An Experimental Investigation on the Ultimate Strength of Partially Infilled: Braced Steel Frames

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dubey, Shailendra Kumar Damodar; Kute, Sunil Y.

2017-12-01

Infilled walls are usually, considered as non-structural elements. However, these walls are effective in carrying lateral loads. In this regard, an experimental investigation was planned and conducted to study the effect of braced and partially infilled steel frames with cement mortar and concrete in comparison to the bare frames. All these frames were tested up to collapse and subjected only to horizontal loads to obtain an effective and possible solution for soft storey which are generally not infilled. In comparison to bare steel frames, partially infilled frames have an increase of lateral load capacity by 45-60%. Central bracing is more effective than that of the corner bracing. For the same load partially infilled frames have significantly less deflection than that of the bare frames. A reduced load factor is suggested for the design of soft storey columns with the partial infills. A mathematical model has been proposed to calculate the theoretical ultimate load for the braced, cement mortar and concrete partial infilled frames.

Retrofit of hollow concrete masonry infilled steel frames using glass fiber reinforced plastic laminates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hakam, Zeyad Hamed-Ramzy

2000-11-01

This study focuses on the retrofit of hollow concrete masonry infilled steel frames subjected to in-plane lateral loads using glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) laminates that are epoxy-bonded to the exterior faces of the infill walls. An extensive experimental investigation using one-third scale modeling was conducted and consisted of two phases. In the first phase, 64 assemblages, half of which were retrofitted, were tested under various combined in-plane loading conditions similar to those which different regions of a typical infill wall are subjected to. In the second phase, one bare and four masonry-infilled steel frames representative of a typical single-story, single-bay panel were tested under diagonal loading to study the overall behavior and the infill-frame interaction. The relative infill-to-frame stiffness was varied as a test parameter by using two different steel frame sections. The laminates altered the failure modes of the masonry assemblages and reduced the variability and anisotropic nature of the masonry. For the prisms which failed due to shear and/or mortar joint slip, significant strength increases were observed. For those exhibiting compression failure modes, a marginal increase in strength resulted. Retrofitting the infilled frames resulted in an average increase in initial stiffness of two-fold compared to the unretrofitted infilled frames, and seemed independent of the relative infill-to-frame stiffness. However, the increase in the load-carrying capacity of the retrofitted frames compared to the unretrofitted counterparts was higher for those with the larger relative infill-to-frame stiffness parameter. Unlike the unretrofitted infill walls, the retrofitted panels demonstrated almost identical failure modes that were characterized as "strictly comer crushing" in the vicinity of the loaded comers whereas no signs of distress were evident throughout the remainder of the infill. The laminates also maintained the structural integrity of the infill and prevented collapse and debris fallout even at severe loading stages. A finite element macromodel was proposed for the analysis of the GFRP-retrofitted masonry infilled frames. The infill panel was replaced with a nonlinear, compression-only, diagonal strut. This model was verified using the experimental results of the infilled frame testing and is characterized by its ease of application and accuracy.

Field investigation on severely damaged aseismic buildings in 2014 Ludian earthquake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Xuchuan; Zhang, Haoyu; Chen, Hongfu; Chen, Hao; Lin, Junqi

2015-03-01

The 2014 magnitude 6.5 Ludian earthquake caused a death toll of 617, many landslides and tens of thousands of collapsed buildings. A field investigation to evaluate the damage to buildings was carried out immediately after the occurrence of the earthquake. Severely damaged aseismic buildings, which were basically observed in the downtown of Longtoushan Town, were carefully examined one by one with the aim to improve design codes. This paper summarizes the damage observed to the investigated aseismic buildings in both the structural and local levels. A common failure mode was observed that most of the aseismic buildings, such as RC frame structures and confined masonry structures, were similarly destroyed by severe damage or complete collapse of the first story. The related strong ground motion, which was recorded at the nearby station, had a short duration of less than 20 s but a very large PGA up to 1.0 g. The RC frames based on the new design codes still failed to achieve the design target for "strong column, weak beam". Typical local failure details, which were related to the interaction between RC columns and infill walls and between constructional columns and masonry walls, are summarized with preliminary analyses.

Damage to urban buildings in zones of intensities VIII and VII during the Wenchuan earthquake and discussion on some typical damages

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Jingjiang; Tang, Yuhong; Zheng, Chao; Shi, Hongbin; Lin, Lin; Sun, Zhongxian

2009-04-01

The outline and typical characteristics of damages to building in Jiangyou city and Anxian county (intensity VIII), Mianyang city and Deyang city (intensity VII) are introduced in the paper. The damage ratios, based on the sample statistics of multi-story brick buildings together with multi-story brick buildings with RC frame at first story (BBF), are presented. Then some typical damages, such as horizontal cricks of brick masonry buildings, X-shaped cricks on the walls under windows, the damages to columns, beams and infill walls of frame buildings and the damage to half circle-shaped masonry walls, are discussed.

Seismic performance evaluation of an infilled rocking wall frame structure through quasi-static cyclic testing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, Peng; Wu, Shoujun; Wang, Haishen; Nie, Xin

2018-04-01

Earthquake investigations have illustrated that even code-compliant reinforced concrete frames may suffer from soft-story mechanism. This damage mode results in poor ductility and limited energy dissipation. Continuous components offer alternatives that may avoid such failures. A novel infilled rocking wall frame system is proposed that takes advantage of continuous component and rocking characteristics. Previous studies have investigated similar systems that combine a reinforced concrete frame and a wall with rocking behavior used. However, a large-scale experimental study of a reinforced concrete frame combined with a rocking wall has not been reported. In this study, a seismic performance evaluation of the newly proposed infilled rocking wall frame structure was conducted through quasi-static cyclic testing. Critical joints were designed and verified. Numerical models were established and calibrated to estimate frame shear forces. The results evaluation demonstrate that an infilled rocking wall frame can effectively avoid soft-story mechanisms. Capacity and initial stiffness are greatly improved and self-centering behavior is achieved with the help of the infilled rocking wall. Drift distribution becomes more uniform with height. Concrete cracks and damage occurs in desired areas. The infilled rocking wall frame offers a promising approach to achieving seismic resilience.

Strength and stiffness reduction factors for infilled frames with openings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Decanini, Luis D.; Liberatore, Laura; Mollaioli, Fabrizio

2014-09-01

Framed structures are usually infilled with masonry walls. They may cause a significant increase in both stiffness and strength, reducing the deformation demand and increasing the energy dissipation capacity of the system. On the other hand, irregular arrangements of the masonry panels may lead to the concentration of damage in some regions, with negative effects; for example soft story mechanisms and shear failures in short columns. Therefore, the presence of infill walls should not be neglected, especially in regions of moderate and high seismicity. To this aim, simple models are available for solid infills walls, such as the diagonal no-tension strut model, while infilled frames with openings have not been adequately investigated. In this study, the effect of openings on the strength and stiffness of infilled frames is investigated by means of about 150 experimental and numerical tests. The main parameters involved are identified and a simple model to take into account the openings in the infills is developed and compared with other models proposed by different researchers. The model, which is based on the use of strength and stiffness reduction factors, takes into account the opening dimensions and presence of reinforcing elements around the opening. An example of an application of the proposed reduction factors is also presented.

Development of seismic fragility curves for low-rise masonry infilled reinforced concrete buildings by a coefficient-based method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Ray Kai Leung; Lee, Chien-Liang

2013-06-01

This study presents a seismic fragility analysis and ultimate spectral displacement assessment of regular low-rise masonry infilled (MI) reinforced concrete (RC) buildings using a coefficient-based method. The coefficient-based method does not require a complicated finite element analysis; instead, it is a simplified procedure for assessing the spectral acceleration and displacement of buildings subjected to earthquakes. A regression analysis was first performed to obtain the best-fitting equations for the inter-story drift ratio (IDR) and period shift factor of low-rise MI RC buildings in response to the peak ground acceleration of earthquakes using published results obtained from shaking table tests. Both spectral acceleration- and spectral displacement-based fragility curves under various damage states (in terms of IDR) were then constructed using the coefficient-based method. Finally, the spectral displacements of low-rise MI RC buildings at the ultimate (or nearcollapse) state obtained from this paper and the literature were compared. The simulation results indicate that the fragility curves obtained from this study and other previous work correspond well. Furthermore, most of the spectral displacements of low-rise MI RC buildings at the ultimate state from the literature fall within the bounded spectral displacements predicted by the coefficient-based method.

Structural pounding of concrete frame structure with masonry infill wall under seismic loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ismail, Rozaina; Hasnan, Mohd Hafizudin; Shamsudin, Nurhanis

2017-10-01

Structural pounding is additional problem than the other harmful damage that may occurs due to the earthquake vibrations. A lot of study has been made by past researcher but most of them did not include the walls. The infill masonry walls are rarely involved analysis of structural systems but it does contribute to earthquake response of the structures. In this research, a comparison between adjacent building of 10-storey and 7-storey concrete frame structure without of masonry infill walls and the same dynamic properties of buildings. The diagonal strut approach is adopted for modeling masonry infill walls. This research also focused on finding critical building separation in order to prevent the adjacent structures from pounding. LUSAS FEA v14.03 software has been used for modeling analyzing the behavior of structures due to seismic loading and the displacement each floor of the building has been taken in order to determine the critical separation distance between the buildings. From the analysis that has been done, it is found that masonry infill walls do affect the structures behavior under seismic load. Structures without masonry infill walls needs more distance between the structures to prevent structural pounding due to higher displacement of the buildings when it sways under seismic load compared to structures with masonry infill walls. This shows that contribution of masonry infill walls to the analysis of structures cannot be neglected.

Effect of Various Interface Thicknesses on the Behaviour of Infilled frame Subjected to Lateral Load

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Senthil, K.; Muthukumar, S.; Rupali, S.; Satyanarayanan, K. S.

2018-03-01

Two dimensional numerical investigations were carried out to study the influence of interface thickness on the behaviour of reinforced concrete frames subjected to in-plane lateral loads using commercial finite element tool SAP 2000. The cement mortar, cork and foam was used as interface material and their effect was studied by varying thicknesses as 6, 8, 10, 14 and 20 mm. The effect of lateral loads on infill masonry wall was also studied by varying arbitrary loads as 10, 20, 40 and 60 kN. The resistance of the frame with cement mortar was found maximum with the interface thickness 10 mm therefore, it is concluded that the maximum influence of interface thickness of 10 mm was found effective. The resistance of integral infill frame with cork and foam interface was found maximum with the interface thickness 6 mm and it is concluded that 6 mm thick interface among the chosen thickness was found effective.

Using structures of the August 24, 2016 Amatrice earthquake affected area as seismoscopes for assessing ground motion characteristics and parameters of the main shock and its largest aftershocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carydis, Panayotis; Lekkas, Efthymios; Mavroulis, Spyridon

2017-04-01

On August 24, 2016 an Mw 6.0 earthquake struck Central Apennines (Italy) resulting in 299 fatalities, 388 injuries and about 3000 homeless in Amatrice wider area. Normal faulting surface ruptures along the western slope of Mt Vettore along with provided focal mechanisms demonstrated a NW-SE striking and SE dipping causative normal fault. The dominant building types in the affected area are unreinforced masonry (URM) and reinforced concrete (RC) buildings. Based on our macroseismic survey in the affected area immediately after the earthquake, RC buildings suffered non-structural damage including horizontal cracking of infill and internal partition walls, detachment of infill walls from the surrounding RC frame and detachment of large plaster pieces from infill walls as well as structural damage comprising soft story failure, symmetrical buckling of rods, compression damage at midheight of columns and bursting of over-stressed columns resulting in partial or total collapse. Damage in RC buildings was due to poor quality of concrete, inadequacy of reinforcement, inappropriate foundation close to the edge of slopes leading to differential settlements, poor workmanship and the destructive effect of vertical ground motions. Damage in URM buildings ranged from cracks and detachment of large plaster pieces from load-bearing walls to destruction due to poor workmanship with randomly placed materials bound by low-strength mortars, the effect of the vertical ground motion, inadequate repair and/or strengthening after previous earthquakes as well as inadequate interventions, additions and extensions to older URM buildings. During field surveying, the authors had the opportunity to observe damage induced not only by the main shock but also by its largest aftershocks (Mw 4.5-5.3) during the first three days of the aftershock sequence (August 24-26). Bearing in mind that: (a) soil conditions in foundations of the affected villages were more or less similar, (b) building damage induced by the studied earthquakes indicated the predominant effect of the vertical ground motion on buildings based on already reported building damage induced by recent destructive events in the Mediterranean region, (c) the conventional dynamic parameters of buildings did not play a significant role in their seismic response against the vertical component, due to its impact type of loading, (d) structures and materials presented similar response to ground motions almost independent from type and existing quality, and carried memories from previous large shocks of this sequence, (e) the main shock and its largest aftershocks caused building damage including spatial homothetic motions that reached statistically significant levels, it is concluded that the main shock and its largest aftershocks had similar focal mechanism parameters (normal faulting), were shallow events and were near-field earthquakes with short duration but high amplitude and the vertical component of the earthquakes' ground motion has prevailed. The aforementioned approach based solely on macroseismic observations was applied in the case of the 1755 Great Lisbon earthquake in order to determine its mechanism and epicenter location. Thus, it is suggested that the aforementioned methodology can be applied either in past historic earthquakes or complementarily in cases when the available seismological data are insufficient.

An under-designed RC frame: Seismic assessment through displacement based approach and possible refurbishment with FRP strips and RC jacketing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valente, Marco; Milani, Gabriele

2017-07-01

Many existing reinforced concrete buildings in Southern Europe were built (and hence designed) before the introduction of displacement based design in national seismic codes. They are obviously highly vulnerable to seismic actions. In such a situation, simplified methodologies for the seismic assessment and retrofitting of existing structures are required. In this study, a displacement based procedure using non-linear static analyses is applied to a four-story existing RC frame. The aim is to obtain an estimation of its overall structural inadequacy as well as the effectiveness of a specific retrofitting intervention by means of GFRP laminates and RC jacketing. Accurate numerical models are developed within a displacement based approach to reproduce the seismic response of the RC frame in the original configuration and after strengthening.

Nonlinear earthquake analysis of reinforced concrete frames with fiber and Bernoulli-Euler beam-column element.

PubMed

Karaton, Muhammet

2014-01-01

A beam-column element based on the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory is researched for nonlinear dynamic analysis of reinforced concrete (RC) structural element. Stiffness matrix of this element is obtained by using rigidity method. A solution technique that included nonlinear dynamic substructure procedure is developed for dynamic analyses of RC frames. A predicted-corrected form of the Bossak-α method is applied for dynamic integration scheme. A comparison of experimental data of a RC column element with numerical results, obtained from proposed solution technique, is studied for verification the numerical solutions. Furthermore, nonlinear cyclic analysis results of a portal reinforced concrete frame are achieved for comparing the proposed solution technique with Fibre element, based on flexibility method. However, seismic damage analyses of an 8-story RC frame structure with soft-story are investigated for cases of lumped/distributed mass and load. Damage region, propagation, and intensities according to both approaches are researched.

Nonlinear Earthquake Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Frames with Fiber and Bernoulli-Euler Beam-Column Element

PubMed Central

Karaton, Muhammet

2014-01-01

A beam-column element based on the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory is researched for nonlinear dynamic analysis of reinforced concrete (RC) structural element. Stiffness matrix of this element is obtained by using rigidity method. A solution technique that included nonlinear dynamic substructure procedure is developed for dynamic analyses of RC frames. A predicted-corrected form of the Bossak-α method is applied for dynamic integration scheme. A comparison of experimental data of a RC column element with numerical results, obtained from proposed solution technique, is studied for verification the numerical solutions. Furthermore, nonlinear cyclic analysis results of a portal reinforced concrete frame are achieved for comparing the proposed solution technique with Fibre element, based on flexibility method. However, seismic damage analyses of an 8-story RC frame structure with soft-story are investigated for cases of lumped/distributed mass and load. Damage region, propagation, and intensities according to both approaches are researched. PMID:24578667

Design of SC walls and slabs for impulsive loading

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

Varma, Amit H.

2015-11-11

Reinforced concrete (RC) structures have historically been the preferred choice for blast resistant structures because of their mass and the ductility provided by steel reinforcement. Steel-plate composite (SC) walls are a viable alternative to RC for protecting the infrastructure against explosive threats. SC structures consist of two steel faceplates with a plain concrete core between them. The steel faceplates are anchored to the concrete using stud anchors and connected to each other using tie bars. SC structures provide mass from the concrete infill and ductility from the continuous external steel faceplates. This dissertation presents findings and recommendations from experimental andmore » analytical investigations of the performance of SC walls subjected to far-field blast loads.« less

Seismic response of reinforced concrete frames at different damage levels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morales-González, Merangeli; Vidot-Vega, Aidcer L.

2017-03-01

Performance-based seismic engineering is focused on the definition of limit states to represent different levels of damage, which can be described by material strains, drifts, displacements or even changes in dissipating properties and stiffness of the structure. This study presents a research plan to evaluate the behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) moment resistant frames at different performance levels established by the ASCE 41-06 seismic rehabilitation code. Sixteen RC plane moment frames with different span-to-depth ratios and three 3D RC frames were analyzed to evaluate their seismic behavior at different damage levels established by the ASCE 41-06. For each span-to-depth ratio, four different beam longitudinal reinforcement steel ratios were used that varied from 0.85 to 2.5% for the 2D frames. Nonlinear time history analyses of the frames were performed using scaled ground motions. The impact of different span-to-depth and reinforcement ratios on the damage levels was evaluated. Material strains, rotations and seismic hysteretic energy changes at different damage levels were studied.

Evaluation of Structural Robustness against Column Loss: Methodology and Application to RC Frame Buildings.

PubMed

Bao, Yihai; Main, Joseph A; Noh, Sam-Young

2017-08-01

A computational methodology is presented for evaluating structural robustness against column loss. The methodology is illustrated through application to reinforced concrete (RC) frame buildings, using a reduced-order modeling approach for three-dimensional RC framing systems that includes the floor slabs. Comparisons with high-fidelity finite-element model results are presented to verify the approach. Pushdown analyses of prototype buildings under column loss scenarios are performed using the reduced-order modeling approach, and an energy-based procedure is employed to account for the dynamic effects associated with sudden column loss. Results obtained using the energy-based approach are found to be in good agreement with results from direct dynamic analysis of sudden column loss. A metric for structural robustness is proposed, calculated by normalizing the ultimate capacities of the structural system under sudden column loss by the applicable service-level gravity loading and by evaluating the minimum value of this normalized ultimate capacity over all column removal scenarios. The procedure is applied to two prototype 10-story RC buildings, one employing intermediate moment frames (IMFs) and the other employing special moment frames (SMFs). The SMF building, with its more stringent seismic design and detailing, is found to have greater robustness.

Damage evaluation of reinforced concrete frame based on a combined fiber beam model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shang, Bing; Liu, ZhanLi; Zhuang, Zhuo

2014-04-01

In order to analyze and simulate the impact collapse or seismic response of the reinforced concrete (RC) structures, a combined fiber beam model is proposed by dividing the cross section of RC beam into concrete fiber and steel fiber. The stress-strain relationship of concrete fiber is based on a model proposed by concrete codes for concrete structures. The stress-strain behavior of steel fiber is based on a model suggested by others. These constitutive models are implemented into a general finite element program ABAQUS through the user defined subroutines to provide effective computational tools for the inelastic analysis of RC frame structures. The fiber model proposed in this paper is validated by comparing with experiment data of the RC column under cyclical lateral loading. The damage evolution of a three-dimension frame subjected to impact loading is also investigated.

Review of Research and Application of Reinforced Concrete Structures Strengthened by Braces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gong, Jing; Zhu, Zezhong; Zeng, Cong

2017-06-01

Many of RC frame structures are urgently needed to be strengthened and maintained due to the increase of service life, the change of use function, and the impact of natural disasters. This paper reviews the research status of strengthening RC structures with braces; introduces the features and connection forms of joints connecting with braces; summarizes the engineering application of buckling-restrained braces, pointing out that buckling-restrained brace is an effective means to strengthen the RC frame structures with more reliable performance and broad application prospect.

Evaluation of Structural Robustness against Column Loss: Methodology and Application to RC Frame Buildings

PubMed Central

Bao, Yihai; Main, Joseph A.; Noh, Sam-Young

2017-01-01

A computational methodology is presented for evaluating structural robustness against column loss. The methodology is illustrated through application to reinforced concrete (RC) frame buildings, using a reduced-order modeling approach for three-dimensional RC framing systems that includes the floor slabs. Comparisons with high-fidelity finite-element model results are presented to verify the approach. Pushdown analyses of prototype buildings under column loss scenarios are performed using the reduced-order modeling approach, and an energy-based procedure is employed to account for the dynamic effects associated with sudden column loss. Results obtained using the energy-based approach are found to be in good agreement with results from direct dynamic analysis of sudden column loss. A metric for structural robustness is proposed, calculated by normalizing the ultimate capacities of the structural system under sudden column loss by the applicable service-level gravity loading and by evaluating the minimum value of this normalized ultimate capacity over all column removal scenarios. The procedure is applied to two prototype 10-story RC buildings, one employing intermediate moment frames (IMFs) and the other employing special moment frames (SMFs). The SMF building, with its more stringent seismic design and detailing, is found to have greater robustness. PMID:28890599

Seismic performance evaluation of RC frame-shear wall structures using nonlinear analysis methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Jialiang; Wang, Qiuwei

To further understand the seismic performance of reinforced concrete (RC) frame-shear wall structures, a 1/8 model structure is scaled from a main factory structure with seven stories and seven bays. The model with four-stories and two-bays was pseudo-dynamically tested under six earthquake actions whose peak ground accelerations (PGA) vary from 50gal to 400gal. The damage process and failure patterns were investigated. Furthermore, nonlinear dynamic analysis (NDA) and capacity spectrum method (CSM) were adopted to evaluate the seismic behavior of the model structure. The top displacement curve, story drift curve and distribution of hinges were obtained and discussed. It is shown that the model structure had the characteristics of beam-hinge failure mechanism. The two methods can be used to evaluate the seismic behavior of RC frame-shear wall structures well. What’s more, the NDA can be somewhat replaced by CSM for the seismic performance evaluation of RC structures.

Pushover analysis of reinforced concrete frames considering shear failure at beam-column joints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sung, Y. C.; Lin, T. K.; Hsiao, C. C.; Lai, M. C.

2013-09-01

Since most current seismic capacity evaluations of reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures are implemented by either static pushover analysis (PA) or dynamic time history analysis, with diverse settings of the plastic hinges (PHs) on such main structural components as columns, beams and walls, the complex behavior of shear failure at beam-column joints (BCJs) during major earthquakes is commonly neglected. This study proposes new nonlinear PA procedures that consider shear failure at BCJs and seek to assess the actual damage to RC structures. Based on the specifications of FEMA-356, a simplified joint model composed of two nonlinear cross struts placed diagonally over the location of the plastic hinge is established, allowing a sophisticated PA to be performed. To verify the validity of this method, the analytical results for the capacity curves and the failure mechanism derived from three different full-size RC frames are compared with the experimental measurements. By considering shear failure at BCJs, the proposed nonlinear analytical procedures can be used to estimate the structural behavior of RC frames, including seismic capacity and the progressive failure sequence of joints, in a precise and effective manner.

Damage source identification of reinforced concrete structure using acoustic emission technique.

PubMed

Panjsetooni, Alireza; Bunnori, Norazura Muhamad; Vakili, Amir Hossein

2013-01-01

Acoustic emission (AE) technique is one of the nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques that have been considered as the prime candidate for structural health and damage monitoring in loaded structures. This technique was employed for investigation process of damage in reinforced concrete (RC) frame specimens. A number of reinforced concrete RC frames were tested under loading cycle and were simultaneously monitored using AE. The AE test data were analyzed using the AE source location analysis method. The results showed that AE technique is suitable to identify the sources location of damage in RC structures.

Damage Source Identification of Reinforced Concrete Structure Using Acoustic Emission Technique

PubMed Central

Panjsetooni, Alireza; Bunnori, Norazura Muhamad; Vakili, Amir Hossein

2013-01-01

Acoustic emission (AE) technique is one of the nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques that have been considered as the prime candidate for structural health and damage monitoring in loaded structures. This technique was employed for investigation process of damage in reinforced concrete (RC) frame specimens. A number of reinforced concrete RC frames were tested under loading cycle and were simultaneously monitored using AE. The AE test data were analyzed using the AE source location analysis method. The results showed that AE technique is suitable to identify the sources location of damage in RC structures. PMID:23997681

Design of Visco-Elastic Dampers for RC Frame for Site-Specific Earthquake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamatchi, P.; Rama Raju, K.; Ravisankar, K.; Iyer, Nagesh R.

2016-12-01

Number of Reinforced Concrete (RC) framed buildings have got damaged at Ahmedabad city, India located at about 240 km away from epicenter during January 2001, 7.6 moment magnitude (Mw) Bhuj earthquake. In the present study, two dimensional nonlinear time history dynamic analyses of a typical 13 storey frame assumed to be located at Ahmedabad is carried out with the rock level and surface level site-specific ground motion for scenario earthquake of Mw 7.6 from Bhuj. Artificial ground motions are generated using extended finite source stochastic model with seismological parameters reported in literature for 2001 Bhuj earthquake. Surface level ground motions are obtained for a typical soil profile of 100 m depth reported in literature through one dimensional equivalent linear wave propagation analyses. From the analyses, failure of frame is observed for surface level ground motions which indicates that, in addition to the in-adequacy of the cross sections and reinforcement of the RC members of the frame chosen, the rich energy content of the surface level ground motion near the fundamental time period of the frame has also contributed for the failure of frame. As a part of retrofitting measure, five Visco-elastic Dampers (VED) in chevron bracing are added to frame. For the frame considered in the present study, provision of VED is found to be effective to mitigate damage for the soil site considered.

Shake-table testing of a self-centering precast reinforced concrete frame with shear walls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Xilin; Yang, Boya; Zhao, Bin

2018-04-01

The seismic performance of a self-centering precast reinforced concrete (RC) frame with shear walls was investigated in this paper. The lateral force resistance was provided by self-centering precast RC shear walls (SPCW), which utilize a combination of unbonded prestressed post-tensioned (PT) tendons and mild steel reinforcing bars for flexural resistance across base joints. The structures concentrated deformations at the bottom joints and the unbonded PT tendons provided the self-centering restoring force. A 1/3-scale model of a five-story self-centering RC frame with shear walls was designed and tested on a shake-table under a series of bi-directional earthquake excitations with increasing intensity. The acceleration response, roof displacement, inter-story drifts, residual drifts, shear force ratios, hysteresis curves, and local behaviour of the test specimen were analysed and evaluated. The results demonstrated that seismic performance of the test specimen was satisfactory in the plane of the shear wall; however, the structure sustained inter-story drift levels up to 2.45%. Negligible residual drifts were recorded after all applied earthquake excitations. Based on the shake-table test results, it is feasible to apply and popularize a self-centering precast RC frame with shear walls as a structural system in seismic regions.

Performance-based plastic design of earthquake resistant reinforced concrete moment frames

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liao, Wen-Cheng

Performance-Based Plastic Design (PBPD) method has been recently developed to achieve enhanced performance of earthquake resistant structures. The design concept uses pre-selected target drift and yield mechanism as performance criteria. The design base shear for selected hazard level is determined by equating the work needed to push the structure monotonically up to the target drift to the corresponding energy demand of an equivalent SDOF oscillator. This study presents development of the PBPD approach as applied to reinforced concrete special moment frame (RC SMF) structures. RC structures present special challenge because of their complex and degrading ("pinched") hysteretic behavior. In order to account for the degrading hysteretic behavior the 1-EMA 440 C2 factor approach was used in the process of determining the design base shear. Four baseline RC SMF (4, 8, 12 and 20-story) as used in the FEMA P695 were selected for this study. Those frames were redesigned by the PBPD approach. The baseline frames and the PBPD frames were subjected to extensive inelastic pushover and time-history analyses. The PBPD frames showed much improved response meeting all desired performance objectives, including the intended yield mechanisms and the target drifts. On the contrary, the baseline frames experienced large story drifts due to flexural yielding of the columns. The work-energy equation to determine design base shear can also be used to estimate seismic demands, called the energy spectrum method. In this approach the skeleton force-displacement (capacity) curve of the structure is converted into energy-displacement plot (Ec) which is superimposed over the corresponding energy demand plot ( Ed) for the specified hazard level to determine the expected peak displacement demands. In summary, this study shows that the PBPD approach can be successfully applied to RC moment frame structures as well, and that the responses of the example moment frames were much improved over those of the corresponding baseline frames. In addition, the drift demands of all study frames as computed by the energy spectrum method were in excellent agreement with those obtained from detailed inelastic dynamic analyses.

Non Linear Analyses for the Evaluation of Seismic Behavior of Mixed R.C.-Masonry Structures

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

Liberatore, Laura; Tocci, Cesare; Masiani, Renato

2008-07-08

In this work the seismic behavior of masonry buildings with mixed structural system, consisting of perimeter masonry walls and internal r.c. frames, is studied by means of non linear static (pushover) analyses. Several aspects, like the distribution of seismic action between masonry and r.c. elements, the local and global behavior of the structure, the crisis of the connections and the attainment of the ultimate strength of the whole structure are examined. The influence of some parameters, such as the masonry compressive and tensile strength, on the structural behavior is investigated. The numerical analyses are also repeated on a building inmore » which the r.c. internal frames are replaced with masonry walls.« less

Life comparative analysis of energy consumption and CO₂ emissions of different building structural frame types.

PubMed

Kim, Sangyong; Moon, Joon-Ho; Shin, Yoonseok; Kim, Gwang-Hee; Seo, Deok-Seok

2013-01-01

The objective of this research is to quantitatively measure and compare the environmental load and construction cost of different structural frame types. Construction cost also accounts for the costs of CO₂ emissions of input materials. The choice of structural frame type is a major consideration in construction, as this element represents about 33% of total building construction costs. In this research, four constructed buildings were analyzed, with these having either reinforced concrete (RC) or steel (S) structures. An input-output framework analysis was used to measure energy consumption and CO₂ emissions of input materials for each structural frame type. In addition, the CO₂ emissions cost was measured using the trading price of CO₂ emissions on the International Commodity Exchange. This research revealed that both energy consumption and CO₂ emissions were, on average, 26% lower with the RC structure than with the S structure, and the construction costs (including the CO₂ emissions cost) of the RC structure were about 9.8% lower, compared to the S structure. This research provides insights through which the construction industry will be able to respond to the carbon market, which is expected to continue to grow in the future.

Experimental Tests of a Real Building Seismically Retrofitted by Special Buckling-Restrained Braces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Aniello, Mario; Corte, Gaetano Della; Mazzolani, Federico M.

2008-07-01

Buckling Restrained Braces (BRBs), differently from conventional braces, do not exhibit appreciable difference between the tensile and compression capacity and no strength degradation of brace capacity under compressive and cyclic loading. Since lateral and local buckling behaviour modes are restrained, large inelastic capacities are attainable. Hence, BRBs may represent an efficient and reliable solution for reducing the seismic vulnerability of buildings. Results of experimental tests on the response of a real two-story reinforced concrete (RC) building equipped with BRBs are presented and discussed. The considered BRBs are a special `only-steel' version of the more common `unbonded braces'. In particular, two different BRBs have been tested. Both of them are detachable "only-steel" devices, consisting in a rectangular steel plate and a restraining steel sleeve. The latter is composed by two omega shapes which are bolted together. The main characteristic of the braces consists in the possibility to hide them within the space between the facing and the backing of masonry infill walls commonly used for RC buildings.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: BV(RI)c light curves of FF Vul (Samec+, 2016)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samec, R. G.; Nyaude, R.; Caton, D.; van Hamme, W.

2017-02-01

The present BVRcIc light curves were taken by DC, the Dark Sky Observatory 0.81m reflector at Phillips Gap, North Carolina. These were taken on 2015 September 12, 13, 14 and 15, and October 15, with a thermoelectrically cooled (-40°C) 2*2K Apogee Alta camera. Additional observations were obtained remotely with the SARA north 0.91m reflector at KPNO on 2015 September 20 and October 11, with the ARC 2*2K camera cooled to -110°C. Individual observations were taken at both sites with standard Johnson-Cousins filters, and included 444 field images in B, 451 in V, 443 in Rc, and 445 in Ic. The standard error was ~7mmag in each of B, V, Rc and Ic. Nightly images were calibrated with 25 bias frames, five flat frames in each filter, and ten 300s dark frames. The exposure times were 40-50s in B, 25-30s in V, 15-25s in Rc and Ic. Our observations are listed in Table1. (1 data file).

Life Comparative Analysis of Energy Consumption and CO2 Emissions of Different Building Structural Frame Types

PubMed Central

Kim, Sangyong; Moon, Joon-Ho; Shin, Yoonseok; Kim, Gwang-Hee; Seo, Deok-Seok

2013-01-01

The objective of this research is to quantitatively measure and compare the environmental load and construction cost of different structural frame types. Construction cost also accounts for the costs of CO2 emissions of input materials. The choice of structural frame type is a major consideration in construction, as this element represents about 33% of total building construction costs. In this research, four constructed buildings were analyzed, with these having either reinforced concrete (RC) or steel (S) structures. An input-output framework analysis was used to measure energy consumption and CO2 emissions of input materials for each structural frame type. In addition, the CO2 emissions cost was measured using the trading price of CO2 emissions on the International Commodity Exchange. This research revealed that both energy consumption and CO2 emissions were, on average, 26% lower with the RC structure than with the S structure, and the construction costs (including the CO2 emissions cost) of the RC structure were about 9.8% lower, compared to the S structure. This research provides insights through which the construction industry will be able to respond to the carbon market, which is expected to continue to grow in the future. PMID:24227998

An Empirical Method to Assess the Seismic Vulnerability of Existing Buildings Using the HVSR Technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mucciarelli, M.; Contri, P.; Monachesi, G.; Calvano, G.; Gallipoli, M.

- The seismic vulnerability of existing buildings is usually estimated according to procedures based on checklists of main structural features. The relationship with damage is then assessed using experience from past events. An approach used in seismology for the evaluation of site amplification, based on horizontal-to-vertical ratio of weak motion and microtremors, has been applied to the structural field. This methodology provides an alternative, promising tool towards a quick and reliable estimate of seismic vulnerability. The advantages are:• The measurements are quick, simple and stable. They are non-invasive and do not affect at all, even temporarily, the functions housed in the buildings studied.• The site effect and the soil structure interaction are explicitly accounted for in the vulnerability estimate, when they are excluded in the traditional approaches.• The relationship with damage is established using meaningful physical parameters related to the construction technology, instead of adimensional, normalised indexes. The procedure has been applied to several case histories of buildings damaged in the recent Umbria-Marche earthquake which occurred in Italy in 1997. The same model has been applied to different structures (brick/stone masonry and infilled r.c. frames), on different geological conditions and under very different seismic loads. Using this combined site/building approach, it was possible to explain very sharp variations in the damage pattern.

Joint Machine Learning and Game Theory for Rate Control in High Efficiency Video Coding.

PubMed

Gao, Wei; Kwong, Sam; Jia, Yuheng

2017-08-25

In this paper, a joint machine learning and game theory modeling (MLGT) framework is proposed for inter frame coding tree unit (CTU) level bit allocation and rate control (RC) optimization in High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC). First, a support vector machine (SVM) based multi-classification scheme is proposed to improve the prediction accuracy of CTU-level Rate-Distortion (R-D) model. The legacy "chicken-and-egg" dilemma in video coding is proposed to be overcome by the learning-based R-D model. Second, a mixed R-D model based cooperative bargaining game theory is proposed for bit allocation optimization, where the convexity of the mixed R-D model based utility function is proved, and Nash bargaining solution (NBS) is achieved by the proposed iterative solution search method. The minimum utility is adjusted by the reference coding distortion and frame-level Quantization parameter (QP) change. Lastly, intra frame QP and inter frame adaptive bit ratios are adjusted to make inter frames have more bit resources to maintain smooth quality and bit consumption in the bargaining game optimization. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed MLGT based RC method can achieve much better R-D performances, quality smoothness, bit rate accuracy, buffer control results and subjective visual quality than the other state-of-the-art one-pass RC methods, and the achieved R-D performances are very close to the performance limits from the FixedQP method.

Evaluation of Eco-Efficiency and Performance of Retrofit Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gopinath, Smitha; Rama Chandra Murthy, A.; Iyer, Nagesh R.; Kokila, S.

2015-12-01

In this work three materials namely Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP), ferrocement and Textile Reinforced Concrete (TRC) have been evaluated towards their performance efficiency and eco-effectiveness for sustainable retrofitting applications. Investigations have been carried out for flexural strengthening of RC beams with FRP, ferrocement and TRC. It is observed that in the case of FRP, it is not possible to tailor the material according to design requirements and most of the time strengthened structure becomes over stiff. Eco-effectiveness of these retrofitting materials has been evaluated by computing the embodied energy. It is observed that the amount of CO2 emitted by TRC is less compared to other retrofit materials. Further, the performance point of retrofitted RC frames has been evaluated and damage index has been calculated to find out the effective retrofit material. It is concluded that, if RC frame is retrofitted with FRP and TRC, it undergoes less damage compared to ferrocement.

Aftershock collapse vulnerability assessment of reinforced concrete frame structures

USGS Publications Warehouse

Raghunandan, Meera; Liel, Abbie B.; Luco, Nicolas

2015-01-01

In a seismically active region, structures may be subjected to multiple earthquakes, due to mainshock–aftershock phenomena or other sequences, leaving no time for repair or retrofit between the events. This study quantifies the aftershock vulnerability of four modern ductile reinforced concrete (RC) framed buildings in California by conducting incremental dynamic analysis of nonlinear MDOF analytical models. Based on the nonlinear dynamic analysis results, collapse and damage fragility curves are generated for intact and damaged buildings. If the building is not severely damaged in the mainshock, its collapse capacity is unaffected in the aftershock. However, if the building is extensively damaged in the mainshock, there is a significant reduction in its collapse capacity in the aftershock. For example, if an RC frame experiences 4% or more interstory drift in the mainshock, the median capacity to resist aftershock shaking is reduced by about 40%. The study also evaluates the effectiveness of different measures of physical damage observed in the mainshock-damaged buildings for predicting the reduction in collapse capacity of the damaged building in subsequent aftershocks. These physical damage indicators for the building are chosen such that they quantify the qualitative red tagging (unsafe for occupation) criteria employed in post-earthquake evaluation of RC frames. The results indicated that damage indicators related to the drift experienced by the damaged building best predicted the reduced aftershock collapse capacities for these ductile structures.

Earthquake behavior of steel cushion-implemented reinforced concrete frames

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Özkaynak, Hasan

2018-04-01

The earthquake performance of vulnerable structures can be increased by the implementation of supplementary energy-dissipative metallic elements. The main aim of this paper is to describe the earthquake behavior of steel cushion-implemented reinforced concrete frames (SCI-RCFR) in terms of displacement demands and energy components. Several quasi-static experiments were performed on steel cushions (SC) installed in reinforced concrete (RC) frames. The test results served as the basis of the analytical models of SCs and a bare reinforced concrete frame (B-RCFR). These models were integrated in order to obtain the resulting analytical model of the SCI-RCFR. Nonlinear-time history analyses (NTHA) were performed on the SCI-RCFR under the effects of the selected earthquake data set. According to the NTHA, SC application is an effective technique for increasing the seismic performance of RC structures. The main portion of the earthquake input energy was dissipated through SCs. SCs succeeded in decreasing the plastic energy demand on structural elements by almost 50% at distinct drift levels.

Experimental investigation of damage behavior of RC frame members including non-seismically designed columns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Linzhi; Lu, Xilin; Jiang, Huanjun; Zheng, Jianbo

2009-06-01

Reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures are one of the mostly common used structural systems, and their seismic performance is largely determined by the performance of columns and beams. This paper describes horizontal cyclic loading tests of ten column and three beam specimens, some of which were designed according to the current seismic design code and others were designed according to the early non-seismic Chinese design code, aiming at reporting the behavior of the damaged or collapsed RC frame strctures observed during the Wenchuan earthquake. The effects of axial load ratio, shear span ratio, and transverse and longitudinal reinforcement ratio on hysteresis behavior, ductility and damage progress were incorporated in the experimental study. Test results indicate that the non-seismically designed columns show premature shear failure, and yield larger maximum residual crack widths and more concrete spalling than the seismically designed columns. In addition, longitudinal steel reinforcement rebars were severely buckled. The axial load ratio and shear span ratio proved to be the most important factors affecting the ductility, crack opening width and closing ability, while the longitudinal reinforcement ratio had only a minor effect on column ductility, but exhibited more influence on beam ductility. Finally, the transverse reinforcement ratio did not influence the maximum residual crack width and closing ability of the seismically designed columns.

Nonlinear analysis of r.c. framed buildings retrofitted with elastomeric and friction bearings under near-fault earthquakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazza, Mirko

2015-12-01

Reinforced concrete (r.c.) framed buildings designed in compliance with inadequate seismic classifications and code provisions present in many cases a high vulnerability and need to be retrofitted. To this end, the insertion of a base isolation system allows a considerable reduction of the seismic loads transmitted to the superstructure. However, strong near-fault ground motions, which are characterised by long-duration horizontal pulses, may amplify the inelastic response of the superstructure and induce a failure of the isolation system. The above considerations point out the importance of checking the effectiveness of different isolation systems for retrofitting a r.c. framed structure. For this purpose, a numerical investigation is carried out with reference to a six-storey r.c. framed building, which, primarily designed (as to be a fixed-base one) in compliance with the previous Italian code (DM96) for a medium-risk seismic zone, has to be retrofitted by insertion of an isolation system at the base for attaining performance levels imposed by the current Italian code (NTC08) in a high-risk seismic zone. Besides the (fixed-base) original structure, three cases of base isolation are studied: elastomeric bearings acting alone (e.g. HDLRBs); in-parallel combination of elastomeric and friction bearings (e.g. high-damping-laminated-rubber bearings, HDLRBs and steel-PTFE sliding bearings, SBs); friction bearings acting alone (e.g. friction pendulum bearings, FPBs). The nonlinear analysis of the fixed-base and base-isolated structures subjected to horizontal components of near-fault ground motions is performed for checking plastic conditions at the potential critical (end) sections of the girders and columns as well as critical conditions of the isolation systems. Unexpected high values of ductility demand are highlighted at the lower floors of all base-isolated structures, while re-centring problems of the base isolation systems under near-fault earthquakes are expected in case of friction bearings acting alone (i.e. FPBs) or that in combination (i.e. SBs) with HDLRBs.

Earthquake Response of Reinforced Concrete Building Retrofitted with Geopolymer Concrete and X-shaped Metallic Damper

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Madheswaran, C. K.; Prakash vel, J.; Sathishkumar, K.; Rao, G. V. Rama

2017-06-01

A three-storey half scale reinforced concrete (RC) building is fixed with X-shaped metallic damper at the ground floor level, is designed and fabricated to study its seismic response characteristics. Experimental studies are carried out using the (4 m × 4 m) tri-axial shake-table facility to evaluate the seismic response of a retrofitted RC building with open ground storey (OGS) structure using yielding type X-shaped metallic dampers (also called as Added Damping and Stiffness-ADAS elements) and repairing the damaged ground storey columns using geopolymer concrete composites. This elasto-plastic device is normally incorporated within the frame structure between adjacent floors through chevron bracing, so that they efficiently enhance the overall energy dissipation ability of the seismically deficient frame structure under earthquake loading. Free vibration tests on RC building without and with yielding type X-shaped metallic damper is carried out. The natural frequencies and mode shapes of RC building without and with yielding type X-shaped metallic damper are determined. The retrofitted reinforced concrete building is subjected to earthquake excitations and the response from the structure is recorded. This work discusses the preparation of test specimen, experimental set-up, instrumentation, method of testing of RC building and the response of the structure. The metallic damper reduces the time period of the structure and displacement demands on the OGS columns of the structure. Nonlinear time history analysis is performed using structural analysis package, SAP2000.

Experiment study on RC frame retrofitted by the external structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Chunyang; Shi, Junji; Hiroshi, Kuramoto; Taguchi, Takashi; Kamiya, Takashi

2016-09-01

A new retrofitting method is proposed herein for reinforced concrete (RC) structures through attachment of an external structure. The external structure consists of a fiber concrete encased steel frame, connection slab and transverse beams. The external structure is connected to the existing structure through a connection slab and transverse beams. Pseudostatic experiments were carried out on one unretrofitted specimen and three retrofitted frame specimens. The characteristics, including failure mode, crack pattern, hysteresis loops behavior, relationship of strain and displacement of the concrete slab, are demonstrated. The results show that the load carrying capacity is obviously increased, and the extension length of the slab and the number of columns within the external frame are important influence factors on the working performance of the existing structure. In addition, the displacement difference between the existing structure and the outer structure was caused mainly by three factors: shear deformation of the slab, extraction of transverse beams, and drift of the conjunction part between the slab and the existing frame. Furthermore, the total deformation determined by the first two factors accounted for approximately 80% of the damage, therefore these factors should be carefully considered in engineering practice to enhance the effects of this new retrofitting method.

Whole-body ring-shaped confocal photoacoustic computed tomography of small animals in vivo.

PubMed

Xia, Jun; Chatni, Muhammad R; Maslov, Konstantin; Guo, Zijian; Wang, Kun; Anastasio, Mark; Wang, Lihong V

2012-05-01

We report a novel small-animal whole-body imaging system called ring-shaped confocal photoacoustic computed tomography (RC-PACT). RC-PACT is based on a confocal design of free-space ring-shaped light illumination and 512-element full-ring ultrasonic array signal detection. The free-space light illumination maximizes the light delivery efficiency, and the full-ring signal detection ensures a full two-dimensional view aperture for accurate image reconstruction. Using cylindrically focused array elements, RC-PACT can image a thin cross section with 0.10 to 0.25 mm in-plane resolutions and 1.6  s/frame acquisition time. By translating the mouse along the elevational direction, RC-PACT provides a series of cross-sectional images of the brain, liver, kidneys, and bladder.

Whole-body ring-shaped confocal photoacoustic computed tomography of small animals in vivo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Jun; Chatni, Muhammad R.; Maslov, Konstantin; Guo, Zijian; Wang, Kun; Anastasio, Mark; Wang, Lihong V.

2012-05-01

We report a novel small-animal whole-body imaging system called ring-shaped confocal photoacoustic computed tomography (RC-PACT). RC-PACT is based on a confocal design of free-space ring-shaped light illumination and 512-element full-ring ultrasonic array signal detection. The free-space light illumination maximizes the light delivery efficiency, and the full-ring signal detection ensures a full two-dimensional view aperture for accurate image reconstruction. Using cylindrically focused array elements, RC-PACT can image a thin cross section with 0.10 to 0.25 mm in-plane resolutions and 1.6 s/frame acquisition time. By translating the mouse along the elevational direction, RC-PACT provides a series of cross-sectional images of the brain, liver, kidneys, and bladder.

Pros and cons of multistory RC tunnel-form (box-type) buildings

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kalkan, E.; Yuksel, S.B.

2008-01-01

Tunnel-form structural systems (i.e., box systems), having a load-carrying mechanism composed of reinforced concrete (RC) shear walls and slabs only, have been prevailingly utilized in the construction of multistory residential units. The superiority of tunnel-form buildings over their conventional counterparts stems from the enhanced earthquake resistance they provide, and the considerable speed and economy of their construction. During recent earthquakes in Turkey, they exhibited better seismic performance in contrast to the damaged condition of a number of RC frames and dual systems (i.e., RC frames with shear wall configurations). Thus the tunnel-form system has become a primary construction technique in many seismically active regions. In this paper, the strengths and weaknesses of tunnel-form buildings are addressed in terms of design considerations and construction applications. The impacts of shear wall reinforcement ratio and its detailing on system ductility, loadcarrying capacity and failure mechanism under seismic forces are evaluated at section and global system levels. Influences of tension/compression coupling and wall openings on the response are also discussed. Three-dimensional nonlinear finite element models, verified through comparisons with experimental results, were used for numerical assessments. Findings from this projection provide useful information on adequate vertical reinforcement ratio and boundary reinforcement to achieve enhanced performance of tunnel-form buildings under seismic actions. Copyright ?? 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Prediction of strain values in reinforcements and concrete of a RC frame using neural networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vafaei, Mohammadreza; Alih, Sophia C.; Shad, Hossein; Falah, Ali; Halim, Nur Hajarul Falahi Abdul

2018-03-01

The level of strain in structural elements is an important indicator for the presence of damage and its intensity. Considering this fact, often structural health monitoring systems employ strain gauges to measure strains in critical elements. However, because of their sensitivity to the magnetic fields, inadequate long-term durability especially in harsh environments, difficulties in installation on existing structures, and maintenance cost, installation of strain gauges is not always possible for all structural components. Therefore, a reliable method that can accurately estimate strain values in critical structural elements is necessary for damage identification. In this study, a full-scale test was conducted on a planar RC frame to investigate the capability of neural networks for predicting the strain values. Two neural networks each of which having a single hidden layer was trained to relate the measured rotations and vertical displacements of the frame to the strain values measured at different locations of the frame. Results of trained neural networks indicated that they accurately estimated the strain values both in reinforcements and concrete. In addition, the trained neural networks were capable of predicting strains for the unseen input data set.

Etude du comportement sous charges laterales des ossatures de beton arme avec murs de remplissage de maconnerie, construites avant les annees 1960

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lefebvre, Karine

Reinforced concrete structures with unreinforced masonry infills (BMR) are considered vulnerable to earthquakes. Under seismic actions, infills could fail (causing injuries or death) and cause damages to columns. In Quebec and Canada, most of BMR structures have been constructed prior to the introduction of modern seismic design codes raising question on the contribution of the infill to the structure lateral resistance. The aim of this thesis is to improve modelling technique of BMR structures built in Quebec between 1915 and 1960. This type of structures is found in hospitals or schools buildings, which must comply with some post-earthquake functionality requirements. They could also be residential or office buildings. Actually, practicing engineers usually calculate seismic capacity of BMR structures without considering the infill's structural contribution to the lateral resistance. Yet, this contribution should not be omitted. The first part of the thesis investigates the construction techniques and material properties of the old BMR structures in the Province. The results are the material properties (concrete, reinforcing steel, brick, terra cotta tile, and mortar) and the characteristics of the assemblies (wall section, reinforcement details…). The second part of the thesis presents the results of series of parametric analyses to identify among modelling and geometric parameters, which ones are the most influent on the lateral load response (rigidity, fundamental period, normal modes). Linear and modal analyses were performed. The most influent parameters identified are: number of storeys, number of bays, bay's width, soft storey, openings, upper storeys modelized (instead of being replaced by punctual loads) and the modelization technique of infills panels (strut or shell). Nonlinear static analyses have been performed to identify the most influent parameters to be considered for evaluating the lateral resistance, the capacity (load / displacement) and the yielding sequence (beam versus columns versus infills). The identified parameters are the presence of the infills, the openings and the geometric characteristics of the models (number of storeys and number of bays). One important contribution of this work is the development of an equivalent strut model to represent the action of the infill. The model could be easily implemented in standard analysis software. A central axial hinge reproducing the nonlinear behaviour of the masonry is added to the strut element. This model is a hybridization of existing proposals (FEMA and others) with added innovations by the author. It has been validated with experimental and numerical analyses results from literature. An important conclusion of this thesis is that the contribution of infills to lateral load resisting capacities of BMR structures should be considered for structure of more than one storey. Infills can add up to 51 % to bare frame capacity. The National building code requires that the lateral resistance of existing buildings must be at least 60 % of the equivalent static seismic force (V2005). It is concluded that one storey BMR buildings have a sufficient resistance, while three-storeys structures exhibit plastic deformations for loads under 0,6* V2005.

Research in structures, structural dynamics and materials, 1989

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hunter, William F. (Compiler); Noor, Ahmed K. (Compiler)

1989-01-01

Topics addressed include: composite plates; buckling predictions; missile launch tube modeling; structural/control systems design; optimization of nonlinear R/C frames; error analysis for semi-analytic displacement; crack acoustic emission; and structural dynamics.

Damage identification of a reinforced concrete frame by finite element model updating using damage parameterization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fang, Sheng-En; Perera, Ricardo; De Roeck, Guido

2008-06-01

This paper develops a sensitivity-based updating method to identify the damage in a tested reinforced concrete (RC) frame modeled with a two-dimensional planar finite element (FE) by minimizing the discrepancies of modal frequencies and mode shapes. In order to reduce the number of unknown variables, a bidimensional damage (element) function is proposed, resulting in a considerable improvement of the optimization performance. For damage identification, a reference FE model of the undamaged frame divided into a few damage functions is firstly obtained and then a rough identification is carried out to detect possible damage locations, which are subsequently refined with new damage functions to accurately identify the damage. From a design point of view, it would be useful to evaluate, in a simplified way, the remaining bending stiffness of cracked beam sections or segments. Hence, an RC damage model based on a static mechanism is proposed to estimate the remnant stiffness of a cracked RC beam segment. The damage model is based on the assumption that the damage effect spreads over a region and the stiffness in the segment changes linearly. Furthermore, the stiffness reduction evaluated using this damage model is compared with the FE updating result. It is shown that the proposed bidimensional damage function is useful in producing a well-conditioned optimization problem and the aforementioned damage model can be used for an approximate stiffness estimation of a cracked beam segment.

Behaviour of Strengthened RC Frames with Eccentric Steel Braced Frames

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamanli, Mehmet; Unal, Alptug

2017-10-01

After devastating earthquakes in recent years, strengthening of reinforced concrete buildings became an important research topic. Reinforced concrete buildings can be strengthened by steel braced frames. These steel braced frames may be made of concentrically or eccentrically indicated in Turkish Earthquake Code 2007. In this study pushover analysis of the 1/3 scaled 1 reinforced concrete frame and 1/3 scaled 4 strengthened reinforced concrete frames with internal eccentric steel braced frames were conducted by SAP2000 program. According to the results of the analyses conducted, load-displacement curves of the specimens were compared and evaluated. Adding eccentric steel braces to the bare frame decreased the story drift, and significantly increased strength, stiffness and energy dissipation capacity. In this strengthening method lateral load carrying capacity, stiffness and dissipated energy of the structure can be increased.

7 CFR 654.15 - Operation and maintenance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... installed as set forth in the watershed or RC&D measure plan. (d) Compliance with the time frames and O&M... the schedule for withdrawal of water in water impounding structures as specified in the watershed or...

7 CFR 654.15 - Operation and maintenance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... installed as set forth in the watershed or RC&D measure plan. (d) Compliance with the time frames and O&M... the schedule for withdrawal of water in water impounding structures as specified in the watershed or...

Recorded motions of the 6 April 2009 Mw 6.3 L'Aquila, Italy, earthquake and implications for building structural damage: Overview

USGS Publications Warehouse

Celebi, M.; Bazzurro, P.; Chiaraluce, L.; Clemente, P.; Decanini, L.; Desortis, A.; Ellsworth, W.; Gorini, A.; Kalkan, E.; Marcucci, S.; Milana, G.; Mollaioli, F.; Olivieri, M.; Paolucci, R.; Rinaldis, D.; Rovelli, A.; Sabetta, F.; Stephens, C.

2010-01-01

The normal-faulting earthquake of 6 April 2009 in the Abruzzo Region of central Italy caused heavy losses of life and substantial damage to centuriesold buildings of significant cultural importance and to modern reinforcedconcrete- framed buildings with hollow masonry infill walls. Although structural deficiencies were significant and widespread, the study of the characteristics of strong motion data from the heavily affected area indicated that the short duration of strong shaking may have spared many more damaged buildings from collapsing. It is recognized that, with this caveat of shortduration shaking, the infill walls may have played a very important role in preventing further deterioration or collapse of many buildings. It is concluded that better new or retrofit construction practices that include reinforcedconcrete shear walls may prove helpful in reducing risks in such seismic areas of Italy, other Mediterranean countries, and even in United States, where there are large inventories of deficient structures. ?? 2010, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute.

Integrated optimization of nonlinear R/C frames with reliability constraints

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Soeiro, Alfredo; Hoit, Marc

1989-01-01

A structural optimization algorithm was researched including global displacements as decision variables. The algorithm was applied to planar reinforced concrete frames with nonlinear material behavior submitted to static loading. The flexural performance of the elements was evaluated as a function of the actual stress-strain diagrams of the materials. Formation of rotational hinges with strain hardening were allowed and the equilibrium constraints were updated accordingly. The adequacy of the frames was guaranteed by imposing as constraints required reliability indices for the members, maximum global displacements for the structure and a maximum system probability of failure.

Damage detection and quantification in a structural model under seismic excitation using time-frequency analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chan, Chun-Kai; Loh, Chin-Hsiung; Wu, Tzu-Hsiu

2015-04-01

In civil engineering, health monitoring and damage detection are typically carry out by using a large amount of sensors. Typically, most methods require global measurements to extract the properties of the structure. However, some sensors, like LVDT, cannot be used due to in situ limitation so that the global deformation remains unknown. An experiment is used to demonstrate the proposed algorithms: a one-story 2-bay reinforce concrete frame under weak and strong seismic excitation. In this paper signal processing techniques and nonlinear identification are used and applied to the response measurements of seismic response of reinforced concrete structures subject to different level of earthquake excitations. Both modal-based and signal-based system identification and feature extraction techniques are used to study the nonlinear inelastic response of RC frame using both input and output response data or output only measurement. From the signal-based damage identification method, which include the enhancement of time-frequency analysis of acceleration responses and the estimation of permanent deformation using directly from acceleration response data. Finally, local deformation measurement from dense optical tractor is also use to quantify the damage of the RC frame structure.

Incremental dynamic analysis of concrete moment resisting frames reinforced with shape memory composite bars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zafar, Adeel; Andrawes, Bassem

2012-02-01

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcing bars have been used in concrete structures as an alternative to conventional steel reinforcement, in order to overcome corrosion problems. However, due to the linear behavior of the commonly used reinforcing fibers, they are not considered in structures which require ductility and damping characteristics. The use of superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) fibers with their nonlinear elastic behavior as reinforcement in the composite could potentially provide a solution for this problem. Small diameter SMA wires are coupled with polymer matrix to produce SMA-FRP composite, which is sought in this research as reinforcing bars. SMA-FRP bars are sought in this study to enhance the seismic performance of reinforced concrete (RC) moment resisting frames (MRFs) in terms of reducing their residual inter-story drifts while still maintaining the elastic characteristics associated with conventional FRP. Three story one bay and six story two bay RC MRF prototype structures are designed with steel, SMA-FRP and glass-FRP reinforcement. The incremental dynamic analysis technique is used to investigate the behaviors of the two frames with the three different reinforcement types under a suite of ground motion records. It is found that the frames with SMA-FRP composite reinforcement exhibit higher performance levels including lower residual inter-story drifts, high energy dissipation and thus lower damage, which are important for structures in highly seismic zones.

Effectiveness of damped braces to mitigate seismic torsional response of unsymmetric-plan buildings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazza, Fabio; Pedace, Emilia; Favero, Francesco Del

2017-02-01

The seismic retrofitting of unsymmetric-plan reinforced concrete (r.c.) framed buildings can be carried out by the incorporation of damped braces (DBs). Yet most of the proposals to mitigate the seismic response of asymmetric framed buildings by DBs rest on the hypothesis of elastic (linear) structural response. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of a Displacement-Based Design procedure of hysteretic damped braces (HYDBs) based on the nonlinear behavior of the frame members, which adopts the extended N2 method considered by Eurocode 8 to evaluate the higher mode torsional effects. The Town Hall of Spilinga (Italy), a framed structure with an L-shaped plan built at the beginning of the 1960s, is supposed to be retrofitted with HYDBs to attain performance levels imposed by the Italian seismic code (NTC08) in a high-risk zone. Ten structural solutions are compared by considering two in-plan distributions of the HYDBs, to eliminate (elastic) torsional effects, and different design values of the frame ductility combined with a constant design value of the damper ductility. A computer code for the nonlinear dynamic analysis of r.c. spatial framed structures is adopted to evaluate the critical incident angle of bidirectional earthquakes. Beams and columns are simulated with a lumped plasticity model, including flat surface modeling of the axial load-biaxial bending moment elastic domain at the end sections, while a bilinear law is used to idealize the behavior of the HYDBs. Damage index domains are adopted to estimate the directions of least seismic capacity, considering artificial earthquakes whose response spectra match those adopted by NTC08 at serviceability and ultimate limit states.

Drift Reliability Assessment of a Four Storey Frame Residential Building Under Seismic Loading Considering Multiple Factors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sil, Arjun; Longmailai, Thaihamdau

2017-09-01

The lateral displacement of Reinforced Concrete (RC) frame building during an earthquake has an important impact on the structural stability and integrity. However, seismic analysis and design of RC building needs more concern due to its complex behavior as the performance of the structure links to the features of the system having many influencing parameters and other inherent uncertainties. The reliability approach takes into account the factors and uncertainty in design influencing the performance or response of the structure in which the safety level or the probability of failure could be ascertained. This present study, aims to assess the reliability of seismic performance of a four storey residential RC building seismically located in Zone-V as per the code provisions given in the Indian Standards IS: 1893-2002. The reliability assessment performed by deriving an explicit expression for maximum roof-lateral displacement as a failure function by regression method. A total of 319, four storey RC buildings were analyzed by linear static method using SAP2000. However, the change in the lateral-roof displacement with the variation of the parameters (column dimension, beam dimension, grade of concrete, floor height and total weight of the structure) was observed. A generalized relation established by regression method which could be used to estimate the expected lateral displacement owing to those selected parameters. A comparison made between the displacements obtained from analysis with that of the equation so formed. However, it shows that the proposed relation could be used directly to determine the expected maximum lateral displacement. The data obtained from the statistical computations was then used to obtain the probability of failure and the reliability.

[Inverse PCR amplification of the complete major capsid protein gene of lymphocystis disease virus isolated from Rachycentron canadum and the phylogenetic analysis of the virus].

PubMed

Fu, Xiao-Zhe; Shi, Cun-Bin; Li, Ning-Qiu; Pan, Hou-Jun; Chang, Ou-Qin; Wu, Shu-Qin

2007-09-01

The major capsid protein of lymphocystis disease virus isolated from Rachycentron canadum (LCDV-rc) was amplified and analysed. The 457bp DNA core fragment was amplified with the degenerate primers designed according to the conserved sequences of MCP gene of iridoviruses, then the flaking sequences adjacent to the core region were amplified by inverse PCR, and the complete sequence was obtained by combining all of them. The open reading frame of the gene is 1380bp in length, encoding a putative protein of 459 aa with molecular weight 51.12 kD and pI 6.87. Constructing the phylogenetic tree for comparing the MCP amino acid of iridoviruses, the results indicated that LCDV-rc is most homologous to the other Lymphocystis viruses and all of them constitute a branch. Accordingly LCDV-rc is identified as Lymphocystivirus.

Ceres RC3 Animation

NASA Image and Video Library

2015-05-11

In this closest-yet view of Ceres, the brightest spots within a crater in the northern hemisphere are revealed to be composed of many smaller spots. This frame is from an animation of sequences taken by NASA Dawn spacecraft on May 4, 2015. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA19547

Light Steel-Timber Frame with Composite and Plaster Bracing Panels

PubMed Central

Scotta, Roberto; Trutalli, Davide; Fiorin, Laura; Pozza, Luca; Marchi, Luca; De Stefani, Lorenzo

2015-01-01

The proposed light-frame structure comprises steel columns for vertical loads and an innovative bracing system to efficiently resist seismic actions. This seismic force resisting system consists of a light timber frame braced with an Oriented Strand Board (OSB) sheet and an external technoprene plaster-infilled slab. Steel brackets are used as foundation and floor connections. Experimental cyclic-loading tests were conduced to study the seismic response of two shear-wall specimens. A numerical model was calibrated on experimental results and the dynamic non-linear behavior of a case-study building was assessed. Numerical results were then used to estimate the proper behavior factor value, according to European seismic codes. Obtained results demonstrate that this innovative system is suitable for the use in seismic-prone areas thanks to the high ductility and dissipative capacity achieved by the bracing system. This favorable behavior is mainly due to the fasteners and materials used and to the correct application of the capacity design approach. PMID:28793642

Light Steel-Timber Frame with Composite and Plaster Bracing Panels.

PubMed

Scotta, Roberto; Trutalli, Davide; Fiorin, Laura; Pozza, Luca; Marchi, Luca; De Stefani, Lorenzo

2015-11-03

The proposed light-frame structure comprises steel columns for vertical loads and an innovative bracing system to efficiently resist seismic actions. This seismic force resisting system consists of a light timber frame braced with an Oriented Strand Board (OSB) sheet and an external technoprene plaster-infilled slab. Steel brackets are used as foundation and floor connections. Experimental cyclic-loading tests were conduced to study the seismic response of two shear-wall specimens. A numerical model was calibrated on experimental results and the dynamic non-linear behavior of a case-study building was assessed. Numerical results were then used to estimate the proper behavior factor value, according to European seismic codes. Obtained results demonstrate that this innovative system is suitable for the use in seismic-prone areas thanks to the high ductility and dissipative capacity achieved by the bracing system. This favorable behavior is mainly due to the fasteners and materials used and to the correct application of the capacity design approach.

Earthquake response analysis of 11-story RC building that suffered damage in 2011 East Japan Earthquake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shibata, Akenori; Masuno, Hidemasa

2017-10-01

An eleven-story RC apartment building suffered medium damage in the 2011 East Japan earthquake and was retrofitted for re-use. Strong motion records were obtained near the building. This paper discusses the inelastic earthquake response analysis of the building using the equivalent single-degree-of-freedom (1-DOF) system to account for the features of damage. The method of converting the building frame into 1-DOF system with tri-linear reducing-stiffness restoring force characteristics was given. The inelastic response analysis of the building against the earthquake using the inelastic 1-DOF equivalent system could interpret well the level of actual damage.

Seismic Rehabilitation of RC Frames by Using Steel Panels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mowrtage, Waiel

2008-07-01

Every major earthquake in Turkey causes a large number of building suffer moderate damage due to poor construction. If a proper and fast retrofit is not applied, the aftershocks, which may sometimes come days or weeks after the main shock, can push a moderately damaged building into a major damage or even total collapse. This paper presents a practical retrofit method for moderately damaged buildings, which increases the seismic performance of the structural system by reducing the displacement demand. Fabricated steel panels are used for the retrofit. They are light-weight, easy to handle, and can be constructed very quickly. Moreover, they are cheap, and do not need formwork or skilled workers. They can be designed to compensate for the stiffness and strength degradation, and to fit easily inside a moderately damaged reinforced concrete frame. To test the concept, a half-scale, single-story 3D reinforced concrete frame specimen was constructed at the shake-table laboratories of the Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute of Bogazici University, and subjected to recorded real earthquake base accelerations. The amplitudes of base accelerations were increased until a moderate damage level is reached. Then, the damaged RC frames was retrofitted by means of steel panels and tested under the same earthquake. The seismic performance of the specimen before and after the retrofit was evaluated using FEMA356 standards, and the results were compared in terms of stiffness, strength, and deformability. The results have confirmed effectiveness of the proposed retrofit scheme.

Crack propagation from a filled flaw in rocks considering the infill influences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Xu; Deng, Yan; Li, Zhenhua; Wang, Shuren; Tang, C. A.

2018-05-01

This study presents a numerical and experimental study of the cracking behaviour of rock specimen containing a single filled flaw under compression. The primary aim is to investigate the influences of infill on crack patterns, load-displacement response and specimen strength. The numerical code RFPA2D (Rock Failure Process Analysis) featured by the capability of modeling heterogeneous materials is employed to develop the numerical model, which is further calibrated by physical tests. The results indicate that there exists a critical infill strength which controls crack patterns for a given flaw inclination angle. For case of infill strength lower than the critical value, the secondary or anti-cracks are disappeared by increasing the infill strength. If the infill strength is greater than the critical value, the filled flaw has little influence on the cracking path and the specimen fails by an inclined crack, as if there is no flaw. The load-displacement responses show specimen stiffness increases by increasing infill strength until the infill strength reaches its critical value. The specimen strength increases by increasing the infill strength and almost keeps constant as the infill strength exceeds its critical value.

Shaking table test and dynamic response prediction on an earthquake-damaged RC building

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xianguo, Ye; Jiaru, Qian; Kangning, Li

2004-12-01

This paper presents the results from shaking table tests of a one-tenth-scale reinforced concrete (RC) building model. The test model is a protype of a building that was seriously damaged during the 1985 Mexico earthquake. The input ground excitation used during the test was from the records obtained near the site of the prototype building during the 1985 and 1995 Mexico earthquakes. The tests showed that the damage pattern of the test model agreed well with that of the prototype building. Analytical prediction of earthquake response has been conducted for the prototype building using a sophisticated 3-D frame model. The input motion used for the dynamic analysis was the shaking table test measurements with similarity transformation. The comparison of the analytical results and the shaking table test results indicates that the response of the RC building to minor and the moderate earthquakes can be predicated well. However, there is difference between the predication and the actual response to the major earthquake.

Failure Criteria for FRP Laminates in Plane Stress

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davila, Carlos G.; Camanho, Pedro P.

2003-01-01

A new set of six failure criteria for fiber reinforced polymer laminates is described. Derived from Dvorak's fracture mechanics analyses of cracked plies and from Puck's action plane concept, the physically-based criteria, denoted LaRC03, predict matrix and fiber failure accurately without requiring curve-fitting parameters. For matrix failure under transverse compression, the fracture plane is calculated by maximizing the Mohr-Coulomb effective stresses. A criterion for fiber kinking is obtained by calculating the fiber misalignment under load, and applying the matrix failure criterion in the coordinate frame of the misalignment. Fracture mechanics models of matrix cracks are used to develop a criterion for matrix in tension and to calculate the associated in-situ strengths. The LaRC03 criteria are applied to a few examples to predict failure load envelopes and to predict the failure mode for each region of the envelope. The analysis results are compared to the predictions using other available failure criteria and with experimental results. Predictions obtained with LaRC03 correlate well with the experimental results.

Seasonal frost effects on the dynamic behavior of a twenty-story office building

USGS Publications Warehouse

Yang, Z.; Dutta, U.; Xiong, F.; Biswas, N.; Benz, H.

2008-01-01

Studies have shown that seasonal frost can significantly affect the seismic behavior of a bridge foundation system in cold regions. However, little information could be found regarding seasonal frost effects on the dynamic behavior of buildings. Based on the analysis of building vibration data recorded by a permanent strong-motion instrumentation system, the objective of this paper is to show that seasonal frost can impact the building dynamic behavior and the magnitude of impact may be different for different structures. Ambient noise and seismic data recorded on a twenty-story steel-frame building have been analyzed to examine the building dynamic characteristics in relationship to the seasonal frost and other variables including ground shaking intensity. Subsequently, Finite Element modeling of the foundation-soil system and the building superstructure was conducted to verify the seasonal frost effects. The Finite Element modeling was later extended to a reinforced-concrete (RC) type building assumed to exist at a similar site as the steel-frame building. Results show that the seasonal frost has great impact on the foundation stiffness in the horizontal direction and a clear influence on the building dynamic behavior. If other conditions remain the same, the effects of seasonal frost on structural dynamic behavior may be much more prominent for RC-type buildings than for steel-frame buildings. ?? 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of non-structural components and soil-structure interaction on the seismic response of framed structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ditommaso, Rocco; Auletta, Gianluca; Iacovino, Chiara; Nigro, Antonella; Carlo Ponzo, Felice

2017-04-01

In this paper, several nonlinear numerical models of reinforced concrete framed structures have been defined in order to evaluate the effects of non-structural elements and soil-structure interaction on the elastic dynamic behaviour of buildings. In the last few years, many and various studies have highlighted the significant effects derived from the interaction between structural and non-structural components on the main dynamic characteristics of a building. Usually, structural and non-structural elements act together, adding both masses and stiffness. The presence of infill panels is generally neglected in the design process of structural elements, although these elements can significantly increase the lateral stiffness of a structure leading to a modification in the dynamic properties. Particularly, at the Damage Limit State (where an elastic behaviour is expected), soil-structure interaction effects and non-structural elements may further affect the elastic natural period of buildings, changing the spectral accelerations compared with those provided by seismic codes in case of static analyses. In this work, a parametric study has been performed in order to evaluate the elastic fundamental period of vibration of buildings as a function of structural morphology (height, plan area, ratio between plan dimensions), infills presence and distribution and soil characteristics. Acknowledgements This study was partially funded by the Italian Department of Civil Protection within the project DPC-RELUIS 2016 - RS4 ''Seismic observatory of structures and health monitoring'' and by the "Centre of Integrated Geomorphology for the Mediterranean Area - CGIAM" within the Framework Agreement with the University of Basilicata "Study, Research and Experimentation in the Field of Analysis and Monitoring of Seismic Vulnerability of Strategic and Relevant Buildings for the purposes of Civil Protection and Development of Innovative Strategies of Seismic Reinforcement".

Stiffness degradation-based damage model for RC members and structures using fiber-beam elements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Zongming; Zhang, Yaoting; Lu, Jiezhi; Fan, Jian

2016-12-01

To meet the demand for an accurate and highly efficient damage model with a distinct physical meaning for performance-based earthquake engineering applications, a stiffness degradation-based damage model for reinforced concrete (RC) members and structures was developed using fiber beam-column elements. In this model, damage indices for concrete and steel fibers were defined by the degradation of the initial reloading modulus and the low-cycle fatigue law. Then, section, member, story and structure damage was evaluated by the degradation of the sectional bending stiffness, rod-end bending stiffness, story lateral stiffness and structure lateral stiffness, respectively. The damage model was realized in Matlab by reading in the outputs of OpenSees. The application of the damage model to RC columns and a RC frame indicates that the damage model is capable of accurately predicting the magnitude, position, and evolutionary process of damage, and estimating story damage more precisely than inter-story drift. Additionally, the damage model establishes a close connection between damage indices at various levels without introducing weighting coefficients or force-displacement relationships. The development of the model has perfected the damage assessment function of OpenSees, laying a solid foundation for damage estimation at various levels of a large-scale structure subjected to seismic loading.

Experimental, numerical, and analytical studies on the seismic response of steel-plate concrete (SC) composite shear walls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Epackachi, Siamak

The seismic performance of rectangular steel-plate concrete (SC) composite shear walls is assessed for application to buildings and mission-critical infrastructure. The SC walls considered in this study were composed of two steel faceplates and infill concrete. The steel faceplates were connected together and to the infill concrete using tie rods and headed studs, respectively. The research focused on the in-plane behavior of flexure- and flexure-shear-critical SC walls. An experimental program was executed in the NEES laboratory at the University at Buffalo and was followed by numerical and analytical studies. In the experimental program, four large-size specimens were tested under displacement-controlled cyclic loading. The design variables considered in the testing program included wall thickness, reinforcement ratio, and slenderness ratio. The aspect ratio (height-to-length) of the four walls was 1.0. Each SC wall was installed on top of a re-usable foundation block. A bolted baseplate to RC foundation connection was used for all four walls. The walls were identified to be flexure- and flexure-shear critical. The progression of damage in the four walls was identical, namely, cracking and crushing of the infill concrete at the toes of the walls, outward buckling and yielding of the steel faceplates near the base of the wall, and tearing of the faceplates at their junctions with the baseplate. A robust finite element model was developed in LS-DYNA for nonlinear cyclic analysis of the flexure- and flexure-shear-critical SC walls. The DYNA model was validated using the results of the cyclic tests of the four SC walls. The validated and benchmarked models were then used to conduct a parametric study, which investigated the effects of wall aspect ratio, reinforcement ratio, wall thickness, and uniaxial concrete compressive strength on the in-plane response of SC walls. Simplified analytical models, suitable for preliminary analysis and design of SC walls, were developed, validated, and implemented in MATLAB. Analytical models were proposed for monotonic and cyclic simulations of the in-plane response of flexure- and flexure-shear-critical SC wall piers. The model for cyclic analysis was developed by modifying the Ibarra-Krawinler Pinching (IKP) model. The analytical models were verified using the results of the parametric study and validated using the test data.

ISDN at NASA Lewis Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bakes, Catherine Murphy; Goldberg, Fredric; Eubanks, Steven W.

1992-01-01

An expository investigation of the potential impact of the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) at NASA Lewis Research Center is described. To properly frame the subject, the paper contains a detailed survey of the components of Narrowband ISDN. The principles and objectives are presented as decreed by the Consultative Committee for International Telephone and Telegraph (CCITT). The various channel types are delineated and their associated service combinations are described. The subscriber-access network functions are explained pictorially via the ISDN reference configuration. A section on switching techniques is presented to enable the reader to understand the emergence of the concept of fast packet switching. This new technology is designed to operate over the high bandwidth, low error rate transmission media that characterizes the LeRC environment. A brief introduction to the next generation of networks is covered with sections on Broadband ISDM (B-ISDN), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), and Synchronous Optical Networks (SONET). Applications at LeRC are presented, first in terms of targets of opportunity, then in light of compatibility constraints. In-place pilot projects and testing are described that demonstrate actual usage at LeRC.

Earthquake simulator tests and associated study of an 1/6-scale nine-story RC model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Jingjiang; Wang, Tao; Qi, Hu

2007-09-01

Earthquake simulator tests of a 1/6-scale nine-story reinforced concrete frame-wall model are described in the paper. The test results and associated numerical simulation are summarized and discussed. Based on the test data, a relationship between maximum inter-story drift and damage state is established. Equations of variation of structural characteristics (natural frequency and equivalent stiffness) with overall drifts are derived by data fitting, which can be used to estimate structural damage state if structural characteristics can be measured. A comparison of the analytical and experimental results show that both the commonly used equivalent beam and fiber element models can simulate the nonlinear seismic response of structures very well. Finally, conclusions associated with seismic design and damage evaluation of RC structures are presented.

Use of colliery spoil for infilling mine workings

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

Ghataora, G.S.; Jarvis, S.T.

1996-12-31

Colliery spoil has been used as a major constituent of rock paste, a controlled low-strength bulk infill material, to infill abandoned limestone mines in the West Midlands of England since the early 1980s. During this time the design of colliery spoil rock paste has been modified and improved to ensure that strengths are achieved and consolidation is minimized. This paper describes the methods used for measuring and monitoring the development of the strength of rock paste used to infill the Littleton Street Mine in Walsall, England. The mine had a volume of about 500,000 m{sup 3} and is possibly themore » largest underground void to be infilled with rock paste.« less

Physical Modeling of Shear Behavior of Infilled Rock Joints Under CNL and CNS Boundary Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shrivastava, Amit Kumar; Rao, K. Seshagiri

2018-01-01

Despite their frequent natural occurrence, filled discontinuities under constant normal stiffness (CNS) boundary conditions have been studied much less systematically, perhaps because of the difficulties arising from the increased number of variable parameters. Because of the lack of reliable and realistic theoretical or empirical relations and the difficulties in obtaining and testing representative samples, engineers rely on judgment and often consider the shear strength of the infilled material itself as shear strength of rock joints. This assumption leads to uneconomical and also sometimes the unsafe design of underground structures, slopes, rock-socketed piles and foundations. To study the effect of infill on the shear behavior of rock joints, tests were performed on the modeled infilled rock joint having different joint roughness under constant normal load (CNL) and CNS boundary conditions at various initial normal stress and varying thickness of the infilled material. The test results indicate that shear strength decreases with an increase in t/ a ratio for both CNL and CNS conditions, but the reduction in shear strength is more for CNL than for CNS condition for a given initial normal stress. The detailed account of the effect of thickness of infilled material on shear and deformation behavior of infilled rock joint is discussed in this paper, and a model is proposed to predict shear strength of infilled rock joint.

Experimental Building Information Models

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-09-01

ER D C/ CE RL C R- 11 -2 Experimental Building Information Models Co ns tr uc tio n En gi ne er in g R es ea rc h La bo ra to ry...Foundations, floor slabs , framing, stairs and elevators. • Mechanical: Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning equipment, thermostats, ducts, and...Single Flush .rvt Other standards and considerations – In a traditional cad environment, drawing layers are used to organize drawing objects and

Stochastic filtering for damage identification through nonlinear structural finite element model updating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Astroza, Rodrigo; Ebrahimian, Hamed; Conte, Joel P.

2015-03-01

This paper describes a novel framework that combines advanced mechanics-based nonlinear (hysteretic) finite element (FE) models and stochastic filtering techniques to estimate unknown time-invariant parameters of nonlinear inelastic material models used in the FE model. Using input-output data recorded during earthquake events, the proposed framework updates the nonlinear FE model of the structure. The updated FE model can be directly used for damage identification and further used for damage prognosis. To update the unknown time-invariant parameters of the FE model, two alternative stochastic filtering methods are used: the extended Kalman filter (EKF) and the unscented Kalman filter (UKF). A three-dimensional, 5-story, 2-by-1 bay reinforced concrete (RC) frame is used to verify the proposed framework. The RC frame is modeled using fiber-section displacement-based beam-column elements with distributed plasticity and is subjected to the ground motion recorded at the Sylmar station during the 1994 Northridge earthquake. The results indicate that the proposed framework accurately estimate the unknown material parameters of the nonlinear FE model. The UKF outperforms the EKF when the relative root-mean-square error of the recorded responses are compared. In addition, the results suggest that the convergence of the estimate of modeling parameters is smoother and faster when the UKF is utilized.

Effectiveness of two conventional methods for seismic retrofit of steel and RC moment resisting frames based on damage control criteria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beheshti Aval, Seyed Bahram; Kouhestani, Hamed Sadegh; Mottaghi, Lida

2017-07-01

This study investigates the efficiency of two types of rehabilitation methods based on economic justification that can lead to logical decision making between the retrofitting schemes. Among various rehabilitation methods, concentric chevron bracing (CCB) and cylindrical friction damper (CFD) were selected. The performance assessment procedure of the frames is divided into two distinct phases. First, the limit state probabilities of the structures before and after rehabilitation are investigated. In the second phase, the seismic risk of structures in terms of life safety and financial losses (decision variables) using the recently published FEMA P58 methodology is evaluated. The results show that the proposed retrofitting methods improve the serviceability and life safety performance levels of steel and RC structures at different rates when subjected to earthquake loads. Moreover, these procedures reveal that financial losses are greatly decreased, and were more tangible by the application of CFD rather than using CCB. Although using both retrofitting methods reduced damage state probabilities, incorporation of a site-specific seismic hazard curve to evaluate mean annual occurrence frequency at the collapse prevention limit state caused unexpected results to be obtained. Contrary to CFD, the collapse probability of the structures retrofitted with CCB increased when compared with the primary structures.

Analysis of "D" regions of RC structures based on example of frame corners

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michał, Szczecina; Andrzej, Winnicki

2018-01-01

Calculations of reinforcement of "D" regions of reinforced concrete structures is much difficult than for "B" regions and demands some specific approaches. Authors of the paper suggest to use both Strut-and-Tie (S&T) and Finite Element Method (FEM). The first of those methods allows to calculate required reinforcement and efficiency factor. In turn FEM can not only confirm S&T results but also gives information about crack width and pattern, strains and nodal displacement. Sample calculations were performed on example of frame corners under opening bending moment. Parameters of Concrete Damaged Plasticity model of concrete implemented in Abaqus were calibrated in tension and compressions test.

Biomineral repair of abalone shell apertures.

PubMed

Cusack, Maggie; Guo, Dujiao; Chung, Peter; Kamenos, Nicholas A

2013-08-01

The shell of the gastropod mollusc, abalone, is comprised of nacre with an outer prismatic layer that is composed of either calcite or aragonite or both, depending on the species. A striking characteristic of the abalone shell is the row of apertures along the dorsal margin. As the organism and shell grow, new apertures are formed and the preceding ones are filled in. Detailed investigations, using electron backscatter diffraction, of the infill in three species of abalone: Haliotis asinina, Haliotis gigantea and Haliotis rufescens reveals that, like the shell, the infill is composed mainly of nacre with an outer prismatic layer. The infill prismatic layer has identical mineralogy as the original shell prismatic layer. In H. asinina and H. gigantea, the prismatic layer of the shell and infill are made of aragonite while in H. rufescens both are composed of calcite. Abalone builds the infill material with the same high level of biological control, replicating the structure, mineralogy and crystallographic orientation as for the shell. The infill of abalone apertures presents us with insight into what is, effectively, shell repair. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Spatial and temporal variability in sedimentation rates associated with cutoff channel infill deposits: Ain River, France

USGS Publications Warehouse

Piégay, H.; Hupp, C.R.; Citterio, A.; Dufour, S.; Moulin, B.; Walling, D.E.

2008-01-01

Floodplain development is associated with lateral accretion along stable channel geometry. Along shifting rivers, the floodplain sedimentation is more complex because of changes in channel position but also cutoff channel presence, which exhibit specific overflow patterns. In this contribution, the spatial and temporal variability of sedimentation rates in cutoff channel infill deposits is related to channel changes of a shifting gravel bed river (Ain River, France). The sedimentation rates estimated from dendrogeomorphic analysis are compared between and within 14 cutoff channel infills. Detailed analyses along a single channel infill are performed to assess changes in the sedimentation rates through time by analyzing activity profiles of the fallout radionuclides 137Cs and unsupported 210Pb. Sedimentation rates are also compared within the channel infills with rates in other plots located in the adjacent floodplain. Sedimentation rates range between 0.65 and 2.4 cm a−1 over a period of 10 to 40 years. The data provide additional information on the role of distance from the bank, overbank flow frequency, and channel geometry in controlling the sedimentation rate. Channel infills, lower than adjacent floodplains, exhibit higher sedimentation rates and convey overbank sediment farther away within the floodplain. Additionally, channel degradation, aggradation, and bank erosion, which reduce or increase the distance between the main channel and the cutoff channel aquatic zone, affect local overbank flow magnitude and frequency and therefore sedimentation rates, thereby creating a complex mosaic of sedimentation zones within the floodplain and along the cutoff channel infills. Last, the dendrogeomorphic and 137Cs approaches are cross validated for estimating the sedimentation rate within a channel infill.

Shake table tests of suspended ceilings to simulate the observed damage in the M s7.0 Lushan earthquake, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Duozhi; Dai, Junwu; Qu, Zhe; Ning, Xiaoqing

2016-06-01

Severe damage to suspended ceilings of metal grids and lay-in panels was observed in public buildings during the 2013 M s7.0 Lushan earthquake in China. Over the past several years, suspended ceilings have been widely used practice in public buildings throughout China, including government offices, schools and hospitals. To investigate the damage mechanism of suspended ceilings, a series of three-dimensional shake table tests was conducted to reproduce the observed damage. A full-scale reinforced concrete frame was constructed as the testing frame for the ceiling, which was single-story and infilled with brick masonry walls to represent the local construction of low-rise buildings. In general, the ceiling in the tests exhibited similar damage phenomena as the field observations, such as higher vulnerability of perimeter elements and extensive damage to the cross runners. However, it exhibited lower fragility in terms of peak ground/roof accelerations at the initiation of damage. Further investigations are needed to clarify the reasons for this behavior.

Understanding the effects of decompaction maintenance on the infill state and play performance of third-generation artificial grass pitches

PubMed Central

Forrester, Stephanie E; McLaren, Nicholas J

2015-01-01

Third generation artificial grass pitches have been observed to get harder over time. The maintenance technique of rubber infill decompaction is intended to help slow, or reverse, this process. At present, little is understood about either the science of the infill compaction process or the efficacy of decompaction maintenance. The objective of this study was to measure the changes in rubber infill net bulk density, force reduction (impact absorption) and vertical ball rebound under various levels of compactive effort in controlled laboratory-based testing. The assessments were repeated after the systems had been raked to simulate the decompaction maintenance techniques. These tests defined the limits of compaction (loose to maximally compacted) in terms of the change in rubber infill net bulk density, force reduction and vertical ball rebound. Site testing was also undertaken at four third generation pitches immediately pre and post decompaction, to determine the measurable effects in the less well controlled field environment. Rubber infill net bulk density was found to increase as compactive effort increased, resulting in increased hardness. Decompacting the surface was found to approximately fully reverse these effects. In comparison, the site measurements demonstrated similar but notably smaller magnitudes of change following the decompaction process suggesting that the field state pre and post decompaction did not reach the extremes obtained in the laboratory. The findings suggest that rubber infill net bulk density is an important parameter influencing the hardness of artificial grass and that decompactions can be an effective method to reverse compaction related hardness changes. PMID:29708108

SU-F-T-181: Proton Therapy Tissue-Equivalence of 3D Printed Materials

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

Taylor, P; Craft, D; Followill, D

Purpose: This work investigated the proton tissue-equivalence of various 3D printed materials. Methods: Three 3D printers were used to create 5 cm cubic phantoms made of different plastics with varying percentages of infill. White resin, polylactic acid (PLA), and NinjaFlex plastics were used. The infills ranged from 15% to 100%. Each phantom was scanned with a CT scanner to obtain the HU value. The relative linear stopping power (RLSP) was then determined using a multi-layer ion chamber in a 200 MeV proton beam. The RLSP was measured both parallel and perpendicular to the print direction for each material. Results: Themore » HU values of the materials ranged from lung-equivalent (−820 HU σ160) when using a low infill, to soft-tissue-equivalent 159 (σ12). The RLSP of the materials depended on the orientation of the beam relative to the print direction. When the proton beam was parallel to the print direction, the RLSP was generally higher than the RLSP in the perpendicular orientation, by up to 45%. This difference was smaller (less than 6%) for the materials with 100% infill. For low infill cubes irradiated parallel to the print direction, the SOBP curve showed extreme degradation of the beam in the distal region. The materials with 15–25% infill had wide-ranging agreement with a clinical HU-RLSP conversion curve, with some measurements falling within 1% of the curve and others deviating up to 45%. The materials with 100% infill all fell within 7% of the curve. Conclusion: While some materials tested fall within 1% of a clinical HU-RLSP curve, caution should be taken when using 3D printed materials with proton therapy, as the orientation of the beam relative to the print direction can result in a large change in RLSP. Further investigation is needed to measure how the infill pattern affects the material RLSP. This work was supported by PHS grant CA180803.« less

Modeling the influence of the BRDF characteristics of vegetation on the retrieval of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence under different illumination conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xinjie; Liu, Liangyun

2017-04-01

The Fraunhofer Line Discrimination (FLD) principle is the main approach used for the retrieval of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF). The basic assumption of the FLD principle is that the apparent reflectance spectra without SIF in-filling are smooth in the region of the absorption bands. However, in fact, this assumption is not valid due to the so-called "direct radiation in-filling" effect caused by the non-linear contribution of direct and diffuse radiation at the oxygen absorption bands, which are widely used for ground-based SIF retrieval. In this study, we first analyzed the physical mechanism of the direct radiation in-filling effect on the oxygen absorption bands and found that the bias in the SIF retrieval caused by the direct radiation in-filling effect at the O2-A band was less than 20% based on the use of a simulated dataset. Secondly, we established a simple correction model of the direct radiation in-filling effect. We found that the direct radiation in-filling effect at the O2-A band was directly proportional to the difference between the reflectance of the direct and diffuse radiation, and that the coefficient of proportionality was well correlated with the diffuse-to-global radiation ratio in the form of a quadratic function. The coefficient of determination (R-squared) for this correlation was 0.97. Finally, the model was validated using both simulated and field datasets. The validation results show that the bias in the SIF retrieval caused by the direct radiation in-filling effect can be efficiently corrected using the model proposed in this paper. This study thus provides a possible approach to estimating and correcting for the direct radiation-infilling effect using prior knowledge of the BRDF characteristics of direct and diffuse radiation for specific targets.

Adaptive quantization-parameter clip scheme for smooth quality in H.264/AVC.

PubMed

Hu, Sudeng; Wang, Hanli; Kwong, Sam

2012-04-01

In this paper, we investigate the issues over the smooth quality and the smooth bit rate during rate control (RC) in H.264/AVC. An adaptive quantization-parameter (Q(p)) clip scheme is proposed to optimize the quality smoothness while keeping the bit-rate fluctuation at an acceptable level. First, the frame complexity variation is studied by defining a complexity ratio between two nearby frames. Second, the range of the generated bits is analyzed to prevent the encoder buffer from overflow and underflow. Third, based on the safe range of the generated bits, an optimal Q(p) clip range is developed to reduce the quality fluctuation. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed Q(p) clip scheme can achieve excellent performance in quality smoothness and buffer regulation.

Effect of Concrete Creep on the displacement of single tower single cable plane Extradosed Cable-stayed Bridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Jing-xian; Ran, Zhi-hong

2018-03-01

Extradossed Cable-stayed Bridge is both cable-stayed Bridge and Continuous rigid frame bridge mechanics feature, Beam is the main force components, cable is supplement.This article combined with a single tower and single cable plane Extradossed cable-stayed bridge in Yunnan, use different creep calculation models and analysis deflection caused by creep effects. The results showing that deflection caused by creep effect is smaller than the same span continuous rigid frame bridge, the value is about 2cm. On the other hand the deflection is increasing with ambient humidity decreases, therefore in the dry environment the calculation model is relatively large in the pre-camber. In the choice of RC creep model is significant in the dry areas.

Responses of a 58-story RC dual core shear wall and outrigger frame building inferred from two earthquakes

USGS Publications Warehouse

Çelebi, Mehmet

2016-01-01

Responses of a dual core shear-wall and outrigger-framed 58-story building recorded during the Mw6.0 Napa earthquake of 24 August 2014 and the Mw3.8 Berkeley earthquake of 20 October 2011 are used to identify its dynamic characteristics and behavior. Fundamental frequencies are 0.28 Hz (NS), 0.25 Hz (EW), and 0.43 Hz (torsional). Rigid body motions due to rocking are not significant. Average drift ratios are small. Outrigger frames do not affect average drift ratios or mode shapes. Local site effects do not affect the response; however, response associated with deeper structure may be substantial. A beating effect is observed from data of both earthquakes but beating periods are not consistent. Low critical damping ratios may have contributed to the beating effect. Torsion is relatively larger above outriggers as indicated by the time-histories of motions at the roof, possibly due to the discontinuity of the stiffer shear walls above level 47.

The Effects of Temperature and CO2-induced Acidification on Skeletal Morphology of the Tropical Reef-building Coral Siderastrea siderea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cobleigh, K.

2016-02-01

Coral reefs are threatened by increasing sea surface temperatures and decreasing surface seawater pH. Although numerous experimental studies have examined the effects of these global scale stressors on corals, few have quantified the effects of temperature and acidification on coral skeletal morphology. We conducted controlled laboratory experiments to investigate the effects of temperature (25, 28, 32°C) and CO2-induced ocean acidification (pCO2 = 324, 477, 604, 2553 µatm) on skeletal morphology of the highly resilient Caribbean reef-building coral Siderastrea siderea over a 95-day interval. Post-treatment S. siderea corallites from nearshore, backreef, and forereef colonies were imaged via stereo microscopy to evaluate impact of warming and acidification on corallite height and infilling. Both an increase and decrease in temperature relative to the control (i.e., near-present-day temperatures) resulted in increased corallite height but decreased skeletal infilling. In contrast, corals reared under the lowest (i.e., pre-industrial) and highest pCO2 treatments (i.e., extreme pCO2) exhibited both decreased corallite height and skeletal infilling relative to the control. We observed no difference in corallite height or infilling across reef zones, either within or across treatments. Interestingly, the warming projected for the end of the 21st century (32°C) resulted in increased corallite height and reduced corallite infilling. Acidification projected for the same interval (pCO2 = 604 µatm) also resulted in increased corallite height and decreased infilling. Collectively, our results suggest that these two global stressors will result in S. siderea corallites that are taller yet less infilled by the end of the 21st century. Changes in S. siderea arising from warming and acificiation may exacerbate observed declines in coral health across Caribbean reef systems.

TWO-LAYER MODEL FOR PULL-OUT BEHAVIOR OF POST-INSTALLED ANCHOR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saleem, Muhammad; Tsubaki, Tatsuya

A new two-layer anchor-infill assembly structure for the post-installed anchor is introduced with the analytical model to simulate its pull-out deformational response. The post-installed anchor is such that used in strengthening techniques for reinforced concrete structures. The properties of the infill material used for post-installed anchor are characterized by nonlinear interfaces. Because of the mechanical properties of the infill layer the existing pull-out model of deformed bars is not applicable in this case. Interfacial de-bonding is examined using energy criterion and strength criterion. The effect of the interface properties such as stiffness and strength on the pull-out behavior of a post-installed anchor is investigated. Using sensitivity analysis, the effect of these parameters on load-displacement curve, shear stress distribution, de-bonded length and damage to the surrounding concrete is clarified. Then, the optimum combination of these parameters is presented. It is confirmed that the elastic modulus of infill should be large to reduce the pull-out displacement and the increase of the shear strength of infill makes the pull-out load larger.

The Siná river delta on the northwestern Caribbean coast of Colombia: Bay infilling associated with delta development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suarez, Beatriz Elena Serrano

2004-04-01

Between 1938 and 1945, the Sinú River changed its course and started a new delta at a site known as Tinajones. The change took place after the infilling of Cispata Bay, the site of the previous delta. The infilling is studied with two isopach maps made from bathymetric charts from 1762, 1849, and 1938. The isopachs help show the distribution of the sediments inside the bay and provide estimations of sedimentation rates. The results are compared with the sediment distribution and estimated sedimentation rate found for the delta at Tinajones. The results suggest that the infilling of the Cispata Bay produced the river avulsion and the change to Tinajones and probably was accelerated by sediments that came from outside the bay.

TNF-alpha induction of GM2 expression on renal cell carcinomas promotes T cell dysfunction.

PubMed

Raval, Gira; Biswas, Soumika; Rayman, Patricia; Biswas, Kaushik; Sa, Gaurisankar; Ghosh, Sankar; Thornton, Mark; Hilston, Cynthia; Das, Tanya; Bukowski, Ronald; Finke, James; Tannenbaum, Charles S

2007-05-15

Previous studies from our laboratory demonstrated the role of tumor-derived gangliosides as important mediators of T cell apoptosis, and hence, as one mechanism by which tumors evade immune destruction. In this study, we report that TNF-alpha secreted by infiltrating inflammatory cells and/or genetically modified tumors augments tumor-associated GM2 levels, which leads to T cell death and immune dysfunction. The conversion of weakly apoptogenic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) clones to lines that can induce T cell death requires 3-5 days of TNF-alpha pretreatment, a time frame paralleling that needed for TNF-alpha to stimulate GM2 accumulation by SK-RC-45, SK-RC-54, and SK-RC-13. RCC tumor cell lines permanently transfected with the TNF-alpha transgene are similarly toxic for T lymphocytes, which correlates with their constitutively elevated levels of GM2. TNF-alpha increases GM2 ganglioside expression by enhancing the mRNA levels encoding its synthetic enzyme, GM2 synthase, as demonstrated by both RT-PCR and Southern analysis. The contribution of GM2 gangliosides to tumor-induced T cell death was supported by the finding that anti-GM2 Abs significantly blocked T cell apoptosis mediated by TNF-alpha-treated tumor cells, and by the observation that small interfering RNA directed against TNF-alpha abrogated GM2 synthase expression by TNF-transfected SK-RC-45, diminished its GM2 accumulation, and inhibited its apoptogenicity for T lymphocytes. Our results indicate that TNF-alpha signaling promotes RCC-induced killing of T cells by stimulating the acquisition of a distinct ganglioside assembly in RCC tumor cells.

Revision of seismic design codes corresponding to building damages in the ``5.12'' Wenchuan earthquake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yayong

2010-06-01

A large number of buildings were seriously damaged or collapsed in the “5.12” Wenchuan earthquake. Based on field surveys and studies of damage to different types of buildings, seismic design codes have been updated. This paper briefly summarizes some of the major revisions that have been incorporated into the “Standard for classification of seismic protection of building constructions GB50223-2008” and “Code for Seismic Design of Buildings GB50011-2001.” The definition of seismic fortification class for buildings has been revisited, and as a result, the seismic classifications for schools, hospitals and other buildings that hold large populations such as evacuation shelters and information centers have been upgraded in the GB50223-2008 Code. The main aspects of the revised GB50011-2001 code include: (a) modification of the seismic intensity specified for the Provinces of Sichuan, Shanxi and Gansu; (b) basic conceptual design for retaining walls and building foundations in mountainous areas; (c) regularity of building configuration; (d) integration of masonry structures and pre-cast RC floors; (e) requirements for calculating and detailing stair shafts; and (f) limiting the use of single-bay RC frame structures. Some significant examples of damage in the epicenter areas are provided as a reference in the discussion on the consequences of collapse, the importance of duplicate structural systems, and the integration of RC and masonry structures.

The utilization of brick walls for resisting earthquake in building technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tarigan, J.; Benedicta, C.

2018-03-01

Many structures in Indonesia use reinforced concrete frames with brick walls as their infill. Commonly, the engineers consider brick walls as the partitions and count them as the non-structural elements in the structure design. However, brick walls are capable of resisting earthquake by yielding high stiffness to the structure in case the brick walls are integrated well with the frames. It will reduce the non-structural destructions that happen to structures which is one of the most frequently impacts in the earthquake. This paper will take the effects of applying brick walls as the structural elements up by comparing it with the structure using brick walls as the partitions. The modeling of the brick walls uses the equivalent spectrum method meanwhile the seismic analysis uses the respon spectrum method. The utilization of brick walls can cause the decrement of the natural period to 42%. It also reduce the structure displacements to 53% in X-direction and 67% in Y-direction and the story drifts to 57% in X-direction and 71% in Y-direction. Otherwise, it causes the increment of the base shear only up to 3% in X-direction and 7% in Y-direction.

Measuring the Air Quality and Transportation Impacts of Infill Development

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This report summarizes three case studies. The analysis shows how standard forecasting tools can be modified to capture at least some of the transportation and air quality benefits of brownfield and infill development.

Textile technology development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shah, Bharat M.

1995-01-01

The objectives of this report were to evaluate and select resin systems for Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) and Powder Towpreg Material, to develop and evaluate advanced textile processes by comparing 2-D and 3-D braiding for fuselage frame applications and develop window belt and side panel structural design concepts, to evaluate textile material properties, and to develop low cost manufacturing and tooling processes for the automated manufacturing of fuselage primary structures. This research was in support of the NASA and Langley Research Center (LaRc) Advanced Composite Structural Concepts and Materials Technologies for Primary Aircraft Structures program.

Influence of system controls on the Late Quaternary geomorphic evolution of a rapidly-infilled incised-valley system: The lower Manawatu valley, North Island New Zealand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clement, Alastair J. H.; Fuller, Ian C.

2018-02-01

The Manawatu incised-valley estuary was rapidly infilled between 12,000-4700 cal. yr BP. A combination of empirical measurements of sedimentation rates, a reconstruction of relative sea-level (RSL) change, and digital elevation models of key surfaces within the Holocene sedimentary fill of the valley were integrated to produce a numerical model to investigate the influence of the system controls of sea-level change, sediment flux, and accommodation space on the rapid infilling history of the palaeo-estuary. The numerical model indicates that sediment flux into the palaeo-estuary was greatest during the Holocene marine transgression between 12,000-8000 years BP. The average rate of sediment deposition in the estuary during this period was 1.0 M m3 yr- 1. This rapid rate of sedimentation was controlled by the rate of accommodation space creation, as regulated by the rate of sea-level rise and the antecedent configuration of the valley. By the time sea levels stabilised c. 7500 cal. yr BP, the palaeo-estuary had been substantively infilled. Limited accommodation space resulted in rapid infilling of the central basin, though sediment flux into the estuary between 7100 and 4500 cal. yr BP was at a lower rate of 234,000 m3 yr- 1. The limited accommodation space also influenced hydrodynamic conditions in the estuarine central basin, driving export of fine-grained sediment from the estuary. Once the accommodation space of the estuarine basin was infilled sediment bypassed the system, with a consequent reduction in the sedimentation rate in the valley. More accurate partitioning of the sources of sediment driving the infilling is necessary to quantify sediment bypassing. Post-depositional lowering of RSL index points from the valley is driven by neotectonics and sediment compaction.

Sedimentary infilling of bedrock-controlled palaeo-embayments off Cape Trafalgar, Strait of Gibraltar (Gulf of Cadiz)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Castro, Sandra; Lobo, Francisco J.

2018-02-01

This study investigates two bedrock-controlled palaeo-coastal embayments on the Barbate Platform off Cape Trafalgar near the Strait of Gibraltar (Gulf of Cadiz shelf, SW Iberian Peninsula), aiming to reveal their infilling dynamics and the influence of rocky outcrops on shallow-water hydrodynamics and sediment transport. The approach relies on detailed multibeam bathymetric data, high-resolution seismic profiles and tidal current simulations. Elongated rocky outcrops formed a palaeo-coast when sea level was approximately 35 to 20 m below that of the present day, and bound a relatively flat area. However, the seismic profiles enabled to distinguish two main troughs (A and B) that were infilled following a distinctive evolution during the last transgression. Five seismic units were identified (I to V, from base to top). Deposit A is composed of seismic units II to V and is interpreted as a marine embayment infill, here termed the Barbate palaeo-embayment (BPE). Deposit B is composed of seismic units I to IV and is interpreted as a palaeo-valley infill, here termed the Barbate palaeo-valley (BPV). The complex internal stratigraphic architecture depicts an overall evolution from tidal/fluvial deposits to shallow-water marine deposits. Most significant is the occurrence of coupled tidal flats/estuarine sand bars constituting the infilling of the BPE; this suggests the persistence of a high-energy current in a shallow, confined embayment, which was amplified by the rocky outcrop constrictions and possibly facilitated by the episodic movement of a normal fault. In contrast to this active setting, the nearby straight and narrow BPV was subjected to lower-energy infilling dynamics during its initial flooding phases. There, tidal activity was possibly reduced by the straight morphology of the valley and the occurrence of a topographic constriction (i.e. the Barbate Passage) at the mouth of the valley.

Stormwater Infrastructure at Risk: Predicting the Impacts of Increased Imperviousness due to Infill Development in a Semi-arid Urban Neighborhood

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hogue, T. S.; Panos, C.; McCray, J. E.; Gilliom, R.

2017-12-01

This research investigates the impacts of infill development (or "redevelopment") on urban stormwater runoff and explores avenues for re-inventing stormwater management strategies for the City of Denver, Colorado. As a rapidly developing city, Denver is facing a cycle of increasing population and redevelopment in the form of infill (where under-utilized parcels within the City are redeveloped into high-density residential land uses). Infill development increases stormwater runoff by introducing more impervious surfaces, including roofs and driveways, which produce more runoff (additional stormwater). However, there is debate on the impact of infill patterns on runoff behavior, peak flows, and flood frequency events. We used a calibrated, high-resolution PCSWMM model to simulate three redevelopment scenarios within the 1000-acre Berkeley neighborhood of northwest Denver. The scenarios utilized future predictions of redevelopment to simulate increases in imperviousness by 1.1, 4.5, and 8.7 percent by 2024, 2034, and 2044, respectively, for a range of design storms. Results predict that, on average, for each 1% increase in impervious area due to infill development, surface runoff volume will increase by 1.28% in the Berkeley neighborhood. Results demonstrate the limitations of the existing storm sewer network as pipes throughout the catchment reach capacity for events larger than the 2-yr storm for all three scenarios. Spatial maps of the catchment pinpoint subcatchments and sewer nodes of concern, namely surrounding a rapidly growing business corridor and the local Interstate. Overall, results indicate the infrastructure of the Berkeley neighborhood may be at risk, and that current stormwater capture policies may need to be revisited to accommodate both future infill development and climate change. This research provides a quantitative basis for implementing potential changes as well as examining the possibility of using the additional stormwater from redevelopment for beneficial use within Denver.

Trip-generation rates for urban infill land uses in California.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-06-01

This report presents the results of the second phase of a two phase research project undertaken by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to study travel characteristics of infill development in Californias metropolitan areas. This...

Trip-generation rates for urban infill land uses in California.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-04-01

This report presents the results of the first phase of a two phase research : project undertaken by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) : to study travel characteristics of infill development in Californias metropolitan : areas....

City Green: Innovative Green Infrastructure Solutions for Downtowns and Infill Locations

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

City Green uses case studies to illustrate how green infrastructure techniques can be used in downtowns and infill locations, where space is limited, to protect water quality and bring other environmental and community benefits.

Experimental research on the seismic behavior of CSPSWs connected to frame beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Lanhui; Ma, Xinbo; Li, Ran; Zhang, Sumei

2011-03-01

The seismic performance of composite steel plate shear walls (CSPSWs) that consist of a steel plate shear wall (SPSW) with reinforced concrete (RC) panels attached to one or both sides by means of bolts or connectors is experimentally studied. The shear wall is connected to the frame beams but not to the columns. This arrangement restrains the possible out-of-plane buckling of the thin-walled steel plate, thus significantly increasing the bearing capacity and ductility of the overall wall, and prevents the premature overall or local buckling failure of the frame columns. From a practical viewpoint, these solutions can provide open space in a floor as this type of composite shear walls with a relatively small aspect ratio can be placed parallel along a bay. In this study, four CSPSWs and one SPSW were tested and the results showed that both CSPSWs and SPSW possessed good ductility. For SPSW alone, the buckling appeared and resulted in a decrease of bearing capacity and energy dissipation capacity. In addition, welding stiffeners at corners were shown to be an effective way to increase the energy dissipation capacity of CSPSWs.

Documentation of Computer Program INFIL3.0 - A Distributed-Parameter Watershed Model to Estimate Net Infiltration Below the Root Zone

USGS Publications Warehouse

,

2008-01-01

This report documents the computer program INFIL3.0, which is a grid-based, distributed-parameter, deterministic water-balance watershed model that calculates the temporal and spatial distribution of daily net infiltration of water across the lower boundary of the root zone. The bottom of the root zone is the estimated maximum depth below ground surface affected by evapotranspiration. In many field applications, net infiltration below the bottom of the root zone can be assumed to equal net recharge to an underlying water-table aquifer. The daily water balance simulated by INFIL3.0 includes precipitation as either rain or snow; snowfall accumulation, sublimation, and snowmelt; infiltration into the root zone; evapotranspiration from the root zone; drainage and water-content redistribution within the root-zone profile; surface-water runoff from, and run-on to, adjacent grid cells; and net infiltration across the bottom of the root zone. The water-balance model uses daily climate records of precipitation and air temperature and a spatially distributed representation of drainage-basin characteristics defined by topography, geology, soils, and vegetation to simulate daily net infiltration at all locations, including stream channels with intermittent streamflow in response to runoff from rain and snowmelt. The model does not simulate streamflow originating as ground-water discharge. Drainage-basin characteristics are represented in the model by a set of spatially distributed input variables uniquely assigned to each grid cell of a model grid. The report provides a description of the conceptual model of net infiltration on which the INFIL3.0 computer code is based and a detailed discussion of the methods by which INFIL3.0 simulates the net-infiltration process. The report also includes instructions for preparing input files necessary for an INFIL3.0 simulation, a description of the output files that are created as part of an INFIL3.0 simulation, and a sample problem that illustrates application of the code to a field setting. Brief descriptions of the main program routine and of each of the modules and subroutines of the INFIL3.0 code, as well as definitions of the variables used in each subroutine, are provided in an appendix.

"Shape function + memory mechanism"-based hysteresis modeling of magnetorheological fluid actuators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qian, Li-Jun; Chen, Peng; Cai, Fei-Long; Bai, Xian-Xu

2018-03-01

A hysteresis model based on "shape function + memory mechanism" is presented and its feasibility is verified through modeling the hysteresis behavior of a magnetorheological (MR) damper. A hysteresis phenomenon in resistor-capacitor (RC) circuit is first presented and analyzed. In the hysteresis model, the "memory mechanism" originating from the charging and discharging processes of the RC circuit is constructed by adopting a virtual displacement variable and updating laws for the reference points. The "shape function" is achieved and generalized from analytical solutions of the simple semi-linear Duhem model. Using the approach, the memory mechanism reveals the essence of specific Duhem model and the general shape function provides a direct and clear means to fit the hysteresis loop. In the frame of the structure of a "Restructured phenomenological model", the original hysteresis operator, i.e., the Bouc-Wen operator, is replaced with the new hysteresis operator. The comparative work with the Bouc-Wen operator based model demonstrates superior performances of high computational efficiency and comparable accuracy of the new hysteresis operator-based model.

CID-720 aircraft Langley Research Center preflight hardware tests: Development, flight acceptance and qualification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pride, J. D.

1986-01-01

The testing conducted on LaRC-developed hardware for the controlled impact demonstration transport aircraft is discussed. To properly develop flight qualified crash systems, two environments were considered: the aircraft flight environment with the focus on vibration and temperature effects, and the crash environment with the long pulse shock effects. Also with the large quantity of fuel in the wing tanks the possibility of fire was considered to be a threat to data retrieval and thus fire tests were included in the development test process. The aircraft test successfully demonstrated the performance of the LaRC developed heat shields. Good telemetered data (S-band) was received during the impact and slide-out phase, and even after the aircraft came to rest. The two onboard DAS tape recorders were protected from the intense fire and high quality tape data was recovered. The complete photographic system performed as planned throughout the 40.0 sec of film supply. The four photo power distribution pallets remained in good condition and all ten onboard 16 mm high speed (400 frames/sec) cameras produced good film data.

Robust, functional nanocrystal solids by infilling with atomic layer deposition.

PubMed

Liu, Yao; Gibbs, Markelle; Perkins, Craig L; Tolentino, Jason; Zarghami, Mohammad H; Bustamante, Jorge; Law, Matt

2011-12-14

Thin films of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) are inherently metatstable materials prone to oxidative and photothermal degradation driven by their large surface-to-volume ratios and high surface energies. (1) The fabrication of practical electronic devices based on NC solids hinges on preventing oxidation, surface diffusion, ripening, sintering, and other unwanted physicochemical changes that can plague these materials. Here we use low-temperature atomic layer deposition (ALD) to infill conductive PbSe NC solids with metal oxides to produce inorganic nanocomposites in which the NCs are locked in place and protected against oxidative and photothermal damage. Infilling NC field-effect transistors and solar cells with amorphous alumina yields devices that operate with enhanced and stable performance for at least months in air. Furthermore, ALD infilling with ZnO lowers the height of the inter-NC tunnel barrier for electron transport, yielding PbSe NC films with electron mobilities of 1 cm2 V(-1) s(-1). Our ALD technique is a versatile means to fabricate robust NC solids for optoelectronic devices.

Using self-organizing maps to infill missing data in hydro-meteorological time series from the Logone catchment, Lake Chad basin.

PubMed

Nkiaka, E; Nawaz, N R; Lovett, J C

2016-07-01

Hydro-meteorological data is an important asset that can enhance management of water resources. But existing data often contains gaps, leading to uncertainties and so compromising their use. Although many methods exist for infilling data gaps in hydro-meteorological time series, many of these methods require inputs from neighbouring stations, which are often not available, while other methods are computationally demanding. Computing techniques such as artificial intelligence can be used to address this challenge. Self-organizing maps (SOMs), which are a type of artificial neural network, were used for infilling gaps in a hydro-meteorological time series in a Sudano-Sahel catchment. The coefficients of determination obtained were all above 0.75 and 0.65 while the average topographic error was 0.008 and 0.02 for rainfall and river discharge time series, respectively. These results further indicate that SOMs are a robust and efficient method for infilling missing gaps in hydro-meteorological time series.

The transportation and environmental impacts of infill versus greenfield development: a comparative case study analysis.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1999-10-01

This paper tries to answer the question of which site provides more efficient or better transportation services to a new residential or commercial development - an urban infill site or a suburban edge/greenfield? In order to answer this question, the...

Morphological Expressions of Crater Infill Collapse: Model Simulations of Chaotic Terrains on Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roda, Manuel; Marketos, George; Westerweel, Jan; Govers, Rob

2017-10-01

Martian chaotic terrains are characterized by deeply depressed intensively fractured areas that contain a large number of low-strain tilted blocks. Stronger deformation (e.g., higher number of fractures) is generally observed in the rims when compared to the middle regions of the terrains. The distribution and number of fractures and tilted blocks are correlated with the size of the chaotic terrains. Smaller chaotic terrains are characterized by few fractures between undeformed blocks. Larger terrains show an elevated number of fractures uniformly distributed with single blocks. We investigate whether this surface morphology may be a consequence of the collapse of the infill of a crater. We perform numerical simulations with the Discrete Element Method and we evaluate the distribution of fractures within the crater and the influence of the crater size, infill thickness, and collapsing depth on the final morphology. The comparison between model predictions and the morphology of the Martian chaotic terrains shows strong statistical similarities in terms of both number of fractures and correlation between fractures and crater diameters. No or very weak correlation is observed between fractures and the infill thickness or collapsing depth. The strong correspondence between model results and observations suggests that the collapse of an infill layer within a crater is a viable mechanism for the peculiar morphology of the Martian chaotic terrains.

Characterizing Tire Crumb Rubber for Exposure Assessment

EPA Science Inventory

Tire crumb rubber derived from recycled tires is widely used as infill material in synthetic turf fields in the United States. An estimated 95% of the over 12,000 installed fields in the U.S. use tire crumb rubber infill alone or mixed with sand or alternative materials. Concerns...

High Resolution Seismic Study of the Holocene Infill of the Elkhorn Slough, Central California

EPA Science Inventory

The seismic analysis of the sedimentary infill of the Elkhorn Slough, central California, reveals a succession of three main seismic units: U1, U2, U3, with their correspondent discontinuities d2, d3. These units are deposited over a paleorelief representing the channel location ...

Characterization of Exposure Potential during Activities on Synthetic Turf Fields with Recycled Tire Crumb Rubber Infill

EPA Science Inventory

The Federal Research Action Plan on Recycled Tire Crumb Used on Playing Fields and Playgrounds (FRAP), released in February 2016, is a multi-agency research plan in response to concerns over the use of tire crumb rubber as infill on synthetic turf fields. The FRAP outlines specif...

Southern Appalachian hillslope erosion rates measured by soil and detrital radiocarbon in hollows

Treesearch

T.C. Hales; K.M. Scharer; R.M. Wooten

2012-01-01

Understanding the dynamics of sediment generation and transport on hillslopes provides important constraints on the rate of sediment output from orogenic systems. Hillslope sediment fluxes are recorded by organic material found in the deposits infilling unchanneled convergent topographic features called hollows. This study describes the first hollow infilling rates...

Robust, functional nanocrystal solids by infilling with atomic layer deposition

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

Liu, Yao; Gibbs, Markelle; Perkins, Craig L.

2011-12-14

Thin films of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) are inherently metatstable materials prone to oxidative and photothermal degradation driven by their large surface-to-volume ratios and high surface energies. The fabrication of practical electronic devices based on NC solids hinges on preventing oxidation, surface diffusion, ripening, sintering, and other unwanted physicochemical changes that can plague these materials. Here we use low-temperature atomic layer deposition (ALD) to infill conductive PbSe NC solids with metal oxides to produce inorganic nanocomposites in which the NCs are locked in place and protected against oxidative and photothermal damage. Infilling NC field-effect transistors and solar cells with amorphousmore » alumina yields devices that operate with enhanced and stable performance for at least months in air. Furthermore, ALD infilling with ZnO lowers the height of the inter-NC tunnel barrier for electron transport, yielding PbSe NC films with electron mobilities of 1 cm² V -1 s -1. Our ALD technique is a versatile means to fabricate robust NC solids for optoelectronic devices.« less

Correlation between Resistivity and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Methods in Understanding the Signatures in Detecting Cavities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Afiq Saharudin, Muhamad; Maslinda, Umi; Hisham, Hazrul; Taqiuddin, Z. M.; Nur Amalina, M. K. A.; Nawawi, Nordiana Ahmad; Sulaiman, Nabila; Nordiana, M. M.; Azwin, I. N.

2017-04-01

The research was conducted using Resistivity and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) methods in detecting in-filled cavities and air-filled cavities. The importance of this study is to see the difference in conductivity value of the in-filled and air-filled cavity. The first study location in which the known target is air-cavity located at School of Language, Literacies, and Translation (SoLLAT). The next study location is at Desasiswa Bakti Permai, which the known target is a bunker with both were located at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang and the last location is at Gua Musang, Kelantan with suspected in-filled cavity. The result from Gua Musang is compared with both of the results that have been done at Universiti Sains Malaysia. The resistivity value of the first location that indicates the possible tunnel is about 500 Ωm to 800 Ωm and the conductivity value is about 0.0017 S/m. The resistivity value for the second location located at Desasiswa Bakti Permai that indicates the bunker is about 50 Ωm to 250 Ωm and the conductivity value is about 0.1104 S/m. The resistivity value from Gua Musang is about 50 Ωm to 100 Ωm and the conductivity value is about 0.0101 S/m. The velocity of the in-filled cavities is much lower compared with the velocity of the air-filled cavities. Based on the characteristics, Gua Musang area was dominated with in-filled cavities.

Mathematical and field analysis of longitudinal reservoir infill

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ke, W. T.; Capart, H.

2016-12-01

In reservoirs, severe problems are caused by infilled sediment deposits. In long term, the sediment accumulation reduces the capacity of reservoir storage and flood control benefits. In the short term, the sediment deposits influence the intakes of water-supply and hydroelectricity generation. For the management of reservoir, it is important to understand the deposition process and then to predict the sedimentation in reservoir. To investigate the behaviors of sediment deposits, we propose a one-dimensional simplified theory derived by the Exner equation to predict the longitudinal sedimentation distribution in idealized reservoirs. The theory models the reservoir infill geomorphic actions for three scenarios: delta progradation, near-dam bottom deposition, and final infill. These yield three kinds of self-similar analytical solutions for the reservoir bed profiles, under different boundary conditions. Three analytical solutions are composed by error function, complementary error function, and imaginary error function, respectively. The theory is also computed by finite volume method to test the analytical solutions. The theoretical and numerical predictions are in good agreement with one-dimensional small-scale laboratory experiment. As the theory is simple to apply with analytical solutions and numerical computation, we propose some applications to simulate the long-profile evolution of field reservoirs and focus on the infill sediment deposit volume resulting the uplift of near-dam bottom elevation. These field reservoirs introduced here are Wushe Reservoir, Tsengwen Reservoir, Mudan Reservoir in Taiwan, Lago Dos Bocas in Puerto Rico, and Sakuma Dam in Japan.

Ocean acidification does not affect magnesium composition or dolomite formation in living crustose coralline algae, Porolithon onkodes in an experimental system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nash, M. C.; Uthicke, S.; Negri, A. P.; Cantin, N. E.

2015-09-01

There are concerns that Mg-calcite crustose coralline algae (CCA), which are key reef builders on coral reefs, will be most susceptible to increased rates of dissolution under higher pCO2 and ocean acidification. Due to the higher solubility of Mg-calcite, it has been hypothesised that magnesium concentrations in CCA Mg-calcite will decrease as the ocean acidifies, and that this decrease will make their skeletons more chemically stable. In addition to Mg-calcite, CCA Porolithon onkodes, the predominant encrusting species on tropical reefs, can have dolomite (Ca0.5Mg0.5CO3) infilling cell spaces which increases their stability. However, nothing is known about how bio-mineralised dolomite formation responds to higher pCO2. Using P. onkodes grown for 3 and 6 months in tank experiments, we aimed to determine (1) if mol % MgCO3 in new crust and new settlement was affected by increasing CO2 levels (365, 444, 676 and 904 μatm), (2) whether bio-mineralised dolomite formed within these time frames, and (3) if so, whether this was effected by CO2. Our results show that there was no significant effect of CO2 on mol % MgCO3 in any sample set, indicating an absence of a plastic response under a wide range of experimental conditions. Dolomite within the CCA cells formed within 3 months and dolomite abundance did not vary significantly with CO2 treatment. While evidence mounts that climate change will impact many sensitive coral and CCA species, the results from this study indicate that reef-building P. onkodes will continue to form stabilising dolomite infill under near-future acidification conditions, thereby retaining its higher resistance to dissolution.

Ocean acidification does not affect magnesium composition or dolomite formation in living crustose coralline algae, Porolithon onkodes in an experimental system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nash, M. C.; Uthicke, S.; Negri, A. P.; Cantin, N. E.

2015-01-01

There are concerns that Mg-calcite crustose coralline algae (CCA), which are key reef builders on coral reefs, will be most susceptible to increased rates of dissolution under higher pCO2 and ocean acidification. Due to the higher solubility of Mg-calcite, it has been hypothesized that magnesium concentrations in CCA Mg-calcite will decrease as the ocean acidifies, and that this decrease will make their skeletons more chemically stable. In addition to Mg-calcite, CCA Porolithon onkodes the predominant encrusting species on tropical reefs, can have dolomite (Ca0.5Mg0.5CO3) infilling cell spaces which increases their stability. However, nothing is known about how bio-mineralised dolomite formation responds to higher pCO2. Using P. onkodes grown for 3 and 6 months in tank experiments, we aimed to determine (1) if mol % MgCO3 in new crust and new settlement affected by increasing pCO2 levels (365, 444, 676 and 904 ppm), (2) whether bio-mineralised dolomite formed within these time frames, and (3) if so, whether this was effected by pCO2. Our results show there was no significant effect of pCO2 on mol % MgCO3 in any sample set, indicating an absence of a plastic response under a wide range of experimental conditions. Dolomite within the CCA cells formed within 3 months and dolomite abundance did not vary significantly with pCO2 treatment. While evidence mounts that climate change will impact many sensitive coral and CCA species, the results from this study indicate that reef-building P. onkodes will continue to form stabilising dolomite infill under near-future acidification conditions, thereby retaining its higher resistance to dissolution.

Design and development of a 3D printed UAV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banfield, Christopher P.

The purpose of this project was to investigate the viability and practicality of using a desktop 3D printer to fabricate small UAV airframes. To that end, ASTM based bending and tensile tests were conducted to assess the effects of print orientation, infill density, infill pattern, and infill orientation on the structural properties of 3D printed components. A Vernier Structures & Materials Tester was used to record force and displacement data from which stress-strain diagrams, yielding strength, maximum strength, and the moduli of elasticity were found. Results indicated that print orientation and infill density had the greatest impact on strength. In bending, vertically printed test pieces showed the greatest strength, with yield strengths 1.6 - 10.4% higher than conventionally extruded ABS's 64.0MPa average flexural strength. In contrast, the horizontally printed specimens showed yield strengths reduced anywhere from 17.0 - 34.9%. The tensile test specimens also exhibited reduced strength relative to ABS's average tensile yield strength of 40.7MPa. Test pieces with 20% infill density saw strength reductions anywhere from 47.8 - 55.6%, and those with 50% saw strength reductions from 33.6 - 47.8%. Only a single test piece with 100%, 45° crisscross infill achieved tensile performance on par with that of conventionally fabricated ABS. Its yield strength was 43MPa, a positive strength difference of 5.5%. As a supplement to the tensile and bending tests, a prototype printable airplane, the Phoebe, was designed. Its development process in turn provided the opportunity to develop techniques for printing various aircraft components such as fuselage sections, airfoils, and live-in hinges. Initial results seem promising, with the prototype's first production run requiring 19 hours of print time and an additional 4 - 5 hours of assembly time. The maiden flight test demonstrated that the design was stable and controllable in sustained flight.

Infill of tunnel valleys associated with landward-flowing ice sheets: The missing Middle Pleistocene record of the NW European rivers?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moreau, Julien; Huuse, Mads

2014-01-01

The southern termination of the Middle and Late Pleistocene Scandinavian ice sheets was repeatedly located in the southern North Sea (sNS) and adjacent, north-sloping land areas. Giant meltwater-excavated valleys (tunnel valleys) formed at the southern termination of the ice sheets and contain a hitherto enigmatic succession of northward prograding clinoforms, comprising 1000s km3 of sediment. This study analyses 3D seismic data, covering the entire sNS, and demonstrates for the first time that the formation of these tunnel valleys was separate from their infill. The infill constitutes the postglacial record of the NW European river deltas, which had so far been considered missing.

Effect of strong-column weak-beam design provision on the seismic fragility of RC frame buildings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Surana, Mitesh; Singh, Yogendra; Lang, Dominik H.

2018-04-01

Incremental dynamic analyses are conducted for a suite of low- and mid-rise reinforced-concrete special moment-resisting frame buildings. Buildings non-conforming and conforming to the strong-column weak-beam (SCWB) design criterion are considered. These buildings are designed for the two most severe seismic zones in India (i.e., zone IV and zone V) following the provisions of Indian Standards. It is observed that buildings non-conforming to the SCWB design criterion lead to an undesirable column failure collapse mechanism. Although yielding of columns cannot be avoided, even for buildings conforming to a SCWB ratio of 1.4, the observed collapse mechanism changes to a beam failure mechanism. This change in collapse mechanism leads to a significant increase in the building's global ductility capacity, and thereby in collapse capacity. The fragility analysis study of the considered buildings suggests that considering the SCWB design criterion leads to a significant reduction in collapse probability, particularly in the case of mid-rise buildings.

Application and enhancements of MOVIE.BYU

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gates, R. L.; Vonofenheim, W. H.

1984-01-01

MOVIE.BYU (MOVIE.BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY) is a system of programs for the display and manipulation of data representing mathematical, architectural, and topological models in which the geometry may be described in terms of panel (n-sided polygons) and solid elements or contour lines. The MOVIE.BYU system has been used in a series of applications of LaRC. One application has been the display, creation, and manipulation of finite element models in aeronautic/aerospace research. These models have been displayed on both vector and color raster devices, and the user has the option to modify color and shading parameters on these color raster devices. Another application involves the display of scalar functions (temperature, pressure, etc.) over the surface of a given model. This capability gives the researcher added flexibility in the analysis of the model and its accompanying data. Limited animation (frame-by-frame creation) has been another application of MOVIE.BYU in the modeling of kinematic processes in antenna structures.

Thermodynamic properties of pressurized PH3 superconductor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koka, S.; Rao, G. Venugopal

2018-05-01

The paper presents the superconducting thermodynamic functions determined for pressurized phosphorus trihydride (PH3). In particular, free energy difference ΔF, thermodynamic critical field Hc, specific heat etc. have been calculated using analytical expressions. The calculations were performed in the frame work of the strong-coupling formalism. The obtained dimensionless parameters: RΔ ≡ 2Δ(0)/kBTc, RC ≡ ΔC(Tc)/CN(Tc) and RH≡TcCN(Tc)/Hc2(0) are 4.05, 1.96 and 0.156 respectively, which significantly differ from the values arising from the BCS theory of superconductivity. The thermodynamic properties strongly depend on the depairing electron correlations and retardation effects.

Effect of Response Reduction Factor on Peak Floor Acceleration Demand in Mid-Rise RC Buildings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Surana, Mitesh; Singh, Yogendra; Lang, Dominik H.

2017-06-01

Estimation of Peak Floor Acceleration (PFA) demand along the height of a building is crucial for the seismic safety of nonstructural components. The effect of the level of inelasticity, controlled by the response reduction factor (strength ratio), is studied using incremental dynamic analysis. A total of 1120 nonlinear dynamic analyses, using a suite of 30 recorded ground motion time histories, are performed on mid-rise reinforced-concrete (RC) moment-resisting frame buildings covering a wide range in terms of their periods of vibration. The obtained PFA demands are compared with some of the major national seismic design and retrofit codes (IS 1893 draft version, ASCE 41, EN 1998, and NZS 1170.4). It is observed that the PFA demand at the building's roof level decreases with increasing period of vibration as well as with strength ratio. However, current seismic building codes do not account for these effects thereby producing very conservative estimates of PFA demands. Based on the identified parameters affecting the PFA demand, a model to obtain the PFA distribution along the height of a building is proposed. The proposed model is validated with spectrum-compatible time history analyses of the considered buildings with different strength ratios.

Combined tension and bending testing of tapered composite laminates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Brien, T. Kevin; Murri, Gretchen B.; Hagemeier, Rick; Rogers, Charles

1994-11-01

A simple beam element used at Bell Helicopter was incorporated in the Computational Mechanics Testbed (COMET) finite element code at the Langley Research Center (LaRC) to analyze the responce of tappered laminates typical of flexbeams in composite rotor hubs. This beam element incorporated the influence of membrane loads on the flexural response of the tapered laminate configurations modeled and tested in a combined axial tension and bending (ATB) hydraulic load frame designed and built at LaRC. The moments generated from the finite element model were used in a tapered laminated plate theory analysis to estimate axial stresses on the surface of the tapered laminates due to combined bending and tension loads. Surfaces strains were calculated and compared to surface strains measured using strain gages mounted along the laminate length. The strain distributions correlated reasonably well with the analysis. The analysis was then used to examine the surface strain distribution in a non-linear tapered laminate where a similarly good correlation was obtained. Results indicate that simple finite element beam models may be used to identify tapered laminate configurations best suited for simulating the response of a composite flexbeam in a full scale rotor hub.

Generation of sedimentary fabrics and facies by repetitive excavation and storm infilling of burrow networks Holocene of south Florida and Caicos Platform, B. W. I

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

Tedesco, L.P.; Wanless, H.R.

Excavation of deep, open burrow networks and subsequent infilling with sediment from the surface produces an entirely new sedimentary deposit and results in obliteration to severe diagenetic transformation of precursor depositional facies. Repetitive excavation and infilling is responsible for creating the preserved depositional facies of many marine deposits. Excavating burrowers occur from intertidal to abyssal depths, and are important throughout the Phanerozoic. The repetitive coupling of deep, open burrow excavation with subsequent storm sediment infilling of open burrow networks is a gradual process that ultimately results in the loss of the original deposit and the generation of new lithologies, fabricsmore » and facies. The new lithologies are produced in the subsurface and possess fabrics, textures and skeletal assemblages that are not a direct reflection of either precursor facies or the surficial depositional conditions. Sedimentary facies generated by repetitive burrow excavation and infilling commonly are massively bedded and generally are mottled skeletal packstones. Skeletal grains usually are well-preserved and coarser components are concentrated in burrow networks, pockets and patches. The coarse skeletal components of burrow-generated facies are a mixture of coarse bioclasts from the precursor facies and both the coarse and fine skeletal material introduced from the sediment surface. Many so-called bioturbated or massive facies may, in fact, be primary depositional facies generated in the subsurface and represent severe diagenetic transformation of originally deposited sequences. In addition, mudstones and wackestones mottled with packstone patches may record storm sedimentation.« less

Neogene basin infilling from cosmogenic nuclides (10Be and 21Ne) in Atacama, Chile

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanchez, Caroline; Regard, Vincent; Carretier, Sébastien; Riquelme, Rodrigo; Blard, Pierre-Henri; Campos, Eduardo; Brichau, Stéphanie; Lupker, Marteen; Hérail, Gérard

2017-04-01

In the hyperarid Atacama Desert, northern Chile, Neogene sediments host copper rich layers (exotic supergene mineralization). Current mines are excavated into relatively thin (<200-300 m) Neogene basins whose infilling chronology is poorly constrained. We took advantage of one of these mining pits, and sampled for 10Be and 21Ne cosmogenic nuclide dosing. These cosmogenic nuclides help constraining the infilling chronology. Indeed, basin sediments were deposited with a cosmogenic nuclide content acquired on hillslopes. Then within the basin, cosmogenic nuclide concentrations evolved through the competing production (quickly decreasing with depth) and disintegration (not for 21Ne). Sampling depths are at ˜100 m and at ˜50 m below the desert surface. First, 21Ne gives lower boundaries for upstream erosion rates or local sedimentation rate. These bounds are between 2 and 10 m/Ma, which is quite important for the area. The ratio between the two cosmogenic nuclides indicate a maximum burial age of 12 Ma (minimal erosion rate of 15 m/Ma) and is surprisingly similar from bottom to top, indicating a probable rapid infilling. We finally processed a Monte-Carlo inversion. This inversion helps taking into account the post-deposition muonic production of cosmogenic nuclides. Inversion results is dependent on the muonic production scheme. Interestingly, the similarity in concentrations from bottom to top pleads for quite low production at depth. Our data finally indicates a quick infilling between 12.5 and 10 Ma BP accounting for ˜100 m of deposition (minimum sedimentation rate of 40 m/Ma).

Reinterpretation of the Quaternary sedimentary infill of the Ría de Vigo, NW Iberian Peninsula, as a compound incised valley

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martínez-Carreño, N.; García-Gil, S.

2017-10-01

Seismic data have been used to investigate the stratigraphy of the Galician rias for more than two decades. Here, we present a new interpretation of the sedimentary infill of an incised valley (Ría de Vigo, NW Iberian Peninsula), based on high-resolution seismic profiles, core sediment analysis, and radiocarbon 14C data. The new data indicate that the stratigraphic architecture of the Galician rias result from multiple incision/infill phases and, therefore, they are reclassified as compound rather than simple incised valleys. Seven seismic units were identified: one of Tertiary age (U1), four of Pleistocene age (U2-U5) which are interpreted as 4th-order sequences deposited between MIS 11 and MIS 2, and Late Pleistocene (U6) and Holocene (U7) units corresponding with post-glacial sedimentation. The sedimentary infill overlies a highly faulted irregular granitic and metamorphic basement; the inherited morphology is shown to be important for controlling the pathway and evolution of the fluvial network as well as preservation of the sedimentary deposits during several glacial/interglacial cycles. The presence of a rocky barrier at the mouth of the ria is a distinctive feature that conditions sedimentation and exchange of sediment between the ria and the adjacent shelf. For the first time, faults and tilted blocks affecting Late Pleistocene (MIS 3) deposits have been identified. The new data presented here provide the opportunity to reconstruct the evolution of the sedimentary infill of a ria, with especially high-resolution during the last post-glacial transgression.

Exterior building details of Building B, west façade: two paintedwood ...

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

Exterior building details of Building B, west façade: two painted-wood single-light casements over two-light casements with concrete sill and arch brick lintel, over infilled brick patch with arch brick lintel, brick lintel above windows and brick infilled oval; easterly view - San Quentin State Prison, Building 22, Point San Quentin, San Quentin, Marin County, CA

PIXE Analysis of Artificial Turf

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Conlan, Skye; Chalise, Sajju; Porat, Zachary; Labrake, Scott; Vineyard, Michael

2017-09-01

In recent years, there has been debate regarding the use of the crumb rubber infill in artificial turf on high school and college campuses due to the potential presence of heavy metals and carcinogenic chemicals. We performed Proton-Induced X-Ray Emission (PIXE) analysis of artificial turf infill and blade samples collected from high school and college campuses around the Capital District of NYS to search for potentially toxic substances. Crumb rubber pellets were made by mixing 1g of rubber infill and 1g of epoxy. The pellets and the turf blades were bombarded with 2.2 MeV proton beams from a 1.1-MV tandem Pelletron accelerator in the Union College Ion-Beam Analysis Laboratory and x-ray energy spectra were collected with an Amptek silicon drift detector. We analyzed the spectra using GUPIX software to determine the elemental concentrations of the samples. The turf infill showed significant levels of Ti, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, and Pb. The highest concentration of Br in the crumb rubber was 1500 +/-100 ppm while the highest detectable amount of Pb concentration was 110 +/-20 ppm. The artificial turf blades showed significant levels of Ti, Fe, and Zn with only the yellow blade showing concentrations of V and Bi.

Effect of Printing Parameters on Tensile, Dynamic Mechanical, and Thermoelectric Properties of FDM 3D Printed CABS/ZnO Composites.

PubMed

Aw, Yah Yun; Yeoh, Cheow Keat; Idris, Muhammad Asri; Teh, Pei Leng; Hamzah, Khairul Amali; Sazali, Shulizawati Aqzna

2018-03-22

Fused deposition modelling (FDM) has been widely used in medical appliances, automobile, aircraft and aerospace, household appliances, toys, and many other fields. The ease of processing, low cost and high flexibility of FDM technique are strong advantages compared to other techniques for thermoelectric polymer composite fabrication. This research work focuses on the effect of two crucial printing parameters (infill density and printing pattern) on the tensile, dynamic mechanical, and thermoelectric properties of conductive acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/zinc oxide (CABS/ZnO composites fabricated by FDM technique. Results revealed significant improvement in tensile strength and Young's modulus, with a decrease in elongation at break with infill density. Improvement in dynamic storage modulus was observed when infill density changed from 50% to 100%. However, the loss modulus and damping factor reduced gradually. The increase of thermal conductivity was relatively smaller compared to the improvement of electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient, therefore, the calculated figure of merit (ZT) value increased with infill density. Line pattern performed better than rectilinear, especially in tensile properties and electrical conductivity. From the results obtained, FDM-fabricated CABS/ZnO showed much potential as a promising candidate for thermoelectric application .

Meta-analysis of the relationship between TQM and Business Performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

F, Ahmad M.; N, Zakuan; A, Jusoh; Z, Tasir; J, Takala

2013-06-01

Meta-analysis has been conducted based on 20 previous works from 4,040 firms at 16 countries from Asia, Europe and America. Throughout this paper a meta-analysis, this paper reviews the relationships between TQM and business performance amongst the regions. Meta-analysis result concludes that the average of rc is 0.47; Asia (rc=0.54), America (rc=0.43) and Europe (rc=0.38). The analysis also shows that Asia developed countries have greatest impact of TQM (rc=0.56). However, the analysis of ANOVA and t-test show that there is no significant difference amongst type of country (developed and developing countries) and regions at p=0.05. In addition, the average result of rc2 is 0.24; Asia (rc2=0.33), America (rc2=0.22) and Europe (rc2=0.15). Meanwhile, rc2 in developing countries (rc2=0.28) are higher than developed countries (rc2=0.21).

Report on 2005 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Implementation

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-04-01

Marcos 559 ARNG RC Seguin 560 ARNG RC Snyder 561 ARNG RC Taylor 562 ARNG RC Terrell 563 ARNG RC Texarkana 564 ARNG RC Tyler 565 Benavidez USARC, El...realignment actions: Sep 1 2011 563 ARNG RC Texarkana , TX Commission recommendation(s) affected by this installation: Number Title 44 Reserve Component...AL421382002700 State: Alabama Sites Sites RC Total 51 38 Phase Beg. End <=2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

N-terminal acylation of somatostatin analog with long chain fatty acids enhances its stability and anti-proliferative activity in human breast adenocarcinoma cells.

PubMed

Dasgupta, Piyali; Singh, Anu; Mukherjee, Rama

2002-01-01

The anti-proliferative activity of the somatostatin analog RC-160 is limited by its short serum half life. To circumvent this limitation, fatty acids of chain lengths ranging from 4 to 18 were individually conjugated to the N-terminal residue of RC-160. The lipophilized derivatives of RC-160 were synthesized, purified and characterized. The anti-proliferative activity of lipophilized-RC-160 on the human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7, was evaluated in vitro. The long chain lipopeptides like pamitoyl-RC-160 exhibited significantly higher anti-proliferative activity on MCF-7 cells (p<0.001), relative to RC-160. The affinity of RC-160 towards somatostatin receptors remained unaltered by pamitoylation. However, the observed increase in bioactivity was manifested within an optimum range of chain length of the lipoppetide. Increasing the peptide hydrophobicity beyond this range reduced the bioactivity of lipophilized-RC-160. Accordingly, stearoyl-RC-160, manifested lower anti-neoplastic activity and receptor affinity relative to pamitoyl-RC-160 and RC-160 itself. The signaling pathways underlying the antineoplastic activity of these lipopeptides were found to be similar to RC-160. Pamitoyl-RC-160 displayed enhanced inhibition of protein tyrosine kinase activity and intracellular cAMP levels in MCF-7 cells, relative to butanoyl-RC-160 or RC-160 itself. Pamitoyl-RC-160 also displayed greater resistance towards trypsin and serum degradation than RC-160. Lipophilization of RC-160 with long chain fatty acids like pamitic acid improves its stability and anti-proliferative activity, thereby improving the scope of enhancing its therapeutic index. However, the optimization of peptide hydrophobicity seems to be a crucial factor governing the efficacy of bioactive lipopeptides.

Incorporating reservoir heterogeneity with geostatistics to investigate waterflood recoveries

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

Wolcott, D.S.; Chopra, A.K.

1993-03-01

This paper presents an investigation of infill drilling performance and reservoir continuity with geostatistics and a reservoir simulator. The geostatistical technique provides many possible realizations and realistic descriptions of reservoir heterogeneity. Correlation between recovery efficiency and thickness of individual sand subunits is shown. Additional recovery from infill drilling results from thin, discontinuous subunits. The technique may be applied to variations in continuity for other sandstone reservoirs.

Habitat, dispersal and propagule pressure control exotic plant infilling within an invaded range

Treesearch

Robert J. Warren; T. Ursell; A.D. Keiser; M.A. Bradford

2013-01-01

Deep in the heart of a longstanding invasion, an exotic grass is still invading. Range infilling potentially has the greatest impact on native communities and ecosystem processes, but receives much less attention than range expansion. ‘Snapshot’ studies of invasive plant dispersal, habitat and propagule limitations cannot determine whether a landscape is saturated or...

Polarized radiative transfer through terrestrial atmosphere accounting for rotational Raman scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lelli, Luca; Rozanov, Vladimir V.; Vountas, Marco; Burrows, John P.

2017-10-01

This paper is devoted to the phenomenological derivation of the vector radiative transfer equation (VRTE) accounting for first-order source terms of rotational Raman scattering (RRS), which is responsible for the in-filling of Fraunhofer and telluric lines by inelastic scattered photons. The implementation of the solution of the VRTE within the framework of the forward-adjoint method is given. For the Ca II and the oxygen A-band (O2 A) spectral windows, values of reflectance, degree of linear polarization (DOLP) and in-filling, in zenith and nadir geometry, are compared with results given in literature. Moreover, the dependence of these quantities on the columnar loading and vertical layering of non-spherical dust aerosols is investigated, together with their changes as function of two habits of ice crystals, modeled as regular icosahedra and severely rough aggregated columns. Bi-directional effects of an underlying polarizing surface are accounted for. The forward simulations are performed for one selected wavelength in the continuum and one in the strong absorption of the O2 A, as their combination can be exploited for the spaceborne retrieval of aerosol and cloud properties. For this reason, we also mimic seasonal maps of reflectance, DOLP and in-filling, that are prototypical measurements of the Ultraviolet-Visible-Near Infrared (UVN) sensor, at a nominal spectral resolution of 0.12 nm. UVN is the core payload of the upcoming European Sentinel-4 mission, that will observe Europe in geostationary orbit for air quality monitoring purposes. In general, in the core of O2 A, depending on the optical thickness and altitude of the scatterers, we find RRS-induced in-filling values ranging from 1.3% to 1.8%, while DOLP decreases by 1%. Conversely, while negligible differences of RRS in-filling are calculated with different ice crystal habits, the severely rough aggregated column model can reduce DOLP by a factor up to 10%. The UVN maps of in-filling show values varying between 1% and 8%. These changes are mainly driven by surface type and seasonal observational geometry. However, accounting for RRS, differences in DOLP do not exceed ± 0.2% within the full instrumental field-of-view.

Understanding uncertainty in seagrass injury recovery: an information-theoretic approach.

PubMed

Uhrin, Amy V; Kenworthy, W Judson; Fonseca, Mark S

2011-06-01

Vessel groundings cause severe, persistent gaps in seagrass beds. Varying degrees of natural recovery have been observed for grounding injuries, limiting recovery prediction capabilities, and therefore, management's ability to focus restoration efforts where natural recovery is unlikely. To improve our capacity for predicting seagrass injury recovery, we used an information-theoretic approach to evaluate the relative contribution of specific injury attributes to the natural recovery of 30 seagrass groundings in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Florida, USA. Injury recovery was defined by three response variables examined independently: (1) initiation of seagrass colonization, (2) areal contraction, and (3) sediment in-filling. We used a global model and all possible subsets for four predictor variables: (1) injury age, (2) original injury volume, (3) original injury perimeter-to-area ratio, and (4) wave energy. Successional processes were underway for many injuries with fast-growing, opportunistic seagrass species contributing most to colonization. The majority of groundings that exhibited natural seagrass colonization also exhibited areal contraction and sediment in-filling. Injuries demonstrating colonization, contraction, and in-filling were on average older and smaller, and they had larger initial perimeter-to-area ratios. Wave energy was highest for colonizing injuries. The information-theoretic approach was unable to select a single "best" model for any response variable. For colonization and contraction, injury age had the highest relative importance as a predictor variable; wave energy appeared to be associated with second-order effects, such as sediment in-filling, which in turn, facilitated seagrass colonization. For sediment in-filling, volume and perimeter-to-area ratio had similar relative importance as predictor variables with age playing a lesser role than seen for colonization and contraction. Our findings confirm that these injuries naturally initiate seagrass colonization with the potential to recover to pre-injury conditions, but likely on a decadal scale given the slow growth of the climax species (Thalassia testudinum), which is often the most severely injured. Our analysis supports current perceptions that sediment in-filling is critical to the recovery process and indicates that in order to stabilize injuries and facilitate seagrass recovery, managers should consider immediate restorative filling procedures for injuries having an original volume >14-16 m3.

Stratigraphy, artefact industries and hominid associations for Sterkfontein, member 5.

PubMed

Kuman, K; Clarke, R J

2000-06-01

A revised stratigraphy for the early hominid site of Sterkfontein (Gauteng Province, South Africa) reveals a complex distribution of infills in the main excavation area between 2.8 and 1.4 m.y.a, as well as deposits dating to the mid to late Pleistocene. New research now shows that the Member 4 australopithecine breccia (2.8-2.6 Ma) extends further west than was previously thought, while a late phase of Member 4 is recognized in a southern area. The artefact-bearing breccias were defined sedimentologically as Member 5, but one supposed part of these younger breccias, the StW 53 infill, lacks in situ stone tools, although it does appear to post-date 2.6 Ma when artefacts first appear in the archaeological record. The StW 53 hominid, previously referred to Homo habilis, is here argued to be Australopithecus. The first artefact-bearing breccia of Member 5 is the Oldowan Infill, estimated at 2-1.7 Ma. It occupies a restricted distribution in Member 5 east and contains an expedient, flake-based tool industry associated with a few fossils of Paranthropos robustus. An enlarged cave opening subsequently admitted one or more Early Acheulean infills associated in Member 5 west with Homo ergaster. The artefacts attest to a larger site accumulation between ca. 1.7 and 1.4 Ma, with more intensive use of quartzite over quartz and a subtle but important shift to large flakes and heavier-duty tools. The available information on palaeoenvironments is summarized, showing an overall change from tropical to sub-tropical gallery forest, forest fringe and woodland conditions in Member 4 to more open woodland and grassland habitats in the later units, but with suggestions of a wet localized topography in the Paranthropus -bearing Oldowan Infill. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

[Determination of calcium and magnesium in tobacco by near-infrared spectroscopy and least squares-support vector machine].

PubMed

Tian, Kuang-da; Qiu, Kai-xian; Li, Zu-hong; Lü, Ya-qiong; Zhang, Qiu-ju; Xiong, Yan-mei; Min, Shun-geng

2014-12-01

The purpose of the present paper is to determine calcium and magnesium in tobacco using NIR combined with least squares-support vector machine (LS-SVM). Five hundred ground and dried tobacco samples from Qujing city, Yunnan province, China, were surveyed by a MATRIX-I spectrometer (Bruker Optics, Bremen, Germany). At the beginning of data processing, outliers of samples were eliminated for stability of the model. The rest 487 samples were divided into several calibration sets and validation sets according to a hybrid modeling strategy. Monte-Carlo cross validation was used to choose the best spectral preprocess method from multiplicative scatter correction (MSC), standard normal variate transformation (SNV), S-G smoothing, 1st derivative, etc., and their combinations. To optimize parameters of LS-SVM model, the multilayer grid search and 10-fold cross validation were applied. The final LS-SVM models with the optimizing parameters were trained by the calibration set and accessed by 287 validation samples picked by Kennard-Stone method. For the quantitative model of calcium in tobacco, Savitzky-Golay FIR smoothing with frame size 21 showed the best performance. The regularization parameter λ of LS-SVM was e16.11, while the bandwidth of the RBF kernel σ2 was e8.42. The determination coefficient for prediction (Rc(2)) was 0.9755 and the determination coefficient for prediction (Rp(2)) was 0.9422, better than the performance of PLS model (Rc(2)=0.9593, Rp(2)=0.9344). For the quantitative analysis of magnesium, SNV made the regression model more precise than other preprocess. The optimized λ was e15.25 and σ2 was e6.32. Rc(2) and Rp(2) were 0.9961 and 0.9301, respectively, better than PLS model (Rc(2)=0.9716, Rp(2)=0.8924). After modeling, the whole progress of NIR scan and data analysis for one sample was within tens of seconds. The overall results show that NIR spectroscopy combined with LS-SVM can be efficiently utilized for rapid and accurate analysis of calcium and magnesium in tobacco.

The AMIGA enhancement of the Pierre Auger Observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maldera, S.

2014-06-01

The AMIGA (Auger Muons and Infill for the Ground Array) enhancement of the Auger Surface Detector consists of a 23.5 km2 infill area instrumented with water-Cherenkov detector stations accompanied by 30 m2 of scintillator counters, buried 2.3 m underground. The spacing of 750 m between the surface detectors extends the energy range as low as 3 × 1017 eV, thus allowing the study of the energy region where the transition between galactic and extra-galactic cosmic rays is expected to take place. We describe the reconstruction of the events observed with the infill water-Cherenkov detector array and the derived energy spectrum. We also discuss the basic properties of the muon detector modules obtained from measurements and tests during the construction phase and from the first data in the field.

Validation and Design of Sheet Retrofits

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-10-31

enough to allow for rotation of the top of the wall without development of an axial force. Obviously, these walls are not load bearing . This type...structures are commonly constructed using CMU blocks to infill non- load bearing walls (Hammons, 1999). Many of these structures were built in a... axial loads within the sheet. 3 Figure 1. Infill Masonry Wall Retrofit Concept 2.1. Objective The objective of the research documented in

An automated design and fabrication pipeline for improving the strength of 3D printed artifacts under tensile loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al, Can Mert; Yaman, Ulas

2018-05-01

In the scope of this study, an alternative automated method to the conventional design and fabrication pipeline of 3D printers is developed by using an integrated CAD/CAE/CAM approach. It increases the load carrying capacity of the parts by constructing heterogeneous infill structures. Traditional CAM software of Additive Manufacturing machinery starts with a design model in STL file format which only includes data about the outer boundary in the triangular mesh form. Depending on the given infill percentage, the algorithm running behind constructs the interior of the artifact by using homogeneous infill structures. As opposed to the current CAM software, the proposed method provides a way to construct heterogeneous infill structures with respect to the Von Misses stress field results obtained from a finite element analysis. Throughout the work, Rhinoceros3D is used for the design of the parts along with Grasshopper3D, an algorithmic design tool for Rhinoceros3D. In addition, finite element analyses are performed using Karamba3D, a plug-in for Grasshopper3D. According to the results of the tensile tests, the method offers an improvement of load carrying capacity about 50% compared to traditional slicing algorithms of 3D printing.

Assessing metal contamination from construction and demolition (C&D) waste used to infill wetlands: using Deroceras reticulatum (Mollusca: Gastropoda).

PubMed

Staunton, John A; Mc Donnell, Rory J; Gormally, Michael J; Williams, Chris D; Henry, Tiernan; Morrison, Liam

2014-11-01

Large quantities of construction and demolition waste (C&D) are produced globally every year, with little known about potential environmental impacts. In the present study, the slug, Deroceras reticulatum (Mollusca: Gastropoda) was used as the first biomonitor of metals (Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Ti, Tl, V and Zn) on wetlands post infilling with construction and demolition (C&D) waste. The bioaccumulation of As, Ba, Cd, Co, Sb, Se and Tl were found to be significantly elevated in slugs collected on C&D waste when compared to unimproved pastures (control sites), while Mo, Se and Sr had significantly higher concentrations in slugs collected on C&D waste when compared to known contaminated sites (mining locations), indicating the potential hazardous nature of C&D waste to biota. Identifying exact sources for these metals within the waste can be problematic, due to its heterogenic nature. Biomonitors are a useful tool for future monitoring and impact studies, facilitating policy makers and regulations in other countries regarding C&D waste infill. In addition, improving separation of C&D waste to allow increased reuse and recycling is likely to be effective in reducing the volume of waste being used as infill, subsequently decreasing potential metal contamination.

Determination of variables in the prediction of strontium distribution coefficients for selected sediments

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pace, M.N.; Rosentreter, J.J.; Bartholomay, R.C.

2001-01-01

Idaho State University and the US Geological Survey, in cooperation with the US Department of Energy, conducted a study to determine and evaluate strontium distribution coefficients (Kds) of subsurface materials at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). The Kds were determined to aid in assessing the variability of strontium Kds and their effects on chemical transport of strontium-90 in the Snake River Plain aquifer system. Data from batch experiments done to determine strontium Kds of five sediment-infill samples and six standard reference material samples were analyzed by using multiple linear regression analysis and the stepwise variable-selection method in the statistical program, Statistical Product and Service Solutions, to derive an equation of variables that can be used to predict strontium Kds of sediment-infill samples. The sediment-infill samples were from basalt vesicles and fractures from a selected core at the INEEL; strontium Kds ranged from ???201 to 356 ml g-1. The standard material samples consisted of clay minerals and calcite. The statistical analyses of the batch-experiment results showed that the amount of strontium in the initial solution, the amount of manganese oxide in the sample material, and the amount of potassium in the initial solution are the most important variables in predicting strontium Kds of sediment-infill samples.

Comparative Study on Code-based Linear Evaluation of an Existing RC Building Damaged during 1998 Adana-Ceyhan Earthquake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toprak, A. Emre; Gülay, F. Gülten; Ruge, Peter

2008-07-01

Determination of seismic performance of existing buildings has become one of the key concepts in structural analysis topics after recent earthquakes (i.e. Izmit and Duzce Earthquakes in 1999, Kobe Earthquake in 1995 and Northridge Earthquake in 1994). Considering the need for precise assessment tools to determine seismic performance level, most of earthquake hazardous countries try to include performance based assessment in their seismic codes. Recently, Turkish Earthquake Code 2007 (TEC'07), which was put into effect in March 2007, also introduced linear and non-linear assessment procedures to be applied prior to building retrofitting. In this paper, a comparative study is performed on the code-based seismic assessment of RC buildings with linear static methods of analysis, selecting an existing RC building. The basic principles dealing the procedure of seismic performance evaluations for existing RC buildings according to Eurocode 8 and TEC'07 will be outlined and compared. Then the procedure is applied to a real case study building is selected which is exposed to 1998 Adana-Ceyhan Earthquake in Turkey, the seismic action of Ms = 6.3 with a maximum ground acceleration of 0.28 g It is a six-storey RC residential building with a total of 14.65 m height, composed of orthogonal frames, symmetrical in y direction and it does not have any significant structural irregularities. The rectangular shaped planar dimensions are 16.40 m×7.80 m = 127.90 m2 with five spans in x and two spans in y directions. It was reported that the building had been moderately damaged during the 1998 earthquake and retrofitting process was suggested by the authorities with adding shear-walls to the system. The computations show that the performing methods of analysis with linear approaches using either Eurocode 8 or TEC'07 independently produce similar performance levels of collapse for the critical storey of the structure. The computed base shear value according to Eurocode is much higher than the requirements of the Turkish Earthquake Code while the selected ground conditions represent the same characteristics. The main reason is that the ordinate of the horizontal elastic response spectrum for Eurocode 8 is increased by the soil factor. In TEC'07 force-based linear assessment, the seismic demands at cross-sections are to be checked with residual moment capacities; however, the chord rotations of primary ductile elements must be checked for Eurocode safety verifications. On the other hand, the demand curvatures from linear methods of analysis of Eurocode 8 together with TEC'07 are almost similar.

Involvement of Two Plasmids in the Degradation of Carbaryl by Arthrobacter sp. Strain RC100

PubMed Central

Hayatsu, Masahito; Hirano, Motoko; Nagata, Tadahiro

1999-01-01

A bacterium capable of utilizing carbaryl (1-naphthyl N-methylcarbamate) as the sole carbon source was isolated from carbaryl-treated soil. This bacterium was characterized taxonomically as Arthrobacter and was designated strain RC100. RC100 hydrolyzes the N-methylcarbamate linkage to 1-naphthol, which was further metabolized via salicylate and gentisate. Strain RC100 harbored three plasmids (designated pRC1, pRC2, and pRC3). Mutants unable to degrade carbaryl arose at a high frequency after treating the culture with mitomycin C. All carbaryl-hydrolysis-deficient mutants (Cah−) lacked pRC1, and all 1-naphthol-utilization-deficient mutants (Nat−) lacked pRC2. The plasmid-free strain RC107 grew on gentisate as a carbon source. These two plasmids could be transferred to Cah− mutants or Nat− mutants by conjugation, resulting in the restoration of the Cah and Nah phenotypes. PMID:10049857

Computational Analysis and Characterization of RC-135 External Aerodynamics

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-22

date date date AFIT/GAE/ENY/12-M06 Abstract Both the RC-135V/W Rivet Joint (RJ) and the RC-135U Combat Sent (CS) aircraft are United States Air...Page 1.1. RC-135V/W Rivet Joint [1] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1.2. RC-135U Combat Sent [1] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2...1.3. RC-135V/W Rivet Joint BL9 antenna locations [2] . . . . . . . 3 1.4. RC-135U Combat Sent showing LCS with louver installed over exhaust [1

Lipophilization of somatostatin analog RC-160 with long chain fatty acid improves its antiproliferative and antiangiogenic activity in vitro.

PubMed

Dasgupta, P; Mukherjee, R

2000-01-01

The therapeutic potential of the somatostatin analogue RC-160 having antiproliferative activity, is limited by its short serum half life. To overcome this limitation, fatty acids namely butanoic acid and myristic acid were conjugated to the N-terminal residue of RC-160. The lipophilized derivatives of RC-160 were synthesized, purified by reverse phase HPLC and characterized by ES-mass spectroscopy. The antiproliferative activity of lipophilized derivatives of RC-160 on the growth of MIA-PaCa2 (human pancreatic carcinoma), DU145 (human prostate carcinoma), ECV304 (human umbilical chord endothelioma), as well as their antiangiogenic activity was evaluated in vitro. The relative stability of myristoyl-RC-160 towards degradation by proteases and serum was also determined. Myristoyl-RC-160 exhibited significantly higher antiproliferative efficacy than RC-160, on the above cell lines (P<0.01). Receptor binding assays, demonstrated that the affinity of RC-160 towards somatostatin receptors remains unaltered by myristoylation. Unlike RC-160, the myristoylated derivative was found to have significantly greater resistance to protease and serum degradation (P<0.01). Myristoyl-RC-160 exhibited significantly greater antiproliferative activity on ECV304, than RC-160 (P<0.01). Myristoyl RC-160 could also inhibit capillary tube formation more efficiently than RC-160 in a dose dependent manner, suggesting that it possessed enhanced antiangiogenic activity in vitro (P<0.001). Lipophilization of RC-160 with long chain fatty acids like myristic acid endows it with improved antiproliferative and antiangiogenic activity, stability and therapeutic index. British Journal of Pharmacology (2000) 109, 101 - 109

Lipophilization of somatostatin analog RC-160 with long chain fatty acid improves its antiproliferative and antiangiogenic activity in vitro

PubMed Central

Dasgupta, P; Mukherjee, R

2000-01-01

The therapeutic potential of the somatostatin analogue RC-160 having antiproliferative activity, is limited by its short serum half life. To overcome this limitation, fatty acids namely butanoic acid and myristic acid were conjugated to the N-terminal residue of RC-160. The lipophilized derivatives of RC-160 were synthesized, purified by reverse phase HPLC and characterized by ES-mass spectroscopy. The antiproliferative activity of lipophilized derivatives of RC-160 on the growth of MIA-PaCa2 (human pancreatic carcinoma), DU145 (human prostate carcinoma), ECV304 (human umbilical chord endothelioma), as well as their antiangiogenic activity was evaluated in vitro. The relative stability of myristoyl-RC-160 towards degradation by proteases and serum was also determined. Myristoyl-RC-160 exhibited significantly higher antiproliferative efficacy than RC-160, on the above cell lines (P<0.01). Receptor binding assays, demonstrated that the affinity of RC-160 towards somatostatin receptors remains unaltered by myristoylation. Unlike RC-160, the myristoylated derivative was found to have significantly greater resistance to protease and serum degradation (P<0.01). Myristoyl-RC-160 exhibited significantly greater antiproliferative activity on ECV304, than RC-160 (P<0.01). Myristoyl RC-160 could also inhibit capillary tube formation more efficiently than RC-160 in a dose dependent manner, suggesting that it possessed enhanced antiangiogenic activity in vitro (P<0.001). Lipophilization of RC-160 with long chain fatty acids like myristic acid endows it with improved antiproliferative and antiangiogenic activity, stability and therapeutic index. PMID:10694208

Thidiazuron Triggers Morphogenesis in Rosa canina L. Protocorm-Like Bodies by Changing Incipient Cell Fate.

PubMed

Kou, Yaping; Yuan, Cunquan; Zhao, Qingcui; Liu, Guoqin; Nie, Jing; Ma, Zhimin; Cheng, Chenxia; Teixeira da Silva, Jaime A; Zhao, Liangjun

2016-01-01

Thidiazuron (N-phenyl-N'-1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-ylurea; TDZ) is an artificial plant growth regulator that is widely used in plant tissue culture. Protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) induced by TDZ serve as an efficient and rapid in vitro regeneration system in Rosa species. Despite this, the mechanism of PLB induction remains relatively unclear. TDZ, which can affect the level of endogenous auxins and cytokinins, converts the cell fate of rhizoid tips and triggers PLB formation and plantlet regeneration in Rosa canina L. In callus-rhizoids, which are rhizoids that co-develop from callus, auxin and a Z-type cytokinin accumulated after applying TDZ, and transcription of the auxin transporter gene RcPIN1 was repressed. The expression of RcARF4, RcRR1, RcCKX2, RcCKX3, and RcLOG1 increased in callus-rhizoids and rhizoid tips while the transcription of an auxin response factor (RcARF1) and auxin transport proteins (RcPIN2, RcPIN3) decreased in callus-rhizoids but increased in rhizoid tips. In situ hybridization of rhizoids showed that RcWUS and RcSERK1 were highly expressed in columella cells and root stem cells resulting in the conversion of cell fate into shoot apical meristems or embryogenic callus. In addition, transgenic XVE::RcWUS lines showed repressed RcWUS overexpression while RcWUS had no effect on PLB morphogenesis. Furthermore, higher expression of the root stem cell marker RcWOX5 and root stem cell maintenance regulator genes RcPLT1 and RcPLT2 indicated the presence of a dedifferentiation developmental pathway in the stem cell niche of rhizoids. Viewed together, our results indicate that different cells in rhizoid tips acquired regeneration competence after induction by TDZ. A novel developmental pathway containing different cell types during PLB formation was identified by analyzing the endogenous auxin and cytokinin content. This study also provides a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying in vitro regeneration in Rosa.

View from intersection. Ninestory reinforced concrete building infilled with brick. ...

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

View from intersection. Nine-story reinforced concrete building infilled with brick. The street facades on beaubien and east grand are faced with stone accents and elaborate brick work. Brick pilasters run the entire height of the building. Steel tiebacks are apparent running up the height of the building on the east side. The large tower appears at the northeast and southeast corners - Detroit Storage Company, 2937 East Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI

Performance of Buildings in the 2009 Western Sumatra Earthquake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deierlein, G.; Hart, T.; Alexander, N.; Hausler, E.; Henderson, S.; Wood, K.; Cedillos, V.; Wijanto, S.; Cabrera, C.; Rudianto, S.

2009-12-01

The M7.6 earthquake of 30 September 2009 in Western Sumatra, Indonesia caused significant damage and collapse to hundreds of buildings and the deaths of 1,117 people. In Padang City, with a population of about 900,000 people, building collapse was the primary cause of deaths and serious injuries (313 deaths and 431 serious injuries). The predominant building construction types in Padang are concrete moment frames with brick infill and masonry bearing wall systems. Concrete frames are common in multistory commercial retail buildings, offices, schools, and hotels; and masonry bearing wall systems are primarily used in low-rise (usually single story) residential and school buildings. In general, buildings that collapsed did not conform to modern seismic engineering practices that are required by the current Indonesian building code and would be expected in regions of moderate to high seismicity. While collapse of multi-story concrete buildings was more prevalent in older buildings (more than 10 years old), there were several newer buildings that collapsed. Primary deficiencies identified in collapsed or severely damaged buildings included: (a) soft or weak stories that failed in either by sidesway mechanisms or shear failures followed by loss of axial capacity of columns, (b) lack of ductile reinforcing bar detailing in concrete beams, columns, and beam-column joints, (c) poor quality concrete and mortar materials and workmanship, (d) vulnerable building configurations and designs with incomplete or deficient load paths, and (e) out-of-plane wall failures in unreinforced (or marginally reinforced) masonry. While these deficiencies may be expected in older buildings, damage and collapse to some modern (or recently rennovated buildings) indicates a lack of enforcement of building code provisions for design and construction quality assurance. Many new buildings whose structural systems were undamaged were closed due to extensive earthquake damage to brick infill walls, glass facades, ceiling systems and other architectural finishes. These demonstrated the importance of considering deformation compatibility and seismic considerations in the design and detail of architectural elements and non-structural components. Another important lesson learned from this earthquake is the critical role that buildings serve for vertical evacuation (refuge) from tsunami inundation in Padang and similar coastal cities in regions of high tsunami hazards. Severe traffic congestion immediately after the September 30 earthquake demonstrated that horizontal evacuation alone is insufficient to safely evacuate Padang City residents to high ground. Therefore, efforts must be stepped up to pre-screen, assess, and engineer buildings tha can be utilized for vertical evacuation.

Langmuir-Blodgett and X-ray diffraction studies of isolated photosystem II reaction centers in monolayers and multilayers: physical dimensions of the complex.

PubMed

Uphaus, R A; Fang, J Y; Picorel, R; Chumanov, G; Wang, J Y; Cotton, T M; Seibert, M

1997-04-01

The photosystem II (PSII) reaction center (RC) is a hydrophobic intrinsic protein complex that drives the water-oxidation process of photosynthesis. Unlike the bacterial RC complex, an X-ray crystal structure of the PSII RC is not available. In order to determine the physical dimensions of the isolated PSII RC complex, we applied Langmuir techniques to determine the cross-sectional area of an isolated RC in a condensed monolayer film. Low-angle X-ray diffraction results obtained by examining Langmuir-Blodgett multilayer films of alternating PSII RC/Cd stearate monolayers were used to determine the length (or height; z-direction, perpendicular to the plane of the original membrane) of the complex. The values obtained for a PSII RC monomer were 26 nm2 and 4.8 nm, respectively, and the structural integrity of the RC in the multilayer film was confirmed by several approaches. Assuming a cylindrical-type RC structure, the above dimensions lead to a predicted volume of about 125 nm3. This value is very close to the expected volume of 118 nm3, calculated from the known molecular weight and partial specific volume of the PSII RC proteins. This same type of comparison was also made with the Rhodobacter sphaeroides RC based on published data, and we conclude that the PSII RC is much shorter in length and has a more regular solid geometric structure than the bacterial RC. Furthermore, the above dimensions of the PSII RC and those of PSII core (RC plus proximal antenna) proteins protruding outside the plane of the PSII membrane into the lumenal space as imaged by scanning tunneling microscopy (Seibert, Aust. J. Pl. Physiol. 22, 161-166, 1995) fit easily into the known dimensions of the PSII core complex visualized by others as electron-density projection maps. From this we conclude that the in situ PSII core complex is a dimeric structure containing two copies of the PSII RC.

Thidiazuron Triggers Morphogenesis in Rosa canina L. Protocorm-Like Bodies by Changing Incipient Cell Fate

PubMed Central

Kou, Yaping; Yuan, Cunquan; Zhao, Qingcui; Liu, Guoqin; Nie, Jing; Ma, Zhimin; Cheng, Chenxia; Teixeira da Silva, Jaime A.; Zhao, Liangjun

2016-01-01

Thidiazuron (N-phenyl-N′-1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-ylurea; TDZ) is an artificial plant growth regulator that is widely used in plant tissue culture. Protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) induced by TDZ serve as an efficient and rapid in vitro regeneration system in Rosa species. Despite this, the mechanism of PLB induction remains relatively unclear. TDZ, which can affect the level of endogenous auxins and cytokinins, converts the cell fate of rhizoid tips and triggers PLB formation and plantlet regeneration in Rosa canina L. In callus-rhizoids, which are rhizoids that co-develop from callus, auxin and a Z-type cytokinin accumulated after applying TDZ, and transcription of the auxin transporter gene RcPIN1 was repressed. The expression of RcARF4, RcRR1, RcCKX2, RcCKX3, and RcLOG1 increased in callus-rhizoids and rhizoid tips while the transcription of an auxin response factor (RcARF1) and auxin transport proteins (RcPIN2, RcPIN3) decreased in callus-rhizoids but increased in rhizoid tips. In situ hybridization of rhizoids showed that RcWUS and RcSERK1 were highly expressed in columella cells and root stem cells resulting in the conversion of cell fate into shoot apical meristems or embryogenic callus. In addition, transgenic XVE::RcWUS lines showed repressed RcWUS overexpression while RcWUS had no effect on PLB morphogenesis. Furthermore, higher expression of the root stem cell marker RcWOX5 and root stem cell maintenance regulator genes RcPLT1 and RcPLT2 indicated the presence of a dedifferentiation developmental pathway in the stem cell niche of rhizoids. Viewed together, our results indicate that different cells in rhizoid tips acquired regeneration competence after induction by TDZ. A novel developmental pathway containing different cell types during PLB formation was identified by analyzing the endogenous auxin and cytokinin content. This study also provides a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying in vitro regeneration in Rosa. PMID:27200031

Concrete Infill Monitoring in Concrete-Filled FRP Tubes Using a PZT-Based Ultrasonic Time-of-Flight Method.

PubMed

Luo, Mingzhang; Li, Weijie; Hei, Chuang; Song, Gangbing

2016-12-07

Concrete-filled fiber-reinforced polymer tubes (CFFTs) have attracted interest for their structural applications in corrosive environments. However, a weak interfacial strength between the fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) tube and the concrete infill may develop due to concrete shrinkage and inadequate concrete compaction during concrete casting, which will destroy the confinement effect and thereby reduce the load bearing capacity of a CFFT. In this paper, the lead zirconate titanate (PZT)-based ultrasonic time-of-flight (TOF) method was adopted to assess the concrete infill condition of CFFTs. The basic idea of this method is that the velocity of the ultrasonic wave propagation in the FRP material is about half of that in concrete material. Any voids or debonding created along the interface between the FRP tube and the concrete will delay the arrival time between the pairs of PZT transducers. A comparison of the arrival times of the PZT pairs between the intact and the defected CFFT was made to assess the severity of the voids or the debonding. The feasibility of the methodology was analyzed using a finite-difference time-domain-based numerical simulation. Experiments were setup to validate the numerical results, which showed good agreement with the numerical findings. The results showed that the ultrasonic time-of-flight method is able to detect the concrete infill condition of CFFTs.

Concrete Infill Monitoring in Concrete-Filled FRP Tubes Using a PZT-Based Ultrasonic Time-of-Flight Method

PubMed Central

Luo, Mingzhang; Li, Weijie; Hei, Chuang; Song, Gangbing

2016-01-01

Concrete-filled fiber-reinforced polymer tubes (CFFTs) have attracted interest for their structural applications in corrosive environments. However, a weak interfacial strength between the fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) tube and the concrete infill may develop due to concrete shrinkage and inadequate concrete compaction during concrete casting, which will destroy the confinement effect and thereby reduce the load bearing capacity of a CFFT. In this paper, the lead zirconate titanate (PZT)-based ultrasonic time-of-flight (TOF) method was adopted to assess the concrete infill condition of CFFTs. The basic idea of this method is that the velocity of the ultrasonic wave propagation in the FRP material is about half of that in concrete material. Any voids or debonding created along the interface between the FRP tube and the concrete will delay the arrival time between the pairs of PZT transducers. A comparison of the arrival times of the PZT pairs between the intact and the defected CFFT was made to assess the severity of the voids or the debonding. The feasibility of the methodology was analyzed using a finite-difference time-domain-based numerical simulation. Experiments were setup to validate the numerical results, which showed good agreement with the numerical findings. The results showed that the ultrasonic time-of-flight method is able to detect the concrete infill condition of CFFTs. PMID:27941617

Assisted living and nursing homes: apples and oranges?

PubMed

Zimmerman, Sheryl; Gruber-Baldini, Ann L; Sloane, Philip D; Eckert, J Kevin; Hebel, J Richard; Morgan, Leslie A; Stearns, Sally C; Wildfire, Judith; Magaziner, Jay; Chen, Cory; Konrad, Thomas R

2003-04-01

The goals of this study are to describe the current state of residential care/assisted living (RC/AL) care and residents in comparison with nursing home (NH) care and residents, identify different types of RC/AL care and residents, and consider how variation in RC/AL case-mix reflects differences in care provision and/or consumer preference. Data were derived from the Collaborative Studies of Long-Term Care, a four-state study of 193 RC/AL facilities and 40 NHs. Multivariate analyses examined differences in ten process of care measures between RC/AL facilities with less than 16 beds; traditional RC/AL with 16 or more beds; new-model RC/AL; and NHs. Generalized estimating equation models determined differences in resident case-mix across RC/AL facilities using data for 2,078 residents. NHs report provision of significantly more health services and have significantly more lenient admission policies than RC/AL facilities, but provide less privacy. They do not differ from larger RC/AL facilities in policy clarity or resident control. Differences within RC/AL types are evident, with smaller and for-profit facilities scoring lower than other facilities across multiple process measures, including those related to individual freedom and institutional order. Resident impairment is substantial in both NHs and RC/AL settings, but differs by RC/AL facility characteristics. Differences in process of care and resident characteristics by facility type highlight the importance of considering: (1) the adequacy of existing process measures for evaluating smaller facilities; (2) resident case-mix when comparing facility types and outcomes; and (3) the complexity of understanding the implication of the process of care, given the importance of person-environment fit. Work is continuing to clarify the role of RC/AL vis-à-vis NHs in our nation's system of residential long-term care.

Infilling and quality checking of discharge, precipitation and temperature data using a copula based approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anwar, Faizan; Bárdossy, András; Seidel, Jochen

2017-04-01

Estimating missing values in a time series of a hydrological variable is an everyday task for a hydrologist. Existing methods such as inverse distance weighting, multivariate regression, and kriging, though simple to apply, provide no indication of the quality of the estimated value and depend mainly on the values of neighboring stations at a given step in the time series. Copulas have the advantage of representing the pure dependence structure between two or more variables (given the relationship between them is monotonic). They rid us of questions such as transforming the data before use or calculating functions that model the relationship between the considered variables. A copula-based approach is suggested to infill discharge, precipitation, and temperature data. As a first step the normal copula is used, subsequently, the necessity to use non-normal / non-symmetrical dependence is investigated. Discharge and temperature are treated as regular continuous variables and can be used without processing for infilling and quality checking. Due to the mixed distribution of precipitation values, it has to be treated differently. This is done by assigning a discrete probability to the zeros and treating the rest as a continuous distribution. Building on the work of others, along with infilling, the normal copula is also utilized to identify values in a time series that might be erroneous. This is done by treating the available value as missing, infilling it using the normal copula and checking if it lies within a confidence band (5 to 95% in our case) of the obtained conditional distribution. Hydrological data from two catchments Upper Neckar River (Germany) and Santa River (Peru) are used to demonstrate the application for datasets with different data quality. The Python code used here is also made available on GitHub. The required input is the time series of a given variable at different stations.

Solvent sensitivity of smart 3D-printed nanocomposite liquid sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aliheidari, Nahal; Ameli, Amir; Pötschke, Petra

2018-03-01

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is one of the 3D printing methods that has attracted significant attention. In this method, small and complex samples with nearly no limitation in geometry can be fabricated layer by layer to form end-use parts. This work investigates the liquid sensing behavior of FDM printed flexible thermoplastic polyurethane, TPU filled with multiwalled carbon nanotubes, MWCNTs. The sensing capability of printed TPU-MWCNT was studied as a function of MWCNT content and infill density in response to different solvents, i.e., ethanol, acetone and toluene. The solvents were selected based on their widespread use and importance in medical and industrial applications. U-shaped liquid sensors with 2, 3 and 4wt.% MWCNT content were printed at three different infill densities of 50, 75 and 100%. Solvent sensitivity was then characterized by immersing the sensors in the solvents and measuring the resistance evolution over 25s. The results indicated a sensitivity order of acetone > toluene > ethanol, which was in agreement with the predictions of FloryHiggins solubility equation. For all the solvents, the sensitivity was enhanced as the infill density of the printed samples was decreased. This was attributed to the increased surface area to volume ratio and shortened diffusion paths. The MWCNT content was also observed to have a profound effect on the sensitivity; in samples with partial infill, the sensitivity was found to be inversely proportional to the MWCNT content, such that the highest resistance change was obtained for nanocomposites with the lowest MWCNT content of 2wt.%. For instance, a resistance increase of more than 10 times was obtained in 25 s once TPU-2wt.%MWCNT with 50% infill was tested against acetone. The results of this work reveals that highly sensitive liquid sensors can be fabricated with the aid of 3D printing without the need for complex processing methods.

Interpenetrated Networks between Graphitic Carbon Infilling and Ultrafine TiO2 Nanocrystals with Patterned Macroporous Structure for High-Performance Lithium Ion Batteries.

PubMed

Zheng, Wenji; Yan, Zhijun; Dai, Yan; Du, Naixu; Jiang, Xiaobin; Dai, Hailing; Li, Xiangcun; He, Gaohong

2017-06-21

Interpenetrated networks between graphitic carbon infilling and ultrafine TiO 2 nanocrystals with patterned macropores (100-200 nm) were successfully synthesized. Polypyrrole layer was conformably coated on the primary TiO 2 nanoparticles (∼8 nm) by a photosensitive reaction and was then transformed into carbon infilling in the interparticle mesopores of the TiO 2 nanoparticles. Compared to the carbon/graphene supported TiO 2 nanoparticles or carbon coated TiO 2 nanostructures, the carbon infilling would provide a conductive medium and buffer layer for volume expansion of the encapsulated TiO 2 nanoparticles, thus enhancing conductivity and cycle stability of the C-TiO 2 anode materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). In addition, the macropores with diameters of 100-200 nm in the C-TiO 2 anode and the mesopores in carbon infilling could improve electrolyte transportation in the electrodes and shorten the lithium ion diffusion length. The C-TiO 2 electrode can provide a large capacity of 192.8 mA h g -1 after 100 cycles at 200 mA g -1 , which is higher than those of the pure macroporous TiO 2 electrode (144.8 mA h g -1 ), C-TiO 2 composite electrode without macroporous structure (128 mA h g -1 ), and most of the TiO 2 based electrodes in the literature. Importantly, the C-TiO 2 electrode exhibits a high rate performance and still delivers a high capacity of ∼140 mA h g -1 after 1000 cycles at 1000 mA g -1 (∼5.88 C), suggesting good lithium storage properties of the macroporous C-TiO 2 composites with high capacity, cycle stability, and rate capability. This work would be instructive for designing hierarchical porous TiO 2 based anodes for high-performance LIBs.

Derivation of energy-based base shear force coefficient considering hysteretic behavior and P-delta effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ucar, Taner; Merter, Onur

2018-01-01

A modified energy-balance equation accounting for P-delta effects and hysteretic behavior of reinforced concrete members is derived. Reduced hysteretic properties of structural components due to combined stiffness and strength degradation and pinching effects, and hysteretic damping are taken into account in a simple manner by utilizing plastic energy and seismic input energy modification factors. Having a pre-selected yield mechanism, energy balance of structure in inelastic range is considered. P-delta effects are included in derived equation by adding the external work of gravity loads to the work of equivalent inertia forces and equating the total external work to the modified plastic energy. Earthquake energy input to multi degree of freedom (MDOF) system is approximated by using the modal energy-decomposition. Energy-based base shear coefficients are verified by means of both pushover analysis and nonlinear time history (NLTH) analysis of several RC frames having different number of stories. NLTH analyses of frames are performed by using the time histories of ten scaled ground motions compatible with elastic design acceleration spectrum and fulfilling duration/amplitude related requirements of Turkish Seismic Design Code. The observed correlation between energy-based base shear force coefficients and the average base shear force coefficients of NLTH analyses provides a reasonable confidence in estimation of nonlinear base shear force capacity of frames by using the derived equation.

47 CFR 95.201 - (R/C Rule 1) What is the Radio Control (R/C) Radio Service?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false (R/C Rule 1) What is the Radio Control (R/C) Radio Service? 95.201 Section 95.201 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND SPECIAL RADIO SERVICES PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES Radio Control (R/C) Radio Service General...

Socioeconomic Impact of Infill Drilling Recovery from Carbonate Reservoirs in the Permian Basin, West Texas

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-05-01

called corporate income tax . The aforementioned taxes are computed from the infill drilling recovery revenue calculated using an oil price ranging...production is not used in these computations. However, oil and gas production is used to compute the federal corporate income tax . 6.2 Advalorem Tax Revenue...billion of the corporate income tax collected in 1992. This is a humbling fact because one can see how much effort it takes to generate 0.17% of the

Flexible regenerated cellulose/polypyrrole composite films with enhanced dielectric properties.

PubMed

Raghunathan, Sreejesh Poikavila; Narayanan, Sona; Poulose, Aby Cheruvathur; Joseph, Rani

2017-02-10

Flexible regenerated cellulose/polypyrrole (RC-PPy) conductive composite films were prepared by insitu polymerization of pyrrole on regenerated cellulose (RC) matrix using ammonium persulphate as oxidant. FTIR, XPS and XRD analysis of RC-PPy composite films revealed strong interaction between polypyrrole (PPy) and RC matrix. XRD results indicated that crystalline structure of RC matrix remains intact even after composite formation. SEM micrographs revealed the formation of a continuous conductive network of PPy particles in the RC matrix, leading to significant improvement in electrical and dielectric properties. The electrical conductivity of RC-PPy composites with 12wt% of PPy was 3.2×10 -5 S/cm, which is approximately seven fold higher than that of RC. Composites showed high dielectric constant and low dielectric loss values, which is essential in capacitor application. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Multivariate Analyses of Rotator Cuff Pathologies in Shoulder Disability

PubMed Central

Henseler, Jan F.; Raz, Yotam; Nagels, Jochem; van Zwet, Erik W.; Raz, Vered; Nelissen, Rob G. H. H.

2015-01-01

Background Disability of the shoulder joint is often caused by a tear in the rotator cuff (RC) muscles. Four RC muscles coordinate shoulder movement and stability, among them the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscle which are predominantly torn. The contribution of each RC muscle to tear pathology is not fully understood. We hypothesized that muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration, features of RC muscle degeneration, are predictive of superior humeral head translation and shoulder functional disability. Methods Shoulder features, including RC muscle surface area and fatty infiltration, superior humeral translation and RC tear size were obtained from a consecutive series of Magnetic Resonance Imaging with arthrography (MRA). We investigated patients with superior (supraspinatus, n = 39) and posterosuperior (supraspinatus and infraspinatus, n = 30) RC tears, and patients with an intact RC (n = 52) as controls. The individual or combinatorial contribution of RC measures to superior humeral translation, as a sign of RC dysfunction, was investigated with univariate or multivariate models, respectively. Results Using the univariate model the infraspinatus surface area and fatty infiltration in both the supraspinatus and infraspinatus had a significant contribution to RC dysfunction. With the multivariate model, however, the infraspinatus surface area only affected superior humeral translation (p<0.001) and discriminated between superior and posterosuperior tears. In contrast neither tear size nor fatty infiltration of the supraspinatus or infraspinatus contributed to superior humeral translation. Conclusion Our study reveals that infraspinatus atrophy has the strongest contribution to RC tear pathologies. This suggests a pivotal role for the infraspinatus in preventing shoulder disability. PMID:25710703

Lipophilization of somatostatin analog RC-160 improves its bioactivity and stability.

PubMed

Dasgupta, P; Singh, A T; Mukherjee, R

1999-07-01

Acromegaly is a symptomatically disabling condition, resulting from a growth hormone (GH) secreting pituitary tumor. The somatostatin analog RC- 160 is known to potently inhibit hypersecretion of GH, from pituitary adenomas. However, the therapeutic potential of RC-160, is limited by its short serum half life. To overcome this limitation, fatty acids with carbon chain lengths ranging from 4 to 18 were conjugated to RC-160. The GH-inhibitory activity of these lipopeptides, as well as their binding profile to somatostatin receptors, on the rat pituitary adenoma cell line GH3 was studied in vitro. The relative stability of lipophilized RC-160 towards degradation by crude papaya protease was also determined. The long chain lipopeptides, like myristoyl-RC-160 (carbon chain length = 14) were found to exhibit greater receptor affinity and GH-inhibitory activity, as compared to their counterparts of lower chain lengths. However, the receptor affinity and GH-inhibitory activity of stearoyl-RC-160 (carbon chain length = 18), was found to lower than RC-160 and its lipophilized derivatives. Unlike RC-160, the myristoylated derivative was found to have significantly greater resistance to protease and serum degradation (p < 0.01). Lipophilization of RC-160 with long chain fatty acids improves its stability and GH-inhibitory activity. The activity of lipophilized RC-160 seems to increase with increasing hydrophobicity of the lipopeptide, and reaches a maxima at myristoyl-RC-160 for GH3. Hence, optimizing the hydrophobicity should be an important consideration governing the design and synthesis of bioactive lipopeptides.

Role of endoscopic ultrasonography in the loco-regional staging of patients with rectal cancer

PubMed Central

Marone, Pietro; de Bellis, Mario; D’Angelo, Valentina; Delrio, Paolo; Passananti, Valentina; Di Girolamo, Elena; Rossi, Giovanni Battista; Rega, Daniela; Tracey, Maura Claire; Tempesta, Alfonso Mario

2015-01-01

The prognosis of rectal cancer (RC) is strictly related to both T and N stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis. RC staging is crucial for choosing the best multimodal therapy: patients with high risk locally advanced RC (LARC) undergo surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy (NAT); those with low risk LARC are operated on after a preoperative short-course radiation therapy; finally, surgery alone is recommended only for early RC. Several imaging methods are used for staging patients with RC: computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). EUS is highly accurate for the loco-regional staging of RC, since it is capable to evaluate precisely the mural infiltration of the tumor (T), especially in early RC. On the other hand, EUS is less accurate in restaging RC after NAT and before surgery. Finally, EUS is indicated for follow-up of patients operated on for RC, where there is a need for the surveillance of the anastomosis. The aim of this review is to highlight the impact of EUS on the management of patients with RC, evaluating its role in both preoperative staging and follow-up of patients after surgery. PMID:26140096

Comparative studies of the composition of bacterial microbiota associated with the ruminal content, ruminal epithelium and in the faeces of lactating dairy cows.

PubMed

Liu, Jun-hua; Zhang, Meng-ling; Zhang, Rui-yang; Zhu, Wei-yun; Mao, Sheng-yong

2016-03-01

The objective of this research was to compare the composition of bacterial microbiota associated with the ruminal content (RC), ruminal epithelium (RE) and faeces of Holstein dairy cows. The RC, RE and faecal samples were collected from six Holstein dairy cows when the animals were slaughtered. Community compositions of bacterial 16S rRNA genes from RC, RE and faeces were determined using a MiSeq sequencing platform with bacterial-targeting universal primers 338F and 806R. UniFrac analysis revealed that the bacterial communities of RC, RE and faeces were clearly separated from each other. Statistically significant dissimilarities were observed between RC and faeces (P = 0.002), between RC and RE (P = 0.003), and between RE and faeces (P = 0.001). A assignment of sequences to taxa showed that the abundance of the predominant phyla Bacteroidetes was lower in RE than in RC, while a significant higher (P < 0.01) abundance of Proteobacteria was present in RE than in RC. When compared with the RC, the abundance of Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobia was higher in faeces, and RC contained a greater abundance of Bacteroidetes and Tenericutes. A higher proportions of Butyrivibrio and Campylobacter dominated RE as compared to RC. The faecal microbiota was less diverse than RC and dominated by genera Turicibacter and Clostridium. In general, these findings clearly demonstrated the striking compositional differences among RC, RE and faeces, indicating that bacterial communities are specific and adapted to the harbouring environment. © 2016 The Authors. Microbial Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Society for Applied Microbiology.

Quantitative and qualitative analyses of subacromial impingement by kinematic open MRI.

PubMed

Tasaki, Atsushi; Nimura, Akimoto; Nozaki, Taiki; Yamakawa, Akira; Niitsu, Mamoru; Morita, Wataru; Hoshikawa, Yoshimitsu; Akita, Keiichi

2015-05-01

Quantitative and qualitative kinematic analyses of subacromial impingement by 1.2T open MRI were performed to determine the location of impingement and the involvement of the acromioclavicular joint. In 20 healthy shoulders, 10 sequential images in the scapular plane were taken in a 10-s pause at equal intervals from 30° to maximum abduction in neutral and internal rotation. The distances between the rotator cuff (RC) and the acromion and the acromioclavicular joint were measured. To comprehend the positional relationships, cadaveric specimens were also observed. Although asymptomatic, the RC came into contact with the acromion and the acromioclavicular joint in six and five cases, respectively. The superior RC acted as a depressor for the humeral head against the acromion as the shoulder elevated. The mean elevation angle and distance at the closest position between the RC and the acromion in neutral rotation were 93.5° and 1.6 mm, respectively, while those between the RC and the acromioclavicular joint were 86.7° and 2.0 mm. When comparing this distance and angle, there was no significant difference between the RC to the acromion and to the acromioclavicular joint. The minimum distance between the RC and the acromion was significantly shorter than that between the greater tuberosity and the acromion. The location of RC closest to the acromion and the acromioclavicular joint differed significantly. Although asymptomatic, contact was found between the RC and the acromion and the acromioclavicular joint. The important role of the RC to prevent impingement was observed, and hence, dysfunction of the RC could lead to impingement that could result in a RC lesion. The RC lesions may differ when they are caused by impingement from either the acromion or the acromioclavicular joint.

New Technique for Developing a Proton Range Compensator With Use of a 3-Dimensional Printer

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

Ju, Sang Gyu, E-mail: sg.ju@samsung.com; Kim, Min Kyu; Hong, Chae-Seon

2014-02-01

Purpose: A new system for manufacturing a proton range compensator (RC) was developed by using a 3-dimensional printer (3DP). The physical accuracy and dosimetric characteristics of the new RC manufactured by 3DP (RC{sub 3}DP) were compared with those of a conventional RC (RC{sub C}MM) manufactured by a computerized milling machine (CMM). Methods and Materials: An RC for brain tumor treatment with a scattered proton beam was calculated with a treatment planning system, and the resulting data were converted into a new format for 3DP using in-house software. The RC{sub 3}DP was printed with ultraviolet curable acrylic plastic, and an RC{submore » C}MM was milled into polymethylmethacrylate using a CMM. The inner shape of both RCs was scanned by using a 3D scanner and compared with TPS data by applying composite analysis (CA; with 1-mm depth difference and 1 mm distance-to-agreement criteria) to verify their geometric accuracy. The position and distal penumbra of distal dose falloff at the central axis and field width of the dose profile at the midline depth of spread-out Bragg peak were measured for the 2 RCs to evaluate their dosimetric characteristics. Both RCs were imaged on a computed tomography scanner to evaluate uniformity of internal density. The manufacturing times for both RCs were compared to evaluate the production efficiency. Results: The pass rates for the CA test were 99.5% and 92.5% for RC{sub 3}DP and RC{sub C}MM, respectively. There was no significant difference in dosimetric characteristics and uniformity of internal density between the 2 RCs. The net fabrication times of RC{sub 3}DP and RC{sub C}MM were about 18 and 3 hours, respectively. Conclusions: The physical accuracy and dosimetric characteristics of RC{sub 3}DP were comparable with those of the conventional RC{sub C}MM, and significant system minimization was provided.« less

Interaction of 3H+ (as HTO) and 36Cl- (as Na36Cl) with crushed granite and corresponding fracture infill material investigated in column experiments.

PubMed

Štamberg, K; Palágyi, Š; Videnská, K; Havlová, V

The transport of 3 H + (as HTO) and 36 Cl - (as Na 36 Cl) was investigated in the dynamic system, i.e., in the columns filled with crushed pure granite and fracture infill of various grain sizes. The aim of column experiments was to determine important transport parameter, such as the retardation, respectively distribution coefficients, Peclet numbers and hydrodynamic dispersion coefficients. Furthermore, the research was focused to quantification of the effect of grain size on migration of studied radionuclides. The experimental breakthrough curves were fitted by a model based on the erfc-function, assuming a linear reversible equilibrium sorption/desorption isotherm, and the above mentioned transport parameters were determined. The results showed that influence of grain size on sorption of 3 H + and 36 Cl - was negligible. Retardation and distribution coefficients of both tracers converged to one and zero, respectively, in case of all fractions of crushed granite and infill material. Generally, the presumed ion exclusion of 36 Cl in anionic form was proved under given conditions, only very weak one seems to exist in a case of infill material. In principal, both radionuclides behaved as non-sorbing, conservative tracers. On the other hand, the influence of grain size on Peclet numbers value and on dispersion coefficient was observed for both crystalline materials, namely in agreement with theoretical suppositions that the values of Peclet numbers decrease with increasing grain size and values of dispersion coefficient increase.

Sediment Transport and Slope Stability of Ship Shoal Borrow Areas for Coastal Restoration of Louisiana

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, H.; Xu, K.; Bentley, S. J.; Li, C.; Miner, M. D.; Wilson, C.; Xue, Z.

2017-12-01

Sandy barrier islands along Louisiana coast are degrading rapidly due to both natural and anthropogenic factors. Ship Shoal is one of the largest offshore sand resources, and has been used as a borrow area for Caminada Headland Restoration Project. Our knowledge of sediment transport and infilling processes in this new sandy and dynamic borrow area is rather limited. High resolution sub-bottom seismic data, side scan sonar images, multi-beam bathymetry and laser sediment grain size data were used to study seafloor morphological evolution and pit wall stability in response to both physical and geological processes. The multi-beam bathymetry and seismic profiling inside the pit showed that disequilibrium conditions led to rapid infilling in the pits at the beginning, but this process slowed down after the pit slope became stable and topography became smooth. We hypothesize that the erosion of the adjacent seabed sediment by energetic waves and longshore currents, the supply of suspended sediment from the rivers, and the erodible materials produced by local mass wasting on pit walls are three main types of infilling sediments. Compared with mud-capped dredge pits, this sandy dredge pit seems to have more gentle slopes on pit walls, which might be controlled by the angle of repose. Infilling sediment seems to be dominantly sandy, with some mud patches on bathymetric depressions. This study helps us better understand the impacts of mining sediment for coastal restoration and improves sand resource management efforts.

Lipophilization of somatostatin analog RC-160 with long chain fatty acid improves its anti-proliferative activity on human oral carcinoma cells in vitro.

PubMed

Dasgupta, P; Singh, A T; Mukherjee, R

2000-03-01

Oral cancer which comprises about 40% of total cancers in India, has one of the lowest relative survival rates of all cancers. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been known to play a role in the proliferation/malignant transformation of oral neoplasms. Since, the somatostatin analog RC-160 is reported to be a potent inhibitor of EGF stimulated cell proliferation, its anti-proliferative activity in the human oral carcinoma cell line KB was investigated, in this study. RC-160 was found to potently inhibit EGF-induced proliferation in KB cells in vitro, suggesting a therapeutic potential of the same in oral carcinoma. However, the therapeutic potential of RC-160 is limited by its short serum half life. To overcome this limitation, fatty acids namely butanoic acid and myristic acid individually were coupled to RC-160. The lipophilized derivatives of RC-160 were synthesized, purified and characterized. The anti-proliferative activity of lipophilized derivatives of RC-160 on KB cells was evaluated in vitro. Myristoyl-RC-160 (0.75 nM) inhibited the growth of KB cells at a 10-fold lower concentration relative to RC-160 (8.8 nM) and at a 100-fold lower concentration relative to butanoyl-RC-160 (0.83 microM) (p<0.001). The affinity of RC-160 towards somatostatin receptors remains unaltered by lipophilization. The signaling pathways underlying the antineoplastic activity of these lipopeptides are similar to RC-160, and do not involve the stimulation of a protein tyrosine phosphatase or a serine threonine phosphatase 1A and 2A. The anti-proliferative activity of the lipopeptides was found to be mediated by somatostatin receptors and correlates with the inhibition of protein tyrosine kinase activity and decrease in intracellular cAMP levels. Myristoyl-RC-160 displayed significantly greater resistance towards trypsin and serum degradation than RC-160 (p<0.01). These findings demonstrate that RC-160 can inhibit the growth of oral cancer cells in vitro. Lipophilization of RC-160 with long chain fatty acids like myristic acid improves its stability and anti-proliferative activity, in human oral carcinoma cells in vitro, thereby enhancing the scope of improving its therapeutic index.

Comparative Study on Code-based Linear Evaluation of an Existing RC Building Damaged during 1998 Adana-Ceyhan Earthquake

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

Toprak, A. Emre; Guelay, F. Guelten; Ruge, Peter

2008-07-08

Determination of seismic performance of existing buildings has become one of the key concepts in structural analysis topics after recent earthquakes (i.e. Izmit and Duzce Earthquakes in 1999, Kobe Earthquake in 1995 and Northridge Earthquake in 1994). Considering the need for precise assessment tools to determine seismic performance level, most of earthquake hazardous countries try to include performance based assessment in their seismic codes. Recently, Turkish Earthquake Code 2007 (TEC'07), which was put into effect in March 2007, also introduced linear and non-linear assessment procedures to be applied prior to building retrofitting. In this paper, a comparative study is performedmore » on the code-based seismic assessment of RC buildings with linear static methods of analysis, selecting an existing RC building. The basic principles dealing the procedure of seismic performance evaluations for existing RC buildings according to Eurocode 8 and TEC'07 will be outlined and compared. Then the procedure is applied to a real case study building is selected which is exposed to 1998 Adana-Ceyhan Earthquake in Turkey, the seismic action of Ms = 6.3 with a maximum ground acceleration of 0.28 g It is a six-storey RC residential building with a total of 14.65 m height, composed of orthogonal frames, symmetrical in y direction and it does not have any significant structural irregularities. The rectangular shaped planar dimensions are 16.40 mx7.80 m = 127.90 m{sup 2} with five spans in x and two spans in y directions. It was reported that the building had been moderately damaged during the 1998 earthquake and retrofitting process was suggested by the authorities with adding shear-walls to the system. The computations show that the performing methods of analysis with linear approaches using either Eurocode 8 or TEC'07 independently produce similar performance levels of collapse for the critical storey of the structure. The computed base shear value according to Eurocode is much higher than the requirements of the Turkish Earthquake Code while the selected ground conditions represent the same characteristics. The main reason is that the ordinate of the horizontal elastic response spectrum for Eurocode 8 is increased by the soil factor. In TEC'07 force-based linear assessment, the seismic demands at cross-sections are to be checked with residual moment capacities; however, the chord rotations of primary ductile elements must be checked for Eurocode safety verifications. On the other hand, the demand curvatures from linear methods of analysis of Eurocode 8 together with TEC'07 are almost similar.« less

Metasurfaced Reverberation Chamber.

PubMed

Sun, Hengyi; Li, Zhuo; Gu, Changqing; Xu, Qian; Chen, Xinlei; Sun, Yunhe; Lu, Shengchen; Martin, Ferran

2018-01-25

The concept of metasurfaced reverberation chamber (RC) is introduced in this paper. It is shown that by coating the chamber wall with a rotating 1-bit random coding metasurface, it is possible to enlarge the test zone of the RC while maintaining the field uniformity as good as that in a traditional RC with mechanical stirrers. A 1-bit random coding diffusion metasurface is designed to obtain all-direction backscattering under normal incidence. Three specific cases are studied for comparisons, including a (traditional) mechanical stirrer RC, a mechanical stirrer RC with a fixed diffusion metasurface, and a RC with a rotating diffusion metasurface. Simulation results show that the compact rotating diffusion metasurface can act as a stirrer with good stirring efficiency. By using such rotating diffusion metasurface, the test region of the RC can be greatly extended.

Contact geometry at the undersurface of the acromion with and without a rotator cuff tear.

PubMed

Lee, S B; Itoi, E; O'Driscoll, S W; An, K N

2001-04-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in contact geometry at the undersurface of acromion in shoulders with and without a rotator cuff (RC) tear. Case-control study. Forty fresh cadaveric shoulders (average age at death, 61 years) without gross osteoarthritic changes were divided into the intact RC group (n = 20) and the RC tear group (n = 20). Clinical impingement was simulated by compressing the humeral head and the intact portion of the RC against the coracoacromial arch with an axial compressive force of 25 kg while the humerus was held abducted 20 degrees in the scapular plane. The contact pattern between the acromion and the RC was measured with Fuji Prescale super low-pressure-sensitive film (Fuji Photo Film Co, Ltd, Tokyo, Japan). The imprint image was analyzed using Global Lab image software (Automatix, Marlboro, MA). The percentage of the maximum anteroposterior dimension of the imprint on Fuji film to the anteroposterior diameter of the acromial undersurface was 29% +/- 9% in intact RC shoulders, and 39% +/- 13% in shoulders with an RC tear (P >.05). The percentage of the maximum mediolateral dimension of the imprint to the mediolateral diameter of the corresponding part of the acromial undersurface was 27% +/- 12% in intact RC shoulders, and 48% +/- 11% in shoulders with an RC tear. This difference was statistically significant (P <.005). The contact geometry of the acromial undersurface with the underlying RC in the anteroposterior dimension, which might be related to the appearance in supraspinatus outlet view, was not significantly different between shoulders with and without an RC tear. These findings suggest that factors other than acromial shape play a significant role in the pathogenesis of RC tears. The implication regarding the role of acromioplasty remains to be clarified.

DUKSUP: A Computer Program for High Thrust Launch Vehicle Trajectory Design and Optimization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, C. H.; Spurlock, O. F.

2014-01-01

From the late 1960's through 1997, the leadership of NASA's Intermediate and Large class unmanned expendable launch vehicle projects resided at the NASA Lewis (now Glenn) Research Center (LeRC). One of LeRC's primary responsibilities --- trajectory design and performance analysis --- was accomplished by an internally-developed analytic three dimensional computer program called DUKSUP. Because of its Calculus of Variations-based optimization routine, this code was generally more capable of finding optimal solutions than its contemporaries. A derivation of optimal control using the Calculus of Variations is summarized including transversality, intermediate, and final conditions. The two point boundary value problem is explained. A brief summary of the code's operation is provided, including iteration via the Newton-Raphson scheme and integration of variational and motion equations via a 4th order Runge-Kutta scheme. Main subroutines are discussed. The history of the LeRC trajectory design efforts in the early 1960's is explained within the context of supporting the Centaur upper stage program. How the code was constructed based on the operation of the Atlas/Centaur launch vehicle, the limits of the computers of that era, the limits of the computer programming languages, and the missions it supported are discussed. The vehicles DUKSUP supported (Atlas/Centaur, Titan/Centaur, and Shuttle/Centaur) are briefly described. The types of missions, including Earth orbital and interplanetary, are described. The roles of flight constraints and their impact on launch operations are detailed (such as jettisoning hardware on heating, Range Safety, ground station tracking, and elliptical parking orbits). The computer main frames on which the code was hosted are described. The applications of the code are detailed, including independent check of contractor analysis, benchmarking, leading edge analysis, and vehicle performance improvement assessments. Several of DUKSUP's many major impacts on launches are discussed including Intelsat, Voyager, Pioneer Venus, HEAO, Galileo, and Cassini.

Primary Respiratory Chain Disease Causes Tissue-Specific Dysregulation of the Global Transcriptome and Nutrient-Sensing Signaling Network

PubMed Central

Zhang, Zhe; Tsukikawa, Mai; Peng, Min; Polyak, Erzsebet; Nakamaru-Ogiso, Eiko; Ostrovsky, Julian; McCormack, Shana; Place, Emily; Clarke, Colleen; Reiner, Gail; McCormick, Elizabeth; Rappaport, Eric; Haas, Richard; Baur, Joseph A.; Falk, Marni J.

2013-01-01

Primary mitochondrial respiratory chain (RC) diseases are heterogeneous in etiology and manifestations but collectively impair cellular energy metabolism. Mechanism(s) by which RC dysfunction causes global cellular sequelae are poorly understood. To identify a common cellular response to RC disease, integrated gene, pathway, and systems biology analyses were performed in human primary RC disease skeletal muscle and fibroblast transcriptomes. Significant changes were evident in muscle across diverse RC complex and genetic etiologies that were consistent with prior reports in other primary RC disease models and involved dysregulation of genes involved in RNA processing, protein translation, transport, and degradation, and muscle structure. Global transcriptional and post-transcriptional dysregulation was also found to occur in a highly tissue-specific fashion. In particular, RC disease muscle had decreased transcription of cytosolic ribosomal proteins suggestive of reduced anabolic processes, increased transcription of mitochondrial ribosomal proteins, shorter 5′-UTRs that likely improve translational efficiency, and stabilization of 3′-UTRs containing AU-rich elements. RC disease fibroblasts showed a strikingly similar pattern of global transcriptome dysregulation in a reverse direction. In parallel with these transcriptional effects, RC disease dysregulated the integrated nutrient-sensing signaling network involving FOXO, PPAR, sirtuins, AMPK, and mTORC1, which collectively sense nutrient availability and regulate cellular growth. Altered activities of central nodes in the nutrient-sensing signaling network were validated by phosphokinase immunoblot analysis in RC inhibited cells. Remarkably, treating RC mutant fibroblasts with nicotinic acid to enhance sirtuin and PPAR activity also normalized mTORC1 and AMPK signaling, restored NADH/NAD+ redox balance, and improved cellular respiratory capacity. These data specifically highlight a common pathogenesis extending across different molecular and biochemical etiologies of individual RC disorders that involves global transcriptome modifications. We further identify the integrated nutrient-sensing signaling network as a common cellular response that mediates, and may be amenable to targeted therapies for, tissue-specific sequelae of primary mitochondrial RC disease. PMID:23894440

Modified LaRC(TM)-IA Polyimides

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

St. Clair, Terry L.; Chang, Alice C.; Hou, Tan H.; Working, Dennis C.

1994-01-01

Modified versions of thermoplastic polyimide LaRC(TM)-IA incorporate various amounts of additional, rigid moieties into backbones of LaRC(TM)-IA molecules. Modified versions more resistant to solvents and exhibit higher glass-transition temperatures, yet retain melt-flow processability of unmodified LaRC(TM)-IA.

47 CFR 95.221 - (R/C Rule 21) How do I have my R/C transmitter serviced?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... FCC certificated R/C transmitter (see R/C Rule 9) must be made in accord with the Technical... in order to: (1) Adjust a transmitter to an antenna; (2) Detect or measure radiation of energy other...

Experimental Characteristics of Dry Stack Masonry under Compression and Shear Loading

PubMed Central

Lin, Kun; Totoev, Yuri Zarevich; Liu, Hongjun; Wei, Chunli

2015-01-01

The behavior of dry stack masonry (DSM) is influenced by the interaction of the infill with the frame (especially the joints between bricks), which requires further research. This study investigates the compression and shear behaviors of DSM. First, a series of compression tests were carried out on both masonry prism with mortar (MP_m) and DSM prism (MP_ds). The failure mode of each prism was determined. Different from the MP_m, the stress-strain relationship of the MP_ds was characterized by an upward concavity at the initial stage. The compression strength of the MP_ds was slightly reduced by 15%, while the elastic modulus was reduced by over 62%. In addition, 36 shear-compression tests were carried out under cyclic loads to emphasize the influence of various loads on the shear-compression behavior of DSM. The results showed that the Mohr-Coulomb friction law adequately represents the failure of dry joints at moderate stress levels, and the varying friction coefficients under different load amplitudes cannot be neglected. The experimental setup and results are valuable for further research. PMID:28793741

Experimental Characteristics of Dry Stack Masonry under Compression and Shear Loading.

PubMed

Lin, Kun; Totoev, Yuri Zarevich; Liu, Hongjun; Wei, Chunli

2015-12-12

The behavior of dry stack masonry (DSM) is influenced by the interaction of the infill with the frame (especially the joints between bricks), which requires further research. This study investigates the compression and shear behaviors of DSM. First, a series of compression tests were carried out on both masonry prism with mortar (MP_m) and DSM prism (MP_ds). The failure mode of each prism was determined. Different from the MP_m, the stress-strain relationship of the MP_ds was characterized by an upward concavity at the initial stage. The compression strength of the MP_ds was slightly reduced by 15%, while the elastic modulus was reduced by over 62%. In addition, 36 shear-compression tests were carried out under cyclic loads to emphasize the influence of various loads on the shear-compression behavior of DSM. The results showed that the Mohr-Coulomb friction law adequately represents the failure of dry joints at moderate stress levels, and the varying friction coefficients under different load amplitudes cannot be neglected. The experimental setup and results are valuable for further research.

Dog rose (Rosa canina L.) as a functional ingredient in porcine frankfurters without added sodium ascorbate and sodium nitrite.

PubMed

Vossen, Els; Utrera, Mariana; De Smet, Stefaan; Morcuende, David; Estévez, Mario

2012-12-01

The effect of dog rose (Rosa canina L.; RC), rich in polyphenols and ascorbic acid, on lipid and protein oxidation, colour stability and texture of frankfurters was investigated. Four treatments were prepared: with 5 or 30 g/kg RC extract and without sodium ascorbate and sodium nitrite (5RC and 30RC, respectively), a positive control (with sodium ascorbate and sodium nitrite; PC) and a negative control (without sodium ascorbate, sodium nitrite or RC extract; NC). Hexanal values were much higher throughout storage in NC compared to RC and PC frankfurters (P<0.001). The RC extracts protected against protein oxidation, but not as efficiently as PC (P<0.05). In the RC treated frankfurters, lower a* values were measured compared to PC due to the lack of sodium nitrite. In conclusion, dog rose can act as a natural antioxidant in frankfurters, but not as full replacer for sodium nitrite. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Electrospun regenerated cellulose nanofibrous membranes surface-grafted with polymer chains/brushes via the atom transfer radical polymerization method for catalase immobilization.

PubMed

Feng, Quan; Hou, Dayin; Zhao, Yong; Xu, Tao; Menkhaus, Todd J; Fong, Hao

2014-12-10

In this study, an electrospun regenerated cellulose (RC) nanofibrous membrane with fiber diameters of ∼200-400 nm was prepared first; subsequently, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), 2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), and acrylic acid (AA) were selected as the monomers for surface grafting of polymer chains/brushes via the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) method. Thereafter, four nanofibrous membranes (i.e., RC, RC-poly(HEMA), RC-poly(DMAEMA), and RC-poly(AA)) were explored as innovative supports for immobilization of an enzyme of bovine liver catalase (CAT). The amount/capacity, activity, stability, and reusability of immobilized catalase were evaluated, and the kinetic parameters (Vmax and Km) for immobilized and free catalase were determined. The results indicated that the respective amounts/capacities of immobilized catalase on RC-poly(HEMA) and RC-poly(DMAEMA) nanofibrous membranes reached 78 ± 3.5 and 67 ± 2.7 mg g(-1), which were considerably higher than the previously reported values. Meanwhile, compared to that of free CAT (i.e., 18 days), the half-life periods of RC-CAT, RC-poly(HEMA)-CAT, RC-poly(DMAEMA)-CAT, and RC-poly(AA)-CAT were 49, 58, 56, and 60 days, respectively, indicating that the storage stability of immobilized catalase was also significantly improved. Furthermore, the immobilized catalase exhibited substantially higher resistance to temperature variation (tested from 5 to 70 °C) and lower degree of sensitivity to pH value (tested from 4.0 and 10.0) than the free catalase. In particular, according to the kinetic parameters of Vmax and Km, the nanofibrous membranes of RC-poly(HEMA) (i.e., 5102 μmol mg(-1) min(-1) and 44.89 mM) and RC-poly(DMAEMA) (i.e., 4651 μmol mg(-1) min(-1) and 46.98 mM) had the most satisfactory biocompatibility with immobilized catalase. It was therefore concluded that the electrospun RC nanofibrous membranes surface-grafted with 3-dimensional nanolayers of polymer chains/brushes would be suitable/ideal as efficient supports for high-density and reusable enzyme immobilization.

Successful Teaching of Radiobiology Students in the Medical Management of Acute Radiation Effects From Real Case Histories Using Clinical Signs and Symptoms and Taking Advantage of Recently Developed Software Tools.

PubMed

Majewski, Matthäus; Combs, Stephanie E; Trott, Klaus-Rüdiger; Abend, Michael; Port, Matthias

2018-07-01

In 2015, the Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology organized a North Atlantic Treaty Organization exercise to examine the significance of clinical signs and symptoms for the prediction of late-occurring acute radiation syndrome. Cases were generated using either the Medical Treatment Protocols for Radiation Accident Victims (METREPOL, n = 167) system or using real-case descriptions extracted from a database system for evaluation and archiving of radiation accidents based on case histories (SEARCH, n = 24). The cases ranged from unexposed [response category 0 (RC 0, n = 89)] to mild (RC 1, n = 45), moderate (RC 2, n = 19), severe (RC 3, n = 20), and lethal (RC 4, n = 18) acute radiation syndrome. During the previous exercise, expert teams successfully predicted hematological acute radiation syndrome severity, determined whether hospitalization was required, and gave treatment recommendations, taking advantage of different software tools developed by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization teams. The authors provided the same data set to radiobiology students who were introduced to the medical management of acute effects after radiation exposure and the software tools during a class lasting 15 h. Corresponding to the previous results, difficulties in the discrimination between RC 0/RC 1 and RC 3/RC 4, as well as a systematic underestimation of RC 1 and RC 2, were observed. Nevertheless, after merging reported response categories into clinically relevant groups (RC 0-1, RC 2-3, and RC 3-4), it was found that the majority of cases (95.2% ± 2.2 standard deviations) were correctly identified and that 94.7% (±2.6 standard deviations) developing acute radiation syndrome and z96.4% (±1.6 standard deviations) requiring hospitalization were identified correctly. Two out of three student teams also provided a dose estimate. These results are comparable to the best-performing team of the 2015 North Atlantic Treaty Organization exercise (response category: 92.5%; acute radiation syndrome: 95.8%; hospitalization: 96.3%).

Selection of the Optimal Herbal Compositions of Red Clover and Pomegranate According to Their Protective Effect against Climacteric Symptoms in Ovariectomized Mice.

PubMed

Kang, Su Jin; Choi, Beom Rak; Kim, Seung Hee; Yi, Hae Yeon; Park, Hye Rim; Song, Chang Hyun; Ku, Sae Kwang; Lee, Young Joon

2016-07-23

This study aimed to ascertain the optimal range of red clover dry extracts (RC) and dried pomegranate concentrate powder (PCP) to induce anti-climacteric effects. Thus, the dose ranges showing protective effect of mixed formulae consisting of RC and PCP were examined in ovariectomized mice. At 28 days after bilateral ovariectomy (OVX), mixed herbal compositions (RC:PCP = 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:8, 2:1, 4:1, and 8:1) were administered orally, at 120 mg/kg once daily for 84 days. We evaluated that RC and PCP mixture attenuate OVX-caused obesity, hyperlipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and osteoporosis. Compared to OVX-induced control mice, body weight and abdominal fat weight in OVX-induced mice were significantly decreased, concomitantly with increase of uterus weight by RC:PCP mixture. Additionally, significant increases in serum estradiol levels were observed in all RC:PCP-treated mice. RC:PCP mixture also showed protective effect against OVX-induced hyperlipidemia, hepatic steatosis. Total body and femur mean bone mineral density (BMD), osteocalcin, bALP contents were effectively increased by RC:PCP mixture. Taken together, RC:PCP mixture (2:1, 1:1, and 4:1) has remarkable protective effects against the changes induced by OVX. In particular, RC:PCP mixture (2:1) shows the strongest effect and may be considered as a potential protective agent against climacteric symptoms.

Current Role of Minimally Invasive Radical Cholecystectomy for Gallbladder Cancer

PubMed Central

Manzoni, Alberto; Guerini, Francesca; Ramera, Marco; Aroldi, Francesca; Zaniboni, Alberto; Rosso, Edoardo

2016-01-01

Background. For Tis and T1a gallbladder cancer (GbC), laparoscopic cholecystectomy can provide similar survival outcomes compared to open cholecystectomy. However, for patients affected by resectable T1b or more advanced GbC, open approach radical cholecystectomy (RC), consisting in gallbladder liver bed resection or segment 4b-5 bisegmentectomy, with locoregional lymphadenectomy, is considered the gold standard while minimally invasive RC (MiRC) is skeptically considered. Aim. To analyze current literature on perioperative and oncologic outcomes of MiRC for patients affected by GbC. Methods. A Medline review of published articles until June 2016 concerning MiRC for GbC was performed. Results. Data relevant for this review were presented in 13 articles, including 152 patients undergoing an attempt of MiRC for GbC. No randomized clinical trial was found. The approach was laparoscopic in 147 patients and robotic in five. Conversion was required in 15 (10%) patients. Postoperative complications rate was 10% with no mortality. Long-term survival outcomes were reported by 11 studies, two of them showing similar oncologic results when comparing MiRC with matched open RC. Conclusions. Although randomized clinical trials are still lacking and only descriptive studies reporting on limited number of patients are available, current literature seems suggesting that when performed at highly specialized centers, MiRC for GbC is safe and feasible and has oncologic outcomes comparable to open RC. PMID:27885325

Current Role of Minimally Invasive Radical Cholecystectomy for Gallbladder Cancer.

PubMed

Zimmitti, Giuseppe; Manzoni, Alberto; Guerini, Francesca; Ramera, Marco; Bertocchi, Paola; Aroldi, Francesca; Zaniboni, Alberto; Rosso, Edoardo

2016-01-01

Background . For Tis and T1a gallbladder cancer (GbC), laparoscopic cholecystectomy can provide similar survival outcomes compared to open cholecystectomy. However, for patients affected by resectable T1b or more advanced GbC, open approach radical cholecystectomy (RC), consisting in gallbladder liver bed resection or segment 4b-5 bisegmentectomy, with locoregional lymphadenectomy, is considered the gold standard while minimally invasive RC (MiRC) is skeptically considered. Aim . To analyze current literature on perioperative and oncologic outcomes of MiRC for patients affected by GbC. Methods . A Medline review of published articles until June 2016 concerning MiRC for GbC was performed. Results . Data relevant for this review were presented in 13 articles, including 152 patients undergoing an attempt of MiRC for GbC. No randomized clinical trial was found. The approach was laparoscopic in 147 patients and robotic in five. Conversion was required in 15 (10%) patients. Postoperative complications rate was 10% with no mortality. Long-term survival outcomes were reported by 11 studies, two of them showing similar oncologic results when comparing MiRC with matched open RC. Conclusions . Although randomized clinical trials are still lacking and only descriptive studies reporting on limited number of patients are available, current literature seems suggesting that when performed at highly specialized centers, MiRC for GbC is safe and feasible and has oncologic outcomes comparable to open RC.

Selection of the Optimal Herbal Compositions of Red Clover and Pomegranate According to Their Protective Effect against Climacteric Symptoms in Ovariectomized Mice

PubMed Central

Kang, Su Jin; Choi, Beom Rak; Kim, Seung Hee; Yi, Hae Yeon; Park, Hye Rim; Song, Chang Hyun; Ku, Sae Kwang; Lee, Young Joon

2016-01-01

This study aimed to ascertain the optimal range of red clover dry extracts (RC) and dried pomegranate concentrate powder (PCP) to induce anti-climacteric effects. Thus, the dose ranges showing protective effect of mixed formulae consisting of RC and PCP were examined in ovariectomized mice. At 28 days after bilateral ovariectomy (OVX), mixed herbal compositions (RC:PCP = 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:8, 2:1, 4:1, and 8:1) were administered orally, at 120 mg/kg once daily for 84 days. We evaluated that RC and PCP mixture attenuate OVX-caused obesity, hyperlipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and osteoporosis. Compared to OVX-induced control mice, body weight and abdominal fat weight in OVX-induced mice were significantly decreased, concomitantly with increase of uterus weight by RC:PCP mixture. Additionally, significant increases in serum estradiol levels were observed in all RC:PCP-treated mice. RC:PCP mixture also showed protective effect against OVX-induced hyperlipidemia, hepatic steatosis. Total body and femur mean bone mineral density (BMD), osteocalcin, bALP contents were effectively increased by RC:PCP mixture. Taken together, RC:PCP mixture (2:1, 1:1, and 4:1) has remarkable protective effects against the changes induced by OVX. In particular, RC:PCP mixture (2:1) shows the strongest effect and may be considered as a potential protective agent against climacteric symptoms. PMID:27455321

Antigenotoxic Effect Against Ultraviolet Radiation-induced DNA Damage of the Essential Oils from Lippia Species.

PubMed

Quintero Ruiz, Nathalia; Córdoba Campo, Yuri; Stashenko, Elena E; Fuentes, Jorge Luis

2017-07-01

The antigenotoxicity against ultraviolet radiation (UV)-induced DNA damage of essential oils (EO) from Lippia species was studied using SOS Chromotest. Based on the minimum concentration that significantly inhibits genotoxicity, the genoprotective potential of EO from highest to lowest was Lippia graveolens, thymol-RC ≈ Lippia origanoides, carvacrol-RC ≈ L. origanoides, thymol-RC > Lippia alba, citral-RC ≈ Lippia citriodora, citral-RC ≈ Lippia micromera, thymol-RC > L. alba, myrcenone-RC. EO from L. alba, carvone/limonene-RC, L. origanoides, α-phellandrene-RC and L. dulcis, trans-β-caryophyllene-RC did not reduce the UV genotoxicity at any of the doses tested. A gas chromatography with flame ionization detection analysis (GC-FID) was conducted to evaluate the solubility of the major EO constituents under our experimental conditions. GC-FID analysis showed that, at least partially, major EO constituents were water-soluble and therefore, they were related with the antigenotoxicity detected for EO. Constituents such as p-cymene, geraniol, carvacrol, thymol, citral and 1,8-cineole showed antigenotoxicity. The antioxidant activity of EO constituents was also determined using the oxygen radical antioxidant capacity (ORAC) assay. The results showed that the antigenotoxicity of the EO constituents was unconnected with their antioxidant activity. The antigenotoxicity to different constituent binary mixtures suggests that synergistic effects can occur in some of the studied EO. © 2017 The American Society of Photobiology.

Investigation into the feasibility of black carbon for remediation of nonylphenol polluted sediment through desorption kinetics after different order spiking.

PubMed

Cheng, Guanghuan; Sun, Mingyang; Yao, Lingdan; Wang, Lixiao; Sorial, George A; Xu, Xinhua; Lou, Liping

2015-11-01

The binding order of sorbent, sediment and organic compounds, as well as binding time is important factors determining the potential success of sorbent amendment, which should be considered when the practicability of sorbents was assessed. But until now, relevant research was rare. In this study, desorption in three practical conditions were simulated, by three mixing spiking orders among nonylphenol (NP), rice straw black carbon (RC) and sediment (the order of mixing spiking is (RC+Sediment)+NP, (Sediment+NP)+RC and (RC+NP)+Sediment, for situation I, II and III, respectively), to discuss the feasibility of using RC to remedy NP pollution. Results demonstrated that amendment of RC into sediment decreased desorption fractions of NP, and increased the resistant desorption fraction (Fr), implying strong affinity of NP to RC and efficient sequestration by RC. No significant differences were observed for desorption among the three fresh situations, meaning NP may be adsorbed on RC exterior surface sites and inter-phase diffusion is faster than desorption. However, Fr for three aged situations was in the order: situation I0.5, suggesting RC is an effective sorbent for remedying NP pollution in the aquatic environment. Overall, we proposed a practical and analytical method for properly assessing the validity of a sorbent. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Seismic Response of Steel Braced Building Frame Considering Soil Structure Interaction (SSI): An Experimental Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hirave, Vivek; Kalyanshetti, Mahesh

2018-02-01

Conventional fixed-base analysis ignoring the effect of soil-flexibility may result in unsafe design. Therefore, to evaluate the realistic behavior of structure the soil structure interaction (SSI) effect shall be incorporated in the analysis. In seismic analysis, provision of bracing system is one of the important option for the structure to have sufficient strength with adequate stiffness to resist lateral forces. The different configuration of these bracing systems alters the response of buildings, and therefore, it is important to evaluate the most effective bracing systems in view point of stability against SSI effect. In present study, three RC building frames, G+3, G+5 and G+7 and their respective scaled down steel model with two types of steel bracing system incorporating the effect of soil flexibility is considered for experimental and analytical study. The analytical study is carried out using Elastic continuum approach and the experimental study is carried out using Shake Table. The influence of SSI on various seismic parameters is presented. The study reveals that, steel bracing system is beneficial to control SSI effect and it is observed that V bracing is more effective, in resisting seismic load considering SSI.

Modeling the Sedimentary Infill of Lakes in the East African Rift: A Case Study of Multiple versus Single Rift Basin Segments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, C.; Scholz, C. A.

2016-12-01

The sedimentary basins in the East African Rift are considered excellent modern examples for investigating sedimentary infilling and evolution of extensional systems. Some lakes in the western branch of the rift have formed within single-segment systems, and include Lake Albert and Lake Edward. The largest and oldest lakes developed within multi-segment systems, and these include Lake Tanganyika and Lake Malawi. This research aims to explore processes of erosion and sedimentary infilling of the catchment area in single-segment rift (SSR) and multi-segment rift (MSR) systems. We consider different conditions of regional precipitation and evaporation, and assess the resulting facies architecture through forward modeling, using state-of-the-art commercial basin modeling software. Dionisos is a three-dimensional numerical stratigraphic forward modeling software program, which simulates basin-scale sediment transport based on empirical water- and gravity-driven diffusion equations. It was classically used to quantify the sedimentary architecture and basin infilling of both marine siliciclastic and carbonate environments. However, we apply this approach to continental rift basin environments. In this research, two scenarios are developed, one for a MSR and the other for a SSR. The modeled systems simulate the ratio of drainage area and lake surface area observed in modern Lake Tanganyika and Lake Albert, which are examples of MSRs and SSRs, respectively. The main parameters, such as maximum subsidence rate, water- and gravity-driven diffusion coefficients, rainfall, and evaporation, are approximated using these real-world examples. The results of 5 million year model runs with 50,000 year time steps show that MSRs are characterized by a deep water lake with relatively modest sediment accumulation, while the SSRs are characterized by a nearly overfilled lake with shallow water depths and thick sediment accumulation. The preliminary modeling results conform to the features of sedimentary infills revealed by seismic reflection data acquired in Lake Tanganyika and Lake Albert. Future models will refine the parameters of rainfall and evaporation in these two scenarios to better evaluate detailed basin facies architecture.

Fault isolation detection expert (FIDEX). Part 1: Expert system diagnostics for a 30/20 Gigahertz satellite transponder

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Durkin, John; Schlegelmilch, Richard; Tallo, Donald

1992-01-01

LeRC has recently completed the design of a Ka-band satellite transponder system, as part of the Advanced Communication Technology Satellite (ACTS) System. To enhance the reliability of this satellite, NASA funded the University of Akron to explore the application of an expert system to provide the transponder with an autonomous diagnosis capability. The results of this research was the development of a prototype diagnosis expert system called FIDEX (fault-isolation and diagnosis expert). FIDEX is a frame-based expert system that was developed in the NEXPERT Object development environment by Neuron Data, Inc. It is a MicroSoft Windows version 3.0 application, and was designed to operate on an Intel i80386 based personal computer system.

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

Grayson, Katie J.; Faries, Kaitlyn M.; Huang, Xia

Photosynthesis uses a limited range of the solar spectrum, so enhancing spectral coverage could improve the efficiency of light capture. Here, we show that a hybrid reaction centre (RC)/yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) complex accelerates photosynthetic growth in the bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides. The structure of the RC/YFP-light-harvesting 1 (LH1) complex shows the position of YFP attachment to the RC-H subunit, on the cytoplasmic side of the RC complex. Fluorescence lifetime microscopy of whole cells and ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy of purified RC/YFP complexes show that the YFP–RC intermolecular distance and spectral overlap between the emission of YFP and the visible-region (Qmore » X) absorption bands of the RC allow energy transfer via a Fo¨rster mechanism, with an efficiency of 40±10%. Finally, this proof-of-principle study demonstrates the feasibility of increasing spectral coverage for harvesting light using non-native genetically-encoded light-absorbers, thereby augmenting energy transfer and trapping in photosynthesis.« less

75 FR 1356 - RC2 Corporation, Provisional Acceptance of a Settlement Agreement and Order

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-11

... primarily at toy stores and various retailers nationwide, and secondarily through RC2's e-commerce websites... various retailers nationwide, and secondarily through RC2's e-commerce Web sites or as `sub-components' of...(e). Published below is a provisionally-accepted Settlement Agreement with RC2 Corporation...

Enhanced electric dipole transition in lanthanide complex with organometallic ruthenocene units.

PubMed

Hasegawa, Yasuchika; Sato, Nao; Hirai, Yuichi; Nakanishi, Takayuki; Kitagawa, Yuichi; Kobayashi, Atsushi; Kato, Masako; Seki, Tomohiro; Ito, Hajime; Fushimi, Koji

2015-05-21

Enhanced luminescence of a lanthanide complex with dynamic polarization of the excited state and molecular motion is introduced. The luminescent lanthanide complex is composed of one Eu(hfa)3 (hfa, hexafluoroacetylacetonate) and two phosphine oxide ligands with ruthenocenyl units Rc, [Eu(hfa)3(RcPO)2] (RcPO = diphenylphosphorylruthenocene). The ruthenocenyl units in the phosphine oxide ligands play an important role of switching for dynamic molecular polarization and motion in liquid media. The oxidation states of the ruthenocenyl unit (Rc(1+)/Rc(1+)) are controlled by potentiostatic polarization. Eu(III) complexes attached with bidentate phosphine oxide ligands containing ruthenocenyl units, [Eu(hfa)3(RcBPO)] (RcBPO = 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphoryl)ruthenocene), and with bidentate phosphine oxide ligands, [Eu(hfa)3(BIPHEPO)] (BIPHEPO =1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-diylbis(diphenylphosphine oxide), were also prepared as references. The coordination structures and electrochemical properties were analyzed using single crystal X-ray analysis, cyclic voltammetry, and absorption spectroscopy measurements. The luminescence properties were estimated using an optoelectrochemical cell. Under potentiostatic polarization, a significant enhancement of luminescence was successfully observed for [Eu(hfa)3(RcPO)2], while no spectral change was observed for [Eu(hfa)3(RcBPO)]. In this study, the remarkable enhanced luminescence phenomena of Eu(III) complex based on the dynamic molecular motion under potentiostatic polarization have been performed.

[Cloning, expression and identification of functional fragment rC3B of human complement C3 in E. Coli].

PubMed

Gan, Hui; Zhou, Yong; Sun, Ping; Zhu, Xiao-Xia; Wang, Quan-Li; Zhan, Lin-Sheng

2007-08-01

This study was purposed to verify the binding part of human complement C3 to complement receptor III (CRIII) in monocytes, the peptide rC3B, including the binding-site, was expressed, purified and identified. rC3B, the binding part of human complement C3 to CRIII, was selected by computer-aided modeling and summarizing researches published. Then, rC3B gene fragment was amplified by PCR, and cloned into prokaryotic vector pQE30a. The fusion protein rC3B was expressed in E.coli M15 and purified by Ni(2+)-chelating affinity chromatography. The activity of rC3B was identified by Western blot and adherence assay with monocytes. The results showed that rC3B fragment was obtained, and a prokaryotic expression vector pQE30-rC3B was constructed. rC3B was efficiently expressed and purified. In Western blot, the target protein showed the activity of binding with C3 antibody, while the purified protein showed the activity of adherence with monocytes. It is concluded that the recombinant C3B was obtained and identified, and this study lay the basis for the further functional analysis of C3.

Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety of recombinant canine FVIIa in a study dosing one haemophilia A and one haemostatically normal dog.

PubMed

Knudsen, T; Kristensen, A T; Nichols, T C; Agersø, H; Jensen, A L; Kjalke, M; Ezban, M; Tranholm, M

2011-11-01

Recombinant human FVIIa (rhFVIIa) corrects the coagulopathy in hemophilia A and B as well as FVII deficiency. This is also the case in dogs until canine anti-human FVIIa antibodies develop (~2 weeks). Recombinant canine factor VIIa (rcFVIIa), successfully over-expressed by gene transfer in haemophilia dogs, has provided long-term haemostasis (>2 years). However, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD) and safety of rcFVIIa after pharmacological administration have not been reported. We therefore wanted to explore the safety, PK and PD of rcFVIIa in dogs. A pilot study was set up to evaluate the safety as well as PK and PD of rcFVIIa after a single intravenous dose of 270 μg kg(-1) to one HA and one haemostatically normal dog and to directly compare rcFVIIa with rhFVIIa in these two dogs. Single doses of rcFVIIa and rhFVIIa were well tolerated. No adverse events were observed. Pharmacokinetic characteristics including half-life (FVIIa activity: 1.2-1.8 h; FVIIa antigen 2.8-3.7 h) and clearance were comparable for rcFVIIa and rhFVIIa. Kaolin-activated thromboelastography approached normal in the HA dog with the improvement being most pronounced after rcFVIIa. This study provided the first evidence that administering rcFVIIa intravenously is feasible, safe, well tolerated and efficacious in correcting the haemophilic coagulopathy in canine HA and that rcFVIIa exhibits pharmacokinetic characteristics comparable to rhFVIIa in haemophilic and haemostatically competent dogs. This strengthens the hypothesis that rcFVIIa can be administered to dogs to mimic the administration of rhFVIIa to humans. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Fall prevention and monitoring of assisted living patients: an exploratory study of physician perspectives.

PubMed

Nyrop, Kirsten A; Zimmerman, Sheryl; Sloane, Philip D; Bangdiwala, Srikant

2012-06-01

Explore physician perspectives on their involvement in fall prevention and monitoring for residential care/assisted living (RC/AL) residents. Exploratory cross-sectional study; mailed questionnaire. Four RC/AL communities, North Carolina. Primary physicians for RC/AL residents. Past Behavior and future Intentions of physicians with regard to (1) fall risk assessment and (2) collaboration with RC/AL staff to reduce falls and fall risks among RC/AL residents were explored using Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) constructs. Predictor variables examined (1) physicians' views on their own responsibilities (Attitude), (2) their views of expectations from important referent groups (Subjective Norms), and (3) perceived constraints on engaging in fall prevention and monitoring (Perceived Behavioral Control). Physicians reported conducting fall risk assessments of 47% of RC/AL patients and collaborating with RC/AL staff to reduce fall risks for 36% of RC/AL patients (Behavior). These proportions increased to 75% and 62%, respectively, for future Intentions. TPB-based models explained approximately 60% of the variance in self-reported Behavior and Intentions. Physician's involvement in fall prevention and monitoring was significantly associated (P < .05) with their perceptions of barriers and facilitators-ease, time, reimbursement, and expertise. This study provides first data on physician beliefs regarding their involvement in fall risk assessment of RC/AL patients and collaboration with RC/AL staff to reduce fall risks of individual patients. Challenges to physician involvement identified in our study are not unique or specific to the RC/AL setting, and instead relate to clinical practice and reimbursement constraints in general. Copyright © 2012 American Medical Directors Association, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Characterization of Rubia cordifolia L. root extract and its evaluation of cardioprotective effect in Wistar rat model

PubMed Central

Chandrashekar, BS; Prabhakara, S; Mohan, T; Shabeer, D; Bhandare, Basavaraj; Nalini, M; Sharmila, PS; Meghana, DL; Reddy, Basanth Kumar; Hanumantha Rao, HM; Sahajananda, H; Anbazhagan, K

2018-01-01

OBJECTIVES: Rubia cordifolia L. (RC) is a well-known and highly valuable medicinal plant in the Ayurvedic system. The present study involves evaluating antioxidant and cardioprotective property of RC root extract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The characterization of RC root extract was carried out using standard phytochemical and biochemical analysis. The functional groups were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and phytotherapeutic compounds were identified using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS). Cardioprotective activity of RC root extract was investigated against cyclophosphamide (CP; 100 mg/kg, i.p)-induced cardiotoxicity in male albino Wistar rats. RC (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, p.o) or silymarin (100 mg/kg, p.o) was administered immediately after CP on the 1st day and the next consecutive 10 days. Biochemical and histopathological analysis was performed to observe the cardioprotective effects of RC root extract. RESULTS: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of secondary metabolites that include alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and anthraquinones in RC root extract. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of several functional groups. Based on HR-MS analysis, eight major phytotherapeutic compounds were identified in methanol root extract of RC. Biochemical analysis in CP-induced rat model administered with RC extract revealed significantly enhanced levels of antioxidant markers such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione S-transferase. Histopathological study showed that the rat model treated with the root extract had reduced the cardiac injury. CONCLUSION: Our results have shown that the RC extract contains various antioxidant compounds with cardioprotective effect. Treatment with RC root extract could significantly protect CP-induced rats from cardiac tissue injury by restoring the antioxidant markers. PMID:29861523

Migration behavior of naturally occurring radionuclides at the Nopal I uranium deposit, Chihuahua, Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prikryl, James D.; Pickett, David A.; Murphy, William M.; Pearcy, English C.

1997-04-01

Oxidation of pyrite at the Nopal I uranium deposit, Peña Blanca district, Chihuahua, Mexico has resulted in the formation of Fe-oxides/hydroxides. Anomalous U concentrations (i.e. several hundred to several thousand ppm) measured in goethite, hematite, and amorphous Fe-oxyhydroxides in a major fracture that crosscuts the deposit and the absence of U minerals in the fracture suggest that U was retained during secondary mineral growth or sorbed on mineral surfaces. Mobilization and transport of U away from the deposit is suggested by decreasing U concentrations in fracture-infilling materials and in goethite and hematite with distance from the deposit. Greater than unity {234U}/{238U} activity ratios measured in fracture-infilling materials indicate relatively recent ( < 1 Ma) U uptake from fluids that carried excess 234U. Systematic decreases in {234U}/{238U} activity ratios of fracture materials with distance from the deposit suggest a multistage mobilization process, such as remobilization of U from 234U-enriched infill minerals or differential or diminished transport of U-bearing solutions containing excess 234U.

Mineralization of teeth and bones of the cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) from the Biśnik Cave, Southern Poland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rogóż, Anna; Sawłowicz, Zbigniew; Socha, Paweł; Stefaniak, Krzysztof

2009-01-01

The studied bones and teeth of the cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) come from the Biśnik Cave, located in the Częstochowa Upland (Southern Poland). The specimens originate from different geological layers formed since the Odra Glaciation (250-270 thousand years BP). The fossilized bones and teeth were studied using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, and INAA. They are built of recrystallized carbonate-rich apatite-(CaOH) and/or apatite-(CaOH). The teeth additionally contain some apatite-(CaF). The lack of collagen and minor REE contents suggest rapid burial and collagen decay in the early stage of diagenesis. The bones and teeth have only limited mineral infillings. In some teeth, Mn-Fe (hydroxy)oxides were found in the dentine canaliculi and in bones, some osteocyte lacunae contain Fe (hydroxy)oxides with admixture of Mn. In one bone specimen, calcite infillings are present in Haversian canals. The infillings formed during later stages of diagenesis and were succeeded by non-filled cracks.

Variable Accuracy of Wearable Heart Rate Monitors during Aerobic Exercise.

PubMed

Gillinov, Stephen; Etiwy, Muhammad; Wang, Robert; Blackburn, Gordon; Phelan, Dermot; Gillinov, A Marc; Houghtaling, Penny; Javadikasgari, Hoda; Desai, Milind Y

2017-08-01

Athletes and members of the public increasingly rely on wearable HR monitors to guide physical activity and training. The accuracy of newer, optically based monitors is unconfirmed. We sought to assess the accuracy of five optically based HR monitors during various types of aerobic exercise. Fifty healthy adult volunteers (mean ± SD age = 38 ± 12 yr, 54% female) completed exercise protocols on a treadmill, a stationary bicycle, and an elliptical trainer (±arm movement). Each participant underwent HR monitoring with an electrocardiogaphic chest strap monitor (Polar H7), forearm monitor (Scosche Rhythm+), and two randomly assigned wrist-worn HR monitors (Apple Watch, Fitbit Blaze, Garmin Forerunner 235, and TomTom Spark Cardio), one on each wrist. For each exercise type, HR was recorded at rest, light, moderate, and vigorous intensity. Agreement between HR measurements was assessed using Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (rc). Across all exercise conditions, the chest strap monitor (Polar H7) had the best agreement with ECG (rc = 0.996) followed by the Apple Watch (rc = 0.92), the TomTom Spark (rc = 0.83), and the Garmin Forerunner (rc = 0.81). Scosche Rhythm+ and Fitbit Blaze were less accurate (rc = 0.75 and rc = 0.67, respectively). On treadmill, all devices performed well (rc = 0.88-0.93) except the Fitbit Blaze (rc = 0.76). While bicycling, only the Garmin, Apple Watch, and Scosche Rhythm+ had acceptable agreement (rc > 0.80). On the elliptical trainer without arm levers, only the Apple Watch was accurate (rc = 0.94). None of the devices was accurate during elliptical trainer use with arm levers (all rc < 0.80). The accuracy of wearable, optically based HR monitors varies with exercise type and is greatest on the treadmill and lowest on elliptical trainer. Electrode-containing chest monitors should be used when accurate HR measurement is imperative.

Morphological, Biochemical, and Functional Study of Viral Replication Compartments Isolated from Adenovirus-Infected Cells

PubMed Central

Hidalgo, Paloma; Anzures, Lourdes; Hernández-Mendoza, Armando; Guerrero, Adán; Wood, Christopher D.; Valdés, Margarita; Dobner, Thomas

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Adenovirus (Ad) replication compartments (RC) are nuclear microenvironments where the viral genome is replicated and a coordinated program of late gene expression is established. These virus-induced nuclear sites seem to behave as central hubs for the regulation of virus-host cell interactions, since proteins that promote efficient viral replication as well as factors that participate in the antiviral response are coopted and concentrated there. To gain further insight into the activities of viral RC, here we report, for the first time, the morphology, composition, and activities of RC isolated from Ad-infected cells. Morphological analyses of isolated RC particles by superresolution microscopy showed that they were indistinguishable from RC within infected cells and that they displayed a dynamic compartmentalization. Furthermore, the RC-containing fractions (RCf) proved to be functional, as they directed de novo synthesis of viral DNA and RNA as well as RNA splicing, activities that are associated with RC in vivo. A detailed analysis of the production of viral late mRNA from RCf at different times postinfection revealed that viral mRNA splicing occurs in RC and that the synthesis, posttranscriptional processing, and release from RC to the nucleoplasm of individual viral late transcripts are spatiotemporally separate events. The results presented here demonstrate that RCf are a powerful system for detailed study into RC structure, composition, and activities and, as a result, the determination of the molecular mechanisms that induce the formation of these viral sites of adenoviruses and other nuclear-replicating viruses. IMPORTANCE RC may represent molecular hubs where many aspects of virus-host cell interaction are controlled. Here, we show by superresolution microscopy that RCf have morphologies similar to those of RC within Ad-infected cells and that they appear to be compartmentalized, as nucleolin and DBP display different localization in the periphery of these viral sites. RCf proved to be functional, as they direct de novo synthesis of viral DNA and mRNA, allowing the detailed study of the regulation of viral genome replication and expression. Furthermore, we show that the synthesis and splicing of individual viral late mRNA occurs in RC and that they are subject to different temporal patterns of regulation, from their synthesis to their splicing and release from RC to the nucleoplasm. Hence, RCf represent a novel system to study molecular mechanisms that are orchestrated in viral RC to take control of the infected cell and promote an efficient viral replication cycle. PMID:26764008

H-Canyon Recovery Crawler

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

Kriikku, E. M.; Hera, K. R.; Marzolf, A. D.

The Nuclear Material Disposition Project group asked the Savannah River National Lab (SRNL) Research and Development Engineering (R&DE) department to help procure, test, and deploy a remote crawler to recover the 2014 Inspection Crawler (IC) that tipped over in the H-Canyon Air Exhaust Tunnel. R&DE wrote a Procurement Specification for a Recovery Crawler (RC) and SRNS Procurement Department awarded the contract to Power Equipment Manufacturing Inc. (PEM). The PEM RC was based on their standard sewer inspection crawler with custom arms and forks added to the front. The arms and forks would be used to upright the 2014 Inspection Crawler.more » PEM delivered the RC and associated cable reel, 2014 Inspection Crawler mockup, and manuals in late April 2015. R&DE and the team tested the crawler in May of 2015 and made modifications based on test results and Savannah River Site (SRS) requirements. R&DE delivered the RC to H-Area at the end of May. The team deployed the RC on June 9, 10, and 11, 2015 in the H-Canyon Air Exhaust Tunnel. The RC struggled with some obstacles in the tunnel, but eventually made it to the IC. The team spent approximately five hours working to upright the IC and eventually got it on its wheels. The IC travelled approximately 20 feet and struggled to drive over debris on the air tunnel floor. Unfortunately the IC tripped over trying to pass this obstacle. The team decided to leave the IC in this location and inspect the tunnel with the RC. The RC passed the IC and inspected the tunnel as it travelled toward H-Canyon. The team turned the RC around when it was about 20 feet from the H-Canyon crossover tunnel. From that point, the team drove the RC past the manway towards the new sand filter and stopped approximately 20 feet from the new sand filter. The team removed the RC from the tunnel, decontaminated the RC, and stored it the manway building, 294-2H. The RC deployment confirmed the IC was not in a condition to perform useful tunnel inspections and would require significant maintenance to become inspection ready. The RC traveled approximately 660 feet in the tunnel and viewed the tunnel and ceiling wall surfaces that were not blocked by existing ducts. This deployment also documented the tunnel obstacles for future inspections. Overall, the RC deployment was a success.« less

Hematologic improvement in dogs with parvovirus infection treated with recombinant canine granulocyte-colony stimulating factor.

PubMed

Duffy, A; Dow, S; Ogilvie, G; Rao, S; Hackett, T

2010-08-01

Previously, dogs with canine parvovirus-induced neutropenia have not responded to treatment with recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF). However, recombinant canine G-CSF (rcG-CSF) has not been previously evaluated for treatment of parvovirus-induced neutropenia in dogs. We assessed the effectiveness of rcG-CSF in dogs with parvovirus-induced neutropenia with a prospective, open-label, nonrandomized clinical trial. Endpoints of our study were time to recovery of WBC and neutrophil counts, and duration of hospitalization. 28 dogs with parvovirus and neutropenia were treated with rcG-CSF and outcomes were compared to those of 34 dogs with parvovirus and neutropenia not treated with rcG-CSF. We found that mean WBC and neutrophil counts were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the 28 dogs treated with rcG-CSF compared to disease-matched dogs not treated with rcG-CSF. In addition, the mean duration of hospitalization was reduced (P = 0.01) in rcG-CSF treated dogs compared to untreated dogs. However, survival times were decreased in dogs treated with rcG-CSF compared to untreated dogs. These results suggest that treatment with rcG-CSF was effective in stimulating neutrophil recovery and shortening the duration of hospitalization in dogs with parvovirus infection, but indicate the need for additional studies to evaluate overall safety of the treatment.

Role of serum fibrinogen levels in patients with rotator cuff tears.

PubMed

Longo, Umile Giuseppe; Petrillo, Stefano; Berton, Alessandra; Spiezia, Filippo; Loppini, Mattia; Maffulli, Nicola; Denaro, Vincenzo

2014-01-01

Although rotator cuff (RC) tendinopathy is a frequent pathology of the shoulder, the real understanding of its aetiopathogenesis is still unclear. Several studies showed that RC tendinopathy is more frequent in patients with hyperglycemia, diabetes, obesity, or metabolic syndrome. This paper aims to evaluate the serum concentration of fibrinogen in patients with RC tears. Metabolic disorders have been related to high concentration of serum fibrinogen and the activity of fibrinogen has been proven to be crucial in the development of microvascular damage. Thus, it may produce progression of RC degeneration by reducing the vascular supply of tendons. We report the results of a cross-sectional frequency-matched case-control study comparing the serum concentration of fibrinogen of patients with RC tears with that of a control group of patients without history of RC tears who underwent arthroscopic meniscectomy. We choose to enrol in the control group patients with pathology of the lower limb with a likely mechanic, not metabolic, cause, different from tendon pathology. We found no statistically significant differences in serum concentration of fibrinogen when comparing patients with RC tears and patients who underwent arthroscopic meniscectomy (P = 0.5). Further studies are necessary to clarify the role of fibrinogen in RC disease.

Effects of protective resin coating on the surface roughness and color stability of resin-based restorative materials.

PubMed

Bagis, Bora; Tüzüner, Tamer; Turgut, Sedanur; Korkmaz, Fatih Mehmet; Baygın, Özgül; Bağış, Yıldırım Hakan

2014-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of nanofilled protective resin coating (RC) on the surface roughness (Ra) and color stability (ΔE) of resin-based restorative materials (RM) (compomer (C), nanofilled composite (NF), and microhybrid composite (MH)) after being submitted to the ultraviolet aging (UV) method. Thirty-six specimens were prepared (n = 6 for each group). The Ra and (ΔE) values and SEM images were obtained before and after UV. Significant interactions were found among the RM-RC-UV procedures for Ra (P < 0.001). After the specimens were submitted to UV, the Ra values were significantly increased, regardless of the RC procedure (with RC; P < 0.01 for all, without RC; C (P < 0.01), NF (P < 0.001), and MH (P < 0.001)) for each RM. Significant interactions were found between the RM-RC (P < 0.001) procedures for the ΔE values. The ΔE values were increased in each group after applying the RC procedures (P < 0.001). Protective RC usage for RM could result in material-related differences in Ra and ΔE as with used UV method.

Effects of Protective Resin Coating on the Surface Roughness and Color Stability of Resin-Based Restorative Materials

PubMed Central

Tüzüner, Tamer; Korkmaz, Fatih Mehmet; Baygın, Özgül; Bağış, Yıldırım Hakan

2014-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of nanofilled protective resin coating (RC) on the surface roughness (Ra) and color stability (ΔE) of resin-based restorative materials (RM) (compomer (C), nanofilled composite (NF), and microhybrid composite (MH)) after being submitted to the ultraviolet aging (UV) method. Thirty-six specimens were prepared (n = 6 for each group). The Ra and (ΔE) values and SEM images were obtained before and after UV. Significant interactions were found among the RM-RC-UV procedures for Ra (P < 0.001). After the specimens were submitted to UV, the Ra values were significantly increased, regardless of the RC procedure (with RC; P < 0.01 for all, without RC; C (P < 0.01), NF (P < 0.001), and MH (P < 0.001)) for each RM. Significant interactions were found between the RM-RC (P < 0.001) procedures for the ΔE values. The ΔE values were increased in each group after applying the RC procedures (P < 0.001). Protective RC usage for RM could result in material-related differences in Ra and ΔE as with used UV method. PMID:25162066

Fitting modular reconnaissance systems into modern high-performance aircraft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stroot, Jacquelyn R.; Pingel, Leslie L.

1990-11-01

The installation of the Advanced Tactical Air Reconnaissance System (ATARS) in the F/A-18D(RC) presented a complex set of design challenges. At the time of the F/A-18D(RC) ATARS option exercise, the design and development of the ATARS subsystems and the parameters of the F/A-18D(RC) were essentially fixed. ATARS is to be installed in the gun bay of the F/A-18D(RC), taking up no additional room, nor adding any more weight than what was removed. The F/A-18D(RC) installation solution required innovations in mounting, cooling, and fit techniques, which made constant trade study essential. The successful installation in the F/A-18D(RC) is the result of coupling fundamental design engineering with brainstorming and nonstandard approaches to every situation. ATARS is sponsored by the Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. The F/A-18D(RC) installation is being funded to the Air Force by the Naval Air Systems Command, Washington, D.C.

Augmenting light coverage for photosynthesis through YFP-enhanced charge separation at the Rhodobacter sphaeroides reaction centre

DOE PAGES

Grayson, Katie J.; Faries, Kaitlyn M.; Huang, Xia; ...

2017-01-05

Photosynthesis uses a limited range of the solar spectrum, so enhancing spectral coverage could improve the efficiency of light capture. Here, we show that a hybrid reaction centre (RC)/yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) complex accelerates photosynthetic growth in the bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides. The structure of the RC/YFP-light-harvesting 1 (LH1) complex shows the position of YFP attachment to the RC-H subunit, on the cytoplasmic side of the RC complex. Fluorescence lifetime microscopy of whole cells and ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy of purified RC/YFP complexes show that the YFP–RC intermolecular distance and spectral overlap between the emission of YFP and the visible-region (Qmore » X) absorption bands of the RC allow energy transfer via a Fo¨rster mechanism, with an efficiency of 40±10%. Finally, this proof-of-principle study demonstrates the feasibility of increasing spectral coverage for harvesting light using non-native genetically-encoded light-absorbers, thereby augmenting energy transfer and trapping in photosynthesis.« less

The effect of different anti-solvent and coconut shell content on properties of coconut shell regenerated cellulose biocomposite films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hahary, Farah Norain; Husseinsyah, Salmah; Mostapha@Zakaria, Marliza

2016-07-01

In this study, coconut shell (CS) regenerated cellulose (RC) biocomposite films was prepared using dimethylacetamide/lithium chloride (DMAc/LiCl) solvent system. The effect of anti-solvents such as water and methanol for regeneration of cellulose and coconut shell content on properties of CS-RC biocomposite films was investigated. The used of water as anti-solvent for cellulose regeneration was found to have higher tensile properties compared to regenerated cellulose using methanol. Besides, the X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis also revealed that RC using water as anti-solvent have higher crystallinity index (CrI) than CS-RC biocomposite film using methanol. The tensile strength and modulus elasticity of CS-RC biocomposite films increased up to 3 wt% CS and decreased with further addition of CS. The elongation at break of CS-RC biocomposite films decreased with the increment of CS. The CrI of CS-RC bioocmposite films up to 3 wt% and decreased with at higher content of CS.

Augmenting light coverage for photosynthesis through YFP-enhanced charge separation at the Rhodobacter sphaeroides reaction centre

PubMed Central

Grayson, Katie J.; Faries, Kaitlyn M.; Huang, Xia; Qian, Pu; Dilbeck, Preston; Martin, Elizabeth C.; Hitchcock, Andrew; Vasilev, Cvetelin; Yuen, Jonathan M.; Niedzwiedzki, Dariusz M.; Leggett, Graham J.; Holten, Dewey; Kirmaier, Christine; Neil Hunter, C.

2017-01-01

Photosynthesis uses a limited range of the solar spectrum, so enhancing spectral coverage could improve the efficiency of light capture. Here, we show that a hybrid reaction centre (RC)/yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) complex accelerates photosynthetic growth in the bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides. The structure of the RC/YFP-light-harvesting 1 (LH1) complex shows the position of YFP attachment to the RC-H subunit, on the cytoplasmic side of the RC complex. Fluorescence lifetime microscopy of whole cells and ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy of purified RC/YFP complexes show that the YFP–RC intermolecular distance and spectral overlap between the emission of YFP and the visible-region (QX) absorption bands of the RC allow energy transfer via a Förster mechanism, with an efficiency of 40±10%. This proof-of-principle study demonstrates the feasibility of increasing spectral coverage for harvesting light using non-native genetically-encoded light-absorbers, thereby augmenting energy transfer and trapping in photosynthesis. PMID:28054547

Augmenting light coverage for photosynthesis through YFP-enhanced charge separation at the Rhodobacter sphaeroides reaction centre

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grayson, Katie J.; Faries, Kaitlyn M.; Huang, Xia; Qian, Pu; Dilbeck, Preston; Martin, Elizabeth C.; Hitchcock, Andrew; Vasilev, Cvetelin; Yuen, Jonathan M.; Niedzwiedzki, Dariusz M.; Leggett, Graham J.; Holten, Dewey; Kirmaier, Christine; Neil Hunter, C.

2017-01-01

Photosynthesis uses a limited range of the solar spectrum, so enhancing spectral coverage could improve the efficiency of light capture. Here, we show that a hybrid reaction centre (RC)/yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) complex accelerates photosynthetic growth in the bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides. The structure of the RC/YFP-light-harvesting 1 (LH1) complex shows the position of YFP attachment to the RC-H subunit, on the cytoplasmic side of the RC complex. Fluorescence lifetime microscopy of whole cells and ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy of purified RC/YFP complexes show that the YFP-RC intermolecular distance and spectral overlap between the emission of YFP and the visible-region (QX) absorption bands of the RC allow energy transfer via a Förster mechanism, with an efficiency of 40+/-10%. This proof-of-principle study demonstrates the feasibility of increasing spectral coverage for harvesting light using non-native genetically-encoded light-absorbers, thereby augmenting energy transfer and trapping in photosynthesis.

Responsive behavior of regenerated cellulose in hydrolysis under microwave radiation.

PubMed

Ni, Jinping; Na, Haining; She, Zhen; Wang, Jinggang; Xue, Wenwen; Zhu, Jin

2014-09-01

This work studied the responsive behavior of regenerated cellulose (RC) in hydrolysis under microwave radiation. Four types of RC with different crystallinity (Cr) and degree of polymerization (DP) are produced to evaluate the reactivity of RC by step-by-step hydrolysis. Results show Cr is the key factor to affect the reactivity of RCs. With hydrolysis of amorphous region and the formation of recrystallization, the Cr of RC reaches a high value and thus weakens the reactivity. As a result, the increment of cellulose conversion and sugar yield gradually reduces. Decrease of the DP of RC is helpful to increase the speed at the onset of hydrolysis and produce high sugar yield. But, there is no direct influence with the reactivity of RC to prolong the time of pretreatment. This research provides an accurate understanding to guide the RC preparation for sugar formation with relative high efficiency under mild reaction conditions. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Marketing NASA Langley Polymeric Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Flynn, Diane M.

1995-01-01

A marketing tool was created to expand the knowledge of LaRC developed polymeric materials, in order to facilitate the technology transfer process and increase technology commercialization awareness among a non-technical audience. The created brochure features four materials, LaRC-CP, LaRC-RP46, LaRC-SI, and LaRC-IA, and highlights their competitive strengths in potential commercial applications. Excellent opportunities exist in the $40 million per year microelectronics market and the $6 billion adhesives market. It is hoped that the created brochure will generate inquiries regarding the use of the above materials in markets such as these.

The SOS Response Master Regulator LexA Regulates the Gene Transfer Agent of Rhodobacter capsulatus and Represses Transcription of the Signal Transduction Protein CckA.

PubMed

Kuchinski, Kevin S; Brimacombe, Cedric A; Westbye, Alexander B; Ding, Hao; Beatty, J Thomas

2016-02-01

The gene transfer agent of Rhodobacter capsulatus (RcGTA) is a genetic exchange element that combines central aspects of bacteriophage-mediated transduction and natural transformation. RcGTA particles resemble a small double-stranded DNA bacteriophage, package random ∼4-kb fragments of the producing cell genome, and are released from a subpopulation (<1%) of cells in a stationary-phase culture. RcGTA particles deliver this DNA to surrounding R. capsulatus cells, and the DNA is integrated into the recipient genome though a process that requires homologs of natural transformation genes and RecA-mediated homologous recombination. Here, we report the identification of the LexA repressor, the master regulator of the SOS response in many bacteria, as a regulator of RcGTA activity. Deletion of the lexA gene resulted in the abolition of detectable RcGTA production and an ∼10-fold reduction in recipient capability. A search for SOS box sequences in the R. capsulatus genome sequence identified a number of putative binding sites located 5' of typical SOS response coding sequences and also 5' of the RcGTA regulatory gene cckA, which encodes a hybrid histidine kinase homolog. Expression of cckA was increased >5-fold in the lexA mutant, and a lexA cckA double mutant was found to have the same phenotype as a ΔcckA single mutant in terms of RcGTA production. The data indicate that LexA is required for RcGTA production and maximal recipient capability and that the RcGTA-deficient phenotype of the lexA mutant is largely due to the overexpression of cckA. This work describes an unusual phenotype of a lexA mutant of the alphaproteobacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus in respect to the phage transduction-like genetic exchange carried out by the R. capsulatus gene transfer agent (RcGTA). Instead of the expected SOS response characteristic of prophage induction, this lexA mutation not only abolishes the production of RcGTA particles but also impairs the ability of cells to receive RcGTA-borne genes. The data show that, despite an apparent evolutionary relationship to lambdoid phages, the regulation of RcGTA gene expression differs radically. Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Pharmacokinetics and RC Circuit Concepts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cock, Mieke De; Janssen, Paul

2013-11-01

Most introductory physics courses include a chapter on RC circuits in which the differential equations for the charging and discharging of a capacitor are derived. A number of papers in this journal describe lab experiments dealing with the measurement of different parameters in such RC circuits. In this contribution, we report on a lab experiment we developed for students majoring in pharmacy, using RC circuits to simulate a pharmacokinetic process.

Aeropropulsion 1987

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

Papers from the Aeropropulsion '87 Conference, held at the NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC), are presented. Unclassified presentations by LeRC and NASA Headquarters senior management and many LeRC technical authors covered the philosophy and major directions of the LeRC aeropropulsion program, and presented a broad spectrum of recent research results in materials, structures, internal fluid mechanics, instrumentation and controls, and both subsonic and high-speed propulsion technology.

Racial/Ethnic Differences in Women's Experiences of Reproductive Coercion, Intimate Partner Violence, and Unintended Pregnancy.

PubMed

Holliday, Charvonne N; McCauley, Heather L; Silverman, Jay G; Ricci, Edmund; Decker, Michele R; Tancredi, Daniel J; Burke, Jessica G; Documét, Patricia; Borrero, Sonya; Miller, Elizabeth

2017-08-01

To explore racial/ethnic differences in reproductive coercion (RC), intimate partner violence (IPV), and unintended pregnancy (UIP). We analyzed cross-sectional, baseline data from an intervention that was conducted between August 2008 and March 2009 in five family planning clinics in the San Francisco, California area, to examine the association of race/ethnicity with RC, IPV, and UIP among female patients aged 16-29 (n = 1234). RC was significantly associated with race/ethnicity, p < 0.001, [prevalence estimates: Black (37.1%), multiracial (29.2%), White (18.0%), Hispanic/Latina (24.0%), and Asian/Pacific Islander/other (API/other) (18.4%)]. Race/ethnicity was not associated with IPV. UIP was more prevalent among Black (50.3%) and multiracial (47.2%) women, with an overall range of 37.1%-50.3% among all racial/ethnic groups (p < 0.001). In adjusted analyses, factors associated with UIP were RC [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.59, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.26-2.01] and Black (AOR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.02-2.60) and API/other (AOR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.15-1.73) race/ethnicity, which remained significant in the presence of RC. Race-stratified models revealed that RC increased odds of UIP for White (AOR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.45-2.93) and Black women (AOR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.14-2.60). Black and multiracial women seeking care in family planning clinics have a disproportionately high prevalence of RC and UIP. RC may partially explain differences in UIP prevalence, with the effect of race/ethnicity slightly attenuated in RC-adjusted models. However, the impact of RC on risk for UIP was similar for White and Black women. Findings from this study support the need to understand and prevent RC, particularly among women of color. Results are foundational in understanding disparities in RC and UIP that may have implications for refinement of clinical care.

Retardation of Protein Dynamics by Trehalose in Dehydrated Systems of Photosynthetic Reaction Centers. Insights from Electron Transfer and Thermal Denaturation Kinetics.

PubMed

Malferrari, Marco; Francia, Francesco; Venturoli, Giovanni

2015-10-29

Conformational protein dynamics is known to be hampered in amorphous matrixes upon dehydration, both in the absence and in the presence of glass forming disaccharides, like trehalose, resulting in enhanced protein thermal stability. To shed light on such matrix effects, we have compared the retardation of protein dynamics in photosynthetic bacterial reaction centers (RC) dehydrated at controlled relative humidity in the absence (RC films) or in the presence of trehalose (RC-trehalose glasses). Small scale RC dynamics, associated with the relaxation from the dark-adapted to the light-adapted conformation, have been probed up to the second time scale by analyzing the kinetics of electron transfer from the photoreduced quinone acceptor (QA(-)) to the photoxidized primary donor (P(+)) as a function of the duration of photoexcitation from 7 ns (laser pulse) to 20 s. A more severe inhibition of dynamics is found in RC-trehalose glasses than in RC films: only in the latter system does a complete relaxation to the light-adapted conformation occur even at extreme dehydration, although strongly retarded. To gain insight into the large scale RC dynamics up to the time scale of days, the kinetics of thermal denaturation have been studied at 44 °C by spectral analysis of the Qx and Qy bands of the RC bacteriochlorin cofactors, as a function of the sugar/protein molar ratio, m, varied between 0 and 10(4). Upon increasing m, denaturation is slowed progressively, and above m ∼ 500 the RC is stable at least for several days. The stronger retardation of RC relaxation and dynamics induced by trehalose is discussed in the light of a recent molecular dynamics simulation study performed in matrixes of the model protein lysozyme with and without trehalose. We suggest that the efficiency of trehalose in retarding RC dynamics and preventing thermal denaturation stems mainly from its propensity to form and stabilize extended networks of hydrogen bonds involving sugar, residual water, and surface residues of the RC complex and from its ability of reducing the free volume fraction of protein alone matrixes.

Remnant cholesterol predicts periprocedural myocardial injury following percutaneous coronary intervention in poorly-controlled type 2 diabetes.

PubMed

Zeng, Rui-Xiang; Li, Sha; Zhang, Min-Zhou; Li, Xiao-Lin; Zhu, Cheng-Gang; Guo, Yuan-Lin; Zhang, Yan; Li, Jian-Jun

2017-08-01

Remnant cholesterol (RC) is receiving increasing attention regarding its relation to cardiovascular risk. Whether RC is associated with periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is currently unknown. We prospectively enrolled 1182 consecutive T2D patients who were scheduled for PCI but with baseline normal preprocedural cardiac troponin I (cTnI). Patients were divided according to their glycemic control status: group A [glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)<7%, n=563] and group B (HbA1c≥7%, n=619). PMI was evaluated by cTnI analysis within 24h. The associations of preprocedural RC and the RC to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (RC/HDL-C) with PMI were investigated. The associations of RC and RC/HDL-C with PMI were observed in group B (both p<0.05) but not in group A (both p>0.05). Patients in group B, a 1-SD increase of RC produced 30% and 32% increased risk for postprocedural cTnI>3× upper limit of normal (ULN) and >5×ULN, respectively. The odds ratios for RC/HDL-C were the highest compared with any cholesterol fractions including total cholesterol (TC)/HDL-C, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)/HDL-C, nonHDL-C/HDL-C, and triglyceride/HDL-C with 1.43 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10-1.88] for >3× ULN and 1.49 (95% CI: 1.13-1.97) for >5× ULN. However, no such associations were found in group A. Furthermore, patients with RC >27.46mg/dL (third tertile) [RC≤14.15mg/dL (first tertile) as reference] were associated with a 1.57-fold and 2-fold increased risk for >3× ULN and >5× ULN in group B, respectively. RC and RC/HDL-C might be valuable, independent predictors for PMI in poorly-controlled diabetic patients undergoing PCI. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

{sup 210}Pb chronology of sequences affected by burrow excavation and infilling: Examples from shallow marine carbonate sediment sequences, Holocene South Florida and Caicos Platform, British West Indies

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

Tedesco, L.P.; Aller, R.C.

A variety of sedimentological criteria and direct field observations indicate that deposits of shallow carbonate platforms and mud banks are extensively transformed during megafaunal bioturbation by deep-burrowing crustaceans. {sup 210}Pb dating of surficial sediment and burrow fills dissected from the upper 1--3 m of sediments at four sites on the Caicos Platform and in South Florida corroborates sedimentologic descriptions of rapid biogenic alteration of entire facies. {sup 210}Pb distributions from the study sites show that at least some infill is predominantly surficial sediment. Assuming that all identifiable deep burrow fills containing excess {sup 210}Pb derive from the uppermost 0--5 cmmore » interval, an estimate of facies replacement by nonlocal transport can be made based on measured excess {sup 210}Pb values of fill and the corresponding total discernible fill volume in cores. Calculations indicate that at the sites studied, burrow excavation and infilling can completely transform the upper 1--2 m, and possibly 3.5 m, of deposits in 100--600 yr. More rapid transformation of deposits is required if fill is derived from below 5 cm. Biogenic transformation rates are sufficiently fast compared to net sedimentation that burrow infills, not primarily physical deposition, determine the composition, porosity, fabric, and texture of the preserved facies. The {sup 210}Pb profiles in the deepest regions of deposits in the present cases are further complicated by basal enrichments of {sup 226}Ra, which apparently diffuses upwards from Pleistocene calcrete surfaces into overlying Holocene sediment. This diffusion requires careful documentation of supported {sup 210}Pb near this contact, but also offers the potential for an additional transport tracer internal to the deposits.« less

The Unicorn Cave, Southern Harz Mountains, Germany: From known passages to unknown extensions with the help of geophysical surveys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaufmann, Georg; Nielbock, Ralf; Romanov, Douchko

2015-12-01

In soluble rocks (limestone, dolomite, anhydrite, gypsum, …), fissures and bedding partings can be enlarged with time by both physical and chemical dissolution of the host rock. With time, larger cavities evolve, and a network of cave passages can evolve. If the enlarged cave voids are not too deep under the surface, geophysical measurements can be used to detect, identify and trace these karst structures, e.g.: (i) gravity revealing air- and sediment-filled cave voids through negative Bouguer anomalies, (ii) electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) mapping different infillings of cavities either as high resistivities from air-filled voids or dry soft sediments, or low resistivities from saturated sediments, and (iii) groundwater flow through electrical potential differences (SP) arising from dislocated ionic charges from the walls of the underground flow paths. We have used gravity, ERI, and SP methods both in and above the Unicorn Cave located in the southern Harz Mountains in Germany. The Unicorn Cave is a show cave developed in the Werra dolomite formation of the Permian Zechstein sequence, characterised by large trunk passages interrupted by larger rooms. The overburden of the cave is only around 15 m, and passages are filled with sediments reaching infill thicknesses up to 40 m. We present results from our geophysical surveys above the known cave and its northern and southern extension, and from the cave interior. We identify the cave geometry and its infill from gravity and ERI measurements, predict previously unknown parts of the cave, and subsequently confirm the existence of these new passages through drilling. From the wealth of geophysical data acquired we derive a three-dimensional structural model of the Unicorn Cave and its surrounding, especially the cave infill.

Customized three-dimensional printed optical phantoms with user defined absorption and scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pannem, Sanjana; Sweer, Jordan; Diep, Phuong; Lo, Justine; Snyder, Michael; Stueber, Gabriella; Zhao, Yanyu; Tabassum, Syeda; Istfan, Raeef; Wu, Junjie; Erramilli, Shyamsunder; Roblyer, Darren M.

2016-03-01

The use of reliable tissue-simulating phantoms spans multiple applications in spectroscopic imaging including device calibration and testing of new imaging procedures. Three-dimensional (3D) printing allows for the possibility of optical phantoms with arbitrary geometries and spatially varying optical properties. We recently demonstrated the ability to 3D print tissue-simulating phantoms with customized absorption (μa) and reduced scattering (μs`) by incorporating nigrosin, an absorbing dye, and titanium dioxide (TiO2), a scattering agent, to acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) during filament extrusion. A physiologically relevant range of μa and μs` was demonstrated with high repeatability. We expand our prior work here by evaluating the effect of two important 3D-printing parameters, percent infill and layer height, on both μa and μs`. 2 cm3 cubes were printed with percent infill ranging from 10% to 100% and layer height ranging from 0.15 to 0.40 mm. The range in μa and μs` was 27.3% and 19.5% respectively for different percent infills at 471 nm. For varying layer height, the range in μa and μs` was 27.8% and 15.4% respectively at 471 nm. These results indicate that percent infill and layer height substantially alter optical properties and should be carefully controlled during phantom fabrication. Through the use of inexpensive hobby-level printers, the fabrication of optical phantoms may advance the complexity and availability of fully customizable phantoms over multiple spatial scales. This technique exhibits a wider range of adaptability than other common methods of fabricating optical phantoms and may lead to improved instrument characterization and calibration.

Tolerance of triazole-based fungicides by biocontrol agents used to control Fusarium head blight in wheat in Argentina.

PubMed

Palazzini, J M; Torres, A M; Chulze, S N

2018-05-01

Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium graminearum species complex is a devastating disease that causes extensive yield and quality losses to wheat around the world. Fungicide application and breeding for resistance are among the most important tools to counteract FHB. Biological control is an additional tool that can be used as part of an integrated management of FHB. Bacillus velezensisRC 218, Brevibacillus sp. RC 263 and Streptomyces sp. RC 87B were selected by their potential to control FHB and deoxynivalenol production. The aim of this work was to test the tolerance of these biocontrol agents to triazole-based fungicides such as prothioconazole, tebuconazole and metconazole. Bacterial growth was evaluated in Petri dishes using the spread plating technique containing the different fungicides. Bacillus velezensisRC 218 and Streptomyces sp. RC 87B showed better tolerance to fungicides than Brevibacillus sp. RC 263. Complete growth inhibition was observed at concentrations of 20 μg ml -1 for metconazole, 40 μg ml -1 for tebuconazole and 80 μg ml -1 for prothioconazole. The results obtained indicate the possibility of using these biocontrol agents in combination with fungicides as part of an integrated management to control FHB of wheat. This study evaluates the possibility to use biocontrol agents (Bacillus velezensisRC 218, Brevibacillus sp. RC 263 and Streptomyces sp. RC 87B) in combination with triazole-based fungicides to control Fusarium head blight in wheat. The evaluation of biocontrol agents' growth under in vitro conditions was carried out in Petri dishes containing either prothioconazole, tebuconazole or metconazole. Viability studies demonstrated that B. velezensisRC 218 and Streptomyces sp. RC 87B were more tolerant to the fungicides evaluated. Results obtained reflect the possibility to use fungicides at low doses combined with biocontrol agents. © 2018 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

Inhibition of growth of PC-82 human prostate cancer line xenografts in nude mice by bombesin antagonist RC-3095 or combination of agonist [D-Trp6]-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone and somatostatin analog RC-160.

PubMed

Milovanovic, S R; Radulovic, S; Groot, K; Schally, A V

1992-01-01

The effects of treatment with a bombesin receptor antagonist [D-Tpi6, Leu13 psi (CH2NH) Leu14]BN(6-14)(RC-3095) and the combination of an agonist of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone [D-Trp6]-LH-RH and somatostatin analog D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val- Cys-Trp-NH2 (RC-160) were studied in nude mice bearing xenografts of the hormone-dependent human prostate tumor PC-82. During the 5 weeks of treatment, tumor growth was decreased in all treated groups compared with controls. Bombesin antagonist RC-3095 and the combination of [D-Trp6]-LH-RH and RC-160 caused a greater inhibition of tumor growth than [D-Trp6]-LH-RH or RC-160 alone as based on measurement of tumor volume and percentage change in tumor volume. The largest decrease in tumor weight was also seen in the groups treated with the bombesin antagonist and with the combination of RC-160 and [D-Trp6]-LH-RH. Serum prostatic-specific antigen levels were greatly decreased, and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) as well as growth hormone levels were reduced in all treated groups. Specific binding sites for [D-Trp6]-LH-RH, epidermal growth factor (EGF), IGF-I, and somatostatin (SS-14) were found in the tumor membranes. Receptors for EGF were significantly down-regulated by treatment with the bombesin antagonist or RC-160. Combination of LH-RH agonists with somatostatin analog RC-160 might be considered for improvement of hormonal therapy for prostate cancer. The finding that bombesin antagonist RC-3095 inhibits the growth of PC-82 prostate cancer suggests the merit of further studies to evaluate the possible usefulness of antagonists of bombesin in the management of prostatic carcinoma.

Mouse RC/BTB2, a Member of the RCC1 Superfamily, Localizes to Spermatid Acrosomal Vesicles

PubMed Central

Shen, Xuening; Nagarkatti-Gude, David R.; Hess, Rex A.; Henderson, Scott C.; Strauss, Jerome F.; Zhang, Zhibing

2012-01-01

Mouse RC/BTB2 is an unstudied protein of the RCC1 (Regulator of Chromosome Condensation) superfamily. Because of the significant remodeling of chromatin that occurs during spermiogenesis, we characterized the expression and localization of mouse RC/BTB2 in the testis and male germ cells. The Rc/btb2 gene yields two major transcripts: 2.3 kb Rc/btb2-s, present in most somatic tissues examined; and 2.5 kb Rc/btb2-t, which contains a unique non-translated exon in its 5′-UTR that is only detected in the testis. During the first wave of spermatogenesis, Rc/btb2-t mRNA is expressed from day 8 after birth, reaching highest levels of expression at day 30 after birth. The full-length protein contains three RCC1 domains in the N-terminus, and a BTB domain in the C-terminus. In the testis, the protein is detectable from day 12, but is progressively up-regulated to day 30 and day 42 after birth. In spermatids, some of the protein co-localizes with acrosomal markers sp56 and peanut lectin, indicating that it is an acrosomal protein. A GFP-tagged RCC1 domain is present throughout the cytoplasm of transfected CHO cells. However, both GFP-tagged, full-length RC/BTB2 and a GFP-tagged BTB domain localize to vesicles in close proximity to the nuclear membrane, suggesting that the BTB domain might play a role in mediating full-length RC/BTB2 localization. Since RCC1 domains associate with Ran, a small GTPase that regulates molecular trafficking, it is possible that RC/BTB2 plays a role in transporting proteins during acrosome formation. PMID:22768142

Formulation development of retrocyclin 1 analog RC-101 as an anti-HIV vaginal microbicide product.

PubMed

Sassi, A B; Cost, M R; Cole, A L; Cole, A M; Patton, D L; Gupta, P; Rohan, L C

2011-05-01

RC-101 is a synthetic microbicide analog of retrocyclin, which has shown in vitro activity against X4 and R5 HIV-1. In an effort to develop a safe and effective RC-101 vaginal microbicide product, we assessed safety in ex vivo macaque and human models and efficacy using in vitro and ex vivo models. A polyvinyl-alcohol vaginal film containing RC-101 (100 μg/film) was developed. Formulation assessment was conducted by evaluating disintegration, drug content, mechanical properties, and stability. Efficacy was evaluated by in vitro peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) assay and ex vivo human ectocervical tissue explant model. Ex vivo safety studies were conducted by exposing RC-101 to an excised monkey reproductive tract and excised human ectocervical tissue. RC-101 100 μg films were shown to be safe to human and monkey tissue and effective against HIV-1 in vitro and ex vivo in human ectocervical tissue. The 90% inhibitory concentration (IC90) for RC-101 films at 2,000 μg (IC90=57.5 μM) using an ex vivo model was 10-fold higher than the IC90 observed using an in vitro model (IC90=5.0 μM). RC-101 films were stable for 1 month at 25°C, with in vitro bioactivity maintained for up to 6 months. RC-101 was developed in a quick-dissolve film formulation that was shown to be safe in an ex vivo model and effective in in vitro and ex vivo models. RC-101 film formulations were shown to maintain bioactivity for a period of 6 months. Findings from the present study contribute to the development of a safe and effective topical microbicide product.

RcRR1, a Rosa canina type-A response regulator gene, is involved in cytokinin-modulated rhizoid organogenesis.

PubMed

Gao, Bin; Fan, Lusheng; Li, Xingxing; Yang, Huifang; Liu, Fengluan; Wang, Ling; Xi, Lin; Ma, Nan; Zhao, Liangjun

2013-01-01

In vitro, a new protocol of plant regeneration in rose was achieved via protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) induced from the root-like organs named rhizoids that developed from leaf explants. The development of rhizoids is a critical stage for efficient regeneration, which is triggered by exogenous auxin. However, the role of cytokinin in the control of organogenesis in rose is as yet uncharacterized. The aim of this study was to elucidate the molecular mechanism of cytokinin-modulated rhizoid formation in Rosa canina. Here, we found that cytokinin is a key regulator in the formation of rhizoids. Treatment with cytokinin reduced callus activity and significantly inhibited rhizoid formation in Rosa canina. We further isolated the full-length cDNA of a type-A response regulator gene of cytokinin signaling, RcRR1, from which the deduced amino acid sequence contained the conserved DDK motif. Gene expression analysis revealed that RcRR1 was differentially expressed during rhizoid formation and its expression level was rapidly up-regulated by cytokinin. In addition, the functionality of RcRR1 was tested in Arabidopsis. RcRR1 was found to be localized to the nucleus in GFP-RcRR1 transgenic plants and overexpression of RcRR1 resulted in increased primary root length and lateral root density. More importantly, RcRR1 overexpression transgenic plants also showed reduced sensitivity to cytokinin during root growth; auxin distribution and the expression of auxin efflux carriers PIN genes were altered in RcRR1 overexpression plants. Taken together, these results demonstrate that RcRR1 is a functional type-A response regulator which is involved in cytokinin-regulated rhizoid formation in Rosa canina.

RcRR1, a Rosa canina Type-A Response Regulator Gene, Is Involved in Cytokinin-Modulated Rhizoid Organogenesis

PubMed Central

Li, Xingxing; Yang, Huifang; Liu, Fengluan; Wang, Ling; Xi, Lin; Ma, Nan; Zhao, Liangjun

2013-01-01

In vitro, a new protocol of plant regeneration in rose was achieved via protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) induced from the root-like organs named rhizoids that developed from leaf explants. The development of rhizoids is a critical stage for efficient regeneration, which is triggered by exogenous auxin. However, the role of cytokinin in the control of organogenesis in rose is as yet uncharacterized. The aim of this study was to elucidate the molecular mechanism of cytokinin-modulated rhizoid formation in Rosa canina. Here, we found that cytokinin is a key regulator in the formation of rhizoids. Treatment with cytokinin reduced callus activity and significantly inhibited rhizoid formation in Rosa canina. We further isolated the full-length cDNA of a type-A response regulator gene of cytokinin signaling, RcRR1, from which the deduced amino acid sequence contained the conserved DDK motif. Gene expression analysis revealed that RcRR1 was differentially expressed during rhizoid formation and its expression level was rapidly up-regulated by cytokinin. In addition, the functionality of RcRR1 was tested in Arabidopsis. RcRR1 was found to be localized to the nucleus in GFP-RcRR1 transgenic plants and overexpression of RcRR1 resulted in increased primary root length and lateral root density. More importantly, RcRR1 overexpression transgenic plants also showed reduced sensitivity to cytokinin during root growth; auxin distribution and the expression of auxin efflux carriers PIN genes were altered in RcRR1 overexpression plants. Taken together, these results demonstrate that RcRR1 is a functional type-A response regulator which is involved in cytokinin-regulated rhizoid formation in Rosa canina. PMID:24009713

Report on 2005 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Implementation

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-03-01

ARNG RC Terrell ..................................................................................................... 561 ARNG RC Texarkana ...594 Walts-Guillot USARC, Texarkana ............................................................................ 595 Utah... Texarkana Commission recommendation number(s): 44 Recommendation title(s): RC Transformation in Texas Closure or realignment actions taken

Research on the Fatigue Flexural Performance of RC Beams Attacked by Salt Spray

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mao, Jiang-hong; Xu, Fang-yuan; Jin, Wei-liang; Zhang, Jun; Wu, Xi-xi; Chen, Cai-sheng

2018-04-01

The fatigue flexural performance of RC beams attacked by salt spray was studied. A testing method involving electro osmosis, electrical accelerated corrosion and salt spray was proposed. This corrosion process method effectively simulates real-world salt spray and fatigue loading exerted by RC components on sea bridges. Four RC beams that have different stress amplitudes were tested. It is found that deterioration by corrosion and fatigue loading reduces the fatigue life of the RC and decreases the ability of deformation. The fatigue life and deflection ability could be reduced by increasing the stress amplitude and the corrosion duration time. The test result demonstrates that this experimental method can couple corrosion deterioration and fatigue loading reasonably. This procedure may be applied to evaluate the fatigue life and concrete durability of RC components located in a natural salt spray environment.

The Plasmodium berghei RC strain is highly diverged and harbors putatively novel drug resistance variants

PubMed Central

Kulawonganunchai, Supasak; Wilantho, Alisa; Koonyosying, Pongpisid; Uthaipibull, Chairat

2017-01-01

Background The current first line drugs for treating uncomplicated malaria are artemisinin (ART) combination therapies. However, Plasmodium falciparum parasites resistant to ART and partner drugs are spreading, which threatens malaria control efforts. Rodent malaria species are useful models for understanding antimalarial resistance, in particular genetic variants responsible for cross resistance to different compounds. Methods The Plasmodium berghei RC strain (PbRC) is described as resistant to different antimalarials, including chloroquine (CQ) and ART. In an attempt to identify the genetic basis for the antimalarial resistance trait in PbRC, its genome was sequenced and compared with five other previously sequenced P. berghei strains. Results We found that PbRC is eight-fold less sensitive to the ART derivative artesunate than the reference strain PbANKA. The genome of PbRC is markedly different from other strains, and 6,974 single nucleotide variants private to PbRC were identified. Among these PbRC private variants, non-synonymous changes were identified in genes known to modulate antimalarial sensitivity in rodent malaria species, including notably the ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase 1 gene. However, no variants were found in some genes with strong evidence of association with ART resistance in P. falciparum such as K13 propeller protein. Discussion The variants identified in PbRC provide insight into P. berghei genome diversity and genetic factors that could modulate CQ and ART resistance in Plasmodium spp. PMID:29018598

A Hierarchy of Homodesmotic Reactions for Thermochemistry

PubMed Central

Schleyer, Paul v. R.

2009-01-01

Chemical equations that balance bond types and atom hybridization to different degrees are often used in computational thermochemistry, for example, to increase accuracy when lower levels of theory are employed. We expose the widespread confusion over such classes of equations and demonstrate that the two most widely used definitions of “homodesmotic” reactions are not equivalent. New definitions are introduced and a consistent hierarchy of reaction classes (RC1 – RC5) for hydrocarbons is constructed: isogyric (RC1) ⊇ isodesmic (RC2) ⊇ hypohomodesmotic (RC3) ⊇ homodesmotic (RC4) ⊇ hyperhomodesmotic (RC5). Each of these successively conserves larger molecular fragments. The concept of isodesmic bond separation reactions is generalized to all classes in this hierarchy, providing a unique sectioning of a given molecule for each reaction type. Several ab initio and density functional methods are applied to the bond separation reactions of 38 hydrocarbons containing five or six carbon atoms. RC4 and RC5 reactions provide bond separation enthalpies with errors consistently less than 0.4 kcal mol−1 across a wide range of theoretical levels, performing significantly better than the other reaction types and far superior to atomization routes. Our recommended bond separation reactions were demonstrated by determining the enthalpies of formation (at 298 K) of 1,3,5-hexatriyne (163.7 ± 0.4 kcal mol−1), 1,3,5,7-octatetrayne (217.6 ± 0.6 kcal mol−1), the larger polyynes C10H2 through C26H2, and an infinite acetylenic carbon chain. PMID:19182999

Cloning, expression, purification, crystallization and X-ray crystallographic analysis of recombinant human C1ORF123 protein.

PubMed

Rahaman, Siti Nurulnabila A; Mat Yusop, Jastina; Mohamed-Hussein, Zeti-Azura; Ho, Kok Lian; Teh, Aik-Hong; Waterman, Jitka; Ng, Chyan Leong

2016-03-01

C1ORF123 is a human hypothetical protein found in open reading frame 123 of chromosome 1. The protein belongs to the DUF866 protein family comprising eukaryote-conserved proteins with unknown function. Recent proteomic and bioinformatic analyses identified the presence of C1ORF123 in brain, frontal cortex and synapses, as well as its involvement in endocrine function and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), indicating the importance of its biological role. In order to provide a better understanding of the biological function of the human C1ORF123 protein, the characterization and analysis of recombinant C1ORF123 (rC1ORF123), including overexpression and purification, verification by mass spectrometry and a Western blot using anti-C1ORF123 antibodies, crystallization and X-ray diffraction analysis of the protein crystals, are reported here. The rC1ORF123 protein was crystallized by the hanging-drop vapor-diffusion method with a reservoir solution comprised of 20% PEG 3350, 0.2 M magnesium chloride hexahydrate, 0.1 M sodium citrate pH 6.5. The crystals diffracted to 1.9 Å resolution and belonged to an orthorhombic space group with unit-cell parameters a = 59.32, b = 65.35, c = 95.05 Å. The calculated Matthews coefficient (VM) value of 2.27 Å(3) Da(-1) suggests that there are two molecules per asymmetric unit, with an estimated solvent content of 45.7%.

Failure mechanism of shear-wall dominant multi-story buildings

USGS Publications Warehouse

Yuksel, S.B.; Kalkan, E.

2008-01-01

The recent trend in the building industry of Turkey as well as in many European countries is towards utilizing the tunnel form (shear-wall dominant) construction system for development of multi-story residential units. The tunnel form buildings diverge from other conventional reinforced concrete (RC) buildings due to the lack of beams and columns in their structural integrity. The vertical load-carrying members of these buildings are the structural-walls only, and the floor system is a flat plate. Besides the constructive advantages, tunnel form buildings provide superior seismic performance compared to conventional RC frame and dual systems as observed during the recent devastating earthquakes in Turkey (1999 Mw 7.4 Kocaeli, Mw 7.2 Duzce, and 2004 Mw 6.5 Bingol). With its proven earthquake performance, the tunnel form system is becoming the primary construction technique in many seismically active regions. In this study, a series of nonlinear analyses were conducted using finite element (FE) models to augment our understanding on their failure mechanism under lateral forces. In order to represent the nonlinear behavior adequately, The FE models were verified with the results of experimental studies performed on three dimensional (3D) scaled tunnel form building specimens. The results of this study indicate that the structural walls of tunnel form buildings may exhibit brittle flexural failure under lateral loading, if they are not properly reinforced. The global tension/compression couple triggers this failure mechanism by creating pure axial tension in the outermost shear-walls.

A Rosa canina WUSCHEL-related homeobox gene, RcWOX1, is involved in auxin-induced rhizoid formation.

PubMed

Gao, Bin; Wen, Chao; Fan, Lusheng; Kou, Yaping; Ma, Nan; Zhao, Liangjun

2014-12-01

Homeobox (HB) proteins are important transcription factors that regulate the developmental decisions of eukaryotes. WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) transcription factors, known as a plant-specific HB family, play a key role in plant developmental processes. Our previous work has indicated that rhizoids are induced by auxin in rose (Rosa spp.), which acts as critical part of an efficient plant regeneration system. However, the function of WOX genes in auxin-induced rhizoid formation remains unclear. Here, we isolated and characterized a WUSCHEL-related homeobox gene from Rosa canina, RcWOX1, containing a typical homeodomain with 65 amino acid residues. Real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis revealed that RcWOX1 was expressed in the whole process of callus formation and in the early stage of rhizoid formation. Moreover, its expression was induced by auxin treatment. In Arabidopsis transgenic lines expressing the RcWOX1pro::GUS and 35S::GFP-RcWOX1, RcWOX1 was specifically expressed in roots and localized to the nucleus. Overexpression of RcWOX1 in Arabidopsis increased lateral root density and induced upregulation of PIN1 and PIN7 genes. Therefore, we postulated that RcWOX1 is a functional transcription factor that plays an essential role in auxin-induced rhizoid formation.

Rigid and flexible control of eating behavior in a college population.

PubMed

Timko, C Alix; Perone, Julie

2005-02-01

The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between rigid control (RC) and flexible control (FC) of eating behavior and their relationship to traditional weight, eating, and affective measurements in a large heterogeneous population. Participants were 639 underweight to obese male and female college students. Multiple regression analyses (MRA) revealed that high RC was associated with high Body Mass Index (BMI) and high Disinhibition (DIS), and high FC was associated with low BMI and low DIS in women. In men, high RC was associated with high BMI and high DIS, whereas FC was not related to BMI or DIS. Multiple regression analyses of BMI on RC and FC in the female subsample revealed that the control variables interact in such a way that the relationship between RC and BMI is stronger when FC is lower. In men, there was no interaction between these variables. This study is the first full replication of Westenhoefer's Gezugeltes Essen und Storbarkeit des Ebetaverhaltens: 2. Auflage. Gottingen: Verlag fur Psychologie () findings regarding RC and FC and their relationship to weight (BMI) and Disinhibition (DIS) in women. This is also the only second study to use the expanded, more reliable versions of the RC and FC scales. Overall, high RC in women and men was associated with greater eating and affective pathology.

Simple nonlinear modelling of earthquake response in torsionally coupled R/C structures: A preliminary study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saiidi, M.

1982-07-01

The equivalent of a single degree of freedom (SDOF) nonlinear model, the Q-model-13, was examined. The study intended to: (1) determine the seismic response of a torsionally coupled building based on the multidegree of freedom (MDOF) and (SDOF) nonlinear models; and (2) develop a simple SDOF nonlinear model to calculate displacement history of structures with eccentric centers of mass and stiffness. It is shown that planar models are able to yield qualitative estimates of the response of the building. The model is used to estimate the response of a hypothetical six-story frame wall reinforced concrete building with torsional coupling, using two different earthquake intensities. It is shown that the Q-Model-13 can lead to a satisfactory estimate of the response of the structure in both cases.

Ginsenoside Rc from Panax ginseng exerts anti-inflammatory activity by targeting TANK-binding kinase 1/interferon regulatory factor-3 and p38/ATF-2.

PubMed

Yu, Tao; Yang, Yanyan; Kwak, Yi-Seong; Song, Gwan Gyu; Kim, Mi-Yeon; Rhee, Man Hee; Cho, Jae Youl

2017-04-01

Ginsenoside Rc (G-Rc) is one of the major protopanaxadiol-type saponins isolated from Panax ginseng , a well-known medicinal herb with many beneficial properties including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, and antidiabetic effects. In this study, we investigated the effects of G-Rc on inflammatory responses in vitro and examined the mechanisms of these effects. The in vitro inflammation system used lipopolysaccharide-treated macrophages, tumor necrosis factor-α/interferon-γ-treated synovial cells, and HEK293 cells transfected with various inducers of inflammation. G-Rc significantly inhibited the expression of macrophage-derived cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β. G-Rc also markedly suppressed the activation of TANK-binding kinase 1/IκB kinase ε/interferon regulatory factor-3 and p38/ATF-2 signaling in activated RAW264.7 macrophages, human synovial cells, and HEK293 cells. G-Rc exerts its anti-inflammatory actions by suppressing TANK-binding kinase 1/IκB kinase ε/interferon regulatory factor-3 and p38/ATF-2 signaling.

Identification of a cobia (Rachycentron canadum) CC chemokine gene and its involvement in the inflammatory response.

PubMed

Su, Youlu; Guo, Zhixun; Xu, Liwen; Jiang, Jingzhe; Wang, Jiangyong; Feng, Juan

2012-01-01

The chemokines regulate immune cell migration under inflammatory and physiological conditions. We investigated a CC chemokine gene (RcCC1) from cobia (Rachycentron canadum). The full-length RcCC1 cDNA is comprised 673 nucleotides and encodes a four-cysteine arrangement 99-amino-acid protein typical of known CC chemokines. The genomic DNA of RcCC1 consists of three exons and two introns. Phylogenetic analysis showed that RcCC1 was closest to the MIP group of CC chemokines. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis revealed RcCC1 was constitutively expressed in all tissues examined, with relative strong expression in gill, blood, kidney, spleen, and head kidney. The RcCC1 transcripts in the head kidney, spleen, and liver were quickly up-regulated after stimulation with formalin-inactivated Vibrio carchariae (bacterial vaccine) or polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid (poly I:C). These results indicate RcCC1 not only plays a role in homeostasis, but also may be involved in inflammatory responses to bacterial and viral infection. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparison of the evolution of the sediment dynamics of a bay and an estuary in the East coast of the English Channel: the case of the Bay of Somme and the Seine estuary (France)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cuvilliez, A.; Le Bot, S.; Michel, C.; Cuvilliez, C.

2017-12-01

The economical roles and the ecological importance of the intertidal zones of mouth the Seine estuary (25 Km²) and of the Bay of Somme (70 Km²), both located on the East coast of the English Channel (Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B), have led to numerous studies on sediment dynamics since the beginning of the 19th century. Since 1995, the high resolution remote sensing (8 cm per side of pixel) allowed an exhaustive study of these intertidal surfaces. Altimetric surveys using radials, notably with ALTUS altimeters, then with LiDAR, were carried out in order to estimate more accurately the volumes and the nature of the sediments that infill these areas. The study of sedimentary facies further improved our understanding of the roles of the environmental forcing which controls sedimentation dynamics. Indeed, it allows foreseeing hydraulic circulation issues which damage these coastal ecosystems, and which can thus be prevented. Subsequently, for more than a decade, these two macrotidal zones, which have a tidal range equal to or greater than 8.5 m, show a decrease in their settling surface size which fosters mud deposition, and an acceleration of their sand infilling. Since 2005, year that marks the completion of the work of the so-called "Port 2000" harbour, the Seine estuary has increased its intertidal areas by almost 45% (<+7.5 m) (Fig.1C), of which 69% are occupied by sandy or silty sediments brought by the flood tides. In the Bay of Somme, only the low-lying intertidal areas (<+ 3.5m) are infilled with sandy sediments, representing 88% of the total deposits (Fig. 1D). In this case, the study of the sedimentary facies reveals that the littoral drift and the action of the waves linked to the tide are mainly responsible of the infill. If sedimentary infilling is a widespread characteristic of estuaries and bays which started with the Holocene transgression, this phenomenon is accentuated with the sea level rise and is greatly amplified with port developments that tend to limit the action of the river flow.

Use of a ground-penetrating radar system to detect pre-and post-flood scour at selected bridge sites in New Hampshire, 1996-98

USGS Publications Warehouse

Olimpio, Joseph R.

2000-01-01

Ground-penetrating radar was used to measure the depth and extent of existing and infilled scour holes and previous scour surfaces at seven bridges in New Hampshire from April 1996 to November 1998. Ground-penetrating-radar survey techniques initially were used by the U.S. Geological Survey to study streambed scour at 30 bridges. Sixteen of the 30 bridges were re-surveyed where floods exceeded a 2-year recurrence interval. A 300-megahertz signal was used in the ground-penetrating radar system that penetrated through depths as great as 20 feet of water and as great as 32 feet of streambed materials. Existing scour-hole dimensions, infilled thickness, previous scour surfaces, and streambed materials were detected using ground-penetrating radar. Depths to riprap materials and pier footings were identified and verified with bridge plans. Post data-collection-processing techniques were applied to assist in the interpretation of the data, and the processed data were displayed and printed as line plots. Processing included distance normalization, migration, and filtering but processing was kept to a minimum and some interference from multiple reflections was left in the record. Of the 16 post-flood bridges, 22 ground-penetrating-radar cross sections at 7 bridges were compared and presented in this report. Existing scour holes were detected during 1996 (pre-flood) data collection in nine cross sections where scour depths ranged from 1 to 3 feet. New scour holes were detected during 1998 (post-flood) data collection in four cross sections where scour depths were as great as 4 feet deep. Infilled scour holes were detected in seven cross sections, where depths of infilling ranged from less than 1 to 4 feet. Depth of infilling by means of steel rod and hammer was difficult to verify in the field because of cobble and boulder streambeds or deep water. Previous scour surfaces in streambed materials were identified in 15 cross sections and the depths to these surfaces ranged from 1 to 10 feet below the streambed. Riprap materials or pier footings were identified in all cross sections. Calculated record depths generally agree with bridge plans. Pier footings were exposed at two bridges and steel pile was exposed at one bridge. Exposures were verified by field observations.

47 CFR 95.215 - (R/C Rule 15) Do I have to limit the length of my communications?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false (R/C Rule 15) Do I have to limit the length of... to Operate An R/c Station § 95.215 (R/C Rule 15) Do I have to limit the length of my communications... signal to insure the immediate safety of life of property, the FCC may make an exception to the...

Interhemispheric balance patterns detected by selective phonemic dichotic laterality measures in four clinical subtypes of reading-disabled children.

PubMed

Morton, L L

1994-08-01

Identifying disabilities in word-attack, word-recognition, or reading comprehension, allowed for four categories of reading disability: (1) reading comprehension only (RC), (2) word-attack plus comprehension (WA+RC), (3) word-attack, word-recognition, and comprehension (WA+WR+RC), and (4) word-attack but not comprehension (WA-RC). Along with age-matched controls (AMC) and developmental-delay controls (DDC), the disabled were tested on a directed-attention dichotic task using consonant-vowel combinations. Laterality results for each place of articulation (i.e., bilabial, alveolar, and velar) selectively attested to greater left hemisphere involvement or engagement for the RC group and greater right hemisphere involvement or engagement for the WA+RC group. Performance of the other two disabled groups was consistent with less efficient right hemisphere involvement or callosal transfer. Implications for theory, research, and remediation are discussed.

Waste heat recovery system

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

Ernst, Timothy C.; Zigan, James A.

A waste heat recovery system includes a Rankine cycle (RC) circuit having a pump, a boiler, an energy converter, and a condenser fluidly coupled via conduits in that order, to provide additional work. The additional work is fed to an input of a gearbox assembly including a capacity for oil by mechanically coupling to the energy converter to a gear assembly. An interface is positioned between the RC circuit and the gearbox assembly to partially restrict movement of oil present in the gear assembly into the RC circuit and partially restrict movement of working fluid present in the RC circuitmore » into the gear assembly. An oil return line is fluidly connected to at least one of the conduits fluidly coupling the RC components to one another and is operable to return to the gear assembly oil that has moved across the interface from the gear assembly to the RC circuit.« less

Development of an Improved Crack Propagation Model for Corrosion-Induced Cover Cracking in RC Structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hilyati, S.; Nizam, Z. M.; Zurisman, M. A. A.; Azhar, A. T. S.

2017-06-01

During the last two decades, reinforced concrete (RC) has been extensively used in most of the world as one of the common construction material due to its advantages and durability. However, RC structures exposed to marine environments are subjected to chloride attack. Chlorides from seawater penetrate into RC structures are not only causing severe corrosion problems but also affect the durability and serviceability of such structures. This paper investigates the influence of transverse reinforcement and spacing of reinforcing bars on concrete cover cracking of two-way RC slab specimens using accelerated corrosion tests. The experimental program involved the testing of four RC slab specimens and was generally designed to observe the crack width and the time of crack to propagate. An improved model for predicting the timing of crack propagation based on the experimental data was then developed.

Comparative study on diagonal equivalent methods of masonry infill panel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amalia, Aniendhita Rizki; Iranata, Data

2017-06-01

Infrastructure construction in earthquake prone area needs good design process, including modeling a structure in a correct way to reduce damages caused by an earthquake. Earthquakes cause many damages e.g. collapsed buildings that are dangerous. An incorrect modeling in design process certainly affects the structure's ability in responding to load, i.e. an earthquake load, and it needs to be paid attention to in order to reduce damages and fatalities. A correct modeling considers every aspect that affects the strength of a building, including stiffness of resisting lateral loads caused by an earthquake. Most of structural analyses still use open frame method that does not consider the effect of stiffness of masonry panel to the stiffness and strength of the whole structure. Effect of masonry panel is usually not included in design process, but the presence of this panel greatly affects behavior of the building in responding to an earthquake. In worst case scenario, it can even cause the building to collapse as what has been reported after great earthquakes worldwide. Modeling a structure with masonry panel as consideration can be performed by designing the panel as compression brace or shell element. In designing masonry panel as a compression brace, there are fourteen methods popular to be used by structure designers formulated by Saneinejad-Hobbs, Holmes, Stafford-Smith, Mainstones, Mainstones-Weeks, Bazan-Meli, Liauw Kwan, Paulay and Priestley, FEMA 356, Durani Luo, Hendry, Al-Chaar, Papia and Chen-Iranata. Every method has its own equation and parameters to use, therefore the model of every method was compared to results of experimental test to see which one gives closer values. Moreover, those methods also need to be compared to the open frame to see if they can result values within limits. Experimental test that was used in comparing all methods was taken from Mehrabi's research (Fig. 1), which was a prototype of a frame in a structure with 0.5 scale and the ratio of height to width of 1 to 1.5. Load used in the experiment was based on Uniform Building Code (UBC) 1991. Every method compared was calculated first to get equivalent diagonal strut width. The second step was modelling method using structure analysis software as a frame with a diagonal in a linear mode. The linear mode was chosen based on structure analysis commonly used by structure designers. The frame was loaded and for every model, its load and deformation values were identified. The values of load - deformation of every method were compared to those of experimental test specimen by Mehrabi and open frame. From comparative study performed, Holmes' and Bazan-Meli's equations gave results the closest to the experimental test specimen by Mehrabi. Other equations that gave close values within the limit (by comparing it to the open frame) are Saneinejad-Hobbs, Stafford-Smith, Bazan-Meli, Liauw Kwan, Paulay and Priestley, FEMA 356, Durani Luo, Hendry, Papia and Chen-Iranata.

Comparison of Coconut Coir, Rockwool, and Peat Cultivations for Tomato Production: Nutrient Balance, Plant Growth and Fruit Quality.

PubMed

Xiong, Jing; Tian, Yongqiang; Wang, Jingguo; Liu, Wei; Chen, Qing

2017-01-01

Rockwool (RC) and peat are two common substrates used worldwide in horticultural crop production. In recent years environmental and ecological concerns raised the demand for reducing the use of RC and peat. Although coconut coir (CC) has been increasingly used as an alternative to RC and peat, it is still needed to comprehensively evaluate the feasibility of CC before widely used. To meet this need, CC, RC, and peat-vermiculite (PVC) cultivations were used as tomato cultivation substrates to evaluate their effects on EC, pH and mineral ions in root-zone solution and drainage, nutrient uptake by crops, nutrient balance of cultivation system, plant growth and fruit quality. In general, CC significantly increased K and S uptake by crops, photosynthesis, individual fruit weight and total fruit yield compared to RC, and increased P and K uptake by crops and total fruit yield compared to PVC. Moreover, CC significantly increased organic acid of fruit in first truss compared to both RC and PVC. The uncredited nutrient was overally lower under CC than under RC and PVC (the lower, the better). For all substrates, the blossom-end rot (BER) of fruit increased gradually from 3rd to 13th trusses. The BER of fruit was not significantly influenced by CC compared to RC or PVC, but was sginificantly decreased by PVC compared to RC. Our results infer that CC was a potential substrate that could be widely used in tomato production. However, the inhibition of BER was still a challenge when CC was used as cultivation substrate for tomato.

Comparison of Coconut Coir, Rockwool, and Peat Cultivations for Tomato Production: Nutrient Balance, Plant Growth and Fruit Quality

PubMed Central

Xiong, Jing; Tian, Yongqiang; Wang, Jingguo; Liu, Wei; Chen, Qing

2017-01-01

Rockwool (RC) and peat are two common substrates used worldwide in horticultural crop production. In recent years environmental and ecological concerns raised the demand for reducing the use of RC and peat. Although coconut coir (CC) has been increasingly used as an alternative to RC and peat, it is still needed to comprehensively evaluate the feasibility of CC before widely used. To meet this need, CC, RC, and peat-vermiculite (PVC) cultivations were used as tomato cultivation substrates to evaluate their effects on EC, pH and mineral ions in root-zone solution and drainage, nutrient uptake by crops, nutrient balance of cultivation system, plant growth and fruit quality. In general, CC significantly increased K and S uptake by crops, photosynthesis, individual fruit weight and total fruit yield compared to RC, and increased P and K uptake by crops and total fruit yield compared to PVC. Moreover, CC significantly increased organic acid of fruit in first truss compared to both RC and PVC. The uncredited nutrient was overally lower under CC than under RC and PVC (the lower, the better). For all substrates, the blossom-end rot (BER) of fruit increased gradually from 3rd to 13th trusses. The BER of fruit was not significantly influenced by CC compared to RC or PVC, but was sginificantly decreased by PVC compared to RC. Our results infer that CC was a potential substrate that could be widely used in tomato production. However, the inhibition of BER was still a challenge when CC was used as cultivation substrate for tomato. PMID:28824665

Dried Pomegranate Potentiates Anti-Osteoporotic and Anti-Obesity Activities of Red Clover Dry Extracts in Ovariectomized Rats

PubMed Central

Kang, Su Jin; Choi, Beom Rak; Kim, Seung Hee; Yi, Hae Yeon; Park, Hye Rim; Kim, Dong Chul; Choi, Seong Hun; Han, Chang Hyun; Park, Soo Jin; Song, Chang Hyun; Ku, Sae Kwang; Lee, Young Joon

2015-01-01

Red clover (RC) shows potential activity against menopausal symptoms and pomegranates have antioxidative and beneficial effects on postmenopausal symptoms; thus, we investigated whether the anti-climacteric activity of RC could be enhanced by the addition of dried pomegranate concentrate powder (PCP) extracts in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Regarding the anti-osteoporotic effects, bone mineral density increased significantly in OVX induced rats treated with 60 and 120 mg/kg of an RC:PCP 2:1 mixture, respectively, compared with OVX control rats. Additionally, femoral, tibia, and L4 bone resorption was decreased in OVX induced control rats treated with the RC:PCP 2:1 mixture (60 and 120 mg/kg), respectively, compared with OVX control rats. Regarding anti-obesity effects, the OVX induced rats treated with 60 and 120 mg/kg of the RC:PCP 2:1 mixture showed a decrease in total fat pad thickness, the mean diameters of adipocytes and the body weights gain compared with OVX induced control rats. The estradiol and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly increased in OVX induced rats treated with the RC:PCP 2:1 mixture (120 mg/kg) compared with OVX induced control rats, also, the uterine atrophy was significantly inhibited in 60 and 120 mg/kg of the RC:PCP 2:1 mixture treatment compared with OVX control rats. In conclusion, our results indicate that PCP enhanced the anti-climacteric effects of RC in OVX rats. The RC:PCP 2:1 mixture used in this study may be a promising new potent and protective agent for relieving climacteric symptoms. PMID:25912038

The Shock and Vibration Digest. Volume 12, Number 2,

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-02-01

Malfunction Diagnosis Key Words: Design techniques, Equipment, Balancing tech- R.C. Eisenmann niques, Alignment Mech. Engrg. Services, North American...260 Edil, T.B ................. 362 Hignett, H.J.............. 379 Castro, G............... 409 Eisenmann , R.C ........... 395 Hill, R.C

The clinical anatomy of the insertion of the rotator cuff tendons.

PubMed

Vosloo, M; Keough, N; De Beer, M A

2017-04-01

The rotator cuff (RC) insertions according to most anatomical texts are described as being separate from one another. However, clear fusion of the RC tendon fibres exists with prior studies showing this interdigitation forming a common, continuous insertion onto and around the lesser and greater tubercles (LT and GT) of the humerus. Current surgical repair methods (especially arthroscopic techniques) rarely mention or consider these connections during repair and suture anchor implantation. The general principles of RC surgery remain a controversial subject, due to various available techniques, surgeon experience and preference, and the contradicting success rates. This results from old-fashioned knowledge of the anatomy of the RC complex and its functional aspects. Therefore, the purpose of this project was to visualise and define the RC footprint and extension insertions with the aim of enhancing and improving knowledge of the basic anatomy in the hopes that this will be considered during orthopaedic repair. Twenty shoulders (16 cadaveric and 4 fresh) were used in the study. The fresh shoulders were received from the National Tissue Bank, and ethical clearance was obtained (239/2015). Reverse dissection was performed to better visualise the RC unit exposing the interdigitated rotator hood (extension insertions), as well as the complete RC unit (tendons + internal capsule) separated from the scapula and humerus. Once the insertions were exposed and documented, the RC muscle footprint (articular surface area) was measured and recorded, using AutoCAD 2016. No statistical significant difference between left and right (p = 0.424) was noted, but a significant difference between males and females (p = 0.000) was. Collectively, these findings indicate and strengthen evidence towards the notion that the RC muscles/tendons and the internal capsule are one complete and inseparable unit/complex. The fact that the RC unit is more complex in its structure and attachment places importance on the biomechanical stresses encountered after repair. Functions of one RC muscle are not necessarily isolated but instead can be influenced by surrounding muscles as well. In addition to providing greater understanding of the basic anatomy of the RC unit, these findings also provide clarity for surgeons with the goal of improving and enhancing surgical methods for better post-operative patient outcome.

AC/RC Force Integration

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-05-01

ib qeocie. Thki document may not be rdeaed for open publicado. untit hu been deared by die appropriate military seavice or a veunent agency. AC /RC...A N/A N/A 11. TITLE (Include Security Classification) AC /RC Force Structure Integraticn 12. PERSONAL AUTHOR(S) Russell A. Eggers 13a. TYPE OF REPORT... AC ) and Reserve Components (RC) Force Integration is critical in today’s Total Army. The Army of soldiers, Active and Reserve, exists to play a key

LaRC-RP41: A Tough, High-Performance Composite Matrix

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pater, Ruth H.; Johnston, Norman J.; Smith, Ricky E.; Snoha, John J.; Gautreaux, Carol R.; Reddy, Rakasi M.

1991-01-01

New polymer exhibits increased toughness and resistance to microcracking. Cross-linking PMR-15 and linear LaRC-TPI combined to provide sequential semi-2-IPN designated as LaRC-RP41. Synthesized from PMR-15 imide prepolymer undergoing cross-linking in immediate presence of LaRC-TPI polyamic acid, also undergoing simultaneous imidization and linear chain extension. Potentially high-temperature matrix resin, adhesive, and molding resin. Applications include automobiles, electronics, aircraft, and aerospace structures.

Enhanced resistance to stripe rust disease in transgenic wheat expressing the rice chitinase gene RC24.

PubMed

Huang, Xuan; Wang, Jian; Du, Zhen; Zhang, Chen; Li, Lan; Xu, Ziqin

2013-10-01

Stripe rust is a devastating fungal disease of wheat worldwide which is primarily caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp tritici. Transgenic wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) expressing rice class chitinase gene RC24 were developed by particle bombardment of immature embryos and tested for resistance to Puccinia striiformis f.sp tritici. under greenhouse and field conditions. Putative transformants were selected on kanamycin-containing media. Polymease chain reaction indicated that RC24 was transferred into 17 transformants obtained from bombardment of 1,684 immature embryos. Integration of RC24 was confirmed by Southern blot with a RC24-labeled probe and expression of RC24 was verified by RT-PCR. Nine transgenic T1 lines exhibited enhanced resistance to stripe rust infection with lines XN8 and BF4 showing the highest level of resistance. Southern blot hybridization confirmed the stable inheritance of RC24 in transgenic T1 plants. Resistance to stripe rust in transgenic T2 and T3 XN8 and BF4 plants was confirmed over two consecutive years in the field. Increased yield (27-36 %) was recorded for transgenic T2 and T3 XN8 and BF4 plants compared to controls. These results suggest that rice class I chitinase RC24 can be used to engineer stripe rust resistance in wheat.

Consumption of new psychoactive substances in a Spanish sample of research chemical users.

PubMed

González, Débora; Ventura, Mireia; Caudevilla, Fernando; Torrens, Marta; Farre, Magi

2013-07-01

To know the pattern of use of new psychoactive substances (NPSs) in a Spanish sample of research chemical (RC) users and to deepen the RC user profile and risk reduction strategies employed. This study is a cross-sectional survey by means of a specific questionnaire. Recruitment was carried out at music festivals, at non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and through announcements on an online forum. Two RC user profiles were defined, according to whether they search information through online forums. A total of 230 users participated. The most frequent RCs were hallucinogenic phenethylamines (2C-B 80.0%, 2C-I 39.6%) and cathinones (methylone 40.1%, mephedrone 35.2%). The most frequent combination of RC with other illegal drugs was with cannabis (68.6%) and 2C-B with MDMA (28.3%). Subjects who are consulting drug forums (group 1) use more RC, obtain RC by Internet, and use more frequently risk prevention strategies. Regarding the risk-reduction strategies in this group, users sought information concerning RC before consuming them (100%), used precision scales to calculate dosage (72.3%), and analyzed the contents before consumption (68.8%). There is a specific RC user profile with extensive knowledge and consumption of substances, using different strategies to reduce risks associated to its consumption. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Performance of masonry enclosure walls: lessons learned from recent earthquakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vicente, Romeu Silva; Rodrigues, Hugo; Varum, Humberto; Costa, Aníbal; Mendes da Silva, José António Raimundo

2012-03-01

This paper discusses the issue of performance requirements and construction criteria for masonry enclosure and infill walls. Vertical building enclosures in European countries are very often constituted by non-load-bearing masonry walls, using horizontally perforated clay bricks. These walls are generally supported and confined by a reinforced concrete frame structure of columns and beams/slabs. Since these walls are commonly considered to be nonstructural elements and their influence on the structural response is ignored, their consideration in the design of structures as well as their connection to the adjacent structural elements is frequently negligent or insufficiently detailed. As a consequence, nonstructural elements, as for wall enclosures, are relatively sensitive to drift and acceleration demands when buildings are subjected to seismic actions. Many international standards and technical documents stress the need for design acceptability criteria for nonstructural elements, however they do not specifically indicate how to prevent collapse and severe cracking, and how to enhance the overall stability in the case of moderate to high seismic loading. Furthermore, a review of appropriate measures to improve enclosure wall performance and both in-plane and out-of-plane integrity under seismic actions is addressed.

Influence of resin cement shade on the color and translucency of ceramic veneers

PubMed Central

HERNANDES, Daiana Kelly Lopes; ARRAIS, Cesar Augusto Galvão; de LIMA, Erick; CESAR, Paulo Francisco; RODRIGUES, José Augusto

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Objective This in vitro study evaluated the effect of two different shades of resin cement (RC- A1 and A3) layer on color change, translucency parameter (TP), and chroma of low (LT) and high (HT) translucent reinforced lithium disilicate ceramic laminates. Material and Methods One dual-cured RC (Variolink II, A1- and A3-shade, Ivoclar Vivadent) was applied to 1-mm thick ceramic discs to create thin RC films (100 µm thick) under the ceramics. The RC was exposed to light from a LED curing unit. Color change (ΔE) of ceramic discs was measured according to CIEL*a*b* system with a standard illuminant D65 in reflectance mode in a spectrophotometer, operating in the light range of 360-740 nm, equipped with an integrating sphere. The color difference between black (B) and white (W) background readings was used for TP analysis, while chroma was calculated by the formula C* ab=(a*2+b*2)½. ΔE of 3.3 was set as the threshold of clinically unacceptable. The results were evaluated by two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test. Results HT ceramics showed higher ΔE and higher TP than LT ceramics. A3-shade RC promoted higher ΔE than A1-shade cement, regardless of the ceramic translucency. No significant difference in TP was noted between ceramic discs with A1- and those with A3-shade cement. Ceramic with underlying RC showed lower TP than discs without RC. HT ceramics showed lower chroma than LT ceramics, regardless of the resin cement shade. The presence of A3-shade RC resulted in higher chroma than the presence of A1-shade RC. Conclusions Darker underlying RC layer promoted more pronounced changes in ceramic translucency, chroma, and shade of high translucent ceramic veneers. These differences may not be clinically differentiable. PMID:27556211

Fabrication and characterization of regenerated cellulose films obtained from oil palm empty fruit bunch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nor Amalini, A.; Melina Cheah, M. Y.; Wan Rosli, W. D.; Hayati, S.; Mohamad Haafiz, M. K.

2017-12-01

Development of regenerated cellulose (RC) derived from underutilized cellulosic biomass has recently gained attention as potential petroleum-based polymer replacers. The objective of this current work is to evaluate the properties of RC films obtained from oil palm empty fruit bunch microcrystalline cellulose (OPEFB-MCC) through environmental process. The RC films were fabricated by using different amounts of OPEFB-MCC (4, 6 and 8 %) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BMIMCl) was used as green OPEFB-MCC dissolving medium. The resultant RC films were then characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, mechanical, thermal and morphological properties by using tensile test, differential scanning colorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) respectively. Increase in OPEFB-MCC amounts from 4 to 8 % enhanced the tensile strength and elongation at break of RC by 101 and 78 %, respectively, indicating stronger and more flexible films were formed. It is interesting to note that the Tg (101-154 °C) and Tm(130-187 °C) were found shifted to higher temperature with higher proportions of OPEFB-MCC in RC films. Meanwhile, FTIR analysis showed no new peak presented in RC films, suggesting that BMIMCl is a non-derivatizing solvent to OPEFB-MCC. Conspicuous changes in the spectra of RC films compared to OPEFB-MCC at 3200-3600 cm-1, 1430 cm-1, 1162 cm-1, 1111 cm-1, 1020-1040 cm-1 and 896 cm-1 were associated with transformation of cellulose I to cellulose II structure or/and decrease in crystallinity occurred after regeneration process. SEM micrographs of the RC films revealed that higher OPEFB-MCC contents exhibited smoother and more homogeneous surfaces morphology. Overall, OPEFB-MCC exhibited good film forming ability for RC production and may offer potential application in various industries including food packaging, medical goods and electronic devices.

Influence of resin cement shade on the color and translucency of ceramic veneers.

PubMed

Hernandes, Daiana Kelly Lopes; Arrais, Cesar Augusto Galvão; Lima, Erick de; Cesar, Paulo Francisco; Rodrigues, José Augusto

2016-01-01

This in vitro study evaluated the effect of two different shades of resin cement (RC- A1 and A3) layer on color change, translucency parameter (TP), and chroma of low (LT) and high (HT) translucent reinforced lithium disilicate ceramic laminates. One dual-cured RC (Variolink II, A1- and A3-shade, Ivoclar Vivadent) was applied to 1-mm thick ceramic discs to create thin RC films (100 µm thick) under the ceramics. The RC was exposed to light from a LED curing unit. Color change (ΔE) of ceramic discs was measured according to CIEL*a*b* system with a standard illuminant D65 in reflectance mode in a spectrophotometer, operating in the light range of 360-740 nm, equipped with an integrating sphere. The color difference between black (B) and white (W) background readings was used for TP analysis, while chroma was calculated by the formula C*ab=(a*2+b*2)½. ΔE of 3.3 was set as the threshold of clinically unacceptable. The results were evaluated by two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test. HT ceramics showed higher ΔE and higher TP than LT ceramics. A3-shade RC promoted higher ΔE than A1-shade cement, regardless of the ceramic translucency. No significant difference in TP was noted between ceramic discs with A1- and those with A3-shade cement. Ceramic with underlying RC showed lower TP than discs without RC. HT ceramics showed lower chroma than LT ceramics, regardless of the resin cement shade. The presence of A3-shade RC resulted in higher chroma than the presence of A1-shade RC. Darker underlying RC layer promoted more pronounced changes in ceramic translucency, chroma, and shade of high translucent ceramic veneers. These differences may not be clinically differentiable.

Analysis and optimization of RC delay in vertical nanoplate FET

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woo, Changbeom; Ko, Kyul; Kim, Jongsu; Kim, Minsoo; Kang, Myounggon; Shin, Hyungcheol

2017-10-01

In this paper, we have analyzed short channel effects (SCEs) and RC delay with Vertical nanoplate FET (VNFET) using 3-D Technology computer-aided design (TCAD) simulation. The device is based on International Technology Road-map for Semiconductor (ITRS) 2013 recommendations, and it has initially gate length (LG) of 12.2 nm, channel thickness (Tch) of 4 nm, and spacer length (LSD) of 6 nm. To obtain improved performance by reducing RC delay, each dimension is adjusted (LG = 12.2 nm, Tch = 6 nm, LSD = 11.9 nm). It has each characteristic in this dimension (Ion/Ioff = 1.64 × 105, Subthreshold swing (S.S.) = 73 mV/dec, Drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL) = 60 mV/V, and RC delay = 0.214 ps). Furthermore, with long shallow trench isolation (STI) length and thick insulator thickness (Ti), we can reduce RC delay from 0.214 ps to 0.163 ps. It is about a 23.8% reduction. Without decreasing drain current, there is a reduction of RC delay as reducing outer fringing capacitance (Cof). Finally, when source/drain spacer length is set to be different, we have verified RC delay to be optimum.

47 CFR 95.225 - (R/C Rule 25) How do I contact the FCC?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... SERVICES PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES Radio Control (R/C) Radio Service Other Things You Need to Know § 95.225... Wide Web homepage: http://www.fcc.gov. (c) In writing, to FCC, Attention: R/C, 1270 Fairfield Road...

Respiratory clearance of 99mTc-DTPA and pulmonary involvement in sarcoidosis

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

Dusser, D.J.; Collignon, M.A.; Stanislas-Leguern, G.

1986-09-01

To investigate the relationships between the respiratory epithelial clearance of micronic aerosolized /sup 99m/Tc-DTPA (RC-DTPA) and pulmonary function, serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (SACE), and lymphocytic alveolitis in patients with sarcoidosis, RC-DTPA was measured in 49 nonsmokers with pulmonary sarcoidosis and 38 normal nonsmokers. Pulmonary involvement was evaluated on chest roentgenograms (type O = normal, type I = hilar adenopathies, type II = hilar adenopathies associated with parenchymal shadows, type III = parenchymal shadows without adenopathy) and by pulmonary function tests. Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme was determined, and a bronchoalveolar lavage was performed for alveolar lymphocyte differential counting (Ly%). RC-DTPA was increased (greatermore » than or equal to 1.96%/min) in 12 of 31 patients with type II or III involvement but was normal in all 18 patients with type O or I involvement (p = 0.002). Patients with increased RC-DTPA had low FVC, TLC, FEV1, and resting Pao2 (p less than 0.05); resting and exercise AaPo2 were increased (p less than 0.05), but RC-DTPA correlated negatively with FEV1 (p less than 0.01), Pao2 at rest (p less than 0.005), and DLCO (p less than 0.05) and positively with resting and exercise AaPO2 (p less than 0.01). In patients with increased RC-DTPA (42 +/- 17%), Ly% did not differ from Ly% in patients with normal RC-DTPA (34 +/- 16%). SACE was increased in patients with increased RC-DTPA (56 +/- 26 U/ml versus 38 +/- 16 U/ml; p = 0.007) and correlated positively with RC-DTPA (p less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)« less

Rhodiola crenulata- and Cordyceps sinensis-based supplement boosts aerobic exercise performance after short-term high altitude training.

PubMed

Chen, Chung-Yu; Hou, Chien-Wen; Bernard, Jeffrey R; Chen, Chiu-Chou; Hung, Ta-Cheng; Cheng, Lu-Ling; Liao, Yi-Hung; Kuo, Chia-Hua

2014-09-01

High altitude training is a widely used strategy for improving aerobic exercise performance. Both Rhodiola crenulata (R) and Cordyceps sinensis (C) supplements have been reported to improve exercise performance. However, it is not clear whether the provision of R and C during high altitude training could further enhance aerobic endurance capacity. In this study, we examined the effect of R and C based supplementation on aerobic exercise capacity following 2-week high altitude training. Alterations to autonomic nervous system activity, circulatory hormonal, and hematological profiles were investigated. Eighteen male subjects were divided into two groups: Placebo (n=9) and R/C supplementation (RC, n=9). Both groups received either RC (R: 1400 mg+C: 600 mg per day) or the placebo during a 2-week training period at an altitude of 2200 m. After 2 weeks of altitude training, compared with Placebo group, the exhaustive run time was markedly longer (Placebo: +2.2% vs. RC: +5.7%; p<0.05) and the decline of parasympathetic (PNS) activity was significantly prevented in RC group (Placebo: -51% vs. RC: -41%; p<0.05). Red blood cell, hematocrit, and hemoglobin levels were elevated in both groups to a comparable extent after high altitude training (p<0.05), whereas the erythropoietin (EPO) level remained higher in the Placebo group (∼48% above RC values; p<0.05). The provision of an RC supplement during altitude training provides greater training benefits in improving aerobic performance. This beneficial effect of RC treatment may result from better maintenance of PNS activity and accelerated physiological adaptations during high altitude training.

Radial profile of pressure in a storm ring current as a function of D st

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kovtyukh, A. S.

2010-06-01

Using satellite data obtained near the equatorial plane during 12 magnetic storms with amplitudes from -61 down to -422 nT, the dependences of maximum in L-profile of pressure ( L m) of the ring current (RC) on the current value of D st are constructed, and their analytical approximations are derived. It is established that function L m( D st ) is steeper on the phase of recovery than during the storm’s main phase. The form of the outer edge of experimental radial profiles of RC pressure is studied, and it is demonstrated to correspond to exponential growth of the total energy of RC particles on a given L shell with decreasing L. It is shown that during the storms’ main phase the ratio of plasma and magnetic field pressures at the RC maximum does not practically depend on the storm strength and L m value. This fact reflects resistance of the Earth’s magnetic field to RC expansion, and testifies that during storms the possibilities of injection to small L are limited for RC particles. During the storms’ recovery phase this ratio quickly increases with increasing L m, which reflects an increased fraction of plasma in the total pressure balance. It is demonstrated that function L m( D st ) is derived for the main phase of storms from the equations of drift motion of RC ions in electrical and magnetic fields, reflecting the dipole character of magnetic field and scale invariance of the pattern of particle convection near the RC maximum. For the recovery phase it is obtained from the Dessler-Parker-Sckopke relationship. The obtained regularities allow one to judge about the radial profile of RC pressure from ground-based magnetic measurements (data on the D st variation).

Tapered Polymer Fiber Sensors for Reinforced Concrete Beam Vibration Detection.

PubMed

Luo, Dong; Ibrahim, Zainah; Ma, Jianxun; Ismail, Zubaidah; Iseley, David Thomas

2016-12-16

In this study, tapered polymer fiber sensors (TPFSs) have been employed to detect the vibration of a reinforced concrete beam (RC beam). The sensing principle was based on transmission modes theory. The natural frequency of an RC beam was theoretically analyzed. Experiments were carried out with sensors mounted on the surface or embedded in the RC beam. Vibration detection results agreed well with Kistler accelerometers. The experimental results found that both the accelerometer and TPFS detected the natural frequency function of a vibrated RC beam well. The mode shapes of the RC beam were also found by using the TPFSs. The proposed vibration detection method provides a cost-comparable solution for a structural health monitoring (SHM) system in civil engineering.

Tapered Polymer Fiber Sensors for Reinforced Concrete Beam Vibration Detection

PubMed Central

Luo, Dong; Ibrahim, Zainah; Ma, Jianxun; Ismail, Zubaidah; Iseley, David Thomas

2016-01-01

In this study, tapered polymer fiber sensors (TPFSs) have been employed to detect the vibration of a reinforced concrete beam (RC beam). The sensing principle was based on transmission modes theory. The natural frequency of an RC beam was theoretically analyzed. Experiments were carried out with sensors mounted on the surface or embedded in the RC beam. Vibration detection results agreed well with Kistler accelerometers. The experimental results found that both the accelerometer and TPFS detected the natural frequency function of a vibrated RC beam well. The mode shapes of the RC beam were also found by using the TPFSs. The proposed vibration detection method provides a cost-comparable solution for a structural health monitoring (SHM) system in civil engineering. PMID:27999245

Analysis of a school building damaged by the 2015 Ranau earthquake Malaysia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takano, Shugo; Saito, Taiki

2017-10-01

On June 5th, 2015 a severe earthquake with a moment Magnitude of 6.0 occurred in Ranau, Malaysia. Depth of the epicenter is 10 km. Due to the earthquake, many facilities were damaged and 18 people were killed due to rockfalls [1]. Because the British Standard (BS) is adopted as a regulation for built buildings in Malaysia, the seismic force is not considered in the structural design. Therefore, the seismic resistance of Malaysian buildings is unclear. To secure the human life and building safety, it is important to grasp seismic resistance of the building. The objective of this study is to evaluate the seismic resistance of the existing buildings in Malaysia built by the British Standard. A school building that was damaged at the Ranau earthquake is selected as the target building. The building is a four story building and the ground floor is designed to be a parking space for the staff. The structural types are infill masonries where main frame is configured by reinforced concrete columns and beams and brick is installed inside the frame as walls. Analysis is performed using the STERA_3D software that is the software to analyze the seismic performance of buildings developed by one of the authors. Firstly, the natural period of the building is calculated and compared with the result of micro-tremor measurement. Secondly, the nonlinear push-over analysis was conducted to evaluate the horizontal load bearing capacity of the building. Thirdly, the earthquake response analysis was conducted using the time history acceleration data measured at the Ranau earthquake by the seismograph installed at Kota Kinabalu. By comparing the results of earthquake response analysis and the actual damage of the building, the reason that caused damage to the building is clarified.

Using structural damage statistics to derive macroseismic intensity within the Kathmandu valley for the 2015 M7.8 Gorkha, Nepal earthquake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McGowan, S. M.; Jaiswal, K. S.; Wald, D. J.

2017-09-01

We make and analyze structural damage observations from within the Kathmandu valley following the 2015 M7.8 Gorkha, Nepal earthquake to derive macroseismic intensities at several locations including some located near ground motion recording sites. The macroseismic intensity estimates supplement the limited strong ground motion data in order to characterize the damage statistics. This augmentation allows for direct comparisons between ground motion amplitudes and structural damage characteristics and ultimately produces a more constrained ground shaking hazard map for the Gorkha earthquake. For systematic assessments, we focused on damage to three specific building categories: (a) low/mid-rise reinforced concrete frames with infill brick walls, (b) unreinforced brick masonry bearing walls with reinforced concrete slabs, and (c) unreinforced brick masonry bearing walls with partial timber framing. Evaluating dozens of photos of each construction type, assigning each building in the study sample to a European Macroseismic Scale (EMS)-98 Vulnerability Class based upon its structural characteristics, and then individually assigning an EMS-98 Damage Grade to each building allows a statistically derived estimate of macroseismic intensity for each of nine study areas in and around the Kathmandu valley. This analysis concludes that EMS-98 macroseismic intensities for the study areas from the Gorkha mainshock typically were in the VII-IX range. The intensity assignment process described is more rigorous than the informal approach of assigning intensities based upon anecdotal media or first-person accounts of felt-reports, shaking, and their interpretation of damage. Detailed EMS-98 macroseismic assessments in urban areas are critical for quantifying relations between shaking and damage as well as for calibrating loss estimates. We show that the macroseismic assignments made herein result in fatality estimates consistent with the overall and district-wide reported values.

Using structural damage statistics to derive macroseismic intensity within the Kathmandu valley for the 2015 M7.8 Gorkha, Nepal earthquake

USGS Publications Warehouse

McGowan, Sean; Jaiswal, Kishor; Wald, David J.

2017-01-01

We make and analyze structural damage observations from within the Kathmandu valley following the 2015 M7.8 Gorkha, Nepal earthquake to derive macroseismic intensities at several locations including some located near ground motion recording sites. The macroseismic intensity estimates supplement the limited strong ground motion data in order to characterize the damage statistics. This augmentation allows for direct comparisons between ground motion amplitudes and structural damage characteristics and ultimately produces a more constrained ground shaking hazard map for the Gorkha earthquake. For systematic assessments, we focused on damage to three specific building categories: (a) low/mid-rise reinforced concrete frames with infill brick walls, (b) unreinforced brick masonry bearing walls with reinforced concrete slabs, and (c) unreinforced brick masonry bearing walls with partial timber framing. Evaluating dozens of photos of each construction type, assigning each building in the study sample to a European Macroseismic Scale (EMS)-98 Vulnerability Class based upon its structural characteristics, and then individually assigning an EMS-98 Damage Grade to each building allows a statistically derived estimate of macroseismic intensity for each of nine study areas in and around the Kathmandu valley. This analysis concludes that EMS-98 macroseismic intensities for the study areas from the Gorkha mainshock typically were in the VII–IX range. The intensity assignment process described is more rigorous than the informal approach of assigning intensities based upon anecdotal media or first-person accounts of felt-reports, shaking, and their interpretation of damage. Detailed EMS-98 macroseismic assessments in urban areas are critical for quantifying relations between shaking and damage as well as for calibrating loss estimates. We show that the macroseismic assignments made herein result in fatality estimates consistent with the overall and district-wide reported values.

Mapping the MMPI-2/MMPI-2-RF Restructured Clinical Scales Onto Mood Markers in an Israeli Sample.

PubMed

Shkalim, Eleanor; Ben-Porath, Yossef S; Almagor, Moshe

2016-01-01

This study cross-culturally evaluated the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2/MMPI-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2/MMPI-2-RF) emotion-focused Restructured Clinical (RC) Scales to examine whether their patterns of associations with positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA) are as expected based on Tellegen, Watson, and Clark's ( 1999a , 1999b ) mood model. The sample was composed of 100 men and 133 women from psychiatric settings in Israel who completed the MMPI-2 and the Mood Check List (MCL; Zevon & Tellegen, 1982 ). Results indicated that RCd was substantially correlated with both PA and NA in opposite directions, and that RC2 and RC7 were more highly correlated with PA and NA, respectively. Further, when compared with their Clinical Scale counterparts, RC2 and RC7 exhibited comparable convergent validities and improved discriminant properties. Findings provide support for Tellegen et al.'s ( 2003 ) goal to link the RC scales to contemporary conceptualizations of mood.

The Context of Religious and Spiritual Care at the End of Life in Long-term Care Facilities.

PubMed

Hamilton, V Lee; Daaleman, Timothy P; Williams, Christianna S; Zimmerman, Sheryl

2009-01-01

Despite the increasing numbers of Americans who die in nursing homes (NHs) and residential care/assisted living (RC/AL) facilities, and the importance of religious and spiritual needs as one approaches death, little is known about how these needs are met for dying individuals in long-term care (LTC) institutional settings. This study compared receipt of religious and spiritual help in four types of LTC settings: NHs, smaller (<16 beds) RC/AL facilities, traditional RC/AL facilities, and new-model RC/AL facilities. Data were also available for religious affiliation of the facilities, size, and provision of religious and hospice services. Controlling for such factors, the importance of religion/spirituality to the decedent was the strongest predictor of the decedent's receipt of spiritual help. In addition, new-model RC/AL facilities were significantly more likely to provide help for religious and spiritual needs of decedent residents than other RC/AL types, but did not differ significantly from NHs.

STS-114: Discovery Return to Flight: Langley Engineers Analysis Briefing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2005-01-01

This video features a briefing on NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) contributions to the Space Shuttle fleet's Return to Flight (RTF). The briefing is split into two sections, which LaRC Shuttle Project Manager Robert Barnes and Deputy Manager Harry Belvin deliver in the form of a viewgraph presentation. Barnes speaks about LaRC contributions to the STS-114 mission of Space Shuttle Discovery, and Belvin speaks about LaRC contributions to subsequent Shuttle missions. In both sections of the briefing, LaRC contributions are in the following areas: External Tank (ET), Orbiter, Systems Integration, and Corrosion/Aging. The managers discuss nondestructive and destructive tests performed on ET foam, wing leading edge reinforced carbon-carbon (RCC) composites, on-orbit tile repair, aerothermodynamic simulation of reentry effects, Mission Management Team (MMT) support, and landing gear tests. The managers briefly answer questions from reporters, and the video concludes with several short video segments about LaRC contributions to the RTF effort.

Floating-Point Modules Targeted for Use with RC Compilation Tools

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sahin, Ibrahin; Gloster, Clay S.

2000-01-01

Reconfigurable Computing (RC) has emerged as a viable computing solution for computationally intensive applications. Several applications have been mapped to RC system and in most cases, they provided the smallest published execution time. Although RC systems offer significant performance advantages over general-purpose processors, they require more application development time than general-purpose processors. This increased development time of RC systems provides the motivation to develop an optimized module library with an assembly language instruction format interface for use with future RC system that will reduce development time significantly. In this paper, we present area/performance metrics for several different types of floating point (FP) modules that can be utilized to develop complex FP applications. These modules are highly pipelined and optimized for both speed and area. Using these modules, and example application, FP matrix multiplication, is also presented. Our results and experiences show, that with these modules, 8-10X speedup over general-purpose processors can be achieved.

Proteomic characterization of paired non-malignant and malignant African-American prostate epithelial cell lines distinguishes them by structural proteins.

PubMed

Myers, Jennifer S; Vallega, Karin A; White, Jason; Yu, Kaixian; Yates, Clayton C; Sang, Qing-Xiang Amy

2017-07-11

While many factors may contribute to the higher prostate cancer incidence and mortality experienced by African-American men compared to their counterparts, the contribution of tumor biology is underexplored due to inadequate availability of African-American patient-derived cell lines and specimens. Here, we characterize the proteomes of non-malignant RC-77 N/E and malignant RC-77 T/E prostate epithelial cell lines previously established from prostate specimens from the same African-American patient with early stage primary prostate cancer. In this comparative proteomic analysis of RC-77 N/E and RC-77 T/E cells, differentially expressed proteins were identified and analyzed for overrepresentation of PANTHER protein classes, Gene Ontology annotations, and pathways. The enrichment of gene sets and pathway significance were assessed using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis and Signaling Pathway Impact Analysis, respectively. The gene and protein expression data of age- and stage-matched prostate cancer specimens from The Cancer Genome Atlas were analyzed. Structural and cytoskeletal proteins were differentially expressed and statistically overrepresented between RC-77 N/E and RC-77 T/E cells. Beta-catenin, alpha-actinin-1, and filamin-A were upregulated in the tumorigenic RC-77 T/E cells, while integrin beta-1, integrin alpha-6, caveolin-1, laminin subunit gamma-2, and CD44 antigen were downregulated. The increased protein level of beta-catenin and the reduction of caveolin-1 protein level in the tumorigenic RC-77 T/E cells mirrored the upregulation of beta-catenin mRNA and downregulation of caveolin-1 mRNA in African-American prostate cancer specimens compared to non-malignant controls. After subtracting race-specific non-malignant RNA expression, beta-catenin and caveolin-1 mRNA expression levels were higher in African-American prostate cancer specimens than in Caucasian-American specimens. The "ECM-Receptor Interaction" and "Cell Adhesion Molecules", and the "Tight Junction" and "Adherens Junction" pathways contained proteins are associated with RC-77 N/E and RC-77 T/E cells, respectively. Our results suggest RC-77 T/E and RC-77 N/E cell lines can be distinguished by differentially expressed structural and cytoskeletal proteins, which appeared in several pathways across multiple analyses. Our results indicate that the expression of beta-catenin and caveolin-1 may be prostate cancer- and race-specific. Although the RC-77 cell model may not be representative of all African-American prostate cancer due to tumor heterogeneity, it is a unique resource for studying prostate cancer initiation and progression.

Transgene Expression and Host Cell Responses to Replication-Defective, Single-Cycle, and Replication-Competent Adenovirus Vectors.

PubMed

Crosby, Catherine M; Barry, Michael A

2017-02-18

Most adenovirus (Ad) vectors are E1 gene deleted replication defective (RD-Ad) vectors that deliver one transgene to the cell and all expression is based on that one gene. In contrast, E1-intact replication-competent Ad (RC-Ad) vectors replicate their DNA and their transgenes up to 10,000-fold, amplifying transgene expression markedly higher than RD-Ad vectors. While RC-Ad are more potent, they run the real risk of causing adenovirus infections in vector recipients and those that administer them. To gain the benefits of transgene amplification, but avoid the risk of Ad infections, we developed "single cycle" Ad (SC-Ad) vectors. SC-Ads amplify transgene expression and generated markedly stronger and more persistent immune responses than RD-Ad as expected. However, they also unexpectedly generated stronger immune responses than RC-Ad vectors. To explore the basis of this potency here, we compared gene expression and the cellular responses to infection to these vectors in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, in primary human lung epithelial cells, SC- and RC-Ad amplified their genomes more than 400-fold relative to RD-Ad with higher replication by SC-Ad. This replication translated into higher green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression for 48 h by SC- and RC-Ad than by RD-Ad. In vitro, in the absence of an immune system, RD-Ad expression became higher by 72 h coincident with cell death mediated by SC- and RC-Ad and release of transgene product from the dying cells. When the vectors were compared in human THP-1 Lucia- interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) cells, which are a human monocyte cell line that have been modified to quantify ISG activity, RC-Ad6 provoked significantly stronger ISG responses than RD- or SC-Ad. In mice, intravenous or intranasal injection produced up to 100-fold genome replication. Under these in vivo conditions in the presence of the immune system, luciferase expression by RC and SC-Ad was markedly higher than that by RD-Ad. In immunodeficient mice, SC-Ad drove stronger luciferase expression than RC- or RD-Ad. These data demonstrate better transgene expression by SC- and RC-Ad in vitro and in vivo than RD-Ad. This higher expression by the replicating vectors results in a peak of expression within 1 to 2 days followed by cell death of infected cells and release of transgene products. While SC- and RC-Ad expression were similar in mice and in Syrian hamsters, RC-Ad provoked much stronger ISG induction which may explain in part SC-Ad's ability to generate stronger and more persistent immune responses than RC-Ad in Ad permissive hamsters.

Staphylococcus aureus Coordinates Leukocidin Expression and Pathogenesis by Sensing Metabolic Fluxes via RpiRc

PubMed Central

Balasubramanian, Divya; Ohneck, Elizabeth A.; Chapman, Jessica; Weiss, Andy; Kim, Min Kyung; Reyes-Robles, Tamara; Zhong, Judy; Shaw, Lindsey N.; Lun, Desmond S.; Ueberheide, Beatrix; Shopsin, Bo

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus is a formidable human pathogen that uses secreted cytolytic factors to injure immune cells and promote infection of its host. Of these proteins, the bicomponent family of pore-forming leukocidins play critical roles in S. aureus pathogenesis. The regulatory mechanisms governing the expression of these toxins are incompletely defined. In this work, we performed a screen to identify transcriptional regulators involved in leukocidin expression in S. aureus strain USA300. We discovered that a metabolic sensor-regulator, RpiRc, is a potent and selective repressor of two leukocidins, LukED and LukSF-PV. Whole-genome transcriptomics, S. aureus exoprotein proteomics, and metabolomic analyses revealed that RpiRc influences the expression and production of disparate virulence factors. Additionally, RpiRc altered metabolic fluxes in the trichloroacetic acid cycle, glycolysis, and amino acid metabolism. Using mutational analyses, we confirmed and extended the observation that RpiRc signals through the accessory gene regulatory (Agr) quorum-sensing system in USA300. Specifically, RpiRc represses the rnaIII promoter, resulting in increased repressor of toxins (Rot) levels, which in turn negatively affect leukocidin expression. Inactivation of rpiRc phenocopied rot deletion and increased S. aureus killing of primary human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and the pathogenesis of bloodstream infection in vivo. Collectively, our results suggest that S. aureus senses metabolic shifts by RpiRc to differentially regulate the expression of leukocidins and to promote invasive disease. PMID:27329753

Rhinal-hippocampal interactions during déjà vu.

PubMed

Bartolomei, Fabrice; Barbeau, Emmanuel J; Nguyen, Trung; McGonigal, Aileen; Régis, Jean; Chauvel, Patrick; Wendling, Fabrice

2012-03-01

The phenomenon of 'déjà vu' is caused by acute disturbance of mnemonic systems of the medial temporal lobe (MTL). In epileptic patients investigated with intracerebral electrodes, déjà vu can be more readily induced by stimulation of the rhinal cortices (RCs) than the hippocampus (H). Whether déjà vu results from acute dysfunction of the familiarity system alone (sustained by RC) or from more extensive involvement of the MTL region (including H) is debatable. We analysed the synchronisation of intracerebral electroencephalography (EEG) signals recorded from RC, H and amygdala (A) in epileptic patients in whom déjà vu was induced by electrical stimulation. EEG signal correlations (between signals from RC, A and H) were evaluated using a nonlinear regression. In comparison with RC stimulations that did not lead to déjà vu (DV-), stimulations triggering déjà vu (DV+) were associated with increased broadband EEG correlation (p=0.01). Changes in correlations were significantly different in the theta band for RC-A (p=0.007) and RC-H (p=0.01) and in the beta band for RC-H (p=0.001) interactions. Déjà vu is associated with increased EEG signal correlation between MTL structures. Results are in favour of a mechanism involving transient co-operation between various MTL structures, not limited to RC alone. Copyright © 2011 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Rice Cakes Containing Dietary Fiber Supplemented with or without Artemisia Annua and Gynura Procumbens Merr. Alleviated the Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome.

PubMed

Yoon, Na Rae; Yoon, Sun; Lee, Seung-Min

2016-04-01

We investigated whether the consumption of Korean rice cakes enriched with dietary fiber with or without polyphenol rich plants might decrease the risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Rice cakes were manufactured using fructooligosaccharides, resistant starch, and psyllium as sources of dietary fibers with and without polyphenol rich Artemisia annua and Gynura procumbens Merr. (RC+FP and RC+F, respectively), and prepared in three forms (songpyeon, seolgidduk, and chaldduk). Ninety subjects with at least one MetS risk factor were recruited for 6 weeks of dietary intervention. Sixty subjects were finally included for the analysis. Compared to the initial values, RC+FP group had decreased levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), HOMA-IR and blood pressure after 6 weeks, whereas RC+F group didn't have significant changes in them. Regarding the improvement of individual MetS risk factors, RC+FP group showed significant reduction in FBG and blood pressures but RC+F group only had reduction in systolic blood pressure. After the intervention, a reduction in the number of MetS risk factors was greatert in the RC+FP group than in the RC+F group. In conclusion, Dietary fiber enriched rice cakes with or without polyphenols decreased the number and/or the levels of MetS risk factors. Polyphenol rich plant components may provide additional health benefits in controlling FBG and blood pressure.

Rice Cakes Containing Dietary Fiber Supplemented with or without Artemisia Annua and Gynura Procumbens Merr. Alleviated the Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

We investigated whether the consumption of Korean rice cakes enriched with dietary fiber with or without polyphenol rich plants might decrease the risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Rice cakes were manufactured using fructooligosaccharides, resistant starch, and psyllium as sources of dietary fibers with and without polyphenol rich Artemisia annua and Gynura procumbens Merr. (RC+FP and RC+F, respectively), and prepared in three forms (songpyeon, seolgidduk, and chaldduk). Ninety subjects with at least one MetS risk factor were recruited for 6 weeks of dietary intervention. Sixty subjects were finally included for the analysis. Compared to the initial values, RC+FP group had decreased levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), HOMA-IR and blood pressure after 6 weeks, whereas RC+F group didn't have significant changes in them. Regarding the improvement of individual MetS risk factors, RC+FP group showed significant reduction in FBG and blood pressures but RC+F group only had reduction in systolic blood pressure. After the intervention, a reduction in the number of MetS risk factors was greatert in the RC+FP group than in the RC+F group. In conclusion, Dietary fiber enriched rice cakes with or without polyphenols decreased the number and/or the levels of MetS risk factors. Polyphenol rich plant components may provide additional health benefits in controlling FBG and blood pressure. PMID:27152297

Clustering behavior in microbial communities from acute endodontic infections.

PubMed

Montagner, Francisco; Jacinto, Rogério C; Signoretti, Fernanda G C; Sanches, Paula F; Gomes, Brenda P F A

2012-02-01

Acute endodontic infections harbor heterogeneous microbial communities in both the root canal (RC) system and apical tissues. Data comparing the microbial structure and diversity in endodontic infections in related ecosystems, such as RC with necrotic pulp and acute apical abscess (AAA), are scarce in the literature. The aim of this study was to examine the presence of selected endodontic pathogens in paired samples from necrotic RC and AAA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by the construction of cluster profiles. Paired samples of RC and AAA exudates were collected from 20 subjects and analyzed by PCR for the presence of selected strict and facultative anaerobic strains. The frequency of species was compared between the RC and the AAA samples. A stringent neighboring clustering algorithm was applied to investigate the existence of similar high-order groups of samples. A dendrogram was constructed to show the arrangement of the sample groups produced by the hierarchical clustering. All samples harbored bacterial DNA. Porphyromonas endodontalis, Prevotella nigrescens, Filifactor alocis, and Tannerela forsythia were frequently detected in both RC and AAA samples. The selected anaerobic species were distributed in diverse small bacteria consortia. The samples of RC and AAA that presented at least one of the targeted microorganisms were grouped in small clusters. Anaerobic species were frequently detected in acute endodontic infections and heterogeneous microbial communities with low clustering behavior were observed in paired samples of RC and AAA. Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Pharmacokinetics and "RC" Circuit Concepts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

De Cock, Mieke; Janssen, Paul

2013-01-01

Most introductory physics courses include a chapter on "RC" circuits in which the differential equations for the charging and discharging of a capacitor are derived. A number of papers in this journal describe lab experiments dealing with the measurement of different parameters in such "RC" circuits. In this contribution, we…

The Second ICASE/LaRC Industry Roundtable: Session Proceedings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Girimaji, Sharath

1997-01-01

The second ICASE/LaRC Industry Roundtable was held October 7-9, 1996 at the Williamsburg Hospitality House, Williamsburg, Virginia. Like the first roundtable in 1994, this meeting had two objectives: (1) to expose ICASE and LaRC scientists to industrial research agendas; and (2) to acquaint industry with the capabilities and technology available at ICASE, LaRC and academic partners of ICASE. Nineteen sessions were held in three parallel tracks. Of the 170 participants, over one third were affiliated with various industries. Proceedings from the different sessions are summarized in this report.

Collisionless effects on beam-return current systems in solar flares

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vlahos, L.; Rowland, H. L.

1985-01-01

A theoretical study of the beam-return current system (BRCS) in solar flares shows that the precipitating electrons modify the way in which the return current (RC) is carried by the background plasma. In particular it is found that the RC is not carried by the bulk of the electrons but by a small number of high-velocity electrons. For beam/plasma densities exceeding approximately 0.001, this can reduce the effects of collisions and heating by the RC. For higher-density beams, where the RC could be unstable to current-driven instabilities, the effects of strong turbulence anomalous resistivity prevent the appearance of such instabilities. The main conclusion is that the BRCS is interconnected, and that the beam-generated strong turbulence determines how the RC is carried.

Advanced thermoplastic resins, phase 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hendricks, C. L.; Hill, S. G.; Falcone, A.; Gerken, N. T.

1991-01-01

Eight thermoplastic polyimide resin systems were evaluated as composite matrix materials. Two resins were selected for more extensive mechanical testing and both were versions of LaRC-TPI (Langley Research Center - Thermoplastic Polyimide). One resin was made with LaRC-TPI and contained 2 weight percent of a di(amic acid) dopant as a melt flow aid. The second system was a 1:1 slurry of semicrystalline LaRC-TPI powder in a polyimidesulfone resin diglyme solution. The LaRC-TPI powder melts during processing and increases the melt flow of the resin. Testing included dynamic mechanical analysis, tension and compression testing, and compression-after-impact testing. The test results demonstrated that the LaRC-TPI resins have very good properties compared to other thermoplastics, and that they are promising matrix materials for advanced composite structures.

Direct Observation of Energy Detrapping in LH1-RC Complex by Two-Dimensional Electronic Spectroscopy.

PubMed

Ma, Fei; Yu, Long-Jiang; Hendrikx, Ruud; Wang-Otomo, Zheng-Yu; van Grondelle, Rienk

2017-01-18

The purple bacterial core light harvesting antenna-reaction center (LH1-RC) complex is the simplest system able to achieve the entire primary function of photosynthesis. During the past decade, a variety of photosynthetic proteins were studied by a powerful technique, two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy (2DES). However, little attention has been paid to LH1-RC, although its reversible uphill energy transfer, trapping, and backward detrapping processes, represent a crucial step in the early photosynthetic reaction dynamics. Thus, in this work, we employed 2DES to study two LH1-RC complexes of Thermochromatium (Tch.) tepidum. By direct observation of detrapping, the complex reversible process was clearly identified and an overall scheme of the excitation evolution in LH1-RC was obtained.

Characterization of LaRC-CPI semicrystalline polyimide using thermal, dynamic mechanical and dielectric relaxation techniques

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

Rich, D.C.; Huo, P.P.; Liu, C.

1993-12-31

The thermal, dynamic mechanical, and dielectric properties of the semicrystalline thermoplastic polyimide LaRC-CPI were studied. Using differential scanning calorimetry to measure heats of fusion and WAXS to measure crystallinity, the heat of fusion of perfect crystalline LaRC-CPI was determined to be 92 {+-} 2 J/g. DMA and dielectric measurements were performed on three LaRC-CPI films (as received, annealed, and amorphous). Crystallinity was found to reinforce the rubbery state resulting in a higher modulus and broader distribution of relaxation times. Broader relaxation for the crystalline LaRC-CPI was also observed in the dielectric tests. Processing strain and the thermal history were foundmore » to have a significant impact in both dynamic mechanical and dielectric relaxation measurements.« less

Metabolite Profiling Reveals the Effect of Dietary Rubus coreanus Vinegar on Ovariectomy-Induced Osteoporosis in a Rat Model.

PubMed

Lee, Mee Youn; Kim, Hyang Yeon; Singh, Digar; Yeo, Soo Hwan; Baek, Seong Yeol; Park, Yoo Kyoung; Lee, Choong Hwan

2016-01-26

The study was aimed at exploring the curative effects of Rubus coreanus (RC) vinegar against postmenopausal osteoporosis by using ovariectomized rats as a model. The investigations were performed in five groups: sham, ovariectomized (OVX) rats without treatment, low-dose RC vinegar (LRV)-treated OVX rats, high-dose RC vinegar (HRV)-treated OVX rats and alendronate (ALEN)-treated OVX rats. The efficacy of RC vinegar was evaluated using physical, biochemical, histological and metabolomic parameters. Compared to the OVX rats, the LRV and HRV groups showed positive effects on the aforementioned parameters, indicating estrogen regulation. Plasma metabolome analysis of the groups using gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole-TOF-MS (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) with multivariate analysis revealed 19 and 16 metabolites, respectively. Notably, the levels of butyric acid, phenylalanine, glucose, tryptophan and some lysophosphatidylcholines were marginally increased in RC vinegar-treated groups compared to OVX. However, the pattern of metabolite levels in RC vinegar-treated groups was found similar to ALEN, but differed significantly from that in sham group. The results highlight the prophylactic and curative potential of dietary vinegar against postmenopausal osteoporosis. RC vinegar could be an effective natural alternative for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Combined actions of multiple hairpin loop structures and sites of rate-limiting endonucleolytic cleavage determine differential degradation rates of individual segments within polycistronic puf operon mRNA.

PubMed Central

Klug, G; Cohen, S N

1990-01-01

Differential expression of the genes within the puf operon of Rhodobacter capsulatus is accomplished in part by differences in the rate of degradation of different segments of the puf transcript. We report here that decay of puf mRNA sequences specifying the light-harvesting I (LHI) and reaction center (RC) photosynthetic membrane peptides is initiated endoribonucleolytically within a discrete 1.4-kilobase segment of the RC-coding region. Deletion of this segment increased the half-life of the RC-coding region from 8 to 20 min while not affecting decay of LHI-coding sequences upstream from an intercistronic hairpin loop structure shown previously to impede 3'-to-5' degradation. Prolongation of RC segment half-life was dependent on the presence of other hairpin structures 3' to the RC region. Inserting the endonuclease-sensitive sites into the LHI-coding segment markedly accelerated its degradation. Our results suggest that differential degradation of the RC- and LHI-coding segments of puf mRNA is accomplished at least in part by the combined actions of RC region-specific endonuclease(s), one or more exonucleases, and several strategically located exonuclease-impeding hairpins. Images PMID:2394682

Phytoextraction of heavy metal polluted soils using Sedum plumbizincicola inoculated with metal mobilizing Phyllobacterium myrsinacearum RC6b.

PubMed

Ma, Ying; Rajkumar, Mani; Luo, Yongming; Freitas, Helena

2013-10-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of metal mobilizing plant-growth beneficial bacterium Phyllobacterium myrsinacearum RC6b on plant growth and Cd, Zn and Pb uptake by Sedum plumbizincicola under laboratory conditions. Among a collection of metal-resistant bacteria, P. myrsinacearum RC6b was specifically chosen as a most favorable metal mobilizer based on its capability of mobilizing high concentrations of Cd, Zn and Pb in soils. P. myrsinacearum RC6b exhibited a high degree of resistance to Cd (350 mg L(-1)), Zn (1000 mg L(-1)) and Pb (1200 mg L(-1)). Furthermore, P. myrsinacearum RC6b showed multiple plant growth beneficial features including the production of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase, indole-3-acetic acid, siderophore and solubilization of insoluble phosphate. Inoculation of P. myrsinacearum RC6b significantly increased S. plumbizincicola growth and organ metal concentrations except Pb, which concentration was lower in root and stem of inoculated plants. The results suggest that the metal mobilizing P. myrsinacearum RC6b could be used as an effective inoculant for the improvement of phytoremediation in multi-metal polluted soils. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Research on the Factors Influencing the Measurement Errors of the Discrete Rogowski Coil.

PubMed

Xu, Mengyuan; Yan, Jing; Geng, Yingsan; Zhang, Kun; Sun, Chao

2018-03-13

An innovative array of magnetic coils (the discrete Rogowski coil-RC) with the advantages of flexible structure, miniaturization and mass producibility is investigated. First, the mutual inductance between the discrete RC and circular and rectangular conductors are calculated using the magnetic vector potential (MVP) method. The results are found to be consistent with those calculated using the finite element method, but the MVP method is simpler and more practical. Then, the influence of conductor section parameters, inclination, and eccentricity on the accuracy of the discrete RC is calculated to provide a reference. Studying the influence of an external current on the discrete RC's interference error reveals optimal values for length, winding density, and position arrangement of the solenoids. It has also found that eccentricity and interference errors decreasing with increasing number of solenoids. Finally, a discrete RC prototype is devised and manufactured. The experimental results show consistent output characteristics, with the calculated sensitivity and mutual inductance of the discrete RC being very close to the experimental results. The influence of an external conductor on the measurement of the discrete RC is analyzed experimentally, and the results show that interference from an external current decreases with increasing distance between the external and measured conductors.

Proton Density Fat-Fraction of Rotator Cuff Muscles Is Associated With Isometric Strength 10 Years After Rotator Cuff Repair: A Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study of the Shoulder.

PubMed

Karampinos, Dimitrios C; Holwein, Christian; Buchmann, Stefan; Baum, Thomas; Ruschke, Stefan; Gersing, Alexandra S; Sutter, Reto; Imhoff, Andreas B; Rummeny, Ernst J; Jungmann, Pia M

2017-07-01

Quantitative muscle fat-fraction magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques correlate with semiquantitative Goutallier scores with failure after rotator cuff (RC) repair. To investigate the relationship of proton density fat fraction (PDFF) of the RC muscles with semiquantitative MR scores, cartilage T2 relaxation times, and clinical isometric strength measurements in patients 10 years after unilateral RC repair. Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Bilateral shoulder MR imaging was performed in 13 patients (11 male, 2 female; age, 72 ± 8 years) 10.9 ± 0.4 years after unilateral autologous periosteal flap augmented RC repair (total shoulders assessed, N = 26). Goutallier classification, muscle atrophy, RC tendon integrity, and cartilage defects were determined based on morphological MR sequences. A paracoronal 2D multi-slice multi-echo sequence was used for quantitative cartilage T2 mapping. A chemical shift-encoding-based water-fat separation technique (based on a 6-echo 3D spoiled gradient echo sequence) was used for quantification of the PDFF of RC muscles. Isometric shoulder abduction strength was measured clinically. Mean and SD, Pearson correlation, and partial Spearman correlation were calculated. There were 6 RC full-thickness retears in ipsilateral shoulders and 6 RC full-thickness tears in contralateral shoulders. Isometric shoulder abduction strength was not significantly different between ipsilateral and contralateral shoulders (50 ± 24 N vs 54 ± 24 N; P = .159). The mean PDFF of RC muscles was 11.7% ± 10.4% (ipsilateral, 14.2% ± 8.5%; contralateral, 9.2% ± 7.8%; P = .002). High supraspinatus PDFF correlated significantly with higher Goutallier scores ( R = 0.75, P < .001) and with lower isometric muscle strength ( R = -0.49, P = .011). This correlation remained significant after adjustment for muscle area measurements and tendon rupture ( R = -0.41, P = .048). More severe cartilage defects at the humerus were significantly associated with higher supraspinatus PDFF ( R = 0.44; P = .023). Cartilage T2 values did not correlate with muscle PDFF ( P > .05). MR imaging-derived RC muscle PDFF is associated with isometric strength independent of muscle atrophy and tendon rupture in shoulders with early and advanced degenerative changes. It therefore provides complementary, clinically relevant information in tracking RC muscle composition on a quantitative level.

Dual respiratory and cardiac motion estimation in PET imaging: Methods design and quantitative evaluation.

PubMed

Feng, Tao; Wang, Jizhe; Tsui, Benjamin M W

2018-04-01

The goal of this study was to develop and evaluate four post-reconstruction respiratory and cardiac (R&C) motion vector field (MVF) estimation methods for cardiac 4D PET data. In Method 1, the dual R&C motions were estimated directly from the dual R&C gated images. In Method 2, respiratory motion (RM) and cardiac motion (CM) were separately estimated from the respiratory gated only and cardiac gated only images. The effects of RM on CM estimation were modeled in Method 3 by applying an image-based RM correction on the cardiac gated images before CM estimation, the effects of CM on RM estimation were neglected. Method 4 iteratively models the mutual effects of RM and CM during dual R&C motion estimations. Realistic simulation data were generated for quantitative evaluation of four methods. Almost noise-free PET projection data were generated from the 4D XCAT phantom with realistic R&C MVF using Monte Carlo simulation. Poisson noise was added to the scaled projection data to generate additional datasets of two more different noise levels. All the projection data were reconstructed using a 4D image reconstruction method to obtain dual R&C gated images. The four dual R&C MVF estimation methods were applied to the dual R&C gated images and the accuracy of motion estimation was quantitatively evaluated using the root mean square error (RMSE) of the estimated MVFs. Results show that among the four estimation methods, Methods 2 performed the worst for noise-free case while Method 1 performed the worst for noisy cases in terms of quantitative accuracy of the estimated MVF. Methods 4 and 3 showed comparable results and achieved RMSE lower by up to 35% than that in Method 1 for noisy cases. In conclusion, we have developed and evaluated 4 different post-reconstruction R&C MVF estimation methods for use in 4D PET imaging. Comparison of the performance of four methods on simulated data indicates separate R&C estimation with modeling of RM before CM estimation (Method 3) to be the best option for accurate estimation of dual R&C motion in clinical situation. © 2018 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Southern Appalachian hillslope erosion rates measured by soil and detrital radiocarbon in hollows

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hales, T.C.; Scharer, K.M.; Wooten, R.M.

2012-01-01

Understanding the dynamics of sediment generation and transport on hillslopes provides important constraints on the rate of sediment output from orogenic systems. Hillslope sediment fluxes are recorded by organic material found in the deposits infilling unchanneled convergent topographic features called hollows. This study describes the first hollow infilling rates measured in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Infilling rates (and bedrock erosion rates) were calculated from the vertical distribution of radiocarbon ages at two sites in the Coweeta drainage basin, western North Carolina. At each site we dated paired charcoal and silt soil organic matter samples from five different horizons. Paired radiocarbon samples were used to bracket the age of the soil material in order to capture the range of complex soil forming processes and deposition within the hollows. These dates constrain hillslope erosion rates of between 0.051 and 0.111mmyr-1. These rates are up to 4 times higher than spatially-averaged rates for the Southern Appalachian Mountains making creep processes one of the most efficient erosional mechanisms in this mountain range. Our hillslope erosion rates are consistent with those of forested mountain ranges in the western United States, suggesting that the mechanisms (dominantly tree throw) driving creep erosion in both the western United States and the Southern Appalachian Mountains are equally effective. ?? 2011 Elsevier B.V.

Targeting new wells in a mature field

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

Javed, M.S.

It has been estimated through a simulation study that about 20 million STB of oil can be recovered through infill drilling in the flank areas of one of the prolific, but depleting reservoirs (Arab C) in a Qatar offshore field. The area where this appreciable amount of oil (known as ``Cellar Oil``) exists, has been left unswept by the non-ideal location of the ``Dumpflooders`` -- injection wells, for pressure maintenance, which gravitate water from a source formation directly into the producing reservoir. This paper highlights the results of the simulation study of this mature reservoir, studied together with the underlyingmore » Arab D, where high oil concentrations are shown i the flank areas, between the OWC and the dumpflooders. Although, the existing flank production wells have been performing satisfactorily, it was found, from the study, that even prolonged production through these would not drain this trapped Cellar Oil; new wells must be drilled to recover it. The infill wells, proposed for this purpose, happen to be located in areas such that they can be completed dually in a horizontal mode with another underlying reservoir (Uwainat) having an oil rim, thus, further increasing the attractiveness of the project. The study also indicates the necessity of infill drilling in other parts of the Arab C and Arab D.« less

The Phuket Terrane: A Late Palaeozoic rift at the margin of Sibumasu

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ridd, Michael F.

2009-09-01

It is widely accepted that Sibumasu rifted from Gondwana in the Late Palaeozoic. But the rifts themselves have not previously been documented in Southeast Asia. This paper identifies the pre-Middle Permian Kaeng Krachan Group of Upper Peninsular Thailand as the infill of one such rift, which is given the name Phuket Terrane. Indirect evidence suggests the rift-infill is several kilometres thick and glacially-influenced diamictites are conspicuous in the succession. There are significant similarities with the >3 km thick pre-Middle Permian rift-infill of the Carnarvon Basin of Western Australia. East of the Khlong Marui Fault belt the succession is thinner and diamictites are a minor component. A tectono-stratigraphic model is proposed involving Gondwana glaciers dropping their load at the (present) western margin of the Phuket Terrane from where it was re-sedimented in the rapidly subsiding marine rift basin. It is suggested that the Khlong Marui Fault formed part of the eastern boundary of the rift system. The Three Pagodas Fault belt similarly juxtaposes different pre-Middle Permian successions. Rifting ceased in the Early Permian and a passive margin formed as the Mesotethys ocean widened, the upper part of the Kaeng Krachan Group and the overlying Ratburi Limestone representing the post-rift sequence.

Beam-column joint shear prediction using hybridized deep learning neural network with genetic algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mundher Yaseen, Zaher; Abdulmohsin Afan, Haitham; Tran, Minh-Tung

2018-04-01

Scientifically evidenced that beam-column joints are a critical point in the reinforced concrete (RC) structure under the fluctuation loads effects. In this novel hybrid data-intelligence model developed to predict the joint shear behavior of exterior beam-column structure frame. The hybrid data-intelligence model is called genetic algorithm integrated with deep learning neural network model (GA-DLNN). The genetic algorithm is used as prior modelling phase for the input approximation whereas the DLNN predictive model is used for the prediction phase. To demonstrate this structural problem, experimental data is collected from the literature that defined the dimensional and specimens’ properties. The attained findings evidenced the efficitveness of the hybrid GA-DLNN in modelling beam-column joint shear problem. In addition, the accurate prediction achived with less input variables owing to the feasibility of the evolutionary phase.

Fatty acid composition of ruminal digesta and longissimus muscle from lambs fed silage mixtures including red clover, sainfoin, and timothy.

PubMed

Campidonico, L; Toral, P G; Priolo, A; Luciano, G; Valenti, B; Hervás, G; Frutos, P; Copani, G; Ginane, C; Niderkorn, V

2016-04-01

This work investigated the effects of feeding silage mixtures of a plant containing polyphenol oxidase (PPO; red clover [; RC]), a plant containing tannins (sainfoin [; SF]), and a grass species not containing these compounds (timothy [; T]) on ruminal and intramuscular (i.m.) fatty acids of lambs. Forty 4-mo-old castrated male Romane lambs, divided into 5 groups, received 1 of the following silages: 1) T (100%), 2) a binary mixture of timothy and tannin-containing sainfoin ( cv. Perly; 50:50 [T-SF]), 3) a binary mixture of timothy and PPO-containing red clover ( cv. Mervius; 50:50 [T-RC]), 4) a ternary mixture of timothy, sainfoin, and red clover containing both tannins and PPO (50:25:25, respectively [T-SF-RC]), and 5) a binary mixture of tannin-containing sainfoin and PPO-containing red clover (50:50 [SF-RC]). In the rumen digesta, the partial or total replacement of T with forage legumes was associated with greater concentrations of PUFA ( < 0.001) and 1esser concentrations of MUFA ( < 0.001). The inclusion of forage legumes in the silage favored the accumulation of 18:3 -3 ( < 0.001), with the greatest concentrations being observed in SF-RC. This latter diet also led to the greatest percentage of 18:2 -6 ( < 0.001). Forage legumes decreased the -11 18:1 to 30% of T in rumen digesta ( < 0.001). Forage legumes decreased the total concentration of branched-chain fatty acids in the rumen digesta (on average, -28%; < 0.001), this effect being less marked (-17%; = 0.014) in T-RC in comparison with T. The dietary treatment tended to affect the proportion of MUFA ( = 0.081) and of PUFA ( = 0.079) in the i.m. fat of the LM, respectively, at the highest and lowest numerical value in the T group. The sum of -3 fatty acids was less in the T and T-SF groups compared with the mixture of legumes without T (SF-RC; < 0.001 and < 0.008, respectively). The latter group had also a lesser -6-to--3 ratio than the T-SF group ( = 0.01). -11 18:1 was greater ( < 0.03) in lambs given T as the sole silage in comparison with lambs given T-RC, T-SF-RC, and SF-RC. Rumenic acid (-9 -11 CLA) was detected at a greater percentage in the LM from the animals fed the T silage compared with animals fed the T-SF-RC treatment ( = 0.004). Contrarily, -9 -12 -15 18:3 was found at a greater concentration in the muscle from lambs in the SF-RC treatment compared with lambs in the other treatments ( < 0.001). Furthermore, the T-RC group showed a greater proportion of α-linolenic acid than the T group ( = 0.03). In conclusion, the effects of the 2 active compounds (PPO and tannins) appear to be similar and additive. Moreover, a silage composed of a mixture of RC and SF is an excellent forage for growing lambs in terms of i.m. fatty acid composition.

New insight on the recent tectonic evolution and uplift of the southern Ecuadorian Andes from gravity and structural analysis of the Neogene-Quaternary intramontane basins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tamay, J.; Galindo-Zaldívar, J.; Ruano, P.; Soto, J.; Lamas, F.; Azañón, J. M.

2016-10-01

The sedimentary basins of Loja, Malacatos-Vilcabamba and Catamayo belong to the Neogene-Quaternary synorogenic intramontane basins of South Ecuador. They were formed during uplift of the Andes since Middle-Late Miocene as a result of the Nazca plate subduction beneath the South American continental margin. This E-W compressional tectonic event allowed for the development of NNE-SSW oriented folds and faults, determining the pattern and thickness of sedimentary infill. New gravity measurements in the sedimentary basins indicate negative Bouguer anomalies reaching up to -292 mGal related to thick continental crust and sedimentary infill. 2D gravity models along profiles orthogonal to N-S elongated basins determine their deep structure. Loja Basin is asymmetrical, with a thickness of sedimentary infill reaching more than 1200 m in the eastern part, which coincides with a zone of most intense compressive deformation. The tectonic structures include N-S, NW-SE and NE-SW oriented folds and associated east-facing reverse faults. The presence of liquefaction structures strongly suggests the occurrence of large earthquakes just after the sedimentation. The basin of Malacatos-Vilcabamba has some folds with N-S orientation. However, both Catamayo and Malacatos-Vilcabamba basins are essentially dominated by N-S to NW-SE normal faults, producing a strong asymmetry in the Catamayo Basin area. The initial stages of compression developed folds, reverse faults and the relief uplift determining the high altitude of the Loja Basin. As a consequence of the crustal thickening and in association with the dismantling of the top of the Andes Cordillera, extensional events favored the development of normal faults that mainly affect the basins of Catamayo and Malacatos-Vilcabamba. Gravity research helps to constrain the geometry of the Neogene-Quaternary sedimentary infill, shedding some light on its relationship with tectonic events and geodynamic processes during intramontane basin development.

Paleodrainage insights into the fluvial and glacial history of the western Chukchi margin, Arctic Alaska

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stockmaster, B. A.; Hill, J. C.; Klotsko, S.; Driscoll, N. W.

2016-12-01

CHIRP subbottom data collected from the Chukchi shelf offshore of northwest Alaska reveal extensive paleodrainage networks that incised the margin during sea level lowstands. These features are cut into folded Cretaceous bedrock strata and likely represent multiple sea level cycles. Several large incised valleys, 10s of km wide and up to 50m deep, as well as numerous smaller, individual channels have been identified. Possible sources of fluvial input include drainage from the Hope Valley to the south, as well as several smaller rivers on the northwest Alaskan coast such as the Utukok, Kokolik, Kukpowruk, and Kuk Rivers. Correlation of sediment infill patterns provides insight to paleochannels and paleovalleys as well as outlining potential drainage networks. This new data will be used to examine sediment infill and erosion patterns to assess whether some of the valleys were formed by non-fluvial (i.e. glacial) processes. Preliminary results indicate the presence of six paleodrainage networks across the eastern Chukchi shelf, based on shape, size and infill of the paleovalleys: Incised Valley, Middle Valley, Northern Valley, Borderlands Valley, the Hanna Bank Valley and the Barrow Valley. All of the paleodrainage valleys are oriented perpendicular to the coast except for Barrow Valley, which follows the northwest coastline, and the Hanna Bank Valley, which is oriented parallel. The Barrow Valley also displays several interesting features in the subsurface. In all of the profiles across this paleovalley, the fluvial infill is overlain by high amplitude, acoustically laminated reflectors that appear to represent hemipelagic marine sediment, indicating rapid sea level rise flooded the shelf. There also appears to be 1 m erosional relief on the transgressive surface, which suggests there may have been an additional source of erosion within the Barrow Valley during sea level rise, possibly from an ice shelf or other glacial features. The presence of ice could also possibly explain the occupation of Barrow Canyon that would have diverted the Barrow Valley drainage.

Self-consistent Model of Magnetospheric Electric Field, RC and EMIC Waves

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gamayunov, K. V.; Khazanov, G. V.; Liemohn, M. W.; Fok, M.-C.

2007-01-01

Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves are an important magnetospheric emission, which is excited near the magnetic equator with frequencies below the proton gyro-frequency. The source of bee energy for wave growth is provided by temperature anisotropy of ring current (RC) ions, which develops naturally during inward convection from the plasma sheet These waves strongly affect the dynamic s of resonant RC ions, thermal electrons and ions, and the outer radiation belt relativistic electrons, leading to non-adiabatic particle heating and/or pitch-angle scattering and loss to the atmosphere. The rate of ion and electron scattering/heating is strongly controlled by the Wave power spectral and spatial distributions, but unfortunately, the currently available observational information regarding EMIC wave power spectral density is poor. So combinations of reliable data and theoretical models should be utilized in order to obtain the power spectral density of EMIC waves over the entire magnetosphere throughout the different storm phases. In this study, we present the simulation results, which are based on two coupled RC models that our group has developed. The first model deals with the large-scale magnetosphere-ionosphere electrodynamic coupling, and provides a self-consistent description of RC ions/electrons and the magnetospheric electric field. The second model is based on a coupled system of two kinetic equations, one equation describes the RC ion dynamics and another equation describes the power spectral density evolution of EMIC waves, and self-consistently treats a micro-scale electrodynamic coupling of RC and EMIC waves. So far, these two models have been applied independently. However, the large-scale magnetosphere-ionosphere electrodynamics controls the convective patterns of both the RC ions and plasmasphere altering conditions for EMIC wave-particle interaction. In turn, the wave induced RC precipitation Changes the local field-aligned current distributions and the ionospheric conductances, which are crucial for a large-scale electrodynamics. The initial results from this new self-consistent model of the magnetospheric electric field, RC and EMIC waves will be shown in this presentation.

Initial experience of robotic versus laparoscopic colectomy for transverse colon cancer: a matched case-control study.

PubMed

de'Angelis, Nicola; Alghamdi, Salah; Renda, Andrea; Azoulay, Daniel; Brunetti, Francesco

2015-10-09

Robotic surgery for transverse colon cancer has rarely been described. This study reports our initial experience in robotic resection for transverse colon cancer, by comparing robotic transverse colectomy (RC) to laparoscopic transverse colectomy (LC) in terms of safety, feasibility, short-term outcomes, and the surgeon's psychological stress and physical pain. The study population included the first 22 consecutive patients who underwent RC between March 2013 and December 2014 for histologically confirmed transverse colon adenocarcinoma. These patients were compared with 22 matched patients undergoing LC between December 2010 and February 2013. Patients were matched based on age, gender, body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) tumor stage, and tumor location (ratio 1:1). Mortality, morbidity, operative, and short-term oncologic outcomes were compared between groups. The operating surgeon's stress and pain were assessed before and after surgery on a 0-100-mm visual analog scale. The demographic and preoperative characteristics were comparable between RC and LC patients. No group difference was observed for intraoperative complications, blood loss, postoperative pain, time to flatus, time to regular diet, and hospital stay. RC was associated with longer operative time than LC (260 min vs. 225 min; p = 0.014), but the overall operative and robotic time in the RC group decreased over time reflecting the increasing experience in performing this procedure. No conversion to laparotomy was observed in the RC group, while two LC patients were converted due to uncontrolled bleeding and technically difficult middle colic pedicle dissection. Postoperative complications (Dindo-Clavien grade I or II) occurred in 11.3 % of patients with no group difference. Mortality was nil. All resections were R0, with >12 lymph nodes harvested in 90.9 % of RC and 95.5 % of LC patients. The surgeon's stress was not different between RC and LC, whereas the surgeon's hand and neck/shoulder pain were significantly lower after RC. RC for transverse colon cancer appears to be safe and feasible with short-term outcomes comparable to LC.

Status of respiratory care profession in Saudi Arabia: A national survey

PubMed Central

Alotaibi, Ghazi

2015-01-01

BACKGROUND: Respiratory care (RC) is an allied health profession that involves assessing and treating patients who have pulmonary diseases. Research indicates that respiratory therapists’ (RT's) involvement in caring for patients with respiratory disorders improves important outcome measures. In Kingdome of Saudi Arabia (KSA), RC has been practiced by RTs for more than 30 years. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the status of the RC workforce in Saudi Arabia in terms of demographic distribution, number, education, and RC service coverage. METHODS: We used a specially designed survey to collect data. A list of 411 working hospitals in KSA was obtained. All hospitals were contacted to inquire if RC is practiced by RTs. Data were collected from hospitals that employ RTs. RESULTS: Only 88 hospitals, 21.4% of total hospitals in the country, have RTs. Out of the 244 Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals, only 31 hospitals (12.7%) employ RTs. There are 1,477 active RTs in KSA. Twenty-five percent of them, or 371, are Saudis. The majority of the RT workforce (60%) work for non-MOH government hospitals, and almost half the total RTs work in Riyadh province. About 60% of RTs work in critical care settings. RC coverage of critical care was 44.5% of ideal. The overall RT-to-ICU bed ratio was 1:11. The ratio was 1:9 for non-MOH government hospitals, and 1:20 for MOH hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: We report the first insightful data on RC workforce in KSA. These data should be used by educational institutions and health policy makers to plan better RC coverage in the country. PMID:25593609

Lung function declines in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis and increased respiratory epithelial permeability to sup 99m Tc-DTPA

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

Chinet, T.; Dusser, D.; Labrune, S.

1990-02-01

Respiratory epithelial clearance of {sup 99m}Tc-DTPA (RC-Tc-DTPA) and pulmonary function tests (PFT) were determined at intervals of 6 or 12 months in 37 untreated, nonsmoking patients with sarcoidosis over a period of 6 to 36 months. PFT included the measurements of total lung capacity (TLC), vital capacity (VC), FEV1, and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide. No difference was found between the respiratory clearance of {sup 113m}In-DTPA (2.25 +/- 1.00%/min) and RC-Tc-DTPA (2.29 +/- 1.11%/min) in eight patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis. Pulmonary function decreased 15% or more in at least 2 function tests during 11 follow-up periods, but it remained stablemore » during 47 follow-up periods. In patients whose lung function deteriorated, RC-Tc-DTPA increased to 3.51 +/- 1.55%/min; in contrast, in patients whose lung function remained stable, regardless of the initial values, RC-Tc-DTPA was normal (1.00 +/- 0.50%/min; p less than 0.001). In eight patients who were treated with corticosteroids, RC-Tc-DTPA decreased from 3.48 +/- 1.31%/min to 1.56 +/- 0.64%/min (p less than 0.001), and PFT improved. We conclude that in nonsmokers with pulmonary sarcoidosis, increased RC-Tc-DTPA is not related to dissociation of 99mTc from DTPA, RC-Tc-DTPA is increased when pulmonary function decreases, and, when increased, RC-Tc-DTPA decreases with corticosteroid therapy.« less

Influence of using a blend of rennet casein and whey protein concentrate as protein source on the quality of Mozzarella cheese analogue.

PubMed

Dhanraj, Padhiyar; Jana, Atanu; Modha, Hiral; Aparnathi, K D

2017-03-01

The effect of incorporating whey protein concentrate (WPC) on the quality characteristics of Mozzarella cheese analogue (MCA) based on rennet casein (RC) was studied. The proportion of RC:WPC tried out were 95:5, 90:10, and 85:15 w/w. The formulation of MCA comprised of 23.5% of blend of RC and WPC, 15% specialty vegetable fat, 2.75% trisodium citrate + disodium hydrogen orthophosphate (2.5:1, w/w), 0.07% calcium chloride, 0.6% citric acid, 1.1% NaCl, 1.5% cheese bud flavoring, and rest water. Varying the proportion of RC and WPC had a significant influence on the composition, textural properties, baking qualities and sensory quality of MCA judged as a topping on pizza pie. MCA made using protein blends (RC:WPC-90:10 or 85:15) behaved satisfactorily during pizza baking trials. However, looking at the superiority of MCA made using RC:WPC (90:10) with regard to shred quality and marginal superiority in terms of the total sensory score of cheese, judged as pizza topping, the former blend (i.e. RC:WPC, 90:10) was selected. The MCA obtained employing such protein blend had composition similar to that of Pizza cheese prepared from cheese milk and had requisite baking characteristics needed as a pizza topping. It is recommended to use a blend of RC and WPC (90:10) as the protein source in the formulation of MCA to obtain nutritionally superior cheese product having desired functional properties for its end use in baking applications.

Theory-Based Analysis of Interest in an HIV Vaccine for Reasons Indicative of Risk Compensation Among African American Women.

PubMed

Painter, Julia E; Temple, Brandie S; Woods, Laura A; Cwiak, Carrie; Haddad, Lisa B; Mulligan, Mark J; DiClemente, Ralph J

2018-06-01

Licensure of an HIV vaccine could reduce or eliminate HIV among vulnerable populations. However, vaccine effectiveness could be undermined by risk compensation (RC), defined by an increase in risky behavior due to a belief that the vaccine will confer protection. Interest in an HIV vaccine for reasons indicative of RC may serve as an indicator of actual RC in a postlicensure era. This study assessed factors associated with interest in an HIV vaccine for reasons indicative of RC among African American women aged 18 to 55 years, recruited from a hospital-based family planning clinic in Atlanta, Georgia ( N = 321). Data were collected using audio-computer-assisted surveys. Survey items were guided by risk homeostasis theory and social cognitive theory. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess determinants of interest in an HIV vaccine for reasons indicative of RC. Thirty-eight percent of the sample expressed interest in an HIV vaccine for at least one reason indicative of RC. In the final model, interest in an HIV vaccine for reasons indicative of RC was positively associated with higher impulsivity, perceived benefits of sexual risk behaviors, and perceived benefits of HIV vaccination; it was negatively associated with having at least some college education, positive future orientation, and self-efficacy for sex refusal. Results suggest that demographic, personality, and theory-based psychosocial factors are salient to wanting an HIV vaccine for reasons indicative of RC, and underscore the need for risk-reduction counseling alongside vaccination during the eventual rollout of an HIV vaccine.

Efficacy of corn silage inoculants on the fermentation quality under farm conditions and their influence on Aspergillus parasitucus, A. flavus and A. fumigatus determined by q-PCR.

PubMed

Dogi, Cecilia A; Pellegrino, Matías; Poloni, Valeria; Poloni, Luis; Pereyra, Carina M; Sanabria, Analía; Pianzzola, María Julia; Dalcero, Ana; Cavaglieri, Lilia

2015-01-01

Laboratory-scale silos were prepared to evaluate the efficacy of two different lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the fermentation quality and mycobiota of corn silage. Their influence on Aspergillus species' variability by using the q-PCR technique was studied. Silage inoculated with Lactobacillus rhamnosus RC007 or L. plantarum RC009 were compared with uninoculated silage. Silos were opened after 1, 7, 45, 90 and 120 days after ensiling. At the end of the ensiling period, silos were left open for 7 days to evaluate aerobic stability. Rapid lactic acid production and decline in pH values were seen in the early stages of fermentation in silage inoculated with L. rhamnosus RC007. After aerobic exposure, a significant decline in lactic acid content was observed in untreated and L. plantarum RC009-inoculated silages. Counts for yeasted and toxigenic fungus remained lower, after aerobic exposure, in L. rhamnosus RC007-inoculated silage, in comparison with L. plantarum RC009 and uninoculated silages. Comparing the influence exerted by both BAL, it was observed that L. rhamnosus RC007 was more efficient at inhibiting the three fungal species tested whose DNA concentrations, determined by q-PCR, oscillated near the initial value (pre-ensiling maize). The ability of L. rhamnosus RC007 to produce lactic acid rapidly and the decline in pH values in the early stages of the fermentation along with the reduction of yeast and mycotoxicogenic fungus after aerobic exposure shows its potential as a bio-control inoculant agent in animal feed.

Holocene evolution of the Tonle Sap Lake: valley network infill and rates of sedimentation in Cambodia's Great Lake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Best, J.; Darby, S. E.; Langdon, P. G.; Hackney, C. R.; Leyland, J.; Parsons, D. R.; Aalto, R. E.; Marti, M.

2017-12-01

Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in SE Asia (c. 120km long and 35 km wide), is a vital ecosystem that provides 40-60% of the protein for the population of Cambodia. The lake is fed by flow from the Mekong River that causes the lake rise in level by c. 8m during monsoonal and cyclone-related floods, with drainage of the lake following the monsoon. Hydropower dam construction on the Mekong River has raised concerns as to the fragility of the Tonle Sap habitat due to any changing water levels and sedimentation rates within the lake. This paper details results of sub-bottom profiling surveys of Tonle Sap Lake in October 2014 that detailed the stratigraphy of the lake and assessed rates of infill. An Innomar Parametric Echo Sounder (PES) was used to obtain c. 250 km of sub-bottom profiles, with penetration up to 15m below the lake bed at a vertical resolution of c. 0.20m. These PES profiles were linked to cores from the north of the lake and previous literature. The PES profiles reveal a network of valleys, likely LGM, with relief up to c. 15-20m, that have been infilled by a suite of Holocene sediments. The valley surface is picked out as a strong reflector throughout the lake, and displays a series of valleys that are up to c. 15m deep and commonly 50-200m wide, although some of the largest valleys are 1.2km in width. Modelling of channel network incision during LGM conditions generates landscapes consistent with our field observations. The Tonle Sap valley network is infilled by sediments that show firstly fluvial and/or subaerial slope sedimentation, and then by extensive, parallel-bedded, lacustrine sedimentation. Lastly, the top c. 1m of sedimentation is marked by a distinct basal erosional surface that can be traced over much of the Tonle Sap Lake, and that is overlain by a series of parallel PES reflections. This upper sediment layer is interpreted to represent sedimentation in the Tonle Sap lake due to sediment suspension settling but after a period of widespread erosion that generated the extensive erosion surface. This paper will detail the characteristics and interpretation of the PES facies, their correlation to cores and estimates of sedimentation rates. Dating and PES profiles indicate that infill of the lake was complete by c. 6ka and that minimal sedimentation has occurred since then, likely due to reworking by wave resuspension.

Cloning, expression, purification, crystallization and X-ray crystallographic analysis of recombinant human C1ORF123 protein

PubMed Central

Rahaman, Siti Nurulnabila A.; Mat Yusop, Jastina; Mohamed-Hussein, Zeti-Azura; Ho, Kok Lian; Teh, Aik-Hong; Waterman, Jitka; Ng, Chyan Leong

2016-01-01

C1ORF123 is a human hypothetical protein found in open reading frame 123 of chromosome 1. The protein belongs to the DUF866 protein family comprising eukaryote-conserved proteins with unknown function. Recent proteomic and bioinformatic analyses identified the presence of C1ORF123 in brain, frontal cortex and synapses, as well as its involvement in endocrine function and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), indicating the importance of its biological role. In order to provide a better understanding of the biological function of the human C1ORF123 protein, the characterization and analysis of recombinant C1ORF123 (rC1ORF123), including overexpression and purification, verification by mass spectrometry and a Western blot using anti-C1ORF123 antibodies, crystallization and X-ray diffraction analysis of the protein crystals, are reported here. The rC1ORF123 protein was crystallized by the hanging-drop vapor-diffusion method with a reservoir solution comprised of 20% PEG 3350, 0.2 M magnesium chloride hexahydrate, 0.1 M sodium citrate pH 6.5. The crystals diffracted to 1.9 Å resolution and belonged to an orthorhombic space group with unit-cell parameters a = 59.32, b = 65.35, c = 95.05 Å. The calculated Matthews coefficient (V M) value of 2.27 Å3 Da−1 suggests that there are two molecules per asymmetric unit, with an estimated solvent content of 45.7%. PMID:26919524

Weight gain and behavior of Raramuri Criollo versus crossbred steers developed on Chihuahuan Desert rangeland

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Ranchers that raise Raramuri Criollo (RC) cattle must overcome the challenge of lack of markets for weaned calves. Growing and finishing RC or RC-crossbred steers on rangeland pastures is increasingly common; however, no data exist on their weight gains or grazing behavior. We tracked the weight a...

The "Responsive Classroom" Approach and Its Implications for Improving Reading and Writing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McTigue, Erin M.; Rimm-Kaufman, Sara E.

2011-01-01

This article describes a social and emotional learning intervention, the "Responsive Classroom"[R] (RC) approach, which is designed to produce classroom environments conducive to learning. It summarizes a new body of research describing the efficacy of the RC approach. One component of the RC approach is the Morning Meeting. This article…

MASH Test 3-11 on the T131RC Bridge Rail

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-10-01

Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) currently uses the TxDOT Type T101RC Bridge Rail, : a steel post and beam bridge rail anchored to the top of concrete curbs. The T101RC Bridge Rail is : 27 inches in height and can be anchored to the top of ...

Reading Comprehension in Latin America: Difficulties and Possible Interventions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lions, Séverin; Peña, Marcela

2016-01-01

Reading comprehension (RC) is below the international standard in many countries of Latin America (LA). Here we review factors that might be associated with failure in RC of the first language in LA. Then we present interventions reporting beneficial impact on RC in typically developing students from English-speaking countries and discuss their…

Consequences of the Ion Cyclotron Instability in the Inner Magnetospheric Plasma

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Khazanov, George V.

2011-01-01

The inner magnetospheric plasma is a very unique composition of different plasma particles and waves. Among these plasma particles and waves are Ring Current (RC) particles and Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) waves. The RC is the source of free energy for the EMIC wave excitation provided by a temperature anisotropy of RC ions, which develops naturally during inward E x B convection from the plasma sheet. The cold plasmasphere, which is under the strong influence of the magnetospheric electric field, strongly mediates the RC-EMIC waves-coupling process, and ultimately becomes part of the particle and energy interplay, generated by the ion cyclotron instability of the inner magnetosphere. On the other hand, there is a strong influence of the RC on the inner magnetospheric electric and magnetic field configurations and these configurations, in turn, are important to RC dynamics. Therefore, one of the biggest needs for inner magnetospheric plasma physics research is the continued progression toward a coupled, interconnected system, with the inclusion of nonlinear feedback mechanisms between the plasma populations, the electric and magnetic fields, and plasma waves.

A review of the application Acoustic Emission (AE) incorporating mechanical approach to monitor Reinforced concrete (RC) strengthened with Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) properties under fracture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Syed Mazlan, S. M. S.; Abdullah, S. R.; Shahidan, S.; Noor, S. R. Mohd

2017-11-01

Concrete durability may be affected by so many factors such as chemical attack and weathering action that reduce the performance and the service life of concrete structures. Low durability Reinforced concrete (RC) can be greatly improved by using Fiber Reinforce Polymer (FRP). FRP is a commonly used composite material for repairing and strengthening RC structures. A review on application of Acoustic Emission (AE) techniques of real time monitoring for various mechanical tests for RC strengthened with FRP involving four-point bending, three-point bending and cyclic loading was carried out and discussed in this paper. Correlations between each AE analyses namely b-value, sentry and intensity analysis on damage characterization also been critically reviewed. From the review, AE monitoring involving RC strengthened with FRP using b-value, sentry and intensity analysis are proven to be successful and efficient method in determining damage characterization. However, application of AE analysis using sentry analysis is still limited compared to b-value and intensity analysis in characterizing damages especially for RC strengthened with FRP specimen.

New Trends on Green Buildings: Investigation of the Feasibility of Using Plastic Members in RC Buildings with SWs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arslan, M. H.; Arslan, H. D.

2017-08-01

Shear walled (SW) reinforced concrete (RC) buildings are considered to be a type of high seismic safety building. Although this structural system has an important seismic advantage, it also has some disadvantages, especially in acoustic and thermal comfort. In this study, experimental studies have been conducted on RC members produced with plastic material having circular sections to determine structural performance. RC members have been produced with and without 6 cm diameter balls to analyze the structural behaviour under loading and to investigate the thermal performance and sound absorption behaviour of the members. In the study, structural parameters have been determined for RC members such as slabs and SWs produced with and without balls to discover the feasibility of the research and discuss the findings comparatively. The results obtained from the experimental studies show that PB used in RC with suitable positions do not significantly decrease strength but improve the thermal and acoustic features. It has been also seen that using plastic balls reduce the total concrete materials.

Development and Preliminary Evaluation of the Resident Coordinated-Transitional Care (RC-TraC) Program: A Sustainable Option for Transitional Care Education

PubMed Central

Chapman, E.; Eastman, A.; Gilmore-Bykovskyi, A.; Vogelman, B.; Kind, A. J.

2016-01-01

Older adults often face poor outcomes when transitioning from hospital to home. Although physicians play a key role in overseeing transitions, there is a lack of practice-based educational programs that prepare resident physicians to manage care transitions of older adults. An educational intervention to provide residents with real-life transitional care practice was therefore developed – Resident-coordinated Transitional Care (RC-TraC). RC-TraC adapted the evidence-based Coordinated-Transitional Care (C-TraC) nurse role for residents, providing opportunities to follow patients during the peri-hospital period without additional costs to the residency program. Between July 2010 and June 2013, thirty-one Internal Medicine residents participated in RC-TraC, caring for 721 patients. RC-TraC has been a sustainable, low-cost, practice-based education experience that is recognized as transitional care education by residents and continues in operation to this day. RC-TraC is a promising option for geriatric-based transitional care education of resident physicians and could also be adapted for non-physician learners. PMID:27749162

Expression, Purification and Characterization of Recombinant Canine FGF21 in Escherichia coli.

PubMed

Zheng, Zhong; Yang, Chengjun; Yin, Ruofeng; Jiang, Jinxi; He, Haiting; Wang, Xinxin; Kan, Mujie; Xiao, Yechen

2016-01-01

The canine metabolic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, have become a worldwide problem. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a potent regulator which has many biological functions relative to metabolism regulation. It suggests that FGF21 plays important roles in regulating canine metabolic diseases. To acquire the recombinant canine FGF21 (rcFGF21) in Escherichia coli, the recombinant bacteria were induced by 0.5 mM IPTG for 16 hours at 16 °C, and the rcFGF21 protein was purified by Ni-NTA. 8 mg rcFGF21 was acquired from one liter bacteria. The rcFGF21 protein has specific immunoblot reactivity against anti-FGF21 and anti-His antibody. The in vivo experimental result showed that rcFGF21 can significantly reduce plasma glucose of STZ-induced diabetic mice.

Protein Folding Free Energy Landscape along the Committor - the Optimal Folding Coordinate.

PubMed

Krivov, Sergei V

2018-06-06

Recent advances in simulation and experiment have led to dramatic increases in the quantity and complexity of produced data, which makes the development of automated analysis tools very important. A powerful approach to analyze dynamics contained in such data sets is to describe/approximate it by diffusion on a free energy landscape - free energy as a function of reaction coordinates (RC). For the description to be quantitatively accurate, RCs should be chosen in an optimal way. Recent theoretical results show that such an optimal RC exists; however, determining it for practical systems is a very difficult unsolved problem. Here we describe a solution to this problem. We describe an adaptive nonparametric approach to accurately determine the optimal RC (the committor) for an equilibrium trajectory of a realistic system. In contrast to alternative approaches, which require a functional form with many parameters to approximate an RC and thus extensive expertise with the system, the suggested approach is nonparametric and can approximate any RC with high accuracy without system specific information. To avoid overfitting for a realistically sampled system, the approach performs RC optimization in an adaptive manner by focusing optimization on less optimized spatiotemporal regions of the RC. The power of the approach is illustrated on a long equilibrium atomistic folding simulation of HP35 protein. We have determined the optimal folding RC - the committor, which was confirmed by passing a stringent committor validation test. It allowed us to determine a first quantitatively accurate protein folding free energy landscape. We have confirmed the recent theoretical results that diffusion on such a free energy profile can be used to compute exactly the equilibrium flux, the mean first passage times, and the mean transition path times between any two points on the profile. We have shown that the mean squared displacement along the optimal RC grows linear with time as for simple diffusion. The free energy profile allowed us to obtain a direct rigorous estimate of the pre-exponential factor for the folding dynamics.

Rhodiola crenulata- and Cordyceps sinensis-Based Supplement Boosts Aerobic Exercise Performance after Short-Term High Altitude Training

PubMed Central

Chen, Chung-Yu; Hou, Chien-Wen; Bernard, Jeffrey R.; Chen, Chiu-Chou; Hung, Ta-Cheng; Cheng, Lu-Ling; Liao, Yi-Hung

2014-01-01

Abstract Chen, Chung-Yu, Chien-Wen Hou, Jeffrey R. Bernard, Chiu-Chou Chen, Ta-Cheng Hung, Lu-Ling Cheng, Yi-Hung Liao, and Chia-Hua Kuo. Rhodiola crenulata- and Cordyceps sinensis-based supplement boosts aerobic exercise performance after short-term high altitude training. High Alt Med Biol 15:371–379, 2014.—High altitude training is a widely used strategy for improving aerobic exercise performance. Both Rhodiola crenulata (R) and Cordyceps sinensis (C) supplements have been reported to improve exercise performance. However, it is not clear whether the provision of R and C during high altitude training could further enhance aerobic endurance capacity. In this study, we examined the effect of R and C based supplementation on aerobic exercise capacity following 2-week high altitude training. Alterations to autonomic nervous system activity, circulatory hormonal, and hematological profiles were investigated. Eighteen male subjects were divided into two groups: Placebo (n=9) and R/C supplementation (RC, n=9). Both groups received either RC (R: 1400 mg+C: 600 mg per day) or the placebo during a 2-week training period at an altitude of 2200 m. After 2 weeks of altitude training, compared with Placebo group, the exhaustive run time was markedly longer (Placebo: +2.2% vs. RC: +5.7%; p<0.05) and the decline of parasympathetic (PNS) activity was significantly prevented in RC group (Placebo: −51% vs. RC: −41%; p<0.05). Red blood cell, hematocrit, and hemoglobin levels were elevated in both groups to a comparable extent after high altitude training (p<0.05), whereas the erythropoietin (EPO) level remained higher in the Placebo group (∼48% above RC values; p<0.05). The provision of an RC supplement during altitude training provides greater training benefits in improving aerobic performance. This beneficial effect of RC treatment may result from better maintenance of PNS activity and accelerated physiological adaptations during high altitude training. PMID:25251930

Insights into origin and evolution of α-proteobacterial gene transfer agents

PubMed Central

Shakya, Migun; Soucy, Shannon M

2017-01-01

Abstract Several bacterial and archaeal lineages produce nanostructures that morphologically resemble small tailed viruses, but, unlike most viruses, contain apparently random pieces of the host genome. Since these elements can deliver the packaged DNA to other cells, they were dubbed gene transfer agents (GTAs). Because many genes involved in GTA production have viral homologs, it has been hypothesized that the GTA ancestor was a virus. Whether GTAs represent an atypical virus, a defective virus, or a virus co-opted by the prokaryotes for some function, remains to be elucidated. To evaluate these possibilities, we examined the distribution and evolutionary histories of genes that encode a GTA in the α-proteobacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus (RcGTA). We report that although homologs of many individual RcGTA genes are abundant across bacteria and their viruses, RcGTA-like genomes are mainly found in one subclade of α-proteobacteria. When compared with the viral homologs, genes of the RcGTA-like genomes evolve significantly slower, and do not have higher %A+T nucleotides than their host chromosomes. Moreover, they appear to reside in stable regions of the bacterial chromosomes that are generally conserved across taxonomic orders. These findings argue against RcGTA being an atypical or a defective virus. Our phylogenetic analyses suggest that RcGTA ancestor likely originated in the lineage that gave rise to contemporary α-proteobacterial orders Rhizobiales, Rhodobacterales, Caulobacterales, Parvularculales, and Sphingomonadales, and since that time the RcGTA-like element has co-evolved with its host chromosomes. Such evolutionary history is compatible with maintenance of these elements by bacteria due to some selective advantage. As for many other prokaryotic traits, horizontal gene transfer played a substantial role in the evolution of RcGTA-like elements, not only in shaping its genome components within the orders, but also in occasional dissemination of RcGTA-like regions across the orders and even to different bacterial phyla. PMID:29250433

Insights into origin and evolution of α-proteobacterial gene transfer agents.

PubMed

Shakya, Migun; Soucy, Shannon M; Zhaxybayeva, Olga

2017-07-01

Several bacterial and archaeal lineages produce nanostructures that morphologically resemble small tailed viruses, but, unlike most viruses, contain apparently random pieces of the host genome. Since these elements can deliver the packaged DNA to other cells, they were dubbed gene transfer agents (GTAs). Because many genes involved in GTA production have viral homologs, it has been hypothesized that the GTA ancestor was a virus. Whether GTAs represent an atypical virus, a defective virus, or a virus co-opted by the prokaryotes for some function, remains to be elucidated. To evaluate these possibilities, we examined the distribution and evolutionary histories of genes that encode a GTA in the α-proteobacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus (RcGTA). We report that although homologs of many individual RcGTA genes are abundant across bacteria and their viruses, RcGTA-like genomes are mainly found in one subclade of α-proteobacteria. When compared with the viral homologs, genes of the RcGTA-like genomes evolve significantly slower, and do not have higher %A+T nucleotides than their host chromosomes. Moreover, they appear to reside in stable regions of the bacterial chromosomes that are generally conserved across taxonomic orders. These findings argue against RcGTA being an atypical or a defective virus. Our phylogenetic analyses suggest that RcGTA ancestor likely originated in the lineage that gave rise to contemporary α-proteobacterial orders Rhizobiales , Rhodobacterales , Caulobacterales , Parvularculales , and Sphingomonadales , and since that time the RcGTA-like element has co-evolved with its host chromosomes. Such evolutionary history is compatible with maintenance of these elements by bacteria due to some selective advantage. As for many other prokaryotic traits, horizontal gene transfer played a substantial role in the evolution of RcGTA-like elements, not only in shaping its genome components within the orders, but also in occasional dissemination of RcGTA-like regions across the orders and even to different bacterial phyla.

The Tropomyosin Binding Region of Cardiac Troponin T Modulates Crossbridge Recruitment Dynamics in Rat Cardiac Muscle Fibers

PubMed Central

Gollapudi, Sampath K.; Gallon, Clare E.; Chandra, Murali

2013-01-01

The cardiac muscle comprises dynamically interacting components that use allosteric/cooperative mechanisms to yield unique heart-specific properties. An essential protein in this allosteric/cooperative mechanism is cardiac muscle troponin T (cTnT), the central region (CR) and the T2 region of which differ significantly from those of fast skeletal muscle troponin T (fsTnT). To understand the biological significance of such sequence heterogeneity, we replaced the T1 or T2 domain of rat cTnT (RcT1 or RcT2) with its counterpart from rat fsTnT (RfsT1or RfsT2) to generate RfsT1-RcT2 and RcT1-RfsT2 recombinant proteins. In addition to contractile function measurements, dynamic features of RfsT1-RcT2 and RcT1-RfsT2 reconstituted rat cardiac muscle fibers were captured by fitting the recruitment-distortion model to force response of small amplitude (0.5%) muscle length changes. RfsT1-RcT2 fibers showed a ~40% decrease in tension and ~44% decrease in ATPase activity, but RcT1-RfsT2 fibers were unaffected. The magnitude of length-mediated increase in crossbridge recruitment (E0) decreased by ~33% and the speed of crossbridge recruitment (b) increased by ~100% in RfsT1-RcT2 fibers. Our data suggest the following: (1) the CR of cTnT modulates crossbridge recruitment dynamics; (2) the N-terminal end region of cTnT has a synergistic effect on the ability of CR to modulate crossbridge recruitment dynamics; (3) the T2 region is important for tuning the Ca2+ regulation of cardiac thin filaments. The combined effects of CR-Tm interactions and the modulating effect of the N-terminal end of cTnT on CR-Tm interactions may lead to the emergence of a unique property that tunes contractile dynamics to heart rates. PMID:23357173

Ion balance and acidity of size-segregated particles during haze episodes in urban Beijing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Shili; Pan, Yuepeng; Wang, Yuesi

2018-03-01

In this study, we investigated how the ion balance causes variations in size segregated aerosol acidity and atmospheric processing on clean versus hazy days using a 9-stage sampler. We calculated the ratios (in charge equivalents, RC/A) between measured cations (Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2 +, and Ca2 +) and anions (SO42 -, NO3- and Cl-) for different aerosol size fractions. The ratios were typically close to unity in the accumulation mode (0.65-2.1 μm), and increased significantly when the particle size increased or decreased. In the coarse size range (aerodynamic diameter > 2.1 μm), high RC/A values were most likely caused by the undetermined CO32- and HCO3- content of the mineral dust. In contrast, the high RC/A values for submicron aerosols (< 1.1 μm) were likely caused by the presence of water-soluble organic anions. The RC/A values for all size fractions were lower on hazy days than clean days, indicating that aerosol acidity was enhanced on polluted days. Simiar temporal trend between RC/A and in-situ pH indicated that RC/A was a good indicator of aerosol acidity in fine mode aerosol. The SO42 - and NO3- contents in fine particles were completely neutralized as the RC/A values for PM2.1 approached unity, and mean values of RC/A were 1.34 and 1.16 during the transition and polluted periods, respectively. The lowest RC/A values were observed in the size fraction with the highest concentrations of SO42 -, NO3- and NH4+ (SNA) and concentrations of SNA increased with the increasing aerosol acidity. Significant correlations between [NO3-]/[SO42 -] and [NH4+]/[SO42 -] during NH4+-rich conditions in fine size fractions indicated fine mode NO3- in Beijing was mainly formed by gas-phase homogeneous reaction between the ambient NH3 and HNO3.

A joint university-government technical editing program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stohrer, Freda F.; Pinelli, Thomas E.

1978-01-01

The NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) and Old Dominion University have designed a mutually useful technical editing program. A university team made up of an English instructor and two graduate students - one from English, one from engineering - works with a senior editor from LaRC to prepare technical reports for publication. A round-robin technique gives the university team editorial commentary from both language and technical specialists; the senior editor from LaRC supervises reports through final publication. To date, the system has provided LaRC with a respectable product and university students with valuable on-the-job training.

Understanding and Assessing Risk of Intrastate Conflict: Human Development Theory and Practice

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-04-01

R es ou rc es O pp or tu ni ty S ec ur ity V io le nc e Le ve l To ta l R is k R es...ou rc es O pp or tu ni ty S ec ur ity V io le nc e Le ve l To ta l R is k R es ou rc es O pp or tu ni ty S ec ur ity V io le nc e Le ve...l To ta l R is k R es ou rc es O pp or

Comprehensive Review of the Future Role of the Reserve Component. Volume 1. Executive Summary and Main Report

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-04-05

C t r Source Integrated Security Posture Defense Planning Scenario April 2008 28 Using selected DoD planning scenarios8 that cover the...Military Sourcing for DoD Humanitarian Crisis Response D C R Mil t r S r i 1. AC primary source for DoD response 2. Some pre-planned RC required...immediately 3. Most RC follow on CRISIS + 30 DAYS Days N o ti o n a l P e rc e n t o f T o ta l F o rc e President Invokes PRC

LaRC-I-TPI - A status report on a new high performance, thermoplastic polyimide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pratt, J. Richard; Saint Clair, Terry L.

1990-01-01

A new thermoplastic polyimide designated LaRC-I-TPI has been prepared from 4,4'-isophthaloyldiphthalic anhydride (IDPA) and 1,3-phenylenediamine (m-PDA), phthalic anhydride endcapped or unendcapped. It is closely related to the well-known commercial LaRC-TPI. A survey of the synthesis and some thermal, film, adhesive, fracture toughness, and composite properties of this new polyimide is presented. While both materials have similar properties at comparable stages of development, LaRC-I-TPI should be less expensive to manufacture as a result of the use of lower cost readily available monomers.

Solid super saturated self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (sat-SNEDDS) as a promising alternative to conventional SNEDDS for improvement rosuvastatin calcium oral bioavailability.

PubMed

Abo Enin, Hadel A; Abdel-Bar, Hend Mohamed

2016-11-01

This study aims to illustrate the applicability of solid supersaturated self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (sat-SNEDDS) for the improvement of rosuvastatin calcium (RC) oral bioavailability. Different sat-SNEDDS were prepared by incorporating different ratios of RC into SNEDDS using tween80/PEG400 (77.2%) as surfactant/cosurfactant mixture and garlic /olive oil (22.8%) as oil phase. The prepared systems were characterized viz; size, zeta potential, TEM and stability. Various hydrophilic and hydrophobic carriers were employed to solidify the optimized RC sat-SNEDDS. The influence of the carrier was investigated by SEM, XRPD, DSC, flow properties, in vitro precipitation, drug release and oral bioavailability study. The adsorption of the stable positively charged nanocarrier RC sat-SNEDDS onto solid carriers provided free flowing amorphous powder. The carrier could amend the morphological architecture and in vitro release of the RC solid sat-SNEDDS. Hydrophobic carriers as microcrystalline cellulose 102 (MCC) showed superior physical characters and higher dissolution rate over hydrophilic carriers as maltodextrin with respective T 100% 30 min and 45 min. The rapid spontaneous emulsification, the positively nanosized MCC-sat-SNEDDS improved oral bioavailability of RC by 2.1-fold over commercial tablets. Solid MCC-sat-SNEDDS combined dual benefits of sat-SNEDDS and solid dosage form was successfully optimized to improve RC oral bioavailability.

The multigene family of lysophosphatidate acyltransferase (LPAT)-related enzymes in Ricinus communis: cloning and molecular characterization of two LPAT genes that are expressed in castor seeds.

PubMed

Arroyo-Caro, José María; Chileh, Tarik; Kazachkov, Michael; Zou, Jitao; Alonso, Diego López; García-Maroto, Federico

2013-02-01

The multigene family encoding proteins related to lysophosphatidyl-acyltransferases (LPATs) has been analyzed in the castor plant Ricinus communis. Among them, two genes designated RcLPAT2 and RcLPATB, encoding proteins with LPAT activity and expressed in the developing seed, have been cloned and characterized in some detail. RcLPAT2 groups with well characterized members of the so-called A-class LPATs and it shows a generalized expression pattern in the plant and along seed development. Enzymatic assays of RcLPAT2 indicate a preference for ricinoleoyl-CoA over other fatty acid thioesters when ricinoleoyl-LPA is used as the acyl acceptor, while oleoyl-CoA is the preferred substrate when oleoyl-LPA is employed. RcLPATB groups with B-class LPAT enzymes described as seed specific and selective for unusual fatty acids. However, RcLPATB exhibit a broad specificity on the acyl-CoAs, with saturated fatty acids (12:0-16:0) being the preferred substrates. RcLPATB is upregulated coinciding with seed triacylglycerol accumulation, but its expression is not restricted to the seed. These results are discussed in the light of a possible role for LPAT isoenzymes in the channelling of ricinoleic acid into castor bean triacylglycerol. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cardiorespiratory responses and blood lactate during an experimental run-cycle transition in duathletes.

PubMed

Galy, O; Hue, O; Boussana, A; Le Gallais, D; Prefaut, C

2002-04-01

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a prior run on the cardiorespiratory responses measured during a subsequent cycle segment. Twelve duathletes underwent three successive laboratory trials at an interval of one week: 1) an incremental cycle test, 2) 20 min of running followed by 20 min of cycling (RC), and 3) 20 min of control cycling (C) at the same intensity as the cycling segment of RC. Ventilatory data were collected every minute using a breath-by-breath automated system. Blood samples were collected to measure venous blood lactate concentration, [La], at rest, after the running and cycling segments of RC and after C. The results showed that the C segment of RC had significantly higher VE, VE/VO2, f and HR than C alone and significantly lower VT (p < 0.05) than C alone. Moreover, steady state during C of RC was reached at the 2nd min for VO2, VE, VCO2, VE/VO2, VE/VCO2, and VdT; at the 4th min for R and HR, and at the 5th min for f. The C of RC induced a significant increase in [La] in comparison with C alone. We concluded that the first minute of cycling after running during an RC trial induced specific metabolic and cardiorespiratory responses.

The flexibility controlling study for 3D printed splint

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jianyou; Tanaka, Hiroya

2017-04-01

The 3D printed splint's light weight, ventilation and water proof are considered as significant improvement for patients' comfortableness. Somehow, the flexible material is required in the splint to avoid skin friction may cased by its rigid edge, but this would increase the complexity and timeconsuming. In this study, two main techniques to control the infilling densities and printing temperature are applied on printing splint prototype. The gradual increasing of infilling density from splint outside to inside would turn the partial strength from hard to flexible. Besides, higher printing temperature can also achieve stronger hardness after cooling. Such structural can provide high strength in outside surface to keep the immovable function, and give flexible touch of inside surface to decrease friction on the patient's skin.

Horizontal spacing, depletion, and infill potential in the Austin Chalk

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

Kyte, D.G.; Meehan, D.N.

1996-12-31

There have been more than 4500 laterals drilled in the Austin Chalk. This paper looks at estimated ultimate recoveries (EUR) on a barrels/acre basis for these Austin Chalk wells. Baffels/acre recoveries were computed by estimating ultimate per-well recoveries, drilled density and the impact of vertical production. The data were then analyzed for depletion and infill potential. Certain areas were selected for further study using an artificial neural network. The network was built and used to study the effects of parameters such as lateral length, first production date, structure of the Austin Chalk, etc. on these recoverable barrel/acre numbers. The methodologymore » and regional results of the study are reviewed with detailed analyses shown in selected areas.« less

The Impact of Peritumoral Retraction Clefting & Intratumoral Eosinophils on Overall Survival in Oral Squamous Carcinoma Patients.

PubMed

Jain, Dhruv; Tikku, Gargi; Bhadana, Pallavi; Dravid, Chandrashekhar; Grover, Rajesh Kumar

2017-10-18

This retrospective study aimed to investigate the impact of peritumoral retraction clefts (RC) and tumor-associated tissue eosinophilia (TATE) as predictors of overall survival (OS) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. Their relationships with tumor-factors were also examined. Eighty-seven OSCC cases (pTNM: I + II/III + IV; 32/55), post-curative surgery, comprised the study cohort. Three observers independently estimated the percent RC semi-quantitatively in the selected tumor sections. Additionally, stromal eosinophils were counted in ten consecutive high-power fields of intratumoral and peritumoral regions to evaluate the corresponding TATE. The percent RC ranged between 0% -90% (Mean ± SD: 16 ± 24%; Median: 5%). The stromal eosinophils were greater in peritumoral as compared to intratumoral region. The events of death and tumor recurrence were reached in 16 (18.4%) and 36 (41%) cases respectively. The 3-years OS was 69% [Median OS: 1880 days; Mean follow up: 471(Range; 36-1880) days]. Increased percent RC exhibited relationship with pathologic stage (pTNM III&IV), primary tumor (pT III&IV), tumor depth > 4 mm and categorical tumor recurrence. Additionally, peritumoral eosinophilic infiltrates increased with increasing tumor depths and muscle invasion. Kaplan-Meier curves revealed significantly reduced OS in OSCC cases exhibiting: increased percent RC (>2.5%), mild -moderate/absent intratumoral TATE (versus intense TATE) or categorical tumor recurrence. In subsequent multivariate tests, all the three variables retained significance. Additionally, intraclass correlation coefficient demonstrated acceptable internal consistency for the observers who estimated percent RC. In conclusion, RC and intratumoral TATE proved to be independent predictors of OS in our OSCC cohort. Additionally, increased percent RC pointed towards aggressive tumor behaviour.

Implementation of Patient Decision Support Interventions in Primary Care: The Role of Relational Coordination.

PubMed

Tietbohl, Caroline K; Rendle, Katharine A S; Halley, Meghan C; May, Suepattra G; Lin, Grace A; Frosch, Dominick L

2015-11-01

The benefits of patient decision support interventions (DESIs) have been well documented. However, DESIs remain difficult to incorporate into clinical practice. Relational coordination (RC) has been shown to improve performance and quality of care in health care settings. This study aims to demonstrate how applying RC theory to DESI implementation could elucidate underlying issues limiting widespread uptake. Five primary care clinics in Northern California participated in a DESI implementation project. We used a deductive thematic approach guided by behaviors outlined in RC theory to analyze qualitative data collected from ethnographic field notes documenting the implementation process and focus groups with health care professionals. We then systematically compared the qualitative findings with quantitative DESI distribution data. Based on DESI distribution rates, clinics were placed into 3 performance categories: high, middle, and low. Qualitative data illustrated how each clinic's performance related to RC behaviors. Consistent with RC theory, the high-performing clinic exhibited frequent, timely, and accurate communication and positive working relationships. The 3 middle-performing clinics exhibited high-quality communication within physician-staff teams but limited communication regarding DESI implementation across the clinic. The lowest-performing clinic was characterized by contentious relationships and inadequate communication. Limitations of the study include nonrandom selection of clinics and limited geographic diversity. In addition, ethnographic data collected documented only DESI implementation practices and not larger staff interactions contributing to RC. These findings suggest that a high level of RC within clinical settings may be a key component and facilitator of successful DESI implementation. Future attempts to integrate DESIs into clinical practice should consider incorporating interventions designed to increase positive RC behaviors as a potential means to improve uptake. © The Author(s) 2015.

Reappraisal of the clinical implications of adenosine triphosphate in terms of the prediction of reconnection sites in cases with electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins.

PubMed

Okishige, Kaoru; Aoyagi, Hideshi; Ihara, Kensuke; Iwai, Shinsuke; Nakamura, Tomofumi; Yamashita, Mitsumi; Katoh, Nobutaka; Hasegawa, Tomoaki; Kawaguchi, Naohiko; Keida, Takehiko; Sasano, Tetsuo; Hirao, Kenzo

2015-11-01

Dormant conduction (DC) induced by intravenous adenosine triphosphate (ATP) after pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) could predict subsequent PV reconnection (RC) sites. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the DC and RC sites during the long-term follow-up. Ninety-one consecutive patients (62 males; mean age, 62 ± 11 years) with symptomatic persistent (n = 18) or paroxysmal (n = 73) atrial fibrillation (AF) who underwent PVI were included in this study. After a successful PVI, we administered ATP to reveal the DC sites. In total, DC sites were observed in 46 (51%) patients, and all were left un-ablated after marking or tagging all of them using fluoroscopic images and a three-dimensional (3D) mapping system. After the follow-up period (14.8 ± 3.6 months), AF recurred in 29 (32%) patients, all of whom had a DC in the initial ablation session, and underwent redo sessions. We divided the DC sites into three groups; in group A, the RC sites differed from the DC sites, in group B, the RC sites were identical to the DC sites, and in group C, the RC sites involved both DC and other sites. As a result, 20 (69%), 3 (11.5%), and 6 (19.5%) patients belonged to groups A, B, and C, respectively. Statistical analyses comparing the agreement between DC and the RC sites yielded a weak relationship. DC sites implying RC sites had a weak agreement, and other options to predict RC sites will be required to improve the clinical benefit of CA of AF.

Interleukin-17 promotes development of castration-resistant prostate cancer potentially through creating an immunotolerant and pro-angiogenic tumor microenvironment

PubMed Central

Zhang, Qiuyang; Liu, Sen; Zhang, Qingsong; Xiong, Zhenggang; Wang, Alun R.; Myers, Leann; Melamed, Jonathan; Tang, Wendell W.; You, Zongbing

2014-01-01

BACKGROUND Interleukin-17 (IL-17) has been demonstrated to promote formation and growth of hormone-naïve prostate adenocarcinoma in mice. IL-17’s role in development of castration-resistant prostate cancer is unknown. In the present study, we investigated IL-17’s role in castration-resistant prostate cancer in a mouse model. METHODS IL-17 receptor C (IL-17RC) deficient mice were interbred with Pten conditional mutant mice to produce RC+ mice that maintained IL-17RC expression and RC− mice that were IL-17RC deficient. Male RC+ and RC− mice were Pten-null and were castrated at 16 weeks of age when invasive prostate cancer had already formed. At 30 weeks of age, all male mice were analyzed for the prostate phenotypes. RESULTS RC− mice displayed prostates that were smaller than RC+ mice. Approximately 23% of prostatic glands in RC− mice, in contrast to 65% of prostatic glands in RC+ mice, developed invasive adenocarcinomas. Compared to castrate RC+ mice, castrate RC− mouse prostate had lower rates of cellular proliferation and higher rates of apoptosis as well as lower levels of MMP7, YBX1, MTA1, and UBE2C proteins. In addition, castrate RC− mouse prostate had less angiogenesis, which was associated with decreased levels of COX-2 and VEGF. Moreover, castrate RC− mouse prostate had fewer inflammatory cells including lymphocytes, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and macrophages. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our findings suggest that IL-17 promotes development of invasive prostate adenocarcinomas under castrate conditions, potentially through creating an immunotolerant and pro-angiogenic tumor microenvironment. PMID:24691769

Modeling of Inner Magnetosphere Coupling Processes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Khazanov, George V.

2011-01-01

The Ring Current (RC) is the biggest energy player in the inner magnetosphere. It is the source of free energy for Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) wave excitation provided by a temperature anisotropy of RC ions, which develops naturally during inward E B convection from the plasmasheet. The cold plasmasphere, which is under the strong influence of the magnetospheric electric field, strongly mediates the RC-EMIC wave-particle-coupling process and ultimately becomes part of the particle and energy interplay. On the other hand, there is a strong influence of the RC on the inner magnetospheric electric and magnetic field configurations and these configurations, in turn, are important to RC dynamics. Therefore, one of the biggest needs for inner magnetospheric research is the continued progression toward a coupled, interconnected system with the inclusion of nonlinear feedback mechanisms between the plasma populations, the electric and magnetic fields, and plasma waves. As we clearly demonstrated in our studies, EMIC waves strongly interact with electrons and ions of energies ranging from approx.1 eV to approx.10 MeV, and that these waves strongly affect the dynamics of resonant RC ions, thermal electrons and ions, and the outer RB relativistic electrons. As we found, the rate of ion and electron scattering/heating in the Earth's magnetosphere is not only controlled by the wave intensity-spatial-temporal distribution but also strongly depends on the spectral distribution of the wave power. The latter is also a function of the plasmaspheric heavy ion content, and the plasma density and temperature distributions along the magnetic field lines. The above discussion places RC-EMIC wave coupling dynamics in context with inner magnetospheric coupling processes and, ultimately, relates RC studies with plasmaspheric and Superthermal Electrons formation processes as well as with outer RB physics.

Randomized trial of probiotics and calcium on diarrhea and respiratory tract infections in Indonesian children.

PubMed

Agustina, Rina; Kok, Frans J; van de Rest, Ondine; Fahmida, Umi; Firmansyah, Agus; Lukito, Widjaja; Feskens, Edith J M; van den Heuvel, Ellen G H M; Albers, Ruud; Bovee-Oudenhoven, Ingeborg M J

2012-05-01

To investigate the effects of calcium and probiotics on the incidence and duration of acute diarrhea and acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) in low-socioeconomic communities of Jakarta, Indonesia. We conducted a 6-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 494 healthy children aged 1 to 6 years who received low-lactose milk with low calcium content (LC; ∼50 mg/day; n = 124), regular calcium content (RC; ∼440 mg/day; n = 126), RC with 5.10(8) colony-forming units per day of Lactobacillus casei CRL431 (casei; n = 120), or RC with 5.10(8) colony-forming units per day of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM17938 (reuteri; n = 124). Number and duration of diarrhea and ARTIs episodes were primary and secondary outcomes, respectively. Incidence of World Health Organization-defined diarrhea (≥3 loose/liquid stools in 24 hours) was not significantly different between RC and LC (relative risk [RR]: 0.99 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.62-1.58]), between casei and RC (RR: 1.21 [95% CI: 0.76-1.92]), or between reuteri and RC (RR: 0.76 [95% CI: 0.46-1.25]) groups. Incidence of all reported diarrhea (≥2 loose/liquid stools in 24 hours) was significantly lower in the reuteri versus RC group (RR: 0.68 [95% CI: 0.46-0.99]). Irrespective of the definition used, reuteri significantly reduced diarrhea incidence in children with lower nutritional status (below-median height-and-weight-for-age z score). None of the interventions affected ARTIs. RC milk, alone or with L casei, did not reduce diarrhea or ARTIs in Indonesian children. L reuteri may prevent diarrhea, especially in children with lower nutritional status.

Powerful inhibition of in-vivo growth of experimental hepatic cancers by bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide antagonist RC-3940-II.

PubMed

Szepeshazi, Karoly; Schally, Andrew V; Rick, Ferenc G; Block, Norman L; Vidaurre, Irving; Halmos, Gabor; Szalontay, Luca

2012-10-01

Hepatic carcinoma is a major health problem worldwide. Its incidence is increasing in Western countries and there is currently no effective systemic therapy against it. Targeted treatment modalities developed in the past few years have provided very limited success. Development of new treatment strategies is therefore essential. We investigated the effects of bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide (BN/GRP) antagonist RC-3940-II on experimental human liver cancers in nude mice. SK-Hep-1 and Hep-G2 cancers transplanted subcutaneously into nude mice were treated daily with 10 or 20 µg of RC-3940-II. Tumor growth was monitored for 50-184 days in five experiments. Tumor gene expression was analyzed with PCR array and protein expression by immunoblotting. Characteristics of BN/GRP receptors in the tumors were analyzed by binding assays. Effects of RC-3940-II on cell proliferation were investigated in vitro. RC-3940-II inhibited the growth of SK-Hep-1 cancers in nude mice by 65-98%, with total regression in 9 of 36 tumors in three experiments. The BN/GRP antagonist inhibited the growth of Hep-G2 cancers as well by 73-82% in two experiments, being effective even on originally large tumors. Gene expression analysis showed an increase in several angiogenesis inhibitors and decrease in proangiogenic genes after RC-3940-II treatment. Receptor assays demonstrated high-affinity binding sites for BN/GRP in both tumor lines. BN/GRP antagonist RC-3940-II powerfully inhibits growth of SK-Hep-1 and Hep-G2 cancers in nude mice. Its effect may be linked to changes in expression of those cancer genes important in angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. RC-3940-II may be considered for further investigations in treatment of liver cancers.

Differences in the binding of the primary quinone receptor in Photosystem I and reaction centres of Rhodobacter sphaeroides-R26 studied with transient EPR spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van der Est, A.; Sieckmann, I.; Lubitz, W.; Stehlik, D.

1995-05-01

The binding of the primary quinone acceptor, Q, in Photosystem I (PS I) and reaction centres (RC's) of Rhodobacter Sphaeroide-R26 in which, the non-heme iron has been replaced by zinc (Zn-bRC's) is studied using transient EPR spectroscopy. In PS I, Q is phylloquinone (vitamin K 1, VK 1) and is referred to as A 1. In Zn-bRC's, it is ubiquinone-10 (UQ 10) and called Q A. Native samples of the two RC's as well as those in which A 1 and Q A have been replaced by perdeuterated napthoquinone (NQ- d6) and duroquinone (DQ- d12) are compared. The spin polarized K-band (24 GHz) spectra of the charge separated state P +.Q -. (P = primary chlorophyll donor) in Zn-bRC's show that substitution of Q A, with NQ- d6 and DQ- d12 does not have a measurable effect on the quinone orientation in the Q A site. In contrast, large differences in the orientation of VK 1, NQ- d6 and DQ- d12 in the A 1 site in PS I are found. In addition, all three quinones in PS I are oriented differently than Q A in Zn-bRC's. Further, the x and y principal values of the g-tensors of VK 1-., NQ -. and DQ -. in PS I are shown to be significantly larger than in frozen alcohol and Zn-bRC's. It is suggested that the differences in the orientation and a g-values of the quinones in the two RC's arise from a weaker binding to the protein in PS I.

A Large and Pristine Sample of Standard Candles across the Milky Way: ∼100,000 Red Clump Stars with 3% Contamination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ting, Yuan-Sen; Hawkins, Keith; Rix, Hans-Walter

2018-05-01

Core helium-burning red clump (RC) stars are excellent standard candles in the Milky Way. These stars may have more precise distance estimates from spectrophotometry than from Gaia parallaxes beyond 3 kpc. However, RC stars have values of T eff and {log}g that are very similar to some red giant branch (RGB) stars. Especially for low-resolution spectroscopic studies where T eff, {log}g, and [Fe/H] can only be estimated with limited precision, separating RC stars from RGB through established methods can incur ∼20% contamination. Recently, Hawkins et al. demonstrated that the additional information in single-epoch spectra, such as the C/N ratio, can be exploited to cleanly differentiate RC and RGB stars. In this second paper of the series, we establish a data-driven mapping from spectral flux space to independently determined asteroseismic parameters, the frequency and the period spacing. From this, we identify 210,371 RC stars from the publicly available LAMOST DR3 and APOGEE DR14 data, with ∼9% of contamination. We provide an RC sample of 92249 stars with a contamination of only ∼3%, by restricting the combined analysis to LAMOST stars with S/Npix ≥ 75. This demonstrates that high-signal-to-noise ratio (S/N), low-resolution spectra covering a broad wavelength range can identify RC samples at least as pristine as their high-resolution counterparts. As coming and ongoing surveys such as TESS, DESI, and LAMOST will continue to improve the overlapping training spectroscopic-asteroseismic sample, the method presented in this study provides an efficient and straightforward way to derive a vast yet pristine sample of RC stars to reveal the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the Milky Way.

Case study of flexure and shear strengthening of RC beams by CFRP using FEA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jankowiak, Iwona

2018-01-01

In the paper the preliminary results of study on strengthening RC beams by means of CFRP materials under mixed shear-flexural work condition are presented. The Finite Element Method analyses were performed using numerical models proposed and verified earlier by the results of laboratory tests [4, 5] for estimation of effectiveness of CFRP strengthening of RC beams under flexure. The currently conducted analyses deal with 3D models of RC beams under mixed shear-flexural loading conditions. The symmetry of analyzed beams was taken into account (in both directions). The application of Concrete Damage Plasticity (CDP) model of RC beam allowed to predict a layout and propagation of cracks leading to failure. Different cases of strengthening were analyzed: with the use of CFRP strip or CFRP closed hoops as well as with the combination of above mentioned. The preliminary study was carried out and the first results were presented.

Guaranteeing a captive audience: coordinated regulation of gene transfer agent (GTA) production and recipient capability by cellular regulators.

PubMed

Westbye, Alexander B; Beatty, J Thomas; Lang, Andrew S

2017-08-01

Gene transfer agents (GTAs) are bacteriophage-like particles produced by many prokaryotes. Several members of the Alphaproteobacteria produce a class of genetically-related GTAs that is best studied in Rhodobacter capsulatus. DNA transfer by the R. capsulatus GTA (RcGTA) combines aspects of both transduction and natural transformation, as recipient cells require a natural transformation-like system to incorporate donated DNA. The genes involved in RcGTA production and recipient capability are located at multiple loci in the bacterial genome; however, a conserved phosphorelay containing the response regulator CtrA and a quorum sensing system regulate both RcGTA production and recipient capability. This review highlights recent discoveries in RcGTA biology, and focuses on the co-regulation of genes involved in RcGTA production and recipient capability. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dependence of the critical cooling rate for lithium-silicate glass on nucleating agents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huang, W.; Ray, C. S.; Day, D. E.

1986-01-01

The critical cooling rate, Rc, for glass formation of a glass containing 40 mol pct Li2O and 60 mol pct SiO2, doped with small amounts of Pt, Au, P2O5, and TiO2 nucleating agents, has been measured. Rc increases with increasing Pt and Au additions, but Pt has a larger effect than Au. Additions of P2O5 tend to decrease Rc, whereas TiO2 has practically no effect on Rc. The devitrified glass nucleated with Pt contains only crystalline Li2O-SiO2, but all the other devitrified glasses, including the undoped glass, contain both Li2O-SiO2 and Li2O-2SiO2. Analysis shows that Rc increases as the concentration of the Li2O-SiO2 phase in the devitrified glass increases.

Out of the Autoclave Fabrication of LaRC[TradeMark] PETI-9 Polyimide Laminates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cano, Robert J.; Jensen, Brian J.

2013-01-01

The NASA Langley Research Center developed polyimide system, LaRC PETI-9, has successfully been processed into composites by high temperature vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (HT-VARTM). To extend the application of this high use temperature material to other out-of-autoclave (OOA) processing techniques, the fabrication of PETI- 9 laminates was evaluated using only a vacuum bag and oven cure. A LaRC PETI-9 polyimide solution in NMP was prepared and successfully utilized to fabricate unidirectional IM7 carbon fiber prepreg that was subsequently processed into composites with a vacuum bag and oven cure OOA process. Composite panels of good quality were successfully fabricated and mechanically tested. Processing characteristics, composite panel quality and mechanical properties are presented in this work. The resultant properties are compared to previously developed LaRC material systems processed by both autoclave and OOA techniques including the well characterized, autoclave processed LaRC PETI-5.

Design Dilemma.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Nory

1980-01-01

Two projects, the Milford (Pennsylvania) Reservation Solar Conservation Center and Prototype Passive Solar Townhouses, are designed for solar energy--one as a learning center, the other as urban infill housing. (Author/MLF)

47 CFR 95.219 - (R/C Rule 19) How do I answer correspondence from the FCC?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false (R/C Rule 19) How do I answer correspondence from the FCC? 95.219 Section 95.219 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED... You Need to Know § 95.219 (R/C Rule 19) How do I answer correspondence from the FCC? (a) If it appears...

Consequences of Ignoring Guessing when Estimating the Latent Density in Item Response Theory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Woods, Carol M.

2008-01-01

In Ramsay-curve item response theory (RC-IRT), the latent variable distribution is estimated simultaneously with the item parameters. In extant Monte Carlo evaluations of RC-IRT, the item response function (IRF) used to fit the data is the same one used to generate the data. The present simulation study examines RC-IRT when the IRF is imperfectly…

40 CFR 141.402 - Ground water source microbial monitoring and analytical methods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

.../1604sp02.pdf or from EPA's Water Resource Center (RC-4100T), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC... available at http://www.epa.gov/nerlcwww/1600sp02.pdf or from EPA's Water Resource Center (RC-4100T), 1200.../1601ap01.pdf or from EPA's Water Resource Center (RC-4100T), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC...

47 CFR 95.206 - (R/C Rule 6) Are there any special restrictions on the location of my R/C station?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... COMMISSION (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND SPECIAL RADIO SERVICES PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES Radio Control (R/C) Radio... operated in such a manner as to raise environmental problems, under § 1.1307 of this chapter, you must... order to resolve or mitigate any potential interference problem with the Arecibo Observatory. If the...

47 CFR 95.206 - (R/C Rule 6) Are there any special restrictions on the location of my R/C station?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... COMMISSION (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND SPECIAL RADIO SERVICES PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES Radio Control (R/C) Radio... operated in such a manner as to raise environmental problems, under § 1.1307 of this chapter, you must... order to resolve or mitigate any potential interference problem with the Arecibo Observatory. If the...

47 CFR 95.647 - FRS unit and R/C transmitter antennas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false FRS unit and R/C transmitter antennas. 95.647... transmitter antennas. The antenna of each FRS unit, and the antenna of each R/C station transmitting in the 72-76 MHz band, must be an integral part of the transmitter. The antenna must have no gain (as compared...

47 CFR 95.647 - FRS unit and R/C transmitter antennas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false FRS unit and R/C transmitter antennas. 95.647... transmitter antennas. The antenna of each FRS unit, and the antenna of each R/C station transmitting in the 72-76 MHz band, must be an integral part of the transmitter. The antenna must have no gain (as compared...

47 CFR 95.647 - FRS unit and R/C transmitter antennas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false FRS unit and R/C transmitter antennas. 95.647... transmitter antennas. The antenna of each FRS unit, and the antenna of each R/C station transmitting in the 72-76 MHz band, must be an integral part of the transmitter. The antenna must have no gain (as compared...

47 CFR 95.647 - FRS unit and R/C transmitter antennas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false FRS unit and R/C transmitter antennas. 95.647... transmitter antennas. The antenna of each FRS unit, and the antenna of each R/C station transmitting in the 72-76 MHz band, must be an integral part of the transmitter. The antenna must have no gain (as compared...

47 CFR 95.647 - FRS unit and R/C transmitter antennas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false FRS unit and R/C transmitter antennas. 95.647... transmitter antennas. The antenna of each FRS unit, and the antenna of each R/C station transmitting in the 72-76 MHz band, must be an integral part of the transmitter. The antenna must have no gain (as compared...

Damage assessment in PRC and RC beams by dynamic tests

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Capozucca, R.

2011-07-01

The present paper reports on damaged prestressed reinforced concrete (PRC) beams and reinforced concrete (RC) beams experimentally investigated through dynamic testing in order to verify damage degree due to reinforcement corrosion or cracking correlated to loading. The experimental program foresaw that PRC beams were subjected to artificial reinforcement corrosion and static loading while RC beams were damaged by increasing applied loads to produce bending cracking. Dynamic investigation was developed both on undamaged and damaged PRC and RC beams measuring natural frequencies and evaluating vibration mode shapes. Dynamic testing allowed the recording of frequency response variations at different vibration modes. The experimental results are compared with theoretical results and discussed.

On the reduced-complexity of LDPC decoders for ultra-high-speed optical transmission.

PubMed

Djordjevic, Ivan B; Xu, Lei; Wang, Ting

2010-10-25

We propose two reduced-complexity (RC) LDPC decoders, which can be used in combination with large-girth LDPC codes to enable ultra-high-speed serial optical transmission. We show that optimally attenuated RC min-sum sum algorithm performs only 0.46 dB (at BER of 10(-9)) worse than conventional sum-product algorithm, while having lower storage memory requirements and much lower latency. We further study the use of RC LDPC decoding algorithms in multilevel coded modulation with coherent detection and show that with RC decoding algorithms we can achieve the net coding gain larger than 11 dB at BERs below 10(-9).

AC Electric Field Activated Shape Memory Polymer Composite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kang, Jin Ho; Siochi, Emilie J.; Penner, Ronald K.; Turner, Travis L.

2011-01-01

Shape memory materials have drawn interest for applications like intelligent medical devices, deployable space structures and morphing structures. Compared to other shape memory materials like shape memory alloys (SMAs) or shape memory ceramics (SMCs), shape memory polymers (SMPs) have high elastic deformation that is amenable to tailored of mechanical properties, have lower density, and are easily processed. However, SMPs have low recovery stress and long response times. A new shape memory thermosetting polymer nanocomposite (LaRC-SMPC) was synthesized with conductive fillers to enhance its thermo-mechanical characteristics. A new composition of shape memory thermosetting polymer nanocomposite (LaRC-SMPC) was synthesized with conductive functionalized graphene sheets (FGS) to enhance its thermo-mechanical characteristics. The elastic modulus of LaRC-SMPC is approximately 2.7 GPa at room temperature and 4.3 MPa above its glass transition temperature. Conductive FGSs-doped LaRC-SMPC exhibited higher conductivity compared to pristine LaRC SMP. Applying an electric field at between 0.1 Hz and 1 kHz induced faster heating to activate the LaRC-SMPC s shape memory effect relative to applying DC electric field or AC electric field at frequencies exceeding1 kHz.

RpiRc Is a Pleiotropic Effector of Virulence Determinant Synthesis and Attenuates Pathogenicity in Staphylococcus aureus

PubMed Central

Wirf, Jessica; Wonnenberg, B.; Biegel, Tanja; Eisenbeis, J.; Graham, J.; Herrmann, M.; Lee, C. Y.; Beisswenger, C.; Wolz, C.; Tschernig, T.; Bischoff, M.; Somerville, G. A.

2016-01-01

In Staphylococcus aureus, metabolism is intimately linked with virulence determinant biosynthesis, and several metabolite-responsive regulators have been reported to mediate this linkage. S. aureus possesses at least three members of the RpiR family of transcriptional regulators. Of the three RpiR homologs, RpiRc is a potential regulator of the pentose phosphate pathway, which also regulates RNAIII levels. RNAIII is the regulatory RNA of the agr quorum-sensing system that controls virulence determinant synthesis. The effect of RpiRc on RNAIII likely involves other regulators, as the regulators that bind the RNAIII promoter have been intensely studied. To determine which regulators might bridge the gap between RpiRc and RNAIII, sarA, sigB, mgrA, and acnA mutations were introduced into an rpiRc mutant background, and the effects on RNAIII were determined. Additionally, phenotypic and genotypic differences were examined in the single and double mutant strains, and the virulence of select strains was examined using two different murine infection models. The data suggest that RpiRc affects RNAIII transcription and the synthesis of virulence determinants in concert with σB, SarA, and the bacterial metabolic status to negatively affect virulence. PMID:27113358

Unravelling the structural-electronic impact of arylamine electron-donating antennas on the performances of efficient ruthenium sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Wang-Chao; Kong, Fan-Tai; Ghadari, Rahim; Li, Zhao-Qian; Guo, Fu-Ling; Liu, Xue-Peng; Huang, Yang; Yu, Ting; Hayat, Tasawar; Dai, Song-Yuan

2017-04-01

We report a systematic research to understand the structural-electronic impact of the arylamine electron-donating antennas on the performances of the ruthenium complexes for dye-sensitized solar cells. Three ruthenium complexes functionalized with different arylamine electron-donating antennas (N,N-diethyl-aniline in RC-31, julolidine in RC-32 and N,N-dibenzyl-aniline in RC-36) are designed and synthesized. The photoelectric properties of RC dyes exhibit apparent discrepancy, which are ascribed to different structural nature and electronic delocalization ability of these arylamine electron-donating system. In conjunction with TiO2 microspheres photoanode and a typical coadsorbent DPA, the devices sensitized by RC-36 achieve the best conversion efficiency of 10.23%. The UV-Vis absorption, electrochemical measurement, incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency and transient absorption spectra confirm that the excellent performance of RC-36 is induced by synergistically structural-electronic impacts from enhanced absorption capacity and well-tuned electronic characteristics. These observations provide valuable insights into the molecular engineering methodology based on fine tuning structural-electronic impact of electron-donating antenna in efficient ruthenium sensitizers.

Open chromatin structures regulate the efficiencies of pre-RC formation and replication initiation in Epstein-Barr virus

PubMed Central

Papior, Peer; Arteaga-Salas, José M.; Günther, Thomas; Grundhoff, Adam

2012-01-01

Whether or not metazoan replication initiates at random or specific but flexible sites is an unsolved question. The lack of sequence specificity in origin recognition complex (ORC) DNA binding complicates genome-scale chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-based studies. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) persists as chromatinized minichromosomes that are replicated by the host replication machinery. We used EBV to investigate the link between zones of pre-replication complex (pre-RC) assembly, replication initiation, and micrococcal nuclease (MNase) sensitivity at different cell cycle stages in a genome-wide fashion. The dyad symmetry element (DS) of EBV’s latent origin, a well-established and very efficient pre-RC assembly region, served as an internal control. We identified 64 pre-RC zones that correlate spatially with 57 short nascent strand (SNS) zones. MNase experiments revealed that pre-RC and SNS zones were linked to regions of increased MNase sensitivity, which is a marker of origin strength. Interestingly, although spatially correlated, pre-RC and SNS zones were characterized by different features. We propose that pre-RCs are formed at flexible but distinct sites, from which only a few are activated per single genome and cell cycle. PMID:22891264

Effect of cements on fracture resistance of monolithic zirconia crowns

PubMed Central

Nakamura, Keisuke; Mouhat, Mathieu; Nergård, John Magnus; Lægreid, Solveig Jenssen; Kanno, Taro; Milleding, Percy; Örtengren, Ulf

2016-01-01

Abstract Objectives The present study investigated the effect of cements on fracture resistance of monolithic zirconia crowns in relation to their compressive strength. Materials and methods Four different cements were tested: zinc phosphate cement (ZPC), glass-ionomer cement (GIC), self-adhesive resin-based cement (SRC) and resin-based cement (RC). RC was used in both dual cure mode (RC-D) and chemical cure mode (RC-C). First, the compressive strength of each cement was tested according to a standard (ISO 9917-1:2004). Second, load-to-failure test was performed to analyze the crown fracture resistance. CAD/CAM-produced monolithic zirconia crowns with a minimal thickness of 0.5 mm were prepared and cemented to dies with each cement. The crown–die samples were loaded until fracture. Results The compressive strength of SRC, RC-D and RC-C was significantly higher than those of ZPC and GIC (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the fracture load of the crown between the groups. Conclusion The values achieved in the load-to-failure test suggest that monolithic zirconia crowns with a minimal thickness of 0.5 mm may have good resistance against fracture regardless of types of cements. PMID:27335900

SU-F-T-43: Prediction of Dose Increments by Brain Metastases Resection Cavity Shrinkage Model with I-125 and Cs-131 LDR Seed Implantations

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

Han, D; Braunstein, S; Sneed, P

Purpose: This work aims to determine dose variability via a brain metastases resection cavity shrinkage model (RC-SM) with I-125 or Cs-131 LDR seed implantations. Methods: The RC-SM was developed to represent sequential volume changes of 95 consecutive brain metastases patients. All patients underwent serial surveillance MR and change in cavity volume was recorded for each patient. For the initial resection cavity, a prolate-ellipsoid cavity model was suggested and applied volume shrinkage rates to correspond to 1.7, 3.6, 5.9, 11.7, and 20.5 months after craniotomy. Extra-ring structure (6mm) was added on a surface of the resection volume and the same shrinkagemore » rates were applied. Total 31 LDR seeds were evenly distributed on the surface of the resection cavity. The Amersham 6711 I-125 seed model (Oncura, Arlington Heights, IL) and the Model Cs-1 Rev2 Cs-131 seed model (IsoRay, Richland, WA) were used for TG-43U1 dose calculation and in-house-programed 3D-volumetric dose calculation system was used for resection cavity rigid model (RC-RM) and the RC-SM dose calculation. Results: The initial resection cavity volume shrunk to 25±6%, 35±6.8%, 42±7.7%, 47±9.5%, and 60±11.6%, with respect to sequential MR images post craniotomy, and the shrinkage rate (SR) was calculated as SR=56.41Xexp(−0.2024Xt)+33.99 and R-square value was 0.98. The normal brain dose as assessed via the dose to the ring structure with the RC-SM showed 29.34% and 27.95% higher than the RC-RM, I-125 and Cs-131, respectively. The dose differences between I-125 and Cs-131 seeds within the same models, I-125 cases were 9.17% and 10.35% higher than Cs-131 cases, the RC-RM and the RC-SM, respectively. Conclusion: A realistic RC-SM should be considered during LDR brain seed implementation and post-implement planning to prevent potential overdose. The RC-SM calculation shows that Cs-131 is more advantageous in sparing normal brain as the resection cavity volume changes with the LDR seeds implementation.« less

Modeling soybean canopy resistance from micrometeorological and plant variables for estimating evapotranspiration using one-step Penman-Monteith approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Irmak, Suat; Mutiibwa, Denis; Payero, Jose; Marek, Thomas; Porter, Dana

2013-12-01

Canopy resistance (rc) is one of the most important variables in evapotranspiration, agronomy, hydrology and climate change studies that link vegetation response to changing environmental and climatic variables. This study investigates the concept of generalized nonlinear/linear modeling approach of rc from micrometeorological and plant variables for soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] canopy at different climatic zones in Nebraska, USA (Clay Center, Geneva, Holdrege and North Platte). Eight models estimating rc as a function of different combination of micrometeorological and plant variables are presented. The models integrated the linear and non-linear effects of regulating variables (net radiation, Rn; relative humidity, RH; wind speed, U3; air temperature, Ta; vapor pressure deficit, VPD; leaf area index, LAI; aerodynamic resistance, ra; and solar zenith angle, Za) to predict hourly rc. The most complex rc model has all regulating variables and the simplest model has only Rn, Ta and RH. The rc models were developed at Clay Center in the growing season of 2007 and applied to other independent sites and years. The predicted rc for the growing seasons at four locations were then used to estimate actual crop evapotranspiration (ETc) as a one-step process using the Penman-Monteith model and compared to the measured data at all locations. The models were able to account for 66-93% of the variability in measured hourly ETc across locations. Models without LAI generally underperformed and underestimated due to overestimation of rc, especially during full canopy cover stage. Using vapor pressure deficit or relative humidity in the models had similar effect on estimating rc. The root squared error (RSE) between measured and estimated ETc was about 0.07 mm h-1 for most of the models at Clay Center, Geneva and Holdrege. At North Platte, RSE was above 0.10 mm h-1. The results at different sites and different growing seasons demonstrate the robustness and consistency of the models in estimating soybean rc, which is encouraging towards the general application of one-step estimation of soybean canopy ETc in practice using the Penman-Monteith model and could aid in enhancing the utilization of the approach by irrigation and water management community.

Heart rate variability in stroke patients submitted to an acute bout of aerobic exercise.

PubMed

Raimundo, Rodrigo Daminello; de Abreu, Luiz Carlos; Adami, Fernando; Vanderlei, Franciele Marques; de Carvalho, Tatiana Dias; Moreno, Isadora Lessa; Pereira, Valdelias Xavier; Valenti, Vitor Engracia; Sato, Monica Akemi

2013-10-01

Stroke has been associated with cardiac autonomic impairment due to damage in central nervous system. Dysfunction in heart rate variability (HRV) may reflect dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Aerobic training has been used in the rehabilitation procedure of patients, due to improvement of aerobic function and other beneficial effects as increased recruitment of motor units, favoring the development of muscle fibers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cardiac autonomic modulation in patients with stroke before, during, and after an acute bout of aerobic exercise. The heart rate of 38 stroke patients was recorded using a heart rate (HR) monitor and the data were used to assess cardiac autonomic modulation through HRV analysis. The patients were in supine position and remained at resting condition (R) for 10 min before starting the experiment. Afterwards, they were submitted to walking exercise (E) on a treadmill until achieve 50-70% of maximum heart rate. After 30 min of aerobic exercise, the subjects were advised to remain in supine position for additional 30 min in order to record the HR during the recovery (RC) period. The recordings were divided in three periods: RC1, immediately after the end of exercise bout, RC2, between 12 and 17 min of recovery, and RC3, at the final 5 min of recovery. A significant decrease was observed during exercise in the MeanRR index (577.3±92 vs. 861.1+109), RRtri (5.1±2 vs. 9.1±3), high frequency component (11.2±4 vs. 167±135 ms) and SD1 (5.7±2 vs. 16.9±7 ms) compared to resting values. The SDNN index reduced during E (27.6±19) and RC1 (29.9±11), RC2 (27.9±9) and RC3 (32.4±13) compared to resting values (42.4±19). The low frequency component increased during E (545±82), but decreased during RC1 (166.3±129), RC2 (206.9±152), and RC3 (249.5±236) compared to R levels (394.6±315). These findings suggest that stroke patients showed a reduced HRV during and at least 30 min after exercise, due to an autonomic imbalance reflected by increased indexes that represent the sympathetic nervous system.

Updating the Framework Geology of Padre Island National Seashore: Validation of Geophysical Surveys through Sediment Cores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tuttle, L. F., II; Wernette, P. A.; Houser, C.

2016-12-01

Framework geology has been demonstrated to influence the geomorphology and affect the response of barrier islands to extreme storm events. Therefore, it is vital that we understand the framework geology before we can accurately assess the vulnerability and resiliency of the coast. Geophysical surveys consisting of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electromagnetic inductance (EMI) were collected along the length of Padre Island National Seashore (PAIS) to map subsurface infilled paleochannels identified in previous research. The most extensive published survey of PAIS framework geology was conducted in the 1950s as part of dredging the Intracoastal Waterway through Laguna Madre. Using cores and seismic surveys the previous study identified a series of relict infilled paleochannels in dissecting PAIS. The sediment cores presented in our poster were collected in Fall 2016 with a Geoprobe 6712DT. Cores were stored and processed using an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) scanner at the International Ocean Discovery Program repository in College Station, Texas. The XRF data was used to examine mineralogical differences that provide valuable insight into the evolutionary history of the island. This poster presents results from sediment cores collected to validate the geophysical survey data. The broader purpose of this research is to validate the subsurface framework geology features (i.e. infilled paleochannels) in order to more accurately predict future changes to the environmental and economic longevity of PAIS.

Multi-scale constraints of sediment source to sink systems in frontier basins: a forward stratigraphic modeling case study of the Levant region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hawie, Nicolas; Deschamps, Remy; Granjeon, Didier; Nader, Fadi-Henri; Gorini, Christian; Müller, Carla; Montadert, Lucien; Baudin, François

2015-04-01

Recent scientific work underlined the presence of a thick Cenozoic infill in the Levant Basin reaching up to 12 km. Interestingly; restricted sedimentation was observed along the Levant margin in the Cenozoic. Since the Late Eocene successive regional geodynamic events affecting Afro-Arabia and Eurasia (collision and strike slip deformation)induced fast marginal uplifts. The initiation of local and long-lived regional drainage systems in the Oligo-Miocene period (e.g. Lebanon versus Nile) provoked a change in the depositional pattern along the Levant margin and basin. A shift from carbonate dominated environments into clastic rich systems has been observed. Through this communication we explore the importance of multi-scale constraints (i.e.,seismic, well and field data) in the quantification of the subsidence history, sediment transport and deposition of a Middle-Upper Miocene "multi-source" to sink system along the northernLevant frontier region. We prove through a comprehensive forward stratigraphic modeling workflow that the contribution to the infill of the northern Levant Basin (offshore Lebanon) is split in between proximal and more distal clastic sources as well as in situ carbonate/hemipelagic deposition. In a wider perspective this work falls under the umbrella of multi-disciplinary source to sink studies that investigate the impact of geodynamic events on basin/margin architectural evolutions, consequent sedimentary infill and thus on petroleum systems assessment.

Skin friction related behaviour of artificial turf systems.

PubMed

Tay, Sock Peng; Fleming, Paul; Hu, Xiao; Forrester, Steph

2017-08-01

The occurrence of skin friction related injuries is an issue for artificial turf sports pitches and remains a barrier to their acceptance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the current industry standard Securisport® Sports Surface Tester that measures skin surface related frictional behaviour of artificial turf. Little research has been published about the device and its efficacy, despite its widespread use as a standard FIFA test instrument. To achieve a range of frictional behaviours, several "third generation" (3G) carpet and infill combinations were investigated; friction time profiles throughout the Securisport rotations were assessed in combination with independent measurements of skin roughness before and after friction testing via 3D surface scanning. The results indicated that carpets without infill had greatest friction (coefficients of friction 0.97-1.20) while those completely filled with sand or rubber had similar and lower values independent of carpet type (coefficient of friction (COF) ≈0.57). Surface roughness of a silicone skin (s-skin) decreased after friction testing, with the largest change on sand infilled surfaces, indicating an "abrasive" polishing effect. The combined data show that the s-skin is damaged in a surface-specific manner, thus the Securisport COF values appear to be a poor measure of the potential for skin abrasion. It is proposed that the change in s-skin roughness improves assessment of the potential for skin damage when players slide on artificial turf.

Hypercapnia Response in Patients with Obesity-Hypoventilation Syndrome Treated with Non-Invasive Ventilation at Home.

PubMed

Fernández Álvarez, Ramón; Rubinos Cuadrado, Gemma; Ruiz Alvarez, Ines; Hermida Valverde, Tamara; Iscar Urrutia, Marta; Vázquez Lopez, María José; Casan Clara, Pere

2018-06-02

Respiratory center (RC) dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity-hypoventilation syndrome (OHS), and often requires treatment with home non-invasive ventilation (NIV). Our objective was to measure the effect of NIV on RC function in patients with OHS, and the factors that determine such an effect. We performed a prospective, repeated measures study to evaluate hypercapnia response (HR) by determining the p01/pEtCO 2 ratio slope at baseline and after 6months of treatment with NIV in a group of OHS patients. A threshold of 0.22cmH 2 O/mmHg had previously been established in a control group, in order to differentiate optimal RC response from suboptimal RC response. A total of 36 cases were included, 19 men (52%) aged 65 (SD 9) years, 63% of whom had p01/pEtCO 2 below the reference value. Baseline p01/pEtCO 2 was 0.17 (SD: 0.14) cmH 2 O/mmHg and, after 6 months of NIV, 0.30 (SD: 0.22) cmH 2 O/mmHg (p=0.011). After 6months of treatment with NIV, depressed RC function persisted in 12 cases (33%). In total, 63% of OHS patients had RC dysfunction. The application of NIV improves RC function but not in all cases. Copyright © 2018 SEPAR. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Effects of Calcium Ions on the Thermostability and Spectroscopic Properties of the LH1-RC Complex from a New Thermophilic Purple Bacterium Allochromatium tepidum.

PubMed

Kimura, Yukihiro; Lyu, Shuwen; Okoshi, Akira; Okazaki, Koudai; Nakamura, Natsuki; Ohashi, Akira; Ohno, Takashi; Kobayashi, Manami; Imanishi, Michie; Takaichi, Shinichi; Madigan, Michael T; Wang-Otomo, Zheng-Yu

2017-05-18

The light harvesting-reaction center (LH1-RC) complex from a new thermophilic purple sulfur bacterium Allochromatium (Alc.) tepidum was isolated and characterized by spectroscopic and thermodynamic analyses. The purified Alc. tepidum LH1-RC complex showed a high thermostability comparable to that of another thermophilic purple sulfur bacterium Thermochromatium tepidum, and spectroscopic characteristics similar to those of a mesophilic bacterium Alc. vinosum. Approximately 4-5 Ca 2+ per LH1-RC were detected by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry. Upon removal of Ca 2+ , the denaturing temperature of the Alc. tepidum LH1-RC complex dropped accompanied by a blue-shift of the LH1 Q y absorption band. The effect of Ca 2+ was also observed in the resonance Raman shift of the C3-acetyl νC═O band of bacteriochlorophyll-a, indicating changes in the hydrogen-bonding interactions between the pigment and LH1 polypeptides. Thermodynamic parameters for the Ca 2+ -binding to the Alc. tepidum LH1-RC complex indicated that this reaction is predominantly driven by the largely favorable electrostatic interactions that counteract the unfavorable negative entropy change. Our data support a hypothesis that Alc. tepidum may be a transitional organism between mesophilic and thermophilic purple bacteria and that Ca 2+ is one of the major keys to the thermostability of LH1-RC complexes in purple bacteria.

New stimulation pattern design to improve P300-based matrix speller performance at high flash rate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Polprasert, Chantri; Kukieattikool, Pratana; Demeechai, Tanee; Ritcey, James A.; Siwamogsatham, Siwaruk

2013-06-01

Objective. We propose a new stimulation pattern design for the P300-based matrix speller aimed at increasing the minimum target-to-target interval (TTI). Approach. Inspired by the simplicity and strong performance of the conventional row-column (RC) stimulation, the proposed stimulation is obtained by modifying the RC stimulation through alternating row and column flashes which are selected based on the proposed design rules. The second flash of the double-flash components is then delayed for a number of flashing instants to increase the minimum TTI. The trade-off inherited in this approach is the reduced randomness within the stimulation pattern. Main results. We test the proposed stimulation pattern and compare its performance in terms of selection accuracy, raw and practical bit rates with the conventional RC flashing paradigm over several flash rates. By increasing the minimum TTI within the stimulation sequence, the proposed stimulation has more event-related potentials that can be identified compared to that of the conventional RC stimulations, as the flash rate increases. This leads to significant performance improvement in terms of the letter selection accuracy, the raw and practical bit rates over the conventional RC stimulation. Significance. These studies demonstrate that significant performance improvement over the RC stimulation is obtained without additional testing or training samples to compensate for low P300 amplitude at high flash rate. We show that our proposed stimulation is more robust to reduced signal strength due to the increased flash rate than the RC stimulation.

Functional and Evolutionary Characterization of a Gene Transfer Agent’s Multilocus “Genome”

PubMed Central

Hynes, Alexander P.; Shakya, Migun; Mercer, Ryan G.; Grüll, Marc P.; Bown, Luke; Davidson, Fraser; Steffen, Ekaterina; Matchem, Heidi; Peach, Mandy E.; Berger, Tim; Grebe, Katherine; Zhaxybayeva, Olga; Lang, Andrew S.

2016-01-01

Gene transfer agents (GTAs) are phage-like particles that can package and transfer a random piece of the producing cell’s genome, but are unable to transfer all the genes required for their own production. As such, GTAs represent an evolutionary conundrum: are they selfish genetic elements propagating through an unknown mechanism, defective viruses, or viral structures “repurposed” by cells for gene exchange, as their name implies? In Rhodobacter capsulatus, production of the R. capsulatus GTA (RcGTA) particles is associated with a cluster of genes resembling a small prophage. Utilizing transcriptomic, genetic and biochemical approaches, we report that the RcGTA “genome” consists of at least 24 genes distributed across five distinct loci. We demonstrate that, of these additional loci, two are involved in cell recognition and binding and one in the production and maturation of RcGTA particles. The five RcGTA “genome” loci are widespread within Rhodobacterales, but not all loci have the same evolutionary histories. Specifically, two of the loci have been subject to frequent, probably virus-mediated, gene transfer events. We argue that it is unlikely that RcGTA is a selfish genetic element. Instead, our findings are compatible with the scenario that RcGTA is a virus-derived element maintained by the producing organism due to a selective advantage of within-population gene exchange. The modularity of the RcGTA “genome” is presumably a result of selection on the host organism to retain GTA functionality. PMID:27343288

Polypedogenic case of loess overlying red clay as a response to the Last Glacial-Interglacial cycle in mid-subtropical Southeast China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Xue-Feng; Du, Yan; Liu, Xiang-Jun; Zhang, Gan-Lin; Jiang, Ying; Xue, Yong

2015-03-01

To study the paleoclimatic implications of the loess-like Yellow-brown Earth (YBE) overlying red clay (RC) along the Yangtze River, mid-subtropical Southeast China, four YBE-RC profiles in southern Anhui Province were investigated. Grain-size and geochemical characteristics indicated that the YBE is homologous to the aeolian Xiashu Loess; and the underlying RC, sub-divided into uniform RC (URC) and reticulate RC (RRC), is more intensively weathered but also exhibits aeolian dust characteristics. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating indicated that the YBE was formed during the Last Glacial, the RRC mainly during the Last Interglacial, and the URC during the transitional period between the YBE and RC. The YBE-RC transition reflects a significant paleoclimatic change in mid-subtropical China during the Last Glacial-Interglacial cycle. Sub-events of the Last Glacial, correlated with the marine isotopic stages (MIS) 2 and 3, can be identified within the YBE; however, those of the Last Interglacial, potential correlated with MIS 5a-5e, cannot be identified within the RRC possibly due to paleoclimatic overprinting. The rubification had been replaced by loess deposition along the Yangtze River since the early Last Glacial. With both highly weathered and aeolian-dust characteristics, the underlying RRC may indicate paleoclimatic instability given the multiple alternations between loess deposition and rubification of the Last Interglacial. The climatic change during the Last Glacial-Interglacial cycle significantly influenced the pedogenesis and made soil diversified in the study areas.

Technical note: Assessment of the oxygen pulse and heart rate method using respiration chambers and comparative slaughter for measuring heat production of cattle.

PubMed

Oss, D B; Marcondes, M I; Machado, F S; Tomich, T R; Chizzotti, M L; Campos, M M; Pereira, L G R

2016-11-01

The objective of this study was to assess the oxygen pulse and heart rate (O 2 P-HR) technique using the respiration chamber (RC) and comparative slaughter (CS) methods for measuring the heat production (HP) of crossbred (Holstein × Gyr) yearling bulls. Twenty-four bulls were used. Six bulls were slaughtered at the beginning of the experiment as a reference group to estimate the initial empty body weight (BW) and energy content of the remaining animals. The remaining bulls were assigned to a completely randomized design with 3 levels of dry matter intake, with 6 replicates. The levels of dry matter intake were 1.2% of BW, 1.8% of BW and ad libitum, with target orts of 5%. The bulls were fed a diet consisting of 59.6% corn silage and 40.4% concentrate on a dry matter basis. The HP (kcal/BW 0.75 ) was measured using 3 techniques, first using O 2 P-HR, followed by the RC and CS methods. The HP did not differ among assessed techniques, averaging 162.7kcal/BW 0.75 . The intercepts of the linear regressions (mean ± SE) were 64.82±25.515 (H 0 : intercept=0; P=0.024), 33.77±13.418 (H 0 : intercept=0), and 50.02±27.495 (H 0 : intercept=0) for O 2 P-HR versus RC, CS versus RC, and O 2 P-HR versus CS, respectively. The slopes of the linear regressions were 0.59±0.153 (H 0 : slope=1), 0.88±0.081 (H 0 : slope=1), and 0.62±0.155 (H 0 : slope=1) for O 2 P-HR versus RC, CS versus RC, and O 2 P-HR versus CS, respectively. The coefficients of determination were 0.52, 0.90, and 0.52 for O 2 P-HR versus RC, CS versus RC, and O 2 P-HR versus CS, respectively. The concordance correlation coefficients, 0.70 and 0.68, were moderate for O 2 P-HR versus RC and O 2 P-HR versus CS, respectively, but high, 0.90, for CS versus RC. The between-animal coefficient of variation was greater for the O 2 P-HR method (16.6%) compared with RC (7.7%) or CS (6.7%). We conclude that there was an agreement among the HP measurements detected using the assessed methods and that O 2 P-HR is able to predict HP in cattle with great accuracy but only moderate precision. Therefore, the O 2 P-HR method may have limitations in terms of assessing HP in low numbers of replications due to greater between-animal coefficient of variation than either the RC or CS methods. Copyright © 2016 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Lack of a significant impact of Gag-Protease-mediated HIV-1 replication capacity on clinical parameters in treatment-naive Japanese individuals.

PubMed

Sakai, Keiko; Chikata, Takayuki; Brumme, Zabrina L; Brumme, Chanson J; Gatanaga, Hiroyuki; Gatanag, Hiroyuki; Oka, Shinichi; Takiguchi, Masafumi

2015-11-19

HLA class I-associated escape mutations in HIV-1 Gag can reduce viral replication, suggesting that associated fitness costs could impact HIV-1 disease progression. Previous studies in North American and African cohorts have reported reduced Gag-Protease mediated viral replication capacity (Gag-Pro RC) in individuals expressing protective HLA class I alleles including HLA-B*57:01, B*27:05, and B*81:01. These studies also reported significant positive associations between Gag-Pro RCs and plasma viral load (pVL). However, these HLA alleles are virtually absent in Japan, and the importance of Gag as an immune target is not clearly defined in this population. We generated chimeric NL4-3 viruses carrying patient-derived Gag-Protease from 306 treatment-naive Japanese individuals chronically infected with HIV-1 subtype B. We analyzed associations between Gag-Pro RC and clinical markers of HIV-1 infection and host HLA expression. We observed no significant correlation between Gag-Pro RC and pVL in Japan in the overall cohort. However, upon exclusion of individuals expressing Japanese protective alleles HLA-B*52:01 and B*67:01, Gag-Pro RC correlated positively with pVL and negatively with CD4 T-cell count. Our results thus contrast with studies from other global cohorts reporting significantly lower Gag-Pro RC among persons expressing protective HLA alleles, and positive relationships between Gag-Pro RC and pVL in the overall study populations. We also identified five amino acids in Gag-Protease significantly associated with Gag-Pro RC, whose effects on RC were confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis. However, of the four mutations that decreased Gag-Pro RC, none were associated with reductions in pVL in Japan though two were associated with lower pVL in North America. These data indicate that Gag fitness does not affect clinical outcomes in subjects with protective HLA class I alleles as well as the whole Japanese population. Moreover, the impact of Gag fitness costs on HIV-1 clinical parameters in chronic infection is likely low in Japan compared to other global populations.

A novel online Food Recall Checklist for use in an undergraduate student population: a comparison with diet diaries

PubMed Central

Comrie, Fiona; Masson, Lindsey F; McNeill, Geraldine

2009-01-01

Background University students are commonly overlooked when diet of populations is measured and there is a lack of comprehensive dietary assessment in whole university student populations. To measure diet of undergraduate students, a new online 121-item Food Recall Checklist (FoRC) was designed as an alternative to a non-weighed record (food diary). This article reports the comparison between the new dietary assessment method (FoRC) and the food diary as a measure of energy (kJ), fat (g), Non-Starch Polysaccharide (NSP) (g), fruit and vegetables (g), breakfast cereal (g) and bread (g) and alcohol (units) intake. Methods Fifty-three students at the University of Aberdeen completed four days of FoRC then four days food diary. Median agreement and correlation between the two methods was assessed for foods and nutrients using the Spearman's rank correlation co-efficient and the Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Agreement between FoRC and food diary was assessed using the Bland-Altman method. Results The mean time taken to complete FoRC for one day was 7.4 minutes. Intakes of fat (g and % food energy), NSP and bread were similar between FoRC and the food diary. Median energy intake was 8185 kJ in the food diary and 8007 kJ in FoRC. However, FoRC recorded significantly lower intakes of energy and alcohol and significantly higher intakes of fruit and vegetables and breakfast cereal compared with the food diary. There was considerable variation in agreement between methods at the individual level. For all variables except alcohol and percentage energy from fat, correlation co-efficients were statistically significant and greater than 0.5. Conclusion At the group level, four days of FoRC showed good median agreement with the food diary and there was high correlation between methods for most foods and nutrients. This suggests that this novel method of assessing diet can provide a useful alternative for assessing group mean intakes but that individual intakes may need to be interpreted with care. PMID:19228392

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

Allison, N.; Finch, A.A.; Tudhope, A.W.

The Sr/Ca of coral skeletons demonstrates potential as an indicator of sea surface temperatures (SSTs). However, the glacial-interglacial SST ranges predicted from Sr/Ca of fossil corals are usually higher than from other marine proxies. We observed infilling of secondary aragonite, characterized by high Sr/Ca ratios, along intraskeletal pores of a fossil coral from Papua New Guinea that grew during the penultimate deglaciation (130 {+-} 2 ka). Selective microanalysis of unaltered areas of the fossil coral indicates that SSTs at {approx}130 ka were {le} 1 C cooler than at present in contrast with bulk measurements (combining infilled and unaltered areas) whichmore » indicate a difference of 6-7 C. The analysis of unaltered areas of fossil skeletons by microprobe techniques may offer a route to more accurate reconstruction of past SSTs.« less

Are Ring Current Ions Lost in Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Wave Dispersion Relation?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Khazanov, G. V.; Gamayunov, K. V.

2006-01-01

Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves are widely observed in the inner and outer magnetosphere, at geostationary orbit, at high latitudes along the plasmapause, and at the ionospheric altitudes. Interaction of the Ring Current (RC) ions and EMIC waves causes ion scattering into the loss cone and leads to decay of the RC, especially during the main phase of storms when the RC decay times of about one hour or less are observed. The oblique EMIC waves damp due to Landau resonance with the thermal plasmaspheric electrons, and subsequent transport of the dissipating wave energy into the ionosphere below causes an ionosphere temperature enhancement. Induced scattering of these waves by the plasmaspheric thermal ions leads to ion temperature enhancement, and forms a so-called hot zone near the plasmapause where the temperature of core plasma ions can reach tens of thousands of degrees. Relativistic electrons in the outer radiation belt also interact well with the EMIC waves, and during the main and/or recovery phases of the storms these electrons can easily be scattered into the loss cone over a time scale from several hours to a day. The plasma density distribution in the magnetosphere and the ion content play a critical role in EMIC wave generation and propagation, but the wave dispersion relation in the known RC-EMIC wave interaction models is assumed to be determined by the thermal plasma distribution only. In these models, the modification of the EMIC wave dispersion relation caused by the RC ions is not taken into account, and the RC ions are only treated as a source of free energy in order to generate EMIC waves. At the same time, the RC ions can dominate the thermal magnetospheric content in the night MLT sector at great L shells during the main and/or recovery storm phase. In this study, using our self-consistent RC-EMIC wave model [Khazanov et al., 2006], we simulate the May 1998 storm in order to quantify the global EMIC wave redistribution caused by taking into account the RC ions in the EMIC wave dispersion relation. The dramatic wave pattern redistribution is observed in the postdusk-predawn MLT sector (night sector) for L greater than 5. We found the intense EMIC waves (about a few nT) there during the main and early recovery phases of the storm. The observed wave generation in this sector is caused by taking into account the EMIC wave dispersion change due to the RC ions. There are no waves at these locations in our model if the RC ions are taken into account in the wave growth rate only, and the wave dispersion relation is only governed by the thermal plasmaspheric model.

Effect of Ring Current Ions on Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Wave Dispersion Relation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gamayunov, K. V.; Khazanov, G. V.

2006-01-01

Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves are widely observed in the inner and outer magnetosphere, at geostationary orbit, at high latitudes along the plasmapause, and at the ionospheric altitudes. Interaction of the Ring Current (RC) ions and EMIC waves causes ion scattering into the loss cone and leads to decay of the RC, especially during the main phase of storms when the RC decay times of about one hour or less are observed. The oblique EMIC waves damp due to Landau resonance with the thermal plasmaspheric electrons, and subsequent transport of the dissipating wave energy into the ionosphere below causes an ionosphere temperature enhancement. Induced scattering of these waves by the plasmaspheric thermal ions leads to ion temperature enhancement, and forms a so-called hot zone near the plasmapause where the temperature of core plasma ions can reach tens of thousands of degrees. Relativistic electrons in the outer radiation belt also interact well with the EMIC waves, and during the main and/or recovery phases of the storms these electrons can easily be scattered into the loss cone over a time scale from several hours to a day. The plasma density distribution in the magnetosphere and the ion content play a critical role in EMIC wave generation and propagation, but the wave dispersion relation in the known RC-EMIC wave interaction models is assumed to be determined by the thermal plasma distribution only. In these models, the modification of the EMIC wave dispersion relation caused by the RC ions is not taken into account, and the RC ions are only treated as a source of free energy in order to generate EMIC waves. At the same time, the RC ions can dominate the thermal magnetospheric content in the night MLT sector at great L shells during the main and/or recovery storm phase. In this study, using our self-consistent RC-EMIC wave model [Khazanov et al., 2006], we simulate the May 1998 storm in order to quantify the global EMIC wave redistribution caused by taking into account the RC ions in the EMIC wave dispersion relation. The dramatic wave pattern redistribution is observed in the postdusk-predawn MLT sector (night sector) for L greater than 5. We found the intense EMIC waves (about a few nT) there during the main and early recovery phases of the storm. The observed wave generation in this sector is caused by taking into account the EMIC wave dispersion change due to the RC ions. There are no waves at these locations in our model if the RC ions are taken into account in the wave growth rate only, and the wave dispersion relation is only governed by the thermal plasmaspheric model.

Users guide: The LaRC human-operator-simulator-based pilot model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bogart, E. H.; Waller, M. C.

1985-01-01

A Human Operator Simulator (HOS) based pilot model has been developed for use at NASA LaRC for analysis of flight management problems. The model is currently configured to simulate piloted flight of an advanced transport airplane. The generic HOS operator and machine model was originally developed under U.S. Navy sponsorship by Analytics, Inc. and through a contract with LaRC was configured to represent a pilot flying a transport airplane. A version of the HOS program runs in batch mode on LaRC's (60-bit-word) central computer system. This document provides a guide for using the program and describes in some detail the assortment of files used during its operation.

Architecture, Design and Implementation of RC64, a Many-Core High-Performance DSP for Space Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ginosar, Ran; Aviely, Peleg; Liran, Tuvia; Alon, Dov; Dobkin, Reuven; Goldberg, Michael

2013-08-01

RC64, a novel 64-core many-core signal processing chip targets DSP performance of 12.8 GIPS, 100 GOPS and 12.8 single precision GFLOS while dissipating only 3 Watts. RC64 employs advanced DSP cores, a multi-bank shared memory and a hardware scheduler, supports DDR2 memory and communicates over five proprietary 6.4 Gbps channels. The programming model employs sequential fine-grain tasks and a separate task map to define task dependencies. RC64 is implemented as a 200 MHz ASIC on Tower 130nm CMOS technology, assembled in hermetically sealed ceramic QFP package and qualified to the highest space standards.

Displaced/re-worked rhodolith deposits infilling parts of a complex Miocene multistorey submarine channel: A case history from the Sassari area (Sardinia, Italy)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murru, Marco; Bassi, Davide; Simone, Lucia

2015-08-01

In the Sassari area (north-western Sardinia, Italy), the Miocene Porto Torres sub-basin sequences represent the complex multistorey mixed carbonate-siliciclastic submarine feature called the Sassari Channel. During the late Burdigalian-early Serravallian, repeated terrigenous supplies from uplifted Paleozoic crystalline substrata fed the Sassari Channel system by means of turbidity and locally hyper-concentrated turbidity flows. Shelfal areas were the source of terrigenous clasts, but open shelf rhodalgal/foramol carbonate areas were very productive and largely also contributed to the channel infilling. Re-worked sands and skeletal debris were discontinuously re-sedimented offshore as pure terrigenous, mixed and/or carbonate deposits. Major sediment supply was introduced between the latest Burdigalian and the start of the middle Langhian, during which a large amount of carbonate, mixed and siliciclastic sediments reached the Porto Torres Basin (Sassari Channel I). Contributions from shallow proximal source areas typify the lower intervals (Unit A) in marginal sectors of the channel. Upward, these evolve into autochthonous rhodolith deposits, winnowed by strong currents in relatively shallow well lit settings within a complex network of narrow tidally-controlled channels (Unit D) locally bearing coral assemblages. Conversely, re-sedimented rhodoliths from the Units B and C accumulated under conditions of higher turbidity. In deeper parts of the channel taxonomically diversified rhodoliths point to the mixing of re-deposited skeletal components from different relatively deep bathmetric settings. In the latest early Langhian, major re-sedimentation episodes, resulting in large prograding bodies (Unit D), triggered by repeated regression pulses in a frame of persistent still stand. During these episodes photophile assemblages dwelled in the elevated margin sectors of the channel. A significant latest early Langhian drop in relative sea-level resulted in impressive mass flows involving early cemented channel-margin and levee blocks and culminated in the formation of major erosional surface (ER-E). Such events seemingly correlate with the long-term global cooling trend of the mid-Miocene climatic transition. Episodes of middle Langhian re-sedimentation concluded with the channel abandon phase after which new erosive episodes followed. Overall, this led to a shift in the Sassari Channel II, with phases presumably started during the earlymost Serravallian, subsequent to the major sea-level drop at the Langhian-Serravallian boundary.

Detection and monitoring of flexural cracks in reinforced concrete beams using mounted smart aggregate transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taghavipour, S.; Kharkovsky, S.; Kang, W.-H.; Samali, B.; Mirza, O.

2017-10-01

Previous studies have successfully demonstrated the capability and reliability of the use of Smart Aggregate (SA) transducers to monitor reinforced concrete (RC) structures. However, they mainly focused on the applications of embedded SAs to new structural members, while no major attention was paid to the monitoring of existing RC members using externally mounted SAs. In this paper, a mounted SA-based approach is proposed for a real-time health monitoring of existing RC beams. The proposed approach is verified through monitoring of RC beams under flexural loading, on each of which SA transducers are mounted as an actuator and sensors. The experimental results show that the proposed SA-based approach effectively evaluates the cracking status of RC beams in terms of the peak of power spectral density and damage indexes obtained at multiple sensor locations. It is also shown that the proposed sensor system can also capture a precautionary signal for major cracking.

Advanced Materials for Space Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pater, Ruth H.; Curto, Paul A.

2005-01-01

Since NASA was created in 1958, over 6400 patents have been issued to the agency--nearly one in a thousand of all patents ever issued in the United States. A large number of these inventions have focused on new materials that have made space travel and exploration of the moon, Mars, and the outer planets possible. In the last few years, the materials developed by NASA Langley Research Center embody breakthroughs in performance and properties that will enable great achievements in space. The examples discussed below offer significant advantages for use in small satellites, i.e., those with payloads under a metric ton. These include patented products such as LaRC SI, LaRC RP 46, LaRC RP 50, PETI-5, TEEK, PETI-330, LaRC CP, TOR-LM and LaRC LCR (patent pending). These and other new advances in nanotechnology engineering, self-assembling nanostructures and multifunctional aerospace materials are presented and discussed below, and applications with significant technological and commercial advantages are proposed.

Symptomatic and asymptomatic apical periodontitis associated with red complex bacteria: clinical and microbiological evaluation.

PubMed

Buonavoglia, Alessio; Latronico, Francesca; Pirani, Chiara; Greco, Maria Fiorella; Corrente, Marialaura; Prati, Carlo

2013-01-01

In this study, the association of red complex (RC) bacteria that include Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia and Porphyromonas gingivalis with acute, exacerbated or chronic apical periodontitis was evaluated. Seventy-one patients with periapical disease were evaluated by clinical examination and microbiological samples obtained from the root canals were analyzed by a polymerase chain reaction assay. Twenty-one (29.6%) samples were positive for RC bacteria, with T. denticola, T. forsythia and P. gingivalis being detected in 14 (19.7%), 10 (14.1%) and 6 (8.5%) samples, respectively. RC bacteria were mainly associated with acute apical periodontitis (29.2%) and phoenix abscess (63.2%), while they were only sporadically detected (7.1%) in patients with chronic apical periodontitis. Generally, RC bacteria were associated with pain and a higher frequency of intracanalar/intrasulcular pus drainage. Involvement of RC bacteria in symptomatic periapical disease should be suspected in the presence of particularly severe clinical pain and pus drainage.

Psychometric Evaluation of the MMPI-2/MMPI-2-RF Restructured Clinical Scales in an Israeli Sample.

PubMed

Shkalim, Eleanor

2015-10-01

The current study cross-culturally evaluated the psychometric properties of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2)/MMPI-2-Restructured Form Restructured Clinical (RC) Scales in psychiatric settings in Israel with a sample of 100 men and 133 women. Participants were administered the MMPI-2 and were rated by their therapists on a 188-item Patient Description Form. Results indicated that in most instances the RC Scales demonstrated equivalent or better internal consistencies and improved intercorrelation patterns relative to their clinical counterparts. Furthermore, external analyses revealed comparable or improved convergent validity (with the exceptions of Antisocial Behavior [RC4] and Ideas of Persecution [RC6] among men), and mostly greater discriminant validity. Overall, the findings indicate that consistent with previous findings, the RC Scales generally exhibit comparable to improved psychometric properties over the Clinical Scales. Implications of the results, limitations, and recommendations for future research are discussed. © The Author(s) 2014.

FDTD simulation of field performance in reverberation chamber excited by two excitation antennas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Song; Wu, Zhan-cheng; Cui, Yao-zhong

2013-03-01

The excitation source is one of the critical items that determine the electromagnetic fields in a reverberation chamber (RC). In order to optimize the electromagnetic fields performance, a new method of exciting RC with two antennas is proposed based on theoretical analysis. The full 3D simulation of RC is carried out by the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method on two excitation conditions of one antenna and two antennas. The broadband response of RC is obtained by fast Fourier transformation (FFT) after only one simulation. Numerical data show that the field uniformity in the test space is improved on the condition of two transmitting antennas while the normalized electric fields decreased slightly compared to the one antenna condition. It is straightforward to recognize that two antennas excitation can reduce the demands on power amplifier as the total input power is split among the two antennas, and consequently the cost of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) test in large-scale RC can be reduced.

Feasibility of Interactive Resistance Chair in Older Adults with Diabetes.

PubMed

Finkelstein, Joseph; Cisse, Pape; Jeong, In Cheol

2015-01-01

An interactive resistance chair (RC) exercise system has been designed to support patients at home in following their individualized strengthening exercise plan. The aim of this study was (1) to introduce a computer-assisted home-based resistance exercise for older adults and (2) to demonstrate feasibility of the proposed system in older adults with diabetes. The RC exercise system was well accepted by older adults with diabetes regardless of education level, race or gender. The post-task questionnaires demonstrated ease of system use and satisfaction with the system. The attitudinal survey results showed positive seniors' attitudes towards the RC exercise system. The system usability (SUS) scale score was 94.0±5.76 demonstrating high acceptance of the RC exercise system. From the qualitative interviews, individualized feedback yielded important system upgrade solutions that can be useful in tailoring patient needs, values and preferences specific for seniors with diabetes. Further research is warranted to assess impact of RC exercise system in home setting with a larger sample size in a randomized trial.

A Study of the Radio Continuum Far Infrared Correlation at Small Scales in the Galaxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodriguez-Martinez, Monica I.; Allen, R. J.; Wiklind, T.; Loinard, L.

2006-12-01

We present a study of the behavior of the Radio Continuum (RC) Far Infrared (FIR) correlation on scales corresponding to the size of small molecular clouds. This was done by comparing the spatial distribution of RC emission and FIR emission from a sample of several regions, distributed within the range 79∘ ≤ l ≤ 174∘ in the Galaxy. We have examined the 408 and 1420 MHz mosaic images of the sample, from the Canadian Galactic Plane Survey (CGPS), which later were compared with images at 60 and 100 μm. Preliminary results suggest that the RC -FIR correlation still holds at small scales, since a good qualitative correlation between RC and FIR emission is found. The physical process involved that may cause such correlation will be discussed as well as the nature of the RC emission. This research makes use of data from the Canadian Galactic Plane Survey.

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

Ogilvie, Jennifer P.

Photosystem II (PSII) is the only known natural enzyme that uses solar energy to split water, making the elucidation of its design principles critical for our fundamental understanding of photosynthesis and for our ability to mimic PSII’s remarkable properties. This report discusses progress towards addressing key open questions about the PSII RC. It describes new spectroscopic methods that were developed to answer these questions, and summarizes the outcomes of applying these methods to study the PSII RC. Using 2D electronic spectroscopy and 2D electronic Stark spectroscopy, models for the PSII RC were tested and refined. Work is ongoing to usemore » the collected data to elucidate the charge separation mechanism in the PSII RC. Coherent dynamics were also observed in the PSII RC for the first time. Through extensive characterization and modeling we have assigned these coherences as vibronic in nature, and believe that they reflect resonances between key vibrational pigment modes and electronic energy gaps that may facilitate charge separation. Work is ongoing to definitively test the functional relevance of electronic-vibrational resonances.« less

47 CFR 95.219 - (R/C Rule 19) How do I answer correspondence from the FCC?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... You Need to Know § 95.219 (R/C Rule 19) How do I answer correspondence from the FCC? (a) If it appears to the FCC that you have violated the Communications Act or FCC rules, the FCC may send you a... 47 Telecommunication 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false (R/C Rule 19) How do I answer correspondence...

Applying the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program risk calculator to patients undergoing colorectal surgery: theory vs reality.

PubMed

Adegboyega, Titilayo O; Borgert, Andrew J; Lambert, Pamela J; Jarman, Benjamin T

2017-01-01

Discussing potential morbidity and mortality is essential to informed decision-making and consent. The American College of Surgery National Surgical Quality Improvement Program developed an online risk calculator (RC) using patient-specific information to determine operative risk. Colorectal procedures at our independent academic medical center from 2010 to 2011 were evaluated. The RC's predicted outcomes were compared with observed outcomes. Statistical analysis included Brier score, Wilcoxon sign rank test, and standardized event ratio. There were 324 patients included. The RC's Brier score was .24 (.015-.219) for predicting mortality and morbidity, respectively. The observed event rate for surgical site infection and any complication was higher than the RC predicted (standardized event ratio 1.9 CI [1.49 to 2.39] and 1.39 CI [1.14 to 1.68], respectively). The observed length of stay was longer than predicted (5.6 vs 6.6 days, P < .001). The RC underestimated the surgical site infection and overall complication rates. The RC is a valuable tool in predicting risk for adverse outcomes; however, institution-specific trends may influence actual risk. Surgeons and institutions must recognize areas where they are outliers from estimated risks and tailor risk discussions accordingly. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Discrete-to-continuum simulation approach to polymer chain systems: Subdiffusion, segregation, and chain folding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foo, Grace M.; Pandey, R. B.

1998-05-01

A discrete-to-continuum approach is introduced to study the static and dynamic properties of polymer chain systems with a bead-spring chain model in two dimensions. A finitely extensible nonlinear elastic potential is used for the bond between the consecutive beads with the Lennard-Jones (LJ) potential with smaller (Rc=21/6σ=0.95) and larger (Rc=2.5σ=2.1) values of the upper cutoff for the nonbonding interaction among the neighboring beads. We find that chains segregate at temperature T=1.0 with Rc=2.1 and remain desegregated with Rc=0.95. At low temperature (T=0.2), chains become folded, in a ribbonlike conformation, unlike random and self-avoiding walk conformations at T=1.0. The power-law dependence of the rms displacements of the center of mass (Rc.m.) of the chains and their center node (Rcn) with time are nonuniversal, with the range of exponents ν1~=0.45-0.25 and ν2~=0.30-0.10, respectively. Both radius of gyration (Rg) and average bond length () decrease on increasing the range of interaction (Rc), consistent with the extended state in good solvent to collapsed state in poor solvent description of the polymer chains. Analysis of the radial distribution function supports these observations.

Research on the Factors Influencing the Measurement Errors of the Discrete Rogowski Coil †

PubMed Central

Xu, Mengyuan; Yan, Jing; Geng, Yingsan; Zhang, Kun; Sun, Chao

2018-01-01

An innovative array of magnetic coils (the discrete Rogowski coil—RC) with the advantages of flexible structure, miniaturization and mass producibility is investigated. First, the mutual inductance between the discrete RC and circular and rectangular conductors are calculated using the magnetic vector potential (MVP) method. The results are found to be consistent with those calculated using the finite element method, but the MVP method is simpler and more practical. Then, the influence of conductor section parameters, inclination, and eccentricity on the accuracy of the discrete RC is calculated to provide a reference. Studying the influence of an external current on the discrete RC’s interference error reveals optimal values for length, winding density, and position arrangement of the solenoids. It has also found that eccentricity and interference errors decreasing with increasing number of solenoids. Finally, a discrete RC prototype is devised and manufactured. The experimental results show consistent output characteristics, with the calculated sensitivity and mutual inductance of the discrete RC being very close to the experimental results. The influence of an external conductor on the measurement of the discrete RC is analyzed experimentally, and the results show that interference from an external current decreases with increasing distance between the external and measured conductors. PMID:29534006

Continuous acoustic emission monitoring of reinforced concrete under accelerated corrosion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di Benedetti, M.; Loreto, G.; Nanni, A.; Matta, F.; Gonzalez-Nunez, M. A.

2011-04-01

The development of techniques capable of evaluating deterioration of reinforced concrete (RC) structures is instrumental to the advancement of techniques for the structural health monitoring (SHM) and service life estimate for constructed facilities. One of the main causes leading to degradation of RC is the corrosion of the steel reinforcement. This process can be modeled phenomenologically, while laboratory tests aimed at studying durability responses are typically accelerated in order to provide useful results within a realistic period of time. To assess the condition of damage in RC, a number of nondestructive methods have been recently studied. Acoustic emission (AE) is emerging as a nondestructive tool to detect the onset and progression of deterioration mechanisms. In this paper, the development of accelerated corrosion and continuous AE monitoring test set-up for RC specimens are presented. Relevant information are provided with regard to the characteristics of the corrosion circuit, continuous measurement and acquisition of corrosion potential, selection of AE sensors and AE parameter setting. The effectiveness of the setup in detecting and characterizing the initiation and progression of the corrosion phenomenon is discussed on the basis of preliminary results from small-scale, pre-cracked RC specimens, which are representative of areas near the clear cover in typical RC bridge members.

Effect of Different Mulches under Rainfall Concentration System on Corn Production in the Semi-arid Areas of the Loess Plateau

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Xiaolong; Zhang, Peng; Chen, Xiaoli; Guo, Jingjing; Jia, Zhikuan

2016-01-01

The ridge and furrow farming system for rainfall concentration (RC) has gradually been popularized to improve the water availability for crops and to increase the water use efficiency (WUE), thereby stabilizing high yields. In the RC system, plastic-covered ridges are rainfall harvesting zones and furrows are planting zones. In this study, we optimized the mulching patterns for RC planting to mitigate the risks of drought during crop production in semi-arid agricultural areas. We conducted a four-year field study to determine the effects on corn production of mulching with 0.08-mm plastic film, maize straw, 8% biodegradable film, liquid film, bare furrow, and conventional flat (CF) farming. We found that RC significantly increased (P > 0.05) the soil moisture storage in the top 0-100 cm layer and the topsoil temperature (0-10 cm) during the corn-growing season. Combining RC with mulching further improved the rain-harvesting, moisture-retaining, and yield-increasing effects in furrows. Compared with CF, the four-year average yield increased by 1497.1 kg ha-1 to 2937.3 kg ha-1 using RC with mulch treatments and the WUE increased by 2.3 kg ha-1 mm-1 to 5.1 kg ha-1 mm-1.

Effect of Different Mulches under Rainfall Concentration System on Corn Production in the Semi-arid Areas of the Loess Plateau.

PubMed

Ren, Xiaolong; Zhang, Peng; Chen, Xiaoli; Guo, Jingjing; Jia, Zhikuan

2016-01-11

The ridge and furrow farming system for rainfall concentration (RC) has gradually been popularized to improve the water availability for crops and to increase the water use efficiency (WUE), thereby stabilizing high yields. In the RC system, plastic-covered ridges are rainfall harvesting zones and furrows are planting zones. In this study, we optimized the mulching patterns for RC planting to mitigate the risks of drought during crop production in semi-arid agricultural areas. We conducted a four-year field study to determine the effects on corn production of mulching with 0.08-mm plastic film, maize straw, 8% biodegradable film, liquid film, bare furrow, and conventional flat (CF) farming. We found that RC significantly increased (P > 0.05) the soil moisture storage in the top 0-100 cm layer and the topsoil temperature (0-10 cm) during the corn-growing season. Combining RC with mulching further improved the rain-harvesting, moisture-retaining, and yield-increasing effects in furrows. Compared with CF, the four-year average yield increased by 1497.1 kg ha(-1) to 2937.3 kg ha(-1) using RC with mulch treatments and the WUE increased by 2.3 kg ha(-1) mm(-1) to 5.1 kg ha(-1) mm(-1).

Mapping the X-shaped Milky Way Bulge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saito, R. K.; Zoccali, M.; McWilliam, A.; Minniti, D.; Gonzalez, O. A.; Hill, V.

2011-09-01

We analyzed the distribution of the red clump (RC) stars throughout the Galactic bulge using Two Micron All Sky Survey data. We mapped the position of the RC in 1 deg2 fields within the area |l| <= 8fdg5 and 3fdg5 <= |b| <= 8fdg5, for a total of 170 deg2. The single RC seen in the central area splits into two components at high Galactic longitudes in both hemispheres, produced by two structures at different distances along the same line of sight. The X-shape is clearly visible in the Z-X plane for longitudes close to the l = 0° axis. Crude measurements of the space densities of RC stars in the bright and faint RC populations are consistent with the adopted RC distances, providing further supporting evidence that the X-structure is real, and that there is approximate front-back symmetry in our bulge fields. We conclude that the Milky Way bulge has an X-shaped structure within |l| <~ 2°, seen almost edge-on with respect to the line of sight. Additional deep near-infrared photometry extending into the innermost bulge regions combined with spectroscopic data is needed in order to discriminate among the different possibilities that can cause the observed X-shaped structure.

Review of Repair Materials for Fire-Damaged Reinforced Concrete Structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zahid, MZA Mohd; Abu Bakar, BH; Nazri, FM; Ahmad, MM; Muhamad, K.

2018-03-01

Reinforced concrete (RC) structures perform well during fire and may be repaired after the fire incident because their low heat conductivity prevents the loss or degradation of mechanical strength of the concrete core and internal reinforcing steel. When an RC structure is heated to more than 500 °C, mechanical properties such as compressive strength, stiffness, and tensile strength start to degrade and deformations occur. Although the fire-exposed RC structure shows no visible damage, its residual strength decreases compared with that in the pre-fire state. Upon thorough assessment, the fire-damaged RC structure can be repaired or strengthened, instead of subjecting to partial or total demolition followed by reconstruction. The structure can be repaired using several materials, such as carbon fiber-reinforced polymer, glass fiber-reinforced polymer, normal strength concrete, fiber-reinforced concrete, ferrocement, epoxy resin mortar, and high-performance concrete. Selecting an appropriate repair material that must be compatible with the substrate or base material is a vital step to ensure successful repair. This paper reviews existing repair materials and factors affecting their performance. Of the materials considered, ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) exhibits huge potential for repairing fire-damaged RC structures but lack of information available. Hence, further studies must be performed to assess the potential of UHPFRC in rehabilitating fire-damaged RC structures.

Children's perceptions of the classroom environment and social and academic performance: a longitudinal analysis of the contribution of the Responsive Classroom approach.

PubMed

Brock, Laura L; Nishida, Tracy K; Chiong, Cynthia; Grimm, Kevin J; Rimm-Kaufman, Sara E

2008-04-01

This study examines the contribution of the Responsive Classroom (RC) Approach, a set of teaching practices that integrate social and academic learning, to children's perceptions of their classroom, and children's academic and social performance over time. Three questions emerge: (a) What is the concurrent and cumulative relation between children's perceptions of the classroom and social and academic outcomes over time? (b) What is the contribution of teacher's use of RC practices to children's perceptions and social and academic outcomes? (c) Do children's perceptions of the classroom mediate the relation between RC teacher practices and child outcomes? Cross-lagged autoregressive structural equation models were used to analyze teacher and child-report questionnaire data, along with standardized test scores collected over 3 years from a sample of 520 children in grades 3-5. Results indicate a significant positive relation between RC teacher practices and child perceptions and outcomes over time. Further, children's perceptions partially mediated the relation between RC teacher practices and social competence. However, the models did not demonstrate that child perceptions mediated the relation between RC practices and achievement outcomes. Results are explained in terms of the contribution of teacher practices to children's perceptions and student performance.

Prevalence of sexual desire and satisfaction among patients with screen-detected diabetes and impact of intensive multifactorial treatment: results from the ADDITION-Denmark study.

PubMed

Pedersen, Mette B; Giraldi, Annamaria; Kristensen, Ellids; Lauritzen, Torsten; Sandbæk, Annelli; Charles, Morten

2015-03-01

Sexual problems are common in people with diabetes. It is unknown whether early detection of diabetes and subsequent intensive multifactorial treatment (IT) are associated with sexual health. We report the prevalence of low sexual desire and low sexual satisfaction among people with screen-detected diabetes and compare the impact of intensive multifactorial treatment with the impact of routine care (RC) on these measures. A cross-sectional analysis of the ADDITION-Denmark trial cohort six years post-diagnosis. 190 general practices around Denmark. A total of 968 patients with screen-detected type 2 diabetes. Low sexual desire and low sexual satisfaction. Mean (standard deviation, SD) age was 64.9 (6.9) years. The prevalence of low sexual desire was 53% (RC) and 54% (IT) among women, and 24% (RC) and 25% (IT) among men. The prevalence of low sexual satisfaction was 23% (RC) and 18% (IT) among women, and 27% (RC) and 37% (IT) among men. Among men, the prevalence of low sexual satisfaction was significantly higher in the IT group than in the RC group, p = 0.01. Low sexual desire and low satisfaction are frequent among men and women with screen-detected diabetes, and IT may negatively impact men's sexual satisfaction.

In vivo pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and the anti-tumor effect of cyclic RGD-modified doxorubicin-loaded polymers in tumor-bearing mice.

PubMed

Wang, Chen; Li, Yuan; Chen, Binbin; Zou, Meijuan

2016-10-01

In our previous study, we successfully produced and characterized a multifunctional drug delivery system with doxorubicin (RC/GO/DOX), which was based on graphene oxide (GO) and cyclic RGD-modified chitosan (RC). Its characteristics include: pH-responsiveness, active targeting of hepatocarcinoma cells, and efficient loading with controlled drug release. Here, we report the pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and anti-tumor efficacy of RC/GO/DOX polymers in tumor-bearing nude mice. The objective of this study is to assess its targeting potential for tumors. Pharmacokinetic and biodistribution profiles demonstrated that tumor accumulation of RC/GO/DOX polymers was almost three times higher than the others, highlighting the efficacy of the active targeting strategy. Furthermore, the tumor inhibition rate of RC/GO/DOX polymers was 56.64%, 2.09 and 2.93 times higher than that of CS/GO/DOX polymers (without modification) and the DOX solution, respectively. Anti-tumor efficacy results indicated that the tumor growth was better controlled by RC/GO/DOX polymers than the others. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining showed remarkable changes in tumor histology. Compared with the saline group, the tumor section from the RC/GO/DOX group revealed a marked increase in the quantity of apoptotic and necrotic cells, and a reduction in the quantity of the blood vessels. Together, these studies show that this new system could be regarded as a suitable form of DOX-based treatment of the hepatocellular carcinoma. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Identification and expression analysis of a CC chemokine from cobia (Rachycentron canadum).

PubMed

Feng, Juan; Su, Youlu; Guo, Zhixun; Xu, Liwen; Sun, Xiuxiu; Wang, Yunxin

2013-06-01

Chemokines are small, secreted cytokine peptides known principally for their ability to induce migration and activation of leukocyte populations and regulate the immune response mechanisms. The cobia (Rachycentron canadum), a marine finfish species, has a great potential for net cage aquaculture in the South China Sea. We isolated and characterized a CC chemokine cDNA from cobia-designated RcCC2. Its cDNA is 783 bp in length and encodes a putative protein of 110 amino acids. Homology and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the RcCC2 gene, which contains four conserved cysteine residues, shares a high degree of similarity with other known CC chemokine sequences and is closest to the CCL19/21 clade. The mRNA of RcCC2 is expressed constitutively in all tested tissues, including gill, liver, muscle, spleen, kidney, head kidney, skin, brain, stomach, intestine and heart, but not blood, with the highest level of expression in gill and liver. The reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to examine the expression of the RcCC2 gene in immune-related tissues, including head kidney, spleen and liver, following intraperitoneal injection of the viral mimic polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid, formalin-killed Vibrio carchariae (bacterial vaccine) and phosphate-buffered saline as a control. RcCC2 gene expression was up-regulated differentially in head kidney, spleen and liver during 12 h after challenge. These results indicate that the RcCC2 gene is inducible and is involved in immune responses, suggesting RcCC2 has an important role in the early stage of viral and bacterial infections.

Little White Lies: Pericarp Color Provides Insights into the Origins and Evolution of Southeast Asian Weedy Rice.

PubMed

Cui, Yongxia; Song, Beng Kah; Li, Lin-Feng; Li, Ya-Ling; Huang, Zhongyun; Caicedo, Ana L; Jia, Yulin; Olsen, Kenneth M

2016-12-07

Weedy rice is a conspecific form of cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) that infests rice fields and results in severe crop losses. Weed strains in different world regions appear to have originated multiple times from different domesticated and/or wild rice progenitors. In the case of Malaysian weedy rice, a multiple-origin model has been proposed based on neutral markers and analyses of domestication genes for hull color and seed shattering. Here, we examined variation in pericarp (bran) color and its molecular basis to address how this trait evolved in Malaysian weeds and its possible role in weed adaptation. Functional alleles of the Rc gene confer proanthocyanidin pigmentation of the pericarp, a trait found in most wild and weedy Oryzas and associated with seed dormancy; nonfunctional rc alleles were strongly favored during rice domestication, and most cultivated varieties have nonpigmented pericarps. Phenotypic characterizations of 52 Malaysian weeds revealed that most strains are characterized by the pigmented pericarp; however, some weeds have white pericarps, suggesting close relationships to cultivated rice. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the Rc haplotypes present in Malaysian weeds likely have at least three distinct origins: wild O. rufipogon, white-pericarp cultivated rice, and red-pericarp cultivated rice. These diverse origins contribute to high Rc nucleotide diversity in the Malaysian weeds. Comparison of Rc allelic distributions with other rice domestication genes suggests that functional Rc alleles may confer particular fitness benefits in weedy rice populations, for example, by conferring seed dormancy. This may promote functional Rc introgression from local wild Oryza populations. Copyright © 2016 Cui et al.

Little White Lies: Pericarp Color Provides Insights into the Origins and Evolution of Southeast Asian Weedy Rice

PubMed Central

Cui, Yongxia; Song, Beng Kah; Li, Lin-Feng; Li, Ya-Ling; Huang, Zhongyun; Caicedo, Ana L.; Jia, Yulin; Olsen, Kenneth M.

2016-01-01

Weedy rice is a conspecific form of cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) that infests rice fields and results in severe crop losses. Weed strains in different world regions appear to have originated multiple times from different domesticated and/or wild rice progenitors. In the case of Malaysian weedy rice, a multiple-origin model has been proposed based on neutral markers and analyses of domestication genes for hull color and seed shattering. Here, we examined variation in pericarp (bran) color and its molecular basis to address how this trait evolved in Malaysian weeds and its possible role in weed adaptation. Functional alleles of the Rc gene confer proanthocyanidin pigmentation of the pericarp, a trait found in most wild and weedy Oryzas and associated with seed dormancy; nonfunctional rc alleles were strongly favored during rice domestication, and most cultivated varieties have nonpigmented pericarps. Phenotypic characterizations of 52 Malaysian weeds revealed that most strains are characterized by the pigmented pericarp; however, some weeds have white pericarps, suggesting close relationships to cultivated rice. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the Rc haplotypes present in Malaysian weeds likely have at least three distinct origins: wild O. rufipogon, white-pericarp cultivated rice, and red-pericarp cultivated rice. These diverse origins contribute to high Rc nucleotide diversity in the Malaysian weeds. Comparison of Rc allelic distributions with other rice domestication genes suggests that functional Rc alleles may confer particular fitness benefits in weedy rice populations, for example, by conferring seed dormancy. This may promote functional Rc introgression from local wild Oryza populations. PMID:27729434

Religious coping and religiosity in patients with COPD following pulmonary rehabilitation

PubMed Central

da Silva, Guilherme PF; Nascimento, Francisco AB; Macêdo, Tereza PM; Morano, Maria T; Mesquita, Rafael; Pereira, Eanes DB

2018-01-01

Background Religious coping (RC) is defined as the use of behavioral and cognitive techniques in stressful life events in a multidimensional construct with positive and negative effects on outcomes, while religiosity is considered a use of individual beliefs, values, practices, and rituals related to faith. There is no evidence for the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in RC and religiosity in patients with COPD. The aims of this study were 1) to compare RC and religiosity in patients with COPD following PR and 2) to investigate associations between changes in RC, religiosity and exercise capacity, quality of life (QoL), anxiety, depression, and dyspnea. Methods Seventy-four patients were enrolled in this study including 38 patients in the PR group and 36 patients in the control group. PR protocol was composed of a 12-week (three sessions per week, 60 min per day) outpatient comprehensive program, and the control group was composed of patients in a waiting list for admission to PR program. RC, religiosity, exercise capacity, QoL, anxiety, depression, and dyspnea were measured before and after the study protocol. Results Positive religious coping and organizational religious activities increased (p=0.01; p<0.001, respectively), while negative religious coping decreased (p=0.03) after 12 weeks in the PR group (p<0.001). Significant associations were observed between changes in RC, organizational religiosity with exercise capacity, and QoL following PR. No differences were found in the control group. Conclusion PR improves RC and organizational religiosity in patients with COPD, and these improvements are related to increases in exercise capacity and QoL. PMID:29379282

The influence of fidelity of implementation on teacher-student interaction quality in the context of a randomized controlled trial of the Responsive Classroom approach.

PubMed

Abry, Tashia; Rimm-Kaufman, Sara E; Larsen, Ross A; Brewer, Alexis J

2013-08-01

This study examined the direct and indirect effects between training in the Responsive Classroom® (RC) approach, teachers' uptake of RC practices, and teacher-student interaction quality, using a structural equation modeling framework. A total of 24 schools were randomly assigned to experimental or control conditions. Third- and fourth-grade teachers in treatment schools (n=132) received training in the RC approach, whereas teachers in control schools (n=107) continued "business as usual." Observers rated teachers' fidelity of implementation (FOI) of RC practices 5 times throughout the year using the Classroom Practices Observation Measure. In addition, teachers completed self-report measures of FOI, the Classroom Practices Teacher Survey and Classroom Practices Frequency Survey, at the end of the school year. Teacher-student interactions were rated during classroom observations using the Classroom Assessment Scoring System. Controlling for teachers' grade level and teacher-student interaction quality at pretest, RC training was expected to predict posttest teacher-student interaction quality directly and indirectly through FOI. Results supported only a significant indirect effect, β=0.85, p=.002. Specifically, RC teachers had higher levels of FOI of RC practices, β=1.62, p<.001, R2=.69. In turn, FOI related to greater improvement in teacher-student interaction quality, β=0.52, p=.001, R2=.32. Discussion highlights factors contributing to variability in FOI and school administrators roles in supporting FOI. Copyright © 2013 Society for the Study of School Psychology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Delayed release formulation of the somatostatin analog RC-160 inhibits the growth hormone (GH) response to GH-releasing factor-(1-29)NH2 and decreases elevated prolactin levels in rats.

PubMed

Bokser, L; Schally, A V

1988-10-01

Recently, we have developed a long-acting delivery system for our somatostatin (SS) analog RC-160 based on injectable microcapsules in poly-(D,L-lactide-coglycolide). We studied the capacity of this formulation to repeatedly block the GH secretion induced by administration of GRF-(1-29)NH2 (GRF) on different days. Male rats anesthetized with pentobarbital were injected iv with 2.5 micrograms/kg BW GRF-(1-29)NH2 or saline. Five minutes later, blood samples were taken for GH measurement, and the animals were injected im with RC-160 microcapsules at a dose calculated to release 25 micrograms/day of the analog for 7 days or with the vehicle. The GRF stimuli were repeated 48 h, 96 h, and 8 days after administration of SS analog in microcapsules. GRF administration increased GH levels at the four times tested (P less than 0.01) in the control group injected with vehicle, while RC-160 microcapsules inhibited the GH response for more than 96 h (P less than 0.01). The GH levels augmented by pentobarbital were also decreased by the RC-160 microcapsules (P less than 0.01). Animals treated with microcapsules showed smaller increases in their body weight than untreated rats (P less than 0.05). We also investigated the effect of RC-160 microcapsules on hyperprolactinemic female rats implanted with pituitary glands under the kidney capsules. High PRL levels in rats bearing pituitary grafts showed a significant decrease when measured 4 days after the administration of RC-160 microcapsules. These results demonstrate the efficacy of the long-acting delivery system of the SS analog RC-160 and suggest the possible clinical usefulness of this formulation for lowering GH and PRL levels.

Red clump stars and Gaia: calibration of the standard candle using a hierarchical probabilistic model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hawkins, Keith; Leistedt, Boris; Bovy, Jo; Hogg, David W.

2017-10-01

Distances to individual stars in our own Galaxy are critical in order to piece together the nature of its velocity and spatial structure. Core helium burning red clump (RC) stars have similar luminosities, are abundant throughout the Galaxy and thus constitute good standard candles. We build a hierarchical probabilistic model to quantify the quality of RC stars as standard candles using parallax measurements from the first Gaia data release. A unique aspect of our methodology is to fully account for (and marginalize over) parallax, photometry and dust correction uncertainties, which lead to more robust results than standard approaches. We determine the absolute magnitude and intrinsic dispersion of the RC in 2MASS bands J, H, Ks, Gaia G band and WISE bands W1, W2, W3 and W4. We find that the absolute magnitude of the RC is -1.61 ± 0.01 (in Ks), +0.44 ± 0.01 (in G), -0.93 ± 0.01 (in J), -1.46 ± 0.01 (in H), -1.68 ± 0.02 (in W1), -1.69 ± 0.02 (in W2), -1.67 ± 0.02 (in W3) and -1.76 ± 0.01 mag (in W4). The mean intrinsic dispersion is ˜0.17 ± 0.03 mag across all bands (yielding a typical distance precision of ˜8 per cent). Thus RC stars are reliable and precise standard candles. In addition, we have also re-calibrated the zero-point of the absolute magnitude of the RC in each band, which provides a benchmark for future studies to estimate distances to RC stars. Finally, the parallax error shrinkage in the hierarchical model outlined in this work can be used to obtain more precise parallaxes than Gaia for the most distant RC stars across the Galaxy.

Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: Navigating the Diagnosis-Management Conundrum.

PubMed

Lewis, Jeremy; McCreesh, Karen; Roy, Jean-Sébastien; Ginn, Karen

2015-11-01

Synopsis The hallmark characteristics of rotator cuff (RC) tendinopathy are pain and weakness, experienced most commonly during shoulder external rotation and elevation. Assessment is complicated by nonspecific clinical tests and the poor correlation between structural failure and symptoms. As such, diagnosis is best reached by exclusion of other potential sources of symptoms. Symptomatic incidence and prevalence data currently cannot be determined with confidence, primarily as a consequence of a lack of diagnostic accuracy, as well as the uncertainty as to the location of symptoms. People with symptoms of RC tendinopathy should derive considerable comfort from research that consistently demonstrates improvement in symptoms with a well-structured and graduated exercise program. This improvement is equivalent to outcomes reported in surgical trials, with the additional generalized benefits of exercise, less sick leave, a faster return to work, and reduced costs to the health care system. This evidence covers the spectrum of conditions that include symptomatic RC tendinopathy and atraumatic partial- and full-thickness RC tears. The principles guiding exercise treatment for RC tendinopathy include relative rest, modification of painful activities, an exercise strategy that initially does not exacerbate pain, controlled reloading, and gradual progression from simple to complex shoulder movements. Evidence also exists for a specific exercise program being beneficial for people with massive inoperable tears of the RC. Education is an essential component of rehabilitation, and attention to lifestyle factors (smoking cessation, nutrition, stress, and sleep management) may enhance outcomes. Outcomes may also be enhanced by subgrouping RC tendinopathy presentations and directing treatment strategies according to the clinical presentation and the patient's response to shoulder symptom modification procedures outlined herein. There are substantial deficits in our knowledge regarding RC tendinopathy that need to be addressed to further improve clinical outcomes. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2015;45(11):923-937. Epub 21 Sep 2015. doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.5941.

The protease ClpXP and the PAS-domain protein DivL regulate CtrA and gene transfer agent production in Rhodobacter capsulatus.

PubMed

Westbye, A B; Kater, L; Wiesmann, C; Ding, H; Yip, C K; Beatty, J T

2018-04-06

Several members of the Rhodobacterales ( Alphaproteobacteria ) produce a conserved horizontal gene transfer vector, called gene transfer agent (GTA), that appears to have evolved from a bacteriophage. The model system to study GTA biology is the R. capsulatus GTA (RcGTA), a small, tailed bacteriophage-like particle produced by a subset of the cells in a culture. The response regulator CtrA is conserved in the Alphaproteobacteria and is an essential regulator of RcGTA production: it controls production and maturation of the RcGTA particle and RcGTA release from cells. CtrA also controls the natural transformation-like system required for cells to receive RcGTA-donated DNA. Here, we report that a dysregulation of the CckA-ChpT-CtrA phosphorelay - either by loss of the PAS-domain protein DivL or by substituting the autophosphorylation residue of the hybrid histidine kinase CckA - decreased CtrA phosphorylation and greatly increased RcGTA protein production in R. capsulatus We show that a loss of the ClpXP protease or the three C-terminal residues of CtrA resulted in increased CtrA levels in R. capsulatus, and identify ClpX(P) as essential for maturation of RcGTA particles. Furthermore, we show that CtrA phosphorylation is important for head spike production. Our results provide novel insight into the regulation of CtrA and GTAs in the Rhodobacterales Importance Members of the Rhodobacterales are abundant in ocean and fresh water environments. The conserved GTA produced by many Rhodobacterales may have an important role in horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in aquatic environments and provide a significant contribution to their adaptation. GTA production is controlled by bacterial regulatory systems, including the conserved CckA-ChpT-CtrA phosphorelay, however several questions about GTA regulation remains. Our identification that a 'short' DivL homologue and ClpXP regulate CtrA in R. capsulatus extends the model of CtrA regulation from Caulobacter crescentus to a member of the Rhodobacterales. We found that the magnitude of RcGTA production greatly depended on DivL and CckA kinase activity, adding yet a layer of regulatory complexity to RcGTA. RcGTA is known to undergo CckA-dependent maturation, and we extend the understanding of this process by showing that the ClpX chaperone is required for formation of tailed, DNA-containing particles. Copyright © 2018 American Society for Microbiology.

TU-H-CAMPUS-IeP2-05: Breast and Soft Tissue-Equivalent 3D Printed Phantoms for Imaging and Dosimetry

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

Hintenlang, D; Terracino, B

Purpose: The study has the goal to demonstrate that breast and soft tissue-equivalent phantoms for dosimetry applications in the diagnostic energy range can be fabricated using common 3D printing methods. Methods: 3D printing provides the opportunity to rapidly prototype uniquely designed objects from a variety of materials. Common 3D printers are usually limited to printing objects based on thermoplastic materials such as PLA, or ABS. The most commonly available plastic is PLA, which has a density significantly greater than soft tissue. We utilized a popular 3D printer to demonstrate that tissue specific phantom materials can be generated through the carefulmore » selection of 3D printing parameters. A series of stepwedges were designed and printed using a Makerbot Replicator2 3D printing system. The print file provides custom adjustment of the infill density, orientation and position of the object on the printer stage, selection of infill patterns, and other control parameters. The x-ray attenuation and uniformity of fabricated phantoms were evaluated and compared to common tissue-equivalent phantom materials, acrylic and BR12. X-ray exposure measurements were made using narrow beam geometry on a clinical mammography unit at 28 kVp on the series of phantoms. The 3D printed phantoms were imaged at 28 kVp to visualize the internal structure and uniformity in different planes of the phantoms. Results: By utilizing specific in-fill density and patterns we are able to produce a phantom closely matching the attenuation characteristics of BR12 at 28 kVp. The in-fill patterns used are heterogeneous, so a judicious selection of fill pattern and the orientation of the fill pattern must be made in order to obtain homogenous attenuation along the intended direction of beam propagation. Conclusions: By careful manipulation of the printing parameters, breast and soft tissue-equivalent phantoms appropriate for use at imaging energies can be fabricated using 3D printing techniques.« less

SU-C-213-02: Characterizing 3D Printing in the Fabrication of Variable Density Phantoms

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

Madamesila, J; McGeachy, P; Villarreal-Barajas, J

Purpose: In this work, we present characterization, process flow, quality control and application of 3D fabricated low density phantoms for radiotherapy quality assurance. Methods: A Rostock delta 3D printer using polystyrene filament of diameter 1.75 mm was used to print geometric volumes of 2×2×1 cm{sup 3} of varying densities. The variable densities of 0.1 to 0.75 g/cm {sup 3} were created by modulating the infill. A computed tomography (CT) scan was performed to establish an infill-density calibration curve as well as characterize the quality of the print such as uniformity and the infill pattern. The time required to print thesemore » volumes was also recorded. Using the calibration, two low density cones (0.19, 0.52 g/cm{sup 3}) were printed and benchmarked against commercially available phantoms. The dosimetric validation of the low density scaling of Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm (AAA) was performed by using a 0.5 g/cm{sup 3} slab of 10×10×2.4 cm{sup 3} with EBT3 GafChromic film. The gamma analysis at 3%/3mm criteria were compared for the measured and computed dose planes. Results: Analysis of the volume of air pockets in the infill resulted in a reasonable uniformity for densities 0.4 to 0.75 g/cm{sup 3}. Printed phantoms with densities below 0.4 g/cm{sup 3} exhibited a higher ratio of air to polystyrene resulting in large non-uniformity. Compared to the commercial inserts, good agreement was observed only for the printed 0.52 g/cm{sup 3} cone. Dosimetric comparison for a printed low density volume placed in-between layers of solid water resulted in >95% gamma agreement between AAA calculated dose planes and measured EBT3 films for a 6MV 5×5 cm{sup 2} clinical beam. The comparison showed disagreement in the penumbra region. Conclusion: In conclusion, 3D printing technology opens the door to desktop fabrication of variable density phantoms at economical prices in an efficient manner for the quality assurance needs of a small clinic.« less

Erosion and deposition by supercritical density flows during channel avulsion and backfilling: Field examples from coarse-grained deepwater channel-levée complexes (Sandino Forearc Basin, southern Central America)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lang, Jörg; Brandes, Christian; Winsemann, Jutta

2017-03-01

Erosion and deposition by supercritical density flows can strongly impact the facies distribution and architecture of submarine fans. Field examples from coarse-grained channel-levée complexes from the Sandino Forearc Basin (southern Central America) show that cyclic-step and antidune deposits represent common sedimentary facies of these depositional systems and relate to the different stages of avulsion, bypass, levée construction and channel backfilling. During channel avulsion, large-scale scour-fill complexes (18 to 29 m deep, 18 to 25 m wide, 60 to > 120 m long) were incised by supercritical density flows. The multi-storey infill of the large-scale scour-fill complexes comprises amalgamated massive, normally coarse-tail graded or widely spaced subhorizontally stratified conglomerates and pebbly sandstones, interpreted as deposits of the hydraulic-jump zone of cyclic steps. The large-scale scour-fill complexes can be distinguished from small-scale channel fills based on the preservation of a steep upper margin and a coarse-grained infill comprising mainly amalgamated hydraulic-jump zone deposits. Channel fills include repeated successions deposited by cyclic steps with superimposed antidunes. The deposits of the hydraulic-jump zone of cyclic steps comprise regularly spaced scours (0.2 to 2.6 m deep, 0.8 to 23 m long) infilled by intraclast-rich conglomerates or pebbly sandstones, displaying normal coarse-tail grading or backsets. These deposits are laterally and vertically associated with subhorizontally stratified, low-angle cross-stratified or sinusoidally stratified sandstones and pebbly sandstones, which were deposited by antidunes on the stoss side of the cyclic steps during flow re-acceleration. The field examples indicate that so-called spaced stratified deposits may commonly represent antidune deposits with varying stratification styles controlled by the aggradation rate, grain-size distribution and amalgamation. The deposits of small-scale cyclic steps with superimposed antidunes form fining-upwards successions with decreasing antidune wavelengths, indicating waning flows. Such cyclic step-antidune successions form the characteristic basal infill of mid-fan channels, and are inferred to be related to successive supercritical high-density turbidity flows triggered by retrogressive slope failures.

Cyclic steps and superimposed antidune deposits: important elements of coarse-grained deepwater channel-levée complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lang, Joerg; Brandes, Christian; Winsemann, Jutta

2017-04-01

The facies distribution and architecture of submarine fans can be strongly impacted by erosion and deposition by supercritical density flows. We present field examples from the Sandino Forearc Basin (southern Central America), where cyclic-step and antidune deposits represent important sedimentary facies of coarse-grained channel-levée complexes. These bedforms occur in all sub-environments of the depositional systems and relate to the different stages of avulsion, bypass, levée construction and channel backfilling. Large-scale scours (18 to 29 m deep, 18 to 25 m wide, 60 to >120 m long) with an amalgamated infill, comprising massive, normally coarse-tail graded or spaced subhorizontally stratified conglomerates and pebbly sandstones, are interpreted as deposits of the hydraulic-jump zone of cyclic steps. These cyclic steps probably formed during avulsion, when high-density flows were routed into the evolving channel. The large-scale scour fills can be distinguished from small-scale channel fills based on the preservation of a steep upper margin and a coarse-grained infill comprising mainly amalgamated hydraulic-jump deposits. Channel fills include repetitive successions deposited by cyclic steps with superimposed antidunes. The hydraulic-jump zone of cyclic-step deposits comprises regularly spaced scours (0.2 to 2.6 m deep, 0.8 to 23 m wide), which are infilled by intraclast-rich conglomerates or pebbly sandstones and display normal coarse-tail grading or backsets. Laterally and vertically these deposits are associated with subhorizontally stratified, low-angle cross-stratified or sinusoidal stratified pebbly sandstones and sandstones (wavelength 0.5 to 18 m), interpreted as representing antidune deposits formed on the stoss-side of the cyclic steps during flow re-acceleration. The field examples indicate that so-called crudely or spaced stratified deposits may commonly represent antidune deposits with varying stratification styles controlled by the aggradation rate, grain-size distribution and amalgamation. The deposits of small-scale cyclic steps with superimposed antidunes form fining upwards successions with decreasing antidune wavelengths. Such cyclic step-antidune successions are the characteristic basal infill of channels, probably related to supercritical high-density turbidity flows triggered by retrogressive slope failures.

Impact of CT attenuation correction method on quantitative respiratory-correlated (4D) PET/CT imaging

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

Nyflot, Matthew J., E-mail: nyflot@uw.edu; Lee, Tzu-Cheng; Alessio, Adam M.

Purpose: Respiratory-correlated positron emission tomography (PET/CT) 4D PET/CT is used to mitigate errors from respiratory motion; however, the optimal CT attenuation correction (CTAC) method for 4D PET/CT is unknown. The authors performed a phantom study to evaluate the quantitative performance of CTAC methods for 4D PET/CT in the ground truth setting. Methods: A programmable respiratory motion phantom with a custom movable insert designed to emulate a lung lesion and lung tissue was used for this study. The insert was driven by one of five waveforms: two sinusoidal waveforms or three patient-specific respiratory waveforms. 3DPET and 4DPET images of the phantommore » under motion were acquired and reconstructed with six CTAC methods: helical breath-hold (3DHEL), helical free-breathing (3DMOT), 4D phase-averaged (4DAVG), 4D maximum intensity projection (4DMIP), 4D phase-matched (4DMATCH), and 4D end-exhale (4DEXH) CTAC. Recovery of SUV{sub max}, SUV{sub mean}, SUV{sub peak}, and segmented tumor volume was evaluated as RC{sub max}, RC{sub mean}, RC{sub peak}, and RC{sub vol}, representing percent difference relative to the static ground truth case. Paired Wilcoxon tests and Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA were used to test for significant differences. Results: For 4DPET imaging, the maximum intensity projection CTAC produced significantly more accurate recovery coefficients than all other CTAC methods (p < 0.0001 over all metrics). Over all motion waveforms, ratios of 4DMIP CTAC recovery were 0.2 ± 5.4, −1.8 ± 6.5, −3.2 ± 5.0, and 3.0 ± 5.9 for RC{sub max}, RC{sub peak}, RC{sub mean}, and RC{sub vol}. In comparison, recovery coefficients for phase-matched CTAC were −8.4 ± 5.3, −10.5 ± 6.2, −7.6 ± 5.0, and −13.0 ± 7.7 for RC{sub max}, RC{sub peak}, RC{sub mean}, and RC{sub vol}. When testing differences between phases over all CTAC methods and waveforms, end-exhale phases were significantly more accurate (p = 0.005). However, these differences were driven by the patient-specific respiratory waveforms; when testing patient and sinusoidal waveforms separately, patient waveforms were significantly different between phases (p < 0.0001) while the sinusoidal waveforms were not significantly different (p = 0.98). When considering only the subset of 4DMATCH images that corresponded to the end-exhale image phase, 4DEXH, mean and interquartile range were similar to 4DMATCH but variability was considerably reduced. Conclusions: Comparative advantages in accuracy and precision of SUV metrics and segmented volumes were demonstrated with the use of the maximum intensity projection and end-exhale CT attenuation correction. While respiratory phase-matched CTAC should in theory provide optimal corrections, image artifacts and differences in implementation of 4DCT and 4DPET sorting can degrade the benefit of this approach. These results may be useful to guide the implementation, analysis, and development of respiratory-correlated thoracic PET/CT in the radiation oncology and diagnostic settings.« less

LaRC(TM)-IA Copolyimides

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

St. Clair, Terry L.; Chang, Alice C.

1995-01-01

Copolyimides modified versions of LaRC(TM)-IA thermoplastic polyimide formulated by incorporating moieties of 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) and, alternatively, isophthaloyldiphthalic anhydride (IDPA) into LaRC(TM)-IA polymer backbones. Exhibit higher glass-transition temperatures and retain greater fractions of lower-temperature shear moduli at higher temperatures. Copolyimides spun into fibers or used as adhesives, molding powders, or matrix resins in many applications, especially in fabrication of strong, lightweight structural components of aircraft.

A Review and Evaluation of the Langley Research Center's Scientific and Technical Information Program. Results of Phase I--Knowledge and Attitudes Survey, LaRC Research Personnel. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pinelli, Thomas E.; And Others

As Phase I of a comprehensive evaluation of the NASA-affiliated Langley Research Center's (LaRC) scientific and technical information (STI) program, an internal survey was conducted to obtain feedback from LaRC scientists and engineers concerning the effectiveness of the STI program. The first stage of the survey, which involved interviews with 64…

The evaluation of the interfacial behavior of LaRC-TPI/Graphite Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ogden, A. L.; Wilkes, G. L.; Hyer, M. W.; Loos, A. C.; Muellerleile, J. T.

1992-01-01

Discussed are the results of several approaches recently considered for improving the interfacial adhesion of LaRC-TPI/graphite composites. Two approaches were investigated, namely altering the matrix and altering the fiber. As a result, three types of LaRC-TPI laminates were produced: amorphous/AS-4, amorphous/XAS, and semicrystalline/AS-4. The laminates were characterized using the transverse tensile test, scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, and thermal analysis.

STUDY ON CHARACTERISTICS OF RESIDUAL STRENGTH OF RC BEAMS WITH DEFECTIVE ANCHORAGES DUE TO CORROSION OF REINFORCEMENTS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murakami, Yuki; Dong, Wei; Oshita, Hideki; Suzuki, Shuichi; Tsutsumi, Tomoaki

In this study, to evaluate flexural strength and shear strength with def ective anchorages due to corrosion of reinforcemen t, the bending test of the RC beams r eceived damage in the anchorage region due to corrosion was carried out. As a result, it is se ems that the residual shear strength of RC beams with defective anchorages depends on shear span ratio in addition to the anchorage performance. Furthermore, the authors propose an evaluation model for an shear strength of RC beams with defective anchorages on the basis of these experimental results and analy tical result. The value of residual shear strength calculated using this model corresponds to the test results in the past.

RC64, a Rad-Hard Many-Core High- Performance DSP for Space Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ginosar, Ran; Aviely, Peleg; Gellis, Hagay; Liran, Tuvia; Israeli, Tsvika; Nesher, Roy; Lange, Fredy; Dobkin, Reuven; Meirov, Henri; Reznik, Dror

2015-09-01

RC64, a novel rad-hard 64-core signal processing chip targets DSP performance of 75 GMACs (16bit), 150 GOPS and 38 single precision GFLOPS while dissipating less than 10 Watts. RC64 integrates advanced DSP cores with a multi-bank shared memory and a hardware scheduler, also supporting DDR2/3 memory and twelve 3.125 Gbps full duplex high speed serial links using SpaceFibre and other protocols. The programming model employs sequential fine-grain tasks and a separate task map to define task dependencies. RC64 is implemented as a 300 MHz integrated circuit on a 65nm CMOS technology, assembled in hermetically sealed ceramic CCGA624 package and qualified to the highest space standards.

RC64, a Rad-Hard Many-Core High-Performance DSP for Space Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ginosar, Ran; Aviely, Peleg; Liran, Tuvia; Alon, Dov; Mandler, Alberto; Lange, Fredy; Dobkin, Reuven; Goldberg, Miki

2014-08-01

RC64, a novel rad-hard 64-core signal processing chip targets DSP performance of 75 GMACs (16bit), 150 GOPS and 20 single precision GFLOPS while dissipating less than 10 Watts. RC64 integrates advanced DSP cores with a multi-bank shared memory and a hardware scheduler, also supporting DDR2/3 memory and twelve 2.5 Gbps full duplex high speed serial links using SpaceFibre and other protocols. The programming model employs sequential fine-grain tasks and a separate task map to define task dependencies. RC64 is implemented as a 300 MHz integrated circuit on a 65nm CMOS technology, assembled in hermetically sealed ceramic CCGA624 package and qualified to the highest space standards.

Geometrically distributed one-dimensional photonic crystals for light-reflection in all angles.

PubMed

Alagappan, G; Wu, P

2009-07-06

We demonstrate that a series of one-dimensional photonic crystals made of any dielectric materials, with the periods are distributed in a geometrical progression of a common ratio, r < rc (theta,P), where rc is a structural parameter that depends on the angle of incidence, theta, and polarization, P, is capable of blocking light of any spectral range. If an omni-directional reflection is desired for all polarizations and for all incident angles smaller than thetao, then r < rc (theta(o),p), where p is the polarization with the electric field parallel to the plane of incidence. We present simple and formula like expressions for rc, width of the bandgap, and minimum number of photonic crystals to achieve a perfect light reflection.

Rathke's cyst with ectopic neurohypophysis presenting as severe short stature with delayed puberty.

PubMed

Dutta, Deep; Roy, Ajitesh; Ghosh, Sujoy; Mukhopadhyay, Pradip; Dasgupta, Ranen; Mukhopadhyay, Satinath; Chowdhury, Subhankar

2012-12-01

Ectopic neurohypophysis (EN) is found in nearly half of children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Rathke's cyst (RC) is uncommon in children and when present, hypopituitarism is found in nearly half of them. We present a fourteen and half-year-old girl with severe short stature and delayed puberty who on evaluation was found to have GHD, secondary hypocortisolism, and hypogonadism. Imaging revealed hypoplastic anterior pituitary, stalk agenesis, EN at tuber cinereum and intrapituitary RC. This is perhaps the first report of simultaneous occurrence of EN and RC, which was seen in a girl with multiple pituitary hormone deficiency. A primary defect in pituitary development may explain this simultaneous occurrence of EN and RC and hence this severe anterior pituitary function deficit.

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

none,

Tom Walsh & Company’s homes in an urban infill project in Portland achieved meets 2012 IECC insulation requirements in the marine climate with R-21 fiberglass batt walls, R-25 slab insulation and R-49 spray foam and cellulose attic floors.

Embracing the River: Smart Growth Strategies for Assisting in Cedar Rapids' Recovery

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This report from an EPA-FEMA technical assistance project with Cedar Rapids, IA, offers ideas to encourage infill development, make development more resilient to floods, and improve stormwater management.

Experimental investigation of factors affecting the absolute recovery coefficients in iodine-124 PET lesion imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jentzen, Walter

2010-04-01

The use of recovery coefficients (RCs) in 124I PET lesion imaging is a simple method to correct the imaged activity concentration (AC) primarily for the partial-volume effect and, to a minor extent, for the prompt gamma coincidence effect. The aim of this phantom study was to experimentally investigate a number of various factors affecting the 124I RCs. Three RC-based correction approaches were considered. These approaches differ with respect to the volume of interest (VOI) drawn, which determines the imaged AC and the RCs: a single voxel VOI containing the maximum value (maximum RC), a spherical VOI with a diameter of the scanner resolution (resolution RC) and a VOI equaling the physical object volume (isovolume RC). Measurements were performed using mainly a stand-alone PET scanner (EXACT HR+) and a latest-generation PET/CT scanner (BIOGRAPH mCT). The RCs were determined using a cylindrical phantom containing spheres or rotational ellipsoids and were derived from images acquired with a reference acquisition protocol. For each type of RC, the influence of the following factors on the RC was assessed: object shape, background activity spill in and iterative image reconstruction parameters. To evaluate the robustness of the RC-based correction approaches, the percentage deviation between RC-corrected and true ACs was determined from images acquired with a clinical acquisition protocol of different AC regimes. The observed results of the shape and spill-in effects were compared with simulation data derived from a convolution-based model. The study demonstrated that the shape effect was negligible and, therefore, was in agreement with theoretical expectations. In contradiction to the simulation results, the observed spill-in effect was unexpectedly small. To avoid variations in the determination of RCs due to reconstruction parameter changes, image reconstruction with a pixel length of about one-third or less of the scanner resolution and an OSEM 1 × 32 algorithm or one with somewhat higher number of effective iterations are recommended. Using the clinical acquisition protocol, the phantom study indicated that the resolution- or isovolume-based recovery-correction approaches appeared to be more appropriate to recover the ACs from patient data; however, the application of the three RC-based correction approaches to small lesions containing low ACs was, in particular, associated with large underestimations. The phantom study had several limitations, which were discussed in detail.

Stabilization Of Marine Clay Using Biomass Silica-Rubber Chips Mixture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marto, Aminaton; Ridzuan Jahidin, Mohammed; Aziz, Norazirah Abdul; Kasim, Fauziah; Zurairahetty Mohd. Yunus, Nor

2016-11-01

Marine clay is found widely along the coastal area and had caused expensive solutions in the construction of coastal highways. Hence, soil stabilization was suggested by some consultant to increase the strength of this soil in order to meet the highway construction requirement and also to achieve the specification for the development. Biomass Silica (BS), particularly the SH85 as a non-traditional stabilisation method, has been gaining more interest from the engineers recently. Rubber chips (RC), derived from waste rubber tyres, are considered ‘green’ element and had been used previously in some geotechnical engineering works. This paper presents the effect of using BS and RC as a mixture (BS-RC mixture), to increase the strength of marine clay for highway construction. Samples of marine clay, obtained from the West Coast Expressway project at Teluk Intan, Perak, were oven dried and grind to fine-grained sized. The marine clay was mixed with 9 % by weight proportion of BS- RC; that were 8%-l% and 7%-2%, respectively. For comparison purposes the result of BS-RC was compared to the result of stabilization by using 9% BS only. Laboratory tests were then carried out to determine the Atterberg limits and compaction characteristics of the untreated and treated marine clay. The Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) of the untreated and treated marine clays, compacted at the optimum moisture content was later obtained. The treated marine clay was tested at 0, 3 and 7 days curing periods. The results show that the Plasticity Index of BS-RC treated marine clay was lower than the untreated marine clay. From the UCS test results, it is shown that BS-RC mixtures had significantly improved the strength of marine clay. With the same percentage of 9% BS-RC, the increased of BS from 7% to 8% increased the UCS further to about six times more than untreated marine clay soils in 7 days curing period. The strength gained by using BS-RC at 8%-1% is slightly below the strength by using 9% BS only. From the experimental results, it is shown that BS, in the form of SH85, admixed with rubber chips could significantly improve the strength of marine clay soils.

Durability of Geopolymer Lightweight Concrete Infilled LECA in Seawater Exposure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Razak, R. A.; Abdullah, M. M. A. B.; Yahya, Z.; Hamid, M. S. A.

2017-11-01

This paper describes a development of lightweight concrete using lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) in fly ash (FA) based geopolymer immersed in seawater. The objective of this research is to compare the performance of geopolymer concrete (GPC) with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete infilled lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) in seawater exposure. Geopolymer concrete is produced by using alkaline activator to activate the raw material, FA. The highest compressive strength of this study is 42.0 MPa at 28 days and 49.8 MPa at 60 days. The density for this concrete is in the range of 1580 kg/m3 to 1660 kg/m3. The result for water absorption is in the range of 6.82% to 14.72%. However, the test results of weight loss is in the range between 0.30% to 0.43%.

Alumina/polymer-coated nanocrystals with extremely high stability used as a color conversion material in LEDs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woo, Ju Yeon; Lee, Jongsoo; Han, Chang-Soo

2013-12-01

The long-term stability of quantum dot (QD)-based devices under harsh environmental conditions has been a critical bottleneck to be resolved for commercial use. Here, we demonstrate an extremely stable QD/alumina/polymer hybrid structure by combining internal atomic layer deposition (ALD) infilling with polymer encapsulation. ALD infilling and polymer encapsulation of QDs synergistically prohibit the degradation of QDs in terms of optical, thermal and humid attacks. Our hybrid QD/alumina/polymer film structure showed no noticeable reduction in photoluminescence even in a commercial grade test (85% humidity at 85 ° C) over 28 days. In addition, we successfully fabricated a QD-based light-emitting device with excellent long-term stability by incorporating hybrid QD/alumina/polymer film as a color conversion material on light-emitting diode chips.

Bio-accessibility and Risk of Exposure to Metals and SVOCs in Artificial Turf Field Fill Materials and Fibers

PubMed Central

Pavilonis, Brian T.; Weisel, Clifford P.; Buckley, Brian; Lioy, Paul J.

2014-01-01

To reduce maintenance costs, municipalities and schools are starting to replace natural grass fields with a new generation synthetic turf. Unlike Astro-Turf, which was first introduced in the 1960’s, synthetic field turf provides more cushioning to athletes. Part of this cushioning comes from materials like crumb rubber infill, which is manufactured from recycled tires and may contain a variety of chemicals. The goal of this study was to evaluate potential exposures from playing on artificial turf fields and associated risks to trace metals, semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by examining typical artificial turf fibers (n=8), different types of infill (n=8), and samples from actual fields (n=7). Three artificial biofluids were prepared which included: lung, sweat, and digestive fluids. Artificial biofluids were hypothesized to yield a more representative estimation of dose than the levels obtained from total extraction methods. PAHs were routinely below the limit of detection across all three biofluids precluding completion of a meaningful risk assessment. No SVOCs were identified at quantifiable levels in any extracts based on a match of their mass spectrum to compounds that are regulated in soil. The metals were measurable but at concentrations for which human health risk was estimated to be low. The study demonstrated that for the products and fields we tested, exposure to infill and artificial turf was generally considered de minimus, with the possible exception of lead for some fields and materials. PMID:23758133

Physics-Based Simulation and Experiment on Blast Protection of Infill Walls and Sandwich Composites Using New Generation of Nano Particle Reinforced Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Irshidat, Mohammad

A critical issue for the development of nanotechnology is our ability to understand, model, and simulate the behavior of small structures and to make the connection between nano structure properties and their macroscopic functions. Material modeling and simulation helps to understand the process, to set the objectives that could guide laboratory efforts, and to control material structures, properties, and processes at physical implementation. These capabilities are vital to engineering design at the component and systems level. In this research, experimental-computational-analytical program was employed to investigate the performance of the new generation of polymeric nano-composite materials, like nano-particle reinforced elastomeric materials (NPREM), for the protection of masonry structures against blast loads. New design tools for using these kinds of materials to protect Infill Walls (e.g. masonry walls) against blast loading were established. These tools were also extended to cover other type of panels like sandwich composites. This investigation revealed that polymeric nano composite materials are strain rate sensitive and have large amount of voids distributed randomly inside the materials. Results from blast experiments showed increase in ultimate flexural resistance achieved by both unreinforced and nano reinforced polyurea retrofit systems applied to infill masonry walls. It was also observed that a thin elastomeric coating on the interior face of the walls could be effective at minimizing the fragmentation resulting from blast. More conclusions are provided with recommended future research.

Degradation of Victoria crater, Mars

USGS Publications Warehouse

Grant, J. A.; Wilson, S.A.; Cohen, B. A.; Golombek, M.P.; Geissler, P.E.; Sullivan, R.J.; Kirk, R.L.; Parker, T.J.

2008-01-01

The ???750 m diameter and ???75 m deep Victoria crater in Meridiani Planum, Mars, is a degraded primary impact structure retaining a ???5 m raised rim consisting of 1-2 m of uplifted rocks overlain by ???3 m of ejecta at the rim crest. The rim is 120-220 m wide and is surrounded by a dark annulus reaching an average of 590 m beyond the raised rim. Comparison between observed morphology and that expected for pristine craters 500-750 m across indicates that the original, pristine crater was close to 600 m in diameter. Hence, the crater has been erosionally widened by ???150 m and infilled by ???50 m of sediments. Eolian processes are responsible for most crater modification, but lesser mass wasting or gully activity contributions cannot be ruled out. Erosion by prevailing winds is most significant along the exposed rim and upper walls and accounts for ???50 m widening across a WNW-ESE diameter. The volume of material eroded from the crater walls and rim is ???20% less than the volume of sediments partially filling the crater, indicating eolian infilling from sources outside the crater over time. The annulus formed when ???1 m deflation of the ejecta created a lag of more resistant hematite spherules that trapped <10-20 cm of darker, regional basaltic sands. Greater relief along the rim enabled meters of erosion. Comparison between Victoria and regional craters leads to definition of a crater degradation sequence dominated by eolian erosion and infilling over time. Copyright 2008 by the American Geophysical Union.

Large-scale bedforms as indicators of mutually evasive sand transport and the sequential infilling of wide-mouthed estuaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harris, Peter T.

1988-06-01

Large-scale bedforms (2-10 m in vertical and 10 2-10 3 m in horizontal dimensions) found in wide-mouthed estuaries are described. Different bedform types occur depending upon the local availability of sand. With an increasing sand supply, sand ribbons grade into elongate trains of sand waves and then form sandwave fields. Inshore, headland-associated sand banks are formed which multiply into en-echelon sand banks. Based upon a review of data on directions of sand transport from the Bristol Channel and Thames Estuary, U.K., and from Moreton Bay, Australia, charts of ebb- and flood-dominant transport zones are constructed for lower estuarine environments which have undergone different degrees of infilling. Linear sand banks are seen to delimit partially the boundaries between opposing sand transport zones. Transport paths demonstrate how sediments derived from outside of the estuary are dispersed through ebb and flood transport zones, to supply other areas of net deposition. A comparison between different estuaries reveals that variations in the compexity of ebb- and flood-dominant transport zones and the morphologies of large-scale bedforms are coupled with apparent changes in the relative amounts of sand available to each system. A model for the sequential infilling of estuaries and the evolution of large-scale bedforms is presented and applied to the interpretation of present day examples. Vertical sequences predicted to be generated by such bedform evolution are described and discussed, in terms of their preservation in the geological record.

Analytical investigations of seismic responses for reinforced concrete bridge columns subjected to strong near-fault ground motion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Chin-Kuo; Sung, Yu-Chi; Chang, Shuenn-Yih; Huang, Chao-Hsun

2007-09-01

Strong near-fault ground motion, usually caused by the fault-rupture and characterized by a pulse-like velocity-wave form, often causes dramatic instantaneous seismic energy (Jadhav and Jangid 2006). Some reinforced concrete (RC) bridge columns, even those built according to ductile design principles, were damaged in the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake. Thus, it is very important to evaluate the seismic response of a RC bridge column to improve its seismic design and prevent future damage. Nonlinear time history analysis using step-by-step integration is capable of tracing the dynamic response of a structure during the entire vibration period and is able to accommodate the pulsing wave form. However, the accuracy of the numerical results is very sensitive to the modeling of the nonlinear load-deformation relationship of the structural member. FEMA 273 and ATC-40 provide the modeling parameters for structural nonlinear analyses of RC beams and RC columns. They use three parameters to define the plastic rotation angles and a residual strength ratio to describe the nonlinear load-deformation relationship of an RC member. Structural nonlinear analyses are performed based on these parameters. This method provides a convenient way to obtain the nonlinear seismic responses of RC structures. However, the accuracy of the numerical solutions might be further improved. For this purpose, results from a previous study on modeling of the static pushover analyses for RC bridge columns (Sung et al. 2005) is adopted for the nonlinear time history analysis presented herein to evaluate the structural responses excited by a near-fault ground motion. To ensure the reliability of this approach, the numerical results were compared to experimental results. The results confirm that the proposed approach is valid.

Surface texture of resin-modified glass ionomer cements: effects of finishing/polishing systems.

PubMed

Yap, Adrian U J; Tan, W S; Yeo, J C; Yap, W Y; Ong, S B

2002-01-01

This study investigated the surface texture of two resin-modified glass ionomer cements (RMGICs) in the vertical and horizontal axis after treatment with different finishing/polishing systems. Class V preparations were made on the buccal and lingual/palatal surfaces of freshly extracted teeth. The cavities on each tooth were restored with Fuji II LC (GC) and Photac-Fil Quick (ESPE) according to manufacturers' instructions. Immediately after light-polymerization, gross finishing was done with 8-flute tungsten carbide burs. The teeth were then randomly divided into four groups and finished/polished with (a) Robot Carbides (RC); (b) Super-Snap system (SS); (c) OneGloss (OG) and (d) CompoSite Points (CS). The sample size for each material-finishing/polishing system combination was eight. The mean surface roughness (microm) in vertical (RaV) and horizontal (RaH) axis was measured using a profilometer. Data was subjected to ANOVA/Scheffe's tests and Independent Samples t-test at significance level 0.05. Mean RaV ranged from 0.59-1.31 and 0.83-1.52, while mean RaH ranged from 0.80-1.43 and 0.85-1.58 for Fuji II LC and Photac-Fil, respectively. Results of statistical analysis were as follows: Fuji II LC: RaV-RC, SS

Proteiniclasticum ruminis gen. nov., sp. nov., a strictly anaerobic proteolytic bacterium isolated from yak rumen.

PubMed

Zhang, Kegui; Song, Lei; Dong, Xiuzhu

2010-09-01

Two strictly anaerobic, proteolytic bacterial strains, designated strain D3RC-2(T) and D3RC-3r, were isolated from a cellulose-degrading mixed culture enriched from yak rumen content. The strains were Gram-stain negative and non-spore-forming with cell sizes of 0.5-0.8 x 0.6-2.0 mum. The temperature range for growth was 24-46 degrees C (optimum 38-39 degrees C) and the pH range was between 5.6 and 8.7 (optimum 7.0-7.3). Both strains used soya peptone, tryptone, l-phenylalanine, l-leucine, l-methionine, l-serine, l-valine, l-threonine and l-histidine as carbon and nitrogen sources, but did not use any of the saccharides tested. The major fermentation products from PY medium were acetate, propionate and iso-butyrate. The DNA G+C contents of strains D3RC-2(T) and D3RC-3r were 41.0+/-0.1 mol% and 41.3+/-0.1 mol% (HPLC), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the two strains represented a new phyletic sublineage within the family Clostridiaceae, with <93.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to recognized species. On the basis of the phenotypic, genotypic and physiological evidence, strains D3RC-2(T) and D3RC-3r are proposed as representing a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Proteiniclasticum ruminis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is D3RC-2(T) (=AS 1.5057(T)=JCM 14817(T)).

The economics of robotic cystectomy: cost comparison of open versus robotic cystectomy.

PubMed

Lee, Richard; Ng, Casey K; Shariat, Shahrokh F; Borkina, Anna; Guimento, Robert; Brumit, Kevin F; Scherr, Douglas S

2011-12-01

• To assess and compare the economic burden of open radical cystectomy (OC) vs robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy (RC) with pelvic lymph node dissection and urinary diversion. • A series of 103 and 83 consecutive patients undergoing OC and RC, respectively, were prospectively studied at a tertiary care institution from April 2002 to February 2009. • Data were collected on patient demographics, perioperative parameters and length of stay (LOS) in hospital. Cohorts were subdivided into ileal conduit (IC), continent cutaneous diversion (CCD) and orthotopic neobladder (ON) subgroups. • A linear cost model was created to simulate treatment with OC vs RC. Procedural costs were derived from the Medicare Resource Based Relative Value Scale. Materials costs were obtained from the respective suppliers. The indirect costs of complications were considered. • Sensitivity analyses were performed. • Despite a higher cost of materials, RC was less expensive than OC for IC and CCD, although the cost advantage deteriorated for ON. • The per-case costs of RC with IC, CCD and ON were $20,659, $22,102 and $22,685, respectively, compared to $25,505, $22,697 and $20,719 for their OC counterparts. • The largest cost driver in the study was LOS in hospital. • RC showed a shorter LOS compared to OC, although this effect was insufficient to offset the higher cost of robotic surgery. • Complications materially affected cost performance. • Despite a higher cost of materials, RC can be more cost efficient than OC as a treatment for bladder cancer at a high-volume, tertiary care referral centre, particularly with IC. • Complications significantly impact cost performance. © 2011 THE AUTHORS. BJU INTERNATIONAL © 2011 BJU INTERNATIONAL.

The NASA Lewis Research Center: An Economic Impact Study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Austrian, Ziona

1996-01-01

The NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC), established in 1941, is one of ten NASA research centers in the country. It is situated on 350 acres of land in Cuyahoga County and occupies more than 140 buildings and over 500 specialized research and test facilities. Most of LeRC's facilities are located in the City of Cleveland; some are located within the boundaries of the cities of Fairview Park and Brookpark. LeRC is a lead center for NASA's research, technology, and development in the areas of aeropropulsion and selected space applications. It is a center of excellence for turbomachinery, microgravity fluid and combustion research, and commercial communication. The base research and technology disciplines which serve both aeronautics and space areas include materials and structures, instrumentation and controls, fluid physics, electronics, and computational fluid dynamics. This study investigates LeRC's economic impact on Northeast Ohio's economy. It was conducted by The Urban Center's Economic Development Program in Cleveland State University's Levin College of Urban Affairs. The study measures LeRC's direct impact on the local economy in terms of jobs, output, payroll, and taxes, as well as the indirect impact of these economic activities when they 'ripple' throughout the economy. To fully explain LeRC's overall impact on the region, its contributions in the areas of technology transfer and education are also examined. The study uses a highly credible and widely accepted research methodology. First, regional economic multipliers based on input-output models were used to estimate the effect of LERC spending on the Northeast Ohio economy. Second, the economic models were complemented by interviews with industrial, civic, and university leaders to qualitatively assess LeRC's impact in the areas of technology transfer and education.

The effects of protein crowding in bacterial photosynthetic membranes on the flow of quinone redox species between the photochemical reaction center and the ubiquinol-cytochrome c2 oxidoreductase.

PubMed

Woronowicz, Kamil; Sha, Daniel; Frese, Raoul N; Sturgis, James N; Nanda, Vikas; Niederman, Robert A

2011-08-01

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) of the native architecture of the intracytoplasmic membrane (ICM) of a variety of species of purple photosynthetic bacteria, obtained at submolecular resolution, shows a tightly packed arrangement of light harvesting (LH) and reaction center (RC) complexes. Since there are no unattributed structures or gaps with space sufficient for the cytochrome bc(1) or ATPase complexes, they are localized in membrane domains distinct from the flat regions imaged by AFM. This has generated a renewed interest in possible long-range pathways for lateral diffusion of UQ redox species that functionally link the RC and the bc(1) complexes. Recent proposals to account for UQ flow in the membrane bilayer are reviewed, along with new experimental evidence provided from an analysis of intrinsic near-IR fluorescence emission that has served to test these hypotheses. The results suggest that different mechanism of UQ flow exist between species such as Rhodobacter sphaeroides, with a highly organized arrangement of LH and RC complexes and fast RC electron transfer turnover, and Phaeospirillum molischianum with a more random organization and slower RC turnover. It is concluded that packing density of the peripheral LH2 antenna in the Rba. sphaeroides ICM imposes constraints that significantly slow the diffusion of UQ redox species between the RC and cytochrome bc(1) complex, while in Phs. molischianum, the crowding of the ICM with LH3 has little effect upon UQ diffusion. This supports the proposal that in this type of ICM, a network of RC-LH1 core complexes observed in AFM provides a pathway for long-range quinone diffusion that is unaffected by differences in LH complex composition or organization.

Associations of the Levels of C4d-bearing Reticulocytes and High-avidity Anti-dsDNA Antibodies with Disease Activity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

PubMed

Mora, Claudia; Medina-Rosas, Jorge; Santos, Ana Maria; Jaimes, Diego A; Arbeláez, Ana M; Romero, Consuelo; Cortes, Annie; Londono, John

2016-09-01

There are no laboratory tools that detect early flares in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Our aim was to validate in our population the previous findings of the association of C4d-bearing reticulocytes (R-C4d) compared to anti-dsDNA antibodies, with disease activity assessed by the Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment-Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SELENA-SLEDAI) and the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) 2004 scales. All patients who met the 1987 American College of Rheumatology classification criteria and were seen consecutively in 2013 at a specialized SLE care clinic were included. Disease activity was established by the SELENA-SLEDAI and BILAG 2004. Anti-dsDNA and R-C4d were quantified in peripheral blood. Comparisons were made between values of active and inactive patients, and the correlations between the SELENA-SLEDAI and serum levels of anti-dsDNA and R-C4d were measured. Sixty-two patients (83.9% women) were included. A total of 32.3% had active disease according to the SELENA-SLEDAI. There was a significant statistical difference (p = 0.0001) in the distribution of R-C4d between disease activity groups. The correlation coefficient between R-C4d and the SELENA-SLEDAI score was rs = 0.738 (p = 0.0001). R-C4d differed between patients with and without activity in the BILAG 2004 constitutional, mucocutaneous, gastrointestinal, renal, and hematological domains. R-C4d showed a higher correlation with SLE activity measured by the SELENA-SLEDAI and BILAG 2004 than anti-dsDNA did, suggesting a possible involvement in diagnosing disease activity. Prospective studies that confirm these findings and evaluate its involvement in followup are needed.

Ka-band MMIC array system for ACTS aeronautical terminal experiment (Aero-X)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Raquet, Charles A.; Zakrajsek, Robert J.; Lee, Richard Q.; Andro, Monty; Turtle, John P.

1995-01-01

During the summer of 1994, the Advanced Communication Technology Satellite (ACTS) Aeronautical Terminal Experiment (Aero-X) was successfully completed by the NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC) and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). 4.8 and 9.6 Kbps duplex voice links were established between the LeRC Learjet and the ACTS Link Evaluation Terminal (LET) in Cleveland, Ohio, via the ACTS. The antenna system used in this demonstration was developed by LeRC and featured LeRC and US Air Force experimental arrays using GaAs MMIC devices at each radiating element for electronic beam steering and distributed power amplification. The antenna system consisted of three arrays mounted inside the LeRC Learjet, pointing out through the windows. An open loop tracking controller developed by LeRC used information from the aircraft position and attitude sensors to automatically steer the arrays toward ACTS during flight JPL ACTS Mobile Terminal (AMT) system hardware was used as transceivers both on the aircraft and at the LET. The single 32 element MMIC transmit array developed by NASA/LeRC and Texas Instruments has an EIRP of 23.4 dBW at boresight. The two 20 GHz MMIC receive arrays were developed in a cooperative effort with the USAF Rome Laboratory/Electronic System Center, taking advantage of existing USAF array development contracts with Boeing and Martin Marietta. The Boeing array has 23 elements and a G/T of 16/6 db/degK at boresight. The Martin Marietta array has 16 elements and a G/T of 16.1 db/degK at boresight. The three proof-of-concept arrays, the array control system and their integration and operation in the Learjet for Aero-X are described.

Diarrhea and flatulence are major bowel disorders after radical cystectomy: Results from a cross-sectional study in bladder cancer patients.

PubMed

Hupe, Marie C; Vahlensieck, Winfried; Ozimek, Tomasz; Struck, Julian P; Hennig, Martin J P; Tezval, Hossein; von Klot, Christoph A; Merseburger, Axel S; Kuczyk, Markus A; Kramer, Mario W

2018-05-01

We had previously demonstrated changes in defecation after radical cystectomy (RC). Reports addressing long-term bowel disorders following RC are rare. This cross-sectional study evaluates long-term bowel issues in a large cohort. A questionnaire assessing changes in bowel function (diarrhea, constipation, urge to defecate, sensation of incomplete defecation, and flatulence) and its effect on quality of life was developed based on the gastrointestinal quality of life index and distributed in collaboration with the German bladder cancer support group. There were 431 evaluable questionnaires. For the analyses, we focused on patients that had the RC>1 year ago (n = 324). Current bowel problems were reported by 42.6% of patients. The most frequent bowel problems were flatulence (48.8%), diarrhea (29.6%), and sensation of incomplete defecation (22.5%). In cases of bowel problems, 39.7% and 59.8% of the patients indicated life restriction and dissatisfaction, respectively. Prevalence of diarrhea and flatulence were significantly higher>12 (vs. ≤12) months following RC. Both symptoms significantly correlated with younger age at RC, life restriction, lower quality of life, lower health state, and lower energy level. Additionally, diarrhea significantly correlated with pouches as urinary diversion (vs. ileal conduit or ureterocutaneostomy) and higher dissatisfaction level. To our knowledge this is the largest cohort evaluating long-term bowel symptoms after RC. Diarrhea is a prominent symptom after RC with a high impact on daily life that leads to dissatisfaction. A better understanding of long-term bowel symptoms could be translated into optimized surgical procedures, postoperative medication/nutrition, and patient education. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Thermal Performance of Orion Active Thermal Control System With Seven-Panel Reduced-Curvature Radiator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, Xiao-Yen J.; Yuko, James R.

2010-01-01

The active thermal control system (ATCS) of the crew exploration vehicle (Orion) uses radiator panels with fluid loops as the primary system to reject heat from spacecraft. The Lockheed Martin (LM) baseline Orion ATCS uses eight-panel radiator coated with silver Teflon coating (STC) for International Space Station (ISS) missions, and uses seven-panel radiator coated with AZ 93 white paint for lunar missions. As an option to increase the radiator area with minimal impact on other component locations and interfaces, the reduced-curvature (RC) radiator concept was introduced and investigated here for the thermal perspective. Each RC radiator panel has 15 percent more area than each Lockheed Martin (LM) baseline radiator panel. The objective was to determine if the RC seven-panel radiator concept could be used in the ATCS for both ISS and lunar missions. Three radiator configurations the LM baseline, an RC seven-panel radiator with STC, and an RC seven-panel radiator with AZ 93 coating were considered in the ATCS for ISS missions. Two radiator configurations the LM baseline and an RC seven-panel radiator with AZ 93 coating were considered in the ATCS for lunar missions. A Simulink/MATLAB model of the ATCS was used to compute the ATCS performance. Some major hot phases on the thermal timeline were selected because of concern about the large amount of water sublimated for thermal topping. It was concluded that an ATCS with an RC seven-panel radiator could be used for both ISS and lunar missions, but with two different coatings STC for ISS missions and AZ 93 for lunar missions to provide performance similar to or better than that of the LM baseline ATCS.

Urological outcomes following pelvic exenteration for advanced pelvic cancer are not inferior to those following radical cystectomy.

PubMed

Aslim, Edwin J; Chew, Min Hoe; Chew, Ghee Kheng; Lee, Lui Shiong

2018-06-12

Pelvic exenteration (PE) for locally advanced pelvic malignancy requires a multi-disciplinary approach and is associated with significant morbidity. Urinary reconstruction forms a major component of this procedure. The aim of the study is to review the urological outcomes following PE in a newly established pelvic oncology unit, to compare with those following radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer. Patients were identified from prospectively maintained PE and bladder cancer databases, inclusive of all cases performed between January 2012 and December 2016. Those without urinary reconstructions and follow-up durations of less than 3 months were excluded. The outcomes of PE and RC cases were compared, stratifying surgical complications using the Clavien-Dindo classification. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05. There were 22 PE cases and 27 RC cases. The median age at surgery was 56 and 65 years, with a median follow-up of 11.7 and 19.8 months, in the PE and RC groups, respectively. Urinary reconstructions comprised n = 20 (91%) conduit diversions and n = 2 (9%) ureteral reimplantations in the PE group, and n = 5 (19%) orthotopic bladder substitutes and n = 22 (81%) ileal conduits in the RC group. The 30-day urological complication rate was 23% in the PE group (n = 4 Clavien-Dindo Grade 1-2, and n = 1 Grade 3) versus 11% in the RC group (n = 1 Grade 1-2, and n = 2 Grade 3), P = 0.801. There were no Grade 4-5 complications in this series. The urological outcomes following PE in complex pelvic oncology are reasonable and not inferior to those after primary RC alone. © 2018 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

The evaluation of the interfacial behavior of LaRC-TPI/Graphite Composites

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

Ogden, A.L.; Wilkes, G.L.; Hyer, M.W.

1992-07-01

Discussed are the results of several approaches recently considered for improving the interfacial adhesion of LaRC-TPI/graphite composites. Two approaches were investigated, namely altering the matrix and altering the fiber. As a result, three types of LaRC-TPI laminates were produced: amorphous/AS-4, amorphous/XAS, and semicrystalline/AS-4. The laminates were characterized using the transverse tensile test, scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, and thermal analysis. 17 refs.

Chemoprevention of Breast Cancer by Mimicking the Protective Effect of Early First Birth

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-06-01

Endocrinol 2002;16:2034–51. 7. Thordarson G, Jin E, Guzman RC, Swanson SM, Nandi S, Talamantes F. Refractoriness to mammary tumori- genesis in parous rats...nitrosourea-induced mammary carcinomas in female Lewis rats. Carcinogenesis 1999;20:623–8. 11. Rajkumar L, Guzman RC, Yang J, Thordarson G...Guzman RC, Yang J, Rajkumar L, Thordarson G, Chen X, Nandi S. Hormonal prevention of breast cancer: mimicking the protective effect of pregnancy. Proc

Life prolonging of disease management programs in patients with type 2 diabetes is cost-effective.

PubMed

Drabik, A; Büscher, G; Sawicki, P T; Thomas, K; Graf, C; Müller, D; Stock, S

2012-02-01

Our objective was to examine the cost-effectiveness of disease management programs (DMPs) for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) taking into account their life prolonging effect. We compared real life costs in 19,888 propensity score matched pairs of T2DM DMP participants and T2DM patients in routine care (RC) according to sickness funds data. We estimated mean annual costs for survivors, last year of life costs for decedents, the influence of ageing on costs, incremental cost-effectiveness ratio and effects on hospitalization. Annual costs for survivors were 3,318€ (DMP) and 3,570€ (RC). The mean costs in the last year of life were 16,911€ (DMP) and 15,763€ (RC). Ageing had a cost triggering effect for survivors (30€/36€ per year in DMP-/RC-group; p<0.001) and a cost decreasing effect in the last year of life (546€/483€ per year in DMP-/RC-group; p<0.001). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of the DMP vs. RC was -1396€ per life-year gained. Hospitalizations increased with age in case of survival and decreased with age in case of death but were always lower in the DMP-group. Despite increase in costs due to longer life DMPs are cost-effective. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Rosa canina L. Fruit Hydro-Alcoholic Extract Effects on Some Immunological and Biochemical Parameters in Rats

PubMed Central

Sadigh-Eteghad, Saeed; Tayefi-Nasrabadi, Hossein; Aghdam, Zahra; Zarredar, Habib; Shanehbandi, Dariush; Khayyat, Leila; Seyyed-Piran, Seyyed-Hamed

2011-01-01

Introduction This research investigates the possible potential of Rosa canina (RC) as an immunomodulator in rats and its effects on some biochemical parameters. Methods In this experiment, 45 male Wistar rats were obtained and divided into three groups (n = 15). These groups received normal saline (10 mg/kg), RC fruit extract (250 mg/kg) and RC fruit extract (500 mg/kg) as oral gavages every day for a period of four weeks, respective-ly. After obtaining blood samples (at the end of each week), differential white blood cell (WBC) counts, phagocyte activity (number), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphates (ALP) albumin and globulins levels of sam-ples were obtained. The malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels in the se-rum were determined only in day 28 of study. The radical scavenger activity (RSA) of the RC extract was measured spectrophotometrically. Results the gamma globulin level, neu-trophil and monocyte counts and phagocyte activity increased significantly in comparison with the normal saline group. ALT, AST and ALP had not significantly differences in compared to control group. RC extract significantly increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and also decreased GSH levels in comparing to control group in day 28. Conclusion the data suggest that the RC extract has been used in traditional medicine might have immunomodulatory effects. PMID:23678431

[Diagnostic yield of paediatric respiratory samples in the Balearic Islands Sentinel Influenza Surveillance Network].

PubMed

Reina, J; Nicolau, A; Galmes, A; Arbona, B

2009-05-01

Influenza disease is subjected to surveillance by national networks (RC) that predict the epidemic behaviour by reporting clinical and virological data. To evaluate the effectiveness of the paediatric respiratory samples in the Balearic Islands RC in the last five epidemic seasons. A breath sample was taken from paediatric patients in the RC who had flu symptoms. The samples were inoculated in the MDCK cell line. We reviewed the epidemiological data of patients with a culture positive to influenza A and B. A total of 338 pharyngeal swabs from the RC were analysed during the study period. Of these, 65 (19.3%) belonged to <14 years old patients, and 44.6% of the samples were positive as opposed to 39.1% of adult respiratory samples. The influenza A virus was isolated in 24 paediatric samples (82.7%) and the influenza B virus in 5 (17.3%). The mean age of the paediatric patients of the RC who were positive was 8.5 years. Only 3 patients in the 0-4 year old group were positive (10.3%) and 26 patients (89.7%) in the 5-14 years old group. In spite that paediatricians represented only 22% of the RC doctors and obtain the 19.3% of all respiratory samples, the percentage and effectiveness of these is higher that that obtained in the adult population.

Development of an enrofloxacin immunosensor based on label-free electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

PubMed

Wu, Ching-Chou; Lin, Chia-Hung; Wang, Way-Shyan

2009-06-30

Enrofloxacin is the most widespread antibiotic in the fluoroquinolone family. As such, the development of a rapid and sensitive method for the determination of trace amounts of enrofloxacin is an important issue in the health field. The interaction of the enrofloxacin antigen to a specific antibody (Ab) immobilized on an 11-mercapto-undecanoic acid-coated gold electrode was quantified by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Two equivalent circuits were separately used to interpret the obtained impedance spectra. These circuits included one resistor in series with one parallel circuit comprised of a resistor and a capacitor (1R//C), and one resistor in series with two parallel RC circuits (2R//C). The results indicate that the antigen-antibody reaction analyzed using the 1R//C circuit provided a more sensitive resistance increment against the enrofloxacin concentration than that of the 2R//C circuit. However, the 2R//C circuit provided a better fitting for impedance spectra, and therefore supplies more detailed results of the enrofloxacin-antibody interaction, causing the increase of electron transfer resistance selectively to the modified layer, and not the electrical double layer. The antibody-modified electrode allowed for analysis of the dynamic linear range of 1-1000 ng/ml enrofloxacin with a detection limit of 1 ng/ml. The reagentless and label-free impedimetric immunosensors provide a simple and sensitive detection method for the specific determination of enrofloxacin.

Investigation of Coronal Leakage of Root Fillings after Smear Layer Removal with EDTA or Er,Cr:YSGG Laser through Capillary Flow Porometry

PubMed Central

Vergauwen, Tom Edgard Maria; Michiels, Rafaël; Torbeyns, Dries; Meire, Maarten; De Moor, Roeland Jozef Gentil

2014-01-01

No studies have been performed evaluating the marginal seal of root fillings after direct exposure of root canal (RC) walls to Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation. Therefore, 75 root filled teeth (5 × 15–cold lateral condensation) were analyzed for through-and-through leakage (TTL) using capillary flow porometry (CFP). The cleaning protocol determined the experimental groups: (1) irrigation with NaOCl 2.5% and EDTA 17% or standard protocol (SP), (2) SP + Er,Cr:YSGG lasing (dried RC), (3) NaOCl 2.5% + Er,Cr:YSGG lasing (dried RC), (4) SP + Er,Cr:YSGG lasing (wet RC), and (5) NaOCl 2.5% + Er,Cr:YSGG lasing (wet RC). Groups 6 to 10 consisted of the same filled teeth with resected apices. Resection was performed after the first CFP measurement. CFP was used to assess minimum, mean flow, and maximum pore diameters after 48 h. Statistics were performed using nonparametric tests (P > 0.05). Additional three roots per group were submitted to SEM of the RC walls. TTL was observed in all groups without statistically significant differences between the different groups for minimum, mean, and maximum pore diameter (P > 0.05). In this study, the use of EDTA and/or Er,Cr:YSGG laser did not reduce through-and-through leakage in nonresected and resected roots. PMID:24696685

Application of Multivariate Modeling for Radiation Injury Assessment: A Proof of Concept

PubMed Central

Bolduc, David L.; Villa, Vilmar; Sandgren, David J.; Ledney, G. David; Blakely, William F.; Bünger, Rolf

2014-01-01

Multivariate radiation injury estimation algorithms were formulated for estimating severe hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome (H-ARS) injury (i.e., response category three or RC3) in a rhesus monkey total-body irradiation (TBI) model. Classical CBC and serum chemistry blood parameters were examined prior to irradiation (d 0) and on d 7, 10, 14, 21, and 25 after irradiation involving 24 nonhuman primates (NHP) (Macaca mulatta) given 6.5-Gy 60Co Υ-rays (0.4 Gy min−1) TBI. A correlation matrix was formulated with the RC3 severity level designated as the “dependent variable” and independent variables down selected based on their radioresponsiveness and relatively low multicollinearity using stepwise-linear regression analyses. Final candidate independent variables included CBC counts (absolute number of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets) in formulating the “CBC” RC3 estimation algorithm. Additionally, the formulation of a diagnostic CBC and serum chemistry “CBC-SCHEM” RC3 algorithm expanded upon the CBC algorithm model with the addition of hematocrit and the serum enzyme levels of aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, and lactate dehydrogenase. Both algorithms estimated RC3 with over 90% predictive power. Only the CBC-SCHEM RC3 algorithm, however, met the critical three assumptions of linear least squares demonstrating slightly greater precision for radiation injury estimation, but with significantly decreased prediction error indicating increased statistical robustness. PMID:25165485

Effect of Different Mulches under Rainfall Concentration System on Corn Production in the Semi-arid Areas of the Loess Plateau

PubMed Central

Ren, Xiaolong; Zhang, Peng; Chen, Xiaoli; Guo, Jingjing; Jia, Zhikuan

2016-01-01

The ridge and furrow farming system for rainfall concentration (RC) has gradually been popularized to improve the water availability for crops and to increase the water use efficiency (WUE), thereby stabilizing high yields. In the RC system, plastic-covered ridges are rainfall harvesting zones and furrows are planting zones. In this study, we optimized the mulching patterns for RC planting to mitigate the risks of drought during crop production in semi-arid agricultural areas. We conducted a four-year field study to determine the effects on corn production of mulching with 0.08-mm plastic film, maize straw, 8% biodegradable film, liquid film, bare furrow, and conventional flat (CF) farming. We found that RC significantly increased (P > 0.05) the soil moisture storage in the top 0–100 cm layer and the topsoil temperature (0–10 cm) during the corn-growing season. Combining RC with mulching further improved the rain-harvesting, moisture-retaining, and yield-increasing effects in furrows. Compared with CF, the four-year average yield increased by 1497.1 kg ha–1 to 2937.3 kg ha–1 using RC with mulch treatments and the WUE increased by 2.3 kg ha–1 mm–1 to 5.1 kg ha–1 mm–1. PMID:26751619

Thermal Structures Technology Development for Reusable Launch Vehicle Cryogenic Propellant Tanks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Theodore F.; Natividad, Roderick; Rivers, H. Kevin; Smith, Russell W.

2005-01-01

Analytical and experimental studies conducted at the NASA, Langley Research Center (LaRC) for investigating integrated cryogenic propellant tank systems for a reusable launch vehicle (RLV) are described. The cryogenic tanks are investigated as an integrated tank system. An integrated tank system includes the tank wall, cryogenic insulation, thermal protection system (TPS) attachment sub-structure, and TPS. Analysis codes are used to size the thicknesses of cryogenic insulation and TPS insulation for thermal loads, and to predict tank buckling strengths at various ring frame spacings. The unique test facilities developed for the testing of cryogenic tank components are described. Testing at cryogenic and high-temperatures verifies the integrity of materials, design concepts, manufacturing processes, and thermal/structural analyses. Test specimens ranging from the element level to the subcomponent level are subjected to projected vehicle operational mechanical loads and temperatures. The analytical and experimental studies described in this paper provide a portion of the basic information required for the development of light-weight reusable cryogenic propellant tanks.

Polymorphism of prion protein gene in Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus).

PubMed

Wan, Jiayu; Bai, Xue; Liu, Wensen; Xu, Jing; Xu, Ming; Gao, Hongwei

2009-07-01

Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders of humans and certain other mammals. Prion protein gene (Prnp) is associated with susceptibility and species barrier to prion diseases. No natural and experimental prion diseases have been documented to date in Arctic fox. In the present study, coding region of Prnp from 135 Arctic foxes were cloned and screened for polymorphisms. Our results indicated that the Arctic fox Prnp open reading frame (ORF) contains 771 nucleotides encoding 257 amino acids. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (G312C, A337G, C541T, and A723G) were identified. SNPs G312C and A723G produced silent mutations, but SNPs A337G and C541T resulted in a M-V change at codon 113 and R-C at codon 181, respectively. The Arctic fox Prnp amino acid sequence was similar to that of the dog (XM 542906). In short, this study provides preliminary information about genotypes of Prnp in Arctic fox.

Analysis of cracked RC beams under vibration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Capozucca, R.; Magagnini, E.

2017-05-01

Among the methods of monitoring of integrity, vibration analysis is more convenient as non-destructive testing (NDT) method. Many aspects regarding the vibration monitoring of the structural integrity of damaged RC elements have not been completely analysed in literature. The correlation between the development of the crack pattern on concrete surface under bending loadings, as well as the width and depth of cracks, and the variation of dynamic parameters on a structural element is an important aspects that has to be more investigated. This paper deals with cracked RC beams controlled by NDT based on natural vibration, which may be correlated to damage degree due to cracking of concrete under severe state of loading. An experimental investigation on the assessment of RC beams in different scale under loading has been done through dynamic tests in different constraint conditions of edges measuring frequency values and frequency variation. Envelope of Frequency Response Functions (FRFs) are shown and the changes of natural frequency values are related to the damage degree of RC beams subjected to static tests. Finally, a comparison between data obtained by finite element analysis and experimental results is shown.

Distributed cable sensors with memory feature for post-disaster damage assessment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Genda; McDaniel, Ryan D.; Pommerenke, David J.; Sun, Shishuang

2005-05-01

A new design of distributed crack sensors is presented for the condition assessment of reinforced concrete (RC) structures during and immediately after an earthquake event. This study is mainly focused on the performance of cable sensors under dynamic loading, particularly their ability to memorize the crack history of an RC member. This unique memory feature enables the post-earthquake condition assessment of structural members such as RC columns, in which the earthquake-induced cracks are closed immediately after an earthquake event due to gravity loads and they are visually undetectable. Factors affecting the onset of the memory feature were investigated experimentally with small-scale RC beams under cyclic loading. Test results indicated that both crack width and the number of loading cycles were instrumental in the onset of the memory feature of cable sensors. Practical issues related to dynamic acquisition with the sensors were discussed. The sensors were proven to be fatigue resistant from the shake table tests of RC columns. They continued to show useful signal after the columns can no longer support additional loads.

Effect of CFRC layers on the electrical properties and failure mode of RC beams strengthened with CFRC composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Sigang; Dai, Hongzhe; Wang, Wei

2007-12-01

This paper designs an innovative reinforced concrete (RC) beam strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced concrete (CFRC) composites. Six groups of test beams, five with different degrees of strengthening, achieved by changing the location and the thickness of the CFRC layer, and one virgin RC beam, were tested in four-point bending over a span of 3000 mm. We investigate the effect of the CFRC layer on the flexural performance and the electrical properties of the designed beams. The test results indicate that the CFRC strengthened RC beam exhibits improved electrical properties as well as better mechanical performance. Also, the location and the thickness of the CFRC layer affect the initial electrical resistance and other electrical properties of the beam. Relationships between electrical resistance, loading, deflection and cracks show that the increase in the electrical resistance can be used to monitor the extent of damage to the designed beam. Based on this discovery, a new health monitoring technique for RC structures is produced by means of electrical resistance measurements.

Composite Properties of Polyimide Resins Made From "Salt-Like" Solution Precursors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cano, Roberto J.; Weiser, Erik S.; SaintClair, Terry L.; Echigo, Yoshiaki; Kaneshiro, Hisayasu

1997-01-01

Recent work in high temperature materials at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC (trademark)) have led to the development of new polyimide resin systems with very attractive properties. The majority of the work done with these resin systems has concentrated on determining engineering mechanical properties of composites prepared from a poly(amide acid) precursor. Three NASA Langley-developed polyimide matrix resins, LaRC (trademark) -IA, LaRC (trademark) -IAX, and LaRC (trademark) -8515, were produced via a salt-like process developed by Unitika Ltd. The 'salt-like' solutions (sixty-five percent solids in NMP) were prepregged onto Hexcel IM7 carbon fiber using the NASA LaRC Multipurpose Tape Machine. Process parameters were determined and composite panels fabricated. Mechanical properties are presented for these three intermediate modulus carbon fiber/polyimide matrix composites and compared to existing data on the same polyimide resin systems and IM7 carbon fiber manufactured via poly(amide acid) solutions (thirty-five percent solids in NMP). This work studies the effects of varying the synthetic route on the processing and mechanical properties of polyimide composites.

Centennial variations in sunspot number, open solar flux, and streamer belt width: 2. Comparison with the geomagnetic data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lockwood, M.; Owens, M. J.; Barnard, L.

2014-07-01

We investigate the relationship between interdiurnal variation geomagnetic activity indices, IDV and IDV(1d), corrected sunspot number, RC , and the group sunspot number RG . RC uses corrections for both the "Waldmeier discontinuity," as derived in Paper 1, and the "Wolf discontinuity" revealed by Leussu et al. (2013). We show that the simple correlation of the geomagnetic indices with RCn or RGn masks a considerable solar cycle variation. Using IDV(1d) or IDV to predict or evaluate the sunspot numbers, the errors are almost halved by allowing for the fact that the relationship varies over the solar cycle. The results indicate that differences between RC and RG have a variety of causes and are highly unlikely to be attributable to errors in either RG alone, as has recently been assumed. Because it is not known if RC or RG is a better predictor of open flux emergence before 1874, a simple sunspot number composite is suggested which, like RG , enables modeling of the open solar flux for 1610 onward in Paper 3 but maintains the characteristics of RC .

LaRC local area networks to support distributed computing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Riddle, E. P.

1984-01-01

The Langley Research Center's (LaRC) Local Area Network (LAN) effort is discussed. LaRC initiated the development of a LAN to support a growing distributed computing environment at the Center. The purpose of the network is to provide an improved capability (over inteactive and RJE terminal access) for sharing multivendor computer resources. Specifically, the network will provide a data highway for the transfer of files between mainframe computers, minicomputers, work stations, and personal computers. An important influence on the overall network design was the vital need of LaRC researchers to efficiently utilize the large CDC mainframe computers in the central scientific computing facility. Although there was a steady migration from a centralized to a distributed computing environment at LaRC in recent years, the work load on the central resources increased. Major emphasis in the network design was on communication with the central resources within the distributed environment. The network to be implemented will allow researchers to utilize the central resources, distributed minicomputers, work stations, and personal computers to obtain the proper level of computing power to efficiently perform their jobs.

Designing Performance Measurement For Supply Chain's Actors And Regulator Using Scale Balanced Scorecard And Data Envelopment Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kusrini, Elisa; Subagyo; Aini Masruroh, Nur

2016-01-01

This research is a sequel of the author's earlier conducted researches in the fields of designing of integrated performance measurement between supply chain's actors and regulator. In the previous paper, the design of performance measurement is done by combining Balanced Scorecard - Supply Chain Operation Reference - Regulator Contribution model and Data Envelopment Analysis. This model referred as B-S-Rc-DEA model. The combination has the disadvantage that all the performance variables have the same weight. This paper investigates whether by giving weight to performance variables will produce more sensitive performance measurement in detecting performance improvement. Therefore, this paper discusses the development of the model B-S-Rc-DEA by giving weight to its performance'variables. This model referred as Scale B-S-Rc-DEA model. To illustrate the model of development, some samples from small medium enterprises of leather craft industry supply chain in province of Yogyakarta, Indonesia are used in this research. It is found that Scale B-S-Rc-DEA model is more sensitive to detecting performance improvement than B-S- Rc-DEA model.

Resilient carbon encapsulation of iron pyrite (FeS2) cathodes in lithium ion batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoder, Tara S.; Tussing, Matthew; Cloud, Jacqueline E.; Yang, Yongan

2015-01-01

Converting iron pyrite (FeS2) from a non-cyclable to a cyclable cathode material for lithium ion batteries has been an ongoing challenge in recent years. Herein we report a promising mitigation strategy: wet-chemistry based conformal encapsulation of synthetic FeS2 nanocrystals in a resilient carbon (RC) matrix (FeS2@RC). The FeS2@RC composite was fabricated by dispersing autoclave-synthesized FeS2 nanocrystals in an aqueous glucose solution, polymerizing the glucose in a hydrothermal reactor, and finally heating the polymer/FeS2 composite in a tube furnace to partially carbonize the polymer. The FeS2@RC electrodes showed superior cyclability compared with the FeS2 electrodes, that is, 25% versus 1% of retention at the 20th cycle. Based on electrochemical analysis, XRD study, and SEM characterization, the performance enhancement was attributed to RC's ability to accommodate volume fluctuation, enhance charge transfer, alleviate detrimental side reactions, and suppress loss of the active material. Furthermore, the remaining issues associated with the current system were identified and future research directions were proposed.

Development of LaRC (TM): IA thermoplastic polyimide coated aerospace wiring

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keating, Jack

1995-01-01

NASA Langley has invented LaRC(exp TM) IA and IAX which are thermoplastic polyimides with good melting, thermal and chemical resistance properties. It was the objective of this contract to prepare and extrude LaRC (exp TM) polyimide onto aircraft wire and evaluate the polymers performance in this critical application. Based on rheology and chemical resistance studies at Imitec, LaRC (exp TM) IAX melts readily in an extruder, facilitating the manufacture of thin wall coatings. The polyimide does not corode the extruder, develop gel particles nor advance in viscosity. The insulated wire was tested according to MiL-W-22759E test specifications. The resulting wire coated with LaRC (exp TM) IAX displayed exceptional properties: surface resistance, non blocking, non burning, hot fluid resistance, impulse dielectric, insulation resistance, low temperature flexibility, thermal aging, wire weight, dimensions, negligible high temperature shrinkage and stripability. The light weight and other properties merit its application in satellites, missiles and aircraft applications. The extruded IAX results in a polyimide aircraft insulation without seams, outstanding moisture resistance, continuous lengths and abrasion resistance.

Animal models for rotator cuff repair.

PubMed

Lebaschi, Amir; Deng, Xiang-Hua; Zong, Jianchun; Cong, Guang-Ting; Carballo, Camila B; Album, Zoe M; Camp, Christopher; Rodeo, Scott A

2016-11-01

Rotator cuff (RC) injuries represent a significant source of pain, functional impairment, and morbidity. The large disease burden of RC pathologies necessitates rapid development of research methodologies to treat these conditions. Given their ability to model anatomic, biomechanical, cellular, and molecular aspects of the human RC, animal models have played an indispensable role in reducing injury burden and advancing this field of research for many years. The development of animal models in the musculoskeletal (MSK) research arena is uniquely different from that in other fields in that the similarity of macrostructures and functions is as critical to replicate as cellular and molecular functions. Traditionally, larger animals have been used because of their anatomic similarity to humans and the ease of carrying out realistic surgical procedures. However, refinement of current molecular methods, introduction of novel research tools, and advancements in microsurgical techniques have increased the applicability of small animal models in MSK research. In this paper, we review RC animal models and emphasize a murine model that may serve as a valuable instrument for future RC tendon repair investigations. © 2016 New York Academy of Sciences.

Feature Mining and Health Assessment for Gearboxes Using Run-Up/Coast-Down Signals

PubMed Central

Zhao, Ming; Lin, Jing; Miao, Yonghao; Xu, Xiaoqiang

2016-01-01

Vibration signals measured in the run-up/coast-down (R/C) processes usually carry rich information about the health status of machinery. However, a major challenge in R/C signals analysis lies in how to exploit more diagnostic information, and how this information could be properly integrated to achieve a more reliable maintenance decision. Aiming at this problem, a framework of R/C signals analysis is presented for the health assessment of gearbox. In the proposed methodology, we first investigate the data preprocessing and feature selection issues for R/C signals. Based on that, a sparsity-guided feature enhancement scheme is then proposed to extract the weak phase jitter associated with gear defect. In order for an effective feature mining and integration under R/C, a generalized phase demodulation technique is further established to reveal the evolution of modulation feature with operating speed and rotation angle. The experimental results indicate that the proposed methodology could not only detect the presence of gear damage, but also offer a novel insight into the dynamic behavior of gearbox. PMID:27827831

External characteristic determination of eggs and cracked eggs identification using spectral signature

PubMed Central

Xie, Chuanqi; He, Yong

2016-01-01

This study was carried out to use hyperspectral imaging technique for determining color (L*, a* and b*) and eggshell strength and identifying cracked chicken eggs. Partial least squares (PLS) models based on full and selected wavelengths suggested by regression coefficient (RC) method were established to predict the four parameters, respectively. Partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and RC-partial least squares-discriminant analysis (RC-PLS-DA) models were applied to identify cracked eggs. PLS models performed well with the correlation coefficient (rp) of 0.788 for L*, 0.810 for a*, 0.766 for b* and 0.835 for eggshell strength. RC-PLS models also obtained the rp of 0.771 for L*, 0.806 for a*, 0.767 for b* and 0.841 for eggshell strength. The classification results were 97.06% in PLS-DA model and 88.24% in RC-PLS-DA model. It demonstrated that hyperspectral imaging technique has the potential to be used to detect color and eggshell strength values and identify cracked chicken eggs. PMID:26882990

Feature Mining and Health Assessment for Gearboxes Using Run-Up/Coast-Down Signals.

PubMed

Zhao, Ming; Lin, Jing; Miao, Yonghao; Xu, Xiaoqiang

2016-11-02

Vibration signals measured in the run-up/coast-down (R/C) processes usually carry rich information about the health status of machinery. However, a major challenge in R/C signals analysis lies in how to exploit more diagnostic information, and how this information could be properly integrated to achieve a more reliable maintenance decision. Aiming at this problem, a framework of R/C signals analysis is presented for the health assessment of gearbox. In the proposed methodology, we first investigate the data preprocessing and feature selection issues for R/C signals. Based on that, a sparsity-guided feature enhancement scheme is then proposed to extract the weak phase jitter associated with gear defect. In order for an effective feature mining and integration under R/C, a generalized phase demodulation technique is further established to reveal the evolution of modulation feature with operating speed and rotation angle. The experimental results indicate that the proposed methodology could not only detect the presence of gear damage, but also offer a novel insight into the dynamic behavior of gearbox.

Design and Analysis of a Neuromemristive Reservoir Computing Architecture for Biosignal Processing

PubMed Central

Kudithipudi, Dhireesha; Saleh, Qutaiba; Merkel, Cory; Thesing, James; Wysocki, Bryant

2016-01-01

Reservoir computing (RC) is gaining traction in several signal processing domains, owing to its non-linear stateful computation, spatiotemporal encoding, and reduced training complexity over recurrent neural networks (RNNs). Previous studies have shown the effectiveness of software-based RCs for a wide spectrum of applications. A parallel body of work indicates that realizing RNN architectures using custom integrated circuits and reconfigurable hardware platforms yields significant improvements in power and latency. In this research, we propose a neuromemristive RC architecture, with doubly twisted toroidal structure, that is validated for biosignal processing applications. We exploit the device mismatch to implement the random weight distributions within the reservoir and propose mixed-signal subthreshold circuits for energy efficiency. A comprehensive analysis is performed to compare the efficiency of the neuromemristive RC architecture in both digital(reconfigurable) and subthreshold mixed-signal realizations. Both Electroencephalogram (EEG) and Electromyogram (EMG) biosignal benchmarks are used for validating the RC designs. The proposed RC architecture demonstrated an accuracy of 90 and 84% for epileptic seizure detection and EMG prosthetic finger control, respectively. PMID:26869876

Structural analysis of the role of TPX2 in branching microtubule nucleation

PubMed Central

Thawani, Akanksha

2017-01-01

The mitotic spindle consists of microtubules (MTs), which are nucleated by the γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC). How the γ-TuRC gets activated at the right time and location remains elusive. Recently, it was uncovered that MTs nucleate from preexisting MTs within the mitotic spindle, which requires the protein TPX2, but the mechanism basis for TPX2 action is unknown. Here, we investigate the role of TPX2 in branching MT nucleation. We establish the domain organization of Xenopus laevis TPX2 and define the minimal TPX2 version that stimulates branching MT nucleation, which we find is unrelated to TPX2’s ability to nucleate MTs in vitro. Several domains of TPX2 contribute to its MT-binding and bundling activities. However, the property necessary for TPX2 to induce branching MT nucleation is contained within newly identified γ-TuRC nucleation activator motifs. Separation-of-function mutations leave the binding of TPX2 to γ-TuRC intact, whereas branching MT nucleation is abolished, suggesting that TPX2 may activate γ-TuRC to promote branching MT nucleation. PMID:28264915

Native Mass Spectrometry Characterizes the Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex from the Purple Bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Hao; Harrington, Lucas B.; Lu, Yue; Prado, Mindy; Saer, Rafael; Rempel, Don; Blankenship, Robert E.; Gross, Michael L.

2017-01-01

Native mass spectrometry (MS) is an emerging approach to study protein complexes in their near-native states and to elucidate their stoichiometry and topology. Here, we report a native MS study of the membrane-embedded reaction center (RC) protein complex from the purple photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides. The membrane-embedded RC protein complex is stabilized by detergent micelles in aqueous solution, directly introduced into a mass spectrometer by nano-electrospray (nESI), and freed of detergents and dissociated in the gas phase by collisional activation. As the collision energy is increased, the chlorophyll pigments are gradually released from the RC complex, suggesting that native MS introduces a near-native structure that continues to bind pigments. Two bacteriochlorophyll a pigments remain tightly bound to the RC protein at the highest collision energy. The order of pigment release and their resistance to release by gas-phase activation indicates the strength of pigment interaction in the RC complex. This investigation sets the stage for future native MS studies of membrane-embedded photosynthetic pigment-protein and related complexes.

Web-based Health Educational Program in Saudi Arabia.

PubMed

Bahkali, Salwa; Almaiman, Ahmad; Alsaleh, Mahassen; Elmetwally, Ashraf; Househ, Mowafa

2014-01-01

The purpose of this exploratory study is to provide an overview of a web-based health educational site created by the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSH&RC) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Sources of data included two interviews with Saudi IT personnel, three health educators, and two medical consultants working at KFSH&RC. The interviews ranged between 45 minutes and 120 minutes. The KFSH&RC website was also searched for the type of health information content posted. Results show that the KFSH&RC web-based health educational site provides health information through a medical encyclopedia, a social networking platform, health educational links, and targeted health information for children, which includes tools such as games and coloring books. Further research is needed on the effectiveness of the KFSH&RC web-based health education site in terms of improving knowledge and changing behavior of Saudi patients. The study recommends that targeted web-based health education strategies should be developed to reach large rural populations which have inadequate computer skills and limited access to the internet.

Development of tolerance of egg plant (Solanum melangena L.) to field application of dimethoate.

PubMed

Khillar, R; Acharya, S; Mohapatra, P K

2010-07-01

Dimethoate, at field concentration (1.419 mg g(-1) fr wt), caused inhibition of photosynthesis, transpiration and stomatal conductance of Solanum melangena L. on first treatment but subsequent treatments caused adaptation and recovery of these parameters. The variable fluorescence (F(v)), dissipation (DI(0)/RC), 2 ms relative variable fluorescence (V(j)), net rate of PS II closure (M(0)), and maximum trapping rate of active PS II (TR(0)/RC) increased initially but reduced to the control value with repetition of treatment. However, fluorescence yield (TR(0)/Abs), electron transport probability (ET(0)/TR(0)) and activity of RC (ET(0)/RC) increased with each treatment. With each subsequent treatment there was enhancement of activities of esterases and decrease of insecticide content of leaves.

Reservoir computing on the hypersphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andrecut, M.

Reservoir Computing (RC) refers to a Recurrent Neural Network (RNNs) framework, frequently used for sequence learning and time series prediction. The RC system consists of a random fixed-weight RNN (the input-hidden reservoir layer) and a classifier (the hidden-output readout layer). Here, we focus on the sequence learning problem, and we explore a different approach to RC. More specifically, we remove the nonlinear neural activation function, and we consider an orthogonal reservoir acting on normalized states on the unit hypersphere. Surprisingly, our numerical results show that the system’s memory capacity exceeds the dimensionality of the reservoir, which is the upper bound for the typical RC approach based on Echo State Networks (ESNs). We also show how the proposed system can be applied to symmetric cryptography problems, and we include a numerical implementation.