 2 sets of concurrent MODIS and Landsat imagery generally did not agree unless Landsat imagery (30 m) was resampled to 250 m, likely owing to various factors related to scale. Average MODIS estimates exceeded those of Landsat by 0.35 and 0.49 m on the 2 dates. Overall, MODIS 250 m imagery are potentially useful for remote lake monitoring during productive periods when Landsat data are unavailable; however, analyses must occur when algal communities are stable and well-developed, are biased toward large lakes, may overestimate SD, and accuracy may be unreliable without non-spectral lake predictors.

Lakes without Landsat? An alternative approach to remote lake monitoring with MODIS 250 m imagery

USGS Publications Warehouse

Loftin, Cyndy; Ian M. McCullough,; Steven A. Sader,

2013-01-01

We evaluated use of MODIS 250 m imagery for remote lake monitoring in Maine. Despite limited spectral resolution (visible red and near infrared bands), the twice daily image capture has a potential advantage over conventionally used, often cloudy Landsat imagery (16 day interval) when short time windows are of interest. We analyzed 364 eligible (≥100 ha) Maine lakes during late summer (Aug–early Sep) 2000–2011. The red band was strongly correlated with natural log-transformed Secchi depth (SD), and the addition of ancillary lake and watershed variables explained some variability in ln(SD) (R2 = 0.68–0.85; 9 models). Weak spectral resolution and variable lake conditions limited accurate lake monitoring to relatively productive periods in late summer, as indicated by inconsistent, sometimes weak regressions during June and July when lakes were clearer and less stable (R2 = 0.19–0.74; 8 models). Additionally, SD estimates derived from 2 sets of concurrent MODIS and Landsat imagery generally did not agree unless Landsat imagery (30 m) was resampled to 250 m, likely owing to various factors related to scale. Average MODIS estimates exceeded those of Landsat by 0.35 and 0.49 m on the 2 dates. Overall, MODIS 250 m imagery are potentially useful for remote lake monitoring during productive periods when Landsat data are unavailable; however, analyses must occur when algal communities are stable and well-developed, are biased toward large lakes, may overestimate SD, and accuracy may be unreliable without non-spectral lake predictors.

In situ IR and X-ray high spatial-resolution microspectroscopy measurements of multistep organic transformation in flow microreactor catalyzed by Au nanoclusters.

PubMed

Gross, Elad; Shu, Xing-Zhong; Alayoglu, Selim; Bechtel, Hans A; Martin, Michael C; Toste, F Dean; Somorjai, Gabor A

2014-03-05

Analysis of catalytic organic transformations in flow reactors and detection of short-lived intermediates are essential for optimization of these complex reactions. In this study, spectral mapping of a multistep catalytic reaction in a flow microreactor was performed with a spatial resolution of 15 μm, employing micrometer-sized synchrotron-based IR and X-ray beams. Two nanometer sized Au nanoclusters were supported on mesoporous SiO2, packed in a flow microreactor, and activated toward the cascade reaction of pyran formation. High catalytic conversion and tunable products selectivity were achieved under continuous flow conditions. In situ synchrotron-sourced IR microspectroscopy detected the evolution of the reactant, vinyl ether, into the primary product, allenic aldehyde, which then catalytically transformed into acetal, the secondary product. By tuning the residence time of the reactants in a flow microreactor a detailed analysis of the reaction kinetics was performed. An in situ micrometer X-ray absorption spectroscopy scan along the flow reactor correlated locally enhanced catalytic conversion, as detected by IR microspectroscopy, to areas with high concentration of Au(III), the catalytically active species. These results demonstrate the fundamental understanding of the mechanism of catalytic reactions which can be achieved by the detailed mapping of organic transformations in flow reactors.

The Impact of In Vitro Accelerated Aging, Approximating 30 and 60 Years In Vivo, on Commercially Available Zirconia Dental Implants.

PubMed

Monzavi, Mona; Noumbissi, Sammy; Nowzari, Hessam

2017-04-01

Despite increased popularity of Zirconia dental implants, concerns have been raised regarding low temperature degradation (LTD) and its effect on micro-structural integrity. This study evaluated the effect of LTD on four types of Zirconia dental implants at 0, 30, and 60 years of artificial aging. The impact of aging on t-m transformation and micro crack formation was measured. Accelerated aging at 15 and 30 hours, approximating 30 and 60 years in vivo, aged 36 Zirconia dental implants: Z systems ® (A), Straumann ® (B), Ceraroot ® (C), and Zeramex ® (D). Focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopic analysis determined the micro structural features, phase transformation, and the formation of micro cracks. At 15 hours, type A implant presented with micro cracks and t-m transformation of 0.9 µm and 3.1 µm, respectively. At 30 hours, micro cracks remained shallow (1 µm). At 15 hours, type B implant presented micro cracks (0.7 µm) and grain transformation (1.2 µm). At 30 hours, these features remained superficial at 0.6 and 1.5 µm, respectively. Type C implant presented surface micro cracks of 0.3 µm at 15 hours. The depth of t-m transformation slightly increased to 1.4 µm. At 30 hours, number of micro cracks increased at the surface to an average depth of 1.5 µm. Depth of t-m transformation increased to an average of 2.5 µm. At 15 hours, micro cracks remained superficial (0.8 µm) for type D implant and depth of t-m transformation increased to 2.3 µm. At 30 hours, the depth of micro cracks increased to an average of 1.3 µm followed by increased t-m transformation to a depth of 4.1 µm. Depth of grain transformation remained within 1-4 µm from the surface. The effect of aging was minimal for all Zirconia implants. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Design, construction, prototype tests and performance of a vertex chamber for the MAC detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ash, W. W.; Band, H. R.; Bloom, E. D.; Bosman, M.; Camporesi, T.; Chadwick, G. B.; Delfino, M. C.; De Sangro, R.; Ford, W. T.; Gettner, M. W.; Goderre, G. P.; Godfrey, G. L.; Groom, D. E.; Hurst, R. B.; Johnson, J. R.; Lau, K. H.; Lavine, T. L.; Leedy, R. E.; Lippi, I.; Maruyama, T.; Messner, R. L.; Moromisato, J. H.; Moss, L. J.; Muller, F.; Nelson, H. N.; Peruzzi, I.; Piccolo, M.; Prepost, R.; Pyrlik, J.; Qi, N.; Read, A. L.; Ritson, D. M.; Rosenberg, L. J.; Shambroom, W. D.; Sleeman, J. C.; Smith, J. G.; Venuti, J. P.; Verdini, P. G.; Von Goeler, E.; Wald, H. B.; Weinstein, R.; Wiser, D. E.; Zdarko, R. W.

1987-11-01

The design considerations, construction techniques, prototype tests and performance characteristics of a pressurized drift chamber used in the MAC detector at PEP are described. The chamber consists of 324 aluminized mylar tubes of 6.9 mm diameter with wall thickness of 100 μm. With appropriate shielding it operates successfully at 4.6 cm from the beam line. It was simple to construct and was configured to permit any malfunctioning tubes to be remotely disconnected without affecting operation. The chamber operated without problems for two years in the PEP environment with a gas mixture of 49.5% argon, 49.5% CO 2, 1% CH 4, at 4 atm absolute pressure. The mean spatial resolution averaged over all tubes was 45 μm. The time to distance relation for this gas mixture, along with the geometric positioning of individual wires relative to the central tracking chamber, was obtained with data from Bhabha scattering events. We also describe resolution studies performed with a prototype chamber in a SLAC test beam. A wide range of gases, gas pressures, and electronic parameters were explored. These studies proved that resolutions in the 10-50 μm range were possible. Our experience demonstrates that chambers of this type provide high precision tracking and are particularly suited for operation in regions with difficult physical access and/or high ambient radiation levels.

Site Specific Discrete PEGylation of 124I-Labeled mCC49 Fab′ Fragments Improves Tumor MicroPET/CT Imaging in Mice

PubMed Central

Ding, Haiming; Carlton, Michelle M.; Povoski, Stephen P.; Milum, Keisha; Kumar, Krishan; Kothandaraman, Shankaran; Hinkle, George H.; Colcher, David; Brody, Rich; Davis, Paul D.; Pokora, Alex; Phelps, Mitchell; Martin, Edward W.; Tweedle, Michael F.

2014-01-01

The tumor-associated glycoprotein-72 (TAG-72) antigen is highly overexpressed in various human adenocarcinomas and anti-TAG-72 monoclonal antibodies, and fragments are therefore useful as pharmaceutical targeting vectors. In this study, we investigated the effects of site-specific PEGylation with MW 2–4 kDa discrete, branched PEGylation reagents on mCC49 Fab′ (MW 50 kDa) via in vitro TAG72 binding, and in vivo blood clearance kinetics, biodistribution, and mouse tumor microPET/CT imaging. mCC49Fab′ (Fab′-NEM) was conjugated at a hinge region cysteine with maleimide-dPEG12-(dPEG24COOH)3 acid (Mal-dPEG-A), maleimide-dPEG12-(dPEG12COOH)3 acid (Mal-dPEG-B), or maleimide-dPEG12-(m-dPEG24)3 (Mal-dPEG-C), and then radiolabeled with iodine-124 (124I) in vitro radioligand binding assays and in vivo studies used TAG-72 expressing LS174T human colon carcinoma cells and xenograft mouse tumors. Conjugation of mCC49Fab′ with Mal-dPEG-A (Fab′-A) reduced the binding affinity of the non PEGylated Fab′ by 30%; however, in vivo, Fab′-A significantly lengthened the blood retention vs Fab′-NEM (47.5 vs 28.1%/ID at 1 h, 25.1 vs 8.4%/ID at 5 h, p < 0.01), showed excellent tumor to background, better microPET/CT images due to higher tumor accumulation, and increased tumor concentration in excised tissues at 72 h by 130% (5.09 ± 0.83 vs 3.83 ± 1.50%ID/g, p < 0.05). Despite the strong similarity of the three PEGylation reagents, PEGylation with Mal-dPEG-B or -C reduced the in vitro binding affinity of Fab′-NEM by 70%, blood retention, microPET/CT imaging tumor signal intensity, and residual 72 h tumor concentration by 49% (3.83 ± 1.50 vs 1.97 ± 0.29%ID/g, p < 0.05) and 63% (3.83 ± 1.50 vs 1.42 ± 0.35%ID/g, p < 0.05), respectively. We conclude that remarkably subtle changes in the structure of the PEGylation reagent can create significantly altered biologic behavior. Further study is warranted of conjugates of the triple branched, negatively charged Mal-dPEG-A. PMID:24175669

Toward a proof of Montonen-Olive duality via multiple M2-branes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hashimoto, Koji; Tai, Ta-Sheng; Terashima, Seiji

2009-04-01

We derive 4-dimensional Script N = 4 U(N) supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory from a 3-dimensional Chern-Simons-matter theory with product gauge group (U(N))2n. The latter describes M2-branes probing an orbifold where a torus emerges in a scaling limit. It is expected that the SL(2,Z) duality of the 4-dimensional Yang-Mills theory will be shown in M-theory point of view since it is trivially realized as modular transformations of the torus. Indeed, starting from one single Chern-Simons-matter theory, we find infinitely many equivalent 4-dimensional theories differing up to T-transformation of the SL(2,Z) redefinition of the gauge coupling τ = θ/2π + 4πi/g2 and a parity transformation in 4 dimensions. Although S-transformation can not be shown in our work, it is important that a part of the SL(2,Z) transformation is realized via the M2-brane action. Thus we think our work can be a step toward a proof of Montonen-Olive duality via M2-branes.

49 CFR 213.137 - Frogs.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... than 10 m.p.h. (c) If the tread portion of a frog casting is worn down more than three-eighths inch below the original contour, operating speed over that frog shall not be more than 10 m.p.h. (d) Where... 49 Transportation 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Frogs. 213.137 Section 213.137 Transportation...

Energy-Filtered High-Resolution Electron Microscopy for Quantitative Solid State Structure Determination

DTIC Science & Technology

1997-01-01

is given by [19]: vP = e Ïne /(m0««0) , where e is the elementary charge, m0 is the electron rest mass, ne is the density of free electrons, and...and energy filtering systems. Fig. 8. EELS spectra acquired from a Ni/Ti multilayer specimen when the elctron beam is positioned at (a) Ti and (b) Ni...332 (1991). [11] T. Tanji, K. Urata, K. Ishizuka, Q. Ru, and A. Tonomura, Ultramicroscopy 49, 259–264 (1993). [12] D. E . Newbury, Microscopy: The Key

High Order Accuracy Methods for Supersonic Reactive Flows

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-06-25

k = 0, · · · , N and N is the polynomial order used. The positive constant M is chosen such that σ(N) becomes machine zero. Typically M ∼ 32. Table...function used in this study is the Exponential filter given by σ(η) = exp(−αηp), (38) where α = − ln() and is the machine zero. The spectral...respectively. All numerical experiments were run 49 on a 667 MHz Compaq Alpha machine with 1GB memory and with an Alpha internal floating point processor. 9.1

Microstructure and transformation behavior of Ni{sub 24.7}Ti{sub 50.3}Pd{sub 25} high temperature shape-memory alloy with Sc micro-addition

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

Ramaiah, K.V., E-mail: kvramaiah@nal.res.in; Saikrishna, C.N.; Gouthama

2015-08-15

NiTiPd shape-memory alloys (SMAs) are potential functional materials for use as solid-state actuators in the temperature range 100–250 °C. The present study investigates the effect of 1.0 at.% Sc micro-addition to Ni{sub 24.7}Ti{sub 50.3}Pd{sub 25} alloy, Sc replacing either Ti or Ni. Results show that all the three alloys studied have stable transformation behavior on stress-free thermal cycling and hence, are suitable for cyclic actuation applications. However, the addition of Sc to NiTiPd alloy leads to decrease of transformation temperatures, the magnitude of decrease being greater for the alloy with Sc replacing Ni. The martensite finish (M{sub f}) temperature ofmore » 181 °C for the NiTiPd alloy decreased to 139 °C for Sc replacing Ti and 83 °C for Sc replacing Ni. Also, the indentation modulus of NiTiPdSc (Sc replacing Ni) alloy is found to be significantly low compared to the other alloys. Analysis indicates that the observed differences in the alloy properties are related to the solubility of Sc in the NiTiPd matrix. While the quaternary NiTiPdSc alloy, Sc replacing Ti, has a single phase microstructure, the alloy with Sc replacing Ni shows the presence of Sc-rich and TiPd-type second phases in the microstructure. TEM examination revealed that the TiPd-type phase has a distinct rod-like morphology (30–50 nm) arranged in a grid-like structure. The transformation and indentation behavior of the alloys is elucidated using thermodynamic calculations of frictional energy and an electronic structure based analysis. - Highlights: • TEM of Ni{sub 23.7}Ti{sub 50.3}Pd{sub 25}Sc{sub 1} showed distinct grid of TiPd-type phase nanorods < 50 nm. • Stress-free thermal cycling of all the three alloys showed stable transformation behavior. • Ni{sub 24.7}Ti{sub 49.3}Pd{sub 25}Sc{sub 1} and Ni{sub 23.7}Ti{sub 50.3}Pd{sub 25}Sc{sub 1} showed single and multiphase structures. • Sc micro-addition (1 at.%) to Ni{sub 24.7}Ti{sub 50.3}Pd{sub 25} alloy decreased TTs significantly. • Ni{sub 23.7}Ti{sub 50.3}Pd{sub 25}Sc{sub 1} exhibited lower modulus of 67 GPa to 85 GPa of Ni{sub 24.7}Ti{sub 50.3}Pd{sub 25}.« less

Pilot study of a training program to enhance transformational leadership in Spinal Cord Injury Peer Mentors.

PubMed

Martin Ginis, Kathleen A; Shaw, Robert B; Stork, Matthew J; Battalova, Alfiya; McBride, Christopher B

2018-01-01

Experimental, pragmatic design. (1) To determine the effects of a transformational leadership (TFL) training program on spinal cord injury (SCI) peer mentors and their mentees; (2) To document characteristics of mentorship within a community-based SCI peer mentor program. In total 23 SCI peer mentors (70% male; M age = 47.4 ± 12.1) were randomly allocated to an Experimental or Control condition. Experimental condition mentors received a half-day TFL workshop and bi-weekly emailed information on using TFL in SCI peer mentorship. Sixteen SCI mentees (50% male; M age = 49.1 ± 12.9) enrolled in the study and 9 completed measures of self-efficacy and their mentors' use of TFL and supportiveness at 3 and 6-months. Mentors completed monthly reports of mentorship activities. Community-based peer mentorship program in British Columbia, Canada. There were no between-groups differences in mentee self-efficacy, mentor use of TFL or mentor supportiveness. In the Experimental condition only, total mentorship time and sessions were positively correlated with mentors' use of TFL and supportiveness. Mentorship occurred in-person, by phone, text, and email and mentors discussed an average of 11 topics. The intervention did not increase SCI peer mentors' use of TFL relative to a Control condition. Nevertheless, there may be merit in coaching SCI peer mentors to use TFL given the positive correlations between mentorship time and sessions, TFL use, and perceived supportiveness of the mentor. Although inherently challenging, research involving community-based SCI peer mentorship programs provides opportunities for scientists and community organizations to extend knowledge of peer mentorship beyond the context of hospital-based programs. Research supported by a SSHRC Partnership Development Grant.

Impact of heat treatments on the fatigue resistance of different rotary nickel-titanium instruments.

PubMed

Braga, Lígia Carolina Moreira; Faria Silva, Ana Cristina; Buono, Vicente Tadeu Lopes; de Azevedo Bahia, Maria Guiomar

2014-09-01

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of M-Wire (Dentsply Tulsa Dental Specialties, Tulsa, OK) and controlled memory technologies on the fatigue resistance of rotary nickel-titanium (NiTi) files by comparing files made using these 2 technologies with conventional NiTi files. Files with a similar cross-sectional design and diameter were chosen for the study: new 30/.06 files of the EndoWave (EW; J. Morita Corp, Osaka, Japan), HyFlex (HF; Coltene/Whaledent, Inc, Cuyahoga Falls, OH), ProFile Vortex (PV; Dentsply Tulsa Dental Specialties, Tulsa, OK), and Typhoon (TYP; Clinician's Choice Dental Products, New Milford, CT) systems together with ProTaper Universal F2 instruments (PTU F2; Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland). The compositions and transformation temperatures of the instruments were analyzed using x-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry, whereas the mean file diameter values at 3 mm from the tip (D3) were measured using image analysis software. The average number of cycles to failure was determined using a fatigue test device. X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy analysis showed that, on average, all the instruments exhibited the same chemical composition, namely, 51% Ni-49% Ti. The PV, TYP, and HF files exhibited increased transformation temperatures. The PTU F2, PV, and TYP files had similar D3 values, which were less than those of the EW and HF files. The average number of cycles to failure values were 150% higher for the TYP files compared with the PV files and 390% higher for the HF files compared with the EW files. M-Wire and controlled memory technologies increase the fatigue resistance of rotary NiTi files. Copyright © 2014 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Photochemical Reactivity of Dissolved Organic Matter in Boreal Lakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Y.; Vuorio, K.; Tiirola, M.; Perämäki, S.; Vahatalo, A.

2016-12-01

Boreal lakes are rich in dissolved organic matter (DOM) that terrestrially derived from forest soil and wetland, yet little is known about potential for photochemical transformation of aquatic DOM in boreal lakes. Transformation of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) can decrease water color and enhance microbial mineralization, affecting primary production and respiration, which both affect the CO2 balance of the lakes. We used laboratory solar radiation exposure experiments with lake water samples collected from 54 lakes located in Finland and Sweden, representing different catchment composition and watershed location to assess photochemical reactivity of DOM. The pH of water samples ranged from 5.4 to 8.3, and the concentrations of dissolved iron (Fe) were between < 0.06 and 22 μmol L-1. The filtered water samples received simulated solar radiation corresponding to a daily dose of sunlight, and photomineralization of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) was measured for determination of spectral apparent quantum yields (AQY). During irradiation, photobleaching decreased the absorption coefficients of CDOM at 330 nm between 4.9 and 79 m-1 by 0.5 to 11 m-1. Irradiation generated DIC from 2.8 to 79 μmol C L-1. The AQY at 330 nm ranged between 31 and 273 ×10-6 mol C mol photons-1 h-1, which was correlated positively with concentration of dissolved Fe, and negatively with pH. Further statistical analyze indicated that the interaction between pH and Fe may explain much of the photochemical reactivity of DOM in the examined lakes, and land cover concerns main catchment areas also can have impact on the photoreaction process. This study may suggest how environmental conditions regulate DOM photomineralization in boreal lakes.

40 CFR 49.11020 - Federally-promulgated regulations and Federal implementation plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... emissions detrimental to public health or welfare. (l) Section 49.137Rule for air pollution episodes. (m) Section 49.138Rule for the registration of air pollution sources and the reporting of emissions. (n... AGENCY GRANTS AND OTHER FEDERAL ASSISTANCE INDIAN COUNTRY: AIR QUALITY PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT...

Enhancement of SV40 transformation by treatment of C3H2K cells with uv light and caffeine. I. Combined effect of uv light and caffeine. [Mice

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

Ide, T.; Anzai, K.; Andoh, T.

1975-08-01

Treatment of cultured mouse cells, C3H2K, with uv light and/or caffeine enhanced the frequency of SV40-induced transformation. This enhancement depends upon the doses of uv and caffeine and the mode of combination of these agents. Irradiation of cells with increasing doses of uv just before infection resulted in approximately 2-fold enhancement of the transformation frequency up to a dose of 90 ergs/mm/sup 2/ and 3.3-fold at 150 ergs/mm/sup 2/. Addition of 1 mM caffeine to the medium for 4 days subsequent to infection brought about a 2-fold enhancement. When cells were irradiated and treated with 1 mM caffeine, the enhancementmore » was approximately 4-fold up to a uv dose of 90 ergs/mm/sup 2/ and 5.9-fold at 150 ergs/mm/sup 2/. When 0.1 to 4 mM caffeine was added for 4 days postinfection, the absolute number of transformations increased, and an enhancement ratio of 1.3 to 6.8 resulted. After the addition of the same increasing doses of caffeine to uv-irradiated cells (75 ergs/mm/sup 2/), the enhancement of transformation frequency was even higher ranging 2.0 to 13.3. The transformation frequencies thus obtained by the double treatment were always higher than those predicted if uv and caffeine acted additively. The transformation frequency was little affected by the addition of dibutyrylcyclic AMP and theophylline.« less

Hit to Lead optimization of a novel class of squarate-containing polo-like kinases inhibitors.

PubMed

Zhang, Qingwei; Xia, Zhiren; Mitten, Michael J; Lasko, Loren M; Klinghofer, Vered; Bouska, Jennifer; Johnson, Eric F; Penning, Thomas D; Luo, Yan; Giranda, Vincent L; Shoemaker, Alexander R; Stewart, Kent D; Djuric, Stevan W; Vasudevan, Anil

2012-12-15

A high throughput screening (HTS) hit, 1 (Plk1 K(i)=2.2 μM) was optimized and evaluated for the enzymatic inhibition of Plk-1 kinase. Molecular modeling suggested the importance of adding a hydrophobic aromatic amine side chain in order to improve the potency by a classic kinase H-donor-acceptor binding mode. Extensive SAR studies led to the discovery of 49 (Plk1 K(i)=5 nM; EC(50)=1.05 μM), which demonstrated moderate efficacy at 100 mpk in a MiaPaCa tumor model, with no overt toxicity. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hydrothermal activities around Dragon Horn Area (49.7°E) on ultra-slow spreading Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tao, C.; Liang, J.; Zhang, H.; Li, H.; Egorov, I. V.; Liao, S.

2016-12-01

The Dragon Horn Area (49.7°E), is located at the west end of the EW trending Segment 28 of Southwest Indian Ridge between Indomed and Gallieni FZ. The segment is characterized by highly asymmetric topography. The northern flank is deeper and develops typical parallel linear fault escarpments. Meanwhile, the southern flank, where the Dragon Horn lies, is shallower and bears corrugations. The indicative corrugated surface which extends some 5×5 km was interpreted to be of Dragon Flag OCC origin (Zhao et al., 2013). Neo-volcanic ridge extends along the middle of the rifted valley and is bounded by two non-transform offsets to the east and west. Our investigations revealed 6 hydrothermal fields/anomalies in this area, including 2 confirmed sulfide fields, 1 carbonate field, and 3 inferred hydrothermal anomalies based on methane and turbidity data from 2016 AUV survey. Longqi-1(Dragon Flag) vent system lies to the northwest edge of Dragon Flag OCC. It is one of the largest hydrothermal venting systems along Mid-Ocean Ridges, with maximum temperature at vent site DFF6 of 'M zone' up to 379.3 °C (Tao et al, 2016). Massive sulfides (49.73 °E, 37.78 °S) were sampled 10 km east to Longqi-1, representing independent hydrothermal activities controlled by respective local structures. According to geological mapping and interpretation, both sulfide fields are located on the hanging wall of the Dragon Flag OCC detachment. Combined with the inferred hydrothermal anomaly to the east of the massive sulfide site, we suppose that they are controlled by different fault phases during the detachment of oceanic core complex. Moreover, consolidated carbonate sediments were widely observed and sampled on the corrugated surface and its west side, they are proposed to be precipitated during the serpentinization of ultramafic rocks, representing low-temperature hydrothermal process. These hydrothermal activities, distributed within 20km, may be controlled by the same Dragon Flag OCC. Acknowledgement This work was supported by National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) under contract No. 2012CB417305, China Ocean Mineral Resources R & D Association "Twelfth Five-Year" Major Program under contract No. DY125-11-R-01 and DY125-11-R-05

The halo of M 49 and its environment as traced by planetary nebulae populations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hartke, J.; Arnaboldi, M.; Longobardi, A.; Gerhard, O.; Freeman, K. C.; Okamura, S.; Nakata, F.

2017-07-01

Context. The galaxy M 49 (NGC 4472) is the brightest early-type galaxy in the Virgo Cluster. It is located in subcluster B and has an unusually blue, metal-poor outer halo. Planetary nebulae (PNe) are excellent tracers of diffuse galaxy and intragroup light (IGL). Aims: We aim to present a photometric survey of PNe in the galaxy's extended halo to characterise its PN population, as well as the surrounding IGL of the subcluster B. Methods: PNe were identified based on their bright [OIII]5007 Å emission and absence of a broad-band continuum through automated detection techniques. Results: We identify 738 PNe out to a radius of 155 kpc from M 49's centre from which we define a complete sample of 624 PNe within a limiting magnitude of m5007,lim = 28.8. Comparing the PN number density to the broad-band stellar surface brightness profile, we find a variation of the PN-specific frequency (α-parameter) with radius. The outer halo beyond 60kpc has a 3.2 times higher α-parameter compared to the main galaxy halo (α2.5,innerM 49 = (3.20 ± 0.43) × 10-9 PN L-1⊙,bol), which is likely due to contribution from the surrounding blue IGL. We use the planetary nebulae luminosity function (PNLF) as an indicator of distance and stellar population. Its slope, which correlates empirically with galaxy type, varies within the inner halo. In the eastern quadrant of M 49, the PNLF slope is shallower, indicating an additional localised, bright PN population following an accretion event, likely that of the dwarf irregular galaxy VCC1249. We also determined a distance modulus of μPNLF = 31.29+ 0.07-0.08 for M 49, corresponding to a physical distance of 18.1 ± 0.6 Mpc, which agrees with a recent surface-brightness fluctuations distance. Conclusions: The PN populations in the outer halo of M 49 are consistent with the presence of a main Sérsic galaxy halo with a slight (B - V) colour gradient of 10-4 mag arcsec-1 surrounded by IGL with a very blue colour of (B - V) = 0.25 and a constant surface brightness μV = 28.0 mag arcsec-2. Based on data collected at Subaru Telescope, which is operated by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan under programme S14A-006.

Compact & Ultra-High Resolution Terahertz Spectroscopic/Fingerprint System

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-05-11

successfully fusion - spliced with commercial silica fibers for the first time, which makes the whole MOPA system monolithic. Fig. 7 (a) shows the output...QPM-GaP crystals and the proposed THz crystal fiber converters for high power parametric THz source, THz waveguide modeling for high efficiency and...THz spectroscopic/fingerprinting system. We have achieved 0.212 mJ fiber laser pulses with transform-limited linewidth, bonded QPM-GaP crystals and

Highly efficient end-side-pumped Nd:YAG solar laser by a heliostat-parabolic mirror system.

PubMed

Almeida, J; Liang, D; Vistas, C R; Guillot, E

2015-03-10

We report a large improvement in the collection and slope efficiency of an Nd:YAG solar laser pumped by a heliostat-parabolic mirror system. A conical fused silica lens was used to further concentrate the solar radiation from the focal zone of a 2 m diameter primary concentrator to a Nd:YAG single-crystal rod within a conical pump cavity, which enabled multipass pumping to the active medium. A 56 W cw laser power was measured, corresponding to 21.1  W/m2 record-high solar laser collection efficiency with the heliostat-parabolic mirror system. 4.9% slope efficiency was calculated, corresponding to 175% enhancement over our previous result.

Structure of the mouse glucocorticoid receptor: rapid analysis by size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography.

PubMed

LaPointe, M C; Chang, C H; Vedeckis, W V

1986-04-22

Gel-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been used to separate the untransformed from the transformed glucocorticoid receptor (GC-R) extracted from mouse AtT-20 cells. With 200 mM potassium phosphate as the eluent, an efficient separation of the forms of the GC-R is attained in 15-20 min. The untransformed cytosolic GC-R elutes from the column with a Stokes radius (Rs) of 8.2-8.6 nm, as do the molybdate-stabilized GC-R, the purified untransformed GC-R, and the cross-linked cytosolic GC-R. GC-R transformed in vitro by either ammonium sulfate precipitation, KCl treatment, or G-25 chromatography elutes with an Rs of 5.7-6 nm. Also, GC-R extracted from the nucleus with either 0.3 M KCl or 2 mM sodium tungstate, or purified by two cycles of DNA-cellulose chromatography, has an Rs of 5.5-6.3 nm. The data are identical either in the presence or in the absence of 20 mM Na2MoO4, suggesting that molybdate is not causing aggregation to produce a larger Rs value than that of the native receptor. Vertical tube rotor sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation of cytosol produces three forms of the GC-R: 9.1 S, 5.2 S, and 3.8 S. Sequential analysis of the GC-R forms by HPLC and vertical tube rotor ultracentrifugation and vice versa allows for the hydrodynamic determination of molecular weight within a very short time period (2-3 h total).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Transformation Paths from Cubic to Low-Symmetry Structures in Heusler Ni2MnGa Compound.

PubMed

Zelený, Martin; Straka, Ladislav; Sozinov, Alexei; Heczko, Oleg

2018-05-08

In order to explain the formation of low-temperature phases in stoichiometric Ni 2 MnGa magnetic shape memory alloy, we investigate the phase transformation paths from cubic austenite with Heusler structure to low-symmetry martensitic structures. We used ab initio calculations combined with the generalized solid state nudged elastic band method to determine the minimum energy path and corresponding changes in crystal lattice. The four-, five-, and seven-layered modulated phases of martensite (4O, 10M, and 14M) are built as the relaxed nanotwinned non-modulated (NM) phase. Despite having a total energy larger than the other martensitic phases, the 10M phase will spontaneously form at 0 K, because there is no energy barrier on the path and the energy decreases with a large negative slope. Moreover, a similar negative slope in the beginning of path is found also for the transformation to the 6M premartensite, which appears as a local minimum on the path leading further to 10M martensite. Transformation paths to other structures exhibit more or less significant barriers in the beginning hindering such a transformation from austenite. These findings correspond to experiment and demonstrates that the kinetics of the transformation is decisive for the selection of the particular low-symmetry structure.

High-resolution linkage map in the proximity of the host resistance locus Cmv1

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

Depatie, C.; Muise, E.; Gros, P.

1997-01-15

The mouse chromosome 6 locus Cmv1 controls replication of mouse Cytomegalovirus (MCMV) in the spleen of the infected host. In our effort to clone Cmv1, we have constructed a high-resolution genetic linkage map in the proximity of the gene. For this, a total of 45 DNA markers corresponding to either cloned genes or microsatellites were mapped within a 7.9-cM interval overlapping the Cmv1 region. We have followed the cosegregation of these markers with respect to Cmv1 in a total of 2248 backcross mice from a preexisting interspecific backcross panel of 281 (Mus spretus X C57BL/6J)F1 X C57BL/6J and 2 novelmore » panels of 989 (A/J X C57BL6)F1 X A/J and 978 (BALB/c X C57BL/6J)F1 X BALB/c segregating Cmv1. Combined pedigree analysis allowed us to determine the following gene order and intergene distances (in cM) on the distal region of mouse chromosome 6: D6Mit216-(1.9)-D6Mit336-(2.2)-D6Mit218-(1.0)-D6Mit52-(0.5)-D6Mit194-(0.2)-Nkrp1/D6Mit61/135/257/289/338-(0.4)-Cmv1/Ly49A/D6Mit370-(0.3)-Prp/Kap/D6Mit13/111/219-(0.3)-Tel/D6Mit374/290/220/196/195/110-(1.1)-D6Mit25. Therefore, the minimal genetic interval for Cmv1 of 0.7 cM is defined by 13 tightly linked markers including 2 markers, Ly49A and D6Mit370, that did not show recombination with Cmv1 in 1967 meioses analyzed; the proximal limit of the Cmv1 domain was defined by 8 crossovers between Nkrp1/D6Mit61/135/257/289/338 and Cmv1/Ly49A/D6Mit370, and the distal limit was defined by 5 crossovers between Cmv1/Ly49A/D6Mit370 and Prp/Kap/D6Mit13/111/219. This work demonstrates tight linkage between Cmv1 and genes from the natural killer complex (NKC), such as Nkrp1 and Ly49A suggesting that Cmv1 may represent an NK cell recognition structure encoded in the NKC region. 54 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.« less

Amphiphilic chitosan derivatives as carrier agents for rotenone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamari, Azlan; Aljafree, Nurul Farhana Ahmad

2017-08-01

In the present study, the feasibility of amphiphilic chitosan derivatives, namely oleoyl carboxymethyl chitosan (OCMCs), N,N-dimethylhexadecyl carboxymethyl chitosan (DCMCs) and deoxycholic acid carboxymethyl chitosan (DACMCs) as carrier agents for rotenone in water-insoluble pesticide formulations was investigated. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectrometer, CHN-O Elemental Analyser (CHN-O) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) were used to characterise amphiphilic chitosan derivatives. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of amphiphilic chitosan derivatives was determined using a Fluorescence Spectrometer. A High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the ability of OCMCs, DCMCs and DACMCs to load and release rotenone in an in vitro system. Based on TEM analysis, results have shown that amphiphilic chitosan derivatives formed self-assembly and exhibited spherical shape. The CMC values determined for OCMCs, DCMCs and DACMCs were 0.093, 0.098 and 0.468 mg/mL, respectively. The encapsulation efficiency (EE) values for the materials were more than 97.0%, meanwhile the loading capacity (LC) values were greater than 0.90%. OCMCs, DCMCs and DACMCs micelles exhibited an excellent ability to control the release of rotenone, of which 90.0% of rotenone was released within 40 to 52 h. In conclusion, OCMCs, DCMCs and DACMCs possess several key features to act as effective carrier agents for rotenone. Overall, amphiphilic chitosan derivatives produced in this study were successfully increased the solubility of rotenone by 49.0 times higher than free rotenone.

Optimization of solid-state fermentation conditions for Trichoderma harzianum using an orthogonal test.

PubMed

Zhang, J D; Yang, Q

2015-03-13

The aim of this study was to develop a protocol for the production of fungal bio-pesticides with high efficiency, low cost, and non-polluting fermentation, while also increasing their survival rate under field conditions. This is the first study to develop biocontrol Trichoderma harzianum transformants TS1 that are resistant to benzimidazole fungicides. Agricultural corn stover and wheat bran waste were used as a medium and inducing carbon source for solid fermentation. Spore production was observed, and the method was optimized using single-factor tests with 4 factors at 3 levels in an orthogonal experimental design to determine the optimal culture conditions for T. harzianum TS1. In this step, we determined the best conditions for fermenting the biocontrol fungi. The optimal culture conditions for T. harzianum TS1 were cultivated for 8 days, a ratio of straw to wheat bran of 1:3, ammonium persulfate as the nitrogen source, and a water content of 30 mL. Under optimal culture conditions, the sporulation of T. harzianum TS1 reached 1.49 x 10(10) CFU/g, which was 1.46-fold higher than that achieved before optimization. Increased sporulation of T. harzianum TS1 results in better utilization of space and nutrients to achieve control of plant pathogens. This method allows for the recycling of agricultural waste straw.

Pectin-zinc-chitosan-polyethylene glycol colloidal nano-suspension as a food grade carrier for colon targeted delivery of resveratrol.

PubMed

Andishmand, Hashem; Tabibiazar, Mahnaz; Mohammadifar, Mohammad Amin; Hamishehkar, Hamed

2017-04-01

The aim of the present study was to develop chitosan-zinc-pectinate-polyethylene glycol (PEG) nanoparticles (NPs) for colon-targeted delivery of resveratrol. The effects of pectin:ZnCl 2 :chitosan (PZnC) % w/v, pH and ionic strength of media, and addition of PEG on the colloidal stability and release behavior of resveratrol from NPs were examined by Zeta potential, particle size analyzer, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) methods. The particle size and Zeta potential of PZnC NPs in the ratio of 10:1:3% w/v were 399±18nm and +25±1mV, respectively. The addition of PEG to PZnC as a solvent for resveratrol (10% w/v) noticeably decreased the size of NPs to approximately 83±4nm. More than 63% of the resveratrol was encapsulated into the developed NPs; furthermore, a low amount of resveratrol was released during one month, using simulated juice model (pH=4) as investigated by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis of resveratrol.The remaining resveratrol in NPs (∼49%) was released in simulated colon fluid in the presence of pectinase. These NPs can be introduced as a novel platform for successful colon delivery of resveratrol in fruit juice matrix. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

V1327 Aquilae: A New RR Lyrae variable with an extremely high radial velocity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galeev, A. I.; Bikmaev, I. F.; Borisov, N. V.; Zhuchkov, R. Ya.; Shimanskii, V. V.; Khabibullina, M. L.; Sakhibullin, N. A.

2008-07-01

We have carried out photometry and spectroscopy of the star V1327 Aql ( R = 16 m ) as part of our program of observations of poorly studied cataclysmic variables using the 1.5-m optical Russian—Turkish telescope (RTT-150, Turkey) and the 6-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences. After analyzing our photometry, we have re-classified the variable as an RR Lyrae star. Our BV R photometry during 10 nights reveals brightness variations with the period 12h49m, with the B, V, and R amplitudes being 1.36 m , 1.13 m , and 1.11 m , respectively. We derived the first estimates of the star’s atmospheric parameters from our moderate-resolution spectra: T eff = 6280 K, log g = 3.3, [M/H] = -1.05. The extremely high radial velocity of the star’s motion ( V R = -470 km/s) and the star’s large distances to the Galactic center (13.1 kpc) and disk (4.2 kpc) testify to a probable extragalactic origin of this object.

Silicene Flowers: A Dual Stabilized Silicon Building Block for High-Performance Lithium Battery Anodes.

PubMed

Zhang, Xinghao; Qiu, Xiongying; Kong, Debin; Zhou, Lu; Li, Zihao; Li, Xianglong; Zhi, Linjie

2017-07-25

Nanostructuring is a transformative way to improve the structure stability of high capacity silicon for lithium batteries. Yet, the interface instability issue remains and even propagates in the existing nanostructured silicon building blocks. Here we demonstrate an intrinsically dual stabilized silicon building block, namely silicene flowers, to simultaneously address the structure and interface stability issues. These original Si building blocks as lithium battery anodes exhibit extraordinary combined performance including high gravimetric capacity (2000 mAh g -1 at 800 mA g -1 ), high volumetric capacity (1799 mAh cm -3 ), remarkable rate capability (950 mAh g -1 at 8 A g -1 ), and excellent cycling stability (1100 mA h g -1 at 2000 mA g -1 over 600 cycles). Paired with a conventional cathode, the fabricated full cells deliver extraordinarily high specific energy and energy density (543 Wh kg ca -1 and 1257 Wh L ca -1 , respectively) based on the cathode and anode, which are 152% and 239% of their commercial counterparts using graphite anodes. Coupled with a simple, cost-effective, scalable synthesis approach, this silicon building block offers a horizon for the development of high-performance batteries.

Molecular evidence of heavy-oil weathering following the M/V Cosco Busan spill: insights from Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Lemkau, Karin L; McKenna, Amy M; Podgorski, David C; Rodgers, Ryan P; Reddy, Christopher M

2014-04-01

Recent studies have highlighted a critical need to investigate oil weathering beyond the analytical window afforded by conventional gas chromatography (GC). In particular, techniques capable of detecting polar and higher molecular weight (HMW; > 400 Da) components abundant in crude and heavy fuel oils (HFOs) as well as transformation products. Here, we used atmospheric pressure photoionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (APPI FT-ICR MS) to identify molecular transformations in oil-residue samples from the 2007 M/V Cosco Busan HFO spill (San Francisco, CA). Over 617 days, the abundance and diversity of oxygen-containing compounds increased relative to the parent HFO, likely from bio- and photodegradation. HMW, highly aromatic, alkylated compounds decreased in relative abundance concurrent with increased relative abundance of less alkylated stable aromatic structures. Combining these results with GC-based data yielded a more comprehensive understanding of oil spill weathering. For example, dealkylation trends and the overall loss of HMW species observed by FT-ICR MS has not previously been documented and is counterintuitive given losses of lower molecular weight species observed by GC. These results suggest a region of relative stability at the interface of these techniques, which provides new indicators for studying long-term weathering and identifying sources.

Molecular dynamics study of silicon carbide properties under external dynamic loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Utkin, A. V.; Fomin, V. M.

2017-10-01

In this study, molecular dynamic simulations of high-velocity impact of a spherical 3C-SiC cluster, with a wide range of velocities (from 100 to 2600 m/s) and with a rigid wall, were performed. The analysis of the final structure shows that no structural phase transformation occurred in the material, despite the high pressure during the collision process.

Activity classification using the GENEA: optimum sampling frequency and number of axes.

PubMed

Zhang, Shaoyan; Murray, Peter; Zillmer, Ruediger; Eston, Roger G; Catt, Michael; Rowlands, Alex V

2012-11-01

The GENEA shows high accuracy for classification of sedentary, household, walking, and running activities when sampling at 80 Hz on three axes. It is not known whether it is possible to decrease this sampling frequency and/or the number of axes without detriment to classification accuracy. The purpose of this study was to compare the classification rate of activities on the basis of data from a single axis, two axes, and three axes, with sampling rates ranging from 5 to 80 Hz. Sixty participants (age, 49.4 yr (6.5 yr); BMI, 24.6 kg·m (3.4 kg·m)) completed 10-12 semistructured activities in the laboratory and outdoor environment while wearing a GENEA accelerometer on the right wrist. We analyzed data from single axis, dual axes, and three axes at sampling rates of 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 Hz. Mathematical models based on features extracted from mean, SD, fast Fourier transform, and wavelet decomposition were built, which combined one of the numbers of axes with one of the sampling rates to classify activities into sedentary, household, walking, and running. Classification accuracy was high irrespective of the number of axes for data collected at 80 Hz (96.93% ± 0.97%), 40 Hz (97.4% ± 0.73%), 20 Hz (96.86% ± 1.12%), and 10 Hz (97.01% ± 1.01%) but dropped for data collected at 5 Hz (94.98% ± 1.36%). Sampling frequencies >10 Hz and/or more than one axis of measurement were not associated with greater classification accuracy. Lower sampling rates and measurement of a single axis would result in a lower data load, longer battery life, and higher efficiency of data processing. Further research should investigate whether a lower sampling rate and a single axis affects classification accuracy when considering a wider range of activities.

Modelling and simulation of high-frequency (100 MHz) ultrasonic linear arrays based on single crystal LiNbO3.

PubMed

Zhang, J Y; Xu, W J; Carlier, J; Ji, X M; Nongaillard, B; Queste, S; Huang, Y P

2012-01-01

High-frequency ultrasonic transducer arrays are essential for high resolution imaging in clinical analysis and Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE). However, the fabrication of conventional backing-layer structure, which requires a pitch (distance between the centers of two adjacent elements) of half wavelength in medium, is really a great challenge. Here we present an alternative buffer-layer structure with a silicon lens for volumetric imaging. The requirement for the size of the pitch is less critical for this structure, making it possible to fabricate high-frequency (100MHz) ultrasonic linear array transducers. Using silicon substrate also makes it possible to integrate the arrays with IC (Integrated Circuit). To compare with the conventional backing-layer structure, a finite element tool, COMSOL, is employed to investigate the performances of acoustic beam focusing, the influence of pitch size for the buffer-layer configuration, and to calculate the electrical properties of the arrays, including crosstalk effect and electrical impedance. For a 100MHz 10-element array of buffer-layer structure, the ultrasound beam in azimuth plane in water could be electronically focused to obtain a spatial resolution (a half-amplitude width) of 86μm at the focal depth. When decreasing from half wavelength in silicon (42μm) to half wavelength in water (7.5μm), the pitch sizes weakly affect the focal resolution. The lateral spatial resolution is increased by 4.65% when the pitch size decreases from 42μm to 7.5μm. The crosstalk between adjacent elements at the central frequency is, respectively, -95dB, -39.4dB, and -60.5dB for the 10-element buffer, 49-element buffer and 49-element backing arrays. Additionally, the electrical impedance magnitudes for each structure are, respectively, 4kΩ, 26.4kΩ, and 24.2kΩ, which is consistent with calculation results using Krimholtz, Leedom, and Matthaei (KLM) model. These results show that the buffer-layer configuration is a promising alternative for the fabrication of high-frequency ultrasonic linear arrays dedicated to volumetric imaging. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Overview, Progress, and Plans for the Compact Toroidal Hybrid Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hartwell, G. J.; Allen, N. R.; Ennis, D. A.; Hanson, J. D.; Howell, E. C.; Johnson, C. A.; Knowlton, S. F.; Kring, J. D.; Ma, X.; Maurer, D. A.; Ross, K. G.; Schmitt, J. C.; Traverso, P. J.; Williamson, E. N.

2017-10-01

The Compact Toroidal Hybrid (CTH) is an l = 2 , m = 5 torsatron/tokamak hybrid (R0 = 0.75 m, ap 0.2 m, and | B | <= 0.7 T) which generates highly configurable confining magnetic fields solely with external coils but typically uses up to 80 kA of plasma current for heating and disruption studies. The main goals of the CTH experiment are to study disruptive behavior as a function of applied 3D magnetic shaping, and to test and advance the V3FIT reconstruction code and NIMROD modeling of CTH. The disruptive density limit is observed to exceed the Greenwald limit as the vacuum transform is increased with no observed threshold for avoidance. Low-q operations (1.1 < q(a) < 2.0) are routine, with disruptions ceasing if the vacuum transform is raised above 0.07. Sawteeth are observed in CTH and have a similar phenomenology to tokamak sawteeth despite employing a 3D confining field. Application of vacuum transform has been demonstrated to reduce and eliminate the vertical drift of elongated discharges. Internal SXR diagnostics, in conjunction with external magnetics, extend the range of reconstruction accuracy into the plasma core. This work is supported by U.S. Department of Energy Grant No. DE-FG02-00ER54610.

Characterization of plasmonic hole arrays as transparent electrical contacts for organic photovoltaics using high-brightness Fourier transform methods

DOE PAGES

Camino, Fernando E.; Nam, Chang-Yong; Pang, Yutong T.; ...

2014-05-15

Here we present a methodology for probing light-matter interactions in prototype photovoltaic devices consisting of an organic semiconductor active layer with a semitransparent metal electrical contact exhibiting surface plasmon-based enhanced optical transmission. We achieve high-spectral irradiance in a spot size of less than 100 μm using a high-brightness laser-driven light source and appropriate coupling optics. Spatially resolved Fourier transform photocurrent spectroscopy in the visible and near-infrared spectral regions allows us to measure external quantum efficiency with high sensitivity in small-area devices (<1 mm 2). Lastly, this allows for rapid fabrication of variable-pitch sub-wavelength hole arrays in metal films for usemore » as transparent electrical contacts, and evaluation of the evanescent and propagating mode coupling to resonances in the active layer.« less

Genetic background of novel sequence types of CTX-M-8- and CTX-M-15-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae from public wastewater treatment plants in São Paulo, Brazil.

PubMed

Dropa, Milena; Lincopan, Nilton; Balsalobre, Livia C; Oliveira, Danielle E; Moura, Rodrigo A; Fernandes, Miriam Rodriguez; da Silva, Quézia Moura; Matté, Glavur R; Sato, Maria I Z; Matté, Maria H

2016-03-01

The release of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae to the environment is a public health issue worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic background of genes encoding ESBLs in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. In 2009, during a local surveillance study, seven ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae strains were recovered from five WWTPs and screened for ESBL genes and mobile genetic elements. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was carried out, and wild plasmids were transformed into electrocompetent Escherichia coli. S1-PFGE technique was used to verify the presence of high molecular weight plasmids in wild-type strains and in bla ESBL-containing E. coli transformants. Strains harbored bla CTX-M-8, bla CTX-M-15, and/or bla SHV-28. Sequencing results showed that bla CTX-M-8 and bla CTX-M-15 genes were associated with IS26. MLST revealed new sequence types for E. coli (ST4401, ST4402, ST4403, and ST4445) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ST1574), except for one K. pneumoniae from ST307 and Enterobacter cloacae from ST131. PCR and S1-PFGE results showed CTX-M-producing E. coli transformants carried heavy plasmids sizing 48.5-209 kb, which belonged to IncI1, IncF, and IncM1 incompatibility groups. This is the first report of CTX-M-8 and SHV-28 enzymes in environmental samples, and the present results demonstrate the plasmid-mediated spread of CTX-M-encoding genes through five WWTPs in São Paulo, Brazil, suggesting WWTPs are hotspots for the transfer of ESBL genes and confirming the urgent need to improve the management of sewage in order to minimize the dissemination of resistance genes to the environment.

Direct transformation of the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha L. by particle bombardment using immature thalli developing from spores.

PubMed

Chiyoda, Shota; Ishizaki, Kimitsune; Kataoka, Hideo; Yamato, Katsuyuki T; Kohchi, Takayuki

2008-09-01

The liverwort, Marchantia polymorpha L., belongs to a group of basal land plants and is an emerging model for plant biology. We established a procedure to prepare sporangia of M. polymorpha under laboratory conditions by promoting its transition to reproductive development by far-red light irradiation. Here we report an improved direct transformation system of M. polymorpha using immature thalli developing from spores. Hygromycin-resistant transformants were obtained on selective media by transformation with a plasmid carrying the hygromycin-phosphotransferase gene (hpt) conferring hygromycin resistance in 4 weeks. The aminoglycoside-3''-adenyltransferase gene (aadA) conferring spectinomycin resistance was also successfully used as an additional selectable marker for nuclear transformation of M. polymorpha. The availability of the aadA gene in addition to the hpt gene should make M. polymorpha a versatile host for genetic manipulation. DNA gel-blot analyses indicated that transformed thalli carried a variable number of copies of the transgene integrated into the genome. Although the previous system using thalli grown from gemmae required a two-step selection in liquid and solid media for 8 weeks, the system reported here using thalli developing from spores allows generation of transformants in half the time by direct selection on solid media, facilitating genetic analyses in this model plant.

Genetic transformation assays for identification of strains of Moraxella urethralis.

PubMed Central

Juni, E

1977-01-01

Studies of 31 strains of Moraxella urethralis have shown that 20 of them are competent for genetic transformation. This finding has led to the development of transformation assays for identification of newly isolated strains of this organism. Crude deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples from all strains of M. urethralis readily transform auxotrophic mutants of competent strains to prototrophy, whereas DNA samples from unrelated bacteria such as Acinetobacter, Moraxella, and Neisseria species uniformly fail to elicit positive transformation of mutant tester strains. One of the competent strains of M. urethralis investigated is a naturally occurring mutant defective in its ability to utilize citrate as a carbon and energy source. DNA samples from 29 of the 30 remaining strains of utilization; the one nonreacting strain is citrate negative and probably possesses the same genetic lesion as the citrate-negative mutant. Three organisms originally identified as strains of M. urethralis, because of their phenotypic properties, are probably incorrectly designated, since DNA samples from these strains failed to transform any of the tester mutant strains used in the present study. The transformation assay for M. urethralis is very simple and can be performed readily in a clinical laboratory. The entire procedure can be carried out in less than 24 h. Images PMID:845247

Electron correlation in Hooke's law atom in the high-density limit.

PubMed

Gill, P M W; O'Neill, D P

2005-03-01

Closed-form expressions for the first three terms in the perturbation expansion of the exact energy and Hartree-Fock energy of the lowest singlet and triplet states of the Hooke's law atom are found. These yield elementary formulas for the exact correlation energies (-49.7028 and -5.807 65 mE(h)) of the two states in the high-density limit and lead to a pair of necessary conditions on the exact correlation kernel G(w) in Hartree-Fock-Wigner theory.

Influence of Ni on Martensitic Phase Transformations in NiTi Shape Memory Alloys

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

Frenzel, J.; George, Easo P; Dlouhy, A.

High-precision data on phase transformation temperatures in NiTi, including numerical expressions for the effect of Ni on M{sub S}, M{sub F}, A{sub S}, A{sub F} and T{sub 0}, are obtained, and the reasons for the large experimental scatter observed in previous studies are discussed. Clear experimental evidence is provided confirming the predictions of Tang et al. 1999 regarding deviations from a linear relation between the thermodynamic equilibrium temperature and Ni concentration. In addition to affecting the phase transition temperatures, increasing Ni contents are found to decrease the width of thermal hysteresis and the heat of transformation. These findings are rationalizedmore » on the basis of the crystallographic data of Prokoshkin et al. 2004 and the theory of Ball and James. The results show that it is important to document carefully the details of the arc-melting procedure used to make shape memory alloys and that, if the effects of processing are properly accounted for, precise values for the Ni concentration of the NiTi matrix can be obtained.« less

Serotype Distribution, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Class 1 Integrons Profiles of Salmonella from Animals in Slaughterhouses in Shandong Province, China

PubMed Central

Zhao, Xiaonan; Ye, Chaoqun; Chang, Weishan; Sun, Shuhong

2017-01-01

The current study aimed to analyze the prevalence and characterization of Salmonella enterica isolated from animals in slaughterhouses before slaughter. A total of 143 non-duplicate Salmonella were recovered from 1,000 fresh fecal swabs collected from four major pig slaughterhouses (49/600, 8.2%) and four major chicken slaughterhouses (94/400, 23.5%) between March and July 2016. Among Salmonella isolates from pigs, the predominant serovars were Salmonella Rissen (28/49, 57.1%) and Typhimurium (14/49, 28.6%), and high antimicrobial resistance rates were observed for tetracycline (44/49, 89.8%) and ampicillin (16/49, 32.7%). Class 1 integrons were detected in 10.2% (5/49) of these isolates and all contained gene cassettes aadA2 (0.65 kb). Two β-lactamase genes were detected among these isolates, and most of these isolates carried blaTEM-1 (46/49), followed by blaOXA-1(4/49). Seven STs (MLST/ST, multilocus sequence typing) were detected in these isolates, and the predominant type was ST469 (19.6%). Among Salmonella isolates from chickens, the predominant serovars were Salmonella Indiana (67/94, 71.3%) and Enteritidis (23/94, 24.5%), and high antimicrobial resistance rates were observed for nalidixic acid (89/94, 94.7%), ampicillin (88/94, 93.6%) and tetracycline (81/94, 86.2%). Class 1 integrons were detected in 23 isolates (23/94, 24.5%), which contained empty integrons (0.15 kb, n = 6) or gene cassettes drfA17-aadA5 (1.7 kb, n = 6), aadA2 (1.2 kb, n = 5), drfA16-blaPSE-1-aadA2-ereA2 (1.6 kb, n = 5) or drfA1-aadA1 (1.4 kb, n = 1). Three β-lactamase genes were detected, and all 94 isolates carried blaTEM-1, followed by blaCTX-M-55 (n = 19) and blaSPE−1 (n = 3). Five STs were found in these isolates, and the predominant type was ST17 (71.3%). Our findings indicated that Salmonella was widespread in animals at slaughter and may be transmitted from animal to fork. PMID:28680418

Additive Manufacturing of NiTiHf High Temperature Shape Memory Alloy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Benafan, Othmane; Bigelow, Glen S.; Elahinia, Mohammad; Moghaddam, Narges Shayesteh; Amerinatanzi, Amirhesam; Saedi, Soheil; Toker, Guher Pelin; Karaca, Haluk

2017-01-01

Additive manufacturing of a NiTi-20Hf high temperature shape memory alloy (HTSMA) was investigated. A selective laser melting (SLM) process by Phenix3D Systems was used to develop components from NiTiHf powder (of approximately 25-75 m particle fractions), and the thermomechanical response was compared to the conventionally vacuum induction skull melted counterpart. Transformation temperatures of the SLM material were found to be slightly lower due to the additional oxygen pick up from the gas atomization and melting process. The shape memory response in compression was measured for stresses up to 500 MPa, and transformation strains were found to be very comparable (Up to 1.26 for the as-extruded; up to 1.52 for SLM).

Cultural Transformations: Youth and the Pedagogies of Possibility

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jocson, Korina M., Ed.

2013-01-01

In what ways can teachers build on youth culture to improve learning opportunities in the classroom? In this fascinating and highly readable collection, Korina M. Jocson brings together more than two dozen scholars, artists, educators, and youth workers to illustrate how nondominant youth can be engaged through various social justice arts…

125-mJ diode-pumped injection-seeded Ho:Tm:YLF laser.

PubMed

Yu, J; Singh, U N; Barnes, N P; Petros, M

1998-05-15

We describe a diode-pumped, room-temperature Ho:Tm:YLF power oscillator with an optical-to-optical efficiency of 0.03. A Q -switched output energy of as much as 125 mJ at 6 Hz with a pulse width of 170 ns was obtained. Single-frequency, nearly transform-limited operation of the laser was achieved by injection seeding. Laser performance as a function of laser rod temperature and pump intensity was also investigated. The high power and high beam quality of this laser make it well suited for use as a coherent wind lidar transmitter on a space platform.

Micrometer-thickness liquid sheet jets flowing in vacuum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galinis, Gediminas; Strucka, Jergus; Barnard, Jonathan C. T.; Braun, Avi; Smith, Roland A.; Marangos, Jon P.

2017-08-01

Thin liquid sheet jet flows in vacuum provide a new platform for performing experiments in the liquid phase, for example X-ray spectroscopy. Micrometer thickness, high stability, and optical flatness are the key characteristics required for successful exploitation of these targets. A novel strategy for generating sheet jets in vacuum is presented in this article. Precision nozzles were designed and fabricated using high resolution (0.2 μm) 2-photon 3D printing and generated 1.49 ± 0.04 μm thickness, stable, and <λ /20-flat jets in isopropanol under normal atmosphere and under vacuum at 5 × 10-1 mbar. The thin sheet technology also holds great promise for advancing the fields of high harmonic generation in liquids, laser acceleration of ions as well as other fields requiring precision and high repetition rate targets.

Detection of novel metabolites of flaxseed lignans in vitro and in vivo.

PubMed

Quartieri, Andrea; García-Villalba, Rocío; Amaretti, Alberto; Raimondi, Stefano; Leonardi, Alan; Rossi, Maddalena; Tomàs-Barberàn, Francisco

2016-07-01

This study aimed to improve the knowledge of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) transformation by human gut microbiota. SDG-supplemented microbiota cultures were inoculated with the feces of five subjects. The same volunteers received a flaxseed supplement for 7 days. SDG metabolites in cultures, feces, and urine were monitored by LC-ESI-QTOF and LC-DAD. In all cultures, SDG was deglycosylated to secoisolariciresinol (SECO) within 12 h. SECO underwent successive dehydroxylations and demethylations yielding enterodiol (4-18% conversion) and enterolactone (0.2-6%) after 24 h. Novel intermediates related to SECO, matairesinol (MATA), and anhydrosecoisolariciresinol (AHS) were identified in fecal cultures. These metabolites were also found after flaxseed consumption in feces and urine (in approximate amounts between 0.01-47.03 μg/g and 0.01-13.49 μg/mL, respectively) in their native form and/or modified by phase II human enzymes (glucuronide, sulfate and sulfoglucuronide conjugates). Derivatives of MATA and AHS are described for the first time as intermediates of SDG biotransformation by intestinal bacteria, providing a more comprehensive knowledge of lignan intestinal metabolism. The transformations observed in vitro seem to occur in vivo as well. The detection in urine of SDG intermediates indicates their gut absorption, opening new perspectives on the study of their systemic biological effects. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

High-resolution Fourier transform measurements of air-induced broadening and shift coefficients in the 0002-0000 main isotopologue band of nitrous oxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Werwein, Viktor; Li, Gang; Serdyukov, Anton; Brunzendorf, Jens; Werhahn, Olav; Ebert, Volker

2018-06-01

In the present study, we report highly accurate air-induced broadening and shift coefficients for the nitrous oxide (N2O) 0002-0000 band at 2.26 μm of the main isotopologue retrieved from high-resolution Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) measurements with metrologically determined pressure, temperature, absorption path length and chemical composition. Most of our retrieved air-broadening coefficients agree with previously generated datasets within the expanded (confidence interval of 95%) uncertainties. For the air-shift coefficients our results suggest a different rotational dependence compared to literature. The present study benefits from improved measurement conditions and a detailed metrological uncertainty description. Comparing to literature, the uncertainties of the previous broadening and shift coefficients are improved by a factor of up to 39 and up to 22, respectively.

Habitable evaporated cores: transforming mini-Neptunes into super-Earths in the habitable zones of M dwarfs.

PubMed

Luger, R; Barnes, R; Lopez, E; Fortney, J; Jackson, B; Meadows, V

2015-01-01

We show that photoevaporation of small gaseous exoplanets ("mini-Neptunes") in the habitable zones of M dwarfs can remove several Earth masses of hydrogen and helium from these planets and transform them into potentially habitable worlds. We couple X-ray/extreme ultraviolet (XUV)-driven escape, thermal evolution, tidal evolution, and orbital migration to explore the types of systems that may harbor such "habitable evaporated cores" (HECs). We find that HECs are most likely to form from planets with ∼1 M⊕ solid cores with up to about 50% H/He by mass, though whether or not a given mini-Neptune forms a HEC is highly dependent on the early XUV evolution of the host star. As terrestrial planet formation around M dwarfs by accumulation of local material is likely to form planets that are small and dry, evaporation of small migrating mini-Neptunes could be one of the dominant formation mechanisms for volatile-rich Earths around these stars.

LIFT a future atmospheric chemistry sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pailharey, E.; Châteauneuf, F.; Aminou, D.

2017-11-01

Natural and anthropogenic trace constituents play an important role for the ozone budget and climate as well as in other problems of the environment. In order to prevent the dramatic impact of any climate change, exchange processes between the stratosphere and troposphere as well as the distribution and deposition of tropospheric trace constituents are investigated. The Limb Infrared Fourier Transform spectrometer (LIFT) will globally provide calibrated spectra of the atmosphere as a function of the tangent altitude. LIFT field of view will be 30 km × 30 km. The resolution is 30 km in azimuth corresponding to the full field of view, and 2 km in elevation, obtained by using a matrix of 15×15 detectors. The instrument will cover the spectral domain 5.7-14.7 μm through 2 different bands respectively 13.0-9.5 μm, 9.5-5.7 μm. With a spectral resolution of 0.1 cm-1, LIFT is a high class Fourier Transform Spectrometer compliant with the challenging constraints of limb viewing and spaceborne implementation.

Anaerobic Transformation of Furfural by Methanococcus deltae (Delta)LH

PubMed Central

Belay, N.; Boopathy, R.; Voskuilen, G.

1997-01-01

Methanococcus deltae (Delta)LH was grown on H(inf2)-CO(inf2) in the presence of various concentrations of furfural. Furfural at higher concentrations, namely, 20 and 25 mM, inhibited growth of this organism. At concentration of 5 and 10 mM, no inhibition of growth was observed. The other methanogens in this study were not inhibited by 10 mM furfural. Among the methanogens tested, M. deltae was capable of transforming furfural, whereas Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum Marburg, Methanosarcina barkeri 227, Methanococcus thermolithotrophicus, and Methanobrevibacter ruminantium lacked this capability. One hundred percent removal of furfural was observed within 48 h of incubation in M. deltae cultures. The end product observed during furfural metabolism was furfuryl alcohol. An almost stoichiometric amount of furfuryl alcohol was produced by M. deltae. This transformation is likely to be of value in the detoxification of furfural and in its ultimate conversion to methane and CO(inf2) by anaerobic digestion. PMID:16535618

49 CFR 178.521 - Standards for paper bags.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 49 Transportation 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Standards for paper bags. 178.521 Section 178.521...-Oriented Packaging Standards § 178.521 Standards for paper bags. (a) The following are identification codes for paper bags: (1) 5M1 for a multi-wall paper bag; and (2) 5M2 for a multi-wall water-resistant paper...

49 CFR 178.521 - Standards for paper bags.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 49 Transportation 2 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Standards for paper bags. 178.521 Section 178.521...-bulk Performance-Oriented Packaging Standards § 178.521 Standards for paper bags. (a) The following are identification codes for paper bags: (1) 5M1 for a multi-wall paper bag; and (2) 5M2 for a multi-wall water...

Characteristics of 5M modulated martensite in Ni-Mn-Ga magnetic shape memory alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ćakır, A.; Acet, M.; Righi, L.; Albertini, F.; Farle, M.

2015-09-01

The applicability of the magnetic shape memory effect in Ni-Mn-based martensitic Heusler alloys is closely related to the nature of the crystallographically modulated martensite phase in these materials. We study the properties of modulated phases as a function of temperature and composition in three magnetic shape memory alloys Ni49.8Mn25.0Ga25.2, Ni49.8Mn27.1Ga23.1 and Ni49.5Mn28.6Ga21.9. The effect of substituting Ga for Mn leads to an anisotropic expansion of the lattice, where the b-parameter of the 5M modulated structure increases and the a and c-parameters decrease with increasing Ga concentration. The modulation vector is found to be both temperature and composition dependent. The size of the modulation vector corresponds to an incommensurate structure for Ni49.8Mn25.0Ga25.2 at all temperatures. For the other samples the modulation is incommensurate at low temperatures but reaches a commensurate value of q ≈ 0.400 close to room temperature. The results show that commensurateness of the 5M modulated structure is a special case of incommensurate 5M at a particular temperature.

Effects of a new bicarbonate/lactate-buffered neutral peritoneal dialysis fluid for peritoneal failure in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.

PubMed

Hoshino, Taro; Ishii, Hiroki; Kitano, Taisuke; Shindo, Mitsutoshi; Miyazawa, Haruhisa; Yamada, Hodaka; Ito, Kiyonori; Ueda, Yuichiro; Kaku, Yoshio; Hirai, Keiji; Mori, Honami; Ookawara, Susumu; Tabei, Kaoru; Morishita, Yoshiyuki

2016-02-01

The highly concentrated lactate in peritoneal dialysis fluid (PDF) has been considered to contribute to peritoneal failure in patients undergoing PD. A new PDF containing a lower lactate concentration, physiological bicarbonate concentration, and neutral pH (bicarbonate/lactate-buffered neutral PDF) was recently developed. We compared the clinical effects of this bicarbonate/lactate-buffered neutral PDF and a lactate-buffered neutral PDF. Patients undergoing PD were changed from a lactate-buffered neutral PDF to a bicarbonate/lactate-buffered neutral PDF. We then investigated the changes in peritoneal functions as estimated by a peritoneal equilibration test (PET) and the following surrogate markers of peritoneal membrane failure in the drained dialysate: fibrin degradation products (FDP), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cancer antigen 125 (CA125), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1). Fourteen patients undergoing PD were enrolled. The PET results were not different before and after use of the bicarbonate/lactate-buffered neutral PDF. The FDP concentration significantly decreased from 15.60 ± 13.90 to 6.04 ± 3.49 μg/mL (p = 0.02) and the VEGF concentration significantly decreased from 37.83 ± 15.82 to 27.70 ± 3.80 pg/mL (p = 0.02), while the CA125 and IL-6 concentrations remained unchanged before and after use of the bicarbonate/lactate-buffered neutral PDF. TGF-β1 was not detected in most patients. The bicarbonate/lactate-buffered neutral PDF decreased the FDP and VEGF concentrations in the drained dialysate. These results suggest that the decreased lactate level achieved by administration of bicarbonate with a neutral pH in PDF may contribute to decreased peritoneal membrane failure in patients undergoing PD.

[Characterization of a recombinant aminopeptidase Lmo1711 from Listeria monocytogenes].

PubMed

He, Zhan; Wang, Hang; Han, Xiao; Ma, Tiantian; Hang, Yi; Yu, Huifei; Wei, Fangfang; Sun, Jing; Yang, Yongchun; Cheng, Changyong; Song, Houhui

2018-05-25

We aimed to obtain the recombinant aminopeptidase encoded by Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) gene lmo1711, and characterized the enzyme. First, the amino acid sequences of Lmo1711 from L. monocytogenes EGD-e and its homologues in other microbial species were aligned and the putative active sites were analyzed. The putative model of Lmo1711 was constructed through the SWISS-MODEL Workspace. Then, the plasmid pET30a-Lmo1711 was constructed and transformed into E. coli for expression of the recombinant Lmo1711. The his-tagged soluble protein was purified using the nickel-chelated affinity column chromatography. With the amino acid-p-nitroaniline as the substrate, Lmo1711 hydrolyzed the substrate to free p-nitroaniline monomers, whose absorbance measured at 405 nm reflected the aminopeptidase activity. The specificity of Lmo1711 to substrates was then examined by changing various substrates, and the effect of metal ions on the catalytic efficiency of this enzyme was further determined. Based on the bioinformatics data, Lmo1711 is a member of the M29 family aminopeptidases, containing a highly conserved catalytic motif (Glu-Glu-His-Tyr-His-Asp) with typical structure arrangements of the peptidase family. The recombinant Lmo1711 with a size of about 49.3 kDa exhibited aminopeptidase activity and had a selectivity to the substrates, with the highest degree of affinity for leucine-p-nitroaniline. Interestingly, the enzymatic activity of Lmo1711 can be activated by Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺, and is strongly stimulated by Co²⁺. We here, for the first time demonstrate that L. monocytogenes lmo1711 encodes a cobalt-activated aminopeptidase of M29 family.