Sample records for midpoint potential em

  1. Tuning of Hemes b Equilibrium Redox Potential Is Not Required for Cross-Membrane Electron Transfer.

    PubMed

    Pintscher, Sebastian; Kuleta, Patryk; Cieluch, Ewelina; Borek, Arkadiusz; Sarewicz, Marcin; Osyczka, Artur

    2016-03-25

    In biological energy conversion, cross-membrane electron transfer often involves an assembly of two hemesb The hemes display a large difference in redox midpoint potentials (ΔEm_b), which in several proteins is assumed to facilitate cross-membrane electron transfer and overcome a barrier of membrane potential. Here we challenge this assumption reporting on hemebligand mutants of cytochromebc1in which, for the first time in transmembrane cytochrome, one natural histidine has been replaced by lysine without loss of the native low spin type of heme iron. With these mutants we show that ΔEm_b can be markedly increased, and the redox potential of one of the hemes can stay above the level of quinone pool, or ΔEm_b can be markedly decreased to the point that two hemes are almost isopotential, yet the enzyme retains catalytically competent electron transfer between quinone binding sites and remains functionalin vivo This reveals that cytochromebc1can accommodate large changes in ΔEm_b without hampering catalysis, as long as these changes do not impose overly endergonic steps on downhill electron transfer from substrate to product. We propose that hemesbin this cytochrome and in other membranous cytochromesbact as electronic connectors for the catalytic sites with no fine tuning in ΔEm_b required for efficient cross-membrane electron transfer. We link this concept with a natural flexibility in occurrence of several thermodynamic configurations of the direction of electron flow and the direction of the gradient of potential in relation to the vector of the electric membrane potential. © 2016 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  2. Redox and Chemical Activities of the Hemes in the Sulfur Oxidation Pathway Enzyme SoxAX*

    PubMed Central

    Bradley, Justin M.; Marritt, Sophie J.; Kihlken, Margaret A.; Haynes, Kate; Hemmings, Andrew M.; Berks, Ben C.; Cheesman, Myles R.; Butt, Julea N.

    2012-01-01

    SoxAX enzymes couple disulfide bond formation to the reduction of cytochrome c in the first step of the phylogenetically widespread Sox microbial sulfur oxidation pathway. Rhodovulum sulfidophilum SoxAX contains three hemes. An electrochemical cell compatible with magnetic circular dichroism at near infrared wavelengths has been developed to resolve redox and chemical properties of the SoxAX hemes. In combination with potentiometric titrations monitored by electronic absorbance and EPR, this method defines midpoint potentials (Em) at pH 7.0 of approximately +210, −340, and −400 mV for the His/Met, His/Cys−, and active site His/CysS−-ligated heme, respectively. Exposing SoxAX to S2O42−, a substrate analog with Em ∼−450 mV, but not Eu(II) complexed with diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (Em ∼−1140 mV), allows cyanide to displace the cysteine persulfide (CysS−) ligand to the active site heme. This provides the first evidence for the dissociation of CysS− that has been proposed as a key event in SoxAX catalysis. PMID:23060437

  3. THE LCIA MIDPOINT-DAMAGE FRAMEWORK OF THE UNEP/SETAC LIFE CYCLE INITIATIVE

    EPA Science Inventory

    LCIA methods can be grouped into two families: midpoint methods determining impact category indicators at an intermediate position of the impact pathways (e.g., ozone depletion potentials) and damage-oriented methods aiming at more easily interpretable results in the form of da...

  4. Two reaction pathways for transformation of high potential cytochrome b559 of PS II into the intermediate potential form.

    PubMed

    Kaminskaya, Olga; Shuvalov, Vladimir A; Renger, Gernot

    2007-06-01

    This study describes an analysis of different treatments that influence the relative content and the midpoint potential of HP Cyt b559 in PS II membrane fragments from higher plants. Two basically different types of irreversible modification effects are distinguished: the HP form of Cyt b559 is either predominantly affected when the heme group is oxidized ("O-type" effects) or when it is reduced ("R-type" effects). Transformation of HP Cyt b559 to lower potential redox forms (IP and LP forms) by the "O-type" mechanism is induced by high pH and detergent treatments. In this case the effects consist of a gradual decrease in the relative content of HP Cyt b559 while its midpoint potential remains unaffected. Transformation of HP Cyt b559 via an "R-type" mechanism is caused by a number of exogenous compounds denoted L: herbicides, ADRY reagents and tetraphenylboron. These compounds are postulated to bind to the PS II complex at a quinone binding site designated as Q(C) which interacts with Cyt b559 and is clearly not the Q(B) site. Binding of compounds L to the Q(C) site when HP Cyt b559 is oxidized gives rise to a gradual decrease in the E(m) of HP Cyt b559 with increasing concentration of L (up to 10 K(ox)(L) values) while the relative content of HP Cyt b559 is unaffected. Higher concentrations of compounds L required for their binding to Q(C) site when HP Cyt b559 is reduced (described by K(red)(L)) induce a conversion of HP Cyt b559 to lower potential redox forms ("R-type" transformation). Two reaction pathways for transitions of Cyt b559 between the different protein conformations that are responsible for the HP and IP/LP redox forms are proposed and new insights into the functional regulation of Cyt b559 via the Q(C) site are discussed.

  5. Implementing the measurement interval midpoint method for change estimation

    Treesearch

    James A. Westfall; Thomas Frieswyk; Douglas M. Griffith

    2009-01-01

    The adoption of nationally consistent estimation procedures for the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program mandates changes in the methods used to develop resource trend information. Particularly, it is prescribed that changes in tree status occur at the midpoint of the measurement interval to minimize potential bias. The individual-tree characteristics requiring...

  6. Impact of Mutations on the Midpoint Potential of the [4Fe-4S]+1,+2 Cluster and on Catalytic Activity in Electron Transfer Flavoprotein-ubiquinone Oxidoreductase (ETF-QO)†

    PubMed Central

    Usselman, Robert J.; Fielding, Alistair J.; Frerman, Frank E.; Watmough, Nicholas J.; Eaton, Gareth R.; Eaton, Sandra S.

    2011-01-01

    Electron transfer flavoprotein - ubiquinone oxidoreductase (ETF-QO) is an iron-sulfur flavoprotein that accepts electrons from electron-transfer flavoprotein (ETF) and reduces ubiquinone from the Q-pool. ETF-QO contains a single [4Fe-4S]2+,1+ cluster and one equivalent of FAD, which are diamagnetic in the isolated oxidized enzyme and can be reduced to paramagnetic forms by enzymatic donors or dithionite. Mutations were introduced by site-directed mutagenesis of amino acids in the vicinity of the iron-sulfur cluster of Rhodobacter sphaeroides ETF-QO. Y501 and T525 are equivalent to Y533 and T558 in the porcine ETF-QO. In the porcine protein, these residues are within hydrogen bonding distance of the Sγ of the cysteine ligands to the iron-sulfur cluster. Y501F, T525A, and Y501F/T525A substitutions were made to determine the effects on midpoint potential, activity, and EPR spectral properties of the cluster. The integrity of the mutated proteins was confirmed by optical spectra, EPR g-values, and spin-lattice relaxation rates, and the cluster to flavin point-dipole distance was determined by relaxation enhancement. Potentiometric titrations were monitored by changes in the CW EPR signals of the cluster and semiquinone. Single mutations decreased the mid-point potentials of the iron-sulfur cluster from +37 mV for wild type to −60 mV for Y501F and T525A and to −128 mV for Y501F/T525A. Lowering the midpoint potential resulted in a decrease in steady-state ubiquinone reductase activity and in ETF semiquinone disproportionation. The decrease in activity demonstrates that reduction of the iron-sulfur cluster is required for activity. There was no detectable effect of the mutations on the flavin midpoint potentials. PMID:18069858

  7. Impact of mutations on the midpoint potential of the [4Fe-4S]+1,+2 cluster and on catalytic activity in electron transfer flavoprotein-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (ETF-QO).

    PubMed

    Usselman, Robert J; Fielding, Alistair J; Frerman, Frank E; Watmough, Nicholas J; Eaton, Gareth R; Eaton, Sandra S

    2008-01-08

    Electron-transfer flavoprotein-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (ETF-QO) is an iron-sulfur flavoprotein that accepts electrons from electron-transfer flavoprotein (ETF) and reduces ubiquinone from the Q-pool. ETF-QO contains a single [4Fe-4S]2+,1+ cluster and one equivalent of FAD, which are diamagnetic in the isolated oxidized enzyme and can be reduced to paramagnetic forms by enzymatic donors or dithionite. Mutations were introduced by site-directed mutagenesis of amino acids in the vicinity of the iron-sulfur cluster of Rhodobacter sphaeroides ETF-QO. Y501 and T525 are equivalent to Y533 and T558 in the porcine ETF-QO. In the porcine protein, these residues are within hydrogen-bonding distance of the Sgamma of the cysteine ligands to the iron-sulfur cluster. Y501F, T525A, and Y501F/T525A substitutions were made to determine the effects on midpoint potential, activity, and EPR spectral properties of the cluster. The integrity of the mutated proteins was confirmed by optical spectra, EPR g-values, and spin-lattice relaxation rates, and the cluster to flavin point-dipole distance was determined by relaxation enhancement. Potentiometric titrations were monitored by changes in the CW EPR signals of the cluster and semiquinone. Single mutations decreased the midpoint potentials of the iron-sulfur cluster from +37 mV for wild type to -60 mV for Y501F and T525A and to -128 mV for Y501F/T525A. Lowering the midpoint potential resulted in a decrease in steady-state ubiquinone reductase activity and in ETF semiquinone disproportionation. The decrease in activity demonstrates that reduction of the iron-sulfur cluster is required for activity. There was no detectable effect of the mutations on the flavin midpoint potentials.

  8. Corrected body surface potential mapping.

    PubMed

    Krenzke, Gerhard; Kindt, Carsten; Hetzer, Roland

    2007-02-01

    In the method for body surface potential mapping described here, the influence of thorax shape on measured ECG values is corrected. The distances of the ECG electrodes from the electrical heart midpoint are determined using a special device for ECG recording. These distances are used to correct the ECG values as if they had been measured on the surface of a sphere with a radius of 10 cm with its midpoint localized at the electrical heart midpoint. The equipotential lines of the electrical heart field are represented on the virtual surface of such a sphere. It is demonstrated that the character of a dipole field is better represented if the influence of the thorax shape is reduced. The site of the virtual reference electrode is also important for the dipole character of the representation of the electrical heart field.

  9. Modeling electron transfer in photosystem I.

    PubMed

    Makita, Hiroki; Hastings, Gary

    2016-06-01

    Nanosecond to millisecond time-resolved absorption spectroscopy has been used to study electron transfer processes in photosystem I particles from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 with eight different quinones incorporated into the A1 binding site, at both 298 and 77K. A detailed kinetic model was constructed and solved within the context of Marcus electron transfer theory, and it was found that all of the data could be well described only if the in situ midpoint potentials of the quinones fell in a tightly defined range. For photosystem I with phylloquinone incorporated into the A1 binding site all of the time-resolved optical data is best modeled when the in situ midpoint potential of phylloquinone on the A/B branch is -635/-690 mV, respectively. With the midpoint potential of the F(X) iron sulfur cluster set at -680 mV, this indicates that forward electron transfer from A(1)(-) to F(X) is slightly endergonic/exergonic on the A/B branch, respectively. Additionally, for forward electron transfer from A(1)(-) to F(X), on both the A and B branches the reorganization energy is close to 0.7 eV. Reorganization energies of 0.4 or 1.0 eV are not possible. For the eight different quinones incorporated, the same kinetic model was used, allowing us to establish in situ redox potentials for all of the incorporated quinones on both branches. A linear correlation was found between the in situ and in vitro midpoint potentials of the quinones on both branches. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. Characterization of a tungsten-substituted nitrogenase isolated from Rhodobacter capsulatus.

    PubMed

    Siemann, Stefan; Schneider, Klaus; Oley, Mareke; Müller, Achim

    2003-04-08

    In the phototrophic non-sulfur bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus, the biosynthesis of the conventional Mo-nitrogenase is strictly Mo-regulated. Significant amounts of both dinitrogenase and dinitrogenase reductase were only formed when the growth medium was supplemented with molybdate (1 microM). During cell growth under Mo-deficient conditions, tungstate, at high concentrations (1 mM), was capable of partially (approximately 25%) substituting for molybdate in the induction of nitrogenase synthesis. On the basis of such conditions, a tungsten-substituted nitrogenase was isolated from R. capsulatus with the aid of anfA (Fe-only nitrogenase defective) mutant cells and partially purified by Q-sepharose chromatography. Metal analyses revealed the protein to contain an average of 1 W-, 16 Fe-, and less than 0.01 Mo atoms per alpha(2)beta(2)-tetramer. The tungsten-substituted (WFe) protein was inactive in reducing N(2) and marginally active in acetylene reduction, but it was found to show considerable activity with respect to the generation of H(2) from protons. The EPR spectrum of the WFe protein, recorded at 4 K, exhibited three distinct signals: (i) an S = 3/2 signal, which dominates the low-field region of the spectrum (g = 4.19, 3.93) and is indicative of a tungsten-substituted cofactor (termed FeWco), (ii) a marginal S = 3/2 signal (g = 4.29, 3.67) that can be attributed to residual amounts of FeMoco present in the protein, and (iii) a broad S = 1/2 signal (g = 2.09, 1.95, 1.86) arising from at least two paramagnetic species. Redox titrational analysis of the WFe protein revealed the midpoint potential of the FeWco (E(m) < -200 mV) to be shifted to distinctly lower potentials as compared to that of the FeMoco (E(m) approximately -50 mV) present in the native enzyme. The P clusters of both the WFe and the MoFe protein appear indistinguishable with respect to their midpoint potentials. EPR spectra recorded with the WFe protein under turnover conditions exhibited a 20% decrease in the intensity of the FeWco signal, indicating that the cofactor can be enzymatically reduced only to a small extent. The data presented in the current study demonstrate the pivotal role of molybdenum in optimal N(2) fixation and provides direct evidence that the inability of a tungsten-substituted nitrogenase to reduce N(2) is due to the difficulty to effectively reduce the FeW cofactor beyond its semi-reduced state.

  11. Midpoint attractors and species richness: Modelling the interaction between environmental drivers and geometric constraints.

    PubMed

    Colwell, Robert K; Gotelli, Nicholas J; Ashton, Louise A; Beck, Jan; Brehm, Gunnar; Fayle, Tom M; Fiedler, Konrad; Forister, Matthew L; Kessler, Michael; Kitching, Roger L; Klimes, Petr; Kluge, Jürgen; Longino, John T; Maunsell, Sarah C; McCain, Christy M; Moses, Jimmy; Noben, Sarah; Sam, Katerina; Sam, Legi; Shapiro, Arthur M; Wang, Xiangping; Novotny, Vojtech

    2016-09-01

    We introduce a novel framework for conceptualising, quantifying and unifying discordant patterns of species richness along geographical gradients. While not itself explicitly mechanistic, this approach offers a path towards understanding mechanisms. In this study, we focused on the diverse patterns of species richness on mountainsides. We conjectured that elevational range midpoints of species may be drawn towards a single midpoint attractor - a unimodal gradient of environmental favourability. The midpoint attractor interacts with geometric constraints imposed by sea level and the mountaintop to produce taxon-specific patterns of species richness. We developed a Bayesian simulation model to estimate the location and strength of the midpoint attractor from species occurrence data sampled along mountainsides. We also constructed midpoint predictor models to test whether environmental variables could directly account for the observed patterns of species range midpoints. We challenged these models with 16 elevational data sets, comprising 4500 species of insects, vertebrates and plants. The midpoint predictor models generally failed to predict the pattern of species midpoints. In contrast, the midpoint attractor model closely reproduced empirical spatial patterns of species richness and range midpoints. Gradients of environmental favourability, subject to geometric constraints, may parsimoniously account for elevational and other patterns of species richness. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd/CNRS.

  12. Model Predictive Control of LCL Three-level Photovoltaic Grid-connected Inverter

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liang, Cheng; Tian, Engang; Pang, Baobing; Li, Juan; Yang, Yang

    2018-05-01

    In this paper, neutral point clamped three-level inverter circuit is analyzed to establish a mathematical model of the three-level inverter in the αβ coordinate system. The causes and harms of the midpoint potential imbalance problem are described. The paper use the method of model predictive control to control the entire inverter circuit[1]. The simulation model of the inverter system is built in Matlab/Simulink software. It is convenient to control the grid-connected current, suppress the unbalance of the midpoint potential and reduce the switching frequency by changing the weight coefficient in the cost function. The superiority of the model predictive control in the control method of the inverter system is verified.

  13. Redox-linked ionization of sulredoxin, an archaeal Rieske-type [2Fe-2S] protein from Sulfolobus sp. strain 7.

    PubMed

    Iwasaki, T; Imai, T; Urushiyama, A; Oshima, T

    1996-11-01

    "Sulredoxin" of Sulfolobus sp. strain 7 is an archaeal soluble Rieske-type [2Fe-2S] protein and was initially characterized by several spectroscopic techniques (Iwasaki, T., Isogai, T., Iizuka, T. , and Oshima, T. (1995) J. Bacteriol. 177, 2576-2582). It appears to have tightly linked ionization affecting the redox properties of the protein, which is characteristic of the Rieske FeS proteins found as part of the respiratory chain. Sulredoxin had an Em(low pH) value of +188 +/- 9 mV, and the slope of pH dependence of the midpoint redox potential indicated two ionization equilibria in the oxidized form with pKa(ox1) of 6.23 +/- 0.22 and pKa(ox2) of 8.57 +/- 0.20. The absorption, CD, and resonance Raman spectra of oxidized sulredoxin are consistent with the proposed St2FeSb2Fe[N(His)]t2 core structure, and deprotonation of one of the two putative coordinated histidine imidazoles, having the pKa(ox2) of 8.57 +/- 0.20, causes a decrease in the midpoint redox potential, the change in the optical and CD spectra, and the appearance of a new Raman transition at 278 cm-1, without major structural rearrangement of the [2Fe-2S] cluster as well as the overall protein conformation. The redox-linked ionization of sulredoxin is also contributed by local changes involving another ionizable group having the pKa(ox1) of 6.23 +/- 0. 22, which is probably attributed to a certain positively charged amino acid residue that may not be a ligand by itself but located very close to the cluster. We suggest that sulredoxin provides a new tractable model of the membrane-bound homologue of the respiratory chain, the Rieske FeS proteins of the cytochrome bc1-b6f complexes.

  14. The correlation of cathodic peak potentials of vitamin K(3) derivatives and their calculated electron affinities. The role of hydrogen bonding and conformational changes.

    PubMed

    Nasiri, Hamid Reza; Panisch, Robin; Madej, M Gregor; Bats, Jan W; Lancaster, C Roy D; Schwalbe, Harald

    2009-06-01

    2-methyl-1,4-naphtoquinone 1 (vitamin K(3), menadione) derivatives with different substituents at the 3-position were synthesized to tune their electrochemical properties. The thermodynamic midpoint potential (E(1/2)) of the naphthoquinone derivatives yielding a semi radical naphthoquinone anion were measured by cyclic voltammetry in the aprotic solvent dimethoxyethane (DME). Using quantum chemical methods, a clear correlation was found between the thermodynamic midpoint potentials and the calculated electron affinities (E(A)). Comparison of calculated and experimental values allowed delineation of additional factors such as the conformational dependence of quinone substituents and hydrogen bonding which can influence the electron affinities (E(A)) of the quinone. This information can be used as a model to gain insight into enzyme-cofactor interactions, particularly for enzyme quinone binding modes and the electrochemical adjustment of the quinone motif.

  15. Acetate in mixotrophic growth medium affects photosystem II in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and protects against photoinhibition.

    PubMed

    Roach, Thomas; Sedoud, Arezki; Krieger-Liszkay, Anja

    2013-10-01

    Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a photoautotrophic green alga, which can be grown mixotrophically in acetate-supplemented media (Tris-acetate-phosphate). We show that acetate has a direct effect on photosystem II (PSII). As a consequence, Tris-acetate-phosphate-grown mixotrophic C. reinhardtii cultures are less susceptible to photoinhibition than photoautotrophic cultures when subjected to high light. Spin-trapping electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy showed that thylakoids from mixotrophic C. reinhardtii produced less (1)O2 than those from photoautotrophic cultures. The same was observed in vivo by measuring DanePy oxalate fluorescence quenching. Photoinhibition can be induced by the production of (1)O2 originating from charge recombination events in photosystem II, which are governed by the midpoint potentials (Em) of the quinone electron acceptors. Thermoluminescence indicated that the Em of the primary quinone acceptor (QA/QA(-)) of mixotrophic cells was stabilised while the Em of the secondary quinone acceptor (QB/QB(-)) was destabilised, therefore favouring direct non-radiative charge recombination events that do not lead to (1)O2 production. Acetate treatment of photosystem II-enriched membrane fragments from spinach led to the same thermoluminescence shifts as observed in C. reinhardtii, showing that acetate exhibits a direct effect on photosystem II independent from the metabolic state of a cell. A change in the environment of the non-heme iron of acetate-treated photosystem II particles was detected by low temperature electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. We hypothesise that acetate replaces the bicarbonate associated to the non-heme iron and changes the environment of QA and QB affecting photosystem II charge recombination events and photoinhibition. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. Resonance in the dynamics of chemical systems simulated by the implicit midpoint scheme

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mandziuk, Margaret; Schlick, Tamar

    1995-05-01

    The numerical behavior of the symplectic, implicit midpoint method with a wide range of integration timesteps is examined through an application to a diatomic molecule governed by a Morse potential. Our oscillator with a 12.6 fs period exhibits notable, integrator induced, timestep- ( Δt) dependent resonances and we predict approximate values of Δt where they will occur. The particular case of a third-order resonance ( Δt ≈ 7 fs here) leads to instability, and higher-order resonances ( n = 4, 5) to large energetic fluctuations and/or corrupted phase diagrams. Significantly, for Δt > 10 fs the energy errors remain bound.

  17. Main error factors, affecting inversion of EM data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zuev, M. A.; Magomedov, M.; Korneev, V. A.; Goloshubin, G.; Zuev, J.; Brovman, Y.

    2013-12-01

    Inversions of EM data are complicated by a number of factors that need to be taken into account. These factors might contribute by tens of percents in data values, concealing responses from target objects, which usually contribute at the level of few percents only. We developed the exact analytical solutions of the EM wave equations that properly incorporate the contributions of the following effects: 1) A finite source size effect, where conventional dipole (zero-size) approximation brings 10-40% error compare to a real size source, needed to provide adequate signal-to-noise ratio. 2) Complex topography. A three-parametrical approach allows to keep the data misfits in 0.5% corridor while topography effect might be up to 40%. 3) Grounding shadow effect, caused by return ground currents, when Tx-line vicinity is horizontally non-uniform. By keeping survey setup within some reasonable geometrical ratios, the shadow effect comes to just one frequency-independent coefficient, which can be excluded from processing by using logarithmical derivatives. 4) Layer's wide spectral range effect. This brings to multi-layer spectral overlapping, so each frequency is affected by many layers; that requires wide spectral range processing, making the typical 'few-frequency data acquisition' non-reliable. 5) Horizontal sensitivity effect. The typical view at the target signal, reflected from a Tx-Rx mid-point is valid only for a ray approximation, reliable in a far-field zone. Unlike this, the real EM surveys usually work in near-field zone. Thus Tx-Rx mid-point does not represent the layer, so a sensitivity distribution function must be computed for each layer for the following 3D-unification process. 6) Wide range Rx-directions from mid-line Tx. Survey terrain often prevents placing Rx perpendicular to Tx-line, and even small deviations without proper corrections cause a significant inaccuracy. A radical simplification of the effect's description becomes possible after applying a special Angular Theorem. 7) Apparent conductivity spectral splitting factor. For some of the inversion approaches an averaged Earth's conductivity σA(ω) is the first step for the inversion to stratified Earth. The related spectral response from the loop-source splits such σA onto two branches: σA(ωHigh) and σA(ωLow), similar to early and late resistivities in time domain processing. 8) Calibration factor. A manufacturer-based internal calibration often leads to many percents of non-controllable systematic error at low and high frequency ends, as well as temperature changes. A special approach allows an external pre-survey calibration to achieve the required accuracy.

  18. LIFE CYCLE IMPACT ASSESSMENT WORKSHOP SUMMARY - MIDPOINTS VERSUS ENDPOINTS: THE SACRIFICES AND BENEFITS

    EPA Science Inventory

    On 5/25-26/2000 in Brighton, England, the third international workshop was held under the umbrella of UNEP addressing issues in Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA). The workshop provided a forum for experts to discuss midpoint vs. endpoint modeling. Midpoints are considered to be...

  19. The Anatomic Midpoint of the Attachment of the Medial Patellofemoral Complex.

    PubMed

    Tanaka, Miho J; Voss, Andreas; Fulkerson, John P

    2016-07-20

    The medial patellofemoral ligament varies in attachment of its fibers to the patella and vastus intermedius tendon. Our aim was to identify and describe its anatomic midpoint. To account for the variability of the attachment site, we refer to it as the medial patellofemoral complex. Using AutoCAD software, we identified the midpoint of the medial patellofemoral complex attachment on photographs of 31 cadaveric knee dissections. The midpoint was referenced relative to the superior articular surface of the patella (P1) and was described in terms of the percentage of the patellar articular length distal to this point. A second point, at the junction of the medial border of the vastus intermedius tendon with the superior articular border of the patella, was identified (P2). The distances of the midpoint to P1 and P2 were calculated and were compared using paired t tests. Twenty-five images had appropriate quality and landmarks for digital analysis. The midpoint of the medial patellofemoral complex was located a mean (and standard deviation) of 2.3% ± 15.8% of the patellar articular length distal to the superior pole and was at or proximal to P1 in 12 knees. In all knees, the midpoint was at or proximal to P2. After exclusion of 2 knees with vastus intermedius tendon attachments only, the medial patellofemoral complex midpoint was closer to P2 (5.3% ± 8.6% of the patellar articular length) than to P1 (9.3% ± 8.5% of the patellar articular length) (p = 0.06). The midpoint of the medial patellofemoral complex was 2.3% of the articular length distal to the superior pole of the patella. Additionally, we describe an anatomic landmark at the junction of the medial border of the vastus intermedius tendon and the articular border of the patella that approximates the midpoint of this complex. Our study shows that the anatomic midpoint of the attachment of the medial patellofemoral complex is proximal to the junction of the medial vastus intermedius tendon and the articular border of the patella, suggesting that graft placement may be more anatomic on the vastus intermedius tendon rather than on the patella. Copyright © 2016 by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Incorporated.

  20. 78 FR 62778 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-10-22

    ...'') to add orders yielding Flag AA to the calculation of the average daily trading (``ADV'') threshold... AA to the calculation of the ADV threshold required to meet the MidPoint Match Volume Tier. Footnote... Match using MidPoint Match order type). The Exchange proposes to add orders yielding Flag AA (MidPoint...

  1. Reinforced wind turbine blades--an environmental life cycle evaluation.

    PubMed

    Merugula, Laura; Khanna, Vikas; Bakshi, Bhavik R

    2012-09-04

    A fiberglass composite reinforced with carbon nanofibers (CNF) at the resin-fiber interface is being developed for potential use in wind turbine blades. An energy and midpoint impact assessment was performed to gauge impacts of scaling production to blades 40 m and longer. Higher loadings force trade-offs in energy return on investment and midpoint impacts relative to the base case while remaining superior to thermoelectric power generation in these indicators. Energy-intensive production of CNFs forces impacts disproportionate to mass contribution. The polymer nanocomposite increases a 2 MW plant's global warming potential nearly 100% per kWh electricity generated with 5% CNF by mass in the blades if no increase in electrical output is realized. The relative scale of impact must be compensated by systematic improvements whether by deployment in higher potential zones or by increased life span; the trade-offs are expected to be significantly lessened with CNF manufacturing maturity. Significant challenges are faced in evaluating emerging technologies including uncertainty in future scenarios and process scaling. Inventories available for raw materials and monte carlos analysis have been used to gain insight to impacts of this development.

  2. A compliance assessment of midpoint formative assessments completed by APPE preceptors.

    PubMed

    Lea Bonner, C; Staton, April G; Naro, Patricia B; McCullough, Elizabeth; Lynn Stevenson, T; Williamson, Margaret; Sheffield, Melody C; Miller, Mindi; Fetterman, James W; Fan, Shirley; Momary, Kathryn M

    Experiential pharmacy preceptors should provide formative and summative feedback during a learning experience. Preceptors are required to provide colleges and schools of pharmacy with assessments or evaluations of students' performance. Students and experiential programs value on-time completion of midpoint evaluations by preceptors. The objective of this study was to determine the number of on-time electronically documented formative midpoint evaluations completed by preceptors during advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs). Compliance rates of on-time electronically documented formative midpoint evaluations were reviewed by the Office of Experiential Education of a five-member consortium during the two-year study period prior to the adoption of Standards 2016. Pearson chi-square test and generalized linear models were used to determine if statistically significant differences were present. Average midpoint compliance rates for the two-year research period were 40.7% and 41% respectively. No statistical significance was noted comparing compliance rates for year one versus year two. However, statistical significance was present when comparing compliance rates between schools during year two. Feedback from students and preceptors pointed to the need for brief formal midpoint evaluations that require minimal time to complete, user friendly experiential management software, and methods for documenting verbal feedback through student self-reflection. Additional education and training to both affiliate and faculty preceptors on the importance of written formative feedback at midpoint is critical to remaining in compliance with Standards 2016. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. 76 FR 27699 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-05-12

    ... on the book at $1.105, an incoming Midpoint Peg Post-Only Order to sell will also post to the book at... non-displayed trading interest. Midpoint Peg Post-Only Orders that post to the book and lock a pre... the non-displayed Midpoint Peg Post-Only Order will not execute before an order already on the book...

  4. Structure and function of the tetraheme cytochrome associated to the reaction center of Roseobacter denitrificans.

    PubMed

    Garcia, D; Richaud, P; Breton, J; Verméglio, A

    1994-01-01

    We have characterized the tetrahemic RC bound cytochrome isolated from the quasi-photosynthetic bacterium Roseobacter denitrificans in terms of absorption spectrum, redox property and orientation with respect to the membrane plane. The heme, designated H1, which possesses the highest redox midpoint potential (+290 mV), absorbs at 555 nm. Its plane makes an angle of 40 degrees with the membrane plane. The second high potential heme, H2 (+240 mV), peaks at 554 nm and makes a tilt of 55 degrees with the membrane. The two low potential hemes, L1 and L2, present a similar and rather high redox midpoint potential (+90 mV). They absorb at 553 nm and 550 nm. One of these hemes is oriented at 40 degrees while the other makes an angle of 90 degrees with the membrane plane. The soluble cytochrome c551 completes the cyclic electron transfer between the RC and the bc1 complex. Both the oxidation and the re-reduction of cytochrome c551 are diffusible processes. Under semi-aerobic conditions, one of the low potential hemes is photo-oxidized under illumination but only extremely slowly re-reduced. This explains the requirement of high aerobic conditions for growth of Roseobacter denitrificans cells in the light.

  5. Quantitative and qualitative approaches to identifying migration chronology in a continental migrant

    USGS Publications Warehouse

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

    2013-01-01

    The degree to which extrinsic factors influence migration chronology in North American waterfowl has not been quantified, particularly for dabbling ducks. Previous studies have examined waterfowl migration using various methods, however, quantitative approaches to define avian migration chronology over broad spatio-temporal scales are limited, and the implications for using different approaches have not been assessed. We used movement data from 19 female adult mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) equipped with solar-powered global positioning system satellite transmitters to evaluate two individual level approaches for quantifying migration chronology. The first approach defined migration based on individual movements among geopolitical boundaries (state, provincial, international), whereas the second method modeled net displacement as a function of time using nonlinear models. Differences in migration chronologies identified by each of the approaches were examined with analysis of variance. The geopolitical method identified mean autumn migration midpoints at 15 November 2010 and 13 November 2011, whereas the net displacement method identified midpoints at 15 November 2010 and 14 November 2011. The mean midpoints for spring migration were 3 April 2011 and 20 March 2012 using the geopolitical method and 31 March 2011 and 22 March 2012 using the net displacement method. The duration, initiation date, midpoint, and termination date for both autumn and spring migration did not differ between the two individual level approaches. Although we did not detect differences in migration parameters between the different approaches, the net displacement metric offers broad potential to address questions in movement ecology for migrating species. Ultimately, an objective definition of migration chronology will allow researchers to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the extrinsic factors that drive migration at the individual and population levels. As a result, targeted conservation plans can be developed to support planning for habitat management and evaluation of long-term climate effects.

  6. Quantitative and qualitative approaches to identifying migration chronology in a continental migrant.

    PubMed

    Beatty, William S; Kesler, Dylan C; Webb, Elisabeth B; Raedeke, Andrew H; Naylor, Luke W; Humburg, Dale D

    2013-01-01

    The degree to which extrinsic factors influence migration chronology in North American waterfowl has not been quantified, particularly for dabbling ducks. Previous studies have examined waterfowl migration using various methods, however, quantitative approaches to define avian migration chronology over broad spatio-temporal scales are limited, and the implications for using different approaches have not been assessed. We used movement data from 19 female adult mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) equipped with solar-powered global positioning system satellite transmitters to evaluate two individual level approaches for quantifying migration chronology. The first approach defined migration based on individual movements among geopolitical boundaries (state, provincial, international), whereas the second method modeled net displacement as a function of time using nonlinear models. Differences in migration chronologies identified by each of the approaches were examined with analysis of variance. The geopolitical method identified mean autumn migration midpoints at 15 November 2010 and 13 November 2011, whereas the net displacement method identified midpoints at 15 November 2010 and 14 November 2011. The mean midpoints for spring migration were 3 April 2011 and 20 March 2012 using the geopolitical method and 31 March 2011 and 22 March 2012 using the net displacement method. The duration, initiation date, midpoint, and termination date for both autumn and spring migration did not differ between the two individual level approaches. Although we did not detect differences in migration parameters between the different approaches, the net displacement metric offers broad potential to address questions in movement ecology for migrating species. Ultimately, an objective definition of migration chronology will allow researchers to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the extrinsic factors that drive migration at the individual and population levels. As a result, targeted conservation plans can be developed to support planning for habitat management and evaluation of long-term climate effects.

  7. Environmental life-cycle comparisons of two polychlorinated biphenyl remediation technologies: incineration and base catalyzed decomposition.

    PubMed

    Hu, Xintao; Zhu, Jianxin; Ding, Qiong

    2011-07-15

    Remediation action is critical for the management of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated sites. Dozens of remediation technologies developed internationally could be divided in two general categories incineration and non-incineration. In this paper, life cycle assessment (LCA) was carried out to study the environmental impacts of these two kinds of remediation technologies in selected PCB contaminated sites, where Infrared High Temperature Incineration (IHTI) and Base Catalyzed Decomposition (BCD) were selected as representatives of incineration and non-incineration. A combined midpoint/damage approach was adopted by using SimaPro 7.2 and IMPACTA2002+ to assess the human toxicity, ecotoxicity, climate change impact, and resource consumption from the five subsystems of IHTI and BCD technologies, respectively. It was found that the major environmental impacts through the whole lifecycle arose from energy consumption in both IHTI and BCD processes. For IHTI, primary and secondary combustion subsystem contributes more than 50% of midpoint impacts concerning with carcinogens, respiratory inorganics, respiratory organics, terrestrial ecotoxity, terrestrial acidification/eutrophication and global warming. In BCD process, the rotary kiln reactor subsystem presents the highest contribution to almost all the midpoint impacts including global warming, non-renewable energy, non-carcinogens, terrestrial ecotoxity and respiratory inorganics. In the view of midpoint impacts, the characterization values for global warming from IHTI and BCD were about 432.35 and 38.5 kg CO(2)-eq per ton PCB-containing soils, respectively. LCA results showed that the single score of BCD environmental impact was 1468.97 Pt while IHTI's score is 2785.15 Pt, which indicates BCD potentially has a lower environmental impact than IHTI technology in the PCB contaminated soil remediation process. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Rhodobacter capsulatus contains a novel cb-type cytochrome c oxidase without a CuA center.

    PubMed

    Gray, K A; Grooms, M; Myllykallio, H; Moomaw, C; Slaughter, C; Daldal, F

    1994-03-15

    The facultative phototrophic bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus is capable of growth in a wide range of environmental conditions using a highly branched electron-transfer chain. During respiratory growth of this organism reducing equivalents are conveyed to oxygen via two terminal oxidases, previously called "cyt b410" (cytochrome c oxidase) and "cyt b260" (quinol oxidase). The cytochrome c oxidase was purified to homogeneity from a semiaerobically grown R. capsulatus strain. The purified enzyme consumes oxygen at a rate of 600 s-1, oxidizes reduced equine cyt c and R. capsulatus cyt c2, and has high sensitivity to cyanide. The complex is composed of three major polypeptides of apparent molecular masses 45, 32, and 28 kDa on SDS-PAGE. The 32- and 28-kDa proteins also stain with tetramethylbenzidine, indicating that they are c-type cytochromes. Partial amino acid sequences obtained from each of the subunits reveal significant homology to the fixN, fixO, and fixP gene products of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Rhizobium meliloti. The reduced enzyme has an optical absorption spectrum with distinct features near 550 and 560 nm and an asymmetric Soret band centered at 418 nm, indicating the presence of both c- and b-type cytochromes. Two electrochemically distinct cyt c are apparent, with redox midpoint potentials (Em7) of 265 and 320 mV, while the low-spin cyt b has an Em7 value of 385 mV. The enzyme binds carbon monoxide, and the CO difference spectrum indicates that CO binds to a high-spin cyt b. Pyridine hemochrome and HPLC analyses suggest that the complex contains 1 mol of heme C to 1 mol of protoheme and that neither heme O nor heme A is present.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

  9. Mid-point for open-ended income category and the effect of equivalence scales on the income-health relationship.

    PubMed

    Celeste, Roger Keller; Bastos, João Luiz

    2013-12-01

    To estimate the mid-point of an open-ended income category and to assess the impact of two equivalence scales on income-health associations. Data were obtained from the 2010 Brazilian Oral Health Survey (Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde Bucal--SBBrasil 2010). Income was converted from categorical to two continuous variables (per capita and equivalized) for each mid-point. The median mid-point was R$ 14,523.50 and the mean, R$ 24,507.10. When per capita income was applied, 53% of the population were below the poverty line, compared with 15% with equivalized income. The magnitude of income-health associations was similar for continuous income, but categorized equivalized income tended to decrease the strength of association.

  10. Renewable Energy Technical Potential | Geospatial Data Science | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    Technical Potential Renewable Energy Technical Potential The renewable energy technical potential level from Resource to Technical to Economic to Market. The benefit of assessing technical potential is potential-resource, technical, economic, and market-as shown in the graphic with key assumptions. Technical

  11. Characterization of the porosity distribution in the upper part of the karst Biscayne aquifer using common offset ground penetrating radar, Everglades National Park, Florida

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mount, Gregory J.; Comas, Xavier; Cunningham, Kevin J.

    2014-07-01

    The karst Biscayne aquifer is characterized by a heterogeneous spatial arrangement of porosity and hydraulic conductivity, making conceptualization difficult. The Biscayne aquifer is the primary source of drinking water for millions of people in south Florida; thus, information concerning the distribution of karst features that concentrate the groundwater flow and affect contaminant transport is critical. The principal purpose of the study was to investigate the ability of two-dimensional ground penetrating radar (GPR) to rapidly characterize porosity variability in the karst Biscayne aquifer in south Florida. An 800-m-long GPR transect of a previously investigated area at the Long Pine Key Nature Trail in Everglades National Park, collected in fast acquisition common offset mode, shows hundreds of diffraction hyperbolae. The distribution of diffraction hyperbolae was used to estimate electromagnetic (EM) wave velocity at each diffraction location and to assess both horizontal and vertical changes in velocity within the transect. A petrophysical model (complex refractive index model or CRIM) was used to estimate total bulk porosity. A set of common midpoint surveys at selected locations distributed along the common-offset transect also were collected for comparison with the common offsets and were used to constrain one-dimensional (1-D) distributions of porosity with depth. Porosity values for the saturated Miami Limestone ranged between 25% and 41% for common offset GPR surveys, and between 23% and 39% for common midpoint GPR surveys. Laboratory measurements of porosity in five whole-core samples from the saturated part of the aquifer in the study area ranged between 7.1% and 41.8%. GPR estimates of porosity were found to be valid only under saturated conditions; other limitations are related to the vertical resolution of the GPR signal and the volume of the material considered by the measurement methodology. Overall, good correspondence between GPR estimates and the direct porosity values from the whole-core samples confirms the ability of GPR common offset surveys to provide rapid characterization of porosity variability in the Biscayne aquifer. The common offset survey method has several advantages: (1) improved time efficiency in comparison to other GPR acquisition modes such as common midpoints; and (2) enhanced lateral continuity of porosity estimates, particularly when compared to porosity measurements on 1-D samples such as rock cores. The results also support the presence of areas of low EM wave velocity or high porosity under saturated conditions, causing velocity pull-down areas and apparent sag features in the reflection record. This study shows that GPR can be a useful tool for improving understanding of the petrophysical properties of highly heterogeneous systems such as karst aquifers, and thus may assist with the development of more accurate groundwater flow models, such as those used for restoration efforts in the Everglades.

  12. Characterization of the porosity distribution in the upper part of the karst Biscayne aquifer using common offset ground penetrating radar, Everglades National Park, Florida

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Mountain, Gregory S.; Cunningham, Kevin J.; Comas, Xavier

    2014-01-01

    The karst Biscayne aquifer is characterized by a heterogeneous spatial arrangement of porosity and hydraulic conductivity, making conceptualization difficult. The Biscayne aquifer is the primary source of drinking water for millions of people in south Florida; thus, information concerning the distribution of karst features that concentrate the groundwater flow and affect contaminant transport is critical. The principal purpose of the study was to investigate the ability of two-dimensional ground penetrating radar (GPR) to rapidly characterize porosity variability in the karst Biscayne aquifer in south Florida. An 800-m-long GPR transect of a previously investigated area at the Long Pine Key Nature Trail in Everglades National Park, collected in fast acquisition common offset mode, shows hundreds of diffraction hyperbolae. The distribution of diffraction hyperbolae was used to estimate electromagnetic (EM) wave velocity at each diffraction location and to assess both horizontal and vertical changes in velocity within the transect. A petrophysical model (complex refractive index model or CRIM) was used to estimate total bulk porosity. A set of common midpoint surveys at selected locations distributed along the common-offset transect also were collected for comparison with the common offsets and were used to constrain one-dimensional (1-D) distributions of porosity with depth. Porosity values for the saturated Miami Limestone ranged between 25% and 41% for common offset GPR surveys, and between 23% and 39% for common midpoint GPR surveys. Laboratory measurements of porosity in five whole-core samples from the saturated part of the aquifer in the study area ranged between 7.1% and 41.8%. GPR estimates of porosity were found to be valid only under saturated conditions; other limitations are related to the vertical resolution of the GPR signal and the volume of the material considered by the measurement methodology. Overall, good correspondence between GPR estimates and the direct porosity values from the whole-core samples confirms the ability of GPR common offset surveys to provide rapid characterization of porosity variability in the Biscayne aquifer.The common offset survey method has several advantages: (1) improved time efficiency in comparison to other GPR acquisition modes such as common midpoints; and (2) enhanced lateral continuity of porosity estimates, particularly when compared to porosity measurements on 1-D samples such as rock cores. The results also support the presence of areas of low EM wave velocity or high porosity under saturated conditions, causing velocity pull-down areas and apparent sag features in the reflection record. This study shows that GPR can be a useful tool for improving understanding of the petrophysical properties of highly heterogeneous systems such as karst aquifers, and thus may assist with the development of more accurate groundwater flow models, such as those used for restoration efforts in the Everglades.

  13. Renewable Energy Economic Potential | Geospatial Data Science | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    Economic Potential Renewable Energy Economic Potential Economic potential, one measure of renewable electricity is less than the revenue available. Illustration that shows economic potential grow smaller at each level from Resource to Technical to Economic to Market. Estimating Renewable Energy Economic

  14. Electron-paramagnetic-resonance studies of the mechanism of leaf nitrite reductase. Signals from the iron-sulphur centre and haem under turnover conditions.

    PubMed

    Cammack, R; Hucklesby, D P; Hewitt, E J

    1978-06-01

    Low-temperature e.p.r. spectra are presented of nitrite reductase purified from leaves of vegetable marrow (Cucurbita pepo). The oxidized enzyme showed a spectrum at g=6.86, 4.98 and 1.95 corresponding to high-spin Fe(3+) in sirohaem, which disappeared slowly on treatment with nitrite. The midpoint potential of the sirohaem was estimated to be -120mV. On reduction with Na(2)S(2)O(4) or Na(2)S(2)O(4)+Methyl Viologen a spectrum at g=2.038, 1.944 and 1.922 was observed, due to a reduced iron-sulphur centre. The midpoint potential of this centre was very low, about -570mV at pH8.1, decreasing with increasing pH. On addition of cyanide, which binds to haem, and Na(2)S(2)O(4), the iron-sulphur centre became further reduced. We think that this is due to an increased midpoint potential of the iron-sulphur centre. Other ligands to haem, such as CO and the reaction product NH(3), had similar but less pronounced effects, and also changed the lineshape of the iron-sulphur signal. Samples were prepared of the enzyme frozen during the reaction with nitrite, Methyl Viologen and Na(2)S(2)O(4) in various proportions. Signals were interpreted as due to the reduced iron-sulphur centre (with slightly different g values), a haem-NO complex and reduced Methyl Viologen. In the presence of an excess of nitrite, the haem-NO spectrum was more intense, whereas in the presence of an excess of Na(2)S(2)O(4) it was weaker, and disappeared at the end of the reaction. A reaction sequence is proposed for the enzyme, in which the haem-NO complex is an intermediate, followed by other e.p.r.-silent states, leading to the production of NH(4) (+).

  15. 3. Right side of Zinc Plant, from Cell Room midpoint ...

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

    3. Right side of Zinc Plant, from Cell Room midpoint to Plant Office (foreground) and #5 Roaster and Concentrate Handling (background). View is to the east. - Sullivan Electrolytic Zinc Plant, Government Gulch, Kellogg, Shoshone County, ID

  16. Electrostatic environment of hemes in proteins: pK(a)s of hydroxyl ligands.

    PubMed

    Song, Yifan; Mao, Junjun; Gunner, M R

    2006-07-04

    The pK(a)s of ferric aquo-heme and aquo-heme electrochemical midpoints (E(m)s) at pH 7 in sperm whale myoglobin, Aplysia myoblogin, hemoglobin I, heme oxygenase 1, horseradish peroxidase and cytochrome c oxidase were calculated with Multi-Conformation Continuum Electrostatics (MCCE). The pK(a)s span 3.3 pH units from 7.6 in heme oxygenase 1 to 10.9 in peroxidase, and the E(m)s range from -250 mV in peroxidase to 125 mV in Aplysia myoglobin. Proteins with higher in situ ferric aquo-heme pK(a)s tend to have lower E(m)s. Both changes arise from the protein stabilizing a positively charged heme. However, compared with values in solution, the protein shifts the aquo-heme E(m)s more than the pK(a)s. Thus, the protein has a larger effective dielectric constant for the protonation reaction, showing that electron and proton transfers are coupled to different conformational changes that are captured in the MCCE analysis. The calculations reveal a breakdown in the classical continuum electrostatic analysis of pairwise interactions. Comparisons with DFT calculations show that Coulomb's law overestimates the large unfavorable interactions between the ferric water-heme and positively charged groups facing the heme plane by as much as 60%. If interactions with Cu(B) in cytochrome c oxidase and Arg 38 in horseradish peroxidase are not corrected, the pK(a) calculations are in error by as much as 6 pH units. With DFT corrected interactions calculated pK(a)s and E(m)s differ from measured values by less than 1 pH unit or 35 mV, respectively. The in situ aquo-heme pK(a) is important for the function of cytochrome c oxidase since it helps to control the stoichiometry of proton uptake coupled to electron transfer [Song, Michonova-Alexova, and Gunner (2006) Biochemistry 45, 7959-7975].

  17. Changes of freshwater-lens thickness in basaltic island aquifers overlain by thick coastal sediments

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Rotzoll, Kolja; Oki, Delwyn S.; El-Kadi, Aly I.

    2010-01-01

    Freshwater-lens thickness and long-term changes in freshwater volume in coastal aquifers are commonly assessed through repeated measurement of salinity profiles from monitor wells that penetrate into underlying salt water. In Hawaii, the thickest measured freshwater lens is currently 262 m in dike-free, volcanic-rock aquifers that are overlain by thick coastal sediments. The midpoint depth (depth where salinity is 50% salt water) between freshwater and salt water can serve as an indicator for freshwater thickness. Most measured midpoints have risen over the past 40 years, indicating a shrinking lens. The mean rate of rise of the midpoint from 1999–2009 varied locally, with faster rates in highly developed areas (1.0 m/year) and slower rates in less developed areas (0.5 m/year). The thinning of the freshwater lenses is the result of long-term groundwater withdrawal and reduced recharge. Freshwater/salt-water interface locations predicted from measured water levels and the Ghyben-Herzberg principle may be deeper than measured midpoints during some periods and shallower during other periods, although depths may differ up to 100 m in some cases. Moreover, changes in the midpoint are slower than changes in water level. Thus, water levels may not be a reliable indicator of the amount of freshwater in a coastal aquifer.

  18. Oxidation-reduction potentials of molybdenum, flavin and iron-sulphur centres in milk xanthine oxidase.

    PubMed Central

    Cammack, R; Barber, M J; Bray, R C

    1976-01-01

    1. The mid-point reduction potentials of the various groups in xanthine oxidase from bovine milk were determined by potentiometric titration with dithionite in the presence of dye mediators, removing samples for quantification of the reduced species by e.p.r. (electron-paramagnetic-resonance) spectroscopy. The values obtained for the functional enzyme in pyrophosphate buffer, pH8.2, are: Fe/S centre I, -343 +/- 15mV; Fe/S II, -303 +/- 15mV; FAD/FADH-; -351 +/- 20mV; FADH/FADH2, -236 +/-mV; Mo(VI)/Mo(V) (Rapid), -355 +/- 20mV; Mo(V) (Rapid)/Mo(IV), -355 +/- 20mV. 2. Behaviour of the functional enzyme is essentially ideal in Tris but less so in pyrophosphate. In Tris, the potential for Mo(VI)/Mo(V) (Rapid) is lowered relative to that in pyrophosphate, but the potential for Fe/S II is raised. The influence of buffer on the potentials was investigated by partial-reduction experiments with six other buffers. 3. Conversion of the enzyme with cyanide into the non-functional form, which gives the Slow molybdenum signal, or alkylation of FAD, has little effect on the mid-point potentials of the other centres. The potentials associated with the Slow signal are: Mo(VI)/Mo(V) (Slow), -440 +/- 25mV; Mo(V) (Slow)/Mo(IV), -480 +/- 25 mV. This signal exhibits very sluggish equilibration with the mediator system. 4. The deviations from ideal behaviour are discussed in terms of possible binding of buffer ions or anti-co-operative interactions amongst the redox centres. PMID:183752

  19. Intensive Cultural Resources Survey for the Goleta Flood Protection Program, Santa Barbara County, California.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1982-04-01

    years old or greater, " adultos ". The percentage of people eventually baptized from the Goleta towns who were living in 1782 was 56.5%, if the midpoint... Mayor of Santa Barbara called the Slough "One of the area’s greatest economic assets, given its tourist potential, if properly developed (SBNP April

  20. INTERIOR VIEW LOOKING NORTH FROM THE MIDPOINT OF THE ATTIC’S ...

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

    INTERIOR VIEW LOOKING NORTH FROM THE MIDPOINT OF THE ATTIC’S CENTRAL PASSAGE. THIS VIEW CAPTURES THE MANNER IN WHICH SKYLIGHTS AND MONITORS PROVIDED LIGHT FOR THE ATTIC’S INTERIOR ROOMS AND SPACES - The Woodlands, 4000 Woodlands Avenue, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA

  1. Redox potentials of primary electron acceptor quinone molecule (QA)- and conserved energetics of photosystem II in cyanobacteria with chlorophyll a and chlorophyll d.

    PubMed

    Allakhverdiev, Suleyman I; Tsuchiya, Tohru; Watabe, Kazuyuki; Kojima, Akane; Los, Dmitry A; Tomo, Tatsuya; Klimov, Vyacheslav V; Mimuro, Mamoru

    2011-05-10

    In a previous study, we measured the redox potential of the primary electron acceptor pheophytin (Phe) a of photosystem (PS) II in the chlorophyll d-dominated cyanobacterium Acaryochloris marina and a chlorophyll a-containing cyanobacterium, Synechocystis. We obtained the midpoint redox potential (E(m)) values of -478 mV for A. marina and -536 mV for Synechocystis. In this study, we measured the redox potentials of the primary electron acceptor quinone molecule (Q(A)), i.e., E(m)(Q(A)/Q(A)(-)), of PS II and the energy difference between [P680·Phe a(-)·Q(A)] and [P680·Phe a·Q(A)(-)], i.e., ΔG(PhQ). The E(m)(Q(A)/Q(A)(-)) of A. marina was determined to be +64 mV without the Mn cluster and was estimated to be -66 to -86 mV with a Mn-depletion shift (130-150 mV), as observed with other organisms. The E(m)(Phe a/Phe a(-)) in Synechocystis was measured to be -525 mV with the Mn cluster, which is consistent with our previous report. The Mn-depleted downshift of the potential was measured to be approximately -77 mV in Synechocystis, and this value was applied to A. marina (-478 mV); the E(m)(Phe a/Phe a(-)) was estimated to be approximately -401 mV. These values gave rise to a ΔG(PhQ) of -325 mV for A. marina and -383 mV for Synechocystis. In the two cyanobacteria, the energetics in PS II were conserved, even though the potentials of Q(A)(-) and Phe a(-) were relatively shifted depending on the special pair, indicating a common strategy for electron transfer in oxygenic photosynthetic organisms.

  2. 76 FR 30417 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-05-25

    ... Change Amending Rule 7.31(h)(5) To Reduce the Minimum Order Entry Size of a Mid-Point Passive Liquidity... order entry size of a Mid-Point Passive Liquidity Order (``MPL Order'') from 100 shares to one share...

  3. Minimum variance rooting of phylogenetic trees and implications for species tree reconstruction.

    PubMed

    Mai, Uyen; Sayyari, Erfan; Mirarab, Siavash

    2017-01-01

    Phylogenetic trees inferred using commonly-used models of sequence evolution are unrooted, but the root position matters both for interpretation and downstream applications. This issue has been long recognized; however, whether the potential for discordance between the species tree and gene trees impacts methods of rooting a phylogenetic tree has not been extensively studied. In this paper, we introduce a new method of rooting a tree based on its branch length distribution; our method, which minimizes the variance of root to tip distances, is inspired by the traditional midpoint rerooting and is justified when deviations from the strict molecular clock are random. Like midpoint rerooting, the method can be implemented in a linear time algorithm. In extensive simulations that consider discordance between gene trees and the species tree, we show that the new method is more accurate than midpoint rerooting, but its relative accuracy compared to using outgroups to root gene trees depends on the size of the dataset and levels of deviations from the strict clock. We show high levels of error for all methods of rooting estimated gene trees due to factors that include effects of gene tree discordance, deviations from the clock, and gene tree estimation error. Our simulations, however, did not reveal significant differences between two equivalent methods for species tree estimation that use rooted and unrooted input, namely, STAR and NJst. Nevertheless, our results point to limitations of existing scalable rooting methods.

  4. Minimum variance rooting of phylogenetic trees and implications for species tree reconstruction

    PubMed Central

    Sayyari, Erfan; Mirarab, Siavash

    2017-01-01

    Phylogenetic trees inferred using commonly-used models of sequence evolution are unrooted, but the root position matters both for interpretation and downstream applications. This issue has been long recognized; however, whether the potential for discordance between the species tree and gene trees impacts methods of rooting a phylogenetic tree has not been extensively studied. In this paper, we introduce a new method of rooting a tree based on its branch length distribution; our method, which minimizes the variance of root to tip distances, is inspired by the traditional midpoint rerooting and is justified when deviations from the strict molecular clock are random. Like midpoint rerooting, the method can be implemented in a linear time algorithm. In extensive simulations that consider discordance between gene trees and the species tree, we show that the new method is more accurate than midpoint rerooting, but its relative accuracy compared to using outgroups to root gene trees depends on the size of the dataset and levels of deviations from the strict clock. We show high levels of error for all methods of rooting estimated gene trees due to factors that include effects of gene tree discordance, deviations from the clock, and gene tree estimation error. Our simulations, however, did not reveal significant differences between two equivalent methods for species tree estimation that use rooted and unrooted input, namely, STAR and NJst. Nevertheless, our results point to limitations of existing scalable rooting methods. PMID:28800608

  5. [3Fe-4S] to [4Fe-4S] cluster conversion in Desulfovibrio fructosovorans [NiFe] hydrogenase by site-directed mutagenesis.

    PubMed

    Rousset, M; Montet, Y; Guigliarelli, B; Forget, N; Asso, M; Bertrand, P; Fontecilla-Camps, J C; Hatchikian, E C

    1998-09-29

    The role of the high potential [3Fe-4S]1+,0 cluster of [NiFe] hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio species located halfway between the proximal and distal low potential [4Fe-4S]2+,1+ clusters has been investigated by using site-directed mutagenesis. Proline 238 of Desulfovibrio fructosovorans [NiFe] hydrogenase, which occupies the position of a potential ligand of the lacking fourth Fe-site of the [3Fe-4S] cluster, was replaced by a cysteine residue. The properties of the mutant enzyme were investigated in terms of enzymatic activity, EPR, and redox properties of the iron-sulfur centers and crystallographic structure. We have shown on the basis of both spectroscopic and x-ray crystallographic studies that the [3Fe-4S] cluster of D. fructosovorans hydrogenase was converted into a [4Fe-4S] center in the P238 mutant. The [3Fe-4S] to [4Fe-4S] cluster conversion resulted in a lowering of approximately 300 mV of the midpoint potential of the modified cluster, whereas no significant alteration of the spectroscopic and redox properties of the two native [4Fe-4S] clusters and the NiFe center occurred. The significant decrease of the midpoint potential of the intermediate Fe-S cluster had only a slight effect on the catalytic activity of the P238C mutant as compared with the wild-type enzyme. The implications of the results for the role of the high-potential [3Fe-4S] cluster in the intramolecular electron transfer pathway are discussed.

  6. Requirement of histidine 217 for ubiquinone reductase activity (Qi site) in the cytochrome bc1 complex.

    PubMed

    Gray, K A; Dutton, P L; Daldal, F

    1994-01-25

    Folding models suggest that the highly conserved histidine 217 of the cytochrome b subunit from the cytochrome bc1 complex is close to the quinone reductase (Qi) site. This histidine (bH217) in the cytochrome b polypeptide of the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus has been replaced with three other residues, aspartate (D), arginine (R), and leucine (L). bH217D and bH217R are able to grow photoheterotrophically and contain active cytochrome bc1 complexes (60% of wild-type activity), whereas the bH217L mutant is photosynthetically incompetent and contains a cytochrome bc1 complex that has only 10% of the wild-type activity. Single-turnover flash-activated electron transfer experiments show that cytochrome bH is reduced via the Qo site with near native rates in the mutant strains but that electron transfer between cytochrome bH and quinone bound at the Qi site is greatly slowed. These results are consistent with redox midpoint potential (Em) measurements of the cytochrome b subunit hemes and the Qi site quinone. The Em values of cyt bL and bH are approximately the same in the mutants and wild type, although the mutant strains have a larger relative concentration of what may be the high-potential form of cytochrome bH, called cytochrome b150. However, the redox properties of the semiquinone at the Qi site are altered significantly. The Qi site semiquinone stability constant of bH217R is 10 times higher than in the wild type, while in the other two strains (bH217D and bH217L) the stability constant is much lower than in the wild type. Thus H217 appears to have major effects on the redox properties of the quinone bound at the Qi site. These data are incorporated into a suggestion that H217 forms part of the binding pocket of the Qi site in a manner reminiscent of the interaction between quinone bound at the Qb site and H190 of the L subunit of the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center.

  7. LIFE CYCLE IMPACT ASSESSMENT - MIDPOINTS VS. ENDPOINTS

    EPA Science Inventory

    The question of whether to use midpoints or endpoints or both in an LCIA framework is often dependent upon the goal and scope and the decision that is being supported by the LCIA. LCIAs for Enlightenment may not require an aggregation of impact categories and may be most useful ...

  8. Electronic, Magnetic, and Redox Properties of [MFe(3)S(4)] Clusters (M = Cd, Cu, Cr) in Pyrococcus furiosus Ferredoxin.

    PubMed

    Staples, Christopher R.; Dhawan, Ish K.; Finnegan, Michael G.; Dwinell, Derek A.; Zhou, Zhi Hao; Huang, Heshu; Verhagen, Marc F. J. M.; Adams, Michael W. W.; Johnson, Michael K.

    1997-12-03

    The ground- and excited-state properties of heterometallic [CuFe(3)S(4)](2+,+), [CdFe(3)S(4)](2+,+), and [CrFe(3)S(4)](2+,+) cubane clusters assembled in Pyrococcus furiosus ferredoxin have been investigated by the combination of EPR and variable-temperature/variable-field magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) studies. The results indicate Cd(2+) incorporation into [Fe(3)S(4)](0,-) cluster fragments to yield S = 2 [CdFe(3)S(4)](2+) and S = (5)/(2) [CdFe(3)S(4)](+) clusters and Cu(+) incorporation into [Fe(3)S(4)](+,0) cluster fragments to yield S = (1)/(2) [CuFe(3)S(4)](2+) and S = 2 [CuFe(3)S(4)](+) clusters. This is the first report of the preparation of cubane type [CrFe(3)S(4)](2+,+) clusters, and the combination of EPR and MCD results indicates S = 0 and S = (3)/(2) ground states for the oxidized and reduced forms, respectively. Midpoint potentials for the [CdFe(3)S(4)](2+,+), [CrFe(3)S(4)](2+,+), and [CuFe(3)S(4)](2+,+) couples, E(m) = -470 +/- 15, -440 +/- 10, and +190 +/- 10 mV (vs NHE), respectively, were determined by EPR-monitored redox titrations or direct electrochemistry at a glassy carbon electrode. The trends in redox potential, ground-state spin, and electron delocalization of [MFe(3)S(4)](2+,+) clusters in P. furiosus ferredoxin are discussed as a function of heterometal (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Tl).

  9. Deliberate Science - Continuum Magazine | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    potential to revolutionize powering vehicles. Rewiring Algae's Catalytic Circuits Rewiring Algae's Catalytic applications. Singlet Fission's Two-for-One Potential Singlet Fission's Two-for-One Potential NREL scientists

  10. Depolarization of the conductance-voltage relationship in the NaV1.5 mutant, E1784K, is due to altered fast inactivation

    PubMed Central

    Yu, Alec; Zhu, Wandi; Silva, Jonathan R.; Ruben, Peter C.

    2017-01-01

    E1784K is the most common mixed long QT syndrome/Brugada syndrome mutant in the cardiac voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.5. E1784K shifts the midpoint of the channel conductance-voltage relationship to more depolarized membrane potentials and accelerates the rate of channel fast inactivation. The depolarizing shift in the midpoint of the conductance curve in E1784K is exacerbated by low extracellular pH. We tested whether the E1784K mutant shifts the channel conductance curve to more depolarized membrane potentials by affecting the channel voltage-sensors. We measured ionic currents and gating currents at pH 7.4 and pH 6.0 in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Contrary to our expectation, the movement of gating charges is shifted to more hyperpolarized membrane potentials by E1784K. Voltage-clamp fluorimetry experiments show that this gating charge shift is due to the movement of the DIVS4 voltage-sensor being shifted to more hyperpolarized membrane potentials. Using a model and experiments on fast inactivation-deficient channels, we show that changes to the rate and voltage-dependence of fast inactivation are sufficient to shift the conductance curve in E1784K. Our results localize the effects of E1784K to DIVS4, and provide novel insight into the role of the DIV-VSD in regulating the voltage-dependencies of activation and fast inactivation. PMID:28898267

  11. Depolarization of the conductance-voltage relationship in the NaV1.5 mutant, E1784K, is due to altered fast inactivation.

    PubMed

    Peters, Colin H; Yu, Alec; Zhu, Wandi; Silva, Jonathan R; Ruben, Peter C

    2017-01-01

    E1784K is the most common mixed long QT syndrome/Brugada syndrome mutant in the cardiac voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.5. E1784K shifts the midpoint of the channel conductance-voltage relationship to more depolarized membrane potentials and accelerates the rate of channel fast inactivation. The depolarizing shift in the midpoint of the conductance curve in E1784K is exacerbated by low extracellular pH. We tested whether the E1784K mutant shifts the channel conductance curve to more depolarized membrane potentials by affecting the channel voltage-sensors. We measured ionic currents and gating currents at pH 7.4 and pH 6.0 in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Contrary to our expectation, the movement of gating charges is shifted to more hyperpolarized membrane potentials by E1784K. Voltage-clamp fluorimetry experiments show that this gating charge shift is due to the movement of the DIVS4 voltage-sensor being shifted to more hyperpolarized membrane potentials. Using a model and experiments on fast inactivation-deficient channels, we show that changes to the rate and voltage-dependence of fast inactivation are sufficient to shift the conductance curve in E1784K. Our results localize the effects of E1784K to DIVS4, and provide novel insight into the role of the DIV-VSD in regulating the voltage-dependencies of activation and fast inactivation.

  12. ACHP | News | ACHP Chairman Nau Speaks on "The Economic Potential of

    Science.gov Websites

    "The Economic Potential of Preserving America" ACHP Chairman Nau Speaks on "The Economic Potential of Preserving America" Delivered at the Economic Development Administration's National Conference Session on Entrepreneurship in Economic Development, May 8, 2003, Washington, DC It's a pleasure

  13. Redox regulation of energy transfer efficiency in antennas of green photosynthetic bacteria

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Blankenship, R. E.; Cheng, P.; Causgrove, T. P.; Brune, D. C.; Wang, J.

    1993-01-01

    The efficiency of energy transfer from the peripheral chlorosome antenna structure to the membrane-bound antenna in green sulfur bacteria depends strongly on the redox potential of the medium. The fluorescence spectra and lifetimes indicate that efficient quenching pathways are induced in the chlorosome at high redox potential. The midpoint redox potential for the induction of this effect in isolated chlorosomes from Chlorobium vibrioforme is -146 mV at pH 7 (vs the normal hydrogen electrode), and the observed midpoint potential (n = 1) decreases by 60 mV per pH unit over the pH range 7-10. Extraction of isolated chlorosomes with hexane has little effect on the redox-induced quenching, indicating that the component(s) responsible for this effect are bound and not readily extractable. We have purified and partially characterized the trimeric water-soluble bacteriochlorophyll a-containing protein from the thermophilic green sulfur bacterium Chlorobium tepidum. This protein is located between the chlorosome and the membrane. Fluorescence spectra of the purified protein indicate that it also contains groups that quench excitations at high redox potential. The results indicate that the energy transfer pathway in green sulfur bacteria is regulated by redox potential. This regulation appears to operate in at least two distinct places in the energy transfer pathway, the oligomeric pigments in the interior of the chlorosome and in the bacteriochlorophyll a protein. The regulatory effect may serve to protect the cell against superoxide-induced damage when oxygen is present. By quenching excitations before they reach the reaction center, reduction and subsequent autooxidation of the low potential electron acceptors found in these organisms is avoided.

  14. The Arc Elasticity of Demand: A Note and Comment.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Vaughan, Michael B.

    1988-01-01

    Examines the suitability of the traditional arc elasticity measure as a component of the economics curriculum. Demonstrates that the midpoint measure is subject to shortcomings as it invariably approaches one when price changes become large. Discusses point elasticity of demand as an alternative to the midpoint measure in the principles course.…

  15. Timing and Variability of Postpartum Sleep in Relation to Daytime Performance

    PubMed Central

    McBean, Amanda L.; Montgomery-Downs, Hawley E.

    2013-01-01

    Postpartum women have highly disturbed sleep, also known as sleep fragmentation. Fragmentation extends their total sleep period, also disrupting sleep timing. A stable and earlier sleep period among non-postpartum populations are related to better performance, physical health, and mental health. However, sleep timing has not been examined among postpartum women who are also vulnerable to daytime impairment. The study objective was to examine how the timing and regularity of sleep during the early postpartum period are related to daytime functioning across postpartum weeks 2-13. In this field-based study, 71 primiparous women wore an actigraph, a small wrist-worn device that monitors sleep and sleep timing, for the 12-week study period. Mothers self-administered a 5-minute psychomotor vigilance test (PVT) each morning to evaluate the number of >500ms response lapses. They also completed a Morningness-Eveningness scale at the beginning of the study to identify chronotype. After controlling for maternal age, earlier sleep timing was associated with significantly fewer PVT lapses at postpartum weeks 9,12; a more stable sleep midpoint was associated with significantly fewer PVT lapses at postpartum weeks 2,5-13. Earlier sleep midpoints were related to more stable sleep midpoints at postpartum week 2 and a morning-type chronotype. An earlier sleep midpoint was also associated with a reduced slope of worsening PVT lapses across weeks. Across the first 12 postpartum weeks, women with earlier or more stable sleep periods had less daytime impairment than women with later or more variable sleep midpoints. Postpartum women with earlier sleep midpoints also showed less severe decrements in performance across time, which has been attributed to cumulative impacts of sleep disturbance. These data suggest the sleep period, in addition to sleep duration and fragmentation, should be more closely examined, particularly among vulnerable women, as it may affect the neurobehavioral performance of new mothers. PMID:24041725

  16. NREL Reveals Potential for Capturing Waste Heat via Nanotubes | News | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    Reveals Potential for Capturing Waste Heat via Nanotubes News Release: NREL Reveals Potential for Capturing Waste Heat via Nanotubes April 4, 2016 A finely tuned carbon nanotube thin film has the potential to act as a thermoelectric power generator that captures and uses waste heat, according to

  17. Low- and Moderate-Income Residences Can Help Modernize the U.S. Electric

    Science.gov Websites

    of the United States, divided by county, is color-coded by the total solar technical potential Chicago region, show the greatest technical potential. The report breaks down the total potential for rooftop solar could contribute up to 42 percent of all rooftop technical potential in the residential

  18. 77 FR 68873 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-11-16

    ... calculation for Auto-Ex Mode, (ii) provide a fixed per share rebate for Midpoint Peg Zero Display Reserve... NMS stocks with quoted prices less than one dollar, (ii) create a fixed per share rebate for Midpoint Peg Zero Display Reserve Orders,\\3\\ and (iii) correct typographical inconsistencies within the Fee...

  19. [3Fe-4S] to [4Fe-4S] cluster conversion in Desulfovibrio fructosovorans [NiFe] hydrogenase by site-directed mutagenesis

    PubMed Central

    Rousset, Marc; Montet, Yael; Guigliarelli, Bruno; Forget, Nicole; Asso, Marcel; Bertrand, Patrick; Fontecilla-Camps, Juan C.; Hatchikian, E. Claude

    1998-01-01

    The role of the high potential [3Fe-4S]1+,0 cluster of [NiFe] hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio species located halfway between the proximal and distal low potential [4Fe-4S]2+,1+ clusters has been investigated by using site-directed mutagenesis. Proline 238 of Desulfovibrio fructosovorans [NiFe] hydrogenase, which occupies the position of a potential ligand of the lacking fourth Fe-site of the [3Fe-4S] cluster, was replaced by a cysteine residue. The properties of the mutant enzyme were investigated in terms of enzymatic activity, EPR, and redox properties of the iron-sulfur centers and crystallographic structure. We have shown on the basis of both spectroscopic and x-ray crystallographic studies that the [3Fe-4S] cluster of D. fructosovorans hydrogenase was converted into a [4Fe-4S] center in the P238 mutant. The [3Fe-4S] to [4Fe-4S] cluster conversion resulted in a lowering of approximately 300 mV of the midpoint potential of the modified cluster, whereas no significant alteration of the spectroscopic and redox properties of the two native [4Fe-4S] clusters and the NiFe center occurred. The significant decrease of the midpoint potential of the intermediate Fe-S cluster had only a slight effect on the catalytic activity of the P238C mutant as compared with the wild-type enzyme. The implications of the results for the role of the high-potential [3Fe-4S] cluster in the intramolecular electron transfer pathway are discussed. PMID:9751716

  20. Publications - GMC 232 | Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical

    Science.gov Websites

    Surveys Skip to content State of Alaska myAlaska My Government Resident Business in Alaska DGGS GMC 232 Publication Details Title: Petrographic analysis and formation damage potential of core Reference Hickey, J.J., 1994, Petrographic analysis and formation damage potential of core plugs (12,017

  1. ACHP | Section 106 Webinar Series

    Science.gov Websites

    four topics: "Defining the Area of Potential Effects" Level: Beginner REGISTER NOW! The Area of Potential Effects (APE) is the foundation of a federal agency's efforts to identify historic Potential Effects for archaeological sites and helps participants identify issues to consider in developing

  2. 78 FR 62903 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-10-22

    ....0027 per share; (vi) lower the ADV threshold required to meet the MidPoint Match Volume Tier; and (vii...) lower the ADV threshold required to meet the MidPoint Match Volume Tier; and (vii) decrease the rebate... shares in average daily volume (``ADV'') on a daily basis, measured monthly; and (2) add at least 1,000...

  3. 26 CFR 5c.168(f)(8)-5 - Term of lease.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... chemical plant are described in ADR guideline class 28.0 (midpoint life of 9.5 years), and the assets... may not exceed 14.25 years (150 percent of the 9.5 year midpoint life of the chemical plant). Example (2). The facts are the same as in example (1) except that the chemical plant and the steam plant are...

  4. 26 CFR 5c.168(f)(8)-5 - Term of lease.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... chemical plant are described in ADR guideline class 28.0 (midpoint life of 9.5 years), and the assets... may not exceed 14.25 years (150 percent of the 9.5 year midpoint life of the chemical plant). Example (2). The facts are the same as in example (1) except that the chemical plant and the steam plant are...

  5. 26 CFR 5c.168(f)(8)-5 - Term of lease.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... chemical plant are described in ADR guideline class 28.0 (midpoint life of 9.5 years), and the assets... may not exceed 14.25 years (150 percent of the 9.5 year midpoint life of the chemical plant). Example (2). The facts are the same as in example (1) except that the chemical plant and the steam plant are...

  6. 26 CFR 5c.168(f)(8)-5 - Term of lease.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... chemical plant are described in ADR guideline class 28.0 (midpoint life of 9.5 years), and the assets... may not exceed 14.25 years (150 percent of the 9.5 year midpoint life of the chemical plant). Example (2). The facts are the same as in example (1) except that the chemical plant and the steam plant are...

  7. 78 FR 60939 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-10-02

    ... Calculation of the Mid-Point Passive Liquidity Order Tier September 26, 2013. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) \\1...'') regarding calculation of the Mid-Point Passive Liquidity (``MPL'') Order Tier. The Exchange proposes to...), 78 FR 41154 (July 9, 2013) (SR-NYSEArca-2013-67). A Passive Liquidity (``PL'') Order is an order to...

  8. Persisters and nonpersisters: Identifying the characteristics of who stays and who leaves from adult literacy interventions

    PubMed Central

    Greenberg, Daphne; Wise, Justin C.; Frijters, Jan C.; Morris, Robin; Fredrick, Laura D.; Rodrigo, Victoria; Hall, Ryan

    2012-01-01

    Adult literacy programs are characterized by high attrition rates. Rigorous exploration of student persistence in adult reading classes is lacking. This study was an attempt to understand the profiles of adults who completed reading classes compared to a group of adults who made it to the midpoint and a group of adults who did not make it to the midpoint. Students were offered 100 hours of instruction. Of the 395 students who attended the first day of class, only 198 completed the program. Results indicated that English language status, age, some reading related skills, class assignment, avoidance of reading, previous adult education experience, and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefit receipt variables significantly predicted persistence. The significance of some of these predictors varied based on analyzing midpoint completion or full completion. To further explore the characteristics of the sample, the most representative participants were selected from the group that did not make it to midpoint and from the group that completed the program. Results indicated that the most representative members of these two groups differed in English language status, gender, age, some reading related skills, and information access. PMID:23853419

  9. Market Demonstration: NREL Helps Transformative Technologies Go Mainstream

    Science.gov Websites

    the 60% efficiency potential. Clearly, NREL is making an impact-in areas as varied as military bases power to help meet the Navy's ambitious energy targets and reduce energy costs, as well as providing military energy use. Working for DOE, an NREL team had examined the site for net-zero energy potential-that

  10. Analysis of Connected and Automated Vehicle Technologies Highlights

    Science.gov Websites

    Uncertainty in Potential Effects on Fuel Use, Miles Traveled | News | NREL Analysis of Connected and Automated Vehicle Technologies Highlights Uncertainty in Potential Effects on Fuel Use, Miles Potential Effects on Fuel Use, Miles Traveled December 13, 2016 A joint study from the U.S. Department of

  11. Campus-Wide Measures Have Greater Potential | Climate Neutral Research

    Science.gov Websites

    impacts of climate change and fossil-fuel depletion. International scientific bodies addressing climate Potential Pursuing climate neutrality on research campuses fits into the bigger picture of addressing the change are calling for reductions of carbon emissions of 80% by 2050. Because of their size and

  12. How to Deal with Interval-Censored Data Practically while Assessing the Progression-Free Survival: A Step-by-Step Guide Using SAS and R Software.

    PubMed

    Dugué, Audrey Emmanuelle; Pulido, Marina; Chabaud, Sylvie; Belin, Lisa; Gal, Jocelyn

    2016-12-01

    We describe how to estimate progression-free survival while dealing with interval-censored data in the setting of clinical trials in oncology. Three procedures with SAS and R statistical software are described: one allowing for a nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation of the survival curve using the EM-ICM (Expectation and Maximization-Iterative Convex Minorant) algorithm as described by Wellner and Zhan in 1997; a sensitivity analysis procedure in which the progression time is assigned (i) at the midpoint, (ii) at the upper limit (reflecting the standard analysis when the progression time is assigned at the first radiologic exam showing progressive disease), or (iii) at the lower limit of the censoring interval; and finally, two multiple imputations are described considering a uniform or the nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation (NPMLE) distribution. Clin Cancer Res; 22(23); 5629-35. ©2016 AACR. ©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.

  13. Land Use in LCA: Including Regionally Altered Precipitation to Quantify Ecosystem Damage.

    PubMed

    Lathuillière, Michael J; Bulle, Cécile; Johnson, Mark S

    2016-11-01

    The incorporation of soil moisture regenerated by precipitation, or green water, into life cycle assessment has been of growing interest given the global importance of this resource for terrestrial ecosystems and food production. This paper proposes a new impact assessment model to relate land and water use in seasonally dry, semiarid, and arid regions where precipitation and evapotranspiration are closely coupled. We introduce the Precipitation Reduction Potential midpoint impact representing the change in downwind precipitation as a result of a land transformation and occupation activity. Then, our end-point impact model quantifies terrestrial ecosystem damage as a function of precipitation loss using a relationship between woody plant species richness, water and energy regimes. We then apply the midpoint and end-point models to the production of soybean in Southeastern Amazonia which has resulted from the expansion of cropland into tropical forest, with noted effects on local precipitation. Our proposed cause-effect chain represents a complementary approach to previous contributions which have focused on water consumption impacts and/or have represented evapotranspiration as a loss to the water cycle.

  14. Growth and survival of Apache Trout under static and fluctuating temperature regimes

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Recsetar, Matthew S.; Bonar, Scott A.; Feuerbacher, Olin

    2014-01-01

    Increasing stream temperatures have important implications for arid-region fishes. Little is known about effects of high water temperatures that fluctuate over extended periods on Apache Trout Oncorhynchus gilae apache, a federally threatened species of southwestern USA streams. We compared survival and growth of juvenile Apache Trout held for 30 d in static temperatures (16, 19, 22, 25, and 28°C) and fluctuating diel temperatures (±3°C from 16, 19, 22 and 25°C midpoints and ±6°C from 19°C and 22°C midpoints). Lethal temperature for 50% (LT50) of the Apache Trout under static temperatures (mean [SD] = 22.8 [0.6]°C) was similar to that of ±3°C diel temperature fluctuations (23.1 [0.1]°C). Mean LT50 for the midpoint of the ±6°C fluctuations could not be calculated because survival in the two treatments (19 ± 6°C and 22 ± 6°C) was not below 50%; however, it probably was also between 22°C and 25°C because the upper limb of a ±6°C fluctuation on a 25°C midpoint is above critical thermal maximum for Apache Trout (28.5–30.4°C). Growth decreased as temperatures approached the LT50. Apache Trout can survive short-term exposure to water temperatures with daily maxima that remain below 25°C and midpoint diel temperatures below 22°C. However, median summer stream temperatures must remain below 19°C for best growth and even lower if daily fluctuations are high (≥12°C).

  15. Comparison of two fractal interpolation methods

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fu, Yang; Zheng, Zeyu; Xiao, Rui; Shi, Haibo

    2017-03-01

    As a tool for studying complex shapes and structures in nature, fractal theory plays a critical role in revealing the organizational structure of the complex phenomenon. Numerous fractal interpolation methods have been proposed over the past few decades, but they differ substantially in the form features and statistical properties. In this study, we simulated one- and two-dimensional fractal surfaces by using the midpoint displacement method and the Weierstrass-Mandelbrot fractal function method, and observed great differences between the two methods in the statistical characteristics and autocorrelation features. From the aspect of form features, the simulations of the midpoint displacement method showed a relatively flat surface which appears to have peaks with different height as the fractal dimension increases. While the simulations of the Weierstrass-Mandelbrot fractal function method showed a rough surface which appears to have dense and highly similar peaks as the fractal dimension increases. From the aspect of statistical properties, the peak heights from the Weierstrass-Mandelbrot simulations are greater than those of the middle point displacement method with the same fractal dimension, and the variances are approximately two times larger. When the fractal dimension equals to 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, and 1.8, the skewness is positive with the midpoint displacement method and the peaks are all convex, but for the Weierstrass-Mandelbrot fractal function method the skewness is both positive and negative with values fluctuating in the vicinity of zero. The kurtosis is less than one with the midpoint displacement method, and generally less than that of the Weierstrass-Mandelbrot fractal function method. The autocorrelation analysis indicated that the simulation of the midpoint displacement method is not periodic with prominent randomness, which is suitable for simulating aperiodic surface. While the simulation of the Weierstrass-Mandelbrot fractal function method has strong periodicity, which is suitable for simulating periodic surface.

  16. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of the effects of dark chocolate and cocoa on variables associated with neuropsychological functioning and cardiovascular health: clinical findings from a sample of healthy, cognitively intact older adults.

    PubMed

    Crews, W David; Harrison, David W; Wright, James W

    2008-04-01

    In recent years, there has been increased interest in the potential health-related benefits of antioxidant- and phytochemical-rich dark chocolate and cocoa. The objective of the study was to examine the short-term (6 wk) effects of dark chocolate and cocoa on variables associated with neuropsychological functioning and cardiovascular health in healthy older adults. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose, parallel-group clinical trial was used. Participants (n = 101) were randomly assigned to receive a 37-g dark chocolate bar and 8 ounces (237 mL) of an artificially sweetened cocoa beverage or similar placebo products each day for 6 wk. No significant group (dark chocolate and cocoa or placebo)-by-trial (baseline, midpoint, and end-of-treatment assessments) interactions were found for the neuropsychological, hematological, or blood pressure variables examined. In contrast, the midpoint and end-of-treatment mean pulse rate assessments in the dark chocolate and cocoa group were significantly higher than those at baseline and significantly higher than the midpoint and end-of-treatment rates in the control group. Results of a follow-up questionnaire item on the treatment products that participants believed they had consumed during the trial showed that more than half of the participants in both groups correctly identified the products that they had ingested during the experiment. This investigation failed to support the predicted beneficial effects of short-term dark chocolate and cocoa consumption on any of the neuropsychological or cardiovascular health-related variables included in this research. Consumption of dark chocolate and cocoa was, however, associated with significantly higher pulse rates at 3- and 6-wk treatment assessments.

  17. 77 FR 38113 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; EDGA Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-06-26

    ...'') proposes to amend Exchange Rule 11.5(c) to add a new order type, the Mid-Point Discretionary Order, to the... functionality to its System \\3\\ and its Users,\\4\\ the Exchange proposes to add a new order type, the Mid-Point Discretionary Order (the ``MDO''), to Rule 11.5(c)(17). MDOs to buy would be displayed at and pegged to the...

  18. 78 FR 9094 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-02-07

    ... is available on the Exchange's Web site at http://www.nsx.com , at the principal office of the...: Midpoint Peg x 500 (Auto-Ex mode/Dark) 134.50 x 400 (Order Delivery mode) 134.50 x 200 (Auto-Ex mode... shares priced at 134.50 would execute against the Midpoint Peg Dark Auto-Ex order of 500 shares at 134...

  19. Face-to-Face Contact at the Midpoint of an Online Collaboration: Its Impact on the Patterns of Participation, Interaction, Affect, and Behavior over Time

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Michinov, Nicolas; Michinov, Estelle

    2008-01-01

    This paper describes some of the consequences of introducing a face-to-face contact during an online collaborative learning session. Previous research on the development of online groups has suggested a critical transition period at the midpoint of a collaborative task in which group members redefine their behavior. The purpose of the present…

  20. il_50mwind

    Science.gov Websites

    : June, 2001 Title: il_50mwind Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data Description information on the wind resource development potential within Illinois. Supplemental_Information: This data . Theme_Keyword: Wind potential, wind resource Access_Constraints: None Use_Constraints: This GIS data was

  1. The midpoint between dipole and parton showers

    DOE PAGES

    Höche, Stefan; Prestel, Stefan

    2015-09-28

    We present a new parton-shower algorithm. Borrowing from the basic ideas of dipole cascades, the evolution variable is judiciously chosen as the transverse momentum in the soft limit. This leads to a very simple analytic structure of the evolution. A weighting algorithm is implemented that allows one to consistently treat potentially negative values of the splitting functions and the parton distributions. Thus, we provide two independent, publicly available implementations for the two event generators PYTHIA and SHERPA.

  2. Geospatial Analysis | Energy Analysis | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    products and tools. Image of a triangle divided into sections called Market, Economic, Technical, and Featured Study U.S. Renewable Energy Technical Potentials: A GIS-Based Analysis summarizes the achievable energy generation, or technical potential, of specific renewable energy technologies given system

  3. Objectively measured short sleep duration and later sleep midpoint in pregnancy are associated with a higher risk of gestational diabetes.

    PubMed

    Facco, Francesca L; Grobman, William A; Reid, Kathryn J; Parker, Corette B; Hunter, Shannon M; Silver, Robert M; Basner, Robert C; Saade, George R; Pien, Grace W; Manchanda, Shalini; Louis, Judette M; Nhan-Chang, Chia-Ling; Chung, Judith H; Wing, Deborah A; Simhan, Hyagriv N; Haas, David M; Iams, Jay; Parry, Samuel; Zee, Phyllis C

    2017-10-01

    Experimental and epidemiologic data suggest that among nonpregnant adults, sleep duration may be an important risk factor for chronic disease. Although pregnant women commonly report poor sleep, few studies objectively evaluated the quality of sleep in pregnancy or explored the relationship between sleep disturbances and maternal and perinatal outcomes. Our objective was to examine the relationship between objectively assessed sleep duration, timing, and continuity (measured via wrist actigraphy) and maternal cardiovascular and metabolic morbidity specific to pregnancy. This was a prospective cohort study of nulliparous women. Women were recruited between 16 0/7 and 21 6/7 weeks' gestation. They were asked to wear a wrist actigraphy monitor and complete a daily sleep log for a period of 7 consecutive days. The primary sleep exposure variables were the averages of the following over the total valid nights (minimum 5, maximum 7 nights): short sleep duration during the primary sleep period (<7 h/night), late sleep midpoint (midpoint between sleep onset and sleep offset >5 am), and top quartile of minutes of wake time after sleep onset and sleep fragmentation index. The primary outcomes of interest were a composite of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (mild, severe, or superimposed preeclampsia; eclampsia; or antepartum gestational hypertension) and gestational diabetes mellitus. We used χ 2 tests to assess associations between sleep variables and categorical baseline characteristics. Crude odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated from univariate logistic regression models to characterize the magnitude of the relationship between sleep characteristics and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and gestational diabetes. For associations significant in univariate analysis, multiple logistic regression was used to explore further the association of sleep characteristics with pregnancy outcomes. In all, 901 eligible women consented to participate; 782 submitted valid actigraphy studies. Short sleep duration and a later sleep midpoint were associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes (odds ratio, 2.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-4.53; and odds ratio, 2.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.24-5.36, respectively) but not of hypertensive disorders. A model with both sleep duration and sleep midpoint as well as their interaction term revealed that while there was no significant interaction between these exposures, the main effects of both short sleep duration and later sleep midpoint with gestational diabetes remained significant (adjusted odds ratio, 2.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-4.19; and adjusted odds ratio, 2.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-4.97, respectively). Additionally, after adjusting separately for age, body mass index, and race/ethnicity, both short sleep duration and later sleep midpoint remained associated with gestational diabetes. No associations were demonstrated between the sleep quality measures (wake after sleep onset, sleep fragmentation) and hypertensive disorders or gestational diabetes. Our results demonstrate a relationship between short sleep duration and later sleep midpoint with gestational diabetes. Our data suggest independent contributions of these 2 sleep characteristics to the risk for gestational diabetes in nulliparous women. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. Data from: Emerald ash borer biocontrol in ash saplings: the potential for

    Science.gov Websites

    -year study (2013-2015). Data set one was used for calculations and associated analyses for of the : the potential for early stage recovery of North American Ash trees Adult Emerald ash borer Our study . (three sites), Gratiot Co. (two sites), and Shiawassee Co. (one site), with 10 to 60 km between sites

  5. Why Are the DUF6 Conversion Facility EISs Needed?

    Science.gov Websites

    Depleted UF6 Conversion EISs are needed to assess the potential environmental impacts of constructing the potential environmental impacts of constructing, operating, maintaining, and decontaminating and ; alternative. The EISs will aid decision making on DUF6 conversion by evaluating the environmental impacts of

  6. Hydrogen Maps | Geospatial Data Science | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    Hydrogen Maps Hydrogen Maps This collection of U.S. hydrogen maps provides examples of how : Milestone Report, NREL Technical Report (2006) Hydrogen Potential from Renewable Energy Resources This study Technical Report (2007) Hydrogen Potential from Coal, Natural Gas, Nuclear, and Hydro Resources This study

  7. Marine and Hydrokinetic Research | Water Power | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    . Resource Characterization and Maps NREL develops measurement systems, simulation tools, and web-based models and tools to evaluate the economic potential of power-generating devices for all technology Acceleration NREL analysts study the potential impacts that developing a robust MHK market could have on

  8. Photon-Weighted Midpoint Exposure Meter for Keck/HIRES Extrasolar Planet Research

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1999-01-01

    NASA Grant was received for research involving the construction of a photon-weighting midpoint exposure meter for the Keck HIRES spectrometer, and for support of our NASA/Keck-based planet research with this instrumentation. The research funds were also to be used to make our iodine cell calibration system and exposure meter available to the NASA Keck observing community. Progress this past year, the second of the 3-year granting period, involved work in 4 areas: 1) Further construction of the midpoint exposure meter. 2) Assisting observers with use of the Iodine system. 3) Acquisition of precision radial velocity data on our program star sample with continued monitoring to proceed in subsequent years as available telescope time permits. 4) Reduction and analysis of incoming precision radial velocity data to reject problematic and uninteresting program stars, and to identify promising planet candidates.

  9. Hydrogen Production Cost Analysis | Hydrogen and Fuel Cells | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    Analysis Hydrogen Production Cost Analysis This interactive map displays the results of a 2011 NREL analysis on the cost of hydrogen from electrolysis at potential sites across the United States. NREL analyzed the cost of hydrogen production via wind-based water electrolysis at 42 potential sites in 11

  10. Climate Prediction Center - Monitoring Atlantic Hurricane Potential

    Science.gov Websites

    Organization Search Go Search the CPC Go About Us Our Mission Who We Are Contact Us CPC Information CPC Web Team USA.gov is the U.S. Government's official Web portal to all Federal, state and local government Web resources and services. HOME > Monitoring and Data > Monitoring Atlantic Hurricane Potential

  11. Solar Technical Assistance Team 2013 Webinars | State, Local, and Tribal

    Science.gov Websites

    following sessions are available: Solar Finance for Residential and Commercial Customers and Potential Roles Requests for Proposal Solar Finance for Residential and Commercial Customers and Potential Roles of State residential and commercial solar projects are financed and the various roles that state and local governments

  12. DIY Solar Market Analysis Webinar Series: Solar Resource and Technical

    Science.gov Websites

    Series: Solar Resource and Technical Potential DIY Solar Market Analysis Webinar Series: Solar Resource and Technical Potential Wednesday, June 11, 2014 As part of a Do-It-Yourself Solar Market Analysis summer series, NREL's Solar Technical Assistance Team (STAT) presented a live webinar titled, "Solar

  13. The iron-sulfur cluster of electron transfer flavoprotein-ubiquinone oxidoreductase is the electron acceptor for electron transfer flavoprotein.

    PubMed

    Swanson, Michael A; Usselman, Robert J; Frerman, Frank E; Eaton, Gareth R; Eaton, Sandra S

    2008-08-26

    Electron transfer flavoprotein-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (ETF-QO) accepts electrons from electron transfer flavoprotein (ETF) and reduces ubiquinone from the ubiquinone pool. It contains one [4Fe-4S] (2+,1+) and one FAD, which are diamagnetic in the isolated oxidized enzyme and can be reduced to paramagnetic forms by enzymatic donors or dithionite. In the porcine protein, threonine 367 is hydrogen bonded to N1 and O2 of the flavin ring of the FAD. The analogous site in Rhodobacter sphaeroides ETF-QO is asparagine 338. Mutations N338T and N338A were introduced into the R. sphaeroides protein by site-directed mutagenesis to determine the impact of hydrogen bonding at this site on redox potentials and activity. The mutations did not alter the optical spectra, EPR g-values, spin-lattice relaxation rates, or the [4Fe-4S] (2+,1+) to FAD point-dipole interspin distances. The mutations had no impact on the reduction potential for the iron-sulfur cluster, which was monitored by changes in the continuous wave EPR signals of the [4Fe-4S] (+) at 15 K. For the FAD semiquinone, significantly different potentials were obtained by monitoring the titration at 100 or 293 K. Based on spectra at 293 K the N338T mutation shifted the first and second midpoint potentials for the FAD from +47 and -30 mV for wild type to -11 and -19 mV, respectively. The N338A mutation decreased the potentials to -37 and -49 mV. Lowering the midpoint potentials resulted in a decrease in the quinone reductase activity and negligible impact on disproportionation of ETF 1e (-) catalyzed by ETF-QO. These observations indicate that the FAD is involved in electron transfer to ubiquinone but not in electron transfer from ETF to ETF-QO. Therefore, the iron-sulfur cluster is the immediate acceptor from ETF.

  14. The Iron-Sulfur Cluster of Electron Transfer Flavoprotein-Ubiquinone Oxidoreductase Is the Electron Acceptor for Electron Transfer Flavoprotein†

    PubMed Central

    Swanson, Michael A.; Usselman, Robert J.; Frerman, Frank E.; Eaton, Gareth R.; Eaton, Sandra S.

    2009-01-01

    Electron transfer flavoprotein-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (ETF-QO) accepts electrons from electron transfer flavoprotein (ETF) and reduces ubiquinone from the ubiquinone pool. It contains one [4Fe-4S]2+,1+ and one FAD, which are diamagnetic in the isolated oxidized enzyme and can be reduced to paramagnetic forms by enzymatic donors or dithionite. In the porcine protein, threonine 367 is hydrogen bonded to N1 and O2 of the flavin ring of the FAD. The analogous site in Rhodobacter sphaeroides ETF-QO is asparagine 338. Mutations N338T and N338A were introduced into the R. sphaeroides protein by site-directed mutagenesis to determine the impact of hydrogen bonding at this site on redox potentials and activity. The mutations did not alter the optical spectra, EPR g-values, spin-lattice relaxation rates, or the [4Fe-4S]2+,1+ to FAD point-dipole interspin distances. The mutations had no impact on the reduction potential for the iron-sulfur cluster, which was monitored by changes in the continuous wave EPR signals of the [4Fe-4S]+ at 15 K. For the FAD semiquinone, significantly different potentials were obtained by monitoring the titration at 100 or 293 K. Based on spectra at 293 K the N338T mutation shifted the first and second midpoint potentials for the FAD from +47 and -30 mV for wild type to -11 and -19 mV, respectively. The N338A mutation decreased the potentials to -37 and -49 mV. Lowering the midpoint potentials resulted in a decrease in the quinone reductase activity and negligible impact on disproportionation of ETF1e- catalyzed by ETF-QO. These observations indicate that the FAD is involved in electron transfer to ubiquinone but not in electron transfer from ETF to ETF-QO. Therefore, the iron-sulfur cluster is the immediate acceptor from ETF. PMID:9585549

  15. The Lateral Meniscus as a Guide to Anatomical Tibial Tunnel Placement During Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

    PubMed

    Kassam, A M; Tillotson, L; Schranz, P J; Mandalia, V I

    2015-01-01

    The aim of the study is to show, on an MRI scan, that the posterior border of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus (AHLM) could guide tibial tunnel position in the sagittal plane and provide anatomical graft position. One hundred MRI scans were analysed with normal cruciate ligaments and no evidence of meniscal injury. We measured the distance between the posterior border of the AHLM and the midpoint of the ACL by superimposing sagittal images. The mean distance between the posterior border of the AHLM and the ACL midpoint was -0.1mm (i.e. 0.1mm posterior to the ACL midpoint). The range was 5mm to -4.6mm. The median value was 0.0mm. 95% confidence interval was from -0.5 to 0.3mm. A normal, parametric distribution was observed and Intra- and inter-observer variability showed significant correlation (p<0.05) using Pearsons Correlation test (intra-observer) and Interclass correlation (inter-observer). Using the posterior border of the AHLM is a reproducible and anatomical marker for the midpoint of the ACL footprint in the majority of cases. It can be used intra-operatively as a guide for tibial tunnel insertion and graft placement allowing anatomical reconstruction. There will inevitably be some anatomical variation. Pre-operative MRI assessment of the relationship between AHLM and ACL footprint is advised to improve surgical planning. Level 4.

  16. EMS provider determinations of necessity for transport and reimbursement for EMS response, medical care, and transport: combined resource document for the National Association of EMS Physicians position statements.

    PubMed

    Millin, Michael G; Brown, Lawrence H; Schwartz, Brian

    2011-01-01

    With increasing demands for emergency medical services (EMS), many EMS jurisdictions are utilizing EMS provider-initiated nontransport policies as a method to offload potentially nonemergent patients from the EMS system. EMS provider determination of medical necessity, resulting in nontransport of patients, has the potential to avert unnecessary emergency department visits. However, EMS systems that utilize these policies must have additional education for the providers, a quality improvement process, and active physician oversight. In addition, EMS provider determination of nontransport for a specific situation should be supported by evidence in the peer-reviewed literature that the practice is safe. Further, EMS systems that do not utilize these programs should not be financially penalized. Payment for EMS services should be based on the prudent layperson standard. EMS systems that do utilize nontransport policies should be appropriately reimbursed, as this represents potential cost savings to the health care system.

  17. Analysis of operator splitting errors for near-limit flame simulations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lu, Zhen; Zhou, Hua; Li, Shan; Ren, Zhuyin; Lu, Tianfeng; Law, Chung K.

    2017-04-01

    High-fidelity simulations of ignition, extinction and oscillatory combustion processes are of practical interest in a broad range of combustion applications. Splitting schemes, widely employed in reactive flow simulations, could fail for stiff reaction-diffusion systems exhibiting near-limit flame phenomena. The present work first employs a model perfectly stirred reactor (PSR) problem with an Arrhenius reaction term and a linear mixing term to study the effects of splitting errors on the near-limit combustion phenomena. Analysis shows that the errors induced by decoupling of the fractional steps may result in unphysical extinction or ignition. The analysis is then extended to the prediction of ignition, extinction and oscillatory combustion in unsteady PSRs of various fuel/air mixtures with a 9-species detailed mechanism for hydrogen oxidation and an 88-species skeletal mechanism for n-heptane oxidation, together with a Jacobian-based analysis for the time scales. The tested schemes include the Strang splitting, the balanced splitting, and a newly developed semi-implicit midpoint method. Results show that the semi-implicit midpoint method can accurately reproduce the dynamics of the near-limit flame phenomena and it is second-order accurate over a wide range of time step size. For the extinction and ignition processes, both the balanced splitting and midpoint method can yield accurate predictions, whereas the Strang splitting can lead to significant shifts on the ignition/extinction processes or even unphysical results. With an enriched H radical source in the inflow stream, a delay of the ignition process and the deviation on the equilibrium temperature are observed for the Strang splitting. On the contrary, the midpoint method that solves reaction and diffusion together matches the fully implicit accurate solution. The balanced splitting predicts the temperature rise correctly but with an over-predicted peak. For the sustainable and decaying oscillatory combustion from cool flames, both the Strang splitting and the midpoint method can successfully capture the dynamic behavior, whereas the balanced splitting scheme results in significant errors.

  18. Analysis of operator splitting errors for near-limit flame simulations

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

    Lu, Zhen; Zhou, Hua; Li, Shan

    High-fidelity simulations of ignition, extinction and oscillatory combustion processes are of practical interest in a broad range of combustion applications. Splitting schemes, widely employed in reactive flow simulations, could fail for stiff reaction–diffusion systems exhibiting near-limit flame phenomena. The present work first employs a model perfectly stirred reactor (PSR) problem with an Arrhenius reaction term and a linear mixing term to study the effects of splitting errors on the near-limit combustion phenomena. Analysis shows that the errors induced by decoupling of the fractional steps may result in unphysical extinction or ignition. The analysis is then extended to the prediction ofmore » ignition, extinction and oscillatory combustion in unsteady PSRs of various fuel/air mixtures with a 9-species detailed mechanism for hydrogen oxidation and an 88-species skeletal mechanism for n-heptane oxidation, together with a Jacobian-based analysis for the time scales. The tested schemes include the Strang splitting, the balanced splitting, and a newly developed semi-implicit midpoint method. Results show that the semi-implicit midpoint method can accurately reproduce the dynamics of the near-limit flame phenomena and it is second-order accurate over a wide range of time step size. For the extinction and ignition processes, both the balanced splitting and midpoint method can yield accurate predictions, whereas the Strang splitting can lead to significant shifts on the ignition/extinction processes or even unphysical results. With an enriched H radical source in the inflow stream, a delay of the ignition process and the deviation on the equilibrium temperature are observed for the Strang splitting. On the contrary, the midpoint method that solves reaction and diffusion together matches the fully implicit accurate solution. The balanced splitting predicts the temperature rise correctly but with an over-predicted peak. For the sustainable and decaying oscillatory combustion from cool flames, both the Strang splitting and the midpoint method can successfully capture the dynamic behavior, whereas the balanced splitting scheme results in significant errors.« less

  19. Publications - GMC 209 | Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical

    Science.gov Websites

    DGGS GMC 209 Publication Details Title: Source rock potential and geochemical characterization of OCS Y Reference DGSI, Inc., 1993, Source rock potential and geochemical characterization of OCS Y-0943-1 (Aurora

  20. Application of botulinum toxin to treat sialorrhea in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: a literature review.

    PubMed

    Oliveira, Ademar Francisco de; Silva, Gêssyca Adryene de Menezes; Almeida, Débora Milenna Xavier

    2016-01-01

    Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons, which are the central nervous system cells that control voluntary muscle movements. The excessive salivation (sialorrhea) is present in approximately 50% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases. Thus, some alternative therapeutic methods are sought, such as anticholinergic drugs and surgery. Recently the use of botulinum toxin applied at a midpoint of the salivary glands, often guided by ultrasound, have demonstrated positive results. The objective was to review the literature to demonstrate an alternative method to treatments of sialorrhea in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In recent studies, the efficacy of botulinum toxin is confirmed, although new applications are required. Since the side effects are negligible, this is an alternative to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and other patients with diseases that present sialorrhea. RESUMO Esclerose lateral amiotrófica é uma doença neurodegenerativa progressiva e fatal, caracterizada pela degeneração dos neurônios motores, as células do sistema nervoso central que controlam os movimentos voluntários dos músculos. A salivação excessiva (sialorreia) está presente em cerca de 50% dos casos de esclerose lateral amiotrófica. Dessa forma, surgem medidas terapêuticas alternativas como drogas anticolinérgicas e cirurgia, e recentemente, o uso da toxina botulínica, aplicada em um ponto central das glândulas salivares, muitas vezes guiado por ultrassonografia, demostrou resultados positivos. Objetivou-se revisar a literatura no intuito de demonstrar um método alternativo aos tratamentos de sialorreia em pacientes com esclerose lateral amiotrófica. Em estudos recentes, a eficácia do tratamento com toxina botulínica foi confirmada e, mesmo requerendo novas aplicações, os efeitos colaterais são ínfimos. Ela surge então como alternativa não só ao tratamento de esclerose lateral amiotrófica, mas também para outros pacientes com doenças que apresentem a sialorreia.

  1. NREL to Assist in Development and Evaluation of Class 6 Plug-in Hybrid

    Science.gov Websites

    , and emissions, as well as the potential impacts on life-cycle costs, barriers to implementation, and application and maximizing potential energy efficiency, emissions, economic, and performance impacts."

  2. ETR BUILDING, TRA642, INTERIOR. BASEMENT. CAMERA IS AT MIDPOINT OF ...

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

    ETR BUILDING, TRA-642, INTERIOR. BASEMENT. CAMERA IS AT MIDPOINT OF SOUTH CORRIDOR AND FACES EAST, OPPOSITE DIRECTION FROM VIEWS ID-33-G-98 AND ID-33-G-99. STEEL DOOR AT LEFT OPENS BY ROLLING IT INTO CORRIDOR ON RAILS. TANK AT FAR END OF CORRIDOR IS EMERGENCY CORE COOLING CATCH TANK FOR A TEST LOOP. INL NEGATIVE NO. HD46-30-4. Mike Crane, Photographer, 2/2005 - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Test Reactor Area, Materials & Engineering Test Reactors, Scoville, Butte County, ID

  3. Pesticide Regulations

    Science.gov Websites

    costs and benefits of pesticides to society. They try to identify the potential risks on human health ; Environment Human Health Animal Health Safe Use Practices Food Safety Environment Air Water Soil Wildlife Ingredients Low-Risk Pesticides Organic Pesticide Ingredients Pesticide Incidents Human Exposure Pet Exposure

  4. Ella Zhou | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    . 2015. Methods for Analyzing the Economic Value of Concentrating Solar Power with Thermal Energy in the United States, Potential Lessons for ChinaPDF. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy . Renewable Electricity: Insights for the Coming DecadePDF. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory

  5. Identifying Potential Markets for Behind-the-Meter Battery Energy Storage:

    Science.gov Websites

    interval (usually 15 minutes) during a billing period. In many cases, these demand charges can account for therefore potential business cases for energy storage-were found in states not typically known for having

  6. Geothermal Maps | Geospatial Data Science | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    presented in these maps was aggregated from the Geothermal Energy Association 2014 Annual U.S. and Global Geothermal Maps Geothermal Maps Our geothermal map collection covers U.S. geothermal power plants , geothermal resource potential, and geothermal power generation. If you have difficulty accessing these maps

  7. Staff - Trystan M. Herriott | Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical

    Science.gov Websites

    sandstone interval in outcrop of the Tonnie Siltstone Member, Chinitna Formation, lower Cook Inlet, south Paveloff Siltstone Member of the Chinitna Formation: Exploring the potential role of facies variations in member of the Upper Jurassic Naknek Formation, northern Chinitna Bay, Alaska, in Wartes, M.A., ed

  8. Contact-independent electrical conductance measurement

    DOEpatents

    Mentzel, Tamar S.; MacLean, Kenneth; Kastner, Marc A.; Ray, Nirat

    2017-01-24

    Electrical conductance measurement system including a one-dimensional semiconducting channel, with electrical conductance sensitive to electrostatic fluctuations, in a circuit for measuring channel electrical current. An electrically-conductive element is disposed at a location at which the element is capacitively coupled to the channel; a midpoint of the element aligned with about a midpoint of the channel, and connected to first and second electrically-conductive contact pads that are together in a circuit connected to apply a changing voltage across the element. The electrically-conductive contact pads are laterally spaced from the midpoint of the element by a distance of at least about three times a screening length of the element, given in SI units as (K.di-elect cons..sub.0/e.sup.2D(E.sub.F)).sup.1/2, where K is the static dielectric constant, .di-elect cons..sub.0 is the permittivity of free space, e is electron charge, and D(E.sub.F) is the density of states at the Fermi energy for the element.

  9. Geothermal Research | Geothermal Technologies | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    . Impact Analysis Conducting analyses to determine the viability of geothermal energy production and Hybrid Systems Exploring the potential benefits of combining geothermal with other renewable energy Designing new models and studying new techniques to increase the production of geothermal energy.

  10. Mother-infant circadian rhythm: development of individual patterns and dyadic synchrony.

    PubMed

    Thomas, Karen A; Burr, Robert L; Spieker, Susan; Lee, Jungeun; Chen, Jessica

    2014-12-01

    Mutual circadian rhythm is an early and essential component in the development of maternal-infant physiological synchrony. The aim of this to examine the longitudinal pattern of maternal-infant circadian rhythm and rhythm synchrony as measured by rhythm parameters. In-home dyadic actigraphy monitoring at infant age 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Forty-three healthy mother-infant pairs. Circadian parameters derived from cosinor and non-parametric analysis including mesor, magnitude, acrophase, L5 and M10 midpoints (midpoint of lowest 5 and highest 10h of activity), amplitude, interdaily stability (IS), and intradaily variability (IV). Mothers experienced early disruption of circadian rhythm, with re-establishment of rhythm over time. Significant time effects were noted in increasing maternal magnitude, amplitude, and IS and decreasing IV (p<.001). Infants demonstrated a developmental trajectory of circadian pattern with significant time effects for increasing mesor, magnitude, amplitude, L5, IS, and IV (p<.001). By 12 weeks, infant phase advancement was evidenced by mean acrophase and M10 midpoint occurring 60 and 43 min (respectively) earlier than at 4 weeks. While maternal acrophase remained consistent over time, infants became increasingly phase advanced relative to mother and mean infant acrophase at 12 weeks occurred 60 min before mother. Mother-infant synchrony was evidenced in increasing correspondence of acrophase at 12 weeks (r=0.704), L5 (r=0.453) and M10 (r=0.479) midpoints. Development of mother-infant synchrony reflects shared elements of circadian rhythm. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  11. EXPLICIT SYMPLECTIC-LIKE INTEGRATORS WITH MIDPOINT PERMUTATIONS FOR SPINNING COMPACT BINARIES

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

    Luo, Junjie; Wu, Xin; Huang, Guoqing

    2017-01-01

    We refine the recently developed fourth-order extended phase space explicit symplectic-like methods for inseparable Hamiltonians using Yoshida’s triple product combined with a midpoint permuted map. The midpoint between the original variables and their corresponding extended variables at every integration step is readjusted as the initial values of the original variables and their corresponding extended ones at the next step integration. The triple-product construction is apparently superior to the composition of two triple products in computational efficiency. Above all, the new midpoint permutations are more effective in restraining the equality of the original variables and their corresponding extended ones at each integration step thanmore » the existing sequent permutations of momenta and coordinates. As a result, our new construction shares the benefit of implicit symplectic integrators in the conservation of the second post-Newtonian Hamiltonian of spinning compact binaries. Especially for the chaotic case, it can work well, but the existing sequent permuted algorithm cannot. When dissipative effects from the gravitational radiation reaction are included, the new symplectic-like method has a secular drift in the energy error of the dissipative system for the orbits that are regular in the absence of radiation, as an implicit symplectic integrator does. In spite of this, it is superior to the same-order implicit symplectic integrator in accuracy and efficiency. The new method is particularly useful in discussing the long-term evolution of inseparable Hamiltonian problems.« less

  12. Mother-Infant Circadian Rhythm: Development of Individual Patterns and Dyadic Synchrony

    PubMed Central

    Thomas, Karen A.; Burr, Robert L.; Spieker, Susan; Lee, Jungeun; Chen, Jessica

    2014-01-01

    Background Mutual circadian rhythm is an early and essential component in the development of maternal-infant physiological synchrony. Aims To examine the longitudinal pattern of maternal-infant circadian rhythm and rhythm synchrony as measured by rhythm parameters. Study Design In-home dyadic actigraphy monitoring at infant age 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Subjects Forty-three healthy mother-infant pairs. Outcome Measures Circadian parameters derived from cosinor and non-parametric analysis including mesor, magnitude, acrophase, L5 and M10 midpoints (midpoint of lowest 5 and highest 10 hours of activity), amplitude, interdaily stability (IS), and intradaily variability (IV). Results Mothers experienced early disruption of circadian rhythm, with re-establishment of rhythm over time. Significant time effects were noted in increasing maternal magnitude, amplitude, and IS and decreasing IV (p < .001). Infants demonstrated a developmental trajectory of circadian pattern with significant time effects for increasing mesor, magnitude, amplitude, L5, IS, and IV (p < .001). By 12 weeks, infant phase advancement was evidenced by mean acrophase and M10 midpoint occurring 60 and 43 minutes (respectively) earlier than at 4 weeks. While maternal acrophase remained consistent over time, infants became increasingly phase advanced relative to mother and mean infant acrophase at 12 weeks occurred 60 minutes before mother. Mother-infant synchrony was evidenced in increasing correspondence of acrophase at 12 weeks (r = 0.704), L5 (r = 0.453) and M10 (r = 0.479) midpoints. Conclusions Development of mother-infant synchrony reflects shared elements of circadian rhythm. PMID:25463836

  13. Mineral Resources | Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys

    Science.gov Websites

    and geophysical framework of Alaska as it pertains to the mineral resources of the state. Summary maps and reports illustrate the geology of the state's prospective mineral terranes and provide data on the location, type, and potential of the state's mineral resources. These data aid in the state's management of

  14. Presentations - Herriott, T.M. and others, 2011 | Alaska Division of

    Science.gov Websites

    Details Title: Detailed geologic mapping and overview of structural and stratigraphic studies in the east Resident Business in Alaska Visiting Alaska State Employees DGGS State of Alaska search Alaska Division of in the east-central North Slope foothills, Alaska (poster): 3P Arctic, The Polar Petroleum Potential

  15. Webinar July 28: H2@Scale - A Potential Opportunity | News | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    role of hydrogen at the grid scale and the efforts of a large, national lab team assembled to evaluate the potential of hydrogen to play a critical role in our energy future. Presenters will share facts

  16. Protein sequences and redox titrations indicate that the electron acceptors in reaction centers from heliobacteria are similar to Photosystem I

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Trost, J. T.; Brune, D. C.; Blankenship, R. E.

    1992-01-01

    Photosynthetic reaction centers isolated from Heliobacillus mobilis exhibit a single major protein on SDS-PAGE of 47 000 Mr. Attempts to sequence the reaction center polypeptide indicated that the N-terminus is blocked. After enzymatic and chemical cleavage, four peptide fragments were sequenced from the Heliobacillus mobilis apoprotein. Only one of these sequences showed significant specific similarity to any of the protein and deduced protein sequences in the GenBank data base. This fragment is identical with 56% of the residues, including both cysteines, found in highly conserved region that is proposed to bind iron-sulfur center Fx in the Photosystem I reaction center peptide that is the psaB gene product. The similarity to the psaA gene product in this region is 48%. Redox titrations of laser-flash-induced photobleaching with millisecond decay kinetics on isolated reaction centers from Heliobacterium gestii indicate a midpoint potential of -414 mV with n = 2 titration behavior. In membranes, the behavior is intermediate between n = 1 and n = 2, and the apparent midpoint potential is -444 mV. This is compared to the behavior in Photosystem I, where the intermediate electron acceptor A1, thought to be a phylloquinone molecule, has been proposed to undergo a double reduction at low redox potentials in the presence of viologen redox mediators. These results strongly suggest that the acceptor side electron transfer system in reaction centers from heliobacteria is indeed analogous to that found in Photosystem I. The sequence similarities indicate that the divergence of the heliobacteria from the Photosystem I line occurred before the gene duplication and subsequent divergence that lead to the heterodimeric protein core of the Photosystem I reaction center.

  17. Lithium Batteries

    Science.gov Websites

    medical devices including electrocardiographs. In addition, new "textured" cathodes have been the potential medical uses of the batteries, including transdermal applications for heart regulation .' -Edited excerpt from Medical Applications of Non-medical Research Resources with Additional Information

  18. NREL and Hawaiian Electric Navigate Uncharted Waters of Energy

    Science.gov Websites

    potential grid impact of adding customer-side storage to rooftop solar systems-a scenario that could soon Systems Integration Facility's (ESIF's) power hardware-in-the-loop capability. NREL's ESIF was one of the justify activation of a specific grid support function called "volt-var control" for all new

  19. Market Acceleration | Wind | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    model of a shrouded wind turbine at the 2016 Collegiate Wind Competition. Workforce Development and accurate information that articulates the potential impacts and benefits of wind and water power on education, rural economic development, public power partnerships, and small wind systems. An

  20. NREL: International Activities - Biomass Resource Assessment

    Science.gov Websites

    Biomass Resource Assessment Map showing annual productivity of marginal lands in APEC economies . Biomass resource assessments quantify the existing or potential biomass material in a given area. Biomass biomass resources could be used to produce power, heat, transportation fuels, and various chemical

  1. Feasibility of the Scalable, Automated, Semipermanent Seismic Array (SASSA) to Monitor Possible Carbon Dioxide Migration

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Livers, A. J.; Burnison, S. A.; Salako, O.; Barajas-Olalde, C.; Hamling, J. A.; Gorecki, C. D.

    2016-12-01

    The feasibility of monitoring potential carbon dioxide (CO2) migration in a reservoir using a sparse seismic array is being evaluated by the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the Denbury Onshore LLC-operated Bell Creek oil field in Montana, which is undergoing commercial CO2 enhanced oil recovery (EOR). This new method may provide an economical means of continuously monitoring the CO2 plume edge and the CO2 reservoir boundaries and/or to interpret vertical or lateral out-of-reservoir CO2 migration. A 96-station scalable, automated, semipermanent seismic array (SASSA) was deployed in October 2015 to detect and track CO2 plume migration not by imaging, but by monitoring discrete source-receiver midpoints. Midpoints were strategically located within and around four injector-producer patterns covering approximately one square mile. Three-dimensional (3-D) geophysical ray tracing was used to determine surface receiver locations. Receivers used were FairfieldNodal Zland three-component, autonomous, battery-powered nodes. A GISCO ESS850 accelerated weight drop source located in a secure structure was remotely fired on a weekly basis for one calendar year, including a two-month period prior to initiation of CO2 injection to establish a baseline. Fifty shots were fired one day each week to facilitate increased signal-to-noise through novel receiver domain processing and vertical stacking. Receiver domain processing allowed for individualization of processing parameters to maximize signal enhancement and noise attenuation. Reflection events in the processed SASSA data correlate well to 3-D surface survey data collected in the field. Preliminary time-lapse data results for several individual SASSA receivers show a phase shift in the reflection events below the reservoir after injection, suggesting possible migration of the CO2 in the reservoir to the corresponding midpoint locations. This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory under Award No. FE0012665.

  2. Association Between Sleep Timing, Obesity, Diabetes: The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) Cohort Study.

    PubMed

    Knutson, Kristen L; Wu, Donghong; Patel, Sanjay R; Loredo, Jose S; Redline, Susan; Cai, Jianwen; Gallo, Linda C; Mossavar-Rahmani, Yasmin; Ramos, Alberto R; Teng, Yanping; Daviglus, Martha L; Zee, Phyllis C

    2017-04-01

    Recent studies implicate inadequate sleep duration and quality in metabolic disease. Fewer studies have examined the timing of sleep, which may be important because of its potential impact on circadian rhythms of metabolic function. We examined the association between sleep timing and metabolic risk among Hispanic/Latino adults. Cross-sectional data from community-based study of 13429 participants aged 18-74 years. People taking diabetic medications were excluded. Sleep timing was determined from self-reported bedtimes and wake times. Chronotype was defined as the midpoint of sleep on weekends adjusted for sleep duration on weekdays. Other measurements included body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose levels, estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), glucose levels 2 hours post oral glucose ingestion, and hemoglobin A1c. Survey linear regression models tested associations between sleep timing and metabolic measures. Analyses were stratified by diabetes status and age-group when significant interactions were observed. Among participants with diabetes, fasting glucose levels were positively associated with bedtime (approximately +3%/hour later, p < .01) and midpoint of sleep (approximately +2%/hour later, p < .05). In participants with and without diabetes combined, HOMA-IR was positively associated with midpoint of sleep (+1.5%/hr later, p < .05), and chronotype (+1.2%/hour later, p < .05). Associations differed by age-group. Among those < 36 years, later sleep timing was associated with lower BMI, lower fasting glucose, and lower HbA1c, but the opposite association was observed among older participants. Later sleep timing was associated with higher estimated insulin resistance across all groups. Some associations between sleep timing and metabolic measures may be age-dependent. © Sleep Research Society 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Sleep Research Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail journals.permissions@oup.com.

  3. Hydrogen Data | Geospatial Data Science | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    Hydrogen Data Hydrogen Data This hydrogen data estimates the potential for producing hydrogen from Coordinate System Name: GCS_North_American_1983 Coverage File Last Updated Metadata KMZ File Hydrogen Zip of hydrogen could be produced annually from wind, solar, and biomass resources in the United States

  4. Exact formulas for multipole moments using Slater-type molecular orbitals

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jones, H. W.

    1986-01-01

    A triple infinite sum of formulas expressed as an expansion in Legendre polynomials is generated by use of computer algebra to represent the potential from the midpoint of two Slater-type orbitals; the charge density that determines the potential is given as the product of the two orbitals. An example using 1s orbitals shows that only a few terms are needed to obtain four-figure accuracy. Exact formulas are obtained for multipole moments by means of a careful study of expanded formulas, allowing an 'extrapolation to infinity'. This Loewdin alpha-function approach augmented by using a C matrix to characterize Slater-type orbitals can be readily generalized to all cases.

  5. Modeling the Anisotropic Resolution and Noise Properties of Digital Breast Tomosynthesis Image Reconstructions

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-01-01

    DM system with a detector field -of-view (FOV) of 24 30 cm and a source-to- image distance of 70 cm measured at the midpoint of the chest wall. In...DNCs in frequency space have an opening angle spanning approximately -7.5° to +7.5° for measurements made near the midpoint of the chest wall. At...conference abstract). 18Ren B, Ruth C, Stein J, Smith A, Shaw I, Jing Z. Design and performance of the prototype full field breast tomosynthesis system

  6. Intern Programs | College and University Faculty

    Science.gov Websites

    application process, please feel free to get in touch with the program contacts. Letters of Recommendation If applicant in the following areas: Academic achievement Academic potential Capability for working Teng PARTI SIST SULI VFP Program Requirements CCI IPM Lee Teng PARTI SULI IPM VFP The Fermilab

  7. NREL: Renewable Resource Data Center - Biomass Resource Data

    Science.gov Websites

    Resource Data The following biomass resource data collections can be found in the Renewable Resource Data Center (RReDC). Current Biomass Resource Supply An estimate of biomass resources currently available by county. Projected Biomass Resource Supply An estimate of biomass resources potentially

  8. What Industry Is Saying About the Battery ISC Device (Text Version) |

    Science.gov Websites

    -Founder, Chairman and CEO, AllCell Technologies:"Lithium ion batteries today are actually state of really bad for the industry as a whole." Read On Graphic: Lithium-ion Batteries Power Cell Phones a potential fire." Read On Graphic: Rare Latent Defects in Lithium-ion Batteries Can Cause

  9. Integrated Vegetation Management Plan, Statewide M & O, Transportation &

    Science.gov Websites

    select herbicides that minimize potential risks to human health and the environment. All herbicide (APDES) Pesticides General Permit. Additionally, regional setbacks may be established for applications

  10. Anatomical dissection and CT imaging of the posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments in skeletally immature cadaver knees.

    PubMed

    Shea, Kevin G; Polousky, John D; Jacobs, John C; Ganley, Theodore J

    2014-05-07

    Understanding the relationship of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) to the femoral and tibial physes is important to reducing the risk of physeal injury during surgical reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to identify the location of the attachments of the PCL and LCL in skeletally immature cadaveric knee specimens and to determine their position relative to the physes. Seven skeletally immature cadaveric knee specimens were examined through gross dissection. These specimens were divided into two groups: infants (an age at death of one month for one specimen and eleven months for two specimens) and children (an age at death of eight years for one specimen, ten years for one specimen, and eleven years for two specimens). Metallic markers were placed at the femoral origins of the PCL and LCL and at the tibial insertion of the PCL. Computed tomography (CT) scans were made for each specimen and analyzed with the use of OsiriX imaging software. The width of the PCL tibial insertion footprint and the height of the PCL femoral origin footprint, the distance from the midpoints of the PCL and LCL femoral origin to the distal femoral physis, and the distance from the PCL insertion footprint midpoint to the proximal tibial physis were measured. The mean distance from the midpoint of the femoral origin footprint of the PCL to the femoral physis was 11.1 mm (range, 10.6 to 11.7 mm) and 18.8 mm (range, 18.2 to 19.2 mm) distal to the physis for infants and children, respectively. The mean distance from the midpoint of the tibial insertion footprint of the PCL to the tibial physis was 3.1 mm (range, 0.0 to 5.7 mm) and 5.8 mm (range, 2.5 to 8.9 mm) proximal to the physis for infants and children, respectively. The mean width of the tibial insertion of the PCL was 5.5 mm (range, 1.1 to 8.3 mm) for infants and 10.2 mm (range, 8.4 to 11.9 mm) for children. The mean distance from the midpoint of the femoral origin of the LCL to the femoral physis was 6.3 mm (range, 3.9 to 7.7 mm) and 5.9 mm (range, 0.0 to 10.0 mm) distal to the physis for infants and children, respectively. The relationship of the PCL and LCL attachments to physeal structures has not been well described. We found the midpoints of the PCL and LCL femoral origins at or distal to, and the midpoint of the PCL tibial insertion at or proximal to, the respective physis in all specimens. This study with CT-scan correlation provides unique information on the location of ligament attachments in relation to the physes. A better understanding of the spatial relationship between the PCL and LCL attachments and their respective physes may help guide drill-hole placement during ligament reconstructions and reduce the risk for iatrogenic physeal injury in skeletally immature patients.

  11. Image of a line is not shrunk but neglected. Absence of crossover in unilateral spatial neglect.

    PubMed

    Ishiai, Sumio; Koyama, Yasumasa; Nakano, Naomi; Seki, Keiko; Nishida, Yoichiro; Hayashi, Kazuko

    2004-01-01

    Patients with left unilateral spatial neglect following right hemisphere lesions usually err rightward when bisecting a horizontal line. For very short lines (e.g. 25 mm), however, leftward errors or seemingly 'right' neglect is often observed. To explain this paradox of crossover in the direction of errors, rather complicated models have been introduced as to the distribution of attention. Neglect may be hypothesized to occur in representational process of a line or estimation of the midpoint on the formed image, or both. We devised a line image task using a computer display with a touch panel and approached the representational image of a line to be bisected. Three patients with typical left neglect were presented with a line and forced to see its whole extent with cueing to the left endpoint. After disappearance of the line, they pointed to the right endpoint, the left endpoint, or the subjective midpoint according to their representational image. The line image between the reproduced right and left endpoints was appropriately formed for the 200 mm lines. However, the images for the shorter 25 and 100 mm lines were longer than the physical lengths with overextension to the left side. These results proved the context effect that short lines may be perceived longer when they are presented in combination with longer lines. One of our patients had an extensive lesion that involved the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes, and the other two had a lesion restricted to the posterior right hemisphere. The image for a fully perceived line may be represented far enough into left space even when left neglect occurs after a lesion that involves the right parietal lobe. The patients with neglect placed the subjective midpoint rightward from the centre of the stimulus line for the 100 and 200 mm lines and leftward for the 25 mm lines. This crossover of bisection errors disappeared when the displacement of the subjective midpoint was measured from the centre of the representational line image. Left neglect may occur consistently in estimation of the subjective midpoint on the representational image, which may be explained by a simple rightward bias of attentional distribution.

  12. Efficiency enhancement of optimized Latin hypercube sampling strategies: Application to Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis and meta-modeling

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rajabi, Mohammad Mahdi; Ataie-Ashtiani, Behzad; Janssen, Hans

    2015-02-01

    The majority of literature regarding optimized Latin hypercube sampling (OLHS) is devoted to increasing the efficiency of these sampling strategies through the development of new algorithms based on the combination of innovative space-filling criteria and specialized optimization schemes. However, little attention has been given to the impact of the initial design that is fed into the optimization algorithm, on the efficiency of OLHS strategies. Previous studies, as well as codes developed for OLHS, have relied on one of the following two approaches for the selection of the initial design in OLHS: (1) the use of random points in the hypercube intervals (random LHS), and (2) the use of midpoints in the hypercube intervals (midpoint LHS). Both approaches have been extensively used, but no attempt has been previously made to compare the efficiency and robustness of their resulting sample designs. In this study we compare the two approaches and show that the space-filling characteristics of OLHS designs are sensitive to the initial design that is fed into the optimization algorithm. It is also illustrated that the space-filling characteristics of OLHS designs based on midpoint LHS are significantly better those based on random LHS. The two approaches are compared by incorporating their resulting sample designs in Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) for uncertainty propagation analysis, and then, by employing the sample designs in the selection of the training set for constructing non-intrusive polynomial chaos expansion (NIPCE) meta-models which subsequently replace the original full model in MCSs. The analysis is based on two case studies involving numerical simulation of density dependent flow and solute transport in porous media within the context of seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers. We show that the use of midpoint LHS as the initial design increases the efficiency and robustness of the resulting MCSs and NIPCE meta-models. The study also illustrates that this relative improvement decreases with increasing number of sample points and input parameter dimensions. Since the computational time and efforts for generating the sample designs in the two approaches are identical, the use of midpoint LHS as the initial design in OLHS is thus recommended.

  13. Thermochemical Conversion Techno-Economic Analysis | Bioenergy | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    Conversion Techno-Economic Analysis Thermochemical Conversion Techno-Economic Analysis NREL's Thermochemical Conversion Analysis team focuses on the conceptual process design and techno-economic analysis , detailed process models, and TEA developed under this project provide insights into the potential economic

  14. Vehicle Technology Simulation and Analysis Tools | Transportation Research

    Science.gov Websites

    | NREL Vehicle Technology Simulation and Analysis Tools Vehicle Technology Simulation and vehicle technologies with the potential to achieve significant fuel savings and emission reductions. NREL : Automotive Deployment Options Projection Tool The ADOPT modeling tool estimates vehicle technology

  15. Geospatial Data Science Research | Geospatial Data Science | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    , maps, and tools that determine which energy technologies are viable solutions across the globe ) to manipulate, manage, and analyze multidisciplinary geographic and energy data. The GIS includes of applications and visualizations. Analysis Renewable Energy Technical Potential Renewable Energy

  16. GeothermalLCOE_NoExclusionsforAtlas

    Science.gov Websites

    a qualitative assessment of geothermal potential (Enhanced Geothermal System EGS) for the US based from 3 to 10 km provided by Southern Methodist University Geothermal Laboratory (Blackwell & ;http://www.nrel.gov/gis/cfm/data/GIS_Data_Technology_Specific/United_States/Geothermal

  17. Brandon Knott | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    -6223 Research Interests Molecular mechanisms of cellulose-degrading enzymes Structure-function relationships of biomass-derived polymers Structure-function relationships in glycoside hydrolases Methane potential protein engineering targets. Structure-Function Relationships of Biomass-Derived Polymers

  18. New Solar Cell Is More Efficient, Less Costly | News | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    rules for solar cells. Credit: Dennis Schroeder American innovators still have some cards to play when significant cost advantage when it comes to high-volume manufacturing. "It's a potentially disruptive . solar manufacturing when the approach hits the assembly line next year. The innovative design, simple

  19. Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Basics | Hydrogen and Fuel Cells | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Basics Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Basics NREL researchers are working to unlock the potential of hydrogen as a fuel and to advance fuel cell technologies for automobiles, equipment basics of NREL's hydrogen and fuel cell research and development. Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs

  20. Would-Be Solar Electric Homeowners Sought For Project

    Science.gov Websites

    photovoltaic power systems connected to local utility grids. A grid-tied rooftop photovoltaic system consists . Excess electricity may be sold back to the utility. At night, or when additional power is needed, the utilities, will assess the market potential and practicality of home photovoltaic systems. The utilities

  1. Do physical examination and CT-scan measures of femoral neck anteversion and tibial torsion relate to each other?

    PubMed

    Sangeux, Morgan; Mahy, Jessica; Graham, H Kerr

    2014-01-01

    Informed clinical decision making for femoral and/or tibial de-rotation osteotomies requires accurate measurement of patient function through gait analysis and anatomy through physical examination of bony torsions. Validity of gait analysis has been extensively studied; however, controversy remains regarding the accuracy of physical examination measurements of femoral and tibial torsion. Comparison between CT-scans and physical examination measurements of femoral neck anteversion (FNA) and external tibial torsion (ETT) were retrospectively obtained for 98 (FNA) and 64 (ETT) patients who attended a tertiary hospital for instrumented gait analysis between 2007 and 2010. The physical examination methods studied for femoral neck anteversion were the trochanteric prominence angle test (TPAT) and the maximum hip rotation arc midpoint (Arc midpoint) and for external tibial torsion the transmalleolar axis (TMA). Results showed that all physical examination measurements statistically differed to the CT-scans (bias(standard deviation): -2(14) for TPAT, -10(12) for Arc midpoint and -16(9) for TMA). Bland and Altman plots showed that method disagreements increased with increasing bony torsions in all cases but notably for TPAT. Regression analysis showed that only TMA and CT-scan measurement of external tibial torsion demonstrated good (R(2)=57%) correlation. Correlations for both TPAT (R(2)=14%) and Arc midpoint (R(2)=39%) with CT-scan measurements of FNA were limited. We conclude that physical examination should be considered as screening techniques rather than definitive measurement methods for FNA and ETT. Further research is required to develop more accurate measurement methods to accompany instrumented gait analysis. Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  2. Abundant Renewable Energy Resources Exist in Lao PDR | News | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    electricity generation, assessing the technical potential of domestic solar, wind, and biomass. The report set renewable energy targets; identify opportunities to meet growing domestic electricity demand ; offset current electricity import trends; and position the country as an exporter of electricity. Read

  3. E-Roadway Animation | Transportation Research | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    E-Roadway Animation E-Roadway Animation This animation depicts a potential future transportation scenario in which electric vehicles can be recharged via electrified roadways. E-roadways offer a variety operational range of electric vehicles. Plus, e-roadway power can come from renewable sources. Text version.

  4. Structured inspection of medications carried and stored by emergency medical services agencies identifies practices that may lead to medication errors.

    PubMed

    Kupas, Douglas F; Shayhorn, Meghan A; Green, Paul; Payton, Thomas F

    2012-01-01

    Medications are essential to emergency medical services (EMS) agencies when providing lifesaving care, but the EMS environment has challenges related to safe medication storage when compared with a hospital setting. We developed a structured process, based on common pharmacy practices, to review medications carried by EMS agencies to identify situations that may lead to medication error and to determine some best practices that may reduce potential errors and the risk of patient harm. To provide a descriptive account of EMS practices related to carrying and storing medications that have the potential for causing a medication administration error or patient harm. Using a structured process for inspection, an emergency medicine pharmacist and emergency physician(s) reviewed the medication carrying and storage practices of all nine advanced life support ambulance agencies within a five-county EMS region. Each medication carried and stored by the EMS agency was inspected for predetermined and spontaneously observed issues that could lead to medication error. These issues were documented and photographed. Two EMS medical directors reviewed each potential error for the risk of producing patient harm and assigned each to a category of high, moderate, or low risk. Because issues of temperature on EMS medications have been addressed elsewhere, this study concentrated on potential for EMS medication administration errors exclusive of storage temperatures. When reviewing medications carried by the nine EMS agencies, 38 medication safety issues were identified (range 1 to 8 per EMS agency). Of these, 16 were considered to be high risk, 14 moderate risk, and eight low risk for patient harm. Examples of potential issues included carrying expired medications, container-labeling issues, different medications stored in look-alike vials or prefilled syringes in the same compartment, and carrying crystalloid solutions next to solutions premixed with a medication. When reviewing medications stored at the EMS agency stations, eight safety issues were identified (range from 0 to 4 per station), including five moderate-risk and three low-risk issues. No agency had any high-risk medication issues related to storage of medication stock in the station. We observed potential medication safety issues related to how medications are carried and stored at all nine EMS agencies in a five-county region. Understanding these issues may assist EMS agencies in reducing the potential for a medication error and risk of patient harm. More research is needed to determine whether following these suggested best practices for carrying medications on EMS vehicles actually reduces errors in medication administration by EMS providers or decreases patient harm.

  5. Quench Detection and Protection for High Temperature Superconducting Transformers by Using the Active Power Method

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nanato, N.; Kobayashi, Y.

    AC high temperature superconducting (HTS) coils have been developed for transformers, motors and so on. Quench detection and protection system are essential for safety operations of the AC HTS facilities. The balance voltage method is universally used for the quench detection and protection, however especially for AC operations, the method has risks in terms of high voltage sparks. Because the method needs a voltage tap soldered to a midpoint of the coil winding and the AC HTS facilities generally operate at high voltages and therefore high voltage sparks may occur at the midpoint with no insulation. We have proposed the active power method for the quench detection and protection. The method requires no voltage tap on the midpoint of the coil winding and therefore it has in-built effectiveness for the AC HTS facilities. In this paper, we show that the method can detect the quench in an HTS transformer and moreover our proposed quench protection circuits which consist of thyristors are simple and useful for the AC HTS facilities.

  6. Snakes, rotators, serpents and the octahedral group

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

    Fieguth, T.

    1986-04-01

    Specific configurations of horizontal and vertical bending magnets are given that, when acting on the spin polarization vector of a particle beam, generate a group of 24 operators isomorphic to the group of rotational symmetries of a cube, known as the octahedral group. Some of these configurations have the feature of converting transversely polarized beams to longitudinally polarized beams (or vice versa) at the midpoint of the configuration for, in principle, all beam energies. Since the first order optical transfer matrix for each half of these configurations is nearly that of a drift region, the external geometry remains unchanged andmore » midpoint dispersion is not introduced. Changing field strengths and/or polarities allows a configuration to serve as either a Snake(1/sup st/ or 2/sup nd/ kind) or a Rotator, where in both cases the spin polarization is longitudinal at the midpoint. In this conceptualization, emphasis has been placed on electron beams and, indeed, for these beams some practical applications can be envisioned. However, due to the relatively high integrated field strengths required, application of these concepts to proton beams may be more promising.« less

  7. Binding and Energetics of Electron Transfer between an Artificial Four-Helix Mn-Protein and Reaction Centers from Rhodobacter sphaeroides.

    PubMed

    Espiritu, Eduardo; Olson, Tien L; Williams, JoAnn C; Allen, James P

    2017-12-12

    The ability of an artificial four-helix bundle Mn-protein, P1, to bind and transfer an electron to photosynthetic reaction centers from the purple bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides was characterized using optical spectroscopy. Upon illumination of reaction centers, an electron is transferred from P, the bacteriochlorophyll dimer, to Q A , the primary electron acceptor. The P1 Mn-protein can bind to the reaction center and reduce the oxidized bacteriochlorophyll dimer, P + , with a dissociation constant of 1.2 μM at pH 9.4, comparable to the binding constant of c-type cytochromes. Amino acid substitutions of surface residues on the Mn-protein resulted in increases in the dissociation constant to 8.3 μM. The extent of reduction of P + by the P1 Mn-protein was dependent on the P/P + midpoint potential and the pH. Analysis of the free energy difference yielded a midpoint potential of approximately 635 mV at pH 9.4 for the Mn cofactor of the P1 Mn-protein, a value similar to those found for other Mn cofactors in proteins. The linear dependence of -56 mV/pH is consistent with one proton being released upon Mn oxidation, allowing the complex to maintain overall charge neutrality. These outcomes demonstrate the feasibility of designing four-helix bundles and other artificial metalloproteins to bind and transfer electrons to bacterial reaction centers and establish the usefulness of this system as a platform for designing sites to bind novel metal cofactors capable of performing complex oxidation-reduction reactions.

  8. Deepwater Horizon NRDA Injury Assessment | NOAA Gulf Spill Restoration

    Science.gov Websites

    organisms. Oil can kill organisms or have effects on future generations. Potential long-term harmful effects systems. We conducted hundreds of scientific studies to determine whether there have been negative effects

  9. Perovskite Technology is Scalable, But Questions Remain about the Best

    Science.gov Websites

    Methods | News | NREL Perovskite Technology is Scalable, But Questions Remain about the Best Methods News Release: Perovskite Technology is Scalable, But Questions Remain about the Best Methods NREL be used on a larger surface. The NREL researchers examined potential scalable deposition methods

  10. NREL Partners with California's Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

    Science.gov Websites

    Automotive Systems Technology Simulator (FASTSim) - a high-level simulation tool for estimating the impact of , manager of the Transportation Systems Group in NREL's Transportation and Hydrogen Systems Center. " ;NREL will provide modeling and analytics on the potential scope of energy services associated with VGI

  11. ResStock Analysis Tool | Buildings | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    Energy and Cost Savings for U.S. Homes Contact Eric Wilson to learn how ResStock can benefit your approach to large-scale residential energy analysis by combining: Large public and private data sources uncovered $49 billion in potential annual utility bill savings through cost-effective energy efficiency

  12. New Analysis Finds Synergistic Relationship Between High PV Penetration and

    Science.gov Websites

    High PV Penetration and Energy Storage Deployment April 10, 2018 Adding higher penetrations of solar High PV Penetration and Energy Storage Deployment New Analysis Finds Synergistic Relationship Between photovoltaics (PV) to the electric power grid could increase the potential for energy storage to meet peak

  13. Alternative Fuels Data Center: Reliable Temperature Compensation is

    Science.gov Websites

    Technical Bulletin addresses the potential hazards created by failure of compressed natural gas (CNG ) dispensers that do not accurately compensate for the temperature of the natural gas in vehicle storage containers as they are filled and the history of serious incidents as a result. Accurate temperature

  14. The Iron-Sulfur Cluster of Electron Transfer Flavoprotein-ubiquinone Oxidoreductase (ETF-QO) is the Electron Acceptor for Electron Transfer Flavoprotein†

    PubMed Central

    Swanson, Michael A.; Usselman, Robert J.; Frerman, Frank E.; Eaton, Gareth R.; Eaton, Sandra S.

    2011-01-01

    Electron-transfer flavoprotein-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (ETF-QO) accepts electrons from electron-transfer flavoprotein (ETF) and reduces ubiquinone from the ubiquinone-pool. It contains one [4Fe-4S]2+,1+ and one FAD, which are diamagnetic in the isolated oxidized enzyme and can be reduced to paramagnetic forms by enzymatic donors or dithionite. In the porcine protein, threonine 367 is hydrogen bonded to N1 and O2 of the flavin ring of the FAD. The analogous site in Rhodobacter sphaeroides ETF-QO is asparagine 338. Mutations N338T and N338A were introduced into the R. sphaeroides protein by site-directed mutagenesis to determine the impact of hydrogen bonding at this site on redox potentials and activity. The mutations did not alter the optical spectra, EPR g-values, spin-lattice relaxation rates, or the [4Fe-4S]2+,1+ to FAD point-dipole interspin distances. The mutations had no impact on the reduction potential for the iron-sulfur cluster, which was monitored by changes in the continuous wave EPR signals of the [4Fe-4S]+ at 15 K. For the FAD semiquinone, significantly different potentials were obtained by monitoring the titration at 100 or 293 K. Based on spectra at 293 K the N338T mutation shifted the first and second midpoint potentials for the FAD from +47 mV and −30 mV for wild type to −11 mV and −19 mV, respectively. The N338A mutation decreased the potentials to −37 mV and −49 mV. Lowering the midpoint potentials resulted in a decrease in the quinone reductase activity and negligible impact on disproportionation of ETF1e− catalyzed by ETF-QO. These observations indicate that the FAD is involved in electron transfer to ubiquinone, but not in electron transfer from ETF to ETF-QO. Therefore the iron-sulfur cluster is the immediate acceptor from ETF. PMID:18672901

  15. B-1 Systems Approach to Training. Behavioral Objectives for the Pilot, Copilot, and Offensive Systems Operator. Volume 1

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1975-07-01

    CONTROL = SEQUENCE = MIDPOINT ■ MIDPOINT n D n 1.32 — - - .-■■«"■^aft^w«-Ai--J»-.^^-^-■-.•.- ..- .. ^U.’L^ BJB . , i .i...34<■. m^.wm ■■■ JB 1-. II 01.2.,i.037 .00 PLACE 01.2.1.038 .00 PLACE 01.2.1.039 .01 CHECK 01.2.1.0 40.00 PLAC£ A~3 BAG IN APPROPRIATE...Aia.. ;ulm.-* hh ,,:,,-,,*,, ,., .i» , , i._j,,iJm^,Mrmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmiiimfm OBJECTIVE; APPLY POWER TO STORES CRITICALITY: 2

  16. Easy sonographic differential diagnosis between intrauterine pregnancy and cesarean delivery scar pregnancy in the early first trimester.

    PubMed

    Timor-Tritsch, Ilan E; Monteagudo, Ana; Cali, Giuseppe; El Refaey, Hazem; Kaelin Agten, Andrea; Arslan, Alan A

    2016-08-01

    Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is a serious complication of pregnancy, which consists of implantation of the gestational sac in the hysterotomy scar. This condition is increasing in frequency and often poses a diagnostic challenge. Its diagnosis is dependent on visual assessment of the uterus on the longitudinal sagittal ultrasound plane. Misdiagnosing a low intrauterine chorionic sac as a CSP, or a true scar pregnancy as an intrauterine pregnancy (IUP), may lead to adverse outcomes including hysterectomy. The objective of the study is to describe a sonographic method for the differential diagnosis of CSP vs IUP in early gestation. The current study tests the hypothesis that on a first-trimester ultrasound performed between 5-10 weeks of gestation, the relative location of the center of gestational sac to the midpoint of the uterus along a longitudinal line between the external cervical os and the fundus can be used for early detection of CSPs. This is a retrospective review of electronically archived ultrasound images of IUP and CSP between 5-10 weeks of gestation. A total of 242 ultrasound images were analyzed: 185 cases of normal IUPs (including 128 in anteverted uteri, 31 in retroverted uteri, and 26 IUPs with history of cesarean delivery) and 57 cases of CSPs diagnosed from 2004 through 2015 in a single institution. The following measurements were made for each case: distance from the external cervical os to the uterine fundus, the midpoint axis of the uterus, the distance from the external cervical os to the center of gestational sacs, and the distance from the external cervical os to the most distant edge of the gestational sacs from the cervix. The location of the center of the gestational sac relative to the midpoint axis of the uterus between 5-10 weeks of gestation differentiated between IUP and CSP (mean 17.8 vs -10.6 mm, respectively, P = .0001), indicating that most CSPs are located proximally to the midpoint axis of the uterus whereas most normal IUPs are located distally from the midpoint of the uterus. Using location of the center of the gestational sac as a marker of CSPs between 5-10 weeks of gestation yielded the following characteristics of diagnostic accuracy: sensitivity 93.0% and specificity 98.9%. The likelihood ratio of the positive test was 84.5. The likelihood ratio of the negative test was 0.07. The location of the center of the gestational sac relative to the midpoint axis of the uterus can be used as an easy method for sonographic differentiation of IUP and CSP between 5-10 weeks of gestation. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  17. Oklahoma | Solar Research | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    customer-generators who install net-metered distributed generation. Utilities and cooperatives are not required to purchase monthly net excess generation from customers. A customer-generator's net excess has not adopted standardized interconnection procedures. Potential customer-generators should contact

  18. us9805_dni

    Science.gov Websites

    STYLE="text-align:Left;">

    Monthly and annual average solar Resource Potential Solar Resource Direct Normal

  19. Nick Grue | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    geospatial data analysis using parallel processing High performance computing Renewable resource technical potential and supply curve analysis Spatial database utilization Rapid analysis of large geospatial datasets energy and geospatial analysis products Research Interests Rapid, web-based renewable resource analysis

  20. Sandia National Laboratories: Strategic Partnership Projects, Non-Federal

    Science.gov Websites

    Technology Partnerships Business, Industry, & Non-Profits Government Universities Center for Development Agreement (CRADA) Strategic Partnership Projects, Non-Federal Entity (SPP/NFE) Agreements New Sandia Strategic Partnership Projects, Non-Federal Entity (SPP/NFE) Agreements Alt text Potential

  1. Bethany Speer | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    Strategic Energy Analysis Center. Areas of Expertise International economic policy Climate change mitigation Markets Climate change mitigation policies Education M.A. in global finance, trade and economic Keyser, Suzanne Tegen. 2016. Floating Offshore Wind in California: Gross Potential for Jobs and Economic

  2. Alternative Fuels Data Center: Local Businesses Get Creative to Offer

    Science.gov Websites

    employees receive free charging, save money on gas and reduce their carbon footprints. When potential Workplace Charging " Being a business, we're interested in saving money and [workplace charging] has businesses look to save money while lowering their carbon footprint, but Hollywood Woodwork has found a

  3. Defense.gov Special Report: Government Shutdown - What You Need to Know

    Science.gov Websites

    Department is taking to plan for a possible government shutdown. Document Plan for Agency Operations During agencies should plan for a potential shutdown. Document Guidance for Continuation of Operations in The Contingency Plan Guidance for Continuation of Essential Operations in the Absence of Available Appropriations

  4. Deployment | Transportation Research | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    coalitions, the Energy Department, the Federal Highway Administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection , illuminating solutions with the greatest potential for energy savings and greenhouse gas reduction. Recent initiatives, such as integrated networks that connect cars, power grids, and renewable energy sources. Fleet

  5. Distributed Generation Market Demand Model | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    Demand Model The Distributed Generation Market Demand (dGen) model simulates the potential adoption of distributed energy resources (DERs) for residential, commercial, and industrial entities in the dGen model can help develop deployment forecasts for distributed resources, including sensitivity to

  6. Geothermal Impact Analysis | Geothermal Technologies | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    on potential geothermal growth scenarios, jobs and economic impacts, clean energy manufacturing geothermal resources. We: Perform resource analysis Develop techno-economic models Quantify environmental growth scenarios across multiple market sectors. Learn more about the GeoVision Study. Jobs and Economic

  7. Nome Offshore Mining Information

    Science.gov Websites

    Lands Coal Regulatory Program Large Mine Permits Mineral Property and Rights Mining Index Land potential safety concerns, prevent overcrowding, and provide for efficient processing of the permits and Regulatory Program Large Mine Permitting Mineral Property Management Mining Fact Sheets Mining Forms APMA

  8. ACHP | Section 106 Regulations Flow Chart

    Science.gov Websites

    undertaking/no potential to cause effects Undertaking is type that might affect historic properties Identify No historic properties affected Historic properties are affected Assess Adverse Effects Apply affected Resolve Adverse Effects Continue consultation Memorandum of Agreement FAILURE TO AGREE COUNCIL

  9. Biomethane

    Science.gov Websites

    ; wastewater treatment; and industrial, institutional, and commercial organic waste (IIC). The purpose of this used in any advertising or publicity to endorse or promote any product or commercial entity using or FIPS ESRI OWCH4t Methane generation potential from industrial, institutional, and commercial organic

  10. The influence of chronotype and intelligence on academic achievement in primary school is mediated by conscientiousness, midpoint of sleep and motivation.

    PubMed

    Arbabi, Talat; Vollmer, Christian; Dörfler, Tobias; Randler, Christoph

    2015-04-01

    Individuals differ in their timing of sleep (bed times, rise times) and in their preference for morning or evening hours. Previous work focused on the relationship between academic achievement and these variables in secondary school students. The main aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between chronotype and academic achievement in 10-year-old children (n = 1125) attending 4th grade of primary school. They filled a cognitive test (Culture Fair Intelligence Test, CFT 20-R) and questions about rise times and bed times, academic achievement, conscientiousness and motivation. We used the "scales for the assessment of learning and performance motivation" (SELLMO; Skalen zur Erfassung der Lern- und Leistungsmotivation for motivation), the short version of the Five-Factor Personality Inventory Children (FFPI-C) to measure conscientiousness, and the Composite Scale of Morningness (CSM) to assess morningness-eveningness. Mean CSM score was 37.84 ± 6.66, midpoint of sleep was 1:36 ± 00:25 and average sleep duration (time in bed) was 10:15 ± 0:48. Morningness orientation was positively related to intelligence, conscientiousness and learning objectives. Eveningness orientation was related to avoidance performance objectives and work avoidance. Early midpoint of sleep, conscientiousness and intelligence were associated with better grades. The multivariate model showed that intelligence was the strongest predictor of good grades. Conscientiousness, motivation, younger age and an earlier midpoint of sleep were positively related to good grades. This is the first study in primary school pupils, and it shows that the relationship between evening orientation and academic achievement is already prevalent at this age even when controlling for important predictors of achievement.

  11. Symptom incidence, distress, cancer-related distress, and adherence to chemotherapy among African American women with breast cancer.

    PubMed

    Yee, Melissa K; Sereika, Susan M; Bender, Catherine M; Brufsky, Adam M; Connolly, Mary C; Rosenzweig, Margaret Q

    2017-06-01

    There is a persistent racial survival disparity between African American (AA) and white women with breast cancer. There is evidence that symptom incidence, associated distress, and overall cancer-related distress may be unexplored, important contributing factors. The purpose of the current study was to: 1) describe and compare the number of chemotherapy-related symptoms and associated distress among AA women with breast cancer over the course of chemotherapy at 3 time points (at baseline before initiating chemotherapy, midpoint, and at the completion of chemotherapy); and 2) to describe the relationship between the number of chemotherapy-related symptoms and overall cancer distress compared with the ability to receive at least 85% of the prescribed chemotherapy within the prescribed timeframe. Descriptive, comparative, and correlational analyses of symptom incidence, symptom distress, cancer-related distress, and prescribed chemotherapy dose received among a cohort of AA women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer were performed. AA women (121 women) experienced worsening symptoms from baseline to midpoint in chemotherapy and then stabilized for the duration of therapy. The inability to receive 85% of the prescribed chemotherapy within a prescribed time point was found to be significantly correlated with midpoint symptom distress. The main findings of the current study were that AA women experience a deterioration in symptom distress over the course of chemotherapy from baseline (before chemotherapy) to the midpoint, which was found to be associated with less adherence to chemotherapy overall. Thus, the incidence and management of physical and emotional symptoms, as measured through a multidimensional symptom measurement tool, may be contributing to breast cancer dose disparity and should be explored further. Cancer 2017;123:2061-2069. © 2017 American Cancer Society. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

  12. Using Fuel Cells to Increase the Range of Battery Electric Vehicles | News

    Science.gov Websites

    | NREL Using Fuel Cells to Increase the Range of Battery Electric Vehicles Using Fuel Cells to potential cost-effective scenarios for using small fuel cell power units to increase the range of medium fuel for range extension when necessary. By using hydrogen as a range-extending fuel, the BEV can

  13. Wide Bandgap Technology Enhances Performance of Electric-Drive Vehicles |

    Science.gov Websites

    , WBG materials/devices enable lighter, more compact, and more efficient power electronics for vehicles, and increased electric vehicle adoption by consumers. Wide bandgap power electronics devices power electronics component size and potentially reduce system or component-level cost, while improving

  14. Capacitance Techniques | Photovoltaic Research | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    transient spectroscopy generated graph showing six defect levels; DLTS signal (Y-axis) versus Temperature (X -axis). DLTS characterizes defect levels to assist in identification of impurities and potential levels of interface states (or both) that often exist between the surfaces of dissimilar materials. Deep

  15. Francisco Flores-Espino | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    regulation Project-level financial analysis and modeling Research Interests Economic impacts of renewable , and D. Loomis. 2015. Offshore Wind Jobs and Economic Development Impacts in the United States: Four . Keyser, and S. Tegen. 2014. "Potential Economic Impacts from Offshore Wind in the Gulf of Mexico

  16. Philipp Beiter | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    the Strategic Energy Analysis Center. Areas of Expertise Cost modeling and economic analysis of , 2011 Prior Work Experience Junior Policy Analyst, Organization for Economic Co-operation and . Smith. 2017. An Assessment of the Economic Potential of Offshore Wind in the United States from 2015 to

  17. Electric Sector Integration | Energy Analysis | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    investigates the potential impacts of expanding renewable technology deployment on grid operations and Electric System Flexibility and Storage Impacts on Conventional Generators Transmission Infrastructure Generation Our grid integration studies use state-of-the-art modeling and analysis to evaluate the impacts of

  18. Tony Jimenez | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    pre-feasibility analysis; wind data analysis; the small wind turbine certification process; economic Regional Test Center effort, analysis of the potential economic impact of large-scale MHK deployment off pre-feasibility analysis. Tony is an engineer officer in the Army Reserve. He has deployed twice

  19. Alternative Fuels Data Center: Project Assistance

    Science.gov Websites

    emerging transportation technologies. For examples of successful projects, explore alternative transportation case studies. Find My Local Coalition ZIP Code or City and State Search Map of the United States stakeholders network to learn from one another's experiences and identify potential project partners. Technical

  20. GLCF: Landsat GeoCover

    Science.gov Websites

    Congress of the United States provided NASA with funding to operate a Science Data Purchase, through the auspices of the NASA Stennis Space Centers Commercial Remote Sensing Program, now part of their Earth Science Applications Directorate. NASA Stennis solicited commercial remote sensing companies for potential

  1. arizona_50mwind

    Science.gov Websites

    completed. Purpose: Provide information on the wind resource development potential within the state of and distribute this data for any purpose whatsoever, provided that this entire notice appears in all , INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE

  2. Roderick MacKinnon - Patents

    Science.gov Websites

    CHANNEL PROTEINS, MUTANT PROKARYOTIC CATION CHANNEL PROTEINS, AND USES THEREOF - MacKinnon, Roderick cation channel proteins, and potentially have uses in treating conditions related to the function of SENSOR DOMAINS OF VOLTAGE-DEPENDENT ION CHANNEL PROTEINS AND USES THEREOF - MacKinnon, Roderick; et. al

  3. Advanced and Hybrid Powertrains

    Science.gov Websites

    and analysis, and to create methodologies for evaluating the true potential of proposed advanced architectures, and optimal control strategies. Finally, experimental studies are being conducted to support

  4. GeoVision Study | Geothermal Technologies | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    and technical issues of advanced technologies and potential future impacts and calculating geothermal : Exploration Reservoir development and management Social and environmental impacts Hybrid systems Thermal

  5. Cytochrome b6 arginine 214 of Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002, a key residue for quinone-reductase site function and turnover of the cytochrome bf complex.

    PubMed

    Nelson, Matthew E; Finazzi, Giovanni; Wang, Qing Jun; Middleton-Zarka, Kelly A; Whitmarsh, John; Kallas, Toivo

    2005-03-18

    Quinone-reductase (Q(i)) domains of cyanobacterial/chloroplast cytochrome bf and bacterial/mitochondrial bc complexes differ markedly, and the cytochrome bf Q(i) site mechanism remains largely enigmatic. To investigate the bf Q(i) domain, we constructed the mutation R214H, which substitutes histidine for a conserved arginine in the cytochrome b(6) polypeptide of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. SPCC 7002. At high light intensity, the R214H mutant grew approximately 2.5-fold more slowly than the wild type. Slower growth arose from correspondingly slower overall turnover of the bf complex. Specifically, as shown in single flash turnover experiments of cytochrome b(6) reduction and oxidation, the R214H mutation partially blocked electron transfer to the Q(i) site, mimicking the effect of the Q(i) site inhibitor 2-N-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide. The kinetics of cytochrome b(6) oxidation were largely unaffected by hydrogen-deuterium exchange in the mutant but were slowed considerably in the wild type. This suggests that although protonation events influenced the kinetics of cytochrome b(6) oxidation at the Q(i) site in the wild type, electron flow limited this reaction in the R214H mutant. Redox titration of membranes revealed midpoint potentials (E(m,7)) of the two b hemes similar to those in the wild type. Our data define cytochrome b(6) Arg(214) as a key residue for Q(i) site catalysis and turnover of the cytochrome bf complex. In the recent cytochrome bf structures, Arg(214) lies near the Q(i) pocket and the newly discovered c(i) or x heme. We propose a model for Q(i) site function and a role for Arg(214) in plastoquinone binding.

  6. Role of the cysteine residues in Arabidopsis thaliana cyclophilin CYP20-3 in peptidyl-prolyl cis–trans isomerase and redox-related functions

    PubMed Central

    Laxa, Miriam; König, Janine; Dietz, Karl-Josef; Kandlbinder, Andrea

    2006-01-01

    Cyps (cyclophilins) are ubiquitous proteins of the immunophilin superfamily with proposed functions in protein folding, protein degradation, stress response and signal transduction. Conserved cysteine residues further suggest a role in redox regulation. In order to get insight into the conformational change mechanism and functional properties of the chloroplast-located CYP20-3, site-directed mutagenized cysteine→serine variants were generated and analysed for enzymatic and conformational properties under reducing and oxidizing conditions. Compared with the wild-type form, elimination of three out of the four cysteine residues decreased the catalytic efficiency of PPI (peptidyl-prolyl cis–trans isomerase) activity of the reduced CYP20-3, indicating a regulatory role of dithiol–disulfide transitions in protein function. Oxidation was accompanied by conformational changes with a predominant role in the structural rearrangement of the disulfide bridge formed between Cys54 and Cys171. The rather negative Em (midpoint redox potential) of −319 mV places CYP20-3 into the redox hierarchy of the chloroplast, suggesting the activation of CYP20-3 in the light under conditions of limited acceptor availability for photosynthesis as realized under environmental stress. Chloroplast Prx (peroxiredoxins) were identified as interacting partners of CYP20-3 in a DNA-protection assay. A catalytic role in the reduction of 2-Cys PrxA and 2-Cys PrxB was assigned to Cys129 and Cys171. In addition, it was shown that the isomerization and disulfide-reduction activities are two independent functions of CYP20-3 that both are regulated by the redox state of its active centre. PMID:16928193

  7. Marine and Hydrokinetic Maps | Geospatial Data Science | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    production. Nonpowered Dams Assessment: An Assessment of Energy Potential at Non-Powered Dams in the United States The Nonpowered Dams Assessment, created by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, assesses non-powered dams across the nation to determine their ability to generate electricity. Non-powered dam electric

  8. Home Energy Saver

    Science.gov Websites

    Energy Saver (HES) Licensing Information The Home Energy Saver is a web-based residential energy calculator and web service that provides customized estimates of residential energy use, energy bills, and potential energy-saving strategies and ranks them in order of cost-effectiveness. Use of the web-services

  9. Resource Characterization | Water Power | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    characterization and assessment, NREL has extended its capabilities to the field of water power. NREL's team of , modeling, data analysis, and Geographic Information Systems. Many years of experience in wind assessment have enabled NREL to develop the skills and methodologies to evaluate the development potential of many

  10. NREL: International Activities - Philippines Wind Resource Maps and Data

    Science.gov Websites

    Philippines Wind Resource Maps and Data In 2014, under the Enhancing Capacity for Low Emission National Wind Technology Center and Geospatial Data Science Team applied modern approaches to update previous estimates to support the development of wind energy potential in the Philippines. The new

  11. Geospatial Data Science Publications | Geospatial Data Science | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    research in these publications. Featured Publications U.S. Renewable Energy Technical Potentials: A GIS -Based Analysis, NREL Technical Report (2012) 2016 Offshore Wind Energy Resource Assessment for the -Temperature Geothermal Resources of the United States, 40th GRC Annual Meeting (2016) High-Level Overview of

  12. Space Weather Impacts to Mariners

    Science.gov Websites

    Tsunamis 406 EPIRB's National Weather Service Marine Forecasts SPACE WEATHER IMPACTS TO MARINERS Marine present an even greater danger near shore or any shallow waters? Space Weather Impacts to Mariners Don't ), Notices to Mariners, Special Paragraphs: "(73) SPACE WEATHER IMPACTS. There is a growing potential

  13. Energy Storage Systems Evaluation | Transportation Research | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    extreme climates can have a dramatic impact on batteries and energy storage systems. Graph with numerous -E drive data to assess the vehicle batteries' value in second-use applications. Figure courtesy of could potentially absorb a large quantity of repurposed EV batteries. NREL's system evaluation project

  14. Carbon Nanotubes for Batteries - Continuum Magazine | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    battery technology holds potential to revolutionize powering vehicles. At about one ten-thousandth the rate. This study included the collaboration of Professor M. Stanley Whittingham of the State University , this research has produced one patent and two high-impact articles in Advanced Energy Materials. The

  15. OHD/HL - Hurricane

    Science.gov Websites

    flooding. While storm surge is always a potential threat, more people have died from inland flooding in the 56 people who perished, 50 drowned due to inland flooding. Satellite image of Hurricane Floyd people drowned. Damages exceeded $750 million. Tropical Storm Claudette (1979) brought 45 inches of rain

  16. KY_50mwind

    Science.gov Websites

    is not suitable for micro-siting potential development projects. This shapefile was generated from a for Sustainable Energy, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE"). The user is granted , the user of this data agrees to credit NREL in any publications or software that incorporate or use

  17. utah_50mwind

    Science.gov Websites

    is not suitable for micro-siting potential development projects. This shapefile was generated from a for Sustainable Energy, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE"). The user is granted , the user of this data agrees to credit NREL in any publications or software that incorporate or use

  18. mn_50mwind

    Science.gov Websites

    for micro-siting potential development projects. This shapefile was generated from a raster dataset for Sustainable Energy, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE"). The user is granted , the user of this data agrees to credit NREL in any publications or software that incorporate or use

  19. bt_50mwind

    Science.gov Websites

    for micro-siting potential development projects. This shapefile was generated from a raster dataset Sustainable Energy, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE"). The user is granted the right whatsoever, provided that this entire notice appears in all copies of the data. Further, the user of this

  20. am_50mwind

    Science.gov Websites

    for micro-siting potential development projects. This shapefile was generated from a raster dataset for Sustainable Energy, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE"). The user is granted , the user of this data agrees to credit NREL in any publications or software that incorporate or use

  1. lk_50mwind

    Science.gov Websites

    : Annual average wind resource potential for Sri Lanka at a 50 meter height. Purpose: Provide information any purpose whatsoever, provided that this entire notice appears in all copies of the data. Further LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED

  2. TN_50mwind

    Science.gov Websites

    average wind resource potential for the state of Tennessee at a 50 meter height. Purpose: Provide any purpose whatsoever, provided that this entire notice appears in all copies of the data. Further LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED

  3. ru_murark_50mwind

    Science.gov Websites

    Federation at a 50 meter height. Purpose: Provide information on the wind resource development potential fee or cost, to use, copy, modify, alter, enhance and distribute this data for any purpose whatsoever OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL DOE/NREL BE

  4. Oklahoma_50mwind

    Science.gov Websites

    Oklahoma at a 50 meter height. Purpose: Provide information on the wind resource development potential and distribute this data for any purpose whatsoever, provided that this entire notice appears in all , INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE

  5. ae_50mwind

    Science.gov Websites

    : Annual average wind resource potential for the United Arab Emirates at a 50 meter height. Purpose and distribute this data for any purpose whatsoever, provided that this entire notice appears in all , INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE

  6. Kansas_50mwind

    Science.gov Websites

    at a 50 meter height. Purpose: Provide information on the wind resource development potential within and distribute this data for any purpose whatsoever, provided that this entire notice appears in all , INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE

  7. ME_50m_Wind

    Science.gov Websites

    at a 50 meter height. Purpose: Provide information on the wind resource development potential within , alter, enhance and distribute this data for any purpose whatsoever, provided that this entire notice FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL DOE/NREL BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL

  8. VT_50m_Wind

    Science.gov Websites

    Vermont at a 50 meter height. Purpose: Provide information on the wind resource development potential , alter, enhance and distribute this data for any purpose whatsoever, provided that this entire notice FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL DOE/NREL BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL

  9. newmexico_50mwind

    Science.gov Websites

    has been completed. Purpose: Provide information on the wind resource development potential within the distribute this data for any purpose whatsoever, provided that this entire notice appears in all copies of , INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE

  10. A Negative Ion Cookbook

    Science.gov Websites

    Acknowledgements Introduction Negative Ion Source Operating Conditions & Procedures Cathode Ionization Potentials & Electron Affinities A Negative-Ion Cookbook Roy Middleton Department Of Physics 3Li Lithium 4Be Beryllium 5B Boron 6C Carbon 7N Nitrogen 8O Oxygen 9F Fluorine 10Ne Neon 11Na Sodium

  11. Biomass Maps | Geospatial Data Science | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    emissions from organic wastes Methane Generation Potential from Industrial, Institutional, and Commercial Organic Wastes Publications A Geographic Perspective on the Current Biomass Resource Availability in the

  12. Impacts | Bioenergy | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    Conversion NREL Overcomes Obstacles in Lignin Valorization Novel Combination of Enzyme Systems Could Lower Cellulosic Ethanol Can Be Cost Competitive Reducing Enzyme Costs Increases the Market Potential of Biofuels

  13. Finite element analysis of time-independent superconductivity. Ph.D. Thesis Final Report

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Schuler, James J.

    1993-01-01

    The development of electromagnetic (EM) finite elements based upon a generalized four-potential variational principle is presented. The use of the four-potential variational principle allows for downstream coupling of EM fields with the thermal, mechanical, and quantum effects exhibited by superconducting materials. The use of variational methods to model an EM system allows for a greater range of applications than just the superconducting problem. The four-potential variational principle can be used to solve a broader range of EM problems than any of the currently available formulations. It also reduces the number of independent variables from six to four while easily dealing with conductor/insulator interfaces. This methodology was applied to a range of EM field problems. Results from all these problems predict EM quantities exceptionally well and are consistent with the expected physical behavior.

  14. Experts Outline Pathway for Generating Up to Ten Terawatts of Power from

    Science.gov Websites

    of PV while also improving the performance of solar modules A drop in the cost of and time required Terawatts of Power from Sunlight by 2030 April 18, 2017 The annual potential of solar energy far exceeds the solar power in the new Science paper, Terawatt-Scale Photovoltaics: Trajectories and Challenges. Fifty

  15. NREL Announces New Technology Development and Innovation Project Selections

    Science.gov Websites

    support of the TD&I program, NREL and DOE plan to host an open house in summer 2018 to provide an in about potential partnership opportunities with NREL. The open house will focus on current needs and gaps from the 2017 open house, or for information on the upcoming open house (when available), please visit

  16. Analysis of the linearity of half periods of the Lorentz pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wickramasinghe, T.; Ochoa, R.

    2005-05-01

    We analyze the motion of the Lorentz pendulum, a simple pendulum whose length is changed at a constant rate k. We show both analytically and numerically that the half period Tn, the time between half oscillations as measured from midpoint to midpoint, increases linearly with the oscillation number n such that Tn+1-Tn≈kπ2/2g, where g is the acceleration due to gravity. A video camera is used to record the motion of the oscillating bob of the pendulum and verify the linearity of Tn with oscillation number. The theory and the experiment are suitable for an advanced undergraduate laboratory.

  17. Aquatic biomonitoring of Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts in peninsular Malaysia.

    PubMed

    Lee, Soo Ching; Ngui, Romano; Tan, Tiong Kai; Roslan, Muhammad Aidil; Ithoi, Init; Lim, Yvonne A L

    2014-01-01

    An aquatic biomonitoring of Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts in river water corresponding to five villages situated in three states in peninsular Malaysia was determined. There were 51.3% (20/39) and 23.1% (9/39) samples positive for Giardia and Cryptosporidium (oo)cysts, respectively. Overall mean concentration between villages for Giardia cysts ranged from 0.10 to 25.80 cysts/l whilst Cryptosporidium oocysts ranged from 0.10 to 0.90 oocysts/l. Detailed results of the river samples from five villages indicated that Kuala Pangsun 100% (9/9), Kemensah 77.8% (7/9), Pos Piah 33.3% (3/9) and Paya Lebar 33.3% (1/3) were contaminated with Giardia cysts whilst Cryptosporidium (oo)cysts were only detected in Kemensah (100 %; 9/9) and Kuala Pangsun (66.6%; 6/9). However, the water samples from Bentong were all negative for these waterborne parasites. Samples were collected from lower point, midpoint and upper point. Midpoint refers to the section of the river where the studied communities are highly populated. Meanwhile, the position of the lower point is at least 2 km southward of the midpoint and upper point is at least 2 km northward of the midpoint. The highest mean concentration for (oo)cysts was found at the lower points [3.15 ± 6.09 (oo)cysts/l], followed by midpoints [0.66 ± 1.10 (oo)cysts/l] and upper points [0.66 ± 0.92 (oo)cysts/l]. The mean concentration of Giardia cysts was highest at Kuala Pangsun (i.e. 5.97 ± 7.0 cysts/l), followed by Kemensah (0.83 ± 0.81 cysts/l), Pos Piah (0.20 ± 0.35 cysts/l) and Paya Lebar (0.10 ± 0.19 cysts/l). On the other hand, the mean concentration of Cryptosporidium oocysts was higher at Kemensah (0.31 ± 0.19 cysts/l) compared to Kuala Pangsun (0.03 ± 0.03cysts/l). All the physical and chemical parameters did not show significant correlation with both protozoa. In future, viability status and molecular characterisation of Giardia and Cryptosporidium should be applied to identify species and genotypes/subgenotypes for better understanding of the epidemiology of these waterborne parasites.

  18. Areas of Potential Impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on EMS: A Synthesis of the Literature.

    PubMed

    Ostermayer, Daniel G; Brown, Charles A; Fernandez, William G; Couvillon, Emily

    2017-04-01

    This comprehensive review synthesizes the existing literature on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) as it relates to emergency medical services (EMS) in order to provide guidance for navigating current and future healthcare changes. We conducted a comprehensive review to identify all existing literature related to the ACA and EMS and all sections within the federal law pertaining to EMS. Many changes enacted by the ACA directly affect emergency care with potential indirect effects on EMS systems. New Medicaid enrollees and changes to existing coverage plans may alter EMS transport volumes. Reimbursement changes such as adjustments to the ambulance inflation factor (AIF) alter the yearly increases in EMS reimbursement by incorporating the multifactor productivity value into yearly reimbursement adjustments. New initiatives, funded by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation are exploring novel and cost-effective prehospital care delivery opportunities while EMS agencies individually explore partnerships with healthcare systems. EMS systems should be aware of the direct and indirect impact of ACA on prehospital care due to the potential for changes in financial reimbursement, acuity and volume changes, and ongoing new care delivery initiatives.

  19. Areas of Potential Impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on EMS: A Synthesis of the Literature

    PubMed Central

    Ostermayer, Daniel G.; Brown, Charles A.; Fernandez, William G.; Couvillon, Emily

    2017-01-01

    Introduction This comprehensive review synthesizes the existing literature on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) as it relates to emergency medical services (EMS) in order to provide guidance for navigating current and future healthcare changes. Methods We conducted a comprehensive review to identify all existing literature related to the ACA and EMS and all sections within the federal law pertaining to EMS. Results Many changes enacted by the ACA directly affect emergency care with potential indirect effects on EMS systems. New Medicaid enrollees and changes to existing coverage plans may alter EMS transport volumes. Reimbursement changes such as adjustments to the ambulance inflation factor (AIF) alter the yearly increases in EMS reimbursement by incorporating the multifactor productivity value into yearly reimbursement adjustments. New initiatives, funded by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation are exploring novel and cost-effective prehospital care delivery opportunities while EMS agencies individually explore partnerships with healthcare systems. Conclusion EMS systems should be aware of the direct and indirect impact of ACA on prehospital care due to the potential for changes in financial reimbursement, acuity and volume changes, and ongoing new care delivery initiatives. PMID:28435495

  20. Biomass Scenario Model | Energy Analysis | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    focuses on policy issues, their feasibility, and potential side effects. It integrates resource to those technologies. It emphasizes the effects of those influences in the context of land

  1. ACHP | Sustainability and Historic Preservation Links

    Science.gov Websites

    Energy) Realizing the Energy Efficiency Potential of Small Buildings: Saving Energy, Money and Jobs Improving the Energy Efficiency of Historic Buildings (National Park Service) Saving Windows, Saving Money

  2. --No Title--

    Science.gov Websites

    meteorological consultants. However, the data is not suitable for micro-siting potential development projects.< DATA OR PROFITS, WHICH MAY RESULT FROM AN ACTION IN CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS CLAIM THAT

  3. Technology Systems Analysis | Energy Analysis | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    RD&D areas in terms of potential costs, benefits, risks, uncertainties, and timeframes. For examples of our technology systems analysis work, see these research areas: Bioenergy Buildings Grid

  4. Biomass Energy | Climate Neutral Research Campuses | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    forest residues, mill and urban wastes, and agricultural residues, as well as energy crop potential developed biomass energy generation facilities including those that run on agricultural waste byproducts

  5. NREL and Solectria Developing Advanced Photovoltaic Inverters | Energy

    Science.gov Websites

    Systems Integration Facility | NREL Solectria NREL and Solectria Developing Advanced inverters offer a lot of potential to help with this, and manufacturers like Solectria are developing

  6. ny_50m_wind

    Science.gov Websites

    energy meteorological consultants. However, the data is not suitable for micro-siting potential WITH THE LOSS OF DATA OR PROFITS, WHICH MAY RESULT FROM AN ACTION IN CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER

  7. Electric Vehicle Grid Integration | Transportation Research | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    Potential Grid Impacts from Future In-Motion Roadway Wireless Power Transfer Scenarios. A. Meintz, J. Gonder , J. Jorgenson, and A. Brooker. (2016) Integrating PEVs with Renewables and the Grid. A. Meintz, T . Markel, M. Jun, and J. Zhang. (2016) Opportunistic Wireless Charging System Design for an On-Demand

  8. sexual assault « Coast Guard All Hands

    Science.gov Websites

    accountability Some potentially positive news from the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) program: The . Coast Guard Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program logo. U.S. Coast Guard illustration by Petty Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, and U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Erica Schwartz, director of

  9. ResStock - Targeting Energy and Cost Savings for U.S. Homes | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    ResStock - Targeting Energy and Cost Savings for U.S. Homes Science and Technology Highlights Highlights in Research & Development ResStock - Targeting Energy and Cost Savings for U.S. Homes Key discovered $49 billion in potential annual utility bill savings through cost-effective energy efficiency

  10. Best Practices in Zoning for Solar | State, Local, and Tribal Governments |

    Science.gov Websites

    will remove potential barriers. For example: Solar Energy System: solar energy devices or design the electricity, and where it can be used. For example, requiring that accessory use solar electricity time. Resources: Planning and Zoning for Solar in North Carolina, p. 19; Example: Fort Collins, CO

  11. Scanning Kelvin Probe Microscopy | Materials Science | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    the measurement is performed under thermoequilibrium state; and it is the electrical potential when and electrical signals. The electrostatic force is zero when the CPD is completely compensated by a dc the measurement capabilities of the technique when a device sample is in the dark. Right: This

  12. About Us - Alaska Statutes | Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical

    Science.gov Websites

    Geologic Hazards in Alaska MAPTEACH Tsunami Inundation Mapping Energy Resources Gas Hydrates Sponsors potential of Alaskan land for production of metals, minerals, fuels, and geothermal resources; the locations declaration of sources, see 4 1, ch. 175, SLA 1980, in the legislative policy on geothermal re- Temporary and

  13. Access to Data Accelerates Innovation and Adoption of Geothermal

    Science.gov Websites

    Technologies | News | NREL Access to Data Accelerates Innovation and Adoption of Geothermal Technologies Access to Data Accelerates Innovation and Adoption of Geothermal Technologies May 18, 2018 A map of the continental U.S. is overlaid with a colored map showing deep geothermal heat potential. NREL's

  14. NREL: U.S. Life Cycle Inventory Database - Life Cycle Assessments

    Science.gov Websites

    evaluates the environmental impacts of products, processes, and services. Its quality depends on the life assessment of both goals and potential impacts. From this point, the next data interpretation step evaluates ? The environmental impacts of the shirts occurred during four phases: Production (cotton growing

  15. U.S. Department of Energy finds no significant environmental impact From

    Science.gov Websites

    following the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, which requires that the environmental impacts of any federal project must be studied. DOE explored a number of potential impacts in the draft Environmental Assessment (EA), including impacts on people and the environment, from building and operating the

  16. Program Alternatives - 36 CFR § 800.14

    Science.gov Websites

    implementation of a particular agency program or the resolution of adverse effects from complex projects or and the potential effects from the undertakings must be foreseeable and likely to be minimal or not undertakings, effects, historic properties, or treatment options. Standard treatments carry the ACHP's explicit

  17. ACHP | News | ACHP Issue Spotlight: Transmission Lines in the West

    Science.gov Websites

    effects. Some historic properties are affected by several of these lines, and some lines have multiple parts of Idaho and Montana. There are potential effects to a number of important historic properties impact, visual effects of this transmission line, will be approximated through "backsighted analysis

  18. NREL Fuels and Engines Research: Maximizing Vehicle Efficiency and

    Science.gov Websites

    Laboratory, we analyze the effects of fuel chemistry on ignition and the potential emissions impacts. Our lab research. It can be used to investigate fuel chemistry effects on current and near-term engine technology , independent control allows for deeper interrogation of fuel effects on future-generation engine strategies

  19. Alternative Fuels Data Center: Maps and Data

    Science.gov Websites

    Data Generated_thumb20160404-15442-1rr9crl AFV and HEV Model Offerings, By Manufacturer traditional and bioenergy power, fuels, and resources. The tool also calculates the biofuels potential for a Graph Download Data Generated_thumb20160926-6025-heors6 Light-Duty AFV, HEV, and Diesel Model Offerings

  20. cl_reg9_swcoast_50mwind

    Science.gov Websites

    is not suitable for micro-siting potential development projects. This shapefile was generated from a , LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE"). The user is granted the right, without any , provided that this entire notice appears in all copies of the data. Further, the user of this data agrees

  1. cu_50mwind

    Science.gov Websites

    -siting potential development projects. This shapefile was generated from a raster dataset with a 200 m Sustainable Energy, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE"). The user is granted the right whatsoever, provided that this entire notice appears in all copies of the data. Further, the user of this

  2. mx_yuc_50mwind

    Science.gov Websites

    data is not suitable for micro-siting potential development projects. This shapefile was generated from ;). The user is granted the right, without any fee or cost, to use, copy, modify, alter, enhance and the data. Further, the user of this data agrees to credit NREL in any publications or software that

  3. PR_VI_50mwind

    Science.gov Websites

    -siting potential development projects. This shapefile was generated from a raster dataset with a 200 m of Energy ("DOE"). The user is granted the right, without any fee or cost, to use, copy notice appears in all copies of the data. Further, the user of this data agrees to credit NREL in any

  4. do_50mwind

    Science.gov Websites

    is not suitable for micro-siting potential development projects. This shapefile was generated from a "). The user is granted the right, without any fee or cost, to use, copy, modify, alter, enhance copies of the data. Further, the user of this data agrees to credit NREL in any publications or software

  5. gh_50mwind

    Science.gov Websites

    -siting potential development projects. This shapefile was generated from a raster dataset with a 200 m Sustainable Energy, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE"). The user is granted the right whatsoever, provided that this entire notice appears in all copies of the data. Further, the user of this

  6. NREL Studies Voltage Regulation Strategies for Hawaiian Electric Companies

    Science.gov Websites

    , electric vehicles, and electric water heater control to understand their potential in supporting voltage locally. Meanwhile, NREL has also completed a pilot inverter control study, in which data from advanced voltage regulation, such as battery storage, water heater control, and electric vehicles, will be done

  7. wpc50gdd

    Science.gov Websites

    average wind resource potential for the state of South Carolina at a 50 meter height. Purpose: Provide fee or cost, to use, copy, modify, alter, enhance and distribute this data for any purpose whatsoever OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL DOE/NREL BE

  8. Colorado Wind Resource at 50 Meters Above Ground Level

    Science.gov Websites

    Meters Above Ground Level Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data Description: Abstract . Supplemental_Information: This data set has been validated by NREL and wind energy meteorological consultants. However, the data is not suitable for micro-siting potential development projects. This shapefile was generated from

  9. l48_ghi_10km

    Science.gov Websites

    information on the solar resource potential for the 48 Contiguous United States. This data provides monthly latitude and longitude, or about 10 km in size. This data was developed using the State University of New images from geostationary weather satellites, daily snow cover data, and monthly averages of atmospheric

  10. Vehicle Thermal Management Models and Tools | Transportation Research |

    Science.gov Websites

    NREL Models and Tools Vehicle Thermal Management Models and Tools The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL's) vehicle thermal management modeling tools allow researchers to assess the trade-offs and calculate the potential benefits of thermal design options. image of three models of semi truck cabs. Truck

  11. Energy Systems Integration News | Energy Systems Integration Facility |

    Science.gov Websites

    power grid modeling scenarios Study Shows Eastern U.S. Power Grid Can Support Upwards of 30% Wind and newly released Eastern Renewable Energy Integration Study (ERGIS) shows that the power grid of the -based study of four potential wind and PV futures and associated operational impacts in the Eastern

  12. Singlet Fission's Two-for-One Potential - Continuum Magazine | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    small arrows (one points up, the other down) on lower line labeled S0. For Panel b, left half has wavy red line angling in from left side; one short arrow points down on lower line, one short arrow points half of Panel a. For Panel c, left half, one small arrow points down on lower line and another points

  13. Disaster Resiliency and Recovery Example Project: Galena, Alaska |

    Science.gov Websites

    Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to identify energy-efficient rebuilding solutions, including measures to potential for water and energy efficiency measures, as well as appropriate on site renewable energy

  14. A unified description of the electrochemical, charge distribution, and spectroscopic properties of the special-pair radical cation in bacterial photosynthesis.

    PubMed

    Reimers, Jeffrey R; Hush, Noel S

    2004-04-07

    We apply our four-state 70-vibration vibronic-coupling model for the properties of the photosynthetic special-pair radical cation to: (1) interpret the observed correlations between the midpoint potential and the distribution of spin density between the two bacteriochlorophylls for 30 mutants of Rhodobacter sphaeroides, (2) interpret the observed average intervalence hole-transfer absorption energies as a function of spin density for six mutants, and (3) simulate the recently obtained intervalence electroabsorption Stark spectrum of the wild-type reaction center. While three new parameters describing the location of the sites of mutation with respect to the special pair are required to describe the midpoint-potential data, a priori predictions are made for the transition energies and the Stark spectrum. In general, excellent predictions are made of the observed quantities, with deviations being typically of the order of twice the experimental uncertainties. A unified description of many chemical and spectroscopic properties of the bacterial reaction center is thus provided. Central to the analysis is the assumption that the perturbations made to the reaction center, either via mutations of protein residues or by application of an external electric field, act only to independently modify the oxidation potentials of the two halves of the special pair and hence the redox asymmetry E0. While this appears to be a good approximation, clear evidence is presented that effects of mutation can be more extensive than what is allowed for. A thorough set of analytical equations describing the observed properties is obtained using the Born-Oppenheimer adiabatic approximation. These equations are generally appropriate for intervalence charge-transfer problems and include, for the first time, full treatment of both symmetric and antisymmetric vibrational motions. The limits of validity of the adiabatic approach to the full nonadiabatic problem are obtained.

  15. Simulation of electron-proton coupling with a Monte Carlo method: application to cytochrome c3 using continuum electrostatics.

    PubMed Central

    Baptista, A M; Martel, P J; Soares, C M

    1999-01-01

    A new method is presented for simulating the simultaneous binding equilibrium of electrons and protons on protein molecules, which makes it possible to study the full equilibrium thermodynamics of redox and protonation processes, including electron-proton coupling. The simulations using this method reflect directly the pH and electrostatic potential of the environment, thus providing a much closer and realistic connection with experimental parameters than do usual methods. By ignoring the full binding equilibrium, calculations usually overlook the twofold effect that binding fluctuations have on the behavior of redox proteins: first, they affect the energy of the system by creating partially occupied sites; second, they affect its entropy by introducing an additional empty/occupied site disorder (here named occupational entropy). The proposed method is applied to cytochrome c3 of Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough to study its redox properties and electron-proton coupling (redox-Bohr effect), using a continuum electrostatic method based on the linear Poisson-Boltzmann equation. Unlike previous studies using other methods, the full reduction order of the four hemes at physiological pH is successfully predicted. The sites more strongly involved in the redox-Bohr effect are identified by analysis of their titration curves/surfaces and the shifts of their midpoint redox potentials and pKa values. Site-site couplings are analyzed using statistical correlations, a method much more realistic than the usual analysis based on direct interactions. The site found to be more strongly involved in the redox-Bohr effect is propionate D of heme I, in agreement with previous studies; other likely candidates are His67, the N-terminus, and propionate D of heme IV. Even though the present study is limited to equilibrium conditions, the possible role of binding fluctuations in the concerted transfer of protons and electrons under nonequilibrium conditions is also discussed. The occupational entropy contributions to midpoint redox potentials and pKa values are computed and shown to be significant. PMID:10354425

  16. Hydrogen Fuel Cells | Transportation Research | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    Leading Role Hydrogen, a flexible, clean energy-carrying intermediate, has the potential to be a " webinar focused on the role that hydrogen at grid scale could play in our nation's energy future

  17. Return of the Lambkins: Practice Makes Perfect at Colorado Science Bowl |

    Science.gov Websites

    study and potential careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). "Science Bowl school students to explore math and science. Now, the competition attracts approximately 15,000 students

  18. ACHP | About ACHP | General Information

    Science.gov Websites

    thresholds are met: 1) there is a federal or federally licensed action, including grants, licenses, and permits, and 2) that action has the potential to affect properties listed in or eligible for listing in

  19. NREL to Research Revolutionary Battery Storage Approaches in Support of

    Science.gov Websites

    adoption by dramatically improving driving range and reliability, and by providing low-cost carbon have the potential to meet the demanding safety, cost and performance levels for EVs set by ARPA-E, but materials to develop a new low-cost battery that operates similar to a flow battery, where chemical energy

  20. NREL Research Identifies Increased Potential for Perovskites as a Material

    Science.gov Websites

    reducing the amount of energy lost to heat. A paper on the discovery, "Observation of a hot-phonon heat and the rest lost to other processes instead of being converted to electricity. The NREL research where phonons (heat carrying particles) that are emitted while the charge carriers cool cannot decay

  1. Alternative Fuels Data Center: Deploying Clean Buses in Texas through

    Science.gov Websites

    money for large expenditures--new school buses are a perfect example and offer the perfect opportunity a potential penalty or fine when that money is put toward an SEP. Municipalities may offset 100% of the problem schools have with finding money for large expenditures-new school buses are a perfect

  2. Climate Prediction Center - Monitoring East Pacific Hurricane Potential

    Science.gov Websites

    Organization Search Go Search the CPC Go About Us Our Mission Who We Are Contact Us CPC Information CPC Web Team USA.gov is the U.S. Government's official Web portal to all Federal, state and local government Web resources and services. HOME > Monitoring and Data > Monitoring East Pacific Hurricane

  3. Plant That Makes Fuel Out Of Garbage and Waste Called A Success

    Science.gov Websites

    , to run a turbine to generate electricity or as a transportation fuel. Pathogens in the food municipal solid waste and food processing wastes. The plant was operated close to neighbors in a light market of $1 billion. Other potential customers include food processors and waste haulers, who must now

  4. NREL Provides Technical Analysis for Hawaiian Electric Companies' Power

    Science.gov Websites

    ) to upgrade its five island power grids. The plan calls for achieving a 48% renewable portfolio standard (RPS) by 2020 and 100% by 2040, five years ahead of schedule. Aerial view of wind turbines on Maui NREL research on advanced inverters and renewable resource potential in Hawaii helped inform the PSIP

  5. American Energy Data Challenge - by IdeaScale

    Science.gov Websites

    part of this community and receive updates on Open Data by Design Contest. PUBLIC VOTING HAS CLOSED - WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED THIS MONTH! Arrow About Contest #3: Open Data by Design The Department of Energy will award $17,500 in prizes for the best designs that maximize the potential of our open energy data

  6. ACHP | News | ACHP Issue Spotlight: Transmission Lines in the West

    Science.gov Websites

    part of their deliberations on approving land use leases, particularly for gas and oil development. A some gas and oil leases based in part on potential impacts on historic properties. Upon appeal by the oil and gas industry challenge to the Bureau of Land Management's eleventh-hour decision last November

  7. Rooftop Solar Technical Potential for Low-to-Moderate Income Households in

    Science.gov Websites

    communities. A map of the United States, divided by county, is color-coded by the total solar technical of LMI households in the U.S. (approximately 43 percent), this analysis reveals two other important city governments, though to do so requires deployment on multi-family and renter-occupied buildings

  8. [Ecological memory and its potential applications in ecology: a review].

    PubMed

    Sun, Zhong-yu; Ren, Hai

    2011-03-01

    Ecological memory (EM) is defined as the capability of the past states or experiences of a community to influence the present or future ecological responses of the community. As a relatively new concept, EM has received considerable attention in the study of ecosystem structure and function, such as community succession, ecological restoration, biological invasion, and natural resource management. This review summarized the definition, components, and categories of EM, and discussed the possible mechanisms and affecting factors of EM. Also, the potential applications of EM were proposed, in order to further understand the mechanisms of community succession and to guide ecological restoration.

  9. Early Restoration PEIS Public Meeting | NOAA Gulf Spill Restoration

    Science.gov Websites

    , or PEIS, to evaluate the potential environmental effects of types of early restoration actions, as Early Restoration Plan. The PEIS also will evaluate the cumulative effects of early restoration. We are

  10. Electric Power Systems Are Profoundly Changing | Energy Analysis | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    . Advances in efficiency and smart grid technologies also have the potential to change historical demand installations are increasing. NREL works within these currents of change, and helps shape them to enhance our

  11. DIY Solar Market Analysis STAT Webinars | State, Local, and Tribal

    Science.gov Websites

    do they help policymakers? Solar Resource and Technical Potential: Finding, using, and making maps for decision makers PVWatts: New tips and tricks for the latest update Community Solar Scenario Tool

  12. Trieu Mai | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    Energy Laboratory. NREL/TP-6A20-52409-1. Brinkman, G., P. Denholm, E. Drury, E. Ela, T. Mai, R. Margolis . Brinkman, E. Drury, M. Mowers, and C. Turchi. 2012. Potential Role of Concentrating Solar Power in Enabling

  13. Role of Preschool and Primary School Children in Epidemics of Influenza A in a Local Community in Japan during Two Consecutive Seasons with A(H3N2) as a Predominant Subtype

    PubMed Central

    Mimura, Satoshi; Kamigaki, Taro; Takahashi, Yoshihiro; Umenai, Takamichi; Kudou, Mataka; Oshitani, Hitoshi

    2015-01-01

    Enhanced influenza surveillance was implemented to analyze transmission dynamics particularly driving force of influenza transmission in a community during 2011/12 and 2012/13 seasons in Odate City, Japan. In these two consecutive seasons, influenza A(H3N2) was the predominant influenza A subtype. Suspected influenza cases were tested by commercial rapid test kits. Demographic and epidemiological information of influenza positive cases were recorded using a standardized questionnaire, which included age or age group, date of visit, date of fever onset, and the result of rapid test kit. Epidemiological parameters including epidemic midpoint (EM) and growth rate (GR) were analyzed. In 2012/13 season, numbers of influenza A positive cases were significantly lower among preschool (212 cases) and primary school (224 cases) children than in 2011/12 season (461 and 538 cases, respectively). Simultaneously, total influenza A cases were also reduced from 2,092 in 2011/12 season to 1,846 in 2012/13 season. The EMs in preschool and primary school children were earlier than EMs for adult and all age group in both 2011/12 and 2012/13 seasons. The GR in 2012/13 season was significantly lower than that in 2011/12 season (0.11 and 0.18, respectively, p = 0.003). Multiple linear regression analysis by school districts revealed that GRs in both seasons were significantly correlated with the incidence of school age children. Our findings suggest that preschool and primary school children played an important role as a driving force of epidemics in the community in both 2011/12 and 2012/13 seasons. The reduction of total influenza A cases in 2012/13 season can be explained by decreased susceptible population in these age groups due to immunity acquired by infections in 2011/12 season. Further investigations are needed to investigate the effect of pre-existing immunity on influenza transmission in the community. PMID:25942315

  14. How Much Do Electric Cars Pollute? Depends on When and Where You Plug In |

    Science.gov Websites

    News | NREL How Much Do Electric Cars Pollute? Depends on When and Where You Plug In How Much Do Electric Cars Pollute? Depends on When and Where You Plug In May 19, 2016 The transportation the potential for emissions reduction depends on when and where drivers charge their vehicles. The

  15. Integrating Wind and Solar on the Grid-NREL Analysis Leads the Way -

    Science.gov Websites

    shown in color, but not including pink/IESO area.) Map provided by NREL Integrating Wind and Solar on the Grid-NREL Analysis Leads the Way NREL studies confirm big wind, solar potential for grid integration To fully harvest the nation's bountiful wind and solar resources, it is critical to know how much

  16. Successful NEES Grand Challenge Tests on Non-Ductile Beam-Column Joints

    Science.gov Websites

    potential of existing gravity load designed RC buildings is a great concern during intense seismic events evaluate unreinforced corner joints shear strength and axial residual capacity under high axial load axial load is 0.20f ’c Ag , while the overturning axial loads vary with displacement reversals to range

  17. PV Module Reliability Experts Gather for DuraMAT Workshop | News | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    DuraMAT Workshop June 20, 2017 On May 22 and 23, 2017, the Bay Area Photovoltaic Consortium (BAPVC) and with the photovoltaic and supply-chain industries to discover, develop, de-risk, and enable the commercialization of new materials and designs for photovoltaic modules-with the potential for a levelized cost of

  18. Frequency-domain multiscale quantum mechanics/electromagnetics simulation method

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

    Meng, Lingyi; Yin, Zhenyu; Yam, ChiYung, E-mail: yamcy@yangtze.hku.hk, E-mail: ghc@everest.hku.hk

    A frequency-domain quantum mechanics and electromagnetics (QM/EM) method is developed. Compared with the time-domain QM/EM method [Meng et al., J. Chem. Theory Comput. 8, 1190–1199 (2012)], the newly developed frequency-domain QM/EM method could effectively capture the dynamic properties of electronic devices over a broader range of operating frequencies. The system is divided into QM and EM regions and solved in a self-consistent manner via updating the boundary conditions at the QM and EM interface. The calculated potential distributions and current densities at the interface are taken as the boundary conditions for the QM and EM calculations, respectively, which facilitate themore » information exchange between the QM and EM calculations and ensure that the potential, charge, and current distributions are continuous across the QM/EM interface. Via Fourier transformation, the dynamic admittance calculated from the time-domain and frequency-domain QM/EM methods is compared for a carbon nanotube based molecular device.« less

  19. Formation of high-Tc YBa2Cu3O(7-delta) films on Y2BaCuO5 substrate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, W. N.; Lu, H. B.; Lin, W. J.; Yao, P. C.; Hsu, H. E.

    1988-07-01

    High-Tc superconducting YBa2Cu3O(7-delta) films have been successfully prepared on green Y2BaCuO5 (2115) ceramic substrate. The films have been formed by RF sputtering and screen printing with post annealing at 925 C. Regarding superconducting features, the sharp resistivity drop with Tc onset around 95 K (midpoint 84 K) and 99 K (midpoint 89 K) has been observed for RF sputtered and printed films respectively. Both films show the excellent adhesion towards the 2115 substrate. Powder X-ray diffraction profiles indicate a majority of 1237 phase with preferred orientation for RF sputtered thin film.

  20. [A cephalometric study on determining the orientation of occlusal plane].

    PubMed

    Xie, J; Zhao, Y; Chao, Y; Luo, W

    1993-12-01

    A study of the parallel relationship between the occlusal plane and the line connecting nasal alar and tragus was made in 90 dentulous cases by using cephalometry. The results show that the line connecting the inferior point of nasal alar and the mid-point of tragus runs much more parallel with the occlusal plane. The regression equation reveals a "line of closest fitting". It was used in the prosthetic treatment for 50 edentulous patients with good clinical results. The line connecting the inferior point of nasal alar and the mid-point of tragus therefore represents a proper reference plane for determining occlusal plane and hence should be still a valuable index in clinical dentistry.

  1. Energy Systems Integration News | Energy Systems Integration Facility |

    Science.gov Websites

    laboratories to attend the workshop on best practices for distributed energy resource (DER) security. Exploring grid. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) H2@Scale initiative is exploring the potential for wide-scale

  2. Early Restoration PEIS Public Scoping Meeting | NOAA Gulf Spill Restoration

    Science.gov Websites

    Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, or PEIS, to evaluate the potential environmental effects of types effects of early restoration. We are inviting the public to comment on the scope, content, and any other

  3. Staff - Robert J. Gillis | Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical

    Science.gov Websites

    the hydrocarbon potential of Alaska's sedimentary basins and reconstruct their geologic histories. My : Sedimentary Geology, Special Volume 182, p. 87-100. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2005.07.013 Selected

  4. NOAA predicts moderate flood potential in Midwest, elevated risk of ice

    Science.gov Websites

    individuals to become weather-ready by ensuring you have real-time access to flood warnings via mobile devices and marine resources. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels. NOAA Mobile

  5. Best Practices to Achieve the Lowest Uncertainty in Measuring with Respect

    Science.gov Websites

    been sitting in a cabinet from time to time. If control charts are used, then this interval could be 6 packaged cells or module for use in control charts to monitor the test bed and any potential drift in the reference device's calibration. Measure the control sample at least once a week. Plot percentage deviation

  6. Electromagnetic fields as structure-function zeitgebers in biological systems: environmental orchestrations of morphogenesis and consciousness.

    PubMed

    Rouleau, Nicolas; Dotta, Blake T

    2014-01-01

    Within a cell system structure dictates function. Any interaction between cells, or a cell and its environment, has the potential to have long term implications on the function of a given cell and emerging cell aggregates. The structure and function of cells are continuously subjected to modification by electrical and chemical stimuli. However, biological systems are also subjected to an ever-present influence: the electromagnetic (EM) environment. Biological systems have the potential to be influenced by subtle energies which are exchanged at atomic and subatomic scales as EM phenomena. These energy exchanges have the potential to manifest at higher orders of discourse and affect the output (behavior) of a biological system. Here we describe theoretical and experimental evidence of EM influence on cells and the integration of whole systems. Even weak interactions between EM energies and biological systems display the potential to affect a developing system. We suggest the growing literature of EM effects on biological systems has significant implications to the cell and its functional aggregates.

  7. Current challenges for pre-earthquake electromagnetic emissions: shedding light from micro-scale plastic flow, granular packings, phase transitions and self-affinity notion of fracture process

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Eftaxias, K.; Potirakis, S. M.

    2013-10-01

    Are there credible electromagnetic (EM) potential earthquake (EQ) precursors? This a question debated in the scientific community and there may be legitimate reasons for the critical views. The negative view concerning the existence of EM potential precursors is enhanced by features that accompany their observation which are considered as paradox ones, namely, these signals: (i) are not observed at the time of EQs occurrence and during the aftershock period, (ii) are not accompanied by large precursory strain changes, (iii) are not accompanied by simultaneous geodetic or seismological precursors and (iv) their traceability is considered problematic. In this work, the detected candidate EM potential precursors are studied through a shift in thinking towards the basic science findings relative to granular packings, micron-scale plastic flow, interface depinning, fracture size effects, concepts drawn from phase transitions, self-affine notion of fracture and faulting process, universal features of fracture surfaces, recent high quality laboratory studies, theoretical models and numerical simulations. We try to contribute to the establishment of strict criteria for the definition of an emerged EM anomaly as a possibly EQ-related one, and to the explanation of potential precursory EM features which have been considered as paradoxes. A three-stage model for EQ generation by means of pre-EQ fracture-induced EM emissions is proposed. The claim that the observed EM potential precursors may permit a real-time and step-by-step monitoring of the EQ generation is tested.

  8. Initial diameter of the polar body contractile ring is minimized by the centralspindlin complex.

    PubMed

    Fabritius, Amy S; Flynn, Jonathan R; McNally, Francis J

    2011-11-01

    Polar body formation is an essential step in forming haploid eggs from diploid oocytes. This process involves completion of a highly asymmetric cytokinesis that results in a large egg and two small polar bodies. Unlike mitotic contractile rings, polar body contractile rings assemble over one spindle pole so that the spindle must move through the contractile ring before cytokinesis. During time-lapse imaging of C. elegans meiosis, the contractile ring moved downward along the length of the spindle and completed scission at the midpoint of the spindle, even when spindle length or rate of ring movement was increased. Patches of myosin heavy chain and dynamic furrowing of the plasma membrane over the entire embryo suggested that global cortical contraction forces the meiotic spindle and overlying membrane out through the contractile ring center. Consistent with this model, depletion of myosin phosphatase increased the velocity of ring movement along the length of the spindle. Global dynamic furrowing, which was restricted to anaphase I and II, was dependent on myosin II, the anaphase promoting complex and separase, but did not require cortical contact by the spindle. Large cortical patches of myosin during metaphase I and II indicated that myosin was already in the active form before activation of separase. To identify the signal at the midpoint of the anaphase spindle that induces scission, we depleted two proteins that mark the exact midpoint of the spindle during late anaphase, CYK-4 and ZEN-4. Depletion of either protein resulted in the unexpected phenotype of initial ingression of a polar body ring with twice the diameter of wild type. This phenotype revealed a novel mechanism for minimizing polar body size. Proteins at the spindle midpoint are required for initial ring ingression to occur close to the membrane-proximal spindle pole. 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Common-midpoint radar surveys of ice sheets: a tool for better ice and bed property inversions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Holschuh, N.; Christianson, K.; Anandakrishnan, S.; Alley, R. B.; Jacobel, R. W.

    2016-12-01

    In response to the demand for observationally derived boundary conditions in ice-sheet models, geophysicists are striving to more quantitatively interpret the reflection amplitudes of ice penetrating radar data. Inversions for ice-flow parameters and basal properties typically use common-offset radar data, which contain a single observation of bed reflection amplitude at each location in the survey; however, the radar equation has more than one unknown - ice temperature, subglacial water content, and bedrock roughness cannot be uniquely determined without additional constraints. In this study, we adapt traditional seismic property inversion techniques to radar data, using additional information collected with a common-midpoint (CMP) radar survey geometry (which varies the source-receiver offset for each subsurface target). Using two of the first common-midpoint ice-penetrating radar data sets collected over thick ice in Antarctica and Greenland, we test the hypothesis that these data can be used to disentangle the contributions of ice conductivity and bed permittivity to the received reflection amplitudes. We focus specifically on the corrections for the angular dependence of antenna gain and surface reflectivity, refractive focusing effects, and surface scattering losses. Inferred temperature profiles, derived from the constrained ice conductivities at Kamb Ice Stream and the North East Greenland Ice Stream, suggest higher than expected depth-integrated temperatures, as well as non-physical depth trends (with elevated temperatures near the surface). We hypothesize that this is driven in part by offset-dependent interferences between the sub-wavelength layers that make up a single nadir reflection, and present a convolutional model that describes how this interference might systematically reduce reflection power with offset (thereby elevating the inferred attenuation rate). If these additional offset-dependent power losses can be isolated and removed, common-midpoint profiles could provide a promising new way to calibrate property inversions that use the more laterally extensive, airborne, common-offset radar surveys.

  10. Validation for Vegetation Green-up Date Extracted from GIMMS NDVI and NDVI3g Using Variety of Methods

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chang, Q.; Jiao, W.

    2017-12-01

    Phenology is a sensitive and critical feature of vegetation change that has regarded as a good indicator in climate change studies. So far, variety of remote sensing data sources and phenology extraction methods from satellite datasets have been developed to study the spatial-temporal dynamics of vegetation phenology. However, the differences between vegetation phenology results caused by the varies satellite datasets and phenology extraction methods are not clear, and the reliability for different phenology results extracted from remote sensing datasets is not verified and compared using the ground observation data. Based on three most popular remote sensing phenology extraction methods, this research calculated the Start of the growing season (SOS) for each pixels in the Northern Hemisphere for two kinds of long time series satellite datasets: GIMMS NDVIg (SOSg) and GIMMS NDVI3g (SOS3g). The three methods used in this research are: maximum increase method, dynamic threshold method and midpoint method. Then, this study used SOS calculated from NEE datasets (SOS_NEE) monitored by 48 eddy flux tower sites in global flux website to validate the reliability of six phenology results calculated from remote sensing datasets. Results showed that both SOSg and SOS3g extracted by maximum increase method are not correlated with ground observed phenology metrics. SOSg and SOS3g extracted by the dynamic threshold method and midpoint method are both correlated with SOS_NEE significantly. Compared with SOSg extracted by the dynamic threshold method, SOSg extracted by the midpoint method have a stronger correlation with SOS_NEE. And, the same to SOS3g. Additionally, SOSg showed stronger correlation with SOS_NEE than SOS3g extracted by the same method. SOS extracted by the midpoint method from GIMMS NDVIg datasets seemed to be the most reliable results when validated with SOS_NEE. These results can be used as reference for data and method selection in future's phenology study.

  11. Inventory of File sref_nmm.t03z.pgrb221.p1.f00.grib2

    Science.gov Websites

    ground VGRD analysis V-Component of Wind [m/s] 015 surface WEASD analysis Water Equivalent of Accumulated day acc f Convective Precipitation [kg/m^2] 018 surface WEASD 0-0 day acc f Water Equivalent of Potential Temperature [K] 403 surface NCPCP 0-0 day acc f Large-Scale Precipitation (non-convective) [kg/m^2

  12. Inventory of File sref_nmb.t03z.pgrb221.p1.f00.grib2

    Science.gov Websites

    ground VGRD analysis V-Component of Wind [m/s] 015 surface WEASD analysis Water Equivalent of Accumulated day acc f Convective Precipitation [kg/m^2] 018 surface WEASD 0-0 day acc f Water Equivalent of Potential Temperature [K] 403 surface NCPCP 0-0 day acc f Large-Scale Precipitation (non-convective) [kg/m^2

  13. Projected Climate Impacts to South African Maize and Wheat Production in 2055: A Comparison of Empirical and Mechanistic Modeling Approaches

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Estes, Lyndon D.; Beukes, Hein; Bradley, Bethany A.; Debats, Stephanie R.; Oppenheimer, Michael; Ruane, Alex C.; Schulze, Roland; Tadross, Mark

    2013-01-01

    Crop model-specific biases are a key uncertainty affecting our understanding of climate change impacts to agriculture. There is increasing research focus on intermodel variation, but comparisons between mechanistic (MMs) and empirical models (EMs) are rare despite both being used widely in this field. We combined MMs and EMs to project future (2055) changes in the potential distribution (suitability) and productivity of maize and spring wheat in South Africa under 18 downscaled climate scenarios (9 models run under 2 emissions scenarios). EMs projected larger yield losses or smaller gains than MMs. The EMs' median-projected maize and wheat yield changes were 3.6% and 6.2%, respectively, compared to 6.5% and 15.2% for the MM. The EM projected a 10% reduction in the potential maize growing area, where the MM projected a 9% gain. Both models showed increases in the potential spring wheat production region (EM = 48%, MM = 20%), but these results were more equivocal because both models (particularly the EM) substantially overestimated the extent of current suitability. The substantial water-use efficiency gains simulated by the MMs under elevated CO2 accounted for much of the EMMM difference, but EMs may have more accurately represented crop temperature sensitivities. Our results align with earlier studies showing that EMs may show larger climate change losses than MMs. Crop forecasting efforts should expand to include EMMM comparisons to provide a fuller picture of crop-climate response uncertainties.

  14. The tug-of-war behavior of a Brownian particle in an asymmetric double optical trap with stochastic fluctuations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Long, Fei; Zhu, Jia-Pei

    2018-07-01

    A Brownian particle optically trapped in an asymmetric double potential surrounded by a thermal bath was simulated. Under the cooperative action of the resultant deterministic optical force and the stochastic fluctuations of the thermal bath, the confined particle undergoes Kramers transition, and oscillates between the two traps with a probability of trap occupancy that is asymmetrically distributed about the midpoint. The simulation results obtained at different temperatures indicate that the oscillation behavior of the particle can be treated as the result of a tug-of-war game played between the resultant deterministic force and the random force. We also employ a bistable model to explain the observed phenomena.

  15. IMPACT OF NOBLE METALS AND MERCURY ON HYDROGEN GENERATION DURING HIGH LEVEL WASTE PRETREATMENT AT THE SAVANNAH RIVER SITE

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

    Stone, M; Tommy Edwards, T; David Koopman, D

    2009-03-03

    The Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) at the Savannah River Site vitrifies radioactive High Level Waste (HLW) for repository internment. The process consists of three major steps: waste pretreatment, vitrification, and canister decontamination/sealing. HLW consists of insoluble metal hydroxides (primarily iron, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and uranium) and soluble sodium salts (carbonate, hydroxide, nitrite, nitrate, and sulfate). The pretreatment process in the Chemical Processing Cell (CPC) consists of two process tanks, the Sludge Receipt and Adjustment Tank (SRAT) and the Slurry Mix Evaporator (SME) as well as a melter feed tank. During SRAT processing, nitric and formic acids are addedmore » to the sludge to lower pH, destroy nitrite and carbonate ions, and reduce mercury and manganese. During the SME cycle, glass formers are added, and the batch is concentrated to the final solids target prior to vitrification. During these processes, hydrogen can be produced by catalytic decomposition of excess formic acid. The waste contains silver, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, and mercury, but silver and palladium have been shown to be insignificant factors in catalytic hydrogen generation during the DWPF process. A full factorial experimental design was developed to ensure that the existence of statistically significant two-way interactions could be determined without confounding of the main effects with the two-way interaction effects. Rh ranged from 0.0026-0.013% and Ru ranged from 0.010-0.050% in the dried sludge solids, while initial Hg ranged from 0.5-2.5 wt%, as shown in Table 1. The nominal matrix design consisted of twelve SRAT cycles. Testing included: a three factor (Rh, Ru, and Hg) study at two levels per factor (eight runs), three duplicate midpoint runs, and one additional replicate run to assess reproducibility away from the midpoint. Midpoint testing was used to identify potential quadratic effects from the three factors. A single sludge simulant was used for all tests and was spiked with the required amount of noble metals immediately prior to performing the test. Acid addition was kept effectively constant except to compensate for variations in the starting mercury concentration. SME cycles were also performed during six of the tests.« less

  16. A verified design of a fault-tolerant clock synchronization circuit: Preliminary investigations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Miner, Paul S.

    1992-01-01

    Schneider demonstrates that many fault tolerant clock synchronization algorithms can be represented as refinements of a single proven correct paradigm. Shankar provides mechanical proof that Schneider's schema achieves Byzantine fault tolerant clock synchronization provided that 11 constraints are satisfied. Some of the constraints are assumptions about physical properties of the system and cannot be established formally. Proofs are given that the fault tolerant midpoint convergence function satisfies three of the constraints. A hardware design is presented, implementing the fault tolerant midpoint function, which is shown to satisfy the remaining constraints. The synchronization circuit will recover completely from transient faults provided the maximum fault assumption is not violated. The initialization protocol for the circuit also provides a recovery mechanism from total system failure caused by correlated transient faults.

  17. Emergency Medical Services Perspectives on Identifying and Reporting Victims of Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Self-Neglect.

    PubMed

    Rosen, Tony; Lien, Cynthia; Stern, Michael E; Bloemen, Elizabeth M; Mysliwiec, Regina; McCarthy, Thomas J; Clark, Sunday; Mulcare, Mary R; Ribaudo, Daniel S; Lachs, Mark S; Pillemer, Karl; Flomenbaum, Neal E

    2017-10-01

    Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers, who perform initial assessments of ill and injured patients, often in a patient's home, are uniquely positioned to identify potential victims of elder abuse, neglect, or self-neglect. Despite this, few organized programs exist to ensure that EMS concerns are communicated to or further investigated by other health care providers, social workers, or the authorities. To explore attitudes and self-reported practices of EMS providers surrounding identification and reporting of elder mistreatment. Five semi-structured focus groups with 27 EMS providers. Participants reported believing they frequently encountered and were able to identify potential elder mistreatment victims. Many reported infrequently discussing their concerns with other health care providers or social workers and not reporting them to the authorities due to barriers: 1) lack of EMS protocols or training specific to vulnerable elders; 2) challenges in communication with emergency department providers, including social workers, who are often unavailable or not receptive; 3) time limitations; and 4) lack of follow-up when EMS providers do report concerns. Many participants reported interest in adopting protocols to assist in elder protection. Additional strategies included photographically documenting the home environment, additional training, improved direct communication with social workers, a dedicated location on existing forms or new form to document concerns, a reporting hotline, a system to provide feedback to EMS, and community paramedicine. EMS providers frequently identify potential victims of elder abuse, neglect, and self-neglect, but significant barriers to reporting exist. Strategies to empower EMS providers and improve reporting were identified. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  18. Organ localization: Toward prospective patient-specific organ dosimetry in computed tomography

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

    Segars, W. P., E-mail: paul.segars@duke.edu; Rybicki, K.; Norris, Hannah

    2014-12-15

    Purpose: With increased focus on radiation dose from medical imaging, prospective radiation dose estimates are becoming increasingly desired. Using available populations of adult and pediatric patient phantoms, radiation dose calculations can be catalogued and prospectively applied to individual patients that best match certain anatomical characteristics. In doing so, the knowledge of organ size and location is a required element. Here, the authors develop a predictive model of organ locations and volumes based on an analysis of adult and pediatric computed tomography (CT) data. Methods: Fifty eight adult and 69 pediatric CT datasets were segmented and utilized in the study. Themore » maximum and minimum points of the organs were recorded with respect to the axial distance from the tip of the sacrum. The axial width, midpoint, and volume of each organ were calculated. Linear correlations between these three organ parameters and patient age, BMI, weight, and height were determined. Results: No statistically significant correlations were found in adult patients between the axial width, midpoint, and volume of the organs versus the patient age or BMI. Slight, positive linear trends were found for organ midpoint versus patient weight (max r{sup 2} = 0.382, mean r{sup 2} = 0.236). Similar trends were found for organ midpoint versus height (max r{sup 2} = 0.439, mean r{sup 2} = 0.200) and for organ volume versus height (max r{sup 2} = 0.410, mean r{sup 2} = 0.153). Gaussian fits performed on probability density functions of the adult organs resulted in r{sup 2}-values ranging from 0.96 to 0.996. The pediatric patients showed much stronger correlations overall. Strong correlations were observed between organ axial midpoint versus age, height, and weight (max r{sup 2} = 0.842, mean r{sup 2} = 0.790; max r{sup 2} = 0.949, mean r{sup 2} = 0.894; and max r{sup 2} = 0.870, mean r{sup 2} = 0.847, respectively). Moderate linear correlations were also observed for organ axial width versus height (max r{sup 2} = 0.772, mean r{sup 2} = 0.562) and for organ volume versus height (max r{sup 2} = 0.781, mean r{sup 2} = 0.601). Conclusions: Adult patients exhibited small variations in organ volume and location with respect to height and weight, but no meaningful correlation existed between these parameters and age or BMI. Once adulthood is reached, organ morphology and positioning seem to remain static. However, clear trends are evident between pediatric organ locations versus age, height, and weight. Such information can be incorporated into a matching methodology that may provide the highest probability of representing the anatomy of a patient undergoing a clinical exam to prospectively estimate the radiation dose.« less

  19. Exponential propagators for the Schrödinger equation with a time-dependent potential.

    PubMed

    Bader, Philipp; Blanes, Sergio; Kopylov, Nikita

    2018-06-28

    We consider the numerical integration of the Schrödinger equation with a time-dependent Hamiltonian given as the sum of the kinetic energy and a time-dependent potential. Commutator-free (CF) propagators are exponential propagators that have shown to be highly efficient for general time-dependent Hamiltonians. We propose new CF propagators that are tailored for Hamiltonians of the said structure, showing a considerably improved performance. We obtain new fourth- and sixth-order CF propagators as well as a novel sixth-order propagator that incorporates a double commutator that only depends on coordinates, so this term can be considered as cost-free. The algorithms require the computation of the action of exponentials on a vector similar to the well-known exponential midpoint propagator, and this is carried out using the Lanczos method. We illustrate the performance of the new methods on several numerical examples.

  20. Development of redox-sensitive red fluorescent proteins for imaging redox dynamics in cellular compartments.

    PubMed

    Fan, Yichong; Ai, Hui-wang

    2016-04-01

    We recently reported a redox-sensitive red fluorescent protein, rxRFP1, which is one of the first genetically encoded red-fluorescent probes for general redox states in living cells. As individual cellular compartments have different basal redox potentials, we hereby describe a group of rxRFP1 mutants, showing different midpoint redox potentials for detection of redox dynamics in various subcellular domains, such as mitochondria, the cell nucleus, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). When these redox probes were expressed and subcellularly localized in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 T cells, they responded to membrane-permeable oxidants and reductants. In addition, a mitochondrially localized rxRFP1 mutant, Mito-rxRFP1.1, was used to detect mitochondrial oxidative stress induced by doxorubicin-a widely used cancer chemotherapy drug. Our work has expanded the fluorescent protein toolkit with new research tools for studying compartmentalized redox dynamics and oxidative stress under various pathophysiological conditions.

  1. IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL SOURCES OF BACKGROUND CONTAMINATION IN RT-PCR

    EPA Science Inventory

    Extraction of nucleic acids from low biomass samples, such as drinking water, is particularly sensitive to potential background contamination because the contaminating material is minimally diluted by the sample. The presence of bacterial DNA in Taq DNA polymerase is wel...

  2. Induction and cryopreservation of embryogenic cultures from nucelli and immature cotyledon cuts of mango (Mangifera indica L. var Zihua).

    PubMed

    Wu, Yong-Jie; Huang, Xue-Lin; Chen, Qi-Zhu; Li, Xiao-Ju; Engelmann, Florent

    2007-02-01

    In this paper, we described the direct somatic embryogenesis from both immature cotyledon cuts and nucelli in the same mango cultivar (Mangifera indica L. var Zihua), studied the effect of growth conditions of embryogenic cultures (EMs) on cryopreservation and compared the cryopreservation response of EMs induced from these two different explants. Histological studies demonstrated that EMs derived from nucelli could be induced directly from epidermal cells of both sides of nucelli, whereas EMs derived from cotyledon cuts were induced only from epidermal cells of the adaxial side of the cotyledons. EMs from either nucelli or cotyledon cuts could be maintained in liquid medium or on solid medium and cryopreserved using a vitrification procedure. Success of cryopreservation of EMs depended on the dehydration treatment and the defined growth conditions during culture but not on their origins. When EMs were sampled during their exponential growth phase in liquid medium and dehydrated with PVS(3) solution for 5 min, survival of the EMs induced from cotyledon cuts and nucelli reached 77.7 and 80%, respectively, after cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen for 24 h. Furthermore, when dehydrated with PVS(3) solution for 30 min, all EMs induced from cotyledon cuts and 96.7% of EMs induced from nucelli could survive after cryopreservation. Cryopreservation did not affect the plant regeneration potential of EMs through somatic embryogenesis. The protocols of somatic embryogenesis and cryopreservation of mango EMs established in this study may offer potential ways to improve mango germplasm conservation and genetic improvement.

  3. Life cycle assessment of municipal solid waste management scenarios on the small island of Mauritius.

    PubMed

    Rajcoomar, Avinash; Ramjeawon, Toolseeram

    2017-03-01

    The aim of this study was to use the life cycle assessment tool to assess, from an environmental point of view, the different possible municipal solid waste (MSW) management scenarios for the island of Mauritius. The scenarios include landfilling with energy recovery (S1), incineration with energy recovery (S2), composting, incineration and landfilling (S3) and finally composting, recycling, incineration and landfilling (S4). The MSW generated in 2010 was selected as the functional unit. Foreground data were collected through surveys and literature. Background data were obtained from ecoinvent data in SimaPro 8 libraries. The scenarios were compared both through the CML-IA baseline-midpoint method and the ReCiPe end-point method. From the midpoint method, the results obtained indicates that landfilling (S1) has the greatest impact in all the analyzed impact categories except ozone layer depletion and human toxicity, while incineration (S2) has the least impact on almost all the analyzed damage categories except in global warming potential and human toxicity. The collection and transportation of waste has a significant impact on the environment. From the end-point method, S4 reduces the damage impact categories on Human Health, Ecosystems and Resources due to the recycling process. S3 is not favorable due to the impact caused by the composting process. However, it is also very important to emphasize that for incineration, the best available technology with energy recovery shall be considered. It is recommended that S2 and S4 are considered for strategic planning.

  4. 26 CFR 1.483-2 - Unstated interest.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... percentage points above the yield on 6-month Treasury bills at the mid-point of the semiannual period immediately preceding each interest payment date. Assume that the interest rate is a qualified floating rate...

  5. BASINs and WEPP Climate Assessment Tools (CAT): Case Study Guide to Potential Applications (Final Report)

    EPA Science Inventory

    EPA announced the release of the final report, BASINs and WEPP Climate Assessment Tools (CAT): Case Study Guide to Potential Applications. This report supports application of two recently developed water modeling tools, the Better Assessment Science Integrating point & ...

  6. Method for contour extraction for object representation

    DOEpatents

    Skourikhine, Alexei N.; Prasad, Lakshman

    2005-08-30

    Contours are extracted for representing a pixelated object in a background pixel field. An object pixel is located that is the start of a new contour for the object and identifying that pixel as the first pixel of the new contour. A first contour point is then located on the mid-point of a transition edge of the first pixel. A tracing direction from the first contour point is determined for tracing the new contour. Contour points on mid-points of pixel transition edges are sequentially located along the tracing direction until the first contour point is again encountered to complete tracing the new contour. The new contour is then added to a list of extracted contours that represent the object. The contour extraction process associates regions and contours by labeling all the contours belonging to the same object with the same label.

  7. Color matches in diseased eyes with good acuity: detection of deficits in cone optical density and in chromatic discrimination

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Swanson, William H.; Fish, Gary E.

    1995-10-01

    Reduced foveal cone optical density in diseased eyes with normal acuity can affect color matches. Using field diameters of 1 deg, 2 deg, 4 deg, and 8 deg, we measured mean color-match midpoints and match widths in patients who had good acuity and who hereditary macular degeneration ( n=12 ), retinitis pigmentosa ( n=19 ), and glaucoma ( n=18 ). Results were compared with those for normal observers of comparable ages. Mean color-match midpoints were abnormal only for the population with hereditary macular degeneration, indicating a reduction in cone optical density in the central 4 deg. Mean color-match widths were enlarged for both hereditary macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa, a result consistent with a reduction in the number of foveal cones. chromatic discrimination, macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma.

  8. Measurement and Analysis of L-Band (1535-1660 MHz) Electromagnetic (EM) Noise on Ships

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1974-12-01

    A program of L-band (1535-1660 MHz) electromagnetic (EM) noise measurements conducted on ships is described. The magnitude and duration of EM noise on ships is of particular significance in terms of potential radio frequency interference (RFI) to fut...

  9. Defining the safe working zones using the minimally invasive lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach: an anatomical study.

    PubMed

    Uribe, Juan S; Arredondo, Nicolas; Dakwar, Elias; Vale, Fernando L

    2010-08-01

    The lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach is being increasingly employed to treat various spinal disorders. The minimally invasive blunt retroperitoneal and transpsoas dissection poses a risk of injury to major nervous structures. The addition of electrophysiological monitoring potentially decreases the risk of injury to the lumbar plexus. With respect to the use of the direct transpsoas approach, however, there is sparse knowledge regarding the relationship between the retroperitoneum/psoas muscle and the lumbar plexus at each lumbar segment. The authors undertook this anatomical cadaveric dissection study to define the anatomical safe zones relative to the disc spaces for prevention of nerve injuries during the lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach. Twenty lumbar segments were dissected and studied. The relationship between the retroperitoneum, psoas muscle, and the lumbar plexus was analyzed. The area between the anterior and posterior edges of the vertebral body (VB) was divided into 4 equal zones. Radiopaque markers were placed in each disc space at the midpoint of Zone III (middle posterior quarter). At each segment, the psoas muscle, lumbar plexus, and nerve roots were dissected. The distribution of the lumbar plexus with reference to the markers at each lumbar segment was analyzed. All parts of the lumbar plexus, including nerve roots, were found within the substance of the psoas muscle dorsal to the posterior fourth of the VB (Zone IV). No Zone III marker was posterior to any part of the lumbar plexus with the exception of the genitofemoral nerve. The genitofemoral nerve travels obliquely in the substance of the psoas muscle from its origin to its innervations. It emerges superficially and anterior from the medial border of the psoas at the L3-4 level and courses along the anterior medial fourth of the L-4 and L-5 VBs (Zone I). The nerves of the plexus that originate at the upper lumbar segments emerge from the lateral border of the psoas major and cross obliquely into the retroperitoneum in front of the quadratus lumborum and the iliacus muscles to the iliac crest. With respect to prevention of direct nerve injury, the safe anatomical zones at the disc spaces from L1-2 to L3-4 are at the middle posterior quarter of the VB (midpoint of Zone III) and the safe anatomical zone at the L4-5 disc space is at the midpoint of the VB (Zone II-Zone III demarcation). There is risk of direct injury to the genitofemoral nerve in Zone II at the L2-3 space and in Zone I at the lower lumbar levels L3-4 and L4-5. There is also a potential risk of injury to the ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, and lateral femoral cutaneous nerves in the retroperitoneal space where they travel obliquely, inferiorly, and anteriorly to the reach the iliac crest and the abdominal wall.

  10. 13. Credit JTL: Detail, orthogonal view of Egyptian Revivial decorative ...

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

    13. Credit JTL: Detail, orthogonal view of Egyptian Revivial decorative motifs used typically at midpoints of diagonals - Reading-Halls Station Bridge, U.S. Route 220, spanning railroad near Halls Station, Muncy, Lycoming County, PA

  11. 14. Credit JTL: Detail, oblique view of Egyptian Revival decorative ...

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

    14. Credit JTL: Detail, oblique view of Egyptian Revival decorative motifs used typically at midpoints of diagonals - Reading-Halls Station Bridge, U.S. Route 220, spanning railroad near Halls Station, Muncy, Lycoming County, PA

  12. CT and MRI slice separation evaluation by LabView developed software.

    PubMed

    Acri, Giuseppe; Testagrossa, Barbara; Sestito, Angela; Bonanno, Lilla; Vermiglio, Giuseppe

    2018-02-01

    The efficient use of Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) equipment necessitates establishing adequate quality-control (QC) procedures. In particular, the accuracy of slice separation, during multislices acquisition, requires scan exploration of phantoms containing test objects. To simplify such procedures, a novel phantom and a computerised LabView-based procedure have been devised, enabling determination the midpoint of full width at half maximum (FWHM) in real time while the distance from the profile midpoint of two progressive images is evaluated and measured. The results were compared with those obtained by processing the same phantom images with commercial software. To validate the proposed methodology the Fisher test was conducted on the resulting data sets. In all cases, there was no statistically significant variation between the commercial procedure and the LabView one, which can be used on any CT and MRI diagnostic devices. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier GmbH.

  13. Asymptotic integration algorithms for first-order ODEs with application to viscoplasticity

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Freed, Alan D.; Yao, Minwu; Walker, Kevin P.

    1992-01-01

    When constructing an algorithm for the numerical integration of a differential equation, one must first convert the known ordinary differential equation (ODE), which is defined at a point, into an ordinary difference equation (O(delta)E), which is defined over an interval. Asymptotic, generalized, midpoint, and trapezoidal, O(delta)E algorithms are derived for a nonlinear first order ODE written in the form of a linear ODE. The asymptotic forward (typically underdamped) and backward (typically overdamped) integrators bound these midpoint and trapezoidal integrators, which tend to cancel out unwanted numerical damping by averaging, in some sense, the forward and backward integrations. Viscoplasticity presents itself as a system of nonlinear, coupled first-ordered ODE's that are mathematically stiff, and therefore, difficult to numerically integrate. They are an excellent application for the asymptotic integrators. Considering a general viscoplastic structure, it is demonstrated that one can either integrate the viscoplastic stresses or their associated eigenstrains.

  14. Qualitative Analysis of Written Reflections during a Teaching Certificate Program

    PubMed Central

    Castleberry, Ashley N.; Payakachat, Nalin; Ashby, Sarah; Nolen, Amanda; Carle, Martha; Neill, Kathryn K.

    2016-01-01

    Objective. To evaluate the success of a teaching certificate program by qualitatively evaluating the content and extent of participants’ reflections. Methods. Two investigators independently identified themes within midpoint and final reflection essays across six program years. Each essay was evaluated to determine the extent of reflection in prompted teaching-related topic areas (strengths, weaknesses, assessment, feedback). Results. Twenty-eight themes were identified within 132 essays. Common themes encompassed content delivery, student assessment, personal successes, and challenges encountered. Deep reflection was exhibited, with 48% of essays achieving the highest level of critical reflection. Extent of reflection trended higher from midpoint to final essays, with significant increases in the strengths and feedback areas. Conclusion. The teaching certificate program fostered critical reflection and self-reported positive behavior change in teaching, thus providing a high-quality professional development opportunity. Such programs should strongly consider emphasizing critical reflection through required reflective exercises at multiple points within program curricula. PMID:26941436

  15. Parametrizing the Reionization History with the Redshift Midpoint, Duration, and Asymmetry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Trac, Hy

    2018-05-01

    A new parametrization of the reionization history is presented to facilitate robust comparisons between different observations and with theory. The evolution of the ionization fraction with redshift can be effectively captured by specifying the midpoint, duration, and asymmetry parameters. Lagrange interpolating functions are then used to construct analytical curves that exactly fit corresponding ionization points. The shape parametrizations are excellent matches to theoretical results from radiation-hydrodynamic simulations. The comparative differences for reionization observables are: ionization fraction | {{Δ }}{x}{{i}}| ≲ 0.03, 21 cm brightness temperature | {{Δ }}{T}{{b}}| ≲ 0.7 {mK}, Thomson optical depth | {{Δ }}τ | ≲ 0.001, and patchy kinetic Sunyaev–Zel’dovich angular power | {{Δ }}{D}{\\ell }| ≲ 0.1 μ {{{K}}}2. This accurate and flexible approach will allow parameter-space studies and self-consistent constraints on the reionization history from 21 cm, cosmic microwave background (CMB), and high-redshift galaxies and quasars.

  16. Quasi-experimental evaluation of a telephone-based peer support intervention for maternal depression.

    PubMed

    Letourneau, Nicole; Secco, Loretta; Colpitts, Jennifer; Aldous, Sarah; Stewart, Miriam; Dennis, Cindy-Lee

    2015-07-01

    To evaluate the effect of telephone-based peer support on maternal depression and social support Postpartum depression is a global health concern and lack of treatment options mean many mothers are depressed beyond the first year after birth. Strong evidence has shown telephone-based peer support, provided by a mother recovered from depression, effectively improves depression outcomes. This model has not been tested with mothers with depression any time up to two years postpartum. Quasi-experimental, one group pre-test, posttest. The study population was mothers in New Brunswick, Canada with depression up to 24 months after delivery. The sample (N = 64) was recruited between May 2011-October 2013. Peer volunteers recovered from postpartum depression were trained and delivered an average of 8·84 (Range 1-13) support telephone calls. Depression and social support outcomes were assessed at intervention mid-point (average 7·43 weeks, n = 37) and end (average 13·9 weeks, n = 34). Mean depression significantly declined from baseline, 15·4 (N = 49), to mid-point, 8·30 and end of the study, 6·26. At mid-point 8·1% (n = 3/37) of mothers were depressed and at endpoint 11·8% (4/34) were depressed suggesting some relapse. Perceptions of social support significantly improved and higher support was significantly related with lower depression symptoms. Findings offer promise that telephone-based peer support is effective for both early postpartum depression and maternal depression up to two years after delivery. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  17. The influence of school time on sleep patterns of children and adolescents.

    PubMed

    Carissimi, Alicia; Dresch, Fabiane; Martins, Alessandra Castro; Levandovski, Rosa Maria; Adan, Ana; Natale, Vincenzo; Martoni, Monica; Hidalgo, Maria Paz

    2016-03-01

    This epidemiological study evaluated the impact of school time on sleep parameters of children and adolescents. This cross-sectional study involved 639 elementary and high school students (mean age 13.03 years, range 8-18, 58.5% female) from the south of Brazil. Participants answered the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), and were asked about their sleeping habits on weekdays and weekends. Sleep deficit was defined as the difference between sleep duration on weekdays and weekends. The morning-school-time students presented significantly higher age, bedtime and wake up differences, sleep deficits, and social jetlag. The sleep deficit presented by girls was greater than that observed in boys of the same age. The difference between weekday and weekend waking times was also significantly greater in girls than in boys aged 13-18 years. Sleep deficit was significantly positively correlated with age and differences in wake up times, and significantly negatively correlated with MEQ scores, social jetlag, difference between weekday and weekend bedtimes, midpoint of sleep on weekends, and midpoint of sleep on weekends corrected for sleep deficit. A step-by-step multivariate logistic regression identified social jetlag, the difference between waking times on weekdays and weekends, and the midpoint of sleep on weekends as significant predictors of sleep deficit (Adjusted R(2) = 0.95; F = 1606.87; p <0.001). The results showed that school time influences the sleep parameters. The association of school schedules and physiological factors influence the sleep/wake cycle. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Subjective versus objective evening chronotypes in bipolar disorder.

    PubMed

    Gershon, Anda; Kaufmann, Christopher N; Depp, Colin A; Miller, Shefali; Do, Dennis; Zeitzer, Jamie M; Ketter, Terence A

    2018-01-01

    Disturbed sleep timing is common in bipolar disorder (BD). However, most research is based upon self-reports. We examined relationships between subjective versus objective assessments of sleep timing in BD patients versus controls. We studied 61 individuals with bipolar I or II disorder and 61 healthy controls. Structured clinical interviews assessed psychiatric diagnoses, and clinician-administered scales assessed current mood symptom severity. For subjective chronotype, we used the Composite Scale of Morningness (CSM) questionnaire, using original and modified (1, ¾, ⅔, and ½ SD below mean CSM score) thresholds to define evening chronotype. Objective chronotype was calculated as the percentage of nights (50%, 66.7%, 75%, or 90% of all nights) with sleep interval midpoints at or before (non-evening chronotype) vs. after (evening chronotype) 04:15:00 (4:15:00a.m.), based on 25-50 days of continuous actigraph data. BD participants and controls differed significantly with respect to CSM mean scores and CSM evening chronotypes using modified, but not original, thresholds. Groups also differed significantly with respect to chronotype based on sleep interval midpoint means, and based on the threshold of 75% of sleep intervals with midpoints after 04:15:00. Subjective and objective chronotypes correlated significantly with one another. Twenty-one consecutive intervals were needed to yield an evening chronotype classification match of ≥ 95% with that made using the 75% of sleep intervals threshold. Limited sample size/generalizability. Subjective and objective chronotype measurements were correlated with one another in participants with BD. Using population-specific thresholds, participants with BD had a later chronotype than controls. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. A midpoint assessment of the American Cancer Society challenge goal to halve the U.S. cancer mortality rates between the years 1990 and 2015.

    PubMed

    Byers, Tim; Barrera, Ermilo; Fontham, Elizabeth T H; Newman, Lisa A; Runowicz, Carolyn D; Sener, Stephen F; Thun, Michael J; Winborn, Sara; Wender, Richard C

    2006-07-15

    The American Cancer Society has challenged the U.S. to reduce cancer mortality rates 50% over the 25 years from 1990 to 2015. The current report is an analysis and commentary on progress toward that goal through 2002, the midpoint of the challenge period. Cancer mortality rates were examined from 1990 through 2002, and projections to the Year 2015 were made. Cancer deaths that were prevented or deferred by the declining death rates were expressed as the difference between the observed and projected numbers of deaths and the numbers that would have been observed over that period had the 1990 death rates persisted. Since 1990, cancer mortality rates have been declining in the U.S. by approximately 1% per year. Trends especially have been favorable for cancers of the breast, prostate, and colorectum and for lung cancer among men. Should this rate of decline continue over the coming decade, death rates from cancer will be approximately 23% lower in the Year 2015 than they were in 1990, and approximately 1.8 million deaths from cancer will have been prevented or deferred. At this midpoint of the 25-year challenge period, it appears that fully reaching the goal will require substantial breakthroughs in cancer early detection and/or in cancer therapy. Between now and 2015, however, many more cancer deaths can be averted by concerted action to control tobacco and obesity, by redoubling efforts in mammography and colorectal screening, and by enacting policies to close gaps in access to cancer detection and treatment services.

  20. Migration trends of Sockeye Salmon at the northern edge of their distribution

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Carey, Michael P.; Zimmerman, Christian E.; Keith, Kevin D.; Schelske, Merlyn; Lean, Charles; Douglas, David C.

    2017-01-01

    Climate change is affecting arctic and subarctic ecosystems, and anadromous fish such as Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. are particularly susceptible due to the physiological challenge of spawning migrations. Predicting how migratory timing will change under Arctic warming scenarios requires an understanding of how environmental factors drive salmon migrations. Multiple mechanisms exist by which environmental conditions may influence migrating salmon, including altered migration cues from the ocean and natal river. We explored relationships between interannual variability and annual migration timing (2003–2014) of Sockeye Salmon O. nerka in a subarctic watershed with environmental conditions at broad, intermediate, and local spatial scales. Low numbers of Sockeye Salmon have returned to this high-latitude watershed in recent years, and run size has been a dominant influence on the migration duration and the midpoint date of the run. The duration of the migration upriver varied by as much as 25 d across years, and shorter run durations were associated with smaller run sizes. The duration of the migration was also extended with warmer sea surface temperatures in the staging area and lower values of the North Pacific Index. The midpoint date of the total run was earlier when the run size was larger, whereas the midpoint date was delayed during years in which river temperatures warmed earlier in the season. Documenting factors related to the migration of Sockeye Salmon near the northern limit of their range provides insights into the determinants of salmon migrations and suggests processes that could be important for determining future changes in arctic and subarctic ecosystems.

  1. 38 CFR 4.71 - Measurement of ankylosis and joint motion.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ...) Shoulder rotation—arm abducted to 90°, elbow flexed to 90° with the position of the forearm reflecting the midpoint 0° between internal and external rotation of the shoulder; and (b) supination and pronation—the...

  2. 38 CFR 4.71 - Measurement of ankylosis and joint motion.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ...) Shoulder rotation—arm abducted to 90°, elbow flexed to 90° with the position of the forearm reflecting the midpoint 0° between internal and external rotation of the shoulder; and (b) supination and pronation—the...

  3. 38 CFR 4.71 - Measurement of ankylosis and joint motion.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ...) Shoulder rotation—arm abducted to 90°, elbow flexed to 90° with the position of the forearm reflecting the midpoint 0° between internal and external rotation of the shoulder; and (b) supination and pronation—the...

  4. 38 CFR 4.71 - Measurement of ankylosis and joint motion.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ...) Shoulder rotation—arm abducted to 90°, elbow flexed to 90° with the position of the forearm reflecting the midpoint 0° between internal and external rotation of the shoulder; and (b) supination and pronation—the...

  5. 38 CFR 4.71 - Measurement of ankylosis and joint motion.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ...) Shoulder rotation—arm abducted to 90°, elbow flexed to 90° with the position of the forearm reflecting the midpoint 0° between internal and external rotation of the shoulder; and (b) supination and pronation—the...

  6. 2. Left side of Zinc Plant, from packless Cooling Tower ...

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

    2. Left side of Zinc Plant, from packless Cooling Tower to midpoint of Cell Room, with majority of Upper Plant in view. View is to the east. - Sullivan Electrolytic Zinc Plant, Government Gulch, Kellogg, Shoshone County, ID

  7. Anatomic Location of Tumor Predicts the Accuracy of Motor Function Localization in Diffuse Lower-Grade Gliomas Involving the Hand Knob Area.

    PubMed

    Fang, S; Liang, J; Qian, T; Wang, Y; Liu, X; Fan, X; Li, S; Wang, Y; Jiang, T

    2017-10-01

    The accuracy of preoperative blood oxygen level-dependent fMRI remains controversial. This study assessed the association between the anatomic location of a tumor and the accuracy of fMRI-based motor function mapping in diffuse lower-grade gliomas. Thirty-five patients with lower-grade gliomas involving motor areas underwent preoperative blood oxygen level-dependent fMRI scans with grasping tasks and received intraoperative direct cortical stimulation. Patients were classified into an overlapping group and a nonoverlapping group, depending on the extent to which blood oxygen level-dependent fMRI and direct cortical stimulation results concurred. Tumor location was quantitatively measured, including the shortest distance from the tumor to the hand knob and the deviation distance of the midpoint of the hand knob in the lesion hemisphere relative to the midline compared with the normal contralateral hemisphere. A 4-mm shortest distance from the tumor to the hand knob value was identified as optimal for differentiating the overlapping and nonoverlapping group with the receiver operating characteristic curve (sensitivity, 84.6%; specificity, 77.8%). The shortest distances from the tumor to the hand knob of ≤4 mm were associated with inaccurate fMRI-based localizations of the hand motor cortex. The shortest distances from the tumor to the hand knob were larger ( P = .002), and the deviation distances for the midpoint of the hand knob in the lesion hemisphere were smaller ( P = .003) in the overlapping group than in the nonoverlapping group. This study suggests that the shortest distance from the tumor to the hand knob and the deviation distance for the midpoint of the hand knob on the lesion hemisphere are predictive of the accuracy of blood oxygen level-dependent fMRI results. Smaller shortest distances from the tumor to the hand knob and larger deviation distances for the midpoint of hand knob on the lesion hemisphere are associated with less accuracy of motor cortex localization with blood oxygen level-dependent fMRI. Preoperative fMRI data for surgical planning should be used cautiously when the shortest distance from the tumor to the hand knob is ≤4 mm, especially for lower-grade gliomas anterior to the central sulcus. © 2017 by American Journal of Neuroradiology.

  8. Capillary rise between planar surfaces

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bullard, Jeffrey W.; Garboczi, Edward J.

    2009-01-01

    Minimization of free energy is used to calculate the equilibrium vertical rise and meniscus shape of a liquid column between two closely spaced, parallel planar surfaces that are inert and immobile. States of minimum free energy are found using standard variational principles, which lead not only to an Euler-Lagrange differential equation for the meniscus shape and elevation, but also to the boundary conditions at the three-phase junction where the liquid meniscus intersects the solid walls. The analysis shows that the classical Young-Dupré equation for the thermodynamic contact angle is valid at the three-phase junction, as already shown for sessile drops with or without the influence of a gravitational field. Integration of the Euler-Lagrange equation shows that a generalized Laplace-Young (LY) equation first proposed by O’Brien, Craig, and Peyton [J. Colloid Interface Sci. 26, 500 (1968)] gives an exact prediction of the mean elevation of the meniscus at any wall separation, whereas the classical LY equation for the elevation of the midpoint of the meniscus is accurate only when the separation approaches zero or infinity. When both walls are identical, the meniscus is symmetric about the midpoint, and the midpoint elevation is a more traditional and convenient measure of capillary rise than the mean elevation. Therefore, for this symmetric system a different equation is fitted to numerical predictions of the midpoint elevation and is shown to give excellent agreement for contact angles between 15° and 160° and wall separations up to 30mm . When the walls have dissimilar surface properties, the meniscus generally assumes an asymmetric shape, and significant elevation of the liquid column can occur even when one of the walls has a contact angle significantly greater than 90°. The height of the capillary rise depends on the spacing between the walls and also on the difference in contact angles at the two surfaces. When the contact angle at one wall is greater than 90° but the contact angle at the other wall is less than 90°, the meniscus can have an inflection point separating a region of positive curvature from a region of negative curvature, the inflection point being pinned at zero height. However, this condition arises only when the spacing between the walls exceeds a threshold value that depends on the difference in contact angles.

  9. The effects of endomorphins on striatal [3H]GABA release induced by electrical stimulation: an in vitro superfusion study in rats.

    PubMed

    Bagosi, Zsolt; Jászberényi, Miklós; Telegdy, Gyula

    2009-05-01

    The endomorphins (EM1 and EM2) are selective endogenous ligands for mu-opioid receptors (MOR1 and MOR2) with neurotransmitter and neuromodulator roles in mammals. In the present study we investigated the potential actions of EMs on striatal GABA release and the implication of different MORs in these processes. Rat striatal slices were preincubated with tritium-labelled GABA ([(3)H]GABA), pretreated with selective MOR1 and MOR2 antagonist beta-funaltrexamine and selective MOR1 antagonist naloxonazine and then superfused with the selective MOR agonists, EM1 and EM2. EM1 significantly decreased the striatal [(3)H]GABA release induced by electrical stimulation. Beta-funaltrexamine antagonized the inhibitory action of EM1, but naloxonazine did not affect it considerably. EM2 was ineffective, even in case of specific enzyme inhibitor diprotin A pretreatment. The results demonstrate that EM1 decreases GABA release in the basal ganglia through MOR2, while EM2 does not influence it.

  10. Analysis of the electrochemistry of hemes with Ems spanning 800 mV

    PubMed Central

    Zheng, Zhong; Gunner, M. R.

    2009-01-01

    The free energy of heme reduction in different proteins is found to vary over more than 18 kcal/mol. It is a challenge to determine how proteins manage to achieve this enormous range of Ems with a single type of redox cofactor. Proteins containing 141 unique hemes of a-, b-, and c-type, with bis-His, His-Met, and aquo-His ligation were calculated using Multi-Conformation Continuum Electrostatics (MCCE). The experimental Ems range over 800 mV from −350 mV in cytochrome c3 to 450 mV in cytochrome c peroxidase (vs. SHE). The quantitative analysis of the factors that modulate heme electrochemistry includes the interactions of the heme with its ligands, the solvent, the protein backbone, and sidechains. MCCE calculated Ems are in good agreement with measured values. Using no free parameters the slope of the line comparing calculated and experimental Ems is 0.73 (R2 = 0.90), showing the method accounts for 73% of the observed Em range. Adding a +160 mV correction to the His-Met c-type hemes yields a slope of 0.97 (R2 = 0.93). With the correction 65% of the hemes have an absolute error smaller than 60 mV and 92% are within 120 mV. The overview of heme proteins with known structures and Ems shows both the lowest and highest potential hemes are c-type, whereas the b-type hemes are found in the middle Em range. In solution, bis-His ligation lowers the Em by ≈205 mV relative to hemes with His-Met ligands. The bis-His, aquo-His, and His-Met ligated b-type hemes all cluster about Ems which are ≈200 mV more positive in protein than in water. In contrast, the low potential bis-His c-type hemes are shifted little from in solution, whereas the high potential His-Met c-type hemes are raised by ≈300 mV from solution. The analysis shows that no single type of interaction can be identified as the most important in setting heme electrochemistry in proteins. For example, the loss of solvation (reaction field) energy, which raises the Em, has been suggested to be a major factor in tuning in situ Ems. However, the calculated solvation energy vs. experimental Em shows a slope of 0.2 and R2 of 0.5 thus correlates weakly with Ems. All other individual interactions show even less correlation with Em. However the sum of these terms does reproduce the range of observed Ems. Therefore, different proteins use different aspects of their structures to modulate the in situ heme electrochemistry. This study also shows that the calculated Ems are relatively insensitive to different heme partial charges and to the protein dielectric constant used in the simulation. PMID:19003997

  11. Estimating the Distribution of the Incubation Periods of Human Avian Influenza A(H7N9) Virus Infections.

    PubMed

    Virlogeux, Victor; Li, Ming; Tsang, Tim K; Feng, Luzhao; Fang, Vicky J; Jiang, Hui; Wu, Peng; Zheng, Jiandong; Lau, Eric H Y; Cao, Yu; Qin, Ying; Liao, Qiaohong; Yu, Hongjie; Cowling, Benjamin J

    2015-10-15

    A novel avian influenza virus, influenza A(H7N9), emerged in China in early 2013 and caused severe disease in humans, with infections occurring most frequently after recent exposure to live poultry. The distribution of A(H7N9) incubation periods is of interest to epidemiologists and public health officials, but estimation of the distribution is complicated by interval censoring of exposures. Imputation of the midpoint of intervals was used in some early studies, resulting in estimated mean incubation times of approximately 5 days. In this study, we estimated the incubation period distribution of human influenza A(H7N9) infections using exposure data available for 229 patients with laboratory-confirmed A(H7N9) infection from mainland China. A nonparametric model (Turnbull) and several parametric models accounting for the interval censoring in some exposures were fitted to the data. For the best-fitting parametric model (Weibull), the mean incubation period was 3.4 days (95% confidence interval: 3.0, 3.7) and the variance was 2.9 days; results were very similar for the nonparametric Turnbull estimate. Under the Weibull model, the 95th percentile of the incubation period distribution was 6.5 days (95% confidence interval: 5.9, 7.1). The midpoint approximation for interval-censored exposures led to overestimation of the mean incubation period. Public health observation of potentially exposed persons for 7 days after exposure would be appropriate. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  12. Seated limits-of-stability of athletes with disabilities with regard to competitive levels and sport classification.

    PubMed

    Santos, P B R; Vigário, P S; Mainenti, M R M; Ferreira, A S; Lemos, T

    2017-12-01

    In this study, we asked whether wheelchair rugby (WR) classification and competitive level influence trunk function of athletes with disabilities, in terms of seated limits-of-stability (LoS). Twenty-eight athletes were recruited from international- and national-level WR teams, with each group exhibiting marked differences in years of sports practice and training volume. Athletes were also distributed into three groups according their classification: low-point (0.5-1.5-point); mid-point (2.0-2.5-point); and high-point (3.0-3.5-point). Athletes were asked to sit on a force platform and to lean the body as far as possible in eight predefined directions. Center of pressure (COP) coordinates were calculated from the ground reaction forces acquired with the force platform. LoS were computed as the area of ellipse adjusted to maximal COP excursion achieved for the eight directions. ANOVAs reveal that LoS were not different when international- and national-level players were compared (P=.744). Nevertheless, LoS were larger in players from the high-point group than from the low-point group (P=.028), with the mid-point group being not different from both (P>.194). In summary, (i) competitive level does not impact LoS measures and (ii) LoS are remarkably distinct when comparing both extremes of the WR classification range. Our results suggest that, as a training-resistant measure, LoS could be a valid assessment of trunk impairment, potentially contributing to the development of an evidence-based WR classification. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  13. From HSV infection to erythema multiforme through autoimmune crossreactivity.

    PubMed

    Lucchese, Alberta

    2018-06-01

    Scientific and clinical data indicate that human herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) and, at a lesser extent, human herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2) are factor(s) implicated in the development of erythema multiforme (EM). With a focus on oral EM, the present structured review of proteomic and epitope databases searched for the molecular basis that might link HSV1 and HSV2 infections to EM. It was found that a high number of peptides are shared between the two HSVs and human proteins related to the oral mucosa. Moreover, a great number of the shared peptides are also present in epitopes that have been experimentally validated as immunopositive in the human host. The results suggest the involvement of HSV infections in the induction of oral EM via a mechanism of autoimmune cross-reactivity and, in particular, highlight a potential major role for 180kDa bullous pemphigoid antigen and HSV1 infection in the genesis of crossreactions potentially conducive to EM. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Studying the influence of strong meteorological disturbances in the Earth's lower atmosphere on variations of ionospheric parameters in the Asian region of Russia

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chernigovskaya, Marina; Kurkin, Vladimir; Orlov, Igor; Oinats, Alexey; Sharkov, Eugenii

    2010-05-01

    Short-period temporal variations of ionospheric parameters were analyzed to study probabilities of manifestation of strong meteorological disturbances in the Earth's lower atmosphere in variations of upper atmosphere parameters in a zone far removed from a disturbance source. In the analysis, we used data on maximum observed frequencies (MOF) of oblique sounding (OS) signals along Norilsk-Irkutsk, Magadan-Irkutsk, and Khabarovsk-Irkutsk paths in East Siberia and the Far East. These data were obtained during solar minimum at equinoxes (March, September) in 2008-2009. Analyzing effects of wave disturbances in ionospheric parameters, we take into account helio-geomagnetic and meteorological conditions in regions under study to do an effective separation between disturbances associated with magnetospheric-ionospheric coupling and those induced by the influence of the lower atmosphere on the upper one. The frequency analysis we conducted revealed time intervals with higher intensity of short-period oscillations which may have been interpreted as manifestation of large-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) whose sources were internal gravity waves (IGWs) with periods of 1-5 hours. The complex analysis of helio-geomagnetic, ionospheric, and atmospheric data as well as data on tropical cyclones established that the detected TIDs were unrelated to helio-geomagnetic disturbances (2008-2009 exhibited solar minimum and quiet geomagnetic conditions). The analysis of other potential sources of the observed short-period wave disturbances shows that observed TIDs do not always coincide in time with passage of local meteorological fronts through the region of subionospheric points of OS paths and are not associated with passage of solar terminator. An attempt was made to connect a number of detected TIDs with ionospheric responses to tropical cyclones (TC) which were in active phase in the north-west of the Pacific Ocean during the periods considered. A considerable increase in energy of short-period wave disturbances was observed along Khabarovsk-Irkutsk, Magadan-Irkutsk, and Norilsk-Irkutsk paths during the active tropical cyclogenesis in September 2008-2009. Intensity of the observed TIDs decreased as midpoints of OS paths moved westward away from potential IGW sources. Ionospheric responses to wave disturbance propagation from the same IGW sources differ in the OS paths under analysis. This must be associated with different geometry of the OS paths as well as with the fact that the IGW source under consideration changes in intensity and its coordinates (stages and motion paths of tropical cyclones) during TC development. Thus there is an angular dependence between the wave disturbance propagation direction and the line connecting midpoints of the OS paths. Velocities of wave disturbance propagation (~90-170 m/s) were measured from the delay period of TIDs passage in regions of midpoints of spaced-apart OS paths. Short-period TIDs can also be observed at spring equinox in March 2008-2009 under quiet helio-geomagnetic conditions and in the absence of active tropical cyclones in the north-west of the Pacific Ocean, but TIDs energy is much lower than that in autumn. Authors note it was not possible to identify potential IGW sources for some TIDs within the scope of this work. These TIDs may be related to ionospheric responses to seasonal transitions in the upper atmosphere dynamic regime during the equinoxes under study. Further systematic investigations in this area of study are required to store statistics of observations of ionospheric responses to strong meteorological disturbances. The study was supported by the RFBR grant № 09-05-00760.

  15. Numerical Integration

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sozio, Gerry

    2009-01-01

    Senior secondary students cover numerical integration techniques in their mathematics courses. In particular, students would be familiar with the "midpoint rule," the elementary "trapezoidal rule" and "Simpson's rule." This article derives these techniques by methods which secondary students may not be familiar with and an approach that…

  16. 16 CFR 1217.2 - Requirements for toddler beds.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... requirements specified in section 6.7 of ASTM F 1169-10 Safety Standard for Full-Size Baby Cribs, approved June..., apply an 80 lbf (355.8 N) perpendicular to the plane of the side at the midpoint, between the top and...

  17. Watershed Modeling to Assess the Sensitivity of Streamflow, Nutrient, and Sediment Loads to Potential Climate Change and Urban Development in 20 U.S. Watersheds (Final Report)

    EPA Science Inventory

    In September 2013, EPA announced the release of the final report, Watershed Modeling to Assess the Sensitivity of Streamflow, Nutrient, and Sediment Loads to Potential Climate Change and Urban Development in 20 U.S. Watersheds.

    Watershed modeling was conducted in ...

  18. Role of nonthermal electron on the dynamics of relativistic electromagnetic soliton in the interaction of laser-plasma

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

    Rostampooran, Shabnam; Dorranian, Davoud, E-mail: doran@srbiau.ac.ir

    A system of nonlinear one-dimensional equations of the electron hydrodynamics with Maxwell's equations was developed to describe electromagnetic (EM) solitons in plasma with nonthermal electrons. Equation of vector potential was derived in relativistic regime by implementing the multiple scales technique, and their solitonic answers were introduced. The allowed regions for bright and dark electromagnetic solitons were discussed in detail. Roles of number density of nonthermal electrons, temperature of electrons, and frequency of fast participate of vector potential on the Sagdeev potential and properties of EM soliton were investigated. Results show that with increasing the number of nonthermal electrons, the amplitudemore » of vector potential of bright solitons increases. By increasing the number of nonthermal electrons, dark EM solitons may be changed to bright solitons. Increasing the energy of nonthermal electrons leads to generation of high amplitude solitons.« less

  19. Are Wave and Tidal Energy Plants New Green Technologies?

    PubMed

    Douziech, Mélanie; Hellweg, Stefanie; Verones, Francesca

    2016-07-19

    Wave and tidal energy plants are upcoming, potentially green technologies. This study aims at quantifying their various potential environmental impacts. Three tidal stream devices, one tidal range plant and one wave energy harnessing device are analyzed over their entire life cycles, using the ReCiPe 2008 methodology at midpoint level. The impacts of the tidal range plant were on average 1.6 times higher than the ones of hydro-power plants (without considering natural land transformation). A similar ratio was found when comparing the results of the three tidal stream devices to offshore wind power plants (without considering water depletion). The wave energy harnessing device had on average 3.5 times higher impacts than offshore wind power. On the contrary, the considered plants have on average 8 (wave energy) to 20 (tidal stream), or even 115 times (tidal range) lower impact than electricity generated from coal power. Further, testing the sensitivity of the results highlighted the advantage of long lifetimes and small material requirements. Overall, this study supports the potential of wave and tidal energy plants as alternative green technologies. However, potential unknown effects, such as the impact of turbulence or noise on marine ecosystems, should be further explored in future research.

  20. What adult electrocardiogram (ECG) diagnoses and/or findings do residents in emergency medicine need to know?

    PubMed

    Patocka, Catherine; Turner, Joel; Wiseman, Jeffrey

    2015-11-01

    There is no evidence-based description of electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation competencies for emergency medicine (EM) trainees. The first step in defining these competencies is to develop a prioritized list of adult ECG findings relevant to EM contexts. The purpose of this study was to categorize the importance of various adult ECG diagnoses and/or findings for the EM trainee. We developed a list of potentially important adult ECG diagnoses/findings and conducted a Delphi opinion-soliciting process. Participants used a 4-point Likert scale to rate the importance of each diagnosis for EM trainees. Consensus was defined as a minimum of 75% agreement at the second round or later. In the absence of consensus, stability was defined as a shift of 20% or less after successive rounds. A purposive sampling of 22 emergency physicians participated in the Delphi process, and 16 (72%) completed the process. Of those, 15 were from 11 different EM training programs across Canada and one was an expert in EM electrocardiography. Overall, 78 diagnoses reached consensus, 42 achieved stability and one diagnosis achieved neither consensus nor stability. Out of 121 potentially important adult ECG diagnoses, 53 (44%) were considered "must know" diagnoses, 61 (50%) "should know" diagnoses, and 7 (6%) "nice to know" diagnoses. We have categorized adult ECG diagnoses within an EM training context, knowledge of which may allow clinical EM teachers to establish educational priorities. This categorization will also facilitate the development of an educational framework to establish EM trainee competency in ECG interpretation.

  1. Identification of adverse events in ground transport emergency medical services.

    PubMed

    Patterson, P Daniel; Weaver, Matthew D; Abebe, Kaleab; Martin-Gill, Chris; Roth, Ronald N; Suyama, Joseph; Guyette, Francis X; Rittenberger, Jon C; Krackhardt, David; Arnold, Robert; Yealy, Donald M; Lave, Judith

    2012-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to develop a method to define and rate the severity of adverse events (AEs) in emergency medical services (EMS) safety research. They used a modified Delphi technique to develop a consensus definition of an AE. The consensus definition was as follows: "An adverse event in EMS is a harmful or potentially harmful event occurring during the continuum of EMS care that is potentially preventable and thus independent of the progression of the patient's condition." Physicians reviewed 250 charts from 3 EMS agencies for AEs. The authors examined physician agreement using κ, Fleiss's κ, and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Overall physician agreement on presence of an AE per chart was fair (κ = 0.24; 95% CI = 0.19, 0.29). These findings should serve as a basis for refining and implementing an AE evaluation instrument.

  2. A Longitudinal Emergency Medical Services Track in Emergency Medicine Residency.

    PubMed

    Adams, Daniel; Bischof, Jason; Larrimore, Ashley; Krebs, William; King, Andrew

    2017-03-30

    Emergency medicine residency programs offer Emergency Medical Services (EMS) curricula to address Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) milestones. While some programs offer advanced clinical tracks in EMS, no standard curriculum exists. We sought to establish a well-defined EMS curriculum to allow interested residents to develop advanced clinical skills and scholarship within this subspecialty. Core EMS fellowship trained faculty were recruited to help develop the curriculum. Building on ACGME graduation requirements and milestones, important elements of EMS fellowship training were incorporated into the curriculum to develop the final document. The final curriculum focuses on scholarly activities relating to the four core areas of EMS identified by The American Board of Emergency Medicine and serves as an intermediary between ACGME graduation requirements for education in EMS and fellowship level training. Standardization of the EMS scholarly track can provide residents with the potential to obtain competency beyond ACGME requirements and prepare them for success in fellowship training and/or leadership within EMS on graduation.

  3. A Longitudinal Emergency Medical Services Track in Emergency Medicine Residency

    PubMed Central

    Bischof, Jason; Larrimore, Ashley; Krebs, William; King, Andrew

    2017-01-01

    Emergency medicine residency programs offer Emergency Medical Services (EMS) curricula to address Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) milestones. While some programs offer advanced clinical tracks in EMS, no standard curriculum exists. We sought to establish a well-defined EMS curriculum to allow interested residents to develop advanced clinical skills and scholarship within this subspecialty. Core EMS fellowship trained faculty were recruited to help develop the curriculum. Building on ACGME graduation requirements and milestones, important elements of EMS fellowship training were incorporated into the curriculum to develop the final document. The final curriculum focuses on scholarly activities relating to the four core areas of EMS identified by The American Board of Emergency Medicine and serves as an intermediary between ACGME graduation requirements for education in EMS and fellowship level training. Standardization of the EMS scholarly track can provide residents with the potential to obtain competency beyond ACGME requirements and prepare them for success in fellowship training and/or leadership within EMS on graduation. PMID:28465874

  4. 4. Photograph of a photograph in possession of Rock Island ...

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

    4. Photograph of a photograph in possession of Rock Island Arsenal Historical Office. LOOKING NORTH AFTER ADDITION OF CONICAL ROOF. ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED 1887. - Rock Island Arsenal, Building No. 53, North Avenue North of Midpoint, Rock Island, Rock Island County, IL

  5. 5. Photograph of line drawing in possession of Engineering Plans ...

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

    5. Photograph of line drawing in possession of Engineering Plans and Services Division, Rock Island Arsenal. PLAN, ELEVATION, AND SECTION, 1874; TRACING, 1935. - Rock Island Arsenal, Building No. 53, North Avenue North of Midpoint, Rock Island, Rock Island County, IL

  6. 3. Photograph of a photograph in possession of Rock Island ...

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

    3. Photograph of a photograph in possession of Rock Island Arsenal Historical Office. LOOKING NORTH; BUILDING IS SHOWN WITH ORIGINAL COPING. DATED C. 1873. - Rock Island Arsenal, Building No. 53, North Avenue North of Midpoint, Rock Island, Rock Island County, IL

  7. 16 CFR § 1217.2 - Requirements for toddler beds.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... requirements specified in section 6.7 of ASTM F 1169-10 Safety Standard for Full-Size Baby Cribs, approved June..., apply an 80 lbf (355.8 N) perpendicular to the plane of the side at the midpoint, between the top and...

  8. Pedicle distraction increases intervertebral and spinal canal area in a cadaver and bone model

    PubMed Central

    Hughes, Matthew; Papadakos, Nikolaos; Bishop, Tim; Bernard, Jason

    2018-01-01

    Introduction: Lumbar spinal stenosis is degenerative narrowing of the spinal canal and/or intervertebral foramen causing compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots. Traditional decompression techniques can often cause significant trauma and vertebral instability. This paper evaluates a method of increasing pedicle length to decompress the spinal and intervertebral foramen, which could be done minimally invasive. Methods: Three Sawbone (Sawbones Europe, Sweden) and 1 cadaveric lumbar spine underwent bilateral pedicle distraction at L4. A pedicle channel was drilled between the superior articular process and transverse process into the vertebral body. The pedicles underwent osteotomy at the midpoint. Screws were inserted bilaterally and fixated distraction of 0 mm, 2 mm, 4 mm and 6 mm. CT images were taken at each level of distraction. Foramen area was measured in the sagittal plane at L3/4. Spinal canal area was measured at L4 in the axial images. The cadaver was used to evaluate safety of osteotomy and soft tissue interactions preventing distraction. Statistical analysis was by student paired t-test and Pearson rank test. Results: Increasing distraction led to greater Spinal canal area. From 4.27 cm2 to 5.72 cm2 (p = 0.002) with 6 mm distraction. A Maximal increase of 34.1%. Vertebral foramen area also increased with increasing pedicle distraction. From 2.43 cm2 to 3.22 cm2 (p = 0.022) with 6 mm distraction. A maximal increase of 32.3%. The cadaver spinal canal increased in area by 21.7%. The vertebral foramen increased in area by 36.2% (left) and 22.6% (right). Discussion: For each increase in pedicle distraction the area of the spinal and vertebral foramen increases. Pedicle distraction could potentially be used to alleviate spinal stenosis and root impingement. A potential osteotomy plane could be at the midpoint of the pedicle with minimal risk to nerve roots and soft tissue restrictions to prevent distraction. PMID:29727270

  9. Pedicle distraction increases intervertebral and spinal canal area in a cadaver and bone model.

    PubMed

    Hughes, Matthew; Papadakos, Nikolaos; Bishop, Tim; Bernard, Jason

    2018-01-01

    Lumbar spinal stenosis is degenerative narrowing of the spinal canal and/or intervertebral foramen causing compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots. Traditional decompression techniques can often cause significant trauma and vertebral instability. This paper evaluates a method of increasing pedicle length to decompress the spinal and intervertebral foramen, which could be done minimally invasive. Three Sawbone (Sawbones Europe, Sweden) and 1 cadaveric lumbar spine underwent bilateral pedicle distraction at L4. A pedicle channel was drilled between the superior articular process and transverse process into the vertebral body. The pedicles underwent osteotomy at the midpoint. Screws were inserted bilaterally and fixated distraction of 0 mm, 2 mm, 4 mm and 6 mm. CT images were taken at each level of distraction. Foramen area was measured in the sagittal plane at L3/4. Spinal canal area was measured at L4 in the axial images. The cadaver was used to evaluate safety of osteotomy and soft tissue interactions preventing distraction. Statistical analysis was by student paired t-test and Pearson rank test. Increasing distraction led to greater Spinal canal area. From 4.27 cm 2 to 5.72 cm 2 (p = 0.002) with 6 mm distraction. A Maximal increase of 34.1%. Vertebral foramen area also increased with increasing pedicle distraction. From 2.43 cm 2 to 3.22 cm 2 (p = 0.022) with 6 mm distraction. A maximal increase of 32.3%. The cadaver spinal canal increased in area by 21.7%. The vertebral foramen increased in area by 36.2% (left) and 22.6% (right). For each increase in pedicle distraction the area of the spinal and vertebral foramen increases. Pedicle distraction could potentially be used to alleviate spinal stenosis and root impingement. A potential osteotomy plane could be at the midpoint of the pedicle with minimal risk to nerve roots and soft tissue restrictions to prevent distraction. © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2018.

  10. The Effect of Timbre, Pitch, and Vibrato on Vocal Pitch-Matching Accuracy.

    PubMed

    Duvvuru, Sirisha; Erickson, Molly

    2016-05-01

    This study seeks to examine how target stimulus timbre, vibrato, pitch, and singer classification affect pitch-matching accuracy. This is a repeated-measures factorial design. Source signals were synthesized with a source slope of -12 dB/octave with and without vibrato at each of the pitches, C4, B4, and F5. These source signals were filtered using five formant patterns (A-E) constituting a total of 30 stimuli (5 formant patterns × 3 pitches × 2 vibrato conditions). Twelve sopranos and 11 mezzo-sopranos with at least 3 years of individual voice training were recruited from the University Of Tennessee, Knoxville, School of Music and the Knoxville Opera Company. Each singer attempted to match the pitch of all 30 stimuli presented twice in a random order. Results indicated that there was no significant effect of formant pattern on pitch-matching accuracy. With increasing pitch from C4 to F5, pitch-matching accuracy increased in midpoint of the vowel condition but not in prephonatory set condition. Mezzo-sopranos moved toward being in tune from prephonatory to midpoint of the vowel. However, sopranos at C4 sang closer to being in tune at prephonatory but lowered the pitch at the midpoint of the vowel. Presence or absence of vibrato did not affect the pitch-matching accuracy. However, the interesting finding of the study was that singers attempted to match the timbre of stimuli with vibrato. The results of this study show that pitch matching is a complex process affected by many parameters. Copyright © 2016 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Are larks future-oriented and owls present-oriented? Age- and sex-related shifts in chronotype-time perspective associations.

    PubMed

    Nowack, Kati; van der Meer, Elke

    2013-12-01

    The chronotype (morningness/eveningness) relates to individual differences in circadian preferences. Time perspective (past, present, future) refers to the preference to rely on a particular temporal frame for decision-making processes and behavior. First evidence suggests that future time perspective is associated with greater morningness and present time perspective with greater eveningness. However, little is known about how chronotype-time perspective relationships may alter over the life span. This present study investigated links between chronotype and time perspective more thoroughly by taking age and sex into account as well. Seven hundred six participants aged between 17 and 74 completed German adaptations of the Morningness--Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) and Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI). Controlling for age and sex, relationships between morningness and future time perspective as well as between eveningness and present time perspective were replicated. These findings were supported by significant associations between time perspective and midpoint of sleep. Future time perspective was linked to earlier midpoints of sleep, indicating an early chronotype. Present time perspective was associated with later midpoints of sleep, indicating a late chronotype. However, age and sex had an impact on the chronotype-time perspective relationships. In all age groups, male larks were more future-oriented and less present-oriented, male owls more present-oriented and less future-oriented. The same conclusion could be drawn for female adolescents and young adults. For female adults above 30, there was no interrelationship between morningness and future time perspective but between eveningness and past time perspective. Female adult owls were more present-oriented as well as more past-oriented. Female adult larks were less present-oriented and less past-oriented. Findings are discussed in the light of neuroendocrine and serotonergic functioning.

  12. Surgical Practical Skills Learning Curriculum: Implementation and Interns' Confidence Perceptions.

    PubMed

    Acosta, Danilo; Castillo-Angeles, Manuel; Garces-Descovich, Alejandro; Watkins, Ammara A; Gupta, Alok; Critchlow, Jonathan F; Kent, Tara S

    To provide an overview of the practical skills learning curriculum and assess its effects over time on the surgical interns' perceptions of their technical skills, patient management, administrative tasks, and knowledge. An 84-hour practical skills curriculum composed of didactic, simulation, and practical sessions was implemented during the 2015 to 2016 academic year for general surgery interns. Totally, 40% of the sessions were held during orientation, whereas the remainder sessions were held throughout the academic year. Interns' perceptions of their technical skills, administrative tasks, patient management, and knowledge were assessed by the practical skills curriculum residents' perception survey at various time points during their intern year (baseline, midpoint, and final). Interns were also asked to fill out an evaluation survey at the completion of each session to obtain feedback on the curriculum. General Surgery Residency program at a tertiary care academic institution. 20 General Surgery categorical and preliminary interns. Significant differences were found over time in interns' perceptions on their technical skills, patient management, administrative tasks, and knowledge (p < 0.001 for all). The results were also statistically significant when accounting for a prior boot camp course in medical school, intern status (categorical or preliminary), and gender (p < 0.05 for all). Differences in interns' perceptions occurred both from baseline to midpoint, and from midpoint to final time point evaluations (p < 0.001 for all). Prior surgical boot camp in medical school status, intern status (categorical vs. preliminary), and gender did not differ in the interns' baseline perceptions of their technical skills, patient management, administrative tasks, and knowledge (p > 0.05 for all). Implementation of a Practical Skills Curriculum in surgical internships can improve interns' confidence perception on their technical skills, patient management skills, administrative tasks, and knowledge. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  13. Variability in protein binding of teicoplanin and achievement of therapeutic drug monitoring targets in critically ill patients: lessons from the DALI Study.

    PubMed

    Roberts, J A; Stove, V; De Waele, J J; Sipinkoski, B; McWhinney, B; Ungerer, J P J; Akova, M; Bassetti, M; Dimopoulos, G; Kaukonen, K-M; Koulenti, D; Martin, C; Montravers, P; Rello, J; Rhodes, A; Starr, T; Wallis, S C; Lipman, J

    2014-05-01

    The aims of this study were to describe the variability in protein binding of teicoplanin in critically ill patients as well as the number of patients achieving therapeutic target concentrations. This report is part of the multinational pharmacokinetic DALI Study. Patients were sampled on a single day, with blood samples taken both at the midpoint and the end of the dosing interval. Total and unbound teicoplanin concentrations were assayed using validated chromatographic methods. The lower therapeutic range of teicoplanin was defined as total trough concentrations from 10 to 20 mg/L and the higher range as 10-30 mg/L. Thirteen critically ill patients were available for analysis. The following are the median (interquartile range) total and free concentrations (mg/L): midpoint, total 13.6 (11.2-26.0) and free 1.5 (0.7-2.5); trough, total 11.9 (10.2-22.7) and free 1.8 (0.6-2.6). The percentage free teicoplanin for the mid-dose and trough time points was 6.9% (4.5-15.6%) and 8.2% (5.5-16.4%), respectively. The correlation between total and free antibiotic concentrations was moderate for both the midpoint (ρ = 0.79, P = 0.0021) and trough (ρ = 0.63, P = 0.027). Only 42% and 58% of patients were in the lower and higher therapeutic ranges, respectively. In conclusion, use of standard dosing for teicoplanin leads to inappropriate concentrations in a high proportion of critically ill patients. Variability in teicoplanin protein binding is very high, placing significant doubt on the validity of total concentrations for therapeutic drug monitoring in critically ill patients. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. and the International Society of Chemotherapy. All rights reserved.

  14. Theory of relativistic Brownian motion in the presence of electromagnetic field in (1+1) dimension

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mukhopadhyay, Annesh; Bandyopadhyay, M.; Bhamidipati, C.

    2018-04-01

    In this work, we consider the relativistic generalization of the theory of Brownian motion for the (1+1) dimensional case, which is again consistent with Einstein's special theory of relativity and reduces to standard Brownian motion in the Newtonian limit. All the generalizations are made considering Special theory of relativity into account. The particle under consideration has a velocity close to the speed of light and is a free Brownian particle suspended in a heat bath. With this generalization the velocity probability density functions are also obtained using Ito, Stratonovich and Hanggi-Klimontovich approach of pre-point, mid-point and post-point discretization rule. Subsequently, in our work, we have obtained the relativistic Langevin equations in the presence of an electromagnetic field. Finally, taking a special case of a constant vector potential and a constant electric field into account the Langevin equations are solved for the momentum and subsequently the velocity of the particle. Using a similar approach to the Fokker-planck equations of motion, the velocity distributions are also obtained in the presence of a constant vector potential and are plotted, which shows essential deviations from the one obtained without a potential. Our constant potential model can be realized in an optical potential.

  15. Vector Galileon and inflationary magnetogenesis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nandi, Debottam; Shankaranarayanan, S.

    2018-01-01

    Cosmological inflation provides the initial conditions for the structure formation. However, the origin of large-scale magnetic fields can not be addressed in this framework. The key issue for this long-standing problem is the conformal invariance of the electromagnetic (EM) field in 4-D. While many approaches have been proposed in the literature for breaking conformal invariance of the EM action, here, we provide a completely new way of looking at the modifications to the EM action and generation of primordial magnetic fields during inflation. We explicitly construct a higher derivative EM action that breaks conformal invariance by demanding three conditions—theory be described by vector potential Aμ and its derivatives, Gauge invariance be satisfied, and equations of motion be linear in second derivatives of vector potential. The unique feature of our model is that appreciable magnetic fields are generated at small wavelengths while tiny magnetic fields are generated at large wavelengths that are consistent with current observations.

  16. 2. WEST REAR, WITH PORTHOLE ESCAPE HATCH ABOVE ENTRY DOOR. ...

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

    2. WEST REAR, WITH PORTHOLE ESCAPE HATCH ABOVE ENTRY DOOR. - Edwards Air Force Base, South Base Sled Track, Firing & Control Blockhouse for 10,000-foot Track, South of Sled Track at midpoint of 20,000-foot track, Lancaster, Los Angeles County, CA

  17. EPA Interim Evaluation of 2016-2017 Milestone Progress in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This page provides the EPA interim evaluations of the 2016-2017 milestones for the Chesapeake Bay TMDL. These interim assessments provide a mid-point check on the progress made on the 2016-2017 milestones, recognizing the achievements made in 2016.

  18. EPA Interim Evaluation of 2012-2013 Milestone Progress in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This page provides the EPA interim evaluations of the 2012-2013 milestones for the Chesapeake Bay TMDL. These interim assessments provide a mid-point check on the progress made on the 2012-2013 milestones, recognizing the achievements made in 2012.

  19. 7. BULLET GLASS OBSERVATION WINDOW AT GROUND LEVEL ON WEST ...

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

    7. BULLET GLASS OBSERVATION WINDOW AT GROUND LEVEL ON WEST REAR. - Edwards Air Force Base, South Base Sled Track, Firing & Control Blockhouse for 10,000-foot Track, South of Sled Track at midpoint of 20,000-foot track, Lancaster, Los Angeles County, CA

  20. EPA Interim Evaluation of 2014-2015 Milestone Progress in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This page provides the EPA interim evaluations of the 2014-2015 milestones for the Chesapeake Bay TMDL. These interim assessments provide a mid-point check on the progress made on the 2014-2015 milestones, recognizing the achievements made in 2014.

  1. New similarity of triangular fuzzy number and its application.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Xixiang; Ma, Weimin; Chen, Liping

    2014-01-01

    The similarity of triangular fuzzy numbers is an important metric for application of it. There exist several approaches to measure similarity of triangular fuzzy numbers. However, some of them are opt to be large. To make the similarity well distributed, a new method SIAM (Shape's Indifferent Area and Midpoint) to measure triangular fuzzy number is put forward, which takes the shape's indifferent area and midpoint of two triangular fuzzy numbers into consideration. Comparison with other similarity measurements shows the effectiveness of the proposed method. Then, it is applied to collaborative filtering recommendation to measure users' similarity. A collaborative filtering case is used to illustrate users' similarity based on cloud model and triangular fuzzy number; the result indicates that users' similarity based on triangular fuzzy number can obtain better discrimination. Finally, a simulated collaborative filtering recommendation system is developed which uses cloud model and triangular fuzzy number to express users' comprehensive evaluation on items, and result shows that the accuracy of collaborative filtering recommendation based on triangular fuzzy number is higher.

  2. Effective Learning in an Ambulatory Family Medicine Clerkship: A Qualitative Study of Medical Student Midpoint Feedback.

    PubMed

    Bradner, Melissa K; Flores, Sharon Kaufer; Gary, Judy S; Zumbrunn, Sharon

    2017-09-01

    There is substantial research on the effectiveness of ambulatory medical preceptors' teaching skills, but less is known about the student perspective on what contributes most to effective learning in a busy clinical practice. As part of a formative midpoint assessment during the third-year clerkship in family medicine, students were asked to respond to the following open-ended reflective prompt: "My preceptor contributed to my learning by..." A qualitative assessment of student responses was conducted to identify themes describing effective learning in the ambulatory setting. Responses for all clerkship students from the years 2012-2014 were examined (N=314). The most common characteristic of effective learning identified by respondents was Autonomy in Practice. Other prominent themes included Stimulating Critical Thinking and Feedback. Understanding student perceptions of the critical components of learning in ambulatory settings will allow medical educators to design meaningful student learning experiences and coach community teachers on effective teaching practices.

  3. Explicit methods in extended phase space for inseparable Hamiltonian problems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pihajoki, Pauli

    2015-03-01

    We present a method for explicit leapfrog integration of inseparable Hamiltonian systems by means of an extended phase space. A suitably defined new Hamiltonian on the extended phase space leads to equations of motion that can be numerically integrated by standard symplectic leapfrog (splitting) methods. When the leapfrog is combined with coordinate mixing transformations, the resulting algorithm shows good long term stability and error behaviour. We extend the method to non-Hamiltonian problems as well, and investigate optimal methods of projecting the extended phase space back to original dimension. Finally, we apply the methods to a Hamiltonian problem of geodesics in a curved space, and a non-Hamiltonian problem of a forced non-linear oscillator. We compare the performance of the methods to a general purpose differential equation solver LSODE, and the implicit midpoint method, a symplectic one-step method. We find the extended phase space methods to compare favorably to both for the Hamiltonian problem, and to the implicit midpoint method in the case of the non-linear oscillator.

  4. Bistable microelectromechanical actuator

    DOEpatents

    Fleming, James G.

    1999-01-01

    A bistable microelectromechanical (MEM) actuator is formed on a substrate and includes a stressed membrane of generally rectangular shape that upon release assumes a curvilinear cross-sectional shape due to attachment at a midpoint to a resilient member and at opposing edges to a pair of elongate supports. The stressed membrane can be electrostatically switched between a pair of mechanical states having mirror-image symmetry, with the MEM actuator remaining in a quiescent state after a programming voltage is removed. The bistable MEM actuator according to various embodiments of the present invention can be used to form a nonvolatile memory element, an optical modulator (with a pair of mirrors supported above the membrane and moving in synchronism as the membrane is switched), a switchable mirror (with a single mirror supported above the membrane at the midpoint thereof) and a latching relay (with a pair of contacts that open and close as the membrane is switched). Arrays of bistable MEM actuators can be formed for applications including nonvolatile memories, optical displays and optical computing.

  5. Bistable microelectromechanical actuator

    DOEpatents

    Fleming, J.G.

    1999-02-02

    A bistable microelectromechanical (MEM) actuator is formed on a substrate and includes a stressed membrane of generally rectangular shape that upon release assumes a curvilinear cross-sectional shape due to attachment at a midpoint to a resilient member and at opposing edges to a pair of elongate supports. The stressed membrane can be electrostatically switched between a pair of mechanical states having mirror-image symmetry, with the MEM actuator remaining in a quiescent state after a programming voltage is removed. The bistable MEM actuator according to various embodiments of the present invention can be used to form a nonvolatile memory element, an optical modulator (with a pair of mirrors supported above the membrane and moving in synchronism as the membrane is switched), a switchable mirror (with a single mirror supported above the membrane at the midpoint thereof) and a latching relay (with a pair of contacts that open and close as the membrane is switched). Arrays of bistable MEM actuators can be formed for applications including nonvolatile memories, optical displays and optical computing. 49 figs.

  6. Keeping your distance: attentional withdrawal in individuals who show physiological signs of social discomfort.

    PubMed

    Szpak, Ancret; Loetscher, Tobias; Churches, Owen; Thomas, Nicole A; Spence, Charles J; Nicholls, Michael E R

    2015-04-01

    Being in close social proximity to a stranger is generally perceived to be an uncomfortable experience, which most people seek to avoid. In circumstances where crowding is unavoidable, however, people may seek to withdraw their attention from the other person. This study examined whether social discomfort, as indexed by electrodermal activity, is related to a withdrawal of attention in 28 (m=8, f=20) university students. Students performed a radial line bisection task while alone or together with a stranger facing them. Physiological arousal was indexed by a wrist monitor, which recorded electrodermal activity. Correlational analyses showed that individuals who displayed physiological discomfort when together showed a withdrawal of the perceived midpoint of the line towards them (and away from the stranger). Conversely, individuals who showed no discomfort exhibited an expansion of the perceived midpoint away from them. We propose that participants shift their attention away from the stranger to increase interpersonal distance and reduce anxiety/arousal. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Community surveillance of falls among the elderly using computerized EMS transport data.

    PubMed

    Wofford, J L; Heuser, M D; Moran, W P; Schwartz, E; Mittelmark, M B

    1994-07-01

    Because falls are common among the elderly and are associated with high morbidity and mortality, community surveillance has been recommended. The purpose of this study was to characterize the impact of falls among the elderly on emergency medical transport services (EMS) and to explore the potential for community surveillance of falls through the use of computerized EMS data. Computerized EMS data and United States census data for 1990 for persons aged > or = 65 in Forsyth County, NC, were used to produce EMS transport rates for falls and to make comparisons by age, gender, race, and residence (nursing home vs community). A fall was reported as the cause for EMS summons in 15.1% (613 of 4,058) of cases. Transport rates in 1990 for falls were 7.8 per 1,000, 25.4 per 1,000, and 58.5 per 1,000 for the age groups of 65 to 74 years, 75 to 84 years, and 85 years and older. Rates were higher for females than for males (17.1 per 1,000 v 8.1 per 1,000) and higher for whites than for African-Americans (14.3 per 1,000 v 10.3 per 1,000). Rates for nursing home residents were four times that of community residents (70.6 per 1,000 v 16.0 per 1,000). Over 50% of nursing home fallers were transported between midnight and 0400 compared with 25% of community dwellers. EMS summons for older adults reporting a fall accounts for a significant portion (15%) of all transports in this county. Computerized EMS data demonstrated patterns of falls among the elderly that are consistent with known demographic factors. The potential for using computerized EMS data as a practical means of community surveillance should be further explored.

  8. Impact of Hypokalemia on Electromechanical Window, Excitation Wavelength and Repolarization Gradients in Guinea-Pig and Rabbit Hearts

    PubMed Central

    Osadchii, Oleg E.

    2014-01-01

    Normal hearts exhibit a positive time difference between the end of ventricular contraction and the end of QT interval, which is referred to as the electromechanical (EM) window. Drug-induced prolongation of repolarization may lead to the negative EM window, which was proposed to be a novel proarrhythmic marker. This study examined whether abnormal changes in the EM window may account for arrhythmogenic effects produced by hypokalemia. Left ventricular pressure, electrocardiogram, and epicardial monophasic action potentials were recorded in perfused hearts from guinea-pig and rabbit. Hypokalemia (2.5 mM K+) was found to prolong repolarization, reduce the EM window, and promote tachyarrhythmia. Nevertheless, during both regular pacing and extrasystolic excitation, the increased QT interval invariably remained shorter than the duration of mechanical systole, thus yielding positive EM window values. Hypokalemia-induced arrhythmogenicity was associated with slowed ventricular conduction, and shortened effective refractory periods, which translated to a reduced excitation wavelength index. Hypokalemia also evoked non-uniform prolongation of action potential duration in distinct epicardial regions, which resulted in increased spatial variability in the repolarization time. These findings suggest that arrhythmogenic effects of hypokalemia are not accounted for by the negative EM window, and are rather attributed to abnormal changes in ventricular conduction times, refractoriness, excitation wavelength, and spatial repolarization gradients. PMID:25141124

  9. Geophysical evaluation of groundwater potential in part of southwestern Basement Complex terrain of Nigeria

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bayewu, Olateju O.; Oloruntola, Moroof O.; Mosuro, Ganiyu O.; Laniyan, Temitope A.; Ariyo, Stephen O.; Fatoba, Julius O.

    2017-12-01

    The geophysical assessment of groundwater in Awa-Ilaporu, near Ago Iwoye southwestern Nigeria was carried out with the aim of delineating probable areas of high groundwater potential. The area falls within the Crystalline Basement Complex of southwestern Nigeria which is predominantly underlain by banded gneiss, granite gneiss and pegmatite. The geophysical investigation involves the very low frequency electromagnetic (VLF-EM) and Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) methods. The VLF-EM survey was at 10 m interval along eight traverses ranging between 290 and 700 m in length using ABEM WADI VLF-EM unit. The VLF-EM survey was used to delineate areas with conductive/fractured zones. Twenty-three VES surveys were carried out with the use of Campus Ohmega resistivity meter at different location and at locations areas delineated as high conductive areas by VLF-EM survey. The result of VLF-EM survey along its traverse was used in delineating high conductive/fractured zones, it is, however, in agreement with the delineation of the VES survey. The VES results showed 3-4 geoelectric layers inferred as sandy topsoil, sandy clay, clayey and fractured/fresh basement. The combination of these two methods, therefore, helped in resolving the prospecting location for the groundwater yield in the study area.

  10. Characterizing Potentially Preventable Admissions: A Mixed Methods Study of Rates, Associated Factors, Outcomes, and Physician Decision-Making.

    PubMed

    Daniels, Lisa M; Sorita, Atsushi; Kashiwagi, Deanne T; Okubo, Masashi; Small, Evan; Polley, Eric C; Sawatsky, Adam P

    2018-05-01

    Potentially preventable admissions are a target for healthcare cost containment. To identify rates of, characterize associations with, and explore physician decision-making around potentially preventable admissions. A comparative cohort study was used to determine rates of potentially preventable admissions and to identify associated factors and patient outcomes. A qualitative case study was used to explore physicians' clinical decision-making. Patients admitted from the emergency department (ED) to the general medicine (GM) service over a total of 4 weeks were included as cases (N = 401). Physicians from both emergency medicine (EM) and GM that were involved in the cases were included (N = 82). Physicians categorized admissions as potentially preventable. We examined differences in patient characteristics, admission characteristics, and patient outcomes between potentially preventable and control admissions. Interviews with participating physicians were conducted and transcribed. Transcriptions were systematically analyzed for key concepts regarding potentially preventable admissions. EM and GM physicians categorized 22.2% (90/401) of admissions as potentially preventable. There were no significant differences between potentially preventable and control admissions in patient or admission characteristics. Potentially preventable admissions had shorter length of stay (2.1 vs. 3.6 days, p < 0.001). There was no difference in other patient outcomes. Physicians discussed several provider, system, and patient factors that affected clinical decision-making around potentially preventable admissions, particularly in the "gray zone," including risk of deterioration at home, the risk of hospitalization, the cost to the patient, and the presence of outpatient resources. Differences in provider training, risk assessment, and provider understanding of outpatient access accounted for differences in decisions between EM and GM physicians. Collaboration between EM and GM physicians around patients in the gray zone, focusing on patient risk, cost, and outpatient resources, may provide an avenues for reducing potentially preventable admissions and lowering healthcare spending.

  11. Partnerships, Technology, and Learning.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Duncan, Roy R.; Schlumpf, Jacob F., Jr.

    A major goal of the Shoreline School District is to develop partnerships with the community, other community agencies, and businesses. The development of a "Long Range Facilities Utilization Plan" led to a 10-year districtwide modernization program to enhance technology and instruction. Now at its midpoint, the design and development of…

  12. Design of an extended architecture for degraded modes of operation of AHS

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1995-04-01

    In June 1998, Congress passed the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) authorizing Federal surface transportation programs for highways, highway safety, and transit for 1998-2003. We are now at the midpoint of TEA-21, and this is a...

  13. Effects of groundwater withdrawal on borehole flow and salinity measured in deep monitor wells in Hawai'i-implications for groundwater management

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Rotzoll, Kolja

    2010-01-01

    Water-resource managers in Hawai`i rely heavily on salinity profiles from deep monitor wells to estimate the thickness of freshwater and the depth to the midpoint of the transition zone between freshwater and saltwater in freshwater-lens systems. The deep monitor wells are typically open boreholes below the water table and extend hundreds of feet below sea level. Because of possible borehole-flow effects, there is concern that salinity profiles measured in these wells may not accurately reflect the salinity distribution in the aquifer and consequently lead to misinterpretations that adversely affect water-resource management. Steplike changes in salinity or temperature with depth in measured profiles from nonpumped deep monitor wells may be indicative of water moving within the well, and such changes are evident to some extent in all available profiles. The maximum vertical step length, or displacement, in measured profiles ranges from 7 to 644 feet. Vertical steps longer than 70 feet exceed the typical thickness of massive lava flows; they therefore cannot be attributed entirely to geologic structure and may be indicative of borehole flow. The longest vertical steps occur in monitor wells located in southern O'ahu, coinciding with the most heavily developed part of the aquifer. Although regional groundwater withdrawals have caused a thinning of the freshwater lens over the past several decades, the measured midpoint of the transition zone in most deep monitor wells has shown only inconsequential depth displacement in direct response to short-term variations in withdrawals from nearby production wells. For profiles from some deep monitor wells, however, the depth of the measured top of the transition zone, indicated by a specific-conductance value of 1,000 microsiemens per centimeter, has risen several hundred feet in response to withdrawals from nearby production wells. For these deep monitor wells, monitoring the apparent top of the transition zone may not provide an accurate indication of water quality in the adjacent aquifer. Hence, the measured midpoint in boreholes is a better proxy for freshwater-lens thickness. Brackish water transported upward in a deep monitor well can exit the borehole in the upper, freshwater part of the aquifer and affect the water quality in nearby production wells. Piezometers installed at different depths will provide the best information on aquifer salinity because they are unaffected by borehole flow. Despite the effects of borehole flow, monitoring the midpoint in deep monitor wells is still useful to identify long-term trends in the movement of the transition zone.

  14. The Orthogonally Partitioned EM Algorithm: Extending the EM Algorithm for Algorithmic Stability and Bias Correction Due to Imperfect Data.

    PubMed

    Regier, Michael D; Moodie, Erica E M

    2016-05-01

    We propose an extension of the EM algorithm that exploits the common assumption of unique parameterization, corrects for biases due to missing data and measurement error, converges for the specified model when standard implementation of the EM algorithm has a low probability of convergence, and reduces a potentially complex algorithm into a sequence of smaller, simpler, self-contained EM algorithms. We use the theory surrounding the EM algorithm to derive the theoretical results of our proposal, showing that an optimal solution over the parameter space is obtained. A simulation study is used to explore the finite sample properties of the proposed extension when there is missing data and measurement error. We observe that partitioning the EM algorithm into simpler steps may provide better bias reduction in the estimation of model parameters. The ability to breakdown a complicated problem in to a series of simpler, more accessible problems will permit a broader implementation of the EM algorithm, permit the use of software packages that now implement and/or automate the EM algorithm, and make the EM algorithm more accessible to a wider and more general audience.

  15. IRIS Toxicological Review of Ammonia Noncancer Inhalation (Final Report)

    EPA Science Inventory

    EPA has finalized the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Assessment of Ammonia (Noncancer Inhalation). This assessment addresses the potential noncancer human health effects from long-term inhalation exposure to ammonia. Now final, this assessment will update the ...

  16. Quantifying Aerial Concentrations of Maize Pollen in the Atmospheric Surface Layer Using Remote-Piloted Airplanes and Lagrangian Stochastic Modeling

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aylor, Donald E.; Boehm, Matthew T.; Shields, Elson J.

    2006-07-01

    The extensive adoption of genetically modified crops has led to a need to understand better the dispersal of pollen in the atmosphere because of the potential for unwanted movement of genetic traits via pollen flow in the environment. The aerial dispersal of maize pollen was studied by comparing the results of a Lagrangian stochastic (LS) model with pollen concentration measurements made over cornfields using a combination of tower-based rotorod samplers and airborne radio-controlled remote-piloted vehicles (RPVs) outfitted with remotely operated pollen samplers. The comparison between model and measurements was conducted in two steps. In the first step, the LS model was used in combination with the rotorod samplers to estimate the pollen release rate Q for each sampling period. In the second step, a modeled value for the concentration Cmodel, corresponding to each RPV measured value Cmeasure, was calculated by simulating the RPV flight path through the LS model pollen plume corresponding to the atmospheric conditions, field geometry, wind direction, and source strength. The geometric mean and geometric standard deviation of the ratio Cmodel/Cmeasure over all of the sampling periods, except those determined to be upwind of the field, were 1.42 and 4.53, respectively, and the lognormal distribution corresponding to these values was found to fit closely the PDF of Cmodel/Cmeasure. Model output was sensitive to the turbulence parameters, with a factor-of-100 difference in the average value of Cmodel over the range of values encountered during the experiment. In comparison with this large potential variability, it is concluded that the average factor of 1.4 between Cmodel and Cmeasure found here indicates that the LS model is capable of accurately predicting, on average, concentrations over a range of atmospheric conditions.

  17. Measurement of the membrane potential in small cells using patch clamp methods

    PubMed Central

    Wilson, James R; Clark, Robert B; Banderali, Umberto

    2011-01-01

    The resting membrane potential, Em, of mammalian cells is a fundamental physiological parameter. Even small changes in Em can modulate excitability, contractility and rates of cell migration. At present accurate, reproducible measurements of Em and determination of its ionic basis remain significant challenges when patch clamp methods are applied to small cells. In this study, a mathematical model has been developed which incorporates many of the main biophysical principles which govern recordings of the resting potential of “small cells”. Such a prototypical cell (approx. capacitance, 6 pF; input resistance 5 GΩ) is representative of neonatal cardiac myocytes, and other cells in the cardiovascular system (endothelium, fibroblasts) and small cells in other tissues, e.g., bone (osteoclasts) articular joints (chondrocytes) and the pancreas (β cells). Two common experimental conditions have been examined: (1) when the background K+ conductance is linear; and (2) when this K+ conductance is highly nonlinear and shows pronounced inward rectification. In the case of a linear K+ conductance, the presence of a “leakage” current through the seal resistance between the cell membrane and the patch pipette always depolarizes Em. Our calculations confirm that accurate characterization of Em is possible when the seal resistance is at least five times larger than the input resistance of the targeted cell. Measurement of Em under conditions in which the main background current includes a markedly nonlinear K+ conductance (due to inward rectification) yields complex and somewhat counter-intuitive findings. In fact, there are at least two possible stable values of resting membrane potential for a cell when the nonlinear, inwardly rectifying K+ conductance interacts with the seal current. This type of bistable behavior has been reported in a variety of small mammalian cells, including those from the heart, endothelium, smooth muscle and bone. Our theoretical treatment of these two common experimental situations provides useful mechanistic insights, and suggests practical methods by which these significant limitations, and their impact, can be minimized. PMID:21829090

  18. 8. INTERIOR, CONTROL AND INSTRUMENTATION ROOM. Looking southwest toward entrance ...

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

    8. INTERIOR, CONTROL AND INSTRUMENTATION ROOM. Looking southwest toward entrance and inner blast door. - Edwards Air Force Base, South Base Sled Track, Firing & Control Blockhouse for 10,000-foot Track, South of Sled Track at midpoint of 20,000-foot track, Lancaster, Los Angeles County, CA

  19. Voyager 1: Encounter with Jupiter

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1979-01-01

    An overview of the Voyager is presented along with samples of the nearly 19,000 photographs returned by Voyager 1 spacecraft at the midpoint of its 38-month mission to Jupiter and Saturn. Particular emphasis is given to color photographs of the Great Red Spot, and the surface features of the Gallilean satellites.

  20. Library Students Are "Breaking Good" with Saul Goodman's Advice

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Turkewitz, Deborah

    2014-01-01

    Graduate students are taking big steps and stretching themselves, whether returning to school midpoint in their lives, taking classes on unfamiliar topics, or starting internships and trying to put theory into practice. Who better to offer advice to these graduate students than America's favorite hilarious, morally ambiguous, ambulance-chasing,…

  1. Throwing Injuries of the Shoulder.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    McCue, Frank C., III; and Others

    The majority of shoulder injuries occurring in throwing sports involve the soft tissue structures. Injuries often occur when the unit is overstretched to a point near its greatest length, involving the elastic tissues. The other injury mechanism involves the contractural unit of the muscle, which occurs near the midpoint of contractions, involving…

  2. Why Is the Midpoint an Average?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bu, Lingguo

    2013-01-01

    Many preservice teachers come into teacher education programs with a rule-based view of mathematics, a view that is to a large extent indicative of their previous school experiences. In teaching preservice elementary school teachers, this author has used his instrumental understanding as the starting point for rich discussions about the…

  3. 78 FR 36533 - Information Collection; Submission for OMB Review, Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-06-18

    ... appropriate next step for RSVP projects. The data submitted at the mid-point each year will also allow CNCS to..., electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology... project management responsibilities. Four of the 19 comments specifically noted that grantee time is...

  4. Open Letter to Religious Leaders about Sex Education

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    American Journal of Sexuality Education, 2011

    2011-01-01

    The "Open Letter to Religious Leaders about Sex Education" reinforces scriptural and theological commitments to truth-telling in calling for "full and honest education about sexual and reproductive health." This "Open Letter" was published in 2002, at about the midpoint of a decade-long federal government commitment to…

  5. Cross-Modal Face Identity Aftereffects and Their Relation to Priming

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hills, Peter J.; Elward, Rachael L.; Lewis, Michael B.

    2010-01-01

    We tested the magnitude of the face identity aftereffect following adaptation to different modes of adaptors in four experiments. The perceptual midpoint between two morphed famous faces was measured pre- and post-adaptation. Significant aftereffects were observed for visual (faces) and nonvisual adaptors (voices and names) but not nonspecific…

  6. A Logbook System for Monitoring Student Skills and Experiences.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Soler, Norman G.; And Others

    1981-01-01

    A logbook system for recording students' patient-care activities during a clerkship is described. It was designed at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine to provide data for assessing students and for evaluation of the clerkship itself. Student logbooks are collected at the midpoint and end of the clerkship. (MLW)

  7. 77 FR 20671 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-04-05

    ... Primary Pegged Orders with an offset amount will never be displayed. The text of the proposed rule change.... Under the Exchange's current rule, Midpoint Pegged Orders are not displayed, while Primary and Market... messaging and ``quote flickering.'' A [[Page 20672

  8. IRIS Toxicological Review of Trimethylbenzenes (Final Report)

    EPA Science Inventory

    EPA has finalized the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Assessment of Trimethylbenzenes (TMBs). This assessment addresses the potential non-cancer and cancer human health effects from long-term exposure to TMBs. Now final, this assessment will be the first IRIS a...

  9. In vivo study of endometriosis in mice by photoacoustic microscopy.

    PubMed

    Ding, Yichen; Zhang, Mingzhu; Lang, Jinghe; Leng, Jinhua; Ren, Qiushi; Yang, Jie; Li, Changhui

    2015-01-01

    Endometriosis (EM) impacts the healthcare and the quality of life for women of reproductive age. However, there is no reliable noninvasive diagnosis method for either animal study or clinical use. In this work, a novel imaging method, photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) was employed to study the EM on the mouse model. Our results demonstrated the PAM noninvasively provided the high contrast and 3D imaging of subcutaneously implanted EM tissue in the nude mouse in vivo. The statistical study also indicated PAM had high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of EM in this animal study. In addition, we also discussed the potential clinical application for PAM in the diagnosis of EM. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  10. The obligate respiratory supercomplex from Actinobacteria.

    PubMed

    Kao, Wei-Chun; Kleinschroth, Thomas; Nitschke, Wolfgang; Baymann, Frauke; Neehaul, Yashvin; Hellwig, Petra; Richers, Sebastian; Vonck, Janet; Bott, Michael; Hunte, Carola

    2016-10-01

    Actinobacteria are closely linked to human life as industrial producers of bioactive molecules and as human pathogens. Respiratory cytochrome bcc complex and cytochrome aa3 oxidase are key components of their aerobic energy metabolism. They form a supercomplex in the actinobacterial species Corynebacterium glutamicum. With comprehensive bioinformatics and phylogenetic analysis we show that genes for cyt bcc-aa3 supercomplex are characteristic for Actinobacteria (Actinobacteria and Acidimicrobiia, except the anaerobic orders Actinomycetales and Bifidobacteriales). An obligatory supercomplex is likely, due to the lack of genes encoding alternative electron transfer partners such as mono-heme cyt c. Instead, subunit QcrC of bcc complex, here classified as short di-heme cyt c, will provide the exclusive electron transfer link between the complexes as in C. glutamicum. Purified to high homogeneity, the C. glutamicum bcc-aa3 supercomplex contained all subunits and cofactors as analyzed by SDS-PAGE, BN-PAGE, absorption and EPR spectroscopy. Highly uniform supercomplex particles in electron microscopy analysis support a distinct structural composition. The supercomplex possesses a dimeric stoichiometry with a ratio of a-type, b-type and c-type hemes close to 1:1:1. Redox titrations revealed a low potential bcc complex (Em(ISP)=+160mV, Em(bL)=-291mV, Em(bH)=-163mV, Em(cc)=+100mV) fined-tuned for oxidation of menaquinol and a mixed potential aa3 oxidase (Em(CuA)=+150mV, Em(a/a3)=+143/+317mV) mediating between low and high redox potential to accomplish dioxygen reduction. The generated molecular model supports a stable assembled supercomplex with defined architecture which permits energetically efficient coupling of menaquinol oxidation and dioxygen reduction in one supramolecular entity. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. Can diet-dependent factors help explain fish-to-fish variation in thiamine-dependent early mortality syndrome?

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Brown, S.B.; Arts, M.T.; Brown, L.R.; Brown, M.; Moore, K.; Villella, M.; Fitzsimons, J.D.; Honeyfield, D.C.; Tillitt, D.E.; Zajicek, J.L.; Wolgamood, M.; Hnath, J.G.

    2005-01-01

    To provide insight into the reasons why offspring of certain salmonine females exhibit early mortality syndrome (EMS) in the Great Lakes whereas others do not, we measured the egg concentrations of potential biochemical markers (stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon, fatty acid signatures, and lipid-soluble carotenoids and vitamins) that are indicative of differing food web and trophic structure. To corroborate the presence of EMS, we also measured the egg content of thiamine vitamers. For all the stocks of coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch and Chinook salmon O. tshawytscha we studied, there was a very high correspondence between EMS and low concentrations of unphosphorylated thiamine in unfertilized eggs. For salmonine stocks in the Platte River, Thompson Creek, and the Swan River, Michigan, small but significant shifts occurred in measures of egg carotenoids, retinoids, ??15N depletion, and fatty acid profiles of fish producing normal offspring relative to those exhibiting EMS. Egg thiamine concentrations in Chinook salmon from the Little Manistee River, Michigan, in the low-EMS group were only marginally above the threshold for EMS induction. Along with this small thiamine differential, there was no evidence of differing food web or dietary factors between EMS-positive and normal Chinook salmon from the Little Manistee River. Further investigations are required to determine the potential dietary sources for the observed differences in biochemical markers between EMS-positive and normal fish. These findings are generally consistent with the hypothesis that a more diverse forage base may help to limit overall dietary content of species that contain thiaminase, such as alewives Alosa pseudoharengus, and may lead to improved embryonic survival for feral salmonids. ?? Copyright by the American Fisheries Society 2005.

  12. Effects of plasmalemmal V-ATPase activity on plasma membrane potential of resident alveolar macrophages.

    PubMed

    Heming, T A; Bidani, A

    2003-01-01

    The acid-base status and functional responses of alveolar macrophages (mphi) are influenced by the activity of plasmalemmal V-type H+-pump (V-ATPase), an electrogenic H+ extruder that provides a possible link between intracellular pH (pHi) and plasma membrane potential (Em). This study examined the relationships among Em, pHi, and plasmalemmal V-ATPase activity in resident alveolar mphi from rabbits. Em and pHi were measured using fluorescent probes. Em was -46 mV and pHi was 7.14 at an extracellular pH (pHo) of 7.4. The pHi declined progressively at lower pHo values. Decrements in pHo, also caused depolarization of the plasma membrane, independent of V-ATPase activity. The pH effects on Em were sensitive to external K+, and hence, probably involved pH-sensitive K+ conductance. H+ were not distributed at equilibrium across the plasma membrane. V-ATPase activity was a major determinant of the transmembrane H+ disequilibrium. Pump inhibition with bafilomycin A1 caused cytosolic acidification, due most likely to the retention of metabolically generated H+. V-ATPase inhibition also caused depolarization of the plasma membrane, but the effects were mediated indirectly via the accompanying pHi changes. V-ATPase activity was sensitive to Em. Em hyperpolarization (valinomycin-clamp) reduced V-ATPase activity, causing an acidic shift in baseline pHi under steady-state conditions and slowing pHi recovery from NH4Cl prepulse acid-loads. The findings indicate that a complex relationship exists among Em, pHi, and pHo that was partially mediated by plasmalemmal V-ATPase activity. This relationship could have important consequences for the expression of pH- and/or voltage-sensitive functions in alveolar mphi.

  13. Regional characterization of freshwater Use in LCA: modeling direct impacts on human health.

    PubMed

    Boulay, Anne-Marie; Bulle, Cécile; Bayart, Jean-Baptiste; Deschênes, Louise; Margni, Manuele

    2011-10-15

    Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a methodology that quantifies potential environmental impacts for comparative purposes in a decision-making context. While potential environmental impacts from pollutant emissions into water are characterized in LCA, impacts from water unavailability are not yet fully quantified. Water use can make the resource unavailable to other users by displacement or quality degradation. A reduction in water availability to human users can potentially affect human health. If financial resources are available, there can be adaptations that may, in turn, shift the environmental burdens to other life cycle stages and impact categories. This paper proposes a model to evaluate these potential impacts in an LCA context. It considers the water that is withdrawn and released, its quality and scarcity in order to evaluate the loss of functionality associated with water uses. Regionalized results are presented for impacts on human health for two modeling approaches regarding affected users, including or not domestic uses, and expressed in disability-adjusted life years (DALY). A consumption and quality based scarcity indicator is also proposed as a midpoint. An illustrative example is presented for the production of corrugated board with different effluents, demonstrating the importance of considering quality, process effluents and the difference between the modeling approaches.

  14. Species richness and community composition of mat-forming ectomycorrhizal fungi in old- and second-growth Douglas-fir forests of the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest, Oregon, USA.

    PubMed

    Dunham, Susie M; Larsson, Karl-Henrik; Spatafora, Joseph W

    2007-11-01

    We investigated the species identity of mat-forming ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi associated with old- and second-growth Douglas-fir stands. Using molecular analyses of rhizomorphs and EM root tips, we characterized 28 unique internal transcribed spacer sequences and considered them proxies for mat-forming EM species. In both stand age classes, one Athelioid species in the genus Piloderma dominated our sample of the mat-forming fungal community. In second-growth stands, the second most frequently encountered mat-forming EM species belonged to the genus Hysterangium. In old-growth stands, several Ramaria species were associated with a frequently encountered mat morphology but no species dominated the community. After using rarefaction analysis to standardize sampling effort, the total species richness did not differ statistically between old- and second-growth habitats. Both an abundance of infrequently encountered species and incomplete sampling of the mat-forming EM community may have limited our ability to detect potential differences in species richness. Several frequently encountered Piloderma species appear to have broad (holarctic) distributions and diverse host associations and their potential importance in forest ecosystems warrants further study.

  15. Supportive communication with parents moderates the negative effects of electronic media use on life satisfaction during adolescence.

    PubMed

    Boniel-Nissim, Meyran; Tabak, Izabela; Mazur, Joanna; Borraccino, Alberto; Brooks, Fiona; Gommans, Rob; van der Sluijs, Winfried; Zsiros, Emese; Craig, Wendy; Harel-Fisch, Yossi; Finne, Emily

    2015-02-01

    To examine the impact of electronic media (EM) use on teenagers' life satisfaction (LS) and to assess the potential moderating effect of supportive communication with parents (SCP). Data were drawn from the cross-national Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study (2009/2010) in Canada, England, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Israel, The Netherlands, Poland and Scotland. Sample size: 53,973 students aged 11-15 years. More hours per day spent on the computer were associated with lower LS; more EM communication with friends with higher LS. This relationship became negative if EM use reached and exceeded a certain threshold. SCP moderated the effect of EM communication with friends, but not computer use for the total sample. SCP seems to be more important than computer use or EM communication with friends for LS and it seems to buffer negative effects of EM use. Communication with parents seems to buffer the negative effects of EM use on LS during adolescence. Higher computer use was related to lower LS, but "optimal" frequency of EM communication with friends was country specific.

  16. BIOMASS GASIFICATION FOR AGRICULTURAL ENERGY SOURCES AND SOIL ENRICHMENT

    EPA Science Inventory

    Phase I of the Biomass Gasification Project gave birth to many success stories and demonstrated enormous potential for members of the local agricultural community and for students within the university.

    Community-building

    Watauga County Cooperative Ext...

  17. HOST GENE CELL RESEARCH FOR DETERMINING VIRULENCE OF AEROMONAS SPP. COLLECTED FROM ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES

    EPA Science Inventory

    The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is interested in assessing health risks associated with emerging or potential waterborne pathogens. To this end, the Agency has established a Candidate Contaminant List (CCL) that includes Aeromonas hydrophila an...

  18. Human Factors and Simulation in Emergency Medicine.

    PubMed

    Hayden, Emily M; Wong, Ambrose H; Ackerman, Jeremy; Sande, Margaret K; Lei, Charles; Kobayashi, Leo; Cassara, Michael; Cooper, Dylan D; Perry, Kimberly; Lewandowski, William E; Scerbo, Mark W

    2018-02-01

    This consensus group from the 2017 Academic Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference "Catalyzing System Change through Health Care Simulation: Systems, Competency, and Outcomes" held in Orlando, Florida, on May 16, 2017, focused on the use of human factors (HF) and simulation in the field of emergency medicine (EM). The HF discipline is often underutilized within EM but has significant potential in improving the interface between technologies and individuals in the field. The discussion explored the domain of HF, its benefits in medicine, how simulation can be a catalyst for HF work in EM, and how EM can collaborate with HF professionals to effect change. Implementing HF in EM through health care simulation will require a demonstration of clinical and safety outcomes, advocacy to stakeholders and administrators, and establishment of structured collaborations between HF professionals and EM, such as in this breakout group. © 2017 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.

  19. Studying the influence of stem composition in pH-sensitive molecular beacons onto their sensing properties.

    PubMed

    Dembska, Anna; Kierzek, Elzbieta; Juskowiak, Bernard

    2017-10-16

    Intracellular sensing using fluorescent molecular beacons is a potentially useful strategy for real-time, in vivo monitoring of important cellular events. This work is focused on evaluation of pyrene excimer signaling molecular beacons (MBs) for the monitoring of pH changes in vitro as well as inside living cells. The recognition element in our MB called pHSO (pH-sensitive oligonucleotide) is the loop enclosing cytosine-rich fragment that is able to form i-motif structure in a specific pH range. However, alteration of a sequence of the 6 base pairs containing stem of MB allowed the design of pHSO probes that exhibited different dynamic pH range and possessed slightly different transition midpoint between i-motif and open loop configuration. Moreover, this conformational transition was accompanied by spectral changes showing developed probes different pyrene excimer-monomer emission ratio triggered by pH changes. The potential of these MBs for intracellular pH sensing is demonstrated on the example of HeLa cells line. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Thermodynamic and electron paramagnetic resonance characterization of flavin in succinate dehydrogenase.

    PubMed

    Ohnishi, T; King, T E; Salerno, J C; Blum, H; Bowyer, J R; Maida, T

    1981-06-10

    Thermodynamic parameters of succinate dehydrogenase flavin were determined potentiometrically from the analysis of free radical signal levels as a function of the oxidation-reduction potential. Midpoint redox potentials of consecutive 1-electron transfer steps are -127 and -31 mV at pH 7.0. This corresponds to a stability constant of intermediate stability, 2.5 x 10(-2), which suggests flavin itself may be a converter from n = 2 to n = 1 electron transfer steps. The pK values of the free radical (FlH . in equilibrium Fl . -) and the fully reduced form (FlH2 in equilibrium FlH-) were estimated as 8.0 +/- 0.2 and 7.7 +/- 0.2, respectively. Succinate dehydrogenase flavosemiquinone elicits an EPR spectrum at g = 2.00 with a peak to peak width of 1.2 mT even in the protonated form, suggesting the delocalization in the unpaired electron density. A close proximity of succinate dehydrogenase flavin and iron-sulfur cluster S-1 was demonstrated based on the enhancement of flavin spin relaxation by Center S-1.

  1. Performance Measures for Evaluating Public Participation Activities in the Office of Environmental Management (DOE)

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

    Carnes, S.A.

    2001-02-15

    Public participation in Office of Environmental Management (EM) activities throughout the DOE complex is a critical component of the overall success of remediation and waste management efforts. The challenges facing EM and its stakeholders over the next decade or more are daunting (Nuclear Waste News 1996). Achieving a mission composed of such challenges will require innovation, dedication, and a significant degree of good will among all stakeholders. EM's efforts to date, including obtaining and using inputs offered by EM stakeholders, have been notable. Public participation specialists have accepted and met challenges and have consistently tried to improve their performance. Theymore » have reported their experiences both formally and informally (e.g., at professional conferences and EM Public Participation Network Workshops, other internal meetings of DOE and contractor public participation specialists, and one-on-one consultations) in order to advance the state of their practice. Our research, and our field research in particular (including our interactions with many representatives of numerous stakeholder groups at nine DOE sites with diverse EM problems), have shown that it, is possible to develop coherent results even in a problem domain as complex as that of EM. We conclude that performance-based evaluations of public participation appear possible, and we have recommended an approach, based on combined and integrated multi-stakeholder views on the attributes of successful public participation and associated performance indicators, that seems workable and should be acceptable to diverse stakeholders. Of course, as an untested recommendation, our approach needs the validation that can only be achieved by application (perhaps at a few DOE sites with ongoing EM activities). Such an application would serve to refine the proposed approach in terms of its clarity, its workability, and its potential for full-scale use by EM and, potentially, other government agencies and private sector concerns.« less

  2. EVALUATION OF LEAD AVAILABILITY IN AMENDED SOILS MONITORED OVER A LONG-TERM TIME PERIOD

    EPA Science Inventory

    Two different soil amendment processes were evaluated for reducing lead availability from a contaminated soil at a demonstration study site, to reduce potential public health and environmental concerns. A limited variety of in vitro laboratory availability tests (relativ...

  3. Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Carbon Monoxide (Final Report, Jan 2010)

    EPA Science Inventory

    EPA announced the availability of the final report, Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Carbon Monoxide (CO). This report is EPA’s latest evaluation of the scientific literature on the potential human health and welfare effects associated with ambient exposures to CO...

  4. The associations of gender, depression and elder mistreatment in a community-dwelling Chinese population: the modifying effect of social support.

    PubMed

    Dong, XinQi; Beck, Todd; Simon, Melissa A

    2010-01-01

    The aims of this study are to: (1) examine the gender differences in the association of depression and elder mistreatment (EM) in a community-dwelling Chinese population; and (2) examine the potential differential modifying effect of greater social support on these associations. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 141 women and 270 men aged 60 years or greater who presented to an urban medical center. EM was assessed using the modified Vulnerability to Abuse Screening Scale (VASS) and depression was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and overall social support was measured using the Social Support Index (SSI). After adjusting for potential confounders, depression was associated with 447% increased risk for EM among men (odds ratio, OR = 4.47; 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.52-13.13) and 854% increased risk for EM among women (OR = 8.54; 95% CI = 2.85-25.57). After examining the effect of greater social support on depression (social support x depression), depression was no longer associated with increased risk for EM in men (parameter estimate = PE = 0.62 + or - 0.82 (+ or - S.E.M.) = 0.82, p = 0.454). However, among women, depression remained as a significant risk factor for EM (PE = 1.49 + or - 0.68, p = 0.029). Depression is significant risk factor for EM for both men and women. However, effect of greater overall social support may have higher protective effect in men than in women. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. Electromagnetic potentials basis for energy density and power flux

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Puthoff, H. E.

    2016-09-01

    In rounding out the education of students in advanced courses in applied electromagnetics it is incumbent on us as mentors to raise issues that encourage appreciation of certain subtle aspects that are often overlooked during first exposure to the field. One of these has to do with the interplay between fields and potentials, with the latter often seen as just a convenient mathematical artifice useful in solving Maxwell’s equations. Nonetheless, to those practiced in application it is well understood that various alternatives in the use of fields and potentials are available within electromagnetic (EM) theory for the definitions of energy density, momentum transfer, EM stress-energy tensor, and so forth. Although the various options are all compatible with the basic equations of electrodynamics (e.g., Maxwell’s equations, Lorentz force law, gauge invariance), nonetheless certain alternative formulations lend themselves to being seen as preferable to others with regard to the transparency of their application to physical problems of interest. Here we argue for the transparency of an energy density/power flux option based on the EM potentials alone.

  6. The Bronson Settlement Review: Year Four, 1987-88.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Evans, Robert W.; Nieman, Ronald W.

    School year 1987-88 marked the mid-point of the seven-year desegregation settlement for the Cincinnati (Ohio) Public Schools. This report presents data from a review of progress that was provided for in the Bronson Settlement Agreement, answers plaintiff questions, and addresses district concerns. The following subjects are discussed: (1) progress…

  7. The Roots of Cultural Diversity Among American Women.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lamphere, Louise

    As we reach the mid-point of the 1970's, we find women in many different positions: working and non-working, middle-class and working class, urban and rural, black and white. There are women with strong ethnic ties or religious orientations, first generation city dwellers and suburbanites. Three factors -- increased female labor force…

  8. An Evaluation of the Development of MFT Competencies and the Influence of the Supervisory Relationship

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Burke, Jay Evan

    2017-01-01

    Practicum training is an essential part of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Master's degree program, and the cornerstone for preparing students for clinical practice. To characterize the development across clinical competency areas, the current study examined midpoint and final evaluation data…

  9. 14 CFR 171.303 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... FACILITIES NON-FEDERAL NAVIGATION FACILITIES Microwave Landing System (MLS) § 171.303 Definitions. As used in... operation of the landing guidance system. Beam center means the midpoint between the -3 dB points on the... main lobe measured at the -3 dB points and defined in angular units on the boresight, in the horizontal...

  10. 14 CFR 171.303 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... FACILITIES NON-FEDERAL NAVIGATION FACILITIES Microwave Landing System (MLS) § 171.303 Definitions. As used in... operation of the landing guidance system. Beam center means the midpoint between the -3 dB points on the... main lobe measured at the -3 dB points and defined in angular units on the boresight, in the horizontal...

  11. 14 CFR 171.303 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... FACILITIES NON-FEDERAL NAVIGATION FACILITIES Microwave Landing System (MLS) § 171.303 Definitions. As used in... operation of the landing guidance system. Beam center means the midpoint between the -3 dB points on the... main lobe measured at the -3 dB points and defined in angular units on the boresight, in the horizontal...

  12. 14 CFR 171.303 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... FACILITIES NON-FEDERAL NAVIGATION FACILITIES Microwave Landing System (MLS) § 171.303 Definitions. As used in... operation of the landing guidance system. Beam center means the midpoint between the -3 dB points on the... main lobe measured at the -3 dB points and defined in angular units on the boresight, in the horizontal...

  13. 14 CFR 171.303 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... FACILITIES NON-FEDERAL NAVIGATION FACILITIES Microwave Landing System (MLS) § 171.303 Definitions. As used in... operation of the landing guidance system. Beam center means the midpoint between the -3 dB points on the... main lobe measured at the -3 dB points and defined in angular units on the boresight, in the horizontal...

  14. Harmonic and Anharmonic Behaviour of a Simple Oscillator

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    O'Shea, Michael J.

    2009-01-01

    We consider a simple oscillator that exhibits harmonic and anharmonic regimes and analyse its behaviour over the complete range of possible amplitudes. The oscillator consists of a mass "m" fixed at the midpoint of a horizontal rope. For zero initial rope tension and small amplitude the period of oscillation, tau, varies as tau is approximately…

  15. 49 CFR 572.11 - Test conditions and instrumentation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... adapter is horizontal. (3) The shoulder yokes are adjusted so that they are at the midpoint of their... surfaces of the shoulders and buttocks are tangent to a transverse vertical plane. (5) The upper legs are... surface to the uppermost point on the head-skin surface. (6) Shoulder pivot height is measured from the...

  16. 49 CFR 572.11 - Test conditions and instrumentation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... adapter is horizontal. (3) The shoulder yokes are adjusted so that they are at the midpoint of their... surfaces of the shoulders and buttocks are tangent to a transverse vertical plane. (5) The upper legs are... surface to the uppermost point on the head-skin surface. (6) Shoulder pivot height is measured from the...

  17. 49 CFR 572.11 - Test conditions and instrumentation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... adapter is horizontal. (3) The shoulder yokes are adjusted so that they are at the midpoint of their... surfaces of the shoulders and buttocks are tangent to a transverse vertical plane. (5) The upper legs are... surface to the uppermost point on the head-skin surface. (6) Shoulder pivot height is measured from the...

  18. 49 CFR 572.11 - Test conditions and instrumentation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... adapter is horizontal. (3) The shoulder yokes are adjusted so that they are at the midpoint of their... surfaces of the shoulders and buttocks are tangent to a transverse vertical plane. (5) The upper legs are... surface to the uppermost point on the head-skin surface. (6) Shoulder pivot height is measured from the...

  19. 46 CFR 69.53 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 2 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Definitions. 69.53 Section 69.53 Shipping COAST GUARD... Convention Measurement System § 69.53 Definitions. As used in this subpart— Amidships means the midpoint of... the fore side of the stem to the axis of the rudder stock on that waterline, whichever is greater. In...

  20. 46 CFR 69.53 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 2 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Definitions. 69.53 Section 69.53 Shipping COAST GUARD... Convention Measurement System § 69.53 Definitions. As used in this subpart— Amidships means the midpoint of... the fore side of the stem to the axis of the rudder stock on that waterline, whichever is greater. In...

  1. 46 CFR 69.53 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 2 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Definitions. 69.53 Section 69.53 Shipping COAST GUARD... Convention Measurement System § 69.53 Definitions. As used in this subpart— Amidships means the midpoint of... the fore side of the stem to the axis of the rudder stock on that waterline, whichever is greater. In...

  2. 46 CFR 69.53 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 2 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Definitions. 69.53 Section 69.53 Shipping COAST GUARD... Convention Measurement System § 69.53 Definitions. As used in this subpart— Amidships means the midpoint of... the fore side of the stem to the axis of the rudder stock on that waterline, whichever is greater. In...

  3. 46 CFR 69.53 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 2 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Definitions. 69.53 Section 69.53 Shipping COAST GUARD... Convention Measurement System § 69.53 Definitions. As used in this subpart— Amidships means the midpoint of... the fore side of the stem to the axis of the rudder stock on that waterline, whichever is greater. In...

  4. The Duke Endowment Child Abuse Prevention Initiative: A Midpoint Assessment

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Daro, Deborah; Huang, Lee Ann; English, Brianna

    2009-01-01

    The Duke Endowment launched its Child Abuse Prevention Initiative in 2002 by funding two program sites, the Durham Family Initiative in Durham, North Carolina, and Strong Communities in Greenville, South Carolina. Both sites aimed to reduce rates of child abuse, improve parenting practices and behaviors, strengthen community service systems, and…

  5. Development of Normalization Factors for Canada and the United States and Comparison with European Factors.

    EPA Science Inventory

    In Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), normalization calculates the magnitude of an impact (midpoint or endpoint) relative to the total effect of a given reference. Using a country or a continent as a reference system is a first step towards global normalization. The goal of this work ...

  6. Development of Normalization Factors for Canada and the United States and Comparison with European Factors

    EPA Science Inventory

    In Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), normalization calculates the magnitude of an impact (midpoint or endpoint) relative to the total effect of a given reference. Using a country or a continent as a reference system is a first step towards global normalization. The goal of this wor...

  7. Preliminary Efficacy of a Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Program for Anxious Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    White, Susan W.; Ollendick, Thomas; Scahill, Lawrence; Oswald, Donald; Albano, Anne Marie

    2009-01-01

    Anxiety is a commonly occurring psychiatric concern in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This pilot study examined the preliminary efficacy of a manual-based intervention targeting anxiety and social competence in four adolescents with high-functioning ASD. Anxiety and social functioning were assessed at baseline, midpoint,…

  8. Preservice Teachers Are Creating a College Culture for At-Risk Middle School Students

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Radcliffe, Rich; Stephens, Liz C.

    2008-01-01

    This mid-point report from a seven-year study about building a college culture investigates how a multifaceted approach including mentoring, technology, campus visits, parent involvement, and tutoring impacts at-risk middle school students' college aspirations and eventual success gaining college acceptance. Based on NAEP report data, many young…

  9. 7 CFR 29.3153 - Leaf (B Group).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Leaf (B Group). 29.3153 Section 29.3153 Agriculture... INSPECTION Standards Grades § 29.3153 Leaf (B Group). This group consists of leaves normally grown above the midpoint of the stalk. Cured leaves from the upper stalk position have a tendency to fold, concealing the...

  10. 7 CFR 29.3153 - Leaf (B Group).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Leaf (B Group). 29.3153 Section 29.3153 Agriculture... INSPECTION Standards Grades § 29.3153 Leaf (B Group). This group consists of leaves normally grown above the midpoint of the stalk. Cured leaves from the upper stalk position have a tendency to fold, concealing the...

  11. 7 CFR 29.3153 - Leaf (B Group).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 2 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Leaf (B Group). 29.3153 Section 29.3153 Agriculture... INSPECTION Standards Grades § 29.3153 Leaf (B Group). This group consists of leaves normally grown above the midpoint of the stalk. Cured leaves from the upper stalk position have a tendency to fold, concealing the...

  12. 7 CFR 29.3153 - Leaf (B Group).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Leaf (B Group). 29.3153 Section 29.3153 Agriculture... INSPECTION Standards Grades § 29.3153 Leaf (B Group). This group consists of leaves normally grown above the midpoint of the stalk. Cured leaves from the upper stalk position have a tendency to fold, concealing the...

  13. 7 CFR 29.3153 - Leaf (B Group).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 2 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Leaf (B Group). 29.3153 Section 29.3153 Agriculture... INSPECTION Standards Grades § 29.3153 Leaf (B Group). This group consists of leaves normally grown above the midpoint of the stalk. Cured leaves from the upper stalk position have a tendency to fold, concealing the...

  14. Mood Management during the Menstrual Cycle through Selective Exposure to Television.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Weaver, James B., III; Laird, Elizabeth A.

    1995-01-01

    Finds that women's preferences for comedy television programs were strongest immediately prior to and during menses when negative affect was also most evident. Finds also that at the midpoint of the menstrual cycle, when positive affect proved the strongest, an elevated interest in suspense drama programs was apparent. (SR)

  15. A case study of the intraseasonal oscillation traversing the TOGA-COARE LSD. [large-scale domain

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Vincent, Dayton G.; Schrage, Jon M.; Sliwinski, L. D.

    1993-01-01

    The paper presents examination of tree intraseasonal (30-60 day) oscillations (ISOs) that occurred during the southern summer season (December 1, 1985 - February 28, 1986) traversing the Large-Scale Domain (LSD) TOGA-COARE, the region which also plays an important role in ENSO, Australian monsoon, and extratropical circulations. Data presented include Hovmoeller diagrams of 5-day running means of 250-mb velocity potential anomalies and OLR anomalies; graphs of five-day running means of OLR in precipitable water (W) per sq m, averaged over 10 x 10 deg boxes centered on 5 S and (1) 145 E, (2) 155 E, (3) 165 E, and (4) 165 D, indicating the midpoint of each ISO; and vertical profiles of zonal wind in m/s averaged over the time period that each ISO spends in the 10 x 10 deg box centered at 5 S, and 175 E and 145 E.

  16. Crystal structure of mitochondrial respiratory membrane protein complex II.

    PubMed

    Sun, Fei; Huo, Xia; Zhai, Yujia; Wang, Aojin; Xu, Jianxing; Su, Dan; Bartlam, Mark; Rao, Zihe

    2005-07-01

    The mitochondrial respiratory Complex II or succinate:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (SQR) is an integral membrane protein complex in both the tricarboxylic acid cycle and aerobic respiration. Here we report the first crystal structure of Complex II from porcine heart at 2.4 A resolution and its complex structure with inhibitors 3-nitropropionate and 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA) at 3.5 A resolution. Complex II is comprised of two hydrophilic proteins, flavoprotein (Fp) and iron-sulfur protein (Ip), and two transmembrane proteins (CybL and CybS), as well as prosthetic groups required for electron transfer from succinate to ubiquinone. The structure correlates the protein environments around prosthetic groups with their unique midpoint redox potentials. Two ubiquinone binding sites are discussed and elucidated by TTFA binding. The Complex II structure provides a bona fide model for study of the mitochondrial respiratory system and human mitochondrial diseases related to mutations in this complex.

  17. Different sensitivities to oxygen between two strains of the photosynthetic green sulfur bacterium Chlorobium vibrioforme NCIB 8327 with bacteriochlorophyll c and d.

    PubMed

    Harada, Jiro; Saga, Yoshitaka; Oh-oka, Hirozo; Tamiaki, Hitoshi

    2005-11-01

    Two sub-strains of the anoxygenic photosynthetic green sulfur bacterium Chlorobium vibrioforme NCIB 8327 were derived from the same clone and could be discriminated only by their possession of either bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) c or d as the major pigment in the peripheral light-harvesting antenna system, chlorosome (Saga Y et al. (2003) Anal Sci 19: 1575-1579). In the presence of a proper amount of oxygen in the initial culture medium, the BChl d strain showed longer retardation on its growth initiation than the BChl c strain, indicating that the latter was advantageous for survival under aerobic light conditions which produced reactive oxygen species in vivo. The result would be ascribable to the difference of the midpoint potentials between two kinds of chlorosomes formed by self-aggregates of BChl c and d as measured by their fluorescence quenching.

  18. Performance Evaluation of Various STL File Mesh Refining Algorithms Applied for FDM-RP Process

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ledalla, Siva Rama Krishna; Tirupathi, Balaji; Sriram, Venkatesh

    2018-06-01

    Layered manufacturing machines use the stereolithography (STL) file to build parts. When a curved surface is converted from a computer aided design (CAD) file to STL, it results in a geometrical distortion and chordal error. Parts manufactured with this file, might not satisfy geometric dimensioning and tolerance requirements due to approximated geometry. Current algorithms built in CAD packages have export options to globally reduce this distortion, which leads to an increase in the file size and pre-processing time. In this work, different mesh subdivision algorithms are applied on STL file of a complex geometric features using MeshLab software. The mesh subdivision algorithms considered in this work are modified butterfly subdivision technique, loops sub division technique and general triangular midpoint sub division technique. A comparative study is made with respect to volume and the build time using the above techniques. It is found that triangular midpoint sub division algorithm is more suitable for the geometry under consideration. Only the wheel cap part is then manufactured on Stratasys MOJO FDM machine. The surface roughness of the part is measured on Talysurf surface roughness tester.

  19. Self-organization and positioning of bacterial protein clusters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Murray, Seán M.; Sourjik, Victor

    2017-10-01

    Many cellular processes require proteins to be precisely positioned within the cell. In some cases this can be attributed to passive mechanisms such as recruitment by other proteins in the cell or by exploiting the curvature of the membrane. However, in bacteria, active self-positioning is likely to play a role in multiple processes, including the positioning of the future site of cell division and cytoplasmic protein clusters. How can such dynamic clusters be formed and positioned? Here, we present a model for the self-organization and positioning of dynamic protein clusters into regularly repeating patterns based on a phase-locked Turing pattern. A single peak in the concentration is always positioned at the midpoint of the model cell, and two peaks are positioned at the midpoint of each half. Furthermore, domain growth results in peak splitting and pattern doubling. We argue that the model may explain the regular positioning of the highly conserved structural maintenance of chromosomes complexes on the bacterial nucleoid and that it provides an attractive mechanism for the self-positioning of dynamic protein clusters in other systems.

  20. The California Endowment's Healthy Eating, Active Communities Program: A Midpoint Review

    PubMed Central

    Craypo, Lisa; Boyle, Maria; Crawford, Patricia B.; Yancey, Antronette; Flores, George

    2010-01-01

    Objectives. We conducted a midpoint review of The California Endowment's Healthy Eating, Active Communities (HEAC) program, which works in 6 low-income California communities to prevent childhood obesity by changing children's environments. The HEAC program conducts interventions in 5 key childhood environments: schools, after-school programs, neighborhoods, health care, and marketing and advertising. Methods. We measured changes in foods and beverages sold at schools and in neighborhoods in HEAC sites; changes in school and after-school physical activity programming and equipment; individual-level changes in children's attitudes and behaviors related to food and physical activity; and HEAC-related awareness and engagement on the part of community members, stakeholders, and policymakers. Results. Children's environments changed to promote healthier lifestyles across a wide range of domains in all 5 key childhood environments for all 6 HEAC communities. Children in HEAC communities are also engaging in more healthy behaviors than they were before the program's implementation. Conclusions. HEAC sites successfully changed children's food and physical activity environments, making a healthy lifestyle a more viable option for low-income children and their families. PMID:20864700

  1. Branch breakage under snow and ice loads.

    PubMed

    Cannell, M G; Morgan, J

    1989-09-01

    Measurements were made on branches and trunks of Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr. to determine the relationship between (i) the bending moment at the bases of branches that cause breakage, and (ii) midpoint diameter cubed. The theory for cantilever beams was then used to calculate the basal bending moments and midpoint diameters of branches with different numbers of laterals and endpoint deflections, given previously measured values of Young's modulus, taper and weights of foliage and wood. Snow and ice loads (equal to 2 and 4 g cm(-1) of shoot, respectively) were then included in the calculation to determine whether the basal bending moments exceeded the breakage values. The likelihood of breakage increased with an increase in (i) number of laterals, and (ii) endpoint deflection under self weight (without snow or ice)-features that had previously been shown to lessen the amount of branch wood required to support a unit of foliage. However, branches which deflected moderately (> 10% of their length) under their own weight deflected greatly under snow or ice loads and might shed powdery snow before breakage occurs.

  2. Impact of Latin Dance on Physical Activity, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and Sedentary Behavior Among Latinos Attending an Adult Day Center.

    PubMed

    Aguiñaga, Susan; Marquez, David X

    2017-09-01

    The aim of this study was to determine whether a Latin dance program with sedentary behavior information would have an impact on physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and sedentary behavior among older Latinos attending an adult day center (ADC). Participants ( N = 21, 75.4 ± 6.3 years old, Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] score = 22.4 ± 2.8) were randomized into a dance or wait-list control group. Participants wore an accelerometer and inclinometer and completed a sedentary behavior questionnaire, and a nonexercise equation was used to calculate CRF. Findings indicate small to medium effect sizes in the desired direction during midpoint of the intervention for physical activity, sedentary behavior-related outcomes, CRF, and self-reported sedentary behavior in the dance group; however; dance participants did not maintain that trajectory for the remaining 2 months of the intervention. Future studies may consider implementing behavioral strategies during midpoint of the intervention to encourage participants attending an ADC to maintain physical activity and sedentary behavior changes.

  3. Hierarchical Solution of the Traveling Salesman Problem with Random Dyadic Tilings

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kalmár-Nagy, Tamás; Bak, Bendegúz Dezső

    We propose a hierarchical heuristic approach for solving the Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) in the unit square. The points are partitioned with a random dyadic tiling and clusters are formed by the points located in the same tile. Each cluster is represented by its geometrical barycenter and a “coarse” TSP solution is calculated for these barycenters. Midpoints are placed at the middle of each edge in the coarse solution. Near-optimal (or optimal) minimum tours are computed for each cluster. The tours are concatenated using the midpoints yielding a solution for the original TSP. The method is tested on random TSPs (independent, identically distributed points in the unit square) up to 10,000 points as well as on a popular benchmark problem (att532 — coordinates of 532 American cities). Our solutions are 8-13% longer than the optimal ones. We also present an optimization algorithm for the partitioning to improve our solutions. This algorithm further reduces the solution errors (by several percent using 1000 iteration steps). The numerical experiments demonstrate the viability of the approach.

  4. Parametric Model Based On Imputations Techniques for Partly Interval Censored Data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zyoud, Abdallah; Elfaki, F. A. M.; Hrairi, Meftah

    2017-12-01

    The term ‘survival analysis’ has been used in a broad sense to describe collection of statistical procedures for data analysis. In this case, outcome variable of interest is time until an event occurs where the time to failure of a specific experimental unit might be censored which can be right, left, interval, and Partly Interval Censored data (PIC). In this paper, analysis of this model was conducted based on parametric Cox model via PIC data. Moreover, several imputation techniques were used, which are: midpoint, left & right point, random, mean, and median. Maximum likelihood estimate was considered to obtain the estimated survival function. These estimations were then compared with the existing model, such as: Turnbull and Cox model based on clinical trial data (breast cancer data), for which it showed the validity of the proposed model. Result of data set indicated that the parametric of Cox model proved to be more superior in terms of estimation of survival functions, likelihood ratio tests, and their P-values. Moreover, based on imputation techniques; the midpoint, random, mean, and median showed better results with respect to the estimation of survival function.

  5. A comparison of approaches for estimating bottom-sediment mass in large reservoirs

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Juracek, Kyle E.

    2006-01-01

    Estimates of sediment and sediment-associated constituent loads and yields from drainage basins are necessary for the management of reservoir-basin systems to address important issues such as reservoir sedimentation and eutrophication. One method for the estimation of loads and yields requires a determination of the total mass of sediment deposited in a reservoir. This method involves a sediment volume-to-mass conversion using bulk-density information. A comparison of four computational approaches (partition, mean, midpoint, strategic) for using bulk-density information to estimate total bottom-sediment mass in four large reservoirs indicated that the differences among the approaches were not statistically significant. However, the lack of statistical significance may be a result of the small sample size. Compared to the partition approach, which was presumed to provide the most accurate estimates of bottom-sediment mass, the results achieved using the strategic, mean, and midpoint approaches differed by as much as ?4, ?20, and ?44 percent, respectively. It was concluded that the strategic approach may merit further investigation as a less time consuming and less costly alternative to the partition approach.

  6. Science 101: Can Electromagnetic Waves Affect Emotions?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Robertson, Bill

    2017-01-01

    The answer to this month's question, "Can electromagnetic waves affect emotions," is yes. Wherever there are electromagnetic (EM) waves (basically everywhere!), there is the potential for them directly or indirectly to affect the emotions. But what about the likely motivation behind the originally-posed question? Can EM waves affect your…

  7. The European Mobile System (EMS)

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jongejans, A.; Rogard, R.; Mistretta, I.; Ananasso, F.

    1993-01-01

    The European Space Agency is presently procuring an L band payload in order to promote a regional European L band system coping with the specific needs of the European market. The payload, and the two communications systems to be supported, are described below. The potential market for EMS in Europe is discussed.

  8. Does Implementation of Biomathematical Models Mitigate Fatigue and Fatigue-related Risks in Emergency Medical Services Operations? A Systematic Review.

    PubMed

    James, Francine O; Waggoner, Lauren B; Weiss, Patricia M; Patterson, P Daniel; Higgins, J Stephen; Lang, Eddy S; Van Dongen, Hans P A

    2018-02-15

    Work schedules like those of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel have been associated with increased risk of fatigue-related impairment. Biomathematical modeling is a means of objectively estimating the potential impacts of fatigue on performance, which may be used in the mitigation of fatigue-related safety risks. In the context of EMS operations, our objective was to assess the evidence in the literature regarding the effectiveness of using biomathematical models to help mitigate fatigue and fatigue-related risks. A systematic review of the evidence evaluating the use of biomathematical models to manage fatigue in EMS personnel or similar shift workers was performed. Procedures proposed by the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology were used to summarize and rate the certainty in the evidence. Potential bias attached to retained studies was documented using the Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias tool for experimental studies. The literature search strategy, which focused on both EMS personnel and non-EMS shift workers, yielded n = 2,777 unique records. One paper, which investigated non-EMS shift workers, met inclusion criteria. As part of a larger effort, managers and dispatchers of a trucking operation were provided with monthly biomathematical model analyses of predicted fatigue in the driver workforce, and educated on how they could reduce predicted fatigue by means of schedule adjustments. The intervention showed a significant reduction in the number and cost of vehicular accidents during the period in which biomathematical modeling was used. The overall GRADE assessment of evidence quality was very low due to risk of bias, indirectness, imprecision, and publication bias. This systematic review identified no studies that investigated the impact of biomathematical models in EMS operations. Findings from one study of non-EMS shift workers were favorable toward use of biomathematical models as a fatigue mitigation scheduling aid, albeit with very low quality of evidence pertaining to EMS operations. We propose three focus areas of research priorities that, if addressed, could help better elucidate the utility and impact of biomathematical models as a fatigue-mitigation tool in the EMS environment.

  9. QTL and gene expression analyses identify genes affecting carcass weight and marbling on BTA14 in Hanwoo (Korean Cattle).

    PubMed

    Lee, Seung Hwan; van der Werf, J H J; Kim, Nam Kuk; Lee, Sang Hong; Gondro, C; Park, Eung Woo; Oh, Sung Jong; Gibson, J P; Thompson, J M

    2011-10-01

    Causal mutations affecting quantitative trait variation can be good targets for marker-assisted selection for carcass traits in beef cattle. In this study, linkage and linkage disequilibrium analysis (LDLA) for four carcass traits was undertaken using 19 markers on bovine chromosome 14. The LDLA analysis detected quantitative trait loci (QTL) for carcass weight (CWT) and eye muscle area (EMA) at the same position at around 50 cM and surrounded by the markers FABP4SNP2774C>G and FABP4_μsat3237. The QTL for marbling (MAR) was identified at the midpoint of markers BMS4513 and RM137 in a 3.5-cM marker interval. The most likely position for a second QTL for CWT was found at the midpoint of tenth marker bracket (FABP4SNP2774C>G and FABP4_μsat3237). For this marker bracket, the total number of haplotypes was 34 with a most common frequency of 0.118. Effects of haplotypes on CWT varied from a -5-kg deviation for haplotype 6 to +8 kg for haplotype 23. To determine which genes contribute to the QTL effect, gene expression analysis was performed in muscle for a wide range of phenotypes. The results demonstrate that two genes, LOC781182 (p = 0.002) and TRPS1 (p = 0.006) were upregulated with increasing CWT and EMA, whereas only LOC614744 (p = 0.04) has a significant effect on intramuscular fat (IMF) content. Two genetic markers detected in FABP4 were the most likely QTL position in this QTL study, but FABP4 did not show a significant effect on both traits (CWT and EMA) in gene expression analysis. We conclude that three genes could be potential causal genes affecting carcass traits CWT, EMA, and IMF in Hanwoo.

  10. Characterization of TTX-sensitive and TTX-resistant sodium currents in small cells from adult rat dorsal root ganglia.

    PubMed

    Elliott, A A; Elliott, J R

    1993-04-01

    1. The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to investigate the characteristics of two types of sodium current (INa) recorded at room temperature from small diameter (13-25 microns) dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells, isolated from adult rats and maintained overnight in culture. 2. Sodium currents were isolated pharmacologically. Internal Cs+ and external tetraethylammonium (TEA) ions were used to suppress potassium currents. A combination of internal EGTA, internal F-, a low (10 microM) concentration of external Ca2+ and a relatively high (5 mM) concentration of internal and external Mg2+ was used to block calcium channels. The remaining voltage-dependent currents reversed direction at the calculated sodium equilibrium potential. Both the reversal potential and magnitude of the currents exhibited the expected dependence on the external sodium concentration. 3. INa subtypes were characterized initially in terms of their sensitivity to tetrodotoxin (TTX). TTX-sensitive (TTXs) currents were at least 97% suppressed by 0.1 microM TTX. TTX-resistant (TTXr) INa were recorded in the presence of 0.3 microM TTX and appeared to be reduced in amplitude by less than 50% in 75 microM TTX (n = 1). 4. As in earlier studies, the peak of the current-voltage relationship, the mid-point of the normalized conductance curve and the potential (Vh) at which the steady-state inactivation parameter (h infinity) was 0.5 were found to be significantly more depolarized for the TTXr INa (by ca 10, 14 and 37 mV respectively). There was little difference in the slope at the mid-point of the normalized conductance curves (the mean slope factors were 5.1 mV for the TTXs INa and 4.9 mV for the TTXr current) but the h infinity curves for TTXr currents were significantly steeper than those for TTXs currents (mean slope factors of 3.8 and 11.5 mV respectively). Both the time to peak and the decay time constant of the peak current recorded from a holding potential of -67 mV were more than a factor of three slower for the TTXr INa than for the TTXs current. 5. However, in direct contrast to the difference in activation and decay kinetics, 'slow' TTXr INa recovered from inactivation at -67mV, or reprimed, more than a factor of ten faster than 'fast' TTXs INa. 6. The differences apparent in both the repriming kinetics of TTXs and TTXr INa at -67 mV and the kinetics of the decay phase of the peak INa are shown to be explicable largely in terms of the voltage dependence of their respective inactivation systems.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

  11. Line and word bisection in right-brain-damaged patients with left spatial neglect.

    PubMed

    Veronelli, Laura; Vallar, Giuseppe; Marinelli, Chiara V; Primativo, Silvia; Arduino, Lisa S

    2014-01-01

    Right-brain-damaged patients with left unilateral spatial neglect typically set the mid-point of horizontal lines to the right of the objective center. By contrast, healthy participants exhibit a reversed bias (pseudoneglect). The same effect has been described also when bisecting orthographic strings. In particular, for this latter kind of stimulus, some recent studies have shown that visuo-perceptual characteristics, like stimulus length, may contribute to both the magnitude and the direction bias of the bisection performance (Arduino et al. in Neuropsychologia 48:2140-2146, 2010). Furthermore, word stress was shown to modulate reading performances in both healthy participants, and patients with left spatial neglect and neglect dyslexia (Cubelli and Beschin in Brain Lang 95:319-326, 2005; Rusconi et al. in Neuropsychology 18:135-140, 2004). In Experiment I, 22 right-brain-damaged patients (11 with left visuo-spatial neglect) and 11 matched neurologically unimpaired control participants were asked to set the subjective mid-point of word letter strings, and of lines of comparable length. Most patients exhibited an overall disproportionate rightward bias, sensitive to stimulus length, and similar for words and lines. Importantly, in individual patients, biases differed according to stimulus type (words vs. lines), indicating that at least partly different mechanisms may be involved. In Experiment II, the putative effects on the bisection bias of ortho-phonological information (i.e., word stress endings), arising from the non-neglected right hand side of the stimulus were investigated. The orthographic cue induced a rightward shift of the perceived mid-point in both patients and controls, with short words stressed on the antepenultimate final sequence inducing a smaller rightward deviation with respect to short words stressed on the penultimate final sequence. In conclusion, partly different mechanisms, including both visuo-spatial and lexical factors, may support line and word bisection performance of right-brain-damaged patients with left spatial neglect, and healthy participants.

  12. Social jetlag, chronotype, and body mass index in 14 to 17 year old adolescents

    PubMed Central

    Malone, Susan Kohl; Zemel, Babette; Compher, Charlene; Souders, Margaret; Chittams, Jesse; Thompson, Aleda Leis; Pack, Allan; Lipman, Terri H.

    2016-01-01

    The relationship between sleep duration and obesity in adolescents is inconclusive. This may stem from a more complex relationship between sleep and obesity than previously considered. Shifts towards evening preferences, later sleep-wake times, and irregular sleep-wake patterns are typical during adolescence but their relationship to body mass index has been relatively unexplored. This cross sectional study examined associations between sleep duration, midpoint of sleep, and social jetlag (estimated from seven days of continuous actigraphy monitoring) and morningness/eveningness with body mass indexes (BMI z scores) and waist to height ratios in 14 to 17 year old adolescents. Seventy participants were recruited from 9th and 10th grades at a public high school. Participant characteristics were as follows: 74% female, 75% post-pubertal, 36% Hispanic, 38% White, 22% Black, 4% Asian, and 64% free/reduced lunch participants with a mean age of 15.5 (SD, 0.7). Forty one percent of the participants were obese (BMI ≥ 95th percentile); 54% were abdominally obese (waist to height ratio ≥ 0.5). Multivariable general linear models were used to estimate the association between the independent variables (school night sleep duration, free night sleep duration, midpoint of sleep (corrected), social jetlag, and morningness/eveningness) and the dependent variables (BMI z scores and waist to height ratios). Social jetlag positively associated with BMI z scores (p < 0.01) and waist to height ratios (p = 0.01). Midpoint of sleep (corrected) positively associated with waist to height ratios (p = 0.01). After adjusting for social jetlag, school night sleep duration was not associated with waist to height ratios or BMI z scores. Morningness/eveningness did not moderate the association between sleep duration and BMI z scores. Findings from this study suggest that chronobiological approaches to preventing and treating obesity may be important for accelerating progress in reducing obesity rates in adolescents. PMID:27715325

  13. The relationship between early maladaptive schemas and eating-disorder symptomatology among individuals seeking treatment for substance dependence

    PubMed Central

    Elmquist, JoAnna; Shorey, Ryan C.; Anderson, Scott E.; Stuart, Gregory L.

    2016-01-01

    Numerous studies have examined early maladaptive schemas (EMS) and their relationship to psychological disorders, including eating disorders (EDs) and substance use disorders (SUDs). However, to date, there are no empirical investigations that have examined the relationship between EMS and EDs among individuals seeking treatment for substance use. In an attempt to further elucidate this relationship, the purpose of the current, exploratory study was to examine the relationship between EMS, ED symptomatology (i.e., bulimia and binge-eating but not anorexia), and substance use and to directly compare EMS among individuals with and without a probable ED diagnosis. Participants were 387 men and 132 women seeking residential treatment for substance use. Results demonstrated that 11 of the 18 EMS were significantly associated with ED. Moreover, patients with a probable ED scored significantly higher than patients without a probable ED on 8 of the 18 EMS. Results suggest that EMS are prevalent among individuals with ED pathology seeking treatment for substance use. Thus treatment programs could potentially benefit from the assessment and treatment of EMS among dually-diagnosed patients. Given the exploratory and preliminary nature of the study, continued research is needed to further examine the relationship between EMS, EDs, and substance use. PMID:27375373

  14. The Effect of Timbre and Vibrato on Vocal Pitch Matching Accuracy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Duvvuru, Sirisha

    Research has shown that singers are better able to match pitch when the target stimulus has a timbre close to their own voice. This study seeks to answer the following questions: (1) Do classically trained female singers more accurately match pitch when the target stimulus is more similar to their own timbre? (2) Does the ability to match pitch vary with increasing pitch? (3) Does the ability to match pitch differ depending on whether the target stimulus is produced with or without vibrato? (4) Are mezzo sopranos less accurate than sopranos? Stimuli. Source signals were synthesized with a source slope of -12dB/octave using vibrato and without vibrato at each of the frequencies, C4, B4 and F5. These source signals were filtered using 5 formant patterns (A-E) of vowel /a/ constituting a total of 30 stimuli (5 formant patterns*3pitches*2 vibrato conditions). Procedure. Ten sopranos and 10 mezzo-sopranos with at least 3 years of individual voice training were recruited from the University Of Tennessee School Of Music and the Knoxville Opera Company. Each singer attempted to vocally match the pitch of all 30 stimuli presented twice in a random order. Analysis and results. Pitch matching accuracy was measured in terms of the difference in cents between the target and the experimental productions at two locations, (1) pre-phonatory set (2) mid-point of the vowel. Accuracy of pitch matching was compared across vibrato and non-vibrato conditions. Results indicated that there was no significant effect of formant pattern on pitch matching accuracy. With increasing pitch from C4 to F5, pitch matching accuracy increased in mid-point of the vowel condition but not in pre-phonatory set condition. Mezzo-sopranos moved towards being in tune from pre-phonatory to mid-point of the vowel. However, sopranos at C4, sang closer to being in tune at pre-phonatory, but lowered the pitch at the mid-point of the vowel. Presence or absence of vibrato did not affect the pitch matching accuracy. However, the interesting finding of the study was that singers attempted to match the timbre of stimuli with vibrato. Results are discussed in terms of interactions between pitch and timbre from auditory perceptual as well as physiological point of view and how current theories of pitch perception relate to this phenomenon. Neither physiological nor auditory perceptual mechanisms provide complete explanations for the results obtained in the study. From a perceptual point of view, an interaction between pitch and timbre seems to be more complex, for spectral and temporal theories are limited in explaining these interactions. Also, possible explanations for the phenomenon of timbre matching are provided.

  15. Graft position in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: anteromedial versus transtibial technique.

    PubMed

    Guler, Olcay; Mahırogulları, Mahir; Mutlu, Serhat; Cercı, Mehmet H; Seker, Ali; Cakmak, Selami

    2016-11-01

    When treating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, the position of the ACL graft plays a key role in regaining postoperative knee function and physiologic kinematics. In this study, we aimed to compare graft angle, graft position in tibial tunnel, and tibial and femoral tunnel positions in patients operated with anteromedial (AM) and transtibial (TT) methods to those of contralateral healthy knees. Forty-eight patients who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with ipsilateral hamstring tendon autograft were included. Of these, 23 and 25 were treated by AM and TT techniques, respectively. MRI was performed at 18.4 and 19.7 months postoperatively in AM and TT groups. Graft angles, graft positions in the tibial tunnel and alignment of tibial and femoral tunnels were noted and compared in these two groups. The sagittal graft insertion tibia midpoint distance (SGON) has been used for evaluation of graft position in tunnel. Sagittal ACL graft angles in operated and healthy knees of AM patients were 57.78° and 46.80° (p < 0.01). With respect to TT patients, ACL graft angle was 58.87° and 70.04° on sagittal and frontal planes in operated knees versus 47.38° and 61.82° in healthy knees (p < 0.001). ACL graft angle was significantly different between the groups on both sagittal and frontal planes (p < 0.001). Sagittal graft insertion tibia midpoint distance ratio was 0.51 and 0.48 % in the operated and healthy knees of AM group (p < 0.001) and 0.51 and 0.48 % in TT group (p < 0.001). Sagittal tibial tunnel midpoint distance ratio did not differ from sagittal graft insertion tibia midpoint distance of healthy knees in either group. Femoral tunnel clock position was better in AM [right knee 10:19 o'clock-face position (310° ± 4°); left knee 1:40 (50° ± 3°)] compared with TT group [right knee 10:48 (324° ± 5°); left knee 1:04 (32° ± 4°)]. With respect to the sagittal plane, the anterior-posterior position of femoral tunnel was better in AM patients. Lysholm scores and range of motion of operated knees in the AM and TT groups showed no significant difference (p > 0.05). Precise reconstruction on sagittal plane cannot be obtained with either AM or TT technique. However, AM technique is superior to TT technique in terms of anatomical graft positioning. Posterior-placed grafts in tibial tunnel prevent ACL reconstruction, although tibial tunnel is drilled on sagittal plane.

  16. Common mycorrhizal networks provide a potential pathway for the transfer of hydraulically lifted water between plants.

    PubMed

    Egerton-Warburton, Louise M; Querejeta, José Ignacio; Allen, Michael F

    2007-01-01

    Plant roots may be linked by shared or common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs) that constitute pathways for the transfer of resources among plants. The potential for water transfer by such networks was examined by manipulating CMNs independently of plant roots in order to isolate the role(s) of ectomycorrhizal (EM) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) networks in the plant water balance during drought (soil water potential -5.9 MPa). Fluorescent tracer dyes and deuterium-enriched water were used to follow the pathways of water transfer from coastal live oak seedlings (Quercus agrifolia Nee; colonized by EM and AMF) conducting hydraulic lift (HL) into the roots of water-stressed seedlings connected only by EM (Q. agrifolia) or AMF networks (Q. agrifolia, Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth., Salvia mellifera Greene, Keckiella antirrhinoides Benth). When connected to donor plants by hyphal linkages, deuterium was detected in the transpiration flux of receiver oak plants, and dye-labelled extraradical hyphae, rhizomorphs, mantles, and Hartig nets were observed in receiver EM oak roots, and in AMF hyphae of Salvia. Hyphal labelling was scarce in Eriogonum and Keckiella since these species are less dependent on AMF. The observed patterns of dye distribution also indicated that only a small percentage of mycorrhizal roots and extraradical hyphae were involved with water transfer among plants. Our results suggest that the movement of water by CMNs is potentially important to plant survival during drought, and that the functional ecophysiological traits of individual mycorrhizal fungi may be a component of this mechanism.

  17. Minimization of CYP2D6 Polymorphic Differences and Improved Bioavailability via Transdermal Administration: Latrepirdine Example.

    PubMed

    Chew, Marci L; Mordenti, Joyce; Yeoh, Thean; Ranade, Gautam; Qiu, Ruolun; Fang, Juanzhi; Liang, Yali; Corrigan, Brian

    2016-08-01

    Transdermal delivery has the potential to offer improved bioavailability by circumventing first-pass gut and hepatic metabolism. This study evaluated the pharmacokinetics of oral immediate release and transdermal latrepirdine in extensive and poor CYP2D6 metabolizers (EM/PM). Latrepirdine transdermal solution was prepared extemporaneously. The solution was applied with occlusive dressing to upper or middle back for 24 h. Each subject received a single dose of 8.14 mg oral, 5 mg transdermal, and 10 mg transdermal (EMs only) latrepirdine free base in a fixed sequence. Twelve EMs and 7 PMs (50-79 years) enrolled and completed the study. Latrepirdine was well tolerated following both routes of administration. Dose-normalized latrepirdine total exposures were approximately 11-fold and 1.5-fold higher in EMs and PMs, respectively following administration of transdermal relative to oral. Differences between EM and PM latrepirdine exposures were decreased, with PMs having 1.9- and 2.7-fold higher peak and total exposures, respectively, following transdermal administration compared to 11- and 20-fold higher exposures, respectively, following oral administration. Transdermal delivery can potentially mitigate the large intersubject differences observed with compounds metabolized primarily by CYP2D6. Transdermal delivery was readily accomplished in the clinic using an extemporaneously prepared solution [NCT00990613].

  18. Effect of coal ash on growth and metal uptake by some selected ectomycorrhizal fungi in vitro

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

    Ray, P.; Reddy, U.G.; Lapeyrie, F.

    2005-07-01

    Six isolates of ectomycorrhizal fungi namely, Laccaria fraterna (EM-1083), Pisolithus tinctorius (EM-1081), Pisolithus tinctorius (EM-1290), Pisolithus tinctorius (EM-1293), Scleroderma verucosurn (EM-1283), and Scleroderma cepa (EM-1233), were grown on three variants of coal ash, namely electrostatically precipitated (ESP) ash, pond ash, and bottom ash moistened with Modified Melin-Norkans (MMN) medium in vitro. The colony diameter reflected the growth of the isolates on the coal ash. Metal accumulation in the mycelia was assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Six metals, namely aluminum, cadmium, chromium, iron, lead, and nickel were selected on the basis of their abundance in coal ash and toxicity potential formore » the present work. Growth of vegetative mycelium on fly ash variants and metal accumulation data indicated that Pisolithus tinctorius (EM-1290) was the most tolerant among the isolates tested for most of the metals. Since this isolate is known to be mycorrhizal with Eucalyptus, it could be used for the reclamation of coal ash over burdened sites.« less

  19. Associations of SRAP markers with dried-shrink disease resistance in a germplasm collection of sea buckthorn (Hippophae L.).

    PubMed

    Li, He; Ruan, Cheng-Jiang; Teixeira da Silva, Jaime A; Liu, Bao-Quan

    2010-06-01

    Sea buckthorn (Hippophae L.) is a woody, outcrossing dioecious pioneer plant, being widely planted as a new berry crop with rich nutritional and medicinal compounds. This long-juvenile and long-lived woody plant can be more difficult to cultivate than other crop plants. Dried-shrink disease (DSD) is a dangerous pathogen that destroys sea buckthorn and halts commercial production. We estimated variability of sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers in 77 accessions of 22 sea buckthorn cultivars to seek markers associated with DSD resistance and help to identify potential breeding cultivars. Seventeen SRAP primer combinations generated 289 bands, with a mean of 17 bands per primer combination. At a Dice coefficient of 0.852, the dendrogram generated with 191 polymorphic bands clustered 73 accessions of Hippophae rhamnoides into 2 groups and 4 accessions of Hippophae salicifolia into 1 group. Eleven SRAP markers (Me1-Em3(600), Me1-Em1(680), Me2-Em1(650), Me2-Em1(950), Me3-Em6(1300), Me2-Em6(320), Me2-Em6(400), Me1-Em2(600), Me1-Em1(1200), Me1-Em1(1700), Me2-Em2(250)) were significantly correlated with DSD resistance (P < 0.001). These markers provide a viable option for breeding programs that select lineages with DSD resistance, especially when no other genetic information, such as linkage maps and quantitative trait loci, are available.

  20. Geothrix fermentans Secretes Two Different Redox-Active Compounds To Utilize Electron Acceptors across a Wide Range of Redox Potentials

    PubMed Central

    Mehta-Kolte, Misha G.

    2012-01-01

    The current understanding of dissimilatory metal reduction is based primarily on isolates from the proteobacterial genera Geobacter and Shewanella. However, environments undergoing active Fe(III) reduction often harbor less-well-studied phyla that are equally abundant. In this work, electrochemical techniques were used to analyze respiratory electron transfer by the only known Fe(III)-reducing representative of the Acidobacteria, Geothrix fermentans. In contrast to previously characterized metal-reducing bacteria, which typically reach maximal rates of respiration at electron acceptor potentials of 0 V versus standard hydrogen electrode (SHE), G. fermentans required potentials as high as 0.55 V to respire at its maximum rate. In addition, G. fermentans secreted two different soluble redox-active electron shuttles with separate redox potentials (−0.2 V and 0.3 V). The compound with the lower midpoint potential, responsible for 20 to 30% of electron transfer activity, was riboflavin. The behavior of the higher-potential compound was consistent with hydrophilic UV-fluorescent molecules previously found in G. fermentans supernatants. Both electron shuttles were also produced when cultures were grown with Fe(III), but not when fumarate was the electron acceptor. This study reveals that Geothrix is able to take advantage of higher-redox-potential environments, demonstrates that secretion of flavin-based shuttles is not confined to Shewanella, and points to the existence of high-potential-redox-active compounds involved in extracellular electron transfer. Based on differences between the respiratory strategies of Geothrix and Geobacter, these two groups of bacteria could exist in distinctive environmental niches defined by redox potential. PMID:22843516

  1. Antinociceptive interactions between anandamide and endomorphin-1 at the spinal level.

    PubMed

    Tuboly, Gabor; Mecs, Laszlo; Benedek, György; Horvath, Gyöngyi

    2009-04-01

    1. Although it is well known that the combined administration of synthetic or plant-originated opioids with cannabinoids (CB) results in synergistic antinociception, the effects of combined administration of endogenous ligands acting at micro-opioid and CB receptors are not known. The aim of the present study was to determine the interaction between anandamide (AEA; a CB(1) receptor agonist) and endomorphin-1 (EM-1; a micro-opioid receptor agonist) after intrathecal administration. 2. Nociception was assessed by the paw-withdrawal test after carrageenan-induced inflammation in male Wistar rats. 3. Endomorphin-1 (16.4 pmol to 16.4 nmol) and AEA (4.3-288 nmol) alone dose-dependently decreased carrageenan-induced thermal hyperalgesia, although the highest dose of AEA also exhibited pain-inducing potential. The potency of AEA was approximately 59-fold lower than that of EM-1 (35% effective dose (ED(35)) 194.4 vs 3.3 nmol, respectively). Coadministration of these ligands revealed that combinations of 16.4 pmol EM-1 plus 28.8 or 86.5 nmol AEA were more effective than either drug alone, but other combinations were no more effective than the administration of EM-1 itself. Therefore, coadministration of AEA did not significantly shift the dose-response curve to EM-1. 4. The results of the present study indicate that the coadministration of AEA and EM-1 results in potentiated antihyperalgesia only for a combination of specific doses. Because AEA activates other receptor types (e.g. TRPV1) in addition to CB(1) receptors, the results of the present suggest that, after the coadministration of EM-1 and AEA, complex interactions ensue that may lead to different outcomes compared with those seen following the injection of exogenous ligands.

  2. Low cost, high performance processing of single particle cryo-electron microscopy data in the cloud.

    PubMed

    Cianfrocco, Michael A; Leschziner, Andres E

    2015-05-08

    The advent of a new generation of electron microscopes and direct electron detectors has realized the potential of single particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) as a technique to generate high-resolution structures. Calculating these structures requires high performance computing clusters, a resource that may be limiting to many likely cryo-EM users. To address this limitation and facilitate the spread of cryo-EM, we developed a publicly available 'off-the-shelf' computing environment on Amazon's elastic cloud computing infrastructure. This environment provides users with single particle cryo-EM software packages and the ability to create computing clusters with 16-480+ CPUs. We tested our computing environment using a publicly available 80S yeast ribosome dataset and estimate that laboratories could determine high-resolution cryo-EM structures for $50 to $1500 per structure within a timeframe comparable to local clusters. Our analysis shows that Amazon's cloud computing environment may offer a viable computing environment for cryo-EM.

  3. The United States, Latin America, and the Potential for a Naval and Defense Industrial Partnership: The Case of Brazil

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1993-03-01

    at the XV Encontro da Associacao Nacional de Posgraduacao e Pesquisa em Ciencias Sociais (ANPOCS); Grupo de Trabalho Forcas Armadas, Estado e...XV Encontro da Associacao Nacional de Posgraduacao e Pesquisa em Ciencias Sociais (ANPOCS); Grupo de Trabalho Forcas Armadas, Estado e Sociedade

  4. UTILIZATION OF THE CARBON AND HYDROGEN ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION OF INDIVIDUAL COMPOUNDS IN REFINED HYDROCARBON PRODUCTS TO MONITOR THEIR FATE IN THE ENVIRONMENT

    EPA Science Inventory

    Isotope effects resulting from biodegradation of MTBE
    To conduct the microcosm biodegradation study, sediment samples were collected from sites offering high potential of MTBE biodegradation. Sites where sediment samples were collected for the MTBE microcosm c...

  5. GABA action in immature neocortical neurons directly depends on the availability of ketone bodies.

    PubMed

    Rheims, Sylvain; Holmgren, Carl D; Chazal, Genevieve; Mulder, Jan; Harkany, Tibor; Zilberter, Tanya; Zilberter, Yuri

    2009-08-01

    In the early postnatal period, energy metabolism in the suckling rodent brain relies to a large extent on metabolic pathways alternate to glucose such as the utilization of ketone bodies (KBs). However, how KBs affect neuronal excitability is not known. Using recordings of single NMDA and GABA-activated channels in neocortical pyramidal cells we studied the effects of KBs on the resting membrane potential (E(m)) and reversal potential of GABA-induced anionic currents (E(GABA)), respectively. We show that during postnatal development (P3-P19) if neocortical brain slices are adequately supplied with KBs, E(m) and E(GABA) are both maintained at negative levels of about -83 and -80 mV, respectively. Conversely, a KB deficiency causes a significant depolarization of both E(m) (>5 mV) and E(GABA) (>15 mV). The KB-mediated shift in E(GABA) is largely determined by the interaction of the NKCC1 cotransporter and Cl(-)/HCO3 transporter(s). Therefore, by inducing a hyperpolarizing shift in E(m) and modulating GABA signaling mode, KBs can efficiently control the excitability of neonatal cortical neurons.

  6. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT TAXONOMY PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF MIDPOINTS, ENDPOINTS, DAMAGES, AND AREAS OF PROTECTION

    EPA Science Inventory

    Prior to conducting a comprehensive impact assessment, such as a Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA), there is a need to discuss the range of impacts which could and should be included. Up to this point in time, there has not been available a comprehensive list of impacts for po...

  7. A Strategy for Making Decisions and Evaluating Alternative Juvenile Offender Treatment Programs: Compensating for Missing Information.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Roberts, Albert R.; Schervish, Phillip

    1988-01-01

    National survey data on the cost-effectiveness and cost-benefits of 11 different juvenile offender treatment program types are reviewed. Best-worst-midpoint, threshold, and convergency analyses are applied to these studies. Meaningful ways of dealing with missing information when evaluating alternative juvenile justice policies and programs are…

  8. Division Planes Alternate in Spherical Cells of Escherichia coli

    PubMed Central

    Begg, K. J.; Donachie, W. D.

    1998-01-01

    In the spherical cells of Escherichia coli rodA mutants, division is initiated at a single point, from which a furrow extends progressively around the cell. Using “giant” rodA ftsA cells, we confirmed that each new division furrow is initiated at the midpoint of the previous division plane and runs perpendicular to it. PMID:9573213

  9. A Dilemma That Underlies an Existence Proof in Geometry

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Samper, Carmen; Perry, Patricia; Camargo, Leonor; Sáenz-Ludlow, Adalira; Molina, Óscar

    2016-01-01

    Proving an existence theorem is less intuitive than proving other theorems. This article presents a semiotic analysis of significant fragments of classroom meaning-making which took place during the class-session in which the existence of the midpoint of a line-segment was proven. The purpose of the analysis is twofold. First follow the evolution…

  10. 30 CFR 7.407 - Test for flame resistance of electric cables and cable splices.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... midpoint of the splice. The specimen shall be free from external air currents during testing. (5) Adjust... persistence of yellow coloration. (6) Connect all power conductors of the test specimen to the current source. The connections shall be secure and compatible with the size of the cable's power conductors in order...

  11. 30 CFR 7.407 - Test for flame resistance of electric cables and cable splices.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... midpoint of the splice. The specimen shall be free from external air currents during testing. (5) Adjust... persistence of yellow coloration. (6) Connect all power conductors of the test specimen to the current source. The connections shall be secure and compatible with the size of the cable's power conductors in order...

  12. Finding the Curie Temperature for Ferromagnetic Materials

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kizowski, Czeslaw; Budzik, Sylwia; Cebulski, Jozef

    2007-01-01

    The laboratory exercise described in this paper is based on a well-known qualitative demonstration of Curie temperature. A long ferromagnetic wire, in the form of a spiral, is attracted to a strong permanent magnet placed near its midpoint (see Fig. 1). The temperature of the wire is increased by passing a current through it. When the temperature…

  13. 77 FR 10504 - Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Comments, Motions To...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-02-22

    ... Competing Applications; Alaska Village Electric Cooperative On February 13, 2012, Alaska Village Electric... the stream bed. The weir would not create any significant impoundment of water and would only be high enough to have an intake that pulls water from the midpoint of the water column. This would allow...

  14. A Musical Approach to Reading Fluency: An Experimental Study in First-Grade Classrooms

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Leguizamon, Daniel F.

    2010-01-01

    The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental study was to investigate the relationship between Kodaly-based music instruction and reading fluency in first-grade classrooms. Reading fluency and overall reading achievement were measured for 109 participants at mid-point in the academic year pre- and post treatment. Tests were carried out to…

  15. Bark Thickness of 17-Year-Old Loblolly Pine Planted at Different Spacings

    Treesearch

    Donald P. Feduccia; William F. Mann

    1975-01-01

    Diameter at breast height was the only variable affecting double bark thickness at d.b.h. and midpoint of the merchantable stem for young loblolly pine planted at five initial spacings on plots with site indices of 77 to 111 feet. Bark thickness at the 4-inch top was not correlated with breast-height diameter.

  16. 78 FR 35996 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-06-14

    ... liquidity; (5) add the Midpoint Match Volume Tier (``MPM Volume Tier'') to Footnote 3 of the Exchange's fee... add liquidity to the Exchange absent Members qualifying for additional volume tiered pricing. \\5... average daily volume (``ADV'') to EDGX, then the Member would get the current rate of $0.0001 per share...

  17. Metaphor for Teaching: Good Teaching Is Like Good Sex

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Delgado, Teresa

    2015-01-01

    Based on a real teaching experience in the classroom, the author reflects on the dynamics of gender, race/ethnicity, power, and privilege in the context of an undergraduate course in Christian sexual ethics. Through this analysis of pedagogical style and process initiated by a challenging moment at the midpoint of the semester, the author develops…

  18. Symbolic Dynamics, Flower Automata and Infinite Traces

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Foryś, Wit; Oprocha, Piotr; Bakalarski, Slawomir

    Considering a finite alphabet as a set of allowed instructions, we can identify finite words with basic actions or programs. Hence infinite paths on a flower automaton can represent order in which these programs are executed and a flower shift related with it represents list of instructions to be executed at some mid-point of the computation.

  19. A New Model for Transitioning Students from the Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory to the Research Laboratory

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hollenbeck, Jessica J.; Wixson, Emily N.; Geske, Grant D.; Dodge, Matthew W.; Tseng, T. Andrew; Clauss, Allen D.; Blackwell, Helen E.

    2006-01-01

    The transformation of 346 chemistry courses into a training experience that could provide undergraduate students with a skill set essential for a research-based chemistry career is presented. The course has an innovative structure that connects undergraduate students with graduate research labs at the semester midpoint and also includes new,…

  20. Effects of timber harvesting on the lag time of Caspar Creek watershed

    Treesearch

    Karen Hardison Sendek

    1985-01-01

    Abstract - Hydrograph lag time was analyzed to determine changes after road construction and after selective, tractor-yarded logging in a Caspar Creek watershed, Mendocino County, California. The paired watershed technique was used. Hydrograph lag time for each storm was the time separation between the midpoint of precipitation and the time coordinate of the runoff...

  1. An exploratory study of the changes in benefits sought during an outward bound experience

    Treesearch

    Frederick Kacprzynski

    1992-01-01

    Participants in an eight-day Outward Bound program were asked about their motivations for participation before the experience began and at the mid-point of the actual experience. Although more anticipated differences were expected, based on motivational theory, only one of the twelve motivational domains was significantly different at the .001 level.

  2. 76 FR 41454 - Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Scoping Meetings

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-07-14

    ... based on alternative selected in Action 3(a) and time series of landings data as defined in Action 1(a...., Puerto Rico, St. Thomas/St. John, St. Croix) based on the preferred management reference point time series selected by the Council in Actions 1(a) and 2(a). Alternative 2A. Use a mid-point or equidistant...

  3. 77 FR 20657 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-04-05

    ... for non-display of Primary Pegged Orders with an offset amount. The text of the proposed rule change... Exchange's current rule, Midpoint Pegged Orders are not displayed, while Primary and Market Pegged Orders... ``quote flickering.'' A rule change to eliminate display of Primary Pegged Orders with an offset amount...

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

    Yamazaki, M.; Kasai, Y.; Oishi, K.

    An (e,2e) apparatus for electron momentum spectroscopy (EMS) has been developed, which employs an ultrashort-pulsed incident electron beam with a repetition rate of 5 kHz and a pulse duration in the order of a picosecond. Its instrumental design and technical details are reported, involving demonstration of a new method for finding time-zero. Furthermore, EMS data for the neutral Ne atom in the ground state measured by using the pulsed electron beam are presented to illustrate the potential abilities of the apparatus for ultrafast molecular dynamics, such as by combining EMS with the pump-and-probe technique.

  5. Coordinating Demand-Side Efficiency Evaluation, Measurement and Verification Among Western States: Options for Documenting Energy and Non-Energy Impacts for the Power Sector

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

    Schiller, Steven R.; Schwartz, Lisa C.

    Demand-side energy efficiency (efficiency) represents a low-cost opportunity to reduce electricity consumption and demand and provide a wide range of non-energy benefits, including avoiding air pollution. Efficiency-related energy and non-energy impacts are determined and documented by implementing evaluation, measurement and verification (EM&V) systems. This technical brief describes efficiency EM&V coordination strategies that Western states can consider taking on together, outlines EM&V-related products that might be appropriate for multistate coordination, and identifies some implications of coordination. Coordinating efficiency EM&V activities can save both time and costs for state agencies and stakeholders engaged in efficiency activities and can be particularly beneficial formore » multiple states served by the same utility. First, the brief summarizes basic information on efficiency, its myriad potential benefits and EM&V for assessing those benefits. Second, the brief introduces the concept of multistate EM&V coordination in the context of assessing such benefits, including achievement of state and federal goals to reduce air pollutants.1 Next, the brief presents three coordination strategy options for efficiency EM&V: information clearinghouse/exchange, EM&V product development, and a regional energy efficiency tracking system platform. The brief then describes five regional EM&V products that could be developed on a multistate basis: EM&V reporting formats, database of consistent deemed electricity savings values, glossary of definitions and concepts, efficiency EM&V methodologies, and EM&V professional standards or accreditation processes. Finally, the brief discusses options for next steps that Western states can take to consider multistate coordination on efficiency EM&V. Appendices provide background information on efficiency and EM&V, as well as definitions and suggested resources on the covered topics. This brief is intended to inform state public utility commissions, boards for public and consumer-owned utilities, state energy offices and air agencies, and other organizations involved in discussions about the use of efficiency EM&V.« less

  6. Three Redox States of Trypanosoma brucei Alternative Oxidase Identified by Infrared Spectroscopy and Electrochemistry

    PubMed Central

    Maréchal, Amandine; Kido, Yasutoshi; Kita, Kiyoshi; Moore, Anthony L.; Rich, Peter R.

    2009-01-01

    Electrochemistry coupled with Fourier transform infrared (IR) spectroscopy was used to investigate the redox properties of recombinant alternative ubiquinol oxidase from Trypanosoma brucei, the organism responsible for African sleeping sickness. Stepwise reduction of the fully oxidized resting state of recombinant alternative ubiquinol oxidase revealed two distinct IR redox difference spectra. The first of these, signal 1, titrates in the reductive direction as an n = 2 Nernstian component with an apparent midpoint potential of 80 mV at pH 7.0. However, reoxidation of signal 1 in the same potential range under anaerobic conditions did not occur and only began with potentials in excess of 500 mV. Reoxidation by introduction of oxygen was also unsuccessful. Signal 1 contained clear features that can be assigned to protonation of at least one carboxylate group, further perturbations of carboxylic and histidine residues, bound ubiquinone, and a negative band at 1554 cm−1 that might arise from a radical in the fully oxidized protein. A second distinct IR redox difference spectrum, signal 2, appeared more slowly once signal 1 had been reduced. This component could be reoxidized with potentials above 100 mV. In addition, when both signals 1 and 2 were reduced, introduction of oxygen caused rapid oxidation of both components. These data are interpreted in terms of the possible active site structure and mechanism of oxygen reduction to water. PMID:19767647

  7. [INVITED] Coherent perfect absorption of electromagnetic wave in subwavelength structures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yan, Chao; Pu, Mingbo; Luo, Jun; Huang, Yijia; Li, Xiong; Ma, Xiaoliang; Luo, Xiangang

    2018-05-01

    Electromagnetic (EM) absorption is a common process by which the EM energy is transformed into other kinds of energy in the absorber, for example heat. Perfect absorption of EM with structures at subwavelength scale is important for many practical applications, such as stealth technology, thermal control and sensing. Coherent perfect absorption arises from the interplay of interference and absorption, which can be interpreted as a time-reversed process of lasing or EM emitting. It provides a promising way for complete absorption in both nanophotonics and electromagnetics. In this review, we discuss basic principles and properties of a coherent perfect absorber (CPA). Various subwavelength structures including thin films, metamaterials and waveguide-based structures to realize CPAs are compared. We also discuss the potential applications of CPAs.

  8. Determinants of Emergency Medical Services Utilization Among Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients in Hubei Province in China.

    PubMed

    Yin, Xiaoxv; Yang, Tingting; Gong, Yanhong; Zhou, Yanfeng; Li, Wenzhen; Song, Xingyue; Wang, Mengdie; Hu, Bo; Lu, Zuxun

    2016-03-01

    Emergency medical services (EMS) can effectively shorten the prehospital delay for patients with acute ischemic stroke. This study aimed to investigate EMS utilization and its associated factors in patients with acute ischemic stroke in China. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 1, 2014, to January 31, 2015, which included 2096 patients admitted for acute ischemic stroke from 66 hospitals in Hubei province in China. A multivariable stepwise logistic regression model was undertaken to identify the factors associated with EMS utilization. Of the 2096 participants, only 323 cases (15.4%) used EMS. Those acute ischemic stroke patients who previously used EMS (odds ratio [OR] =9.8), whose National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was ≥10 (OR=3.7), who lived in urban communities (OR=2.5), who had sudden onset of symptoms (OR=2.4), who experienced their first stroke (OR=1.8), and who recognized initial symptom as stroke (OR=1.4) were more likely to use EMS. Additionally, when acute ischemic stroke patients' stroke symptom were noticed first by others (OR=2.1), rather than by the patients, EMS was more likely to be used. A very low proportion of patients with acute ischemic stroke used the EMS in Hubei province in China. Considerable education programs are required regarding knowledge of potential symptoms and the importance of EMS for stroke. © 2016 American Heart Association, Inc.

  9. EPA's Reanalysis of Key Issues Related to Dioxin Toxicity and Response to NAS Comments (External Review Draft)

    EPA Science Inventory

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