The Personal Learning Environment and the Human Condition: From Theory to Teaching Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Mark; Liber, Oleg

2008-01-01

We present the Personal Learning Environment (PLE) as a practical intervention concerning the organization of technology in education. We explain this by proposing a cybernetic model of the "Personal Learner" using Beer's Viable System Model (VSM). Using the VSM, we identify different regulatory mechanisms that maintain viability for learners, and…

Moodle 2.0: Shifting from a Learning Toolkit to a Open Learning Platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alier, Marc; Casañ, María José; Piguillem, Jordi

Learning Management Systems (LMS) have reached a plateau of maturity in features, application to teaching practices and wide adoption by learning institutions. But the Web 2.0 carries new kinds of tools, services and ways of using the web; personally and socially. Some educators and learners have started to advocate for a new approach to frame one's learning sources, from the LMS course space towards Personal Learning Environments (PLE). But PLE's are characterized by its absence of structure, just what is provided by open standards and mashup techniques. Based on 5 years of participative observation research, this article explains the changes in architecture performed on the second version of Moodle, why did these changes happen and what should be the next steps so Moodle can shift from being a learning tool to a true open learning platform.

Personal Learning Environments Acceptance Model: The Role of Need for Cognition, e-Learning Satisfaction and Students' Perceptions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

del Barrio-García, Salvador; Arquero, José L.; Romero-Frías, Esteban

2015-01-01

As long as students use Web 2.0 tools extensively for social purposes, there is an opportunity to improve students' engagement in Higher Education by using these tools for academic purposes under a Personal Learning Environment approach (PLE 2.0). The success of these attempts depends upon the reactions and acceptance of users towards e-learning…

Beyond the Personal Learning Environment: Attachment and Control in the Classroom of the Future

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Mark William; Sherlock, David

2014-01-01

The Personal Learning Environment (PLE) has been presented in a number of guises over a period of 10 years as an intervention which seeks the reorganisation of educational technology through shifting the "locus of control" of technology towards the learner. In the intervening period to the present, a number of initiatives have attempted…

Education for Sustainability Using a Campus Eco-Garden as a Learning Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cheang, Chi Chiu; So, Wing-Mui Winnie; Zhan, Ying; Tsoi, Kwok Ho

2017-01-01

Purpose: This paper aims to explore stakeholder perspectives of the role of a campus eco-garden in education for sustainability (EfS). It will combine the perspectives to highlight a powerful learning environment (PLE) for university students to realize the concept of EfS. Design/methodology/approach: Semi-structured interviews were conducted to…

The Impact of Congruency between Preferred and Actual Learning Environments on Tenth Graders' Science Literacy in Taiwan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chang, Chun-Yen; Yeh, Ting-Kuang; Lin, Chun-Yen; Chang, Yueh-Hsia; Chen, Chia-Li D.

2010-01-01

This study explored the effects of congruency between preferred and actual learning environment (PLE & ALE) perceptions on students' science literacy in terms of science concepts, attitudes toward science, and the understanding of the nature of science in an innovative curriculum of High Scope Project, namely Sci-Tech Mind and Humane Heart…

Building Personal Learning Environments by Using and Mixing ICT Tools in a Professional Way

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Castaneda, Linda; Soto, Javier

2010-01-01

This paper reports on a teaching experience of the introduction of ICT to higher education students in a complementary professional approach and a Personal Learning Environment (PLE) development approach, as well as a naturalistic study based on this experience. The central focus of this methodology was the use of hands-on sessions to introduce…

Putting the PLE into PLD: Virtual Professional Learning and Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Owen, Hazel

2014-01-01

The range of affordances that a virtual environment offers can provide opportunities for more formal Professional Learning and Development (PLD) that has flexibility of choice, time and approach for educators. It was this potential that inspired the design of the Virtual Professional Learning and Development (VPLD) program that was instigated in…

Innovative Leadership: Insights from a Learning Technologist

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Campbell, Bruce

2012-01-01

Professor Ricardo Torres Kompen is a leading proponent for, and researcher in, personal learning environments (PLEs). During his interview, Torres Kompen clarified his research on PLEs, particularly the digital toolbox within PLEs. He elaborated on experiences with implementing PLE initiatives, personal insights on using social media and Web 2.0…

Engaging students in learning: findings from a study of project-led education

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernandes, Sandra; Mesquita, Diana; Assunção Flores, Maria; Lima, Rui M.

2014-01-01

This paper reports on findings from a three-year study of project-based learning implemented in the first year of the Industrial Engineering and Management programme, at the University of Minho, Portugal. This particular model was inspired on project-led education (PLE), following Powell and Weenk's [2003. Project-Led Engineering Education. Utrecht: Lemma] work. It aims to analyse students' perceptions of PLE as a learning device and its implications for faculty and students' role in teaching and learning. Data collection took place in two phases through individual surveys and focus groups to students. Findings suggest the importance of PLE as a device to enhance meaningful learning and provide evidence from students that it helps to increase their engagement in learning. Implications of PLE for faculty and students role in teaching and learning will be discussed in the paper.

Design Trajectories: Four Experiments in PLE Implementation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

van Harmelen, M.

2008-01-01

Increasingly, there is a shared understanding that the educational approach driving the development of Personal Learning Environments (PLEs) is one of learner empowerment and facilitation of the efforts of self-directed learners. This approach fits well with concepts of social constructivism, constructionism, and the development and execution of…

Can the Integration of a PLE in an E-Portfolio Platform Improve Generic Competences?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Galván-Fernández, Cristina; Rubio-Hurtado, María José; Martínez-Olmo, Francesc; Rodríguez-Illera, José Luis

2017-01-01

The study analyzes the improvement in generic competences through e-portfolio/PLE platform and didactic planning. The new version of the platform, Digital Folder, contains utilities for students and teachers and some PLE components that help the learning process through e-portfolios. Didactic planning is compared for students from the University…

Enhancement Process of Didactic Strategies in a Degree Course for Pre-Service Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Garcias, Adolfina Pérez; Marín, Victoria I.

2017-01-01

This paper presents a study on the enhancement of didactic strategies based on the idea of personal learning environments (PLE). It was conducted through three iterative cycles during three consecutive academic years according to the phases of design-based research applied to teaching in a university course for pre-service teachers in the…

21st Century Senior Leader Education: Ubiquitous Open Access Learning Environment

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-02-22

Failures: It‘s the content, stupid ‖22 because agencies focus on systems rather than substance and access to the content is critical. The access to Army...Resource Capabilities. 18 As an example to demonstrate how a civilian capability provides learning value to the PLE, the ― Google Alerts‖ ® web...technology pushed content to the author for review in the development of this paper. The technology consists of a user creating a Google account, logging

Personal Learning Environments: A Study among Higher Education Students' Designs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bartolomé, Antonio; Cebrian-de-la-Serna, Manuel

2017-01-01

Even if we can find several PLE models and proposals based on the use of Web 2.0 resources, the problem of what resources to choose and how to organize them has not yet reached a specific or clear solution. During a semester, 18 students of Social Education at the University of Barcelona learnt how to use Web 2.0 resources in Social Education, and…

Pulmonary emphysema classification based on an improved texton learning model by sparse representation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Min; Zhou, Xiangrong; Goshima, Satoshi; Chen, Huayue; Muramatsu, Chisako; Hara, Takeshi; Yokoyama, Ryujiro; Kanematsu, Masayuki; Fujita, Hiroshi

2013-03-01

In this paper, we present a texture classification method based on texton learned via sparse representation (SR) with new feature histogram maps in the classification of emphysema. First, an overcomplete dictionary of textons is learned via KSVD learning on every class image patches in the training dataset. In this stage, high-pass filter is introduced to exclude patches in smooth area to speed up the dictionary learning process. Second, 3D joint-SR coefficients and intensity histograms of the test images are used for characterizing regions of interest (ROIs) instead of conventional feature histograms constructed from SR coefficients of the test images over the dictionary. Classification is then performed using a classifier with distance as a histogram dissimilarity measure. Four hundreds and seventy annotated ROIs extracted from 14 test subjects, including 6 paraseptal emphysema (PSE) subjects, 5 centrilobular emphysema (CLE) subjects and 3 panlobular emphysema (PLE) subjects, are used to evaluate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method. The proposed method is tested on 167 PSE, 240 CLE and 63 PLE ROIs consisting of mild, moderate and severe pulmonary emphysema. The accuracy of the proposed system is around 74%, 88% and 89% for PSE, CLE and PLE, respectively.

Web 2.0 collaboration tool to support student research in hydrology - an opinion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pathirana, A.; Gersonius, B.; Radhakrishnan, M.

2012-08-01

A growing body of evidence suggests that it is unwise to make the a-priori assumption that university students are ready and eager to embrace modern online technologies employed to enhance the educational experience. We present our opinion on employing Wiki, a popular Web 2.0 technology, in small student groups, based on a case-study of using it customized to work as a personal learning environment (PLE1) (Fiedler and Väljataga, 2011) for supporting thesis research in hydrology. Since inception in 2006, the system presented has proven to facilitate knowledge construction and peer-communication within and across groups of students of different academic years and to stimulate learning. Being an open ended and egalitarian system, it was a minimal burden to maintain, as all students became content authors and shared responsibility. A number of unintended uses of the system were also observed, like using it as a backup medium and mobile storage. We attribute the success and sustainability of the proposed Web 2.0-based approach to the fact that the efforts were not limited to the application of the technology, but comprised the creation of a supporting environment with educational activities organized around it. We propose that Wiki-based PLEs are much more suitable than traditional learning management systems for supporting non-classroom education activities like thesis research in hydrology. 1Here we use the term PLE to refer to the conceptual framework to make the process of knowledge construction a personalized experience - rather than to refer to the technology (in this case Wiki) used to attempt implementing such a system.

The Impact of Congruency Between Preferred and Actual Learning Environments on Tenth Graders' Science Literacy in Taiwan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Chun-Yen; Yeh, Ting-Kuang; Lin, Chun-Yen; Chang, Yueh-Hsia; Chen, Chia-Li D.

2010-08-01

This study explored the effects of congruency between preferred and actual learning environment (PLE & ALE) perceptions on students' science literacy in terms of science concepts, attitudes toward science, and the understanding of the nature of science in an innovative curriculum of High Scope Project, namely Sci-Tech Mind and Humane Heart (STMHH). A pre-/post-treatment experiment was conducted with 34 Taiwanese tenth graders involved in this study. Participating students' preferred learning environment perception and pre-instruction scientific literacy were evaluated before the STMHH curriculum. Their perceptions toward the actual STMHH learning environment and post-instruction scientific literacy were also examined after the STMHH. Students were categorized into two groups; "preferred alignment with actual learning environment" (PAA) and "preferred discordant with actual learning environment" (PDA), according to their PLEI and ALEI scores. The results of this study revealed that most of the students in this study preferred learning in a classroom environment where student-centered and teacher-centered learning environments coexisted. Furthermore, the ANCOVA analysis showed marginally statistically significant difference between groups in terms of students' post-test scores on scientific literacy with the students' pre-test scores as the covariate. As a pilot study with a small sample size aiming to probe the research direction of this problem, the result of marginally statistically significant and approaching large sized effect magnitude is likely to implicate that the congruency between preferred and actual learning environments on students' scientific literacy is noteworthy. Future study of this nature appears to merit further replications and investigations.

Leading Entrepreneurial E-Learning Development in Legal Education: A Longitudinal Case Study of "Universities as Learning Organizations"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Trevitt, Chris; Steed, Aliya; Du Moulin, Lynn; Foley, Tony

2017-01-01

Purpose: The study aims to review the entrepreneurial and educational innovations in technology-enabled distance education in practical legal education (PLE) accomplished by a unit "on the periphery" of a strong research-led university. It also aims to examine the learning organisation (LO) attributes associated with this initiative.…

Novel Word Lexicalization and the Prime Lexicality Effect

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Qiao, Xiaomei; Forster, Kenneth I.

2013-01-01

This study investigates how newly learned words are integrated into the first-language lexicon using masked priming. Two lexical decision experiments are reported, with the aim of establishing whether newly learned words behave like real words in a masked form priming experiment. If they do, they should show a prime lexicality effect (PLE), in…

Engaging Students in Learning: Findings from a Study of Project-Led Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fernandes, Sandra; Mesquita, Diana; Flores, Maria Assunção; Lima, Rui M.

2014-01-01

This paper reports on findings from a three-year study of project-based learning implemented in the first year of the Industrial Engineering and Management programme, at the University of Minho, Portugal. This particular model was inspired on project-led education (PLE), following Powell and Weenk's [2003. "Project-Led Engineering…

Powerful Learning Experiences and Suzuki Music Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reuning-Hummel, Carrie; Meyer, Allison; Rowland, Gordon

2016-01-01

Powerful Learning Experiences (PLEs) of Suzuki music teachers were examined in this fifth study in a series. The definition of a PLE is: "Experiences that stand out in memory because of their high quality, their impact on one's thoughts and actions over time, and their transfer to a wide range of contexts and circumstances." Ten…

Benign summer light eruption and polymorphic light eruption: genetic and functional studies suggest that a revised nomenclature is required.

PubMed

Hawk, John

2004-07-01

New research indicates that polymorphic light eruption (PLE) is an autoimmune disease against an ultraviolet radiation-induced cutaneous antigen. PLE may even confer some protection against skin cancer later in life. This new information demands a reassessment of the precise nature and nomenclature of PLE. Benign summer light eruption (BSLE) (lucite estivale bénigne) is the name used in continental Europe, and particularly France, to describe a clinically short-lived, itchy, papular eruption particularly affecting young women after several hours of sunbathing at the beginning of summer or on sunny vacations. Clinically more prolonged forms of solar eruption, starting early in spring and persisting for long periods, have been known in France as polymorphic light eruption (PLE) (lucite polymorphe) ('European PLE'). Investigative studies, however, now suggest that BSLE and some cases of 'European PLE' are part of the same spectrum. In the Anglo-Saxon literature, they are lumped together as PLE ('Anglo-Saxon PLE'). The other cases of 'European PLE', which do not fall within the compass of 'Anglo-Saxon PLE', are, in the Anglo-Saxon literature, classified as either actinic prurigo (AP) (a genetically determined, prolonged, excoriated form of Anglo-Saxon PLE), or chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) (a sunlight-induced eczema precisely resembling allergic contact dermatitis, apparently to an ultraviolet radiation-induced antigen). It is therefore proposed that: i. the European term BSLE be dropped and that these patients be reclassified within the spectrum of (Anglo-Saxon) PLE, ii. the European use of the term PLE ('European PLE') be discontinued, iii. those previously diagnosed as having 'European PLE' be reclassified as (Anglo-Saxon) PLE, AP or CAD, as appropriate. The benefits of such a change in nomenclature would be twofold, firstly a uniformity of terminology and secondly, and more importantly, terminology would then correlate better with our recently improved understanding of the pathogenesis of these disorders.

PLE in the analysis of plant compounds. Part I. The application of PLE for HPLC analysis of caffeine in green tea leaves.

PubMed

Dawidowicz, Andrzej L; Wianowska, Dorota

2005-04-29

A broad spectrum of sample preparation methods is currently used for the isolation of pharmacologically active compounds from plant and herbal materials. The paper compares the effectiveness of infusion, microwave assisted solvent extraction (MASE), matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) and pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) as sample preparation methods for the isolation of caffeine from green tea leaves. The effect of PLE variables, such as extraction temperature, pressure and time, on the yield of caffeine from the investigated matrix is discussed. The obtained results revealed that PLE, in comparison with other sample preparation methods applied, has significantly lower efficacy for caffeine isolation from green tea leaves. The evaluation of PLE conditions leads to the conclusion that elevated pressure applied in the PLE process is the factor hindering the extraction.

Evaluation of serum biochemical marker concentrations and survival time in dogs with protein-losing enteropathy.

PubMed

Equilino, Mirjam; Théodoloz, Vincent; Gorgas, Daniela; Doherr, Marcus G; Heilmann, Romy M; Suchodolski, Jan S; Steiner, Jörg M; Burgener Dvm, Iwan A

2015-01-01

To evaluate serum concentrations of biochemical markers and survival time in dogs with protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). Prospective study. 29 dogs with PLE and 18 dogs with food-responsive diarrhea (FRD). Data regarding serum concentrations of various biochemical markers at the initial evaluation were available for 18 of the 29 dogs with PLE and compared with findings for dogs with FRD. Correlations between biochemical marker concentrations and survival time (interval between time of initial evaluation and death or euthanasia) for dogs with PLE were evaluated. Serum C-reactive protein concentration was high in 13 of 18 dogs with PLE and in 2 of 18 dogs with FRD. Serum concentration of canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity was high in 3 dogs with PLE but within the reference interval in all dogs with FRD. Serum α1-proteinase inhibitor concentration was less than the lower reference limit in 9 dogs with PLE and 1 dog with FRD. Compared with findings in dogs with FRD, values of those 3 variables in dogs with PLE were significantly different. Serum calprotectin (measured by radioimmunoassay and ELISA) and S100A12 concentrations were high but did not differ significantly between groups. Seventeen of the 29 dogs with PLE were euthanized owing to this disease; median survival time was 67 days (range, 2 to 2,551 days). Serum C-reactive protein, canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity, and α1-proteinase inhibitor concentrations differed significantly between dogs with PLE and FRD. Most initial biomarker concentrations were not predictive of survival time in dogs with PLE.

Low-energy charge transfer excitations in NiO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sokolov, V. I.; Pustovarov, V. A.; Churmanov, V. N.; Ivanov, V. Yu; Yermakov, A. Ye; Uimin, M. A.; Gruzdev, N. B.; Sokolov, P. S.; Baranov, A. N.; Moskvin, A. S.

2012-08-01

Comparative analysis of photoluminescence (PL) and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra of NiO poly- and nanocrystals in the spectral range 2-5.5 eV reveals two PLE bands peaked near 3.7 and 4.6 eV with a dramatic rise in the low-temperature PLE spectral weight of the 3.7 eV PLE band in the nanocrystalline NiO as compared with its polycrystalline counterpart. In frames of a cluster model approach we assign the 3.7 eV PLE band to the low-energy bulk-forbidden p-d (t1g(π)-eg) charge transfer (CT) transition which becomes the allowed one in the nanocrystalline state while the 4.6 eV PLE band is related to a bulk allowed d-d (eg-eg) CT transition scarcely susceptible to the nanocrystallization. The PLE spectroscopy of the nanocrystalline materials appears to be a novel informative technique for inspection of different CT transitions.

Selective Activation of N,N'-Diacyl Rhodamine Pro-fluorophores Paired with Releasing Enzyme, Porcine Liver Esterase (PLE).

PubMed

Abney, Kristopher K; Ramos-Hunter, Susan J; Romaine, Ian M; Godwin, J Shawn; Sulikowski, Gary A; Weaver, Charles David

2018-04-21

This study reports the synthesis and testing of a family of rhodamine pro-fluorophores and an enzyme capable of converting pro-fluorophores to Rhodamine 110. We prepared a library of simple N,N'-diacyl rhodamines and investigated Porcine Liver Esterase (PLE) as an enzyme to activate rhodamine-based pro-fluorophores. A PLE-expressing cell line generated an increase in fluorescence rapidly upon pro-fluorophore addition demonstrating the rhodamine pro-fluorophores are readily taken up and fluorescent upon PLE-mediated release. Rhodamine pro-fluorophore amides trifluoroacetamide (TFAm) and proponamide (PAm) appeared to be the best substrates using a cell-based assay using PLE expressing HEK293. Our pro-fluorophore series showed diffusion into live cells and resisted endogenous hydrolysis. The use of our engineered cell line containing the exogenous enzyme PLE demonstrated the rigorousness of amide masking when compared to cells not containing PLE. This simple and selective pro-fluorophore rhodamine pair with PLE offers the potential to be used in vitro and in vivo fluorescence based assays. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

PLE in the analysis of plant compounds. Part II: One-cycle PLE in determining total amount of analyte in plant material.

PubMed

Dawidowicz, Andrzej L; Wianowska, Dorota

2005-04-29

Pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) is recognised as one of the most effective sample preparation methods. Despite the enhanced extraction power of PLE, the full recovery of an analyte from plant material may require multiple extractions of the same sample. The presented investigations show the possibility of estimating the true concentration value of an analyte in plant material employing one-cycle PLE in which plant samples of different weight are used. The performed experiments show a linear dependence between the reciprocal value of the analyte amount (E*), extracted in single-step PLE from a plant matrix, and the ratio of plant material mass to extrahent volume (m(p)/V(s)). Hence, time-consuming multi-step PLE can be replaced by a few single-step PLEs performed at different (m(p)/V(s)) ratios. The concentrations of rutin in Sambucus nigra L. and caffeine in tea and coffee estimated by means of the tested procedure are almost the same as their concentrations estimated by multiple PLE.

Web 2.0 collaboration tools to support student research in hydrology - an opinion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pathirana, A.; Gersonius, B.; Radhakrishnan, M.

2012-02-01

A growing body of evidence suggests that it is unwise to make the a-priori assumption that university students are ready and eager to embrace modern online technologies employed to enhance the educational experience. We present an opinion on employing Wiki, a popular Web 2.0 technology, in small student groups, based on a case-study of using it customized as a personal learning environment (PLE) for supporting thesis research in hydrology. Since inception in 2006 the system presented has proven to facilitate knowledge construction and peer-communication within and across groups of students of different academic years and to stimulate learning. Being an open ended and egalitarian system, it was a minimal burden to maintain, as all students became content authors and shared responsibility. A number of unintended uses of the system were also observed, like using it as a backup medium and mobile storage. We attribute the success and sustainability of the proposed web 2.0-based approach to the fact that the efforts were not limited to the application of the technology, but comprised the creation of a supporting environment with educational activities organized around it. We propose that Wiki-based PLEs are much more suitable than traditional learning management systems for supporting non-classroom education activities like thesis research in hydrology.

Patient-reported outcomes and associations with pleural effusion in outpatients with heart failure: an observational cohort study

PubMed Central

Gundersen, Guri H; Norekvål, Tone M; Graven, Torbjørn; Haug, Hilde H; Skjetne, Kyrre; Kleinau, Jens O; Gustad, Lise T; Dalen, Håvard

2017-01-01

Objectives We aimed to study whether patient-reported outcomes, measured by quality of life (QoL) and functional class, are sensitive to pleural effusion (PLE) in patients with heart failure (HF), and to study changes in QoL and functional class during follow-up of PLE. Methods A cohort of 62 patients from an outpatient HF clinic was included. The amount of PLE was quantified using a pocket-sized ultrasound imaging device. Self-reports of QoL and functional class were collected using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) and the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification. Results At baseline, 26 (42%) patients had PLE of which 19 (31%) patients had moderate to severe amounts of PLE. Patients with no to mild PLE had a lower MLHFQ score (mean 42, SD 21) compared with patients with a moderate to severe amount of PLE (mean 55, SD 24), p=0.03. For 28 patients (45%) with follow-up data, we observed a linear improvement of the MLHFQ-score (3.2, 95% CI 1.2 to 5.1) with each centimetre reduction of PLE. Correspondingly, patient-reported NYHA-class followed the same pattern as the MLHFQ-score. Conclusions Our study indicates that patient-reported outcome measures as MLHFQ may be sensitive tools to identify patients with HF at highest risk of symptomatic PLE and that treatment targeting reduction of PLE during follow-up is essential to improvement of QoL and functional capacity of outpatients with HF. Trial registration number NCT01794715; Results PMID:28320791

Successful diuretics treatment of protein-losing enteropathy in Noonan syndrome.

PubMed

Mizuochi, Tatsuki; Suda, Kenji; Seki, Yoshitaka; Yanagi, Tadahiro; Yoshimoto, Hironaga; Kudo, Yoshiyuki; Iemura, Motofumi; Tanikawa, Ken; Matsuishi, Toyojiro

2015-04-01

There are few reports on successful high-dose spironolactone treatment of refractory protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) caused by Fontan procedure. We report successful diuretics treatment with spironolactone and furosemide at standard dose, of refractory PLE in a patient with Noonan syndrome and repaired congenital heart disease. This is the first successful application of diuretics treatment in a patient with refractory PLE without Fontan procedure. This case illustrates that diuretics treatment can be the first-line treatment of PLE regardless of the causative physiology, and can be effective in refractory PLE with Noonan syndrome. © 2015 Japan Pediatric Society.

Hypovitaminosis D is associated with negative outcome in dogs with protein losing enteropathy: a retrospective study of 43 cases.

PubMed

Allenspach, K; Rizzo, J; Jergens, A E; Chang, Y M

2017-04-08

Hypovitaminosis D has previously been shown to be prevalent amongst dogs with protein losing enteropathy (PLE). The hypothesis of this study was that Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) serum concentrations could be a risk factor for negative outcome in dogs with PLE. Forty-three dogs diagnosed with PLE (2005-2014) and which serum Vitamin D serum concentrations were collected and archived at -80 Degrees C were analyzed. Post-diagnostic communication with referring veterinarians was made to determine outcome of PLE dogss: Dogs which died due to PLE within 4 months after diagnosis (negative outcome group, n = 22) and dogs alive or which died due to another disease at the end point of the study (1 year after diagnosis, good outcome group, n = 21). Serum samples taken at the time of diagnosis were analysed for ionized calcium (iCa) concentrations and serum 25(OH) D concentration. Clinical (CCECAI) scores, age at PLE diagnosis, and iCa concentrations were not significantly different between dog groups. A significantly greater (p < 0.001) number of PLE dogs treated with hydrolyzed or elimination diet alone showed good outcome as compared to the PLE negative outcome group. Median serum 25(OH) D concentration was significantly (p = 0.017) lower in dogs with negative outcome versus PLE dogs with good outcome. Using logistic regression analysis, 25(OH) D serum concentration was shown to be a statistically significant factor for outcome determination. Cox regression analysis yielded a hazard ratio of 0.974 (95% CI 0.949, 0.999) per each one nmol/l increase in serum 25(OH) D concentration. Low serum 25(OH) D concentration in PLE dogs was significantly associated with poor outcome. Further studies are required to investigate the clinical efficacy of Vitamin D (cholecalciferol) as a potential therapeutic agent for dogs with PLE.

Randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled intra-individual trial on topical treatment with a 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ analogue in polymorphic light eruption.

PubMed

Gruber-Wackernagel, A; Bambach, I; Legat, F J; Hofer, A; Byrne, S N; Quehenberger, F; Wolf, P

2011-07-01

Polymorphic light eruption (PLE) is a very frequent photodermatosis whose pathogenesis may involve resistance to ultraviolet (UV)-induced immune suppression. Similar to UV radiation, calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃) and its analogues such as calcipotriol have been shown to exhibit immunosuppressive properties. We performed a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled intraindividual half-body trial (NCT00871052) to investigate the preventive effect of a calcipotriol-containing cream in PLE. Thirteen patients with PLE (10 women, three men; mean age 37 years) pretreated their skin on two symmetrically located test fields with calcipotriol or placebo cream twice daily for 7 days before the start of photoprovocation testing with solar-simulated UV radiation. We established a specific PLE test score [AA + SI + 0·4 P (range 0-12), where AA is affected area score (range 0-4), SI is skin infiltration score (range 0-4) and P is pruritus score on a visual analogue scale (range 0-10)] to quantify PLE severity. Photoprovocation led to PLE lesions in 12/13 (92%) patients. As shown by the PLE test score, compared with placebo calcipotrial pretreatment significantly reduced PLE symptoms in average by 32% (95% confidence interval 21-44%; P = 0·0022, exact Wilcoxon signed-rank test) throughout the observation period starting at 48 h until 144 h after the first photoprovocation exposure. At 48, 72 and 144 h calcipotriol pretreatment resulted in a lower PLE test score in 7 (58%), 9 (75%) and 10 (83%) of the 12 cases, respectively. Considering all time points together, calcipotriol diminished the PLE test score in all 12 photoprovocable patients (P = 0·0005; Wilcoxon signed-rank test). These results suggest a potential therapeutic benefit of topical 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ analogues as prophylactic treatment in patients with PLE. © 2011 The Authors. BJD © 2011 British Association of Dermatologists 2011.

Patient-reported outcomes and associations with pleural effusion in outpatients with heart failure: an observational cohort study.

PubMed

Gundersen, Guri H; Norekvål, Tone M; Graven, Torbjørn; Haug, Hilde H; Skjetne, Kyrre; Kleinau, Jens O; Gustad, Lise T; Dalen, Håvard

2017-03-20

We aimed to study whether patient-reported outcomes, measured by quality of life (QoL) and functional class, are sensitive to pleural effusion (PLE) in patients with heart failure (HF), and to study changes in QoL and functional class during follow-up of PLE. A cohort of 62 patients from an outpatient HF clinic was included. The amount of PLE was quantified using a pocket-sized ultrasound imaging device. Self-reports of QoL and functional class were collected using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) and the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification. At baseline, 26 (42%) patients had PLE of which 19 (31%) patients had moderate to severe amounts of PLE. Patients with no to mild PLE had a lower MLHFQ score (mean 42, SD 21) compared with patients with a moderate to severe amount of PLE (mean 55, SD 24), p=0.03. For 28 patients (45%) with follow-up data, we observed a linear improvement of the MLHFQ-score (3.2, 95% CI 1.2 to 5.1) with each centimetre reduction of PLE. Correspondingly, patient-reported NYHA-class followed the same pattern as the MLHFQ-score. Our study indicates that patient-reported outcome measures as MLHFQ may be sensitive tools to identify patients with HF at highest risk of symptomatic PLE and that treatment targeting reduction of PLE during follow-up is essential to improvement of QoL and functional capacity of outpatients with HF. NCT01794715; Results. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Student pharmacists' preparedness to evaluate primary literature pre- and post-Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences.

PubMed

Momary, Kathryn M; Lundquist, Lisa M

2017-05-01

The primary objective of this study was to assess the effect of formal primary literature evaluation (PLE) during advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) on student pharmacists' preparedness and knowledge related to literature evaluation. A perception of preparedness survey and knowledge assessment was given to student pharmacists pre- and post-APPEs. Student pharmacists were also asked to characterize their opportunities for formal PLE during APPEs. Literature evaluation experiences, knowledge base and preparedness data were compared between student pharmacists who completed two or more PLE on APPE and those who did not. A total of 211 student pharmacists completed 529 formal PLE during their APPE experiences. Quiz grades and average perception of preparedness increased significantly from pre- to post-APPE regardless of whether student pharmacists had the opportunity for formal PLE on APPE. Student pharmacists who completed two or more PLE on APPE stated they felt more confident in evaluating primary literature after APPE, had greater post-APPE preparedness scores and a trend towards higher post-APPE quiz scores. APPEs provide an important opportunity for student pharmacists to improve their PLE knowledge. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Perilla frutescens leaves extract ameliorates ultraviolet radiation-induced extracellular matrix damage in human dermal fibroblasts and hairless mice skin.

PubMed

Bae, Jung-Soo; Han, Mira; Shin, Hee Soon; Kim, Min-Kyoung; Shin, Chang-Yup; Lee, Dong Hun; Chung, Jin Ho

2017-01-04

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. (Lamiaceae) is a traditional herb that is consumed in East Asian countries as a traditional medicine. This traditional herb has been documented for centuries to treat various diseases such as depression, allergies, inflammation and asthma. However, the effect of Perilla frutescens on skin has not been characterized well. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Perilla frutescens leaves extract (PLE) on ultraviolet radiation-induced extracellular matrix damage in human dermal fibroblasts and hairless mice skin. Human dermal fibroblasts and Skh-1 hairless mice were irradiated with UV and treated with PLE. Protein and mRNA levels of various target molecules were analyzed by western blotting and quantitative RT-PCR, respectively. Histological changes of mouse skin were analyzed by H&E staining. To elucidate underlying mechanism of PLE, activator protein-1 (AP-1) DNA binding assay and the measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were performed. PLE significantly inhibited basal and UV-induced MMP-1 and MMP-3 expression dose-dependently, and also decreased UV-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases and c-Jun N-terminal kinases. This inhibitory effects of PLE on MMP-1 and MMP-3 were mediated by reduction of ROS generation and AP-1 DNA binding activity induced by UV. Furthermore, PLE promoted type I procollagen production irrespective of UV irradiation. In the UV-irradiated animal model, PLE significantly reduced epidermal skin thickness and MMP-13 expression induced by UV. Our results demonstrate that PLE has the protective effect against UV-induced dermal matrix damage. Therefore, we suggest that PLE can be a potential agent for prevention of skin aging. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Towards a proposal for a universal diagnostic definition of protein-losing enteropathy in Fontan patients: a systematic review.

PubMed

Udink Ten Cate, Floris Ea; Hannes, Tobias; Germund, Ingo; Khalil, Markus; Huntgeburth, Michael; Apitz, Christian; Brockmeier, Konrad; Sreeram, Narayanswami

2016-07-15

A standardised diagnostic definition of protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) in Fontan patients serves both patient care and research. The present study determined whether a diagnostic definition of PLE was routinely used in published clinical Fontan studies, and to identify potentially relevant diagnostic criteria for composing a uniform PLE definition. A systematic review was conducted in adherence to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) recommendations. Published clinical Fontan studies that were written in English and included at least four patients with PLE were selected. PLE definitions were quantitatively analysed using a lateral thinking tool in which definitions were fractionated into constituent pieces of information (building blocks or diagnostic criteria). We identified 364 papers. In the final analysis, data from 62 published articles were extracted. A diagnostic definition of PLE was used in only 27/62 (43.5%) of selected studies, and definitions were very heterogeneous. We identified eight major diagnostic criteria. Hypoalbuminaemia (n=23 studies, 85.2%), clinical presentation (n=18, 66.7%), documentation of enteric protein loss (n=16, 59.3%) and exclusion of other causes of hypoproteinaemia (n=17, 63.0%), were the most frequently used diagnostic criteria. Most studies used three diagnostic variables (n=13/27, 48.1%). Cut-off values for laboratory parameters (serum albumin, protein or faecal α-1-antitrypsin) were frequently incorporated in the PLE definition (n=16, 59.3%). Establishment of a universally accepted PLE definition for routine use in clinical research and daily practice is required. The diagnostic criteria may help constitute a diagnostic PLE definition. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Determination of polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans by pressurized liquid extraction and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in street dust samples.

PubMed

Klees, Marcel; Hiester, Ernst; Bruckmann, Peter; Schmidt, Torsten C

2013-07-26

Owing to massive pollution with polychlorinated biphenyls in the harbour area of Dortmund (Germany), several dust samples were taken from surfaces at industrial sites and analyzed by the North-Rhine Westphalian State Agency for Nature, Environment, and Consumer Protection (LANUV NRW). This report describes and validates a rapid approach to screening for the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in street dust. Samples were collected by using a natural bristle brush and stainless steel scoops. Mass recovery of fine-particle sea sand (a dust surrogate) on asphalt and concrete surfaces was used as a criterion for the effectiveness of sampling. Better recoveries of sea sand were achieved on concrete than on asphalt surfaces. Furthermore, temperature optimization for a pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) method used to extract PCBs and polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and polychlorinated furans (PCDD/Fs) from street dust samples was developed and compared with Soxhlet extraction for the analysis of PCBs in real street dust samples. Toluene was used as the extraction solvent in both cases. During this study, a combination of toluene and PLE achieved better extraction efficiencies than Soxhlet extraction. Finally, the performance of the PLE method was evaluated by analysing NIST Standard Reference Material 1649a for PCB and PCDD/F concentrations. This demonstrated that the accuracy of the PLE method for the determination of both substance classes was satisfactory. In addition, concentrations of PCBs and PCDD/Fs in street dust samples from industrial sites are reported. Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Plagiochin E, a botanic-derived phenolic compound, reverses fungal resistance to fluconazole relating to the efflux pump.

PubMed

Guo, X-L; Leng, P; Yang, Y; Yu, L-G; Lou, H-X

2008-03-01

In this study, we investigated the effect of plagiochin E (PLE), a botanic-derived phenolic natural product, on reversal of fungal resistance to fluconazole (FLC) in vitro and the related mechanism. A synergistic action of PLE and FLC was observed in the FLC-resistant Candida albicans strains and was evaluated using the fractional inhibited concentration index. The effect of PLE on FLC intracellular uptake was investigated in FLC-resistant C. albicans cells by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and the effect on efflux drug pump was assessed by measuring the efflux of Rhodamine 123 (Rh123). PLE significantly inhibited the efflux, but not the absorption, of Rh123 in FLC-resistant strains in phosphate-buffered saline with 5% glucose. Overexpression of the multidrug-resistance gene CDR1 in FLC-resistant C. albicans isolates was detected, and the introduction of PLE to the cells showed a significant reduction of the CDR1 expression in those FLC-resistant isolates. These findings indicate that PLE could reverse the fungal resistant to FLC by inhibiting the efflux of FLC from C. albicans, and this effect may be related to the efflux pump. These results indicate that the combination of PLE and FLC may provide an approach for the clinical therapy of fungus infection induced by FLC-resistant strains.

Hereditary polymorphic light eruption of American Indians: occurrence in non-Indians with polymorphic light eruption.

PubMed

Fusaro, R M; Johnson, J A

1996-04-01

Hereditary polymorphic light eruption (HPLE) occurs unique ly in the American Indian and Inuit and exhibits autosomal dominant transmission. Because the cutaneous expression of HPLE resembles that of polymorphic light eruption (PLE) and because many non-Indians in the United States have American Indian heritage, some instances of PLE may actually be HPLE. Our purpose was to determine whether non-Indian patients with PLE have characteristics suggestive of HPLE. We surveyed in Nebraska 25 European-Caucasian and 36 African-American patients with PLE for American Indian heritage and photosensitive relatives. Nonphotosensitive subjects (52 Caucasians and 40 African Americans) were surveyed for American Indian heritage. American Indian heritage occurred in 11 Caucasian patients (44%); of those, seven (64%) had photosensitive relatives. Likewise, 29 African Americans (81%) had American Indian heritage; 19 (66%) of those had photosensitive relatives. American Indian heritage occurred in 10 Caucasian control subjects (19%) and in 34 African-American control subjects (85%). If American Indian heritage and a family history of photosensitivity are definitive for HPLE, seven (28%) of our Caucasian patients and 19 (53%) of our African-American patients have HPLE rather than PLE. We urge physicians who suspect PLE in non-Indians to ask about American Indian heritage and photosensitive relatives and to screen their present patients with PLE for such characteristics.

Heart Rate Variability – a Tool to Differentiate Positive and Negative Affective States in Pigs?

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The causal neurophysiological processes, such as autonomic nervous system activity, that mediate behavioral and physiological reactivity to an environment have largely been ignored. Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis is a clinical diagnostic tool used to assess affective states (stressful and ple...

Prevention of polymorphic light eruption by oral administration of a nutritional supplement containing lycopene, β-carotene, and Lactobacillus johnsonii: results from a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study.

PubMed

Marini, Alessandra; Jaenicke, Thomas; Grether-Beck, Susanne; Le Floc'h, Caroline; Cheniti, Ahsène; Piccardi, Nathalie; Krutmann, Jean

2014-08-01

Polymorphic light eruption (PLE) is the most common photodermatosis. Little is known about the efficacy of systemic photoprotection provided by nutritional supplements in PLE patients. The purpose of this study was to assess efficacy of nutritional supplement containing lycopene, β-carotene, and Lactobacillus johnsonii to diminish skin lesions induced by 'photoprovocation' testing in PLE patients. In this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study, 60 PLE patients were supplemented with the nutritional supplement or placebo. For inducing skin lesions, patient skin was exposed to single daily doses of 100 J/cm2 ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) for two consecutive days. Skin lesions were evaluated using a PLE score. Skin biopsies were taken before and after supplementation from unexposed and exposed skin, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) mRNA expression was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Prior to supplementation, skin lesions were induced in all patients with comparable PLE scores. After 12 weeks, intake of the supplement significantly reduced the PLE score after one exposure as compared with patients taking placebo (P<0.001). After two exposures, these differences were no longer significant. At a molecular level, the development of skin lesions was associated with an increased expression of ICAM-1 mRNA, which was significantly reduced after supplementation (P=0.022), but not with placebo. The nutritional supplement provides protection against the development of UVA-induced PLE lesions at clinical and molecular levels. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chlorogenic acid stability in pressurized liquid extraction conditions.

PubMed

Wianowska, Dorota; Typek, Rafał; Dawidowicz, Andrzej L

2015-01-01

Chlorogenic acids (CQAs) are phenolic compounds naturally occurring in all higher plants. They are potentially useful in pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, food additives, and cosmetics due to their recently suggested biomedical activity. Hence, research interest in CQA properties, their isomers, and natural occurrence has been growing. Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) is regarded as an effective and quick sample preparation method in plant analysis. The short time of PLE decreases the risk of chemical degradation of extracted compounds, thus increasing the attractiveness of its application. However, PLE applied for plant sample preparation is not free from limitations. We found that trans-5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (trans-5-CQA), the main CQA isomer, isomerizes to 3- and 4-O-caffeoylquinic acids and undergoes transesterification, hydrolysis, and reaction with water even in rapid PLE. Moreover, the number and concentration of trans-5-CQA derivatives formed in PLE strongly depends on extractant composition, its pH, and extraction time and temperature. It was not possible to find the PLE conditions in which the transformation process of trans-5-CQA would be eliminated.

Protein losing enteropathy: comprehensive review of the mechanistic association with clinical and subclinical disease states

PubMed Central

Levitt, David G; Levitt, Michael D

2017-01-01

Protein losing enteropathy (PLE) has been associated with more than 60 different conditions, including nearly all gastrointestinal diseases (Crohn’s disease, celiac, Whipple’s, intestinal infections, and so on) and a large number of non-gut conditions (cardiac and liver disease, lupus, sarcoidosis, and so on). This review presents the first attempt to quantitatively understand the magnitude of the PLE in relation to the associated pathology for three different disease categories: 1) increased lymphatic pressure (e.g., lymphangiectasis); 2) diseases with mucosal erosions (e.g., Crohn’s disease); and 3) diseases without mucosal erosions (e.g., celiac disease). The PLE with lymphangiectasis results from rupture of the mucosal lymphatics, with retrograde drainage of systemic lymph into the intestinal lumen with the resultant loss of CD4 T cells, which is diagnostic. Mucosal erosion PLE results from macroscopic breakdown of the mucosal barrier, with the epithelial capillaries becoming the rate-limiting factor in albumin loss. The equation derived to describe the relationship between the reduction in serum albumin (CP) and PLE indicates that gastrointestinal albumin clearance must increase by at least 17 times normal to reduce the CP by half. The strengths and limitations of the two quantitative measures of PLE (51Cr-albumin or α1-antitrypsin [αAT] clearance) are reviewed. αAT provides a simple quantitative diagnostic test that is probably underused clinically. The strong, unexplained correlation between minor decreases in CP and subsequent mortality in seemingly healthy individuals raises the question of whether subclinical PLE could account for the decreased CP and, if so, could the mechanism responsible for PLE play a role in the increased mortality? A large-scale study correlating αAT clearance with serum albumin concentrations will be required in order to determine the role of PLE in the regulation of the serum albumin concentration of seemingly healthy subjects. PMID:28761367

Immunological changes following protein losing enteropathy after surgery total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) by cytomics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bocsi, József; Lenz, Dominik; Mittag, Anja; Sauer, Ursula; Wild, Lena; Hess, John; Schranz, Dietmar; Hambsch, Jörg; Schneider, Peter; Tárnok, Attila

2008-02-01

Complex immunophenotyping single-cell analysis are essential for systems biology and cytomics. The application of cytomics in immunology and cardiac research and diagnostics is very broad, ranging from the better understanding of the cardiovascular cell biology to the identification of heart function and immune consequences after surgery. TCPC or Fontan-type circulation is an accepted palliative surgery for patients with a functionally univentricular heart. Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), the enteric loss of proteins, is a potential late complication after TCPC surgery. PLE etiology is poorly understood, but immunological factors seem to play a role. This study was aimed to gain insight into immune phenotype alterations following post-TCPC PLE. Patients were studied during routine follow-up up to 5yrs after surgery, blood samples of TCPC patients without (n=21, age 6.8+/-2.6 years at surgery; mean+/-SD) and with manifest PLE (n=12, age 12.8+/- 4.5 years at sampling) and age matched healthy children (control, n=22, age 8.6+/-2.5 years) were collected. Routine laboratory, immune phenotype and serological parameters were determined. Following PLE the immune phenotype dramatically changed with signs of acute inflammation (increased neutrophil and monocyte count, CRP, IL-8). In contrast, lymphocyte count (NK-cells, αβTCR +CD4 +, αβTCR +CD8 + cells) decreased (p<0.001). The residual T-cells had elevated CD25 and CD69 expression. In PLE-patients unique cell populations with CD3 +αβ/γδTCR - and αβTCR +CD4 -8 - phenotype were present in increased frequencies. Our studies show dramatically altered leukocyte phenotype after PLE in TCPC patients. These alterations resemble to changes in autoimmune diseases. We conclude that autoimmune processes may play a role in etiology and pathophysiology of PLE.

Selective removal of arsenate from drinking water using a polymeric ligand exchanger.

PubMed

An, Byungryul; Steinwinder, Thomas R; Zhao, Dongye

2005-12-01

The new maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 microg/L for arsenic in the US drinking water will take effect on January 22, 2006. The compliance cost is estimated to be approximately dollar 600 million per year using current treatment technologies. This research aims to develop an innovative ion exchange process that may help water utilities comply with the new MCL in a more cost-effective manner. A polymeric ligand exchanger (PLE) was prepared by loading Cu2+ to a commercially available chelating ion exchange resin. Results from batch and column experiments indicated that the PLE offered unusually high selectivity for arsenate over other ubiquitous anions such as sulfate, bicarbonate and chloride. The average binary arsenate/sulfate separation factor for the PLE was determined to be 12, which were over two orders of magnitude greater than that (0.1-0.2) for commercial strong-base anion (SBA) exchangers. Because of the enhanced arsenate selectivity, the PLE was able to treat approximately 10 times more bed volumes (BVs) of water than commonly used SBA resins. The PLE can operate optimally in the neutral pH range (6.0-8.0). The exhausted PLE can be regenerated highly efficiently. More than 95% arsenate capacity can be recovered using approximately 22 BVs of 4% (w/w) NaCl at pH 9.1, and the regenerated PLE can be reused without any capacity drop. Upon treatment using FeCl3, the spent brine was recovered and reused for regeneration, which may cut down the regenerant need and reduces the volume of process waste residuals. The PLE can be used as a highly selective and reusable sorbent for removal of arsenate from drinking water.

Genetically divergent strains of feline immunodeficiency virus from the domestic cat (Felis catus) and the African lion (Panthera leo) share usage of CD134 and CXCR4 as entry receptors.

PubMed

McEwan, William A; McMonagle, Elizabeth L; Logan, Nicola; Serra, Rodrigo C; Kat, Pieter; Vandewoude, Sue; Hosie, Margaret J; Willett, Brian J

2008-11-01

The env open reading frames of African lion (Panthera leo) lentivirus (feline immunodeficiency virus [FIV(Ple)]) subtypes B and E from geographically distinct regions of Africa suggest two distinct ancestries, with FIV(Ple)-E sharing a common ancestor with the domestic cat (Felis catus) lentivirus (FIV(Fca)). Here we demonstrate that FIV(Ple)-E and FIV(Fca) share the use of CD134 (OX40) and CXCR4 as a primary receptor and coreceptor, respectively, and that both lion CD134 and CXCR4 are functional receptors for FIV(Ple)-E. The shared usage of CD134 and CXCR4 by FIV(Fca) and FIV(Ple)-E may have implications for in vivo cell tropism and the pathogenicity of the E subtype among free-ranging lion populations.

Somatic PTPN11 Mutation in a Child With Neuroblastoma and Protein Losing Enteropathy.

PubMed

Obasaju, Patience; Brondon, Jennifer; Mir, Sabina; Fordham, Lynn A; Lee, Sang; Blatt, Julie

2018-05-01

Neuroblastoma and protein losing enteropathy (PLE) are diagnoses commonly seen by oncologists and gastroenterologists, respectively. The concurrence of these 2 entities is rare, and not well explained. We describe the sixth case of PLE in a child with neuroblastoma, and the first for which genetic information is available. Tumor DNA had a mutation in the PTPN11 gene, which has been described in neuroblastoma, and in Noonan syndrome-a diagnosis in which neuroblastoma and PLE independently have been reported. Constitutional DNA was normal. Genetic studies in future patients will be needed to support the link between neuroblastoma and PLE.

The prevalence of antinuclear antibodies in patients with apparent polymorphic light eruption.

PubMed

Murphy, G M; Hawk, J L

1991-11-01

Polymorphic light eruption (PLE) is a very common photosensitive disorder, the most important differential diagnosis of which is lupus erythematosus (LE). One-hundred and forty-two patients with PLE were screened for circulating antinuclear (ANA), Ro and La antibodies over a 2-year period. Results were negative in 66 patients. Sixty-two patients had low-titre ANA of various patterns, ranging from trace to 1/80 without evidence of LE although one later developed subacute cutaneous LE. Fourteen had more significant findings, six with ANA ranging from 1/160 to 1/1280 but no anti-Ro antibodies, four with ANA ranging from 1/160 to 1/1280 and also with anti-Ro antibodies and four patients with anti-Ro antibodies but low-titre ANA, one of whom later developed discoid LE. Three of these 14 patients fulfilled the American Rheumatism Association criteria for the diagnosis of systemic LE, but it was not certain in any of the patients whether the PLE-like rash represented cutaneous LE or coincidental PLE. However the overall 10% incidence of definite or possible LE in patients with suspected PLE suggests that all PLE patients should be screened for LE.

From Diagrams to Self-Regulated Learning: Student Teachers' Reflections on the Construction of Their PLE

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tur, Gemma; Marín, Victoria I.; Moreno, Juan; Gallardo, Antonio; Urbina, Santos

2016-01-01

This paper presents a study on the reflections on their PLEs by student teachers in an ICT subject of the fourth degree course in Teacher Education (Early Childhood Teacher Training) at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB). There were four student teacher groups (n = 117) participating in this project, from the three Balearic Islands'…

Loss of Proliferation and Antigen Presentation Activity following Internalization of Polydispersed Carbon Nanotubes by Primary Lung Epithelial Cells

PubMed Central

Kumari, Mandavi; Sachar, Sumedha; Saxena, Rajiv K.

2012-01-01

Interactions between poly-dispersed acid functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes (AF-SWCNTs) and primary lung epithelial (PLE) cells were studied. Peritoneal macrophages (PMs, known phagocytic cells) were used as positive controls in this study. Recovery of live cells from cultures of PLE cells and PMs was significantly reduced in the presence of AF-SWCNTs, in a time and dose dependent manner. Both PLE cells as well as PMs could take up fluorescence tagged AF-SWCNTs in a time dependent manner and this uptake was significantly blocked by cytochalasin D, an agent that blocks the activity of acto-myosin fibers and therefore the phagocytic activity of cells. Confocal microscopic studies confirmed that AF-SWCNTs were internalized by both PLE cells and PMs. Intra-trachially instilled AF-SWCNTs could also be taken up by lung epithelial cells as well as alveolar macrophages. Freshly isolated PLE cells had significant cell division activity and cell cycling studies indicated that treatment with AF-SWCNTs resulted in a marked reduction in S-phase of the cell cycle. In a previously standardized system to study BCG antigen presentation by PLE cells and PMs to sensitized T helper cells, AF-SWCNTs could significantly lower the antigen presentation ability of both cell types. These results show that mouse primary lung epithelial cells can efficiently internalize AF-SWCNTs and the uptake of nanotubes interfered with biological functions of PLE cells including their ability to present BCG antigens to sensitized T helper cells. PMID:22384094

Poultry litter environment selects for the development of antibiotic resistance (AR) in Salmonella Heidelberg via conjugative IncX plasmids

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The fitness of S. Heidelberg in poultry litter (PL) was determined following growth preconditioning in either Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) broth or poultry litter extracts (PLE, a centrifuged and filter sterilized PL slurry). Isolates were monitored by direct culture count for up to 9 days. The concen...

Evaluation of Analgesic Activity of Papaver libanoticum Extract in Mice: Involvement of Opioids Receptors

PubMed Central

El-Mallah, Ahmed; Aboul-Ela, Maha; Ellakany, Abdalla

2017-01-01

Papaver libanoticum is an endemic plant to Lebanese region (family Papaveraceae) that has not been investigated before. The present study aimed to explore the analgesic activity of dried ethanolic extract of Papaver libanoticum (PLE) using tail flick, hot plate, and acetic acid induced writhing models in mice. The involvement of opioid receptors in the analgesic mechanism was investigated using naloxone antagonism. Results demonstrated that PLE exhibited a potent dose dependent analgesic activity in all tested models for analgesia. The analgesic effect involved activation of opioid receptors in the central nervous system, where both spinal and supraspinal components might be involved. The time course for analgesia revealed maximum activity after three hours in both tail flick and hot plate methods, which was prolonged to 24 hours. Metabolites of PLE could be responsible for activation of opioid receptors. The EC50 of PLE was 79 and 50 mg/kg in tail flick and hot plate tests, respectively. The total coverage of analgesia by PLE was double that of morphine in both tests. In conclusion, PLE proved to have opioid agonistic activity with a novel feature of slow and prolonged effect. The present study could add a potential tool in the armaments of opioid drugs as a natural potent analgesic and for treatment of opioid withdrawal syndrome. PMID:28280516

Evaluation of Analgesic Activity of Papaver libanoticum Extract in Mice: Involvement of Opioids Receptors.

PubMed

Hijazi, Mohamad Ali; El-Mallah, Ahmed; Aboul-Ela, Maha; Ellakany, Abdalla

2017-01-01

Papaver libanoticum is an endemic plant to Lebanese region (family Papaveraceae) that has not been investigated before. The present study aimed to explore the analgesic activity of dried ethanolic extract of Papaver libanoticum (PLE) using tail flick, hot plate, and acetic acid induced writhing models in mice. The involvement of opioid receptors in the analgesic mechanism was investigated using naloxone antagonism. Results demonstrated that PLE exhibited a potent dose dependent analgesic activity in all tested models for analgesia. The analgesic effect involved activation of opioid receptors in the central nervous system, where both spinal and supraspinal components might be involved. The time course for analgesia revealed maximum activity after three hours in both tail flick and hot plate methods, which was prolonged to 24 hours. Metabolites of PLE could be responsible for activation of opioid receptors. The EC50 of PLE was 79 and 50 mg/kg in tail flick and hot plate tests, respectively. The total coverage of analgesia by PLE was double that of morphine in both tests. In conclusion, PLE proved to have opioid agonistic activity with a novel feature of slow and prolonged effect. The present study could add a potential tool in the armaments of opioid drugs as a natural potent analgesic and for treatment of opioid withdrawal syndrome.

Collapsed state of polyglutamic acid results in amyloid spherulite formation

PubMed Central

Stehli, Daniel; Mulaj, Mentor; Miti, Tatiana; Traina, Joshua; Foley, Joseph; Muschol, Martin

2015-01-01

Self-assembly of proteins and peptides into amyloid fibrils involves multiple distinct intermediates and late-stage fibrillar polymorphs. Understanding the conditions and mechanisms that promote the formation of one type of intermediate and polymorph over the other represents a fundamental challenge. Answers to this question are also of immediate biomedical relevance since different amyloid aggregate species have been shown to have distinct pathogenic potencies. One amyloid polymorph that has received comparatively little attention are amyloid spherulites. Here we report that self-assembly of the intrinsically disordered polymer poly(L-glutamic) acid (PLE) can generate amyloid spherulites. We characterize spherulite growth kinetics, as well as the morphological, optical and tinctorial features of this amyloid polymorph previously unreported for PLE. We find that PLE spherulites share both tinctorial and structural characteristics with their amyloid fibril counterparts. Differences in PLE's molecular weight, polydispersity or chemistry could not explain the selective propensity toward either fibril or spherulite formation. Instead, we provide evidence that PLE polymers can exist in either a collapsed globule or an extended random coil conformation. The collapsed globule consistently produces spherulites while the extended coil assembles into disordered fibril bundles. This results suggests that these 2 PLE conformers directly affect the morphology of the resulting macroscopic amyloid assembly. PMID:28232889

Collapsed state of polyglutamic acid results in amyloid spherulite formation.

PubMed

Stehli, Daniel; Mulaj, Mentor; Miti, Tatiana; Traina, Joshua; Foley, Joseph; Muschol, Martin

2015-01-01

Self-assembly of proteins and peptides into amyloid fibrils involves multiple distinct intermediates and late-stage fibrillar polymorphs. Understanding the conditions and mechanisms that promote the formation of one type of intermediate and polymorph over the other represents a fundamental challenge. Answers to this question are also of immediate biomedical relevance since different amyloid aggregate species have been shown to have distinct pathogenic potencies. One amyloid polymorph that has received comparatively little attention are amyloid spherulites. Here we report that self-assembly of the intrinsically disordered polymer poly(L-glutamic) acid (PLE) can generate amyloid spherulites. We characterize spherulite growth kinetics, as well as the morphological, optical and tinctorial features of this amyloid polymorph previously unreported for PLE. We find that PLE spherulites share both tinctorial and structural characteristics with their amyloid fibril counterparts. Differences in PLE's molecular weight, polydispersity or chemistry could not explain the selective propensity toward either fibril or spherulite formation. Instead, we provide evidence that PLE polymers can exist in either a collapsed globule or an extended random coil conformation. The collapsed globule consistently produces spherulites while the extended coil assembles into disordered fibril bundles. This results suggests that these 2 PLE conformers directly affect the morphology of the resulting macroscopic amyloid assembly.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor improves proliferation of endometrial epithelial cells by inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress during early pregnancy.

PubMed

Lim, Whasun; Bae, Hyocheol; Bazer, Fuller W; Song, Gwonhwa

2017-12-01

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin family binds to two transmembrane receptors; neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (NTRK2) with high affinity and p75 with low affinity. Although BDNF-NTRK2 signaling in the central nervous system is known, signaling in the female reproductive system is unknown. Therefore, we determined effects of BDNF on porcine endometrial luminal epithelial (pLE) cells isolated from Day 12 of pregnancy, as well as expression of BDNF and NTRK2 in endometria of cyclic and pregnant pigs. BDNF-NTRK2 genes were expressed in uterine glandular (GE) and luminal (LE) epithelia during early pregnancy. In addition, their expression in uterine GE and LE decreased with increasing parity of sows. Recombinant BDNF increased proliferation in pLE cells in a dose-dependent, as well as expression of PCNA and Cyclin D1 in nuclei of pLE cells. BDNF also activated phosphorylation of AKT, P70S6K, S6, ERK1/2, JNK, P38 proteins in pLE cells. In addition, cell death resulting from tunicamycin-induced ER stress was prevented when pLE cells were treated with the combination of tunicamycin and BDNF which also decreased cells in the Sub-G 1 phase of the cell cycle. Furthermore, tunicamycin-induced unfolded protein response genes were mostly down-regulated to the basal levels as compared to non-treated pLE cells. Our finding suggests that BDNF acts via NTRK2 to induce development of pLE cells for maintenance of implantation and pregnancy by activating cell signaling via the PI3K and MAPK pathways and by inhibiting ER stress. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Recurrent protein-losing enteropathy and tricuspid valve insufficiency in a transplanted heart: a causal relationship?

PubMed

Aggarwal, Sanjeev; Delius, Ralph E; Walters, Henry L; L'Ecuyer, Thomas J

2012-01-01

This case report describes a toddler who developed a protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) 4 years after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). He was born with a hypoplastic left heart syndrome for which he underwent a successful Norwood procedure, a Hemi-Fontan palliation, and a Fontan palliation at 18 months of age. Fifteen months following the Fontan operation, he developed a PLE and Fontan failure requiring OHT. Four years after OHT, he developed a severe tricuspid regurgitation and a PLE. His PLE improved after tricuspid valve replacement. It is now 2 years since his tricuspid valve replacement and he remains clinically free of ascites and peripheral edema with a normal serum albumin level. His prosthetic tricuspid valve is functioning normally. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The Intricate Relationship between Psychotic-Like Experiences and Associated Subclinical Symptoms in Healthy Individuals.

PubMed

Unterrassner, Lui; Wyss, Thomas A; Wotruba, Diana; Haker, Helene; Rössler, Wulf

2017-01-01

The interplay between subclinical psychotic, negative, and affective symptoms has gained increased attention regarding the etiology of psychosis spectrum and other mental disorders. Importantly, research has tended to not differentiate between different subtypes of psychotic-like experiences (PLE) although they may not have the same significance for mental health. In order to gain information on the subclinical interplay between specific PLE and other symptoms as well as the significance of PLE for mental health, we investigated their specific associations in 206 healthy individuals (20-60 years, 73 females) using correlational and linear regression analyses. PLE were assessed with the Magical Ideation Questionnaire, the revised Exceptional Experiences Questionnaire, and subscales of the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ). The revised Symptom Checklist 90, the SPQ, and the Physical Anhedonia Scale were used to measure subclinical negative symptoms, affective symptoms, and other symptoms such as, emotional instability. As hypothesized, we found that (1) most affective symptoms and all other subclinical symptoms correlated positively with all PLE, whereas we found only partial associations between negative symptoms and PLE. Notably, (2) magical ideation and paranormal beliefs correlated negatively with physical anhedonia. In the regression analyses we found (3) similar patterns of specific positive associations between PLE and other subclinical symptoms: Suspiciousness was a specific predictor of negative-like symptoms, whereas ideas of reference, unusual perceptual experiences, and dissociative anomalous perceptions specifically predicted anxiety symptoms. Interestingly, (4) ideas of reference negatively predicted physical anhedonia. Similarly, paranormal beliefs were negatively associated with constricted affect. Moreover, odd beliefs were a negative predictor of depression, emotional instability, and unspecific symptoms. Our findings indicated that subtypes of PLE are differentially implicated in psychological functioning and should therefore not be categorized homogeneously. Moreover, paranormal beliefs, odd beliefs, and partly ideas of reference might also contribute to subjective well being in healthy individuals. Our results might serve as a starting point for longitudinal studies investigating the interplay of subtypes of subclinical symptoms along a psychopathological trajectory leading to mental disorders. Importantly, this research might help to improve therapeutic strategies for psychosis prevention.

The Intricate Relationship between Psychotic-Like Experiences and Associated Subclinical Symptoms in Healthy Individuals

PubMed Central

Unterrassner, Lui; Wyss, Thomas A.; Wotruba, Diana; Haker, Helene; Rössler, Wulf

2017-01-01

The interplay between subclinical psychotic, negative, and affective symptoms has gained increased attention regarding the etiology of psychosis spectrum and other mental disorders. Importantly, research has tended to not differentiate between different subtypes of psychotic-like experiences (PLE) although they may not have the same significance for mental health. In order to gain information on the subclinical interplay between specific PLE and other symptoms as well as the significance of PLE for mental health, we investigated their specific associations in 206 healthy individuals (20–60 years, 73 females) using correlational and linear regression analyses. PLE were assessed with the Magical Ideation Questionnaire, the revised Exceptional Experiences Questionnaire, and subscales of the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ). The revised Symptom Checklist 90, the SPQ, and the Physical Anhedonia Scale were used to measure subclinical negative symptoms, affective symptoms, and other symptoms such as, emotional instability. As hypothesized, we found that (1) most affective symptoms and all other subclinical symptoms correlated positively with all PLE, whereas we found only partial associations between negative symptoms and PLE. Notably, (2) magical ideation and paranormal beliefs correlated negatively with physical anhedonia. In the regression analyses we found (3) similar patterns of specific positive associations between PLE and other subclinical symptoms: Suspiciousness was a specific predictor of negative-like symptoms, whereas ideas of reference, unusual perceptual experiences, and dissociative anomalous perceptions specifically predicted anxiety symptoms. Interestingly, (4) ideas of reference negatively predicted physical anhedonia. Similarly, paranormal beliefs were negatively associated with constricted affect. Moreover, odd beliefs were a negative predictor of depression, emotional instability, and unspecific symptoms. Our findings indicated that subtypes of PLE are differentially implicated in psychological functioning and should therefore not be categorized homogeneously. Moreover, paranormal beliefs, odd beliefs, and partly ideas of reference might also contribute to subjective well being in healthy individuals. Our results might serve as a starting point for longitudinal studies investigating the interplay of subtypes of subclinical symptoms along a psychopathological trajectory leading to mental disorders. Importantly, this research might help to improve therapeutic strategies for psychosis prevention. PMID:28936192

Photoluminescence-excitation spectroscopy as a highly sensitive probe for carrier transport processes affected by surface damages in AlxGa1-xN/GaN heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takeuchi, Hideo; Yamamoto, Yoshitsugu; Kamo, Yoshitaka; Kunii, Tetsuo; Oku, Tomoki; Shirahama, Takeo; Tanaka, Hiroyasu; Nakayama, Masaaki

2007-08-01

We demonstrate that photoluminescence-excitation (PLE) spectroscopy can probe with high sensitivity the effects of plasma-induced surface damages on photogenerated-carrier-transport processes in AlxGa1-xN/GaN heterostructures, on the basis of systematic optical and structural characterization results for the as-grown reference sample and the plasma-exposed sample. It is found from the structural characterizations with atomic force microscopy that the plasma exposure remarkably modifies the atomic step boundaries and the pits on the AlxGa1-xN surface, which leads to a remarkable difference between the PLE spectra of the bound exciton photoluminescence from the underlying GaN layer in the two samples. The PLE spectrum of the reference sample shows a step rising from the AlxGa1-xN fundamental transition energy toward the high energy side, whereas the rising step disappears in the PLE spectrum of the plasma-exposed sample. In contrast, the reflectance characteristics are the same in the two samples; i.e., the excitonic transition itself is not influenced by the plasma exposure. The present findings indicate that the PLE spectral profile is sensitive to the change in efficiency of the photogenerated carrier injection from the AlxGa1-xN layer to the GaN layer. Thus, it is concluded that the PLE characterization is effective to probe the photogenerated-carrier transport in heterostructures.

Mesh Networking in the Tactical Environment Using White Space Technolog

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-12-01

Connect network with multi- ple clients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Table 4.5 Results of White Space simulation...functionality to devices seeking to allocate unutilized spectrum space . The devices are able to poll the database, via a connection to a web based...and 28 schools, all of whom were provided Internet connectivity by Adaptrum white space devices [16]. The use of white space devices made this

[Protein-losing enteropathy with systemic lupus erythematosus effectively treated with octreotide and medium chain triglyceride diet: A case report].

PubMed

Kubo, Makoto; Uchida, Kousuke; Nakashima, Tadaaki; Oda, Seiko; Nakamura, Tomomi; Hashimoto, Shinichi; Watada, Toshiko; Nakamura, Hiroshi; Araki, Jun; Matsuzaki, Masunori; Yano, Masafumi

2015-01-01

In January 2009, a 62-year-old man presented with diarrhea, leg edema, and thrombopenia and was admitted to our hospital. The past medical history revealed Sjögren's syndrome and autoimmune hepatitis for which he had been administered prednisolone. On admission, a laboratory examination revealed massive hypoalbuminemia and high levels of C-reactive protein and platelet-associated IgG. Anti-double stranded DNA and anti-Sm antibodies were negative. Analysis of the bone marrow aspirate and Tc-99m albumin scintigraphy findings suggested autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP) and protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), respectively. We diagnosed him as SLE, because past immunoserological testing had showed positivity for anti-double stranded DNA antibody and LE cells. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy were ineffective. Rituximab was ineffective against PLE but was effective against AITP. Cyclosporine and Cyclophosphamide were ineffective against PLE. Subcutaneous injection of 200-μg octreotide daily and a medium chain triglyceride (MCT) diet was effective against PLE, and the patient's condition dramatically improved. The effectiveness of octreotide treatment and an MCT diet in the treatment of PLE with SLE is discussed.

Breakdown in the temporal and spatial organization of spontaneous brain activity during general anesthesia.

PubMed

Zhang, Jianfeng; Huang, Zirui; Chen, Yali; Zhang, Jun; Ghinda, Diana; Nikolova, Yuliya; Wu, Jinsong; Xu, Jianghui; Bai, Wenjie; Mao, Ying; Yang, Zhong; Duncan, Niall; Qin, Pengmin; Wang, Hao; Chen, Bing; Weng, Xuchu; Northoff, Georg

2018-05-01

Which temporal features that can characterize different brain states (i.e., consciousness or unconsciousness) is a fundamental question in the neuroscience of consciousness. Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), we investigated the spatial patterns of two temporal features: the long-range temporal correlations (LRTCs), measured by power-law exponent (PLE), and temporal variability, measured by standard deviation (SD) during wakefulness and anesthetic-induced unconsciousness. We found that both PLE and SD showed global reductions across the whole brain during anesthetic state comparing to wakefulness. Importantly, the relationship between PLE and SD was altered in anesthetic state, in terms of a spatial "decoupling." This decoupling was mainly driven by a spatial pattern alteration of the PLE, rather than the SD, in the anesthetic state. Our results suggest differential physiological grounds of PLE and SD and highlight the functional importance of the topographical organization of LRTCs in maintaining an optimal spatiotemporal configuration of the neural dynamics during normal level of consciousness. The central role of the spatial distribution of LRTCs, reflecting temporo-spatial nestedness, may support the recently introduced temporo-spatial theory of consciousness (TTC). © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Pressurized liquid extraction of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) with bioethanol: an efficient and sustainable approach.

PubMed

Hu, Jiajin; Guo, Zheng; Glasius, Marianne; Kristensen, Kasper; Xiao, Langtao; Xu, Xuebing

2011-08-26

To develop an efficient green extraction approach for recovery of bioactive compounds from natural plants, we examined the potential of pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) with bioethanol/water as solvents. The advantages of PLE over other extraction approaches, in addition to reduced time/solvent cost, the extract of PLE showed a distinct constituent profile from that of Soxhlet extraction, with significantly improved recovery of diarylheptanoids, etc. Among the pure solvents tested for PLE, bioethanol yield the highest efficiency for recovering most constituents of gingerol-related compounds; while for a broad concentration spectrum of ethanol aqueous solutions, 70% ethanol gave the best performance in terms of yield of total extract, complete constituent profile and recovery of most gingerol-related components. PLE with 70% bioethanol operated at 1500 psi and 100 °C for 20 min (static extraction time: 5 min) is recommended as optimized extraction conditions, achieving 106.8%, 109.3% and 108.0% yield of [6]-, [8]- and [10]-gingerol relative to the yield of corresponding constituent obtained by 8h Soxhlet extraction (absolute ethanol as extraction solvent). Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Linking social and spatial networks to viral community phylogenetics reveals subtype-specific transmission dynamics in African lions.

PubMed

Fountain-Jones, Nicholas M; Packer, Craig; Troyer, Jennifer L; VanderWaal, Kimberly; Robinson, Stacie; Jacquot, Maude; Craft, Meggan E

2017-10-01

Heterogeneity within pathogen species can have important consequences for how pathogens transmit across landscapes; however, discerning different transmission routes is challenging. Here, we apply both phylodynamic and phylogenetic community ecology techniques to examine the consequences of pathogen heterogeneity on transmission by assessing subtype-specific transmission pathways in a social carnivore. We use comprehensive social and spatial network data to examine transmission pathways for three subtypes of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV Ple ) in African lions (Panthera leo) at multiple scales in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. We used FIV Ple molecular data to examine the role of social organization and lion density in shaping transmission pathways and tested to what extent vertical (i.e., father- and/or mother-offspring relationships) or horizontal (between unrelated individuals) transmission underpinned these patterns for each subtype. Using the same data, we constructed subtype-specific FIV Ple co-occurrence networks and assessed what combination of social networks, spatial networks or co-infection best structured the FIV Ple network. While social organization (i.e., pride) was an important component of FIV Ple transmission pathways at all scales, we find that FIV Ple subtypes exhibited different transmission pathways at within- and between-pride scales. A combination of social and spatial networks, coupled with consideration of subtype co-infection, was likely to be important for FIV Ple transmission for the two major subtypes, but the relative contribution of each factor was strongly subtype-specific. Our study provides evidence that pathogen heterogeneity is important in understanding pathogen transmission, which could have consequences for how endemic pathogens are managed. Furthermore, we demonstrate that community phylogenetic ecology coupled with phylodynamic techniques can reveal insights into the differential evolutionary pressures acting on virus subtypes, which can manifest into landscape-level effects. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Animal Ecology © 2017 British Ecological Society.

Simultaneous determination of nine saponins from Panax notoginseng using HPLC and pressurized liquid extraction.

PubMed

Wan, J B; Lai, C M; Li, S P; Lee, M Y; Kong, L Y; Wang, Y T

2006-04-11

A HPLC and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) method was developed for simultaneous determination of nine saponins, including notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rb3 and Rd in Panax notoginseng. The analysis was performed on C18 column with water-acetonitrile gradient elution and the investigated saponins were authenticated by comparing retention time and mass spectra with their reference compounds. Several methods including PLE, ultrasonication, soxhlet extraction and immersion were used for sample preparation and their extraction efficiency was compared. The results showed that PLE has the highest extraction efficiency and repeatability, which would be valuable on standardization of sample preparation for quality control of Chinese medicines. The developed HPLC and PLE is an effective approach for simultaneously quantitative determination of sapoinins in P. notoginseng, which could be used for quality control of P. notoginseng and its preparations.

Assessing the impact of feline immunodeficiency virus and bovine tuberculosis co-infection in African lions.

PubMed

Maas, M; Keet, D F; Rutten, V P M G; Heesterbeek, J A P; Nielen, M

2012-10-22

Bovine tuberculosis (BTB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis, is a disease that was introduced relatively recently into the Kruger National Park (KNP) lion population. Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV(ple)) is thought to have been endemic in lions for a much longer time. In humans, co-infection between Mycobacterium tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus increases disease burden. If BTB were to reach high levels of prevalence in lions, and if similar worsening effects would exist between FIV(ple) and BTB as for their human equivalents, this could pose a lion conservation problem. We collected data on lions in KNP from 1993 to 2008 for spatio-temporal analysis of both FIV(ple) and BTB, and to assess whether a similar relationship between the two diseases exists in lions. We found that BTB prevalence in the south was higher than in the north (72 versus 19% over the total study period) and increased over time in the northern part of the KNP (0-41%). No significant spatio-temporal differences were seen for FIV(ple) in the study period, in agreement with the presumed endemic state of the infection. Both infections affected haematology and blood chemistry values, FIV(ple) in a more pronounced way than BTB. The effect of co-infection on these values, however, was always less than additive. Though a large proportion (31%) of the lions was co-infected with FIV(ple) and M. bovis, there was no evidence for a synergistic relation as in their human counterparts. Whether this results from different immunopathogeneses remains to be determined.

Sequential high pressure extractions applied to recover piceatannol and scirpusin B from passion fruit bagasse.

PubMed

Viganó, Juliane; Aguiar, Ana C; Moraes, Damila R; Jara, José L P; Eberlin, Marcos N; Cazarin, Cinthia B B; Maróstica, Mário R; Martínez, Julian

2016-07-01

Passion fruit seeds are currently discarded on the pulp processing but are known for their high piceatannol and scirpusin B contents. Using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), these highly valuable phenolic compounds were efficiently extracted from defatted passion fruit bagasse (DPFB). PLE was performed using mixtures of ethanol and water (50 to 100% ethanol, w/w) as solvent, temperatures from 50 to 70°C and pressure at 10MPa. The extraction methods were compared in terms of the global yield, total phenolic content (TPC), piceatannol content and the antioxidant capacity of the extracts. The DPFB extracts were also compared with those from non-defatted passion fruit bagasse (nDPFB). Identification and quantification of piceatannol were performed using UHPLC-MS/MS. The results showed that high TPC and piceatannol content were achieved for the extracts obtained from DPFB through PLE at 70°C and using 50 and 75% ethanol as the solvent. The best PLE conditions for TPC (70°C, 75% ethanol) resulted in 55.237mgGAE/g dried and defatted bagasse, whereas PLE at 70°C and 50% ethanol achieved 18.590mg of piceatannol/g dried and defatted bagasse, and such yields were significantly higher than those obtained using conventional extraction techniques. The antioxidant capacity assays showed high correlation with the TPC (r>0.886) and piceatannol (r>0.772). The passion fruit bagasse has therefore proved to be a rich source of piceatannol and PLE showed high efficiency to recover phenolic compounds from defatted passion fruit bagasse. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Relationship between executive function, attachment style, and psychotic like experiences in typically developing youth.

PubMed

Blair, Melanie A; Nitzburg, George; DeRosse, Pamela; Karlsgodt, Katherine H

2018-03-03

Psychotic like experiences (PLE's) are common in the general population, particularly during adolescence, which has generated interest in how PLE's emerge, and the extent to which they reflect either risk for, or resilience to, psychosis. The "attachment-developmental-cognitive" (ADC) model is one effort to model the effect of risk factors on PLEs. The ADC model proposes attachment insecurity as an early environmental insult that can contribute to altered neurodevelopment, increasing the likelihood of PLE's and psychosis. In particular, early-life attachment disruptions may negatively impact numerous aspects of executive function (EF), including behavioral inhibition and emotion regulation. Yet despite the relationship of disrupted attachment to EF impairments, no studies have examined how these factors may combine to contribute to PLE's in adolescents. Here, we examined the relative contributions of daily-life EF and attachment difficulties (avoidance and anxiety) to PLEs in typically developing youth (N=52; ages 10-21). We found that EF deficits and high attachment insecurity both accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in PLE's, and interacted to predict PLE manifestation. Specifically, positive PLEs were predicted by greater trouble monitoring behavioral impact, less difficulty completing tasks, greater difficulty regulating emotional reactions, greater difficulty controlling impulses and higher attachment anxiety. Negative PLEs were predicted by greater difficulty in alternating attention, transitioning across situations, and regulating emotional reactions as well as higher attachment anxiety. These results are consistent with the ADC model, providing evidence that early-life attachment disruptions may impact behavioral regulation and emotional control, which together may contribute to PLEs. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Congenital protein losing enteropathy: an inborn error of lipid metabolism due to DGAT1 mutations.

PubMed

Stephen, Joshi; Vilboux, Thierry; Haberman, Yael; Pri-Chen, Hadass; Pode-Shakked, Ben; Mazaheri, Sina; Marek-Yagel, Dina; Barel, Ortal; Di Segni, Ayelet; Eyal, Eran; Hout-Siloni, Goni; Lahad, Avishay; Shalem, Tzippora; Rechavi, Gideon; Malicdan, May Christine V; Weiss, Batia; Gahl, William A; Anikster, Yair

2016-08-01

Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a clinical disorder of protein loss from the gastrointestinal system that results in hypoproteinemia and malnutrition. This condition is associated with a wide range of gastrointestinal disorders. Recently, a unique syndrome of congenital PLE associated with biallelic mutations in the DGAT1 gene has been reported in a single family. We hypothesize that mutations in this gene are responsible for undiagnosed cases of PLE in infancy. Here we investigated three children in two families presenting with severe diarrhea, hypoalbuminemia and PLE, using clinical studies, homozygosity mapping, and exome sequencing. In one family, homozygosity mapping using SNP arrays revealed the DGAT1 gene as the best candidate gene for the proband. Sequencing of all the exons including flanking regions and promoter regions of the gene identified a novel homozygous missense variant, p.(Leu295Pro), in the highly conserved membrane-bound O-acyl transferase (MBOAT) domain of the DGAT1 protein. Expression studies verified reduced amounts of DGAT1 in patient fibroblasts. In a second family, exome sequencing identified a previously reported splice site mutation in intron 8. These cases of DGAT1 deficiency extend the molecular and phenotypic spectrum of PLE, suggesting a re-evaluation of the use of DGAT1 inhibitors for metabolic disorders including obesity and diabetes.

Optimizing pressurized liquid extraction of microbial lipids using the response surface method.

PubMed

Cescut, J; Severac, E; Molina-Jouve, C; Uribelarrea, J-L

2011-01-21

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used for the determination of optimum extraction parameters to reach maximum lipid extraction yield with yeast. Total lipids were extracted from oleaginous yeast (Rhodotorula glutinis) using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE). The effects of extraction parameters on lipid extraction yield were studied by employing a second-order central composite design. The optimal condition was obtained as three cycles of 15 min at 100°C with a ratio of 144 g of hydromatrix per 100 g of dry cell weight. Different analysis methods were used to compare the optimized PLE method with two conventional methods (Soxhlet and modification of Bligh and Dyer methods) under efficiency, selectivity and reproducibility criteria thanks to gravimetric analysis, GC with flame ionization detector, High Performance Liquid Chromatography linked to Evaporative Light Scattering Detector (HPLC-ELSD) and thin-layer chromatographic analysis. For each sample, the lipid extraction yield with optimized PLE was higher than those obtained with referenced methods (Soxhlet and Bligh and Dyer methods with, respectively, a recovery of 78% and 85% compared to PLE method). Moreover, the use of PLE led to major advantages such as an analysis time reduction by a factor of 10 and solvent quantity reduction by 70%, compared with traditional extraction methods. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Drop of egg production in chickens by experimental infection with an avian metapneumovirus strain PLE8T1 derived from swollen head syndrome and the application to evaluate vaccine.

PubMed

Sugiyama, Miki; Koimaru, Hiroyuki; Shiba, Masahiro; Ono, Eriko; Nagata, Tadashi; Ito, Toshihiro

2006-08-01

Decreases in egg production and increased incidence of abnormal eggs due to malformation of egg shells were observed in specific pathogen free (SPF) 173-day-old laying hens inoculated intravenously with an avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) strain PLE8T1. This strain was derived from an isolate from broiler birds exhibiting swollen head syndrome (SHS). Some SPF birds inoculated with the virus showed, slight diarrhea without any respiratory symptoms. Thus, the PLE8T1 strain was used as a challenge virus to evaluate efficacy of aMPV vaccines. SPF chickens which received a live attenuated aMPV vaccine (NEMOVAC; Merial) at 7 or 77 days old and an inactivated aMPV vaccine (OVO-4; Merial) at 105 days old were protected against poor egg production caused by the challenge with the PLE8T1 strain. Thus, aMPV, the PLE8T1 strain passaged 22 times after isolation, from birds exhibiting SHS, could induce a drop in egg production in laying hens accompanied by malformation of egg shells. It was suggested that this challenge system could be applied to evaluate the efficacy of aMPV vaccine.

Psychotic-like experiences and happiness in the English general population.

PubMed

Koyanagi, Ai

2017-11-01

Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) have been associated with a variety of adverse outcomes but how they affect happiness in individuals with PLE is unknown. Thus, the aim of the study was to assess the association between PLEs and happiness, and the factors that may influence this association. Nationally representative data from the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey including adults aged ≥ 16 years was analyzed. The Psychosis Screening Questionnaire was used to assess past 12-month PLE. Individuals who endorsed at least one of the following were considered to have any PLE: thought control, paranoia, strange experiences, auditory hallucinations. Happiness (3-point scale) was assessed with a validated question with higher scores indicating lower levels of happiness. The association between PLE and happiness was assessed by multivariable ordinal logistic regression. Mediation analysis was also performed. Among the 7363 individuals included in the analysis, the prevalence of any PLE increased with decreasing levels of happiness [very happy (2.3%), fairly happy (5.4%), not too happy (14.9%)]. This was also shown in the multivariable analysis adjusted for sociodemographic factors and stressful life events (from very happy to not too happy: OR = 2.41; 95%CI = 1.86-3.12). Mediation analysis showed that anxiety disorders explained the largest proportion of the association (38.8%) followed by depressive episode (28.5%), insomnia (21.9%), disability (16.5%), pain (12.5%), social support (10.0%), and physical health conditions (6.0%). The cross-sectional design limits causal inference. Interventions to identify and address conditions that may have a negative impact on happiness in individuals with PLE may be important to improve their well-being. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Anti-snake venom activities of ethanolic extract of fruits of Piper longum L. (Piperaceae) against Russell's viper venom: characterization of piperine as active principle.

PubMed

Shenoy, P A; Nipate, S S; Sonpetkar, J M; Salvi, N C; Waghmare, A B; Chaudhari, P D

2013-05-20

Piper longum L. fruits have been traditionally used against snakebites in north-eastern and southern region of India. To examine the ability of ethanolic extract of fruits of Piper longum L., Piperaceae (PLE) and piperine, one of the main active principles of Piper longum, to inhibit the Russell's viper (Doboia russelii, Viperidae) snake venom activities. Anti-snake venom activities of ethanolic extract of fruits of Piper longum L. (Piperaceae) and piperine against Russell's viper venom was studied in embryonated fertile chicken eggs, mice and rats by using various models as follows: inhibition of venom lethal action, inhibition of venom haemorrhagic action (in vitro), inhibition of venom haemorrhagic action (in vivo), inhibition of venom necrotizing action, inhibition of venom defibrinogenating action, inhibition of venom induced paw edema, inhibition of venom induced mast cell degranulation, creatine kinase assay and assay for catalase activity. PLE was found to inhibit the venom induced haemorrhage in embryonated fertile chicken eggs. Administration of PLE and piperine significantly (p<0.01) inhibited venom induced lethality, haemorrhage, necrosis, defibrinogenation and inflammatory paw edema in mice in a dose dependent manner. PLE and piperine also significantly (p<0.01) reduced venom induced mast cell degranulation in rats. Venom induced decrease in catalase enzyme levels in mice kidney tissue and increase in creatine kinase enzyme levels in mice serum were significantly (p<0.01) reversed by administration of both PLE and piperine. PLE possesses good anti-snake venom properties and piperine is one of the compounds responsible for the effective venom neutralizing ability of the plant. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Thromboembolism in Dogs with Protein-Losing Enteropathy with Non-Neoplastic Chronic Small Intestinal Disease.

PubMed

Jacinto, Ana M L; Ridyard, Alison E; Aroch, Itamar; Watson, Penny J; Morrison, Linda R; Chandler, Marge L; Kuzi, Sharon

Dogs with protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) are suggested to be at increased risk of developing thromboembolic events. However, with some exceptions, there are very few reports of thromboembolism in such dogs. This multicentre retrospective observational study describes a case series of thromboembolism (TE) in eight dogs with PLE secondary to non-neoplastic, chronic small intestinal disease. Seven dogs had poorly controlled PLE when the thromboembolic event occurred. Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) occurred in six dogs, while one dog developed splenic vein thrombosis and another had concurrent splenic vein and aortic TE. Six dogs died, all with PTE. Antithrombin activity was decreased in one of two dogs in which it was measured. Serum cobalamin and folate concentrations were measured in three dogs and cobalamin was subnormal in all three. Serum magnesium, measured in two dogs, was low in both. Dogs with uncontrolled chronic small intestinal disease and PLE are at risk for developing serious life-threatening TE, mostly PTE.

Interplay between the Localization and Kinetics of Phosphorylation in Flagellar Pole Development of the Bacterium Caulobacter crescentus

PubMed Central

Tropini, Carolina; Huang, Kerwyn Casey

2012-01-01

Bacterial cells maintain sophisticated levels of intracellular organization that allow for signal amplification, response to stimuli, cell division, and many other critical processes. The mechanisms underlying localization and their contribution to fitness have been difficult to uncover, due to the often challenging task of creating mutants with systematically perturbed localization but normal enzymatic activity, and the lack of quantitative models through which to interpret subtle phenotypic changes. Focusing on the model bacterium Caulobacter crescentus, which generates two different types of daughter cells from an underlying asymmetric distribution of protein phosphorylation, we use mathematical modeling to investigate the contribution of the localization of histidine kinases to the establishment of cellular asymmetry and subsequent developmental outcomes. We use existing mutant phenotypes and fluorescence data to parameterize a reaction-diffusion model of the kinases PleC and DivJ and their cognate response regulator DivK. We then present a systematic computational analysis of the effects of changes in protein localization and abundance to determine whether PleC localization is required for correct developmental timing in Caulobacter. Our model predicts the developmental phenotypes of several localization mutants, and suggests that a novel strain with co-localization of PleC and DivJ could provide quantitative insight into the signaling threshold required for flagellar pole development. Our analysis indicates that normal development can be maintained through a wide range of localization phenotypes, and that developmental defects due to changes in PleC localization can be rescued by increased PleC expression. We also show that the system is remarkably robust to perturbation of the kinetic parameters, and while the localization of either PleC or DivJ is required for asymmetric development, the delocalization of one of these two components does not prevent flagellar pole development. We further find that allosteric regulation of PleC observed in vitro does not affect the predicted in vivo developmental phenotypes. Taken together, our model suggests that cells can tolerate perturbations to localization phenotypes, whose evolutionary origins may be connected with reducing protein expression or with decoupling pre- and post-division phenotypes. PMID:22876167

Transnodal lymphangiography and post-CT for protein-losing enteropathy in Noonan syndrome.

PubMed

Matsumoto, Tomohiro; Kudo, Takahiro; Endo, Jun; Hashida, Kazunobu; Tachibana, Nao; Murakoshi, Takatsugu; Hasebe, Terumitsu

2015-01-01

Noonan syndrome, which is a multiple congenital disorder, may be associated with lymphatic abnormalities. Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) developing in Noonan syndrome is rare. We performed transnodal lymphangiography by directly accessing bilateral inguinal nodes under ultrasound guidance in a 17-year-old female with PLE developing in Noonan syndrome to assess detailed anatomical findings regarding lymphatic vessels. There have been no reports on transnodal lymphangiography for Noonan syndrome. Post-lymphangiographic CT images revealed multiple lymphatic abnormalities and lipiodol extravasation into the duodenum and the proximal jejunum. Transnodal lymphangiography was easy and safe for PLE developing in Noonan syndrome, and post-lymphangiographic CT provided invaluable information.

Mask Matching for Linear Feature Detection.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-01-01

decide which matched masks are part of a linear feature by sim- ple thresholding of the confidence measures. However, it is shown in a compan - ion report...Laboratory, Center for Automation Research, University of Maryland, January 1987. 3. E.M. Allen, R.H. Trigg, and R.J. Wood, The Maryland Artificial ... Intelligence Group Franz Lisp Environment, Variation 3.5, TR-1226, Department of Computer Science, University of Maryland, December 1984. 4. D.E. Knuth, The

Optimization of pressurized liquid extraction by response surface methodology of Goji berry (Lycium barbarum L.) phenolic bioactive compounds.

PubMed

Tripodo, Giusy; Ibáñez, Elena; Cifuentes, Alejandro; Gilbert-López, Bienvenida; Fanali, Chiara

2018-01-03

Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) has been used for the first time in this work to extract phenolic compounds from Goji berries according to a multilevel factorial design using response surface methodology. The global yield (% w/dw, weight/dry-weight), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid (TF) and antioxidant activity (determined via ABTS assay, expressed as TEAC value) were used as response variables to study the effects of temperature (50-180°C) and green solvent composition (mixtures of ethanol/water). Phenolic compounds characterization was performed by high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS/MS). The optimum PLE conditions predicted by the model were as follows: 180°C and 86% ethanol in water with a good desirability value of 0.815. The predicted conditions were confirmed experimentally and once the experimental design was validated for commercial fruit samples, the PLE extraction of phenolic compounds from three different varieties of fruit samples (Selvatico mongolo, Bigol, and Polonia) was performed. Nine phenolic compounds were tentatively identified in these extracts, including phenolic acids and their derivatives, and flavonols. The optimized PLE conditions were compared to a conventional solid-liquid extraction, demonstrating that PLE is a useful alternative to extract phenolic compounds from Goji berry. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Protein-losing Enteropathy Caused by Intestinal or Colonic Lymphangiectasia Complicated by Sporadic Lymphangioleiomyomatosis: A Report of Two Cases.

PubMed

Nishino, Koichi; Yoshimi, Kaku; Shibuya, Tomoyoshi; Hayashi, Takuo; Mitani, Keiko; Kobayashi, Etsuko; Ichikawa, Masako; Asao, Tetsuhiko; Suzuki, Yohei; Sato, Tadashi; Shiota, Satomi; Kodama, Yuzo; Takahashi, Kazuhisa; Seyama, Kuniaki

2017-01-01

This report describes two patients with sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis complicated by protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). Imaging studies indicated retroperitoneal lymphangioleiomyomas and abnormalities of the adjacent digestive tract. Endoscopic mucosal biopsy revealed colonic lymphangiectasia in one patient; whereas the site in the other patient was intestinal. Treatment with sirolimus led to the complete resolution of PLE within several months; additionally, marked shrinkage was observed in the lymphangioleiomyomas of both cases. These findings suggest that colonic or intestinal lymphatic congestion due to neighboring lymphangioleiomyomas was the mechanism for the development of PLE. At the time of writing this report, the beneficial effect of sirolimus has lasted for more than 3 years.

Anti-Ma-associated encephalitis due to dysgerminoma in a woman with Swyer syndrome.

PubMed

Al-Thubaiti, Ibtisam; Al-Hayek, Kefah; Binfalah, Mohammed

2013-04-09

Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (PLE)/diencephalitis associated with anti-Ma2 antibodies was linked to testicular cancer and non-small-cell lung cancer (non-SCLC).(1,2) We report a case of anti-Ma-associated PLE/diencephalitis due to dysgerminoma in a woman with gonadal dysgenesis, or Swyer syndrome.

Children Affected by War and Armed Conflict: Parental Protective Factors and Resistance to Mental Health Symptoms

PubMed Central

Slone, Michelle; Shoshani, Anat

2017-01-01

This study examined the role of parenting styles and parental warmth in moderating relations between exposure to political life events and mental health symptoms among 277 Israeli adolescents aged 12–14 and their parents, who had been exposed to protracted periods of war, missile bombardments, and terrorism. Adolescents completed the Political Life Events (PLE) scale, Brief Symptom Inventory and questionnaires regarding parenting style and parental warmth. The primary caregiver completed the Child Behavior Checklist for assessment of the child’s internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Results confirmed that severity of PLE exposure was positively correlated with psychological distress and with internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Maternal authoritativeness and warmth functioned as protective factors and had moderating effects on the relation between PLE exposure and mental health symptoms. In contrast, maternal authoritarianism exacerbated the relation between PLE exposure and children’s externalizing symptoms. Fathers’ parenting style and warmth had no significant relationship with children’s mental health outcomes. These findings have important clinical and practical implications for parental guidance and support during periods of war and armed conflict. PMID:28878705

Optimization of pressurized liquid extraction of inositols from pine nuts (Pinus pinea L.).

PubMed

Ruiz-Aceituno, L; Rodríguez-Sánchez, S; Sanz, J; Sanz, M L; Ramos, L

2014-06-15

Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) has been used for the first time to extract bioactive inositols from pine nuts. The influence of extraction time, temperature and cycles of extraction in the yield and composition of the extract was studied. A quadratic lineal model using multiple linear regression in the stepwise mode was used to evaluate possible trends in the process. Under optimised PLE conditions (50°C, 18 min, 3 cycles of 1.5 mL water each one) at 10 MPa, a noticeable reduction in extraction time and solvent volume, compared with solid-liquid extraction (SLE; room temperature, 2h, 2 cycles of 5 mL water each one) was achieved; 5.7 mg/g inositols were extracted by PLE, whereas yields of only 3.7 mg/g were obtained by SLE. Subsequent incubation of PLE extracts with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (37°C, 5h) allowed the removal of other co-extracted low molecular weight carbohydrates which may interfere in the bioactivity of inositols. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Are extraction methods in quantitative assays of pharmacopoeia monographs exhaustive? A comparison with pressurized liquid extraction.

PubMed

Basalo, Carlos; Mohn, Tobias; Hamburger, Matthias

2006-10-01

The extraction methods in selected monographs of the European and the Swiss Pharmacopoeia were compared to pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) with respect to the yield of constituents to be dosed in the quantitative assay for the respective herbal drugs. The study included five drugs, Belladonnae folium, Colae semen, Boldo folium, Tanaceti herba and Agni casti fructus. They were selected to cover different classes of compounds to be analyzed and different extraction methods to be used according to the monographs. Extraction protocols for PLE were optimized by varying the solvents and number of extraction cycles. In PLE, yields > 97 % of extractable analytes were typically achieved with two extraction cycles. For alkaloid-containing drugs, the addition of ammonia prior to extraction significantly increased the yield and reduced the number of extraction cycles required for exhaustive extraction. PLE was in all cases superior to the extraction protocol of the pharmacopoeia monographs (taken as 100 %), with differences ranging from 108 % in case of parthenolide in Tanaceti herba to 343 % in case of alkaloids in Boldo folium.

FIV diversity: FIV Ple subtype composition may influence disease outcome in African lions.

PubMed

Troyer, Jennifer L; Roelke, Melody E; Jespersen, Jillian M; Baggett, Natalie; Buckley-Beason, Valerie; MacNulty, Dan; Craft, Meggan; Packer, Craig; Pecon-Slattery, Jill; O'Brien, Stephen J

2011-10-15

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infects domestic cats and at least 20 additional species of non-domestic felids throughout the world. Strains specific to domestic cat (FIV(Fca)) produce AIDS-like disease progression, sequelae and pathology providing an informative model for HIV infection in humans. Less is known about the immunological and pathological influence of FIV in other felid species although multiple distinct strains of FIV circulate in natural populations. As in HIV-1 and HIV-2, multiple diverse cross-species infections may have occurred. In the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, three divergent subtypes of lion FIV (FIV(Ple)) are endemic, whereby 100% of adult lions are infected with one or more of these strains. Herein, the relative distribution of these subtypes in the population are surveyed and, combined with observed differences in lion mortality due to secondary infections based on FIV(Ple) subtypes, the data suggest that FIV(Ple) subtypes may have different patterns of pathogenicity and transmissibility among wild lion populations. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Children Affected by War and Armed Conflict: Parental Protective Factors and Resistance to Mental Health Symptoms.

PubMed

Slone, Michelle; Shoshani, Anat

2017-01-01

This study examined the role of parenting styles and parental warmth in moderating relations between exposure to political life events and mental health symptoms among 277 Israeli adolescents aged 12-14 and their parents, who had been exposed to protracted periods of war, missile bombardments, and terrorism. Adolescents completed the Political Life Events (PLE) scale, Brief Symptom Inventory and questionnaires regarding parenting style and parental warmth. The primary caregiver completed the Child Behavior Checklist for assessment of the child's internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Results confirmed that severity of PLE exposure was positively correlated with psychological distress and with internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Maternal authoritativeness and warmth functioned as protective factors and had moderating effects on the relation between PLE exposure and mental health symptoms. In contrast, maternal authoritarianism exacerbated the relation between PLE exposure and children's externalizing symptoms. Fathers' parenting style and warmth had no significant relationship with children's mental health outcomes. These findings have important clinical and practical implications for parental guidance and support during periods of war and armed conflict.

The loss of essential oil components induced by the Purge Time in the Pressurized Liquid Extraction (PLE) procedure of Cupressus sempervirens.

PubMed

Dawidowicz, Andrzej L; Czapczyńska, Natalia B; Wianowska, Dorota

2012-05-30

The influence of different Purge Times on the effectiveness of Pressurized Liquid Extraction (PLE) of volatile oil components from cypress plant matrix (Cupressus sempervirens) was investigated, applying solvents of diverse extraction efficiencies. The obtained results show the decrease of the mass yields of essential oil components as a result of increased Purge Time. The loss of extracted components depends on the extrahent type - the greatest mass yield loss occurred in the case of non-polar solvents, whereas the smallest was found in polar extracts. Comparisons of the PLE method with Sea Sand Disruption Method (SSDM), Matrix Solid-Phase Dispersion Method (MSPD) and Steam Distillation (SD) were performed to assess the method's accuracy. Independent of the solvent and Purge Time applied in the PLE process, the total mass yield was lower than the one obtained for simple, short and relatively cheap low-temperature matrix disruption procedures - MSPD and SSDM. Thus, in the case of volatile oils analysis, the application of these methods is advisable. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The temporal structure of resting-state brain activity in the medial prefrontal cortex predicts self-consciousness.

PubMed

Huang, Zirui; Obara, Natsuho; Davis, Henry Hap; Pokorny, Johanna; Northoff, Georg

2016-02-01

Recent studies have demonstrated an overlap between the neural substrate of resting-state activity and self-related processing in the cortical midline structures (CMS). However, the neural and psychological mechanisms mediating this so-called "rest-self overlap" remain unclear. To investigate the neural mechanisms, we estimated the temporal structure of spontaneous/resting-state activity, e.g. its long-range temporal correlations or self-affinity across time as indexed by the power-law exponent (PLE). The PLE was obtained in resting-state activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) and the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) in 47 healthy subjects by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We performed correlation analyses of the PLE and Revised Self-Consciousness Scale (SCSR) scores, which enabled us to access different dimensions of self-consciousness and specified rest-self overlap in a psychological regard. The PLE in the MPFC's resting-state activity correlated with private self-consciousness scores from the SCSR. Conversely, we found no correlation between the PLE and the other subscales of the SCSR (public, social) or between other resting-state measures, including functional connectivity, and the SCSR subscales. This is the first evidence for the association between the scale-free dynamics of resting-state activity in the CMS and the private dimension of self-consciousness. This finding implies the relationship of especially the private dimension of self with the temporal structure of resting-state activity. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Short Personality and Life Event scale for detection of suicide attempters.

PubMed

Artieda-Urrutia, Paula; Delgado-Gómez, David; Ruiz-Hernández, Diego; García-Vega, Juan Manuel; Berenguer, Nuria; Oquendo, Maria A; Blasco-Fontecilla, Hilario

2015-01-01

To develop a brief and reliable psychometric scale to identify individuals at risk for suicidal behaviour. Case-control study. 182 individuals (61 suicide attempters, 57 psychiatric controls, and 64 psychiatrically healthy controls) aged 18 or older, admitted to the Emergency Department at Puerta de Hierro University Hospital in Madrid, Spain. All participants completed a form including their socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, and the Personality and Life Events scale (27 items). To assess Axis I diagnoses, all psychiatric patients (including suicide attempters) were administered the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Descriptive statistics were computed for the socio-demographic factors. Additionally, χ(2) independence tests were applied to evaluate differences in socio-demographic and clinical variables, and the Personality and Life Events scale between groups. A stepwise linear regression with backward variable selection was conducted to build the Short Personality Life Event (S-PLE) scale. In order to evaluate the accuracy, a ROC analysis was conducted. The internal reliability was assessed using Cronbach's α, and the external reliability was evaluated using a test-retest procedure. The S-PLE scale, composed of just 6 items, showed good performance in discriminating between medical controls, psychiatric controls and suicide attempters in an independent sample. For instance, the S-PLE scale discriminated between past suicide and past non-suicide attempters with sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 75%. The area under the ROC curve was 88%. A factor analysis extracted only one factor, revealing a single dimension of the S-PLE scale. Furthermore, the S-PLE scale provides values of internal and external reliability between poor (test-retest: 0.55) and acceptable (Cronbach's α: 0.65) ranges. Administration time is about one minute. The S-PLE scale is a useful and accurate instrument for estimating the risk of suicidal behaviour in settings where the time is scarce. Copyright © 2015 SEP y SEPB. Published by Elsevier España. All rights reserved.

A lion lentivirus related to feline immunodeficiency virus: epidemiologic and phylogenetic aspects.

PubMed Central

Brown, E W; Yuhki, N; Packer, C; O'Brien, S J

1994-01-01

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a novel lentivirus that is genetically homologous and functionally analogous to the human AIDS viruses, human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2. FIV causes immunosuppression in domestic cats by destroying the CD4 T-lymphocyte subsets in infected hosts. A serological survey of over 400 free-ranging African and Asian lions (Panthera leo) for antibodies to FIV revealed endemic lentivirus prevalence with an incidence of seropositivity as high as 90%. A lion lentivirus (FIV-Ple) was isolated by infection of lion lymphocytes in vitro. Seroconversion was documented in two Serengeti lions, and discordance of mother-cub serological status argues against maternal transmission (in favor of horizontal spread) as a major route of infection among lions. A phylogenetic analysis of cloned FIV-Ple pol gene sequences from 27 lions from four African populations (from the Serengeti reserve, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, and Kruger Park) revealed remarkably high intra- and interindividual genetic diversity at the sequence level. Three FIV-Ple phylogenetic clusters or clades were resolved with phenetic, parsimony, and likelihood analytical procedures. The three clades, which occurred not only together in the same population but throughout Africa, were as divergent from each other as were homologous pol sequences of lentivirus isolated from distinct feline species, i.e., puma and domestic cat. The FIV-Ple clades, however, were more closely related to each other than to other feline lentiviruses (monophyletic for lion species), suggesting that the ancestors of FIV-Ple evolved in allopatric (geographically isolated) lion populations that converged recently. To date, there is no clear evidence of FIV-Ple-associated pathology, raising the possibility of a historic genetic accommodation of the lion lentivirus and its host leading to a coevolved host-parasite symbiosis (or commensalism) in the population similar to that hypothesized for endemic simian immunodeficiency virus without pathology in free-ranging African monkey species. Images PMID:8057472

A protocol for pressurized liquid extraction and processing methods to isolate modern and ancient bone cholesterol for compound-specific stable isotope analysis.

PubMed

Laffey, Ann O; Krigbaum, John; Zimmerman, Andrew R

2017-02-15

Bone lipid compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) and bone collagen and apatite stable isotope ratio analysis are important sources of ecological and paleodietary information. Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) is quicker and utilizes less solvent than traditional methods of lipid extraction such as soxhlet and ultrasonication. This study facilitates dietary analysis by optimizing and testing a standardized methodology for PLE of bone cholesterol. Modern and archaeological bones were extracted by PLE using varied temperatures, solvent solutions, and sample weights. The efficiency of PLE was assessed via quantification of cholesterol yields. Stable isotopic ratio integrity was evaluated by comparing isotopic signatures (δ 13 C and δ 18 O values) of cholesterol derived from whole bone, bone collagen and bone apatite. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and gas chromatography isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/IRMS) were conducted on purified collagen and lipid extracts to assess isotopic responses to PLE. Lipid yield was optimized at two PLE extraction cycles of 75 °C using dichloromethane/methanol (2:1 v/v) as a solvent with 0.25-0.75 g bone sample. Following lipid extraction, saponification combined with the derivatization of the neutral fraction using trimethylsilylation yielded nearly twice the cholesterol of non-saponified or non-derivatized samples. It was also found that lipids extracted from purified bone collagen and apatite could be used for cholesterol CSIA. There was no difference in the bulk δ 13 C values of collagen extracted from bone with or without lipid. However, there was a significant depletion in 18 O of bone apatite due to lipid presence or processing. These results should assist sample selection and provide an effective, alternative extraction method for bone cholesterol that may be used for isotopic and paleodietary analysis. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Production of high titre antibody response against Russell's viper venom in mice immunized with ethanolic extract of fruits of Piper longum L. (Piperaceae) and piperine.

PubMed

Shenoy, P A; Nipate, S S; Sonpetkar, J M; Salvi, N C; Waghmare, A B; Chaudhari, P D

2014-01-15

Piper longum L. fruits have been traditionally used against snakebites in north-eastern and southern region of India. The aim of the study was to assess the production of antibody response against Russell's viper venom in mice after prophylactic immunization with ethanolic extract of fruits of Piper longum L. and piperine. The mice sera were tested for the presence of antibodies against Russell's viper venom by in vitro lethality neutralization assay and in vivo lethality neutralization assay. Polyvalent anti-snake venom serum (antivenom) manufactured by Haffkine Bio-Pharmaceutical Corporation Ltd. was used as standard. Further confirmation of presence of antibodies against the venom in sera of mice immunized with PLE and piperine was done using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and double immunodiffusion test. Treatment with PLE-treated mice serum and piperine-treated mice serum was found to inhibit the lethal action of venom both in the in vitro lethality neutralization assay and in vivo lethality neutralization assay. ELISA testing indicated that there were significantly high (p<0.01) levels of cross reactions between the PLE and piperine treated mice serum and the venom antigens. In double immunodiffusion test, a white band was observed between the two wells of antigen and antibodies for both the PLE-treated and piperine-treated mice serum. Thus it can be concluded that immunization with ethanolic extract of fruits of Piper longum and piperine produced a high titre antibody response against Russell's viper venom in mice. The antibodies against PLE and piperine could be useful in antivenom therapy of Russell's viper bites. PLE and piperine may also have a potential interest in view of the development of antivenom formulations used as antidote against snake bites. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Antifouling paint particles: Sources, occurrence, composition and dynamics.

PubMed

Soroldoni, Sanye; Castro, Ítalo Braga; Abreu, Fiamma; Duarte, Fabio Andrei; Choueri, Rodrigo Brasil; Möller, Osmar Olinto; Fillmann, Gilberto; Pinho, Grasiela Lopes Leães

2018-06-15

Sources, occurrence, composition and dynamics of antifouling paint particles (APPs) were assessed in Patos Lagoon estuary (PLE), Southern Brazil. Ten areas including boatyards, a marina and artisanal fishing harbors were identified in the estuarine system as potential sources of APPs. The APPs generated in these areas were highly heterogeneous considering the size, shape and composition. Based on an estimate of antifouling paint usage and amount of boats in each studied area, artisanal fishing harbors could be the main source of particles to PLE. However, relatively high amounts of APPs, which ranged from 130 to 40,300 μg g -1 , were detected in sediments collected in front of boatyards and a marina. The uneven distribution of APPs levels among the sediment samples were probably due to the presence of diffuse sources (fishing harbors) associated to "hotspots" (boatyards and marina) along the study area. Additionally, data of settling experiment indicate that size, shape and density of APPs, combined to local hydrodynamics, appears to contribute to the mobility of these residues within the estuary. In the main channel of PLE, smaller particles tend to be transported to adjacent coastal zone while particles tend to be deposited in the sediment surface of sheltered areas. Since different trace metals, and booster biocides were detected in APPs that were not correctly disposed, these particles can be considered as an important source of contamination to aquatic environments. The present data suggest that APPs represent an environmental problem for aquatic systems in Brazil, since the country lacks legislation in addition to inefficient control mechanisms. An improvement in boat maintenance processes are urgently needed to avoid this continuous release of APPs into the aquatic systems. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Protein-losing Enteropathy Caused by Intestinal or Colonic Lymphangiectasia Complicated by Sporadic Lymphangioleiomyomatosis: A Report of Two Cases

PubMed Central

Nishino, Koichi; Yoshimi, Kaku; Shibuya, Tomoyoshi; Hayashi, Takuo; Mitani, Keiko; Kobayashi, Etsuko; Ichikawa, Masako; Asao, Tetsuhiko; Suzuki, Yohei; Sato, Tadashi; Shiota, Satomi; Kodama, Yuzo; Takahashi, Kazuhisa; Seyama, Kuniaki

2017-01-01

This report describes two patients with sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis complicated by protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). Imaging studies indicated retroperitoneal lymphangioleiomyomas and abnormalities of the adjacent digestive tract. Endoscopic mucosal biopsy revealed colonic lymphangiectasia in one patient; whereas the site in the other patient was intestinal. Treatment with sirolimus led to the complete resolution of PLE within several months; additionally, marked shrinkage was observed in the lymphangioleiomyomas of both cases. These findings suggest that colonic or intestinal lymphatic congestion due to neighboring lymphangioleiomyomas was the mechanism for the development of PLE. At the time of writing this report, the beneficial effect of sirolimus has lasted for more than 3 years. PMID:28420844

Forward Arming and Refueling Points for Fighter Aircraft: Power Projection in an Antiaccess Environment

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-10-01

Arming and Refueling Points for Fighter Aircraft Feature Fifth-Generation Doolittle Raid If we should have to fight, we should be prepared to do so from...the neck up instead of from the neck down. —Gen Jimmy Doolittle The famous Doolittle Raid during World War II offers a superb exam- ple of how an...innovative concept can lead to strategic effects. On 18 April 1942, just four months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Lt Col Jimmy Doolittle

Papaya (Carica papaya) leaf methanolic extract modulates in vitro rumen methanogenesis and rumen biohydrogenation.

PubMed

Jafari, Saeid; Goh, Yong M; Rajion, Mohamed A; Jahromi, Mohammad F; Ahmad, Yusof H; Ebrahimi, Mahdi

2017-02-01

Papaya leaf methanolic extract (PLE) at concentrations of 0 (CON), 5 (LLE), 10 (MLE) and 15 (HLE) mg/250 mg dry matter (DM) with 30 mL buffered rumen fluid were incubated for 24 h to identify its effect on in vitro ruminal methanogenesis and ruminal biohydrogenation (BH). Total gas production was not affected (P > 0.05) by addition of PLE compared to the CON at 24 h of incubation. Methane (CH 4 ) production (mL/250 mg DM) decreased (P < 0.05) with increasing levels of PLE. Acetate to propionate ratio was lower (P <0.05) in MLE (2.02) and HLE (1.93) compared to the CON (2.28). Supplementation of the diet with PLE significantly (P <0.05) decreased the rate of BH of C18:1n-9 (oleic acid; OA), C18:2n-6 (linoleic acid; LA), C18:3n-3 (linolenic acid; LNA) and C18 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) compared to CON after 24 h incubation, which resulted in higher concentrations of BH intermediates such as C18:1 t11 (vaccenic acid; VA), c9t11 conjugated LA (CLA) (rumenic acid; RA) and t10c12 CLA. Real-time PCR analysis indicated that the total bacteria, total protozoa, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens and methanogen population in HLE decreased (P <0.05) compared to CON, but the total bacteria and B. fibrisolvens population were higher (P < 0.05) in CON compared to the PLE treatment groups. © 2016 Japanese Society of Animal Science.

Applicability of 99m Tc-Labeled Human Serum Albumin Scintigraphy in Dogs With Protein-Losing Enteropathy.

PubMed

Engelmann, N; Ondreka, N; von Pückler, K; Mohrs, S; Sicken, J; Neiger, R

2017-03-01

Diagnosis of protein loss into the gastrointestinal tract using noninvasive techniques is challenging. In people, scintigraphy not only is a sensitive tool to confirm protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), but it also allows for localization of protein loss. To investigate the feasibility of 99m Tc-labeled human serum albumin (HSA) scintigraphy in dogs with PLE in comparison with control dogs. A total of 8 clinically healthy control research dogs and 7 client-owned dogs with gastrointestinal clinical signs and hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin concentration <2.0 g/dL). Prospective case-control study. After IV injection of 400 MBq freshly prepared 99m Tc HSA (30 mg/dog), images of the abdomen were obtained 10, 60, 120, and 240 minutes postinjection. Additional images of the salivary and thyroid glands were obtained to rule out free 99m Tc. A scan was considered positive for PLE when radiopharmaceutical exudation was detectable in the intestinal tract. Only 1 control dog showed exudation of the radiopharmaceutical into the intestinal tract. No free 99m Tc was detected in any dog. In dogs with PLE, focal small intestinal and diffuse small intestinal radiopharmaceutical exudation into the bowel was detected in 2 and 3 dogs, respectively, whereas in 2 dogs, there was disagreement about whether radiopharmaceutical exudation was focal or diffuse. 99m Tc-labeled HSA scintigraphy was feasible to diagnose PLE in dogs. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Psychiatric effects of protracted conflict and political life events exposure among adolescents in Israel: 1998-2011.

PubMed

Slone, Michelle; Shoshani, Anat

2014-06-01

This cross-sectional study investigated relations between conflict exposure and psychiatric symptoms among 8,727 Jewish Israeli adolescents aged 12-17 years from 1998-2011. This 14-year span included periods of terrorism, missile attacks, wars, relocations, military operations, and relative quiet, reflecting a dynamically changing, primarily violent climate. Annual samples from the same cities, geographical regions, and schools throughout the country were assessed for personal political life events (PLE) exposure and for psychiatric symptoms using the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI; Derogatis & Spencer, ). Data were divided into 8 exposure periods: (a) pre-Intifada 1998-2000, (b) Intifada peak 2001-2003, (c) Intifada recession 2004, (d) evacuation 2005, (e) missiles and the 2006 Lebanon war, (f) peak missiles 2006-2007, (g) Operation Cast Lead 2008-2009, and (h) global terrorism 2010-2011. Results confirmed a relation between type of exposure period, PLE exposure, and psychiatric symptoms. In addition, PLE exposure was positively correlated with psychiatric symptoms (β = .49). A moderating effect of gender on the relationship between PLE exposure and the psychiatric index was found, with elevated symptoms among females (β = .30). Copyright © 2014 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.

Luminescence of Co1-xZnxO solid solutions during interband excitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gruzdev, N. B.; Sokolov, V. I.; Pustovarov, V. A.; Churmanov, V. N.

2015-03-01

A discussion of the photoluminescence (PL) and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra of CoO, and the solid solution Co0.7Zn0.3O. At low temperatures, the spectra were detected using synchrotron radiation as a source of excitation. The PL and PLE spectra of CoO are more intense than the Co0.7Zn0.3O spectra. It is shown that in the 7.5-10.5 eV energy range, the PLE spectrum of Co0.7Zn0.3O is more intense than the spectrum in the 3.7-6.5 eV region. This could be caused by sufficiently intense optical p-s transitions from the valence zone to the conduction zone, formed by the 4s states of zinc.

Exciton Binding Energy of Monolayer WS2

PubMed Central

Zhu, Bairen; Chen, Xi; Cui, Xiaodong

2015-01-01

The optical properties of monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC) feature prominent excitonic natures. Here we report an experimental approach to measuring the exciton binding energy of monolayer WS2 with linear differential transmission spectroscopy and two-photon photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy (TP-PLE). TP-PLE measurements show the exciton binding energy of 0.71 ± 0.01 eV around K valley in the Brillouin zone. PMID:25783023

Periodical low eggshell temperatures during incubation and post hatch dietary arginine supplementation: Effects on performance and cold tolerance acquisition in broilers.

PubMed

Afsarian, O; Shahir, M H; Akhlaghi, A; Lotfolahian, H; Hoseini, A; Lourens, A

2016-10-01

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of a periodically low eggshell temperature exposure during incubation and dietary supplementation of arginine on performance, ascites incidence, and cold tolerance acquisition in broilers. A total of 2,400 hatching eggs were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups (16 replicates of 75 eggs per treatment). The eggs were incubated at a constant eggshell temperature (EST) of 37.8ºC throughout the incubation period (CON) or were periodically exposed to 15°C for one hour on days 11, 13, 15, and 17 of incubation and the EST was measured (periodical low EST; PLE). After hatching, 240 one-day-old male broiler chicks from both treatment groups were reared for 42 d with or without dietary arginine supplementation in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. In order to induce ascites, all chicks were exposed to a 15°C room temperature from 14 d onwards. Results showed that second grade chicks and yolk sac weight were decreased, and final body weight was increased in the PLE group. Ascites mortality rate was decreased only in the PLE group and dietary arginine supplementation had no apparent effect. In the PLE group, the packed cell volume (PCV) percentage and red blood cell (RBC) count were decreased. In conclusion, the results showed that the PLE treatment during incubation was associated with improved hatchability, chick quality, and productive performance of broilers and decreased ascites incidence during post hatch cold exposure. Dietary arginine supplementation had no beneficial effects in cold exposed broilers. © 2016 Poultry Science Association Inc.

Measuring Black Men’s Police-Based Discrimination Experiences: Development and Validation of the Police and Law Enforcement (PLE) Scale

PubMed Central

English, Devin; Bowleg, Lisa; del Río-González, Ana Maria; Tschann, Jeanne M.; Agans, Robert; Malebranche, David J

2017-01-01

Objectives Although social science research has examined police and law enforcement-perpetrated discrimination against Black men using policing statistics and implicit bias studies, there is little quantitative evidence detailing this phenomenon from the perspective of Black men. Consequently, there is a dearth of research detailing how Black men’s perspectives on police and law enforcement-related stress predict negative physiological and psychological health outcomes. This study addresses these gaps with the qualitative development and quantitative test of the Police and Law Enforcement (PLE) scale. Methods In Study 1, we employed thematic analysis on transcripts of individual qualitative interviews with 90 Black men to assess key themes and concepts and develop quantitative items. In Study 2, we used 2 focus groups comprised of 5 Black men each (n=10), intensive cognitive interviewing with a separate sample of Black men (n=15), and piloting with another sample of Black men (n=13) to assess the ecological validity of the quantitative items. For study 3, we analyzed data from a sample of 633 Black men between the ages of 18 and 65 to test the factor structure of the PLE, as we all as its concurrent validity and convergent/discriminant validity. Results Qualitative analyses and confirmatory factor analyses suggested that a 5-item, 1-factor measure appropriately represented respondents’ experiences of police/law enforcement discrimination. As hypothesized, the PLE was positively associated with measures of racial discrimination and depressive symptoms. Conclusions Preliminary evidence suggests that the PLE is a reliable and valid measure of Black men’s experiences of discrimination with police/law enforcement. PMID:28080104

Measuring Black men's police-based discrimination experiences: Development and validation of the Police and Law Enforcement (PLE) Scale.

PubMed

English, Devin; Bowleg, Lisa; Del Río-González, Ana Maria; Tschann, Jeanne M; Agans, Robert P; Malebranche, David J

2017-04-01

Although social science research has examined police and law enforcement-perpetrated discrimination against Black men using policing statistics and implicit bias studies, there is little quantitative evidence detailing this phenomenon from the perspective of Black men. Consequently, there is a dearth of research detailing how Black men's perspectives on police and law enforcement-related stress predict negative physiological and psychological health outcomes. This study addresses these gaps with the qualitative development and quantitative test of the Police and Law Enforcement (PLE) Scale. In Study 1, we used thematic analysis on transcripts of individual qualitative interviews with 90 Black men to assess key themes and concepts and develop quantitative items. In Study 2, we used 2 focus groups comprised of 5 Black men each (n = 10), intensive cognitive interviewing with a separate sample of Black men (n = 15), and piloting with another sample of Black men (n = 13) to assess the ecological validity of the quantitative items. For Study 3, we analyzed data from a sample of 633 Black men between the ages of 18 and 65 to test the factor structure of the PLE, as we all as its concurrent validity and convergent/discriminant validity. Qualitative analyses and confirmatory factor analyses suggested that a 5-item, 1-factor measure appropriately represented respondents' experiences of police/law enforcement discrimination. As hypothesized, the PLE was positively associated with measures of racial discrimination and depressive symptoms. Preliminary evidence suggests that the PLE is a reliable and valid measure of Black men's experiences of discrimination with police/law enforcement. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

Home-made online hyphenation of pressurized liquid extraction, turbulent flow chromatography, and high performance liquid chromatography, Cistanche deserticola as a case study.

PubMed

Song, Qingqing; Li, Jun; Liu, Xiao; Zhang, Yuan; Guo, Liping; Jiang, Yong; Song, Yuelin; Tu, Pengfei

2016-03-18

Incompatibility between the conventional pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) devices and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) extensively hinders direct and green chemical analysis of herbal materials. Herein, a facile PLE module was configured, and then it was online hyphenated with HPLC via a turbulent flow chromatography (TFC) column. Regarding PLE module, a long PEEK tube (0.13 × 1000 mm) was employed to generate desired pressure (approximately 13.0 MPa) when warm acidic water (70 °C) was delivered as extraction solvent at a high flow rate (2.5 mL/min), and a hollow guard column (3.0 × 4.0 mm) was implemented to hold crude materials. Effluent was collected from the outlet of PEEK tube, concentrated, and subjected onto HPLC coupled with hybrid ion trap-time of flight mass spectrometer to assess the extraction efficiency and also to profile the chemical composition of Cistanche deserticola (CD) that is honored as "Ginseng of the desert". Afterwards, a TFC column was introduced to accomplish online transmission of low molecule weight components from PLE module to HPLC coupled with diode array detection, and two electronic 6-port/2-channel valves were in charge of alternating the whole system between extraction (0-3.0 min) and elution (3.0-35.0 min) phases. Quantitative method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of eight primary phenylethanoid glycosides in CD using online PLE-TFC-HPLC. All findings demonstrated that the home-made platform is advantageous at direct chemical analysis, as well as time-, solvent-, and material-savings, suggesting a robust tool for chemical fingerprinting of herbs. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Protein-losing enteropathy associated with refractory systemic lupus erythematosus with a good response to rituximab.

PubMed

Sansinanea, Pierina; Carrica, Sebastián Augusto; Marcos, Josefina; García, Mercedes Argentina

2016-01-01

A case is presented of a protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) as the initial manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a 17 year-old female patient, who presented with ascites, edema and hypoalbuminemia. The diagnosis of SLE was based on the presence of: malar rash, oral ulcers, thrombocytopenia, antinuclear antibodies, IgM anticardiolipin antibody, and lupus anticoagulant. Renal and liver diseases were ruled out. The PLE diagnosis was confirmed with fecal alpha 1-antitrypsin clearance. The PLE was refractory to different lines of immunosuppressive agents like glucocorticoids, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, and cyclosporine, showing a satisfactory and sustained response with rituximab, allowing steroid sparing and long term remission. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier España, S.L.U. y Sociedad Española de Reumatología y Colegio Mexicano de Reumatología. All rights reserved.

Detecting protein losing enteropathy by Tc-99m dextran scintigraphy: a novel experience.

PubMed

Kapoor, Seema; Ratan, Simmi K; Kashyap, Ravi; Mittal, S K; Rajeshwari, K; Rawat, H; Verma, Jyoti

2002-09-01

To evaluate protien using enteropathy by Tc-99m dextran scintigraphy. Methods for detecting protein loss from the intestine revolve around fecal nitrogen excretion, the clearance of alpha-1 antitrypsin in stools and by endoscopic biopsy. The diagnosis of protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) can also be established by a scintigraphic method that is noninvasive, simple and requires no patient preparation or motivation. This diagnostic modality can also delineate the site of protein loss, thereby offering a targeted approach, and if need be, surgery. Radiolabelling of a non-protein, noncolloidal, nonparticulate and biofriendly molecule like dextran with Technetium-99m for imaging enteric protein loss was utilized in imaging eight children with PLE. The results were encouraging. The authors advocate the use of this diagnostic tool in identifying patients with PLE, particularly in the pediatric age group.

Quantitative single molecule measurements on the interaction forces of poly(L-glutamic acid) with calcite crystals.

PubMed

Sonnenberg, Lars; Luo, Yufei; Schlaad, Helmut; Seitz, Markus; Cölfen, Helmut; Gaub, Hermann E

2007-12-12

The interaction between poly(L-glutamic acid) (PLE) and calcite crystals was studied with AFM-based single molecule force spectroscopy. Block copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and PLE were synthesized and covalently attached to the tip of an AFM cantilever. In desorption measurements the molecules were allowed to adsorb on the calcite crystal faces and afterward successively desorbed. The corresponding desorption forces were detected with high precision, showing for example a force transition between the two blocks. Because of its importance in the crystallization process in biominerals, the PLE-calcite interaction was investigated as a function of the pH as well as the calcium concentration of the aqueous solution. The sensitivity of the technique was underlined by resolving different interaction forces for calcite (104) and calcite (100).

MaPLE: A MapReduce Pipeline for Lattice-based Evaluation and Its Application to SNOMED CT

PubMed Central

Zhang, Guo-Qiang; Zhu, Wei; Sun, Mengmeng; Tao, Shiqiang; Bodenreider, Olivier; Cui, Licong

2015-01-01

Non-lattice fragments are often indicative of structural anomalies in ontological systems and, as such, represent possible areas of focus for subsequent quality assurance work. However, extracting the non-lattice fragments in large ontological systems is computationally expensive if not prohibitive, using a traditional sequential approach. In this paper we present a general MapReduce pipeline, called MaPLE (MapReduce Pipeline for Lattice-based Evaluation), for extracting non-lattice fragments in large partially ordered sets and demonstrate its applicability in ontology quality assurance. Using MaPLE in a 30-node Hadoop local cloud, we systematically extracted non-lattice fragments in 8 SNOMED CT versions from 2009 to 2014 (each containing over 300k concepts), with an average total computing time of less than 3 hours per version. With dramatically reduced time, MaPLE makes it feasible not only to perform exhaustive structural analysis of large ontological hierarchies, but also to systematically track structural changes between versions. Our change analysis showed that the average change rates on the non-lattice pairs are up to 38.6 times higher than the change rates of the background structure (concept nodes). This demonstrates that fragments around non-lattice pairs exhibit significantly higher rates of change in the process of ontological evolution. PMID:25705725

MaPLE: A MapReduce Pipeline for Lattice-based Evaluation and Its Application to SNOMED CT.

PubMed

Zhang, Guo-Qiang; Zhu, Wei; Sun, Mengmeng; Tao, Shiqiang; Bodenreider, Olivier; Cui, Licong

2014-10-01

Non-lattice fragments are often indicative of structural anomalies in ontological systems and, as such, represent possible areas of focus for subsequent quality assurance work. However, extracting the non-lattice fragments in large ontological systems is computationally expensive if not prohibitive, using a traditional sequential approach. In this paper we present a general MapReduce pipeline, called MaPLE (MapReduce Pipeline for Lattice-based Evaluation), for extracting non-lattice fragments in large partially ordered sets and demonstrate its applicability in ontology quality assurance. Using MaPLE in a 30-node Hadoop local cloud, we systematically extracted non-lattice fragments in 8 SNOMED CT versions from 2009 to 2014 (each containing over 300k concepts), with an average total computing time of less than 3 hours per version. With dramatically reduced time, MaPLE makes it feasible not only to perform exhaustive structural analysis of large ontological hierarchies, but also to systematically track structural changes between versions. Our change analysis showed that the average change rates on the non-lattice pairs are up to 38.6 times higher than the change rates of the background structure (concept nodes). This demonstrates that fragments around non-lattice pairs exhibit significantly higher rates of change in the process of ontological evolution.

Optimization of Pressurized Liquid Extraction of Three Major Acetophenones from Cynanchum bungei Using a Box-Behnken Design

PubMed Central

Li, Wei; Zhao, Li-Chun; Sun, Yin-Shi; Lei, Feng-Jie; Wang, Zi; Gui, Xiong-Bin; Wang, Hui

2012-01-01

In this work, pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) of three acetophenones (4-hydroxyacetophenone, baishouwubenzophenone, and 2,4-dihydroxyacetophenone) from Cynanchum bungei (ACB) were investigated. The optimal conditions for extraction of ACB were obtained using a Box-Behnken design, consisting of 17 experimental points, as follows: Ethanol (100%) as the extraction solvent at a temperature of 120 °C and an extraction pressure of 1500 psi, using one extraction cycle with a static extraction time of 17 min. The extracted samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography using an UV detector. Under this optimal condition, the experimental values agreed with the predicted values by analysis of variance. The ACB extraction yield with optimal PLE was higher than that obtained by soxhlet extraction and heat-reflux extraction methods. The results suggest that the PLE method provides a good alternative for acetophenone extraction. PMID:23203079

Research of the Effect Caused by Terrestrial Power Sources on the Near-Earth Space above China based on DEMETER Satellite Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, C.; Wu, J.; Ma, Q.

2017-12-01

The environmental effect on the ionosphere caused by man-made power line emission (PLE) and power line harmonic radiation (PLHR) has become an increasing concern. Based on the observed data of 6.5 operating years of DEMETER satellite, by scanning the electric field power density time-frequency spectrograms, 133 PLHR events with central frequencies from 500 Hz to 4.5 kHz are detected in the near-Earth space above China. Among the 133 events, 129 events have PLE events at the base power system frequency (50 Hz in China). The duration time of every PLE event covers that of the corresponding PLHR event totally. As the same with PLHR, PLE is also propagating in whistler mode in the ionosphere. In two events that are detected in the conjugate region of Australian NWC VLF transmitter, radiations with line structure in the vicinity of 19.8 kHz are detected. There are 5 lines distributed from about 19.7 kHz to 19.9 kHz, which are in accordance with the frequency range of NWC transmitted signals. The frequency spacing of the 5 lines is exactly 50 Hz and the bandwidth of each line is about 10 Hz. The electric field power density of the line structure radiation is at the same level with the corresponding PLE, much higher than that of PLHR. The line structure radiations suggest possible modulation of VLF signals by PLE. At last, the variation of ionospheric parameters measured by DEMETER in relation with PLHR is analyzed statistically. As the revisiting orbits of DEMETER pass over the same area with nearly no deviation and at the same time of day, for each PLHR event, we check and average the parameters of 3 revisiting orbits before and after the event respectively. Combined with the event orbit, the variations of these parameters can be obtained. There are totally 5 tendencies: no variation, ascending, descending, crest and trough. Only a few events show no variation. Though there are differences in other 4 tendencies, none of the parameters show extremely preferences on one of the 4 tendencies. The crest and trough events are generally more than ascending and descending events, especially for ion density and O+ ion percentage. The variations of parameters show no preferences on latitude and the day of year.

Optimization of drying process and pressurized liquid extraction for recovery of bioactive compounds from avocado peel by-product.

PubMed

Figueroa, Jorge G; Borrás-Linares, Isabel; Lozano-Sánchez, Jesús; Quirantes-Piné, Rosa; Segura-Carretero, Antonio

2018-04-16

The aim of the present study was to optimize the extraction of phenolic compounds in avocado peel using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) with GRAS solvents. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on Central Composite Design 2 2 model was used in order to optimize PLE conditions. Moreover, the effect of air drying temperature on the total polyphenol content (TPC) and individual phenolic compounds concentration were evaluated. The quantification of individual compounds was performed by HPLC-DAD-ESI-TOF-MS. The optimized extraction conditions were 200°C as extraction temperature and 1:1 v/v as ethanol/water ratio. Regarding to the effect of drying, the highest TPC was obtained with a drying temperature of 85°C. Forty seven phenolic compounds were quantified in the obtained extracts, showing that phenolic acids found to be the more stables compounds to drying process, while procyanidins were the more thermolabiles analytes. To our knowledge, this is the first available study in which phenolic compounds extraction was optimized using PLE and such amount of phenolic compounds was quantified in avocado peel. These results confirm that PLE represents a powerful tool to obtain avocado peel extracts with high concentration in bioactive compounds suitable for its use in the food, cosmetic or pharmaceutical sector. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Vaccinium meridionale Swartz extracts and their addition in beef burgers as antioxidant ingredient.

PubMed

López-Padilla, Alexis; Martín, Diana; Villanueva Bermejo, David; Jaime, Laura; Ruiz-Rodriguez, Alejandro; Restrepo Flórez, Claudia Estela; Rivero Barrios, Diana Marsela; Fornari, Tiziana

2018-01-01

Vaccinium meridionale Swartz (mortiño) constitutes a source of bioactive phytochemicals, but reports related to its efficient and green production are scarce. In this study, pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and ultrasound-assisted extraction of mortiño were compared. Total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity (ABTS •+ ) were determined. Beef burgers with 20 g kg -1 of mortiño (MM) or its PLE extract (ME) were manufactured. Lipid oxidation (TBARS) and instrumental color changes were measured after refrigerated storage. High TPC (up to 72 g gallic acid equivalent kg -1 extract) was determined in mortiño extracts, which was positively correlated with antioxidant activity. TBARS values of beef burgers containing either MM or ME did not change after refrigerated storage, whereas lipid oxidation of control burgers increased significantly. The color of burgers with added MM or ME was different (lower b* and a* values) from that of control burgers. However, the evolution of color after storage was similar between control and ME samples. Mortiño extracts with high TPC can be obtained by PLE. Both mortiño and its PLE extract are able to control lipid oxidation of beef burgers, but the extract is preferred from the color quality point of view. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Patterns of feline immunodeficiency virus multiple infection and genome divergence in a free-ranging population of African lions.

PubMed

Troyer, Jennifer L; Pecon-Slattery, Jill; Roelke, Melody E; Black, Lori; Packer, Craig; O'Brien, Stephen J

2004-04-01

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a lentivirus that causes AIDS-like immunodeficiency disease in domestic cats. Free-ranging lions, Panthera leo, carry a chronic species-specific strain of FIV, FIV-Ple, which so far has not been convincingly connected with immune pathology or mortality. FIV-Ple, harboring the three distinct strains A, B, and C defined by pol gene sequence divergences, is endemic in the large outbred population of lions in the Serengeti ecosystem in Tanzania. Here we describe the pattern of variation in the three FIV genes gag, pol-RT, and pol-RNase among lions within 13 prides to assess the occurrence of FIV infection and coinfection. Genome diversity within and among FIV-Ple strains is shown to be large, with strain divergence for each gene approaching genetic distances observed for FIV between different species of cats. Multiple in fections with two or three strains were found in 43% of the FIV-positive individuals based on pol-RT sequence analysis, which may suggest that antiviral immunity or interference evoked by one strain is not consistently protective against infection by a second. This comprehensive study of FIV-Ple in a free-ranging population of lions reveals a dynamic transmission of virus in a social species that has historically adapted to render the virus benign.

Patterns of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Multiple Infection and Genome Divergence in a Free-Ranging Population of African Lions

PubMed Central

Troyer, Jennifer L.; Pecon-Slattery, Jill; Roelke, Melody E.; Black, Lori; Packer, Craig; O'Brien, Stephen J.

2004-01-01

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a lentivirus that causes AIDS-like immunodeficiency disease in domestic cats. Free-ranging lions, Panthera leo, carry a chronic species-specific strain of FIV, FIV-Ple, which so far has not been convincingly connected with immune pathology or mortality. FIV-Ple, harboring the three distinct strains A, B, and C defined by pol gene sequence divergences, is endemic in the large outbred population of lions in the Serengeti ecosystem in Tanzania. Here we describe the pattern of variation in the three FIV genes gag, pol-RT, and pol-RNase among lions within 13 prides to assess the occurrence of FIV infection and coinfection. Genome diversity within and among FIV-Ple strains is shown to be large, with strain divergence for each gene approaching genetic distances observed for FIV between different species of cats. Multiple in fections with two or three strains were found in 43% of the FIV-positive individuals based on pol-RT sequence analysis, which may suggest that antiviral immunity or interference evoked by one strain is not consistently protective against infection by a second. This comprehensive study of FIV-Ple in a free-ranging population of lions reveals a dynamic transmission of virus in a social species that has historically adapted to render the virus benign. PMID:15016897

The DivJ, CbrA and PleC system controls DivK phosphorylation and symbiosis in Sinorhizobium meliloti

PubMed Central

Pini, Francesco; Frage, Benjamin; Ferri, Lorenzo; De Nisco, Nicole J.; Mohapatra, Saswat S.; Taddei, Lucilla; Fioravanti, Antonella; Dewitte, Frederique; Galardini, Marco; Brilli, Matteo; Villeret, Vincent; Bazzicalupo, Marco; Mengoni, Alessio; Walker, Graham C.; Becker, Anke; Biondi, Emanuele G.

2013-01-01

SUMMARY Sinorhizobium meliloti is a soil bacterium that invades the root nodules it induces on Medicago sativa, whereupon it undergoes an alteration of its cell cycle and differentiates into nitrogen-fixing, elongated and polyploid bacteroid with higher membrane permeability. In Caulobacter crescentus, a related alphaproteobacterium, the principal cell cycle regulator, CtrA, is inhibited by the phosphorylated response regulator DivK. The phosphorylation of DivK depends on the histidine kinase DivJ, while PleC is the principal phosphatase for DivK. Despite the importance of the DivJ in C. crescentus, the mechanistic role of this kinase has never been elucidated in other Alphaproteobacteria. We show here that the histidine kinases DivJ together with CbrA and PleC participate in a complex phosphorylation system of the essential response regulator DivK in S. meliloti. In particular, DivJ and CbrA are involved in DivK phosphorylation and in turn CtrA inactivation, thereby controlling correct cell cycle progression and the integrity of the cell envelope. In contrast, the essential PleC presumably acts as a phosphatase of DivK. Interestingly, we found that a DivJ mutant is able to elicit nodules and enter plant cells, but fails to establish an effective symbiosis suggesting that proper envelope and/or low CtrA levels are required for symbiosis. PMID:23909720

Essential oils (EOs), pressurized liquid extracts (PLE) and carbon dioxide supercritical fluid extracts (SFE-CO2) from Algerian Thymus munbyanus as valuable sources of antioxidants to be used on an industrial level.

PubMed

Bendif, Hamdi; Adouni, Khaoula; Miara, Mohamed Djamel; Baranauskienė, Renata; Kraujalis, Paulius; Venskutonis, Petras Rimantas; Nabavi, Seyed Mohammad; Maggi, Filippo

2018-09-15

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the potential of extracts from Algerian Thymus munbyanus as a valuable source of antioxidants for use on an industrial level. To this end, a study was conducted on the composition and antioxidant activities of essential oils (EOs), pressurized liquid extracts (PLE) and supercritical fluid extracts (SFE-CO 2 ) obtained from Thymus munbyanus subsp. coloratus (TMC) and subsp. munbyanus (TMM). EOs and SFE-CO 2 extracts were analysed by GC-FID and GC×GC-TOFMS revealing significant differences. A successive extraction of the solid SFE-CO 2 residue by PLE extraction with solvents of increasing polarity such as acetone, ethanol and water, was carried out. The extracts were evaluated for total phenolic content by Folin-Ciocalteu assay, while the antioxidant power was assessed by DPPH, FRAP, and ORAC assays. SFE-CO 2 extracts were also analysed for their tocopherol content. The antioxidant activity of PLE extracts was found to be higher than that of SFE-CO 2 extracts, and this increased with solvent polarity (water > ethanol > acetone). Overall, these results support the use of T. munbyanus as a valuable source of substances to be used on an industrial level as preservative agents. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Selective extraction of high-value phenolic compounds from distillation wastewater of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) by pressurized liquid extraction.

PubMed

Pagano, Imma; Sánchez-Camargo, Andrea Del Pilar; Mendiola, Jose Antonio; Campone, Luca; Cifuentes, Alejandro; Rastrelli, Luca; Ibañez, Elena

2018-01-31

During the essential oil steam distillation from aromatic herbs, huge amounts of distillation wastewaters (DWWs) are generated. These by-products represent an exceptionally rich source of phenolic compounds such as rosmarinic acid (RA) and caffeic acid (CA). Herein, the alternative use of dried basil DWWs (dDWWs) to perform a selective extraction of RA and CA by pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) employing bio-based solvent was studied. To select the most suitable solvent for PLE, the theoretical modelling of Hansen solubility parameters (HSP) was carried out. This approach allows reducing the list of candidate to two solvents: ethanol and ethyl lactate. Due to the composition of the sample, mixtures of water with those solvents were also tested. An enriched PLE extract in RA (23.90 ± 2.06 mg/g extract) with an extraction efficiency of 75.89 ± 16.03% employing a water-ethanol mixture 25:75 (% v/v) at 50°C was obtained. In the case of CA, a PLE extract with 2.42 ± 0.04 mg/g extract, having an extraction efficiency of 13.86 ± 4.96% using ethanol absolute at 50°C was achieved. DWWs are proposed as new promising sources of natural additives and/or functional ingredients for cosmetic, nutraceutical, and food applications. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Precision Parameter Estimation and Machine Learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wandelt, Benjamin D.

2008-12-01

I discuss the strategy of ``Acceleration by Parallel Precomputation and Learning'' (AP-PLe) that can vastly accelerate parameter estimation in high-dimensional parameter spaces and costly likelihood functions, using trivially parallel computing to speed up sequential exploration of parameter space. This strategy combines the power of distributed computing with machine learning and Markov-Chain Monte Carlo techniques efficiently to explore a likelihood function, posterior distribution or χ2-surface. This strategy is particularly successful in cases where computing the likelihood is costly and the number of parameters is moderate or large. We apply this technique to two central problems in cosmology: the solution of the cosmological parameter estimation problem with sufficient accuracy for the Planck data using PICo; and the detailed calculation of cosmological helium and hydrogen recombination with RICO. Since the APPLe approach is designed to be able to use massively parallel resources to speed up problems that are inherently serial, we can bring the power of distributed computing to bear on parameter estimation problems. We have demonstrated this with the CosmologyatHome project.

Psychotic-Like Experiences at the Healthy End of the Psychosis Continuum.

PubMed

Unterrassner, Lui; Wyss, Thomas A; Wotruba, Diana; Ajdacic-Gross, Vladeta; Haker, Helene; Rössler, Wulf

2017-01-01

There is increasing evidence pointing toward a continuous distribution of psychotic symptoms and accompanying factors between subclinical and clinical populations. However, for the construction of continuum models, a more detailed knowledge of different types of psychotic-like experiences (PLE) and their associations with distress, functional impairment, and demographic variables is needed. We investigated PLE in a sample of healthy adults ( N = 206) incorporating the recently developed revised Exceptional Experiences Questionnaire (PAGE-R). For the first time, the PAGE-R was cross validated with PLE, disorganized-, and negative-like symptoms [Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ), Physical Anhedonia Scale (PAS)]. We subjected the PAGE-R to exploratory factor analyses and examined the resulting subtypes of EE for specific associations with contextual factors, valence ratings, socio-demographic variables, and general psychological burden (Revised Symptom-Checklist-90). Correlational cross-validation suggested that the PAGE-R measures facets of PLE. Importantly, we (1) identified three types of exceptional experiences (EE): Odd beliefs, dissociative anomalous perceptions, and hallucinatory anomalous perceptions. Further, the results suggested that even in healthy individuals (2) PLE and EE are indicative of reduced functioning, as reflected by increased psychological burden and lower educational achievement. Moreover, (3) similar sex-differences might exist as in psychotic patients with women reporting more positive-like symptoms and EE but less disorganized-like symptoms than men. Importantly, (4) EE might be differentially implicated in psychological functioning. We suggest that the PAGE-R holds the potential to complement the current assessment of sub-clinical psychosis. However, whereas our results might point toward a continuity of psychotic symptoms with EE and normal experiences, they require replication in larger samples as well as equivalence testing across the psychosis continuum. Future analyses incorporating the PAGE-R might shed more light onto mechanisms that are implicated in the progress or resilience toward clinical illness.

Psychotic-Like Experiences at the Healthy End of the Psychosis Continuum

PubMed Central

Unterrassner, Lui; Wyss, Thomas A.; Wotruba, Diana; Ajdacic-Gross, Vladeta; Haker, Helene; Rössler, Wulf

2017-01-01

There is increasing evidence pointing toward a continuous distribution of psychotic symptoms and accompanying factors between subclinical and clinical populations. However, for the construction of continuum models, a more detailed knowledge of different types of psychotic-like experiences (PLE) and their associations with distress, functional impairment, and demographic variables is needed. We investigated PLE in a sample of healthy adults (N = 206) incorporating the recently developed revised Exceptional Experiences Questionnaire (PAGE-R). For the first time, the PAGE-R was cross validated with PLE, disorganized-, and negative-like symptoms [Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ), Physical Anhedonia Scale (PAS)]. We subjected the PAGE-R to exploratory factor analyses and examined the resulting subtypes of EE for specific associations with contextual factors, valence ratings, socio-demographic variables, and general psychological burden (Revised Symptom-Checklist-90). Correlational cross-validation suggested that the PAGE-R measures facets of PLE. Importantly, we (1) identified three types of exceptional experiences (EE): Odd beliefs, dissociative anomalous perceptions, and hallucinatory anomalous perceptions. Further, the results suggested that even in healthy individuals (2) PLE and EE are indicative of reduced functioning, as reflected by increased psychological burden and lower educational achievement. Moreover, (3) similar sex-differences might exist as in psychotic patients with women reporting more positive-like symptoms and EE but less disorganized-like symptoms than men. Importantly, (4) EE might be differentially implicated in psychological functioning. We suggest that the PAGE-R holds the potential to complement the current assessment of sub-clinical psychosis. However, whereas our results might point toward a continuity of psychotic symptoms with EE and normal experiences, they require replication in larger samples as well as equivalence testing across the psychosis continuum. Future analyses incorporating the PAGE-R might shed more light onto mechanisms that are implicated in the progress or resilience toward clinical illness. PMID:28555120

Skin hardening effect in patients with polymorphic light eruption: comparison of UVB hardening in hospital with a novel home UV-hardening device.

PubMed

Franken, S M; Genders, R E; de Gruijl, F R; Rustemeyer, T; Pavel, S

2013-01-01

An effective prophylactic treatment of patients with polymorphic light eruption (PLE) consists of repeated low, gradually increasing exposures to UVB radiation. This so-called UV(B) hardening induces better tolerance of the skin to sunlight. SunshowerMedical company (Amsterdam) has developed an UV (B) source that can be used during taking shower. The low UV fluence of this apparatus makes it an interesting device for UV hardening. In a group of PLE patients, we compared the effectiveness of the irradiation with SunshowerMedical at home with that of the UVB treatment in the hospital. The PLE patients were randomized for one of the treatments. The hospital treatment consisted of irradiations with broad-band UVB (Waldmann 85/UV21 lamps) twice a week during 6 weeks. The home UV-device was used each day with the maximal irradiation time of 6 min. The outcome assessment was based on the information obtained from patients' dermatological quality of life (DLQI) questionnaires, the ability of both phototherapies to reduce the provocation reaction and from the patients' evaluation of the long-term benefits of their phototherapies. Sixteen patients completed treatment with SunshowerMedical and thirteen completed treatment in hospital. Both types of phototherapy were effective. There was a highly significant improvement in DLQI with either treatment. In most cases, the hardening reduced or even completely suppressed clinical UV provocation of PLE. The patients using SunshowerMedical at home were, however, much more content with the treatment procedure than the patients visiting the dermatological units. Both treatments were equally effective in the induction of skin tolerance to sunlight in PLE patients. However, the home treatment was much better accepted than the treatment in the hospital. © 2011 The Authors. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology © 2011 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

Polymeric lithography editor: Editing lithographic errors with nanoporous polymeric probes

PubMed Central

Rajasekaran, Pradeep Ramiah; Zhou, Chuanhong; Dasari, Mallika; Voss, Kay-Obbe; Trautmann, Christina; Kohli, Punit

2017-01-01

A new lithographic editing system with an ability to erase and rectify errors in microscale with real-time optical feedback is demonstrated. The erasing probe is a conically shaped hydrogel (tip size, ca. 500 nm) template-synthesized from track-etched conical glass wafers. The “nanosponge” hydrogel probe “erases” patterns by hydrating and absorbing molecules into a porous hydrogel matrix via diffusion analogous to a wet sponge. The presence of an interfacial liquid water layer between the hydrogel tip and the substrate during erasing enables frictionless, uninterrupted translation of the eraser on the substrate. The erasing capacity of the hydrogel is extremely high because of the large free volume of the hydrogel matrix. The fast frictionless translocation and interfacial hydration resulted in an extremely high erasing rate (~785 μm2/s), which is two to three orders of magnitude higher in comparison with the atomic force microscopy–based erasing (~0.1 μm2/s) experiments. The high precision and accuracy of the polymeric lithography editor (PLE) system stemmed from coupling piezoelectric actuators to an inverted optical microscope. Subsequently after erasing the patterns using agarose erasers, a polydimethylsiloxane probe fabricated from the same conical track-etched template was used to precisely redeposit molecules of interest at the erased spots. PLE also provides a continuous optical feedback throughout the entire molecular editing process—writing, erasing, and rewriting. To demonstrate its potential in device fabrication, we used PLE to electrochemically erase metallic copper thin film, forming an interdigitated array of microelectrodes for the fabrication of a functional microphotodetector device. High-throughput dot and line erasing, writing with the conical “wet nanosponge,” and continuous optical feedback make PLE complementary to the existing catalog of nanolithographic/microlithographic and three-dimensional printing techniques. This new PLE technique will potentially open up many new and exciting avenues in lithography, which remain unexplored due to the inherent limitations in error rectification capabilities of the existing lithographic techniques. PMID:28630898

Modeling Physical Systems Using Vensim PLE Systems Dynamics Software

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Widmark, Stephen

2012-02-01

Many physical systems are described by time-dependent differential equations or systems of such equations. This makes it difficult for students in an introductory physics class to solve many real-world problems since these students typically have little or no experience with this kind of mathematics. In my high school physics classes, I address this problem by having my students use a variety of software solutions to model physical systems described by differential equations. These include spreadsheets, applets, software my students themselves create, and systems dynamics software. For the latter, cost is often the main issue in choosing a solution for use in a public school and so I researched no-cost software. I found Sphinx SD,2OptiSim,3 Systems Dynamics,4 Simile (Trial Edition),5 and Vensim PLE.6 In evaluating each of these solutions, I looked for the fewest restrictions in the license for educational use, ease of use by students, power, and versatility. In my opinion, Vensim PLE best fulfills these criteria.7

Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis associated with mixed olfactory neuroblastoma and craniopharyngioma: A case report and literature review.

PubMed

Nagafuji, Hiroshi; Yokoi, Hidenori; Fujiwara, Masachika; Sato, Dai; Saito, Koichiro

2018-06-01

Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (PLE) is a rare disorder of the nervous system associated with malignant disease. It has a subacute onset with the following symptoms: cognitive dysfunction, seizures, irritability, hallucinations, and short-term memory loss. Herein, we report the case of a 35-year-old man with PLE, an olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) admixed with craniopharyngioma, and serum anti-Hu antibodies. The patient presented with generalized seizures, short-term memory loss, and a polypoid mass located high in the nasal cavity. He underwent surgical resection of the tumor and postoperative chemoradiotherapy with concurrent intra-arterial cisplatin administration. Pathological examination indicated an ONB admixed with craniopharyngioma. The patient's neurological symptoms gradually diminished after surgery. No evidence of recurrence was observed during a 4-year follow-up. We reported a histologically unusual heterogeneous tumor that comprised ONB and craniopharyngioma. This is the first reported case of PLE with anti-Hu antibodies possibly associated with ONB admixed with craniopharyngioma.

Separation and characterization of antioxidants from Spirulina platensis microalga combining pressurized liquid extraction, TLC, and HPLC-DAD.

PubMed

Jaime, Laura; Mendiola, José A; Herrero, Miguel; Soler-Rivas, Cristina; Santoyo, Susana; Señorans, F Javier; Cifuentes, Alejandro; Ibáñez, Elena

2005-11-01

A new procedure has been developed to separate and characterize antioxidant compounds from Spirulina platensis microalga based on the combination of pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and different chromatographic procedures, such as TLC, at preparative scale, and HPLC with a diode array detector (DAD). Different solvents were tested for PLE extraction of antioxidants from S. platensis microalga. An optimized PLE process using ethanol (generally recognized as safe, GRAS) as extraction solvent has been obtained that provides natural extracts with high yields and good antioxidant properties. TLC analysis of this ethanolic extract obtained at 115 degrees C for 15 min was carried out and the silica layer was stained with a DPPH (diphenyl-pycril-hydrazyl) radical solution to determine the antioxidant activity of different chromatographic bands. Next, these colored bands were collected for their subsequent analysis by HPLC-DAD, revealing that the compounds with the most important antioxidant activity present in Spirulina extracts were carotenoids, as well as phenolic compounds and degradation products of chlorophylls.

Comparative Study of Green Sub- and Supercritical Processes to Obtain Carnosic Acid and Carnosol-Enriched Rosemary Extracts with in Vitro Anti-Proliferative Activity on Colon Cancer Cells

PubMed Central

Sánchez-Camargo, Andrea del Pilar; García-Cañas, Virginia; Herrero, Miguel; Cifuentes, Alejandro; Ibáñez, Elena

2016-01-01

In the present work, four green processes have been compared to evaluate their potential to obtain rosemary extracts with in vitro anti-proliferative activity against two colon cancer cell lines (HT-29 and HCT116). The processes, carried out under optimal conditions, were: (1) pressurized liquid extraction (PLE, using an hydroalcoholic mixture as solvent) at lab-scale; (2) Single-step supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) at pilot scale; (3) Intensified two-step sequential SFE at pilot scale; (4) Integrated PLE plus supercritical antisolvent fractionation (SAF) at pilot scale. Although higher extraction yields were achieved by using PLE (38.46% dry weight), this extract provided the lowest anti-proliferative activity with no observed cytotoxic effects at the assayed concentrations. On the other hand, extracts obtained using the PLE + SAF process provided the most active rosemary extracts against both colon cancer cell lines, with LC50 ranging from 11.2 to 12.4 µg/mL and from 21.8 to 31.9 µg/mL for HCT116 and HT-29, respectively. In general, active rosemary extracts were characterized by containing carnosic acid (CA) and carnosol (CS) at concentrations above 263.7 and 33.9 mg/g extract, respectively. Some distinct compounds have been identified in the SAF extracts (rosmaridiphenol and safficinolide), suggesting their possible role as additional contributors to the observed strong anti-proliferative activity of CA and CS in SAF extracts. PMID:27941607

Addressing the electronic properties of III-V nanowires by photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Luca, M.

2017-02-01

Semiconductor nanowires (NWs) have been attracting an increasing interest in the scientific community. This is due to their peculiar filamentary shape and nanoscale diameter, which renders them versatile and cost-effective components of novel technological devices and also makes them an ideal platform for the investigation of a variety of fascinating physical effects. Absorption spectroscopy is a powerful and non-destructive technique able to provide information on the physical properties of the NWs. However, standard absorption spectroscopy is hard to perform in NWs, because of their small volume and the presence of opaque substrates. Here, we demonstrate that absorption can be successfully replaced by photoluminescence excitation (PLE). First, the use of polarization-resolved PLE to address the complex and highly-debated electronic band structure of wurtzite GaAs and InP NWs is shown. Then, PLE is used as a statistically-relevant method to localize the presence of separate wurtzite and zincblende NWs in the same InP sample. Finally, a variety of resonant exotic effects in the density of states of In x Ga1-x As/GaAs core/shell NWs are highlighted by high-resolution PLE. , which features invited work from the best early-career researchers working within the scope of J. Phys. D. This project is part of the Journal of Physics’ series 50th anniversary celebrations in 2017. Marta De Luca was selected by the Editorial Board of J. Phys. D as a Leader.

Comparative Study of Green Sub- and Supercritical Processes to Obtain Carnosic Acid and Carnosol-Enriched Rosemary Extracts with in Vitro Anti-Proliferative Activity on Colon Cancer Cells.

PubMed

Sánchez-Camargo, Andrea Del Pilar; García-Cañas, Virginia; Herrero, Miguel; Cifuentes, Alejandro; Ibáñez, Elena

2016-12-07

In the present work, four green processes have been compared to evaluate their potential to obtain rosemary extracts with in vitro anti-proliferative activity against two colon cancer cell lines (HT-29 and HCT116). The processes, carried out under optimal conditions, were: (1) pressurized liquid extraction (PLE, using an hydroalcoholic mixture as solvent) at lab-scale; (2) Single-step supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) at pilot scale; (3) Intensified two-step sequential SFE at pilot scale; (4) Integrated PLE plus supercritical antisolvent fractionation (SAF) at pilot scale. Although higher extraction yields were achieved by using PLE (38.46% dry weight), this extract provided the lowest anti-proliferative activity with no observed cytotoxic effects at the assayed concentrations. On the other hand, extracts obtained using the PLE + SAF process provided the most active rosemary extracts against both colon cancer cell lines, with LC 50 ranging from 11.2 to 12.4 µg/mL and from 21.8 to 31.9 µg/mL for HCT116 and HT-29, respectively. In general, active rosemary extracts were characterized by containing carnosic acid (CA) and carnosol (CS) at concentrations above 263.7 and 33.9 mg/g extract, respectively. Some distinct compounds have been identified in the SAF extracts (rosmaridiphenol and safficinolide), suggesting their possible role as additional contributors to the observed strong anti-proliferative activity of CA and CS in SAF extracts.

Manufacturing of Protected Lithium Electrodes for Advanced Lithium-Air, Lithium-Water & Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

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

Visco, Steven J

The global demand for rechargeable batteries is large and growing rapidly. Assuming the adoption of electric vehicles continues to increase, the need for smaller, lighter, and less expensive batteries will become even more pressing. In this vein, PolyPlus Battery Company has developed ultra-light high performance batteries based on its proprietary protected lithium electrode (PLE) technology. The Company’s Lithium-Air and Lithium-Seawater batteries have already demonstrated world record performance (verified by third party testing), and we are developing advanced lithium-sulfur batteries which have the potential deliver high performance at low cost. In this program PolyPlus Battery Company teamed with Corning Incorporated tomore » transition the PLE technology from bench top fabrication using manual tooling to a pre- commercial semi-automated pilot line. At the inception of this program PolyPlus worked with a Tier 1 battery manufacturing engineering firm to design and build the first-of-its-kind pilot line for PLE production. The pilot line was shipped and installed in Berkeley, California several months after the start of the program. PolyPlus spent the next two years working with and optimizing the pilot line and now produces all of its PLEs on this line. The optimization process successfully increased the yield, throughput, and quality of PLEs produced on the pilot line. The Corning team focused on fabrication and scale-up of the ceramic membranes that are key to the PLE technology. PolyPlus next demonstrated that it could take Corning membranes through the pilot line process to produce state-of-the-art protected lithium electrodes. In the latter part of the program the Corning team developed alternative membranes targeted for the large rechargeable battery market. PolyPlus is now in discussions with several potential customers for its advanced PLE-enabled batteries, and is building relationships and infrastructure for the transition into manufacturing. It is likely that the next step will be accomplished through a combination of joint venture partnering and licensing of the technology.« less

Under-flap stromal bed CXL for early post-LASIK ectasia: a novel treatment technique

PubMed Central

Wallerstein, Avi; Adiguzel, Eser; Gauvin, Mathieu; Mohammad-Shahi, Nima; Cohen, Mark

2017-01-01

Purpose Collagen cross-linking (CXL) for post-laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) ectasia (PLE) is traditionally performed either epi-on or epi-off on the corneal surface. This study describes a novel technique in treating early PLE with under-flap CXL (ufCXL) to the stromal bed and reports on 6-month outcomes. Patients and methods Case series of seven patients (eight eyes) with topography-diagnosed early PLE treated with ufCXL. Inclusion criteria were early, mild PLE defined as new-onset postoperative manifest refraction cylinder ≤1.50 D, with new topographic inferior steepening consistent with ectasia, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/40 or better, and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) of 20/25 or better. Existing LASIK flap was lifted, riboflavin was applied directly to the stromal bed, flap was repositioned, and 18 mW/cm2 ultraviolet light was applied for 3 minutes to the corneal surface. Post-ufCXL manifest refraction, UDVA and CDVA, corneal cylinder, Kmax, and corneal irregularity index were compared with pre-ufCXL measurements. Results Patients had a pre-ufCXL sphere of 0.09±0.48 D and cylinder of −0.78±0.49 D. At 6 months, post-ufCXL sphere (0.06±0.8 D; P=0.89) and cylinder (−1.09±0.76 D, P=0.26) were unchanged. Cumulative post-ufCXL UDVA was unchanged, achieving 20/20, 20/30, and 20/40 in 25%, 88%, and 88%, respectively, compared with 13%, 63%, and 88% pre-ufCXL (P=0.68). Post-ufCXL CDVA was unchanged (P=0.93) with a gain of one line in two eyes, a loss of one line in one eye, and five eyes unchanged. The efficacy index (P=0.76), safety index (P=0.89), Kmax (P=0.94), and corneal irregularity index (P=0.73) were also unchanged. Conclusion Preliminary results with ufCXL for early PLE are promising, demonstrating maintenance of visual accuracy, efficacy, safety, Kmax, and cylinder, with much quicker recovery times than surface CXL. PMID:28031696

Under-flap stromal bed CXL for early post-LASIK ectasia: a novel treatment technique.

PubMed

Wallerstein, Avi; Adiguzel, Eser; Gauvin, Mathieu; Mohammad-Shahi, Nima; Cohen, Mark

2017-01-01

Collagen cross-linking (CXL) for post-laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) ectasia (PLE) is traditionally performed either epi-on or epi-off on the corneal surface. This study describes a novel technique in treating early PLE with under-flap CXL (ufCXL) to the stromal bed and reports on 6-month outcomes. Case series of seven patients (eight eyes) with topography-diagnosed early PLE treated with ufCXL. Inclusion criteria were early, mild PLE defined as new-onset postoperative manifest refraction cylinder ≤1.50 D, with new topographic inferior steepening consistent with ectasia, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/40 or better, and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) of 20/25 or better. Existing LASIK flap was lifted, riboflavin was applied directly to the stromal bed, flap was repositioned, and 18 mW/cm 2 ultraviolet light was applied for 3 minutes to the corneal surface. Post-ufCXL manifest refraction, UDVA and CDVA, corneal cylinder, K max , and corneal irregularity index were compared with pre-ufCXL measurements. Patients had a pre-ufCXL sphere of 0.09±0.48 D and cylinder of -0.78±0.49 D. At 6 months, post-ufCXL sphere (0.06±0.8 D; P =0.89) and cylinder (-1.09±0.76 D, P =0.26) were unchanged. Cumulative post-ufCXL UDVA was unchanged, achieving 20/20, 20/30, and 20/40 in 25%, 88%, and 88%, respectively, compared with 13%, 63%, and 88% pre-ufCXL ( P =0.68). Post-ufCXL CDVA was unchanged ( P =0.93) with a gain of one line in two eyes, a loss of one line in one eye, and five eyes unchanged. The efficacy index ( P =0.76), safety index ( P =0.89), K max ( P =0.94), and corneal irregularity index ( P =0.73) were also unchanged. Preliminary results with ufCXL for early PLE are promising, demonstrating maintenance of visual accuracy, efficacy, safety, K max , and cylinder, with much quicker recovery times than surface CXL.

Using a simple HPLC approach to identify the enzymatic products of UTL-5g, a small molecule TNF-α inhibitor, from porcine esterase and from rabbit esterase.

PubMed

Swartz, Kenneth; Zhang, Yiguan; Valeriote, Frederick; Chen, Ben; Shaw, Jiajiu

2013-12-01

UTL-5g is a novel small-molecule chemoprotector that lowers hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and myelotoxicity induced by cisplatin through TNF-α inhibition among other factors. As a prelude to investigating the metabolites of UTL-5g, we set out to identify the enzymatic products of UTL-5g under the treatment of both porcine liver esterase (PLE) and rabbit liver esterase (RLE). First, a number of mixtures made by UTL-5g and PLE were incubated at 25°C. At predetermined time points, individual samples were quenched by acetonitrile, vortexed, and centrifuged. The supernatants were then analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC (using a C18 column). The retention times and UV/vis spectra of individual peaks were compared to those of UTL-5g and its two postulated enzymatic products; thus the enzymatic products of UTL-5g were tentatively identified. Secondly, a different HPLC method (providing different retentions times) was used to cross-check and to confirm the identities of the two enzymatic products. Based on the observations, it was concluded that under the treatment of PLE, the major enzymatic products of UTL-5g were 5-methyliosxazole-3-carboxylic acid (ISOX) and 2,4-dichloroaniline (DCA). Treatment of UTL-5g by RLE also provided the same enzymatic products of UTL-5g from esterase. These results indicate that the peptide bond in UTL-5g was cleaved by PLE/RLE. Michaelis-Menten kinetics showed that the Km values of UTL-5g were 2.07mM with PLE and 0.37mM with RLE indicating that UTL-5g had a higher affinity with RLE. In summary, by a simple HPLC approach, we have concluded that the peptide bond in UTL-5g was cleaved by esterase from either porcine liver or rabbit liver in vitro and afforded DCA (at a mole ratio of 1:1) and ISOX. However, further studies are needed in order to determine whether UTL-5g is metabolized by microsomal enzymes to produce ISOX and DCA. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Using a simple HPLC approach to identify the enzymatic products of UTL-5g, a small molecule TNF-α inhibitor, from porcine esterase and from rabbit esterase

PubMed Central

Swartz, Kenneth; Zhang, Yiguan; Valeriote, Frederick; Chen, Ben; Shaw, Jiajiu

2013-01-01

UTL-5g is a novel small-molecule chemoprotector that lowers hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and myelotoxicity induced by cisplatin through TNF-α inhibition among other factors. As a prelude to investigating the metabolites of UTL-5g, we set out to identify the enzymatic products of UTL-5g under the treatment of both porcine liver esterase (PLE) and rabbit liver esterase (RLE). First, a number of mixtures made by UTL-5g and PLE were incubated at 25 °C. At predetermined time points, individual samples were quenched by acetonitrile, vortexed, and centrifuged. The supernatants were then analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC (using a C18 column). The retention times and UV/Vis spectra of individual peaks were compared to those of UTL-5g and its two postulated enzymatic products; thus the enzymatic products of UTL-5g were tentatively identified. Secondly, a different HPLC method (providing different retentions times) was used to cross-check and to confirm the identities of the two enzymatic products. Based on the observations, it was concluded that under the treatment of PLE, the major enzymatic products of UTL-5g were 5-methyliosxazole-3-carboxylic acid (ISOX) and 2,4-dichloroaniline (DCA). Treatment of UTL-5g by RLE also provided the same enzymatic products of UTL-5g from esterase. These results indicate that the peptide bond in UTL-5g was cleaved by PLE/RLE. Michaelis–Menten kinetics showed that the Km values of UTL-5g were 2.07 mM with PLE and 0.37 mM with RLE indicating that UTL-5g had a higher affinity with RLE. In summary, by a simple HPLC approach, we have concluded that the peptide bond in UTL-5g was cleaved by esterase from either porcine liver or rabbit liver in vitro and afforded DCA (at a mole ratio of 1:1) and ISOX. However, further studies are needed in order to determine whether UTL-5g is metabolized by microsomal enzymes to produce ISOX and DCA. PMID:24126042

The association between changes in depression/anxiety and trajectories of psychotic-like experiences over a year in adolescence.

PubMed

Yamasaki, Syudo; Usami, Satoshi; Sasaki, Ryo; Koike, Shinsuke; Ando, Shuntaro; Kitagawa, Yuko; Matamura, Misato; Fukushima, Masako; Yonehara, Hiromi; Foo, Jerome Clifford; Nishida, Atsushi; Sasaki, Tsukasa

2018-05-01

Recent cross-sectional studies suggest that psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are associated with depression and anxiety in adolescents. While longitudinal studies have observed that adolescents suffer more severe symptoms of depression/anxiety when PLEs persist, it remains unclear whether depression/anxiety worsens or improves with PLE emergence or remission, respectively. In this prospective school-based study, we investigated the association between longitudinal changes in depression/anxiety and one-year PLE trajectories in adolescence. Nine hundred and twelve adolescents participated in the baseline assessment of PLEs and depression/anxiety; 887 (97.3%) adolescents completed the follow-up assessment one year later. Multilevel analysis was conducted to evaluate the change in depression/anxiety, evaluated using the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), during the year according to PLE trajectory, adjusting for baseline depression/anxiety, gender, age, substance use and victimization. Sixteen percent of adolescents reported PLEs at baseline, with 56% of them remitting at follow-up. At follow-up, PLEs were experienced by 6.6% of adolescents not experiencing PLEs at baseline (incident PLE group). After adjusting for covariates, GHQ-12 score worsened significantly during the year in students with incident trajectories (regression coefficient for time, α 1 =1.91, 95% CI: 1.04-2.77), but in those showing remission, GHQ-12 score did not significantly improve (α 1 =-0.20, 95% CI: -0.97-0.56). Greater awareness about PLEs and their trajectories in school health care settings may be a key towards the prevention and treatment of adolescent depression and anxiety. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Social media methods for studying rare diseases.

PubMed

Schumacher, Kurt R; Stringer, Kathleen A; Donohue, Janet E; Yu, Sunkyung; Shaver, Ashley; Caruthers, Regine L; Zikmund-Fisher, Brian J; Fifer, Carlen; Goldberg, Caren; Russell, Mark W

2014-05-01

For pediatric rare diseases, the number of patients available to support traditional research methods is often inadequate. However, patients who have similar diseases cluster "virtually" online via social media. This study aimed to (1) determine whether patients who have the rare diseases Fontan-associated protein losing enteropathy (PLE) and plastic bronchitis (PB) would participate in online research, and (2) explore response patterns to examine social media's role in participation compared with other referral modalities. A novel, internet-based survey querying details of potential pathogenesis, course, and treatment of PLE and PB was created. The study was available online via web and Facebook portals for 1 year. Apart from 2 study-initiated posts on patient-run Facebook pages at the study initiation, all recruitment was driven by study respondents only. Response patterns and referral sources were tracked. A total of 671 respondents with a Fontan palliation completed a valid survey, including 76 who had PLE and 46 who had PB. Responses over time demonstrated periodic, marked increases as new online populations of Fontan patients were reached. Of the responses, 574 (86%) were from the United States and 97 (14%) were international. The leading referral sources were Facebook, internet forums, and traditional websites. Overall, social media outlets referred 84% of all responses, making it the dominant modality for recruiting the largest reported contemporary cohort of Fontan patients and patients who have PLE and PB. The methodology and response patterns from this study can be used to design research applications for other rare diseases. Copyright © 2014 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Power law analysis of the human microbiome.

PubMed

Ma, Zhanshan Sam

2015-11-01

Taylor's (1961, Nature, 189:732) power law, a power function (V = am(b) ) describing the scaling relationship between the mean and variance of population abundances of organisms, has been found to govern the population abundance distributions of single species in both space and time in macroecology. It is regarded as one of few generalities in ecology, and its parameter b has been widely applied to characterize spatial aggregation (i.e. heterogeneity) and temporal stability of single-species populations. Here, we test its applicability to bacterial populations in the human microbiome using extensive data sets generated by the US-NIH Human Microbiome Project (HMP). We further propose extending Taylor's power law from the population to the community level, and accordingly introduce four types of power-law extensions (PLEs): type I PLE for community spatial aggregation (heterogeneity), type II PLE for community temporal aggregation (stability), type III PLE for mixed-species population spatial aggregation (heterogeneity) and type IV PLE for mixed-species population temporal aggregation (stability). Our results show that fittings to the four PLEs with HMP data were statistically extremely significant and their parameters are ecologically sound, hence confirming the validity of the power law at both the population and community levels. These findings not only provide a powerful tool to characterize the aggregations of population and community in both time and space, offering important insights into community heterogeneity in space and/or stability in time, but also underscore the three general properties of power laws (scale invariance, no average and universality) and their specific manifestations in our four PLEs. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A new procedure of determination of alcohol sulfates and alcohol ethoxysulfates in agricultural soils.

PubMed

Fernández-Ramos, C; Ballesteros, O; Zafra-Gómez, A; Blanc, R; Navalón, A; Crovetto, G; Cantarero, S; Oliver-Rodríguez, B; Vílchez, J L

2013-09-01

The number of analytical methodologies that focus in the determination of alcohol sulfates (AS) and alcohol ethoxysulfates (AES) in terrestrial environment is very limited. In the present work, a new methodology to improve the extraction and determination of AS and AES in agricultural soil samples has been developed. Prior to instrumental analysis, an extraction procedure using pressurized liquid extraction with methanol (PLE) was carried out in order to obtain the highest recoveries and improve sensitivity. The most influential variables affecting the PLE procedure were optimized. Then, the separation and quantification of analytes were performed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The limits of detection (LOD) ranged from 0.03 to 0.08μgg(-1) for AS homologues and in the case of AES ethoxymers from 0.03 to 0.09μgg(-1) for AES-C12Ex and from 0.03 to 0.08μgg(-1) for AES-C14Ex. Matrix-matched calibration was used. Trueness was evaluated by using a spike recovery assay with spiked blank samples, and the recoveries ranged from 98.3% to 101.0% for AS and from 99.9% to 100.1% for AES. The method was satisfactorily applied in a field study designed to evaluate the environmental behavior of these compounds in agricultural soil. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pressurized solvent extraction followed by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of benzotriazole light stabilizers in indoor dust.

PubMed

Carpinteiro, I; Abuín, B; Rodríguez, I; Ramil, M; Cela, R

2010-06-11

A novel and sensitive method for the determination of five benzotriazole compounds (commonly used as light stabilizers) in indoor dust is presented. Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and gas chromatography followed by tandem in time mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) were used as sample preparation and determination techniques, respectively. Extraction and clean-up were integrated on-line and, after an evaporative concentration step, the extract provided by the PLE instrument was injected directly in the GC-MS/MS system. Parameters affecting the performance of the sample preparation process were evaluated using experimental factorial designs. Under optimized conditions, analytes were recovered from 0.5g samples in 3 static extraction cycles of 10min, using a hexane:dichloromethane (7:3) mixture, at 90 degrees C. Silica (1g) was placed in the bottom of the extraction cells as clean-up sorbent. The recoveries of the method varied from 82 to 122%, with standard deviations below 13. The inter-day precision ranged from 9 to 12%, and the limits of quantification (LOQs) remained below 10ngg(-1) for all species. For the first time, four of the five investigated species were found in dust from indoor environments. Their mean concentrations ranged from 71 to 780ngg(-1). Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Large diversity of the piggyBac-like elements in the genome of Tribolium castaneum

PubMed Central

Wang, Jianjun; Du, Yuzhou; Wang, Suzhi; Brown, Sue; Park, Yoonseong

2011-01-01

The piggyBac transposable element, originally discovered in the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni, has been widely used in insect transgenesis including the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. We surveyed piggyBac-like (PLE) sequences in the genome of Tribolium castaneum by homology searches using as queries the diverse PLE sequences that have been described previously. The search yielded a total of 32 piggyBac-like elements (TcPLEs) which were classified into 14 distinct groups. Most of the TcPLEs contain defective functional motifs in that they are lacking inverted terminal repeats or have disrupted open reading frames. Only one single copy of TcPLE1 appears to be intact with imperfect 16 bp inverted terminal repeats flanking an open reading frame encoding a transposase of 571 amino acid residues. Many copies of TcPLEs were found to be inserted into or close to other transposon-like sequences. This large diversity of TcPLEs with generally low copy numbers suggests multiple invasions of the TcPLEs over a long evolutionary time without extensive multiplications or occurrence of rapid loss of TcPLEs copies. PMID:18342253

How psychotic-like are paranormal beliefs?

PubMed

Cella, Matteo; Vellante, Marcello; Preti, Antonio

2012-09-01

Paranormal beliefs and Psychotic-like Experiences (PLE) are phenotypically similar and can occur in individuals with psychosis but also in the general population; however the relationship of these experiences for psychosis risk is largely unclear. This study investigates the association of PLE and paranormal beliefs with psychological distress. Five hundred and three young adults completed measures of paranormal beliefs (Beliefs in the Paranormal Scale), psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire), delusion (Peters et al. Delusions Inventory), and hallucination (Launay-Slade Hallucination Scale) proneness. The frequency and intensity of PLE was higher in believers in the paranormal compared to non-believers, however psychological distress levels were comparable. Regression findings confirmed that paranormal beliefs were predicted by delusion and hallucination-proneness but not psychological distress. The use of a cross-sectional design in a specific young adult population makes the findings exploratory and in need of replication with longitudinal studies. The predictive value of paranormal beliefs and experiences for psychosis may be limited; appraisal or the belief emotional salience rather than the belief per se may be more relevant risk factors to predict psychotic risk. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Computer Program Development Specification for Ada Integrated Environment. Ada Compiler Phases B5-AIE (1). COMP (1).

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-11-05

routines required by the Back End. 3.3 Detailed Functional Requirements 3.3.1 Front End 3.3.1.1 DRIVER The DRIVER is the primary user interface to the...Main 2. Exam ple" !.i ,, , ,vari able • id -: go for B Boolean Ai ’ A" ’ I type d 1 I , for Boolean I (from Standard) i I - - for A function i fuction ...TN in. If a TN cannot be allocated to the primary area of storage it needs(such as a register) it is allocated to the spill area reserved in the local

Evidence of low frequency waves penetration in the ionosphere observed by Chibis-M satellite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pronenko, Vira; Dudkin, Fedir; Korepanov, Valery

2016-07-01

Chibis-M microsatellite (MS) was launched using ISS infrastructure to the 500 km circular orbit with inclination 52° and successfully operated during the years 2012-2014. One of the main tasks of this experiment was the study of how powerful natural and technogenic processes are reflected in the ionosphere. For this study, the magnetic wave complex (MWC) was used which measured one electrical component and three components of the magnetic vector in the frequency range 0.1 Hz-40 kHz. Due to the proximity of the magnetic sensors and the satellite control system, their high sensitivity (up to 0.02 pT/sqrt(Hz)) was not used in full because the level of magnetic noise was about 10 pT/sqrt(Hz) in the low-frequency range. Nevertheless, owing to the symmetric fixation of the electric probes relative to the satellite body, the electrical sensor provided high accuracy measurements (about 0.8-0.04 (µV/m)/sqrt(Hz)) in the frequency range of 0.1-40 000 Hz, despite the very small measurement base of 0.42 m. This allowed us to collect valuable information which revealed a number of interesting physical effects, especially in ultralow frequency (ULF) range. In ULF range the ionospheric emissions with a central frequency of 50 (60) Hz - power line emissions (PLE) and the Schumann resonance harmonics (SR) were detected, though, according to the present model of the ionosphere, they have not penetrate there. A detailed study of the obtained data revealed the features of PLE and SR. The spatial distribution of PLE and their connection with the power lines location on the ground were analyzed. It was found that the intensity of PLE depends on the load characteristics of the power line and usually has a minimum in the morning. The cases of an extra long distance of PLE propagation in the Earth's ionosphere over oceans in the equatorial region have been also observed. Further, it was detected that PLE has been recorded both in the shaded and sunlit parts of the orbits and their amplitude does not depend on the level of the total electron content (TEC), as opposed to SR which has been observed only in the nightside of the Earth and with TEC only below 48 TECU. These results should stimulate the ionosphere model correction for ultralow frequency electromagnetic wave propagation as well as the study on the new possibility of the ionosphere diagnostics of Earth-located powerful events should be continued. This work was fulfilled with the support of the Contracts #4-03/13 with State Space Agency of Ukraine and #1601 with Space Research institute of NANU-SSAU.

The Bologna Process Implementation and its Consequent Changes in the Teaching/Learning Model—the Industrial Management and Engineering Degree Case

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luísa Soares, Ana; Costa, Elga; Ferreira, Luís Pinto

2009-11-01

The present paper aims to present a Project included in a diversified programme and consequent implementation of a new Teaching/Learning model adapted to the Industrial Management and Engineering Degree (IMED) of the Management and Industrial Studies School (O'Porto Polytechnic Institute). Owning particular and specific characteristics, this model is based on the graduates' professional profile as well as on the work market dynamics, placing the student in the centre of the Learning Process, in opposition to the `teacher centred' method (as conceived by the Bologna Treat). Diverse in the approach, the model includes differentiating factors when compared to the project based traditional model. Through the development and conception of practical Interdisciplinary Projects, centring knowledges and techniques from the different Industrial Management and Engineering areas, we seek a new way of implementing the `Project Led Education' (PLE) bases, according to the Active Learning paradigm. This teaching/learning model aims to contribute to the Industrial Management and Engineering graduates' formation focused on a high level of performance and professional rectitude, to induce students' enthusiasm and motivation for acquiring scientific and technical knowledge, as well as to satisfy the diverse interest groups' expectations and promote the regional development.

Morbidity and Functional Outcomes following Free Jejunal Flap Reconstruction for Head and Neck Cancer.

PubMed

Ni, Song; Zhu, Yiming; Qu, Dong; Wang, Jian; Li, Dezhi; Zhang, Bin; Xu, Zhengang; Liu, Shaoyan

2017-01-01

To evaluate the morbidity and fundamental functional outcomes (swallow and speech) after free jejunal flap (FJF) reconstruction following total pharyngolaryngo-esophagectomy (PLE) in China. 18 patients with FJF reconstruction after total PLE were retrospectively reviewed. Scheduled barium swallow test was performed 7-10 days postoperatively. Rehabilitation of swallowing and speech for patients was assessed by the Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer Patients. 8 patients died of tumor recurrence and 2 patients died of other reasons (cerebrovascular disease and respiratory disease, respectively). The 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival rates were 70.5, 49.4, and 33.8%, respectively. 83.3% of all patients could tolerate soft chewable foods, such as cooked vegetables, fish, hamburger, and small pieces of meat. 2 patients with early stenosis at upper anastomotic sites were with good swallowing function; while 2 patients with early stenosis at lower anastomotic sites were found to have difficulty in oral diet. 2 (11.1%) patients with larynx-preserving pharyngo-esophagectomy showed no compromise in speech. Only 2 (11.1%) patients underwent primary tracheoesophageal puncture for inserting an indwelling voice prosthesis for speech, and both patients achieved functional tracheoesophageal speech. The remaining 14 (77.8%) patients with total PLE did not resume functional speech. Postoperative barium swallow examination is helpful to predict long-term anastomotic stenosis. Good functional swallow rehabilitation is achieved following FJF reconstruction after total PLE or a larynx-preserving procedure. However, the speech outcomes are not satisfactory. It raises the demand of enhancement of functional recovery so that quality of life can be improved for these patients in China. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

rAAV-compatible MiniPromoters for restricted expression in the brain and eye.

PubMed

de Leeuw, Charles N; Korecki, Andrea J; Berry, Garrett E; Hickmott, Jack W; Lam, Siu Ling; Lengyell, Tess C; Bonaguro, Russell J; Borretta, Lisa J; Chopra, Vikramjit; Chou, Alice Y; D'Souza, Cletus A; Kaspieva, Olga; Laprise, Stéphanie; McInerny, Simone C; Portales-Casamar, Elodie; Swanson-Newman, Magdalena I; Wong, Kaelan; Yang, George S; Zhou, Michelle; Jones, Steven J M; Holt, Robert A; Asokan, Aravind; Goldowitz, Daniel; Wasserman, Wyeth W; Simpson, Elizabeth M

2016-05-10

Small promoters that recapitulate endogenous gene expression patterns are important for basic, preclinical, and now clinical research. Recently, there has been a promising revival of gene therapy for diseases with unmet therapeutic needs. To date, most gene therapies have used viral-based ubiquitous promoters-however, promoters that restrict expression to target cells will minimize off-target side effects, broaden the palette of deliverable therapeutics, and thereby improve safety and efficacy. Here, we take steps towards filling the need for such promoters by developing a high-throughput pipeline that goes from genome-based bioinformatic design to rapid testing in vivo. For much of this work, therapeutically interesting Pleiades MiniPromoters (MiniPs; ~4 kb human DNA regulatory elements), previously tested in knock-in mice, were "cut down" to ~2.5 kb and tested in recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV), the virus of choice for gene therapy of the central nervous system. To evaluate our methods, we generated 29 experimental rAAV2/9 viruses carrying 19 different MiniPs, which were injected intravenously into neonatal mice to allow broad unbiased distribution, and characterized in neural tissues by X-gal immunohistochemistry for icre, or immunofluorescent detection of GFP. The data showed that 16 of the 19 (84 %) MiniPs recapitulated the expression pattern of their design source. This included expression of: Ple67 in brain raphe nuclei; Ple155 in Purkinje cells of the cerebellum, and retinal bipolar ON cells; Ple261 in endothelial cells of brain blood vessels; and Ple264 in retinal Müller glia. Overall, the methodology and MiniPs presented here represent important advances for basic and preclinical research, and may enable a paradigm shift in gene therapy.

Influence of Disease Severity and Exercise Limitation on Exercise Training Intensity and Load and Health Benefits From Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with COPD: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY.

PubMed

Huynh, Virginia C; Fuhr, Desi P; Byers, Bradley W; Selzler, Anne-Marie; Moore, Linn E; Stickland, Michael K

2018-04-11

Some patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) fail to achieve health benefits with pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Exercise intensity and load represent stimulus for adaptation but it is unclear whether inappropriate exercise intensity and/or load are affected by severity of COPD, which may affect health benefits. The purpose was to determine whether COPD severity and/or the severity of pulmonary limitation to exercise (PLE) impacted exercising intensity or load and whether resultant intensity/load affected health outcomes derived from PR. Patients with COPD (n = 58, age = 67 ± 7 y, forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration [FEV1] % predicted = 52 ± 21%) were recruited upon referral to PR. Primary health outcomes evaluated were 6-min walk distance and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire. Patients were stratified for disease severity using Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) staging and PLE severity by change in inspiratory capacity during exercise. Exercise intensity and load were calculated from daily exercise records. Participants achieved comparable training duration and load regardless of GOLD severity. Patients with more severe PLE achieved greater training duration (more severe: 546 ± 143 min., less severe: 451 ± 109 min., P = .036), and relative training load (more severe: 2200.8 ± 595.3 kcal, less severe: 1648.3 ± 597.8 kcal, P = .007). Greater overall training load was associated with greater improvements in 6-min walk distance (r = 0.24, P = .035). No significant relationships were observed between PLE, GOLD severity, training parameters, and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire response. Improvements in exercise tolerance can be explained by achieving greater training loads, demonstrating the importance of appropriate training load to maximize health outcomes in PR.

Retention time generates short-term phytoplankton blooms in a shallow microtidal subtropical estuary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Odebrecht, Clarisse; Abreu, Paulo C.; Carstensen, Jacob

2015-09-01

In this study it was hypothesised that increasing water retention time promotes phytoplankton blooms in the shallow microtidal Patos Lagoon estuary (PLE). This hypothesis was tested using salinity variation as a proxy of water retention time and chlorophyll a for phytoplankton biomass. Submersible sensors fixed at 5 m depth near the mouth of PLE continuously measured water temperature, salinity and pigments fluorescence (calibrated to chlorophyll a) between March 2010 and 12th of December 2011, with some gaps. Salinity variations were used to separate alternating patterns of outflow of lagoon water (salinity <8; 46% of the time) and inflow of marine water (salinity >24; 35% of the time). The two transition phases represented a rapid change from lagoon water outflow to marine water inflow and a more gradually declining salinity between the dominating inflow and outflow conditions. During the latter of these, a significant chlorophyll a increase relative to that expected from a linear mixing relationship was observed at intermediate salinities (10-20). The increase in chlorophyll a was positively related to the duration of the prior coastal water inflow in the PLE. Moreover, chlorophyll a increase was significantly higher during austral spring-summer than autumn-winter, probably due to higher light and nutrient availability in the former. Moreover, the retention time process operating on time scales of days influences the long-term phytoplankton variability in this ecosystem. Comparing these results with monthly data from a nearby long-term water quality monitoring station (1993-2011) support the hypothesis that chlorophyll a accumulations occur after marine inflow events, whereas phytoplankton does not accumulate during high water outflow, when the water residence time is short. These results suggest that changing hydrological pattern is the most important mechanism underlying phytoplankton blooms in the PLE.

Ultrasonic Removal of Mucilage for Pressurized Liquid Extraction of Omega-3 Rich Oil from Chia Seeds (Salvia hispanica L.).

PubMed

Castejón, Natalia; Luna, Pilar; Señoráns, Francisco J

2017-03-29

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seeds contain an important amount of edible oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Fast and alternative extraction techniques based on polar solvents, such as ethanol or water, have become relevant for oil extraction in recent years. However, chia seeds also contain a large amount of soluble fiber or mucilage, which makes difficult an oil extraction process with polar solvents. For that reason, the aim of this study was to develop a gentle extraction method for mucilage in order to extract chia oil with polar solvents using pressurized liquids and compare with organic solvent extraction. The proposed mucilage extraction method, using an ultrasonic probe and only water, was optimized at mild conditions (50 °C and sonication 3 min) to guarantee the omega-3 oil quality. Chia oil extraction was performed using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) with different solvents and their mixtures at five different extraction temperatures (60, 90, 120, 150, and 200 °C). Optimal PLE conditions were achieved with ethyl acetate or hexane at 90 °C in only 10 min of static extraction time (chia oil yield up to 30.93%). In addition, chia oils extracted with nonpolar and polar solvents by PLE were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to evaluate fatty acid composition at different extraction conditions. Chia oil contained ∼65% of α-linolenic acid regardless of mucilage extraction method, solvent, or temperature used. Furthermore, tocopherols and tocotrienols were also analyzed by HPLC in the extracted chia oils. The mucilage removal allowed the subsequent extraction of the chia oil with polar or nonpolar solvents by PLE producing chia oil with the same fatty acid and tocopherol composition as traditional extraction.

Antinuclear antibodies in patients with polymorphic light eruption: a long-term follow-up study.

PubMed

Tzaneva, S; Volc-Platzer, B; Kittler, H; Hönigsmann, H; Tanew, A

2008-05-01

Previous studies have shown elevated titres of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in 2.9-19% of patients with polymorphic light eruption (PLE). A diagnosis of lupus erythematosus (LE) was finally established in some of these ANA-positive patients. To investigate whether the presence of ANA in patients with PLE merely represents an epiphenomenon or is associated with an increased risk of eventual progression to LE. We identified 472 patients with PLE who had received prophylactic photo(chemo)therapy between 1986 and 2003 and were routinely tested for the presence of ANA. All ANA-positive (ANA titre of>or=1:80) patients were asked to attend for a follow-up examination comprising a medical history, complete skin inspection and a detailed laboratory analysis including ANA and antibodies against extractable nuclear antigens. Of all the patients, 55 (11.7%) were found to be ANA positive on one or several occasions, and three (0.6%) also had antibodies to SS-A/Ro. Thirty-nine (71%) of all ANA-positive patients including all Ro+ subjects were available for follow-up after a median follow-up period of 8 years (interquartile range 5-11.5). Twenty-five patients showed persistence of ANA positivity with a median titre of 1:160 (range 1:80-1:640), whereas in 14 patients ANA titres had returned to normal levels. None of the patients revealed additional clinical, histopathological or laboratory abnormalities suggestive of LE. After a median follow-up period of 8 years none of the ANA-positive patients developed LE. Our findings indicate that PLE is a benign disease without tendency to progress to LE.

Multiple-photon excitation of nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ji, Peng; Balili, R.; Beaumariage, J.; Mukherjee, S.; Snoke, D.; Dutt, M. V. Gurudev

2018-04-01

We report the observation of multiphoton photoluminescence excitation (PLE) below the resonant energies of nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in diamond. The quadratic and cubic dependence of the integrated fluorescence intensity as a function of excitation power indicates a two-photon excitation pathway for the NV- charge state and a three-photon process involved for the neutral NV0 charge state, respectively. Comparing the total multiphoton energy with its single-photon equivalent, the PLE spectra follows the absorption spectrum of single photon excitation. We also observed that the efficiency of photoluminescence for different charge states, as well as the decay time constant, was dependent on the excitation wavelength and power.

Treatment of VGKC complex antibody-associated limbic encephalitis: a systematic review.

PubMed

Radja, Guirindhra Koumar; Cavanna, Andrea Eugenio

2013-01-01

Limbic encephalitis is an autoimmune neuropsychiatric condition characterized by subacute cognitive symptoms, seizures, and affective changes. Although limbic encephalitis is usually caused by an immune reaction secondary to neoplasms, different types of potentially treatable non-paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (nPLE) have recently been described. In particular, published studies have reported variable responses to immunosuppressive therapy in Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel (VGKC) complex antibody-associated nPLE. This systematic literature review found that the most significant improvements were reported by patients presenting with affective symptoms and consistent neuroradiological changes. In these patients, improved clinical outcomes correlated with the largest decreases in antibody titers.

Octreotide in Hennekam syndrome-associated intestinal lymphangiectasia.

PubMed

Al Sinani, Siham; Rawahi, Yusria Al; Abdoon, Hamed

2012-11-21

A number of disorders have been described to cause protein losing enteropathy (PLE) in children. Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia (PIL) is one mechanism leading to PLE. Few syndromes are associated with PIL; Hennekam syndrome (HS) is one of them. The principal treatment for PIL is a high protein, low fat diet with medium chain triglycerides supplementation. Supportive therapy includes albumin infusion. Few publications have supported the use of octreotide to diminish protein loss and minimize hypoalbuminemia seen in PIL. There are no publications on the treatment of PIL with octreotide in patients with HS. We report two children with HS and PLE in which we used octreotide to decrease intestinal protein loss. In one patient, octreotide increased serum albumin to an acceptable level without further need for albumin infusions. The other patient responded more dramatically with near normal serum albumin levels and cessation of albumin infusions. In achieving a good response to octreotide in both patients, we add to the publications supporting the use of octreotide in PIL and suggest that octreotide should be tried in patients with PIL secondary to HS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report on the use of octreotide in HS-associated PIL.

Octreotide in Hennekam syndrome-associated intestinal lymphangiectasia

PubMed Central

Al Sinani, Siham; Rawahi, Yusria Al; Abdoon, Hamed

2012-01-01

A number of disorders have been described to cause protein losing enteropathy (PLE) in children. Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia (PIL) is one mechanism leading to PLE. Few syndromes are associated with PIL; Hennekam syndrome (HS) is one of them. The principal treatment for PIL is a high protein, low fat diet with medium chain triglycerides supplementation. Supportive therapy includes albumin infusion. Few publications have supported the use of octreotide to diminish protein loss and minimize hypoalbuminemia seen in PIL. There are no publications on the treatment of PIL with octreotide in patients with HS. We report two children with HS and PLE in which we used octreotide to decrease intestinal protein loss. In one patient, octreotide increased serum albumin to an acceptable level without further need for albumin infusions. The other patient responded more dramatically with near normal serum albumin levels and cessation of albumin infusions. In achieving a good response to octreotide in both patients, we add to the publications supporting the use of octreotide in PIL and suggest that octreotide should be tried in patients with PIL secondary to HS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report on the use of octreotide in HS-associated PIL. PMID:23180957

Pressurized liquid extraction and microwave-assisted extraction in the determination of organochlorine pesticides in fish muscle samples.

PubMed

Barriada-Pereira, Mercedes; Iglesias-García, Iván; González-Castro, María J; Muniategui-Lorenzo, Soledad; López-Mahía, Purificación; Prada-Rodríguez, Darío

2008-01-01

This paper describes a comparative study of 2 extraction methods, pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), for the determination of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in fish muscle samples. In both cases, samples were extracted with hexane-acetone (50 + 50), and the extracts were purified by solid-phase extraction using a carbon cartridge as the adsorbent. Pesticides were eluted with hexane-ethyl acetate (80 + 20) and determined by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection. Both methods demonstrated good linearity over the range studied (0.005-0.100 microg/mL). Detection limits ranged from 0.029 to 0.295 mg/kg for PLE and from 0.003 to 0.054 mg/kg for MAE. For most of the pesticides, analytical recoveries with both methods were between 80 and 120%, and the relative standard deviations were < 10%. The proposed methods were shown to be powerful techniques for the extraction of OCPs from fish muscle samples. Although good recovery rates were obtained with both extraction methods, MAE provided advantages with regard to sample handling, cost, analysis time, and solvent consumption. Acceptable validation parameters were obtained although MAE was shown to be more sensitive than PLE.

Developing a prelicensure exam for Canada: an international collaboration.

PubMed

Hobbins, Bonnie; Bradley, Pat

2013-01-01

Nine previously conducted studies indicate that Elsevier's HESI Exit Exam (E(2)) is 96.36%-99.16% accurate in predicting success on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. No similar standardized exam is available in Canada to predict Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE) success. Like the E(2), such an exam could be used to evaluate Canadian nursing students' preparedness for the CRNE, and scores on the numerous subject matter categories could be used to guide students' remediation efforts so that, ultimately, they are successful on their first attempt at taking the CRNE. The international collaboration between a HESI test construction expert and a nursing faculty member from Canada, who served as the content expert, resulted in the development of a 180-item, multiple-choice/single-answer prelicensure exam (PLE) that was pilot tested with Canadian nursing students (N = 175). Item analysis data obtained from this pilot testing were used to develop a 160-item PLE, which includes an additional 20 pilot test items. The estimated reliability of this exam is 0.91, and it exhibits congruent validity with the CRNE because the PLE test blueprint mimics the CRNE test blueprint. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Recovery of steroidal alkaloids from potato peels using pressurized liquid extraction.

PubMed

Hossain, Mohammad B; Rawson, Ashish; Aguiló-Aguayo, Ingrid; Brunton, Nigel P; Rai, Dilip K

2015-05-13

A higher yield of glycoalkaloids was recovered from potato peels using pressurized liquid extraction (1.92 mg/g dried potato peels) compared to conventional solid-liquid extraction (0.981 mg/g dried potato peels). Response surface methodology deduced the optimal temperature and extracting solvent (methanol) for the pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) of glycoalkaloids as 80 °C in 89% methanol. Using these two optimum PLE conditions, levels of individual steroidal alkaloids obtained were of 597, 873, 374 and 75 µg/g dried potato peel for α-solanine, α-chaconine, solanidine and demissidine respectively. Corresponding values for solid liquid extraction were 59%, 46%, 40% and 52% lower for α-solanine, α-chaconine, solanidine and demissidine respectively.

Applications of derivatization reactions to trace organic compounds during sample preparation based on pressurized liquid extraction.

PubMed

Carro, Antonia M; González, Paula; Lorenzo, Rosa A

2013-06-28

Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) is an exhaustive technique used for the extraction of analytes from solid samples. Temperature, pressure, solvent type and volume, and the addition of other reagents notably influence the efficiency of the extraction. The analytical applications of this technique can be improved by coupling with appropriate derivatization reactions. The aim of this review is to discuss the recent applications of the sequential combination of PLE with derivatization and the approaches that involve simultaneous extraction and in situ derivatization. The potential of the latest developments to the trace analysis of environmental, food and biological samples is also analyzed. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Competition of the self-activated and Mn-related luminescence in ZnS single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bacherikov, Yu. Yu.; Vorona, I. P.; Markevich, I. V.; Korsunska, N. O.; Kurichka, R. V.

2018-06-01

The photoluminescence (PL) and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra of ZnS single crystals thermally doped from ZnS/MnS mixture were studied at 300 and 77 K. PL spectra exhibit bands caused by Mn-related centers and centers of self-activated (SA) emission. Besides intrinsic maximum, a number of narrow peaks corresponded to Mn-related absorption are found in the PLE spectra of both SA and Mn-related emission. A redistribution of SA and Mn-related emission intensities is observed with temperature change. The mechanism of this phenomenon involving free hole trapping by MnZn and the possible position of a ground energy level of substitutional Mn are discussed.

Application of PLE for the determination of essential oil components from Thymus vulgaris L.

PubMed

Dawidowicz, Andrzej L; Rado, Ewelina; Wianowska, Dorota; Mardarowicz, Marek; Gawdzik, Jan

2008-08-15

Essential plants, due to their long presence in human history, their status in culinary arts, their use in medicine and perfume manufacture, belong to frequently examined stock materials in scientific and industrial laboratories. Because of a large number of freshly cut, dried or frozen plant samples requiring the determination of essential oil amount and composition, a fast, safe, simple, efficient and highly automatic sample preparation method is needed. Five sample preparation methods (steam distillation, extraction in the Soxhlet apparatus, supercritical fluid extraction, solid phase microextraction and pressurized liquid extraction) used for the isolation of aroma-active components from Thymus vulgaris L. are compared in the paper. The methods are mainly discussed with regard to the recovery of components which typically exist in essential oil isolated by steam distillation. According to the obtained data, PLE is the most efficient sample preparation method in determining the essential oil from the thyme herb. Although co-extraction of non-volatile ingredients is the main drawback of this method, it is characterized by the highest yield of essential oil components and the shortest extraction time required. Moreover, the relative peak amounts of essential components revealed by PLE are comparable with those obtained by steam distillation, which is recognized as standard sample preparation method for the analysis of essential oils in aromatic plants.

Validation of a preclinical model of diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatic neoplasia in Yucatan miniature pigs

PubMed Central

Mitchell, Jennifer; Tinkey, Peggy T.; Avritscher, Rony; Van Pelt, Carolyn; Eskandari, Ghazaleh; George, Suraj Konnath; Xiao, Lianchun; Cressman, Erik; Morris, Jeffrey S.; Rashid, Asif; Kaseb, Ahmed O.; Amin, Hesham M.; Uthamanthil, Rajesh

2016-01-01

Objective The purpose of this study was to reduce time to tumor onset in a diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) swine model via partial liver embolization (PLE) and to characterize the model for use in translational research. Methods Eight Yucatan miniature pigs were injected intraperitoneally with either saline (n=2) or DEN (n=6) solution weekly for 12 weeks. Three of the DEN-treated pigs underwent PLE. Animals underwent periodic radiological evaluation, liver biopsy, and blood sampling, and full necropsy was performed at study termination (~29 months). Results All DEN-treated pigs developed hepatic adenoma and HCC. PLE accelerated the time to adenoma development but not to HCC development. Biomarker analysis results showed that IGF1 levels decreased in all DEN-treated pigs, as functional liver capacity decreased with progression of HCC. VEGF and IL-6 levels were positively correlated with disease progression. Immunohistochemical probing of HCC tissues demonstrated the expression of several important survival-promoting proteins. Conclusion To our knowledge, we are the first to demonstrate accelerated development of hepatic neoplasia in Yucatan miniature pigs. Our HCC swine model closely mimics the human condition (i.e., progressive disease stages and expression of relevant molecular markers) and is a viable translational model. PMID:27305144

Downstream valorization and comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography-based chemical characterization of bioactives from black chokeberries (Aronia melanocarpa) pomace.

PubMed

Brazdauskas, T; Montero, L; Venskutonis, P R; Ibañez, E; Herrero, M

2016-10-14

In this work, a new alternative for the downstream processing and valorization of black chokeberry pomace (Aronia melanocarpa) which could be potentially coupled to a biorefinery process is proposed. This alternative is based on the application of pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) to the residue obtained after the supercritical fluid extraction of the berry pomace. An experimental design is employed to study and optimize the most relevant extraction conditions in order to attain extracts with high extraction yields, total phenols content and antioxidant activity. Moreover, the PLE extracts were characterized by using a new method based on the application of comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography in order to correlate their activity with their chemical composition. Thanks to the use of this powerful analytical tool, 61 compounds could be separated being possible the tentative identification of different anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, flavonoids and phenolic acids. By using the optimized PLE approach (using pressurized 46% ethanol in water at 165°C containing 1.8% formic acid), extracts with high total phenols content (236.6mg GAE g -1 extract) and high antioxidant activities (4.35mmol TE g -1 extract and EC 50 5.92μgmL -1 ) could be obtained with high yields (72.5%). Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Total milk fat extraction and quantification of polar and neutral lipids of cow, goat, and ewe milk by using a pressurized liquid system and chromatographic techniques.

PubMed

Castro-Gómez, M P; Rodriguez-Alcalá, L M; Calvo, M V; Romero, J; Mendiola, J A; Ibañez, E; Fontecha, J

2014-11-01

Although milk polar lipids such as phospholipids and sphingolipids located in the milk fat globule membrane constitute 0.1 to 1% of the total milk fat, those lipid fractions are gaining increasing interest because of their potential beneficial effects on human health and technological properties. In this context, the accurate quantification of the milk polar lipids is crucial for comparison of different milk species, products, or dairy treatments. Although the official International Organization for Standardization-International Dairy Federation method for milk lipid extraction gives satisfactory results for neutral lipids, it has important disadvantages in terms of polar lipid losses. Other methods using mixtures of solvents such as chloroform:methanol are highly efficient for extracting polar lipids but are also associated with low sample throughput, long time, and large solvent consumption. As an alternative, we have optimized the milk fat extraction yield by using a pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) method at different temperatures and times in comparison with those traditional lipid extraction procedures using 2:1 chloroform:methanol as a mixture of solvents. Comparison of classical extraction methods with the developed PLE procedure were carried out using raw whole milk from different species (cows, ewes, and goats) and considering fat yield, fatty acid methyl ester composition, triacylglyceride species, cholesterol content, and lipid class compositions, with special attention to polar lipids such as phospholipids and sphingolipids. The developed PLE procedure was validated for milk fat extraction and the results show that this method performs a complete or close to complete extraction of all lipid classes and in less time than the official and Folch methods. In conclusion, the PLE method optimized in this study could be an alternative to carry out milk fat extraction as a routine method. Copyright © 2014 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Highly Efficient Defect Emission from ZnO:Zn and ZnO:S Powders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Everitt, Henry

2013-03-01

Bulk Zinc Oxide (ZnO) is a wide band gap semiconductor with an ultraviolet direct band gap energy of 3.4 eV and a broad, defect-related visible wavelength emission band centered near 2 eV. We have shown that the external quantum efficiency can exceed 50% for this nearly white emission band that closely matches the human dark-adapted visual response. To explore the potential of ZnO as a rare earth-free white light phosphor, we investigated the mechanism of efficient defect emission in three types of ZnO powders: unannealed, annealed, and sulfur-doped. Annealing and sulfur-doping of ZnO greatly increase the strength of defect emission while suppressing the UV band edge emission. Continuous wave and ultrafast one- and two-photon excitation spectroscopy are used to examine the defect emission mechanism. Low temperature photoluminescence (PL) and PL excitation (PLE) spectra were measured for all three compounds, and it was found that bound excitons mediate the defect emission. Temperature-dependent PLE spectra for the defect and band edge emission were measured to estimate trapping and activation energies of the bound excitons and clarify the role they play in the defect emission. Time-resolved techniques were used to ascertain the role of exciton diffusion, the effects of reabsorption, and the spatial distributions of radiative and non-radiative traps. In unannealed ZnO we find that defect emission is suppressed and UV band edge emission is inefficient (< 2%) because of reabsorption and non-radiative recombination due to a high density of non-radiative bulk traps. By annealing ZnO, bulk trap densities are reduced, and a high density of defects responsible for the broad visible emission are created near the surface. Interestingly, nearly identical PLE spectra are found for both the band edge and the defect emission, one of many indications that the defect emission is deeply connected to bound excitons. Quantum efficiency, also measured as a function of excitation wavelength, closely mirrors the PLE spectra for both emission bands. Sulfur-doped ZnO exhibits additional PLE and X-ray features indicative of a ZnS-rich surface shell that correlates with even more efficient defect emission. The results presented here offer hope that engineering defects in ZnO materials may significantly improve the quantum efficiency for white light phosphor applications. This work was supported by the Army's in-house laboratory innovative research program.

Comparison of simultaneous and sequential administration of fentanyl-propofol for surgical abortion: a randomized single-blinded controlled trial.

PubMed

Gao, Wei; Sha, Baoyong; Zhao, Yuan; Fan, Zhe; Liu, Lin; Shen, Xin

2017-08-01

Propofol lipid emulsion (PLE) is a nanosized sedative, and it is used with a combination of salted antalgic prodrug, fentanyl citrate (FC). To illustrate the synergistic effect of mixing, we compared the sedation/analgesia resulting from simultaneous and sequential administration in surgically induced abortion (No. ChiCTR-IPC-15006153). Simultaneous group showed lower bispectral index, blood pressure, and heart rate, when cannula was inserted into the uterus. It also showed less frequency of hypertension, sinus tachycardia, movement, pain at the injection site, and additional FC. Therefore, premixing of PLE and FC enhanced the sedation and analgesia; stabilized the hemodynamics; lessened the incidence of movement and injection pain; and reduced the requirement of drugs.

Removal of phosphate using copper-loaded polymeric ligand exchanger prepared by radiation grafting of polypropylene/polyethylene (PP/PE) nonwoven fabric

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barsbay, Murat; Kavaklı, Pınar Akkaş; Güven, Olgun

2010-03-01

A novel polymeric ligand exchanger (PLE) was prepared for the removal of phosphate ions from water. 2,2'-dipyridylamine (DPA), a bidentate ligand forming compound with high coordination capacity with a variety of metal ions was bound to glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) grafted polypropylene/polyethylene (PP/PE) nonwoven fabric synthesized by radiation-induced grafting technique. DPA attachment on epoxy ring of GMA units was tested in different solvents, i.e. methanol, ethanol, dioxane and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The highest amount of modification was achieved in dioxane. In order to prepare the corresponding PLE for the removal of phosphate, DPA-immobilized fabric was loaded with Cu(II) ions. Phosphate adsorption experiments were performed in batch mode at different pH (5-9) and phosphate concentrations. The fabric was found to be effective for the removal of phosphate ions. At every stage of preparation and use, the nonwoven fabric was characterized by thermal (i.e. DSC and TGA) and spectroscopic (FTIR) methods. Competitive adsorption experiments were also carried out using two solutions with different concentration levels at pH 7 to see the effect of competing ions. Phosphate adsorption was found to be effective and selective from solutions having trace amounts of competitive anions. It is expected that the novel PLE synthesized can be used for the removal of phosphate ions in low concentrations over a large range of pH.

Path length entropy analysis of diastolic heart sounds.

PubMed

Griffel, Benjamin; Zia, Mohammad K; Fridman, Vladamir; Saponieri, Cesare; Semmlow, John L

2013-09-01

Early detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) using the acoustic approach, a noninvasive and cost-effective method, would greatly improve the outcome of CAD patients. To detect CAD, we analyze diastolic sounds for possible CAD murmurs. We observed diastolic sounds to exhibit 1/f structure and developed a new method, path length entropy (PLE) and a scaled version (SPLE), to characterize this structure to improve CAD detection. We compare SPLE results to Hurst exponent, Sample entropy and Multiscale entropy for distinguishing between normal and CAD patients. SPLE achieved a sensitivity-specificity of 80%-81%, the best of the tested methods. However, PLE and SPLE are not sufficient to prove nonlinearity, and evaluation using surrogate data suggests that our cardiovascular sound recordings do not contain significant nonlinear properties. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Topography-Guided PRK and Crosslinking in Eyes with Keratoconus and Post-LASIK Ectasia.

PubMed

Müller, T M; Lange, A P

2017-04-01

Topography-guided photorefractive keratectomy (TG-PRK) combined with corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) has been shown to potentially improve vision and stabilize progression in patients with keratoconus (KC). We attempted to reproduce the previously published results using a different laser platform (AMARIS 500E) in patients with KC and post-LASIK ectasia (PLE). All of the 9 included eyes showed improved topography (Kmax, Kmean, RMS HOA, vertical coma, cylinder; p < 0.05) and improved visual acuity (BCVA, UCVA; p < 0.05) after 18 months. Despite some still uncontrollable factors, the combination of TG-PRK and CXL may be a promising option to regularize and stabilize corneas with KC and PLE and improve visual acuity. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Path Length Entropy Analysis of Diastolic Heart Sounds

PubMed Central

Griffel, B.; Zia, M. K.; Fridman, V.; Saponieri, C.; Semmlow, J. L.

2013-01-01

Early detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) using the acoustic approach, a noninvasive and cost-effective method, would greatly improve the outcome of CAD patients. To detect CAD, we analyze diastolic sounds for possible CAD murmurs. We observed diastolic sounds to exhibit 1/f structure and developed a new method, path length entropy (PLE) and a scaled version (SPLE), to characterize this structure to improve CAD detection. We compare SPLE results to Hurst exponent, Sample entropy and Multi-scale entropy for distinguishing between normal and CAD patients. SPLE achieved a sensitivity-specificity of 80%–81%, the best of the tested methods. However, PLE and SPLE are not sufficient to prove nonlinearity, and evaluation using surrogate data suggests that our cardiovascular sound recordings do not contain significant nonlinear properties. PMID:23930808

Does self-complexity moderate the effects of exposure to political violence for adolescents?

PubMed

Slone, Michelle; Roziner, Ilan

2013-01-01

This study examined the moderating role of self-complexity (SC) on well-being (WB) and psychopathology among Israeli adolescents exposed to the Second Lebanon War (2006). Adolescents (N=584, mean age 16.41) completed a SC measure, Political and Negative Life Events (NLE) scales, Brief Symptom Inventory and Satisfaction with Life Scale. The theoretical model analyzed the function of SC as a moderator of exposure effects to political life events (PLE), while controlling for general NLE. Results corroborated the model with SC moderating the effects of the war-related PLE. Adolescents with low SC are at risk for damaged WB and psychiatric consequences from political violence exposure. This opens a diagnostic avenue for identification of at-risk adolescents in this socio-political context toward whom clinical programs should be directed.

76 FR 64960 - Federal Radiological Preparedness Coordinating Committee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-19

... Atomic Energy Agency Notification Following a Domestic Nuclear Power Plant Incident, and (5) Senior Official Exercise/ Principal Level Exercise SOE/PLE 3-10 Nuclear Power Plant Communications Update. The...

The electronic structure of indium arsenide/gallium arsenide self-assembled quantum dots in a high magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Awirothananon, Sunida

The electronic energy levels of dome-shape InAs self-assembled quantum dots (SAQD) grown by the Stranski-Krastanow mode on GaAs substrates are similar to those obtained from a two-dimensional harmonic-oscillator. A simple selection rule allows transitions only that preserve angular momentum, depicted with atomic-like orbital labels s, p, d, f, etc. This electronic structure was examined with photoluminescence (PL) and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) techniques. As well, in magnetic fields up to 28 Tesla applied parallel to the growth direction, SAQD energy-level degeneracies were lifted. The number of branches observed is correlated to the angular momentum. The ground state (GS) level at zero angular momentum is shifted quadratically under the magnetic field and the behavior could be explained with the Fock-Darwin (F-D) spectral model. The effect of annealing at temperatures from 825°C to 900°C in 25°C steps on the SAQD electronic structure was also examined with the PL technique combined with an applied magnetic field in the Faraday configuration. The PL lines were similar to the F-D spectral lines with their degeneracy lifted by the applied magnetic field. These lines exhibited ten (anti-)crossings: three each at 10 T and 28 T, four at 18 T, while the inter-level spacing and the FWHM were reduced with increasing annealing temperature. Thus an increase in the observed (anti-)crossings resulted for the higher anneal temperatures. The in-plane excitonic reduced-mass was inferred from the systematic splitting of the PL p-branches in a magnetic field. The reduced-mass for all the annealed QD samples was about 0.066 m0 +/- 0.012m0 which decreased slightly with anneal temperature. An 8-band k*p model predicted a similar reduced-mass at low alloying of gallium, but an incorrect trend was observed as the alloying increased with annealing temperature. Unrealistic reduced-masses at 50 percent gallium content were reached. This discrepancy is explained assuming the F-D model is a single (independent) bulk particle picture neglecting many-body effects, and also the k*p model assumes identical disks before and after annealing. The SAQDs were in fact inhomogeneous shallow domes whose height is reduced with annealing temperatures. It is an attempt to reduce the effect of many-body interactions such as exchange, configuration and screened coulomb interactions dominant in the PL technique, the PLE technique was use. In this technique, a single level in a collection or 'ensemble' of dots is excited with tuned laser-light and only the Coulomb interactions are assumed to be important. The PLE peaks were found to be blue-shifted relative to PL peaks. Furthermore, under the influence of a magnetic field, two PLE peaks were observed that corresponded to the p and d energy states. However, three 'd' lines were expected and is hypothesized that one of the d lines remained degenerate. Moreover, the carrier dynamics observed in PLE spectra are much more difficult to interpret than that of the PL spectra. Applying the same method, the analysis of the p-branch peaks suggested an in-plane reduced-mass of ˜0.084m0 +/- 0.002m0, higher than obtained from PL measurement. Since the effective mass is normally associated with the mobility of the carriers, this would imply that the excitons in the PLE measurement are less mobile than in PL. This is despite the reduced many-body effects, suggesting that some extra interactions in the PL excitation may actually enhance the carrier mobility. Given the current interest in devices such as QD infrared photo-detectors and the necessary controls on the number of charge carriers in these devices, a single-layer and 25-layer SAQD samples with doping in the top cap layer were compared to un-doped sample using PLE at various detection energies. No absorption signatures appeared for the doped single layer, whereas they were recovered in the 25-layer doped sample. Evidently either dopants or injected carriers diffused into the QD layers beneath the cap. This diffusion and its influence is expected to be decreasing with depth. Finally, the number of injected charge-carriers in doped GaAs barriers interleaving 50 SAQD layers was studied in order to understand the influence on their electronic structure. From the relation between the dot density and the dopant dose, two to twenty-two charge carriers were estimated to be present in the barriers of each QD. The PLE results indicated that as this number was increased, direct radiative recombination from the higher levels decreased. In addition to Auger scattering and multi-phonon scattering, the enhanced scattering by the dopants impurities appears to add further decay channels toward the lower-energy recombination. This suggests that the PLE technique is sensitive for characterizing the doping effects in SAQD materials. Some fundamental questions regarding the optical and electronic properties of InAs/GaAs SAQD have been answered in this dissertation and the results can be used to support the future development of opto-electronic devices at the nano-scale level.

Dynamic Functional Connectivity States Reflecting Psychotic-like Experiences.

PubMed

Barber, Anita D; Lindquist, Martin A; DeRosse, Pamela; Karlsgodt, Katherine H

2018-05-01

Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are associated with lower social and occupational functioning, and lower executive function. Emerging evidence also suggests that PLEs reflect neural dysfunction resembling that of psychotic disorders. The present study examined dynamic connectivity related to a measure of PLEs derived from the Achenbach Adult Self-Report, in an otherwise-healthy sample of adults from the Human Connectome Project. A total of 76 PLE-endorsing and 153 control participants were included in the final sample. To characterize network dysfunction, dynamic connectivity states were examined across large-scale resting-state networks using dynamic conditional correlation and k-means clustering. Three dynamic states were identified. The PLE-endorsing group spent more time than the control group in state 1, a state reflecting hyperconnectivity within visual regions and hypoconnectivity within the default mode network, and less time in state 2, a state characterized by robust within-network connectivity for all networks and strong default mode network anticorrelations. Within the PLE-endorsing group, worse executive function was associated with more time spent in and more transitions into state 1 and less time spent in and fewer transitions into state 3. PLEs are associated with altered large-scale brain dynamics, which tip the system away from spending more time in states reflecting more "typical" connectivity patterns toward more time in states reflecting visual hyperconnectivity and default mode hypoconnectivity. Copyright © 2017 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Gastrointestinal system involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus.

PubMed

Li, Z; Xu, D; Wang, Z; Wang, Y; Zhang, S; Li, M; Zeng, X

2017-10-01

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem disorder which can affect the gastrointestinal (GI) system. Although GI symptoms can manifest in 50% of patients with SLE, these have barely been reviewed due to difficulty in identifying different causes. This study aims to clarify clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of the four major SLE-related GI system complications: protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IPO), hepatic involvement and pancreatitis. It is a systematic review using MEDLINE and EMBASE databases and the major search terms were SLE, PLE, IPO, hepatitis and pancreatitis. A total of 125 articles were chosen for our study. SLE-related PLE was characterized by edema and hypoalbuminemia, with Technetium 99m labeled human albumin scintigraphy ( 99m Tc HAS) and alpha-1-antitrypsin fecal clearance test commonly used as diagnostic test. The most common site of protein leakage was the small intestine and the least common site was the stomach. More than half of SLE-related IPO patients had ureterohydronephrosis, and sometimes they manifested as interstitial cystitis and hepatobiliary dilatation. Lupus hepatitis and SLE accompanied by autoimmune hepatitis (SLE-AIH overlap) shared similar clinical manifestations but had different autoantibodies and histopathological features, and positive anti-ribosome P antibody highly indicated the diagnosis of lupus hepatitis. Lupus pancreatitis was usually accompanied by high SLE activity with a relatively high mortality rate. Early diagnosis and timely intervention were crucial, and administration of corticosteroids and immunosuppressants was effective for most of the patients.

Antioxidant White Grape Seed Phenolics: Pressurized Liquid Extracts from Different Varieties

PubMed Central

Garcia-Jares, Carmen; Vazquez, Alberto; Lamas, Juan P.; Pajaro, Marta; Alvarez-Casas, Marta; Lores, Marta

2015-01-01

Grape seeds represent a high percentage (20% to 26%) of the grape marc obtained as a byproduct from white winemaking and keep a vast proportion of grape polyphenols. In this study, seeds obtained from 11 monovarietal white grape marcs cultivated in Northwestern Spain have been analyzed in order to characterize their polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity. Seeds of native (Albariño, Caiño, Godello, Loureiro, Torrontés, and Treixadura) and non-native (Chardonnay, Gewurtzträminer, Pinot blanc, Pinot gris, and Riesling) grape varieties have been considered. Low weight phenolics have been extracted by means of pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and further analyzed by LC-MS/MS. The results showed that PLE extracts, whatever the grape variety of origin, contained large amounts of polyphenols and high antioxidant activity. Differences in the varietal polyphenolic profiles were found, so a selective exploitation of seeds might be possible. PMID:26783956

An integrated platform for directly widely-targeted quantitative analysis of feces part I: Platform configuration and method validation.

PubMed

Song, Yuelin; Song, Qingqing; Li, Jun; Zheng, Jiao; Li, Chun; Zhang, Yuan; Zhang, Lingling; Jiang, Yong; Tu, Pengfei

2016-07-08

Direct analysis is of great importance to understand the real chemical profile of a given sample, notably biological materials, because either chemical degradation or diverse errors and uncertainties might be resulted from sophisticated protocols. In comparison with biofluids, it is still challenging for direct analysis of solid biological samples using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Herein, a new analytical platform was configured by online hyphenating pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), turbulent flow chromatography (TFC), and LC-MS/MS. A facile, but robust PLE module was constructed based on the phenomenon that noticeable back-pressure can be generated during rapid fluid passing through a narrow tube. TFC column that is advantageous at extracting low molecular analytes from rushing fluid was employed to link at the outlet of the PLE module to capture constituents-of-interest. An electronic 6-port/2-position valve was introduced between TFC column and LC-MS/MS to fragment each measurement into extraction and elution phases, whereas LC-MS/MS took the charge of analyte separation and monitoring. As a proof of concept, simultaneous determination of 24 endogenous substances including eighteen steroids, five eicosanoids, and one porphyrin in feces was carried out in this paper. Method validation assays demonstrated the analytical platform to be qualified for directly simultaneous measurement of diverse endogenous analytes in fecal matrices. Application of this integrated platform on homolog-focused profiling of feces is discussed in a companion paper. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The Localizing and Lateralizing Value of Auras in Lesional Partial Epilepsy Patients

PubMed Central

Ye, Byoung Seok; Cho, Yang-Je; Jang, Sang Hyun; Lee, Moon Kyu; Lee, Byung In

2012-01-01

Purpose We investigated the localizing and lateralizing values of auras in patients with lesional partial epilepsy on an outpatient basis. Materials and Methods A total of 276 subjects were retrospectively selected for this study if they had a unilateral single lobar lesion based on magnetic resonance image (MRI) results, and their scalp electroencephalography (EEG) findings were not discordant with the MRI-defined lobar localization and lateralization. According to the lesion locations, subjects were considered as having mesial temporal (MTLE), lateral temporal (LTLE), frontal (FLE), parietal (PLE), or occipital (OLE) lobe epilepsies. Auras were classified into 13 categories. Results A hundred and seventy-six subjects (63.8%) had experienced at least one aura. FLE subjects had the fewest number of auras. Epigastric and psychic auras were frequent among MTLE subjects, while visual auras were common in those with PLE and OLE. Somatosensory auras and whole body sensations were more frequent in the subjects with PLE than those without. Autonomic auras were more common in MTLE subjects than in LTLE subjects. Dysphasic auras were more frequently found in left-sided epilepsies. Five pairs of aura categories showed concurrent tendencies, which were the epigastric and autonomic auras, autonomic and emotional auras, visual and vestibular auras, auditory and vestibular auras, and whole-body sensation and auditory auras. Autonomic and emotional auras had a concurrent tendency in left-sided epilepsies, but not in right-sided epilepsies. Conclusion Our results support the previously known localizing value of auras, and suggest that dysphasic auras and the association of emotional and autonomic auras may have a lateralizing value. PMID:22476989

The evolutionary dynamics of the lion Panthera leo revealed by host and viral population genomics.

PubMed

Antunes, Agostinho; Troyer, Jennifer L; Roelke, Melody E; Pecon-Slattery, Jill; Packer, Craig; Winterbach, Christiaan; Winterbach, Hanlie; Hemson, Graham; Frank, Laurence; Stander, Philip; Siefert, Ludwig; Driciru, Margaret; Funston, Paul J; Alexander, Kathy A; Prager, Katherine C; Mills, Gus; Wildt, David; Bush, Mitch; O'Brien, Stephen J; Johnson, Warren E

2008-11-01

The lion Panthera leo is one of the world's most charismatic carnivores and is one of Africa's key predators. Here, we used a large dataset from 357 lions comprehending 1.13 megabases of sequence data and genotypes from 22 microsatellite loci to characterize its recent evolutionary history. Patterns of molecular genetic variation in multiple maternal (mtDNA), paternal (Y-chromosome), and biparental nuclear (nDNA) genetic markers were compared with patterns of sequence and subtype variation of the lion feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV(Ple)), a lentivirus analogous to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In spite of the ability of lions to disperse long distances, patterns of lion genetic diversity suggest substantial population subdivision (mtDNA Phi(ST) = 0.92; nDNA F(ST) = 0.18), and reduced gene flow, which, along with large differences in sero-prevalence of six distinct FIV(Ple) subtypes among lion populations, refute the hypothesis that African lions consist of a single panmictic population. Our results suggest that extant lion populations derive from several Pleistocene refugia in East and Southern Africa ( approximately 324,000-169,000 years ago), which expanded during the Late Pleistocene ( approximately 100,000 years ago) into Central and North Africa and into Asia. During the Pleistocene/Holocene transition ( approximately 14,000-7,000 years), another expansion occurred from southern refugia northwards towards East Africa, causing population interbreeding. In particular, lion and FIV(Ple) variation affirms that the large, well-studied lion population occupying the greater Serengeti Ecosystem is derived from three distinct populations that admixed recently.

HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS as a powerful analytical tool for characterising phenolic compounds in olive-leaf extracts.

PubMed

Quirantes-Piné, Rosa; Lozano-Sánchez, Jesús; Herrero, Miguel; Ibáñez, Elena; Segura-Carretero, Antonio; Fernández-Gutiérrez, Alberto

2013-01-01

Olea europaea L. leaves may be considered a cheap, easily available natural source of phenolic compounds. In a previous study we evaluated the possibility of obtaining bioactive phenolic compounds from olive leaves by pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) for their use as natural anti-oxidants. The alimentary use of these kinds of extract makes comprehensive knowledge of their composition essential. To undertake a comprehensive characterisation of two olive-leaf extracts obtained by PLE using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS). Olive leaves were extracted by PLE using ethanol and water as extraction solvents at 150°C and 200°C respectively. Separation was carried out in a HPLC system equipped with a C₁₈-column working in a gradient elution programme coupled to ESI-QTOF-MS operating in negative ion mode. This analytical platform was able to detect 48 compounds and tentatively identify 31 different phenolic compounds in these extracts, including secoiridoids, simple phenols, flavonoids, cinnamic-acid derivatives and benzoic acids. Lucidumoside C was also identified for the first time in olive leaves. The coupling of HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS led to the in-depth characterisation of the olive-leaf extracts on the basis of mass accuracy, true isotopic pattern and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) spectra. We may conclude therefore that this analytical tool is very valuable in the study of phenolic compounds in plant matrices. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Food hypersensitivity reactions in Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers with protein-losing enteropathy or protein-losing nephropathy or both: gastroscopic food sensitivity testing, dietary provocation, and fecal immunoglobulin E.

PubMed

Vaden, S L; Hammerberg, B; Davenport, D J; Orton, S M; Trogdon, M M; Melgarejo, L T; VanCamp, S D; Williams, D A

2000-01-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers (SCWTs) affected with protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) or protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) or both for allergy to food. We performed gastroscopic food-sensitivity testing, a provocative dietary trial, and measurement of fecal immunoglobulin E (IgE) in 6 SCWTs affected with PLE or PLN or both. Positive gastroscopic food-sensitivity test reactions were noted in 5 of 6 dogs. Positive reactions were found to milk in 4 dogs, to lamb in 2 dogs, and to wheat and chicken each in 1 dog. Adverse reactions to food (diarrhea, vomiting, or pruritus) were detected in all 6 dogs during the provocative dietary trial. Adverse reactions were found to corn in 5 dogs, to tofu in 3 dogs, to cottage cheese in 2 dogs, to milk in 2 dogs, to farina cream of wheat in 2 dogs, and to lamb in 2 dogs. Serum albumin concentrations significantly decreased and fecal alpha1-protease inhibitor concentration significantly increased 4 days after the provocative trial when compared with baseline values. Antigen-specific fecal IgE varied throughout the provocative trial, with peak levels following ingestion of test meals. We conclude that food hypersensitivities are present in SCWTs affected with the syndrome of PLE/PLN. Mild inflammatory bowel disease was already established in the 6 SCWTs of this report at the time of study, making it impossible to determine if food allergies were the cause or result of the enteric disease.

Extending pure luminosity evolution models into the mid-infrared, far-infrared and submillimetre

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hill, Michael D.; Shanks, Tom

2011-07-01

Simple pure luminosity evolution (PLE) models, in which galaxies brighten at high redshift due to increased star formation rates (SFRs), are known to provide a good fit to the colours and number counts of galaxies throughout the optical and near-infrared. We show that optically defined PLE models, where dust reradiates absorbed optical light into infrared spectra composed of local galaxy templates, fit galaxy counts and colours out to 8 μm and to at least z≈ 2.5. At 24-70 μm, the model is able to reproduce the observed source counts with reasonable success if 16 per cent of spiral galaxies show an excess in mid-IR flux due to a warmer dust component and a higher SFR, in line with observations of local starburst galaxies. There remains an underprediction of the number of faint-flux, high-z sources at 24 μm, so we explore how the evolution may be altered to correct this. At 160 μm and longer wavelengths, the model fails, with our model of normal galaxies accounting for only a few percent of sources in these bands. However, we show that a PLE model of obscured AGN, which we have previously shown to give a good fit to observations at 850 μm, also provides a reasonable fit to the Herschel/BLAST number counts and redshift distributions at 250-500 μm. In the context of a ΛCDM cosmology, an AGN contribution at 250-870 μm would remove the need to invoke a top-heavy IMF for high-redshift starburst galaxies.

TriPleX: a versatile dielectric photonic platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wörhoff, Kerstin; Heideman, René G.; Leinse, Arne; Hoekman, Marcel

2015-04-01

Photonic applications based on planar waveguide technology impose stringent requirements on properties such as optical propagation losses, light coupling to optical fibers, integration density, as well as on reliability and reproducibility. The latter is correlated to a high level of control of the refractive index and waveguide geometry. In this paper, we review a versatile dielectric waveguide platform, called TriPleX, which is based on alternating silicon nitride and silicon dioxide films. Fabrication with CMOS-compatible equipment based on low-pressure chemical vapor deposition enables the realization of stable material compositions being a prerequisite to the control of waveguide properties and modal shape. The transparency window of both materials allows for the realization of low-loss waveguides over a wide wavelength range (400 nm-2.35 μm). Propagation losses as low as 5×10-4 dB/cm are reported. Three basic geometries (box shell, double stripe, and filled box) can be distinguished. A specific tapering technology is developed for on-chip, low-loss (<0.1 dB) spotsize convertors, allowing for combining efficient fiber to chip coupling with high-contrast waveguides required for increased functional complexity as well as for hybrid integration with other photonic platforms such as InP and SOI. The functionality of the TriPleX platform is captured by verified basic building blocks. The corresponding library and associated design kit is available for multi-project wafer (MPW) runs. Several applications of this platform technology in communications, biomedicine, sensing, as well as a few special fields of photonics are treated in more detail.

Determination of cinnamaldehyde, carvacrol and thymol in feedstuff additives by pressurized liquid extraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Jiménez-Salcedo, Marta; Tena, María Teresa

2017-03-03

Specific blends of essential oils (BEOs) are promising substitutes for antibiotics to promote livestock performance and to reduce the incidence of intestinal disorders. Microencapsulation of BEOs has shown to improve their stability, bioavailability and to control their release rate once they are added to the feedstuff. The development and validation of a method for determining essential oil components such as carvacrol, thymol and cinnamaldehyde in a microencapsulated material used as feed additive is presented. Analytes were extracted from feed additives and feedstuff by pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) with methanol at 50°C for 5min. Methanol provided good recovery values and cleaner extracts than other polar organic solvents tested. However, for certain kind of composite additives ethyl acetate showed to be a better option because trans-cinnamaldehyde undergoes chemical reaction in methanol. Then PLE extracts were analysed by gas chromatography coupled to ion trap mass spectrometry in selected ion storage (SIS) mode. The analyte stability and the absence of analyte losses during the PLE process was checked by a recovery study. Also, the matrix effect was studied to assess accuracy. Recovery values were between 85 and 115% in most cases. Intra- and inter-day relative standard deviation values were less than 4 and 14%, respectively. Finally, the developed method was applied to the analysis of a microencapsulated feed additive, several composite feed additive samples containing microencapsulated BEOs and a spiked feedstuff, for quality control and in stability studies. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A literature review of clinical tests for lumbar instability in low back pain: validity and applicability in clinical practice.

PubMed

Ferrari, Silvano; Manni, Tiziana; Bonetti, Francesca; Villafañe, Jorge Hugo; Vanti, Carla

2015-01-01

Several clinical tests have been proposed on low back pain (LBP), but their usefulness in detecting lumbar instability is not yet clear. The objective of this literature review was to investigate the clinical validity of the main clinical tests used for the diagnosis of lumbar instability in individuals with LBP and to verify their applicability in everyday clinical practice. We searched studies of the accuracy and/or reliability of Prone Instability Test (PIT), Passive Lumbar Extension Test (PLE), Aberrant Movements Pattern (AMP), Posterior Shear Test (PST), Active Straight Leg Raise Test (ASLR) and Prone and Supine Bridge Tests (PB and SB) in Medline, Embase, Cinahl, PubMed, and Scopus databases. Only the studies in which each test was investigated by at least one study concerning both the accuracy and the reliability were considered eligible. The quality of the studies was evaluated by QUADAS and QAREL scales. Six papers considering 333 LBP patients were included. The PLE was the most accurate and informative clinical test, with high sensitivity (0.84, 95% CI: 0.69 - 0.91) and high specificity (0.90, 95% CI: 0.85 -0.97). The diagnostic accuracy of AMP depends on each singular test. The PIT and the PST demonstrated by fair to moderate sensitivity and specificity [PIT sensitivity = 0.71 (95% CI: 0.51 - 0.83), PIT specificity = 0.57 (95% CI: 039 - 0.78); PST sensitivity = 0.50 (95% CI: 0.41 - 0.76), PST specificity = 0.48 (95% CI: 0.22 - 0.58)]. The PLE showed a good reliability (k = 0.76), but this result comes from a single study. The inter-rater reliability of the PIT ranged by slight (k = 0.10 and 0.04), to good (k = 0.87). The inter-rater reliability of the AMP ranged by slight (k = -0.07) to moderate (k = 0.64), whereas the inter-rater reliability of the PST was fair (k = 0.27). The data from the studies provided information on the methods used and suggest that PLE is the most appropriate tests to detect lumbar instability in specific LBP. However, due to the lack of available papers on other lumbar conditions, these findings should be confirmed with studies on non-specific LBP patients.

The Resilience Function of Character Strengths in the Face of War and Protracted Conflict.

PubMed

Shoshani, Anat; Slone, Michelle

2015-01-01

This study investigated the role of character strengths and virtues in moderating relations between conflict exposure and psychiatric symptoms among 1078 adolescents aged 13-15 living in southern Israel, who were exposed to lengthy periods of war, terrorism and political conflict. Adolescents were assessed for character strengths and virtues, political violence exposure using the Political Life Events (PLE) scale, and psychiatric symptoms using the Brief Symptom Inventory and the UCLA PTSD Index. Results confirmed that political violence exposure was positively correlated with psychiatric symptoms. Interpersonal, temperance and transcendence strengths were negatively associated with psychiatric symptoms. Moderating effects of the interpersonal strengths on the relation between political violence exposure and the psychiatric and PTSD indices were confirmed. The findings extend existing knowledge about the resilience function of character strengths in exposure to protracted conflict and have important practical implications for applying strength-building practices for adolescents who grow up in war-affected environments.

Power line emission 50/60 Hz and Schumann resonances observed by microsatellite Chibis-M in the Earth's ionosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dudkin, Denys; Pilipenko, Vyacheslav; Dudkin, Fedir; Pronenko, Vira; Klimov, Stanislav

2015-04-01

The overhead power lines are the sources of intense wideband electromagnetic (EM) emission, especially in ELF-VLF range, because of significant length (up to a few thousand kilometers) and strong 50/60 Hz currents with noticeable distortion. The radiation efficiency of the power line emission (PLE) increases with the harmonic order, so they are well observed by ground-based EM sensors. However their observations by low orbiting satellites (LEO) are very rare, particularly at basic harmonic 50/60 Hz, because of the ionospheric plasma opacity in ELF band. The Schumann resonance (SR) is the narrow-band EM noise that occurs due to the global thunderstorm activity in the Earth-ionosphere cavity. The first five eigenmodes of the SR are 7.8, 14.3, 20.8, 27.3 and 33.8 Hz and, thus, SR harmonics are also strongly absorbed by the Earth ionosphere. The published numerical simulations show that the penetration depth of such an ELF emission into the Earth's ionosphere is limited to 50-70 km for electric field and 120-240 km for magnetic field. From this follows, that PLE and SR can hardly ever be detected by LEO satellites, i.e. above the F-layer of ionosphere. In spite of this fact, these emissions were recently observed with use of the electric field antennas placed on the satellites C/NOFS (USA) and Chibis-M (Russia). Microsatellite Chibis-M was launched on January 24, 2012, at 23:18:30 UTC from the cargo ship "Progress M-13M" to circular orbit with altitude ~500 km and inclination ~52° . Chibis-M mass is about 40 kg where one third is a scientific instrumentation. The dimensions of the microsatellite case are 0.26x0.26x0.54 m with the outside mounted solar panels, service and scientific instrumentation. The main scientific objective of Chibis-M is the theoretical model verification for the atmospheric gamma-ray bursts. It requires the study of the accompanying EM processes such as the plasma waves produced by the lightning discharges in the VLF band. Chibis-M decayed on 15 October 2014. The Chibis-M electric sensor has a small 0.42 m tip-to-tip base and was developed in Lviv Centre of Institute for Space Research, Ukraine. The sensor provides the measurement of one electric field component, which is perpendicular to the orbital plane, in the frequency range of 0.1-40,000 Hz with the noise spectral density 0.8-0.04 (μV/m)/Hz0.5 (in the band 1-100 Hz the noise is 0.2-0.04 (μV/m)/Hz0.5). We present the space distribution of the observed PLE and SR harmonics in the latitude range ±52o and connection of the PLE sources with the high-voltage overhead power lines. The electric field data have been analyzed for all Chibis-M operating time (~ 2.5 years). The fact of PLE and SR detection by LEO satellites C/NOFS and Chibis-M suggests that the model of the transionospheric ELF EM field propagation should be refined.

Development and Application of Immunoaffinity Chromatography for Coplanar PCBs in Soil and Sediment

EPA Science Inventory

An immunoaffinity chromatography (IAC) column was developed as a simple cleanup procedure for preparing environmental samples for analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Soil and sediment samples were prepared using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), followed by the IAC c...

Pressurized liquid extraction coupled with countercurrent chromatography for systematic isolation of chemical constituents by preprogrammed automatic control.

PubMed

Zhang, Yuchi; Guo, Liping; Liu, Chunming; Fu, Zi' ao; Cong, Lei; Qi, Yanjuan; Li, Dongping; Li, Sainan; Wang, Jing

2013-09-15

Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) coupled with high-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC) via an automated procedure was firstly developed to extract and isolate ginsenosides from Panax quinquefolium. The experiments were designed under the guidance of mathematical model. The partition coefficient (K) values of the target compounds and resolutions of peak profiles were employed as the research indicators, and exponential function and binomial formulas were used to optimizing the solvent systems and flow rates of the mobile phases in a three-stage separation. In the first stage, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water were simultaneously pumped into the solvent separator at the flow rates 11.0, 10.0, and 23.0mL/min, respectively. The upper phase of the solvent system in the solvent separator was used as both the PLE solvent and the HSCCC stationary phase, followed by elution with the lower phase of the corresponding solvent system to separate the common ginsenosides. In the second and third stages, rare ginsenosides were first separated by elution with ethyl acetate, n-butanol, methanol, and water (flow rates: 20.0, 3.0, 5.0, and 11.0mL/min, respectively), then with n-heptane, n-butanol, methanol, and water (flow rates: 17.5, 6.0, 5.0, and 22.5mL/min, respectively). Nine target compounds, with purities exceeding 95.0%, and three non-target compounds, with purities above 84.48%, were successfully separated at the semipreparative scale in 450min. The separation results prove that the PLE/HSCCC parameters calculated via mathematical model and formulas were accurately and scientifically. This research has opened up great prospects for industrial automation application. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Excited states of neutral donor bound excitons in GaN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Callsen, G.; Kure, T.; Wagner, M. R.; Butté, R.; Grandjean, N.

2018-06-01

We investigate the excited states of a neutral donor bound exciton (D0X) in bulk GaN by means of high-resolution, polychromatic photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectroscopy. The optically most prominent donor in our sample is silicon accompanied by only a minor contribution of oxygen—the key for an unambiguous assignment of excited states. Consequently, we can observe a multitude of Si0X-related excitation channels with linewidths down to 200 μeV. Two groups of excitation channels are identified, belonging either to rotational-vibrational or electronic excited states of the hole in the Si0X complex. Such identification is achieved by modeling the excited states based on the equations of motion for a Kratzer potential, taking into account the particularly large anisotropy of effective hole masses in GaN. Furthermore, several ground- and excited states of the exciton-polaritons and the dominant bound exciton are observed in the photoluminescence (PL) and PLE spectra, facilitating an estimate of the associated complex binding energies. Our data clearly show that great care must be taken if only PL spectra of D0X centers in GaN are analyzed. Every PL feature we observe at higher emission energies with regard to the Si0X ground state corresponds to an excited state. Hence, any unambiguous peak identification renders PLE spectra highly valuable, as important spectral features are obscured in common PL spectra. Here, GaN represents a particular case among the wide-bandgap, wurtzite semiconductors, as comparably low localization energies for common D0X centers are usually paired with large emission linewidths and the prominent optical signature of exciton-polaritons, making the sole analysis of PL spectra a challenging task.

Multi-class analysis of new psychoactive substances and metabolites in hair by pressurized liquid extraction coupled to HPLC-HRMS.

PubMed

Montesano, Camilla; Vannutelli, Gabriele; Massa, Maristella; Simeoni, Maria Chiara; Gregori, Adolfo; Ripani, Luigi; Compagnone, Dario; Curini, Roberta; Sergi, Manuel

2017-05-01

In this paper, an analytical method has been developed and validated for the analysis of new psychoactive substances (NPS) and metabolites in hair samples. The method was based on pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) followed by solid-phase extraction (SPE) clean-up and high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-HRMS) analysis. To evaluate extraction efficiency and the applicability of the method, hair samples were fortified by soaking in order to obtain a good surrogate for drug users' hair; the amount of incorporated drugs related to their lipophilicity, similarly to in vivo drug incorporation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first method that allowed for the analysis of both cathinones (5) and synthetic cannabinoids (7) in hair with a single extraction procedure and chromatographic run. A phenethylamine (2C-T-4), 4- fluorophenylpiperazine and methoxetamine were also included showing that PLE coupled to SPE clean-up was suitable for a multi-class analysis of NPS in hair. In addition, the use of PLE significantly reduced hair analysis time: decontamination, incubation, clean-up, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis were carried out in approximately 45 min. The method was fully validated according to Scientific Working Group for Forensic Toxicology (SWGTOX) and Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) guidelines. Limit of quantification (LOQ) values ranged from 8 to 50 pg mg -1 for cathinones, phenetylamines and piperazines, and from 9 to 40 pg mg -1 for synthetic cannabinoids (10 pg mg -1 for methoxetamine). Matrix effects were below 15% for all the analytes, demonstrating the effectiveness of the clean-up step. Inaccuracy was lower than 9% in terms of bias. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Stigma toward psychosis and its formulation process: prejudice and discrimination against early stages of schizophrenia.

PubMed

Baba, Yoko; Nemoto, Takahiro; Tsujino, Naohisa; Yamaguchi, Taiju; Katagiri, Naoyuki; Mizuno, Masafumi

2017-02-01

Stigma toward psychosis can prevent social attendance and help-seeking behavior. Early detection and intervention has been shown to improve patient outcome in schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to reveal the characteristics and formulation process of stigma toward each clinical stage of schizophrenia, taking people's backgrounds into consideration. The participants consisted of three groups: general public, patients with mental illness, and psychiatric professionals. We performed a survey examining stigmas toward people with psychotic-like-experiences (PLE), at-risk mental state for psychosis (ARMS), schizophrenia, or depression. Prejudice was measured using a 21-item questionnaire, and discrimination was measured using the Social Distance Scale. The participants consisted of 149 people from the general public, 97 patients, and 119 psychiatric professionals. Generally, a similar pattern was observed among the groups in which prejudice and discrimination against PLE was mildest, followed by that against ARMS and depression, and finally schizophrenia. When the stigma of the general public was compared with that of psychiatric professionals, the prejudice and discrimination against PLE of the general public were both lower than those of the psychiatric professionals. However, the prejudice of the general public was stronger than that of the professionals for ARMS. Furthermore, the discrimination of the general public was stronger than that of the professionals for schizophrenia. The stigmas of mental illness differed according to the clinical stage, although the pattern of severity was similar among the three groups. A formulation process is suggested in which stigma toward schizophrenia develops from an attitudinal property (prejudice) against ARMS and a behavioral property (discrimination) against schizophrenia. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Simultaneous determination of five bioactive components in radix glycyrrhizae by pressurised liquid extraction combined with UPLC-PDA and UPLC/ESI-QTOF-MS confirmation.

PubMed

Zhou, Shujun; Cao, Jiliang; Qiu, Feng; Kong, Weijun; Yang, Shihai; Yang, Meihua

2013-01-01

Glycyrrhizae species are popular ingredients of herbal medicine in most traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, and they mainly contain flavonoids and triterpene saponins. The contents of these bioactive compounds may vary in different batches and affect the therapeutic effects. Thus comprehensive quality control and monitoring of their herbal formulation are of paramount concern. To establish a rapid, effective pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array (UPLC-PDA) method to evaluate the quality of Glycyrrhizae species. Radix Glycyrrhizae was extracted by PLE using 70% ethanol at 100°C for 15 min during three static extraction cycles. Separation was performed using an UPLC system to quantify five bioactive compounds, namely liquiritin apioside, liquiritin, liquiritigenin, glycyrrhizic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid, in 12 batches of samples of different origins in China. Furthermore, the samples were analysed using an ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionisation and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-QTOF-MS) system to confirm the results. The calibration curves of all five analytes showed good linearity (R(2)  > 0.9997). Accuracy, precision and repeatability were all within required limits. The mean recoveries measured at the three concentrations were higher than 93.7% with RSDs lower than < 3.33% for the targets. The established PLE and UPLC-PDA method could serve as a rapid and effective method for quality evaluation of Radix Glycyrrhizae. The UPLC technique can be considered as an attractive alternative to HPLC in routine quality control of Chinese medicine, especially in situations where high sample throughput and fast analytical speed are required. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Validation of a GC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of 86 persistent organic pollutants in marine sediments by pressurized liquid extraction followed by stir bar sorptive extraction.

PubMed

Camino-Sánchez, F J; Zafra-Gómez, Alberto; Pérez-Trujillo, J P; Conde-González, J E; Marques, J C; Vílchez, José Luis

2011-08-01

A multiresidue method for the analysis of 86 persistent pollutants in marine sediments at ultra-trace level has been developed and validated using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and stir-bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) coupled with thermal desorption and gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS/MS QqQ). The compounds analyzed belong to various families such as polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polybrominated diphenylethers, organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides and other pesticides such as urons, and triazines. The analytes have very different polarities and log K(ow) values, which is an important parameter in the optimization of a SBSE method. Due to PLE high efficiency and throughput rates, along with the proven ability for multiresidue analysis and excellent sensitivity of SBSE, we present an efficient method. The limits of quantification obtained ranged from 0.014 to 1.0 ng g(-1), with detection limits below pg g(-1) levels. In order to validate the proposed methodology, quality parameters such as recovery, linearity and reproducibility were studied. Recoveries ranged from 63% to 119%, reproducibility (in terms of Relative Standard Deviation for ten determinations) was lower than 35% in all cases, and determination coefficients higher than 0.990 for all analytes. The main factors that affect PLE, SBSE and GC-MS/MS procedures were optimized. The method was applied to the analysis of nine marine sediments obtained from the nine main submarine wastewater discharge points (emissaries) presents along the coast of Tenerife Island (Canary Islands, Spain). Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Determination of rutin and quercetin in Chinese herbal medicine by ionic liquid-based pressurized liquid extraction-liquid chromatography-chemiluminescence detection.

PubMed

Wu, Hongwei; Chen, Meilan; Fan, Yunchang; Elsebaei, Fawzi; Zhu, Yan

2012-01-15

A novel ionic liquid-based pressurized liquid extraction (IL-PLE) procedure coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) tandem chemiluminescence (CL) detection capable of quantifying trace amounts of rutin and quercetin in four Chinese medicine plants including Flos sophorae Immaturus, Crateagus pinnatifida Bunge, Hypericum japonicum Thunb and Folium Mori was described in this paper. To avoid environmental pollution and toxicity to the operators, ionic liquids (ILs), 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C(n)mim][Cl]) aqueous solutions were used in the PLE procedure as extractants replacing traditional organic solvents. In addition, chemiluminescence detection was utilized for its minimal interference from endogenous components of complex matrix. Parameters affecting extraction and analysis were carefully optimized. Compared with the conventional ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) and heat-reflux extraction (HRE), the optimized method achieved the highest extraction efficiency in the shortest extraction time with the least solvent consumption. The applicability of the proposed method to real sample was confirmed. Under the optimized conditions, good reproducibility of extraction performance was obtained and good linearity was observed with correlation coefficients (r) between 0.9997 and 0.9999. The detection limits of rutin and quercetin (LOD, S/N=3) were 1.1×10(-2)mg/L and 3.8×10(-3)mg/L, respectively. The average recoveries of rutin and quercetin for real samples were 93.7-105% with relative standard deviation (RSD) lower than 5.7%. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first contribution to utilize a combination of IL-PLE with chemiluminescence detection. And the experimental results indicated that the proposed method shows a promising prospect in extraction and determination of rutin and quercetin in medicinal plants. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Constant-flow ventilation in canine experimental pulmonary emphysema.

PubMed

Hachenberg, T; Wendt, M; Meyer, J; Struckmeier, O; Lawin, P

1989-07-01

The efficacy of constant-flow ventilation (CFV) was investigated in eight mongrel dogs before (control-phase) and after development of papain-induced panlobular emphysema (PLE-phase). For CFV, heated, humidified and oxygen-enriched air was continuously delivered via two catheters positioned within each mainstem bronchus at flow rates (V) of 0.33, 0.5 and 0.66 l/s. Data obtained during intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) served as reference. In the control-phase, Pao2 was lower (P less than or equal to 0.05) and alveolo-arterial O2 difference (P(A-a)O2) was higher (P less than or equal to 0.01) during CFV at all flow rates when compared with IPPV. This may be due to inhomogeneities of intrapulmonary gas distribution and increased ventilation-perfusion (VA/Q) mismatching. Paco2 and V showed a hyperbolic relationship; constant normocapnia (5.3 kPa) was achieved at 0.48 +/- 0.21 l/s (V53). Development of PLE resulted in an increase of functional residual capacity (FRC), residual volume (RV) and static compliance (Cstat) (P less than or equal to 0.05). PaO2 had decreased and P(A-a)O2 had increased (P less than or equal to 0.05), indicating moderate pulmonary dysfunction. Oxygenation during CFV was not significantly different in the PLE-phase when compared with the control-phase. Paco2 and V showed a hyperbolic relationship and V5.3 was even lower than in the control-group (0.42 +/- 0.13 l/s). In dogs with emphysematous lungs CFV maintains sufficient gas exchange. This may be due to preferential ventilation of basal lung units, thereby counterbalancing the effects of impaired lung morphometry and increased airtrapping. Conventional mechanical ventilation is more effective in terms of oxygenation and CO2-elimination.

Eta-Sub-Earth Projection from Kepler Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Traub, Wesley A.

2012-01-01

Outline of talk: (1) The Kepler database (2) Biases (3) The radius distribution (4) The period distribution (5) Projecting from the sam ple to the population (6) Extrapolating the period distribution (7) The Habitable Zone (8) Calculating the number of terrestrial, HZ plan ets (10) Conclusions

A commitment/incentive program to increase safety belt use on a university campus

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1987-03-01

Author's abstract: Safety belt use on a university campus was substantially increased by offering faculty/staff and students who signed and returned "buckle up" pledge cards the opportunity to win prizes donated by community merchants. The 28,000 ple...

A novel method of sensing temperatures of magnet coils of SINP-MaPLE plasma device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pal, A. M.; Bhattacharya, S.; Biswas, S.; Basu, S.; Pal, R.

2014-03-01

A set of 36 magnet coils is used to produce a continuous, uniform magnetic field of about 0.35 Tesla inside the vacuum chamber of the MaPLE Device, a linear laboratory plasma device (3 m long and 0.30 m in diameter) built for studying basic magnetized plasma physics phenomena. To protect the water cooled-coils from serious damage due to overheating temperatures of all the coils are monitored electronically using low cost temperature sensor IC chips, a technique first being used in similar magnet system. Utilizing the Parallel Port of a Personal Computer a novel scheme is used to avoid deploying microprocessor that is associated with involved circuitry and low level programming to address and control the large number of sensors. The simple circuits and a program code to implement the idea are developed, tested and presently in operation. The whole arrangement comes out to be not only attractive, but also simple, economical and easy to install elsewhere.

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

Thompson, J.; Nichols, John A.; Lee, Shinbuhm

Metal electrodes are a universal element of all electronic devices. Conducting SrRuO 3 (SRO) epitaxial thin films have been extensively used as electrodes in complex-oxide heterostructures due to good lattice mismatches with perovskite substrates. However, when compared to SRO single crystals, SRO thin films have shown reduced conductivity and Curie temperatures (T C), which can lead to higher Joule heating and energy loss in the devices. In this paper, we report that high-quality SRO thin films can be synthesized by controlling the plume dynamics and growth rate of pulsed laser epitaxy (PLE) with real-time optical spectroscopic monitoring. The SRO thinmore » films grown under the kinetically controlled conditions, down to ca. 16 nm in thickness, exhibit both enhanced conductivity and T C as compared to bulk values, due to their improved stoichiometry and a strain-mediated increase of the bandwidth of Ru 4d electrons. Finally, this result provides a direction for enhancing the physical properties of PLE-grown thin films and paves a way to improved device applications.« less

Determination of perfluorocompounds in popcorn packaging by pressurised liquid extraction and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Martínez-Moral, María Pilar; Tena, María Teresa

2012-11-15

The development and characterisation of a method based on reverse-phase ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled to a quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometer (Q-TOF-MS) with negative electrospray ionisation (ESI) to determine perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in packaging is presented in this paper. Analytes were quantitatively recovered from packaging with methanol in only one PLE cycle of 6 min at 100 °C. The UPLC allowed the successful separation of the studied PFCs in less than 4 min. The whole method presented good precision, with RSDs below 8%, LODs from 0.6 to 16 ng g(-1); and excellent recovery values, around 100% in all cases, were achieved. The PLE-UPLC-MS method was applied to the analysis of popcorn packaging for microwave cooking. Besides the most commonly studied PFCs: PFOA and PFOS, the presence of other perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) in popcorn packaging is evidenced in this work. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Analysis of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity in Wild Blackberry Fruits

PubMed Central

Oszmiański, Jan; Nowicka, Paulina; Teleszko, Mirosława; Wojdyło, Aneta; Cebulak, Tomasz; Oklejewicz, Krzysztof

2015-01-01

Twenty three different wild blackberry fruit samples were assessed regarding their phenolic profiles and contents (by LC/MS quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) and antioxidant activity (ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and 2,2-azinobis (3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS)) by two different extraction methods. Thirty four phenolic compounds were detected (8 anthocyanins, 15 flavonols, 3 hydroxycinnamic acids, 6 ellagic acid derivatives and 2 flavones). In samples, where pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) was used for extraction, a greater increase in yields of phenolic compounds was observed, especially in ellagic acid derivatives (max. 59%), flavonols (max. 44%) and anthocyanins (max. 29%), than after extraction by the ultrasonic technique extraction (UAE) method. The content of phenolic compounds was significantly correlated with the antioxidant activity of the analyzed samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the PLE method was more suitable for the quantitative extraction of flavonols, while the UAE method was for hydroxycinnamic acids. PMID:26132562

Nonlinear optical spectra having characteristics of Fano interferences in coherently coupled lowest exciton biexciton states in semiconductor quantum dots

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

Gotoh, Hideki, E-mail: gotoh.hideki@lab.ntt.co.jp; Sanada, Haruki; Yamaguchi, Hiroshi

2014-10-15

Optical nonlinear effects are examined using a two-color micro-photoluminescence (micro-PL) method in a coherently coupled exciton-biexciton system in a single quantum dot (QD). PL and photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy (PLE) are employed to measure the absorption spectra of the exciton and biexciton states. PLE for Stokes and anti-Stokes PL enables us to clarify the nonlinear optical absorption properties in the lowest exciton and biexciton states. The nonlinear absorption spectra for excitons exhibit asymmetric shapes with peak and dip structures, and provide a distinct contrast to the symmetric dip structures of conventional nonlinear spectra. Theoretical analyses with a density matrix method indicatemore » that the nonlinear spectra are caused not by a simple coherent interaction between the exciton and biexciton states but by coupling effects among exciton, biexciton and continuum states. These results indicate that Fano quantum interference effects appear in exciton-biexciton systems at QDs and offer important insights into their physics.« less

Optimisation of pressurised liquid extraction of antioxidants from black bamboo leaves.

PubMed

Shang, Ya Fang; Kim, Sang Min; Um, Byung-Hun

2014-07-01

To develop an efficient green extraction approach for recovering bioactive compounds from natural plants, the potential of using pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) was examined on black bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) leaves, with ethanol/water as solvents. The superheated PLE process showed a higher recovery of most constituents and antioxidative activity, compared to reflux extraction, with a significantly improved recovery of the total phenolic (TP) and flavonoid (TF) content and DPPH radical scavenging ability. For a broad range of ethanol aqueous solutions and temperatures, 50% EtOH and 200°C (static time: 25min) gave the best performance, in terms of the TP and TF (75% EtOH) content yield and DPPH scavenging ability (25% EtOH). Under the optimised extraction conditions, eight main antioxidative compounds were isolated and identified with HPLC-ABTS(+) assay guidance and assessed for radical scavenging activity. The superheated extraction process for black bamboo leaves enhanced the antioxidant properties by increasing the extraction of the phenolic components. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pressurized liquid extracts from Spirulina platensis microalga. Determination of their antioxidant activity and preliminary analysis by micellar electrokinetic chromatography.

PubMed

Herrero, Miguel; Ibáñez, Elena; Cifuentes, Alejandro; Señoráns, Javier

2004-08-27

In this work, different extracts from the microalga Spirulina platensis are obtained using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and four different solvents (hexane, light petroleum, ethanol and water). Different extraction temperatures (115 and 170 degrees C) were tested using extraction times ranging from 9 to 15 min. The antioxidant activity of the different extracts is determined by means of an in vitro assay using a free radical method. Moreover, a new and fast method is developed using micellar electrokinetic chromatography with diode array detection (MEKC-DAD) to provide a preliminary analysis on the composition of the extracts. This combined application (i.e., in vitro assays plus MEKC-DAD) allowed the fast characterization of the extracts based on their antioxidant activity and the UV-vis spectra of the different compounds found in the extracts. To our knowledge, this work shows for the first time the great possibilities of the combined use of PLE-in vitro assay-MEKC-DAD to investigate natural sources of antioxidants.

Correlation between emission property and concentration of Sn2+ center in the SnO-ZnO-P2O5 glass.

PubMed

Masai, Hirokazu; Tanimoto, Toshiro; Fujiwara, Takumi; Matsumoto, Syuji; Tokuda, Yomei; Yoko, Toshinobu

2012-12-03

The authors report on the correlation between the photoluminescence (PL) property and the SnO amount in SnO-ZnO-P2O5 (SZP) glass. In the PL excitation (PLE) spectra of the SZP glass containing Sn2+ emission center, two S1 states, one of which is strongly affected by SnO amount, are assumed to exist. The PLE band closely correlates with the optical band edge originating from Sn2+ species, and they both largely red-shifts with increasing amount of SnO. The emission decay time of the SZP glass decreased with increasing amount of SnO and the internal quantum efficiencies of the SZP glasses containing 1~5 mol% of SnO are comparable to that of MgWO4. It is expected that the composition-dependent S1 state (the lower energy excitation band) governs the quantum efficiency of the SZP glasses.

Selective pressurized liquid extraction of replacement and legacy brominated flame retardants from soil.

PubMed

McGrath, Thomas J; Morrison, Paul D; Ball, Andrew S; Clarke, Bradley O

2016-08-05

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of flame retardant registered as UN POPs due to their persistence in the environment, bioaccumulation potential and toxicity. Replacement novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) have exhibited similar health hazards and environmental distribution, becoming recognized as significant contaminants. This work describes the development and validation of a sensitive and reliable method for the simultaneous quantitation of PBDEs and NBFRs in environmental soil samples using selective pressurized liquid extraction (S-PLE) and gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-(EI)-MS/MS). Under optimal conditions, extraction of eight PBDEs (-28, -47, -99, -100, -153, -154, -183 and -209) and five NBFRs; pentabromotoluene (PBT), pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB), hexabromobenzene (HBB), 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (EH-TBB) and bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTBPE) was performed at 100°C and 1500psi using a 1:1 mixture of hexane and dichloromethane. The method utilized 33mL capacity PLE cells containing, from bottom to top, a single cellulose filter, 3g activated Florisil, 6g acid silica (10% w/w), 3g Na2SO4, another cellulose filter, 2g activated copper powder and 3g soil sample dispersed in 2g Na2SO4 and 1g of Hydromatrix. The method was evaluated by repeated extraction and analysis of all analytes from 3g soil at three spike concentrations. Good recoveries were observed for most analytes at each of the spiking levels with RSD values generally below 20%. MDLs ranged from 0.01 to 4.8ng/g dw for PBDEs and 0.01-0.55ng/g dw for NBFRs. The described one-step combined extraction and cleanup method reduces sample processing times compared with traditional procedures, while delivering comparable analytical performance. The method was successfully applied to environmental soil samples (n=5), detecting PBDEs in each sample and providing the first account of NBFR contamination in Australian soils. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Diet options of obesity: fad or famous?

PubMed

Balart, Luis A

2005-03-01

This article highlights the different dietary approaches that have evolved and become popular over the past few years. Whether these are fads or truly represent important changes in the way peo-ple eat and that ultimately will lead to a lower rate of obesity and improved health is impossible to know.

Developing an Iranian ELT Context-Specific Grit Instrument.

PubMed

Ebadi, Saman; Weisi, Hiwa; Khaksar, Zahra

2018-03-06

Grit as an interesting and significant topic in psychology has been associated with better study habits and higher grades through perseverance and passion for long term goals. The only available measurement instrument of grit (Duckworth et al. in J Personal Soc Psychol 92:1087-1101, 2007) is general both in terms of its subject matter and context. Thus, this study aims to develop and validate an English as a foreign language (EFL) grit instrument whose items are specific to EFL context to obtain a more detailed view of its components for Iranian EFL learners, and to tap on other grit related factors in the EFL context. A four component model of EFL grit was developed through reviewing the existing literature and exploring EFL experts' perspectives. This tentative theoretical model of EFL grit encompasses overarching construct of effort including the following main components: Trying hard to learn English (THLE) having interest in learning English (ILE) practicing a lot in order to learn English (PLE) and having goal for learning English (HGLE). The model was then cross checked against the results of the interviews, and evolved into a scenario-based, 5 point Likert-scale EFL grit instrument. It was later operationalized by an instrument consisting of 26 items, i.e. 6 items for each component plus 2 items for themes 1 and 3. The piloting and testing of the tentative model through exploratory and confirmatory data analyses on a sample of 306 EFL learners indicated the reliability of 0.833 and an acceptable validity. The findings called for a more meaningful interpretation of the concept of grit in relation to Iranian EFL context and offered new insights for higher education administrators considering student academic performance.

Modeling Physical Systems Using Vensim PLE Systems Dynamics Software

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Widmark, Stephen

2012-01-01

Many physical systems are described by time-dependent differential equations or systems of such equations. This makes it difficult for students in an introductory physics class to solve many real-world problems since these students typically have little or no experience with this kind of mathematics. In my high school physics classes, I address…

Path Diversity Media Streaming over Best Effort Packet Switched Networks

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-01-01

intolerable sounds of my violin practice, but my mom was always there to defend and encourage her young violinist. When I left my full-time job for graduate...information can be incomplete or inaccurate. For exam - ple, traceroute can only differentiate between routers and not switches. Two paths with completely

Human Factors Engineering. A Self-Paced Text, Lessons 6-10,

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-08-01

necessary between the individual and his work space. For exam - ple, 95 percent of the male population are 72.8 inches tall or shorter. Therefore, we want...or in an emergency, awkward positions prob- ably could be tolerated and still result in effective performance. For example, a violin violates most of

Maintenance Operations in Mission Oriented Protective Posture Level IV (MOPPIV)

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-10-01

Repair FADAC Printed Circuit Board ............. 6 3. Data Analysis Techniques ............................. 6 a. Multiple Linear Regression... ANALYSIS /DISCUSSION ............................... 12 1. Exa-ple of Regression Analysis ..................... 12 S2. Regression results for all tasks...6 * TABLE 9. Task Grouping for Analysis ........................ 7 "TABXLE 10. Remove/Replace H60A3 Power Pack................. 8 TABLE

Second primary tumor in anti-Ma1/2-positive paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis.

PubMed

Leyhe, T; Schüle, R; Schwärzler, F; Gasser, T; Haarmeier, T

2006-05-01

Memory loss can be a symptom of paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (PLE) a neuropsychiatric disorder associated mostly with small-cell lung cancer and anti-Hu antibodies or with testicular tumors and anti-Ma2 antibodies. We present the case of a patient with temporal coincidence of beginning cognitive decline and diagnosis of a carcinoma of the prostate in whom we diagnosed anti-Ma1/Ma2-positive PLE. The tumor had been completely resected but memory impairment further deteriorated. As the effective treatment of the cancer is considered as the most efficient treatment of a paraneoplastic neurological syndrome (PNS) a second neoplasia was suspected in the patient. By the aid of whole body positron emission tomography with 18-fluorine fluoro-2-deoxy-glucose (FDG-PET) an adenocarcinoma of the cecum could be detected. Two months after surgery anti-Ma antibodies were negative. We conclude that a second neoplasia should be considered, if effective cancer treatment does not lead to improvement or stabilisation of a PNS. Tumor search should be exhaustive and include PET when conventional imaging fails to show a malignancy.

Alternative oil extraction methods from Echium plantagineum L. seeds using advanced techniques and green solvents.

PubMed

Castejón, Natalia; Luna, Pilar; Señoráns, Francisco J

2018-04-01

The edible oil processing industry involves large losses of organic solvent into the atmosphere and long extraction times. In this work, fast and environmentally friendly alternatives for the production of echium oil using green solvents are proposed. Advanced extraction techniques such as Pressurized Liquid Extraction (PLE), Microwave Assisted Extraction (MAE) and Ultrasound Assisted Extraction (UAE) were evaluated to efficiently extract omega-3 rich oil from Echium plantagineum seeds. Extractions were performed with ethyl acetate, ethanol, water and ethanol:water to develop a hexane-free processing method. Optimal PLE conditions with ethanol at 150 °C during 10 min produced a very similar oil yield (31.2%) to Soxhlet using hexane for 8 h (31.3%). UAE optimized method with ethanol at mild conditions (55 °C) produced a high oil yield (29.1%). Consequently, advanced extraction techniques showed good lipid yields and furthermore, the produced echium oil had the same omega-3 fatty acid composition than traditionally extracted oil. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical investigation of saponins in different parts of Panax notoginseng by pressurized liquid extraction and liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Wan, Jian-Bo; Zhang, Qing-Wen; Hong, Si-Jia; Li, Peng; Li, Shao-Ping; Wang, Yi-Tao

2012-05-16

A pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) method was developed for the qualitative determination of saponins in different parts of P. notoginseng, including rhizome, root, fibre root, seed, stem, leaf and flower. The samples were extracted using PLE. The analysis was achieved on a Zorbax SB-C18 column with gradient elution of acetonitrile and 8 mM aqueous ammonium acetate as mobile phase. The mass spectrometer was operated in the negative ion mode using the electrospray ionization, and a collision induced dissociation (CID) experiment was also carried out to aid the identification of compounds. Forty one saponins were identified in different parts of P. notoginseng according to the fragmentation patterns and literature reports, among them, 21 saponins were confirmed by comparing the retention time and ESI-MS data with those of standard compounds. The results showed that the chemical characteristics were obviously diverse in different parts of P. notoginseng, which is helpful for pharmacological evaluation and quality control of P. notoginseng.

Luminescence properties of Al0.48In0.52As under hydrostatic pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Hai-Ping; Sotomayor-Torres, Cliva M.

1992-07-01

The low-temperature photoluminescence (PL) and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra characteristics of Al0.48In0.52As have been studied under high pressure from 1 bar up to 92 kbar. We have obtained, for the first time, the (Gamma) -(Chi) crossover critical pressure Pc (approximately 52.5 +/- 0.5 kbar), the linear pressure coefficients (alpha) (Gamma ) and (alpha) (Chi ) (7.9 meV/kbar and -2.9 meV/kbar, respectively) at helium temperature. By measuring temperature and excitation intensity dependences of the PL spectra together with the PLE spectra, we have demonstrated that the low-temperature luminescence of the Al0.48In0.52As is not excitonic but due to (D degree(s), A degree(s))transitions with a relatively deep acceptor of 68 meV, which occurs in both the direct- and indirect-band gap. We suggest that the shallow donor ground state associated with the (Chi) - and (Gamma) -conduction bands seem to be tied quite rigidly to these conduction bands. Variations in the donor binding energies with the pressure and the direct-indirect crossover seem to be minor.

Addendum 1, to Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Facility Investigation R Report for IRP Sites Number’s 17, 18, 19 and 21. Volume 2. Appendices A-L. 148th Fighter Group, Minnesota Air National Guard Duluth Air National Guard Base, Duluth, Minnesota.

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-03-01

1224 1-3:8 AMLSSa IS j 57D .J.q IN1TE~RNAL rEriP 31 OL’LL’Tr, RNGS 2.1- 2.3 us PH0P HOTOU9n POOUl ST’lF3. -ý ED= rAwiAE SEr T .2Er.t SAM’PLE LISR !ARr...I JUL 23 133,2 12:22 IN TERNA5L Tr • ? 𔃽 OULU T , ir1Q4G G I g (M L LIRRYIImrPLE LIBRARY I JUL 22 1.1-, 12,12 ARNILE LISR /RT 2 JUL 221 2-3. 1211.3...0 =UP ACI i-ITrEN 1 31212. 2 rI𔃼 aS,~~ -102.5 100.2 rro SAMLE LISR PRY I JUL 23 ISlt 19252 PNL SIs a 2 1 J BYRD, JR. 1r•T RNAL TEIP 235 PULUTM RriGs

Recovering Bioactive Compounds from Olive Oil Filter Cake by Advanced Extraction Techniques

PubMed Central

Lozano-Sánchez, Jesús; Castro-Puyana, María; Mendiola, Jose A.; Segura-Carretero, Antonio; Cifuentes, Alejandro; Ibáñez, Elena

2014-01-01

The potential of by-products generated during extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) filtration as a natural source of phenolic compounds (with demonstrated bioactivity) has been evaluated using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and considering mixtures of two GRAS (generally recognized as safe) solvents (ethanol and water) at temperatures ranging from 40 to 175 °C. The extracts were characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to diode array detection (DAD) and electrospray time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI-TOF/MS) to determine the phenolic-composition of the filter cake. The best isolation procedure to extract the phenolic fraction from the filter cake was accomplished using ethanol and water (50:50, v/v) at 120 °C. The main phenolic compounds identified in the samples were characterized as phenolic alcohols or derivatives (hydroxytyrosol and its oxidation product), secoiridoids (decarboxymethylated and hydroxylated forms of oleuropein and ligstroside aglycones), flavones (luteolin and apigenin) and elenolic acid derivatives. The PLE extraction process can be applied to produce enriched extracts with applications as bioactive food ingredients, as well as nutraceuticals. PMID:25226536

Desired response to phototherapy vs photoaggravation in psoriasis: what makes the difference?

PubMed

Wolf, Peter; Weger, Wolfgang; Patra, VijayKumar; Gruber-Wackernagel, Alexandra; Byrne, Scott N

2016-12-01

Psoriasis commonly responds beneficially to UV radiation from natural sunlight or artificial sources. Therapeutic mechanisms include the proapoptotic and immunomodulating effects of UV, affecting many cells and involving a variety of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, downregulating the Th17/IL-23 response with simultaneous induction of regulatory immune cells. However, exposure to UV radiation in a subset of psoriasis patients leads to exacerbation of the disease. We herein shed light on the predisposing factors of photosensitive psoriasis, including genetics (such as HLA-Cw*0602 or CARD14), gender and coexisting photodermatoses such as polymorphic light eruption (PLE) in the context of potential molecular mechanisms behind therapeutic photoresponsiveness or photoaggravation. UV-induced damage/pathogen-associated molecular patterns, damage to self-coding RNA (signalling through Toll-like receptors), certain antimicrobial peptides and/or inflammasome activation may induce innate immunity, leading to psoriasis at the site of UV exposure when there is concomitant, predisposing resistance against UV-induced suppression of the adaptive immune response (like in PLE) that otherwise would act to reduce psoriasis. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Extraction of bioactive carbohydrates from artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) external bracts using microwave assisted extraction and pressurized liquid extraction.

PubMed

Ruiz-Aceituno, Laura; García-Sarrió, M Jesús; Alonso-Rodriguez, Belén; Ramos, Lourdes; Sanz, M Luz

2016-04-01

Microwave assisted extraction (MAE) and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) methods using water as solvent have been optimized by means of a Box-Behnken and 3(2) composite experimental designs, respectively, for the effective extraction of bioactive carbohydrates (inositols and inulin) from artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) external bracts. MAE at 60 °C for 3 min of 0.3 g of sample allowed the extraction of slightly higher concentrations of inositol than PLE at 75 °C for 26.7 min (11.6 mg/g dry sample vs. 7.6 mg/g dry sample). On the contrary, under these conditions, higher concentrations of inulin were extracted with the latter technique (185.4 mg/g vs. 96.4 mg/g dry sample), considering two successive extraction cycles for both techniques. Both methodologies can be considered appropriate for the simultaneous extraction of these bioactive carbohydrates from this particular industrial by-product. To the best of our knowledge this is the first time that these techniques are applied for this purpose. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pressurized liquid extraction of anthocyanins and biflavonoids from Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi: A multivariate optimization.

PubMed

Feuereisen, Michelle M; Gamero Barraza, Mariana; Zimmermann, Benno F; Schieber, Andreas; Schulze-Kaysers, Nadine

2017-01-01

Response surface methodology was employed to investigate the effects of pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) parameters on the recovery of phenolic compounds (anthocyanins, biflavonoids) from Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) fruits. The effects of temperature, static time, and ethanol as well as acid concentration on the polyphenol yield were described well by quadratic models (p<0.0001). A significant influence of the ethanol concentration (p<0.0001) and several interactions (p<0.05) were identified. Identification of the biflavonoid I3',II8-binaringenin in drupes of S. terebinthifolius was achieved by UHPLC-MS(2). Interestingly, at high extraction temperatures (>75°C), an artifact occurred and was tentatively identified as a diastereomer of I3',II8-binaringenin. Multivariate optimization led to high yields of phenolic compounds from the exocarp/drupes at 100/75°C, 10/10min, 54.5/54.2% ethanol, and 5/0.03% acetic acid. This study demonstrates that PLE is well suited for the extraction of phenolic compounds from S. terebinthifolius and can efficiently be optimized by response surface methodology. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Application of response surface methodology to optimize pressurized liquid extraction of antioxidant compounds from sage (Salvia officinalis L.), basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.).

PubMed

Hossain, M B; Brunton, N P; Martin-Diana, A B; Barry-Ryan, C

2010-12-01

The present study optimized pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) conditions using Dionex ASE® 200, USA to maximize the antioxidant activity [Ferric ion Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP)] and total polyphenol content (TP) of the extracts from three spices of Lamiaceae family (sage, basil and thyme). Optimal conditions with regard to extraction temperature (66-129 °C) and solvent concentration (32-88% methanol) were identified using response surface methodology (RSM). For all three spices, results showed that 129 °C was the optimum temperature with regard to antioxidant activity. Optimal methanol concentrations with respect to the antioxidant activity of sage and basil extracts were 58% and 60% respectively. Thyme showed a different trend with regard to methanol concentration and was optimally extracted at 33%. Antioxidant activity yields of the optimal PLE were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than solid/liquid extracts. Predicted models were highly significant (p < 0.05) for both total phenol (TP) and FRAP values in all the spices with high regression coefficients (R(2)) ranging from 0.651 to 0.999.

Actigraphy monitoring of symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Pan, Weidong; Kwak, Shin; Li, Fuzhong; Wu, Chunlan; Chen, Yiyun; Yamamoto, Yoshiharu; Cai, Dingfang

2013-07-02

Although the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) is the "gold-standard" tool in assessing the severity of symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), not all activity-related disease symptoms can be accurately captured by the well-established clinical rating scale. Using an alternative approach, this study examined the level of physical activity measured by actigraphy over time and whether change in physical activity was associated with disease severity assessed by UPDRS. We used a longitudinal design in which physical activity and disease severity were assessed repeatedly during a 4-month interval, over a 3-year observational period, in a sample of 61 patients with idiopathic PD and a control group of 32 neurologically intact individuals. Physical activity data during awake-time were analyzed using the power-law exponent (PLE) method. Correlational relationships between changes in maxima values of PLE and scores of total UPDRS, UPDRS-part II (Activities of Daily Living), and UPDRS-part III (Motor Examination) in patients with PD were examined. Results show an increase in maxima values of PLE and the UPDRS total score in PD patients and that there is a positive association between changes in maxima values and total UPDRS score (r=0.746, p=0.032), UPDRS-part II score (r=0.687, p=0.027), and UPDRS-part III score (r=0.893, p=0.018). There was no significant change in the level of physical activity over time for the controls. Findings from this study indicate that change in physical activity, as captured by actigraphy, is associated with increased severity in patients' clinical symptoms of PD over time. Thus, these data suggest that, when used in conjunction with the conventional UPDRS measure, an actigraphic measure of physical activity may provide clinicians an adjunct measurement approach to monitor patients' activity-based disease progression or responses to treatment in outpatient clinic settings. Copyright © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Lower trial participation by culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) cancer patients is largely due to language barriers.

PubMed

Smith, Allan 'Ben'; Agar, Meera; Delaney, Geoff; Descallar, Joseph; Dobell-Brown, Kelsey; Grand, Melissa; Aung, Jennifer; Patel, Pinky; Kaadan, Nasreen; Girgis, Afaf

2018-02-01

Clinical trials play a critical role in advancing cancer care, but international research shows that few cancer patients, particularly culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) patients, participate in trials. This limits generalizability of trial results and increases health disparities. This study aimed to establish rates and correlates of trial participation among CALD patients in South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD), a highly culturally diverse area. Data from all cancer patients diagnosed and/or treated in SWSLHD from January 2006 to July 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. The primary outcome was trial enrolment among patients born in non-English speaking countries (CALD) versus English speaking countries (non-CALD). Multivariable logistic regression evaluated CALD status as a predictor of trial participation. Moderators of trial participation by the different CALD groups, namely those whose preferred language was English (CALD-PLE) or was not English (CALD-PLNE), were examined by testing interactions between CALD status and other demographic and clinical variables. A total of 19 453 patients were analyzed (54.9% non-CALD, 16.5% CALD-PLE, 18.5% CALD-PLNE). Overall, 7.4% of patients were enrolled in a trial. Trial participation was significantly lower in CALD patients than non-CALD patients (5.7% vs 8.4%; odds ratio [OR] = 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69-0.91; P = 0.001). CALD-PLNE patients were less likely to participate in trials than non-CALD (OR = 0.45; 95% CI, 0.36-0.56; P < 0.0001) and CALD-PLE patients (OR = 0.53; 95% CI, 0.67-0.41; P < 0.0001). Limited English proficiency seems particularly unfavorable to trial participation. Development and evaluation of strategies to overcome language barriers (e.g. simplified and translated multimedia participant information materials) is needed. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

The Resilience Function of Character Strengths in the Face of War and Protracted Conflict

PubMed Central

Shoshani, Anat; Slone, Michelle

2016-01-01

This study investigated the role of character strengths and virtues in moderating relations between conflict exposure and psychiatric symptoms among 1078 adolescents aged 13–15 living in southern Israel, who were exposed to lengthy periods of war, terrorism and political conflict. Adolescents were assessed for character strengths and virtues, political violence exposure using the Political Life Events (PLE) scale, and psychiatric symptoms using the Brief Symptom Inventory and the UCLA PTSD Index. Results confirmed that political violence exposure was positively correlated with psychiatric symptoms. Interpersonal, temperance and transcendence strengths were negatively associated with psychiatric symptoms. Moderating effects of the interpersonal strengths on the relation between political violence exposure and the psychiatric and PTSD indices were confirmed. The findings extend existing knowledge about the resilience function of character strengths in exposure to protracted conflict and have important practical implications for applying strength-building practices for adolescents who grow up in war-affected environments. PMID:26793139

A Network Architecture for Data-Driven Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-07-01

ELABORATION. ..... ..... 26 Real - Time Operating System . ....... ......... 26 Secondary Memory Utilization. ........ ....... 26 Data Flow Graphical...discussions followed by a flight simulator exam~ple. REAL - TIME OPERATING SYSTEM An operating system needs to be designed exclusively for real-time...Assessment. (SDWA) module. The SDWA module is tightly coupled to the real - time operating system . This module must determine the sensitivity to

China’s Talent Recruitment Programs: The Road to a Nobel Prize and World Hegemony in Science?

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-08-09

world leader in many fundamental fields of S&T. For exam- ple, the United States is a clear lead- 4 er in synthetic biology―one of the predicted...national S&T challenges that the institute will tackle. CAS continually makes unprec- edented reforms to turbocharge research. The 2014 reforms have

Computer-Mediated Training Tools to Enhance Joint Task Force Cognitive Leadership Skills

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-04-01

University); and 5d. TASK NUMBER Barclay Lewis (American Systems) 5e. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ...ple G am ing Platform D ecisive A ction for Training ..................................................... 43 6. Perform ance M etrics...Figure 15: Automated Performance Measurement System ................................................................... 48 iv COMPUTER-MEDIATED TRAINING

Metacognitive components in smart learning environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sumadyo, M.; Santoso, H. B.; Sensuse, D. I.

2018-03-01

Metacognitive ability in digital-based learning process helps students in achieving learning goals. So that digital-based learning environment should make the metacognitive component as a facility that must be equipped. Smart Learning Environment is the concept of a learning environment that certainly has more advanced components than just a digital learning environment. This study examines the metacognitive component of the smart learning environment to support the learning process. A review of the metacognitive literature was conducted to examine the components involved in metacognitive learning strategies. Review is also conducted on the results of study smart learning environment, ranging from design to context in building smart learning. Metacognitive learning strategies certainly require the support of adaptable, responsive and personalize learning environments in accordance with the principles of smart learning. The current study proposed the role of metacognitive component in smart learning environment, which is useful as the basis of research in building environment in smart learning.

COMPARISONS OF SOXHLET EXTRACTION, PRESSURIZED LIQUID EXTRACTION, SUPERCRITICAL FLUID EXTRACTION, AND SUBCRITICAL WATER EXTRACTION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SOLIDS: RECOVERY, SELECTIVITY, AND EFFECTS ON SAMPLE MATRIX. (R825394)

EPA Science Inventory

Extractions of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-contaminated soil from a former manufactured gas plant site were performed with a Soxhlet apparatus (18 h), by pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) (50 min at 100°C), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) (1 h at 150°...

Environmental Impact Research Program. PARTRIDGE PEA (Cassia fasciculata). Section 7.3.3. US Army Corps of Engineers Wildlife Resources Management Manual.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-07-01

In the Southeast, partridge pea grows best on low, poorly drained sandy soils that are moderately high in lime content (Nixon and Halls 1969, Rosene...For exam- ple, species such as bermuda grass ( Cynodon dactylon) could be stimulated by fertilization to the extent that any quail food produced is lost

Personal Smartphones in Primary School: Devices for a PLE?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Honegger, Beat Döbeli; Neff, Christian

2011-01-01

This paper describes the goals and first results of an ongoing two year case study in a European primary school (5th primary class) where the teacher and all students were equipped with a personal smartphone. Students are allowed to use phone and internet services at no charge and to take home their smartphones after school. In this project the…

Women and Nation-Building

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-01-01

Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (CHA), Con- cern, the Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refugees (DACAAR), German Agro -Action (GAA), the Ghazni Rural...Information System FP facilitating partner GAA German Agro -Action GDI Gender Development Index GEEI Gender Equality in Education Index GEI Global...success, for exam- ple, in sub-Saharan Africa, where institutional reform focused on con- stitutional law, commercial law, and civil law concerning land

Influence of depressive symptoms on distress related to positive psychotic-like experiences in women.

PubMed

Brañas, Antía; Barrigón, María Luisa; Lahera, Guillermo; Canal-Rivero, Manuel; Ruiz-Veguilla, Miguel

2017-12-01

The Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE) is an effective instrument for detection of the presence of psychotic symptoms and associated distress in the general population. However, little research has studied distress associated with positive psychotic-like experiences (PLEs). Our aim is to study PLE-related distress using the CAPE. In this study we analysed factors associated with differences in PLE-related distress in a sample of 200 non-clinical participants recruited by snowball sampling. Presence of PLEs and related psychological distress was measured using the CAPE questionnaire. The influence of age, gender, educational level and drug use was studied. In univariate analysis we found that gender and CAPE positive, depressive and negative scores, were associated with CAPE positive distress. Using multiple linear regression, we found that only the effect of gender, and the interaction between frequency of depression and gender, remained statistically significant. In our sample interaction between gender and depressive symptoms is a determining factor in distress associated with positive PLEs. The results of this study may be useful for the implementation of prevention programs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Luminescence enhancement in Eu3+, Sm3+ co-doped liy(MoO4)2 nano-phosphors by sol-gel process.

PubMed

Zhou, Xianju; Wang, Guangchuan; Zhou, Tonghui; Zhou, Kaining; Li, Qingxu; Wang, Zhongqing

2014-05-01

A series of LiY(0.95-x)Eu(0.05)Sm(x)(MoO4)2 red light emitting phosphors were synthesized by sol-gel technique. The phase impurity and spectroscopic properties were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Photo-Luminescence (PL) and Photo-Luminescence Excitation (PLE) spectra, respectively. It is found that the PLE spectra of the Eu3+, Sm3+ co-doped nanoparticles are enhanced and broadened as compared with the solely doped samples, which will make the co-doped phosphors match better with blue and/or UV GaN based LED chips. The red emission intensity of Eu3+ is largely enhanced by the energy transfer from Sm3+. The mechanism of the enhancement is clearly proven to be the increase in the quantum efficiency of 5D0 state of Eu3+ rather than the increase in the absorption of Eu3+. Meanwhile, the characteristic f-f transitions of Sm3+ are greatly reduced, resulting in little influence in the color purity of the co-doped phosphors. The present material is an amendatory promising red light emitting phosphor for white LEDs.

Nanoformulation of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor with Target Receptor-Triggered-Release in the Central Nervous System.

PubMed

Jiang, Yuhang; Fay, James M; Poon, Chi-Duen; Vinod, Natasha; Zhao, Yuling; Bullock, Kristin; Qin, Si; Manickam, Devika S; Yi, Xiang; Banks, William A; Kabanov, Alexander V

2018-02-07

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is identified as a potent neuroprotective and neuroregenerative agent for many neurological diseases. Regrettably, its delivery to the brain is hampered by poor serum stability and rapid brain clearance. Here, a novel nanoformulation is reported composed of a bio-compatible polymer, poly(ethylene glycol)- b -poly(L-glutamic acid) (PEG-PLE), that hosts the BDNF molecule in a nanoscale complex, termed here Nano-BDNF. Upon simple mixture, Nano-BDNF spontaneously forms uniform spherical particles with a core-shell structure. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that binding between BDNF and PEG-PLE is mediated through electrostatic coupling as well as transient hydrogen bonding. The formation of Nano-BDNF complex stabilizes BDNF and protects it from nonspecific binding with common proteins in the body fluid, while allowing it to associate with its receptors. Following intranasal administration, the nanoformulation improves BDNF delivery throughout the brain and displays a more preferable regional distribution pattern than the native protein. Furthermore, intranasally delivered Nano-BDNF results in superior neuroprotective effects in the mouse brain with lipopolysaccharides-induced inflammation, indicating promise for further evaluation of this agent for the therapy of neurologic diseases.

The role of ion exchange in the passivation of In(Zn)P nanocrystals with ZnS

PubMed Central

Cho, Deok-Yong; Xi, Lifei; Boothroyd, Chris; Kardynal, Beata; Lam, Yeng Ming

2016-01-01

We have investigated the chemical state of In(Zn)P/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals (NCs) for color conversion applications using hard X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and photoluminescence excitation (PLE). Analyses of the edge energies as well as the X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) reveal that the Zn2+ ions from ZnS remain in the shell while the S2− ions penetrate into the core at an early stage of the ZnS deposition. It is further demonstrated that for short growth times, the ZnS shell coverage on the core was incomplete, whereas the coverage improved gradually as the shell deposition time increased. Together with evidence from PLE spectra, where there is a strong indication of the presence of P vacancies, this suggests that the core-shell interface in the In(Zn)P/ZnS NCs are subject to substantial atomic exchanges and detailed models for the shell structure beyond simple layer coverage are needed. This substantial atomic exchange is very likely to be the reason for the improved photoluminescence behavior of the core-shell particles compare to In(Zn)P-only NCs as S can passivate the NCs surfaces. PMID:26972936

A correlation between the defect states and yellow luminescence in AlGaN/GaN heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jana, Dipankar; Sharma, T. K.

2017-07-01

AlGaN/GaN heterostructures are investigated by performing complementary spectroscopic measurements under novel experimental configurations. Distinct features related to the band edge of AlGaN and GaN layers are clearly observed in surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS) spectra. A few more SPS features, which are associated with defects in GaN, are also identified by performing the pump-probe SPS measurements. SPS results are strongly corroborated by the complementary photoluminescence and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) measurements. A correlation between the defect assisted SPS features and yellow luminescence (YL) peak is established by performing pump-probe SPS and PLE measurements. It is found that CN-ON donor complex is responsible for the generation of YL peak in our sample. Further, the deep trap states are found to be present throughout the entire GaN epilayer. It is also noticed that the deep trap states lying at the GaN/Fe-GaN interface make a strong contribution to the YL feature. A phenomenological model is proposed to explain the intensity dependence of the YL feature and the corresponding SPS features in a pump-probe configuration, where a reasonable agreement between the numerical simulations and experimental results is achieved.

Effects of congruence between preferred and perceived learning environments in nursing education in Taiwan: a cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Yeh, Ting-Kuang; Huang, Hsiu-Mei; Chan, Wing P; Chang, Chun-Yen

2016-05-20

To investigate the effects of congruence between preferred and perceived learning environments on learning outcomes of nursing students. A nursing course at a university in central Taiwan. 124 Taiwanese nursing students enrolled in a 13-week problem-based Fundamental Nursing curriculum. Students' preferred learning environment, perceptions about the learning environment and learning outcomes (knowledge, self-efficacy and attitudes) were assessed. On the basis of test scores measuring their preferred and perceived learning environments, students were assigned to one of two groups: a 'preferred environment aligned with perceived learning environment' group and a 'preferred environment discordant with perceived learning environment' group. Learning outcomes were analysed by group. Most participants preferred learning in a classroom environment that combined problem-based and lecture-based instruction. However, a mismatch of problem-based instruction with students' perceptions occurred. Learning outcomes were significantly better when students' perceptions of their instructional activities were congruent with their preferred learning environment. As problem-based learning becomes a focus of educational reform in nursing, teachers need to be aware of students' preferences and perceptions of the learning environment. Teachers may also need to improve the match between an individual student's perception and a teacher's intention in the learning environment, and between the student's preferred and actual perceptions of the learning environment. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Adaptive Fault-Resistant Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-10-01

An Architectural Overview of the Alpha Real-Time Distributed Kernel . In Proceeding., of the USEN[X Workshop on Microkernels and Other Kernel ...system and the controller are monolithic . We have noted earlier some of the problems of distributed systems-for exam- ple, the need to bound the...are monolithic . In practice, designers employ a layered structuring for their systems in order to manage complexity, and we expect that practical

Refugee Operations: Cultures in Conflict.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-12-01

people from different cul- tures have unconscious, ingrained assumptions about personal space, interpersonal relations , and the function of time . Those...deal of anxiety among the refugees and administrators. For exam- ple, at Fort McCoy it was frequently observed by civilian employees and refugees that...involved in a variety of activities with several different people at any given time . On the other hand, low-context cultures (interpreters, managers

SSC San Diego Biennial Review 2003. Command and Control

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-01-01

systems. IMAT systems use scientific visualizations, three- dimensional graphics, and animations to illustrate com- plex physical interactions in mission...Again, interactive animations are used to explain underlying concepts. For exam- ple, for principles of beamforming using a phased array, a three...solve complex problems. Experts type natural language text, use mouse clicks to provide hints for explanation generation, and use mouse clicks to

Photoluminescence Studies of P-type Modulation Doped GaAs/AlGaAs Quantum Wells in the High Doping Regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wongmanerod, S.; Holtz, P. O.; Reginski, K.; Bugaiski, M.; Monemar, B.

The influence of high Be-acceptor doping on the modulation-doped GaAs/Al0.3Ga0.7As quantum wells structures has been optically studied by using the low-temperature photoluminescence (PL) and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) techniques.The modulation doped samples were grown by the molecular-beam epitaxy technique with a varying Be acceptor concentration ranging from 1×1018 to 8×1018cm-3. Several novels physical effects were observed. The main effect is a significant shift of the main emission towards lower energies as the doping concentrations increase. There are two contradictory mechanisms, which determine the peak energy of the main emission; the shrinkage of the effective bandgap due to many body effects and the reduction of the exciton binding energy due to the carrier screening effect. We conclude that the first one is the dominating effect. At a sufficiently high doping concentration (roughly 2×1018cm-3), the lineshape of the main PL emission is modified, and a new feature, the so called Fermi-edge singularity (FES), appears on the high energy side of the PL emission and exhibits a blue-shift as a function of doping concentration. This feature has been found to be very sensitive to a temperature change, already in the range of 4.4-50K. In addition, PLE spectra with a suitable detection energy show that the absorption edge is blue-shifted with respect to the PL main emission. The resulting Stoke shift is due to phase-space-filling of the carriers, in agreement with the FES interpretation. Finally, we have found from the PLE spectra that the exciton quenching is initiated in the same doping regime. Compared to the exciton quenching in other p-type structures, the critical acceptor concentration required to quench the excitons is significantly lower than in the case of 2D structures with acceptor doping within the well, but larger than in the case of 3D bulk.

Facile and green synthesis of (La0.95Eu0.05)2O2S red phosphors with sulfate-ion pillared layered hydroxides as a new type of precursor: controlled hydrothermal processing, phase evolution and photoluminescence

PubMed Central

Wang, Xuejiao; Li, Ji-Guang; Zhu, Qi; Li, Xiaodong; Sun, Xudong; Sakka, Yoshio

2014-01-01

This study presents a facile and green route for the synthesis of (La0.95Eu0.05)2O2S red phosphors of controllable morphologies, with the sulfate-type layered hydroxides of Ln2(OH)4SO4·2H2O (Ln = La and Eu) as a new type of precursor. The technique takes advantage of the fact that the precursor has had the exact Ln:S molar ratio of the targeted phosphor, thus saving the hazardous sulfurization reagents indispensable to traditional synthesis. Controlled hydrothermal processing at 120 °C yielded phase-pure Ln2(OH)4SO4·2H2O crystallites in the form of either nanoplates or microprisms, which can both be converted into Ln2O2S phosphor via a Ln2O2SO4 intermediate upon annealing in flowing H2 at a minimum temperature of ∼ 700 °C. The nanoplates collapse into relatively rounded Ln2O2S particles while the microprisms retain well their initial morphologies at 1 200 °C, thus yielding two types of red phosphors. Photoluminescence excitation (PLE) studies found two distinct charge transfer (CT) excitation bands of O2− → Eu3+ at ∼ 270 nm and S2− → Eu3+ at ∼ 340 nm for the Ln2O2S phosphors, with the latter being stronger and both significantly stronger than the intrinsic intra-f transitions of Eu3+. The two types of phosphors share high similarities in the positions of PLE/PL (photoluminescence) bands and both show the strongest red emission at 627 nm (5D0 → 7F2 transition of Eu3+) under S2− → Eu3+ CT excitation at 340 nm. The PLE/PL intensities show clear dependence on particle morphology and calcination temperature, which were investigated in detail. Fluorescence decay analysis reveals that the 627 nm red emission has a lifetime of ∼ 0.5 ms for both types of the phosphors. PMID:27877631

The role of corneal endothelial morphology in graft assessment and prediction of endothelial cell loss during organ culture of human donor corneas.

PubMed

Hermel, Martin; Salla, Sabine; Fuest, Matthias; Walter, Peter

2017-03-01

Endothelial assessment is crucial in the release of corneas for grafting. We retrospectively analysed the role of endothelial morphology parameters in predicting endothelial cell loss during organ culture. Human donor corneas were cultured in minimal essential medium with 2% fetal calf serum and antibiotics. Initial endothelial morphology was assessed microscopically using score parameters polymegethism (POL), pleomorphism (PLE), granulation (GRA), vacuolization (VAC), segmentation of cell membranes (SEG), Descemet's folds (DF), trypan blue-positive cells (TBPC) and endothelial cell-free areas (ECFA). Some corneas were primarily rejected based on endothelial assessment. Endothelial cell density (ECD) was assessed at the beginning (I-ECD) and end of culture. Corneas were then placed in dehydration medium (as above + 5% dextran 500). In a subgroup, ECD was reassessed after dehydration. Endothelial cell loss during culture (ECL@Culture) and culture+dehydration (ECL-Culture&Dehydration) were calculated. Data were given as mean ± SD and analysed using multiple linear and logistic regression. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. I-ECD was 2812 ± 360/mm 2 (n = 2356). The decision to reject a cornea due to endothelial assessment was associated negatively with I-ECD (OR = 0.77/100 cells, CI 0.7-0.82) and positively with ECFA (OR = 2.7, CI 1.69-4.35), SEG (OR =1.3, CI 1.01-1.68) and donor age (OR = 1.26/decade, CI 1.33-1.41). ECL@Culture was 153 ± 201/mm 2 (n = 1277), ECL@Culture&Dehydration was 169 ± 183/mm 2 (n = 918). ECL@Culture was associated positively with donor age, I-ECD, GRA and TBPC, and negatively with PLE, and DF. ECL@Culture&Dehydration was associated positively with age, sex, initial ECD, POL, PLE, VAC and TBPC. Morphological parameters displayed associations with the exclusion of corneas from culture and with endothelial cell loss. Appropriate parameter selection for screening purposes may help improve graft quality. © 2016 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The development of new phosphors of Tb3+/Eu3+ co-doped Gd3Al5O12 with tunable emission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teng, Xin; Wang, Wenzhi; Cao, Zhentao; Li, Jinkai; Duan, Guangbin; Liu, Zongming

2017-07-01

The gadolinium aluminum garnets Gd3Al5O12 (GdAG) activated with Tb3+/Eu3+ were successfully prepared via co-precipitation method at 1500 °C in this work. The crystal structure stabilization, elements analysis, microphotograph, PL/PLE spectra, decay behavior and quantum efficiency were discussed in detail. The metastable GdAG compounds been effectively stabilized by doping with smaller 10 at.% Tb3+, which then allows the development of new phosphors of (Gd0.9-xTb0.1Eux)3Al5O12 (GdAG:Tb3+/Eu3+, x = 0-0.03) for opto-functionality explorations. The PLE/PL spectra displays that the strongest PLE peak was located at ∼276 nm, which overlaps the 8S7/2 → 6IJ transition of Gd3+. Under 276 nm excitation, the phosphors exhibited both Tb3+ and Eu3+ emissions at 548 nm (green, 5D4 → 7F5 transition of Tb3+) and 592 nm (orange-red, 5D0 → 7F1 transition of Eu3+), respectively. The emission intensities of Tb3+ and Eu3+ remarkably varied with the Eu3+ incorporation. As a consequence, the emission color can be readily tuned from approximately green to orange-red. Fluorescence decay analysis found that the lifetime for the Tb3+ emission rapidly decreased conforming to the Tb3+ → Eu3+ energy transfer, and the energy transfer efficiency was calculated. Owing to the Gd3+ → Eu3+ and Gd3+ → Tb3+ energy transfer, the emission intensities of Tb3+ and Eu3+ in (Gd0.9-xTb0.1Eux)AG phosphor were higher than (Y0.87Tb0.1Eu0.03)AG and (Lu0.87Tb0.1Eu0.03)AG system. The (Gd0.9-xTb0.1Eux)AG garnet phosphors developed in this work may serve as a new type of phosphor which hopefully meets the requirements of various lighting and optical display applications.

Influence of pre-treatment process on matrix effect for the determination of musk fragrances in fish and mussel.

PubMed

Vallecillos, Laura; Pocurull, Eva; Borrull, Francesc

2015-03-01

Musk compounds are widely used as fragrances in personal care products. On account of their widespread use and their low biodegradation, they can be found in environmental samples. In our study two extraction methodologies were compared and different clean-up strategies were also studied in order to develop a reliable analytical method, with minimum matrix effect and good detection limits, to determine synthetic musk fragrances- six polycyclic musks, three nitro musks and the degradation product of one polycyclic musk- in fish and mussel samples. The first extraction technique involves a QuEChERS extraction, a consolidate extraction methodology in the field of food analysis of growing interest over recent years, followed by a dispersive solid-phase extraction (dSPE) as clean-up strategy. The second extraction technique consists of a conventional pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) with dichloromethane and an in-cell clean-up to decrease the matrix effect and remove the undesired components(⁎)present in PLE extracts. Large volume injection (LVI) followed by gas chromatography-ion trap-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-IT-MS/MS) was chosen as the separation and detection technique. Validation parameters, such as method detection limits and method quantification limits were found at ng g(-1) levels for both fish and mussel matrices. Good levels of intra-day and inter-day repeatabilities were obtained analysing fish and mussel samples spiked at 50 ng g(-1) (d.w.) (n=5, RSDs<17%). The developed PLE/GC-IT-MS/MS method was successfully applied to determine the target musk fragrances present in fish and mussel samples from the local market in Tarragona and fish samples from the Ebro River. The results showed the presence of galaxolide (2.97-18.04 ng g(-1) (d.w.)) and tonalide (1.17-8.42 ng g(-1) (d.w.)) in all the samples analysed, while the remaining polycyclic musks such as cashmeran, celestolide and phantolide, were only detected in some of the fish samples analysed. None of the samples analysed contained detectable traces of the nitro musks studied. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Plectin controls biliary tree architecture and stability in cholestasis.

PubMed

Jirouskova, Marketa; Nepomucka, Katerina; Oyman-Eyrilmez, Gizem; Kalendova, Alzbeta; Havelkova, Helena; Sarnova, Lenka; Chalupsky, Karel; Schuster, Bjoern; Benada, Oldrich; Miksatkova, Petra; Kuchar, Martin; Fabian, Ondrej; Sedlacek, Radislav; Wiche, Gerhard; Gregor, Martin

2018-05-01

Plectin, a highly versatile cytolinker protein, controls intermediate filament cytoarchitecture and cellular stress response. In the present study, we investigate the role of plectin in the liver under basal conditions and in experimental cholestasis. We generated liver-specific plectin knockout (Ple Δalb ) mice and analyzed them using two cholestatic liver injury models: bile duct ligation (BDL) and 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) feeding. Primary hepatocytes and a cholangiocyte cell line were used to address the impact of plectin on keratin filament organization and stability in vitro. Plectin deficiency in hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells led to aberrant keratin filament network organization, biliary tree malformations, and collapse of bile ducts and ductules. Further, plectin ablation significantly aggravated biliary damage upon cholestatic challenge. Coincidently, we observed a significant expansion of A6-positive progenitor cells in Ple Δalb livers. After BDL, plectin-deficient bile ducts were prominently dilated with more frequent ruptures corresponding to an increased number of bile infarcts. In addition, more abundant keratin aggregates indicated less stable keratin filaments in Ple Δalb hepatocytes. A transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed a compromised tight junction formation in plectin-deficient biliary epithelial cells. In addition, protein profiling showed increased expression of the adherens junction protein E-Cadherin, and inefficient upregulation of the desmosomal protein desmoplakin in response to BDL. In vitro analyses revealed a higher susceptibility of plectin-deficient keratin networks to stress-induced collapse, paralleled by elevated activation of p38 MAP kinase. Our study shows that by maintaining proper keratin network cytoarchitecture and biliary epithelial stability, plectin plays a critical role in protecting the liver from stress elicited by cholestasis. Plectin is a cytolinker protein capable of interconnecting all three cytoskeletal filament systems and linking them to plasma membrane-bound junctional complexes. In liver, the plectin-controlled cytoskeleton mechanically stabilizes epithelial cells and provides them with the capacity to adapt to increased bile pressure under cholestasis. Copyright © 2017 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of congruence between preferred and perceived learning environments in nursing education in Taiwan: a cross-sectional study

PubMed Central

Yeh, Ting-Kuang; Huang, Hsiu-Mei; Chan, Wing P; Chang, Chun-Yen

2016-01-01

Objective To investigate the effects of congruence between preferred and perceived learning environments on learning outcomes of nursing students. Setting A nursing course at a university in central Taiwan. Participants 124 Taiwanese nursing students enrolled in a 13-week problem-based Fundamental Nursing curriculum. Design and methods Students' preferred learning environment, perceptions about the learning environment and learning outcomes (knowledge, self-efficacy and attitudes) were assessed. On the basis of test scores measuring their preferred and perceived learning environments, students were assigned to one of two groups: a ‘preferred environment aligned with perceived learning environment’ group and a ‘preferred environment discordant with perceived learning environment’ group. Learning outcomes were analysed by group. Outcome measures Most participants preferred learning in a classroom environment that combined problem-based and lecture-based instruction. However, a mismatch of problem-based instruction with students' perceptions occurred. Learning outcomes were significantly better when students' perceptions of their instructional activities were congruent with their preferred learning environment. Conclusions As problem-based learning becomes a focus of educational reform in nursing, teachers need to be aware of students' preferences and perceptions of the learning environment. Teachers may also need to improve the match between an individual student's perception and a teacher's intention in the learning environment, and between the student's preferred and actual perceptions of the learning environment. PMID:27207620

Science Learning Outcomes in Alignment with Learning Environment Preferences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Chun-Yen; Hsiao, Chien-Hua; Chang, Yueh-Hsia

2011-04-01

This study investigated students' learning environment preferences and compared the relative effectiveness of instructional approaches on students' learning outcomes in achievement and attitude among 10th grade earth science classes in Taiwan. Data collection instruments include the Earth Science Classroom Learning Environment Inventory and Earth Science Learning Outcomes Inventory. The results showed that most students preferred learning in a classroom environment where student-centered and teacher-centered instructional approaches coexisted over a teacher-centered learning environment. A multivariate analysis of covariance also revealed that the STBIM students' cognitive achievement and attitude toward earth science were enhanced when the learning environment was congruent with their learning environment preference.

Minimizing Experimental Setup Time and Effort at APS beamline 1-ID through Instrumentation Design

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

Benda, Erika; Almer, Jonathan; Kenesei, Peter

2016-01-01

Sector 1-ID at the APS accommodates a number of dif-ferent experimental techniques in the same spatial enve-lope of the E-hutch end station. These include high-energy small and wide angle X-ray scattering (SAXS and WAXS), high-energy diffraction microscopy (HEDM, both near and far field modes) and high-energy X-ray tomography. These techniques are frequently combined to allow the users to obtain multimodal data, often attaining 1 μm spatial resolution and <0.05º angular resolution. Furthermore, these techniques are utilized while the sam-ple is thermo-mechanically loaded to mimic real operat-ing conditions. The instrumentation required for each of these techniques and environments has been designedmore » and configured in a modular way with a focus on stability and repeatability between changeovers. This approach allows the end station to be more versatile, capable of collecting multi-modal data in-situ while reducing time and effort typically required for set up and alignment, resulting in more efficient beam time use. Key instrumentation de-sign features and layout of the end station are presented.« less

Toward a critical approach to the study of learning environments in science classrooms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lorsbach, Anthony; Tobin, Kenneth

1995-03-01

Traditional learning environment research in science classrooms has been built on survey methods meant to measure students' and teachers' perceptions of variables used to define the learning environment. This research has led mainly to descriptions of learning environments. We argue that learning environment research should play a transformative role in science classrooms; that learning environment research should take into account contemporary post-positivist ways of thinking about learning and teaching to assist students and teachers to construct a more emancipatory learning environment. In particular, we argue that a critical perspective could lead to research playing a larger role in the transformation of science classroom learning environments. This argument is supplemented with an example from a middle school science classroom.

The Genesis of Cyberscience and its Mathematical Models (CYBERSCIENCE)

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-02-01

Of course, the idea of maintaining a complete development record has other advantages , and has frequently been proposed in the past as a solution to...system development. There is no question that this offers certain advantages . For exam- ple, if systems that satisfy a standard frequently prove...some substantial practical advantages . First, providing wildly 2Unfortunately, this terminology has not been standardized. For example, in the Safety

Workshop on MQW Mixing and its Application to Optoelectronic Devices

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-09-01

21st SEPTEMBER 1990 L Approvsd to; Puiic~ zeleaaeg serc .., 90 ! ;>:.01. . 𔃻 i OR 3ANISING COMMITTEE: . . . . B L Weiss (Chairman) University of...temperature photoluminescence ( PL ) and PL excitation (PLE) spectroscopies were used to monitor exciton energies before and after processing. After RTA...generated near the surface. Spatially resolved PL spectroscopy verified that the lateral diffusion of surface vacancies was less than that of the

Optimization of Extended Relational Database Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-07-23

control functions are integrated into a single system in a homogeneoua way. As a first exam - ple, consider previous work in supporting various semantic...sizes are reduced and, wnk? quently, the number of materializations that will be needed is aba lower. For exam - pie, in the above query tuple...retrieve (EMP.name) where EMP hobbies instrument = ’ violin ’ When the various entries in the hobbies field are materialized, only those queries that

Relevance of the Sea Sand Disruption Method (SSDM) for the biometrical differentiation of the essential-oil composition from conifers.

PubMed

Dawidowicz, Andrzej L; Czapczyńska, Natalia B; Wianowska, Dorota

2013-02-01

Sea Sand Disruption Method (SSDM) is a simple and cheap sample-preparation procedure allowing the reduction of organic solvent consumption, exclusion of sample component degradation, improvement of extraction efficiency and selectivity, and elimination of additional sample clean-up and pre-concentration step before chromatographic analysis. This article deals with the possibility of SSDM application for the differentiation of essential-oils components occurring in the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.) needles from Madrid (Spain), Laganas (Zakhyntos, Greece), Cala Morell (Menorca, Spain), Lublin (Poland), Helsinki (Finland), and Oradea (Romania). The SSDM results are related to the analogous - obtained applying two other sample preparation methods - steam distillation and Pressurized Liquid Extraction (PLE). The results presented established that the total amount and the composition of essential-oil components revealed by SSDM are equivalent or higher than those obtained by one of the most effective extraction technique, PLE. Moreover, SSDM seems to provide the most representative profile of all essential-oil components as no heat is applied. Thus, this environmentally friendly method is suggested to be used as the main extraction procedure for the differentiation of essential-oil components in conifers for scientific and industrial purposes. Copyright © 2013 Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta AG, Zürich.

Simultaneous quantification of major flavonoids in "Bawanghua", the edible flower of Hylocereus undatus using pressurised liquid extraction and high performance liquid chromatography.

PubMed

Yi, Yan; Zhang, Qing-Wen; Li, Song-Lin; Wang, Ying; Ye, Wen-Cai; Zhao, Jing; Wang, Yi-Tao

2012-11-15

A pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed for simultaneous quantification of six major flavonoids in edible flower of Hylocereus undatus. In order to achieve the baseline separation of two pairs of isomers, the HPLC conditions were optimised with different kind of reversed phase columns and mobile phase gradient programs. In addition, the solvent concentration, extraction temperature, extraction time and flush cycle for PLE were also optimised. Zorbax SB-C8 (100×2.1 mm, 1.8 μm) column was chosen with acetonitrile and water containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid as mobile phase, the six analytes were eluted with baseline separation. The calibration curves showed good linearity (r(2)>0.9994) with LODs and LOQs less than 0.90 and 3.60 ng respectively. The RSDs for intra- and inter-day repeatability was not more than 1.09% and 1.79% respectively. The overall recovery of the assay was 96.9-105.2%. The sample was stable for at least 12 h. The newly established method was successfully applied to quantify six flavonoids in different parts of "Bawanghua", and the commercial samples from different locations. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of carbohydrates in natural and cultured Cordyceps by pressurized liquid extraction and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Guan, Jia; Yang, Feng-Qing; Li, Shao-Ping

2010-06-11

Free and polymeric carbohydrates in Cordyceps, a valued edible mushroom and well-known traditional Chinese medicine, were determined using stepwise pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) extraction and GC-MS. Based on the optimized PLE conditions, acid hydrolysis and derivatization, ten monosaccharides, namely rhamnose, ribose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, glucose, galactose, mannitol, fructose and sorbose in 13 samples of natural and cultured Cordyceps were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed and compared with myo-inositol hexaacetate as internal standard. The results showed that natural C. sinensis contained more than 7.99% free mannitol and a small amount of glucose, while its polysaccharides were usually composed of mannose, glucose and galactose with a molar ratio of 1.00:16.61-3.82:1.60-1.28. However, mannitol in cultured C. sinensis and cultured C. militaris were less than 5.83%, and free glucose was only detected in a few samples, while their polysaccharides were mainly composed of mannose, glucose and galactose with molar ratios of 1.00:3.01-1.09:3.30-1.05 and 1.00:2.86-1.28:1.07-0.78, respectively. Natural and cultured Cordyceps could be discriminated by hierarchical clustering analysis based on its free carbohydrate contents.

CLOSED-LOOP STRIPPING ANALYSIS (CLSA) OF ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Synthetic musk compounds have been found in surface water, fish tissues, and human breast milk. Current techniques for separating these compounds from fish tissues require tedious sample clean-upprocedures A simple method for the deterrnination of these compounds in fish tissues has been developed. Closed-loop stripping of saponified fish tissues in a I -L Wheaton purge-and-trap vessel is used to strip compounds with high vapor pressures such as synthetic musks from the matrix onto a solid sorbent (Abselut Nexus). This technique is useful for screening biological tissues that contain lipids for musk compounds. Analytes are desorbed from the sorbent trap sequentially with polar and nonpolar solvents, concentrated, and directly analyzed by high resolution gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer operating in the selected ion monitoring mode. In this paper, we analyzed two homogenized samples of whole fish tissues with spiked synthetic musk compounds using closed-loop stripping analysis (CLSA) and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE). The analytes were not recovered quantitatively but the extraction yield was sufficiently reproducible for at least semi-quantitative purposes (screening). The method was less expensive to implement and required significantly less sample preparation than the PLE technique. The research focused on in the subtasks is the development and application of state-of the-art technologies to meet the needs of the public, Office of Water,

Determination of artificial sweeteners in sewage sludge samples using pressurised liquid extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Ordoñez, Edgar Y; Quintana, José Benito; Rodil, Rosario; Cela, Rafael

2013-12-13

An analytical method for the determination of six artificial sweeteners in sewage sludge has been developed. The procedure is based on pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) with water followed by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and subsequent liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis. After optimisation of the different PLE parameters, extraction with aqueous 500mM formate buffer (pH 3.5) at 80°C during a single static cycle of 21min proved to be best conditions. After a subsequent SPE, quantification limits, referred to dry weight (dw) of sewage sludge, ranged from 0.3ng/g for acesulfame (ACE) to 16ng/g for saccharin (SAC) and neohespiridine dihydrochalcone. The trueness, expressed as recovery, ranged between 72% and 105% and the precision, expressed as relative standard deviation, was lower than 16%. Moreover, the method proved its linearity up to the 2μg/g range. Finally, the described method was applied to the determination of the artificial sweeteners in primary and secondary sewage sludge from urban wastewater treatment plants. Four of the six studied artificial sweeteners (ACE, cyclamate, SAC and sucralose) were found in the samples at concentrations ranging from 17 to 628ng/g dw. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Toll pathway is required for wound-induced expression of barrier repair genes in the Drosophila epidermis

PubMed Central

Capilla, Amalia; Karachentsev, Dmitry; Patterson, Rachel A.; Hermann, Anita; Juarez, Michelle T.; McGinnis, William

2017-01-01

The epidermis serves as a protective barrier in animals. After epidermal injury, barrier repair requires activation of many wound response genes in epidermal cells surrounding wound sites. Two such genes in Drosophila encode the enzymes dopa decarboxylase (Ddc) and tyrosine hydroxylase (ple). In this paper we explore the involvement of the Toll/NF-κB pathway in the localized activation of wound repair genes around epidermal breaks. Robust activation of wound-induced transcription from ple and Ddc requires Toll pathway components ranging from the extracellular ligand Spätzle to the Dif transcription factor. Epistasis experiments indicate a requirement for Spätzle ligand downstream of hydrogen peroxide and protease function, both of which are known activators of wound-induced transcription. The localized activation of Toll a few cell diameters from wound edges is reminiscent of local activation of Toll in early embryonic ventral hypoderm, consistent with the hypothesis that the dorsal–ventral patterning function of Toll arose from the evolutionary cooption of a morphogen-responsive function in wound repair. Furthermore, the combinatorial activity of Toll and other signaling pathways in activating epidermal barrier repair genes can help explain why developmental activation of the Toll, ERK, or JNK pathways alone fail to activate wound repair loci. PMID:28289197

Use of advanced techniques for the extraction of phenolic compounds from Tunisian olive leaves: phenolic composition and cytotoxicity against human breast cancer cells.

PubMed

Taamalli, Amani; Arráez-Román, David; Barrajón-Catalán, Enrique; Ruiz-Torres, Verónica; Pérez-Sánchez, Almudena; Herrero, Miguel; Ibañez, Elena; Micol, Vicente; Zarrouk, Mokhtar; Segura-Carretero, Antonio; Fernández-Gutiérrez, Alberto

2012-06-01

A comparison among different advanced extraction techniques such as microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), together with traditional solid-liquid extraction, was performed to test their efficiency towards the extraction of phenolic compounds from leaves of six Tunisian olive varieties. Extractions were carried out at the best selected conditions for each technique; the obtained extracts were chemically characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to electrospray time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-TOF-MS) and electrospray ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-IT-MS(2)). As expected, higher extraction yields were obtained for PLE while phenolic profiles were mainly influenced by the solvent used as optimum in the different extraction methods. A larger number of phenolic compounds, mostly of a polar character, were found in the extracts obtained by using MAE. Best extraction yields do not correlate with highest cytotoxic activity against breast cancer cells, indicating that cytotoxicity is highly dependent on the presence of certain compounds in the extracts, although not exclusively on a single compound. Therefore, a multifactorial behavior is proposed for the anticancer activity of olive leaf compounds. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Male recombination in Brazilian populations of Drosophila ananassae.

PubMed

Goñi, Beatriz; Matsuda, Muneo; Tobari, Yoshiko N

2016-07-01

With few exceptions, spontaneous crossing over does not normally occur in male Drosophila. Drosophila ananassae males show considerable amounts of crossing over. In wild males of D. ananassae from Asian (2008) and Brazilian populations (1986 and 2007) variable frequencies of meiotic crossing over, estimated from chiasmata counts, suggested the existence of factors controlling male crossing over in these populations. To corroborate for such prediction, we present data on spontaneous recombination in F1 males of D. ananassae heterozygous for chromosomes of the same Brazilian populations (1986) and marker chromosomes using three testers stocks. Mean recombination value was low, although high variability existed between individual frequencies. Recombination frequencies between lines in each tester stock were not significantly different, excepting when the 3ple-px and 3ple-cy testers were compared (p < 0.05). These two testers differ in respect to the regional distribution of crossovers. The occurrence of recombination in chromosomes 2 and 3 in F1 males tested with e(65) se; bri ru was not related, suggesting they are under independent genetic control. Our data are consistent with proposed genetic factors controlling male crossing over in the tester stocks and to the presence of enhancers and suppressors of male crossing over segregating in the Brazilian populations (1986).

An Examination through Conjoint Analysis of the Preferences of Students Concerning Online Learning Environments According to Their Learning Styles

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Daghan, Gökhan; Akkoyunlu, Buket

2012-01-01

This study examines learning styles of students receiving education via online learning environments, and their preferences concerning the online learning environment. Maggie McVay Lynch Learning Style Inventory was used to determine learning styles of the students. The preferences of students concerning online learning environments were detected…

Pre-Service English Teachers in Blended Learning Environment in Respect to Their Learning Approaches

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yilmaz, M. Betul; Orhan, Feza

2010-01-01

Blended learning environment (BLE) is increasingly used in the world, especially in university degrees and it is based on integrating web-based learning and face-to-face (FTF) learning environments. Besides integrating different learning environments, BLE also addresses to students with different learning approaches. The "learning…

Integrating Learning, Problem Solving, and Engagement in Narrative-Centered Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rowe, Jonathan P.; Shores, Lucy R.; Mott, Bradford W.; Lester, James C.

2011-01-01

A key promise of narrative-centered learning environments is the ability to make learning engaging. However, there is concern that learning and engagement may be at odds in these game-based learning environments. This view suggests that, on the one hand, students interacting with a game-based learning environment may be engaged but unlikely to…

Factors Influencing Learning Environments in an Integrated Experiential Program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koci, Peter

The research conducted for this dissertation examined the learning environment of a specific high school program that delivered the explicit curriculum through an integrated experiential manner, which utilized field and outdoor experiences. The program ran over one semester (five months) and it integrated the grade 10 British Columbian curriculum in five subjects. A mixed methods approach was employed to identify the students' perceptions and provide richer descriptions of their experiences related to their unique learning environment. Quantitative instruments were used to assess changes in students' perspectives of their learning environment, as well as other supporting factors including students' mindfulness, and behaviours towards the environment. Qualitative data collection included observations, open-ended questions, and impromptu interviews with the teacher. The qualitative data describe the factors and processes that influenced the learning environment and give a richer, deeper interpretation which complements the quantitative findings. The research results showed positive scores on all the quantitative measures conducted, and the qualitative data provided further insight into descriptions of learning environment constructs that the students perceived as most important. A major finding was that the group cohesion measure was perceived by students as the most important attribute of their preferred learning environment. A flow chart was developed to help the researcher conceptualize how the learning environment, learning process, and outcomes relate to one another in the studied program. This research attempts to explain through the consideration of this case study: how learning environments can influence behavioural change and how an interconnectedness among several factors in the learning process is influenced by the type of learning environment facilitated. Considerably more research is needed in this area to understand fully the complexity learning environments and how they influence learning and behaviour. Keywords: learning environments; integrated experiential programs; environmental education.

Hypermedia in Vocational Learning: A Hypermedia Learning Environment for Training Management Skills

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Konradt, Udo

2004-01-01

A learning environment is defined as an arrangement of issues, methods, techniques, and media in a given domain. Besides temporal and spatial features a learning environment considers the social situation in which learning takes place. In (hypermedia) learning environments the concept of exploration and the active role of the learner is…

Using Wikis as a Support and Assessment Tool in Collaborative Digital Game-Based Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Samur, Yavuz

2011-01-01

In computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) environments, there are many researches done on collaborative learning activities; however, in game-based learning environments, more research and literature on collaborative learning activities are required. Actually, both game-based learning environments and wikis enable us to use new chances…

Assessing culturally sensitive factors in the learning environment of science classrooms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fisher, Darrell L.; Waldrip, Bruce G.

1997-03-01

As schools are becoming increasingly diverse in their scope and clientele, any examination of the interaction of culturally sensitive factors of students' learning environments with learning science assumes critical importance. The purpose of this exploratory study was to develop an instrument to assess learning environment factors that are culturally sensitive, to provide initial validation information on the instrument and to examine associations between students' perceptions of their learning environments and their attitudes towards science and achievement of enquiry skills. A measure of these factors of science student's learning environment, namely the Cultural Learning Environment Questionnaire (CLEQ), was developed from past learning environment instruments and influenced by Hofstede's four dimensions of culture (Power Distance, Uncertainty Avoidance, Individualism, and Masculinity/Femininity). The reliability and discriminant validity for each scale were obtained and associations between learning environment, attitude to science and enquiry skills achievement were found.

The Ash Warriors

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-01-01

toys, formula, portable crib, stroller, etc) Water supply for one day Food/ snacks for one day Food for pets (3 days) and leash POVs should have one-half...Clark’s continued. On June 7, a dome appeared on Pinatubo’s northwest face. Increased seismic activity and the extruding dome prompted the volcanologists...MWR) peo- ple passed out bottled water, snacks and other comfort items. The lines on the parking apron were long but kept moving. Personnel special

Intelligence Support to the Life Science Community: Mitigating Threats from Bioterrorism

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-01-01

biological weapons capability at a rate that will outpace the moni- toring ability of the national security community. Thus, peo- ple doing security...of the 14 K. Alibek, Biohazard: The Chilling True Story of the Largest Biological Weapons Program in the World (New York: Random House, 1999) and...Alberts, R. M. May, “Scientist Support for Biological Weapons Controls.” Science 298 (8 November 2002): 1135. information from general release without a

JPRS Report China Red Flag

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-11-23

it have been possible, through reliance on millet plus rifles, to achieve victory over the better-armed Japanese militarists? Today, as we build...an exam- ple. If most products are made from spinning machines and only a few are produced by hand-driven spinning machines, the former is made...twisting. The way she referred to "madam" when reporting to Sister Feng caused much confusion to You, a married woman . However, it happened that

Production and Engineering Methods for CARB-TEX (Trade Name) Batteries in Fork Lift Trucks

DTIC Science & Technology

1974-12-01

Temperature Batteries Tellurium Tetra Chloride Battery Pilot Line TO ABSTRACT (Contfinue on reverse side !I mvc.esy mid Identify by block number) This...chloride -1- as the electrolyte, and a tellurium tetrachloride additive. The porous carbon cathode is an aggregation of active carbon particles which have...energy storage using the Helmholtz double-layer princi- ple. However, after treating the carbon with the tellurium tetrachloride additve, the carbon

Coast Guard Proceedings. Volume 68, Number 2, Summer 2011

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-01

recreation, and lifesaving drugs. And they convey goods and peo- ple to the global community, serving as conduits for transportation, trade, and tourism ...With the increased use of electronic navi- gation, the committee has moved ahead to develop a national strategy by inventorying the suite of federal...consist of higher-value com- modities (such as electronics , automobiles, etc.), while U.S. exports and domestic cargos have generally tended to be lower

Toward a Theory of Assurance Case Confidence

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-01

assurance case claim. The framework is based on the notion of eliminative induction—the princi- ple (first put forward by Francis Bacon ) that confidence in...eliminative induction. As first proposed by Francis Bacon [Schum 2001] and extended by L. Jonathan Cohen [Cohen 1970, 1977, 1989], eliminative induction is...eliminative in- duction—the principle (first put forward by Francis Bacon ) that confidence in the truth of a hypothesis (or claim) increases as reasons for

Feature Quantization and Pooling for Videos

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-05-01

does not score high on this metric. The exceptions are videos where objects move - for exam- ple, the ice skaters (“ice”) and the tennis player , tracked...convincing me that my future path should include a PhD. Martial and Fernando, your energy is exceptional! Its influence can be seen in the burning...3.17 BMW enables Interpretation of similar regions across videos ( tennis ). . . . . . . 50 3.18 Common Motion Words across videos with large camera

Relationship between learning environment characteristics and academic engagement.

PubMed

Opdenakker, Marie-Christine; Minnaert, Alexander

2011-08-01

The relationship between learning environment characteristics and academic engagement of 777 Grade 6 children located in 41 learning environments was explored. Questionnaires were used to tap learning environment perceptions of children, their academic engagement, and their ethnic-cultural background. The basis of the learning environment questionnaire was the International System for Teacher Observation and Feedback (ISTOF). Factor analysis indicated three factors: the teacher as a helpful and good instructor (having good instructional skills, clear instruction), the teacher as promoter of active learning and differentiation, and the teacher as manager and organizer of classroom activities. Multilevel analysis indicated that about 12% of the differences in engagement between children was related to the learning environment. All the mentioned learning environment characteristics mattered, but the teacher as a helpful, good instructor was most important followed by the teacher as promoter of active learning and differentiation.

Nigerian Physiotherapy Clinical Students' Perception of Their Learning Environment Measured by the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure Inventory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Odole, Adesola C.; Oyewole, Olufemi O.; Ogunmola, Oluwasolape T.

2014-01-01

The identification of the learning environment and the understanding of how students learn will help teacher to facilitate learning and plan a curriculum to achieve the learning outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate undergraduate physiotherapy clinical students' perception of University of Ibadan's learning environment. Using the…

Supporting cognitive engagement in a learning-by-doing learning environment: Case studies of participant engagement and social configurations in Kitchen Science Investigators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gardner, Christina M.

Learning-by-doing learning environments support a wealth of physical engagement in activities. However, there is also a lot of variability in what participants learn in each enactment of these types of environments. Therefore, it is not always clear how participants are learning in these environments. In order to design technologies to support learning in these environments, we must have a greater understanding of how participants engage in learning activities, their goals for their engagement, and the types of help they need to cognitively engage in learning activities. To gain a greater understanding of participant engagement and factors and circumstances that promote and inhibit engagement, this dissertation explores and answers several questions: What are the types of interactions and experiences that promote and /or inhibit learning and engagement in learning-by-doing learning environments? What are the types of configurations that afford or inhibit these interactions and experiences in learning-by-doing learning environments? I explore answers to these questions through the context of two enactments of Kitchen Science Investigators (KSI), a learning-by-doing learning environment where middle-school aged children learn science through cooking from customizing recipes to their own taste and texture preferences. In small groups, they investigate effects of ingredients through the design of cooking and science experiments, through which they experience and learn about chemical, biological, and physical science phenomena and concepts (Clegg, Gardner, Williams, & Kolodner, 2006). The research reported in this dissertation sheds light on the different ways participant engagement promotes and/or inhibits cognitive engagement in by learning-by-doing learning environments through two case studies. It also provides detailed descriptions of the circumstances (social, material, and physical configurations) that promote and/or inhibit participant engagement in these learning environments through cross-case analyses of these cases. Finally, it offers suggestions about structuring activities, selecting materials and resources, and designing facilitation and software-realized scaffolding in the design of these types of learning environments. These design implications focus on affording participant engagement in science content and practices learning. Overall, the case studies, cross-case analyses, and empirically-based design implications begin to bridge the gap between theory and practice in the design and implementation of these learning environments. This is demonstrated by providing detailed and explanatory examples and factors that affect how participants take up the affordances of the learning opportunities designed into these learning environments.

How People Learn in an Asynchronous Online Learning Environment: The Relationships between Graduate Students' Learning Strategies and Learning Satisfaction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Choi, Beomkyu

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between learners' learning strategies and learning satisfaction in an asynchronous online learning environment. In an attempt to shed some light on how people learn in an online learning environment, one hundred and sixteen graduate students who were taking online learning courses…

The peculiarities of power terrestrial ELF emission in the Earth's ionosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korepanov, Valery; Dudkin, Fedir; Pronenko, Vira; Chvach, Valery

2016-04-01

The near-Earth space is saturated with electromagnetic (EM) waves of terrestrial origin in a wide frequency range. The most powerful natural sources of EM emission are thunderstorms and triggered by them Schumann resonance (SR) radiation which is the narrowband EM noise that occurs due to the global thunderstorm activity in the Earth-ionosphere cavity in frequency range about 7-100 Hz. The considerable part of the terrestrial EM emission belongs to everyday human activity which increases year by year with unpredictable consequences. At the beginning of space exploration era it was considered that high frequency EM waves freely penetrate through the Earth's ionosphere, but the terrestrial EM emission below very low frequency range is limited by ionospheric F2 layer boundary due to great EM losses in plasma. About 40 years ago the power lines harmonic radiation (multiple of 50/60 Hz) was found at satellite observations in a few kilohertz range, nevertheless the ionosphere was considered fully opaque for extremely low frequency (ELF) EM emission. However recently, in spite of theoretical estimations, the SR harmonics and power line emission (PLE) 50/60 Hz were discovered during flights of low Earth orbiting satellites C/NOFS (Simões et al., 2011) and Chibis-M (Dudkin et al., 2015) at heights 400-800 km, i.e. over F2-layer. Last results are a great challenge to the theory of ELF EM emission propagation in the Earth's ionosphere as well as for study of long-term influence of constantly increasing electric energy consumption by human civilization in the Earth's environment. We present the analysis of the space and time distribution for observed PLE and SR harmonics, their connection with power terrestrial sources of ELF emission and possible relation between measured values and ionosphere conditions. Also some electromagnetic parameters have been estimated. Simões, F. A., R. F. Pfaff, and H. T. Freudenreich (2011), Satellite observations of Schumann resonances in the Earth's ionosphere, Geophys. Res. Lett., 38, L22101, doi:10.1029/2011GL049668. Dudkin, F., V. Korepanov, D. Dudkin, V. Pilipenko, V. Pronenko, and S. Klimov (2015), Electric fi eld of the power terrestrial sources observed by microsatellite Chibis-M in the Earth ' s ionosphere in frequency range 1 - 60 Hz, Geophys. Res. Lett., 42, doi:10.1002/2015GL064595.

Scaffolding in Connectivist Mobile Learning Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ozan, Ozlem

2013-01-01

Social networks and mobile technologies are transforming learning ecology. In this changing learning environment, we find a variety of new learner needs. The aim of this study is to investigate how to provide scaffolding to the learners in connectivist mobile learning environment: (1) to learn in a networked environment; (2) to manage their…

Online Resource-Based Learning Environment: Case Studies in Primary Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

So, Winnie Wing Mui; Ching, Fiona Ngai Ying

2012-01-01

This paper discusses the creation of learning environments with online resources by three primary school teachers for pupil's learning of science-related topics with reference to the resource-based e-learning environments (RBeLEs) framework. Teachers' choice of contexts, resources, tools, and scaffolds in designing the learning environments are…

The Predicaments of Language Learners in Traditional Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shafie, Latisha Asmaak; Mansor, Mahani

2009-01-01

Some public universities in developing countries have traditional language learning environments such as classrooms with only blackboards and furniture which do not provide conducive learning environments. These traditional environments are unable to cater for digital learners who need to learn with learning technologies. In order to create…

The Integration of Personal Learning Environments & Open Network Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tu, Chih-Hsiung; Sujo-Montes, Laura; Yen, Cherng-Jyh; Chan, Junn-Yih; Blocher, Michael

2012-01-01

Learning management systems traditionally provide structures to guide online learners to achieve their learning goals. Web 2.0 technology empowers learners to create, share, and organize their personal learning environments in open network environments; and allows learners to engage in social networking and collaborating activities. Advanced…

Experiential Learning and Learning Environments: The Case of Active Listening Skills

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huerta-Wong, Juan Enrique; Schoech, Richard

2010-01-01

Social work education research frequently has suggested an interaction between teaching techniques and learning environments. However, this interaction has never been tested. This study compared virtual and face-to-face learning environments and included active listening concepts to test whether the effectiveness of learning environments depends…

The Role of the Constructivist Learning Theory and Collaborative Learning Environment on Wiki Classroom, and the Relationship between Them

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alzahrani, Ibraheem; Woollard, John

2013-01-01

This paper seeks to discover the relationship between both the social constructivist learning theory and the collaborative learning environment. This relationship can be identified by giving an example of the learning environment. Due to wiki characteristics, Wiki technology is one of the most famous learning environments that can show the…

Practice education learning environments: the mismatch between perceived and preferred expectations of undergraduate health science students.

PubMed

Brown, Ted; Williams, Brett; McKenna, Lisa; Palermo, Claire; McCall, Louise; Roller, Louis; Hewitt, Lesley; Molloy, Liz; Baird, Marilyn; Aldabah, Ligal

2011-11-01

Practical hands-on learning opportunities are viewed as a vital component of the education of health science students, but there is a critical shortage of fieldwork placement experiences. It is therefore important that these clinical learning environments are well suited to students' perceptions and expectations. To investigate how undergraduate students enrolled in health-related education programs view their clinical learning environments and specifically to compare students' perception of their 'actual' clinical learning environment to that of their 'preferred/ideal' clinical learning environment. The Clinical Learning Environment Inventory (CLEI) was used to collect data from 548 undergraduate students (55% response rate) enrolled in all year levels of paramedics, midwifery, radiography and medical imaging, occupational therapy, pharmacy, nutrition and dietetics, physiotherapy and social work at Monash University via convenience sampling. Students were asked to rate their perception of the clinical learning environment at the completion of their placements using the CLEI. Satisfaction of the students enrolled in the health-related disciplines was closely linked with the five constructs measured by the CLEI: Personalization, Student Involvement, Task Orientation, Innovation, and Individualization. Significant differences were found between the student's perception of their 'actual' clinical learning environment and their 'ideal' clinical learning environment. The study highlights the importance of a supportive clinical learning environment that places emphasis on effective two-way communication. A thorough understanding of students' perceptions of their clinical learning environments is essential. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Applying a Framework for Student Modeling in Exploratory Learning Environments: Comparing Data Representation Granularity to Handle Environment Complexity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fratamico, Lauren; Conati, Cristina; Kardan, Samad; Roll, Ido

2017-01-01

Interactive simulations can facilitate inquiry learning. However, similarly to other Exploratory Learning Environments, students may not always learn effectively in these unstructured environments. Thus, providing adaptive support has great potential to help improve student learning with these rich activities. Providing adaptive support requires a…

A Simultaneous Mobile E-Learning Environment and Application

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Karal, Hasan; Bahcekapili, Ekrem; Yildiz, Adil

2010-01-01

The purpose of the present study was to design a mobile learning environment that enables the use of a teleconference application used in simultaneous e-learning with mobile devices and to evaluate this mobile learning environment based on students' views. With the mobile learning environment developed in the study, the students are able to follow…

Using Scenarios to Design Complex Technology-Enhanced Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

de Jong, Ton; Weinberger, Armin; Girault, Isabelle; Kluge, Anders; Lazonder, Ard W.; Pedaste, Margus; Ludvigsen, Sten; Ney, Muriel; Wasson, Barbara; Wichmann, Astrid; Geraedts, Caspar; Giemza, Adam; Hovardas, Tasos; Julien, Rachel; van Joolingen, Wouter R.; Lejeune, Anne; Manoli, Constantinos C.; Matteman, Yuri; Sarapuu, Tago; Verkade, Alex; Vold, Vibeke; Zacharia, Zacharias C.

2012-01-01

Science Created by You (SCY) learning environments are computer-based environments in which students learn about science topics in the context of addressing a socio-scientific problem. Along their way to a solution for this problem students produce many types of intermediate products or learning objects. SCY learning environments center the entire…

Learning Environments Designed According to Learning Styles and Its Effects on Mathematics Achievement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Özerem, Aysen; Akkoyunlu, Buket

2015-01-01

Problem Statement: While designing a learning environment it is vital to think about learner characteristics (learning styles, approaches, motivation, interests… etc.) in order to promote effective learning. The learning environment and learning process should be designed not to enable students to learn in the same manner and at the same level,…

Web-Based Learning Environment Based on Students’ Needs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamzah, N.; Ariffin, A.; Hamid, H.

2017-08-01

Traditional learning needs to be improved since it does not involve active learning among students. Therefore, in the twenty-first century, the development of internet technology in the learning environment has become the main needs of each student. One of the learning environments to meet the needs of the teaching and learning process is a web-based learning environment. This study aims to identify the characteristics of a web-based learning environment that supports students’ learning needs. The study involved 542 students from fifteen faculties in a public higher education institution in Malaysia. A quantitative method was used to collect the data via a questionnaire survey by randomly. The findings indicate that the characteristics of a web-based learning environment that support students’ needs in the process of learning are online discussion forum, lecture notes, assignments, portfolio, and chat. In conclusion, the students overwhelmingly agreed that online discussion forum is the highest requirement because the tool can provide a space for students and teachers to share knowledge and experiences related to teaching and learning.

Distributing vs. Blocking Learning Questions in a Web-Based Learning Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kapp, Felix; Proske, Antje; Narciss, Susanne; Körndle, Hermann

2015-01-01

Effective studying in web-based learning environments (web-LEs) requires cognitive engagement and demands learners to regulate their learning activities. One way to support learners in web-LEs is to provide interactive learning questions within the learning environment. Even though research on learning questions has a long tradition, there are…

Learning with Collaborative Inquiry: A Science Learning Environment for Secondary Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sun, Daner; Looi, Chee-Kit; Xie, Wenting

2017-01-01

When inquiry-based learning is designed for a collaborative context, the interactions that arise in the learning environment can become fairly complex. While the learning effectiveness of such learning environments has been reported in the literature, there have been fewer studies on the students' learning processes. To address this, the article…

Learning in a u-Museum: Developing a Context-Aware Ubiquitous Learning Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Chia-Chen; Huang, Tien-Chi

2012-01-01

Context-awareness techniques can support learners in learning without time or location constraints by using mobile devices and associated learning activities in a real learning environment. Enrichment of context-aware technologies has enabled students to learn in an environment that integrates learning resources from both the real world and the…

Natural Resources Research Program. Annotated Bibliography for Regional Recreation Demand Models

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-01-01

to gain decreases in hunter density. A study of cross-country skiers in Colorado established willingness-to-pay values for a day of skiing, and...peo- ple derive from the use of public beaches? How can knowledge of these rela- tionships improve public beach management? A model was developed and...commodity. The pilot calculation ascertained what basic data are required. A knowledge of a county’s popula- tion, population density, distance from the

Biological Effects of Nonionizing Electromagnetic Radiation. Volume 8, Number 1. A Digest of Current Literature.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-10-01

IIOS; 1982 ( re’ the refractive index fluctuation produced in a sam- ple when its temperature rises as a result of ab- sorption of MW radiation is...sav af ter t he f racture compared with rsie l 3*~c AM1>4 .a PFa ~i u (10(1 die Studi1es In- p or’(f ,i rab I t, to t , ttI-,rc stim .lation increaoi

Improving the Deployment of Army Health Care Professionals: An Evaluation of PROFIS

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-01-01

Forces Command (FORSCOM)” letter, commonly known as the MEDO Letter, written by the Office of the Surgeon General. In response to the shortages of...interviewed reported deploying civilian medical personnel. For exam- ple, due to a reported shortage of some types of specialists in the military, the...61N (flight surgeon), 63R (executive dentist), or 64Z (senior veterinarian ). 2. Matched positions, where the provider and the tasking have the

JPRS Report, Near East & South Asia

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-08-03

Range (NTR) at Baliapal in coas- tal Balasore district has assumed a new dimension with the disclo- sure by the defence ministry this week that the...ongoing Interim Test Range (ITR) project at Chandipur, near Balasore , is part of the NTR. The people of Baliapal got powerful support from the...peo- ple of Balasore town, which observed a total bandh on June 1 in protest against the location of the ITR at Chandipur, which is only 3 kms

An Assessment of Alcohol and Drug Education/Prevention Programs in the United States Army

DTIC Science & Technology

1973-12-01

summarized in an interim report, helped us to construct a conceptual framework for our data-gathering instruments and procedures and analyses. The basic...and leade.s about their attitudes and behavior before and after exposure to ADEP), but we also made separate administrations of the same instruments ...study. Based on this, we developed our instruments and pretested them. We made preliminary one-day visits to almost all posts in our CONUS sam ple

JPRS Report, China: 1988 Work Reports From Provinces in Northeast Region.

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-05-16

periodicals and data, such as HUIKAN [THE JOURNAL OF PEOPLE’S CONGRESS]; JILIN RENDA GONGZUO [THE WORK OF JILIN’S PEO- PLE’S CONGRESSES]; RENDA XINXI...control over the macroeconomy, which caused loss of control over extra -budgetary capital con- struction. A total of 106 small projects which...On the basis of conducting an overall screening of the investment in fixed assets, we should strengthen the management of extra -budgetary funds, and

Teaching Security Requirements Engineering Using SQUARE

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-02-01

data to show the benefit of the approach we have discussed here. So far there have been some 300 downloads of the SQUARE educational material from the...CERT website. One of our goals this year is to conduct a sur- vey to find out about the usage of the material and its results. It is our hope that in...results. For exam- ple, SQUARE educational material was translated into Chinese and delivered at National Defence University in Taiwan. Feedback from

Flux of Nutrients Between the Middle and Southern Adriatic Sea (Gargano-Split section)

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-04-28

silico molybdate in acid solution to mo- lybdenum blue by ascorbic acid . Oxalic acid is introduced to the sam- ple to minimize interferences from...sensitivity of this method. Nitrite is measured by reacting the sample under acidic conditions with sulfanilamide to form a diazo compound that then...colorimetric method in which a blue compound is formed by the reaction of phosphate, molybdate and antimony followed by reduction with ascorbic acid . The reduced

TESIS - The TNG EROs Spectroscopic Identification Survey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saracco, P.; Longhetti, M.; Severgnini, P.; della Ceca, R.; Mannucci, F.; Ghinassi, F.; Drory, N.; Feulner, G.; Bender, R.; Maraston, C.; Hopp, U.

2003-06-01

The epoch at which massive galaxies (M [star] > 10^11M[ scriptstyle sun ]) have assembled provides crucial constraints on the current galaxy formation and evolution models. The LCDM hierarchical merging model predicts that massive galaxies are assembled through mergers of pre-existing disk galaxies at z <= 1.5 (Kauffmann & Charlot 1998; Cole et al. 2000). In the alternative view massive ellipticals formed at z> 3 in a single episode of star formation and follow a pure luminosity evolution (PLE).

Characterization and Comparison of Combat Related Injuries in Women During OIF and OEF

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-01-05

military women have sustained in recent conflicts, with specific attention to polytrauma incidence in this population. In addition to studying physical...multi- ple body regions because of polytrauma . *p ≤ 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001. TABLE I. Demographic and Injury Characteristics by Mission 2003...that were involved in explosive events.18 Polytrauma was evident in the majority of women injured in these conflicts; findings showed that almost 65

Predictable Programming on a Precision Timed Architecture

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-04-18

Application: A Video Game Figure 6: Structure of the Video Game Example Inspired by an example game sup- plied with the Hydra development board [17...we implemented a sim- ple video game in C targeted to our PRET architecture. Our example centers on rendering graphics and is otherwise fairly simple...background image. 13 Figure 10: A Screen Dump From Our Video Game Ultimately, each displayed pixel is one of only four col- ors, but the pixels in

A Tandem Semantic Interpreter for Incremental Parse Selection

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-09-28

syntactic role to semantic role. An exam - ple from Fillmore [10] is the sentence I copied that letter, which can be uttered when point- ing either to...person. We want the word fiddle to have the sort predicate violin as its lexical interpretation, how- ever, notthing. Thus, for Ross went for his fiddle...to receive an interpretation, a sort hierarchy is needed to establish that all violins are things. A well-structured sort hierarchy allows newly added

[Young people's health in single-parent families].

PubMed

Klocke, A

2012-07-01

This paper aims to investigate the effects of sin-gle-parent families on the health of young peo-ple. Database is the 2010 HBSC survey as well as the 2002 and 2006 data for trend analysis. Findings show that there is a weak but significant effect of single-parent families on the health and health-behaviour of young people. There has been little change in the findings between 2002 and 2010. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Turbulent Flow and Large Surface Wave Events in the Marine Boundary Layers

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-08-22

Nether-784 lands Academy of Arts and Sciences.785 35 Wyngaard, J. C., 2004: Toward numerical modeling in the Terra Incognita. J. Atmos. Sci.,786 61...surface roughness, vegetative canopies, wind waves and local orography all influence wind turbine performance to varying degrees. For exam- ple, the...teor crater, Bull. Amer. Meteorol. Soc., 89, 127–150. Wyngaard, J. C., 2004: Toward numerical modeling in the Terra Incognita, J. Atmos. Sci., 61

Comparison of different extraction procedures for the comprehensive characterization of bioactive phenolic compounds in Rosmarinus officinalis by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection coupled to electrospray time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Borrás Linares, I; Arráez-Román, D; Herrero, M; Ibáñez, E; Segura-Carretero, A; Fernández-Gutiérrez, A

2011-10-21

In the present work, a comparative study between two environmentally friendly and selective extraction techniques, such as supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) have been carried out focusing in the bioactive phenolic compounds present in Rosmarinus officinalis. For the analysis of the SFE and PLE extracts, a new methodology for qualitative characterization has been developed, based on the use of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), equipped with two different detection systems coupled in series: diode array detector (DAD) and time of flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) detector connected via an electrospray ionization interface (ESI). The use of a small particle size C(18) column (1.8 μm) provided a great resolution and made possible the separation of several isomers. Moreover, UV-visible spectrophotometry is a valuable tool for identifying the class of phenolic compounds, whereas MS data enabled to structurally characterize the compounds present in the extracts. The applied methodology was useful for the determination of many well-known phenolic compounds present in R. officinalis, such as carnosol, carnosic acid, rosmadial, rosmanol, genkwanin, homoplantaginin, scutellarein, cirsimaritin and rosmarinic acid, as well as other phenolic compounds present in other species belonging to Lamiaceae family. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and properties of Rb2GeF6:Mn4+ red-emitting phosphors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakurai, Shono; Nakamura, Toshihiro; Adachi, Sadao

2018-02-01

Rb2GeF6:Mn4+ red-emitting phosphors were synthesized by coprecipitation and their structural and optical properties were investigated by laser microscopy observation, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, photoluminescence (PL) analysis, PL excitation (PLE) spectroscopy, and PL decay measurement. Single-crystalline ingots in the form of a hexagonal pyramid were prepared with a basal plane diameter of ˜2 mm. The XRD analysis suggested that Rb2GeF6 crystallizes in the hexagonal structure (C6v4 = P63mc) with a = 0.5955 nm and c = 0.9672 nm. The phosphor exhibited the strong Mn4+-related zero-phonon line (ZPL) emission peak typically observed in host crystals with piezoelectrically active lattices such as a hexagonal lattice. The quantum efficiencies of the bulk ingot and powdered samples were 87 and 74%, respectively, with nearly the same luminescence decay time of ˜6 ms. The exact ZPL energies and related crystal-field and Racah parameters were obtained from the PL and PLE spectra by Franck-Condon analysis. Temperature-dependent PL intensities were analyzed from T = 20 to 500 K using a thermal quenching model by considering Bose-Einstein phonon statistics. A comparative discussion on the phosphor properties of Rb2GeF6:Mn4+ and Rb2MF6:Mn4+ with M = Si and Ti was also given.

Measurement of Exciton Binding Energy of Monolayer WS2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xi; Zhu, Bairen; Cui, Xiaodong

Excitonic effects are prominent in monolayer crystal of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) because of spatial confinement and reduced Coulomb screening. Here we use linear differential transmission spectroscopy and two-photon photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy (TP-PLE) to measure the exciton binding energy of monolayer WS2. Peaks for excitonic absorptions of the direct gap located at K valley of the Brillouin zone and transitions from multiple points near Γ point of the Brillouin zone, as well as trion side band are shown in the linear absorption spectra of WS2. But there is no gap between distinct excitons and the continuum of the interband transitions. Strong electron-phonon scattering, overlap of excitons around Γ point and the transfer of the oscillator strength from interband continuum to exciton states make it difficult to resolve the electronic interband transition edge even down to 10K. The gap between excited states of the band-edge exciton and the single-particle band is probed by TP-PLE measurements. And the energy difference between 1s exciton and the single-particle gap gives the exciton binding energy of monolayer WS2 to be about 0.71eV. The work is supported by Area of excellency (AoE/P-04/08), CRF of Hong Kong Research Grant Council (HKU9/CRF/13G) and SRT on New Materials of The University of Hong Kong.

Development of green extraction processes for Nannochloropsis gaditana biomass valorization.

PubMed

Sánchez-Camargo, Andrea Del Pilar; Pleite, Natalia; Mendiola, José Antonio; Cifuentes, Alejandro; Herrero, Miguel; Gilbert-López, Bienvenida; Ibáñez, Elena

2018-04-23

In the present work, the valorization of Nannochloropsis gaditana biomass is proposed within the concept of biorefinery. To this aim, high-pressure homogenization (HPH) was used to break down the strong cell wall and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with pure CO 2 was applied as a first step to extract valuable compounds (such as non-polar lipids and pigments). Extraction of the remaining residue for the recovery of bioactive compounds was studied by means of an experimental design based on response surface methodology (RSM) employing pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) with green solvents such as water and ethanol. Optimum extract was achieved with pure ethanol at 170°C for 20 min, providing an important antioxidant capacity (0.72 ± 0.03 mmol trolox eq g -1 extract). Complete chemical characterization of the optimum extract was carried out by using different chromatographic methods such as reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (RP-HPLC-DAD), normal-phase HPLC with evaporative light scattering detection (NP-HPLC-ELSD) and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry detection (GC-MS); carotenoids (e.g. violaxanthin), chlorophylls and polar lipids were the main compounds observed while palmitoleic, palmitic, myristic acids and the polyunsaturated eicosapentanoic (EPA) acid were the predominant fatty acids in all PLE extracts. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Unique light-induced degradation in yellow-emitting K₂SiF₆:Mn²⁺ phosphor

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

Oyama, Takuya; Adachi, Sadao, E-mail: adachi@el.gunma-u.ac.jp

2014-10-07

Photo-induced luminescence intensity degradation in yellow-emitting K₂SiF₆:Mn²⁺ phosphor is studied using x-ray diffraction measurement, photoluminescence (PL) analysis, PL excitation (PLE) spectroscopy, PL decay analysis, and electron spin resonance (ESR) measurement. The yellow-emitting K₂SiF₆:Mn²⁺ phosphor exhibits remarkable degradation in the PL intensity under Xe lamp exposure. Coherent laser irradiation also induces degradation and its degree is in the order of He–Cd (λ = 325 nm) > Ar⁺ (488 nm) > He–Ne laser (632.8 nm). The degradation mechanism is proposed to be due to change in the valence state of manganese ions from Mn²⁺ to Mn³⁺ by the photooxidation (Mn²⁺ → Mn³⁺)more » or disproportionation reaction (2Mn²⁺ → Mn⁺ + Mn³⁺). The ESR measurement confirms the decreased Mn²⁺ spin density in the sample exposed with Xe lamp. The PLE spectrum suggests that the excitation of Mn³⁺ ions occurs through energy transfer upon absorption of exciting radiation by the Mn²⁺ ions. Thermal annealing of the degraded samples at ≥200 °C causes a blueshift in the PL emission band with an appearance of the Mn⁴⁺-related sharp red emission lines.« less

Effects of Pressure on Optically Active Deep Levels in Phosphorus Doped ZnSe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weinstein, B. A.; Iota, V.

1998-03-01

We report high pressure photoluminescence (PL) and PL-excitation (PLE) studies at 8K of the 'midgap' emission in P-doped ZnSe using a diamond-cell with He medium. The dominant emission at low pressure is due to donor-acceptor-pair (DAP) transitions between shallow donors and deep trigonally relaxed P_Se acceptors.(J. Davies, et al., J. Luminescence 18/19, 322 (1979)) Its PL and PLE peaks shift by 8.2meV/kbar and 5.9meV/kbar, respectively -- Stokes shift decreasing with pressure. At 35kbar a new PL band, shifting to lower energy (-5.4meV/kbar), emerges from above the absorption edge, and concurrently the original DAP PL quenches. This shows that a resonant level, a deep donor or possibly a P_Se antibonding state,(R. Watts, et al., Phys. Rev. B3), 404 (1971) crosses the conduction edge into the gap. A third PL band is seen only with internse UV excitation. It occurs initially as a high energy shoulder of the original DAP peak, but shifts more rapidly upward (9.4meV/kbar) until it crosses the edge and quenches at 40kbar. We discuss candidates for this band, including donor-P_Se complexes, and we compare our results to similar work on the Zn vacancy in ZnSe. (figures)

Comparative Analysis of Wolbachia Genomes Reveals Streamlining and Divergence of Minimalist Two-Component Systems

PubMed Central

Christensen, Steen; Serbus, Laura Renee

2015-01-01

Two-component regulatory systems are commonly used by bacteria to coordinate intracellular responses with environmental cues. These systems are composed of functional protein pairs consisting of a sensor histidine kinase and cognate response regulator. In contrast to the well-studied Caulobacter crescentus system, which carries dozens of these pairs, the streamlined bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis encodes only two pairs: CckA/CtrA and PleC/PleD. Here, we used bioinformatic tools to compare characterized two-component system relays from C. crescentus, the related Anaplasmataceae species Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and 12 sequenced Wolbachia strains. We found the core protein pairs and a subset of interacting partners to be highly conserved within Wolbachia and these other Anaplasmataceae. Genes involved in two-component signaling were positioned differently within the various Wolbachia genomes, whereas the local context of each gene was conserved. Unlike Anaplasma and Ehrlichia, Wolbachia two-component genes were more consistently found clustered with metabolic genes. The domain architecture and key functional residues standard for two-component system proteins were well-conserved in Wolbachia, although residues that specify cognate pairing diverged substantially from other Anaplasmataceae. These findings indicate that Wolbachia two-component signaling pairs share considerable functional overlap with other α-proteobacterial systems, whereas their divergence suggests the potential for regulatory differences and cross-talk. PMID:25809075

Assessing the Impact of Student Learning Style Preferences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, Stacey M.; Franklin, Scott V.

2004-09-01

Students express a wide range of preferences for learning environments. We are trying to measure the manifestation of learning styles in various learning environments. In particular, we are interested in performance in an environment that disagrees with the expressed learning style preference, paying close attention to social (group vs. individual) and auditory (those who prefer to learn by listening) environments. These are particularly relevant to activity-based curricula which typically emphasize group-work and de-emphasize lectures. Our methods include multiple-choice assessments, individual student interviews, and a study in which we attempt to isolate the learning environment.

Construction of a Digital Learning Environment Based on Cloud Computing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ding, Jihong; Xiong, Caiping; Liu, Huazhong

2015-01-01

Constructing the digital learning environment for ubiquitous learning and asynchronous distributed learning has opened up immense amounts of concrete research. However, current digital learning environments do not fully fulfill the expectations on supporting interactive group learning, shared understanding and social construction of knowledge.…

A Well Designed School Environment Facilitates Brain Learning.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chan, Tak Cheung; Petrie, Garth

2000-01-01

Examines how school design facilitates learning by complementing how the brain learns. How the brain learns is discussed and how an artistic environment, spaciousness in the learning areas, color and lighting, and optimal thermal and acoustical environments aid student learning. School design suggestions conclude the article. (GR)

Students' perception of the learning environment in a distributed medical programme.

PubMed

Veerapen, Kiran; McAleer, Sean

2010-09-24

The learning environment of a medical school has a significant impact on students' achievements and learning outcomes. The importance of equitable learning environments across programme sites is implicit in distributed undergraduate medical programmes being developed and implemented. To study the learning environment and its equity across two classes and three geographically separate sites of a distributed medical programme at the University of British Columbia Medical School that commenced in 2004. The validated Dundee Ready Educational Environment Survey was sent to all students in their 2nd and 3rd year (classes graduating in 2009 and 2008) of the programme. The domains of the learning environment surveyed were: students' perceptions of learning, students' perceptions of teachers, students' academic self-perceptions, students' perceptions of the atmosphere, and students' social self-perceptions. Mean scores, frequency distribution of responses, and inter- and intrasite differences were calculated. The perception of the global learning environment at all sites was more positive than negative. It was characterised by a strongly positive perception of teachers. The work load and emphasis on factual learning were perceived negatively. Intersite differences within domains of the learning environment were more evident in the pioneer class (2008) of the programme. Intersite differences consistent across classes were largely related to on-site support for students. Shared strengths and weaknesses in the learning environment at UBC sites were evident in areas that were managed by the parent institution, such as the attributes of shared faculty and curriculum. A greater divergence in the perception of the learning environment was found in domains dependent on local arrangements and social factors that are less amenable to central regulation. This study underlines the need for ongoing comparative evaluation of the learning environment at the distributed sites and interaction between leaders of these sites.

Personal Learning Environments: A Solution for Self-Directed Learners

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haworth, Ryan

2016-01-01

In this paper I discuss "personal learning environments" and their diverse benefits, uses, and implications for life-long learning. Personal Learning Environments (PLEs) are Web 2.0 and social media technologies that enable individual learners the ability to manage their own learning. Self-directed learning is explored as a foundation…

Ubiquitous Learning Environments in Higher Education: A Scoping Literature Review

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Virtanen, Mari Aulikki; Haavisto, Elina; Liikanen, Eeva; Kääriäinen, Maria

2018-01-01

Ubiquitous learning and the use of ubiquitous learning environments heralds a new era in higher education. Ubiquitous learning environments enhance context-aware and seamless learning experiences available from any location at any time. They support smooth interaction between authentic and digital learning resources and provide personalized…

Co-Regulation of Learning in Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning Environments: A Discussion

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chan, Carol K. K.

2012-01-01

This discussion paper for this special issue examines co-regulation of learning in computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) environments extending research on self-regulated learning in computer-based environments. The discussion employs a socio-cognitive perspective focusing on social and collective views of learning to examine how…

Trajectories of the home learning environment across the first 5 years: associations with children's vocabulary and literacy skills at prekindergarten.

PubMed

Rodriguez, Eileen T; Tamis-LeMonda, Catherine S

2011-01-01

Children's home learning environments were examined in a low-income sample of 1,852 children and families when children were 15, 25, 37, and 63 months. During home visits, children's participation in literacy activities, the quality of mothers' engagements with their children, and the availability of learning materials were assessed, yielding a total learning environment score at each age. At 63 months, children's vocabulary and literacy skills were assessed. Six learning environment trajectories were identified, including environments that were consistently low, environments that were consistently high, and environments characterized by varying patterns of change. The skills of children at the extremes of learning environment trajectories differed by more than 1 SD and the timing of learning experiences related to specific emerging skills. © 2011 The Authors. Child Development © 2011 Society for Research in Child Development, Inc.

The Interplay of Perceptions of the Learning Environment, Personality and Learning Strategies: A Study amongst International Business Studies Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nijhuis, Jan; Segers, Mien; Gijselaers, Wim

2007-01-01

Previous research on students' learning strategies has examined the relationships between either perceptions of the learning environment or personality and learning strategies. The focus of this study was on the joint relationships between the students' perceptions of the learning environment, their personality, and the learning strategies they…

CLEW: A Cooperative Learning Environment for the Web.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ribeiro, Marcelo Blois; Noya, Ricardo Choren; Fuks, Hugo

This paper outlines CLEW (collaborative learning environment for the Web). The project combines MUD (Multi-User Dimension), workflow, VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) and educational concepts like constructivism in a learning environment where students actively participate in the learning process. The MUD shapes the environment structure.…

Evaluating and Implementing Learning Environments: A United Kingdom Experience.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ingraham, Bruce; Watson, Barbara; McDowell, Liz; Brockett, Adrian; Fitzpatrick, Simon

2002-01-01

Reports on ongoing work at five universities in northeastern England that have been evaluating and implementing online learning environments known as virtual learning environments (VLEs) or managed learning environments (MLEs). Discusses do-it-yourself versus commercial systems; transferability; Web-based versus client-server; integration with…

Group Modeling in Social Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stankov, Slavomir; Glavinic, Vlado; Krpan, Divna

2012-01-01

Students' collaboration while learning could provide better learning environments. Collaboration assumes social interactions which occur in student groups. Social theories emphasize positive influence of such interactions on learning. In order to create an appropriate learning environment that enables social interactions, it is important to…

The clinical learning environment in nursing education: a concept analysis.

PubMed

Flott, Elizabeth A; Linden, Lois

2016-03-01

The aim of this study was to report an analysis of the clinical learning environment concept. Nursing students are evaluated in clinical learning environments where skills and knowledge are applied to patient care. These environments affect achievement of learning outcomes, and have an impact on preparation for practice and student satisfaction with the nursing profession. Providing clarity of this concept for nursing education will assist in identifying antecedents, attributes and consequences affecting student transition to practice. The clinical learning environment was investigated using Walker and Avant's concept analysis method. A literature search was conducted using WorldCat, MEDLINE and CINAHL databases using the keywords clinical learning environment, clinical environment and clinical education. Articles reviewed were written in English and published in peer-reviewed journals between 1995-2014. All data were analysed for recurring themes and terms to determine possible antecedents, attributes and consequences of this concept. The clinical learning environment contains four attribute characteristics affecting student learning experiences. These include: (1) the physical space; (2) psychosocial and interaction factors; (3) the organizational culture and (4) teaching and learning components. These attributes often determine achievement of learning outcomes and student self-confidence. With better understanding of attributes comprising the clinical learning environment, nursing education programmes and healthcare agencies can collaborate to create meaningful clinical experiences and enhance student preparation for the professional nurse role. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Educational environment and approaches to learning of undergraduate nursing students in an Indonesian school of nursing.

PubMed

Rochmawati, Erna; Rahayu, Gandes Retno; Kumara, Amitya

2014-11-01

The aims of this study were to assess students' perceptions of their educational environment and approaches to learning, and determine if perceptions of learning environment associates with approaches to learning. A survey was conducted to collect data from a regional private university in Indonesia. A total of 232 nursing students completed two questionnaires that measured their perceptions of educational environment and approaches to learning. The measurement was based on Dundee Ready Education Environment Measurement (DREEM) and Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIST). Five learning environments dimensions and three learning approaches dimensions from two measures were measured. The overall score of DREEM was 131.03/200 (SD 17.04), it was in the range considered to be favourable. The overall score is different significantly between years of study (p value = 0.01). This study indicated that the majority of undergraduate nursing students' adopt strategic approach (n = 139. 59.9%). The finding showed that perceived educational environment significantly associated with approaches to learning. This study implicated the need to maintain conducive learning environment. There is also a need to improve the management of learning activities that reflect the use of student-centered learning. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Learning with Hypertext Learning Environments: Theory, Design, and Research.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jacobson, Michael J.; And Others

1996-01-01

Studied 69 undergraduates who used conceptually-indexed hypertext learning environments with differently structured thematic criss-crossing (TCC) treatments: guided and learner selected. Found that students need explicit modeling and scaffolding support to learn complex knowledge from these learning environments, and considers implications for…

redMaGiC: selecting luminous red galaxies from the DES Science Verification data

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

Rozo, E.

We introduce redMaGiC, an automated algorithm for selecting Luminous Red Galaxies (LRGs). The algorithm was developed to minimize photometric redshift uncertainties in photometric large-scale structure studies. redMaGiC achieves this by self-training the color-cuts necessary to produce a luminosity-thresholded LRG sam- ple of constant comoving density. Additionally, we demonstrate that redMaGiC photo-zs are very nearly as accurate as the best machine-learning based methods, yet they require minimal spectroscopic training, do not suffer from extrapolation biases, and are very nearly Gaussian. We apply our algorithm to Dark Energy Survey (DES) Science Verification (SV) data to produce a redMaGiC catalog sampling the redshiftmore » range z ϵ [0.2,0.8]. Our fiducial sample has a comoving space density of 10 -3 (h -1Mpc) -3, and a median photo-z bias (z spec z photo) and scatter (σ z=(1 + z)) of 0.005 and 0.017 respectively.The corresponding 5σ outlier fraction is 1.4%. We also test our algorithm with Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Data Release 8 (DR8) and Stripe 82 data, and discuss how spectroscopic training can be used to control photo-z biases at the 0.1% level.« less

Facilitative and obstructive factors in the clinical learning environment: Experiences of pupil enrolled nurses.

PubMed

Lekalakala-Mokgele, Eucebious; Caka, Ernestine M

2015-03-31

The clinical learning environment is a complex social entity that influences student learning outcomes in the clinical setting. Students can experience the clinical learning environment as being both facilitative and obstructive to their learning. The clinical environment may be a source of stress, creating feelings of fear and anxiety which in turn affect the students' responses to learning. Equally, the environment can enhance learning if experienced positively. This study described pupil enrolled nurses' experiences of facilitative and obstructive factors in military and public health clinical learning settings. Using a qualitative, contextual, exploratory descriptive design, three focus group interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached amongst pupil enrolled nurses in a military School of Nursing. Data analysed provided evidence that acceptance by clinical staff and affordance of self-directed learning facilitated learning. Students felt safe to practise when they were supported by the clinical staff. They felt a sense of belonging when the staff showed an interest in and welcomed them. Learning was obstructed when students were met with condescending comments. Wearing of a military uniform in the public hospital and horizontal violence obstructed learning in the clinical learning environment. Students cannot have effective clinical preparation if the environment is not conducive to and supportive of clinical learning, The study shows that military nursing students experience unique challenges as they are trained in two professions that are hierarchical in nature. The students experienced both facilitating and obstructing factors to their learning during their clinical practice. Clinical staff should be made aware of factors which can impact on students' learning. Policies need to be developed for supporting students in the clinical learning environment.

Science Learning Outcomes in Alignment with Learning Environment Preferences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chang, Chun-Yen; Hsiao, Chien-Hua; Chang, Yueh-Hsia

2011-01-01

This study investigated students' learning environment preferences and compared the relative effectiveness of instructional approaches on students' learning outcomes in achievement and attitude among 10th grade earth science classes in Taiwan. Data collection instruments include the Earth Science Classroom Learning Environment Inventory and Earth…

Exploring Collaborative Learning Effect in Blended Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sun, Z.; Liu, R.; Luo, L.; Wu, M.; Shi, C.

2017-01-01

The use of new technology encouraged exploration of the effectiveness and difference of collaborative learning in blended learning environments. This study investigated the social interactive network of students, level of knowledge building and perception level on usefulness in online and mobile collaborative learning environments in higher…

A Preliminary Investigation of Self-Directed Learning Activities in a Non-Formal Blended Learning Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schwier, Richard A.; Morrison, Dirk; Daniel, Ben K.

2009-01-01

This research considers how professional participants in a non-formal self-directed learning environment (NFSDL) made use of self-directed learning activities in a blended face-to-face and on line learning professional development course. The learning environment for the study was a professional development seminar on teaching in higher education…

Students' Reflections on the Relationships between Safe Learning Environments, Learning Challenge and Positive Experiences of Learning in a Simulated GP Clinic

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Young, J. E.; Williamson, M. I.; Egan, T. G.

2016-01-01

Learning environments are a significant determinant of student behaviour, achievement and satisfaction. In this article we use students' reflective essays to identify key features of the learning environment that contributed to positive and transformative learning experiences. We explore the relationships between these features, the students'…

Personal Learning Environments in the Workplace: An Exploratory Study into the Key Business Decision Factors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chatterjee, Arunangsu; Law, Effie Lai-Chong; Mikroyannidis, Alexander; Owen, Glyn; Velasco, Karen

2013-01-01

Personal Learning Environments (PLEs) have emerged as a solution to the need of learners for open and easily customisable learning environments. PLEs essentially hand complete control over the learning process to the learner. However, this learning model is not fully compatible with learning in the workplace, which is influenced by certain…

Argumentative Knowledge Construction in Online Learning Environments in and across Different Cultures: A Collaboration Script Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weinberger, A.; Clark, D. B.; Haekkinen, P.; Tamura, Y.; Fischer, F.

2007-01-01

In recent years, information and communication technology has established new opportunities to participate in online learning environments around the globe. These opportunities include the dissemination of specific online learning environments as well as opportunities for learners to connect to online learning environments in distant locations.…

Turkish High School Student's Perceptions of Learning Environment in Biology Classrooms and Their Attitudes toward Biology.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cakiroglu, Jale; Telli, Sibel; Cakiroglu, Erdinc

The purpose of this study was to examine Turkish high school students' perceptions of learning environment in biology classrooms and to investigate relationships between learning environment and students' attitudes toward biology. Secondly, the study aimed to investigate the differences in students' perceptions of learning environments in biology…

Weapons Storage Area Survey of 400 Series Buildings at Medina Annex, San Antonio, Texas

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-06-03

due to build u p of radon daughters Initial Ins trument Readin~ Results Inst. 1 lnst. lnst. Field Lab Sample Gross alpha Gross beta Gross Map...readings are due to build up of radon daughters ReadiJlg Results lust. lust. Field Lab San1ple Gross alpha Map Area Room # Location Inst. 1 Sample...outside) NOTE : High alph readings are due to build up of radon daughters Initial Instrument Reading Results Area on Room # Inst . 1 Inst. 2 Field

Research on Molecular Lasers

DTIC Science & Technology

1974-11-01

double resonance experiments to study vibration to rotation energy transfer; chemical laser initiation and pumping by electrical discharges in...8217) + HF(v=0,J2’). (7) Ihe experiment consists of the use of one HF laser to pump the IIFfv^jp molecules in less than 500 nanoseconds and the...each stage of diöüUaUcm, Ihc mid- dle 90’c of the .-.ample was rolained." The distilled sam- ple was condensed and pumped on at TV K in r

National Dam Safety Program. Structure F-2 (MO 20513), Verdigris - Neosho River Basin, Newton County, Missouri. Phase I Inspection Report.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-08-01

AXIAL- INITIAL [00 NS CL 13~ rf START DEGOF SATI END CONS;0LI- PRINCIPIAL s T. -s STRAIN AT PU n I DIE~)0.1 AT S f A RT OF IA WON STES I ru Pcf cO DA...SAM.PLE. LUCAII’N FIELD SMk -11 N,) (1711H CLOLOCIZ Cii... 3~ ( i_ . __ _ _ _ __ _ _ TNE I LNETU)D AT API’lOV’U) V~ CA CLASSIFICATION Il!LL ill/P1

Larger Units: Theater Army -- Army Group -- Field Army

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-01-01

la ing r sky. To prove val ire pport, ire ntrol arties rom h rtillery attalion ceived rai ing serving ntrolling val nfire . rangements ere r ir...servation ntrol f val ire. fantry iv sion val nfire iaison ficer signed. 43 t lization ir sets s y sed e rinciple at ir rength uld ~ ept der...en eaters resented other rce f.ten on . acArthur, r a ple, rrowed al rps) its o , is fusal lease ips edule ened val nfire port e arine

On the Eigenstrain Application of Shot-peened Residual Stresses within a Crystal Plasticity Framework: Application to Ni-base Superalloy Specimens (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-07-08

Compressive surface residual stresses can be applied via multi ple techniques (shot/gravity peening, low plasticity burnishing, laser shock peening...eigenstrains are used include internal stresses due to inclusions/particles or fibers [48], differences in coefficient of thermal expansion of different phases...residual stresses induced by shot peening [44,52 54], laser shock peening [55 61], and welding [62 66]. For shot peening analysis, the amount of residual

Effective Communication Practices during Organizational Transformation: A Benchmarking Study of the U.S. Automobile Industry and U.S. Naval Aviation Enterprise

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-07-01

revenue External forces Changes in global marketplace Changes in global threats Public opinion Direct impact on revenue Direct impact through Congress...exam- ple of a good change driver on his leadership team: “He doesn’t just administer global engi- neering—he is driving change in global engineer...really respect [creative] opinions,” he said. “An automobile is not about transporta- tion. It’s about styling, brand , emotion, pride of ownership

Regionalization of the Arctic Region, Siberia and Eurasian Continental Area

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-05-31

inverted the data under the assumption that a sim- ple ray theory for surface waves applies. That is, the phase shift for a seismic wave passing through...of Parker and Oldenburg (1973), the lithospheric thickness Is a function of the age .(0=9.4^^ .with t the age in my. Thus, assuming that the lid...and D.E. Oldenburg (1973). Thermal model of ocean ridges, Nature Physical Science, 242, 137-139. Pilant, W.L. and L. Knopoff (1970). Inversion of

The Shock and Vibration Digest. Volume 18, Number 10

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-10-01

STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS BRIDGES 86-1882 Analysis of the Observed Seismic Response of a Highway Bridge J.C. Wilson 34 ■>:--;■- fWVW^VWUiWlWWI...3), pp 339-354 (May-June 1986) 10 fig«, 6 table«, 24 ref« KEY WORDS; Bridge «, Seumic re»pon«e, Sy«tem identification techniques...Strong-motion accelerograms obtained on separa- tion bridge during a 19 79 California earthquake are used to examine the response of this multi- ple

Optimal Server Scheduling to Maintain Constant Customer Waiting Times

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-12-01

I I• I I I I I LCn CN OPTIMAL SERVER SCHEDUUNG TO MAINTAIN CONSTANT CUSTOMER WAITING TIMES THESIS Thomas J. Frey Captain UISAF AFIT/GOR/ENS/88D-7...hw bees appsewlf in ple rtan. cd = , ’ S 087 AFIT/GORMENS/8D-7 OPTIMAL SERVER SCHEDUUNG TO MAINTAIN~ CONSTANT CUSTOMER WAITING TIMES THESIS Thomas j...CONSTANT CUSTOMER WAITING TIMES THESIS Presented to the Faculty of the School of Engineering of the Air Force Institute of Technology Air University In

Bridgman-Stockbarger growth of SrI2:Eu2+ single crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raja, A.; Daniel, D. Joseph; Ramasamy, P.; Singh, S. G.; Sen, S.; Gadkari, S. C.

2018-05-01

Strontium Iodide (SrI2): Europium Iodide (EuI2) was purified by Zone-refinement process. Europium doped strontium iodide (SrI2:Eu2+) single crystal was grown by modified vertical Bridgman - Stockbarger technique. Photoluminescence (PL) excitation and emission (PLE) spectra were measured for Eu2+ doped SrI2 crystal. The sharp emission was recorded at 432 nm. Scintillation properties of the SrI2:Eu2+ crystal were checked by the gamma ray spectrometer using 137Cs gamma source.

VLSI Design, Parallel Computation and Distributed Computing

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-09-30

I U1 TA 3 Daniel Mleitman U. : C ..( -_. .. .s .. . . . . Tom Leighton David Shmoys . ........A ,~i ;.t , 77 Michael Sipser , Di.,t a-., Eva Tardos...Leighton and Plaxton on the construction of a sim- ple c log .- depth circuit (where c < 7.5) that sorts a random permutation with very high probability...puting iPOD( ). Aug-ust 1992. Vancouver. British Columbia (to appear). 20. B 1Xti~ c .. U(.ii. 1. Gopal. M. [Kaplan and S. Kutten, "Distributed Control for

Differing Event-Related Patterns of Gamma-Band Power in Brain Waves of Fast- and Slow-Reacting Subjects

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-05-01

Wilhelm Wundt proposed that there are two types of subjects in sim- ple RT experiments: fast-reacting subjects, who respond before they fully...quickly as possible to auditory stimuli. This result appears to confirm long-standing speculations of Wundt that fast- and slow-reacting subjects...accord with the hypothesis of Wundt and others that slower ("sensorial") responders wait to fully perceive a stimulus and then react to their perception

Does academic performance or personal growth share a stronger association with learning environment perception?

PubMed

Colbert-Getz, Jorie M; Tackett, Sean; Wright, Scott M; Shochet, Robert S

2016-08-28

This study was conducted to characterize the relative strength of associations of learning environment perception with academic performance and with personal growth. In 2012-2014 second and third year students at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine completed a learning environment survey and personal growth scale. Hierarchical linear regression analysis was employed to determine if the proportion of variance in learning environment scores accounted for by personal growth was significantly larger than the proportion accounted for by academic performance (course/clerkship grades). The proportion of variance in learning environment scores accounted for by personal growth was larger than the proportion accounted for by academic performance in year 2 [R(2)Δ of 0.09, F(1,175) = 14.99,  p < .001] and year 3 [R(2)Δ of 0.28, F(1,169) = 76.80, p < .001]. Learning environment scores shared a small amount of variance with academic performance in years 2 and 3.  The amount of variance between learning environment scores and personal growth was small in year 2 and large in year 3. Since supportive learning environments are essential for medical education, future work must determine if enhancing personal growth prior to and during the clerkship year will increase learning environment perception.

Does academic performance or personal growth share a stronger association with learning environment perception?

PubMed Central

Tackett, Sean; Wright, Scott M.; Shochet, Robert S.

2016-01-01

Objectives This study was conducted to characterize the relative strength of associations of learning environment perception with academic performance and with personal growth. Methods In 2012-2014 second and third year students at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine completed a learning environment survey and personal growth scale. Hierarchical linear regression analysis was employed to determine if the proportion of variance in learning environment scores accounted for by personal growth was significantly larger than the proportion accounted for by academic performance (course/clerkship grades). Results The proportion of variance in learning environment scores accounted for by personal growth was larger than the proportion accounted for by academic performance in year 2 [R2Δ of 0.09, F(1,175) = 14.99,  p < .001] and year 3 [R2Δ of 0.28, F(1,169) = 76.80, p < .001]. Learning environment scores shared a small amount of variance with academic performance in years 2 and 3.  The amount of variance between learning environment scores and personal growth was small in year 2 and large in year 3. Conclusions Since supportive learning environments are essential for medical education, future work must determine if enhancing personal growth prior to and during the clerkship year will increase learning environment perception. PMID:27570912

Developing Learning Theory by Refining Conjectures Embodied in Educational Designs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sandoval, William A.

2004-01-01

Designed learning environments embody conjectures about learning and instruction, and the empirical study of learning environments allows such conjectures to be refined over time. The construct of embodied conjecture is introduced as a way to demonstrate the theoretical nature of learning environment design and to frame methodological issues in…

Virtual Learning Environment for Interactive Engagement with Advanced Quantum Mechanics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pedersen, Mads Kock; Skyum, Birk; Heck, Robert; Müller, Romain; Bason, Mark; Lieberoth, Andreas; Sherson, Jacob F.

2016-01-01

A virtual learning environment can engage university students in the learning process in ways that the traditional lectures and lab formats cannot. We present our virtual learning environment "StudentResearcher," which incorporates simulations, multiple-choice quizzes, video lectures, and gamification into a learning path for quantum…

Issues of Learning Games: From Virtual to Real

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carron, Thibault; Pernelle, Philippe; Talbot, Stéphane

2013-01-01

Our research work deals with the development of new learning environments, and we are particularly interested in studying the different aspects linked to users' collaboration in these environments. We believe that Game-based Learning can significantly enhance learning. That is why we have developed learning environments grounded on graphical…

Agent-Based Learning Environments as a Research Tool for Investigating Teaching and Learning.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baylor, Amy L.

2002-01-01

Discusses intelligent learning environments for computer-based learning, such as agent-based learning environments, and their advantages over human-based instruction. Considers the effects of multiple agents; agents and research design; the use of Multiple Intelligent Mentors Instructing Collaboratively (MIMIC) for instructional design for…

Student-Centred Learning Environments: An Investigation into Student Teachers' Instructional Preferences and Approaches to Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baeten, Marlies; Dochy, Filip; Struyven, Katrien; Parmentier, Emmeline; Vanderbruggen, Anne

2016-01-01

The use of student-centred learning environments in education has increased. This study investigated student teachers' instructional preferences for these learning environments and how these preferences are related to their approaches to learning. Participants were professional Bachelor students in teacher education. Instructional preferences and…

Active Learning Environment with Lenses in Geometric Optics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tural, Güner

2015-01-01

Geometric optics is one of the difficult topics for students within physics discipline. Students learn better via student-centered active learning environments than the teacher-centered learning environments. So this study aimed to present a guide for middle school teachers to teach lenses in geometric optics via active learning environment…

Practical Applications and Experiences in K-20 Blended Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kyei-Blankson, Lydia, Ed.; Ntuli, Esther, Ed.

2014-01-01

Learning environments continue to change considerably and is no longer confined to the face-to-face classroom setting. As learning options have evolved, educators must adopt a variety of pedagogical strategies and innovative technologies to enable learning. "Practical Applications and Experiences in K-20 Blended Learning Environments"…

Students' perception of the learning environment in a distributed medical programme

PubMed Central

Veerapen, Kiran; McAleer, Sean

2010-01-01

Background The learning environment of a medical school has a significant impact on students' achievements and learning outcomes. The importance of equitable learning environments across programme sites is implicit in distributed undergraduate medical programmes being developed and implemented. Purpose To study the learning environment and its equity across two classes and three geographically separate sites of a distributed medical programme at the University of British Columbia Medical School that commenced in 2004. Method The validated Dundee Ready Educational Environment Survey was sent to all students in their 2nd and 3rd year (classes graduating in 2009 and 2008) of the programme. The domains of the learning environment surveyed were: students' perceptions of learning, students' perceptions of teachers, students' academic self-perceptions, students' perceptions of the atmosphere, and students' social self-perceptions. Mean scores, frequency distribution of responses, and inter- and intrasite differences were calculated. Results The perception of the global learning environment at all sites was more positive than negative. It was characterised by a strongly positive perception of teachers. The work load and emphasis on factual learning were perceived negatively. Intersite differences within domains of the learning environment were more evident in the pioneer class (2008) of the programme. Intersite differences consistent across classes were largely related to on-site support for students. Conclusions Shared strengths and weaknesses in the learning environment at UBC sites were evident in areas that were managed by the parent institution, such as the attributes of shared faculty and curriculum. A greater divergence in the perception of the learning environment was found in domains dependent on local arrangements and social factors that are less amenable to central regulation. This study underlines the need for ongoing comparative evaluation of the learning environment at the distributed sites and interaction between leaders of these sites. PMID:20922033

The effects of different learning environments on students' motivation for learning and their achievement.

PubMed

Baeten, Marlies; Dochy, Filip; Struyven, Katrien

2013-09-01

Research in higher education on the effects of student-centred versus lecture-based learning environments generally does not take into account the psychological need support provided in these learning environments. From a self-determination theory perspective, need support is important to study because it has been associated with benefits such as autonomous motivation and achievement. The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of different learning environments on students' motivation for learning and achievement, while taking into account the perceived need support. First-year student teachers (N= 1,098) studying a child development course completed questionnaires assessing motivation and perceived need support. In addition, a prior knowledge test and case-based assessment were administered. A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test design was set up consisting of four learning environments: (1) lectures, (2) case-based learning (CBL), (3) alternation of lectures and CBL, and (4) gradual implementation with lectures making way for CBL. Autonomous motivation and achievement were higher in the gradually implemented CBL environment, compared to the CBL environment. Concerning achievement, two additional effects were found; students in the lecture-based learning environment scored higher than students in the CBL environment, and students in the gradually implemented CBL environment scored higher than students in the alternated learning environment. Additionally, perceived need support was positively related to autonomous motivation, and negatively to controlled motivation. The study shows the importance of gradually introducing students to CBL, in terms of their autonomous motivation and achievement. Moreover, the study emphasizes the importance of perceived need support for students' motivation. © 2012 The British Psychological Society.

Understanding teacher responses to constructivist learning environments: Challenges and resolutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosenfeld, Melodie; Rosenfeld, Sherman

2006-05-01

The research literature is just beginning to uncover factors involved in sustaining constructivist learning environments, such as Project-Based Learning (PBL). Our case study investigates teacher responses to the challenges of constructivist environments, since teachers can play strong roles in supporting or undermining even the best constructivist environments or materials. We were invited to work as mediators with a middle-school science staff that was experiencing conflicts regarding two learning environments, PBL (which was the school's politically correc learning environment) and traditional. With mediated group workshops, teachers were sensitized to their own and colleagues' individual learning differences (ILDs), as measured by two styles inventories (the LSI - Kolb, 1976; and the LCI - Johnston & Dainton, 1997). Using these inventories, a learning-environment questionnaire, field notes, and delayed interviews a year later, we found that there was a relationship between teachers' preferred styles, epistemological beliefs, and their preferred teaching environment. Moreover, when the participating teachers, including early-adopters and nonvolunteers to PBL, became more sensitive to their colleagues' preferences, many staff conflicts were resolved and some mismatched teachers expressed more openness to PBL. We argue that having teachers understand their own ILDs and related responses to constructivist learning environments can contribute to resolving staff conflicts and sustaining such environments. We present a cognitive model and a strategy which illustrate this argument.

Use of Heuristics to Facilitate Scientific Discovery Learning in a Simulation Learning Environment in a Physics Domain

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Veermans, Koen; van Joolingen, Wouter; de Jong, Ton

2006-01-01

This article describes a study into the role of heuristic support in facilitating discovery learning through simulation-based learning. The study compares the use of two such learning environments in the physics domain of collisions. In one learning environment (implicit heuristics) heuristics are only used to provide the learner with guidance…

The Impacts of Network Centrality and Self-Regulation on an E-Learning Environment with the Support of Social Network Awareness

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lin, Jian-Wei; Huang, Hsieh-Hong; Chuang, Yuh-Shy

2015-01-01

An e-learning environment that supports social network awareness (SNA) is a highly effective means of increasing peer interaction and assisting student learning by raising awareness of social and learning contexts of peers. Network centrality profoundly impacts student learning in an SNA-related e-learning environment. Additionally,…

Students' Conception of Learning Environment and Their Approach to Learning and Its Implication on Quality Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Belaineh, Matheas Shemelis

2017-01-01

Quality of education in higher institutions can be affected by different factors. It partly rests on the learning environment created by teachers and the learning approach students are employing during their learning. The main purpose of this study is to examine the learning environment at Mizan Tepi University from students' perspective and their…

Review of Opinions of Math Teachers Concerning the Learning Environment That They Design

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aydin, Bünyamin; Yavuz, Ayse

2016-01-01

Design of appropriate learning environment has a significant importance in creation of aims of the math teaching. In the design of learning environments, teachers play a significant role. The aim of this study is determination of opinions of the math teachers concerning the learning environment that they design. In accordance with this aim, an…

An Effect of the Learning Environment Management System toward Student Quality of Thai Secondary School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wirussawa, Seatuch; Tesaputa, Kowat; Duangpaeng, Amporn

2016-01-01

This study aimed at 1) investigating the element of the learning environment management system in the secondary schools, 2) exploring the current states and problems of the system on the learning environment management in the secondary schools, 3) designing the learning environment management system for the secondary schools, and 4) identifying…

Authoring Adaptive 3D Virtual Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ewais, Ahmed; De Troyer, Olga

2014-01-01

The use of 3D and Virtual Reality is gaining interest in the context of academic discussions on E-learning technologies. However, the use of 3D for learning environments also has drawbacks. One way to overcome these drawbacks is by having an adaptive learning environment, i.e., an environment that dynamically adapts to the learner and the…

Assessing the Quality of Learning Environments in Swedish Schools: Development and Analysis of a Theory-Based Instrument

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Westling Allodi, Mara

2007-01-01

The Goals, Attitudes and Values in School (GAVIS) questionnaire was developed on the basis of theoretical frameworks concerning learning environments, universal human values and studies of students' experience of learning environments. The theory hypothesises that learning environments can be described and structured in a circumplex model using…

Students' Perceptions of Computer-Based Learning Environments, Their Attitude towards Business Statistics, and Their Academic Achievement: Implications from a UK University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nguyen, ThuyUyen H.; Charity, Ian; Robson, Andrew

2016-01-01

This study investigates students' perceptions of computer-based learning environments, their attitude towards business statistics, and their academic achievement in higher education. Guided by learning environments concepts and attitudinal theory, a theoretical model was proposed with two instruments, one for measuring the learning environment and…

Blackboard as an Online Learning Environment: What Do Teacher Education Students and Staff Think?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heirdsfield, Ann; Walker, Susan; Tambyah, Mallihai; Beutel, Denise

2011-01-01

As online learning environments now have an established presence in higher education we need to ask the question: How effective are these environments for student learning? Online environments can provide a different type of learning experience than traditional face-to-face contexts (for on-campus students) or print-based materials (for distance…

Effects of the Physical Environment on Cognitive Load and Learning: Towards a New Model of Cognitive Load

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Choi, Hwan-Hee; van Merriënboer, Jeroen J. G.; Paas, Fred

2014-01-01

Although the theoretical framework of cognitive load theory has acknowledged a role for the learning environment, the specific characteristics of the physical learning environment that could affect cognitive load have never been considered, neither theoretically nor empirically. In this article, we argue that the physical learning environment, and…

Context Aware Ubiquitous Learning Environments for Peer-to-Peer Collaborative Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yang, Stephen J. H.

2006-01-01

A ubiquitous learning environment provides an interoperable, pervasive, and seamless learning architecture to connect, integrate, and share three major dimensions of learning resources: learning collaborators, learning contents, and learning services. Ubiquitous learning is characterized by providing intuitive ways for identifying right learning…

[The use of virtual learning environment in teaching basic and advanced life support].

PubMed

Cogo, Ana Luísa Petersen; Silveira, Denise Tolfo; Lírio, Aline de Morais; Severo, Carolina Lopes

2003-12-01

The present paper is the result of an experiment conducted as part of the Nursing: basic and advanced life support course, which was offered as a semi-online course using the virtual learning environment called Learning Space. The virtual learning environment optimizes classroom dynamics, since in the classroom setting, practical activities may be privileged; besides, learning is customized as students may access the environment whenever and wherever they wish.

Smile: Student Modification in Learning Environments. Establishing Congruence between Actual and Preferred Classroom Learning Environment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yarrow, Allan; Millwater, Jan

1995-01-01

This study investigated whether classroom psychosocial environment, as perceived by student teachers, could be improved to their preferred level. Students completed the College and University Classroom Environment Inventory, discussed interventions, then completed it again. Significant deficiencies surfaced in the learning environment early in the…

Integrating Model-Driven and Data-Driven Techniques for Analyzing Learning Behaviors in Open-Ended Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kinnebrew, John S.; Segedy, James R.; Biswas, Gautam

2017-01-01

Research in computer-based learning environments has long recognized the vital role of adaptivity in promoting effective, individualized learning among students. Adaptive scaffolding capabilities are particularly important in open-ended learning environments, which provide students with opportunities for solving authentic and complex problems, and…

A Comparison of Participation Patterns in Selected Formal, Non-Formal, and Informal Online Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schwier, Richard A.; Seaton, J. X.

2013-01-01

Does learner participation vary depending on the learning context? Are there characteristic features of participation evident in formal, non-formal, and informal online learning environments? Six online learning environments were chosen as epitomes of formal, non-formal, and informal learning contexts and compared. Transcripts of online…

Student-Teachers' Approaches to Learning, Academic Performance and Teaching Efficacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Swee-Choo, Pauline Goh; Kung-Teck, Wong; Osman, Rosma

2012-01-01

Purpose: It is argued that the approaches to learning of students undergoing teacher training are likely to be related to their teaching and learning environment, especially as they move from a more regimented, structured learning environment in school to a tertiary learning environment that encourages more independent thinking and perhaps…

Visits to Cultural Learning Places in the Early Childhood

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mudiappa, Michael; Kluczniok, Katharina

2015-01-01

Studies show the important role of the home learning environment in early childhood for later school success. This article focuses on a particular aspect of the home learning environment: visits to cultural learning places (e.g. museums) as a component of the quality of the home learning environment. Therefore the educational concept of…

Investigating Learning through Work: Learning Environment Scale & User Guide to the Provider. Support Document

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hawke, Geof; Chappell, Clive

2008-01-01

This Support Document was produced by the authors based on their research for the report, "Investigating Learning through Work: The Development of the 'Provider Learning Environment Scale'" (ED503392). It provides readers with a complete copy of the "Provider Learning Environment Scale" (version 2.0); and an accompanying user…

Assessing and Monitoring Student Progress in an E-Learning Personnel Preparation Environment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Meyen, Edward L.; Aust, Ronald J.; Bui, Yvonne N.; Isaacson, Robert

2002-01-01

Discussion of e-learning in special education personnel preparation focuses on student assessment in e-learning environments. It includes a review of the literature, lessons learned by the authors from assessing student performance in e-learning environments, a literature perspective on electronic portfolios in monitoring student progress, and the…

A Context-Adaptive Teacher Training Model in a Ubiquitous Learning Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Min; Chiang, Feng Kuang; Jiang, Ya Na; Yu, Sheng Quan

2017-01-01

In view of the discrepancies in teacher training and teaching practice, this paper put forward a context-adaptive teacher training model in a ubiquitous learning (u-learning) environment. The innovative model provides teachers of different subjects with adaptive and personalized learning content in a u-learning environment, implements intra- and…

Medical Student Perceptions of the Learning Environment in Medical School Change as Students Transition to Clinical Training in Undergraduate Medical School.

PubMed

Dunham, Lisette; Dekhtyar, Michael; Gruener, Gregory; CichoskiKelly, Eileen; Deitz, Jennifer; Elliott, Donna; Stuber, Margaret L; Skochelak, Susan E

2017-01-01

Phenomenon: The learning environment is the physical, social, and psychological context in which a student learns. A supportive learning environment contributes to student well-being and enhances student empathy, professionalism, and academic success, whereas an unsupportive learning environment may lead to burnout, exhaustion, and cynicism. Student perceptions of the medical school learning environment may change over time and be associated with students' year of training and may differ significantly depending on the student's gender or race/ethnicity. Understanding the changes in perceptions of the learning environment related to student characteristics and year of training could inform interventions that facilitate positive experiences in undergraduate medical education. The Medical School Learning Environment Survey (MSLES) was administered to 4,262 students who matriculated at one of 23 U.S. and Canadian medical schools in 2010 and 2011. Students completed the survey at the end of each year of medical school as part of a battery of surveys in the Learning Environment Study. A mixed-effects longitudinal model, t tests, Cohen's d effect size, and analysis of variance assessed the relationship between MSLES score, year of training, and demographic variables. After controlling for gender, race/ethnicity, and school, students reported worsening perceptions toward the medical school learning environment, with the worst perceptions in the 3rd year of medical school as students begin their clinical experiences, and some recovery in the 4th year after Match Day. The drop in MSLES scores associated with the transition to the clinical learning environment (-0.26 point drop in addition to yearly change, effect size = 0.52, p < .0001) is more than 3 times greater than the drop between the 1st and 2nd year (0.07 points, effect size = 0.14, p < .0001). The largest declines were from items related to work-life balance and informal student relationships. There was some, but not complete, recovery in perceptions of the medical school learning environment in the 4th year. Insights: Perceptions of the medical school learning environment worsen as students continue through medical school, with a stronger decline in perception scores as students' transition to the clinical learning environment. Students reported the greatest drop in finding time for outside activities and students helping one another in the 3rd year. Perceptions differed based on gender and race/ethnicity. Future studies should investigate the specific features of medical schools that contribute most significantly to student perceptions of the medical school learning environment, both positive and negative, to pinpoint potential interventions and improvements.

The Use of Deep and Surface Learning Strategies among Students Learning English as a Foreign Language in an Internet Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aharony, Noa

2006-01-01

Background: The learning context is learning English in an Internet environment. The examination of this learning process was based on the Biggs and Moore's teaching-learning model (Biggs & Moore, 1993). Aim: The research aims to explore the use of the deep and surface strategies in an Internet environment among EFL students who come from…

Virtual Workshop Environment (VWE): A Taxonomy and Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) Framework for Modularized Virtual Learning Environments (VLE)--Applying the Learning Object Concept to the VLE

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Paulsson, Fredrik; Naeve, Ambjorn

2006-01-01

Based on existing Learning Object taxonomies, this article suggests an alternative Learning Object taxonomy, combined with a general Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) framework, aiming to transfer the modularized concept of Learning Objects to modularized Virtual Learning Environments. The taxonomy and SOA-framework exposes a need for a clearer…

Pre-registration student nurses perception of the hospital-learning environment during clinical placements.

PubMed

Midgley, Kirsten

2006-05-01

If we subscribe to the notion that nursing is an action profession, that nurses learn by doing [Neary, M., 2000. Responsive assessment: assessing student nurses' clinical competence. Nurse Education Today 21, 3-17], then the mastery of fundamental clinical skills must be a key component of courses leading to registration. The last two decades have seen widespread changes to nurse education but the clinical field remains an invaluable resource in preparing students for the reality of their professional role supporting the integration of theory and practice and linking the 'knowing what' with the 'knowing how'. The clinical-learning environment represents an essential element of nurse education that needs to be measurable and warrants further investigation. This exploratory cohort study (n = 67) examined pre-registration student nurses' perception of the hospital-learning environment during clinical placements together with the key characteristics of the students' preferred learning environment utilising an established tool, the clinical-learning environment inventory (CLEI) tool [Chan, D., 2001a. Development of an innovative tool to assess hospital-learning environments. Nurse Education Today 21, 624-631; Chan, D., 2001b. Combining qualitative and quantitative methods in assessing hospital-learning environments. International Journal of Nursing Studies 3, 447-459]. The results demonstrated that in comparison with the actual hospital environment, students would prefer an environment with higher levels of individualisation, innovation in teaching and learning strategies, student involvement, personalisation and task orientation.

Nursing students' perceptions of factors influencing their learning environment in a clinical skills laboratory: A qualitative study.

PubMed

Haraldseid, Cecilie; Friberg, Febe; Aase, Karina

2015-09-01

The mastery of clinical skills learning is required to become a trained nurse. Due to limited opportunities for clinical skills training in clinical practice, undergraduate training at clinical skills laboratories (CSLs) is an essential part of nursing education. In a sociocultural learning perspective learning is situated in an environment. Growing student cohorts, rapid introduction of technology-based teaching methods and a shift from a teaching- to a learning-centered education all influence the environment of the students. These changes also affect CSLs and therefore compel nursing faculties to adapt to the changing learning environment. This study aimed to explore students' perceptions of their learning environment in a clinical skills laboratory, and to increase the knowledge base for improving CSL learning conditions identifying the most important environmental factors according to the students. An exploratory qualitative methodology was used. Nineteen second-year students enrolled in an undergraduate nursing program in Norway participated in the study. They took the same clinical skills course. Eight were part-time students (group A) and 11 were full-time students (group B). Focus group interviews and content analysis were conducted to capture the students' perception of the CSL learning environment. The study documents students' experience of the physical (facilities, material equipment, learning tools, standard procedures), psychosocial (expectations, feedback, relations) and organizational (faculty resources, course structure) factors that affect the CSL learning environment. Creating an authentic environment, facilitating motivation, and providing resources for multiple methods and repetitions within clinical skills training are all important for improving CSL learning environments from the student perspective. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Validation of the Clinical Learning Environment Inventory.

PubMed

Chan, Dominic S

2003-08-01

One hundred eight preregistration nursing students took part in this survey study, which assessed their perceptions of the clinical learning environment. Statistical data based on the sample confirmed the reliability and validity of the Clinical Learning Environment Inventory (CLEI), which was developed using the concept of classroom learning environment studies. The study also found that there were significant differences between students' actual and preferred perceptions of the clinical learning environments. In terms of the CLEI scales, students preferred a more positive and favorable clinical environment than they perceived as being actually present. The achievement of certain outcomes of clinical field placements might be enhanced by attempting to change the actual clinical environment in ways that make it more congruent with that preferred by the students.

Nursing students' perceptions of learning in practice environments: a review.

PubMed

Henderson, Amanda; Cooke, Marie; Creedy, Debra K; Walker, Rachel

2012-04-01

Effective clinical learning requires integration of nursing students into ward activities, staff engagement to address individual student learning needs, and innovative teaching approaches. Assessing characteristics of practice environments can provide useful insights for development. This study identified predominant features of clinical learning environments from nursing students' perspectives across studies using the same measure in different countries over the last decade. Six studies, from three different countries, using the Clinical Leaning Environment Inventory (CLEI) were reviewed. Studies explored consistent trends about learning environment. Students rated sense of task accomplishment high. Affiliation also rated highly though was influenced by models of care. Feedback measuring whether students' individual needs and views were accommodated consistently rated lower. Across different countries students report similar perceptions about learning environments. Clinical learning environments are most effective in promoting safe practice and are inclusive of student learners, but not readily open to innovation and challenges to routine practices. Crown Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influences of Formal Learning, Personal Learning Orientation, and Supportive Learning Environment on Informal Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Choi, Woojae; Jacobs, Ronald L.

2011-01-01

While workplace learning includes formal and informal learning, the relationship between the two has been overlooked, because they have been viewed as separate entities. This study investigated the effects of formal learning, personal learning orientation, and supportive learning environment on informal learning among 203 middle managers in Korean…

Effects of Presence, Copresence, and Flow on Learning Outcomes in 3D Learning Spaces

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hassell, Martin D.; Goyal, Sandeep; Limayem, Moez; Boughzala, Imed

2012-01-01

The level of satisfaction and effectiveness of 3D virtual learning environments were examined. Additionally, 3D virtual learning environments were compared with face-to-face learning environments. Students that experienced higher levels of flow and presence also experienced more satisfaction but not necessarily more effectiveness with 3D virtual…

Student Experiences on Interaction in an Online Learning Environment as Part of a Blended Learning Implementation: What Is Essential?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Salmi, Laura

2013-01-01

Interaction and community building are essential elements of a well functioning online learning environment, especially in learning environments based on investigative learning with a strong emphasis on teamwork. In this paper, practical solutions covering quality criteria for interaction in online education are presented for a simple…

Investigating Learners' Attitudes toward Virtual Reality Learning Environments: Based on a Constructivist Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huang, Hsiu-Mei; Rauch, Ulrich; Liaw, Shu-Sheng

2010-01-01

The use of animation and multimedia for learning is now further extended by the provision of entire Virtual Reality Learning Environments (VRLE). This highlights a shift in Web-based learning from a conventional multimedia to a more immersive, interactive, intuitive and exciting VR learning environment. VRLEs simulate the real world through the…

Factors of Learner-Instructor Interaction Which Predict Perceived Learning Outcomes in Online Learning Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kang, M.; Im, T.

2013-01-01

Interaction in the online learning environment has been regarded as one of the most critical elements that affect learning outcomes. This study examined what factors in learner-instructor interaction can predict the learner's outcomes in the online learning environment. Learners in K Online University participated by answering the survey, and data…

Self-Regulated Learning in Technology Enhanced Learning Environments: An Investigation with University Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lenne, Dominique; Abel, Marie-Helene; Trigano, Philippe; Leblanc, Adeline

2008-01-01

In Technology Enhanced Learning Environments, self-regulated learning (SRL) partly relies on the features of the technological tools. The authors present two environments they designed in order to facilitate SRL: the first one (e-Dalgo) is a website dedicated to the learning of algorithms and computer programming. It is structured as a classical…

Using Student-Centred Learning Environments to Stimulate Deep Approaches to Learning: Factors Encouraging or Discouraging Their Effectiveness

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baeten, Marlies; Kyndt, Eva; Struyven, Katrien; Dochy, Filip

2010-01-01

This review outlines encouraging and discouraging factors in stimulating the adoption of deep approaches to learning in student-centred learning environments. Both encouraging and discouraging factors can be situated in the context of the learning environment, in students' perceptions of that context and in characteristics of the students…

Perceived Satisfaction, Perceived Usefulness and Interactive Learning Environments as Predictors to Self-Regulation in e-Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liaw, Shu-Sheng; Huang, Hsiu-Mei

2013-01-01

The research purpose is to investigate learner self-regulation in e-learning environments. In order to better understand learner attitudes toward e-learning, 196 university students answer a questionnaire survey after use an e-learning system few months. The statistical results showed that perceived satisfaction, perceived usefulness, and…

Learning in a Changing Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Speekenbrink, Maarten; Shanks, David R.

2010-01-01

Multiple cue probability learning studies have typically focused on stationary environments. We present 3 experiments investigating learning in changing environments. A fine-grained analysis of the learning dynamics shows that participants were responsive to both abrupt and gradual changes in cue-outcome relations. We found no evidence that…

Student-Teacher Interaction in Online Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wright, Robert D., Ed.

2015-01-01

As face-to-face interaction between student and instructor is not present in online learning environments, it is increasingly important to understand how to establish and maintain social presence in online learning. "Student-Teacher Interaction in Online Learning Environments" provides successful strategies and procedures for developing…

Preferred-Actual Learning Environment "Spaces" and Earth Science Outcomes in Taiwan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chang, Chun-Yen; Hsiao, Chien-Hua; Barufaldi, James P.

2006-01-01

This study examines the possibilities of differential impacts on students' earth science learning outcomes between different preferred-actual learning environment spaces by using a newly developed ESCLEI (Earth Science Classroom Learning Environment Instrument). The instrument emphasizes three simultaneously important classroom components:…

Causal Model Progressions as a Foundation for Intelligent Learning Environments.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-11-01

Foundation for Intelligent Learning Environments 3Barbara Y. White and John R. Frederiksen ~DTIC Novemr1987 ELECTE November1987 JUNO 9 88 Approved I )’I...Learning Environments 12. PERSONAL AUTHOR(S? Barbara Y. White and John R. Frederiksen 13a. TYPE OF REPORT 13b TIME COVERED 14. DATE OF REPORT (Year...architecture of a new type of learning environment that incorporates features of microworlds and of intelligent tutorng systems. The environment is based on

Protein-losing enteropathy in a dog with lymphangiectasia, lymphoplasmacytic enteritis and pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.

PubMed

Rodríguez-Alarcón, C A; Beristaín-Ruiz, D M; Pérez-Casio, F; Rivera, R; Ochoa, G; Martín-Orozco, U

2012-01-01

This is a report of seven-year-old male Akita mixed dog, with protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). He had a history of chronic vomiting and diarrhea with anorexia/hyporexia. Previously he suffered acute abdomen about eight months prior to this visit. Our dog showed uncommon combination of diseases that could cause PLE since it was affected by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL), and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). The dog had most of the abnormalities found in IL, as well as hypoalbuminemia, hyperglobulinemia, lymphopenia, hypocalcemia, and hypercholesterolemia. During endoscopy exam, we found changes characteristic of IL such as irregular small white spots. We took biopsies from stomach, duodenum, and cecum. These biopsies showed infiltration by lymphocytes and plasmatic cells in the lamina propria also, the duodenal biopsies showed moderate dilation of the lymphatic vessels. The patient had 2.1 µg/mL of TLI, this result was compatible with EPI. We assume that the first pathology in this animal was IBD, which caused chronic pancreatitis (CP) that in turn progressed to EPI. It is also possible that IL was secondary to IBD. We have reported for the first time the correlation of IBD and EPI in dogs. This should change our approach to treating chronic diarrhea in dogs. Therefore, we propose that dogs diagnosed with EPI should also be subjected to endoscopy and intestinal biopsy. Similarly, to rule out secondary EPI, TLI should be measured routinely in dogs with IBD.

CelR, an Ortholog of the Diguanylate Cyclase PleD of Caulobacter, Regulates Cellulose Synthesis in Agrobacterium tumefaciens

PubMed Central

Barnhart, D. Michael; Su, Shengchang; Baccaro, Brenna E.; Banta, Lois M.

2013-01-01

Cellulose fibrils play a role in attachment of Agrobacterium tumefaciens to its plant host. While the genes for cellulose biosynthesis in the bacterium have been identified, little is known concerning the regulation of the process. The signal molecule cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) has been linked to the regulation of exopolysaccharide biosynthesis in many bacterial species, including A. tumefaciens. In this study, we identified two putative diguanylate cyclase genes, celR (atu1297) and atu1060, that influence production of cellulose in A. tumefaciens. Overexpression of either gene resulted in increased cellulose production, while deletion of celR, but not atu1060, resulted in decreased cellulose biosynthesis. celR overexpression also affected other phenotypes, including biofilm formation, formation of a polar adhesion structure, plant surface attachment, and virulence, suggesting that the gene plays a role in regulating these processes. Analysis of celR and Δcel mutants allowed differentiation between phenotypes associated with cellulose production, such as biofilm formation, and phenotypes probably resulting from c-di-GMP signaling, which include polar adhesion, attachment to plant tissue, and virulence. Phylogenetic comparisons suggest that species containing both celR and celA, which encodes the catalytic subunit of cellulose synthase, adapted the CelR protein to regulate cellulose production while those that lack celA use CelR, called PleD, to regulate specific processes associated with polar localization and cell division. PMID:24038703

Three Drought-Responsive Members of the Nonspecific Lipid-Transfer Protein Gene Family in Lycopersicon pennellii Show Different Developmental Patterns of Expression1

PubMed Central

Treviño, Marcela B.; Connell, Mary A. O'

1998-01-01

Genomic clones of two nonspecific lipid-transfer protein genes from a drought-tolerant wild species of tomato (Lycopersicon pennellii Corr.) were isolated using as a probe a drought- and abscisic acid (ABA)-induced cDNA clone (pLE16) from cultivated tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Both genes (LpLtp1 and LpLtp2) were sequenced and their corresponding mRNAs were characterized; they are both interrupted by a single intron at identical positions and predict basic proteins of 114 amino acid residues. Genomic Southern data indicated that these genes are members of a small gene family in Lycopersicon spp. The 3′-untranslated regions from LpLtp1 and LpLtp2, as well as a polymerase chain reaction-amplified 3′-untranslated region from pLE16 (cross-hybridizing to a third gene in L. pennellii, namely LpLtp3), were used as gene-specific probes to describe expression in L. pennellii through northern-blot analyses. All LpLtp genes were exclusively expressed in the aerial tissues of the plant and all were drought and ABA inducible. Each gene had a different pattern of expression in fruit, and LpLtp1 and LpLtp2, unlike LpLtp3, were both primarily developmentally regulated in leaf tissue. Putative ABA-responsive elements were found in the proximal promoter regions of LpLtp1 and LpLtp2. PMID:9536064

Pressurized liquid extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for confirming the photo-induced generation of dioxin-like derivatives and other cosmetic preservative photoproducts on artificial skin.

PubMed

Alvarez-Rivera, Gerardo; Llompart, Maria; Garcia-Jares, Carmen; Lores, Marta

2016-04-01

The stability and photochemical transformations of cosmetic preservatives in topical applications exposed to UV-light is a serious but poorly understood problem. In this study, a high throughput extraction and selective method based on pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was validated and applied to investigate the photochemical transformation of the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), as well as the antimicrobials triclosan (TCS) and phenyl benzoate (PhBz) in an artificial skin model. Two sets of photodegradation experiments were performed: (i) UV-Irradiation (8W, 254nm) of artificial skin directly spiked with the target preservatives, and (ii) UV-irradiation of artificial skin after the application of a cosmetic cream fortified with the target compounds. After irradiation, PLE was used to isolate the target preservatives and their transformation products. The follow-up of the photodegradation kinetics of the parent preservatives, the identification of the arising by-products, and the monitorization of their kinetic profiles was performed by GC-MS. The photochemical transformation of triclosan into 2,8-dichloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin (2,8-DCDD) and other dioxin-like photoproducts has been confirmed in this work. Furthermore, seven BHT photoproducts, and three benzophenones as PhBz by-products, have been also identified. These findings reveal the first evidences of cosmetic ingredients phototransformation into unwanted photoproducts on an artificial skin model. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Characterization of the endogenous enzymatic hydrolyses of Petroselinum crispum glycosides: determined by chromatography upon their sugar and flavonoid products.

PubMed

Boldizsár, Imre; Füzfai, Zsófia; Molnár-Perl, Ibolya

2013-06-07

The behavior of the flavonoid diglycosides, relevant constituents of parsley (Petroselinum crispum) fruit (PFr) and leaf (PLe) samples was characterized upon their enzymatic hydrolyses applying complementary liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (LC-UV) and gas chromatography mass selective (GC-MS) detections. Analyses were performed in quantitative manner, from the same extracts as a function of hydrolysis times. Both in fruit and leaf tissue extracts, in intact and in enzyme hydrolyzed ones, apigenin, chrysoeriol, their glycosides, sugars, sugar alcohols, carboxylic acids and phytosterols, in total 17 constituents were identified and quantified. Based primarily on the selective mass fragmentation properties of the trimethylsilyl (oxime) ether/ester derivatives of constituents, we confirmed several novelties to the field. (i) It was shown for the first time that in parsley tissues different types of glycosidase enzyme are active. In PFr samples, both the stepwise and disaccharide specific endogenous mechanisms were certified, quantifying simultaneously the continuous release of apigenin, chrysoeriol, 2-O-apiosyl-apiose, apiose and glucose. (ii) 2-O-Apiosyl-glucose was demonstrated as disaccharide due to its formation under derivatization conditions from parsley glycosides. (iii) Both in PFr and in PLe samples even the invertase enzyme activity was attainable: sucrose decomposition in both tissues was going on with the same intensity. Three different types of enzymatic glycosidase processes were followed with their specific hydrolysis products by means of HPLC-UV and GC-MS, simultaneously. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A fully automated method for simultaneous determination of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in dried fruits by pressurized liquid extraction and online solid-phase extraction cleanup coupled to ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Campone, Luca; Piccinelli, Anna Lisa; Celano, Rita; Russo, Mariateresa; Valdés, Alberto; Ibáñez, Clara; Rastrelli, Luca

2015-04-01

According to current demands and future perspectives in food safety, this study reports a fast and fully automated analytical method for the simultaneous analysis of the mycotoxins with high toxicity and wide spread, aflatoxins (AFs) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in dried fruits, a high-risk foodstuff. The method is based on pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), with aqueous methanol (30%) at 110 °C, of the slurried dried fruit and online solid-phase extraction (online SPE) cleanup of the PLE extracts with a C18 cartridge. The purified sample was directly analysed by ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) for sensitive and selective determination of AFs and OTA. The proposed analytical procedure was validated for different dried fruits (vine fruit, fig and apricot), providing method detection and quantification limits much lower than the AFs and OTA maximum levels imposed by EU regulation in dried fruit for direct human consumption. Also, recoveries (83-103%) and repeatability (RSD < 8, n = 3) meet the performance criteria required by EU regulation for the determination of the levels of mycotoxins in foodstuffs. The main advantage of the proposed method is full automation of the whole analytical procedure that reduces the time and cost of the analysis, sample manipulation and solvent consumption, enabling high-throughput analysis and highly accurate and precise results.

Analysis of photoconductive mechanisms of organic-on-inorganic photodiodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ocaya, R. O.; Dere, A.; Al-Sehemi, Abdullah G.; Al-Ghamdi, Ahmed A.; Soylu, M.; Yakuphanoglu, F.

2017-09-01

In this work, it is shown that choosing an organic-on-inorganic Schottky diode for photoconductive sensing by a using a power law exponent (PLE or γ) determined at a single bias point is a limited approach. The standard literature approach does not highlight any bias voltage effects on the distribution of interface state density and other operationally important parameters. In this paper we suggest a new empirical method that holistically highlights the variation of γ with voltage, irradiance and temperature to reach a more informed choice of photosensor for real applications. We obtain a simple, plausible relation of the variation of barrier height, Φ, with voltage, irradiance and temperature. The method is evaluated with data collected previously for Schottky diodes of structure Al/p-Si/organic-semiconductor (OSC)/Au, where OSC is Coumarin-doped with graphene oxide (GO), Cobalt Phthacyanine (CoPC) doped with GO or PCBM doped with GO, respectively. The method reproduces published data for the three diodes reported at specific bias and provides for the first time some qualitative evidence of barrier height variation with light intensity, for which a possible physical basis is also given. Typically, Schottky barrier height is characterized using dark current leading to an under reporting of the effect of illumination on barrier height. Finally, since recombination mechanisms are gauged on the basis of the magnitude of PLE, the method facilitates the identification of the recombination mechanism at a given bias.

The use of deep and surface learning strategies among students learning English as a foreign language in an Internet environment.

PubMed

Aharony, Noa

2006-12-01

The learning context is learning English in an Internet environment. The examination of this learning process was based on the Biggs and Moore's teaching-learning model (Biggs & Moore, 1993). The research aims to explore the use of the deep and surface strategies in an Internet environment among EFL students who come from different socio-economic backgrounds. The results of the research may add an additional level to the understanding of students' functioning in the Internet environment. One hundred fourty-eight Israeli junior and high school students participated in this research. The methodology was based on special computer software: Screen Cam, which recorded the students' learning process. In addition, expert judges completed a questionnaire which examined and categorized the students' learning strategies. The research findings show a clear preference of participants from all socio-economic backgrounds towards the surface learning strategy. The findings also showed that students from the medium to high socio-economic background used both learning strategies more frequently than low socio-economic students. The results reflect the habits that students acquire during their adjustment process throughout their education careers. A brief encounter with the Internet learning environment apparently cannot change norms or habits, which were acquired in the non-Internet learning environment.

Designing new collaborative learning spaces in clinical environments: experiences from a children's hospital in Australia.

PubMed

Bines, Julie E; Jamieson, Peter

2013-09-01

Hospitals are complex places that provide a rich learning environment for students, staff, patients and their families, professional groups and the community. The "new" Royal Children's Hospital opened in late 2011. Its mission is focused on improving health and well-being of children and adolescents through leadership in healthcare, research and education. Addressing the need to create "responsive learning environments" aligned with the shift to student-centred pedagogy, two distinct learning environments were developed within the new Royal Children's Hospital; (i) a dedicated education precinct providing a suite of physical environments to promote a more active, collaborative and social learning experience for education and training programs conducted on the Royal Children's Hospital campus and (ii) a suite of learning spaces embedded within clinical areas so that learning becomes an integral part of the daily activities of this busy Hospital environment. The aim of this article is to present the overarching educational principles that lead the design of these learning spaces and describe the opportunities and obstacles encountered in the development of collaborative learning spaces within a large hospital development.

Perceptions of Pre-Service Teachers on the Design of a Learning Environment Based on the Seven Principles of Good Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Furaih, Suad Abdul Aziz

2017-01-01

This study explored the perceptions of 88 pre-service teachers on the design of a learning environment using the Seven Principles of Good Practice and its effect on participants' abilities to create their Cloud Learning Environment (CLE). In designing the learning environment, a conceptual model under the name 7 Principles and Integrated Learning…

A Case Study of the Experiences of Instructors and Students in a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) with Different Cultural Backgrounds

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lim, Keol; Kim, Mi Hwa

2015-01-01

The use of virtual learning environments (VLEs) has become more common and educators recognized the potential of VLEs as educational environments. The learning community in VLEs can be a mixture of people from all over the world with different cultural backgrounds. However, despite many studies about the use of virtual environments for learning,…

Virtual Representations in 3D Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shonfeld, Miri; Kritz, Miki

2013-01-01

This research explores the extent to which virtual worlds can serve as online collaborative learning environments for students by increasing social presence and engagement. 3D environments enable learning, which simulates face-to-face encounters while retaining the advantages of online learning. Students in Education departments created avatars…

Optimizing T-Learning Course Scheduling Based on Genetic Algorithm in Benefit-Oriented Data Broadcast Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huang, Yong-Ming; Chen, Chao-Chun; Wang, Ding-Chau

2012-01-01

Ubiquitous learning receives much attention in these few years due to its wide spectrum of applications, such as the T-learning application. The learner can use mobile devices to watch the digital TV based course content, and thus, the T-learning provides the ubiquitous learning environment. However, in real-world data broadcast environments, the…

Analysis of Means for Building Context-Aware Recommendation System for Mobile Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shcherbachenko, Larysa; Nowakowski, Samuel

2017-01-01

One of the rapidly developing tools for online learning is learning through a mobile environment. Therefore, developing and improving mobile learning environments is an active topic now. One of the ways to adapt the learning environment to the user's needs is to use his context. Context of the user consists of the current context in online…

Design Patterns for Learning and Assessment: Facilitating the Introduction of a Complex Simulation-Based Learning Environment into a Community of Instructors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Frezzo, Dennis C.; Behrens, John T.; Mislevy, Robert J.

2010-01-01

Simulation environments make it possible for science and engineering students to learn to interact with complex systems. Putting these capabilities to effective use for learning, and assessing learning, requires more than a simulation environment alone. It requires a conceptual framework for the knowledge, skills, and ways of thinking that are…

Sustaining Teacher Control in a Blog-Based Personal Learning Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tomberg, Vladimir; Laanpere, Mart; Ley, Tobias; Normak, Peeter

2013-01-01

Various tools and services based on Web 2.0 (mainly blogs, wikis, social networking tools) are increasingly used in formal education to create personal learning environments, providing self-directed learners with more freedom, choice, and control over their learning. In such distributed and personalized learning environments, the traditional role…

Supporting the Transition of Learning Disabled Students to the Postsecondary Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gray, Patricia Jean

2012-01-01

Students with learning disabilities present a diverse spectrum of learning needs; research suggest they may have difficulty making the transition to the postsecondary environment. Learning disabled students at the subject high school were not successfully making the transition from the secondary to the postsecondary environment. This study was…

Utilizing Virtual and Personal Learning Environments for Optimal Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Terry, Krista, Ed.; Cheney, Amy, Ed.

2016-01-01

The integration of emerging technologies in higher education presents a new set of challenges and opportunities for educators. With a growing need for customized lesson plans in online education, educators are rethinking the design and development of their learning environments. "Utilizing Virtual and Personal Learning Environments for…

Flipped Education: Transitioning to the Homeschool Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alamry, Adel; karaali, Abeer

2016-01-01

This paper seeks to introduce flipped learning as a viable learning method that can be used in the homeschool environment. Flipped learning can become a valuable aspect of homeschooling when the learning environment is conducive to the application of self-taught knowledge. In fact, the sessions evidently act as clarification bridges and…

Visualising Learning Design in LAMS: A Historical View

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dalziel, James

2011-01-01

The Learning Activity Management System (LAMS) provides a web-based environment for the creation, sharing, running and monitoring of Learning Designs. A central feature of LAMS is the visual authoring environment, where educators use a drag-and-drop environment to create sequences of learning activities. The visualisation is based on boxes…

Determination of Science Teachers' Opinions about Outdoor Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kubat, Ulas

2017-01-01

The aim of this research is to discover what science teachers' opinions about outdoor education learning environments are. Outdoor education learning environments contribute to problem-solving, critical and creative thinking skills of students. For this reason, outdoor education learning environments are very important for students to learn by…

Offering a Framework for Value Co-Creation in Virtual Academic Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ranjbarfard, Mina; Heidari Sureshjani, Mahboobeh

2018-01-01

Purpose: This research aims to convert the traditional teacher-student models, in which teachers determine the learning resources, into a flexible structure and an active learning environment so that students can participate in the educational processes and value co-creation in virtual academic learning environments (VALEs).…

Constructivist Learning Environment among Palestinian Science Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zeidan, Afif

2015-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the constructivist learning environment among Palestinian science students. The study also aimed to investigate the effects of gender and learning level of these students on their perceptions of the constructivist learning environment. Data were collected from 125 male and 101 female students from the…

Disrupting a Learning Environment for Promotion of Geometry Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jojo, Zingiswa

2017-01-01

Creating a classroom learning environment that is suitably designed for promotion of learners' performance in geometry, a branch of mathematics that addresses spatial sense and geometric reasoning, is a daunting task. This article focuses on how grade 8 teachers' action learning changed the learning environment for the promotion of geometry…

Criteria, Strategies and Research Issues of Context-Aware Ubiquitous Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hwang, Gwo-Jen; Tsai, Chin-Chung; Yang, Stephen J. H.

2008-01-01

Recent progress in wireless and sensor technologies has lead to a new development of learning environments, called context-aware ubiquitous learning environment, which is able to sense the situation of learners and provide adaptive supports. Many researchers have been investigating the development of such new learning environments; nevertheless,…

Kitchen Science Investigators: Promoting Identity Development as Scientific Reasoners and Thinkers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Clegg, Tamara Lynnette

2010-01-01

My research centers upon designing transformative learning environments and supporting technologies. Kitchen Science Investigators (KSI) is an out-of-school transformative learning environment we designed to help young people learn science through cooking. My dissertation considers the question, "How can we design a learning environment in which…

Improving Collaborative Learning by Supporting Casual Encounters in Distance Learning.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Contreras, Juan; Llamas, Rafael; Vizcaino, Aurora; Vavela, Jesus

Casual encounters in a learning environment are very useful in reinforcing previous knowledge and acquiring new knowledge. Such encounters are very common in traditional learning environments and can be used successfully in social environments in which students can discover and construct knowledge through a process of dialogue, negotiation, or…

Citizen Science as a REAL Environment for Authentic Scientific Inquiry

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Meyer, Nathan J.; Scott, Siri; Strauss, Andrea Lorek; Nippolt, Pamela L.; Oberhauser, Karen S.; Blair, Robert B.

2014-01-01

Citizen science projects can serve as constructivist learning environments for programming focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) for youth. Attributes of "rich environments for active learning" (REALs) provide a framework for design of Extension STEM learning environments. Guiding principles and design strategies…

Pressurized liquid extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of fragrance allergens, musks, phthalates and preservatives in baby wipes.

PubMed

Celeiro, Maria; Lamas, J Pablo; Garcia-Jares, Carmen; Llompart, Maria

2015-03-06

Baby wipes and wet toilet paper are specific hygiene care daily products used on newborn and children skin. These products may contain complexes mixtures of harmful chemicals. A method based on pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has been developed for the simultaneous determination of sixty-five chemical compounds (fragrance allergens, preservatives, musks, and phthalates) in wipes and wet toilet paper for children. These compounds are legislated in Europe according Regulation EC No 1223/2009, being twelve of them banned for their use in cosmetics, and one of them, 3-iodo-2-propynyl butylcarbamate (IPBC), is banned in products intended for children under 3 years. Also, propyl-, and butylparaben will be prohibited in leave-on cosmetic products designed for application on the nappy area of children under 3 years from April 2015. PLE is a fast, simple, easily automated technique, which permits to integrate a clean-up step during the extraction process reducing analysis time and stages. The proposed PLE-based procedure was optimized on real non-spiked baby wipe samples by means of experimental design to study the influence on extraction of parameters such as extraction solvent, temperature, extraction time, and sorbent type. Under the selected conditions, the method was validated showing satisfactory linearity, and intra-day, and inter-day precision. Recoveries were between 80-115% for most of the compounds with relative standard deviations (RSD) lower than 15%. Finally, twenty real samples were analyzed. Thirty-six of the target analytes were detected, highlighting the presence of phenoxyethanol in all analyzed samples at high concentration levels (up to 0.8%, 800μgg(-1)). Methyl paraben (MeP), and ethyl paraben (EtP) were found in 40-50% of the samples, and the recently banned isobutyl paraben (iBuP) and isopropyl paraben (iPrP), were detected in one and seven samples, respectively, at concentrations between 0.093 and 247μgg(-1). In the case of phthalates, the forbidden phthalates dibutyl phtalate (DBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) were also found in thirteen samples at low levels. All the samples contained fragrance allergens in many cases at high levels (up to 2400μgg(-1)) and three musks were detected in the samples. Excluding the banned compounds, all samples complied with the concentration limits established by the European Regulation although 25% of them did not fulfill the labeling requirements for fragrance allergens. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Nursing Students' Qualitative Experiences in the Medical-Surgical Clinical Learning Environment: A Cross-Cultural Integrative Review.

PubMed

Hooven, Katie

2015-08-01

The nature of the clinical learning environment has a huge impact on student learning. For instance, research has supported the idea that a positive learning environment increases student learning. Therefore, the ability to gain information from the student perspective about the learning environment is essential to nursing education. This article reviews qualitative research on nursing students' experiences of the clinical learning environment. The significance of the issue, the purpose of the integrative review, the methods used in the literature search, and the results of the review are presented. Seventeen studies from 12 countries are identified for review, and six common themes are discussed. An exhaustive literature review revealed that among the 17 articles evaluated, six themes were common. The findings indicate the need to continue quality improvement to advance clinical education. Copyright 2015, SLACK Incorporated.

The Relationship among Self-Regulated Learning, Procrastination, and Learning Behaviors in Blended Learning Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yamada, Masanori; Goda, Yoshiko; Matsuda, Takeshi; Kato, Hiroshi; Miyagawa, Hiroyuki

2015-01-01

This research aims to investigate the relationship among the awareness of self-regulated learning (SRL), procrastination, and learning behaviors in blended learning environment. One hundred seventy nine freshmen participated in this research, conducted in the blended learning style class using learning management system. Data collection was…

Behavioral Feature Extraction to Determine Learning Styles in e-Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fatahi, Somayeh; Moradi, Hadi; Farmad, Elaheh

2015-01-01

Learning Style (LS) is an important parameter in the learning process. Therefore, learning styles should be considered in the design, development, and implementation of e-learning environments. Consequently, an important capability of an e-learning system could be the automatic determination of a student's learning style. In this paper, a set of…

Effects of Collaborative Learning Styles on Performance of Students in a Ubiquitous Collaborative Mobile Learning Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fakomogbon, Michael Ayodele; Bolaji, Hameed Olalekan

2017-01-01

Collaborative learning is an approach employed by instructors to facilitate learning and improve learner's performance. Mobile learning can accommodate a variety of learning approaches. This study, therefore, investigated the effects of collaborative learning styles on performance of students in a mobile learning environment. The specific purposes…

Equitable Learning Outcomes: Supporting Economically and Culturally Disadvantaged Students in "Formative Learning Environments"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Clark, Ian

2014-01-01

The central and distinguishing thesis of social and cultural perspectives on outcome equity is that public school classrooms are culturally biased environments. Such environments disaffect children who arrive at school from the economic or cultural margin. The "formative learning environment" (FoLE) establishes and sustains legitimate…

Characteristics of an Innovative Learning Environment According to Students' Perceptions: Actual versus Preferred

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Magen-Nagar, Noga; Steinberger, Pnina

2017-01-01

An innovative learning environment is the current outcome of the constructivist approach, the essence of which is co-construction of knowledge in an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) environment. We examined how Israeli students perceived 10 characteristics of their classroom learning environment--student cohesiveness, teacher…

Conducting and Supporting a Goal-Based Scenario Learning Environment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Montgomery, Joel; And Others

1994-01-01

Discussion of goal-based scenario (GBS) learning environments focuses on a training module designed to prepare consultants with new skills in managing clients, designing user-friendly graphical computer interfaces, and working in a client/server computing environment. Transforming the environment from teaching focused to learning focused is…

Anatomy Education Environment Measurement Inventory: A Valid Tool to Measure the Anatomy Learning Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hadie, Siti Nurma Hanim; Hassan, Asma'; Ismail, Zul Izhar Mohd; Asari, Mohd Asnizam; Khan, Aaijaz Ahmed; Kasim, Fazlina; Yusof, Nurul Aiman Mohd; Manan@Sulong, Husnaida Abdul; Tg Muda, Tg Fatimah Murniwati; Arifin, Wan Nor; Yusoff, Muhamad Saiful Bahri

2017-01-01

Students' perceptions of the education environment influence their learning. Ever since the major medical curriculum reform, anatomy education has undergone several changes in terms of its curriculum, teaching modalities, learning resources, and assessment methods. By measuring students' perceptions concerning anatomy education environment,…

Apprentissage et Environment (Learning and Environment)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Care, Jean-Marc

1977-01-01

Detailed typical daily program in the life of an American and a Moroccan teenager introduces the discussion of the influence of the environment on the learning process, particularly on foreign language learning. A "kit" method for responding to needs determined by the environment is described. (Text is in French.) (AMH)

The Prepared Environment and Its Relationship to Learning.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Loeffler, Margaret Howard

A "prepared environment" is a planned learning facility for young children which offers a supportive and stimulating environment. Current thinking on early learning and the resultant implications for the design of a physical environment which would encourage conceptual development are examined in this book. Each section considers a particular…

An Empirical Verification of a-priori Learning Models on Mailing Archives in the Context of Online Learning Activities of Participants in Free\\Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) Communities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mukala, Patrick; Cerone, Antonio; Turini, Franco

2017-01-01

Free\\Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) environments are increasingly dubbed as learning environments where practical software engineering skills can be acquired. Numerous studies have extensively investigated how knowledge is acquired in these environments through a collaborative learning model that define a learning process. Such a learning…

Directive versus Facilitative Peer Tutoring? A View on Students' Appraisal, Reported Learning Gains and Experiences within Two Differently-Tutored Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Berghmans, Inneke; Michiels, Lotte; Salmon, Sara; Dochy, Filip; Struyven, Katrien

2014-01-01

The present study aimed to shed light on students' appraisal and reported learning gains in two differently-tutored learning environments (i.e. directively and facilitatively tutored). In order to investigate this, a quasi-experimental study was set up in the context of a clinical skills learning environment. Not only were participating…

Smart Learning Adoption in Employees and HRD Managers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Junghwan; Zo, Hangjung; Lee, Hwansoo

2014-01-01

The innovation of online technologies and the rapid diffusion of smart devices are changing workplace learning environment. Smart learning, as emerging learning paradigm, enables employees' learning to take place anywhere and anytime. Workplace learning studies, however, have focused on traditional e-learning environment, and they have failed…

Perception of hospital learning environment: a survey of Hong Kong nursing students.

PubMed

Chan, Dominic S K; Ip, Wan Y

2007-10-01

The last two decades have seen widespread changes to nurse education but the clinical field remains an essential and invaluable resource in preparing students for the reality of their professional role, supporting the integration of theory and practice, and linking the 'knowing what' to do with the 'knowing how' to deliver care. The clinical learning environment represents a vital element of nurse education that needs to be measurable and warrants further investigation. This survey study examined Hong Kong nursing students' perception of the social climate of the clinical learning environment. Participants were invited to complete the two versions, the Actual and Preferred Forms, of the Clinical Learning Environment Inventory following the completion of their clinical field placement. Two hundred eighty one Actual Forms and 243 Preferred Forms returned. SPPS version 11 was employed to analyse data with descriptive and inferential statistics. It was found that there were significant differences between students' perceptions of the actual clinical learning environment and the ideal clinical learning environment they desired. The study highlights the need for a supportive clinical learning environment which is of paramount importance for students in clinical practice.

Relationship between clinical fieldwork educator performance and health professional students' perceptions of their practice education learning environments.

PubMed

Brown, Ted; Williams, Brett; Lynch, Marty

2013-12-01

The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure, Clinical Teaching Effectiveness Instrument, and Clinical Learning Environment Inventory were completed by 548 undergraduate students (54.5% response rate) enrolled in eight health professional bachelor degree courses. Regression analysis was used to investigate the significant predictors of the Clinical Teaching Effectiveness Instrument with the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure and Clinical Learning Environment Inventory subscales as independent variables. The results indicated that the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure and Clinical Learning Environment Inventory Actual version subscale scores explained 44% of the total variance in the Clinical Teaching Effectiveness Instrument score. The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure subscale Academic Self-Perception explained 1.1% of the variance in the Clinical Teaching Effectiveness Instrument score. The Clinical Learning Environment Inventory Actual subscales accounted for the following variance percentages in the Clinical Teaching Effectiveness Instrument score: personalization, 1.1%; satisfaction, 1.7%; task orientation, 5.1%; and innovation, 6.2%. Aspects of the clinical learning environment appear to be predictive of the effectiveness of the clinical teaching that students experience. Fieldwork educator performance might be a significant contributing factor toward student skill development and practitioner success. © 2013 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Nursing students' satisfaction of the clinical learning environment: a research study.

PubMed

Papastavrou, Evridiki; Dimitriadou, Maria; Tsangari, Haritini; Andreou, Christos

2016-01-01

The acquisition of quality clinical experience within a supportive and pedagogically adjusted clinical learning environment is a significant concern for educational institutions. The quality of clinical learning usually reflects the quality of the curriculum structure. The assessment of the clinical settings as learning environment is a significant concern within the contemporary nursing education. The nursing students' satisfaction is considered as an important factor of such assessment, contributing to any potential reforms in order to optimize the learning activities and achievements within clinical settings. The aim of the study was to investigate nursing students' satisfaction of the clinical settings as learning environments. A quantitative descriptive, correlational design was used. A sample of 463 undergraduate nursing students from the three universities in Cyprus were participated. Data were collected using the Clinical Learning Environment, Supervision and Nurse Teacher (CLES + T). Nursing students were highly satisfied with the clinical learning environment and their satisfaction has been positively related to all clinical learning environment constructs namely the pedagogical atmosphere, the Ward Manager's leadership style, the premises of Nursing in the ward, the supervisory relationship (mentor) and the role of the Nurse Teacher (p < 0.001). Students who had a named mentor reported more satisfied with the supervisory relationship. The frequency of meetings among the students and the mentors increased the students' satisfaction with the clinical learning environment. It was also revealed that 1st year students were found to be more satisfied than the students in other years. The supervisory relationship was evaluated by the students as the most influential factor in their satisfaction with the clinical learning environment. Student's acceptance within the nursing team and a well-documented individual nursing care is also related with students' satisfaction. The pedagogical atmosphere is considered pivotal, with reference to students' learning activities and competent development within the clinical setting. Therefore, satisfaction could be used as an important contributing factor towards the development of clinical learning environments in order to satisfy the needs and expectations of students. The value of the development of an organized mentorship system is illustrated in the study.

Implementing an Active Learning Environment to Influence Students' Motivation in Biochemistry

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cicuto, Camila Aparecida Tolentino; Torres, Bayardo Baptista

2016-01-01

The Biochemistry: Biomolecules Structure and Metabolism course's goal is to promote meaningful learning through an active learning environment. Thus, study periods (SP) and discussion groups (DG) are used as a substitute for lecture classes. The goal of this study was to evaluate how this learning environment influences students' motivation (n =…

Using Coherence Analysis to Characterize Self-Regulated Learning Behaviours in Open-Ended Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Segedy, James R.; Kinnebrew, John S.; Biswas, Gautam

2015-01-01

Researchers have long recognized the potential benefits of open-ended computer- based learning environments (OELEs) to help students develop self-regulated learning (SRL) behaviours. However, measuring self-regulation in these environments is a difficult task. In this paper, we present our work in developing and evaluating "coherence…

Emotional Presence in Online Learning Scale: A Scale Development Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sarsar, Firat; Kisla, Tarik

2016-01-01

Although emotions are not a new topic in learning environments, the emerging technologies have changed not only the type of learning environments but also the perspectives of emotions in learning environments. This study designed to develop a survey to assist online instructors to understand students' emotional statement in online learning…

Validation of a Spanish Version of the Distance Education Learning Environments Survey (DELES) in Spain

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fernández-Pascual, Maria Dolores; Ferrer-Cascales, Rosario; Reig-Ferrer, Abilio; Albaladejo-Blázquez, Natalia; Walker, Scott L.

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to examine the validity of the Spanish version of the Distance Education Learning Environments Survey (Sp-DELES). This instrument assesses students' perceptions of virtual learning environments using six scales: Instructor Support, Student Interaction and Collaboration, Personal Relevance, Authentic Learning, Active…

The Relationship between Motivation, Learning Strategies and Choice of Environment whether Traditional or Including an Online Component

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Clayton, Karen; Blumberg, Fran; Auld, Daniel P.

2010-01-01

This study examined how students' achievement goals, self-efficacy and learning strategies influenced their choice of an online, hybrid or traditional learning environment. One hundred thirty-two post-secondary students completed surveys soliciting their preferences for learning environments, reasons for their preference, their motivational…

Open Learning Environments and the Impact of a Pedagogical Agent

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Clarebout, Geraldine; Elen, Jan

2006-01-01

Research reveals that in highly structured learning environments pedagogical agents can act as tools to direct students' learning processes by providing content or problem solving guidance. It has not yet been addressed whether pedagogical agents have a similar impact in more open learning environments that aim at fostering students' acquisition…

Clinical Environment as a Learning Environment: Student Nurses' Perceptions Concerning Clinical Learning Experiences.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Papp, Inkeri; Markkanen, Marjatta; von Bonsdorff, Mikaela

2003-01-01

Finnish student nurses (n=16) described their clinical learning experiences. Several themes were identified: feeling appreciated and supported, the quality of mentoring and patient care, and self-directedness. School and clinical staff cooperation helped create a good learning environment in which theory and practice complemented each other.…

Determinants of Computer Self-Efficacy--An Examination of Learning Motivations and Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hsu, Wen-Kai K.; Huang, Show-Hui S.

2006-01-01

The purpose of this article is to discuss determinants of computer self-efficacy from the perspective of participant internal learning motivations and external learning environments. The former consisted of three motivations--interest, trend, and employment--while the latter comprised two environments--home and school. Through an intermediate…

Architecture and Children: Learning Environments and Design Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taylor, Anne, Ed.; Muhlberger, Joe, Ed.

1998-01-01

This issue addresses (1) growing international interest in learning environments and their effects on behavior, and (2) design education, an integrated model for visual-spatial lifelong learning. It focuses on this new and emerging integrated field which integrates elements in education, new learning environment design, and the use of more two-…

Learning System Design Consideration in Creating an Online Learning Environment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schaffer, Scott

This paper describes the design of a Web-based learning environment for leadership facilitators in a United States military organization. The overall aim of this project was to design a prototype of an online learning environment that supports leadership facilitators' knowledge development in the content area of motivation. The learning…

Learning Environments as Basis for Cognitive Achievements of Students in Basic Science Classrooms in Nigeria

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Atomatofa, Rachel; Okoye, Nnamdi; Igwebuike, Thomas

2016-01-01

The nature of classroom learning environments created by teachers had been considered very important for learning to take place effectively. This study investigated the effect of creating constructivist and transmissive learning environments on achievements of science students of different ability levels. 243 students formed the entire study…

The Effects of Different Learning Environments on Students' Motivation for Learning and Their Achievement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baeten, Marlies; Dochy, Filip; Struyven, Katrien

2013-01-01

Background: Research in higher education on the effects of student-centred versus lecture-based learning environments generally does not take into account the psychological need support provided in these learning environments. From a self-determination theory perspective, need support is important to study because it has been associated with…

Preservice Teachers' Perception and Use of Personal Learning Environments (PLEs)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sahin, Sami; Uluyol, Çelebi

2016-01-01

Personal learning environments (PLEs) are Web 2.0 tools and services by which users' access, construct, manage, and share educational contents in order to meet their learning needs. These environments enable users to manage their learning according to their own personal preferences. They further promote socialization and collaboration with their…

Seamless Learning Environments in Higher Education with Mobile Devices and Examples

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marín, Victoria I.; Jääskelä, Päivikki; Häkkinen, Päivi; Juntunen, Merja; Rasku-Puttonen, Helena; Vesisenaho, Mikko

2016-01-01

The use of seamless learning environments that have the potential to support lifelong learning anytime and anywhere has become a reality. In this sense, many educational institutions have started to consider introducing seamless learning environments into their programs. The aim of this study is to analyze how various educational university…

Virtual Virtuosos: A Case Study in Learning Music in Virtual Learning Environments in Spain

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alberich-Artal, Enric; Sangra, Albert

2012-01-01

In recent years, the development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has contributed to the generation of a number of interesting initiatives in the field of music education and training in virtual learning environments. However, music education initiatives employing virtual learning environments have replicated and perpetuated the…

Development and Validation of the Blended Learning Environment Instrument (BLEI) in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aljahni, Areej; Al-Begain, Khalid; Skinner, Heather

2014-01-01

Part of ongoing research into the efficacy of blended learning in higher education within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The need for, and development of, a Blended Learning Environment Instrument (BLEI) are explained. This new instrument assesses student perceptions across five core aspects of blended learning environments: Infrastructure,…

Promoting Students' Problem Solving Skills and Knowledge of STEM Concepts in a Data-Rich Learning Environment: Using Online Data as a Tool for Teaching about Renewable Energy Technologies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thurmond, Brandi

2011-01-01

This study sought to compare a data-rich learning (DRL) environment that utilized online data as a tool for teaching about renewable energy technologies (RET) to a lecture-based learning environment to determine the impact of the learning environment on students' knowledge of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) concepts related…

Standard Technical Manual Identification Numbering System (TMINS). M0000-00-IDX-000 TMINS

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-05-14

a part, assign’it to a numbered category. For exam- ple, a ship propulsion plant should be assigned to category 9 ( Ships /Craft) while an...SSN At t.u k Silcma t i ne rio l Iea r p we red 9 - AGS Survey i ig Ship Mine Warfare Ships 9-Afl0 Holspital Ship 9-AKI, Li Cargo Ship 9- AKR Vehicle...which it is a part, such as a ship propulsion plant, select a numeric category and series from Table 2-2

Diet Therapy Career Ladder, AFSC 926XO.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-12-01

ACCORDING TO PHYSICIAN’S OR DIETITIAN’S GUIDELINES AND AFR 160-8 50% 5.81 F171 PREPARE PUDDINGS 49% 5.74 F159 PREPARE DEHYDRATED FOODS (E.G., INSTANT MASHED...COOKING TECHNIQUES 100 F143 COOK POULTRY 100 F135 CLEAN FOOD PRIOR TO COOKING OR SERVING 100 F159 PREPARE DEHYDRATED FOODS (E.G., INSTANT MASHED POTATOES...FOR COOKING OR SERVING 100 ~, F142 COOK PASTA, SUCH AS NOODLES OR SPAGHETTI 100 F166 PREPARE GRAVIES 100 F176 SAM4PLE FOODS BY TASTE AND SMELL 100

Electrostatic Discharge Susceptibility Data. Volume 2

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-03-13

Electric Company (NEC) BEC Beckman Instruments NIT Nitron BEN Bendix NSC National Semi CCL Croven Crystal Ltd. NUC Nucleonic Prod CEN Centralab PLE...IR OF 500% AT VR= 35V. 39 CHANGE IN IS OF 500% AT VS= -IOv. 40 CHANGE IN RESISTANCF OF .1%. 41 CHANGE IN RESISTANCE OF 2%. 42 CHANGE IN VOL OF .050V...34 240K OHM MODEL. 35 250 OHM MODEL. 36 250K OHM MODEL. 37 27.2% OF TOTAL NUMBER OF PiNS FAILED. 38 270K OHM MODEL. 39 294K OHM MODEL. 40 297K OHM

Photorefractive Tungsten Bronze Crystals for Optical Limiters and Filters.

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-01-01

vector , X is the laser light wavelength, 0 is the half- angle between the two crossing laser beams, and k0 is the Debye screening wave vector given by...between the grating and the dielectric constant E’ = 950) such that the grating’ vector is interference pattern, the intensities of the output beams from...substituting Io, I, and Id into expression 0 ple d 2o0o 25i00 (8), we can calculate the phase shift between the grating and Applied Electric Feild in V

Frequency Width in Predictions of Windsea Spectra and the Role of the Nonlinear Solver

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-01-01

5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7...fit that passes through the origin. 5. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (CC) as computed by, for exam- ple, Cardone et al. (1996), Ardhuin et al...Wavetrains in inhomogeneous moving media. Proc. Royal Soc. London A 302, 529–554. Cardone , V.J., Jensen, R.E., Resio, D.T., Swail, V.R., Cox, A.T., 1996

Program Manager: Journal of the Defense Systems Management College. Volume 18. Number 4, July-August 1989

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-08-01

Systems Dynamics and study delivered to the North Structured Thinking in American Defense IndustrialPolicy Analysis, Base Organization. Rol’ Clark r1...Therefore, DOD has in- estimated that Japan spent three times formed both Pratt & Whitney and the cost to produce F-15s through I think from studies that...purchase.2" The FSX will cost much ple, the study of the F-15 back in be made without the permission of the more to develop than a purchase of 1982, it

Powering the future - a new generation of high-performance solar arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geyer, Freddy; Caswell, Doug; Signorini, Carla

2007-08-01

Funded by ESA's Advanced Research in Telecommunication (ARTES) programme, Thales Alenia Space has developed a new generation of high-power ultra-lightweight solar arrays for telecommunications satellites. Thanks to close cooperation with its industrial partners in Europe, the company has generically qualified a solar array io meet market needs. Indeed, three flight projects were already using the new design as qualification was completed. In addition, the excellent mechanical and thermal behaviour of the new panel structure are contributing to other missions such as Pleïades and LISA Pathfinder.

Investigating Factors That Influence Students' Management of Study Environment in Online Collaborative Groupwork

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Du, Jianxia; Xu, Jianzhong; Fan, Xitao

2015-01-01

The present study examines empirical models of students' management of the learning environment in the context of online collaborative groupwork. Such environment management is an important component of students' overall self-regulated learning strategy for effective learning. Student- and group-level predictors for study environment management in…

Changing the Metacognitive Orientation of a Classroom Environment to Enhance Students' Metacognition Regarding Chemistry Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thomas, Gregory P.; Anderson, David

2014-01-01

Concerns persist regarding science classroom learning environments and the lack of development of students' metacognition and reasoning processes within such environments. Means of shaping learning environments so that students are encouraged to develop their metacognition are required in order to enhance students' reasoning and…

Creating Multisensory Environments: Practical Ideas for Teaching and Learning. David Fulton/Nasen

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davies, Christopher

2011-01-01

Multi-sensory environments in the classroom provide a wealth of stimulating learning experiences for all young children whose senses are still under development. "Creating Multisensory Environments: Practical Ideas for Teaching and Learning" is a highly practical guide to low-cost cost, easy to assemble multi-sensory environments. With a…

Creating Electronic Learning Environments: Games, Flow, and the User Interface.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Marshall G.

A difficult task in creating rich, exploratory interactive learning environments is building an environment that is truly engaging. Engagement can be defined as the nexus of intrinsic knowledge and/or interest and external stimuli that promote the initial interest in, and continued use of a computer-based learning environment. Complete and total…

What Teachers Need to Know about Augmented Reality Enhanced Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wasko, Christopher

2013-01-01

Augmented reality (AR) enhanced learning environments have been designed to teach a variety of subjects by having learners act like professionals in the field as opposed to students in a classroom. The environments, grounded in constructivist and situated learning theories, place students in a meaningful, non-classroom environment and force them…